Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Thailand’s cybersecurity systems remain vulnerable to a high number of attacks, according to cybersecurity firms.

Kaspersky said Thailand logged the most incidents in Southeast Asia with 2.52 million web threats in the first half of 2025, followed by Malaysia and Indonesia with 1.70 million and 1.63 million, respectively.

Web threats are crucial threats against businesses and enterprises, such as malware programs that can target internet users, according to Kaspersky. Web threats are not limited to online activity, but ultimately involve the internet at some stage for inflicted harm.

In the first half of 2025, Kaspersky Enterprise Solutions detected and blocked 7.83 million web threats in the region, averaging 43,049 a day.

The company said recent data revealed existing vulnerabilities in business networks, leaving Thai enterprises exposed to possible cyber-attacks.

In the first half of 2025, 1.2 million exploits targeting organisations in Southeast Asia were blocked by Kaspersky, averaging 6,750 a day.

For the period, Indonesia had the highest number of exploits at 524,657, followed by Vietnam (301,880) and Malaysia (190,556). Thailand ranked fourth with 88,966 exploits targeting businesses and enterprises.

Exploits are a type of malicious program designed to take advantage of bugs or vulnerabilities in software or operating systems to gain unauthorised access.

In the second quarter of 2025, the most common exploits globally targeted vulnerable Microsoft Office products that contained unpatched security flaws, according to another Kaspersky report.

The report revealed the top 10 most exploited vulnerabilities included both new zero-day flaws and older, unpatched issues that organisations continue to overlook.

A zero-day vulnerability is a software vulnerability discovered by attackers before the vendor has become aware of it.

“Our latest data highlights a persistent and critical challenge for enterprises in Thailand and across Southeast Asia,” says Adrian Hia, managing director for Asia-Pacific at Kaspersky.

Mr Hia said the attackers are not only leveraging new, sophisticated zero-day flaws, but also successfully exploiting older, unpatched vulnerabilities that have been a known risk for years.

He said businesses must prioritise proactive vulnerability management to shut the door on cybercriminals and protect corporate networks from long-term compromise.

ELEVATED RISK

According to Check Point Threat Intelligence, Thai organisations suffered an average of 3,201 weekly cyber-attacks in the first half of 2025, exceeding the global average of 1,946.

Chanvith Iddhivadhana, country manager for Thailand at Check Point Software Technologies, said there is a sharp rise in sophisticated nation-state campaigns, phishing scams and distributed denial-of-service attacks, driven by regional tensions and an escalation in cyber crime.

He said Thai organisations need to rethink how they manage cyber-risk.

Mr Chanvith said investing in a unified platform that blends extended detection and response solutions and an external risk management approach, as well as an open and collaborative approach to third-party integration, will deliver far more value than piecemeal tools.

Phishing remains the top attack vector in Thailand, according to Check Point Threat Intelligence, which also identified FakeUpdates as the most prevalent malware in Thailand, affecting 13.9% of Thai organisations, well above the global average of 5.4%.

FakeUpdates is a downloader malware that spreads through drive-by downloads on compromised or malicious websites.

Threat actors have aggressively targeted government entities and critical infrastructure sectors, noted Check Point.

The utilities sector, with an average of 3,567 weekly attacks, has emerged as the most targeted vertical, while the government/military sector, averaging 2,662 weekly attacks, ranks among the top three sectors for attacks this year.

Generali Thailand wants to sustain double-digit growth in the second half of the year, driving gross written premiums (GWP) for the Thai unit of the Italian insurer to surpass 15 billion baht for the year.

The company reported robust 17% growth in GWP during the first six months, said Arsh Kaumi, country manager and chief executive of Generali Thailand, demonstrating its ability to evolve with the changing financial and lifestyle needs of Thai consumers.

Generali expects to maintain double-digit growth through the remainder of the year, underlining the company’s ambition to become a market leader in Thailand’s competitive insurance sector, he said.

“The Thai insurance market in the second half of 2025 remains challenging amid a sluggish economy,” said Mr Kaumi.

“Our key strategy to drive business growth is offering products that truly meet customer needs, solutions that deliver real value, supported by the right sales channels.”

GWP is projected to surpass 15 billion baht this year, comprising roughly 14 billion from life insurance and 1 billion from non-life business.

The company ranks ninth in Thailand’s insurance market, with strong performance from health and protection products anchoring its portfolio.

He said several factors are fuelling growth in the Thai insurance sector despite broader economic headwinds: greater awareness of financial planning, rising medical costs due to medical inflation, and a growing trend among younger generations to purchase insurance earlier for long-term security.

Government initiatives to promote health and life insurance products have also encouraged broader public participation.

“Thailand is a strategic market full of potential, especially in health insurance, as the country becomes an aged society,” said Mr Kaumi.

“We are pleased to see the government’s efforts to make health insurance more accessible and affordable. Healthcare should be something everyone can access, and we are developing affordable plans to make that possible.

“Everyone should start with a health insurance plan they can afford. After Covid-19, people have become far more conscious of their health and financial preparedness.”

The company reinforced its multi-channel distribution network through bancassurance partnerships with financial institutions, expanded agency channels with digital tools, and strengthened collaborations with brokers nationwide.

“Among all channels, our agency network continues to deliver the strongest sales growth,” he said, adding the company is investing heavily in digital innovation to enhance both sales efficiency and customer experience.

One such initiative is the GenWings application, designed to improve agent productivity through automated premium calculations and real-time data access.

The GEN 365 platform has transformed digital claims handling and policy management, allowing the company to process around 1 million claims a year, 90% of which require no upfront payment, with most settled within 30 minutes, said Mr Kaumi.

The company is accelerating its investment in digital distribution, particularly in travel and health insurance products targeting younger, tech-savvy consumers.

In the fourth quarter, new products will be launched not only for tax saving purposes, but also long-term financial and retirement planning, he said.

Generali’s product portfolio increasingly focuses on health protection, critical illness coverage, and unit-linked plans that encourage long-term savings discipline, said Mr Kaumi.

In Thailand, Generali employs more than 800 people.

“At Generali Thailand, we’re building a workforce ready for the digital future by integrating artificial intelligence-driven learning, data analytics, and continuous leadership development,” he said.

“We also embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as a core part of our corporate culture, fostering innovation, collaboration, and trust across teams and business partners.”

After losing 9% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index is moving into the final quarter with more bullish sentiment, topping 1,300 points in early October thanks to the new government’s economic stimulus and an easing cycle for Thai interest rates.

The Anutin Charnvirakul government unveiled a stimulus package for its four-month tenure, aiming to lift domestic consumption and public confidence. Core measures include an expanded “Khon La Khrueng” co-payment scheme, easing consumers’ cost of living, and debt restructuring support for small businesses, supplemented by tourism revival initiatives.

Endorsed by the cabinet on Oct 7 with a budget of 44 billion baht, the co-payment scheme creates a powerful but temporary boost for the last two months of the year. Petrol prices were previously cut, while electricity tariff and train fare reductions are on the cards.

Tourism revival measures, including incentives for second-tier destinations, are expected to potentially add 2-4 million visitors over the next 12-18 months, according to CGS International Securities (Thailand).

“The Thai bourse is being driven mainly by the performance of the new government’s stimulus policies, such as the co-payment scheme and secondary province tourism promotion, all of which are positive for stock investment,” said Apichat Poobunjirdkul, senior strategist at Tisco Securities.

To stay firmly above 1,300 points, daily trading value on the SET should exceed 40 billion baht, said Mr Apichat, as the current trading value of roughly 30 billion baht is considered “too low”.

The SET should also benefit from falling Thai interest rates, he said.

“Past data indicates the Thai index reacted positively to every rate cut by the Bank of Thailand, except for the reduction during the pandemic,” said Mr Apichat.

A cut of 25 basis points (bps) generally lifts the SET index by 50 points, according to the brokerage.

SHORT-TERM BOOST

Chaiyatorn Sricharoen, an analyst at CGS International Securities (Thailand), said the brokerage anticipates incremental spending of 40-70 billion baht from the co-payment programme, equivalent to a GDP bump of 0.2-0.4 percentage points.

“In our view, the scheme ensures high marginal propensity to consume, especially among low-income households who must co-pay, but the exclusion of chain retailers could divert share from modern trade to traditional trade,” he said.

Meanwhile, electricity tariff cuts are seen as the most impactful lever among the cost-of-living relief programme in terms of lifting consumption. A 5-10% cut or roughly 0.20-0.40 baht per megawatt-hour (unit) could save households 75-150 baht per month and create modest demand from fast-moving consumer goods companies, according to CGS.

Despite near-term visibility of the government’s policy package, structural reforms remain politically uncertain, said Mr Chaiyatorn.

“We believe structural policies, such as infrastructure investment, agricultural upgrades, and long-stay visa reform, face significant political constraints under a minority coalition government,” he said.

Rakpong Chaisuparakul, senior vice-president of KGI Securities (Thailand), said while domestic factors look more positive regarding a short-term stimulus, most of the prepared packages were largely priced in.

As a consequence, the brokerage believes the SET index could extend some gains in October, but the upside seems to be limited, he said.

EASING CYCLE

Soraphol Tulayasathien, senior executive vice-president of the SET, cited the Federal Reserve’s rate cut in September, the first reduction since December 2024, as one of the reasons boosting the Thai index by 3% last month.

Despite the rebound, Thailand’s benchmark index fell by 9% in the first nine months of this year, with foreign investors net sellers of 96.2 billion baht worth of Thai stocks.

The Fed is widely expected to slash the federal funds rate when it meets on Oct 28-29, lowering borrowing costs and preventing the shaky job market from collapsing.

According to CME Group’s FedWatch tool, investors expect the Federal Open Market Committee to trim the rate by 25 bps to a range of 3.75% to 4%, marking the lowest level since December 2022.

“Following the September cut, two more reductions are expected,” said Mr Soraphol.

Monetary policy easing has prompted global investors to increase their holdings in stocks and safe-haven assets, particularly gold, the price of which has surged to record highs in global markets.

In Thailand, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Oct 8 left its key interest rate unchanged at 1.5%, after a reduction of 25 bps in August.

The central bank has lowered the policy rate four times, by 100 bps, since October last year.

Veeravat Virochpoka, head of research at FSS International Investment Advisory Securities, said the MPC is expected to trim rates once or twice over the next 12 months, bringing the one-day repurchase rate to 1% to bolster the subdued economy.

Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, emerging Asia economist at BofA Securities, shared a similar view, adding most MPC members remain relatively hawkish, preferring to preserve policy space and believing monetary policy is not an effective tool to support the economy.

“While the decision to maintain the rate this time was in line with our expectations, we continue to anticipate cuts to the terminal rate of 1%, given the weak economic momentum, low inflation and strong baht,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mr Soraphol said challenges remain in terms of the US debt ceiling, the state of the US economy, and uncertainties surrounding American fiscal and monetary policy.

Stock market analysts agree, noting the direction of US monetary policy remains unclear as US macro readings are still strong and Fed officials are split into dovish and hawkish camps.

Nine Myanmar workers have been arrested for illegally contracting to build houses for an Israeli businessman on Koh Phangan.

According to local tourist police, three of the Myanmar people were contracted to build seven houses costing 7 million baht each. Six others were hired to install electrical wiring in the houses, in Ban Nai Wok.

They were taken into custody on Saturday in response to complaints by Thai contractors on the southern tourist island of illegal competition from foreigners. Construction contracting is one of the occupations reserved for Thais.

Police said they were registered as employees of a Thai construction firm, but the management of the firm said it did not have a contract to build the seven houses.

Earlier, Koh Phangan district chief Suriya Boonphan said 2,627 Israelis were permitted to stay on both short and long term visas on Koh Phangan. He said 181 of them were granted long stays to run businesses.

Meanwhile, police are stepping up their investigation into illegal nominee business holdings on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.

The Pheu Thai Party on Sunday warned that Bhumjaithai’s charter amendment draft lacks public participation, while suggesting its version should be used as the main draft for deliberation.

Three drafts sponsored by Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai and the People’s Party (PP) are scheduled for their first reading in parliament on Tuesday and Wednesday. Each offers a different approach as to how a constitution drafting assembly (CDA) should be created.

Chanin Rungthanakiat, Pheu Thai’s deputy spokesman, said the party stands ready to vote for all three drafts to initiate a process for creating the CDA to draft a new charter.

However, he expressed concerns about Bhumjaithai’s proposal, saying its lack of a direct line to public opinion would see CDA members selected entirely by parliament without going through any public screening first.

He said a CDA formed without public scrutiny or even indirect participation from voters could lead to potential collusion, resulting in a drafting body filled with members lacking proper qualifications.

The PP’s version, meanwhile, faces the possibility of being challenged in the Constitutional Court, he said. The PP’s proposed advisory council is directly elected by voters, which could be seen as against the court ruling that prohibits direct election.

“If the PP’s charter proposal is submitted to the court for a ruling, the charter amendment process could be delayed”, he said.

Instead, Mr Chanin said, Pheu Thai has proposed a 151-member CDA that combines public and parliamentary selection: 100 members indirectly elected through a two-stage process involving both the public and parliament, and the 51 others appointed by parliament.

He said the party believes its mixed model strikes a balance between public representation and constitutional compliance while minimising risk of judicial intervention.

Pheu Thai will propose that, should all three drafts pass the first reading, its version should be adopted as the main one for further examination, he said.

“Given the restriction imposed by the court, our draft is the most feasible and inclusive. It prevents collusion and ensures no single group can dominate the drafting process,” Mr Chanin said.

He added that if the political agreement between Bhumjaithai and the PP still holds, the charter rewrite bid is expected to receive support from the Senate to kickstart the process.

The “Thailand Amusement and Attraction Parks Expo 2025 (TAAPE 2025)” and the inaugural “Thailand Billiards Expo 2025 (TBE 2025)” will be held on the same premises, at Impact Exhibition Hall 6-7, Muang Thong Thani, daily from 10am to 5pm, starting Wednesday to Friday.

TAAPE is an international trade show and business matching event for the amusement, theme park and tourist attraction industries in the Asean region. It will serve as a key platform for manufacturers and designers of products related to amusement parks and attractions, featuring over 300 brands from 30 countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, Germany, India, France, Malaysia, Australia, the US, Indonesia, Russia and Taiwan.

Exhibitors will showcase products and services such as roller coasters, water rides, video games, virtual reality experiences, themed entertainment, children’s amusement facilities and child developmental toys, as well as food and beverages. The event will also feature a range of workshops and demonstrations on the latest advancements in games, sports and modern toys.

Held for the first time in Thailand, the TBE will provide an opportunity for the local billiards industry to witness the latest innovations in equipment from around the world. The event is believed to inspire a new generation to take an interest in billiards, further establishing Thailand as a regional hub for the sport.

Both expos aim to establish shared standards, facilitate technology exchange and jointly expand markets, integrating the cultural, tourism and sports industries. The goal is for entertainment to stimulate the tourism economy and for sports to be a driving force for the regional economy.

As Thailand prepares to host the 2025 SEA Games this December, a controversy has emerged over the use of the term “Muay” instead of “Muaythai” for the boxing event.

Some argue that dropping “Thai” strips the sport of its national identity, given that Muaythai is widely regarded as Thailand’s national martial art.

The issue has now reached Parliament, where Tourism and Sports Minister Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn vowed to push the SEA Games Council to restore the term “Muaythai” to the listing, claiming it represents Thailand’s soft power and national heritage.

Such remarks, however, reflect a troubling pattern — one that prioritises nationalist sentiment over sound reasoning and global perspective.

Sport, by its very nature, is universal. Turning an international competition into a platform for asserting national ownership risks alienating neighbours and undermining regional unity.

Thailand has long sought to globalise Muaythai. The sport has gained widespread recognition, with training camps around the world and thousands of foreign practitioners embracing the art. Yet it has never fully crossed over into the global mainstream.

Private promoters have succeeded where governments have not, adapting the discipline for broader audiences, as seen in ONE Championship, while officialdom clings stubbornly to symbols of national pride rather than evolving with the times.

Insisting that the SEA Games must label the sport “Muaythai” may satisfy patriotic pride, but it risks confining the art within national borders. If Thailand truly wants its martial art to flourish internationally, openness, not ownership, is the path forward.

The word “Muay” — meaning boxing — is itself Thai, and perfectly sufficient. Other nations’ martial arts such as taekwondo, judo and karate have achieved global recognition without constant reference to their countries of origin.

Moreover, insisting on the term “Muaythai” could even prompt boycotts from countries such as Cambodia and Laos, which claim their own traditional forms of the sport under different names. Such a move would risk turning what should be a celebration of unity into a clash of national pride.

This debate is not new. At the previous SEA Games two years ago, Cambodia stirred controversy by branding its boxing event “Kun Khmer.” Thailand protested at the time, calling for fair recognition. It would now be inconsistent and unwise for Thailand, as host, to repeat such a divisive and unacceptable move.

Fortunately, Chaiyapak Siriwat, vice president and chief operating officer of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, confirms the official term this year will remain simply “Muay”.

That decision deserves full support. It reflects maturity and respect for sporting spirit, rather than a shallow nationalism that serves no one.

A useful precedent can be found in the compromise over Sepak Takraw, a sport jointly claimed by Malaysia and Thailand. In the end, both sides accepted the hybrid name “Sepak Takraw,” allowing the sport to grow without contention and creating a true win-win outcome.

Muaythai is, without question, a source of national pride. But pride must never outweigh the essence of sport — unity, health, inspiration, and friendship. The government and its sports authorities should remember that spreading Thai culture through sport requires humility, not hegemony.

Re: “Cultural confusion”, (PostBag, Oct 11) and “Off to a dancing start”, (BP, Oct 10).

Mr Vichai believes tourism should focus on Thai culture and achievements, and suggests Ban Rak Thai should be excluded because it’s Chinese.

But the fact is, it’s a tourist attraction — try finding somewhere to park your car there at a weekend — and that’s because it’s Chinese.

But at the same time it is an example of Thai hospitality in action. At the end of the Chinese civil war in 1946 various Kuo Min Tang (losing side) armies were left marooned in Burma.

The UN offered to fly them to join their comrades in Taiwan, and Thailand offered to take in those who chose not to go, provided they left their guns at the border.

Ban Rak Thai is one of the consequences. Its name, “love Thai village”, expresses the inhabitants’ gratitude.

Colin Roth

Can’t help but gloat

Re: “Opposition leader wins Nobel prize”, (BP, Oct 11).

Karma is real and alive. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 has gone to Maria Corina Machado “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy”

A wonderful winner for her work for democracy by making positive contributions rather than another candidate who has been working against democracy. He had been quietly promoting his right to win a medal but it would have been the destruction of the credibility of the award.

Oh dear, President Donald Trump didn’t win, but he could look for inspiration from this and many other prior winners.

Well done Maria, thank you for your work.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Healthy minds

Re: “Tackling mental health woes”, (Editorial, Oct 5).

The unprecedented rise of mental health issues across Thailand and across South and South East Asia is quite alarming. It reflects how mental health is affecting our life and how important it is to our existence.

World Mental Health Day is observed every year on Oct 10 to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental well-being.

Education institutions, organisations, and community groups across the world conducted seminars, interactive workshops, art exhibitions, and awareness rallies. Psychologists and counsellors addressed common mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression, emphasising the need to seek help without hesitation.

At the local level, students and teachers participated in discussions and shared personal reflections on maintaining emotional balance and empathy in daily life. Posters, slogans, and creative performances highlighted the theme, “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right.”

The observance of World Mental Health Day 2025 reminded everyone that mental health awareness is not limited to a single day — it requires continuous care, compassion, and community support.

The day reinforced the message that mental health matters for everyone, everywhere. By spreading understanding and kindness, we can build a healthier, more inclusive, and emotionally resilient world.

Saikat Kumar Basu

SET-listed Global Power Synergy (GPSC) is planning to co-invest in a small modular reactor (SMR) overseas to prepare the company for a similar nuclear power plant project in Thailand.

An SMR is a type of nuclear power technology with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, about one-third the generating capacity of larger, traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

GPSC, the power generation arm of national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc, views SMR power plants as a reliable solution to meet its customers’ energy demands, especially for businesses seeking low-carbon, clean energy alternatives.

The company is in talks with a prospective business partner to jointly carry out an SMR project, with a deal expected to be completed next year, said Sirimet Leepagorn, president and acting chief operating officer of GPSC.

The targeted partnership would also supply power to an overseas petrochemical complex, he said.

The deal could pave the way for developing an SMR project in Thailand, provided the country opens up opportunities for private sector involvement in such plants, said Mr Sirimet.

“We may talk with our partner about investing in an SMR project here,” he said.

GPSC is confident it can smoothly adopt the SMR technology, thanks to budget availability and a plan to educate and train its employees on nuclear power know-how.

The joint project requires an investment of roughly US$6 million per MW.

SMRs have the potential to help Thailand generate more clean power and ensure long-term national energy security because, unlike renewable energy, nuclear energy enables power plant operators to deliver a steady supply of electricity. The sun and wind are intermittent sources of energy as their electricity generation capacity depends largely on weather patterns.

SMR technology is capable of reliably meeting domestic electricity needs while lowering carbon emissions, aligning with PTT’s net-zero target, a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, said Mr Sirimet.

A seaplane service will begin a trial run from Koh Kradan in Trang province in December, with the first commercial route likely to be between Phuket and Trang.

ACM Manat Chuaprayoon, governor of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said the service would initially operate on Koh Kradan for 180 days from December.

It would then be assessed, both for commercial viability and for environmental and other impacts.

He said two companies, Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, had licences for such services, and their planes could also use any conventional airport.

‘Seaplanes will be another choice for tourists,’ ACM Manat said.

Surachai Nuprom, acting president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai), said Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane were ready to launch this ground-breaking service in Thailand, with aircrews and business plans. The first route was likely to be Phuket-Trang.

The operators were also interested in routes to islands off Phuket, Phangnga, Koh Samui and Trang, he said.

Officials would study the possible impact from the noise of seaplane propellers and engines. If they proved to be environmentally friendly, a permanent seaplane service could start in mid-2026, he said.

Aerothai was prepared to manage seaplane air traffic. Other commercial flights and services would not be affected, Mr Surachai said.

Aerothai is state-owned and runs air traffic control and aviation communication services in Thailand.