12:24Atmosphere of Thailand general election 2026Electors arrive at polling stations across Thailand on Sunday, casting ballots for constituency candidates, party lists and on whether to support drafting a new constitution. (Photos by Bangkok Post photographers)
12:24Thailand general eleciton 2026People arrive at polling stations throughout Thailand on Sunday Feb 8, casting ballots for constituency candidates, party lists and whether they support writing a new constitution. (Photos by Bangkok Post Photographers)
Washington Post CEO out after sweeping job cutsThe sweeping job cuts at The Washington Post left hundreds of journalists without work. WASHINGTON - The Washington Post announced on Saturday its CEO and publisher Will Lewis was leaving effective immediately, just days after the storied newspaper owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos made drastic job cuts that angered readers. Hundreds of Post journalists, including most of its overseas, local and sports staff, were let go in the sweeping cuts announced on Wednesday. He and Lewis have come under scrutiny for intervening directly in the paper's editorial processes. Marty Baron, the Post's executive editor until 2021, said that the job cuts ranked "among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
Iraqi shot dead in Phuket, police hunt foreign suspectPolice at the crime scene on Siriraj Road in Kathu district, Phuket, on Saturday evening. Ameer Mundher Mamood, 24, was shot once in his back while he was cleaning a motorcycle on Siriraj Road in tambon Patong of Kathu district about 5.50pm. Phuket police chief Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum said the man was grievously wounded and was rushed to Patong Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The suspect checked out after the shooting, Pol Maj Gen Sinlert said. Pol Maj Gen Sinlert said the suspect had not left the country.
Voters await their turn at a Klong Tan polling unit in Klong Tan in Wattana district in Bangkok on Sunday morning. Voters began queueing at polling stations in Bangkok and across the country before they opened at 8am, keen to be among the first to exercise their voting rights. The Election Commission (EC) said everything was going smoothly on Sunday morning and anticipated even more voters in the afternoon. The EC expected a 75% turnout on voting day, with a high number of voters in the morning. Voters must select their constituency candidate, party-list representative and also decide whether they want a new constitution or leave the present, latest version untouched.
Google has officially confirmed that its Quick Share feature will soon allow Android users to transfer files directly to Apple’s AirDrop, expanding a capability previously thought to be exclusive to the Pixel 10 series. Google’s strategy involves transitioning the Quick Share Extension from a system-level background service into a standalone application on the Play Store. Nothing Phone has been the first third-party brand to confirm it will integrate the updated Quick Share feature. Currently, sharing high-resolution photos or large documents between Android and iOS often requires third-party cloud services or messaging apps, which can compress file quality. The integration of Quick Share and AirDrop aims to eliminate these hurdles using a combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct protocols.
A group of around 100 protesters threw firecrackers, smoke bombs and bottles at police after breaking away from the main body of a demonstration in the Olympic host city of Milan on Saturday (February 7). Police in riot gear responded with water cannons to disperse the group.
It is, according to bookmakers, the unlikeliest Super Bowl match-up of modern times. He is expected to deliver the first-ever Super Bowl set sung entirely in Spanish. Speculation is high that he could use the giant Super Bowl platform to double down. The Super Bowl kicks off at 3:30pm local time (2330 GMT) at the 75,000-capacity Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Details of his Super Bowl set are under wraps, though Bad Bunny has pledged to showcase Puerto Rican culture in "a huge party."
Sixth Thai-Lao bridge on track following talks, design tweaksPhoto: Facebook Mekong River CommissionThe Department of Highways has confirmed that construction of the sixth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is set to begin in 2029, following financing talks and design adjustments on the Lao side. A department source said progress on the new bridge, linking Ubon Ratchathani with Salavan in Laos, has advanced after revisions to the project design. The junction with Route 13 will also be redesigned as a roundabout, requiring further impact studies, particularly regarding additional land expropriation. Laos has also requested financial help from Thailand for part of the main Mekong River bridge work, estimated at 185 million baht. The bridge will span 1.6 kilometres with two traffic lanes, linking Thailand's Highway 2112 in Na Tan district with Laos' Route 13 in Lakhonepheng district.
A fond farewell to the poster peopleFor a couple of months the streets in Bangkok and throughout Thailand have been decorated with posters of political candidates. Watching their faces when they were served up mushy peas for breakfast was a delight in itself. I explained that mushy peas was regarded as a northern delicacy and even known as "Yorkshire caviar", but this fell on deaf ears. I bravely proceeded to dig into the mushy peas with more of a sense of patriotism than enthusiasm. If anything looks less appealing than mushy peas on a plate it must be black pudding, which on this occasion resembled burnt socks.
Jones, Kasidit power Thailand to commanding Davis Cup advantageSealing it: Kasidit Samrej hits a return against Marko Mesarovic. Thailand took a 2-0 lead in the Davis Cup World Group 2 playoff against Puerto Rico after Maximus Jones and Kasidit Samreg won the singles matches yesterday at the National Tennis Development Centre, Muang Thong Thani. We have lined up Pruchya Isaro and Maximus Jones for the doubles tie but we will see if there will be any change or not," he added. Today's action begins with Pruchya and Jones taking on Alvarez and Mesarovic in the doubles match. Jones will then face Mesarovic while Kasidit will meet Alvarez in the reverse singles matches.
Kingdom's men bow out after five-match thriller against IndonesiaThe Thai men's badminton team followed their women's counterparts out of the Asia Team Championships 2026 in Qingdao, China, on Friday. The tie went the distance, with Tanawat Yimjit losing to Richie Duta Richardo 5-21, 17-21 in the deciding fifth match at Qingdao Conson Gymnasium. Indonesia were scheduled to face Japan while defending champions China and South Korea were to face off in the semi-finals later yesterday. In the women's team event, China defeated Taiwan 3-0 to advance to the final. They will face South Korea, who beat Indonesia 3-1, in the decider today.
Buri Ram's Airport terminal begins trial runSource: Department of AirportsThe Department of Airports (DOA) has held a soft opening of the new passenger terminal at Buri Ram airport, marking a major upgrade to regional transport infrastructure. The expansion aims to transform Buri Ram into a hub for sport tourism and boost the local economy. The terminal spans 25,500 square metres, strengthening connectivity across the lower Northeast and linking to the East–West Economic Corridor. The facility is expected to be vital during MotoGP 2026 from Feb 27 to March 1, when the province hosts the season-opening race. Between Feb 18 and March 2, more than 120 flights are expected to carry over 20,000 passengers.
Today's date with national destinyThailand has a double date with destiny today. This is more than a routine civic duty; it is a decisive exercise of power. In a nation that has endured an endless series of military coups, extreme political polarisation and repeated institutional gridlock, today's vote serves as a vital reaffirmation of the country's collective future. On the domestic front, a clear and decisive electoral outcome will go a long way toward forging a new national consensus. This vision must be inclusive -- capable of reuniting people across the political spectrum under a shared commitment to national progress rather than divisive hostility.
Barriers set up to prevent entry to shops and resortsGuntouch "Gun Jompalang" Pongpaiboonwet near stacked containers in Trat on Saturday. Photo from his Facebook pageSocial activist Guntouch "Gun Jompalang" Pongpaiboonwet has teamed up with supporters in Trat province to assert Thailand's territorial claim near Cambodia, amid fresh tensions near the border. The barriers effectively closed entrances to shops and resorts operated by Chinese nationals in areas Thailand reclaimed during its recent conflict with Cambodia. This follows earlier operations in Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaew villages in Sa Kaeo, which authorities said reduced friction and clarified boundary lines. During this operation, Chinese nationals, Cambodian civilians and soldiers were seen observing from about 100 metres behind barbed-wire fencing.
