$100m loan to help cut emissions at Thai industrial estatesMap Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong, operated by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has secured a $100-million loan from the World Bank to support projects to cut carbon dioxide emissions at industrial parks as well as trade carbon credits. The IEAT wants to benefit from lower utilities costs at its industrial parks and earn revenue from carbon credits. The carbon credits will be certified by Gold Standard, a widely accepted benchmark for project quality and integrity for efforts to reduce carbon dioxide, he said. "We aim to reduce cumulative greenhouse gas by 2.33 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent within 10 years," he said.

Major Thai chains reduce sugar in beveragesNine major Thai beverage chains have partnered with the Department of Health to introduce a new standard for drink sweetness aimed at reducing sugar consumption and lowering risks of obesity and non-communicable diseases. Under a campaign that officially began on Wednesday, ordering a drink with “normal sweetness” will automatically mean 50% less sugar than the original recipe. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting sugar intake to no more than six teaspoons per day. Officials say the new standard will help beverages fall within safer ranges, particularly for tea and coffee drinks. The Department of Health said the initiative not only reduces health risks but also promotes long-term wellness, positioning Thailand as a leader in public health innovation.

A pilot satellite platform being introduced on a pilot basis in Thailand is aimed at improving high-precision weather forecasting and disaster warning systems. He said the cabinet had approved a three-month pilot project to upgrade Thailand's weather forecasting and disaster warning systems by integrating the Tomorrow.io satellite platform with the existing system of the Thai Meteorological Deartment. The system can deliver near-real-time data updates within one hour, provide a flood index tailored to specific areas at the subdistrict level, and produce weather forecasts up to seven days in advance. These features would upgrade the real-time warning system and significantly strengthen Thailand's disaster preparedness. Beyond weather forecasting and disaster alerts, several agencies expressed interest in broader applications of the platform.

Foreigners want to adopt a Thai stray dog — here’s howThe Chiang Mai puppy the couple hope to adopt and take to the United States. Understanding Thai animal adoption lawsThailand's Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act protects stray animals and regulates how they can be adopted. Domestic adoption processBefore adoption, dogs undergo comprehensive veterinary care including rabies, distemper and parvovirus vaccinations. Adopters receive complete medical records documenting the animal’s health status and treatment history. The entire procedure typically takes one to six months depending on destination requirements, rabies testing waiting periods and transport availability.

(Photo: Reuters)Cambodia is drafting a law targeting online scams, seeking to build a bulwark against criminals using the country as a base to siphon billions of dollars from victims globally. The new law “will develop an important and clearer legal framework to enhance the effectiveness in the prevention, suppression and crackdown of online scams”, Information Minister Neth Pheaktra told Bloomberg News. The ministry did not disclose the specific provisions of the draft law, or whether it would explicitly outline mechanisms for international cooperation. While Cambodia has broad rules that address cybercrime, there is not yet a comprehensive set of laws to address crimes related to scams. “Cambodia is not a safe haven for online criminals to carry out scams or cross-border crimes,” said Neth Pheaktra.

The surrounding Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges — where peaks reach as high as 7,500 metres — were hosting a regional competition for athletes from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. So the idea that mountainous Kyrgyzstan could easily develop alpine skiing is false,” said Yulia Tenkova from the Kyrgyz Ski Federation. “To gain proficiency in alpine skiing, you need a totally different snow cover,” she said. Now a coach, she said Kazakhstan at one point wanted to end support for its alpine skiing program altogether because “the results weren’t good enough”. “We will try to collaborate with coaches from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to bring skiing to the top,” he said.

Visa-free stays to be cut from 60 to 30 daysThe Tourism and Sports Ministry insists the government's plan to reduce visa‑free stays from 60 to 30 days should not impact tourism, as most foreign tourists on average stay for less than a month. Natthriya Thaweevong, permanent tourism and sports secretary, said a new committee set up by the prime minister plans to revise visa measures, including 60‑day visa‑free stays for visitors from 93 countries. She said the Tourism and Sports Ministry provided supporting research for the committee, which is expected to reduce visa-free stays to 30 days. "If they want to stay longer than 30 days, they can simply apply for an extension as normal." The visa‑free scheme, allowing foreigners from 93 countries to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, began in mid‑2024.

The Galleria 3 art space at River City Bangkok will be transformed into a real garden that opens up full sensory perception in every dimension during "The 20 Years Ahead" from Saturday to Feb 23. For the "real garden" in this instance, it is a design that truly reflects Ging Gaan Bai's identity, exploring what the ideal garden of the next 20 years will look like. The 'Garden of Stillness' zone. The "Garden Of Stillness" zone represents a moment where stillness is not emptiness, but a quiet balance. Blending the past with the future, integrating art, technology and nature.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te says that in addition to stronger defence ties with Europe, he also supports Taiwanese semiconductor companies investing overseas, including in Europe. (Photo: AFP)TAIPEI - Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has called for greater defence and AI cooperation between Taiwan and Europe, as the democratic island seeks to bolster its protection against China. Lai told AFP in his first interview with an international news agency since taking office in 2024 that Taiwan also supports the island’s semiconductor companies investing overseas, including in Europe. “I would like Taiwan and Europe to enhance cooperation in the defence industry and on defence technology,” Lai told AFP on Tuesday in an exclusive interview at the Presidential Office Building. But Taipei is under US pressure to do more on defence — and for its semiconductor manufacturers to increase production capacity in the United States.

A total of 1,078 foreign investors operated in Thailand, creating 6,647 jobs for the local workforce. Space and goods leasing services attracted 34.5 billion baht from 82 investors, while engineering services received 27.3 billion from 36 investors. Consulting and management services recorded 9.47 billion baht from 69 investors, wholesale trade 8.96 billion baht from 92 investors, financial services 7.62 billion baht from 39 investors, accounting services 4.95 billion baht from 19 investors, hotel businesses 2.56 billion baht from eight investors, and contract services with private sector partners such as construction and petroleum drilling 1.85 billion baht from 34 investors. Mr Poonpong said foreign business operations in these sectors help transfer advanced technologies and specialised skills to Thai workers. The department anticipates foreign investment in Thailand to remain strong this year thanks to the country's modern technological infrastructure and favourable economic system, which enhances foreign investors' competitiveness.

(Photo: AFP)BUENOS AIRES - Argentine workers hurled stones and bottle bombs Wednesday at police who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as a protest against proposed labour reforms turned briefly violent. The reform, a pet project of budget-slashing President Javier Milei, envisions a deregulation of the labour market. The measures would make it easier to hire and fire workers, reduce severance pay, limit the right to strike, and restrict holiday rights. But for protester Federico Pereira, a 35-year-old sociologist, “with this exploitative labour reform, they are only thinking about the wealthy. Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva vowed that those responsible for Wednesday’s violence “will be identified” and punished appropriately.

Chinese New Year spending tipped to rise 5%Shoppers make purchases for Chinese New Year celebrations at a market in Bangkok's Yaowarat district. Some 43% of respondents plan to honour Chinese gods and offer sacrificial items to their ancestors. One-third intend to buy only necessary items, while one-fifth will reduce their spending compared with the previous year. The survey found more than half of respondents view the economy as worse or much worse than during the same time last year. This reflects concerns among Thais about economic conditions and the need for a clear long-term strategy for sustainable economic growth, he said.

EC under new pressureAs accusations of vote-counting irregularities mount, the Election Commission (EC) is encountering a crisis of confidence amid fading levels of public trust. This raises the question of whether the EC instructed people to lodge complaints or even put in place official monitors. Some regularities in other provinces include discrepancies in the numbers of used ballots, as well as the excessively high number of invalid ballots due to the poor judgment of certain EC officials. The EC has ignored the demands of some activists that it release the results of its vote counts. Even former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn has criticised the EC for its weak performance, saying that, in addition to a ballot recount, poll officials must be held responsible for their mistakes.

Next government won't be a grey oneCaretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrives at Government House after winning election on Sunday. As in my previous column, I remain of the view that the new coalition will comprise BJT, PT and the Democrats. Leaving detailed political considerations aside, this popularity-vote-based formula reflects BJT's goal of creating a new clean image -- a so-called "No Grey government". In contrast, Dem won 10 constituency seats but 12 party-list seats. Stithorn Thananithichote, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, agrees that the new government could comprise BJT, PT and the Democrats.

Emerging markets stand strongAn employee works at a garment factory in Tiruppur, in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, in this Sept 25, 2025 photo. The 10 emerging markets in the G20 alone now account for over half of global growth. While supportive external conditions have played a part in emerging markets' impressive resilience, so have the policies and institutions underpinning it. But while emerging markets have made great strides in improving their policy frameworks and enhancing credibility, this is no time for complacency. At the same time, profound shifts in geopolitics, trade, technology, and demographics could make it even harder for emerging markets to catch up.