(Photo: Pheu Thai Party)The Pheu Thai Party has called on the Election Commission (EC) and the government to ensure a fair and transparent election, citing reports of intimidation, abuse of authority and political manipulation in several constituencies as the campaign period begins. Mr Prasert added Pheu Thai remains confident about the Feb 8 poll, with 400 constituency candidates and 100 party-list candidates to be formally announced at a party event on Thursday. Pheu Thai deputy leader Chousak Sirinil also expressed concern about the broader political climate, pointing to what he described as widespread party-hopping driven by financial incentives. Mr Chousak said Pheu Thai expects a competitive contest and is setting up monitoring mechanisms, including an anti-cheating coordination centre, to help ensure the election is conducted fairly. In a related development, Pheu Thai on Saturday welcomed former members of the Chart Pattana Party, which has decided not to contest the Feb 8 poll.

Ratchanok roars into SF in HangzhouListen to this articleRatchanok Intanon defeated Han Yue to advance to the semi-finals of the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, on Friday. Pornpawee Chochuwong exited due to a recurring calf injury on Thursday, leaving the group to be contested by the remaining three players. Earlier, South Korea's ‍An ‍Se-Young finished top of Group A after defeating Japan's world champion Akane Yamaguchi 14-21, 21-5, 21-14. With their spots in the semi-finals already confirmed, world No.1 An rallied from a game down to end the group stage with three consecutive wins. Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani beat Tomoka Miyazaki 21-17, 21-9 to pick up her first win in the group.

Trump administration begins release of Epstein filesListen to this articleLawmakers say the public deserves answers in a case with hundreds of alleged victims. The files are expected to shed light on the disgraced financier's connections with high-profile business executives, celebrities, academics and politicians, including President Donald Trump. Trump severed ties with Epstein years before the 2019 arrest and is not accused of wrongdoing in the case. Running for the White House, Trump promised to release all the files. For the public and victims, the release of the files marks the clearest opportunity yet to shed light on the scandal.

Similan sea turtle rescued after swallowing tourist’s wristbandListen to this articleA veterinarian tries to remove a 20cm wristband from a sea turtle that had inadvertently swallowed it, during a rescue operation at Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phangnga province. (Photos: Mu Ko Similan National Park)A sea turtle that unknowingly swallowed a plastic wristband handed to it by a tourist has finally been able to pass the object nearly a month later, according to veterinarians at Mu Ko Similan National Park in southern Thailand. Reports surfaced on Nov 21 that a visitor to the national park in Phangnga province had allowed a sea turtle, an endangered marine animal, to consume their wristband. Upon learning of the incident, park officials urgently located the turtle and transported it to the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Species Rescue Centre. After a period of observation to ensure its safety, the turtle is to be returned to the wild off Koh Miang.

Taipei attacker acted alone, police say after four dieListen to this articleTAIPEI — The ‍man suspected ‍of carrying out an attack in Taiwan with a smoke grenade and knife acted alone, police ‌said on Saturday of ​the incident that killed four, including the attacker. Chang Wen, 27, from the northern city of Taoyuan, died falling from a building during a police chase on Friday evening in a packed shopping district in central Taipei, ‌police said. Violent crime in Taiwan is very rare, and in response to the attack the police presence has been ‌stepped ​up across the island, including in the bustling capital Taipei. "For areas in Taipei city where crowds are expected to gather in various commercial districts, we are upgrading security measures citywide," Mayor Chiang Wan-an told reporters. "We will also ensure that ​rapid-response units can be mobilised immediately when emergencies occur, so ‍as to safeguard public safety," he said.

The Royal Thai Air Force reported that the mission successfully destroyed a Cambodian stronghold in Thmor Da in Veal Veng district. Thai forces also said that Cambodian structures have encroached over the Trat border, necessitating military action. On Thursday, Thai fighter jets bombed a building in Poipet, a Cambodian casino town opposite Sa Kaeo province, destroying a “logistics centre” used to store rockets. Thai security officials said on Friday that the casino buildings targeted were heavily reinforced and could not be collapsed by airstrikes alone. Thai officials have not said whether any of the strikes resulted in casualties.

(Photo: Royal Thai Army)The bodies of two fallen Thai soldiers have now been recovered after Thai troops retook control of the strategic Hill 350 in Surin province from Cambodian forces, the 2nd Army Region reported on Saturday. Thai forces have secured the area but safety inspections were continuing because of the risk of landmines, said Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, the Royal Thai Army spokesman. The two soldiers were believed to have been killed on the night of Dec 16, the day Thai troops recaptured Ta Khwai temple from Cambodian troops. His weapons had been seized by Cambodian soldiers, who placed the body in a visible position. The Thai was unable to retrieve the remains for fear that the body might be used as a lure for an ambush.

US university killer's mystery motive sought after suicideListen to this articleClaudio Neves Valente, the suspect in the Brown University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shootings, at an Alamo rental car location in Boston. No motive has been made public for any of the killings, which cast a long shadow on two of New England's normally genteel elite universities. Investigators struggled to produce viable leads in the days after the incidents, with President Donald Trump attacking Brown University for failing to link its security cameras to police systems. During the protracted manhunt, dozens of names surfaced on social media and elsewhere in connection with the shooting -- almost all false and unlinked to the bloodshed. Officers were directed to a post on the social media forum site that told investigators to probe a grey Nissan SUV.

Indonesia take jumping team title, Kingdom topListen to this articleMedal winners pose on the podium at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Pattaya. In the final standings, Indonesia secured the gold medal, followed by Malaysia with silver and Singapore with bronze. In the team format, each rider's performance contributes to the overall result, adding an extra layer of intensity to the competition. Despite not adding to the medal count, Thailand continued to lead the overall equestrian medal standings at the Games. The equestrian events of the 2025 SEA Games were hosted at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Pattaya, supported by B.Grimm Country Club, one of Southeast Asia's leading equestrian venues and a regular host of regional and international competitions.

Iran executes man accused of spying for IsraelListen to this articleIsrael and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken on June 18, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)DUBAI — Iran executed ​a man on Saturday who it said was convicted of spying for Israel and having ties to Iranian opposition ‌groups, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported. Entangled in a decades-long shadow war with ‌Israel, Iran has executed many people it accused of having links with Israel's intelligence service ⁠and facilitating its operations in the country. Executions of Iranians convicted ​of spying for Israel have significantly increased this year, with multiple death sentences carried out in ​recent months. In September 2025, Iran executed a man accused of killing a security officer during unrest sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini.

Australia four wickets from Ashes glory as England cling onListen to this articleAustralia spinner Nathan Lyon celebrates dismissing England captain Ben Stokes in Adelaide on Saturday. (Photo: AFP)ADELAIDE, Australia - An unrelenting Australia were four wickets from retaining the Ashes at close of play in the third Test on Saturday as England clung to the dying hope that they could chase a record 435 to save the series. Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who made a century in the first innings, had another good day with his quick hands stumping Crawley off Lyon. England took six wickets before lunch to wrap up Australia’s second innings for 349 with Travis Head slamming 170 and Carey 72. Carey was taken at slip by Brook off Stokes, with Josh Inglis (10) following, caught behind by Smith off Tongue.

Canadian arrested for carjacking in KrabiListen to this articlePolice officers subdue a Canadian man after intercepting a stolen vehicle in Muang district of Krabi on Friday. (Screenshot)KRABI - A Canadian man was arrested following a chase involving 30 police officers after he hijacked a car and fled, causing panic among the public in Muang district on Friday. The Canadian suddenly moved into the driver’s seat and sped away, the victim said. Police immediately radioed all units in the area and more than 30 officers were deployed to pursue the stolen car along Utarakit Road in downtown Krabi. The fleeing Canadian and the vehicle were eventually intercepted in front of a convenience store near Krabi Hospital amid panic among local residents.

(Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON - ‍US Secretary ‌of ​State Marco Rubio says Washington hopes to bring ⁠Thailand and Cambodia back into compliance with a ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump between now ‌and Monday. And we are cautiously optimistic that we can get there by Monday or Tuesday of next week,” Mr Rubio told journalists in Washington on Friday. Mr Rubio spoke on Thursday by telephone with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and said the administration would hold further conversations over the weekend. “Both sides have made commitments in writing that they signed,” Mr Rubio said on Friday, referring to the declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur in October. Mr Rubio defended the administration’s record, saying that American diplomacy “actually did stop fighting” although it has since resumed.

Think of Cambodian Space Project, Saigon Soul Revival, Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Dengue Fever and similar bands. Prior to the debut album (released on Nov 13), Nusantara released several 7-inch singles on the Bongo Je Records label; these songs were rearranged and rerecorded for the album. For the debut album, Nusantara Beat focused on Sundanese popular music, or Pop Sunda, according to the Glitterbeat label, using the gamelan pelog scale. But since then I haven't heard any band trying to take the Sunda sound to international audiences. Nusantara Beat is available in all formats.

PM hopeful's sister slams focus on pastListen to this articleChayapa Wongsawat, sister of Pheu Thai PM candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat, said her marriage, which ended in divorce, to a Cambodian cabinet official should not be used as a political weapon against her brother. "With all my dignity, I affirm that my family is not involved in the politics between the two countries and never received any benefits from the past marriage," Ms Chayapa said. She stated that the public should refrain from using "her pain in the past" as a political weapon. "The regret from past mistakes is already bad enough," she said. Mr Yodchanan said that his sister is not a public figure and her personal matter should not be used as a political issue.