Tasteful Thailand comprises 10 episodes, each centred on a single ingredient considered fundamental to Thai cuisine. Viewers are invited to see Thai cuisine not as a fixed canon, but as a living, evolving practice shaped by people and place. Gao also reflected on the complexity and openness of Thai cuisine, emphasising its emotional range: "Thai food is astonishingly diverse. "It helps audiences understand that Thai food is more than just delicious -- it reflects the relationship between people, nature and culture. EP.2 Lemongrass – Khon Kaen Official launch: Jan 30Chef Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat (Kaen Restaurant, Michelin Selected) explores Isan flavours through this essential Thai herb.

When journalism still exists -- but no longer matters'Democracy Dies in Darkness" became the motto of the Washington Post in 2017, four years after Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder and one of the world's richest men, purchased the newspaper. For years, the crisis in journalism was described largely in terms of partiality, polarisation, and declining trust. That is why it matters that Skydance -- headed by David Ellison, Larry Ellison's son -- took over Paramount, which controls CBS. Journalism and facts still exist, but the chain that once ran from reporting to shared reality to institutional response begins to break apart. Accurate reporting no longer compels action, because facts can be published, verified, and still fail to trigger a response.

Navigating between global superpowersBoth China and the US issued new national security policies over the past year. China issued its new National Security Policy near the middle of 2025, reiterating its earlier Global Security Initiative, which had emphasised its commitment to multilateralism, embodied in the UN, and the rules-based order under that umbrella. The 2025 policy titled "China's National Security in the New Era" has a more inward-looking dimension. That caution also applies to the new US national security policy: "National Security Strategy of the United States of America" issued at the end of 2025. Of course, the public can agree or disagree with the national security policies of those superpowers.

Anutin fuels border fearFrom a dubious plan to tightly seal the border with Cambodia, caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is seeking to form a coalition government, has now given the nod to construct additional fencing along the frontier -- a move that signals extended hostility towards Thailand's immediate neighbour. Shortly before approving the wall, Mr Anutin ordered a study into the possible annulment of the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 44. The border wall and the MoU 44 review are likely to consolidate Mr Anutin's ultra-conservative base as coalition negotiations continue. Mr Anutin must be transparent with the public that large sections of the border remain undemarcated. It is not too late for Mr Anutin to reconsider a military-led approach.

Pheu Thai seeks lessons from poll lossPheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat, centre, party secretary-general Prasert Chantraruangthong, left, and prime ministerial candidate and election director Suriya Juangroongruangkit, right, attend the first meeting of the party on Friday after the Feb 8 election. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)The Pheu Thai Party held its first meeting after the Feb 8 election on Friday to draw lessons from both the winning and losing candidates, as well as to discuss issues related to the transparency of the poll. Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantraruangthong said there have been complaints filed in many areas concerning the transparency of the poll. He also advised election candidates to submit the conclusions of their campaigns and the reasons for their victories or losses. I will not leave Pheu Thai," he said.

Thai Tobacco Authority targets B1.2bn export revenue in 2026The Tobacco Authority of Thailand looks set to boost exports this year, aiming to raise cigarette shipment revenue to 1.2 billion baht, up from 800 million baht in 2025. Mr Poomjit said the domestic cigarette market has contracted due to the economic slowdown and increasing competition from imported cigarettes. As a result, the authority's market share of cigarettes, which was previously a domestic monopoly, has substantially declined. Over the past several years, the Tobacco Authority has faced intense competition, said Mr Poomjit. The authority's market share over the past decade has declined by 37.8 percentage points to around 60%, while production costs last year rose by 45% from 2018 levels.

69 chartered flights from China and Taiwan scheduled to land at Chiang Mai over Lunar New YearPassengers at Chiang Mai Airport on Friday. (Photo: Panumate Tanraksa)CHIANG MAI - The number of daily passengers using Chiang Mai Airport as reached a new post-pandemic high, underlining the city’s status as a tourist hub in northern Thailand. Airports of Thailand Plc has said the average daily number of travellers at the northern hub is around 35,000. Airlines using Chiang Mai Airport serve 11 domestic destinations and 22 international routes. A total of 69 charter flights originating from China and Taiwan are due to land in Chiang Mai between Feb 16 and 22, he said.

MCOT opens bids for Bangkok landThe MCOT land is located on Watthanatham and Thiam Ruam Mit roads, adjacent to an exit of the Thailand Cultural Centre station on the MRT Orange Line. The leasehold price is expected to be 30-40% of the freehold value, which MCOT has estimated at 9 billion baht based on the re-zoning plan. Instead, we chose to lease the land rather than invest directly or pursue a joint venture." The process took some time as MCOT needed to ensure clarity on access points, review relevant regulations, and reassess the land value following the re-zoning, which resulted in a 20% increase in valuation, said Ms Soontareeya. MCOT plans to open bidding for the lease of two additional plots after the Rama IX site.

Ukrainian Heraskevych loses appeal against Olympics disqualificationUkrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych holds his helmet, which depicts victims of his country's war with Russia. (Photo: AFP)MILAN (ITALY) - Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych on Friday lost his appeal against his disqualification from the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet adorned with pictures of the Ukrainian war dead. Heraskevych was disqualified from the Milan-Cortina Games on Thursday after refusing to ditch the helmet that features pictures of Ukrainian sportsmen and women killed since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it had "denied an application by Skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych (Ukraine) against the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC)". The decision to disqualify Heraskevych drew a stinging response on Thursday from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said the "Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors".

US waives Venezuela oil sanctions as Trump says expects to visitTrump has praised Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez for her cooperation since the toppling of her former boss, Nicolas Maduro. (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - US President Donald Trump said Friday he planned to visit Venezuela and reiterated satisfaction with its interim leader, as his administration authorized five major oil companies to operate in the country. "I'm going to make a visit to Venezuela," Trump told reporters Friday, while adding that the date had not been decided. Trump and top appointees like Energy Secretary Chris Wright have been blunt in characterizing Washington as a party controlling Venezuela's oil resources for the foreseeable future. Wright said Wednesday that the US oil embargo on Venezuela, in place since 2019, was "essentially over."

Tourism operators are urging the government to reform law enforcement and regulation, as businesses and tourists suffer from worsening bribery issues, hampering the nation's tourism reputation. Chinnawat Udomniyom, president of the Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium, said the poor corruption score was a mirror of tourism concerns in Phuket, such as bribery and a lack of law enforcement against criminals. He said robust tourism in Phuket had attracted many businesses, including some that violate the law. Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, said bribery is common in Thai tourist destinations, stemming from inefficient law enforcement structures. If the officers followed normal procedures, it would not have made the news or affected tourism sentiment, he said.

Canada PM to mourn with grieving town, new details emerge on shooterA memorial for the victims the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, Canada. (Photo: AFP)TUMBLER RIDGE (CANADA) - A grief-stricken community in northern Canada will mourn with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday, who is headed to the remote town of Tumbler Ridge to honor victims of a mass shooting. In the days since Tuesday's killings at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, more information has emerged about both the victims and the shooter, an 18-year-old transgender woman named Jesse Van Rootselaar. The town was quiet early Friday and residents have voiced weariness over the influx of media attention following the tragedy. He described Tumbler Ridge as a town of miners, teachers and construction workers who represent "the very best of Canada: resilient, compassionate and strong."

The dual events position Thailand as a powerful gateway for global sourcing, industry dialogue and cross-border collaboration. Organised as a comprehensive multi-country sourcing platform, Asia Sourcing 2026 integrates the 2nd Asian International Apparel Sourcing Show and the 2nd Asian International Yarn & Fabric Sourcing Show. It also receives strong support from key organisations such as the National Federation of Thai Textile Industries (NFTTI), the Thailand Textile Institute (THTI) and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). These flagship platforms are developed as the first truly global, multi-country textile and apparel sourcing marketplace ever organised in Thailand. Event Details2nd Asia Sourcing Show 2026 (Textiles & Apparel) Global Sourcing Summit 2026Date: 3–5 June 2026 Venue: IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center, BangkokContact Information: Website: www.asia-sourcing.com WhatsApp: +1 212 914 7414 Email: contact@cems-global.com

Barcodes on ballots could violate secret voting rulesThe barcodes and QR codes on ballots could violate secret voting rules. A heated debate has erupted online over barcodes and QR codes printed on election ballots, with voters questioning whether the codes could be used to trace who voted for whom, potentially violating constitutional guarantees of ballot secrecy. Since polling station officials record the sequence in which ballots are issued, and ballot stubs contain corresponding numbers, the ballots could theoretically be matched to individual voters, fundamentally contradicting the principle of secret voting. Notably, yellow ballots for the constitutional referendum contained no barcodes or QR codes. The yellow ballots for the constitutional referendum contained no barcodes or QR codes.

St Valentine's Day / Sri's Room / Until Feb 28This Valentine’s season, Sri’s Room is offering the "Valentine’s Course Menu", available until Feb 28. Anniversary showdown / Tropic City / Feb 14Tropic City gears up to celebrate its eight-year anniversary with a stacked line-up set for Feb 14. Chinese New Year / Waldorf Astoria Bangkok / Feb 15-23Front Room at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok will offer a Thai-Chinese à la carte menu from Feb 15-23. Chinese New Year / The St. Regis Bangkok / Feb 22The February edition of "Cocktails, Tapas & Friends" returns on Feb 22, celebrating the Chinese New Year. The five chefs will be offering tastings of the four regions of Thailand in a nine-course set menu.