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Authorities are urging caution in northern and upper northeastern Thailand, where heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers remain likely over the next couple of days, despite Typhoon Bualoi having weakened into a strong low-pressure system.

The Thai Meteorological Department reported on Tuesday that Bualoi, now centred over northern Myanmar and Laos, is moving along the monsoon trough affecting upper northern Thailand.

The storm, combined with the strong southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, will continue to bring heavy rain.

Forecasters say high-risk provinces include Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan and Udon Thani.

Conditions are expected to gradually ease after Thursday.

In Uttaradit, river embankments broke and floods swept through three districts – Nam Pat, Thong Saen Khan, and Tha Pla – around 2am on Tuesday.

Governor Sirivat Bupphacharoen called an emergency meeting, ordering evacuations and full assistance for residents.

The local Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office has also deployed boats and supplies, while highways near Ton Sak Yai National Park and the Sirikit Dam were closed because of landslides and power pole collapses.

Phu Soi Dao National Park has been temporarily closed due to heavy rain and landslides.

In Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang district was hit hard. Flash floods from the overflowing Yuam River were reported to have damaged homes, farmland and bridges.

A 38-year-old woman died when a landslide buried her house.

Flooding was also reported in Baan Sob Harn at tambon Baan Kat, leaving some villages cut off.

Other flooded districts include Muang and Mae La Noi. The inundation impacted 36 villages in six sub-districts.

Local agencies, along with the military and volunteers, have set up relief kitchens and are delivering urgent aid.

In Phetchabun, flash floods struck Lom Sak and Lom Kao districts, submerging over 1,000 homes. Reservoirs also overflowed.

A Thai Olympic Committee delegation has successfully negotiated the return of petanque to the 33rd SEA Games after urgent talks in France with the World Petanque and Bowls Confederation (WPBC) on Monday.

The breakthrough came after WPBC president Claude Azema had earlier ordered Thailand barred from staging petanque competitions at the regional games, citing irregularities by the Petanque Association of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand’s (SAT) failure to comply with the federation’s ruling.

The dispute also led to Thailand being suspended from international competition.

Deputy Prime Minister Capt Thammanat Prompao, who oversees sports, intervened by directing the national Olympic committee to dispatch a high-level delegation to France.

The team — led by Olympic committee president Pimol Srivikorn, vice president Chaiphak Siriwat and Gen Mangorn Kosin — presented a formal letter pledging reforms and compliance with WPBC guidelines. The letter was co-signed by Thammanat and SAT governor Gongsak Yodmani.

Following the assurances, Azema expressed satisfaction and agreed to reinstate petanque as a medal sport at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, scheduled for Dec 9-20, 2025.

Pimol hailed the outcome as a collective success, thanking Thammanat, Gongsak and the members of his negotiating team for restoring Thailand’s credibility.

“This is a victory for our athletes, for the Thai people, and for the country’s reputation in Asean,” he said.

The international petanque community was shaken earlier this month by an unprecedented decision from the WPBC to ban the sport from the 2025 SEA Games, following a governance crisis within Thailand’s national federation.

The exclusion of petanque from the 2025 SEA Games would have been a significant setback for Thailand, who have traditionally been a powerhouse at regional and international levels.

Siam Paragon, one of the world’s most visited global landmarks, will unveil three world-class attractions later this year.

With an investment of over 1.25 billion baht and a marketing budget of 200 million baht, this bold initiative underscores Siam Paragon’s commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences to more than 100 million visitors annually, while further enhancing Bangkok’s stature as a premier destination for global visitors.

Siam Paragon’s defining strength has always been its ability to offer powerful attractions found nowhere else. A prime example is Sea Life Bangkok, which is among the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia, spanning 10,500 square metres and drawing more than 2.5 million visitors annually.

Building on this success, Siam Paragon is introducing two new world-class attractions spread across more than 20,000 sq m: MELAND, Thailand’s first world-leading indoor theme park occupying 5,000 sq m, and NEXTOPIA, a 15,000-square-metre prototype for the ‘world of tomorrow’ — a revolutionary concept set to be remembered as the world’s first of its kind.

With these additions, Siam Paragon will bring together 30,500 sq m of distinctive attractions, making it Thailand’s most comprehensive entertainment destination and delivering extraordinary experiences to an exceptionally wide range of visitors.

In addition, the final magnet reinforcing Siam Paragon’s standing as the No.1 destination for both Thai and global visitors is Siam Paragon Dining Phenomenal.

This enhanced dining hub features over 700 restaurants, cafés, dessert bars and kiosks from around the world and across Thailand, including chef’s table experiences, Michelin-starred establishments and first-in-Thailand debuts.

It will also introduce a new “EATELIER Dining Entertainment” zone, together forming a key part of Siam Paragon’s grand transformation as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

NEXTOPIA: Get set for tomorrow’s world

Siam Paragon is set to create an unprecedented global phenomenon with the launch of NEXTOPIA, a prototype for the ‘world of tomorrow’, spanning more than 15,000 sq m with an investment of 850 million baht.

Developed through the co-creation of 50 innovation partners and 30 Friends of NEXTOPIA communities, this groundbreaking project invites a collective effort from all sectors to build a better world together, inspiring every step of life with meaning, joy, entertainment and a commitment to quality and sustainable living.

MELAND: A boundless world of discovery

Get ready for MELAND, the global landmark flagship in Bangkok, opening on the 5th floor of Siam Paragon. This spectacular wonderland spans more than 5,000 sq m with an investment of 400 million baht, bringing families into a boundless world of imagination, play and discovery.

With over 100 attractions and more than 500 immersive experiences, MELAND is set to become Southeast Asia’s No.1 edutainment destination.

Dining Phenomenal: Capturing culinary delights

Siam Paragon reaffirms its status as Asia’s largest and most complete world-class food destination, bringing together more than 700 restaurants across every floor from G to the top level.

Starting with the newly renovated Paragon Food Court and Food Hall, visitors can explore over 100 celebrated street food eateries that capture the vibrant flavours of Bangkok.

From there, the Siam Paragon Dining Phenomenal journey unfolds with legendary and iconic Thai restaurants, world-renowned chefs, and first-in-Thailand international debuts.

The experience continues with organic and health-focused concepts, complemented by a lively mix of cafés, dessert bars and beverage outlets designed to delight every generation.

The journey continues into the night with the launch of “EATELIER Dining Entertainment,” a brand-new zone featuring 30 exciting new restaurants where art is woven into every dining experience.

Here, guests can create content in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that transforms evenings into Bangkok’s newest hangout and chillout hotspot.

Live bands and DJs add to the energy, turning dining into an immersive lifestyle experience that is as inspiring by day as it is unforgettable by night.

The launch of three new world-class attractions in the final quarter of this year marks a transformative milestone in Siam Paragon’s 20th anniversary.

Since opening, Siam Paragon has received nine global awards recognising its status as a world-leading destination, and it now stands ready to once again redefine industry standards.

This landmark transformation will reinforce Siam Paragon as a magnet for Thailand’s tourism industry and reaffirm its role as a global landmark destination — a visionary leader delivering extraordinary and complete experiences.

In doing so, Siam Paragon strengthens Thailand’s position as a premier global destination, delivering world-class experiences across every dimension and showcasing the nation’s pride on the global stage.

A man who was lucky enough to get back a phone he had lost the previous day was horrified to discover it now held photos of a skeletal human corpse.

The macabre incident was shared on the Facebook page Kung Nattapon Kff. He had dropped his phone near Soi Chaeng Watthana 14, and someone had found and picked it up.

Fortunately, he was able to arrange to retrieve it the following morning.

He met the person who had the phone, and noticed the individual seemed mentally unstable. Upon returning home and checking through it, he discovered the phone now contained photographs of skeletal human remains lying on a blanket bed with a pillow. (continues below)

The phone’s owner concluded his post by urging police or rescue workers to investigate abandoned buildings in the Chaeng Watthana area, hoping the body could be properly buried or cremated.

Veolia, a global leader in resource management, has acquired all of GPSC’s 33.3% stake in Eastern Seaboard Clean Energy Company Limited (ESCE), a holding vehicle which owns 99.99% of Chonburi Clean Energy (CCE). With this acquisition, Veolia has increased its stake to 66.6% in CCE, a state-of-the-art non-hazardous solid Waste-to-Energy plant located in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor.

In 2024, CCE generated 65,072 MWh of energy, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 260,000 households. CCE also avoided 24,294 tons of CO2 emissions. These impressive environmental contributions resulted from CCE’s strong operational performance. In 2024, CCE achieved a remarkable 92% availability rate (8,075 operating hours), surpassing the industry average for WtE plants. This achievement underscores the plant’s efficient design, effective management, and reliability in waste management.

In addition to reinforcing CCE’s position as a market leader in the waste-to-energy sector, Veolia, positioning itself as a leading operator of Waste-To-Energy in Thailand by leveraging its pristine operational track record, aims to expand CCE’s waste-to-energy business into waste-to-resource operations. This initiative will support industrial stakeholders in achieving resource reuse and advancing Thailand’s transition from a linear to a circular economy, thereby reducing waste and pollution. Veolia’s vision fully aligns with Thailand’s Industrial Waste Management framework, the Bio-Circular-Green Model, and the forthcoming Draft Industrial Waste Management Act.

‘This investment demonstrates Veolia’s determination to lead the transformation of waste management in Thailand. With over 170 years of global expertise, we are leveraging our operational excellence to further optimise CCE’s performance, diversify waste streams, and convert waste into valuable resources. This approach is fully aligned with Veolia’s GreenUp strategy – decarbonise, depollute and regenerate – and positions us as a key partner in supporting Thailand’s sustainability objectives and accelerating the transition of its industrial landscape towards a more circular and resilient economy,’ said Jerome Le Borgne, Country Head of Veolia Thailand.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined his government’s policy agenda to parliament on Monday, focusing on immediate actions to revive the country’s economy.

Mr Anutin said that renewing tourists’ confidence, achieving a peaceful end to the conflict with Cambodia, resolving trade issues, and boosting people’s incomes are the key policies of his government.

“The government aims to increase incomes and reduce daily living expenses for the public, including energy costs, clean drinking water, and transportation fares, thereby boosting consumer spending power,” the premier said.

Initiatives such as the “Khon La Khrueng” (co-payment) scheme will be implemented alongside managing agricultural product prices at appropriate levels, he said.

He stated that the government aims to resolve personal debt issues for individuals with debts not exceeding 100,000 baht and alleviate the debt trap faced by many Thais. It will also increase liquidity for small and medium-sized enterprises with loans up to 1 million baht.

Mr Anutin said the government would focus on ensuring safety and combating scams targeting tourists, thereby restoring confidence in Thailand as a travel destination.

To address the impact of ongoing trade issues, a “Team Thailand” will be established to boost free trade with existing partners and proactively open new markets. Support will be extended to entrepreneurs and farmers, particularly those affected by US tariff measures.

On the security front, he said the government will resolve the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute through peaceful means, bringing safety to border communities.

Regarding social issues, Mr Anutin said that the government will take a firm stance against all forms of illegal gambling, and it does not support the legalisation of any gambling businesses.

“Our administration is determined to move Thailand forward with honesty and virtue,” Mr Anutin said. “We will place the country’s interests above all else and build public confidence through responsible fiscal management.”

During the House session, the People’s Party (PP) and opposition leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, reminded Mr Anutin to begin the constitutional rewriting process before dissolving the House in four months. Mr Natthaphong said charter amendment and House dissolution were conditions the PP had set in exchange for supporting Mr Anutin’s premiership.

The PP, with 143 MPs and the largest bloc in the House, emerged as kingmaker after the Constitutional Court dismissed former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra late last month for an ethics violation.

Among its conditions, the PP also demanded Mr Anutin promise not to recruit additional MPs to turn his interim minority administration into a majority government.

Mr Natthaphong pledged to hold the government to account in his role as opposition leader.

Danone Thailand picked up four major honours at the HR Asia Best Company to Work for in Asia 2025 Awards, including “Best Company to Work for in Asia”, the “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” award, the “Most Caring Company” award, and the “Sustainable Workplace” award.

The awards reflect Danone’s deep commitment to its people, values, and ambition to foster a workplace culture that is inclusive, caring, and sustainable.

Selected from over 300 organisations across 20 industries, these awards underscore a growing expectation from employees and society for businesses to operate with empathy, inclusion, and responsibility.

“We believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we embrace diversity, and create space for everyone to grow. Ultimately, it’s our people who help us deliver health through food to as many people as possible and build a more sustainable Thailand,” said Danish Rahman, CEO for South East Asia and Thailand and Laos.

He added that the HR Asia Awards are more than just a form of recognition as they reaffirm Danone Thailand’s mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible, while preserving nature and empowering both communities and the company’s employees.

The company creates a culture of care where its employees feel seen, supported and empowered, and it implements practical policies that support the work-life balance of its employees. For instance, its “Work From Anywhere” policy allows remote work every Monday and Friday, and its “Parental Policy” offers extended paid leave for birth parents and adoptive parents beyond what is legally required while maintaining their full salary.

For career growth, the company encourages employees to step beyond their routines and discover new possibilities through bold, structured programmes designed to meet both personal aspirations and business needs.

As sustainability is crucial for business, through the Danone Impact Journey, its employees contribute to both business and social impact. For example, the Danone Day allows employees take part in community outreach activities as part of the company’s campaign to raise awareness about iron deficiency anaemia and promote early, non-invasive screening for young children.

This commitment is also reflected in its operations at its Bangplee manufacturing site, where Danone has implemented solar rooftops, water reuse systems, zero-discharge practices, and has achieved carbon neutrality.

NEX Point Public Company Limited (NEX) hosted a Company Visit for a group of VI to showcase the company’s capabilities and outlook in the fast-growing commercial electric vehicle (EV) industry, which continues to attract strong interest in Thailand’s capital market.

Executives Highlight Readiness for Electric Bus Tender

Senior executives, led by Mr Thanapat Suksuthamwong, CEO of NEX, and Mr Ekapol Sakulpolphaisan, CFO of NEX, together with Mr Chatrapon Sripratum, CEO of EA as the parent company, provided detailed insights and answered investors’ questions.

The discussion focused on the upcoming TOR for the government’s electric bus tender, which investors expressed particular interest in. Management emphasised that the entire process will depend on the outcome of the public hearing and the official tender procedures. At the same time, NEX reaffirmed its readiness across all dimensions-skilled personnel, advanced technology, and production capacity through Absolute Assembly (AAB), which can support the assembly of over 9,000 electric buses annually.

NEX Autopro Impresses Investors

As part of the visit, investors toured NEX Autopro, the company’s central Service and Maintenance hub for commercial EVs. Investors expressed strong appreciation for the comprehensive infrastructure and after-sales services, recognising them as a key differentiator in driving EV adoption in Thailand.

Moving Toward Total Green Logistics Solutions

Mr Thanapat Suksuthamwong, CEO of NEX, remarked: ‘NEX does not see itself merely as a distributor of commercial EVs. We are a provider of Total Green Logistics Solutions, delivering end-to-end services through our NEX Autopro centre, with strong support from EA. This integrated approach positions us to elevate Thailand’s transportation industry to higher sustainable standards.’

China’s Golden Week starts tomorrow, when over a billion mainland Chinese people return to their homes to celebrate with their families or go travelling abroad. In the lead-up to this, the Thai government, especially the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), have been working hard to urge Chinese travellers to visit the Land of Smiles.

This comes as many Chinese no longer see Thailand as a desired destination. The number of Chinese visitors has fallen by 35% year-on-year. The TAT predicts the number of Chinese tourist arrivals during Golden Week will drop 24% year-on-year.

Safety fears driven by reports about accidents and those covering scams, fraud and abduction have tarnished Thailand’s image. Chinese tourists are now flocking to Japan and South Korea, or other alternative destinations in our region, such as Vietnam and Malaysia.

There’s little wonder that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday told parliament that his government would prioritise tourist safety and convenience, while cracking down on scammers targeting visitors.

But the biggest challenge among these is how the government can improve public safety for tourists.

This is a systematic problem that cannot be addressed by deploying more police to patrol tourist destinations or installing more CCTVs.

Thai officials do not lack resources or laws to ensure public safety, which now includes the use of biometric technologies to trace foreign visitors.

Over the years, Thai police have successfully solved all criminal cases related to foreign visitors except the case of Tomoko Kawashita, a 25-year-old Japanese tourist, who was raped and killed in Wat Saphan Hin National Park in Sukhothai, central Thailand, over 17 years ago.

Meanwhile, most of our problems affecting tourism, such as accidental fires in hotels and entertainment venues, broken infrastructure, illicit drugs or even scammers, can be linked to corruption.

Unsafe hotels, such as those without a fire escape, get built when local officials turn a blind eye and developers ignore building construction codes.

Unsafe public infrastructure, such as broken escalators or roofs that cave in during heavy rain, as seen at Don Mueang airport several years ago, often results from poor or inadequate oversight.

Then there is the rampant use of illicit drugs, either in communities or tourist destinations, made possible due to the help of tea money paying officials to look the other way.

The proliferation of proxy businesses run by some foreign criminal groups is also made possible with the help of local officials and local people.

Without tackling corruption and enforcing the law, Thailand will not be safe either for locals or tourists.

Apart from improving public safety, it is about time the government and TAT renew their tourism strategy. TAT currently has a strategy to reposition Thailand as an upmarket and sustainable destination, not just a budget-friendly one. But in reality, the TAT and the government have targeted high tourist numbers.

Policy makers have not made sincere efforts to transform Thailand’s tourism industry into one that offers upmarket, safe and sustainable destinations that tourists want to revisit and stay longer.

The government needs to make drastic reforms. After all, tourists are alike. They love to visit countries where they are well taken care of.

The Court of Appeal has rejected People’s Party MP Chonthicha Jangrewan’s petition against a two-year jail term for lese majeste.

The ruling was read out in the Thanyaburi Provincial Court, in Pathum Thani province, on Tuesday morning.

The court upheld the provincial court’s judgement and two-year prison sentence handed down in May last year.

Ms Chonthicha, nicknamed Lookkate, was convicted of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, and the Computer Crime Act. Prosecutors told the court she posted messages on her Facebook page criticising the monarchy on Nov 8, 2020, and presented evidence.

She was on Tuesday allowed bail to take her case to the Supreme Court and in the meantime continue to serve as a member of parliament, according to internet law reform group iLaw.

According to the prosecution, Ms Chonthicha’s posts insulted the monarchy, incited social conflict and threatened national security. Ms Chonthicha denied the charges, arguing that her actions were protected under the constitutional right to free expression.

This sentence would be served consecutively with a two-year sentence previously imposed for a 2021 protest speech criticising former premier Prayut Chan-o-cha, bringing the total prison term to four years and eight months.