DNP seeks more time to move 3 wild elephantsThe Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has asked the Khon Kaen Administrative Court for additional time to relocate three wild elephants following the death of a jumbo during a recent transfer, citing safety concerns. Planned measures include expanding food sources within forest areas to reduce conflict with people, fitting wild elephants with GPS tracking devices, strengthening rapid-response teams to monitor elephants that stray from forests, and developing sustainable long-term management strategies. Addressing concerns over the relocation process, the DNP said on Thursday that the operation was carried out in accordance with academic principles and international standards, with integrated cooperation among several agencies. Specialist veterinarians and experienced animal handlers were present throughout the operation, and the elephant's vital signs were closely monitored. The DNP has requested a court extension to comply with the order to relocate the remaining three elephants to allow officials time to refine relocation methods and consider alternative risk-reduction measures for personnel, local communities and the animals themselves.

Police uncover 'vote-buying' in provincesPeople take part in a public awareness campaign organised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to encourage voter participation in Sunday’s election and charter referendum, in the capital. The event was held at Lan Khon Muang in front of the BMA office in Phra Nakhon district on Feb 5. Nutthawat WichieanbutLaw enforcement agencies have stepped up operations against vote-buying in several provinces ahead of Sunday's general election, with cases uncovered in Chiang Rai and Surat Thani and heightened monitoring underway in Satun. In Chiang Rai, officers from Phan district police were deployed about 5pm on Friday after receiving intelligence about suspicious activities involving the collection of voter names and cash allegedly intended for vote-buying during the final stretch of the campaign. The suspect said he had been contacted by a local broker who instructed him to collect and submit voter names.

The Supreme Court has ordered the removal of 18 constituency and 31 party-list MP candidates from Sunday's election, the Election Commission (EC) says. The court also ordered the removal of 31 party-list candidates. However, the EC clarified this does not affect party-list voting, as the law allows each party to submit a single list of up to 100 candidates. Regarding disqualified party-list candidates, Klatham topped the list with four removals, while most other parties, including the Democrats and Palang Pracharath, had one candidate withdrawn. The EC has coordinated with provincial offices to display lists of removed candidates at polling stations.

Ruangkrai seeks NACC probe into Suriya's aircraftSuriya JungrungreangkitPolitical activist Ruangkrai Leekijwattana has submitted a petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. Mr Ruangkrai said he sent the petition via Express Mail Service on Friday after reviewing information published by the website Nextnews and comparing it with Mr Suriya's asset declarations filed with the NACC. Import documents and receipts indicate the aircraft's import value was 862.19 million baht, with value-added tax (VAT) of 60.35 million baht. Mr Ruangkrai said that in Mr Suriya's asset declaration upon leaving his post as chair of the Sports Authority of Thailand in 2024, the aircraft was listed at 30 million baht as a deposit. He argued the declared amount appears to exclude 7% VAT, meaning Mr Suriya's share should have been reported at 32.1 million baht.

Satellite data exposes scale of haze crisisThailand recorded 2.26 million rai of burned areas last month, highlighting the scale of the environmental crisis and its direct link to seasonal haze and PM2.5 pollution, says the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda). Gistda said "burned areas" are not merely traces of forest or agricultural fires but crucial evidence of widespread environmental stress. An analysis of Sentinel-2 satellite data covering Jan 1–31 showed the country's cumulative burned area reached 2.26 million rai. Land reform areas recorded 421,000 rai, followed by national forest reserves at 213,000 rai. Community and other areas accounted for 117,000 rai, conservation forests for 58,600 rai and areas along highways for 17,100 rai.

Anti-govt banners, explosives foundNARATHIWAT: Security forces are on high alert after finding banners displaying anti-government messages and objects resembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at multiple locations across the province. The banners, made of white cloth, carried messages written in Thai and English in red and blue paint. The suspects allegedly coordinated to hang the banners in various places, including roadside bushes, tree branches and overhead power lines crossing roads. He warned that the perpetrators may have intended to lure officers into danger by concealing real explosives nearby. Immigration officials urged travellers to use official border crossings when returning to Thailand, warning that Malaysian authorities are enforcing strict border measures.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand on Saturday asked Thais to watch the documentary film A Chip Odyssey during its local premiere. The documentary explores the intensifying global "chip war" and examines how Taiwan -- a small island with few natural resources -- has emerged as a critical centre of global technology. The documentary underscores that behind every chip lies a human story, and behind every success, a generational gamble. As global reliance on AI-driven technologies grows, Taiwan's semiconductor industry has become both an economic linchpin and a strategic shield. The documentary ultimately conveys a central belief shared by its subjects: Taiwan's survival depends on competing -- and winning -- on the global stage.

Health dept urges premarital checkupsThe Department of Health has urged couples to undergo medical check-ups before marriage, as early screening can prevent babies from being infected with sexually transmitted diseases. Amporn Benjaponpitak, director-general of the Department of Health, said a healthy family begins with effective health planning, particularly preparation for pregnancy. She said the department has been promoting awareness of the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT), focusing on three key diseases: hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV. Hepatitis B remains a major cause of liver cancer and liver cirrhosis, it said. If hepatitis B is detected during pregnancy, newborns will be given hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) immediately after birth to prevent infection.

N. Korea to hold party congress in February, first since 2021During the last ruling party congress in North Korea, Kim Jong Un (C) was named general secretary, resurrecting a title previously held by his late fatherSEOUL - North Korea's leadership will hold a party congress later this month, state media announced Sunday, in what will be the first such major gathering since 2021. The decision was made Saturday in a meeting of top leaders of the country's ruling Workers Party of Korea (WPK), including Kim Jong Un, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The last party congress -- the reclusive nuclear-armed nation's eighth -- was held in January 2021. Analysts described the choreographed messaging from the party congress as one of defiance toward the United States, after the breakdown in negotiations with Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump. Since the 2021 gathering, North Korea has continued to develop its nuclear arsenal, repeatedly test-launching intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in defiance of bans ordered by the UN Security Council.

Takaichi tipped for big win as Japan votesPollsters suggest Sanae Takaichi's coalition could secure a handy two-thirds majority, nearly a decade since her mentor Shinzo Abe achieved the featTOKYO - Japan votes in snap elections Sunday with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hoping to turn a honeymoon start into a resounding ballot box victory that could rile China and rattle financial markets. Takaichi has sounded tough on immigration, helping for now to slow the sharp rise of the populist "Japanese first" Sanseito party. Immigration screening "has already become a little stricter, so that terrorists, and also industrial spies, cannot enter easily", Takaichi said Saturday. Margarita Estevez-Abe, associate professor of political science at Syracuse University, said that the China episode raised Takaichi's popularity even more. "So the best scenario for Japan is that Takaichi kind of takes a deep breath and focuses on amending the relationship with China."

Gyokeres lifts Arsenal nine clear as Man Utd pile pressure on FrankArsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring against SunderlandLONDON - Arsenal moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory against Sunderland, while Tottenham boss Thomas Frank faced renewed calls for his sacking after a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday. Viktor Gyokeres sealed Arsenal's second successive league win with a 66th-minute strike before the Swede netted again in stoppage time. The Gunners, who haven't won a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, are chasing their first English title in 22 years. Arsenal also beat Chelsea in midweek to book a League Cup final date with Manchester City at Wembley on March 22. Everton won 2-1 at Fulham thanks to an own goal from Cottagers keeper Bernd Leno in the 83rd minute.

Spain, Portugal face fresh storms, torrential rainBoth Spain and Portugal issued warnings over potential fresh floodsRONDA (SPAIN) - Spain and Portugal endured fresh storms and torrential rain that claimed another life Saturday, just days after the deadly flooding and major damage caused by Storm Leonardo. In Portugal, the latest depression -- christened Storm Marta -- led to the deployment of more than 26,500 rescue workers. Storm Kristin killed five people when it swept across Portugal last week, and Storm Leonardo claimed another victim on Wednesday. Both Spain and Portugal have issued fresh flood alerts. - Thousands evacuated -In Spain, much of the country's south, particularly the region of Andalusia, was placed on orange alert on Saturday, as was the north-west, which was facing heavy rain and violent storms.

After polling stations close at 5pm, ballot boxes will be opened and votes counted publicly at each polling station. The EC expects to certify MP election results within 60 days of polling day, while referendum results are to be endorsed within 30 days. The system is designed to report up to 95% of polling stations per constituency on election night. Polling officials in provinces including Chiang Mai, Phuket, Yala, Nakhon Pathom and Nakhon Ratchasima were collecting ballot boxes and materials, with security measures in place. In Chiang Mai alone, there are 2,789 polling stations, including more than 200 in remote and mountainous areas, some requiring long journeys, four-wheel-drive vehicles or boat crossings.

Man and woman rushed to hospitals after incident near Terminal 21 mall at Asok intersectionParts of the collapsed tower crane are seen at a construction site near the Terminal 21 shopping mall at the Asok intersection in Bangkok on Saturday morning. Two workers were injured. (Photo: Ruamduay Asok rescue team via JS100 Radio)Two construction workers were injured after a tower crane collapsed at a construction site near the Terminal 21 shopping mall at the Asok intersection in Bangkok on Saturday morning. The incident occurred at 10.27am when the arm of the crane broke off and fell onto workers below at the construction site on Sukhumvit Soi 21 in Klong Toey Nuea, Watthana district. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident, which comes less than a month after two other crane collapses that resulted in multiple fatalities.

Younger brother of title contender Aliff Sor Dechapan announces himself with bonus-winning head-kick KO at ONE Friday Fights 141Adam Sor Dechapan walks off after a head-kick knockout of Walid Snoussi at ONE Friday Fights 141Adam Sor Dechapan has spent much of his early ONE Championship journey fighting in the slipstream of his older brother. Adam Sor Dechapan lands a head kick that knocks Walid Snoussi out at ONE Friday Fights 141In his corner was Aliff Sor Dechapan, the rising star now set to challenge Prajanchai for the ONE Championship strawweight Muay Thai title. Aliff Sor Dechapan (left) watches on as his younger brother Adam gets set to compete at ONE Friday Fights 141“I learned all of the techniques from my brother Aliff,” Adam said. Now, Muay Thai is driving the momentum. And for Adam Sor Dechapan, Friday night marked more than a knockout.