Dib leans into a global perspective, a truly international interpretation of modern art, and not just a creative space that is based in Bangkok. The museum is also celebrating internationally recognized Thai artists, including Pinaree Sanpitak, the late Montien Boonma, and Thaiwijit Puengkasemsomboon. Does that mean Bangkok is now taking contemporary art more seriously? Dib offers a different experience to other prominent art spaces in Bangkok, namely MOCA and established independent galleries. This is how you know when a city’s art scene is evolving: there can be a handful of everything, and we can enjoy the privilege of having more than one contemporary art museum.

Guru By Bangkok Post is making sure that even if you blink, you don’t miss out on the new taste tinglers that are worth mentioning, in Bangkok and beyond. Authenticity takes a back seat to creativity, humour and individuality, a half-breed interpretation of Thai flavours shaped by expat experiences. At the heart of its revival is chef Phatchara "Pom" Pirapak, whose is known for her precise craftsmanship and understanding of Thai flavours. The menu reflects the enduring identity of Thai cuisine, celebrating aromatic herbs, distinctive cooking techniques and the subtle interplay of sour, salty, and sweet. Chef de cuisine Kamil Kuczynski blends global cooking techniques, premium meats, local Thai produce and the distinctive character of traditional fire-based preparation.

This creates a subtle but persistent pressure - not to spend extravagantly, but to appear capable of spending steadily. To keep up with a rhythm that looks modest on screen, but demands repetition in real life. Spending still happens, but approached in a more careful manner, filtered through questions that are rarely discussed online. In a city that is visually dense and socially dynamic, this quieter relationship with money feels less like retreat and more like calibration. What it is learning now is how to do so under constant visual pressure, without mistaking appearance for affordability, or repetition for ease.

A group of five artists present a journey of self-exploration that traverses both time and space during "The Wayfarer In Motion", which is running at Tang Contemporary Art, until Jan 11. Zhao Yu has long researched the "Sun God" as a core symbol carrying the cultural evolution of both East and West. While Sun worship represents humanity's most primal impulse to journey to pursue inner desire, its outward exploration ultimately returns to the self. Tang Contemporary ArtBoth Verapat and Duairak's works present natural landscapes brimming with joy and vitality. Tang Contemporary Art is located at Room 201-206 of River City Bangkok, Charoen Krung 24, and opens daily from 11am to 7pm, except Monday.

Listen to this articleA closer look at the demand and supply of commodities offers a clearer picture of the market, but may not always shed light on the complexity of the economy. Looking beyond economic factors, analysts and business leaders often use a political lens to grasp the meaning of a range of issues such as the Thai-Cambodian border clashes to years-long unsettled disputes between the US and China. Geopolitical conflicts were under the spotlight throughout 2025 and this trend is likely to continue in 2026. Several political quarrels are expected to set political-economic themes for 2026 in sectors ranging from trade and tourism to mining in far-flung areas.

Border trade marred in 2026 by conflictListen to this articleCambodian workers return to their home country via a checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province amid ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. The ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is expected to continue to hamper trade in 2026. In September, the Department of Foreign Trade projected total border trade for 2026 would align with 2025 estimates, ranging from 1.81-1.85 trillion baht. Jiraphant Asvatanakul, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Border Trade and Cross-Border Trade Strategic Committee, forecasts a negative outlook for border trade revenue this year due to tension and closures along the Cambodian border, as well as weak consumer purchasing power in Myanmar and Laos. In 2026, Mr Jiraphant does not expect significant economic changes for neighbouring countries, though Vietnam is an exception.

AG pressed for in-depth Senate poll probeListen to this articleA group of reserve senators on Monday called on the attorney-general to ensure a comprehensive investigation takes place into alleged collusion in the 2024 Senate selection process. He said the group had earlier filed a complaint with the DSI as directly affected parties under the constitution. He said selective legal action would undermine the credibility and integrity of the entire Senate selection process. Mr Thanawat said the group would consider pursuing legal action against certain agencies if the case is concluded without a complete and fair investigation. The DSI has been probing the case for more than nine months.

Listen to this articleThe National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has launched a fact-finding probe following the circulation of an audio clip allegedly featuring a senior police officer demanding kickbacks from illegal businesses in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The NACC on Monday confirmed it was examining the authenticity and substance of the audio recording, which has spread widely on social media. Meanwhile, Chawang Police Station released a statement addressing the viral clip, which was posted on a Facebook page along with an image of Pol Maj Gen Kriangsak and provocative captions. Following the release of the clip, national police chief Kittharath Punpetch signed an order transferring Pol Maj Gen Kriangsak to the RTP's Operations Centre. He was relieved of his Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police command, with Pol Maj Gen Pornchai Khajornklin, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, stepping in as the acting commander on Sunday.

Medical gear purchases trigger graft concernsListen to this articleThe Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) on Monday raised concerns over possible irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment worth 603 million baht by several state-run hospitals, saying pricing showed significant discrepancies. The procurement was carried out through an e-bidding process with the median price set at 4.5 million baht per unit, bringing the total budget to 603 million baht. However, Phrapokklao Hospital signed a contract at 1.95 million baht per unit, or 2.55 million baht below the median price. The discrepancies in price raised questions about whether the median price was set far above market levels, said the ACT. If irregularities were involved, it could cost the state more than 340 million baht for 134 units that were procured, the ACT added.

Another health appListen to this articleThe Public Health Ministry is set to relaunch its Mohpromt application next month, pivoting from its role as a central platform for Covid-19 vaccinations to a comprehensive digital health "super app". For an average citizen, the digital health landscape appears like a confusing maze. There is Paotang, the government's primary welfare platform featuring a "health wallet"; the National Health Security Office (NHSO) app for universal healthcare beneficiaries; and SSO-plus for those under social security. It remains unclear whether the new Mohpromt app will absorb this function or simply create yet another redundant link back to the welfare app. It goes without saying that the Public Health Ministry has not disclosed the price tag for the new Mohpromt.

What happens when Christmas loses its soul to AI? The melodies were more or less the same -- recognisable as Silent Night, The First Noël, and Winter Wonderland. I first heard Winter Wonderland about 40 years after its lyricist, Richard Bernhard Smith, died in 1935; another 50 years have passed since then. In this case, the death of Winter Wonderland -- and Christmas music more generally -- was caused by a set of algorithms that we flatteringly call artificial intelligence. The tortured version of Winter Wonderland that I was forced to listen to is just the tip of the iceberg.

The great powers have displayed both diplomatic manoeuvring and ambivalence in responding to a longstanding conflict between smaller states. Of late, competing priorities elsewhere among great powers are the main reason. However, great powers can only stretch so far as they have domestic constraints. More importantly, any escalation would force the great powers to make choices they would rather avoid. Small states, intentionally or not, can expose the limits of the great powers' influence.

Listen to this articleThailand's car exports dropped 12% year-on-year between January and November to 78,692 units, as internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles lost ground in overseas markets amid growing competition, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). He noted China's surge in BEV exports has outpaced Thailand's, which still relies heavily on ICE shipments. Domestically, car sales rose 5.2% year-on-year to 546,045 units in the first 11 months, with November sales jumping 20.6% to 51,044 units. The club is maintaining its 2025 production target of 1.45 million units, including 950,000 for export and 500,000 for the domestic market. Thailand's car production in November climbed 11% year-on-year to 130,222 units, driven by increased BEV manufacturing under government incentive schemes.

Ttb debt aid tallies B40bn this yearListen to this articleTMBThanachart Bank (ttb) has provided debt assistance totalling 40 billion baht this year through a range of financial relief measures. Under these two measures, ttb extended financial support to 81,000 customers covering a total credit line of 40 billion baht. The bank recorded 14,000 mortgage loan accounts participating in the scheme, representing a total credit line of 20 billion baht and generating interest savings of around 300 million baht. For example, while the initiative was intended to serve as a customer's final debt restructuring, some participants later refinanced their loans with other banks. Debt relief and financial literacy programmes have proven effective in improving customers' financial knowledge and overall well-being, he said.

Listen to this articleProtesters gather at the US Embassy in Bangkok to oppose the deal on rare earth mineral cooperation between Thailand and the US. The deal raises concerns over the impact of Thai mining as well as diplomatic ties with China. Washington and Beijing are at odds over restrictions on rare earth exports, triggering trade tensions as the US defence sector depends on rare earth magnets for systems such as F-35 jets, according to media reports. "For China, this matter is not only commercial but also strategic, as rare earth materials are essential to weapons systems and digital technologies -- key areas of competition between the two superpowers," said Mr Somjai. Rare earth elements are crucial for manufacturing advanced technologies such as smartphones, electric vehicles and military equipment.