Bangkok Post - April 17, 2025

In this issue

APRIL 17, 2025

WEF names three Thais as young global leaders

Three Thais including Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra are listed as Young Global Leaders 2025 by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

1 min

Anwar visits today for bilaterals

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will visit Thailand today for bilateral talks, with discussions focused on strengthening connectivity, trade, tourism, security, and advancing peace and development in border regions.

1 min

Govt sets sights on US gas

Thailand plans to buy an additional 1 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) worth US$500 million (about 16.6 billion baht) from the United States over the next five years as part of efforts to ease the trade imbalance that led Washington to impose a high tariff on Thai exports.

2 mins

Bhumjaithai told to sort out casino differences

The chief government whip has urged the Bhumjaithai Party to solve internal disagreements over the casino issue and emphasised the importance of maintaining government unity amid growing political tensions between coalition members.

1 min

Incinerator on Koh Lan 'almost done'

The waste incineration project on Koh Lan, located off Pattaya, is now 70% complete and could open in six months, said Kiatsak Sriwongchai, the permanent secretary of Pattaya City.

1 min

Tourism push for three Unesco sites

A campaign has been launched to promote trips to the three Unesco heritage sites in this province to boost tourism and the overall economy.

1 min

Govt lauded for boosting Islamic teacher pay

The Office of the Private Education in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district has thanked the government for approving increased compensation for Islamic religion teachers in the five southernmost border provinces.

1 min

Broker held in B16bn medical fraud case

Awoman suspectin the 16-billion-baht medical fraud case brought against Thon Buri Heathcare Group founder Dr Boon Vanasin was arrested yesterday morning.

1 min

DSI to widen building collapse probe

Forged signature claim to be examined

1 min

US funding cuts for Aids-HIV fight

Humanitarian aid freeze highlights need for greater self-reliance, advocates say, writes Poramet Tangsathaporn

4 mins

Manila calls joint US drills 'defence rehearsal'

MANILA: The United States is deploying around 9,000 troops to the Philippines for this year's joint military exercises, as the allies strengthen ties amid tensions with China over its activities in the South China Sea and in Taiwan.

1 min

China's Xi meets Malaysian leaders

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Malaysia's king yesterday, in a state visit analysts said was aimed at burnishing Beijing's credentials as a reliable partner and “not a hegemon”

2 mins

Cops raid former president Yoon’s office

South Korean police raided yesterday the office of former president Yoon Suk-yeol and his security detail, as part of a spiralling criminal probe into the impeached leader.

1 min

Jakarta says Russia won't base planes in Papua

Indonesia dismissed a report in defence publication Janes that Russia has requested basing military aircraft in Papua, its easternmost province, after the issue caused concern in Australia.

1 min

EU backs Serbian protesters

BRUSSELS: The European Union's enlargement chief has backed calls by protesters in Serbia to tackle corruption and boost the rule of law, as she insisted the country get back on track in its bid to join the bloc.

1 min

Anti-crime raids see 234 cuffed

BRUSSELS: Police in Europe staged “unprecedented” raids against four organised crime groups on Tuesday, arresting more than 200 people across five countries, primarily in Turkey, in a “massive blow” against drug-trafficking networks.

1 min

Court to rule on how to define 'woman'

Britain’s highest court was to hand down a landmark ruling yesterday on the definition of a “woman”, weighing in on a long-running, divisive debate about biological sex versus gender identity.

1 min

Party leaders to face off in pivotal debate before vote

Canada’s main party lead-ers were to face off yesterday in a debate that could prove pivotal ahead of this month's election, with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s French language skills set to be tested.

1 min

Anwar's big challenge

Today, Malaysian Prime Minister and Asean chair Anwar Ibrahim will meet Myanmar's leader, Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, in Bangkok for an informal yet crucial dialogue that could help alleviate the ongoing turmoil in Myanmar.

2 mins

Bigger Asean could counter tariffs

When US President Donald Trump finally unleashed his long-threatened tariff blitz, the scale and scope were far worse than most governments expected. It came as no surprise that China would be the hardest hit, but the punishing duties imposed on most Asian countries were a profound shock.

3 mins

A lot about Trump doesn't add up at all

You have to give it to Donald Trump.

3 mins

A lot about Trump doesn’t add up at all

You have to give it to Donald Trump.

3 mins

State entities too complex to be treated as startups

Around the world, governments are trying to reinvent themselves in the image of business. Elon Musk’s DOGE crusade in the United States is quite explicit on this point, as is Argentina's chainsaw-wielding president, Javier Milei. But one also hears similar rhetoric in the United Kingdom, where Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden wants the government to foster a “test-and-learn” culture and move towards performance-based management.

4 mins

Backing Trump on tariffs, not on tone

I’m nota Donald Trump supporter. On the contrary, I dislike the US president for his abrasive behaviour. For Mr Trump, everything is nothing but numbers. Compassion has no meaning in his dictionary.

5 mins

Mavericks boss defends Doncic trade

Beleaguered Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday defended his decision to trade away superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, insisting he had “no regrets” over the deal.

1 min

American Malinin ready for Olympic favourite tag

Double world figure skating champion Ilia Malinin knows he will have a target on his back at next year’s Winter Olympics, but said yesterday he can handle the pressure.

1 min

Butler, Curry put Dubs in NBA playoffs

Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler combined for 75 points as the Golden State Warriors squeezed into the NBA playoffs on Tuesday with a pulsating 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

2 mins

Goalie Onana’s date with destiny as Man U chase win

Andre Onana faces a potentially make-or-break match for his Manchester United career against Lyon in the Europa League today as the English giants battle to keep their season alive.

2 mins

Red Bull search for path back to fast lane

Verstappen fighting lone battle for giants

3 mins

McIlroy's mind coach reveals Masters plan

LOS ANGELES: Rory McIlroy's breakthrough Masters win was shaped by a deliberate strategy to stay laser-focused, even if that meant not saying a word to playing partner Bryson DeChambeau during the final round, McIlroy's sports psychologist Bob Rotella said on Tuesday.

2 mins

Dragons first to make League Cup last 8

Ratchaburi became the first team to march into the quarter-finals of the League Cup following a 2-1 victory over Chiang Rai United on Tuesday night.

1 min

Flick: Barca 'justified' semi-final spot

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said his side deserved to reach the Champions League semi-finals despite a 3-1 loss in the second leg at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

2 mins

'Best squad' PSG advance to last four

Villa switch focus to securing UCL return

2 mins

Bitcoin declines 20% amid trade, stagflation woes

Ongoing trade tensions and stagflation fears pushed the price of Bitcoin, the world's most popular cryptocurrency, to drop 20% in the first three months this year, with further weakness expected in the second quarter, say analysts.

2 mins

Firms call for greater EV incentives

New tax cut covers commercial vehicles

2 mins

Phuket operators suggest infrastructure upgrade

Phuket tourism operators submitted a white paper focusing on the Cherngtalay area to the Phuket governor last month, asking for infrastructure improvement to accommodate rising demand in the tourism and property markets.

1 min

Banks highlight methods to reduce mortgage rejections

Clearing debts, disclosing all sources of income, preparing documents and avoiding rushed applications can reduce the mortgage rejection rate, which rose to an average of 45% in the first quarter, according to financial institutions.

2 mins

Dividend-paying stocks touted for investors

Sixteen listed companies have delivered an average dividend yield of more than 5% over the past three years, according to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), suggesting such stocks are a “viable long-term investment option” in a low interest rate environment.

2 mins

Agency eager to double tally of Tong Chom markets

The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) plans to double the number of high-potential “Tong Chom” markets from 50 to 100 by 2026, anticipating they will generate 2.2 billion baht this year.

1 min

Thailand Post trusts network in virtual banking proposal

Operator can access neglected segments

2 mins

Keys to connecting with Gen Z consumers revealed

Gen Z's spending worldwide is estimated to tally US$9 trillion by 2034, higher than any other generational group.

2 mins

Illegal foreign tour guides hinder sector

Perpetrators paying bribes to officers

2 mins

Call to zero in on high-quality tourists

Thailand should shift its focus to attracting high-quality travellers, meaning those with high spending power and concern for the environment, according to wellness resorts operator Chiva-Som.

2 mins

Drive to promote soft power heats up

New agency set to emerge in Q1, 2026

1 min

Thai games market set to grow in 2025 despite challenges

The value of Thailand’s computer gaming market is projected to reach 36.1 billion baht this year, up 1.6% from 2024, driven by an increasing number of players, newlaunches, and promotional campaigns by game service providers.

2 mins

Denmark’s Royal Unibrew adds AI ‘colleagues’ to human team

They have names, faces and email addresses, but the five new colleagues at Denmark’s Royal Unibrew only exist in the virtual realm, which the brewer hails as a milestone to unleash the full potential of its staff.

2 mins

Start-up: AI agents poised to take over travel industry

NEW YORK: Dreaming of going on vacation but not sure where to go? Increasingly the answer — and how to get there, what to eat and where to stay — will come from advanced Al, rather than your friendly neighbour-hood travel agent.

2 mins

EU seeks way out of energy security bind

More than three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy security is fragile.

4 mins

Solar park boom threatens Spain's centuries-old olive trees

LOPERA: At his farm in southern Spain, Francisco Campos looked worriedly at a green sea of centuries-old olive trees that he fears will face the axe to make way for a proposed solar park.

2 mins

Crypto industry's political spending starts to pay off

US lawmakers who benefited from crypto largess in the 2024 election are speedily advancing the industry's agenda, writes David Yaffe-Bellany from Washington

6 mins

UK visa rules ‘hurt science and tech goals’

It took Ed Roberts over a year to find a senior scientist to work at his cancer research laboratory in Scotland, a delay he blames on high UK visa costs that made it harder to attract international workers.

3 mins

UK visa rules 'hurt science and tech goals'

It took Ed Roberts over a year to find a senior scientist to work at his cancer research laboratory in Scotland, a delay he blames on high UK visa costs that made it harder to attract international workers.

3 mins

Will tariffs do to the US what Brexit did to UK?

Britain’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016 was sold to voters as a magic bullet that would revitalise the country’s economy. Its impact is still reverberating, writes Mark Landler from London

5 mins

Asia stocks tumble as US restricts Nvidia

NEW YORK: Share prices of big technology companies declined in Asia yesterday, dragging broader markets lower, after Nvidia, the American chip giant, revealed that the US government would restrict sales of some of its chips to China.

1 min

China girds for economic stress of Trump’s tariffs

President Donald Trump's tariffs have been good for China's economic growth. At least they were over the first three months of the year, as the country’s factories raced to ship exports before the trade restrictions.

3 mins

Heineken beer sales dip, affected by calendar

Heineken said yesterday its beer sales were down in the first quarter but kept profit forecasts for the year unchanged despite noting increased uncertainty from tariffs.

1 min

HK Post halts parcel deliveries to US

Stepping into the trade war, Hong Kong said yesterday that its postal service will no longer send packages to the United States.

2 mins

1st class first courses

Train stations are for dining, too

6 mins

Acclaimed star Jay Park to perform in Bangkok

Thailand is set to welcome all-rounder Jay Park, the internationally-acclaimed rapper, singer-songwriter, performer and entrepreneur, who will return on stage for “2025 Jay Park World Tour [Serenades & Body Rolls]”.

1 min

Japanese tea bowls on display at Atta Gallery

Atta Gallery invites interested persons to discover the elegance and tactile intimacy of Japanese tea bowls during “15 Chawan’, which is running until May 4.

1 min

Sean Combs pleads not guilty to new charges

US music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not guilty on Monday to two new charges added to the criminal rack-eteering and sex trafficking case against him, which is expected to go to trial next month.

1 min

ASIA’S LARGEST BEACH POLO CHARITY EVENT RETURNS TO HUA HIN

B.Grimm, in collaboration with Proud Group, InterContinental Hua Hin Resort and Bluport Hua Hin, recently hosted the Princess Pa’s Cup InterContinental-B.Grimm Beach Polo 2025. This esteemed tournament, held under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati, took place at the

1 min

Dumbledore and others are cast for Harry Potter TV series

Potterheads are one step closer to seeing a television series about boy wizard Harry Potter come to life, two years after it was announced.

1 min

Michael B. Jordan steps out of his comfort zone for Sinners dual role

Actor Michael B. Jordan says he needed no convincing to tackle two lead roles in supernatural action thriller Sinners, which reunites him with Creed and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler.

1 min

Ever-expanding entertainment

Epic Universe is coming. Here’s a sneak peek

5 mins

APOCALYPSE AGAIN

The Last Of Us - what to remember before Season 2

6 mins

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Bangkok Post Newspaper Description:

Bangkok Post is the leading English-language daily newspaper in Thailand and has the longest history of any newspaper in existence in the country. The Bangkok Post targets well-educated decision makers, including top executives and high-ranking government officials. The Bangkok Post was established by a group of American and Thai journalists and the first issue was launched on August 1, 1946 with only four pages. Now the Bangkok Post publishes about 60 pages a day.

Space does not allow a full display of the list of awards we have received over the past 60-plus years. Bangkok Post was originally the leading English newspaper in Thailand.

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