Michael Setter's relentless stream of vaccine fearmongering is equally frustrating as it is wrong. Vaccines are safe, they save lives and reduce the burden on public health by lowering the incidence of disease. Diane ArcherQuick solutionRe: "BoT cracks down on surging baht", (Business, Dec 17). The BoT could next announce that all these government bonds bought back will be declared "paid off" (let's call it "quantitative redemption"). That announcement would be a bazooka blow to the markets and weaken the baht in 15 nanoseconds.

Hun Sen's war is his last gaspsListen to this articleDamage to a casino caused by Thai strikes in Pursat province, amid clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border. Hun Sen, the patriarch of Cambodian politics and Senate President, has seemingly dusted off an old playbook: the "externalisation of internal problems." The immunity once enjoyed by Hun Sen's inner circle is evaporating. In this context, the border war is simply reduced to a cynical survival tactic. Hun Sen is not saving his legacy; he is mortgaging his country's future.

US, Ukraine hail 'productive' Miami talks but no breakthroughListen to this articleWashington last month stunned Ukraine and its European allies by presenting a 28-point plan to end the warMIAMI - US and Ukrainian envoys issued a joint statement on Sunday that hailed "productive and constructive" talks in Miami, but did not announce any apparent breakthrough in efforts to end the war with Russia. It has since been redrafted following Ukraine and Europe's involvement, though its contents have not been publicly disclosed. A video on Russian state media showed Dmitriev arriving in a motorcade to Witkoff's Shell Bay luxury golf club. Moscow, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, sees Europe as pro-war and argues its participation in the talks only hinders them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier described the talks as "constructive" and said they were "moving at a fairly rapid pace."

Nigerian government frees 130 kidnapped Catholic schoolchildrenListen to this articleIt is unclear who kidnapped the hundreds of children and staff from St Mary's school in Niger state, NigeriaABUJA - Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 130 kidnapped schoolchildren taken by gunmen from a Catholic school in November, a presidential spokesman said Sunday, after 100 were freed earlier this month. "Another 130 abducted Niger state pupils released, none left in captivity," Sunday Dare said in a post on X. In late November, hundreds of students and staff were kidnapped from St Mary's co-educational boarding school in north-central Niger state -- though the exact number, and whether all are free, has been in dispute. A UN source told AFP that "the remaining set of girls/secondary school students will be taken to Minna", the capital of Niger state, on Tuesday. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 315 students and staff were kidnapped.

Ex-minister launches New Opportunity PartyListen to this articleJatuporn: Words into actionFormer commerce minister Jatuporn Buruspat launched a new political outfit called the New Opportunity Party on Sunday, which he said will focus on tackling the nation's debt problem and economic inequality. The party will also work towards creating a welfare state and protecting the nation's royal institutions, he said. Mr Jatuporn said the party does not seek to gain power or secure important positions, but genuinely solve the nation's problems. Responding to critics who called the party "a graveyard where former civil servants come to gather", he said the party features many knowledgeable people who can help Thais. He said Thailand must focus on its tourism sector and reform the education sector to boost growth.

Senate called in to vet appointmentsListen to this articleThe Royal Gazette has published a royal command convening an extraordinary session of the Senate on Dec 24 to consider nominations for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Election Commission (EC). The royal command was issued following a petition by the Senate president. The Dec 24 sitting will set up a committee to scrutinise the two EC nominees, Chirute Visalachitra and Monton Sudprasert. The session will conclude before the royal decree closing the extraordinary parliamentary session takes effect on Thursday. They claim this would help avoid conflicts of interest, particularly regarding the appointment of election commissioners.

Jakkrit WaewkraihongTrat: The tourism sector in Thailand's eastern border province of Trat is gradually regaining confidence following reassurances from security officials. Transport services are operating normally and year-end activities ready to welcome visitors, say tourism authorities and operators. Korakot Opas, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Trat Office, said conditions along the eastern coastal border have improved after the Royal Thai Marine Task Force regained control of affected areas. Bangkok Airways still operates three daily flights between Bangkok and Trat, while ferries to Koh Chang run from 6.30am to 6.30pm. Operators remain ready to host year-end celebrations, including countdown events, as tourism continues its steady recovery.

Observers note Thailand's geographic location makes it a convenient transit point for cross-border grey money. These images have also raised questions about Thailand's ability to prevent money laundering effectively and whether the country could be used as a haven for grey or illicit funds. "I'd say all of this allows grey capital to establish a foothold in Thailand, using money, networks and influence to entrench itself within the country," he said. Election risksAs the election approaches, concerns are growing that grey capital may increasingly be channelled into political campaigning. Asked about claims that grey networks actively seek political connections, Mr Sutin said it is true that some individuals attempt to gain access to people with authority or influence.

Listen to this articleBueng Kan province is preparing for a historic moment later this month as the Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge officially opens on Dec 25, linking Bueng Kan province in northeastern Thailand with Bolikhamxay province in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Ministry of TransportBueng Kan province is preparing for a historic moment later this month as the Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge officially opens on Dec 25. The announcement was made by Bueng Kan Governor Surapol Charoenphumee, accompanied by Deputy Governors Somwang Aree-ua and Nakhon Siriprinyanan. The bridge spans the Mekong River, linking Bueng Kan province in northeastern Thailand with Bolikhamxay province in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Local leaders and residents have expressed optimism about the bridge's potential to transform Bueng Kan into a regional trade hub.

Improvised explosives found in border areaListen to this articleThe 2nd Army Area on Sunday announced the seizure of an improvised explosive device (IED) found in a military area along the Thai-Cambodian border. The device was discovered in a zone that had been used as an operational base and weapons storage area by Cambodian troops, the army said. Lt Gen Boonsin recently visited the Ta Kwai temple area and Hill 350 in Surin province's Phanom Dong Rak district after Cambodian troops were pushed from both areas. In other news, the 2nd Army on Sunday noted "varying levels" of activity along key Cambodian border areas. The 2nd Army emphasised that operations remain ongoing.

The meeting is seen as a critical platform for Thailand and Cambodia to engage in open discussions, clarify their positions and explore ways to de-escalate. "Thailand did not initiate the clashes and has consistently maintained clear conditions for ending the conflict," the centre said. Thailand's priority, the centre added, is lasting peace that guarantees national security and the safety of civilians. "If we are to end the clashes, there must be a ceasefire, an end to intimidation and aggression, including the use of drones along the border." Despite Thailand being in the pre-election period, he said the government retains full authority to protect national security and care for its people.

Infiltration by a bad lotListen to this articleImages of armed clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border have drawn global attention, especially after the Thai military expanded its operations to casinos. To the outside world, Cambodia is seen not only as a destination for gambling and entertainment, but also as a hub of scam operations, human trafficking and transnational criminal networks. In this war, Thailand may hold clear advantages over any conventional conflict given its defence and arms capacity. Taken together, these developments have fuelled concern that transnational criminal networks may have gained access to individuals at the highest levels of Thailand's political and economic establishment. The depth of such infiltration, and its implications for the integrity of state institutions, remain unclear.

Re-energising higher education in AseanListen to this articleStudents at a school in Nakhon Ratchasima sit an examination for entrance to universities. A longstanding debate in higher education concerns the extent to which it should be academic rather than vocational. A possible contrast exists between education for life, on the one hand, and education for living, on the other. This historical linkage would humanise the curriculum and anchor technological progress in human development, with an ethical dimension embodying values such as inclusivity and empathy. In terms of methodology, higher education is well placed to foster critical analysis and action-based activities, often referred to as a "practicum".

The holidays are a moment not just for personal resolutions but for asking a bigger question: how can we help the world's poor as effectively as possible? The UN's attempt to answer that question effectively died this year. We didn't hear much about these development challenges because 2025 was already crowded with urgent geopolitical and economic news. Research shows that every dollar delivers about $40 in lifetime economic benefits -- better than most policies being pursued today. Putting children in front of cheap tablets with educational software one hour a day can help each pupil learn at their own level and speed.

Russia-US talks on Ukraine peace deal end without breakthrough Source: CNNCrude oil prices in the global market declined amid expectations of a supply surplus, with ICE Brent crude between October 1 - December 16, 2025 falling by $4.7 per barrel from the previous quarter to average $63.4 per barrel. Additional supply growth from non-OPEC+ producers such as the United States, Brazil, Canada and Guyana further contributed to the imbalance. As a result, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that global oil supply will exceed demand by 2.3 million barrels per day in 2025 and by 3.8 million barrels per day in 2026. The OECD also revised up its global economic outlook for 2025–2026, citing robust investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI), despite ongoing trade tensions. However, the market continues to closely monitor rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela.