BANGKOK — Thailand has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets for artificial intelligence, with OpenAI reporting that weekly active users of ChatGPT in the country have quadrupled over the past year.
The dramatic growth figures were unveiled at the first OpenAI Forum held in Thailand on Friday, an event that brought together more than 100 business leaders at Bangkok’s House of Wisdom venue. The forum, titled “AI LEAP: Turning Today’s Disruption into Tomorrow’s Advantage,” featured OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon making his inaugural visit to the kingdom.
Speaking at the event moderated by media personality Woody Milintachinda, Kwon attributed Thailand’s rapid AI adoption to the country’s inherent optimism about new technology. “The difference might actually just come down to optimism and belief,” Kwon told attendees, suggesting that Thailand’s positive outlook and adaptability position it to “leapfrog into the future” across sectors including education, healthcare, creativity and entrepreneurship.
Young Thais Drive Adoption
New OpenAI data reveals that Thailand’s AI surge is primarily driven by users aged 18-24, who are incorporating ChatGPT into various aspects of their daily lives. The top five applications among Thai users are translation services, personal development advice, tutoring and learning, self-care guidance covering health and fitness, and personal writing assistance.
KBTG Group Chairman Ruangroj “Krating” Poonpol, who joined the forum discussion, emphasized AI’s potential to create more equitable opportunities. “Technology must be a tool for inclusion—to help close the gap, not widen it,” Poonpol said. “AI can provide a more level playing field, democratising access to intelligence and enabling young people to learn fast, create, and leapfrog into the future.”
The OpenAI Forum “AI LEAP: Turning Today’s Disruption into Tomorrow’s Advantage” is held at Bangkok’s House of Wisdom on September 13, 2025.
Creative Industry Advantages
Industry leaders at the forum highlighted Thailand’s established reputation for creativity and early technology adoption as key competitive advantages in the AI space. The country has previously demonstrated rapid uptake of innovations from mobile banking to social media platforms.
“Thai people are fast learners and fast adopters. It’s in our DNA,” Poonpol noted, pointing to the combination of adaptability and creativity that positions Thailand as a potential AI leader in the region.
Milintachinda added that Thai creators already win international awards in advertising and content creation, suggesting that AI tools could enable them to pioneer new formats like personalized filmmaking and innovative creative platforms.
Sustainable Growth Focus
The forum emphasized that Thailand’s AI growth extends beyond simple consumption toward building a sustainable ecosystem. With strong youth adoption, established governance frameworks, and a commitment to inclusive development, the country appears positioned to play a leading role in how AI integrates into daily life and future industries across Southeast Asia.
The rapid growth in Thailand reflects broader regional trends, as Southeast Asian nations increasingly embrace artificial intelligence technologies for economic and social development.
Smoke and flames rise from an Israeli military strike on a building in Gaza City, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Yousef Al Zanoun)
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Friday to support a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict and urge Israel to commit to a Palestinian state, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently opposes.
The 193-member world body approved a nonbinding resolution endorsing the “New York Declaration,” which sets out a phased plan to end the nearly 80-year conflict. The vote was 142-10 with 12 abstentions.
Hours before the vote, Netanyahu said “there will be no Palestinian state.” He spoke at the signing of an agreement to expand settlements that will divide the West Bank, which the Palestinians insist must be part of their state, saying, “This place belongs to us.”
The resolution was sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, who co-chaired a high-level conference on implementing a two-state solution in late July, where the declaration was approved.
The nearly two-year war in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict are expected to be at the top of the agenda of world leaders at their annual gathering at the General Assembly starting on Sept. 22. The Palestinians say they hope at least 10 more countries will recognize the state of Palestine, adding to the more than 145 countries that already do.
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, said the support for the resolution reflects “the yearning of almost everyone, the international community, to open the door for the option of peace.”
Without naming Israel, he said, “We invite a party that is still pushing the option of war and destruction, and attempts to eliminate the Palestinian people and steal their land, to listen to the sound of reason — to the sound of the logic of dealing with this issue peacefully, and for the overwhelming message that has resonated in this General Assembly today.”
But Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the resolution as “theater,” saying the only beneficiary is Hamas.
“This one-sided declaration will not be remembered as a step toward peace, only as another hollow gesture that weakens this assembly’s credibility,” he said.
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, reiterated its opposition to the New York Declaration and the General Assembly resolution endorsing implementation of the two-state solution.
FILE – Palestinians carry sacks of flour taken from a humanitarian aid convoy in the outskirts of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi, File)
The resolution “is yet another misguided and ill-timed publicity stunt that undermines serious diplomatic efforts to end the conflict,” U.S. Mission counselor Morgan Ortagus said. “Make no mistake, this resolution is a gift to Hamas.”
The declaration condemns “the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians” in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, a rare condemnation by Arab nations of Hamas. The Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, mainly Israeli civilians, and took about 250 hostage. Of those, 48 are still being held, including about 20 who are believed to be alive.
It also condemns Israel’s attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza and its “siege and starvation, which have produced a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis.” Israel’s offensive against Hamas has killed over 64,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.
The declaration envisions the Palestinian Authority governing and controlling all Palestinian territory, with a transitional administrative committee immediately established under its umbrella after a ceasefire in Gaza.
“In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority,” the declaration says.
It also supports deployment of “a temporary international stabilization mission” operating under U.N. auspices to protect Palestinian civilians, support the transfer of security to the Palestinian Authority and provide security guarantees for Palestine and Israel — “including monitoring of the ceasefire and of a future peace agreement.”
The declaration urges countries to recognize the state of Palestine, calling this “an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution.” Without naming Israel but clearly referring to it, the document says “illegal unilateral actions are posing an existential threat to the realization of the independent state of Palestine.”
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki, right, greets Nepalese President Ram Chandra Poudel after taking the oath as interim prime minister during a ceremony at the presidential residence in Kathmandu, Nepal, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Sujan Gurung)
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal ‘s president on Friday appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister and the first woman to head the Himalayan nation’s government, following fiery protests that collapsed the previous administration.
Karki, a popular figure when serving as the court’s only female chief justice in 2016 and 2017, was to be sworn in later Friday. The appointment was announced by President Ram Chandra Poudel’s spokesman Kiran Pokhrel.
Karki, 73, was known for her stand against corruption in the government while in office. Some lawmakers tried to impeach her in April 2017, accusing her of bias, but the move was unsuccessful and was criticized at the time as an attack on the judiciary.
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki attends her swearing-in ceremony as interim prime minister at the presidential residence in Kathmandu, Nepal, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Sujan Gurung)
Street demonstrations starting Monday in Kathmandu over a social media ban turned violent, with protesters attacking government buildings and police opening fire. Though the ban was rescinded, the unrest continued over broader grievances, with tens of thousands of protesters attacking and burning the parliament, the presidential residence and businesses.
The violence prompted Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli to resign Tuesday and flee his official residence. Nepal’s army took control of the capital Tuesday night, and started negotiations among the protesters, army and president over an interim government.
Violence over the past week left at least 51 people dead, police said Friday.
Protesters celebrate at the Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal’s government’s various ministries and offices, after burning it down during a protest against a social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Many of the dead were protesters killed by police fire and some were inmates trying to break out of a jail in the capital, Kathmandu. Three police officers also were among the dead, police said.
The military has enforced a curfew since late Tuesday, with residents given a few hours per day to leave their homes to buy food and supplies while soldiers guard the streets of Kathmandu.
The demonstrations — called the protest of Gen Z — originally were sparked by the short-lived ban on platforms including Facebook, X and YouTube, which the government said had failed to register and submit to oversight.
But they soon reflected broader discontent, with many young people angry about what they call “nepo kids” of political leaders who enjoy luxurious lifestyles while most youth struggle to find work.
This photo released by the Utah Governor's Office on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 shows Tyler Robinson. (Utah Governor's Office via AP)
OREM, Utah (AP) — The man accused in the Charlie Kirk assassination had earlier expressed to family his opposition to the viewpoints of the conservative activist, the authorities said Friday in announcing an arrest in a targeted killing that raised fresh alarms about political violence in the United States.
Tyler Robinson, 22, had become “more political” in the run-up to the shooting and had indicated to a family friend afterward that he was responsible, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said. Cox also cited as key pieces of evidence engravings on bullets found in a rifle believed used in the attack as well as chatting app messages attributed to the shooting suspect that a roommate shared with law enforcement.
Cox, a Republican, called Kirk’s killing an “attack on the American experiment,” and he urged a new generation to “choose a different path.”
Robinson is believed to have acted alone, and the investigation is ongoing, Cox said.
Robinson’s arrest early Friday morning was disclosed by President Donald Trump, who said in a Fox News Channel interview that, “With a high degree of certainty, we have him.”
This undated combination of images provided provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)
Calls to telephone numbers listed for Robinson in public records rang unanswered.
News of the arrest came hours after the FBI and state officials had pleaded for public help by releasing additional photographs of the suspect, a move that seemed to indicate that law enforcement was uncertain of the person’s whereabouts.
Kirk was killed by a single shot in what police said was a targeted attack and Utah’s governor called a political assassination. Kirk co-founded the nonprofit political organization Turning Point USA, based in Arizona.
Authorities recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle near the scene of the shooting and had said the shooter jumped off a roof and vanished into the nearby woods afterward.
Kirk had been speaking at a debate hosted by Turning Point at Utah Valley University at the time of Wednesday’s shooting. He was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead hours later.
“He wanted to help young people, and he didn’t deserve this,” Trump said Friday. “He was really a good person.”
More than 7,000 leads and tips had poured in, officials said. Authorities have yet to cite a motive in the killing, the latest act of political violence to convulse the United States.
This photo released by the Utah Governor’s Office on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 shows Tyler Robinson. (Utah Governor’s Office via AP)
The videos show Kirk, who was influential in rallying young Republican voters, speaking into a handheld microphone when suddenly a shot rings out. Kirk reaches up with his right hand as blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators gasp and scream before people start running away.
The shooter, who investigators believe blended into the campus crowd because of a college-age appearance, fired one shot from the rooftop, according to authorities. Video released Thursday showed the person then walking through the grass and across the street before disappearing.
“I can tell you this was a targeted event,” said Robert Bohls, the top FBI agent in Salt Lake City.
Trump, who was joined by Democrats in condemning the violence, said he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, visited with Kirk’s family Thursday in Salt Lake City. Vance posted a remembrance on X chronicling their friendship, dating back to initial messages in 2017, through Vance’s Senate run and the 2024 election.
“So much of the success we’ve had in this administration traces directly to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene,” Vance wrote. “He didn’t just help us win in 2024, he helped us staff the entire government.”
Kirk’s casket was flown aboard Air Force Two from Utah to Phoenix, where his nonprofit political youth organization is based. Trump told reporters he plans to attend Kirk’s funeral. Details have not been announced.
A photo of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA who was shot and killed, stands at his vigil, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Kirk was taking questions about gun violence
Kirk was a conservative provocateur who became a powerful political force among young Republicans and was a fixture on college campuses, where he invited sometimes-vehement debate on social issues.
One such provocative exchange played out immediately before the shooting as Kirk was taking questions from an audience member about gun violence.
The debate hosted by Turning Point at the Sorensen Center on campus was billed as the first stop on Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour.”
The event generated a polarizing campus reaction. An online petition calling for university administrators to bar Kirk from appearing received nearly 1,000 signatures. The university issued a statement last week citing First Amendment rights and affirming its “commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry and constructive dialogue.”
Last week, Kirk posted on X images of news clips showing his visit was sparking controversy. He wrote, “What’s going on in Utah?”
Attendees barricaded themselves in classrooms
Some attendees who bolted after the gunshot rushed into two classrooms full of students. They used tables to barricade the door and to shield themselves in the corners. Someone grabbed an electric pencil sharpener and wrapped the cord tightly around the door handle, then tied the sharpener to a chair leg.
On campus Thursday, the canopy stamped with the slogan Kirk commonly used at his events — “PROVE ME WRONG” — stood, disheveled.
Meanwhile, the shooting continued to draw bipartisan condemnation as Democratic officials joined Trump and other Republican allies of Kirk in decrying the attack, which unfolded during a spike of political violence that has touched a range of ideologies and representatives of both major political parties.
Then and now: Peninsula Plaza (left) as it appeared during its three-decade run as a shopping center on Ratchadamri Road, and the newly built Grand Center Point Prestige Bangkok (right) that now occupies the same site, set to open December 1, 2025.
BANGKOK — A 4.5-billion-baht ($140 million) luxury hotel will open its doors this December on the former site of Peninsula Plaza, marking the end of an era for the iconic Ratchadamri Road shopping center that served Bangkok for over three decades before closing in 2022.
The 45-storey Grand Center Point Prestige Bangkok, featuring 509 rooms on a three-rai plot in Pathum Wan District, represents a major bet on Thailand’s tourism recovery as hotel operators report occupancy rates of 80-90% driven by surging demand from Asian, Chinese, European and Middle Eastern visitors.
Developer LH Mall & Hotel Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Land and Houses PCL, has accelerated the hotel’s opening from the first quarter of 2026 to December 1, 2025, citing strong booking momentum that has already filled 60-70% of December reservations at sister properties.
Grand Center Point Prestige Bangkok will open its doors this December.
The project underscores Bangkok’s hotel market transformation, with room rates starting at 8,000-10,000 baht positioning the property in the luxury segment. Combined with the neighboring Grand Center Point Ratchadamri, the two hotels will offer over 1,000 rooms to capitalize on Thailand’s tourism boom.
“Q3 has significantly outperformed Q2 this year,” said Kitti Worabanphot, Managing Director of LH Mall & Hotel Co Ltd, pointing to increasingly independent Chinese travelers with higher purchasing power as a key growth driver.
Market Expansion & Supply Growth
Carlos Martinez, Director of Research and Real Estate Consulting at Knight Frank Chartered (Thailand) Co, Ltd, said seven new hotels with a total of 1,906 rooms have opened this year, ranging from luxury to upper midscale, such as the Grand Center Point Lumpini, Four Points by Sheraton, Aman Nai Lert, Queensland Hotel and The Quarter.
In addition, 12 more hotels with 3,283 rooms are scheduled to open in the second half of 2025, reflecting continued growth and increasing competition. Many of the new hotels are located in newly developed or revitalized urban areas, leading to greater geographical diversification of the Bangkok hotel market.
Carlos Martinez
Domestic brands such as The Quarter and Queensland continue to expand aggressively in the mid to upscale segment, while international chains such as Radisson and Four Points are increasing their investments, a sign of long-term confidence in Bangkok’s market potential.
“The key question in the second half of the year is whether the market can absorb the more than 3,283 new rooms that will open by the end of the year. This will bring the total new supply to over 5,100 rooms in 2025, the fastest growth since COVID,” said Carlos.
Tourism Demand Challenges
“The biggest burden is the sharp decline in Chinese tourists, which have fallen by 35%. Although China remains the most important market for Thailand, the slowdown has hit mid-market hotels and those that rely on group travel the hardest.”
Carlos emphasized that in this context, the growth in revenue per available room is driven by occupancy, especially in peak months such as November and December, which benefit from the end-of-year holidays and demand from the MICE segment. However, midscale hotels are facing tough competition from new providers, which limits their pricing power.
In contrast, the luxury segment remains more resilient and is supported by long-haul travelers and high-income tourists from the region. Although price growth is modest and competition in the upscale market is increasing, Bangkok still offers a price advantage compared to Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. This could attract experiential travelers seeking value at competitive prices.
14 World-Class DJs and Producers Ignite Every Sense with Music and Lights
Together Festival 2025 once again proved why it’s among the world’s most anticipated electronic music festivals — daring to push boundaries and deliver fresh experiences fans can’t find anywhere else. On September 5–6, BITEC Bangna came alive with two unforgettable nights of electrifying beats, dazzling visuals, and nonstop energy, powered by 14 international DJs and producers blending iconic names with rising stars taking global social media by storm.
From 4 PM to midnight each day, fans gathered from across the globe to create “Magic Moments”:
Day 1 opened with Lookwa and Nuttrix X Yuuki, before JustUs, Apashe’s orchestral-inspired set, and Black Tiger Sex Machine’s bass-driven chaos raised the energy. MORTEN debuted Future Rave at Together Festival, setting a bold new tone, before Afrojack closed the night in superstar style.
Day 2 lit up with Shockko and SmylieK, Fairlane’s EDM-meets-rock guitar showcase, and surprise back-to-back sets from BabyJ & Tye Turner. Legends Paul Van Dyk and Andrew Rayel transported fans into trance-fueled dimensions, before Sub Zero Project delivered an explosive hardstyle finale.
Beyond the music, Together Festival 2025 reaffirmed its place as a global playground for EDM lovers — uniting fans, sparking new friendships, and serving groundbreaking experiences before anyone else.
With unmatched production, a fearless lineup, and an atmosphere that never disappoints, Together Festival once again set the benchmark for electronic music events in Thailand and beyond. For future updates, visit www.togetherfestival.net
Journalists photograph the lions involved in the fatal attack on their keeper, held in cages at Safari World, Bangkok, Sept. 11, 2025.
BANGKOK — Safari World’s Predator Zone has been temporarily closed following a deadly lion mauling that killed a zookeeper, with authorities citing widespread safety violations and substandard animal welfare conditions.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation ordered the immediate closure on September 12, 2025 after an urgent inspection revealed the park’s safety standards were 80% below acceptable levels.
Male lion “Trump” (circled), the first to pounce on the keeper in the fatal attack, is held in a cage at Safari World, Bangkok, Sept. 11, 2025.
Fatal Attack Details
A pack of five lions—Trump, Bite, Aon, Ai, and Yao—attacked and killed their caretaker in what officials are calling a preventable tragedy. The approximately 10-year-old lions, led by male lion Trump, are now being held in separate enclosures while experts evaluate their behavior.
If the lions cannot be rehabilitated, they will be relocated to the company’s Prachinburi facility and replaced with new animals.
Lions involved in the fatal attack on their keeper are held in cages at Safari World, Bangkok, Sept. 11, 2025.
Systemic Safety Failures
Department Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa’s inspection team uncovered 23 critical deficiencies that must be corrected within 30 days, including:
Damaged fencing systems with multiple breaches in the 3-meter double-barrier design
Inadequate warning signage particularly in English
Missing security cameras in blind spots
Unstaffed gate control posts during critical hours
Animal Welfare Crisis Inspectors found disturbing conditions throughout the facility:
Lion enclosures plagued by flooding, poor ventilation, and inadequate lighting
Tiger cubs suffering from skin infections caused by unsanitary, humid conditions
Substandard living conditions across multiple animal habitats
Immediate Actions Required The park must implement emergency protocols
Lions involved in the fatal attack on their keeper are held in cages at Safari World, Bangkok, Sept. 11, 2025.
License at Risk
The facility faces an uncertain future as authorities review whether to renew license permits. The park has 30 days to address all violations or risk permanent closure of its predator attractions.
Thailand’s Royal Irrigation Department (RID), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a special project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to address recurring floods and droughts. The initiative integrates Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) strategies and emphasizes community participation to enhance long-term water management and agricultural resilience through data, technology and participatory infrastructure development.
Reliable Weather and Water Data for Climate-Smart Agriculture
To support better agricultural planning, the project will provide reliable weather and water data. This will help farmers adjust their planting cycles and reduce risks from extreme weather events. Training sessions will be also held to ensure effective use of this information for improved productivity and sustainability.
Strengthening Water Infrastructure with Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and Community Engagement
The project will construct new floodgates and upgrade existing infrastructure to improve water management and reduce flood and drought risks. Additionally, EbA approaches, such as wetland restoration and natural water retention systems, will be integrated to enhance resilience and sustainability.
Local communities will play an active role in planning and decision-making, ensuring that infrastructure improvements align with their needs. By combining engineering solutions with nature-based approaches, the project aims to create more effective and sustainable water management systems.
Supporting Agricultural Technology and Resilient Farming Practices
Farmers will receive training on modern agricultural technologies and best practices for improving water efficiency, increasing productivity, and adapting to climate variability. The project will also support access to essential tools and resources, helping communities build long-term resilience and improve market opportunities.
Promoting Inclusive Participation and Gender Equality
Recognizing the importance of inclusive development, the project ensures that both men and women farmers have equal access to resources, training, and decision-making opportunities. This approach strengthens community resilience and ensures that climate adaptation strategies benefit all members of society.
The golden Dusit Thani Hotel rises among Bangkok's towering skyscrapers.
BANGKOK — Dusit Thani Public Company Limited announced major leadership changes Friday, with the resignation of Group Chief Executive Officer Suphajee Suthumpun and the appointment of her replacement, effective immediately.
The company’s Board of Directors Meeting No. 11/2025, held on September 12, approved several significant resolutions following Suphajee’s departure from her dual roles as Director and Group CEO.
New Leadership Takes Charge
Chanin Donavanik has been appointed as the new Group Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Suphajee who cited “other commitments requiring her full-time dedication” as the reason for her resignation.
The board also approved the appointment of Pakhawat Kovithvathanaphong as Director, filling the board position vacated by Suphajee’s departure.
Suphajee Suthumpun and Chanin Donavanik pose together during the press conference announcing the CEO and Director changes at Dusit Thani on September 12, 2025.
Board Restructuring
In additional changes, Somprasong Boonyachai was appointed as Independent Director, replacing Nualphan Lamsam who had previously resigned from the position.
The leadership transition also required updates to the company’s signing authority structure. The board approved changes to reflect the new composition, with signing power now held jointly by any two of three directors: Chanin Donavanik, Sinee Thienprasiddhi, and Pakhawat Kovithvathanaphong.
Immediate Implementation
All appointments and changes to the directors’ signing authority took effect on September 12, 2025, ensuring continuity in the hotel group’s operations during the leadership transition. The announcements were made in compliance with Stock Exchange of Thailand notification requirements, reflecting the company’s commitment to transparency in corporate governance matters.
The golden Dusit Thani Hotel rises among Bangkok’s towering skyscrapers.
Corporate Battle Intensifies
The leadership changes come amid a bitter family feud within Dusit Thani’s founding dynasty. The 76-year-old hotel empire faces unprecedented turmoil as the founding family remains locked in a corporate battle, with an extraordinary shareholder meeting scheduled for September 26, 2025, that could potentially remove newly appointed CEO Chanin Donavanik from the board entirely.
Chanin, son of late founder Lady Chanut Piyaoui, has accused his two sisters of orchestrating what he calls an “unjust takeover” of the family business. The appointment of Chanin as CEO appears to be a strategic move in the ongoing power struggle, though his position remains precarious with the upcoming shareholder vote that could determine control of the luxury hotel group.
Political Appointment
Suphajee’s resignation becomes clearer in light of her acceptance of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s proposal to serve as Commerce Minister in the new administration. The former CEO’s move from corporate leadership to a cabinet position explains her cited reason of “other commitments requiring her full-time dedication.”
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul introduces Suphajee Suthumpun, who will serve as Commerce Minister, at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters on September 10, 2025.
Suphajee Suthumpun outlined her priorities during a September 12 press conference, emphasizing her intention to leverage both domestic and international experience to address Thailand’s multifaceted economic challenges.
Acknowledging the limited timeframe of just four months before the general election, Suphajee stated her commitment to fast-tracking key policies that can deliver rapid results. She specifically highlighted cost-of-living concerns and broader macroeconomic issues as priority areas requiring immediate attention.
Meanwhile, the corporate infighting at Dusit Thani has cast uncertainty over the future direction of the luxury hotel group, which operates properties across Thailand and internationally, making the leadership crisis particularly significant for the broader hospitality industry.
Chanthaburi border checkpoint remains closed on September 11, 2025, despite GBC talks in Koh Kong promising potential reopening of select checkpoints to ease economic hardship.
The Japanese Embassy in Bangkok probably didn’t see it coming.
Yesterday, 11 September, 2025, after the Embassy posted a comment from the Japan Foreign Affairs Spokesperson regarding Japan’s support for the planned reopening of some border checkpoints along the Thai-Cambodian border (which is now being opposed by some Thais, including the popular Second Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang), the embassy came under fervent attack by ultra-nationalist Thais on its Facebook page.
This came after the Japanese government proposed that Thailand and Cambodia consider discussing the reopening of certain border crossings to allow for the transport of essential goods and maintain the security of the supply chain.
A large number of Thai ultra-nationalists have since commented on the Japanese Embassy in Thailand’s Facebook page. They’ve criticised the Japanese government’s stance, with many expressing disappointment and some demanding an explanation from Japan.
Thanavadee Pauw posted the following comment below the Japanese Embassy’s post in Thai; it attracted over 500 likes after 15 hours. Here is the English translation.
”Is this a great friend [of Thailand] for over 400 years? So, you see the sovereignty of Thailand as a business to line your own pockets, do you? Are you a friend or a foe? You moved your factories to Cambodia on your own, didn’t you? For cheaper labour than in Thailand. You have to be responsible for your own business, not Thailand.
”What does your business have to do with Thai sovereignty? Do you want Thai people to boycott your products? Do we Thais have to go back to singing ‘Made in Thailand’ again? … And when Thailand lost the Preah Vihear temple, one of the committee members who voted for the temple to belong to Cambodia was Japan. You never came to see the geographical conditions even once to see what kind of terrain the temple is on. The words ‘friend’ and ‘foe’ sound similar but have different meanings. Don’t interfere with the sovereignty of Thailand. Every country should respect the sovereignty of other nations. Opening the border is like supporting scammers, call centres, and casinos, giving the Hun Sen family money to buy weapons to harm the Thai people.”
Another Thai, Arisa Chatharaboontha, posted the following message in Thai on the Japanese Embassy’s Facebook page. This one attracted over 1,600 likes as of 11 am today, a day after.
”To the Government of Japan
Regarding the recent events, Cambodia has used heavy weapons, which resulted in the death of Thai people. Missiles and other heavy weapons remain in Cambodia’s possession, and they are capable of firing them at Thai communities. They may also use long-range missiles to strike military bases and industrial factories in Thailand’s eastern region, including those belonging to Japan and other countries.
”Thailand has therefore had to close the border to pressure Cambodia into ceasing its policy of military violence, bombing, and the accumulation and movement of heavy weapons near the Thai border, as well as its opportunistic and hostile military actions against Thailand. This measure is also intended to expedite successful border demarcation negotiations.
”The Japanese Ambassador is directly interfering in the conflict using trade, without understanding the security implications for the Kingdom of Thailand. This makes Thailand’s tactical operations extremely difficult and causes distress and fear among Thai people in the border areas who rely on the highest level of protection from Thailand’s security forces.
”We would like the Government of Japan and the Ambassador to exercise greater prudence in your stance and to avoid pressuring for an abrupt end to the conflict. You should use the alternative shipping routes that already exist for sending goods to Cambodia, such as seaports and airports, and take responsibility not to compromise any of Thailand’s security policies during this dangerous time.
”Furthermore, prioritising your business interests by requesting the reopening of land border crossings may come at the cost of the lives of Thai people and Thai soldiers, as well as the risk of Cambodian missiles striking your factories and those of other countries in the eastern region. Please do not forget that Cambodian military spies and illegal labourers can infiltrate the Kingdom of Thailand via cross-border cargo trucks.”
Such strong sentiments by ultra-nationalist Thais are regrettable and counter-productive. It risks alienating Japan, one of Thailand’s key allies and trade partners.
Thais need to be mindful. The fact that a third country, which is Japan, wants Thailand to reopen its border again means that the months-long closure is starting to severely affect the supply chains of Japanese companies in Thailand and Cambodia. If the new Anutin Charnveerakul administration doesn’t respond quickly and lets the Thai military and these netizens dictate the border policy, it risks impacting not just Japanese business and investment in Thailand, but Thai employees of those Japanese factories and companies.
Thais who are still not overcome by ultra-nationalism should publicly demand that the border be reopened for goods and for business people who can prove their activities are legitimate, not part of the grey economy such as call centre scammers or casinos in Cambodia. Regarding concerns that Thais might go to casinos or work for call centre gangs, any Thai person wishing to cross the land border should be required to provide evidence that they have a legitimate business or trade to do in Cambodia, and vice versa.
Anyone who cannot prove this should not be allowed to cross for now – in order to placate the Thai ultra-nationalists.
If those in Thai society who are still able to think independently and critically remain silent, the Thai economy will ultimately be hit with a massive impact.
Japanese businesses in Thailand are already suffering and being severely affected. That’s why the Japanese Foreign Ministry had to step forward and make a public request, which has caused a backlash by ultra-nationalist Thai netizens.
We should not and cannot allow petty ultra-nationalism to cloud our judgement and damage our country further.
