It said TikTok was believed to be “in breach of the Digital Services Act for its addictive design”, including through features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and a highly personalised recommender system. The commission findings raised concerns about TikTok design features that “fuel the urge to keep scrolling”. The EU began a separate probe into TikTok in December 2024 on alleged foreign interference during the Romanian presidential elections. EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier said Wednesday that TikTok had been “extremely cooperative” with regulators during that investigation and had been taking measures to address the commission’s concerns. Regnier added that while the probe remained open, regulators could monitor how TikTok behaves during other elections.

Russian tourist dies in fall at Koh Samui viewpointNa Phra Lan Cape viewpoint on Koh Samui, where a Russian man is believed to have climbed past a safety fence and fell while trying to make his way down to the shore. (Photos: Koh Samui police)SURAT THANI: A Russian tourist has died after an apparent fall from a cliff at the Na Phra Lan Cape viewpoint on Koh Samui, police said. Koh Samui police said they were alerted on Thursday to a foreign tourist found dead among the rocks at Na Phra Lan Cape viewpoint in tambon Mae Nam of Koh Samui district, a popular coastal lookout and the site of a 200‑year‑old ancient chedi. Witnesses told police that tourists visiting the viewpoint earlier had noticed a person lying motionless on the rocks below and alerted authorities. Police are determining the exact cause of death before reporting it to the Russian embassy in Bangkok.

The incident began on Highway 4169, the main road around the southern tourist island, in front of the Isan Krok Yai restaurant in tambon Bo Phut on Thursday morning. At one point, he waved down an Isuzu SUV that was being used for airport transfers. The foreigner then climbed into the vehicle and sped off towards the Bo Phut intersection, while the driver managed to get up and cling to the door as the SUV accelerated away, shocking bystanders. Police from a nearby public service point pursued on a motorcycle, radioed ahead to colleagues in Bo Phut, and managed to stop the vehicle at the Bo Phut T-junction — about 3.5 kilometres from where the joyride started. The suspect was taken to the Bo Phut police station but was unable to give a coherent statement.

The remarkable rise of Rukchanok 'Ice' SrinorkRukchanok 'Ice' Srinork, a party-list candidate for the People's Party, meets with supporters at an election campaign event in the Samyan area of Bangkok on Jan 25. Rukchanok "Ice" Srinork, a former lawmaker representing the People's Party, is now the most popular politician in Thai history. Ice Rukchanok, as people call her, is not just popular; she is phenomenal in male-dominated Thai politics. The SSF became a national agenda -- with Ice at its centre: outspoken, fearless, relentless in her call for transparency. She was scorned as the daughter of a prostitute and a pimp -- a class slur in Thai politics.

At a temple in Nonthaburi province, people seeking better luck and prosperity take part in the distinctive Na Nathong ritual, in which monks or ritual masters gild the participant’s face with gold leaf. The rite is believed to strengthen the “metal” element, boost charm, increase confidence and attract favour in personal and professional life. Nonetheless, many emphasise that belief should be balanced with mindfulness while heeding the law of karma, being diligent and doing good deeds.

Abhisit calls on voters to pick 'blue'Abhisit: Addressing strategic votersDemocrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva urged voters keen on strategic voting to choose "blue" on election day -- a reference to the colour of the party's logo. Strategic voting refers to the practice of casting a ballot with the aim of achieving a broader political outcome, rather than simply choosing the party or candidate one personally prefers. Responding to questions about strategic voting at "Thailand's Direction Is in Your Hands" forum in Bangkok, Mr Abhisit said he understood why many voters believe that backing a candidate who would not win amounts to wasting their vote. He said this prompted some voters to back parties they did not genuinely support simply to block another party they opposed. "If voters wanted to make a strategic choice, they should choose blue," he said.

(Photo: Embassy of Sweden)Thailand's role as a key partner to the Nordic countries was reaffirmed at the Nordic Day reception jointly hosted by the Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and Swedish embassies on Wednesday at the Norwegian Ambassador's Residence in Bangkok, ahead of Nordic Day on March 23. The four Nordic ambassadors highlighted Thailand's importance as a strategic partner for the Nordic region and Europe, underscoring cooperation in economic ties, multilateralism, sustainability and people-to-people exchanges. He said the Nordic countries remain committed to the UN Charter, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Even in challenging times, she said, the Nordic countries' commitment to human rights and democratic values remains unwavering. She welcomed Thailand's engagement in the UN Human Rights Council and expressed optimism about continued dialogue and cooperation in this area.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, People's Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, greets crowds of supporters at Samyan Mitrtown in Bangkok on Jan 25. The PP will focus on political transformation driven by citizens, emphasising public participation in reshaping Thailand's political and social structures. Beyond Bangkok, election authorities and provincial administrations across the country have intensified efforts to encourage voter turnout and participation in the simultaneous referendum on whether to approve the drafting of a new constitution. In Pathum Thani yesterday, the Election Commission (EC) organised a "Big Day" campaign urging citizens to vote and take part in the referendum. Meanwhile, the EC issued a firm warning to political party executives, stressing their responsibility to prevent members from engaging in actions that could undermine free and fair elections.

EC chief 'sorry' about remarks on YouTubeSawaeng: Words 'taken out of context'Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee has issued an apology following widespread criticism over remarks he made in a YouTube video, in which he said: "If you don't trust the commissioners, then don't go to vote." In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he said he regretted causing public discomfort and stressed that his comments had been taken out of context. He said public trust in elections rests on two pillars: the system and the people who operate it. When only a single sentence was taken and presented without the surrounding context, it led to misinterpretation and unnecessary public unease," he wrote. Assist Prof Ponson proposed comprehensive reform through a new constitution, endorsed by a public referendum, as a more sustainable solution.

Emotional reunions, dashed hopes as Ukraine soldiers releasedFamily members joyfully and apprehensively waited to be reunited with loved ones captured by Russia in the war with Ukraine. Your son has been released," the message read, two years after Russia captured the young soldier. Russia and Ukraine exchanged 157 respective prisoners of war on Thursday, the first such swap between the two warring countries since October. Since then, his father has attended practically every prisoner exchange -- one of the rare areas of direct cooperation between Ukraine and Russia throughout the four-year war. After the emotional reunions, those freed were immediately sent for medical checkups in one of the hospital's buildings.

Anutin's long political ascentBJT Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul takes a selfie with supporters during election canvassing in Hat Yai district of Songkhla on Wednesday night. "Under Mr Anutin's direction, the capacity of every member has been enhanced, and he allows individuals to perform to their fullest potential," Mr Siripong said. Electoral testMr Anutin's political messaging has remained consistent throughout his career. Supachai Jaisamut, BJT's legal chief, said Mr Anutin's leadership style strengthened internal cooperation. "Mr Anutin's open-mindedness towards younger generations within the party is a crucial factor underpinning effective administration," he said.

Rethinking global health financeFor the past half-century, the economics of global health were straightforward. Moreover, the grant-based system makes much use of vertical health programs, which advance specific, measurable, narrow, and often short-term objectives. Yet instead of addressing the weaknesses of the grant-based system, development finance institutions and donor countries want to scrap it. And risk-laden guarantors are more likely to emphasise the financial viability of projects, rather than the health system's needs. The language of leverage might appeal to those who make funding decisions, but it will do little to fix health systems on the ground.

Pheu Thai bets again on loyal red-shirt baseThe Pheu Thai Party's call for supporters to wear red shirts today appears to be a last-ditch effort to re-energise its traditional "red-shirt" base. Pheu Thai is on the wane. As an observer, I would note that both the Pheu Thai Party and Thai society have come a long way from the era of risky street confrontations. The red-shirt mobilisation of 2026 appears to be a signal -- a test of whether Pheu Thai still enjoys support from its traditional base. Reading the tea leaves, the Dress in Red campaign alone is unlikely to alter the overall trajectory of Sunday's election.

His repeated vows not to reopen the border, clearly aimed at pleasing ultranationalist groups, are more than startling. Yesterday, Mr Anutin also told voters he would repeal MOU 44 on maritime border negotiations, which the government signed with Cambodia nearly two decades ago. As the government and the army frame border closures as punishment for Cambodia and the Hun Sen regime, the harsh measures have inflicted serious damage on Thailand's economy. Border trade, which gave Thailand a surplus of more than 109 billion baht in 2024, is now a thing of the past. More worrying still, prolonged border closures are cutting off people-to-people ties -- a key foundation for restoring relations.

Will poll be breakout or more of same? Only once in the past 26 years -- in January 2001 -- have voter preferences prevailed, when Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai Party swept to power. Its successor, the People's Party (PP) under Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, now appears poised to repeat the feat. Having won every election except 2023, Pheu Thai retains extensive upcountry canvassing networks and a formidable war chest. Democrats may siphon off some younger voters seeking reform without touching monarchy reform.