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Deputy national police chief, Pol Gen Kornchai Klaiklueng, said the Royal Thai Police will not demolish the new Samsen Police Station, which now lies precariously on the edge of a massive sinkhole which opened up in Dusit district last week.

Pol Gen Kornchai said a team of engineers has inspected the building and determined that demolition won’t be necessary if the damaged foundation pillars are adequately reinforced.

Although the team concluded that the building is in no immediate danger of collapsing, it will remain closed to ensure the safety of both officers and members of the public.

“I will be the first one to enter the building once it is reopened,” assured Pol Gen Kornchai.

He promised the RTP will not use public funds to rebuild the building if authorities decide to demolish the station in the future, out of safety concerns..

He said that RTP has offered the station’s officers temporary residence in three locations: Khlong San, Vibhavadi, and Dusit. Pol Gen Kornchai said the RTP is aware of concerns about the commute, saying the station’s chief and Metropolitan Police Region 1 have been ordered to address the problem.

Tropical depression Bualoi was downgraded to an active low-pressure cell over Luang Namtha province of Laos at 1am Tuesday but will still cause heavy rain in some provinces of Thailand on Tuesday, according to the Meteorological Department.

Sugunyanee Yavinchan, director-general of the department, said heavy rain was likely as Bualoi strengthened the southwestern monsoon and the monsoon trough over upper Myanmar and the upper North of Thailand.

She advised small boats in the upper Andaman Sea to be kept ashore on Tuesday.

The Department of Lands (DoL) has compiled all court filings related to the Khao Kradong land dispute in Buri Ram province, but the Supreme Court never ruled that the land belonged to the State Railway of Thailand as the SRT lacked ownership rights, said Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri.

While delivering the new government’s policy statement in parliament yesterday, Mr Songsak stated that three court cases related to the land have concluded, with the DoL having revoked all land title deed applications connected to the land.

These applications were ruled unlawful as there were already residents who held valid title deeds living there, he said.

However, Mr Songsak said that the Supreme Court never ruled that the ownership of the land be transferred to the SRT, adding that the SRT was correct in opposing the issuance of ownership rights.

Regarding measures to revoke title deeds under Section 61 of the Land Code, he noted that such revocations must follow due legal processes, including investigations by officially appointed committees.

According to Mr Songsak, the SRT was asked to define its boundaries clearly, but its failure to do so rendered the revocations impossible.

He also revealed that the previous administration had formed an invalid committee to revoke title deeds for 995 plots of land in Khao Kradong.

However, Mr Songsak said that the committee has not done so despite reminders from him and the then-interior minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, who is now back at the ministry and the prime minister.

Responding to criticism from Prachachat Party MP Tawee Sodsong, who accused the government of trying to undermine the court’s authority, Mr Songsak reiterated that all actions were based strictly on court orders.

Pol Col Tawee claimed that the land had been ruled state property and criticised the government for failing to act decisively, alleging high-level interference and irregular transfers of key officials.

The debate in parliament escalated as Pol Col Tawee connected the issue to Mr Anutin, noting the prime minister’s ties to Buri Ram and implying conflicts of interest. This sparked a flurry of protests from MPs, especially from the Bhumjaithai Party, who argued that Pol Col Tawee’s comments were off-topic.

Pol Col Tawee also criticised the government’s overall direction, calling its policies unrealistic and lacking budgetary support.

He warned against corruption, misuse of legal authority and political interference, stressing the importance of transparency and rule of law.

The government’s economic stimulus measures, which are scheduled to be rolled out in the final quarter of this year, are expected to help boost business confidence and increase the demand for loans among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Pichit Mitrawong, president of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME D Bank), said confidence among SME entrepreneurs in the fourth quarter is expected to rise, while loan demand is likely to double compared to the third quarter.

He cited a joint survey conducted by the bank’s Research and Data Center and Excellent Business Management Co on “SME Entrepreneurs’ Confidence Index toward the Economy and Business in the third quarter of 2025 and Future Outlook,” which covered 500 SME entrepreneurs nationwide, across all industries.

The SME confidence index forecast for the fourth quarter of 2025 indicates a more optimistic business outlook, with the index rising to 80.6 compared to 67.1 in this year’s third quarter. This was driven by expectations of higher sales, supported by anticipated government policies to stimulate economic recovery, encourage investment, and promote business expansion, especially among SMEs.

Tourism confidence is likely to continue to grow with the arrival of high season, which will help boost domestic and international tourist spending.

Additionally, the SME confidence index for the fourth quarter of 2025 improved across all regions. The western region recorded the highest level at 90.0, followed by Bangkok and the metropolitan area at 86.9, and the northeastern region at 81.8. The index also increased across all business sectors, particularly tourism services, manufacturing, and construction, reflecting optimism about economic recovery towards the end of 2025.

In the third quarter of 2025, the SME confidence index stood at 67.1, up from 57.3 in the second quarter, supported by the “Tiew Thai Khon La Khrueng” co-payment scheme, which boosted orders, services, and business performance. The micro-enterprise group saw the greatest increase in confidence, benefiting from stronger domestic purchasing power and more widespread income distribution, aligning with tourism services which stood out as the strongest sector.

However, many entrepreneurs still expressed concern about the influx of cheap products from China, Vietnam and India, which threatens their business by taking market share and forces them to cut prices to stay competitive.

For the fourth quarter of 2025, SME loan demand is expected to rise compared to the previous quarter, both for working capital and investment purposes. Together, these account for over 42.2% of loan demand, up from 21.2% in the previous quarter. Tourism businesses in particular showed the highest increase in loan demand, reflecting their readiness to capture the opportunities of the high season, with micro-enterprises also showing rising demand for credit.

Mr Pichit added that in response to this demand, SME D Bank is prepared to provide support by offering loan products in line with government policies for all SME groups, especially tourism.

These loans will support investment, expansion, and improvement projects to meet the needs of the high season, enabling businesses to deliver products and services effectively to both Thai and foreign tourists. The bank will offer these loans at a special fixed low annual interest rate of 3% for the first three years.

A court has backed prosecutors and denied bail for Nopparat Benjawatananun, the former National Office of Buddhism (NOB) chief who fled to the United States after he was accused of embezzling subsidies for the restoration of temples across the country, the Office of the Attorney-General announced on Monday.

Mr Nopparat, who was extradited to Thailand on Saturday, was taken into police custody as he had two active warrants against him.

The warrants, issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 7 and Region 9 in 2023, accused him of diverting funds meant to go towards the renovation and development of over 65 temples across the country.

The warrants also noted his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of funds allocated to a further 65 temples in the deep South.

Mr Nopparat fled to the US after the scandal broke out eight years ago. The US Marshals Service finally located and detained him in April.

OAG, in cooperation with the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), secured the extradition of Mr Nopparat last weekend.

According to OAG spokesman, Sakkasem Nisaiyok, Mr Nopparat was brought to the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 7 Monday morning to acknowledge the charges against him.

Mr Nopparat will remain in custody until Oct 10 as prosecutors opposed bail, calling him a flight risk.

Mr Nopparat is accused of misappropriating properties, corruption and malfeasance under sections 83, 147, 151 and 157 of the Criminal Code, after authorities detected irregularities in the renovation of Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan in Ayutthaya.

Mr Sakkasem said the allegations against Mr Nopparat carry severe penalties as they involve large sums of money that he and his associates allegedly embezzled from the government.

Police have busted a large hub run by copyright pirates streaming Premier League football matches and movies through an illegal website, serving over 100,000 members and earning 200 million baht a year.

The action followed complaints by Thailand’s leading pay-TV operator True Visions Group and the Motion Picture Association (MPA), an international industry advocate group, about an illegal signal conversion by the website ‘inmiptv’.

Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam, deputy director-general of the Department of Special Investigation, said according to the complainants the website was illegally rebroadcasting Premier League football matches and Warner Bros Entertainment group movies.

On Sept 21, about 40 police led by Pol Capt Khemachart Prakaihongmanee, director of the Bureau of Technology and Cyber Crime, raided a key target, a warehouse in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province.

It was a large warehouse on over five rai of land, about 8,000 square metres, and operated as a signal interception and conversion centre.

Police seized equipment used for live broadcasting, including rows of computer servers, signal decoding boxes, satellite dishes and mobile phones. Bank books for mule accounts used for laundering funds were also impounded.

The detected signal from other affected operators included MONO, Netflix and TV Channel 3.

Investigators said the website had at least 100,000 members, generated more than 200 million baht in annual revenue and was directly linked to a major online gambling network with annual revenues from various websites they run exceeding 1 billion baht.

As one of American trading partners, Thailand has been on the Watch List of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for eight consecutive years, since 2017. The government hopes Thailand will to be removed from the list this year.

The partnership between the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Etihad Airways marks a significant milestone in combining elite sport with global connectivity.

Under this collaboration, Etihad serves as the Official Global Airline Partner of the BWF, providing seamless travel and premium experiences for players, officials and fans, while amplifying badminton’s global reach. The alliance reflects both organisations’ shared mission to unite people across continents through sport, culture and shared values.

Since January 2025, the airline has connected badminton’s worldwide fan base of 744 million people, most of whom are in Asia, with its expanding network and services.

At the recent TotalEnergies BWF World Championships in Paris, BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul met with Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, to celebrate the role the airline has played in elevating the sport this year.

‘To align ourselves with a global leader in air travel such as Etihad Airways signals the sport’s expanding footprint,’ Khunying Patama said. ‘Etihad’s dedication to fostering connections through sport mirrors our mission of uniting people through badminton’s universal appeal

‘We are proud to partner with a sponsor that shares our vision to elevate badminton to world-class status, and for Etihad to take an active role in developing the sport globally. Together, we aim to enhance the fan experience, elevate the sport’s visibility and deliver unforgettable experiences at our premier tournaments.’

De underlined the synergy between the two organisations. ‘Our partnership with the BWF reflects Etihad’s commitment to connecting people through sport, culture and travel,’ he said.

‘Badminton is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, uniting millions of fans across Asia and beyond. As we expand our network across Southeast Asia, we are proud to engage with badminton fans everywhere and support a sport that is so deeply loved in the region.’

Beyond celebrating the partnership, Khunying Patama herself embodies the global aspirations of the sport. A billionaire entrepreneur turned philanthropist, she has channelled her resources into sport, youth development, art, music and culture.

She became Thailand’s first female member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2017, the fourth Thai overall to hold the post. Earlier this year, she was elected by 206 national member associations as president of the BWF for the 2025-2029 term, making her not only the first Thai but also the second woman ever to lead the world body.

In Thailand, she serves as President of the Badminton Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, where she has spearheaded grassroots development, talent-building initiatives and the hosting of world-class events.

Her influence extends well beyond sport. She is active in numerous charities supporting education, health and social development, while also serving as patron of cultural, art and music organisations.

With business interests ranging from steel and property to hospitality and logistics, Khunying Patama has long been recognised as a leading figure in both corporate and philanthropic circles. In 2024, she was honoured by the Thai Sports Journalists’ Association with the title ‘Olympic Queen’ for her contributions to Thai and international sport.

Through her leadership, generosity and vision, Khunying Patama has not only shaped the trajectory of badminton worldwide but has also inspired countless young people in Asia and beyond.

The Administrative Court has ruled that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Krung Thep Thanakom Co Ltd must pay 11 billion baht to Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Co Ltd (BTS) for operating and maintaining the extended sections of the Green Line electric skytrain.

The ruling, issued on Monday, relates to unpaid operations and maintenance (O and M) fees for two extensions of the Green Line project between June 2021 and October 2022, totalling 11 billion baht, plus interest. The court ordered the payment to be made within 180 days from the final ruling date.

The BMA and Krung Thep Thanakom representatives stated they would consult with BMA executives on whether to appeal because doing so may result in higher interest payments.

Deputy Bangkok governor, Wisanu Subsompon, said the BMA respects the court’s decision. To settle the debt, it is seeking approval for a supplementary budget for the 2026 fiscal year, using part of its 51.66 billion baht in reserve funds. The total payment owed to the BTS is expected to be 32.62 billion baht, including accrued interest through November next year.

The budget allocation process involves several steps before the Bangkok governor gives his final approval, and the payment is expected to be made on Nov 18.

The debt includes 12.2 billion baht from the second lawsuit period (June 2021-October 2022), and another 17.1 billion baht accrued from November 2022 to December 2024. An additional 8.3 billion baht is expected for 2025 operations.

Once the debt is paid, the BMA will have approximately 19 billion baht left in reserve funds.

Thailand’s economy remained sluggish in August as private consumption slowed, farm incomes declined, and exports softened due to the impact of US tariffs, according to the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO).

Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the FPO, reported on Monday that private consumption in August decelerated compared to the corresponding period last year, particularly in durable goods.

The number of newly registered motorcycles and passenger cars for the period decreased by 1.8% and 0.3% year-on-year, respectively, and also fell compared to the previous month after seasonal adjustments, by 3.0% and 4.8%.

According to Mr Pornchai, real farm income in August declined by 10.8% year-on-year, while the consumer confidence index dropped to 50.1, from 51.7 in the previous month. This reflected the slow pace of economic recovery, high costs of living, and concerns over geopolitical tensions.

Private investment remained stable compared to the same period last year. Private investment in machinery and equipment, as reflected by capital goods imports, rose by 23.6% year-on-year in August and edged up 0.1% month-on-month after seasonal adjustments.

Meanwhile, the number of newly registered commercial vehicles in August dropped by 10.5% year-on-year and fell by 8.5% month-on-month after seasonal adjustments.

Private investment in the construction category, as reflected by domestic cement sales, declined by 8.0% year-on-year and 1.0% month-on-month after seasonal adjustments.

Exports in August continued to expand compared to the same period last year, with the total export value in US dollar terms standing at US$27.7 billion, up 5.8% year-on-year, marking the 14th consecutive month of growth.

Exports excluding oil and related products, gold, and military goods rose by 5.4%.

Nevertheless, export growth was found to have decelerated following the US imposition of reciprocal tariffs, Mr Pornchai said.

In August, 2.58 million foreign tourists visited Thailand, down by 12.8% from the same period last year. However, domestic tourism increased, with 22.4 million Thai tourists travelling within the country, up 6.4% year-on-year.

For the industrial sector, the Thai Industries Sentiment Index in August declined slightly to 86.4, from 86.6 in the previous month, pressured by the border conflict, flooding problems, and uncertainty regarding the US tariffs. Meanwhile, Thailand’s Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 52.7, from 51.9 in the previous month, supported by an uptick in new orders.

Overall, Mr Pornchai said Thailand’s economic stability remained sound, as reflected by headline inflation in August which stood at -0.79%, and core inflation at 0.81%. Public debt at the end of July was 64.5% of GDP, still within the fiscal discipline framework under the State Financial and Fiscal Discipline Act.

External stability also remained strong, and capable of withstanding risks from global economic volatility, as reflected by international reserves, which stood at a high level of $267.4 billion at the end of August.

Thai League 1 champions Buriram United take on South Korea’s FC Seoul in an AFC Champions League Elite away game on Tuesday.

FC Seoul drew their opener 1-1 with Japan’s Machida Zelvia while Buriram United came from behind to defeat Malaysian Johor Darul Ta’zim 2-1.

The South Korean club will not only have the home ground advantage but will also be backed by an unbeaten record against the Thunder Castle.

Buriram coach Osmar Loss told a news conference on Monday: “In the AFC Champions League Elite, every game is tough, and we have to play as an away team. We confirm that our target is to pick up at least a point from this game.”

Rabbits tame Port

Surachat Sareepim had a double as BG Pathum United defeated Port 2-0 in a Thai League 1 encounter at home on Sunday night.

Port wasted a big opportunity in the 33rd minute when Warit Choothong committed a foul on Brayan Perea in the penalty area but the Colombian forward’s strike from the spot was stopped by Pathum goalkeeper Saranon Anuin.

The Rabbits got their first goal in the 45+2 minute when Surachat Sareepim’s header sailed into the net. Surachat then beat an offside trap shortly after the break to make it 2-0 for the hosts.

In other games, hosts Ratchaburi lost 1-0 to Bangkok United and Nakhon Ratchasima were held 1-1 at home by Muang Thong United.