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Public Health Minister Pattana Prompat said yesterday that the ministry’s “Quick Win” policies are advancing as planned, with several initiatives already showing tangible results.

Preparations are also underway for the “1st Thailand Health Economic Forum”, the country’s inaugural event aimed at leveraging health as a key driver of economic growth, to be held in December.

One notable success, Mr Pattana said, is the “Free Dialysis Everywhere” initiative under the 30-baht Universal Healthcare Scheme, which has enhanced service quality nationwide and resolved long-standing complaints about extra charges for patients.

The ministry is also strengthening organ negotiation and collection teams to support transplant operations.

Under the policy “Doctors Not Overworked, Citizens Not Waiting: Seamless Services via Technology”, a pilot online appointment system was launched earlier this month. Currently, 54% of the 902 hospitals under the ministry have adopted the system.

Development of the “Mor Prom” Super App and a digital Health ID for newborns is also progressing, with full implementation expected by next January. The initiative, Mr Pattana said, is intended as a New Year’s gift to the public.

In line with the government’s “High-Value Medical Services as a New Economic Engine” policy, the ministry is collaborating with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) to host the December health economic forum, the first of its kind in the nation.

Deputy Public Health Minister Worachot Sukhonkhajorn also reported progress in upgrading Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) into roles such as elderly caregivers, traditional medicine assistants, and public health aides.

Training curricula and operational guidelines are set to begin in November.

The ministry continues to crack down on illegal health-related activities. Starting next month, it will partner with major online marketplaces to curb the sale of illegal health products.

SET-listed Global Power Synergy (GPSC) is planning to expand its renewable energy investment in India, which is promoting greater use of clean energy.

The Indian government has a clear policy to promote renewable energy, aiming to increase renewable power generation capacity by 45,000 megawatts annually until 2030, said Sirimet Leepagorn, president and acting chief operating officer of GPSC.

If renewable power continues to increase as planned, India’s total capacity is expected to reach 500,000MW in 2030.

“This means there will be more opportunities in the renewable energy business in India,” said Mr Sirimet.

GPSC intends to seek new business opportunities in addition to investment through Global Renewable Synergy, which holds a 39.90% stake in Avaada Energy Private Ltd.

Avaada operates renewable energy businesses in several Indian states and has a total committed power generation capacity of 20,558MW.

Of the total committed capacity, 6,000MW is in commercial operation, with the remaining capacity scheduled to come online within 24 months.

GPSC is also exploring investment opportunities in businesses related to the data centre industry in India, focused on providing clean electricity to data centre operators.

No conclusions have been reached yet, as negotiations with local partners are underway to explore feasibility, Mr Sirimet said.

“Data centres in India require renewable power supply,” he said, adding that the campaigns aimed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions play a key role in determining what fuels should be used to produce electricity for computer server farms.

“If our study proves feasible, we will then consider entering the data centre ecosystem,” said Mr Sirimet.

In Thailand, GPSC is eager to join the state’s direct power purchase agreement (PPA) scheme, which enables data centre operators to directly purchase electricity from power firms.

Several data centre operators have contacted GPSC, expressing an interest in purchasing clean power from the company, he said.

The Energy Regulatory Commission earlier announced that the authorities plan to launch a pilot direct PPA scheme, with a total power generation capacity of 2 gigawatts, by December 2025.

Several traders have fallen victim to a devious stock scam, losing millions of baht after trusting false promises of high-yield investments. One seasoned investor alone lost 165 million baht, revealing her experience on a recent television programme and warning others of the growing menace of online investment fraud.

The episode of the popular talk show, Hon Krasae, on Thursday featured a woman, using the alias Ms A, who recounted her experience of falling victim to a scam promising a lucrative stock tip. She was joined by two other victims: Ms B, who lost 28 million baht, and Dech, a man who sold his house hoping to make a profit from the scam.

Ms A explained she regularly invests in stocks and first encountered the scam after seeing an online advertisement for a ‘stock expert’.

Upon signing up, she was contacted via the LINE messaging application by an individual claiming to be the secretary of a top trader, who then introduced her to the supposed master trader. She was soon integrated into a large online chat group comprising around 300 members discussing stock trades.

Soon after, Ms A was offered the opportunity to trade shares of a major asset management firm. She was instructed to create a new trading portfolio via an app seemingly designed exclusively for the group.

Despite noticing irregularities, such as transfers being made to various personal accounts, Ms A continued investing, enticed by the consistent, seemingly lucrative returns.

Her investments grew to a portfolio valued at 500 million baht. When she attempted to withdraw her funds, she was told to pay a 10% service fee. After transferring the fee, however, the app ceased functioning, and the entire chat group disbanded.

Expressing remorse, Ms A said she decided to speak out to warn others about such scams. Alongside other victims on the programme, she emphasised the importance of caution and urged those affected not to despair but to seek justice by pressing charges and alerting authorities.

The victims said they hope their ordeal can serve as a warning to prevent others from falling into similar traps, highlighting the importance of vigilance in online investments.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced a fare adjustment for the Green Line electric train extensions, which will take effect from Nov 1, 2025. The move aims to offset operational losses and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the city’s mass transit system.

The revised fare structure will apply to all three Green Line extension sections – Mo Chit-Khu Khot, Bearing-Samut Prakan, and Pho Nimit-Bang Wa – covering 36 stations across a total distance of 44 kilometres.

Under the new system, fares for journeys within the extensions will start at 17 baht and increase according to distance, capped at 45 baht. Passengers travelling across both the original concession and the extensions will pay a maximum fare of 65 baht – an increase of only three baht from the current rate. The BMA noted that this remains lower than the average fare of comparable metro systems in major global cities.

The current flat fare of 15 baht per trip on the extensions has been in place despite rising operational and maintenance costs. The BMA has reportedly been subsidising these costs with over 6 billion baht annually, while revenue from the extensions stands at about 2.4 billion baht per year against total expenses of more than 9 billion baht.

According to the BMA, the introduction of distance-based fares will better reflect the actual cost of service and help maintain a stable and efficient urban transport system.

To mitigate the impact on commuters, the city will continue to offer fare reductions for certain groups: 30% off for students aged 23 and under, and 50% off for senior citizens aged 60 and above.

The fare increase will primarily affect passengers who travel only within the extension sections, with costs rising between 2 and 30 baht depending on distance. Passengers travelling solely within the original concession zone will not be affected.

The BMA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining affordable, safe, and reliable services while implementing necessary financial measures to sustain the city’s public transport system.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday called for hiking the departure tax from the current 1,000 yen (215 baht) per person, hoping to use the increased revenue to address challenges posed by a surge in inbound tourism.

The proposal made by an LDP panel in charge of tourism issues comes as a plan has emerged within the government of new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to raise the international tourist tax, as it is formally called, to 3,000 yen. She floated the idea before becoming premier.

The panel concluded that the tax, introduced in 2019, is a stable revenue source for debt-ridden Japan, which plans to attract some 60 million foreign visitors a year by 2030.

Travellers leaving Japan, including Japanese citizens, must pay 1,000 yen per person at present. Japan saw a record 52.5 billion yen in departure tax revenue alone in fiscal 2024 through March.

The revenue is destined for use in making tourism stress-free by improving access to information and transportation among other objectives.

This year Japan is on course to take in its largest number of foreign visitors, having already crossed 30 million at the end of September with the fastest pace of increase.

While the tourism boom has benefitted local areas, various problems have come to light, including overcrowding, noise, pollution and issues with behavior by some visitors.

“We need to foster tourism as a sustainable industry,” Ryuji Koizumi, the panel’s leader, told reporters after compiling the proposal, which stressed the need for measures catering to the needs of each local entity struggling with overtourism.

In response to increasing demand for air travel, Narita airport near Tokyo is set to expand its takeoff and landing slot capacity to 340,000 a year, up from the current 300,000. In fiscal 2025, total landings and departures are expected to reach 255,000.

The increase, which takes effect on Sunday, will be the first in 15 years, coming before the total slots are expected to reach half a million in the future with the addition of a new runway expected by March 2029.

The airport, one of the hubs serving mainly international flights, saw foreign travellers top 20 million for the first time in fiscal 2024.

Japan has been a popular destinations for foreign tourists, due in part to a weak Japanese yen that makes trips to the country relatively cheap.

An official of the operator of Narita International Airport hopes that the upcoming slot increase will help expand its connections to Asia, North America and the Middle East.

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun is seeking to increase trade and investment cooperation between Thailand and Singapore, especially regarding rice exports.

Ms Suphajee said the matter was discussed with Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong via video conference on Wednesday.

The conversation covered expanding trade, investment and the regional digital economy, she said, adding it also concluded a rice trading agreement.

Ms Suphajee said she was also seeking to conclude the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which would support the region’s digital economy.

She said the meeting was also held to emphasise Thailand’s readiness in strengthening cooperation with Singapore.

Thailand has the potential to export quality agricultural products not just to meet demands in Singapore but also expand to other markets around the world, she added.

Both countries have concluded a rice trade agreement, a major step for Thailand’s rice export and food security for both Thailand and Singapore, she said.

Tangible results from the deal are expected to be seen as soon as next month, Ms Suphajee said.

Regarding the DEFA, she said Thailand, as chair of the negotiation, had asked for Singapore’s support for the implementation of the framework.

DEFA is one of Asean’s major economic agendas this year, said Ms Suphajee, adding it will create a digital connection within Asean, supporting seamless cross-border and paperless trade. It will also increase Thailand’s and Asean’s trade competitiveness and be a tool for the business sector to pursue digital trade, she noted.

According to the ministry, the trade value between Thailand and Singapore rose to US$17.7 billion in 2024. Thailand exported $10.36 billion worth of goods to Singapore, and it imported $7.40 billion, resulting in a surplus of $2.97 billion, it said.

During the first eight months of 2025, the total trade value had reached $12.14 billion, up 6.25% year-on-year, the ministry said. Thai exports meanwhile rose 12.57% to $7.21 billion, while imports from Singapore decreased 1.81% to $4.92 billion, it added.

A Thai and a German diver have been rescued after a search party found them on a rock off Racha Noi island.

The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 said the two were located on Thursday after a four-hour search by Tor 272, a naval patrol boat, and other vessels.

The centre reported the divers went missing at 1.30pm while diving off the island in Muang district. The centre did not explain why they could not be contacted, saying only that they were transported back to the island on the navy ship.

The names of the divers were not given.

Thailand should set an ambitious target of 45-60 million arrivals by the period of 2030 to 2035, pushing stakeholders to cooperate and keep pace with fast-growing Asia-Pacific tourism, says Galaxy Resorts Thailand.

“It’s not unthinkable to achieve those numbers with the right plan and growth strategy, as Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing tourism region worldwide and Thailand stands at the centre of that region,” said Kevin Clayton, chief brand officer of Galaxy Resorts Thailand.

Earlier this month, Tourism and Sports Minister Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn said Thailand was no longer a “tourism giant” as he urged related stakeholders to adjust their working mindset.

Mr Clayton said foreign arrivals to Thailand this year are likely to number 33 million, below the pre-Covid level in 2019.

Having an ambitious target would make related tourism bodies and stakeholders become more progressive and inventive in working to achieve the goal, he said.

Although Thailand is known for its tourism assets such as hospitality, street food, beaches and historical sites, these are insufficient to drive the industry in the current context, said Mr Clayton.

Several recurring issues must be addressed, including ensuring safe travel, accessibility, digital marketing upgrades and curating unique experiences to target high-spending tourists, he said, which requires the right partnership between the public and private sectors to drive tourism forward.

ENTERTAINMENT TOURISM

As Thailand’s entertainment complex bill was shelved because the current government does not support it, Mr Clayton said Galaxy Resorts Thailand remains patient about its expansion in the country.

“When the new government is formed, hopefully there can be a process to advance thinking around integrated resorts. We would be more than happy to participate in that process,” he said, noting that man-made attractions can be a key supplement to Thai tourism.

Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and Singapore are expecting new or expanded integrated resorts over the next few years, which will intensify competition in the region, said Mr Clayton.

Global entertainment tourism is estimated to tally US$267 billion by 2030, he said.

“If Thailand plans to compete with other countries in Asia, it needs to think through how it can headline major events and offer new man-made attractions,” said Mr Clayton.

Earlier this month, Galaxy Resorts brought Jackson Wang’s “Magicman 2” World Tour to Thailand.

The concerts spanned two days at Impact Arena and were sold out, with an audience of more than 24,000, underlining Thailand’s place as a top entertainment destination.

The company also supports Jackson Wang concerts at Galaxy Arena at Galaxy Resorts Macau.

The Macau resort comprises nine hotels featuring more than 5,000 rooms, suites and villas, with roughly 16% of its revenue derived from the non-gaming segment.

Regarding Thailand’s 300-baht tourism tax scheme, which the tourism and sports minister plans to revisit, Mr Clayton said such a fee is already implemented at other destinations.

Before levying this fee, he said several factors should be considered, such as the collection method and timing to avoid denting traveller sentiment.

The government should also ensure the fund will be used effectively for insurance and infrastructure improvement, said Mr Clayton.

The rebounding tourism sector not only gives a boost to local hotels and tourism-related businesses, but also to Chinese jewellery brand Chow Tai Fook as the Hong Kong-listed firm aims to capitalise on the growth of affluent Chinese travellers and a growing middle class in Southeast Asia.

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (CTFJ) Group, which operates more than 6,000 stores and employs 25,900 people globally, is preparing the soft launch of its new concept store at Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok, the second of its kind in the region after Singapore.

The brand made inroads in the Thai market six years ago and now operates five points of sale, including at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, two at King Power duty-free shops and one at Central Phuket.

The new Paragon branch is slated to open in January, said Gabriela Ferreira, general manager for international business at CTFJ.

Other than Thailand, the group has seven points of sale in Singapore and seven in Malaysia, along with sales channels in the Philippines and Cambodia.

“We do believe this is a natural strategic move for us to continue to expand overseas when the opportunity arrives,” Ms Ferreira told a group of Thai journalists visiting CTFJ’s manufacturing, design and distribution facilities in Shunde district, Foshan in Guangdong province.

“This is the perfect time for us to expand abroad, when we have fantastic brand transformation momentum. We are also leveraging Thailand’s rebounding tourism, tapping into affluent tourists to strengthen our brand visibility across the market.”

She said Thailand is estimated to welcome more than 35 million international arrivals this year, marking a strong rebound, with the top three source markets China, Malaysia and India.

There is a significant number of ethnic Chinese across Southeast Asia, where the middle class has been growing, said Ms Ferreira.

All of these factors represent growth drivers for established Chinese brands such as CTFJ because consumers have increased disposable income and a strong Chinese cultural affinity, she said.

“The new concept store at Siam Paragon provides a luxury shopping experience for our customers, featuring our brand in the market to capture the interest of tourists as well as local shoppers in Bangkok,” said Ms Ferreira.

OVERSEAS EXPANSION

She said the international market in the last fiscal year recorded retail sales value growth of 9.4% year-on-year, driven by Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

The expansion of retail outlets abroad followed the group opening eight new image stores across Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Shanghai and Beijing in fiscal 2025.

Building on its Chinese heritage, Chow Tai Fook celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2029 and wants to be known as the top Chinese brand of its kind globally, said Ms Ferreira.

“For international business, we have three channels, with the direct retail market used in Singapore and Malaysia. We also have a franchise channel. In markets like Thailand, we work with local partners in the market to select locations and build a network, allowing them to do market penetration for us guided by brand principles,” she said.

“The final channel is the travel retail business, operated through points of sale at airports and cruises — basically the duty-free environment.”

Supporting CTFJ’s expansion is research done by Australia-based independent consultancy Bluebell, which found 86% of Chinese customers and a substantial majority across Southeast Asia believe luxury products from Asian brands match Western brands in terms of quality and accessibility.

Ms Ferreira said the overseas expansion of CTFJ is driven by a two-pronged strategy: to revitalise existing locations and markets, and expand its presence in high-potential new territories to achieve sustainable growth.

Beyond Southeast Asia, the company operates stores in the US and Canada, including in Los Angeles, Vancouver and Toronto.

“When we open a new image store, it has to be in a prime location,” she said.

“With our strategic expansion plan in Southeast Asia, we believe there’s more to come, and we’re very ambitious to grab opportunities for growth.”

The number of migrant workers in Thailand is rising, as the border dispute with Cambodia has resulted in more labourers from other countries seeking employment here, says the Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai).

From January to August, the numbers increased by 23%, or around 70,000 workers.

Many Cambodian labourers returned to their home nation after the conflict escalated on July 24 when the two countries attacked each other, with a Cambodian rocket hitting a 7-Eleven store in Thailand, and Thailand launching air strikes on Cambodian military targets.

Cambodian workers are often employed in agriculture, fisheries, construction, and factory work across Prachin Buri province.

“Local employers were initially concerned about a shortage of Cambodian workers, but the situation has changed. They are no longer worried,” said Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of EconThai and chairman of the National Labour Development Advisory Council.

The cabinet earlier approved a six-month extension of work permits for migrant workers to address the short-term impact. After this period, eligible migrant workers may further extend their permits for an additional two years, with the option to renew for another two years thereafter.

Meanwhile, employers have raised wages or increased overtime pay to attract workers from other countries, who see their earnings higher than the government’s daily minimum wage, said Mr Tanit.

The government has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sri Lanka to recruit 10,000 Sri Lankan workers, with the potential to increase this number by an additional 30,000 to replace Cambodian workers.

Authorities plan to recruit additional migrant workers from Myanmar, including refugees currently residing in Thailand, to help prevent a potential shortage of labour.

Thailand hosts nearly 4 million migrant workers, with roughly 80% originating from Myanmar, followed by workers from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, according to EconThai.

The number of Cambodian workers fell from 20,000-30,000 imported under an MoU signed between Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

“When we saw a large number of Cambodian workers returning home, the numbers included both legal and illegal migrant workers,” said Mr Tanit.