In the run-up to the election, debt relief featured prominently in the policy platforms of many political parties. Mr Piti warned several of the debt relief campaigns reflect a limited understanding of Thailand's household debt problem. Behind the headline numbers of household debt lie very different causes and circumstances for individual borrowers, said Mr Piti. HEAVY BURDENConcerns over the fiscal and behavioural impact of debt relief policies were echoed by independent researchers. The TDRI said the approach is unlikely to be sustainable because it does not address the structural causes of household debt.

The award, among the WHO's most prestigious honours, will be presented during the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, in May. WHO Executive Board's vice chairman Pongsadhorn Pokpermdee said WHO headquarters in Geneva confirmed the selection committee unanimously nominated Dr Worawit, with final approval granted by the WHO Executive Board. "The board praised Dr Worawit for consistently upholding humanitarian principles in public health throughout his decades of service in Umphang district, one of Thailand's most remote and geographically challenging areas," Dr Pongsadhorn said. In addition, Dr Worawit has introduced innovative management solutions suited to resource-limited settings, including the use of solar energy to reduce hospital costs, medicine donation schemes and the training of cross-border community health volunteers. Dr Worawit has served at Umphang Hospital since 1991 and is a recipient of the Public Health Ministry's Outstanding Rural Doctor Award.

Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul voted in Buri Ram province, the home base of his party, while most other party leaders showed up at polling booths in Bangkok. The EC said everything was going smoothly Sunday morning and anticipated even more voters to turn out in the afternoon. The EC expected a 75% turnout on voting day, with a high number of voters in the morning. EC chairman Narong Klanwarin told reporters that the turnout rate could reach 80% or even 90%. "Don't forget to take an umbrella with you to the polling station, especially this afternoon, due to an increasing chance of rain," the weather agency said.

Containers 'help ease tension' on Trat borderA bird's eye view photo of shipping containers along the border near Ban Tha Sen in tambon Chamrak of Muang district in Trat. The Border Defence Command of Chanthaburi and Trat installed the containers to prevent further clashes. Army Military Force Facebook PageThe Royal Thai Navy defended the placement of shipping containers along the border in Bang Tha Sen in Trat's Mueang district, calling the move a temporary measure to reduce tension along the border with Cambodia. The patrols found about 25 Cambodian fishing boats operating about 2km inside Thai waters. The vessels fled toward Cambodian waters as authorities approached, preventing arrests.

Parties told to leave past feuds behindBhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul on Sunday called on all parties to end campaign-related feuds once the polls close so the country can move forward in unity. "All conflicts and rivalries were simply part of the contest," Mr Anutin said. Mr Anutin voted alongside Bhumjaithai founder Newin Chidchob before returning to Bangkok to await the election results. Bhumjaithai, the People's Party and Pheu Thai were widely regarded as frontrunners and are expected to play key roles in the formation of the next government. Election officials anticipated a high voter turnout nationwide, with many voters undeterred by light rain reported in several areas, including parts of Greater Bangkok.

Continued infrastructure investment by the next government is needed for sustainable growth after the impacts of short-term stimulus fade, says InnovestX Securities. "If the goal is sustainable growth, infrastructure investment must take priority," he said, noting all major political parties have proposed large development projects. Stronger coordination between fiscal and monetary policy is needed to support growth, particularly as inflation remains subdued, credit growth is negative and the baht has strengthened, he said. Risks remain as rising long-term bond yields reflect concerns over increasing public debt. Thai GDP growth is projected at 1.4%, but full implementation of major party policies could lift growth by 0.5 to 0.9 percentage points.

A photo released by the Fine Arts Department shows the damage to Prasat Ta Kwai, a 12th-century temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district. She said Prasat Ta Kwai, Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Prasat Ta Muen Tot were listed in the Royal Gazette as significant archaeological sites in 1935, a move which Cambodia did not object to. "The next priority is to expedite the formal registration of Ta Kwai as an ancient monument. However, in the case of Ta Kwai, the situation will require the participation of the military. The department restored Prasat Ta Muen Thom over several phases in the late 1970s and early 2000s, with an overall budget of approximately 20–30 million baht.

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin acknowledges likely election win, as People's Party will let winner form coalition and remain in oppositionBhumjaithai members led by caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrive at party headquarters in Bangkok about 9pm on Sunday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) of caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had a comfortable lead as vote counting continued on Sunday night, while the rival People’s Party leader admitted his party would not win the Feb 8 general election. For party-list vote counting, People’s Party had 2.16 million votes, followed by Bhumjaithai on 1.66 million and Pheu Thai 1.54 million votes. Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, front centre, listens to a reporter's question during his press conference at his party headquarters late Sunday night. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut conceded that it was unlikely his party could win the election and it would let the winner form the next government.

Iran sentences Nobel peace laureate Mohammadi to six years in prisonNobel Committee chair Berit Reiss-Andersen, left, applauds as Kiana Rahmani and Ali Rahmani pose with the award on behalf of their mother Narges Mohammadi (portrait) during the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at the Oslo City Hall on Dec 10, 2023. (Photo: AFP)BAHRAIN — An Iranian court sentenced Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi to a six-year prison term, her lawyer told Agence-France Presse (AFP) on Sunday. Even behind bars, the Nobel laureate has not been silent, staging protests in the prison yard and going on hunger strikes. Mohammadi won the peace prize in 2023, primarily for her campaigning against the death penalty in Iran. Her children collected the award on her behalf, as she was in prison at the time.

UK PM Starmer's chief of staff quits over Mandelson falloutDowning Street's then chief of staff Morgan McSweeney arrives for the annual Lady Mayor's Banquet at the Guildhall in London on Dec 1, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)LONDON - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's chief of ‌staff Morgan ​McSweeney has quit, he said in a statement on Sunday, as pressure intensifies on Starmer over his decision to appoint ‌Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. McSweeney, Starmer's closest adviser and widely seen as one of the architects of Starmer's success ‌in ‍Britain's July 2024 election, said in a statement that he had ‌been ​closely involved in the appointment of Mandelson. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself," McSweeney ⁠said in a statement posted ​on X by political correspondents. "When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I ​take full responsibility for that ‍advice."

Understanding how these machines improve indoor air quality can make a substantial difference to daily comfort and long-term well-being. The price of this air purifier is around 9,000 baht. The price of this air purifier is around 7,000 baht. This air purifier uses a subscription model and costs around 560 baht per month for seven years. The price of this air purifier is around 8,000 baht.

Rukchanok “Ice” Srinork, a party-list candidate for the People's Party, addresses a crowd of supporters at the Bangkok Youth Centre (Thai–Japan) in Bangkok's Din Daeng district on Friday. Of the 44, 25 are members of the People's Party, the successor to Move Forward after it was dissolved. Responding to criticism that raising the case before the election is “political manoeuvring,” Mr Surapong said the case is following the NACC’s regular timeline. Everything is proceeding according to the timeline," said Mr Surapong. A guilty ruling could cost the former MPs their seats and bar them from future elections.

Colombian 'hired gun' arrested after Iraqi murdered in PhuketFernando Estaid Guevara Sanchez, 39, a Colombian national, is arrested and handcuffed at a homestay in Thalang district, Phuket, in the early hours of Sunday following the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old Iraqi man in Patong on Saturday evening. (Photo: Phuket provincial police)PHUKET - The Colombian suspect in the murder of an Iraqi man shot in the back in Patong on Saturday evening was arrested in Thalang district in the early hours of Sunday. Police launched a major serch for his killer involving Patong police, Phuket provincial investigators, Region 8 police and Region 8 special operations. (continues below)Police at the crime scene in Patong, Phuket on Saturday evening, where a 24-year-old Iraqi man was shot dead. Officers tracked him down, identified themselves and executed a Phuket Provincial Court arrest warrant.

Democrat leader expects about 20 MPs, ready to sit in oppositionDemocrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, centre, speaks to reporters at party headquarters in Bangkok on Sunday night. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday night that his party might have about 20 House seats and was ready to be in the opposition. The estimate was 11 constituency MPs and 10 from the party list, he said. “The Democrat Party is ready to be in the opposition in the parliament. A vote of this size (in the House) is suited to being the people’s eyes and ears,” Mr Abhisit said.

Voting booths ’too small’ for wheelchair users, says social workerElection Commission staff assist voters in wheelchairs at a polling station in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district during the general election on March 24, 2019. (Photo: Bangkok Post)NONTHABURI - A social worker has highlighted ongoing accessibility problems at local polling stations, saying the cramped booths continue to make it difficult for wheelchair users and others with disabilities to cast their ballots. “Relocating the polling station closer to the facility home is more convenient. In previous elections the polling station was 2–3 kilometres away from Ban Nonthaphoom. However, although it's not far for the general public, it’s a major hurdle for wheelchair users,” Ms Asama said.