Suit alleging bias in registration rejectedListen to this articleThe Central Administrative Court has dismissed a petition against the Election Commission (EC), ruling that the agency acted in accordance with existing regulations in opening registration for out-of-district voting in the upcoming constitutional referendum. The ruling came despite claims that more than 800,000 eligible voters were deprived of their voting rights. The petitioner sought a court order requiring the EC to reopen registration. The court ruled, however, that the EC had complied with the law and had provided three registration channels and, therefore, dismissed the case. The decision came as political tensions continued to build ahead of the nationwide election and referendum scheduled for Feb 8.

Record numbers choose Hong Kong in 2025: A super springboard for business expansionFor Thai businesses eyeing regional growth, Hong Kong is proving itself not just viable — but vital. These findings are highlighted in the surveys titled “2025 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong with Parent Companies Located outside Hong Kong” and “2025 Startup Survey,” released by the Hong Kong Government on Jan 26, 2026. Increasingly, the answer is Hong Kong. The obvious choiceRecently, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the investment promotion agency of Hong Kong government, just hosted the Asean Business Community Reception in January, offering the vibrant local Asean business community a prime opportunity to forge new connections, strengthen existing relationships and explore potential collaborations within the thriving Asean-Hong Kong business ecosystem. For Thai firms ready to expand, Hong Kong is the super springboard to consider.

Disneyland plan 'would spur growth'Listen to this articleA proposed Disneyland in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) will attract 10 million additional visitors annually and generate more than 150 billion baht in revenue, said Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. He said the message reflects how the discussion of the "Disneyland Thailand" concept has entered the realm of economic diplomacy. The plan envisions a large-scale entertainment and lifestyle hub that combines a theme park, a concert hall, and an 80,000-seat international-standard stadium. These would attract global events, including concerts by world-class artists and international sporting competitions, encouraging repeated visits. Addressing concerns about "grey" businesses, the minister stressed the project would involve no casinos or ambiguous activities.

When politicians and experts talk about "sex workers", they often mean full-time sex workers. However, defining sex work as only a full-time and static job does not reflect reality, where sex work can occur at various points along the supply chain. Are they considered sex workers, freelance sex workers, or neither? I raise this because when "sex work" is used as an umbrella term to include all work related to sex, important questions arise. There are migrant sex workers -- including foreign labourers -- working in Thailand, and there have been underreported tensions over claims that foreign workers are taking jobs from Thai sex workers.

Our tariff-era dollar, your problemListen to this articleA worker displays US dollar banknotes at a New Delhi money exchange on July 30, 2025. This implies that even if the greenback weakens in nominal terms, the periphery may receive less effective dollar liquidity than it does in a typical depreciation cycle. Heightened uncertainty can also lift risk premia worldwide, dampening the spillover effects of a weaker dollar, including higher risk appetite and renewed capital inflows into emerging markets. This means that financial conditions may not improve as much as one would expect in a weaker dollar environment. We may be entering a tariff-era version of what then-US Treasury Secretary John Connally famously described in 1971 as "our currency, your problem".

Shock exit: Thailand fall to the guns of Iraq in futsal quartersListen to this articleThailand's Muhammad Osamanmusa in action against Iraq during the quarter-final match on Tuesday. Thailand responded swiftly, levelling two minutes later when Panut Kittipanuwong squared for Muhammad Osamanmusa to tap home amid a scramble in the Iraqi penalty area. Thailand pressed hard for an equaliser, Panut going close twice in quick succession, but Ahmed proved equal to the challenge. Iraq punished that miss almost immediately, Kadhim combining neatly with Ihsan before driving home their third goal. Ahmed saved Osamanmusa's attempt and launched a counter-attack that ended with Iraq firing into an unguarded Thai net.

Listen to this articleAn artist's illustration of a show unit at Britania's Brilliant Business Park project. SET-listed low-rise housing developer Britania is shifting towards business, warehouse and residential developments across five locations, with a combined value of 1.8 billion baht, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises as demand for pure housing slows. The projects, branded Brilliant Business Park, cover five locations: the Rama II area, Bang Na–Trat Road, near Amata City in Chon Buri, near Laem Chabang in Chon Buri, and Rayong. Each project will comprise just 5-8 units, with plot sizes ranging from 5 to 18 rai. "Our projects address problems that arise when homeowners use residential developments for business purposes, such as internal traffic congestion, parking issues and disturbances to neighbouring residents," said Mr Phakhin.

Aircraft manufacturers eye Asia-Pacific demandListen to this articleDassault Aviation's Falcon 10X, a next-generation long-range business jet aimed at growing demand in Asia-Pacific. As Asia-Pacific outpaces other regions in aviation growth, industry players -- including aircraft manufacturers -- are stepping up efforts to target passengers and clients in the region. He said the current trend shows flight hours for business jets have increased from previous years, reflecting rising demand for business aircraft in 2026. Last year, Dassault booked 31 aircraft sales, delivered 37 aircraft, and aims to maintain at least the same number this year. While 70% of its fleet is in the US, current demand is shifting more towards Asia, he said.

Deloitte sees strong demand from Thai firms in 2026Listen to this articleMetinee: Firm has expanded its scopeDeloitte Thailand expects strong growth in advisory and consulting services in 2026 because of demand from Thai companies for business redesign, data and cloud-related services to accelerate their adaptation to shifting consumer behaviour in the digital global economy. In Thailand, auditing accounts for 30-40% of total revenue, though it remains a stable, recurring income stream. The remaining 60-70% comes from advisory services delivered on a project basis, mirroring Deloitte's global structure where advisory has overtaken auditing as the firm's largest business line. Deloitte Thailand employs around 1,700 staff, with headcount growing at an average of 15-20% per year, in line with business expansion. As Thai businesses navigate digital transformation and global economic shifts, Deloitte expects technology-led advisory services to be the primary growth engine in 2026, while traditional auditing continues to provide a stable foundation.

Study: Small firms must focus on profitListen to this articleBased on a Krungthai Compass study covering 2010-2024, the profitability of local SMEs has deteriorated over the past 15 years. Somchai PoomlardKrungthai Compass suggests improving profit margins should be the top priority for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to address persistent liquidity shortages and high debt burdens. The research centre under Krungthai Bank noted the profitability of local SMEs has deteriorated over the past 15 years, based on its study covering 2010-2024. Over the past 15 years, SMEs have generally faced three key challenges: low profit margins, liquidity shortages and high debt levels. This results in liquidity shortages and higher debt levels, leaving many SMEs trapped in a debt cycle, he said.

Mercedes-Benz accelerates shift to EVsListen to this articleMr Schell expects BEV makers to benefit from the state policy to curb carbon dioxide emissions. Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) expects the domestic electric vehicle (EV) market to gain momentum under the government's new car tax policy set to take effect in 2026, aimed at promoting cleaner energy. Christian Schell, the newly appointed president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz Thailand, said the country offers a strong growth opportunity for the German luxury carmaker. "Mercedes-Benz expects this shift to increase Thailand's EV sales volume," he said. Mr Schwenk reported last year Mercedes-Benz Thailand had registered 8,378 vehicles, including 299 vans.

Are the Iranians pretending to have nukes? Listen to this articleThe Iranian regime is brutal, fanatical and corrupt. He caused enough delay to rouse everybody's suspicions about Iraqi nuclear weapons. Because a similar kind of logic may apply to Iran's "nuclear weapons programme". There is no evidence that Iran even considered nuclear weapons until Pakistan and India tested their first nuclear weapons in 1998.

PRThe resignation of Thana Chaiprasit as president of the Takraw Association of Thailand has cast uncertainty over his standing within the country's Olympic movement. Thana's resignation, tendered formally on Tuesday, comes just two years after he was elected to lead the Takraw Association. His departure follows a humiliating campaign for Thailand's men's team at the SEA Games, staged in Bangkok last year. His departure now raises questions not only about the future leadership of the Takraw Association but also about his wider role in Thai sport. With takraw's failure at the SEA Games still raw, and with the NOCT facing scrutiny over its governance, Thana's resignation may prove to be more than a symbolic gesture of responsibility.

D-day for Buriram, Pathum in Asean club competitionListen to this articleBuriram United coach Mark Jackson addresses a pre-match press conference. PRDefending champions Buriram United will look to secure their passage into the semi-finals of the Asean Club Championship (Shopee Cup) Wednesday night when they host Dynamic Herb Cebu of the Philippines. A draw at MBPJ Stadium will be enough to take the hosts through, while Pathum must win to be certain of advancing. Buriram, a point behind Masatada Ishii's side, remain in contention should Pathum falter. Buriram coach Mark Jackson is equally determined to see his side progress.

Thai indicators set for improvement in 2026Listen to this articleAnalysts believe the Thai economy has passed its cyclical low, with a gradual U-shaped recovery likely in 2026, supported by improving global conditions, a rebound in tourism and faster government spending. Paradorn Tiaranapramote, first vice-president of research at Asia Plus Securities (ASPS), said economic and investment indicators are showing clearer signs of improvement. Industries expected to deliver both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter earnings growth include agribusiness, media, commerce, packaging, transport, energy and finance. BLS predicts stimulus of roughly 40 billion baht would add only 0.1-0.2% to GDP and 0.4-0.8% to SET index earnings, placing the short-term market ceiling at 1,350-1,370 points. If a government is formed smoothly by May, the brokerage maintains its 2026 SET index target at 1,440 points.