Poll body takes dim view of ‘world-changing’ partyA fascination with space has led Mongkolkit Suksintharanon to propose some novel policies in his role as PM candidate for the New Alternative Party. (Photo: มงคลกิตติ์ สุขสินธารานนท์)The “world-changing” policies of Mongkolkit Suksintharanon and his New Alternative Party have attracted the attention of the Election Commission, which has observed that some of them might break electoral laws for being impossible to fulfill. It is not known exactly which policies the poll body was referring to. Perhaps it was the party’s proposal to allow Thais to marry aliens, or to build a Thai space industry capable of taking tourists to the moon. Phitsanulok-born Mr Mongkolkit, 44, has been involved on the fringes of Thai politics for nearly two decades.

Malaysia imposes ban on e-waste importsA Customs Department official shows electronic waste illegally imported into Thailand, at the Bangkok Port office on May 14, 2025. In Malaysia, imports of e-waste are banned. The task force is also discussing a proposal for a three-month moratorium on the importation of ‌plastic waste, ‍he said. It is unclear how much e-waste is imported illegally into Malaysia. Environmental group Basel Action Network ​in a report last year estimated that the United States alone exported about 32,947 tonnes of e-waste per month with Malaysia being ​the primary recipient.

Billionaire clan said to weigh $2bn Thai Summit sale(Photo: Thai Summit Group)Thai Summit Group, the country’s largest auto-parts manufacturer, is weighing a sale of its business amid mounting pressure from the global shift to electric vehicles, political uncertainty and family succession gaps, according to people familiar with the matter. The firm has yet to appoint a financial adviser, and early-stage talks might not lead to a mandate. Banks have also proposed US funds including CVC Capital Partners, Warburg Pincus and Blackstone, among others, to Thai Summit as potential suitors, without making formal approaches, the people said. Thai Summit didn’t responded to multiple emails seeking comment. Banks see a potential mandate to arrange a deal for Thai Summit as attractive given the rarity of Southeast Asian companies of this size that could come to market, the sources said.

'Vietnamese Week' set down for JuneThe Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok will host a "Vietnamese Week" in June, as part of a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of Thailand-Vietnam relations. The plan was announced by Pham Viet Hung, the Vietnamese ambassador to Thailand, at the Tet celebration at the Vietnamese Embassy on Tuesday, ahead of the Lunar New Year. Mr Pham said to mark the 50th anniversary of Thailand-Vietnam relations, the embassy has prepared a series of events to celebrate the milestone. At least two events have been approved by the Vietnamese government, he said, including "Vietnamese Week," to be hosted in June by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam at the embassy, to promote various aspects of Vietnamese culture. Another event is planned on Aug 6, the date when Thailand and Vietnam formally established diplomatic ties 50 years ago.

Charter 'pillars' are sacrosanct: TSTThe Thai Sang Thai (TST) Party has made its position on constitutional reform clear, saying that any amendments to the charter must serve the interests of the public rather than political elites, while maintaining Chapters 1 and 2 will remain untouched. They are seen as pillars of the charter. The core proposal of the TST is to create a constitution that genuinely belongs to the people, guided by the principle of "Liberate and Empower". In addition, the TST has highlighted the need to restore a robust rule of law. Mr Bhokin said constitutional reform should be used as a safeguard against future coups and as a foundation for enabling citizens to meaningfully scrutinise state power beyond election day.

Hungary offers the only single-digit corporate tax in Europe, according to Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó. Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó says people-to-people relations are the key to strengthening bilateral relations between Thailand and Hungary. It aims to strengthen cooperation between two countries in the field of scholarship, Mr Szijjártó told the Bangkok Post. The second MoU was a cooperation agreement for economic training between the Thailand Chamber of Commerce University and an institution in Hungary. Mr Szijjártó said Hungary offers the most attractive investment environment in Europe.

Montien Hotel Surawong Bangkok presents "Palace Of Food And Cultures", a first-of-its-kind projection mapping art experience in Thailand's hospitality industry, as part of Bangkok Design Week 2026, until Sunday. As the festival's centrepiece, the digital light projection mapping reimagines the hotel's iconic façade as a radiant canvas of moving imagery. He reinterprets inherited philosophies of art, memory and craftsmanship through a contemporary digital lens. The hotel has also arranged a thoughtfully curated programme that blends design, gastronomy and storytelling into immersive experiences. The lineup includes "Barricades", an art installation exhibition held in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University; "Curartistry: Food Cultures", a multimedia art exhibition by AA Visiting School Bangkok; "Food Cultures In Bang Rak District", a neighbourhood cultural mapping; a public talk on "Food Cultures" today from 1pm to 4pm; and a culinary competition on "Thai Noodles As Culinary Art" on Saturday.

Why NFL coaches are running out of timeAaron Glenn. (Photo: AFP)Job security for NFL head coaches has reached an all-time low. A whopping eight of them were pink-slipped during or after the past regular season, the most ever. The result: The mantra of some NFL clubs seems to now be: Why not us? But that's the situation now for head coaches in the NFL, where patience is definitely NOT a virtue.

Contenders from several parties found ineligible for failing to vote in previous electionsThe Election Commission (EC) is seeking a Supreme Court ruling on the disqualification of 28 MP candidates after investigations found they lacked legal eligibility for failing to vote in previous elections without providing a valid justification. Under the law, if the court does not issue a ruling before election day, the 28 individuals will remain on the ballot. Party leaders who endorsed the candidates’ nominations could also face legal action under the political parties law. The EC declined to provide details on the 28 candidates or the names of the parties. “All of these candidates are party-list candidates from several different parties,” secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said on Wednesday.

Billionaire clan is said to weigh $2 Billion Thai Summit SaleThai Summit Group, the Southeast Asian country’s largest auto-parts manufacturer, is weighing a sale of its business amid mounting pressure from the global shift to electric vehicles, political uncertainty and family succession gaps, according to people familiar with the matter. Multiple global investment banks have recently renewed pitches to the Juangroongruangkit family that owns the company, for a disposal that could fetch between $1.5 billion to $2 billion, the people said, asking to not be identified because the information is private. The firm has yet to appoint a financial adviser, and early-stage talks might not lead to a mandate. Banks have also floated CVC Capital Partners, Warburg Pincus and Blackstone Inc, among others, to Thai Summit as potential suitors, without making formal approaches, the people said. Thai Summit didn’t responded to multiple emails seeking comment.

Call for more inclusive global systemUnity, inclusive decision-making and renewed respect for international rules are needed in a volatile world, says the former director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO). "The world should not allow major global powers to dictate the direction of global affairs," he said. Instead, Mr Supachai called for broader and more inclusive participation in global decision-making, stressing that all nations should have a voice in shaping the global future. He emphasised the need for global unity and collective voices to ensure that all countries can participate in global progress. Mr Suthiphand said US protectionism has accelerated a broader reconfiguration of global supply chains and redirected excess Chinese production capacity to Southeast Asia.

Rising tariffs and stricter rules are driving the industry towards higher standards, writes Boonsong LipimasMr Surinthorn, centre left, Mr Sumed, centre right, and Mr Suriyon, right, share their views on the gems and jewellery industry. Escalating trade conflicts between major economies are reshaping global supply chains, creating both challenges and opportunities for the Thai gem and jewellery sector, according to the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP). The department's export promotion strategy now emphasises building supply chain resilience, particularly in the gem and jewellery market, said Mr Surinthorn. Suriyon Sriorathaikul, chairman of the Gem and Jewelry Industry Club under the Federation of Thai Industries, said many recent trade measures, particularly tariff hikes, are aimed at addressing transshipment. "A powerful platform helping to drive the sector is the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, which has played a significant role in driving industry growth.

Listen to this articleDomestic gold prices could rise to 88,800 baht per baht-weight, eventually testing 100,000 baht, says MTS Gold. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)MTS Gold Mae Thongsuk, one of Thailand's largest gold dealers, has maintained a bullish outlook for gold over the medium and long term. In highly volatile markets, leverage beyond two times significantly increases the risk of forced liquidation," said Kritcharat Hirunyasiri, chairman of MTS Gold. Spot gold prices surged above $5,000, reaching $5,080 by late yesterday morning, while domestic gold prices climbed past 75,000 baht per baht-weight. Following emergency consultations, the Gold Traders Association concluded that widening the price adjustment band was necessary to reflect abnormal market conditions.

Thai Kao Mai Party pledges social security reformThai Kao Mai (TKM) Party leader Suchatvee Suwansawat, centre, speaks to reporters during his election campaign in Don Muang area, Bangkok, on Wednesday. (Photo: Thai Kao Mai Party)The Thai Kao Mai (TKM) Party has set its sights on reforming the social security system and welcomed the Election Commission (EC)’s scrutiny of party policies, party leader Suchatvee Suwansawat has said. “Thai Kao Mai is a party of professionals. Our policies are designed by experts, backed by data, and achievable," Mr Suchatvee, a former Democrat Party member, said. Mr Suchatvee concluded by asking voters to support TKM so the party can serve the people with practical, effective policies.

School bus safety ignoredListen to this articleIn January alone, there were eight school bus accidents, the Thailand Consumer Council says -- a prominent civic group campaigning for school bus safety. Is traffic safety -- or the safety of school buses -- included in party manifestos? Despite Thailand's notoriously high road death toll, public road safety rarely features prominently in election platforms. The Thailand Consumer Council says there are around six school bus accidents every month. Because school transport is managed by individual schools rather than treated as public transport, minivans and even songthaew are commonly contracted to serve as school buses.