Category: The Bangkok Post

Chartthaipattana Party leader Varawut Silpa-archa has refused to confirm a possible merger with the Pheu Thai Party, insisting that any decision rests with the party executives and its 10 MPs.

In a message posted on the Facebook of Chartthaipattana Party, Mr Varawut said that he remains leader and remains committed to working together as one team.

“I insist we haven’t agreed to anything. We are the Chartthaipattana. If any decision is made, it will be a collective decision by all 10 MPs and the party’s executive board,” he said.

Mr Varawut said that reports about the merger are unsurprising amid heightened political competition, as he noted that it is normal for smaller parties to be approached by major ones seeking to strengthen their position.

He said such speculation could have stemmed from rivalry between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party.

His message is in response to speculation that he had been approached to be one of Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidates as the Shinawatra family looks to salvage Pheu Thai’s image.

Former Democrat Party MP Thepthai Senpong wrote on his Facebook that there was a possibility that Mr Varawut could be in the frame due to his long-standing personal and political ties between the two families.

He noted that the political bases of Pheu Thai and Chartthaipattana do not overlap, making the potential merger a mutual benefit. Mr Thepthai also pointed out that Mr Varawut nearly missed out on a party-list seat in the last election, suggesting that a merger with Pheu Thai could secure his political future.

Indian tourism operators remain confident in Thailand as a top destination, with the country planning to host the “Grand Diwali Celebration” next week, aiming to draw at least 100,000 travellers, while annual arrivals are expected to reach a record high of 2.5 million.

Puneet Kochhar, director of Kochhar Travel, an outbound tour company based in Delhi, said while some northern Indian tourists prefer to stay at home during the festival, other markets still plan to travel during this period, such as the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Thailand was the most popular overseas destination among Indian travellers who made bookings with the company, he said. The majority were from Delhi and Mumbai, he noted.

Mr Kochhar said Indian tourists did not have a perception that Thailand is unsafe in the way the Chinese market did.

The company is expecting to bring 1,000 Indian tourists a month to Thailand in the fourth quarter, comprising both leisure tourists and wedding groups.

Even though other Southeast Asian destinations, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, are growing in popularity among Indian tourists, they have yet to catch up with Thailand.

Nikorn Sachdev, treasurer of the Indian Association of Thailand, said a booming Indian economy, the visa-free scheme and an increasing number of flights should help drive the Indian market for the remainder of this year, particularly with regard to this month’s Diwali festival.

On the subject of a recent incident on an escalator at the Surasak BTS skytrain station during the Navaratri festival at Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Bangkok, Mr Nikorn said the incident should not hamper tourism confidence among Indians as it had not resulted in any severe injury.

He said Indians were already familiar with attending enormous celebrations drawing huge crowds.

However, he said he hoped the authorities would strengthen regulations to manage the crowd more efficiently during next year’s event.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is holding the “Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival 2025” at Ong Ang Canal and the Pahurat area from Oct 16-31. This is the fourth consecutive year the event has been held and the TAT is hoping to attract at least 100,000 visitors and generate revenue of more than 650 million baht.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the event is being billed as the largest Diwali festival outside India. The festival is subject to relevant safety measures, such as tourist police using artificial intelligence detection cameras and vehicles, she said.

As of Oct 7 this year, Thailand welcomed over 1.82 million tourists from India, which is among the country’s top three inbound markets.

The average length of stay was 6.6 nights and expenditure was 36,704 baht per person per trip.

The agency is confident of securing 2.2-2.5 million arrivals this year, representing a new high for this market.

During November and December, the TAT will launch an Indian passport privilege campaign in tandem with shopping mall partners.

Three branches of the Central Department Store, including CentralWorld in Bangkok, Pattaya and Patong, will also offer a special shopping privilege for Indian passport holders.

CentralWorld projects a 30% rise in Indian visitors year-on-year in October.

Fighting corruption and restoring trust in the rule of law are crucial for Thailand’s long-term competitiveness, experts said at a public forum organised by the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ).

The event on Wednesday, titled “Restoring Systemic Structures and Rule of Law to Strengthen National Competitiveness”, called for urgent reforms to build fairness, transparency, and greater efficiency across institutions.

Phiset Sa-ardyen, executive director of the TIJ, said the nation stands at a turning point in terms of defining fair societal rules.

“The rule of law is like a football field where fairness depends on clear rules, impartial referees and consequences for violations,” he explained.

Yet in practice, he noted, “those with power still enjoy privileges, while referees face pressure from inside and outside the field, eroding public faith in fairness”.

He said reform must extend beyond revising laws to restructuring power. A fair system requires balance among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent overreach and eliminate “special players” who act above the law.

“If built on trust, citizens will feel they are on the same team as the state,” he said.

Mr Phiset cited the World Justice Project (WJP) 2024 Index, which ranked Thailand 78th out of 142 countries with a score of 0.5 — below both global and regional averages.

Weaknesses included limited constraints on state powers, poor anti-corruption performance, and weak law enforcement.

He said the TIJ aims to act as a neutral “field keeper” through three missions: creating an inclusive platform to redesign national rules, developing a shared national blueprint with clear goals and indicators, and building partnerships with organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), WJP and UN to align Thai practices with international standards.

During the panel on “Institutional Mechanisms and National Competitiveness”, Prof Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, chairman of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, urged the government to create “reform momentum” within four months.

He said three priorities — anti-corruption, open government and regulatory reform — were already underway and only needed strong state backing.

He pointed to three obstacles: lengthy lawmaking processes averaging up to 20 months, difficulty repealing outdated laws, and public perception of taxation as a burden rather than a civic duty.

Cutting obstructive regulations, he said, could lift GDP by 0.8%. He proposed a “legal guillotine” to remove redundant laws within four months, alongside tax reform and incentives for compliance.

Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said foreign investors continue to criticise Thailand’s bureaucratic corruption, overlapping regulations, and political instability.

He urged constitutional safeguards for core national policies to ensure long-term consistency. “Corruption is the main obstacle to the rule of law and good governance. The chamber stands ready to cooperate with anti-corruption organisations,” he said.

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, warned that Thailand faced global disruptions — from trade wars to currency volatility.

“If the rule of law is strong, the economy will grow. The government must urgently cut obstructive laws to reduce corruption risks,” he said.

Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association, said recurring crises had weakened productivity, widened inequality, and pushed more workers into the informal sector.

“This stems from the absence of justice for all,” he said.

He urged the government to focus on five key sectors — tourism, agriculture and food, medical and wellness, automotive, and smart electronics — and to publicly disclose corruption indices across industries to drive accountability.

Mana Nimitmongkol, secretary-general of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, said corruption is entrenched in licensing, procurement and political patronage.

“Corruption has eroded public trust in justice, independent agencies, and the state. Thailand must strive to join the OECD to strengthen reform,” he said.

The private sector is calling for a zero corruption policy, regulatory reform and structural modernisation to drive national competitiveness.

During a panel discussion at the Economic Reporters Association’s annual seminar, Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, urged all political parties to commit to a zero corruption policy, which should gain strong public support and serve as a foundation for sustainable economic reform.

He also emphasised the need to remove outdated regulations, unlock consumer purchasing power, and empower the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), trade and farming sectors, while promoting transparency and trust in the economic system.

“We must create a transparent economy that works for everyone,” said Mr Poj.

He reaffirmed his commitment to accelerating free trade agreements in order to strengthen Thailand’s export competitiveness.

The private sector’s plan to revitalise the economy is built on four pillars.

“First, we must build business confidence and strengthen global trade links through regulatory reform and strategic partnerships. Second, we will advance smart agriculture and the net-zero economy by using artificial intelligence and robotics to boost productivity and sustainability,” said Mr Poj.

“Third, we must drive a digital and innovation-led transformation to make the digital economy the foundation of future prosperity. Finally, we will empower Thai entrepreneurs and SMEs with better access to finance, technology and mentorship so they can thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

PROPER INCENTIVES

Despite current challenges, Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), expressed optimism about next year’s prospects, noting a resolution to ongoing global trade tensions could help stabilise markets and support export growth.

“We are beginning to see clearer signs in the global trade environment,” he said. “If the trade war reaches a settlement, Thailand’s export and investment outlook will improve significantly.”

The FTI plans to collaborate with the Board of Investment (BoI) to advance new S-curve industries that can transition the country from traditional manufacturing towards innovation-led and technology-driven sectors. These include next-generation automotive, smart electronics, biotechnology and green energy industries.

“Our focus is to create the right incentives under the BoI framework to attract high-value investment and support structural transformation,” Mr Kriengkrai said. “We must train people who are ready to adapt, innovate and compete globally.”

Consistent and coordinated policy execution is crucial for Thailand’s economic recovery, he said.

“The most important factor is turning policy into concrete, continuous action. If the government can deliver on this, it will strengthen investor confidence and reinforce the foundation of Thailand’s economy,” said Mr Kriengkrai.

STRUCTURAL REFORM

Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association, called for swift reforms on productivity, public efficiency and structural modernisation to rebuild investor trust and strengthen long-term growth.

Mr Payong also highlighted the country’s weakening credit rating outlook, urging greater transparency and accountability through data reform.

“We must ensure transparency in every aspect, from off-book economic data and informal debt to the corruption index, all under the rule of law,” he said.

The key to escaping the current economic trap lies in embracing technology, sustainability and decarbonisation, said Mr Payong, as they will help transform Thailand into a resilient and future-ready economy.

A male employee has been dismissed from his job after a video of him kicking a cat went viral online, sparking widespread outrage across social media. The incident, which occurred in Bangkok, shows the man setting up a camera before deliberately kicking a cat with the caption, ‘With apologies to cat lovers.’

Following the video’s circulation, online users swiftly identified the perpetrator as a maintenance staff member employed by A and J Beauty Products Co Ltd, located in the Don Mueang district. The company has since issued a formal statement confirming his termination, effective today

In the statement, A and J Beauty Products emphasised its firm stance against animal cruelty, declaring:

‘The company does not condone or tolerate any form of cruelty towards living beings. We hereby inform you that the maintenance employee has been dismissed from the company as of Oct 10, 2025. Any further actions by this individual bear no connection or responsibility to the company.’

Meanwhile, Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) provided an update on the cat’s condition, confirming that the animal has received veterinary care and is unharmed. According to the organisation, the man’s former girlfriend, who took the cat to the vet, will continue to care for it.

The man responsible for the incident is due to appear before Don Mueang District Court today to face legal proceedings related to animal cruelty.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon and mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran advanced to the quarter-finals of the US$475,000 (approx 15.2 million baht) BWF Arctic Open in Finland on Thursday.

Kunlavut proved too strong for Yushi Tanaka as the Thai top seed moved past the Japanese world No.26 with a 21-13, 21-14 win in 46 minutes.

He will play either Tharun Mannepalli of India or Koki Watanabe of Japan for a place in the semi-finals of the World Tour Super 500 event.

In the mixed doubles, third seeds Dechapol and Supissara defeated Czech pair Ondrej Kral and Tereza Svabikova 21-15, 21-16 in 36 minutes. They will play fifth seeds Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai of Malaysia next.

Dechapol and Supissara teamed up for the first time at this tournament last year and reached the last 16. After 12 months, they are now chasing their fifth World Tour title of 2025 and seventh overall.

Women’s singles hope Ratchanok progressed with a commanding 21-9, 21-8 win over Tanya Hemanth of India.

The second-seeded Thai will play seventh seed Chiu Pin-chian of Taiwan in the last eight on Friday. Chiu edged past Kristin Kuuba of Estonia 16-21, 21-10, 21-11.

Another women’s singles player, Busanan Ongbamrungphan, was scheduled to meet Line Christophersen of Denmark in a late match.

While mixed pair, Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, were also set to play their last-16 match against Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch of Denmark later on Thursday.

In other early results on Thursday, men’s fifth seed Kodai Naraoka defeated Lee Chia-hao of Taiwan 21-13, 21-16 while women’s eighth seed Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark downed Han Qianxi of China 21-14, 21-13.

The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) is confident that the country’s exports will grow by 5% this year despite a potential slowdown in the final quarter.

Chairman Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan said total export value rose by 13.3% year-on-year to $223.2 billion in the first eight months of this year, while imports increased by 11.3% to $224.9 billion.

The council remains confident that exports will grow by 3-5% this year, driven by strong growth in the first and second quarters, offsetting the slowdown in the second half, he said on Friday.

However, members are monitoring several risks that could affect exports for the rest of the year and into 2026.

The main one is US tariffs, which are contributing to instability in the global economy and highlight the fragility of global trade, Mer Dhanakorn said.

Other concerns include the baht’s appreciation, limited access to credit for small businesses, shortages of raw materials for export production, and product circumvention.

Where the latter is concerned, the council has urged the authorities to tighten controls on the misuse of Thai-origin status for exports to third countries.

Mr Dhanakorn outlined the council’s recommendations for the government, focusing on baht stability in line with regional currencies, enabling exporters to hedge at reasonable costs.

‘We expect the baht to be at 33-34 per dollar,’ he said.

The TNSC also called on the government to lower business operating costs. This includes a review of policy interest rates, commercial bank lending rates, labour and energy costs, as well as postponing new laws or business fees.

‘The government needs to reconsider the draft Labour Protection Act that proposes reducing the working time from six days to five days, as this could result in a 16% increase in production costs,’ he said.

The council has asked that the government include private sector representatives in the discussions of new laws to ensure all perspectives are considered.

The TNSC recommended accelerating the approval and disbursement of the government budget to stimulate domestic demand, expand funding for overseas trade promotion and expedite or expand free trade agreement negotiations with key trading partners.

To support small and medium-sized enterprises that have potential but lack capital, the council recommended setting up a fund for joint investment, which the government can divest when the businesses become financially stable.

The council also wants the government address logistics issues, particularly congestion at Laem Chabang port.

Moreover, the government needs to strengthen the regulation and oversight of import prices and taxes, including both conventional and online trade, to ensure consumer safety and fair competition for domestic businesses.

Cool season this year will start about two weeks later than usual and is expected to be slightly warmer than average, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced on Thursday.

The average minimum temperature in upper Thailand will be around 21 degrees Celsius – slightly warmer than the historical average of 19.9°C and last year’s average of 20.7°C.

While some parts of the North and Northeast will still see temperatures drop to 7 to 8°C, the average minimum temperature in Bangkok is expected to be around 18 to 20°C, with surrounding provinces experiencing lows of about 16 to 18°C.

The weather agency said the coolest period will be between mid-December and early February.

Although mountain areas in the country’s upper regions will still experience frost and cold, conditions in the South are expected to be milder and wetter, especially along the eastern coast between November and December.

Heavy rainfall could cause flash floods and cause rivers to overflow, while waves in the Gulf of Thailand may reach 2 to 3 metres, potentially rising to 4 to 5m during tropical storms. The Andaman Sea will see waves of 1 to 2m.

In an era where digital technology and AI are transforming every industry, True Corporation, as Thailand’s leading tech company, shared its vision for driving the nation toward a sustainable digital future, advancing the telecom industry’s growth while creating lasting value for both businesses and society. This vision was presented at the NBTC Symposium 2025 at Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel, organised by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) as a platform for exchanging insights and experiences on key challenges in the digital technology sector. The symposium brought together industry leaders to explore emerging trends, cross-sector collaborations, and new opportunities for business and service innovation, all to strengthen the nation’s digital infrastructure and foster sustainable economic growth.

True Ready to Unlock New Chances from AI, Supporting the Shift from ‘Rules’ to ‘Opportunities’

Mr Chakkrit Urairat, Chief Regulatory and Government Relations Officer of True Corporation Plc, stated: ‘Today, we have entered the era of Artificial Intelligence in full force. Digital transformation is no longer optional. It is a necessity for survival. AI is not just another new technology; it represents a major paradigm shift and a key indicator of a nation’s competitiveness. As Thailand’s leading telecom-tech company, True Corporation recognises the importance of establishing a strong AI foundation to open doors to new opportunities, empower the country to stay ahead, and use AI to create real value for society. Our mission is to ensure that everyone can access and utilise AI equally and easily, just like using a calculator to enhance efficiency in work and daily life. At the same time, True is committed to promoting AI literacy among Thais and advancing the responsible and ethical use of AI in accordance with international standards because trust is the most essential foundation of all.’

‘Collaboration across all sectors is a key mechanism in building a digital ecosystem with global competitiveness. When we think of a whistle, many might picture a referee ensuring fair play in a competition. But from another perspective, a whistle can also represent the cheers and encouragement from the supporters, the energy that uplifts the players on the field. Therefore, the whistle symbolises two essential roles: regulation and support, much like the dual role of government agencies that not only establish a balanced regulatory framework but also drive and empower Thailand’s growth in an economy powered by technology and AI. The future is not something we wait for. It is something we build together. And True Corporation is ready to play its part to ensure Thailand becomes a true Technology Opportunity Creator,’ added Mr Chakkrit.

True’s Journey to Net Zero, Leveraging the Power of AI to Enhance Network Efficiency and Energy Use

Meanwhile, Mr Navneet Nayan, Head of Network Strategy of True Corporation Plc, shared his insights on the topic ‘Transforming Telecom for Sustainability: The Role of Mobile Operators in Driving Green Technology and an Eco-Friendly Future.’ He stated: ‘True Corporation places strong emphasis on sustainability from a stakeholder perspective. According to our materiality assessment, the very high-priority issues

include network management and climate change and environmental impact. True has set clear targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 21% by 2025 and by 42% by 2030, compared with the 2020 baseline, as we continue to progress toward our ultimate goal of achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.’

‘One of the key enablers to achieve this goal is enhancing network efficiency through the full application of digital innovation and technology including AI and Machine Learning for intelligent energy management and smart controllers, as well as increasing the share of clean energy by installing solar panels at base stations. These efforts have enabled True to reduce energy consumption across network sites by up to 20%, upgrade and integrate more than 17,000 base stations, and modernise 100% of its data centres. This reflects True’s strong commitment to conducting business with a foundation in sustainability, particularly in the environmental dimension and climate impact reduction to create a sustainable world together,’ Mr Navneet concluded.

The cryptocurrency market in October is on a bullish footing, with both Bitcoin and altcoins showing strong potential to extend gains, thanks partly to the expected monetary policy easing in the US, says digital asset fund manager Merkle Capital.

According to Woramet Chansen, investment advisor at Merkle, other key factors that could drive prices higher this month in addition to a Federal Reserve interest rate cut are supportive seasonality and renewed strength in altcoin markets.

The market widely expects the Federal Open Market Committee to trim the rate by a quarter-point to a range of 3.75% to 4% when it meets on Oct 28-29.

On Sept 17, the US central bank lowered its benchmark rate by 25 basis points and released a dovish dot plot, signalling more cuts ahead. Markets are now pricing in as many as four additional reductions through 2026, with most policymakers projecting a long-term terminal rate between 3% and 3.25% by late 2027.

Sustained lower borrowing costs are expected to inject liquidity into global markets, channelling capital towards risk assets such as cryptocurrencies, said Mr Woramet.

The second factor is seasonality, he said, noting Bitcoin rose more than 5% last month, only the fifth time since 2013 that September closed in positive territory.

Historical trends show that when September posts gains, October follows with further upside in six out of seven instances, he said. Moreover, Bitcoin has delivered positive returns in October 10 out of the past 12 years.

With the Fed pivoting towards a more accommodative policy, this seasonal tailwind adds conviction to bullish forecasts, said Mr Woramet.

The third driver is the broader market, as total crypto market capitalisation reached a record high in August, largely fuelled by institutional adoption of Bitcoin, according to Merkle.

More strikingly, altcoins excluding Bitcoin are retesting peak levels not seen in four years. In the previous cycle, once the altcoin market cap broke above its 2017 high, it surged more than 250% during 2021.

“Analysts believe a similar breakout this October could set the stage for a broad-based rally into the fourth quarter and potentially into 2026,” he said.

Merkle expects Bitcoin to test US$75,000-80,000 by year-end if momentum holds, while Ethereum could climb towards $4,000-4,200. Altcoins within the Ethereum ecosystem, as well as Web3-related tokens, are seen as potential outperformers, noted the asset manager.

“October could prove to be a defining month for digital assets,” Mr Woramet said. “Long-term investors may consider gradually increasing exposure to cryptocurrencies as global liquidity conditions, historical patterns and market structure all align for another bull cycle.”