Unsafe dust pollution covers nearly half of ThailandListen to this articleA map from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) shows unsafe levels of PM2.5 in Bangkok and many provinces in the Central Plains, East and Northeast on Thursday morning. Ultra-fine dust pollution reached unsafe levels in Bangkok and 36 provinces including one designated red (seriously harmful) on Thursday morning, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda). Samut Sakhon province, southwest of Bangkok, recorded the highest concentration at 78.7µg/m³, which is a seriously harmful level. Very good air quality was detected in six provinces, mostly in the South, with PM2.5 levels between 10.2 and 13.7µg/m³. The provinces included Krabi, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Mae Hong Son and Satun.

Party puts leader Anutin and acting foreign minister Sihasak on its list for Feb 8 electionListen to this articlePrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, right, and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow at Government House in October. (Bangkok Post file photo: Chanat Katanyu)The governing Bhumjaithai Party has resolved to name two prime ministerial candidates for the Feb 8 general election: leader and caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. The announcement said Mr Anutin had experience in national administration and people supported his continuous work in the government. Mr Anutin is the most suitable choice,” the statement said. The party said that Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas had agreed to stay on if the party leads the next government.

Property, trading pose high credit riskListen to this articlePotential homebuyers browse residential projects at a recent House and Condo Expo. Although property sales improved in recent months, the financial condition of some developers has continued to weaken, noted the central bank. Wisuttipong RodpaiThe Bank of Thailand has expressed concern over rising credit risks among some large corporations with high debt-to-equity (D/E) ratios, particularly in the property and trading sectors. The sectors facing the greatest risk include property development and trading businesses. Given the elevated risks in the property sector, the central bank said it will continue to monitor developments.

"In 2026, Thailand must win back tourists by rebuilding trust via safety measures and memorable experiences," said TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. This week, caravan tours from Singapore and Malaysia are scheduled to visit Hat Yai for the first time since the incident. During the New Year holiday, TAT will organise countdown events in nine areas in the South, including the "Amazing Thailand Su-Ngai Kolok Countdown 2026" in Narathiwat and "Hat Yai Light Up Countdown". The agency is also supporting countdown events nationwide, including in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Roi Et, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Kamphaeng Phet. The Amazing Thailand Ambassador campaign featuring Thai pop star Lalisa Manoban is slated to launch on Jan 29, with nearly 100 influencers and overseas opinion leaders attending.

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza warListen to this articleChristian scouts march during Christmas eve celebrations at Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. (Photo: AFP)BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories - Scouts marched under a clear blue sky in Bethlehem on Wednesday, as the Palestinian city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza to celebrate its first festive Christmas in more than two years. Throughout the Gaza war that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, a sombre tone marked Chistmases in Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ. ‘There’s still life’Bethlehem’s municipality chose to tone down Christmas festivities while war raged in Gaza — a Palestinian coastal territory geographically separated from the West Bank by Israel. The senior cleric visited war-battered Gaza over the weekend, leading a Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City on Sunday.

Industrial land sales miss target as investors run scaredListen to this articleMr Sumet expects the IEAT's industrial land sales to increase in fiscal 2026 despite economic challenges. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has missed its land sales target for fiscal 2025, underscoring the impact of global trade tensions and domestic political uncertainty on investor confidence. The authority expected to sell 12,000 rai of land, but managed only 8,000 rai for the year ending Sept 30. They wanted to wait until the tariff situation between Thailand and the US was settled," said IEAT governor Sumet Thangprasert. Mr Sumet expressed optimism that sales would improve, despite challenges from tariffs, currency fluctuations, geopolitical conflicts and tensions with Cambodia.

Twin disasters mark yearListen to this articleRubble is seen of the State Audit Office building that collapsed during the March 28 earthquake. Apichart JinakulTwin disasters mark yearAmong the biggest news stories in Thailand in 2025 were two major disasters -- a deadly earthquake felt in Bangkok and a catastrophic flood that inundated Hat Yai, the economic hub of the South. Flooding affected 12 southern provinces, killing more than 270 people and disrupting the lives of millions. Other than physical damage, the disasters disrupted livelihoods and schooling, deepening economic hardship and social inequality, with farmers, low-income households, and the elderly being hit the hardest. Economic losses in the city alone were estimated at up to 12 billion baht, with regional losses possibly reaching 100 billion baht.

Kingdom a pioneer in protecting LGBTQ+ rightsListen to this articleA couple registers their marriage on Jan 23, joining about 1,800 same-sex partners nationwide marking the first day the Marriage Equality Act came into force. Former prime minister Srettha Thavisin, who has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in both his businesses and political career, was invited as a key speaker at the forum. Citing the Act, he said Thailand needs to keep supporting the spirit behind Pride Month to ensure LGBTQ+ rights are protected. Cafés and wedding planners have begun offering services tailored to LGBTQ+ couples, boosting tourism and invigorating regional economies. Public displays of affection among LGBTQ+ couples are increasingly normalised.

Push to reduce dropoutsListen to this articleThe government is intensifying efforts to tackle teenage pregnancy and prevent adolescents from dropping out of school through the Thailand Zero Dropout initiative. Under the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention and Solution Act, B.E. Local administrative organisations have implemented 2,241 projects addressing teenage pregnancy. Adolescents have accessed sexual and reproductive health services, with 31,355 consultations via hotlines and the "1663" Facebook page. The Public Health Ministry, in partnership with the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), is supporting pregnant teens' return to school through the Thailand Zero Dropout programme.

Minister denies rumours of Cambodian deportationsListen to this articleLabour Minister Treenuch Thienthong denied a rumour that Cambodian workers in Thailand are to be deported on Feb 13 due to work permit issues. Cambodian workers with no work permits are allowed to work until March 31, 2026, she said. Cambodian nationals who have renewed their work permits -- for those whose original permits expired on Feb 13, 2025 -- will also be able to remain in Thailand to work until Feb 13, 2027. After that, they can renew their work permits once for a maximum period of two years, that is, until Feb 13, 2029. Therefore, there are no Cambodian workers whose work permits expire on Feb 13, 2026, who will have to be deported, she said.

The market is focused on Friday's meeting between Thai gold traders and the central bank, as the industry pushes for alternative measures to relieve pressure on the baht. Major traders and the Gold Traders Association plan to discuss efforts to mitigate the impact of the proposed controls, which include the imposition of a specific business tax on online gold trading. Ms Pawan warned overly strict measures or new taxes could push activity towards illegal gold traders, recalling past crackdowns on underground gold trading fairs. During periods of heightened volatility, daily gold trading has spiked to as high as 255 billion baht. The industry also believes strict controls could significantly hurt Thailand's gold trading business, Mr Kritcharat noted.

(File photo: Government House)The Constitutional Court on Wednesday concluded its examination of six key witnesses in a case concerning alleged interference by former deputy prime minister and defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai and former justice minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong in the Senate election collusion investigation. The court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on Jan 21. The case stems from a petition signed by 92 senators accusing the two former ministers in the Srettha Thavisin administration of abusing their authority by pushing for the alleged Senate collusion case to be handled as a special case by the DSI. The senators allege the ministers misused their power by employing the DSI as a tool to influence the Election Commission's investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2024 Senate election. After the conclusion of witness hearings yesterday, the court ordered both parties to submit their written closing statements by Jan 6, 2026.

Senate approves 2 NACC commissionersListen to this articleThe Senate has approved two nominees, namely Suchart Suntreekasem and Manuphan Yotthasaen, to serve as commissioners of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Mr Suchart, a former Criminal Court judge, was nominated to replace NACC chairman Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, while Mr Manuphan, a former presiding judge of the Supreme Court, was nominated to succeed NACC committee member Suwanna Suwanjuta. Both nominations were approved during Wednesday's Senate meeting, chaired by Speaker Mongkol Surasajja, after having previously been vetted by a Senate screening committee chaired by Sen Gen Sawat Tassana. Mr Suchart and Mr Manuphan both surpassed the approval threshold of at least half of all senators' votes, receiving 150 and 162 votes in favour, respectively. As a result, both candidates were formally endorsed as NACC commissioners.

In the recording, Ms Paetongtarn could be heard criticising Thailand’s then-Second Army Region commander Gen Boonsin Pladklang, calling him an obstacle to negotiations. Hun Sen escalated the controversy by publicly blaming former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms Paetongtarn’s father, for the border dispute before severing ties with him in July. Ms Paetongtarn admitted the recording was authentic and apologised to the public on June 19, describing it as a negotiating tactic. The ruling forced the Pheu Thai Party into opposition. That said, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to host further talks under the General Border Committee framework in Chanthaburi yesterday.

Nutthawat WichieanbutNation mourns Queen Sirikit's passingThe death of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother on Oct 24 led to national mourning for a beloved queen who oversaw Thailand's transition in the latter half of the 20th century. As His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, or King Rama IX, was among the world's longest-reigning monarchs, she too was one of the world's longest-serving queen consorts. Queen Sirikit travelled throughout Thailand and introduced various development projects that have increased the dignity and income of countless people. Queen Sirikit aimed to turn the saline soil into something productive by supporting tree growth with roots that hold freshwater beneath the soil, which enabled cultivation and farming on such land. "The passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother marks the profound loss of the 'Great Mother of the Thai Nation,'" Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Oct 25.