Thonburi prison inmate dies of mpoxThonburi Remand Prison. (Photo: Bangkok Post)A male prison inmate, 44, with underlying diseases including HIV died of monkeypox at Thonburi Remand Prison early last week, and about 100 other inmates and personnel are under observation, according to health authorities. Dr Montien Kanasawat, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said on Saturday the male inmate died at the Medical Correctional Institution in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, on Feb 11. He said the inmate was sent to Thonburi Remand Prison on Jan 20 with some wounds on his leg. Doctors assumed the inmate was infected with mpox before he entered the prison, and his illness was severe because he lacked medication for HIV, the director-general said.

Injured jumbo dies despite vets' best effortsPhoto: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant ConservationAn elephant recently found with an injured front leg in Sa Kaeo province has died despite intensive treatment, a senior wildlife official said on Sunday. He said the necropsy report would be released later, adding that office staff were saddened by the loss. Arun Pongpaithoon, director of wildlife conservation at Protected Area Regional Office 2, said the elephant’s condition initially showed signs of improvement. Then it began experiencing severe muscle spasms around noon, prompting the veterinary team to put it under close observation. Throughout the afternoon, the elephant was given fluids, gastrointestinal stimulants and pain and anti-inflammatory medication to relieve the muscle spasms.

Announced in 2021, AUKUS is Australia's largest-ever defence investment and will see U.S.-commanded Virginia-class submarines based ​in Australia ⁠from 2027, several Virginia submarines sold to Australia from around 2030, and Britain and Australia building a new class of ‌AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the A$3.9 billion as a down payment to deliver the new shipyard in Osborne, a ⁠suburb of Adelaide in South Australia state. "Investing in the submarine construction yard at Osborne is critical to delivering Australia's conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines," Albanese said in a statement. Osborne is where Australia's ASC and Britain's BAE ​Systems will ‌jointly build Australia's fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, the core component of the AUKUS pact. Until that work begins ​later ⁠this decade, the shipyard is where much of the maintenance is performed on the ⁠country's existing Collins-class submarine fleet.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a robust message of unity with Europe on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, saying Washington's destiny was intertwined with Europe and that it had no intention of abandoning the transatlantic alliance.

Nida poll: Voters satisfied with EC but doubt its ability to punish fraudElection Commission members clarify the use of barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers during a press briefing on Friday. (Photo supplied)Most Thai voters are at least somewhat satisfied with how the Election Commission (EC) managed the Feb 8 general election, yet a majority of those who suspect irregularities do not believe the agency can punish election cheats, according to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida). The poll, titled “Can the EC punish election fraud offenders?”, surveyed 1,310 eligible voters aged 18 and over across the country on Feb 11–12. When asked whether they believed electoral fraud occurred in their constituencies during the recent poll, respondents said:40.08% said there was definitely no fraud23.51% were not sure19.54% said fraud may have occurred16.87% said fraud definitely occurredThe pollsters then focused on the 477 respondents who believed fraud “definitely” or “possibly” occurred in their constituencies. Views were mixed but leaned positive:38.55% were somewhat satisfied22.29% were very satisfied20.84% were somewhat dissatisfied17.63% were not satisfied at all0.69% did not answer or were not interestedThe findings suggest that while voters largely approve of the EC’s handling of the election, scepticism persists over its ability to enforce electoral laws against alleged wrongdoers.

Discord has announced a shift in its age verification strategy, moving toward an "age prediction" system that targets only suspicious accounts rather than requiring all users to undergo facial scans or submit identity documents. The move aims to balance child safety with user privacy, ensuring that the majority of the platform’s community can continue using the service without disruption. Under the revised plan, Discord will leverage existing data to estimate a user's age, stepping in with manual verification requests only when a profile flags potential age-discrepancies. According to the platform, the age prediction model will analyse high-level patterns to determine whether a user meets the required age threshold. In cases where the automated system finds an account's age ambiguous or suspicious, Discord will still require the user to provide formal proof of age.

Arsenic exceeds safety limit in Kok, Sai riversOfficials from the Chiang Mai Natural Resources and Environment Office, together with Pollution Control Department authorities, collect water samples in the Kok River for lab analysis in late April last year. Water and sediment samples collected from Jan 13–16 in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai followed reports of unusual turbidity and possible contamination. However, arsenic levels exceeding the standard of 0.01mg/l were detected at several locations. In the Kok River, arsenic levels of 0.011–0.012mg/l were found between Tha Ton Bridge in Mae Ai district and the Mae Nawao–Tha Ton Friendship Bridge. Tributaries including the Fang, Korn and Lao rivers, as well as the Ruak and Mekong rivers, met safety standards.

Officials seize 42,000 fake goods worth B220mMore than 42,000 counterfeit and substandard goods worth about 223 million baht were seized by customs officials between Jan 13 and Feb 6, government spokeswoman Aiyarin Phanrit said. She said authorities confiscated a total of 42,451 items in joint operations involving the Department of Intellectual Property, the Customs Department and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute during the period. Most of the seized goods were counterfeit products bearing famous brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Prada and Balenciaga, including bags, shoes, watches and perfumes, as well as automotive parts and solar lamps, she said. Authorities have intensified a crackdown on intellectual property violations, she said. From Oct 1 last year to Feb 6 they processed 38 cases involving trademark and copyright infringement, with estimated damage exceeding 885 million baht, she said.

Bone marrow transplants offered free under SSOSocial security subscribers diagnosed with cancer who require stem cell or bone marrow transplants can now access treatment free of charge, says Labour Minister Treenuch Thienthong. Eligible insured workers must meet the criteria set by the Social Security Office (SSO) and submit applications at any social security office in Bangkok or provincial branches nationwide. Once approved, patients will be referred to contracted hospitals for treatment without expenses. She added a total of 191 insured patients were approved for this treatment last year, with total costs exceeding 111.35 million baht. The SSO has agreements with 13 hospitals, including Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, Siriraj Hospital and Phramongkutklao Hospital, to provide specialised care to this group of patients.

Sharks drop valuable points to Uthai Thani at homeA wasted effort: Chonburi players celebrate after Jonathan Bolingi scored a penalty against Uthai Thani. Chonburi were left frustrated after conceding a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Uthai Thani in Thai League 1 on Friday night as the result denied the Sharks a valuable three points on home soil. However, Uthai Thani pressed forward in the final minutes and were rewarded in the 86th minute when defender Martin Angha found the net. The draw leaves both clubs level on 22 points, with Uthai Thani in 10th place and Chonburi one spot below in 11th. "It was a pity that we could not take three important points," he said.

Thai–Chinese high-speed rail phase 1 hits 51%The Senate committee on transport at Chiang Rak Noi railway station in Ayutthaya on Friday. State Railway of ThailandThe first phase of the Thai–Chinese high-speed rail project has reached 51.74% progress, says the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Phase 1 of the project, linking Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, has a total investment value of 179.41 billion baht, consisting of 14 construction contracts and one train system contract. There are six main stations along the route: Krung Thep Aphiwat, Don Mueang, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pak Chong and Nakhon Ratchasima. Phase 2, running from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, has been approved by the cabinet and passed an environmental impact assessment.

The government has instructed the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to intensify monitoring after the cargo vessel SEALLOYD ARC sank off the coast of Phuket. The department is supporting the incident command centre, providing academic advice and ensuring safety during salvage operations. The PCD has deployed the OILMAP model to forecast the movement of any oil slicks to assess risks and support response planning. In terms of oil spill prevention and response, the department has advised on the use of oil dispersants and continues to conduct regular coastal water quality inspections. Ms Lalida urged anyone who encounters drifting containers to photograph their location and any hazardous material labels and report the findings via hotlines 1650 (PCD), 1196 (Marine Department) or 1465 (Maritime Enforcement Command Centre).

"Irregularities have to be examined case by case," Mr Wanwichit said, citing an incident in Pathum Thani's Constituency 7 where discrepancies ultimately involved only one or two ballots. Online platforms, Mr Wanwichit noted, can rapidly amplify isolated incidents into perceptions of systemic misconduct. Public scepticism toward the EC had been circulating before polling day, he said, creating doubts that resurfaced once results were announced. Like Mr Wanwichit, Mr Olarn said a nationwide recount would be disproportionate. Political parties may amplify those concerns, but the unease originates with citizens," she said.

Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul shakes hand with Yodchanan Wongsawat, Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate during a meeting at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, after Pheu Thai Party, who came third general election, agree to form a coalition, in Bangkok, Thailand, February 13, 2026. REUTERSThe Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party has begun negotiations with the Klatham Party as part of efforts to form a new coalition government, after announcing that Pheu Thai's 74 MPs would support its bid to secure a governing majority. Combined with Pheu Thai's 74 MPs and the backing of seven smaller parties with nine MPs in total, the party has secured about 276 votes for its coalition push. However, talks between BJT and Klatham have encountered tensions, particularly over control of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, according to a source. BJT spokeswoman Nan Boontida Somchai on Saturday confirmed that seven smaller parties had formally expressed support for BJT prime ministerial candidate Anutin Charnvirakul.

Austrian claims strawweight kickboxing crown by split decision at ONE Fight Night 40 – two titles in just two main-roster boutsStella Hemetsberger looks on after winning her second ONE Championship world title. Both women wore the effects of 4oz Muay Thai gloves last time – posing in sunglasses indoors at the hotel lobby after their first clash. “Hearing ‘split decision’ always makes you feel a bit nervous,” Hemetsberger admitted. The rest, I’ll let the world decide.”Stella Hemetsberger is the first ONE Championship fighter to win world titles in their first two fights on the main roster. “I want to say a big thank you to Jackie for a fair fight,” Hemetsberger added.