Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The government plans new borrowing totalling 1.2 trillion baht for fiscal 2026, a slight decrease from 1.22 trillion in fiscal 2025.

According to a Finance Ministry source who requested anonymity, the government and state-owned enterprises’ new borrowing plan of 1.2 trillion baht is divided into six parts.

First, borrowing to compensate for the budget deficit, amounting to 860 billion baht, in accordance with the Public Debt Management Act. Under this act, borrowing may not exceed 20% of total budget expenditures for that fiscal year, plus up to 80% of expenditures earmarked for debt principal repayment.

Second, carrying over government borrowing from fiscal 2025 that has not been executed. The government requested an extension of the borrowing period, allowing 80 billion baht to be carried over and borrowed in fiscal 2026.

Third, borrowing under Section 22 of the Public Debt Management Act for economic and social development purposes. This borrowing is excluded from the regular annual budget and is for the Public Health Ministry and the Department of Rural Roads, totalling 11.4 billion baht.

Fourth, government borrowing for relending to state agencies totalling 51.6 billion baht, with 36.3 billion for the State Railway of Thailand and 15.2 billion for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand.

Fifth, borrowing of 113 billion baht to manage the treasury balance’s liquidity.

Sixth, new domestic borrowing by 16 state-owned enterprises in fiscal 2026, totalling 89.9 billion baht.

To manage existing government debt, through refinancing or rollover, the government plans to manage 1.88 trillion baht in fiscal 2026 to reduce costs and maintain fiscal stability.

Regarding the government debt repayment plan in 2026, the government and state-owned enterprises plan to repay a total of 503 billion baht (including principal and interest).

As of August, the government’s total public debt is 12.16 trillion baht, equivalent to 64.6% of GDP, while the government’s debt ceiling is set at 70% of GDP. The public debt burden surged following the pandemic in 2020-2021, attributed to special borrowing laws to mitigate the economic impact.

Total borrowing reached as high as 1.5 trillion baht, causing the public debt level to rise rapidly and exceed the public debt ceiling at the time, which was capped at 60%. As a result, the Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha administration raised the ceiling to 70%.

The sharp increase in public debt prompted Moody’s and Fitch to express concern over Thailand’s debt-servicing capacity, as they saw limited potential for economic growth and ongoing political instability. Both agencies revised the government’s credit rating outlook from stable to negative.

The 123-year-old Buddhist stupa known as Phra Tat Non Tan collapsed on Sunday.

The Fine Arts Department said on Monday it would cost at least 20 million baht to reconstruct, or build a new one, in the same likeness. The structure itself was beyond repair.

The stupa is at Ban That in tambon Non Tan of Tha Uthen district. It was built in traditional brick-and-mortar style and believed to date back to 1902, according to the department.

Phra Tat Non Tan is considered a significant historical landmark, tied to the migration and settlement of the Tai Yor ethnic group in the district. It had been restored in 1993 and was registered as a historical site in 2017.

Cracks had been detected in the stupa since 2019 and a budget of 2.6 million baht previously approved for repairs. It collapsed on Sunday before the work could be completed. (continues below)

On Monday, a team led by Tha Uthen chief Chinawat Thongpricha inspected the site. They said waterlogged soil and a weakened foundation caused the collapse, which also damaged the adjacent, old ordination hall.

Officials said Fine Arts Office Region 9 was drafting plans for a new stupa that will replicate the original design. The reconstruction budget would top 20 million baht.

Among the artifacts rcoveredfrom the rubble were a five-tiered brass finial from the top of the spire measuring two metres in length, two gold necklaces weighing a total of three baht believed to have been donated during the 1993 restoration, and three antique bronze Buddha images in the Chiang Rung style.

Thailand Post has partnered with the Fisheries Department to launch its first express delivery service for transporting ornamental fish to international markets, in a bid to strengthen Thailand’s position as a global ornamental fish hub.

The service starts this month, supporting more than 10,000 registered ornamental fish breeders under the department. The partnership expects to cash in on the global ornamental fish market, which is valued at more than 10 billion baht per year.

According to Thailand Post president Dhanant Subhadrabandhu, the first phase focuses on the export of Siamese fighting fish (betta fish) to five key markets — the US, China, Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia — before expanding to other high-potential markets.

The service commences at Nakhon Pathom Post Office, the province with the largest concentration of Siamese fighting fish breeders in Thailand.

Mr Dhanant said Thailand has the potential to increase its ornamental fish exports from the current level of more than 1 billion baht, of which Siamese fighting fish account for 40%.

The company wants to shift from solely parcel and mail delivery to driving the Thai economy in several dimensions, he said. The collaboration reflects Thailand Post’s strategy of parcel-defined logistics, which tailors logistics solutions to suit a variety of items, said Mr Dhanant.

“Working with the Fisheries Department is not simply about cross-border delivery. It opens the door for Thai farmers and the aquaculture sector to access global markets through Thailand Post’s extensive network of over 50,000 service points and more than 190 countries,” he said.

Both organisations are committed to creating a distinctive brand identity for Thailand as a global ornamental fish hub, said Mr Dhanant.

Thailand Post already provides domestic express delivery services for ornamental fish and aquatic plants to farmers and entrepreneurs. Twelve species are covered, including Siamese fighting fish, guppies, mollies, ornamental shrimp, aquatic plants and sea grapes. From February to August 2025, Thailand Post delivered 110,000 ornamental fish items to buyers in Thailand.

The government is ready to engage in dialogue with all insurgent groups in the deep South to achieve lasting peace along the border, says the chief of the Southern peace negotiation team, Gen Somsak Rungsita.

Speaking at Sirindhorn Camp in Pattani’s Yarang district on Sunday, Gen Somsak said the formal order to establish a new negotiating body is imminent.

Once the order is signed by the prime minister, the panel, which will mirror the structure of past panels, can start drawing in experts and representatives from security, justice and civilian sectors.

“We must synchronise the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4, the armed forces, police, the justice system and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) and several other parties, so the negotiation process has real substance and leverage,” Gen Somsak said.

He said his team would mainly concentrate on international and regional aspects of the negotiations, while Isoc Region 4 would manage domestic affairs and the military would cover overlapping border zones.

On Malaysia’s role as facilitator, he urged continued cooperation but signalled a desire for a stronger Thai presence in managing the negotiations, noting past tendencies to defer excessively to external partners.

Asked whether the talks will involve Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), Gen Somsak said the government will engage all insurgent groups, including the BRN, but cautioned that talks must be held with authentic representatives who hold real authority.

“If we talk to the wrong people, nothing will change,” he said.

Sen Chaiyong Maneerungsakul, spokesman for the Senate’s military committee, on Sunday said BRN operatives are sticking to their strategy of attacking state infrastructure, undermining the local economy and striking symbols of the Thai state.

He blamed persistent intelligence failures for past security lapses, citing planned cross-border strikes and coordinated robberies that were not detected in time. He urged better local integration and use of provincial leaders for intelligence gathering.

The police chief of a Malaysian border state has renewed his call for the construction of a wall along the frontier with Thailand, arguing that it would serve twin goals.

Kelantan police chief Mohd Yusoff Mamat has again urged the Malaysian government to greenlight a wall along the border with Thailand’s Narathiwat province.

As a security barrier it would assist in the battle against smugglers. and at the same time help prevent flooding caused by overflow from the Golok River into border areas of Kelantan, he said.

The narrow nature of the river along that section made it easier for quick illegal crossings, despite the use of security cameras, drones and other tech.

“Sungai Golok is very narrow. Even with advanced technology, maintaining control remains difficult as it takes only a few minutes for someone to cross over to Thailand,” he said in a story published by Bernama news agency on Monday.

The state police chief believed it would be the most effective step against border crime.

Sungai Kolok district and Kelantan’s Rantau Panjang township are both prone to flooding by the river, which demarcates the border in that area.

The border wall project is still awaiting approval from Kuala Lumpur, despite a strong push by Kelantan officials.

Kelantan is aware of illicit activities, including human trafficking, along the border with Narathiwat. Some Malaysians illegally enter Thailand to obtain illicit drugs. The criminals are undeterred by warnings from Malaysian authorities of serious legal action against Malaysians crossing the border through unofficial crossings.

Kelantan and Narathiwat share a 163-kilometre border, about 90km of which is along the river.

Thailand has dealt with severe flooding for centuries, affecting millions of households and disrupting economic activities, especially in low-lying areas where disasters seem routine.

Every year, the government allocates a substantial budget for flood relief. Last year, the Pheu Thai administration set aside more than 8 billion baht, granting 9,000 baht to each affected household during the rainy season.

The heavy monsoon rains currently pounding the country have prompted the new Bhumjaithai-led administration to prepare a 6-billion-baht flood relief budget, also expected to provide 9,000 baht to each affected household.

Despite a significant annual budget allocation for water resource management, flooding remains a persistent issue across Thailand.

The private sector wants more sustainable, long-term solutions beyond post-disaster relief.

LONG-TERM PLAN REQUIRED

The ongoing floods, which have submerged vast tracts of land in many provinces, have yet to affect factories, but the regular inundations raise doubts over the state’s long-term water management, said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

“Thailand has been living with floods and droughts that occur no matter which administration is running the country,” he said.

The business sector has not seen a clear water management plan with a long-term outlook from the government, said Mr Kriengkrai.

“One result is we have to rely mainly on ourselves to brace for flooding,” he said.

There have been no reports of any serious impacts to factories because businesses prepared measures to cope with natural disasters, according to recent talks held between the FTI and its members.

However, many factory workers face indirect impacts, hampering travel between their homes and workplaces, said Mr Kriengkrai.

The floods this year have not been significant enough to cause the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking to adjust its economic forecast.

Earlier this month, the panel projected Thai GDP growth of 1.8-2.2% this year, with export growth of 2-3% and inflation at 0.5-1%.

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is confident its industrial estates will not be affected by floods thanks to its protective measures, said IEAT governor Sumet Thangprasert.

“The current situation is normal, but we are not complacent about it. We continue to keep a close watch, especially on industrial estates located in areas prone to floods,” he said.

The IEAT spent 1.8 billion baht on developing and reinforcing flood protection systems, including the construction of flood walls.

The authority paid particular heed to four industrial estates located in Nakhon Luang, Bang Pa-in and Ban Wa in Ayutthaya and Bang Poo in Samut Prakan.

As the Chao Phraya River runs through Ayutthaya, the province receives a massive amount of runoff from the North every year, while Samut Prakan must deal with rising water level from the Chao Phraya as well as high tides near the end of the year.

CROP DAMAGE

Rujipun Assarut, assistant managing director of Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research), said estimates suggest Thailand’s rice production will lose 420,000 tonnes due to floods during September and October, which is the start of the harvesting period for in-season plantation.

Around 2.5 million rai of rice plantation area has been damaged by floods this year, including several provinces in the central plains as well as parts of the northern and northeastern regions.

Last year, only 500,000-600,000 rai was damaged by flooding.

Compared with last year, accumulated rainfall has been 6% higher this year, attributed to a larger number of storms hitting the country in 2025, he said.

“In 2024, most of the flooded areas were in the North, which has the largest rice plantation areas. But this year, farms in the central and northeastern provinces have been inundated, so the damage to rice production has been somewhat larger this year,” Mr Rujipun told the Bangkok Post.

The northern region contributes roughly one-third of Thailand’s in-season rice plantation, with the balance mainly coming from the central and northeastern regions, he said.

The ongoing floods are expected to increase rice prices by 1-2% during the two-month period. However, higher supply in November and December, both domestically and from India and Vietnam, will help to stabilise prices, said Mr Rujipun.

In terms of economic impact, K-Research deputy managing director Nuttaporn Triratanasirikul said the floods this year would lower domestic consumption, particularly among farmers and people whose homes were inundated.

These groups have to repair their homes, so they are likely to reduce their spending on other items, she said.

“Though the economic impact of the floods this year is unlikely to be significant, we have to monitor to what extent the government and concerned agencies provide remedies to those affected,” said Ms Nuttaporn.

LIMITED IMPACT ON OUTPUT

Vinit Visessuvanapoom, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, said the floods have not affected the country’s key industrial production base and produced a limited impact on the tourism sector.

The impact on industry mainly concerns supply chain and logistics issues, particularly in the agricultural processing sector, which may experience temporary shortages of raw materials sourced from the country’s central and northeastern regions.

This year’s floods have affected 54 provinces, with 27 provinces including Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Sukhothai experiencing severe floods.

The agricultural sector suffered damage estimated at 590 million baht as of Oct 7, said Mr Vinit.

In 2011, Thailand faced severe floods that affected most parts of the country. Bangkok, the country’s economic hub, received what was estimated as the greatest flood in 50 years, causing economic damage of 52 billion baht, equivalent to 0.46% of GDP at that time.

The government allocates a budget for water management on an annual basis. For fiscal 2025, the budget was 111 billion baht for more than 3,000 projects, including the construction of water gates, weirs, irrigation canals, and embankment protection projects.

Following the floods of 2011, the government approved nine projects to address flooding in the lower Chao Phraya River.

The most significant of these is the Bang Ban-Bang Sai drainage canal, which spans 22.5 kilometres with a total investment budget of 21 billion baht.

Construction began in 2019 and is expected to be completed next year. The project reduces the distance for water discharge from the Chao Phraya Basin to the Gulf of Thailand by 13km, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1,200 cubic metres a second.

Combined with the existing capacity of the Chao Phraya River, it can handle a maximum discharge of 2,930 cu m per second.

In addition, there are three projects on the eastern side and two on the western side of the lower Chao Phraya Basin to mitigate the impact of floods.

Another three projects comprise the dredging of a 20km section of the Chao Phraya River to increase its water capacity, the construction of a weir in lowland areas outside flood levees, and the construction of a drainage canal alongside the third Eastern Bangkok Outer Ring Road.

UNDER PRESSURE

Decha Siranaraset, president of the Nan Restaurant Business Club, said the province has experienced increasingly frequent and severe flooding over the past two decades.

In his opinion, the increase in the intensity of natural disasters is a result of climate change. For example, he said he observed more intense rainfall, which he described as “rain bombs”.

In late July this year, Nan’s city centre experienced some of the worst flooding in recent history.

Historic Wat Phumin, a temple dating back more than 400 years, was among the worst hit sites in the city, with water levels rising to around two metres.

The floods severely damaged the local economy, particularly the tourism and restaurant sectors, which came to a complete halt, said Mr Decha.

Many stores were unable to operate, and a significant amount of restaurant equipment was destroyed.

Domestic tourists typically account for around 80% of Nan’s tourism sector, he said.

The increasing frequency of floods has made restaurant operators more hesitant to invest, as the threat of future flooding remains high, said Mr Decha.

He urged the government to offer short-term relief measures, such as soft loans with low interest rates, while extending repayment terms for affected businesses.

In addition, Mr Decha called for authorities to dredge rivers and canals to improve water drainage.

Discussions on flood prevention measures have been taking place since 2006, including proposals to build a reservoir, but he said progress has been slow due to budget constraints and a lengthy environmental impact assessment process.

“If the government is truly determined, it must act fast. It’s time to make a decision because preventive measures take time. People in Nan are increasingly anxious about this issue,” said Mr Decha.

WE’VE SEEN THIS BEFORE

Duangrachata Payakvichien, president of the Thai Hotels Association’s central chapter, said as cities in central provinces become more urbanised, such as Ayutthaya, new housing developments, industrial plants and factories are increasingly prone to floods.

Ayutthaya is located in a river basin, which poses a high level of flood risk.

She said the government should ensure a more efficient flood warning system for locals and businesses so people can safely evacuate and move their belongings to a safe place in enough time.

As the city develops, the authorities should study the changing waterways and adapt flood management infrastructure to match the conditions, said Ms Duangrachata.

However, she said the recent floods should not significantly impact tourism as they affected the outer districts of the city, not tourism sites such as the historical park and large hotels.

Some hotels located near the river utilise their own flood protection measures.

The level of floodwaters this year is similar to past years, not as severe as the 2011 floods, said Ms Duangrachata.

This year flooding occurred in Ayutthaya during the low season, which meant there were fewer tourists, although she said some travellers may have postponed their trips due to the water levels.

Natnicha Zorndee, chairwoman of the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Chamber of Commerce, said the province experienced minimal effects from the floods this year because young entrepreneurs were well-prepared as they are accustomed to dealing with seasonal floods.

She said most restaurants in Ayutthaya are located above floodwater levels, with only 1% affected by the recent floods, which are significantly less severe than those in 2022.

In addition to economic stimulus measures such as the “Khon La Khrueng” co-payment scheme, Ms Natnicha said the government should promote historical tourist attractions in Ayutthaya.

“We hope the government will expand promotional efforts to include attractions in districts beyond the Mueang district,” she said.

“Each district has good and unique offerings and attractions, and these should be promoted to tourists.”

COPING ADMIRABLY

Nattapon Dechasatsawat, chairman of the Sukhothai Chamber of Commerce, said most of the floods this year affected agricultural areas, reducing the purchasing power of farmers in the area by 20-30% compared with regular conditions.

Tourist arrivals decreased slightly because prospective visitors from other regions believed the floods would affect the entire province, prompting them to stay away, he said.

Mr Nattapon clarified the downtown area has not been affected by flooding.

“I want to assure people outside the province that major tourist attractions in Sukhothai such as the historical park are operational,” he said.

“We will host the Loy Krathong festival as scheduled.”

The festival is scheduled from Oct 27 to Nov 5, with some tourists already making reservations, said Mr Nattapon.

Two Israeli men were arrested with fake US dollar bills totalling US$5,653 after they exchanged some of them for Thai baht at Samui airport.

Police said Matan Moshe, 25, and Omer Sarusi, 28, were arrested on Saturday.

According to police, the two visitors separately exchanged $50 notes at a Government Savings Bank (GSB) exchange kiosk at Samui airport last Monday. Mr Moshe exchanged five notes for 7,280 baht, while Mr Sarusi exchanged 10 notes for 14,560 baht. The GSB later confirmed the notes were counterfeit.

Police arrested the pair at their accommodation in tambon Bophut and found 48 $100 notes, 17 $50 notes and three $1 notes in their possession.

The suspects told police they had brought the US dollar bills from Israel and were unaware they were fake.

The men arrived in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi airport on Oct 5 on tourist visas.

Two approaching cultural festivals are expected to draw about 30,000 visitors to the southern province of Songkhla and pump hundreds of millions of baht into the local economy – the Hindu Diwali and then the Chinese Vegetarian Festival.

The two festivals will extend over two weeks, the first starting on Friday.

Wittaya Saelim, a veteran tour guide who founded the Songkhla Tour Guide Association, said the Diwali Festival of Lights, also known as Deepavali and celebrated by Indian communities, will run from Oct 17-19. The long holiday is expected to bring a surge of Indian-Malaysian tourists to Hat Yai city, a popular destination bordering Malaysia, Mr Wittaya said.

The tourism boost is set to continue seamlessly into the Chinese Vegetarian Festival, from Oct 20-29, with merit-making ceremonies, vegetarian diet markets and cultural activities.

These two-week events typically attract both domestic and international tourists to the province, he said.

‘Each year we see a consistent rise in Malaysian tourists during this period, This year, we estimate around 30,000 visitors with each spending an average of 5,000 baht per day,’ Mr Wittaya said.

While international arrivals have still not returned to pre-pandemic levels, tourism-related businesses remained resilient in the region, said Natthanon Pongthanyawiriya, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce for the southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.

Deep South tourism mostly thrived through cultural, religious, agricultural and culinary experiences, Mr Natthanon said. ‘The government also supported entrepreneurs here with low-interest loans and measures to prevent non-performing loans.’

Tour bus and van operators in Songkhla said cultural and religious tourism had performed strongly with most travellers being adults and study groups.

On peak periods, there were up to 100 tour buses arriving daily in Hat Yai. There were five to 10 buses on regular weekdays, according to Songchai Mungprasitthichai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Association. ‘About 80% of Malaysian tour groups will stop to shop at stores, generating at least 50,000 baht per group,’ he said.

Popular purchases include instant noodles, snacks, canned goods, inhalers, balms and other health products.

The Royal Thai Police are intensifying investigations into alleged nominee land holdings by foreigners on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in Surat Thani, a practice that may threaten economic security, especially in key tourist areas.

Pol Lt Gen Yingyos Thepjamnong, assistant commissioner, said authorities are working closely with Surat Thani provincial officials, the Land Department, the Department of Business Development and security agencies to scrutinise the cases.

Preliminary findings indicate some Israeli nationals on the islands face multiple charges, including operating car rental businesses, working without permits and conducting tour operations without authorisation.

Pol Lt Gen Yingyos said all probes would be conducted transparently, fairly and in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, two Israeli tourists were arrested with fake US dollar bills totalling US$5,653 (184,860 baht) after they exchanged some of them for Thai baht at Samui airport.

Pol Lt Col Phanumat Chukuea, detective inspector-general at Bo Phut police station, said Matan Moshe, 25, and Omer Sarusi, 28, were detained on Saturday under warrants issued by the Samui Court.

The two separately exchanged $50 notes at a Government Savings Bank kiosk at Samui airport last Monday, police said. Mr Moshe exchanged five notes for 7,280 baht, while Mr Sarusi exchanged 10 notes for 14,560 baht, police said, adding the GSB later confirmed the notes were counterfeit.

Bo Phut police arrested the pair at their accommodation in tambon Bophut and found 48 $100 notes, 17 $50 notes and three $1 notes in their possession. The suspects told police they had brought the US dollar bills from Israel and were unaware they were fake. They face charges of forging and possessing counterfeit foreign banknotes.

Aim Wanglee is using creativity to break barriers and drive meaningful change, focusing on child labour protection.

Thailand, as a signatory to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, has pledged to eliminate all forms of child labour by 2025 and is actively working towards this goal.

Thailand has successfully strengthened its efforts to combat the worst forms of child labour, achieving a ‘Significant Advancement’ rating – the highest level ever received on the international stage – according to the 2024 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labour report by the US Department of Labor, marking the first time since 2017 that the country has moved up from a moderate to the top tier.

Inspired by compassion towards disadvantaged children, she has designed concrete projects for children and young people. During a short school holiday, Aim organised workshops that reached more than 200 students nationwide, and delivered her original board game Freedom Quest: Child Labour to 30 model child-protection schools. These achievements reflect her determination to turn inspiration into action and demonstrate that young people can make a tangible impact on society.

Born and raised in Thailand, Aim is currently a student at Loomis Chaffee in the United States. She is acutely aware of persistent inequalities, particularly issues surrounding child labour. Believing that every child deserves equal opportunities, she chose creativity as a tool to design initiatives that promote social progress.

Empowering Kids Through Awareness and Play

Children around the world often take part in forms of work that are not harmful to their well-being. However, when such work involves excessive hours, hazardous conditions, or children who are too young, it constitutes child labour – a serious violation of children’s rights that threatens their health, safety, and moral development. Despite ongoing public sector efforts, more than 138 children in Thailand remain vulnerable due to family or economic pressures.

To address this, Aim launched her second initiative, Guardians of the Innocence, under the supervision of the Department of Special Investigation and the Department of Children and Youth. The project focuses on child labour prevention through creative education. Aim developed Freedom Quest: Child Labour Awareness Adventure, an interactive board game that turns complex legal and social issues into accessible, engaging lessons about children’s rights and labour laws.

‘The idea behind the ‘Guardians of the Innocence’ project didn’t come from a textbook – it came from a realisation that child labour is far more complex and closer to home than we tend to think,’ Aim explained. ‘While we often hear about human trafficking or exploitation in distant industries, the truth is that many children face risks in environments we’d never expect.’

She added, ‘The way this topic is usually taught can be too heavy or frightening for young children, causing them to shut down. I wanted to create tools that are approachable, engaging, and empowering – ones that help children feel capable of protecting themselves and their friends.’

Aim believes that games are a powerful medium for participatory learning, allowing children to explore important subjects in a way that feels safe, fun, and non-intimidating. Through Freedom Quest, young players learn to recognise the signs of exploitation and understand their rights through collaboration, curiosity, and play.

From Inspiration to Impact

During her school holidays in Thailand, Aim personally led workshops introducing her projects to schools and childcare facilities, including Wat Chantharam School in Pathum Thani and the Rajvithi Home for Girls. More than 100 students have already participated.

Through her creative advocacy, Aim continues to prove that awareness can be both educational and empowering, inspiring a new generation to stand up for the rights of every child.

Recognition and Expansion

Recognising her growing impact, Aim has partnered with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to distribute 30 Freedom Quest game sets to child-protection model schools across Thailand. Apinya Chomphumart, Director-General of the Department of Children and Youth, praised Aim’s initiatives as ‘a strong example of how creativity can tackle social challenges. Her projects show that young people have the power to create real impact, inspiring others to think boldly and act for the public good.’

Building on this success, Aim is already planning to expand her projects further in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Thailand, creating a roadmap to reach schools in remote areas. With a network of more than 8,700 members nationwide, the Council will help extend the reach of her initiatives far beyond their pilot phase, bringing awareness and empowerment to children across the country.

Her creative achievements have also gained international recognition. Freedom Quest: Child Labour Awareness Adventure earned Aim a Silver Medal at the 14th World Invention Creativity Olympic (WICO) 2025, organised by the Korea University Invention Association (KUIA) and the World Invention Intellectual Property Association (WIIPA), held at the Seoul University of Education Convention Hall in the Republic of Korea.

Looking Ahead

Driven by a deep commitment to understanding issues at their roots, Aim aspires to build systemic, sustainable solutions that empower young people with the knowledge and tools to shape their own futures.

For her, these projects are more than holiday endeavours – they represent her life’s purpose. ‘These are not just events or projects,’ she said. ‘They are my way of making the world a better place.’

Aim’s journey exemplifies how youth are not merely passive recipients of change but leaders and creators in their own right. Through resilience, creativity, and empathy, Aim Wanglee is helping to illuminate a path towards a more equitable and compassionate society, proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful difference.