Bangkok Post - May 13, 2025

In this issue

May 13, 2025

Big blow for PP in local polls

Old-school politics still leads the field

2 mins

Covid alert as 6 die last week

Thais are being warned about a rise in Covid-19 infections following the deaths of six people last week.

1 min

Post-summer deluges make their debut

The Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall from today through Sunday, set to soak several parts of the country, including Bangkok.

1 min

Mobile users to get disaster alerts in fresh test today

Mobile phone users in five major provinces, including Bangkok, will receive alerts in another early warning system test today, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

1 min

Increased compensation for delays to take effect May 20

The Civil Aviation Board has rolled out new measures designed to assist passengers whose flights are delayed or cancelled without prior notice, which will come into effect on May 20.

2 mins

K-9 unit to conduct final sweep of site

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will deploy K-9 units and officers to conduct a final inspection of the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building site today, before handing it back to SAO authorities on Thursday.

1 min

Coalition preaches unity before budget

The ruling Pheu Thai Party yesterday expressed confidence its coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party, would back the budget bill for the 2026 fiscal year, insisting that there was no rift between the two parties.

1 min

140 families flee as factory fire rages

Thick smoke sparks health concerns

2 mins

Opposition MP 'eyeing party swap'

A main opposition People's Party (PP) MP has set his sights on moving to the Kla Dharma Party, citing his inability to get along with the party, according to a source in the PP.

1 min

New petitions over ex-PM's PGH stay

Groups launch fresh bid to probe Thaksin

2 mins

Ballot photo row leads to attack on police officer

Siradanai Plaiduang, a member of the Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), has surrendered to police over his alleged involvement in the assault of a police officer during Sunday's Songkhla municipal mayor and council elections.

1 min

Car crash no impediment to Smitthiphat poll win

Smitthiphat Leenawarat, son of a prominent Pathum Thani politician, and his team of candidates unofficially won a municipal election on Sunday night following a traffic incident in which he sideswiped the pickup truck of an elderly couple and injured them in the middle of last month.

1 min

Swoop catches 22 illegal migrants

Authorities apprehended 22 undocumented migrants in Sangkhla Buri district in this western province on Sunday, as they attempted to enter Thailand illegally from Myanmar.

1 min

Feuds blamed for plantation killings

More than 100 police officers are searching for at least three suspects involved in the shooting and burning of a palm oil plantation overseer and two staff members in Trang’s Sikao district, in an incident believed to have resulted from a dispute. Authorities have also uncovered a fourth burned and buried body in the vicinity.

1 min

Govt eyes one-price electric train rides

20-baht fare plan awaits cabinet nod

2 mins

Explosives disposal aid worker killed in Ukraine

SYDNEY: An Australian man has been killed in Ukraine, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed yesterday, with media reporting the victim was a former Australian soldier working for a charity which helps clear landmines.

1 min

Diplomat rejects Trump calls for mediation in Kashmir issue

A top Indian diplomat said the dispute over Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Pakistan, rejecting any external mediation on the matter despite the US saying it wanted to facilitate talks.

1 min

PM keeps Chalmers, Wong for 2nd term

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese retained Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Foreign Minister Penny Wong in their portfolios as he unveiled changes to his lineup just over a week after decisively winning an election.

2 mins

Latin American leaders gather for talks in Beijing

China yesterday welcomed Latin American leaders and officials to Beijing as it seeks to draw the region closer in response to the trade war with the United States.

1 min

Locals vote in high-stakes midterms

Poll key in battle for power in Philippines

2 mins

Russia leader told to meet in Turkey

Trump tells Ukraine not to await ceasefire

3 mins

Thousands march against the far right

Thousands of people protested against the far right across Germany on Sunday, as the AfD party appeals a decision to label it an \"extremist\" group.

1 min

Pope Leo prays for wars to end

Pope Leo XIV used his first Sunday address to call for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, building on the message of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and offering a glimpse into the likely geopolitics of his papacy.

1 min

Govt plans to reduce immigration

The British government on Sunday said it would give itself stronger powers to deport foreign criminals and lift the threshold for skilled worker visas in a bid to bring down immigration levels.

2 mins

Group of Afrikaners boards aeroplane for United States

The first white South Africans granted refugee status under a programme initiated by United States President Donald Trump boarded a plane to leave from the country’s main international airport in Johannesburg on Sunday.

1 min

Body of missing soldier 'found in Syria'

The Israeli army said on Sunday that the body of a soldier missing for 43 years had been found in the “heart of Syria” and repatriated in a special operation with the Mossad intelligence agency.

1 min

Court finds boxes of Nazi materials in its basement

Dozens of boxes of Nazi material confiscated by Argentinean authorities during World War II were recently rediscovered in the Supreme Court’s basement, the court said on Sunday.

1 min

Kurdish separatist group PKK ends 40-year war

A separatist Kurdish group agreed to lay down arms to end a 40-year war for autonomy against Turkey, a historic step that could strengthen the Nato member’s aspirations to become a regional powerhouse.

2 mins

Trump may accept 747 from Qatar to use as Air Force One

US President Donald Trump's administration intends to accept a Boeing 747-8 as a gift from the Qatari royal family that would be outfitted to serve as Air Force One, according to a source briefed on the matter.

2 mins

Bibi denies ceasefire plan in Gaza Strip

Hamas expected to release US hostage

2 mins

Justice must ditch the glitz

The recent phenomenon of talk show hosts and social media influencers seeking justice for the downtrodden represents a worrying trend for Thailand.

2 mins

Indonesian coal exports hit lows

Indonesia's exports of thermal coal have dropped to their lowest in three years so far in 2025, dented by weak demand in China and India — the world's two largest coal consumers.

3 mins

Green energy has become a pricey delusion

Ask families in Germany and the UK what happens when more and more supposedly cheap solar and wind power is added to the national power mix, and they can tell you by looking at their utility bills: it gets far more expensive.

3 mins

Pope's Creole roots tell a story of New Orleans

One day in June 1900, a census taker visited the New Orleans home of Joseph and Louise Martinez, Pope Leo XIV's grandparents.

4 mins

Timor-Leste's membership divides Asean

Timor-Leste's long-awaited bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is in jeopardy. It has encountered unexpected headwinds — this time from the Philippines.

3 mins

Foxy finish! Kiwi chips in to grab thriller

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox completed a furious comeback on Sunday by prevailing in a threeman playoff at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic in South Carolina to win his first PGA Tour event.

2 mins

Rockies end losing streak, fire their manager Black

German Marquez tossed seven efficient innings on Sunday and Hunter Goodman knocked in five runs as the Colorado Rockies snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 9-3 win over the visiting San Diego Padres in Denver.

2 mins

Straka seals signature win with nerves of steel in Philly

PHILADELPHIA: Austrian Sepp Straka held off Ireland’s Shane Lowry in an 18-hole duel, to win the PGA Tour’s Truist Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club on Sunday.

2 mins

Pacers pound Cavaliers to widen the gap

Mitchell hobbles off, OKC edge Nuggets

3 mins

Alcaraz and No.2 Zverev march into Rome last 16

Carlos Alcaraz joined reigning Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev in the last 16 in Rome after seeing off Laslo Djere 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 on centre court on Sunday.

2 mins

Canada crowned inaugural mixed 4x100m relay champions

Canada produced a sublime display in ideal sprinting conditions to outclass Jamaica and Britain en route to the inaugural mixed 4x100 metres relay gold on the final day of the World Athletics Relays on Sunday.

1 min

Barcelona roar towards La Liga title

Mbappe's 3 in vain as Catalans bite back

2 mins

Alonso's last home game ends in loss

Borussia Dortmund romped to a 4-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, spoiling Xabi Alonso's last match in the home dugout while boosting their Champions League hopes.

1 min

India great Kohli quits Test game

Batting great Virat Kohli announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket, just days before India name their squad for a tour to England.

2 mins

Napoli give Inter Scudetto hope

Napoli’s bid for a second Serie A title in three seasons was hit by Sunday’s 2-2 home draw with Genoa which allowed Inter Milan to move to within a point of the league leaders thanks to their dramatic 2-0 win at Torino.

2 mins

Jeeno is Thai-namite!

Calm queen crushes Liberty National field

2 mins

Newcastle soar, Chelsea stumble and Forest falter

Newcastle United defeated Chelsea and Nottingham Forest dropped points again as a gripping battle for a top-five finish in the Premier League took more twists and turns on Sunday.

2 mins

French hero Zarco makes history, ends 71-year wait

Johann Zarco produced an outstanding ride in difficult wet conditions at Le Mans on Sunday to become the first home winner of the French MotoGP in 71 years.

2 mins

Amorim casts doubts about future after West Ham loss

An “embarrassed” Ruben Amorim raised doubts about his Manchester United future after another poor performance from his team in a 2-0 home loss to West Ham on Sunday.

2 mins

Pornpun claims MVP glory in US

Thailand setter Pornpun Guedpard became the first Thai volleyball player to win the 2025 Pro Volleyball Federation Championship (PVF) with the Orlando Valkyries following a 3-1 victory over the Indy Ignite on Sunday night at Lee's Family Forum.

1 min

Building owners choose to sell up as taxes start to bite

The land and building tax is continuing to force outdated and less competitive offices, apartments and hotels to exit the market, with many putting their assets up for sale or lease in the tourism sector.

2 mins

Backing sought for water-based initiatives

The private sector in Nakhon Phanom has proposed an initiative to enhance river tourism along the Mekong while promoting cultural tourism, showcasing the diverse ethnic groups in upper Northeastern Thailand to improve income distribution within local communities.

2 mins

BoT warns of long path to recovery

Trade war will hurt Thailand until 2026

2 mins

Government targets tax reform in attempt to boost revenue

Tax reform to increase government revenue must be seriously pursued to enhance fiscal strength, says finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit.

2 mins

Foreigners get keen on Thai markets

Investors speculate on possible rate cuts

2 mins

Cabinet set to mull NaCGA draft law

Bill aims to reform credit guarantee system to allow broader access to credit for entrepreneurs, writes Wichit Chantanusornsiri

4 mins

Bangchak, OR ramp up push to provide biofuel for aircraft

Two SET-listed energy firms — Bangchak Group and PTT Group — are stepping up efforts to expand green businesses with efforts to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

1 min

SCB teams up with BlackRock to offer investment opportunities to Thais

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is committed to enhancing the wealth of Thais and expanding access to global investment opportunities through collaboration with BlackRock, the world's largest asset management firm.

2 mins

Phuket unfazed by weak Chinese market

Challenges perceived as being temporary

2 mins

Outlook seen dim for carriers until Q3

The outlook for the aviation industry has dimmed as international arrivals are expected to remain muted until the third quarter, with a significant slowdown from China the main culprit, say analysts.

2 mins

Thailand sees increase in cybersecurity qualifications

Successful Thai holders of the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam now total 431, up from 385 in 2024, reflecting the country’s quality cybersecurity training system, according to the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA).

1 min

CATL to raise $4 billion in Hong Kong listing

It would be world's biggest so far in '25

2 mins

Pakistani, Indian shares soar as truce buoys hopes

Stocks in Pakistan and India rallied following a ceasefire agreement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours on Saturday, as investor focus shifts back to improving economic outlook.

2 mins

Asia's pharma stocks drop as US plans drug price cuts

Shares of Asian pharmaceutical companies fell after US President Donald Trump said he planned to order a cut in US prescription drug costs to bring them in-line with other countries.

2 mins

Japanese 30-year bond yield at nearly 25-year high

Japan’s 30-year government bond yield climbed to its highest level in almost 25 years as investors continue to shun the nation’s super-long bonds.

2 mins

Long search for battery that could end petrol era achieves major milestone

Can a small Massachusetts start-up perfect a battery that would make electric vehicles cheaper and more convenient than conventional cars?

10 mins

Novartis vows to keep making malaria drugs despite aid cuts

Swiss drugmaker Novartis will keep making medicines for malaria and leprosy, even if it does not get orders as normal amid the global health funding crunch, its president of global health told Reuters in an interview.

1 min

Newark airport has another radar outage

Second one in a week sparks safety fears

3 mins

Moet Hennessy woes seen as test of Arnault son's credentials

Bernard Arnault’s son Alexandre has been handed a daunting task: reviving LVMH's worst-performing unit, the famed Moet Hennessy drinks business, in the midst of a tariff war.

4 mins

With US trade deal, British steel gets some much-needed relief

The call from a supervisor came to the steel shop floor in Sheffield on Thursday afternoon: The tariffs were off.

3 mins

Markets rally after pause in US-China trade war

Stocks rallied yesterday after Chinese and US officials made “substantial progress” at trade talks in Geneva and slashed their tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, fuelling hopes the two sides will pull back from a standoff that has rattled global markets.

2 mins

US, China agree to slash tariffs

US levies now 30%, China's fall to 10%

2 mins

UniCredit raises profit outlook for 2025

Italy’s second-biggest bank, UniCredit, lifted its 2025 outlook yesterday after posting a surprise increase in quarterly profit but remained resolute that it would not do deals at any cost.

1 min

CANNES 2025: WHAT'S ON OUR WATCH LIST

Notable films across various sections include works by established directors and a Thai ghost story

5 mins

TK Park to screen Argentinian comedy

TK Park continues the 2025 Contemporary World Film Series with a screening of So Much Love To Give (Corazon Loco), at its Auditorium, 8th floor of CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Road, on May 25 at 4pm.

1 min

Gaza war casts shadow over Cannes film festival

Israel may ban international media from entering Gaza, but the war in the Palestinian territory will feature at the Cannes film festival this year, including in a documentary whose protagonist was killed in an Israeli strike.

1 min

Groundbreaking Cameroonian curator Koyo Kouoh dies

Cameroonian curator Koyo Kouoh, the head of the top contemporary art museum in Africa and first African woman appointed to lead the Venice Biennale, has died Saturday, the Zeitz MOCAA museum said.

1 min

Marvel's Thunderbolts* retains top spot in N. America

Marvel's newest superhero film Thunderbolts* remained top dog at the North American box office for a second straight weekend, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said on Sunday.

1 min

Rufus Wainwright's Dream Requiem explores catastrophe

The historic Mount Tambora volcanic eruption spewed so much ash and debris that it triggered a “year without summer” and the apocalypse seemed nigh — an apt parallel to our own chaotic existence, says the eclectic musician Rufus Wainwright.

2 mins

Stress can play factor in new back pain

DEAR DOCTORS: My lower back went into spasm as I was washing the dishes. I figured it was from bending over, but my mum insists it's from being so stressed out. (My family is dealing with severe smoke damage in our house from the recent fires in Los Angeles.) Can stress really cause back pain?

2 mins

EASY MEALS, HARD TRUTHS

Ultraprocessed foods linked to early symptoms of Parkinson’s

3 mins

Loosen up

Tight hips? These moves can help

4 mins

How hard do you have to push yourself to get stronger?

You're sweaty and sore, and just hoisting your gym bag onto your shoulder makes you groan. The workout was exhausting, but was it effective?

3 mins

THE GODMOTHERS

Dishing with the stars of Nonnas

6 mins

DEPOLITICISING EUROVISION IMPOSSIBLE, EXPERTS SAY

The Eurovision Song Contest is meant to be about celebrating music and cultural diversity, but politics inevitably seeps in, challenging the competition's long-standing claim to neutrality.

3 mins

King Rama VI play shines as a grand opera

Somtow Sucharitkul's Madana celebrates royal legacy in an accessible style

4 mins

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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.

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