BAM proposes adding small firms to debt relief schemeListen to this articleBangkok Commercial Asset Management Plc (BAM) has proposed the Bank of Thailand expand the "Clear Debt, Move Forward" scheme to cover the non-performing loans (NPLs) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), leveraging a mechanism of private asset management companies to manage the debt. BAM has held discussions with the central bank on expanding the scheme to cover SME NPLs and allowing private AMCs to take part in managing the bad debt, said Mr Rak. If regulators allow the scheme to cover SME NPLs, BAM expects to help about 100,000 borrowers exit the cycle of bad debt," he said. According to central bank data, total NPLs in the banking industry tallied 544 billion baht as of September 2025. Funding for the debt scheme for retail NPLs comes from a reduction in the Financial Institutions Development Fund contribution rate across the banking industry to 0.23% from 0.46%.

Listen to this articleThe SEC put digital assets, crypto ETFs and financial innovation at the centre of its capital market development strategy for 2026. The roadmap comes at a critical juncture for global markets, as cryptocurrencies and spot crypto ETFs gain wider institutional acceptance. This data-driven approach aims to strengthen risk management, improve disclosure standards and elevate investor protection as digital assets become more mainstream, she noted. The SEC plans to expand access to crypto ETFs, including spot crypto ETFs, providing investors with regulated exposure to digital assets within a transparent and supervised environment. In parallel, the regulator is developing digital asset derivatives, laying the groundwork for a deeper and more resilient crypto market.

Pheu Thai Party flags major debt overhaulListen to this articlePheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate, Yodchanan Wongsawat, is greeted by supporters during a campaign rally in Sawankhalok district of Sukhothai, on Tuesday. Pheu Thai PartyThe Pheu Thai Party has signalled a major push to position itself as both pro-stimulus and fiscally cautious ahead of the Feb 8 election, announcing plans to roll out a sweeping debt-restructuring policy anchored in what it calls the "More Than Half-Half Plus 70:30" model. During a campaign rally in Sukhothai on Tuesday, Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat said the party's initiative aims to ease household and informal debt burdens while maintaining budget discipline, with full details set to be unveiled later this week. Mr Yodchanan said a Pheu Thai government would tackle debt "across the entire system", from household liabilities to informal loans, pledging to eliminate loan sharks. He said the plan would not undermine fiscal discipline because "Pheu Thai knows how to generate revenue -- we don't just spend".

Assoc Prof Panitan Wattanayagorn, a security and foreign affairs scholar, said the move represents a reconfiguration of US politics in relation to world politics, a transition towards a new form and a restructuring of the global order. Mr Panitan said the proposal could be considered a form of neo-colonialism or great-power dominance that bypasses established rules. This could serve as camouflage for US intentions, he added, noting that overt coercion is harder to pursue in today's world. He warned that the Trump administration has tended to prioritise US national interests over the existing world order and international law, including the UN Charter. However, he cautioned that Thailand must balance its position between major powers, particularly as China may advance its own peace initiatives.

Petroleum law changes put on holdListen to this articleThe Erawan gas block in the Gulf of Thailand, operated by PTT Exploration and Production. The Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) has finished drafting amendments to the Petroleum Act to ensure the continuity of petroleum production when licences expire, avoiding delays that can result in expensive electricity bills. Setbacks in domestic gas production force Thailand to import more costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel power generation, thus driving up production costs. The source said while the Petroleum Act specifies a one-time renewal for only 10 years, a second renewal can actually be done immediately with cabinet approval. This caused delays in petroleum production in the country, resulting in Thailand depending more on LNG imports.

Universal subsidy programmes for energy prices have proven not to ease people's living costs over the long term, notes an analyst. The Oil Fuel Fund Office said earlier it intends to revise its energy price subsidy programmes to focus on groups who desperately need help, rather than implementing universal schemes. Environmentally, subsidising energy prices for a long time could hamper efforts to promote efficient energy consumption, part of climate change campaigns, according to energy analysts. If policymakers prolong energy price subsidies, people will be less concerned about saving energy and ways to improve energy consumption, leading to greater use of fossil fuels, said Mr Praipol. More battery energy storage systems are also being used to serve as back-up electricity, so the AP is no longer needed.

Listen to this articleMr Bhatia says the current AI landscape does not reflect an AI bubble, as the industry has pivoted towards tangible, outcome-based solutions. Funding is primarily directed towards Generative AI (GenAI), AI agent development, public cloud AI services, on-premise AI infrastructure and AI security/transparency tools. As AI workloads scale, infrastructure strategy is emerging as 86% of organisations across Asia-Pacific incorporate on-premises or edge environments as part of hybrid AI architecture, effectively making hybrid AI the default model for enterprise AI deployment. Sumir Bhatia, president for Asia-Pacific Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), said several priorities are shaping business as AI inferencing becomes a value engine. Scaling AI remains a challenge, as only half of AI proof-of-concepts can be materialised and scaled.

New land appraisal prices to have limited impactListen to this articleAn aerial view of terraced rice fields at Na Kian village, in Omkoi district, Chiang Mai. Facebook account of Nopparat CharoenpholA new round of land appraisal prices to be effective in 2027 is expected to increase land prices along mass transit lines in Bangkok and surrounding areas by no more than 10%, attributed to the ongoing economic slowdown. Mr Akkaruth said in the new appraisal round, the department will seek to make appraisal prices closer to actual market prices. Under the current appraisal, Treasury Department prices were determined to be 30-40% lower than market prices. This process will be done gradually, as higher appraisal prices mean a higher tax burden for property owners, he said.

REUTERSIf the US and the EU implement tariff barriers against each other, it could cause severe disruptions to global trade, as both are crucial players in the global supply chain and major consumer markets, say economic analysts. Meanwhile, the EU is considering imposing retaliatory tariffs on US goods worth US$93 billion if Trump imposes tariffs as threatened. Mr Aat noted the influx of Chinese goods into the global market following the trade war between the US and China. Trade with the EU makes up 18% of total US trade, while trade with the US comprises 7% of the EU's total trade. "The US and EU may stop trading with each other and import Thai goods instead, benefiting Thai shipments.

Listen to this articleElection Commission officials count ballots at a polling station during Myanmar's general election in Yangon, Myanmar, December 28, 2025. For Myanmar migrants, students and journalists in Thailand, the vote is seen not merely as flawed but as a carefully managed performance designed to legitimise continued military rule. Voting under fearA 26‑year‑old Myanmar university student studying in Thailand also refused to vote at the embassy. While Bangkok has framed the move as constructive engagement, Myanmar interviewees say observation alone cannot fix a fundamentally broken process. "Some Myanmar people who went to vote know the process is deeply flawed," he said, "but they still hope for change, even if it is only slight".

All parliamentary candidates in scam scandal 'from same party'Listen to this articleChaichanok ChidchobDigital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob has vowed to disclose the names of 10 parliamentary candidates allegedly connected to online gambling websites and scam networks, confirming they are all affiliated with the same political party. When asked whether the 10 candidates belonged to a single party, he said, "They are." Pressed on whether the suspects were all from one party, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon declined to comment. He said all legal actions against PP candidates occurred after the candidate registration process had closed and involved individuals with no prior criminal records. While acknowledging that complaints had been lodged against some candidates, Mr Wiroj said the party treated all allegations seriously.

Listen to this articleThai Sang Thai Party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan underscores the need to stamp out corruption. "Thai Sang Thai is a small party. Thai Sang Thai has not entered into negotiations with any party and remains focused on winning support at the ballot box. Thai Sang Thai proposes establishing a "People's NACC" -- an independent, citizen-led anti-corruption body -- arguing the current National Anti-Corruption Commission lacks transparency and urgency. "An anti-corruption policy that generates funds for national development can be implemented immediately," Khunying Sudarat said.

Almost half of Kyiv without heat, power after Russian attackListen to this articleA resident uses a torch to walk down a darkened street during a power outage in Kyiv on Jan 19, 2026, following Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The large-scale bombardment, which targeted energy facilities across the country, killed at least one person — a 50-year-old man — near Kyiv. AFP journalists in the capital heard air raid sirens and explosions as Ukrainian air defence systems responded to the drones and missiles. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two top Russian military officials over the strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid. Due to wartime sensitivities, Kyiv does not say which energy facilities have been damaged or destroyed in Russian attacks.

Singapore will order airlines worldwide to prohibit undesirable passengers from boarding flights to the city-state from Jan 30 under a new policy to boost security. The Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said no-boarding directives would be enforced for all airlines flying to the country to prevent people who fail to meet requirements or “undesirable immigrants” from boarding planes. The ICA said the new rule is a step forward as it blocks people deemed threats to the country from reaching Singapore. Thai Airways International, Thai VietJet, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and Thai Lion Air are among Thailand-based airlines flying directly between Bangkok and Singapore. Singapore received about 360,000 Thai visitors from January to November last year, according to the latest statistics provided by the Singapore Tourism Board.

The man, affectionately dubbed “Chinese uncle” by netizens, shared photos taken directly from his mobile phone during a recent visit to Paris. There were no filters, no carefully curated angles and no post-production edits — just images captured exactly as his eyes saw them. Some online commenters humorously suggested that Paris tourism officials might want to confiscate the photographer’s phone before more “damage” was done. (Photo credit: RADII)(Photo credit: RADII)(Photo credit: RADII)When asked about the unexpected viral fame, the man responded simply. In an era dominated by filters and curated realities, the unedited truth — however imperfect — can be powerful in its own right.