(Photo: Somchai Poomlard)Authorities are launching a new push to address Thailand’s collapsing birth rate, now the lowest in 75 years, with a focus on ensuring that every pregnancy is safe, voluntary and fully supported. The trend, she warned, poses long-term risks to the country’s economic growth, social structure, labour force, welfare system and public health. Thailand is consistently ranked among the bottom 10 countries in the world for low birth rates. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia with a declining birth rate. The low birth rate is attributed to economic struggles, high living costs and changing social norms among younger generations, leading the government to view the issue as a national crisis.

Authorities looking to deter smuggling and other cross-border crimesA Thai soldier stands lookout on the bank of the Golok River separating Sungai Kolok district in Narathiwat province with Kelantan state in Malaysia, in 2018. (Bangkok Post File Photo)Malaysia has started installing security wire at illegal passes along the river border opposite Narathiwat province in Thailand to tackle cross-border crimes. Rantau Panjang stands on the other side of the Golok River where Sungai Kolok district is located. Malaysian security authorities have demolished illegally built piers and routes along the river to combat contraband, human trafficking, illicit drugs and other border-crossing crimes. Kelantan state has been pushing for a concrete wall along the border with the Thai province, but the country’s home minister has said he would prefer to use higher-tech solutions.

Minor mulls Hong Kong listing for restaurant business. (Photo: Minor Food)Thailand’s Minor International Public Company Limited, one of Asia’s largest hospitality groups, is considering a Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO) for its restaurant business, people familiar with the matter said, at a time when Bangkok’s stock market tries to revive activity at home. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong stock exchange has been trying to court more listing candidates from countries apart from mainland China. Cryptocurrency exchange operator Bitkub and technology startup Line Man Wongnai are also considering offerings in Hong Kong, Bloomberg News has reported. Coconut-water maker IFBH Ltd made its Hong Kong debut in June.

Naphat “Tokyogurl” Warasin at the SEA Games esports event in Bangkok on Dec 16, 2025, where she was expelled for cheating. The offences relate to Ms Naphat’s use of unauthorised software and a stand‑in to play during the SEA Games esports competition on Dec 16, 2025. According to the investigation, Ms Naphat shared her username and password with Mr Chaiyo, a well-known semi-pro player who had also competed on the professional stage. The suspicious activity was flagged during a Thailand–Vietnam fixture, prompting match officials to expel Ms Naphat and disqualify Thailand’s women’s team. “Cheerio”, seen in a promotional poster, admitted in January that he secretly played for Thai e-sports athlete “Tokyogurl” during a 2025 SEA Games event.

European nations also defend their commitments to NATO at Munich Security ConferenceThe Munich Security Conference is taking place amid heavy security. “Let me begin with the uncomfortable truth: A rift, a deep divide has opened between Europe and the United States,” Merz told the gathering, attended by dozens of leaders, defence chiefs and foreign ministers from around the world. ’Change, upheaval … sacrifice’But, switching from German to English, Merz struck a more hopeful note as he called on the US and Europe to forge a “new transatlantic partnership”. “In the era of great power rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone,” said the conservative leader, traditionally a staunch supporter of the transatlantic alliance. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the Munich conference “stands like no other for what is in the DNA of our foreign and security policy, namely the transatlantic bond.

Russia-Ukraine talks set for Geneva on Feb 17-18Local residents inspect damaged cars at the site of a Russian attack in Odesa on Feb 13, 2026. (Photo: AFP)KYIV - Russia and Ukraine will hold US-brokered talks on February 17-18 in Geneva, both countries said Friday, announcing the next leg in fraught negotiations seeking to end the four-year war. “The next round of talks on the Ukrainian settlement will be held in the same trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine format, on February 17–18 in Geneva,” Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti news agency cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying. Kyiv confirmed the talks were set for the scenic Swiss city. Moscow has stuck to its demands in the talks for sweeping territorial and political concessions from Ukraine — rejected by Kyiv as tantamount to capitulation.

CIMBT predicts H2 gains after government formsThe Thai economy will start to recover in the second half of 2026, depending on how soon the new members of parliament are endorsed, as the Bank of Thailand is unlikely to cut interest rates for the entire year in order to prop up economic growth, says CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT). "If the economic policies of the new administration can convince investors and attract foreign direct investment, the economy will begin to pick up in the latter half of the year," said Mr Amonthep. "A rate cut would not immediately boost the economy," said Mr Amonthep. "It would take about 6-12 months for a rate cut to take effect, meaning it would help prop up the economy at the end of the year." Instead, the central bank may possibly devise targeted monetary policies that support vulnerable groups, especially heavily-indebted households, he noted.

The barcodes and QR codes on ballots used for the Feb 8 election. The clarification came amid public concerns that the barcodes and QR codes could be used to trace who voted for whom and compromise ballot secrecy, in breach of the constitution and election law. He said barcodes and QR codes on ballots serve two main purposes: anti‑forgery protection and operational control. Each ballot booklet contains 20 ballots, with codes used to verify complete quantities and prevent ballot discrepancy — mismatches between the number of voters and ballots used. “The system helps detect fraud, such as the use of counterfeit ballots or ballots being used outside their designated constituencies,” Mr Worapong added.

(Photo: AFP)LONDON - London’s high court on Friday upheld a challenge to a government ban on activist group Palestine Action, saying the proscription had interfered with the right to freedom of speech. Palestine Action remains banned to allow the government to contest the decision, judges said. The government ban made being a member of Palestine Action or demonstrating support for it a serious criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. “We won,” Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, who launched the challenge, wrote on social media after the ruling. One protester with a megaphone said: “Palestine action is BACK!”.

(Photo: Bhumjaithai Party)The Pheu Thai Party has formally pledged support for the Bhumjaithai Party to take the lead in forming a new government, with Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul saying both sides are ready to put past differences behind them and move forward together. “Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai are looking ahead,” he said. Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Jantararuangtong said the party stood ready to support Bhumjaithai. Also representing Pheu Thai at Friday’s talks were prime ministerial candidate and election director Suriya Juangroongruangkit and party strategist Phumtham Wechayachai. Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul greets Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat at Bhumjaithai headquarters on Friday afternoon.

Retailers urge measures to stimulate economyThe Thai Retailers Association (TRA) is proposing a comprehensive package of urgent policy measures to stimulate the economy dubbed "Value Shopping – Tourism Boost – Local Investment – Strong SMEs – Skilled Workforce – Fair Competition". "The association calls on the new government to continue effective policies while introducing new measures that directly stimulate grassroots economic activity, improve infrastructure and reduce regulatory barriers. For local investment, the TRA called for incentives to attract private sector projects to secondary cities, alongside measures to reduce electricity costs and encourage energy-efficient technologies. Support for SMEs includes promoting Made in Thailand certification and offering tax incentives for sustainable product development to enhance competitiveness and export potential. Despite expected challenges in 2026, the association predicts sustained public-private collaboration will place Thailand back on a stable growth path, he said.

Leaders also defend their commitments to NATO in the face of criticism from TrumpThe Munich Security Conference is taking place amid heavy security. Political and business leaders, military officers, and intelligence agents convened at two fortified hotels to talk international security and stability at the Munich Security Conference. Russia’s war against Ukraine, which is set to enter its fifth year this month, will be high on the agenda, alongside efforts by European NATO members to build up their defences. European leaders ahead of the gathering defended their security commitments and vowed to strengthen NATO, after Trump called it into question and accused allies of not spending enough on defence. Meanwhile relations between Europe and the United States, their traditional allies and guarantors of the continent’s security for decades, are under pressure.

Pheu Thai to meet Bhumjaithai for coalition talks Friday afternoonPheu Thai Party secretary-general Prasert Jantararuangtong attends the first meeting of Pheu Thai-elected MPs at the party's headquarters in Bangkok on Friday. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)The election‑winning Bhumjaithai Party has formally invited Pheu Thai to join government‑formation talks, with leaders of both parties set to meet on Friday afternoon, Pheu Thai secretary‑general Prasert Jantararuangtong said. “If there is any conclusion, we will announce it afterwards.” The meeting will be joined by Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat. Pheu Thai is open to joining the coalition and has set no condition for talks, he added. Unofficial results as of Thursday put Pheu Thai in third place behind Bhumjaithai and the People’s Party.

Europe's most powerful rocket carries 32 satellites for Amazon Leo network into spaceWith 175 satellites already in orbit, Amazon Leo aims to expand its constellation to 3,200. (Photo: AFP)KOUROU — The most powerful version of Europe's Ariane 6 rocket Thursday carried 32 satellites into space for the Amazon Leo network, which aims to rival Elon Musk's Starlink. The launch from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on the northeastern coast of South America, is a first for Amazon Leo. With 175 satellites already in orbit, Amazon Leo aims to expand its constellation to 3,200. Long-term investment is expected to amount to billions of euros to the European space sector.

Jackie Buntan (left) looks on as Stella Hemetsberger takes a decision at ONE Fight Night 35Jackie Buntan has already replayed that first round countless times in her head. Two openings Stella Hemetsberger seized in an instant classic last September that ultimately cost Buntan the vacant ONE Championship strawweight Muay Thai world title. Jackie Buntan receives a count from referee Olivier Coste after a knockdown by Stella Hemetsberger“That’s what I wanted initially after the Muay Thai fight,” Buntan told the Bangkok Post. Jackie Buntan and Stella Hemetsberger trade punches at ONE Fight Night 35“I’ve achieved my dream. Not winning the Muay Thai belt doesn’t take away from that at all.”A win would not only defend her belt but set up the obvious third act – a Muay Thai decider.