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Sixteen Thais who were duped into working for a scam syndicate in Myawaddy, Myanmar, have been safely repatriated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

Ministry spokesman, Nikorndej Balankura, said the group was brought back safely after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul instructed Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to work closely with the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon, the Royal Thai Police and officials from the Naresuan Task Force to secure their repatriation.

The group – comprising 10 men and six women – crossed back into Thailand via the Mae Sot-Myawaddy permanent border checkpoint in Tak on Sunday.

The group said they were lured into working for the syndicate after responding to job advertisements on social media promising work in Myanmar casinos, he said.

Authorities are now working to verify their information under Thailand’s National Referral Mechanism.

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) is helping Thai businesses explore new markets, resulting in more than 3 billion baht in revenue for the country.

Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, director-general of the DITP, said a special task force (STF) project assists Thai entrepreneurs affected by the US tariffs to explore new markets.

In partnership with industry organisations including the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai National Shippers’ Council, the DITP identified potential new markets across four regions.

The project facilitated five trade delegations that focused on specialised product offerings, targeting 179 businesses with an original goal of generating 1.6 billion baht in purchase orders.

However, the results far exceeded expectations, generating more than 3 billion baht in orders, she said.

The five trade delegations were organised in different regions.

In Latin America, covering Argentina, Chile and Brazil, the focus was on auto parts, machinery, construction materials, canned food and snacks, generating 595 million baht.

In the Middle East, with a focus on the United Arab Emirates, the mission targeted future food, animal feed and pet food, securing orders worth 207 million baht.

In Africa, with Mali, Senegal and Ivory Coast as key markets, the emphasis was on agricultural and food processing machinery, which generated 797 million baht.

In India, the delegation concentrated on furniture, tableware, construction materials and large project items, resulting in orders valued at 1.33 billion baht.

Another mission to India, focusing on food and food processing products, contributed 100 million baht.

Ms Sunanta said feedback from numerous markets was upbeat, particularly in Latin America, where both Argentina and Chile expressed strong interest in Thai products.

There are ongoing discussions about broadening efforts into other South American regions, with Colombia, Peru and Ecuador identified as promising new markets.

She said participants from the private sector noted travelling as part of a government-backed trade delegation fostered confidence and collaboration. Many acknowledged the challenges they would have faced entering these markets independently.

The STF initiative, with a budget of 33 million baht, generated economic returns of 3.03 billion baht, enabling 149 businesses to maintain competitiveness and support jobs in export-related sectors, including logistics, packaging and auxiliary industries, said Ms Sunanta.

In the final quarter, the DITP plans to explore three additional markets, expecting to generate roughly 190 million baht and enhance the long-term competitiveness of Thai businesses.

The new targets comprise western China, covering Chengdu, Chongqing and Xishuangbanna, focusing on food, beverages and pet food; Vietnam for mother and baby products; and Mumbai, India, for environmental products and services.

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SAC Gallery invites art lovers to navigate the architecture of perception through a nomadic mind during “Only I Am You, Then I Became You”, which is running on the 2nd and 3rd floor, until Nov 8.

This is an immersive, site-specific exhibition held in Asia for the first time by Jiajia Qi, a Netherlands-based Chinese artist whose practice is exploring transformation, intuitive sensing and the search for belonging.

Raised in China and having lived across New Zealand, Egypt, Japan and Europe, Qi carries with her what she calls “nomadic thought of liquid”, a way of being that welcomes ambiguity, listens to space and never clings to certainty.

Rather than imposing form, she allows materials and architecture to guide her. Her installations often take the form of suspended light, evaporating mist, softened sound or slowly shifting matter, each creating atmospheres rather than objects, encounters rather than explanations.

For her, each work emerges through attentive observation and sensory engagement with the surrounding architecture, atmosphere and light. Rather than asserting itself upon space, the work grows from within it, proposing a model of co-existence where nothing dominates, but everything is in flux — responsive, tentative and alive.

Moving between materials both fragile and elemental — powder, water, recycled minerals, air — Qi builds worlds that unfold gradually, where nothing is forced but everything is felt. Her training in sociology, interior architecture and interactive media design contributes to the layered clarity of her installations, which linger in the mind long after the room is left.

Her site-specific, experiential installations were exhibited at leading art spaces across Europe and Asia where she has completed more than 15 residencies.

SAC Gallery is on Sukhumvit 39 and opens daily from 11am to 6pm, except Monday. There is no admission fee.

The Ratchaburi Provincial Court on Monday handed down a prison term of four years and one month to former member of parliament Pareena Kraikupt for the illegal occupation and use of 1,700 rai of state land.

Her 665-rai commercial poultry farm occupied much of the encroached land.

The court’s judgement on the former Ratchaburi-MP was announced on Monday, with no suspension of the penalty. She was allowed release on bail pending appeal.

The 1,700 rai of land is in Ratchaburi’s Chom Bung district. Part of the land was designated for a forest reserve and the rest for distribution to landless farmers under the Agricultural Land Reform scheme, Sor Por Kor.

Announcement of the sentence was posted on the Facebook page of graft fighter Veera Somkwamkid, who registered the encroachment complaint at Chom Bung police station in 2019.

Ms Pareena was temporarily released on bail, with one million baht in cash surety, while she takes her case to the Appeal Court, according to the post.

She was banned for life from politics in 2022 by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for breach of ethics in the occupation of state land. At the time, she was a member of the Palang Pracharath Party.

Ms Pareena’s Kraikupt family is very influential in the central province of Ratchaburi. Her late father, Thawee Kraikupt was also an MP, winning several national elections before stepping aside in favour of his daughter.

“The Future Of Formula 1 Begins Here – One Race At A Time” is the theme of the 2025 STEM Racing Thailand National Finals, which will take place at Grand Richmond Stylish Convention Hotel, Rattanathibet Road, from Thursday until Sunday.

Organised with the support of Formula 1, formerly F1 In Schools Thailand, this is a four-day showcase of innovation, engineering and speed — hailed as the most exhilarating STEM education event of the year.

It will feature 25 teams comprising the country’s brightest young innovators aged seven to 19, as well as two guest teams from Malaysia and Japan. They will design, build and race their own miniature F1-style cars using 3D modelling software, wind-tunnel testing and branding strategies.

The hotel’s 9m-high ballroom will be transformed into a STEM Racing arena equipped with immersive LED displays, F1-inspired racing tracks, and exhibition zones that highlight student creativity and tech excellence.

Also, expect to see live tech demos by students and join lectures by industry guest speakers. The event will conclude with an award ceremony honouring the champions of this exciting event. They will earn the prestigious opportunity to represent Thailand at the 2026 STEM Racing World Finals, competing against the best young minds from around the globe.

STEM Racing is the world’s largest STEM competition that empowers students to become tomorrow’s engineers, scientists and global leaders. Launched in 2000 in the UK as the official education initiative of Formula 1, the programme has grown rapidly and is now active in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Those interested to attend the event should make a reservation through STEM Racing Thailand’s Line official account. Visit page.line.me/836fygax.

Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat has reaffirmed the stance of his predecessor, Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, who supported the Department of Corrections’ recommendation to reject the royal pardon appeal submitted on behalf of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The decision means Thaksin will be required to remain in prison to serve out a one-year prison sentence in accordance with the Supreme Court’s final ruling, a source said.

The reports came as Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon stated on Monday that he had already submitted his opinion on Thaksin’s second petition for royal pardon to the Cabinet Secretariat.

Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said that he had instructed the permanent secretary for justice to form a committee to review Thaksin’s request and finish its work in three days.

He stated that he received the findings from the review committee on Monday and had added advisory remarks before referring the matter to the Cabinet Secretariat for further action.

According to the justice minister, when a convict seeks a royal pardon, the matter must be referred to His Majesty through the proper channels, as outlined in Section 259 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Typhoon Matmo has weakened into a severe tropical storm and will cause heavy rains in the North, the Northeast and the East of Thailand on Monday and Tuesday, according to the Meteorological Department.

Sugunyanee Yavinchan, director-general of the department, said Typhoon Matmo made landfall in Guangxi, China, and weakened into a severe tropical storm at 1am on Monday.

She expected the storm to lose its power quickly due to cold air over China on Monday and Tuesday. The storm would not enter Thailand, she said.

However, the storm would strengthen the southwestern monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand and thus cause isolated heavy rains in the North, the Northeast and the East of Thailand on Monday and Tuesday.

Port taught Kanchanaburi Power a brutal lesson with an 8-0 rout of the Thai League 1 newcomers on Saturday night.

The hosts and their passionate supporters were in full voice after Lucas Tocantins put Port ahead in the 10th minute.

Kanchanaburi, competing in the top flight for the first time, suffered a further blow when Gerson Rodrigues was shown a red card in the 22nd minute.

The visitors held firm for much of the first half but conceded again when Suphanan Bureerat doubled Port’s lead before the interval.

After the break the floodgates opened as the extra workload and the numerical disadvantage took their toll on Kanchanaburi, who went on to concede six more goals.

Peeradol Chamrassamee (62, 66), Matheus Pato (75, 83) and Teerasak Poeiphimai (79, 86) all found the net, delighting the large home crowd.

The emphatic victory lifted Port to fifth place in the table, with 10 points from seven matches.

Also on Saturday, Rayong extended their fairytale start in the top division by claiming a 1-0 victory at former champions Chiang Rai United. The visitors’ winner came late when Ryoma Ito struck shortly before the final whistle.

Elsewhere, Uthai Thani were held 1-1 at home by Chonburi, while Ayutthaya United shared the points with Sukhothai following another 1-1 draw.

Former justice minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, leader of the Prachachart party, has always been a loyalist and strong supporter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He was “The One” who firmly stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the doctors at the Police General Hospital and the Corrections Department, and key figures at the Corrections Department and Bangkok Remand Prison in facilitating Thaksin’s VIP stay at the 14th floor of the PGH for six months in lieu of his one-year prison term.

Pol Col Tawee’s unflinching loyalty toward Thaksin has made some critics wonder whether there is space left in his heart and mind for conscience to distinguish black from white.

But during the last few days before the departure of the Pheu Thai-led government, Pol Col Tawee did something untypical of a Thaksin loyalist. In a 12-page confidential letter dated Sept 23, stamped “top secret”, addressed to caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, he rejected Thaksin’s second petition for a royal pardon which was widely criticised as being inappropriate and not possible.

Surprisingly, in the letter, Pol Col Tawee inadvertently revealed some of the content of Thaksin’s latest petition to HM the King for a royal pardon which reads as follows: “I am very old now and suffering from health problems from old age. But I have to spend time in prison, making me suffer a lot, both physically and mentally. I don’t know I will have a chance to live a normal life outside of prison again. Now, I feel guilty of the wrongs that I did and will remember them for the rest of my life.”

Thaksin’s overly dramatic and hollow petition might have been penned by his lawyer. The petition was submitted only after he stepped into prison.

Can Thaksin be trusted this time? Does he actually feel guilty for the outcome of the 14th floor saga?

For sure, his loyal supporters and Pheu Thai die-hards will always believe him and give him unconditional support. These die-hard supporters even call him a hero for the mere fact that he was sent back to the prison by the Supreme Court after his false sickness was exposed by the Medical Council.

The question that now arises is whether Pol Col Tawee’s loyalty is still rock solid. For what it’s worth, his rejection of Thaksin’s petition for royal commutation could be interpreted as his final act in the previous government to distance himself from speculation that he might have a role behind-the-scenes in facilitating Thaksin’s VIP stay at the PGH.

As Thaksin walked into jail and those officials in the 14th floor saga started to bear the consequences, the big question mark in the minds of his doubters is: How could the bureaucrats such as the Corrections Department director-general dare to transfer Thaksin to the PGH with full knowledge that he was not seriously sick without someone higher up giving the signal to do so?

Karma is catching up with some culprits who helped arrange for Thaksin’s VIP stay at the PGH instead of the cell at Bangkok Remand Prison.

Last week, the PGH chief physician, Pol Lt-Gen Thaweesilp Wechwitarn, was transferred out of the hospital to an inactive post at the operations centre of the Royal Thai Police by the national police chief, Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, after his doctor’s licence was suspended for six months by the Medical Council for ethical misconduct.

It remains to be seen whether the Royal Thai Police will take disciplinary action and criminal litigation against the PGH chief doctor or not. Obviously, there are sufficient grounds to file charges of criminal malfeasance in office in accordance with Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been investigating 12 bureaucrats, including Shakarn Petnarin, director-general of the Corrections Department, for their alleged roles in helping Thaksin escape imprisonment.

As for Thaksin, it is unlikely that his appeal for a pardon will go through the Office of the Privy Council before reaching HM the King. Former justice minister Pol Col Tawee has already rejected his appeal and his successor, Pol Lt-Gen Rutthapon Naowarat, is likely follow in his footsteps even though he has set up a panel to look at the matter which is now considered so hot that no one in their right mind wants to touch.

Legal experts have maintained Thaksin had already sought a pardon and it was granted to him, with his eight-year prison term being commuted to just one year. But the imprisonment was not enforced by the Corrections Department through as ruled by the Supreme Court on Sept 9.

In other words, it is an old case and there is no moral or legal justification for a second pardon.

Thaksin’s lawyer and probably Thaksin himself, should have realised it. Yet they went ahead with the appeal anyway, without showing any sense of guilt and shame that the first pardon was already granted, and that Thaksin himself defied the pardon by resorting to trickery to dodge the one-year term which remained.

Seen in this context, his second appeal for a pardon is likely to go nowhere. Who else would dare to submit his appeal to the Office of Privy Council whose responsibility is to screen all matters to be sent to the King?

Even a Thaksin loyalist like Tawee Sodsong has taken a step back to save his own skin.

So, Thaksin’s predicament today is all of his own making. It would appear that karma has caught up with him and of course those other officials who were involved in the 14th floor saga.

The US government shutdown caused a delay in Boeing’s delivery of an aircraft to Vietjet Thailand, prompting the airline to cancel its new direct flights to Tokyo and Osaka initially scheduled for December, while the airline already clarified the situation to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

Vietjet Thailand informed passengers who booked tickets for the new direct flights set to operate between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka on Oct 3 that those services had been cancelled due to operational reasons.

The airline issued a statement on Monday stating that the derailed plans were actually attributed to the delay in the delivery of a Boeing 737-8 originally scheduled to take place at the end of October.

The delivery has been disrupted by the US government shutdown.

The affected flights included the direct routes to Osaka starting from Dec 2, 2025 through Jan 13, 2026, and those to Tokyo from Dec 15, 2025 through Jan 15, 2026.

Sarun Benjanirat, deputy director-general of the CAAT, said the authority acknowledged the situation and already received a formal explanation from Vietjet Thailand yesterday.

According to a news report, the delivery of the initital Boeing aircraft has been pushed back to November, while the airline had to postpone the inaugural flights of the two routes to mid-January 2026 instead.

The CAAT urged the airline to reaffirm the timeline of the aircraft deliveries and the carrier’s sales and marketing plans regarding the new routes, which should not impact travellers.

Mr Sarun said the airline ensured that its new aircraft will be delivered according to the revised schedule, enabling it to proceed with ticket sales for those routes from mid-January next year.

He said the airline reported that it already contacted 80% of affected customers and is attempting to reach the rest who booked via online travel agents.

Passengers must be protected with the right to receive a full refund on airfares or be offered alternative flights to mitigate the impact on their planned trips.

Mr Sarun said the CAAT has been following Vietjet Thailand’s Boeing aircraft deliveries since last year, which were included in its initial schedule.

The airline would have most likely been able to eventually secure its first Boeing aircraft this month, but the plan was unexpectedly disrupted by the US government shutdown.

He said if the airline were able to take the first aircraft delivery in November, it would normally take two months for the registration process in Thailand to be completed, which would be required before putting the aircraft into service.

Therefore, the airline could start serving routes with the new aircraft in January at the earliest.

In August, Thai Vietjet held a press conference in Thailand, noting its fleet expansion plan involved nine new Boeing 737-8s.

The airline aims to totally replace its existing Airbus fleet with 50 Boeing aircraft within five years.

Starting from this year, it would import nine Boeing 737-8 aircraft, including one in October, and four each in November and December.

In the latest statement, the airline announced it would provide a full refund, a change of flight or retain the relevant airfares as a credit shell for other Vietjet Thailand flights for passengers affected by the upheaval.