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The Bangkok Post’s Flashcard education campaign has won the second place for Best Publisher, Broadcasting Influencer Campaign in the Thailand Influencer Awards 2025 organised by influencer platform Tellscore.

The 2025 award held under the concept ‘Creators of Change – Changing the World, Path to Survival’ highlighted the roles of creators who leverage story telling and creativity to drive positive impact, whether on individuals, the economy, society or even during periods of political uncertainty and natural disasters, Suvita Charanwong, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of the Tellscore, said at the event held at ICONSIAM in Bangkok on Friday.

‘Creators are no longer merely producers of entertainment content, but have become sources of inspiration and knowledge, as well as key drivers of economic and social progress, enabling people to discover new opportunities,’ Ms Suvita said, noting that a key trend this year in responding to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is creator-led branding.

‘This approach goes beyond simple differentiation, focusing instead on ‘telling stories with a human connection,’ she said. ‘It communicates what the brand represents, the value it delivers to consumers, and highlights the influencers and creators involved and how they engage with their communities.’

The Flashcard education campaign, created and launched by the Bangkok Post in February 2025, was given the second-prize award in the category Best Publisher, Broadcasting Influencer Campaign.

Chiratas Nivatpumin, Chief Operating Officer of the Bangkok Post, received the award on stage at the event held on Friday evening.

The Post flashcards in the Learning section feature more than 60 vocabulary categories, with Sustainability being the winner for the award.

The campaign used mother and teacher influencers to stimulate its exposure to the society.

‘Speaking for the Post Digital team, the Bangkok Post has been Thailand’s trusted companion for over 79 years-a cornerstone for building English proficiency. As AI and digital learning reshape how we grow, we’re evolving with the times,’ Sutthimas Roongwitoo, First Vice President of the Post Digital Media, said.

‘Through Bangkok Post Learning and our thoughtfully crafted flashcards, we’re here to remain your go-to English learning resource. We’re excited to collaborate with brands who share our vision-because together, we can keep this learning community thriving for generations to come.’

Thailand Influencer Awards 2025 by Tellscore, supported by its major partners, including Thai Life Insurance and ICONSIAM, aims to be the country’s leading platform honouring outstanding influencers, creators and innovative brand-agency campaigns.

The first-place winner in the Best Publisher, Broadcasting Influencer Campaign category was BrandThink x Glow Story.

Cinema has always been more than just entertainment. It is a mirror of national culture, a powerful channel of dialogue and a bridge that connects people across continents. In the 21st century, when international relations are often seen through the prism of politics and economics, cultural diplomacy — and especially cinema — offers a unique opportunity to speak directly to hearts and minds.

It is in this context that I am delighted to introduce a new Russian film award — The Diamond Butterfly. Launched this year, the prize aims to celebrate outstanding achievements in art of cinema that combine creative excellence with a strong humanistic message. The name itself — delicate yet precious — reflects the essence of cinema: fragile emotions turned into lasting works of art, carrying beauty and meaning across borders.

What makes The Diamond Butterfly special is its ambition to go beyond national recognition. While firmly rooted in Russia’s rich cinematic tradition, the award is conceived as an international platform. It will highlight films that not only showcase artistic mastery but also encourage dialogue between cultures, promote mutual understanding and inspire a sense of shared humanity.

For Thailand, where cinema enjoys immense popularity and where audiences are increasingly open to diverse cultural influences, The Diamond Butterfly offers a new avenue of connection. Russian cinema has long combined deep storytelling with a universal human appeal. From classic directors to contemporary voices exploring modern realities, our films resonate far beyond Russia’s borders. Through this award, we hope to create new opportunities for Thai filmmakers and audiences to engage with Russian and global cinema in fresh and meaningful ways.

Film diplomacy is not a new concept for Russia in Thailand. Over the years, the embassy has organised Russian film festivals in Bangkok and other cities, showcasing both timeless classics and contemporary productions. These events have always attracted large and enthusiastic audiences, proving that cinema speaks a universal language. The Thai audience has had opportunities to enjoy Russian films such as The Challenge, 110, Tzaddik and The Four Seasons, as well as fantasy cartoon Flying Ship and many others. Discussions after screenings often reveal how much viewers in Thailand find in common with Russian stories — from family bonds and personal dreams to social challenges and national pride.

Looking ahead, we see The Diamond Butterfly award as a natural extension of this tradition of cinematic dialogue. By recognising films that embody creativity and humanity, it invites new partnerships and exchanges. It is our belief that culture, and especially cinema, remains one of the most effective ways to build bridges between nations.

As Russia and Thailand continue to strengthen their cultural ties, cinema will remain at the forefront of this effort — a shared space where beauty, thought and emotion transcend political and geographical boundaries. And perhaps, like a butterfly’s wings, a single film can stir the air and bring people closer together. I would like to invite Thai filmmakers to nominee their works for this promising award at eurasianfilmacademy.com.

The southern insurgency has been a conundrum for all governments.

But currently, much of the kingdom’s attention has been on the Cambodian-Thai border, and so the violence in the deep South just blips on and off our radar.

The problem of this region won’t just fade away of its own accord. Silence and a lack of policy attention from the central government only goads insurgents to stage more violence.

It is therefore welcome news that the Anutin government approved the nomination of Gen Somsak Rungsita on Thursday to lead the peace negotiation team, paving the way for peace talks with the rebel group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).

However, Gen Somsak, a former secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), is the fifth negotiation leader who comes with a military background. Such a track record speaks volumes about the direction of our peace talks.

Among six negotiation leaders, only one, Chatchai Bangchuad, was a civil official. Yet, Mr Chatchai did not have much time to lead any peace talks, and he left over a year ago to lead the NSC. Since then, the Paetongtarn government left the position of negotiation leader vacant, resulting in peace talks with the BRN being put on hold. The lack of continuity and political commitment has stalled momentum, raising concerns about the sustainability of any future negotiations.

When Mr Chatchai was appointed chief of the negotiation team, there was fresh hope that with a civilian in the role, the direction of the peace talks would be changed or toned down from those pushed by the military.

Ideally, the head of the negotiation team should not come from the ranks of the security forces, so that they will at least offer some credibility as being impartial and serve as a bridge between the two sides.

The appointment of another military man as the negotiation team leader again raises questions about whether the future peace talks can produce a different outcome.

Despite government attempts to deal with the violence, my visits and interviews with local people over the past several years revealed to me that villagers have been living in fear. Every time they leave home, they must exercise caution and are subject to heightened scrutiny by police and military officers under special security laws still enforced in the area.

Indeed, governments have tried several means to reduce violence, such as approving more budget money for development and education, including scholarships.

Governments and security agencies have failed to win over the hearts and minds of local people. Special security laws, surveillance and executive decrees imposed by successive governments have pushed communities to the opposite side.

For over a decade, security management in the deep South — representing Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and four provinces in Songkhla — has been governed by a combination of special security laws: martial law, the Emergency Decree and the Internal Security Act (ISA). Among them, the Emergency Decree allows officials to arrest and detain individuals for up to 30 days without charge, outside the standard criminal justice system, in locations such as military camps.

The problem is that security officials apply these security edicts in a ham-fisted manner.

There are routine reports of arbitrary detentions, prolonged custody without charges, and invasive surveillance, such as the collection of DNA from suspects. There are recent cases where individuals were detained after passing through road checkpoints in the region, only to be released without explanation.

Make no mistake, I always acknowledge the importance of law and order. But genuine and meaningful reconciliation will only come from mutual trust — never coercion.

To build trust, authorities must refrain from enforcing these special security laws excessively and should apply them proportionally, with prudence and discretion.

The presence of security laws and their blunt application only reflects the absence of effective political leadership. Politicians take a backseat and leave the army to create a security strategy and run the show. Naturally, the army is made to control and win battles and wars.

Yet, the policy for the deep South should not be about winning but co-existing in a plural society where all sides feel their voices and opinions are registered and valued.

Sustainable peace in Thailand’s southern border provinces cannot be achieved through military dominance alone. Thailand has attempted military approaches for years, but they haven’t been successful.

The question is: When will we ever learn?

The Bhumibol and Sirikit dams still have sufficient capacity to hold water, with assurance that there will be no repeat of the notorious 2011 floods, according to the National Water Resources Office (ONWR).

Paitoon Kengkarnchang, deputy secretary-general of the ONWR, said yesterday that water levels in the Ping and Nan river basins have pushed the Bhumibol, Sirikit, and Kwae Noi dams to over 90% capacity, with water discharge now relying on the cascade spillway to manage the flow.

While Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are still largely dry, the heavy rain caused by Typhoon Bualoi has led to severe flooding at the back of Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit’s Thong Saen Khan and Nam Pat districts. To prevent overflow, the dam is releasing an additional 25 million cubic metres daily.

Bhumibol Dam has cut down its release to 5 million m³ per day, sending about 2,800-2,900 m³ per second towards the Chao Phraya Dam. With excess water in Pak Nam Pho, water from both sides of the Chao Phraya River is being diverted via the Tha Chin, Noi and Pasak rivers to Ayutthaya to minimise impact.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered urgent assistance for affected communities and requested that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation consider providing compensation. He stressed that, unlike in 2011, dams remain under control and Bangkok can still withstand water release of up to 3,500 m³ per second.

In Bangkok and its vicinity, officials said that during periods of high tides, some areas outside the flood barriers in Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani may be impacted, though only slightly, thanks to the Lat Pho Canal, which helps divert excess water.

In Ayutthaya, where the Chao Phraya Dam has already raised its rate to 2,400 m³/sec, 11 districts, 139 tambons, and 795 villages remain flooded, affecting 41,551 households, with three deaths reported.

India has long benefited from geopolitical arbitrage, maintaining working relationships with Russia, the United States, and Europe. But this delicate balancing act is now being tested by a series of policy shocks delivered by US President Donald Trump’s administration. These disruptions, unlikely to ease anytime soon, raise a critical question: Can India retain its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy?

The most urgent challenge facing Indian policymakers is weathering the escalating trade war. In August, Mr Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing the need to reduce India’s trade surplus with the US and punish the country for its massive purchases of Russian oil. Adding to the pressure, Mr Trump has urged the European Union and other G7 countries to take even harsher steps — namely, to impose a 100% tariff on imports from India and China.

Mr Trump’s decision to hike H-1B visa fees to US$100,000 (3.2 million baht) represents yet another blow to India’s economy, particularly its IT services industry — one of the country’s most dynamic growth engines. Currently, Indian nationals account for more than 70% of all H-1B holders, with most of them working in IT or technology-related sectors. Given this, it’s hardly surprising that the share prices of Indian companies like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Wipro, which rely heavily on H-1B visas to access the US market, declined following Mr Trump’s announcement.

While Mr Trump has labelled India a “dead economy”, it is unclear whether he meant this as a statement of fact or a threat he will make good unless India offers sufficient concessions in its trade negotiations with the US. Either way, there is little evidence to suggest the Indian economy is at risk of collapsing anytime soon.

On the contrary, India is among the world’s most vibrant economies. In July, before the new US tariffs were imposed, the International Monetary Fund projected that India’s GDP will grow by 6.4% in 2025 and 2026 — well ahead of America’s projected annual growth rate of 1.9%. No other major economy comes close, with the exception of China, at 4.8%.

Barring external shocks, India is well-positioned to sustain its rapid growth rate over the next decade and become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030. Given its vast population and growth momentum, India could even overtake China and the US to emerge as the world’s largest economy within the next 50 years.

That said, the extent to which US policy shifts might affect India’s growth trajectory remains unclear. In the early 2000s, India was far less exposed to global trade than China was, with exports accounting for less than 15% of its GDP, compared with China’s 20%. Since then, however, India’s reliance on trade has increased significantly. Exports now make up more than 20% of GDP, leaving the country more vulnerable to trade shocks.

Given that the US is India’s largest export market, Mr Trump’s tariffs will likely hit harder than similar actions by other trade partners. Still, it is important to remember that India is a continental economy, with domestic consumption playing a far greater role than external demand. Moreover, the EU’s trade significance for India nearly matches that of the US, and China and the Middle East are also important export destinations. Consequently, while US tariff hikes are disruptive, they are far from fatal.

This is not to say that Indian policymakers can afford to be passive. To mitigate the impact of US restrictions, they must pursue a dual strategy comprising stimulative macroeconomic policies and a concerted effort to deepen trade ties with the EU, China, and the Middle East.

It is also worth noting that the relative importance of the US market is likely to decline as a result of Mr Trump’s protectionist trade policies. Should his administration stay the course, the EU and China may well surpass the US as the world’s leading import destinations by 2028.

Beyond short-term policy responses aimed at offsetting the fall in US demand, the Indian authorities would be well advised to implement structural reforms. Key priorities for sustaining long-term growth include raising the female labour-force participation rate from 33% to levels much closer to China’s 60%, improving the investment climate by tackling bureaucratic corruption, and upgrading infrastructure — roads, railways, ports, and airports — to lower the cost of production and trade.

By adopting these reforms, India will not only be able to weather Mr Trump’s tariff war in the short term but also sustain its growth miracle for years to come.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Saturday hailed the successful suppression of nine major drug networks, with 16 suspects held and massive amounts of drugs seized in a nationwide crackdown in September.

Presiding over a press conference at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, Mr Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, said drug suppression was a national priority and an urgent mission for the Royal Thai Police.

He emphasised the need to elevate Thailand’s drug enforcement strategy given the severe threat illicit narcotics pose to public safety. He also instructed police to seek international cooperation to combat transnational trafficking.

Under the government’s anti-narcotics efforts, authorities in September busted nine major drug networks, arresting 16 suspects and seizing 18.5 million amphetamine pills, 1,488 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and 29kg of ketamine.

The arrests were made in Nakhon Phanom, Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan and Chiang Rai. They included raids on drug storage points and seizures of trafficking vehicles bound for the Central Plains and South.

In Suphan Buri, an operation led by the Special Operations Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau broke up a major trafficking group, with one suspect wearing a monitoring bracelet in connection with a child abduction case.

Along the northeastern border, patrol officers arrested traffickers along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom and another gang in Bueng Kan.

In the 2025 fiscal year to Sept 30, the Royal Thai Police handled 265,446 drug-related cases and arrested 265,109 suspects. Seizures included 1.08 billion methamphetamine pills, 51,916kg of crystal meth, 6,031kg of ketamine and 11,294kg of heroin.

Ukraine has called on Thailand to appoint a special trade envoy to Kyiv to help coordinate reconstruction efforts in the war-torn country.

The request was made during a diplomatic visit by three Ukrainian MPs: Vadym Halaichuk of the Servant of the People Party, Tamila Tasheva, who oversees restoration in occupied territories, and Lesia Vasylenko, head of climate change and clean air panels.

Speaking to the Bangkok Post, Mr Halaichuk emphasised the enduring friendship between Ukraine and Thailand since Ukraine’s independence, and the importance of expanding cooperation in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.

“This visit is part of a broader effort to inform our partners in Thailand about the realities in Ukraine,” Mr Halaichuk said.”Our top priority is to share our fight for freedom, independence, and territorial integrity — and to engage directly with decision-makers in Parliament, government, and civil society.”

The Ukrainian delegation met with Thai officials from the Senate, House of Representatives, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and academic institutions.

More to be done

Mr Halaichuk highlighted Thailand’s consistent support for Ukraine at the United Nations, particularly in backing resolutions that defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and provide other humanitarian assistance, such as donations.

However, he noted that more could be done in areas such as trade, sanctions, and economic cooperation.

Mr Halaichuk also stressed the need for closer consultation between the two governments.

“We’re proposing formal consultations to push forward economic and cultural cooperation,” he said. “Appointing a Thai special trade envoy to Ukraine would be a significant step in that direction.”

“Seventeen countries have already appointed special envoys. We hope Thailand will join them soon,” he said.

He said that the Thai envoy’s role would be distinct — focused solely on reconstruction. “We need someone whose full attention is on rebuilding Ukraine.”

Thai officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department for European Affairs, reacted positively to the proposal.

“There’s strong interest. Now we await Thailand’s decision on who will take up this important role,” he said.

Mr Halaichuk said he had told Thai officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives that Ukraine is not only seeking humanitarian aid but also strategic investment partnerships.

“We are grateful for Thailand’s donations — money, medicine, electricity generators — but now we must focus on rebuilding,” he said. “We cannot wait for the war to end. Reconstruction must happen alongside resistance.”

Ukraine is currently rebuilding homes and infrastructure destroyed by Russian attacks, and he said Thailand’s potential role in supplying construction materials and modular housing technology is needed.

“Glass, for example, is in high demand, and Thailand has the capacity to provide it,” he noted.

“So these are very concrete issues that we have discussed,” he said.

“And hopefully, as the information passes through, certain decisions will be made, which will make those priorities addressed at our governmental level too … and with our businesses and put people together to work on.”

Mr Halaichuk affirmed that Ukraine’s commitment to international partnerships remains strong.

“Our president remains in office, and our foreign policy goals are clear. We’re ready to move forward with Thailand on multiple fronts,” he said.

Looking to Asean

Ms Tasheva said she has urged Thailand and other Asean nations to deepen cooperation with Ukraine, particularly through sectoral partnerships and humanitarian support for repatriating abducted Ukrainian children.

Ms Tasheva also met with Thai MPs, the Senate, and university students, emphasising the importance of inter-parliamentary dialogue and regional engagement.

Ms Tasheva, who previously served as the President’s Permanent Representative in Crimea (2022-2024), said that her delegation’s visit to Thailand followed stops in Malaysia and the Philippines.

“We’ve had meaningful exchanges with parliamentarians and civil society across the region,” she said. “These relationships are essential — not only for post-war recovery but for building a shared future,” she said.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Ukrainian lawmakers recently participated in the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), holding 12 bilateral meetings to explore cooperation.

“We understand how vital it is to build relationships with Southeast Asian countries,” she said. “Platforms like AIPA are key to fostering long-term cooperation.”

In the Philippines, the delegation engaged with parliamentarians, women’s organisations, think tanks, and universities. Discussions focused on hybrid warfare, maritime security, academic collaboration, and trade development.

Ms Tasheva also praised Thailand’s delegation for its strong statement of support during recent Asean observer country dialogues.

“Ukraine is currently an observer in Asean, but we hope that next year, member states will vote to grant us sectoral partnership status,” she said.

“We see great potential for collaboration, especially in agriculture and development.”

The MP also highlighted Ukraine’s humanitarian initiative “Bring Kids Back”, which seeks to return children allegedly abducted by Russia during the war. “This is not just a Ukrainian issue — it’s a matter of international humanitarian law,” she said.

‘Over 45% of all districts across the country have already entered a completely aged society. Three districts with the highest ratio of seniors are in Bangkok,” said Assoc Prof Niramon Serisakul, director of the Urban Design and Development Centre (UDDC).

In a completely aged society, people aged 60 and over account for 20% of the population. According to the UDDC, seniors are most concentrated in Samphanthawong (35.4%), Pomprap Sattruphai (34.3%) and Phra Nakhon (33%) in Bangkok, followed by San Pa Tong (32.4%) in Chiang Mai and Pa Sang (32.3%) in Lamphun. In Thailand, the number of elders has now reached 13 million.

“It is a wake-up call for cities to adapt,” she said.

As a result, the UDDC unveiled AFCC-SHiP, an index measuring cities’ age-friendliness, in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation on Sept 18.

Assoc Prof Niramon said the advent of the grey society is bringing about multiple challenges. In terms of social vulnerability, many seniors experience isolation. A combination of factors, including hectic life and generational gap, leads to lack of support for the elderly. In terms of economic vulnerability, a shrinking workforce is also resulting in economic slowdown.

“However, cities can be a starting point for change. As more than half of Thais live in urban areas [according to the UN World Urbanisation Prospects], cities can provide a textbook example for adaptation,” she said.

Assoc Prof Niramon said the urban environment impacts a person’s health. A wide range of factors from pollution, lack of green space to sedentary lifestyle can increase health risks. Even with better access to healthcare services, urban residents are still vulnerable to health problems and despite a decline in seasonal illnesses, non-communicable diseases and degenerative conditions are a growing concern.

“This is a big transition. Behaviour and degeneration affect our health,” she said.

Assoc Prof Niramon drew attention to how an unsupportive environment can cause extreme suffering in old age. For example, there are around 5.5 million seniors who are injured in accidental falls each year, with a death rate of three per day, according to a study by Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Nursing. The city’s environment, such as pavements and lighting, is not friendly to elders.

“Despite our life expectancy of 74, we suffer from illnesses for seven years, which accounts for 10% of our life,” she said. “It is clear that we age fast.”

Assoc Prof Niramon said an age-friendly city will enable people to accumulate “health capital” throughout their life. It is characterised by safety, promotion of physical and mental health and inclusion. For example, Akita in Japan encourages senior participation through several initiatives, including the one-coin bus and the multigenerational city hall. Meanwhile, Singapore’s silver zones enhance road safety for senior residents.

“Urban environment and well-being have a complex relationship. It requires a tool for analysis and assessment. AFCC-SHiP will be a helpful compass for building good cities. Old age isn’t the future. It is here and now,” she said.

Adisak Guntamueanglee, deputy director of the UDDC, said cities should first be able to meet basic needs and then gear towards age-friendliness. SHiP is adapted from a global policy framework for age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC). It covers four categories, including security, health, infrastructure and basic services, and participation.

“SHiP is not just an index. It can be seen as Noah’s Ark or shipping [a word used in Boys’ Love to denote homoerotic pairing] of urban environment and well-being,” he said.

A survey of over 1,000 municipalities and subdistrict administrative organisations across the country shows that poverty has the most adverse impact on urban residents (19%), followed by housing (14%) and NCDs (14%). Other challenges include pollution and natural disaster (13%) and lack of social welfare (12%). However, access to healthcare is a high priority for an age-friendly city.

An overall analysis found that “Bangkok is an outlier”. Its urban environment, including physical and socioeconomic aspects, can mostly fulfil basic needs of residents. Victory Monument is the country’s most concentrated medical hub. Other high-ranking areas include Phuket, Nonthaburi, Chon Buri and Chiang Mai. On the other hand, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Kalasin and Sa Kaeo fall behind.

When it comes to age-friendliness, cities can be roughly divided into three levels. Top-tier cities are most equipped with age-friendly infrastructure, for instance, Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Khon Kaen. Mid-tier cities have mediocre capacity, for example, Rayong, Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok. Low-tier cities are most vulnerable and need urgent support, such as Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao and Bueng Kan.

“Urban environment is highly critical to the health of urban residents. It impacts the quality-adjusted-life-year (QALY). With access to healthcare, people in Bangkok are more likely to have the best QALY,” he said.

Adisak explained that these findings show a relationship between urban environment and senior well-being. Still, it should take into account socioeconomic differences — the poor in bigger cities experience more health vulnerability than those in smaller towns. He called for an improvement in infrastructure and basic service for the ageing, while promoting the silver workforce and ensuring access to healthcare.

Speaking at a public forum, Dr Suthee Saritsiri, director of the Health Promotion Division of the Department of Health of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said the city conducted a health checkup for around 200,000 seniors from October 2024 to September 2025. They are vulnerable to NCDs, which are related to paralysis, kidney disease and heart disease. Also, they live with dementia, fall injury and malnutrition.

The BMA has launched several preventive long-term care initiatives to increase social interaction. Currently, there are 490 activity groups, with at least 50,000 members. Moreover, it has equipped seniors with smart watches to ensure that they walk at least 7,000 steps per day to reduce the risk of NCDs and foster connection. In the wake of an earthquake in March, the city is also looking to provide more support for older adults living alone in condos.

When asked what the city can do more to address demographic shift, Dr Suthee said the family institution has been weakened because people focus solely on bread-and-butter issues.

“The urban environment should be designed to promote multigenerational activities. Community art and running events are textbook examples of bringing people together,” she said.

The long-awaited “contractor report card” system is still pending final approval from the new finance minister, according to Department of Highways (DoH) Director-General Piyapong Jiwatanakulpaisan.

Mr Piyapong, who assumed office on Oct 1, pledged to make safety a top priority in all projects, with particular attention being paid to Rama II Road, which has been the subject of much public concern due to recurring accidents.

He noted that contractors working on the project have already adjusted practices to reduce risks while ensuring construction continues on schedule without compromising safety.

“In the past, the Ministry of Transport set up a task force of engineers to identify and correct unsafe practices. These interventions have significantly improved operations. I want the public to be assured that the Department of Highways is doing everything possible to prevent accidents,” he said.

On the much-discussed contractor accountability system, Mr Piyapong explained that implementation rests with the Comptroller General’s Department.

Two legal steps are required: a ministerial regulation on contractor qualifications, allowing contractors to be upgraded or downgraded based on performance, and revisions to regulations on construction and contractor evaluations.

The cabinet has already approved the ministerial regulation, but it now awaits the finance minister’s signature before coming into effect, he said.

Legal experts correctly question whether the justice minister should recommend that His Majesty the King approve Thaksin’s request for a second royal pardon. As lawyer Chao Meekhuad noted, “Pardons exist for those who show genuine remorse, not as a passport for repeat offenders who refuse to respect the court’s verdict.”

In his previous 14th-floor saga, Thaksin had confessed to corruption, professing remorse. On that basis, His Majesty graciously pardoned him and reduced his sentence to a year.

But instead of turning over a new leaf, the convict immediately engaged in a year-long fraud to deceive the entire nation, including the King, of his “life-threatening illnesses” — as painstakingly proven by the Medical Council of Thailand. Additionally, genuine remorse requires making the injured party whole by returning all ill-gotten gains and repaying profits made.

Despite his 67.97 billion baht in net assets, Thaksin has not voluntarily returned any of the purloined money, let alone profits therefrom.

This is not remorse in any shape or form. Thumbs down to the unrepentant fraudster.

Burin Kantabutra

CO2 tax madness

Re: “No to carbon tax”, (PostBag, Oct 3).

I really like the relative newcomer to this column, Anna Aarts. She suggests Pigouvian CO2 taxes should be considered only with broad international cooperation.

Social engineering based upon taxation, subsidies, regulation, or cap-and-trade schemes is always a slippery slope, but taxing CO2 is never going to achieve universal international acceptance, and even if it did, it would be wrong in implementation and insane in conceptualisation — as Anna described well.

We now have voluntary carbon trading, which should be enough to satisfy those zealots who truly believe CO2 is somehow bad for the planet.

Michael Setter

Ganja grievances

Re: “Weed ruins lives”, (PostBag, Oct 2).

I’m sure I’m not the only reader who wonders what it is about Jason Jellison’s letters that endears him to the PostBag editor. I would have thought that Tarquin’s remark that we have well and truly registered that Khun Jason is anti-ganja-so-move-on said it all. Apparently not!

Today, Mr Jellison is again given the right of reply by proposing that he has just listened to a recent performance of a favourite song, performed seven years ago, with a virtuoso solo on the organ by a talented violinist! What made this performance so remarkable, apparently, was that none of the 100 musicians was stoned.

I leave it to readers to make what they will of the 7th-grade event Mr Jellison subsequently recounts. Along with the recent story of a female British tourist collapsing at his feet, joint in hand, on a local trip to the shops, he seems cursed to encounter the evils of marijuana way beyond my experience in London and Sydney in the 70s and 80s.

Ray Ban

Let facts speak

Re: “Thamanat defends role in cabinet”, (BP, Oct 1).

Yesterday and again today on TV, I watched Capt Thamanat Prompow vigorously defend his reputation and threaten to sue for defamation if anyone called it into question. Having no wish to run the risk of being found guilty under Thailand’s draconian defamation and libel laws, I will adhere to known facts and offer no opinion or comment on them.

Fact 1: In Australia in 1993, New South Wales police charged Thamanat for his involvement in importing 3.2kg of heroin to Australia.

Fact 2: He pleaded guilty in the NSW District Court to conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of heroin with a street value of A$4.1 million, according to media reports, including The Sydney Morning Herald.

Fact 3: He was found guilty as charged and spent four years in jail. He was deported on his release from Parklea Prison.

Fact 4: Australia’s customs officers and police have the ability and the technology to determine the difference between flour and heroin.

Let the facts speak for themselves.