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Jeremy K. Hon, a Hong Kong-born oncologist, haematologist and author of the remarkable memoir An Impossible Life Journey, will be in town to share his powerful story during the 30th Book Expo Thailand at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Ratchadaphisek Road, on Oct 13 at 5pm.

He will take the stage at the Author’s Salon, a dedicated seminar for authors and writers of all genres and experts from various fields to showcase their work, share knowledge, ideas and valuable experiences with readers.

Born in Hong Kong to a refugee family from Southern China, Dr Hon’s life embodies resilience. He began his studies in pharmacy at National Taiwan University, but his participation in the historic Diaoyutai student protests led to a ban from Taiwan.

Refusing to give up, he moved to the US where he worked to support himself. After earning his pharmacy degree in Alabama, he pursued his studies at the School of Medicine at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and discovered his passion for oncology during his training at the renowned MD Anderson Hospital.

In 1988, Dr Hon co-founded the Clearview Cancer Institute in Huntsville, Alabama, where he became a pioneer in cancer research and treatment. His work advanced clinical trials and therapies for pancreatic, breast, lung and colorectal cancers and he also directed a stem cell programme.

Throughout his career in the US, he has remained deeply rooted in Chinese culture, drawing lifelong inspiration from Confucian values and Tang poetry — principles he credits with guiding him through both hardship and achievement.

An Impossible Life Journey, now available in Thai from Sanskritbook and Saengdao Publishing, is not only a chronicle of his personal and professional challenges but also a meditation on perseverance, cultural identity and the universal human spirit to overcome adversity.

Audiences at the book expo will have the chance to listen to his remarkable journey that took him from a refugee childhood to co-founding one of America’s leading cancer institutes. His talk promises to inspire readers, students, professionals and anyone seeking courage to face life’s challenges.

The House of Representatives made good progress in pushing for the long-awaited amnesty bill this month. The bill, which is now known as the “peace-building legislation”, was submitted early this month to the Lower House.

It aims to grant an amnesty to those who are charged or penalised for their political activities. The second and third readings are expected before the parliamentary session ends later this month. The scrutiny can also resume when the House reconvenes in early December. The bill has a chance to become law before the Lower House is dissolved early next year.

This bill is inclusive, as it incorporates proposals from various parties and civic groups. However, it still excludes offences related to the sensitive Section 112, also known as the lese majeste law.

Essentially, the bill seeks to erase offenders’ criminal records once they are granted an amnesty. This draft law also adjusts the time frame for politically motivated offences, such as political protest campaigns, to cover incidents that occurred from 2003 to July of this year, rather than the 2003-2022 duration.

This draft law also prevents state agencies and enterprises from seeking compensation resulting from the actions of offenders.

Interestingly, the bill aims to extend the list of offences to cover cases involving religious crimes, as well as breaches of laws governing parties and elections, including those involving members of parliament and senators. However, the amnesty will not cover those guilty of poll fraud, including lying about qualifications to make themselves eligible as election candidates, violating the Referendum Act, and a series of executive orders issued by juntas.

Under the legislation, a nine-member panel will be formed to review individual lawsuits. The panel’s decision will be considered final. With the prime minister as chairman, the panel will comprise various sectors and ministries, such as the justice minister, the secretary-general of the National Human Rights Commission, including human rights experts, and a civil society specialist in conflict resolution.

At a glance, several clauses of the bill offer hope that the dream of political reconciliation is approaching. Yet the elephant in the room is that Section 112 is excluded from amnesty.

Without an update, Section 112 — along with its loopholes and disproportionate sentences — will only widen the division and invite criticism against the monarchy that this law is meant to protect.

The People’s Party has been lobbying parliament to include lese majeste offenders under 18 years old charged under this legislation, but such prospects are quite dim, as not many parties, and above all, the Upper House, support the idea.

By overlooking this, parliament appears to fall short in its support for real and meaningful political reconciliation.

However, for the past 15 years, successive parliaments have attempted to pass an amnesty law. Now that the chance has finally arrived, lawmakers must seize the opportunity to make the amnesty law attain its noble and ambitious goal.

Crystal Home unveiled two world-renowned brands at The Craft of Living Salon – An Unveiling of Design You Can Feel. The event marked the debut of THG Paris, the French luxury brand celebrated for its iconic taps and collaborations with Baccarat, Lalique, Daum, and Christofle. Alongside it, Composit introduced its made-in-Italy kitchens and wardrobes to Thailand, showcasing over 50 years of craftsmanship and limitless customisation.

Mrs Suthipa Svasti-Xuto, Executive Director of Crystal Home, shared: ‘At Crystal Home, we believe kitchens, bathrooms, and wardrobes should go beyond function to reflect how people truly live – shaping spaces filled with joy and meaning. This philosophy is why we chose THG Paris and Composit. Both brands share our values of craftsmanship, limitless customisation, and artistic expression, making them the perfect partners to help homeowners transform everyday spaces into personal reflections of lifestyle and individuality.’

The Craft of Living Salon was honoured by the presence of H.E. Mr Jean-Claude Poimboeuf, Ambassador of the French Republic to Thailand, and H.E. Mr Paolo Dionisi, Ambassador of Italy to Thailand. Their attendance underscored the strong cultural and creative ties between Europe and Thailand, highlighting that design is not only about products but about people, heritage, and collaboration across borders. For Thai designers, it offered a rare opportunity to experience European craftsmanship first-hand, while reinterpreting these influences through their own creative lens.

To enrich the occasion, Crystal Home curated a multi-sensory exhibition where guests engaged with design through layers of sensation – sight, sound, scent, taste, and touch. Each experience unveiled the inspirations behind THG Paris and Composit, transforming the Crystal Home Concept Store into an immersive journey of craftsmanship and creativity.

THG Paris – French Icons for Design-Led Living

THG Paris embodies the elegance and refinement of French artistry, inviting clients to take part in the creative process – personalising materials and finishes to transform every tap into an individual expression. Mr Eric Boulin, THG Paris Executive, remarked: ‘We constantly ask ourselves how every element of the bathroom can become a true piece of functional art. This is why we place such importance on fine craftsmanship and the use of precious materials – from glass and crystals to marbles – ensuring that each creation speaks not only to refined taste but also to the emotions of its user.’

ZOOM Collection: Inspired by the camera lens, ZOOM is expressed through a dual-ring tap design that contrasts polished and matte surfaces, creating a dialogue between stillness and movement. The concept came to life in a photo exhibition by Leica Ambassador Chatchawan Janthachotibutr, whose work emphasised emotion over aesthetics.

ICON-X Collection: A collaboration with Studio F. A. Porsche, ICON-X embodies poise, precision, and power, earning international recognition for product design, including the Red Dot Design Award 2021. Guests experienced the collection through the sound of a car engine, followed by an art talk with Ten-Sihabutr Xoomsai Na Ayudhya, who shared his passion as a car collector and how that lifestyle resonates with the spirit of ICON-X.

Yoko Collection: Yoko offers a contemporary take on personalisation, inviting clients to combine materials such as glass, marble, and metal. At the Yoko Design and Material Bar, visitors experimented with textures and pairings first-hand, discovering how subtle shifts in material could transform the mood of an entire room.

Club Saint-Germain Collection: Evoking the timeless spirit of Saint-Germain-des-Prés – the world of jazz, cafés, and poetry – this collection brings retro Parisian charm into the bathroom with classic lines and refined details. A bespoke fragrance collaboration with perfumer First-Architapon Parntong of Ashram Scent completed the experience, enveloping guests in ‘Parisian elegance.’

Mille Nuits Showcase: Presented as a radiant centrepiece, Mille Nuits extends Baccarat’s crystal design language – first seen in chandeliers, glasses, and vases – into taps through its collaboration with THG Paris. Baccarat crystal taps in Clear, Brume, and Champagne shades were unveiled exclusively in Thailand at this event, following their international debut at Milan Design Week 2025.

Composit – Crafted in Italy, Built Around You

With over 50 years of Italian expertise, Composit is celebrated for its 100% made-in-Italy kitchens and wardrobes and limitless customisation. At the launch, the charm of Italian kitchens – beautiful yet highly functional – came alive through an Aperitivo Experience by Chef Marco Avesani of La Bottega, who prepared fresh dishes within a Composit kitchen, showcasing the seamless balance of elegance and everyday use.

Composit’s portfolio spans diverse styles, from the timeless LINEA and CÉLINE ranges – blending wood, stone, and metal-framed glass in serene yet powerful palettes – to the modern TOUCH series, defined by monobloc forms, push-to-open systems, and modular storage.

Mr Andrea Sorgente, Composit Executive, noted: ‘Every Composit kitchen and wardrobe is designed around real life, harmonising inspiring aesthetics with functional practicality. Each piece is not merely furniture, but an essential part of daily living – reflecting the owner’s style and taste with authenticity.’

Mrs Suthipa Svasti-Xuto concluded: ‘Our goal with The Craft of Living Salon is to create an immersive space where visitors can not only view design objects – but truly feel what it means to live with them. From French taps by THG Paris to Italian kitchens and wardrobes by Composit, true luxury lies in choosing what resonates personally and bringing elegance and meaning into daily living.’

Guests can experience The Craft of Living Salon at the Crystal Home Concept Store, CDC Building D, from 19 September to 19 October 2025. To book an appointment, call 02-101-5123.

The Supreme Court of Thailand on Thursday cut the fine imposed on a local unit of the tobacco multinational Philip Morris for evading tax on imported cigarettes from 130 million baht to 20 million baht.

The case, first filed in 2017, centred on accusations that Philip Morris Thailand under-declared prices for cigarettes imported from Indonesia in 2002 and 2003.

A lower court handed down the original 130-million-baht penalty in 2020 to the local unit of the company, which owns the Marlboro and L and M brands.

The Court of Appeal in 2023 ordered that the fine be reduced, and asked the Customs Department to calculate a new fine rate. At that point, Philip Morris said it would appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on Thursday found Philip Morris Thailand guilty of avoiding tax, but reduced its fine to about 20 million baht, according to a court official.

The court also reaffirmed decisions by lower courts to drop charges against a former Philip Morris employee.

Nhu Ngoc Diep, the head of the Thai operations of Philip Morris, said in a statement that the company disagreed with aspects of the decision and maintained it had ‘consistently complied with local and international law’.

‘We look forward to putting this matter behind us,’ she added.

The company previously faced legal action over allegations that it evaded hundreds of millions of dollars in import tax on cigarettes from the Philippines between 2003 and 2006.

SET-listed Central Pattana Plc (CPN), a leading Thai real estate developer, has announced the launch of “The Central Phaholyothin” — a 21-billion-baht flagship megaproject.

Positioned as “The Landmark of Northern Bangkok”, the project is situated between Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and Phahon Yothin Road and can be accessed from both roads.

It will span 49 rai and feature a total gross building area of 457,409 square metres.

The project includes a world-class Convention Hall measuring 6,700 sq m, designed to host international concerts and global-scale events. The project is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to CPN.

Chanavat Uahwatanasakul, president of retail and development at CPN, said the Ladprao-Phahon Yothin area has grown rapidly, and this project will unlock the full potential of the area and elevate it into becoming Bangkok’s next central business district.

Mr Chanavat said the company is also considering further development of the project, such as hotel or residential components.

Prospects for expansion

Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, CPN’s chief marketing officer, pointed to the business potential of the area and its surroundings.

The nearby Phahon Yothin station of the MRT Blue Line attracts an average of 15,600 passengers a day, while the Ha Yaek Lat Phrao and Phahon Yothin 24 stations of the BTS Green Line carry around 35,100 passengers a day, CPN notes.

The area connects directly to Don Mueang International Airport, which handles about 30 million passengers a year, drawing both Thai and international visitors into the Ladprao-Phahon Yothin zone, Mr Nattakit said.

He added that the catchment area of the zone exceeds 2.5 million. CPN discovered that the local wealth segment’s purchasing power is 2.3 times higher than the Bangkok average; sales per GLA outperforms other city malls by 45%, and visitor frequency is 2.19 times higher than the Bangkok average.

Isareit Chirathivat, CPN’s head of leasing – fashion and luxury, said the area is surrounded by mid-to high-end residences, offices, hotels and educational institutions.

He added that there are currently 472 residential projects surrounding the site. There are 52 office buildings nearby, including 15 Grade A office buildings, reflecting the area’s strong positioning as Bangkok’s future workplace hub. The quality neighbourhood also features 51 schools, including six international schools, nine universities, and 41 hotels, underscoring its premium quality of life.

Dramatic design and features

Juthatham Chirathivat, head of business development at CPN, said the project’s design will be a curated community for new-generation urbanites and multi-generation families.

The landscape design, inspired by the idea of a ‘hug’, evokes warmth and a sense of closeness to nature.

The architecture follows a ‘Collective Rhythms’ concept, embracing diverse design expressions that bring vibrancy and character to every space, with smiles subtly embedded in each design element.

The project features highlights such as the Central Stage, connecting international cuisine on the upper floor with street food below; the Market Hall, a dynamic zone hosting pop-up food events; and the Fashion Playlist, featuring curated fashion houses and street remixes showcasing new-age sports fashion.

The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) has condemned the recent spate of violence in the southern border provinces, vowing justice for the perpetrators and any collaborators.

Isoc spokesman Maj Gen Thammanoon Maisonti said yesterday that coordinated attacks had taken place in several areas of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces.

The incidents involved bombings, arson targeting CCTV cameras, and the torching of a passenger van, acts that appeared aimed at spreading fear among local residents and undermining public confidence in regional stability. No casualties were reported.

Lt Gen Narathip Phoaynok, commander of the Fourth Army Region and director of Isoc Region 4 Forward Command, responded by ordering security forces — including police, military and civilian agencies — to tighten control, collect forensic evidence and track down the perpetrators. Security has been stepped up to protect communities and prevent further attacks.

The attacks were likely carried out by a small group of ill-intentioned individuals seeking to sow division and disrupt the area’s multi-ethnic harmony, said Maj Gen Thammanoon, adding the timing coincided with preparations for the traditional Chak Phra festival, an important Buddhist celebration that brings together diverse communities and stimulates the local economy.

A special joint session of parliament will be held on Oct 14-15 to debate three proposed constitutional amendment bills, Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said.

These dates were the outcome of a joint meeting on Wednesday between himself, party whips, representatives from the cabinet, the Senate, and MPs from both the government and opposition parties.

The meeting agreed the three proposed constitutional amendments submitted by the People’s Party, the Pheu Thai Party, and the Bhumjaithai Party will be considered concurrently, though separate votes will be held during the first reading.

A 42-member special committee will be set up to study the bills further as they embark on the next stage of their journey.

The second and third readings will be handled according to the proportional representation of MPs and senators.

The total debate time has been allocated at 19 hours and 30 minutes, divided as follows: one hour for the session chair’s duties, five hours and 30 minutes for the Senate, three hours for the governing coalition parties, and 10 hours for opposition parties.

The debate sessions will be broadcast live over two days.

Voting is expected to take considerable time, as each of the 700 members must cast their vote individually, indicating whether they approve, disapprove, or approve all three bills.

Mr Wan added that during Wednesday’s tripartite whip discussion, no parties raised concerns about the content of the bills.

There was mutual agreement across all sides on moving forward with constitutional reform, with the goal of drafting a new constitution, Mr Wan said.

The process must adhere to the Constitutional Court’s ruling, which has already guided how amendments may be undertaken.

“The ruling outlines how the constitution can be amended, what methods are permissible, and how a Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA) may be formed,” Mr Wan said.

“Today, we have distributed the interpretation of the Constitutional Court’s ruling to all MPs and senators, so it may serve as the basis for their deliberations.”

He said the court had been consulted on various concerns, including the number of referendums necessary, procedures for amendments within the existing constitutional framework, and the scope of permissible changes.

Mr Wan said amending the constitution is a significant matter.

“It must undergo readings one, two, and three, and must meet the required vote thresholds in accordance with the established criteria,” he said.

Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai has won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, the award-giving body said on Thursday.

‘The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2025 is awarded to the Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art,’ said Mats Malm, permanent secretary at the Swedish Academy.

Krasznahorkai, 71, is just the second Hungarian to win the prize, after Imre Kertesz, who won in 2002 for his semi-autobiographical novel Fatelessness about surviving the Holocaust.

His novels, short stories and essays are best known in Germany – where he lived for long periods – and Hungary, where he is considered by many as the country’s most important living author.

Critically difficult and demanding, his style was described once by Krasznahorkai himself as ‘reality examined to the point of madness’.

His penchant for long sentences and few paragraph breaks have also seen the writer labelled as ‘obsessive’.

Exploring themes of postmodern dystopia and melancholy, his first novel Satantango (1985) brought him to prominence in Hungary and remains his best-known work.

Recounting life in a decaying village in communist-era Hungary, its uncompromising style (12 chapters each consisting of a single paragraph) was called by its translator as ‘a slow lava-flow of narrative’.

The book was for people who ‘want something other than entertainment. who have a preference for the painfully beautiful,’ Krasznahorkai said in a interview.

Last year’s prize was won by South Korean author Han Kang who became the 18th woman – the first was Swedish author Selma Lagerlof in 1909 – and the first South Korean to receive the award.

The Nobel prize is awarded by the Swedish Academy and is worth 11 million crowns ($1.2 million).

Established in the will of Swedish dynamite inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel, the prizes for achievements in literature, science and peace have been awarded since 1901.

Over the years, the choices made by the Swedish Academy have drawn as much ire as applause.

In 2016, the award to American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan sparked criticism that his work was not proper literature.

Prizegivers have also been accused of being snobbish, of having an anti-American bias and of ignoring some of the giants of literature, including Russia’s Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, France’s Emile Zola and Ireland’s James Joyce.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has responded to US President Donald Trump’s offer to act as a mediator in peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia, saying that while the gesture reflects goodwill, any negotiations must adhere to previously agreed principles.

Thailand has been the victim of aggression, and any talks must be based on four key conditions, Mr Anutin said on Wednesday. These were the complete withdrawal of all military personnel and weapons from disputed zones, the removal of all intruders from Thai sovereign territory, the clearance of hazardous materials that could endanger civilians, and reaffirmation of respect for Thailand’s sovereignty, he said.

Mr Anutin was speaking after the US news site Politico reported Mr Trump had said he was willing to attend the Asean Summit in Malaysia later this month — on condition that he could preside over the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. According to Politico, the White House made Mr Trump’s attendance at the Oct 26-28 meeting in Kuala Lumpur contingent on a signing ceremony being held on the sidelines of the summit. The report cited three sources familiar with the matter, who declined to be identified.

The White House also asked that summit organisers exclude Chinese officials from the event, the report said. “Keeping China out would help ensure the spotlight stays on Trump, while downplaying Beijing’s efforts to mediate between Bangkok and Phnom Penh,” Politico said. The White House has since denied that Mr Trump linked his attendance to a desire to sign the peace deal. Reports suggest he is angling for the Nobel Peace Prize.

A source at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the matter would ultimately be decided by Malaysia, which holds the Asean chair this year. Mr Anutin added: “Thailand is always ready for dialogue once these conditions are fully met. We are neighbours, after all, while the mediator is from another continent. If President Trump can help persuade Cambodia to comply with these terms, that would be welcome — it would ensure Thailand faces no further encroachments.”

When asked about reports that the Cambodian government had nominated Mr Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize to highlight their political ties, he replied: “I only care about what benefits Thailand. If anyone receives a prize, good for them.” Mr Trump has made no secret of his obsession with winning the prize. In recent months, he has claimed credit for ending as many as seven international conflicts. The winner will be announced on Friday.

Police are expediting their review of evidence in a high-profile 40-million-baht bribery case allegedly linked to Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob.

The case involves an alleged attempt to delay crackdowns on call centre scams, online fraud and illegal gambling operations. Investigators expect to forward their findings to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) within 30 days.

Investigators have completed taking Mr Chaichanok’s statement, which was consistent with earlier media reports, said Pol Col Manoon Kaewkam, chief of Subdivision 1 of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD).

“We must give our team time to do its work thoroughly before submitting the report to the NACC,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Chaichanok filed a formal complaint with the CSD after disclosing in parliament that someone had offered him 40 million baht to slow down the ministry’s crackdown efforts.

The bribe aimed to secure protection for transnational scam and gambling networks operating from nearby countries, he said. He was reportedly questioned for over six hours.