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Discussions about climate finance often focus on the most vulnerable countries, such as small island developing states — and for good reason. But the nine major emerging-market economies (EMEs) — Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Turkey — also have significant climate-finance needs, which must be met if the world is to have any chance of achieving its climate goals. Nowhere are those needs larger than in China.

This is a key finding of our new study, which examined the climate-finance needs for the four highest-emitting sectors (power, steel, cement, and road transport) in the nine major EMEs for the period 2022-30. We estimate that China’s climate-finance requirements for these sectors amount to some $1.3 trillion (42.1 trillion baht) — 61% of the total climate finance required by all nine EMEs ($2.2 trillion) — implying an annual average of $155 billion. The steel sector has the highest need (55% of the total), followed by road transport (25%), cement (16%), and power (4%).

Start with steel. In 2022, China accounted for 77% of carbon dioxide emissions from steel production in the nine EMEs. We expect this share to decline to 66% by 2030, as slowing economic growth, falling investment in new infrastructure projects, and declining downstream demand cause China’s annual steel output to drop from 1,020 million tonnes to 910 million tonnes.

Nonetheless, because of the production method used, the carbon intensity of China’s steel industry is particularly high — 1.8 tonnes emitted per tonne of steel produced. Completely decarbonising the sector will cost China $733 billion, or $80 billion per year until 2030. That is 65% of the total finance needed to decarbonise the steel sectors of all nine major EMEs.

The story is similar in the cement sector. China’s share of total emissions (across the nine EMEs) stood at 70% in 2022, but it is likely to fall to 52% by 2030, as cement production declines from 2,100 million tonnes to 1,475 million tonnes.

The reason for this decline is simple: 67% of China’s population has already been 67% urbanised, and the country has largely completed its high-speed rail and road networks, so construction activity is likely to slow in the coming years. But decarbonising this sector will not be cheap: $453 billion across the nine economies in 2022-30, with China accounting for 48% of the total.

Like steel, cement is a hard-to-abate sector, where investment in technological solutions for mitigating emissions has not yet led to a significant reduction in costs. Decarbonising both industries, in China and elsewhere, will thus depend significantly on the large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage technology — a costly proposition. Increased investment in relevant research and development is crucial.

As for road transport, China is well on its way towards an electric future. The country is responsible for about 70% of all electric vehicles produced globally each year, and in 2022, it accounted for 97% of all EV sales across the nine EMEs — a figure that should decline somewhat, to 73%, by 2030. The share of EVs in China is projected to rise to 63% (45 million units) in 2030, despite a projected decline in overall vehicle sales to 72 million units, compared to 85 million in 2022.

But completing the transition from internal-combustion-engine vehicles to EVs will still require significant capital expenditure. Developing the necessary charging infrastructure alone will cost $460 billion across all nine countries, with China accounting for a whopping 97% ($446 billion) of the total. This largely reflects the fact that China is developing mainly high-speed charging stations, which cost about seven times more than conventional chargers.

Finally, there is the power sector, which, perhaps counter-intuitively, will not require huge amounts of climate finance. Here, too, China is already on the right track. While its total installed energy capacity is projected to increase from about 2,800 gigawatts in 2023 to 4,800 GW by 2030, fossil fuels’ share in that capacity should fall from about 45% in 2023 to 35% by 2030, thanks to the rapid expansion of solar and wind energy.

As for cost, China should be able to decarbonise its power sector for about $55 billion in 2024-30, or $8 billion per year, including investments in generation and storage. The total decarbonisation-finance requirement for all nine major EMEs over that period should amount to roughly $150 billion.

Taken together, these figures might seem daunting, but for China, they are well within reach. After all, the total climate-finance requirement amounts to just 0.7% of the country’s GDP, and China’s current annual investment rate is about 40% of GDP. Add to that its high savings rate and persistent current-account surplus, and China should be able to meet its own climate-finance needs relatively easily, using only domestic sources. With the climate-finance gaps for the other major EMEs smaller than they seem — India comes in a distant second — there is reason to hope for progress on meeting the world’s climate goals.?

House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha on Monday urged MPs and senators to put aside their differences to pave the way for the drafting of a new charter, amid concerns that the House may be dissolved before the charter amendment bill is passed.

Mr Wan called on members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate to work together and avoid creating conditions that could obstruct the charter rewrite effort.

He said the charter amendment bill, which a parliamentary committee is reviewing, does not yet go into the details of the charter but focuses on the proposed establishment of a constitution-drafting assembly (CDA) to write a new one.

His remarks came as the opposition Pheu Thai Party was preparing to file a censure motion against the minority government led by the Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party. The move could accelerate a House dissolution ahead of the Jan 31 schedule next year.

Prime Minister and BJT leader Anutin Charnvirakul reaffirmed the political timeline as he joined the unveiling of BJT election candidates contesting four constituencies in Trang on Monday.

The candidates included former Democrat Party MP Sunatcha Losathapornpipit, whose father, veteran politician Somchai Losathapornpipit, announced that he would leave the Democrats if another veteran, Sathit Wongnongtoey, remained in the party.

Mr Anutin also expressed confidence that voters in the southern region would continue to support the BJT, which expanded its regional presence in the previous general election by winning eight seats. The South was previously dominated by the Democrats.

Rangsiman Rome, a list-MP of the main opposition People’s Party, said the party was open to discussions with Pheu Thai about a possible no-confidence motion, and it had yet to decide whether to target the entire cabinet or specific ministers. He said the motion could focus on graft allegations and scam operations, adding that if the government showed no sincerity in pursuing a charter rewrite, the issue could be included in the debate as well.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Sorawong Thienthong said his party could submit a no-confidence motion on its own because it has enough House seats to do so. He stressed, however, that evidence and political timing must be carefully considered. He said that talks were underway between his party and PP to coordinate the proposed no-confidence motion, adding that if such a motion is accepted when parliament reconvenes in December, the government would not be able to dissolve the House to avoid scrutiny.

At the weekend, deputy Pheu Thai leader Visuth Chainaroon said internal discussions on the timing and scope of the censure motion were still ongoing and newly elected party leader Julapun Amornvivat would hold talks with PP to see whether it would join.

According to Mr Sorawong, the party plans to form new political alliances, including that with the Asavahame family in Samut Prakan province.

The National Statistical Office (NSO) has launched its quick survey policy, hoping to produce accurate results.

The NSO plans to release the first survey results on public satisfaction with government policy on Nov 10, followed by a series of other surveys.

According to Ekapong Rimcharone, director-general of the NSO, the state agency is confident in its network operation and survey capability, driven by data accuracy.

Mr Ekapong, recently appointed to the top post, said some people may think of NIDA or Suan Dusit for public opinion surveys, with the NSO’s primary focus being the census.

“From now on, the NSO is ready to conduct public opinion surveys on various issues,” he said.

The office is ready to conduct door-to-door surveys in every province, resulting in more accurate data, said Mr Ekapong. The NSO is piloting four surveys on government policy.

The office was primarily responsible in the past for compiling statistics on various topics, including the census, employment, average household income, and citizen usage of information and communications technology, for various government agencies, rather than publishing them under its own name.

The NSO’s advantages include accurate and reliable data as the office has staff in every province.

Therefore, the surveys do not rely heavily on telephone or social media analysis, which lower the reliability of the data providers.

“I want to streamline the office’s operations and expand the survey to include public opinions and needs on various issues, similar to the NIDA Poll or other polls that are released quickly based on the current political situation.”

Mr Ekapong said the office is conducting an urgent four-month survey (October-January 2026) under the concept of the quick survey.

The surveys will be conducted monthly on four topics, with the first survey results to be announced on Nov 10 on public opinions on government policies for 2025, conducted in October.

The survey covers topics such as life satisfaction and expectations of government operations.

The other poll, slated for November, will elicit public opinion on government welfare, such as the co-payment plus programme.

The December survey will focus on public needs in 2026 (New Year’s gifts people expect from the government), life satisfaction and key current issues in Thai society.

The January 2026 survey will cover public opinion on government administration in 2026, government performance and satisfaction with government policies.

“With the office’s high-quality data collection, we also aim to volunteer as a government data collector. We may encounter issues with substandard data collection, which prevents data sharing. If there are any unrelated tasks, the office is happy to assist,” Mr Ekapong added.

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that two ready-to-eat pasta products recently recalled in the United States due to listeria contamination have not been imported or sold in Thailand.

Supattra Boonserm, secretary-general of the FDA, said the agency conducted an investigation after a report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked the outbreak to Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine and Home Chef Heat and Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.

The outbreak resulted in 27 infections and six deaths in the United States. The US Food and Drug Administration lists a number of other microwaveable pasta products that have also been recalled in recent months.

Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for listeriosis, is commonly found in the environment and can survive in a wide range of conditions – from body temperature to refrigeration.

It can easily contaminate food but is destroyed through proper cooking temperatures. Symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to severe complications, especially in pregnant women, newborns and immunocompromised individuals.

Ms Supattra stressed the importance of good food safety practices, urging consumers to refrigerate ready-to-eat meals immediately upon purchase, thoroughly reheat food before consumption, and avoid raw or undercooked foods.

These precautions are essential to prevent infection and ensure public health safety, the FDA secretary-general said.

The Election Commission (EC) has warned political parties that falsifying membership registrations using citizens’ names or ID numbers is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment and fines.

The warning was issued on Sunday by EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee following a surge of online complaints from individuals discovering they had been listed as party members without their consent.

“Party membership requires the person’s consent, qualification checks, and confirmation that there are no disqualifications,” Mr Sawaeng said. He stressed that joining a political party must be voluntary and legally verified.

Once registration is complete, the party registrar must review the data before entering it into the EC’s official database, which the public can access to verify their membership status.

Mr Sawaeng said the EC will now review registration processes of parties implicated in the allegations. “If a party registrar knowingly registers false members, that person will face criminal liability and up to three years in prison,” he said, adding that party leaders could also face fines for improper registration.

The EC urged anyone falsely listed as a party member to file a complaint and report the matter to police. Citizens can verify their status online using their 13-digit national ID number.

The controversy erupted after a user on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, posted screenshots showing his name listed as a member of a party he had never joined.

The post quickly went viral, prompting similar reports from others.

Court rejects MoA petitions

In a separate development, the Constitutional Court has unanimously dismissed two petitions alleging that a memorandum of agreement (MoA) between People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul sought to obtain executive power unlawfully.

The petitions claimed the MoA — which called for People’s Party MPs to support Mr Anutin as prime minister — violated constitutional provisions on political interference and benefit exchange.

The court ruled that the agreement merely expressed a joint political intent, with no evidence of unconstitutional acts or attempts to overthrow the democratic system under the monarchy.

A senator has slammed preparations for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, warning that venues are still incomplete with just over a month to go.

Senator Chamlong Anantasuk, spokesman for the Senate Committee on Tourism and Sports, has raised alarm over Thailand’s readiness to host the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, scheduled for Dec 9-20, citing poor management by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).

Mr Chamlong said that during an inspection two days earlier at the National Sports University in Chon Buri, he found serious shortcomings.

He said the hockey field was still being resurfaced, with only a few workers laying new artificial turf after the old surface had been removed. The women’s football stadium, he said, required further upgrades, with dilapidated seating still in place. Weightlifting and judo venues lacked curtains, air-conditioning, and proper lighting, he added.

“With just over a month to go, preparations should already be complete, not under construction,” the senator said, questioning why the SAT had allowed such delays.

He also criticised the lack of clear signage and publicity, noting that banners in Chon Buri only welcomed visitors to the SEA Games without specifying which sports were being held at which venues.

Mr Chamlong further urged organisers to work on safety, traffic management, and proper facilities before the event begins.

Bangkok, Chon Buri, and Songkhla will host the SEA Games.

The Asean Para Games will take place Jan 20-26, 2026, in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Chulalongkorn University, through CU Innovation Hub, cordially invites the general public, innovation enthusiasts, and professionals in the innovation business ecosystem to join the live streaming of the ‘President’s Distinguished Speaker #6’ event. The session aims to open new perspectives and share visionary ideas from two world-renowned leaders in innovation and intellectual property, who will discuss their experiences in developing international innovation ecosystems and managing intellectual property on a global scale.

The event is honoured to feature two distinguished international speakers: Ms Katharine Ku, currently serving as Senior Licensing Adviser at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati, and formerly Director of the Office of Technology Licensing at Stanford University. With over 27 years of experience in technology transfer, Ms Ku has played a pivotal role in driving innovations that have generated over US$1.8 billion in economic value. She is also recognised as an expert in transforming academic research into commercial innovations that make significant economic and social impacts worldwide.

Another distinguished guest speaker is Mr Marco M. Alemán, Assistant Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Mr Alemán leads WIPO’s mission to transform intellectual property (IP) into a driving force for innovation and sustainable economic growth. With more than 20 years of experience in policymaking and fostering national and international innovation and IP ecosystems, he has been instrumental in shaping global strategies that strengthen innovation-driven economies.

Participants will gain valuable insights from global experts on developing innovation ecosystems, managing intellectual property, and identifying global trends in leveraging innovation for economic value creation. The event offers a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange between academia, industry, and leading innovation organisations.

The ‘President’s Distinguished Speaker #6’ will take place on Thursday, 20 November 2025, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. The session will also be available via live streaming on the Facebook page: Chulalongkorn University.

Thailand champions Buriram United face a tough test Tuesday night when they host Chinese club Shanghai Port in an AFC Champions League Elite encounter.

Buriram are reeling from two consecutive away defeats, while Shanghai Port are also in desperate need of points after managing a single draw from their earlier games.

The Thunder Castle kicked off their campaign with a victory over Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim but then came unstuck against the South Korea’s FC Seoul and Melbourne City FC of Australia, losing 3-0 and 2-1 respectively.

Buriram, quarter-finalists last season, will be desperate to get back on the winning trail but have a poor record against sides from China, having won only one of their last eight matches.

Shanghai Port ended their third match firmly rooted at the bottom of the East Zone standings and their struggles have come as a surprise, given their strong form in the Chinese Super League.

A major reason for their troubles is a lack of sharpness in the final third, having managed only 20 shots in their previous three matches and know that unless they improve, elimination will beckon.

The match will kick off at 7.15pm on Tuesday.

Winning start for Ishii

Masatada Ishii made a winning start to life at BG Pathum United, guiding the Rabbits to a 2-1 comeback victory over Chonburi FC on Sunday night.

The Japanese coach, controversially dismissed by the Football Association of Thailand on Oct 21, saw his new side overturn a first-half deficit to claim three valuable points in Thai League 1.

The Sharks struck first in the 29th minute when Jonathan Bolingi powered home to give the hosts a deserved lead.

But Ishii’s half-time adjustments paid dividends, with Tomoyuki Doi emerging as the match-winner.

The forward equalised in the 53rd minute before completing the turnaround ten minutes later with a composed finish that silenced the home crowd.

Elsewhere, Bangkok United endured a frustrating evening as they fell 2-1 at home to Uthai Thani despite playing with spirit after being reduced to ten men.

The Angels looked on course for victory when Seiya Kunori struck in the 43rd minute, moments after teammate Mohsen Al Gassani was sent off following a VAR review.

Uthai Thani, however, capitalised on their numerical advantage in the second half. Bruno Cunha equalised in the 51st minute before heading home the decisive goal from a corner in the 83rd, giving Uthai Thani their first win of the season.

Elsewhere, Lamphun lost to Port 2-0 at home and hosts Muang Thong United fell 4-1 to PT Prachuap.

One month has passed. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul now has three more months to go.

Will he make history or be condemned?

After all, Thai historians and critics have never been kind to politicians. For Mr Anutin, the remaining months will be akin to walking through a political minefield. One wrong step could set off an explosion that derails his reform agenda.

One cabinet minister, Vorapak Tanyawong, a deputy finance minister, has already resigned, and it would not be surprising if more cabinet members follow. That said, Mr Anutin also needs to perform his Houdini act to avoid a guillotine that awaits in the form of a no-confidence vote or hush-hush house dissolution.

Mr Anutin must now focus on two fronts: improving people’s standard of living and ensuring that Thailand’s diplomacy protects its sovereignty while raising the country’s international standing.

From the start, his approach has been pragmatic. Reviving the co-payment scheme, Khon La Khrueng Plus, has shown he values results over ego. He was courageous in restarting the Prayut administration’s policy to inject fresh cash into households and small businesses. He quickly earned praise. Still, he needs something more tangible.

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) business leaders’ meeting in Gyeongju, Mr Anutin outlined three strategic pillars to boost the country’s competitiveness — connectivity, future industries and sustainable growth. He paired these with a “Quick Win” policy, aimed at achieving visible progress in key sectors such as electric vehicles, biotechnology, semiconductors and digital innovation.

“True growth must begin with the people,” he said, “because economic growth is meaningless unless everyone benefits.”

Well said. But the taste of a pudding is in the eating.

At the regional level, his message resonated with international partners who still see Thailand as a bridge between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), South Asia, and East Asia. The government’s Quick Win policies must bring lasting reforms, especially in the digital economy, not short-term results.

Fortunately, his foreign policy scores high marks thanks to Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and his Saranrom team. After he returned from Gyeongju, he was so pleased that he told the press Thailand is now on the diplomatic radar, while claiming the country will attract more investment and create more jobs.

So far, it has helped rebuild the country’s diplomatic credibility abroad. His performance during the Asean summits and the Thai-Cambodian engagements shows some competence. He was at ease with the leaders attending the Kuala Lumpur summits and the Apec leaders’ meeting, including US President Donald Trump.

On the sidelines of Apec, he made a good impression on Chinese President Xi Jinping, who commended Bangkok’s “effective measures to combat online gambling and telecom fraud” and urged both nations to “intensify efforts against cross-border crime”.

Lest we forget, the same message was delivered to former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra when she met the Chinese leader in early February. Back then, Mr Xi warned her about the negative impacts of a pro-casino policy, but Ms Paetongtarn had no clue of the significance of his early concerns.

This time, Mr Anutin quickly affirmed that his government would continue strict action against online scams, a stance that has won quiet respect across the region.

Mr Anutin has already proposed hosting an international conference on cybercrime. As a precursor, it would be wise for him to order an investigation of dubious financial transactions flowing through Thailand. Money laundering and shadow banking help enable scam centres in neighbouring countries.

Transparency in financial flows will strengthen investor confidence and increase Thailand’s weight when the proposed conference comes about.

Meanwhile, as the anti-scam campaign heats up, questions have emerged at home. The sudden resignation of the cabinet minister, Mr Vorapat, following allegations of financial links to a scam network, has raised doubts about the government’s internal integrity. Was this an isolated case or the tip of an iceberg?

Public trust in Mr Anutin’s reform drive depends on how he handles such cases. If there are others in his cabinet or circle with questionable records, as the media have alleged, they must be removed. Indeed, as the Anutin government has promised to clean up cross-border scams, the prime minister must do the same within his own ranks.

Mr Anutin’s candour on the Thai-Cambodian border dispute must also be noted. His comment that both countries face encroachment problems was courageous — a statement grounded in realism rather than populism. After the remarks, he has been under severe attacks from ultra-nationalist groups and demagogues.

To be fair, he simply wants to defuse tensions and increase mutual trust through diplomacy and dialogue, not denial.

In peacetime, his comments on the border demarcation issue would earn respect. But the current Thai public mood is inundated with emotion and pessimism. Social media influencers, driven by outrage and algorithms, spin every misstep and ignore nuance.

These attacks did not augur well for the favourable atmosphere that followed the signing of the joint declaration of Thailand and Cambodia on Oct 26.

Toxic media have added fuel to the fire, making reconciliation more difficult across the border. Clickbait media must stop.

The prime minister also has to resist this spiral of doomsday fears and remain calm against maniacal voices. He must explain hard truths clearly and rationally. If Thailand continues to let online anger and xenophobia dictate its politics, no future government will have any chance to solve real problems.

The remaining three months will test Mr Anutin’s resolve.

Thailand will need to prepare to host major international meetings — the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) and the IMF annual meeting, which is expected to be held in October next year.

These conferences are a pivotal prerequisite to strengthening cooperation against transnational crime, corruption, and economic disparity.

Mr Anutin’s time in power is numbered, but he still can leave a lasting mark that could propel voters to bring him back. Otherwise, it would be a big waste of political capital.

The body of a Russian man who went missing after being swept out to sea by strong waves off Nai Thon Beach on Monday was found on Tuesday evening.

Police received a report of a foreign tourist drowning at the beach in tambon Sakhu of Thalang district at 10.14am on Monday, said Pol Lt Col Akkaraphon Siwilai, an investigator at the Sakhu police station.

Police rushed to the scene and found a Russian woman, identified only as Elizaveta, a friend of the missing man.

She told police that Dmitri Zakutskii, 31, was swimming with friends at around 9am on Monday when a large wave suddenly struck, pulling him out to sea.

Rescue workers, divers and lifeguards were deployed to conduct an urgent search using jet skis. However, they were unable to locate the missing man.

The search resumed on Tuesday and the body was recovered at 5.30pm. It was handed over to the relevant authorities for post-mortem procedures.

Thalang district chief Siwat Rawangkul expressed his deepest condolences to the victim’s family, urging all tourists to heed lifeguards’ safety warnings and avoid swimming during rough sea conditions to prevent further tragedies.