Bhumjaithai leader admits election result 'beyond expectations'Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul presses hands while election campaigning in Si Sa Ket province bordering Cambodia on Feb 4. (Photo: Bhumjaithai Party)Anutin Charnvirakul has admitted he was surprised by the overwhelming support his Bhumjaithai Party received in the general election, and credited patriotism as a key factor that propelled the party to victory on Sunday. This is a huge leap up from the previous election in 2023, when Bhumjaithai won only 71 seats - 68 from constituencies and only three from the party list. "Bhumjaithai was ridiculed before the election for its patriotic campaigning," he said. "If Bhumjaithai is given a chance to form a new government, I will follow the result of the referendum," he said.

Workers hospitalised after building collapses at training centreRescuers approach the collapsed building at the Bang Phli Metropolitan Electricity Authority training centre in Bang Sao Thong district in Samut Prakan province on Monday. (Photo: Fire and Rescue Thailand)A domed building collapsed at the Bang Phli electricity authority training centre in Bang Sao Thong district in Samut Prakan on Monday, injuring four construction workers. The building, on soi Kan Kheha Haeng Chat Bang Phli, crumpled about 11.45am, Fire and Rescue Thailand reported. Volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation and Bang Phli emergency responders were dispatched to the scene. Public access had been restricted for the time being and stricter enforcement of safety standards ordered at the construction site.

Hong Kong, Singapore to be biggest winners as global capital flows shift to Asia: DBS CEODBS CEO Tan Su Shan expects international investors to deploy capital across IPOs, private assets, precious metals and digital assets. "Global capital flows are changing, and that is going to become increasingly important to Asia," she said. "Singapore and Hong Kong, as financial hubs, will both be winners in capturing the capital flows." "We have seen a lot of growth in trade between the Middle East, North Asia and Southeast Asia," she said. "Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are also creating a very strong capital markets hub."

EC urged to review ballot rules after over 1 million spoilt votesExamples of invalid ballots caused by repeated marks, left, and marks extending beyond the voting box. The most problematic ballots were those where voters had made multiple cross marks in the same box, creating overlapping lines and multiple intersections. This led some polling station committees to rule them invalid despite the clear intent to vote for a single candidate or party. Ms Phanidchanok suggested the EC should use this case to establish clearer guidelines for future elections, placing greater weight on "voter intent." Several ballots ruled invalid for marks extending beyond the voting box later had their status reversed after public members at polling stations jointly protested and successfully demanded a recount.

Protestors at district 7, Pathum Thani, election station call for a transparent recount after the monitoring cameras were left turned off. (Photo: @tawanvampiree Tiktok account)PATHUM THANI - Surveillance cameras were left covered by black bags during counting at a polling station in Pathum Thani on Sunday night, sparking a citizens' protest over being denied rightful access to observe the process. The public outcry erupted at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, the polling station for district 7 of Pathum Thani. At least 300 citizens, mainly students, protested against the perceived lack of transparency and the "suspicious actions" of election officials. Chulalongkorn University professor Jessada Denduangboripant posted the following comment on his Facebook page:“In Pathum Thani district 7 the votes were recounted and the orange party [the People’s Party] won overwhelmingly.

Art lovers are invited to engage with a conversation between music and visual art during "Rhythm Of My Colour #1", which is running at Palette Artspace until March 5. This is a solo exhibition by Suriya Pojchaijongdee who reflects that both music and visual art share profound similarities when viewed through the lens of structure. In visual art, similarly, a single brushstroke immediately gives rise to physical elements line, colour, weight, form and texture all at once. Suriya's approach to painting resembles improvisation, allowing visual elements to emerge without prior planning, instead letting his mental and emotional state guide the creative process toward its destination. This generates visual tension and emotional stimulation through the rawness of the visual elements that appear instantaneously before the viewer.

Election process essentially error-free, says polling agencyA polling station staffer in Samut Prakan province displays a green ballot used for voting for constituency candidates during on-site vote counting on Sunday evening. EC chairman Narong Klunwarin thanked all international observers for helping raise Thailand’s election standards to the global level. For the referendum, a majority of 60%, or 19.86 million voters, wanted a new charter while 10.48 million voters (32%) were against it. About 2.88 million voters had no opinion. This election saw 99,483 polling stations in operation, staffed by more than 1.5 million officials and volunteers.

Office eager to amend outdated state enterprise lawsThe State Enterprise Policy Office (Sepo) looks set to "guillotine" state enterprise laws and regulations to improve their operational flexibility. According to Tibordee Wattanakul, director-general of Sepo, the office plans to amend laws and regulations related to state-owned enterprises because some of them are outdated. For example, a 2005 regulation governing remuneration of chief executives no longer reflects real market rates, leaving state-owned enterprises with insufficient incentives to attract high-potential professionals compared with the private sector. "The main reason capable and competent people are reluctant to apply for jobs at state enterprises is the heavy responsibility, the risk of imprisonment and the requirement to disclose asset accounts. For example, the office is expediting amendments to the 2019 State Enterprise Labour Supervision and Management Development Act and the Public-Private Partnership Act, aiming to repeal provisions that are not aligned with international practices or are outdated, with a goal to improve operational agility.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim renewed pledges on Sunday (February 8) to bolster trade and explore potential collaborations in semiconductors, defense, and other fields. Modi is on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation, his first since the two countries elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024.

Thai stocks skyrocket after clear Bhumjaithai victoryBhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul seated comfortably on the floor ahead of a press conference at party headquarters on election day, Sunday, in Bangkok. (Photo: Reuters)The Stock Exchange of Thailand Index jumped more than 3% on Monday after election results showed the Bhumjaithai Party was in command in forming a new coalition government. Rounding up the top five early winners after the market opened was Krungthaibank Plc, PTT Plc and Cpall Plc. The Thai index closed at 1,354.01 on Friday. Some analysts and strategists told Bloomberg the stock market would be one of the sectors to benefit from the decisive victory of Bhumjaithai.

Thailand's Anutin readies for coalition talks after election winThe party of Thailand's PM Anutin Charnvirakul finished first in Sunday's election but short of an outright majority. (Photo: AFP)BANGKOK - Thailand's caretaker premier Anutin Charnvirakul was preparing for coalition talks Monday after a stunning election victory for his conservative Bhumjaithai Party. The progressive People's Party trailed at a little above 100 seats, while jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Pheu Thai party came in third. Anutin, who took office in September, declined to be drawn Sunday on potential coalition talks, noting the election results remained unofficial. Thailand's military took control of several disputed areas in the latest fighting in December, and a fragile ceasefire remains in place.

(Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Bhumjaithai Party of caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has won 174 House constituency seats, followed by the People's Party with 87 and 58 for the Pheu Thai Party, according to the Election Commission. There are 400 House seats for constituency MPs. Bhumjaithai won the eighth seat in Samut Prakan. Pheu Thai lost in all 10 constituencies of Chiang Mai province, which had long been its political stronghold. In the 2023 general election, the People's Party in its previous incarnation as the Move Forward Party won 151 House seats, followed by Pheu Thai with 141 and Bhumjaithai with 71 seats.

The Election Commission (EC) has warned that candidates who lack legal qualifications may not only affect the candidates themselves but also party leaders. The EC said the law allows for legal action against party leaders who improperly certify nominations. The warning follows a Supreme Court ruling that struck down 59 MP candidates. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said that after the Supreme Court ordered the removal of the names of MP candidates, both the candidates and the party leaders who signed to certify their nominations could face legal consequences. Meanwhile, Suriyan Hongvilai, spokesman for the Courts of Justice, provided details of the cases heard by the Supreme Court's Election Cases Division.

The Asian Civilisations Museum in collaboration with international tea brand Chagee and the Singapore Tourism Board presents "Garden Of Senses: A Tea Reverie", a multi-sensory showcase exploring the rich social significance of tea across Asia through art installations and interactive experiences. The showcase runs from now until June 7 at the Asian Civilisations Museum. Meanwhile, Chagee's Asian Civilisations Museum pop-up store by the Singapore River also offers curated selections from their beverage menu, along with a carefully selected range of merchandise including items previously only available in Chagee stores in China. Designed to reflect the calm, nature-inspired language of the showcase, the pop-up blends modern tea aesthetics with subtle references to landscape and ritual; creating a relaxed space for visitors to continue their tea experience after their museum visit. A tea aroma display at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Clear Thai election victory to give investors policy continuityAnutin Charnvirakul during a news conference at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters on election night in Bangkok on Sunday. (Photo: Bloomberg)A convincing win by Thailand’s ruling Bhumjaithai Party in Sunday’s election should boost the country’s stock market and currency, according to some strategists and economists, with the potential for policy continuity a relief for investors who’d feared further political dysfunction. The baht edged higher to 31.456 per dollar in early Asian trading as Bhumjaithai, led by incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, was on track to capture the most seats in the 500-seat lower house and is in pole position to form a coalition. Its main challenger, the People’s Party, underperformed, in a blow to its progressive agenda that had aimed for deeper reforms. Here’s what strategists and economists had to say:Brendan McKenna, strategist at Wells Fargo“Overall policy continuity is a scenario that may ultimately result in stability.