BJT, Klatham could form coalitionBhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, left, and Klatham's Thamanat Prompow at Government House in September last year. They were commenting after the release of unofficial results, with Bhumjaithai Party poised to secure the top position in parliament. Bhumjaithai would then be expected to open coalition talks with Pheu Thai as its first partner, he said. “The outcome would largely depend on how high Pheu Thai sets its conditions,’’ Mr Stithorn said. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, admitted defeat, saying the outcome reflects the will of the people.

An artist's rendition of the renovated San Kamphaeng Hot Springs Chiang Mai, offering a prototype for public hot springs nationwide. Aiming to become a Unesco World Heritage site, Chiang Mai is accelerating landscape enhancements at its historic sites ahead of an assessment in June, according to the Chiang Mai provincial government. To maintain momentum in long‑haul markets, next month the Chiang Mai municipality plans to participate for the first time in the ITB Berlin trade show. HOT SPRINGS PROTOTYPEBanking on the booming foreign market and rising demand for health tourism products, the royally initiated "San Kamphaeng Hot Springs Chiang Mai" project was designated as a prototype for hot spring attractions in the province and nationwide. Tourists visit Wat Pan Tao in Chiang Mai during the city's night market.

"The problems not only affect our economic growth, but also seriously tarnish our image in the international community," he said. Nutthawat WichieanbutSHORT-TERM STIMULUSPayong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers' Association, said stimulus measures remain necessary based on economic conditions. Foreign data centre companies have repeatedly demanded better access to clean energy, requiring renewable power to operate their businesses. The direct PPA scheme passed a public hearing on Oct 3-10, and enables data centre operators to buy clean power directly from power companies. Clean energy infrastructure is crucial to make Thailand an attractive investment destination for the fast-growing data centre sector.

GGC launches partnership for credits from palm oilGlobal Green Chemicals Plc (GGC), the biochemical arm of PTT Global Chemical Plc, has partnered with Thaicom Plc and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) to launch a pilot smart palm oil farming project aimed at supporting Thailand's 2050 net-zero target. The three parties signed a memorandum of understanding for the initiative dubbed "Developing Carbon Credits from Sustainable Palm Oil Cultivation", which will explore how science and technology can be used to monitor plantations and measure carbon sequestration. The data should allow registration of carbon credits under Thailand's voluntary greenhouse gas reduction programme. He described the collaboration as a milestone in transforming Thailand's palm oil industry into a sustainable, low-carbon sector, while adding value to palm oil products. The initiative also builds on GGC's work with GIZ, Germany's international development agency, which supports sustainable palm oil production and procurement.

Cramped booths bar access at polling stationsNONTHABURI: A social worker has raised concerns over persistent accessibility problems at polling stations, saying cramped voting booths continue to hinder wheelchair users and voters with disabilities despite improvements by the Election Commission (EC). Ban Nonthaphoom Home, under the Department of Empowerment of People with Disabilities, is in Bang Talad subdistrict of Pak Kret district. Ms Asama said the facility has 228 eligible voters, but only 95 were able to vote this year as many residents are bedridden. Voters included people with hearing, visual and mobility impairments, as well as those with multiple disabilities, who cast ballots at a nearby polling station. She said further adjustments were needed to ensure equal access to voting, particularly for people with physical disabilities, so they could vote and take part in the election day process like everyone else.

The mechanism is a non-tariff barrier that applies to products with high carbon emissions during production. From 2026, importers must disclose the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their products and purchase CBAM certificates to offset them, meaning they will have to pay levies if their production processes emit carbon dioxide. Campaigns promoting reforestation, garbage separation and recycling and rooftop solar panel installation are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. LEGAL TOOLThailand is turning to a new legal tool -- the climate change bill -- to strengthen its efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reshape the business landscape, he said. "The flooding in Hat Yai underscored the escalating impact of climate change," said Phirun Saiyasitpanich, director‑general of the Department of Climate Change and Environment.

Voters' choice merits respectThailand's general election concluded yesterday amidst a nationwide atmosphere of anticipation, civic engagement and hope for the country's direction. It reflects a fundamental respect for the clearest and most direct signal voters can deliver through an election. As such, post-election conversations inevitably revert to bargaining and pressure from powerful interest groups, often obscuring the public will. However, the party that emerges with the highest vote share is the one trusted by the largest group of citizens. Public faith will continue to erode if voters believe their choices can be rearranged after the fact to suit power calculations.

Climate change discourse takes a new turnWhat a difference a single year makes. Now, he admits that the "architecture of collective problem-solving" long supported by World Economic Forum elites, and including United Nations-organised climate change summits, has been "diminished". Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist winner of the New York City mayoral election, campaigned on rising grocery bills and housing costs, and barely discussed climate change. Other issues have become much more important, and people are reading and watching climate change news less across all Global North. Take the claim that extreme events, because of climate change, have dramatically made us worse off.

50-party race comes down to just thisAn official holds up votes in the general election as they are counted at a polling station in Bangkok. In reality, however, it was essentially a two-horse race between Bhumjaithai and the People's Party. Critics argue that most members of the People's Party are young and inexperienced, from top to bottom, and lack the capacity to govern effectively. Other weaknesses of the People's Party include impatience, overconfidence and a reluctance to engage with divergent views. On constitutional reform, both the People's Party and the Democrats support drafting a new charter through a charter-drafting assembly.

NT spotlights digital joint ventures to build up revenueCol Sanpachai says NT focuses on partners who can drive strategic goals. State enterprise National Telecom (NT) expects to sign two joint venture deals with private digital product developers this year. NT plans to hold a 25% share in each of the joint ventures during the initial phase. If it owned more than 25% in the joint ventures, NT would have to ask for cabinet approval for any business decisions. If we separate NT's own revenue from that contributed by the private telecom partners, NT would lose about 400 million baht a month," he said.

Push for development of Thailand into global halal hubThe Thai halal industry, which includes food and tourism, has strong growth potential, according to the Thai Muslim Trade Association (TMTA). Marut Mekloy, president of the TMTA, said Thailand has a wide range of halal-certified products across various sectors, positioning the country as a prospective global halal trade hub. He said halal tourism can potentially drive growth. The halal industry is linked to multiple sectors, and he called for a greater focus on establishing a Thai halal industry centre with a clear direction and leadership. A centre was included in Thailand's draft Halal Industry Development Action Plan (2024-2027) under the Industry Ministry.

Cho shows class in breakthrough victoryCho Woo-Young poses with the trophy. ASIAN TOUR ASIAN TOURManila: Two years after being part of the Korean team that famously claimed the gold medal at the Asian Games, Cho Woo-Young became a winner on the Asian Tour for the first time after triumphing at the Philippine Golf Championship yesterday. His previous best finish on the Asian Tour was second place at the Bharath Classic toward the end of last year. Pavit was trying to win an Asian Tour event for the first time since 2019. Australian Travis Smyth returned a 73 for third, six behind Cho, while Kochhar shot a 77 for fourth, two further adrift.

A selection of 15 movies will feature in the Japanese Film Festival 2026, which will kick off this Friday and run until Feb 22 at House Samyan, 5th floor of Samyan Mitrtown, Rama IV Road. The opening day on Friday will feature two movies -- Akiko Oku's She Taught Me Serendipity, a nominee for the Tokyo International Film Festival 2024, at 6.20pm; and Sunset Sunrise, a 2025 drama by Yoshiyuki Kishi, at 6.30pm. After Bangkok, the film festival will travel to Chiang Mai University and Maielie Gallery in Khon Kaen -- both from Feb 27 to March 1 -- and also Chiangrai Contemporary Art Museum in Chiang Rai from Feb 28 to March 1. Tickets cost 160 baht (140 baht for members and 120 baht for students) and can be purchased at the box office and from housesamyan.com. There is no admission fee for the screenings in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Chiang Rai.

Tuck emphasised that Tuck Bangkok operates not as a gallery or showroom, but as a living environment. "As Tuck Bangkok means greeting Bangkok, it is an invitation for friends across Asia to greet Bangkok through the space. I saw a photograph of Horio published by Axel Vervoordt in which Horio stares at the camera with his eyes closed, but there is a drawing of eyes on his closed eyelids. As a ritual, I photograph all photos with my eyes closed," explained Tuck. While capturing photos with their eyes closed, Tuck experienced the void and felt connection with their family.

Thai blank Puerto Rico to seal Davis Cup promotionMaximus Jones, right, and Pruchya Isaro celebrate their victory. PRThailand secured their place in the Davis Cup World Group 2 with a 4-0 victory over Puerto Rico on Sunday at the National Tennis Development Centre in Muang Thong Thani. Thailand held a 2-0 lead in the tie thanks to Maximus Jones and Kasidit Samrej winning their singles matches on Saturday. Hernandez and Vega replaced Yannik Alvarez and Marko Mesarovic, who were earlier named in the doubles lineup against Thailand. The Puerto Ricans got off to a quick start to take the opening set 6-3.