Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong, Thailand’s first and Asia Pacific’s largest Moxy hotel, introduces a new lineup of event offers at Sato San Rooftop Bar, transforming the city’s newest rooftop into a destination where any occasion becomes a moment. Perched on the 32nd floor, the rooftop offers 360-degree panoramic city views, positioning Sato San Rooftop Bar as one of Bangkok’s most compelling settings for sunset socials and skyline celebrations. Blending Japanese finesse with Thai-Isaan fun, Sato San Rooftop Bar delivers a playful yet polished atmosphere that reflects Moxy’s social-first DNA. Sato San Rooftop Bar is open daily from 6 PM to 2 AM and welcomes guests aged 20 and above. Book Your Events at Sato San Rooftop Bar Now at https://www.satosanrooftopbar.com/our-events-and-private-dining?utm_source=press+release&utm_medium=events&utm_campaign=press+releaseFor other enquiries, private events, or exclusive rooftop events, please contact moxy.bkkox.rsvn@moxyhotels.com, call +66 2 209 5999, or visit www.marriott.com/bkkox.

Violence-ridden Haiti in limbo as transitional council wraps upWith the mandate of the transitional council expiring on Saturday, the current US-backed prime minister will be tasked with running Haiti's first elections in nearly a decade. (Photo: AFP)PORT-AU-PRINCE - Nearly two years after it was created to restore order in impoverished, violence-ravaged Haiti, the transitional council is ending its work -- with no end to the crisis in sight. "Once again, we have the impression of being back to square one," former Prime Minister Jean-Michel Lapin told AFP. - Fear of institutional vacuum -Charged with bringing stability to the Caribbean nation, the nine-member Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) has achieved little, plagued by infighting, scandals and accusations of corruption. Meanwhile, Lapin, the former prime minister, has denounced the council members for being "incapable of freeing themselves from their personal interests."

AIMC chairwoman Chavinda Hanratanakool said the outlook for Thai equities in 2026 is more optimistic than last year, with a target range centred around 1,400 points. She said once election results are finalised and a stable government is formed, clarity on economic policy could provide sufficient momentum for the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index to move above that level. Historically, Thai equities have tended to perform positively after elections, according to AIMC. Selling by some institutions, such as insurance companies or social security funds, is seen as routine portfolio rebalancing rather than a structural reduction in exposure to Thai equities, she said. Soraphol Tulayasathien, senior executive vice-president at the SET, said the Thai bourse has benefited from foreign inflows following MSCI rebalancing, which reduced weightings in some large Southeast Asian markets, notably Indonesia, redirecting to Thai equities.

Trump posts, then deletes, racist clip of Obamas as monkeysUS President Trump has long had a bitter rivalry with Barack Obama, his Democratic predecessor. (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - President Donald Trump shared a post with a racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys, sparking outrage across the US political spectrum Friday before deleting it in a rare backtrack. It has been taken down," a White House official told AFP. In the first year of his second term in the White House, Trump has ramped up his use of hyper-realistic but fabricated AI visuals on Truth Social and other platforms, often glorifying himself while lampooning his critics. Since returning to the White House, Trump has drawn criticism from his opponents for leading a crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The blast killed at least 31 people and wounded another 130. (Photo: AFP)ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad killed at least 31 people on Friday, local authorities said, with a police source saying more than 130 were wounded. City officials said “31 people were killed in the blast” at the Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai area on the outskirts of Islamabad. Another team of AFP journalists saw armed security forces outside the mosque, where pools of blood were visible on the ground. Those attacks prompted a wave of counter-operations in which authorities said security forces killed almost 200 militants.

After several iterations, name changes and relocations, Madame K Kitchen & Bar finds a new home near Soi Nana, Bangkok Chinatown's hip district. The good news is that long-time patrons can still get old favourites from their Eats Payao era while Madame K also gives them something new to try. They kicked off 2026 with a new menu, featuring northern Thai cuisine, other Asian flavours, as well as a few outside-the-box creations. Every spoonful of Northern Thai larb tuna tartare from the same section isn't quite the same sensation as you simply dig into a mélange of cubed tuna, veggies and herbs. The very fragrant and numbing effect of makhwaen berries came through as per northern-style Thai larb.

(Photo: AFP)GENEVA - The United States on Friday urged three-way talks with Russia and China to set new limits on nuclear weapons, after the last treaty between top nuclear powers Washington and Moscow expired. “Russia and China should not expect the United States to stand still while they shirk their obligations and expand their nuclear forces,” Rubio wrote. Russia and the United States together control more than 80 percent of the world’s nuclear warheads. “China would not participate in nuclear disarmament negotiations at this stage.”He insisted that “states possessing the largest nuclear arsenals should continue to fulfil their special and primary responsibilities for nuclear disarmament”. Russia in 2023 rejected inspections of its nuclear sites under the treaty, as tensions rose with the United States over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

French national arrested after cocaine sachets found at Phuket airportNajib Aftat, 46, a French national, is arrested after cocaine sachets fell out of his trouser pockets at Phuket International Airport. (Photo: Sakhu police station)PHUKET: A 46-year-old French man was arrested after 10 sachets of cocaine were found at Phuket International Airport's domestic departure baggage screening area. The owner of the drugs was identified as Najib Aftat, 46, a French national. Police examined footage of CCTV, which showed the sachets falling from the suspect’s trousers while he was in the screening area. The drugs, classified as a category 2 narcotic (cocaine), were contained in press-seal sachets and weighed a total of 7.55 grammes.

Chia Tai Company Limited, Thailand’s leading innovative agricultural company, organized the “Field Day: Nadee Napang 2026” at Chia Tai Experience in Bang Nam Priao District, Chachoengsao Province. Chia Tai Experience, therefore, presented a structured approach to rice field management to support farmers in controlling costs, planning production, and maintaining consistent yields more effectively. Ms. Supaporn Kietisirikajorn, Chief Marketing Officer, said that Chia Tai established Chia Tai Experience in mid-2025 at a time when farmers were facing pressure from volatile rice prices and increasingly difficult-to-control production costs. The event also featured learning activities and interactive engagements at booths from Chia Tai’s business units, including Chia Tai Seeds, Rabbit Brand Fertilizers, and Chia Tai Plant Protection Products. More information is also available on Facebook at Chia Tai Experience https://www.facebook.com/ChiaTaiExperience

St Valentine's Day / Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park / Feb 14On St Valentine’s Day, escape into an evening of romance at Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park's Panorama Restaurant. St Valentine's Day / W Bangkok / Feb 14-15W Bangkok celebrates love with two dining experiences at Paii and The Kitchen Table. St Valentine's Day / Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok / Feb 13-15Ms.Jigger will offer a four-course Italian set menu from Feb 13-15 in celebration of St Valentine's Day. St Valentine’s Day / Banyan Tree Bangkok / Feb 14Banyan Tree Bangkok is offering six dining experiences on St Valentine’s Day. St Valentine’s Day / RavipaTo celebrate St Valentine’s Day, Ravipa presents an interpretation of love in its many dimensions through a curated selection of couple jewellery collections.

Better public communications ordered for royal cremationMinister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office, Supamas Isarabhakdi, has ordered an urgent strengthening of public communications for the Royal Cremation Ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. Speaking yesterday as chairperson of the Public Relations Committee for the Royal Cremation Ceremony, she stressed that all information must be accurate and comprehensive, and conveyed with the utmost dignity, to reflect Thailand's royal traditions to a global audience. Ms Supamas made the remarks following a committee meeting, which focused on enhancing communication strategies to ensure clear and coordinated public outreach. She said the royal cremation ceremony holds deep significance for the Thai people, and that public communications play a vital role in conveying Her Majesty's immeasurable royal grace and benevolence, as well as the richness of Thai arts and culture, to the international community. Ms Supamas said all disseminated information must undergo careful scrutiny to ensure accuracy, completeness, and the utmost reverence.

A woman wearing a face mask walks next to electoral campaign posters before the general elections on Sunday. The first restricted period was when advance voting took place last Saturday, and the second will start at 6 pm on Saturday, ahead of the general election the following day. The long-standing election law was introduced to prevent vote-buying and maintain public order, according to the Election Commission. On the resort island of Phuket, restaurant and bar owner Benny De Bellis said ​his revenues fell 30% during the advance voting weekend. Another restaurant, Mrs B Bar & Table on the island, expects bar ‍sales to plunge by 90% next weekend, said owner Sumitha Soorian.

LONDON - Pop icon Elton John on Friday accused the publisher of two UK tabloids of “abhorrent” privacy invasions “outside even the most basic standards of human decency” as he testified at London’s High Court. Other complainants in the case include Prince Harry, King Charles III’s younger son, and actress Liz Hurley. Wearing a green blazer and purple tie, the 78-year-old musician who has a rocky relationship with British tabloids appeared furious while giving evidence. Hurley, a friend of the couple, and Prince Harry each took the stand in the first two weeks of the trial. An emotional Prince Harry blasted the publisher when he was in the box in January, accusing the tabloids of making his wife Meghan’s life “an absolute misery”.

Signed jerseys delivered after players learn about senior fans on TikTokOrn (left) and Morn wear their signed jerseys while watching a Manchester City match. (Photo: Screen capture from Man City YouTube channel)Manchester City has delighted two senior fans in Thailand with gifts after learning about their avid and enduring support of the football club. We feel your support,” Reijnders said on a video posted on the Man City YouTube channel on Thursday. (Photo: Screen capture from Man City YouTube channel)Stone said he was touched by the pair’s dedication to the club and players. “Thank you Man City for giving us happiness and excitement,” Morn said.

(Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Top figures in the People’s Party have called for sweeping reforms of the military, police and judicial system to restore fairness and accountability, in the final major rally before Sunday’s general election. Turning to military reform, Mr Wiroj said the government would no longer tolerate cases of soldiers being injured or killed by their own comrades. Independent judiciaryDiscussing the judiciary, Mr Wiroj said judges must be free from interference in the justice process. National security policy was not complicated, he said, explaining that true national security meant security for all citizens, equality before the law and an end to double standards. “Why is it only the People’s Party that stands with the junior ranks — our sons and daughters?