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16/09/2025

Following reports in the media regarding Cambodian incursions into Thai sovereign territory in Trat province, the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command (CTBDC) has expressed its appreciation to the press for bringing the issue to public attention.

The command also issued a clarification on the situation.

According to the CTBDC, the areas in question fall within Thailand’s claimed territory under a 1:50,000 scale map. The encroachments were identified at three specific points:

A Cambodian Border Police Company 825 building, which extended about 15 metres into Thai-claimed land.

A trench line in a rubber plantation, with approximately 125 metres of the plantation area extending into Thailand’s claimed territory.

A trench line of Cambodia’s Reconnaissance Company 1, Battalion 501, which intruded around 30 metres into Thai-claimed territory.

The CTBDC stated that in all three cases, Cambodian personnel have been pushed back, and no opposing forces remain in the disputed areas. The command added that measures are being taken in line with existing bilateral agreements, and it will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure compliance.

Trat province shares a long border with Cambodia. In Mueang district, four subdistricts, Tha K*m, Takang, Chamrak, and Laem Klat, border Veal Veng district of Pursat province.

In Khlong Yai district, three subdistricts, Mai Rut, Khlong Yai, and Hat Lek, border Koh Kong province.

Along this stretch, Cambodia has encroached on 17 points under the framework of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 43).

Over the past three to four years, parliamentary committees, including the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs, the House Committee on Military Affairs, as well as the National Security Council (NSC), have conducted regular visits to monitor the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border.

During these visits, the Trat Marine Task Force and the 3rd Marine Ranger Control Unit provided briefings and explanations regarding the recurring problems after a proposal to open a permanent border crossing between Ban Thasen in Thailand and Thmor Da in Veal Veng district, Pursat province.

The NSC opposed the plan after Cambodia constructed a second casino building and military barracks encroaching into Thai territory, which it has refused to dismantle.

Although business groups in Trat had offered three million baht to fund the demolition of the structures, the Cambodian government rejected the proposal.

As a result, the NSC declined to approve the border crossing, despite efforts by the Trat private sector and local politicians, who had already invested more than 50 million baht in a four-lane road to connect with Cambodia’s road network.

According to the CTBDC, Cambodian encroachment under the framework of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 43) involves 17 points in total, comprising:

Mueang district, Chamrak subdistrict: 4 points

Mueang district, Laem Klat subdistrict: 6 points

Khlong Yai district, Mai Rut subdistrict: 5 points

Khlong Yai subdistrict: 1 point

Hat Lek subdistrict: 1 point

Read more: https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/asean/40055510

16/09/2025

Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput has voiced serious concerns about the nation's fiscal stability, warning that a weak financial position could lead to a downgrade of its credit rating.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, the governor stated there was no need for further economic stimulus and urged the government to save its resources for a genuine crisis.
Sethaput highlighted that Thailand's current economic situation requires a balanced approach, combining both stimulus and austerity.
"Looking ahead, I am very concerned about our financial stability," he said. "Our fiscal position isn't as strong as it once was, as we had to use considerable resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. What we want to see now is that after using our ammunition, we must tighten our belts to rebuild a stable fiscal foundation for the medium term."
He explained that a healthy economy rests on three pillars: fiscal policy, the balance of payments and currency, and debt from financial institutions.
While the country is generally performing well, he stressed that fiscal stability is a critical area that requires special attention.
Failure to do so could lead to the government using its limited budget for unnecessary stimulus, which poses a risk to the country’s credit rating.

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16/09/2025

The Asia-Pacific hotel investment market saw transaction volumes fall to $4.7 billion in the first half of 2025, a decrease of approximately 23% compared to the same period last year, according to a report by real estate consultancy JLL.
This decline reflects a more cautious approach to investment amidst heightened global macroeconomic and policy uncertainty.
Japan led the region with the highest transaction value at $1,500 million, followed by China ($744 million), Australia ($664 million), Singapore ($546 million), and South Korea ($504 million).
Together, these five markets accounted for over 84% of all deals in the region. Thailand, however, stood out with an investment value of $301 million (approximately 9,800 million baht), driven primarily by domestic investors.
JLL projects that investment in the country is set to increase, potentially reaching $650 million by the end of the year.
JLL analysts attributed the slowdown to a widening gap between the price expectations of buyers and sellers.
While sellers have held firm on their asking prices, buyers have extended their due diligence periods.

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16/09/2025

The World Gold Council has released its latest report for September 2025, revealing a number of surprises in the global gold reserves rankings.
The top spot remains unchanged, with the United States predictably holding the number one position with a massive 8,133.5 tonnes of gold.
This staggering amount is more than double that of second-place Germany, reflecting the U.S.'s unshakable economic dominance.
However, the most notable change in the rankings is the remarkable rise of Thailand.
The country's continuous accumulation of gold has led to a surprising jump in its position, climbing to 22nd in the world with a total of 244.2 tonnes of gold in its possession.
This amount constitutes 7.3% of the country's total international reserves and places Thailand firmly on the radar of global economic observers.

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16/09/2025

The Shinawatra family has signalled its full commitment to the Pheu Thai Party, as members gave a standing ovation to Khunying Potjaman Damapong, the ex-wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who made a rare public appearance to rally party MPs.
Her simple message to "fight on" was met with a thunderous round of applause, understood to be a clear sign that the family intends to remain a powerful force in Thai politics.
The event took place at the party's weekly meeting on Tuesday, presided over by deputy leader Chusak Sirinil and key figure Suriya Juangroongruangkit.
Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter, was also present, receiving a warm round of applause from members as she entered the room.

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16/09/2025

The House of Representatives is scheduled to deliberate six amendment bills seeking to lower the minimum age of candidates contesting for the presidency of local administrations.
Three of the bills have been submitted by the Bhumjaithai Party and the other three by the Chart Pattana Party.
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16/09/2025

Police have arrested seven suspects, including a Laotian man, while they were allegedly withdrawing cash from ATMs in Lamphun for a Chinese call-centre gang operating along the Lao border.
Officers from the Provincial Police Bureau 5 made the arrests at the Wiang Nong Long branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Lamphun’s Mueang district at 3 pm.
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16/09/2025

About 100 Cambodian protesters stormed into the border area at Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo and dismantled razor wires erected by Thai soldiers on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident took place at around 3 pm and it was captured in video clips and photos posted on a local page, Ban Khanad Mon community. The page reported the incident, at about 3.34 pm.
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16/09/2025

Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, governor of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), has reflected on his five-year tenure steering the country’s monetary policy through unprecedented crises, while laying financial foundations for the future.
He made the remarks during the BOT’s “Meet the Press” event — the second of the year but his last in office before retirement on September 30.

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16/09/2025

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing the most significant transformation of Victory Monument in two decades after approving a major budget for landscape improvements and bus stop upgrades.
The project aims to turn the landmark into a seamless transport hub connecting buses, rail, skywalks and pavements, in line with the city’s ambition to become a “Car Free Everyday” metropolis where people can travel conveniently without private cars.

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16/09/2025

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul entered the Cabinet Secretariat building on Tuesday afternoon, reportedly to check on the progress of qualification screenings for his nominated Cabinet members.
Anutin arrived at Government House in his Rolls-Royce at 1.08 pm and went directly to the Cabinet Secretariat.
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16/09/2025

Thailand’s new government reviews property sector proposals, including a 50% land tax cut, while halting the 99-year leasehold scheme.

The new Thai government is reviewing proposals from the property and construction sectors to stimulate the market amid ongoing economic slowdown.

Siripong Angkhasakulkiat, deputy leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, said on Tuesday that discussions are underway with various business sectors before the government officially takes office, aiming to gather feedback and perspectives to design suitable measures.

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