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Police are looking for four Myanmar workers, two married couples, who allegedly beat and stabbed two Chinese employers at a construction workers’ camp in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district, killing one and seriously injuring the other, before fleeing with about 50,000 baht in wages.

The attack was believed to have stemmed from an argument after the workers asked to resign but were refused payment, reportedly because they had failed to give advance notice as agreed.

The incident occurred at a construction site at Soi Phatthana Chonnabot 3 in Khlong Song Ton Nun area, said Pol Capt Jaennarong Aree, deputy investigation chief at Lat Krabang police station, who was told about the incident at 8pm on Tuesday.

Police, forensic officers, medical personnel, forensic officers and rescue workers were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers found a man, identified later as Yang Zhongxu, 39, a Chinese national, lying critically injured with head and facial injuries believed to have been inflicted with a hard object. Rescuers performed CPR, but failed to resuscitate him.

Another Chinese man, 49, suffered head injuries and a stab wound to the back. He was taken to Sirindhorn Hospital.

Polce found a 60-centimetre bloodstained steel reinforcing bar and a bloodstained cash envelope used for wage payments at the scene. Both were collected as evidence.

According to preliminary witness statements, Yang and the injured Chinese man arrived at the camp at 6.30pm on Tuesday to distribute monthly wages to more than 60 Myanmar workers.

During the payment process, Yang reportedly scolded the two married couples over the quality of their work. The four then abruptly asked to resign, but Yang refused to pay their wages, citing an agreement requiring advance notice before resignation.

Enraged by the refusal, the four allegedly attacked the two employers, striking them with the steel bar and stabbing them with a knife. They then fled with about 40,000-50,000 baht in cash.

Lat Krabang investigators were examining CCTV footage along escape routes. One of the four suspects has been identified as Soe Htike Aung, 25.

Dry Wave Cocktail Studio maintained its lead on Thailand’s 20 Best Bars list for a third consecutive year at the Bangkok Bar Show Awards and Thailand’s 20 Best Bars 2026 announcement, held on Oct 26 at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.

BKK Social Club at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River climbed to No.2 and Bar Us secured third place.

G.O.D. (Genius On Drugs) and Last Call complete the top five, while Opium, Bar Sathorn, Firefly Bar, Vesper and Asia Today round out the top 10. The rankings bring together a mix of established names and venues continuing to make their mark on Thailand’s bar scene.

The top 20 bars on Thailand’s Best Bars 2026 list are:

Dry Wave Cocktail Studio

BKK Social Club

Bar Us

G.O.D.

Last Call Bar Bangkok

Opium Bar

Bar Sathorn

Firefly Bar

Vesper

Asia Today

Tax Bar

Aqua Bar

Zuma, which won Best Restaurant Bar.

Messengerservice

Cherry Olive Cocktail Bar, which won Best New Bar.

Bar.San won Best Bar in Chiang Mai.

Garnish Samui won Best Bar in Phuket/Samui

Bar Not Found

Black Cabin

Wasteland

Bartender of the Year 2026 went to Supawit ‘Palm’ Muttarattana of Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, which took home Bar Team of the Year 2026. Menu Design of the Year 2026 went to Tax Bar; while the Art of Hospitality Award 2026 went to BKK Social Club. Best Wine Bar 2026 went to Mod Kaew Wine Bar; Best Rooftop Bar 2026 to The Norm; and Emerging Bartender of the Year 2026 went to Tamaryn Cooper.

The annual celebration recognises the people and venues shaping the country’s bar scene, honouring achievements across cocktails, hospitality, menu design and team performance.

Thailand’s auto manufacturers are accelerating production after flooding in the eastern region subsided, allowing factories to resume normal operations and maintain output targets for both domestic sales and exports.

Suwat Supakandechakul, chairman of the Automotive Industry Club under the Federation of Thai Industries, said workers can now travel to factories more easily, and the transportation of auto components has returned to normal.

The supply of parts has also stabilised, with manufacturers sourcing components locally rather than relying on imports, which were used as temporary substitutes during the flooding.

“The recent floods have not had a severe impact on the automotive industry because floodwaters did not enter production facilities,” Mr Suwat said.

As a result, the industry maintained its 2026 vehicle production target of 1.45 million units, comprising 900,000 units for export and 550,000 units for the domestic market. However, exporters continue to face challenges from geopolitical tensions, as shipments to the Middle East have fallen sharply since the outbreak of regional wars.

“Exports to the Middle East have contracted by more than 91%, with pickups accounting for most of the decline,” Mr Suwat said.

According to Surapong Paisitpatanapong, advisor and spokesman for the club, Thailand produced 120,319 vehicles in September, down 6.08% from a year earlier. Several carmakers temporarily halted production between late September and mid-October due to disruptions in parts deliveries caused by flooding, which could affect October output figures, he said.

Despite the monthly decline, cumulative vehicle production in the first nine months of 2026 rose by 0.39% year-on-year to 1.08 million units.

Domestic demand remains strong. Vehicle sales in September rose by 14.3% from a year earlier to 55,255 units, driven largely by growing demand for battery electric vehicles.

For the first nine months, domestic vehicle sales climbed by 16.4% year-on-year to 512,226 units. Exports also improved in September, rising by 4.55% from a year earlier to 89,972 units. The increase was supported by shipments to Asian markets, excluding the Middle East, which accounted for 28.6% of exports, while Australia and Oceania represented 29.3%.

However, export performance for the first nine months of the year remained weak overall, with shipments declining 4.94% year-on-year to 655,009 vehicles.

Thailand is among Garmin Health’s fastest-growing markets in the region, and the company’s business-to-business operation is preparing to open its first Southeast Asian manufacturing facility in the country this quarter.

The Board of Investment has approved Garmin’s planned investment of 3 billion baht for manufacturing, meant to deepen Thailand’s role in the group’s production network alongside growing demand for wearable data in healthcare, insurance and employee wellness.

Jörn Watzke, senior director of Garmin Health global sales, said the business is growing by 25% year-on-year in Asia, with Thailand a leading growth market. Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam also showed strong engagement.

The Asia-Pacific wearable market is expected to grow from US$11.5 billion in 2026 to $24.7 billion by 2031, representing a 13.6% compound annual growth rate.

Thai companies are investing in rehabilitation and medical therapies, often working with universities to develop services using wearable data, he said.

Garmin plans to begin production in Thailand this quarter, with a grand opening scheduled for March 2027, said Susan Lyman, vice-president for consumer sales and marketing.

The firm’s manufacturing network spans the US, the Netherlands, Poland, the UK, China and Taiwan.

Garmin generated $7.25 billion in global revenue last year and is targeting more than $8.1 billion this year, she said.

The company shipped more than 20 million products last year, taking cumulative shipments above 320 million since its founding in 1989. Garmin launches more than 100 products annually across its automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor and sports businesses.

Garmin operates 12 production facilities and 102 offices in 37 countries, with vertically integrated models for design, manufacturing, distribution and customer support, allowing it to control quality throughout the product lifecycle, Ms Lyman said.

BEYOND FITNESS

Garmin Health enables organisations to integrate biometric data from its wearables into their services, extending their use beyond personal fitness.

Local partners are building customised healthcare platforms around wearable data, reflecting its growing incorporation into preventive care programmes and therapies across the region.

Applications range from preventive care, clinical research and rehabilitation to employee wellness and occupational safety, Mr Watzke said.

Insurers can use the data in health promotion, customer engagement, loyalty and underwriting programmes, while gyms and fitness operators represent another growing market.

The opportunity centres on healthy longevity. Physical activity and regular sleep are central to that goal, with continuous tracking helping users understand their habits and supporting health programmes and research.

Lifestyle improvements remain relevant even for people in their 50s and 70s, he said.

Research adoption is also accelerating. The number of studies worldwide using Garmin wearables as data sensors rose from 420 to 500 over the past year, while the number in Asia increased by 50%.

Mr Watzke cited clinical research across Asia-Pacific as a partnership opportunity and Singapore’s government investment in health initiatives as an example of public-sector support.

Thailand’s strong running community supports wearable demand, but consumers typically replace devices every three to four years when new features offer substantial value, Mr Watzke said.

Upgrade drivers include more accurate sensors, improved displays, AI-powered personalised fitness coaching and interactive sleep coaches that use daily stress metrics to inform recommendations.

Wearables are moving beyond displaying raw measurements, and are now explaining users’ health implications and offering practical guidance, he said.

Rather than simply flagging insufficient deep sleep, devices can recommend changes such as keeping bedrooms dark and quiet, said Mr Watzke.

Ms Lyman said that extended battery life supports continuous tracking, with selected models running for two to three weeks between charges. This allows users to monitor activity, sleep and other health indicators over longer periods.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to maintain healthcare spending despite Thailand’s tightening fiscal constraints, adding healthcare is the one area the Budget Bureau would not dare to cut.

Mr Anutin on Wednesday presided over the opening ceremony of the 19th National Health Assembly under the theme “A Thriving and Empowered Society: Positive and Empathetic Public Policy for Health” at IMPACT Forum, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi.

Recalling his 2019-2023 tenure as public health minister, he said Thailand’s healthcare system has continued to develop over the past several years. He said the government’s top priority was to sustain the country’s health security while adjusting policies and strategies to prepare for a fully aged society.

With the country expected to become a fully aged society within six to seven years, the government must prioritise disease prevention, early diagnosis and health promotion to ensure timely and effective treatment, said Mr Anutin.

He said the universal healthcare scheme would continue receiving government support despite internal disagreements and delays in payments to hospitals. He urged the public not to worry, adding that public health remained the government’s highest priority.

Any central funds or savings from other areas would first be considered for extra allocations to the National Health Security Office (NHSO), enabling payments to the Pharmaceutical Organisation and hospitals. “Thailand remains committed to maintaining strict fiscal discipline. This does not mean we can spend recklessly. Strict fiscal discipline ensures that we have the budget needed to manage affairs across all areas,” he said.

He said the World Bank had called for stronger preventive healthcare, expand primary care, and provide continuous support for older people.

Wattanasak Sur-iam, director-general of the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), said GP fees had increased three times since January 2026, leaving businesses insufficient time to manage inventory and adjust their plans.

The platforms agreed to roll back fees to their Jan 1 levels and maintain the revised rates for six months, starting from Dec 1.

The rates vary by platform and product category, and the measure does not apply to GP fees for electronics.

Lazada set GP fees at 7.50-11.60%, while Shopee is offering a range of 8.03-13.91% and TikTok Shop 11.24-17.66%.

Individual merchants with annual sales not exceeding 1.8 million baht and legal entities with annual sales of up to 3.5 million baht are eligible for this initiative.

Eligible merchants must register for this programme through the Department of Business Development, provincial commerce offices or local administrative organisations.

The measure is estimated to reduce the fee burden for businesses by 1.93 billion baht over six months, benefiting 1.2 million businesses, according to the DIT.

The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand requested earlier the platforms suspend GP increases for six months from Aug 27, 2026 to Feb 27, 2027.

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said the GP fee reduction initiative offers businesses short-term relief.

Government agencies are also reviewing the draft Digital Platform Economy Act, initially prepared in 2025, to establish a longer-term framework governing pricing, business conduct and service quality.

She said the government wants the legislation to foster a competitive, transparent and fair business environment that maximises public benefit.

Between Aug 27, 2026 and Feb 27, 2027, relevant agencies are collecting feedback from businesses, SMEs and other stakeholders as part of the legislative review process.

Mrs Suphajee said a clearer framework for assessing GP fees is expected by the end of February.

Supree Thongpetch, chairman of the Thai Small and Medium Enterprises Council, said effective implementation is crucial for this GP fee reduction programme.

The incentives available through the programme should encourage businesses to enter the formal economy. Registration in the programme would make it easier for the government to provide assistance to SMEs more systematically and transparently, while also improving the assessment of policy outcomes, he noted.

“The solution lies in finding a balance among all business operators, as we are part of the country’s shared commercial structure,” said Mr Supree.

The government is ready to support innovation that adds value to agricultural products and helps farmers reach global markets, according to Kosol Pattama, adviser to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Speaking at “Agri Next Thailand 2026”, Mr Kosol told the audience that one of the biggest challenges for local farmers was accessing global markets.

Innovation could add value to agricultural products, reduce costs and improve quality to meet international requirements, he said.

“The government is ready to support all farmers in accessing innovation and technology to make farming more sustainable,” Mr Kosol said.

“At the same time, it is doing its best to help farmers affected by flooding, leaving no one behind. The government will help them recover and build resilience against future challenges.”

Naiyarit Jumlay, chairman of the National Farmers Council, said empowering farmers to adapt and grow in a changing market was a priority.

The council aimed to help them become agricultural entrepreneurs by integrating innovation, technology, cost management and quality standards, he said.

The council also provides a platform to create greater economic value from local resources while connecting farmers directly with buyers and trade networks, he added.

According to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), agricultural and agro-industrial exports totalled 1.709 trillion baht in 2025, down 0.4% year on year.

While agricultural exports contracted by 4.1%, agro-industrial exports grew by 4.1% for the second consecutive year, highlighting opportunities to increase the value of Thai agricultural products through processing and innovation.

The National Farmers Council and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) organised “Agri Next Thailand” under the theme “From Local Value to Global Market”.

The event brought together more than 100 exhibitors to showcase agricultural products, including premium Wagyu beef from Nong Khai, pomelos from Nakhon Pathom, coconut sugar from Samut Sakhon, organic rice and other value-added products.

It aims to strengthen Thailand’s agricultural competitiveness by shifting the focus from production volume towards value-added products, innovation and market-driven growth.

It connects farmers, producers, agricultural technology providers, processors, distributors and exporters through knowledge-sharing, product showcases and business partnerships.

Salanroj Sutaschuto, TCEB’s senior vice-president, said that the bureau was supporting the event as part of its commitment to using the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) industry to drive economic growth and create value for the agricultural sector.

Army troops seized 261.5 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, or ‘ice’, following a gunfight with suspected drug smugglers in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai in the early hours of Wednesday.

Patrolling soldiers from the Chao Tak special unit spotted five or six suspicious-looking men carrying parcels in a forested area of Srichaiyaphum village in tambon Koh Chang of Mae Sai district at about 4.50am.

When the soldiers identified themselves and attempted to conduct a search, the men opened fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire that lasted about five minutes.

The suspects escaped by using their familiarity with the terrain. All of the soldiers were safe.

A subsequent sweep of the area led to the discovery of seven black plastic-wrapped sacks abandoned by the suspects. The sacks contained 261.5kg of crystal meth, classified as a Category 1 narcotic.

The seized drugs were handed over to the Mae Sai police for further legal proceedings.

Col Suphan Roiphut, commander of the Chao Tak special unit, together with Mae Sai district chief Warayut Khombun and others, inspected the site of the clash at 11am on Wednesday.

Maj Gen Sathit Waiyanon, commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, has ordered all units to intensify efforts to intercept and suppress drug trafficking along the entire northern border.

On Monday night, army troops seized 4 million speed pills following a skirmish with smugglers near the Myanmar border in Mae Sai district.

A foreign man, whose nationality has yet been identified, reportedly fell to his death from a high-rise condominium on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya early on Wednesday morning.

Local rescue workers were informed of the fall at 3.06am. They were called to a condominium in tambon Na Kluea.

Police have initially assumed the man fell from the 29th floor. His body hit a balcony on the fourth floor.

The individual’s legs were found severed from his body on the ground. His upper torso landed in the building’s parking lot. There were no traces of physical assault.

Police were checking CCTV footage to support their investigation into the death. The man has yet to be identified.

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