Son of Norway crown princess stands trial for multiple rapesListen to this articleAccused: Marius Borg Hoiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, pictured in 2022. (Photo: AFP)OSLO — The son of Norway's crown princess goes on trial Tuesday accused of raping four women and assaulting several ex-girlfriends in a scandal that has tarnished the royal family's image. Marius Borg Hoiby, Crown Princess Mette-Marit's 29-year-old son from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is facing 38 charges, some dating back to 2018. Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit will not attend the trial, nor will the king and queen. The verdict against Marius Borg Hoiby is expected several weeks after the end of the trial.

French tuk-tuk sex-show couple deported, blacklistedListen to this articleA French national, Mr Wesley, is arrested at a hotel in Thalang district of Phuket on Monday. (Photo: Achathaya Chuenniran)PHUKET - Immigration authorities have revoked their visas and blacklisted a French couple after a video of them engaging in explicit sexual activity on a public tuk-tuk sparked widespread outrage online. Local police and tourist police subsequently tracked down and arrested "Mr Wesley" and "Ms Valen", both French nationals. On Monday, officers from the Phuket Immigration Office carried out follow-up operations after identifying the whereabouts of the two foreigners. One team located Mr Wesley at a hotel in Thalang district, while another team found Ms Valen at a hotel in Muang district.

Industrial land market faces critical year amid challengesListen to this articleA space at Bangkok Free Trade Zone 1 on Bang Na–Trat Road, Samut Prakan, was leased late last year by Yadea, a Chinese leader in electric two-wheelers. (Photo: Kanana Katharangsiporn)Thailand's industrial and logistics property market is entering a critical phase in 2026 as global supply chains reset and major economies redirect long-term investment, presenting both challenges and rare structural opportunities for the country. Phongphan Phloiphet, director of logistics and industrial at property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Thailand, said demand for industrial land, ready-built factories and logistics facilities has remained resilient despite temporary disruptions in early 2025. "Thailand remains attractive not because of cheap labour, but because of its complete industrial ecosystem," Mr Phongphan said. "Speed and policy clarity are now as important as land availability," Mr Phongphan said.

The strikes hit as Ukraine was experiencing the coldest temperatures during the Russian invasion and damaged an iconic Soviet-era World Wat II monument. They also came a day before Ukrainian and Russian negotiators were due to meet for a second round of talks in Abu Dhabi. Russia attacked with 71 missiles, as well as 450 attack drones, the Ukrainian air force said. The second round of talks is expected to focus on territory — with no breakthrough so far on the crucial issue. Russia wants full control of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, which Kyiv has ruled out, saying such a move would only embolden Moscow.

He urged gold shop operators to cooperate, saying that some had ignored safety recommendations from police in the past. The robbery was the latest in an increasing number of gold shop attacks in light of soaring prices. The Royal Thai Police Office ordered stations nationwide to encourage gold shop operators in their areas to adopt tougher security, he said. Many gold shops are small outlets opened operating in shopping centres, and crime in such locations threatens public safety because of the of customers. On Jan 9, 2020, a school director robbed a gold shop in a department store in Muang district of Lop Buri and shot dead three people, including a young boy, and wounded four others.

Deal seen as a further sign of improving Cambodia-US relationsListen to this articleSINGAPORE- Air Cambodia on Tuesday confirmed an ‌order for 10 Boeing 737 ​Max passenger jets, saying it underscored deepening relations with the United States. The deal, finalised in December, was made public at the Singapore Airshow in the presence of US and Cambodian officials and diplomats. It includes ‌firm orders for 10 planes and the opportunity for another 10, Boeing said. “Today’s signing sends a strong and positive signal … about the deep cooperation between ‌Cambodia and the United States,” Cambodian Civil Aviation Minister Mao Havannall told a news conference. The two countries have concluded ‌a trade deal and Cambodia nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in August after he intervened to stop an ‌armed ​conflict with Thailand.

Tawee offers plans to revive deep SouthListen to this articlePrachachat Party leader Pol Col Tawee SodsongSelangor: Prachachat Party leader Pol Col Tawee Sodsong recently attended the opening ceremony of the Malaysian Tomyam Shop Association in Sri Gombak, Selangor, where he outlined proposals to promote economic development in Thailand's deep South. Pol Col Tawee said the network includes individuals who helped form the Prachachat Party at its inception. Pol Col Tawee said development in the deep South has stalled over the past 22 years. If elected prime minister, Pol Col Tawee said he would launch a war on drugs within his first 100 days in office. Pol Col Tawee said he would push for a peace law to revoke martial law and the emergency decree.

Tourists advised to travel in groups, as wild elephants now search for food in trash binsListen to this articleInfrared camera footage shows wild elephants feeding on farmland in Khon Buri district, Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo supplied)NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Park rangers are trying to keep wild elephants away from communities and tourist attractions during the dry season. Nakhon Ratchasima governor Anupong Suksomnit closed the site, and park rangers are taking turns to watch for wild elephants. If visitors to Khao Yai encounter wild elephants, they should quickly and quietly leave the area. The problem of Khao Yai wild elephants trespassing into communities is growing as they feed on farmland, communities and hotel compounds in Pak Chong and Wang Nam Khieo districts.

Tourism Authority of Thailand banking on Muay Thai FestivalListen to this articleTAT is holding the Amazing Muay Thai Festival this week and is expecting to attract around 18,000 people. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is optimistic about sports tourism growth this year as it hosts the Amazing Muay Thai Festival this week, expecting more than 18,000 visitors. Highlights during the event include the krop khru ceremony, which involves up to 1,500 Muay Thai boxers, a Muay Thai competition, four traditional Muay Thai style activities, and concerts. According to the Sports Authority of Thailand, Muay Thai content generated over 900 million engagements last year. The Muay Thai market typical comprises three groups, namely regular audiences, people who opt to take part in health and self-defence activities, and hardcore Muay Thai fans, including coaches, athletes and referees.

Drainage contractor discharged black water into Jomtien seaListen to this articleA black stain spreads into the sea from a polluted drainage outlet at Jomtien Beach in Chon Buri, on Monday. (Photo: Amporn Saengkaew)PATTAYA - The contractor hired to improve the drainage system along Jomtien beach faces legal action after an outlet released wastewater that stained the sea black on Monday. Director-general Pinsak Suraswadi said an immediate inspection was ordered after photos and videos were posted on social media showing black water being discharged into the sea at Jomtien beach, immediately south of Pattaya in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The polluting discharge came from an "improvement project" along Jomtien beach, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet said on Tuesday. The city had instructed the contractor to pump all wastewater directly into the treatment system, Mr Poramet said.

SEOUL - Streaming giant Netflix said Tuesday it will livestream BTS's comeback concert to around 190 countries in what could be the largest live K-pop event to date as the megastars return from military service. The global stars and South Korea's biggest music act have been on a hiatus since 2022 while members completed mandatory military service. "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG will stream live exclusively on Netflix March 21," the streaming giant said. Their new album, ARIRANG, named after a Korean folk song about longing and separation often seen as an unofficial national anthem, will be their first since the anthology "Proof", which became South Korea's bestselling record of 2022. The figure is equivalent to 0.2 percent of South Korea's total GDP.

SET poised to gain from post-election clarityListen to this articleSoutheast Asian equity markets rose in January, extending 2025's rally on optimism about artificial intelligence and resilient exports. Strong US third-quarter 2025 GDP growth of 4.4% -- the highest in two years -- also supported markets. Thailand appears attractive after a prolonged de-rating, with post-election clarity expected to help limit downside risk. CK (target price 27.50 baht): The contractor stands to benefit from rising expectations of government spending once a new administration is formed. The outlook is further supported by a project pipeline representing new generating capacity of 2.6 gigawatts, and steady long-term earnings growth.

Fifa president Infantino defends giving peace prize to TrumpListen to this articleUS President Donald Trump, left, leaves the stage after receiving the Fifa peace prize. (Photo: AFP)LONDON — Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) chief Gianni Infantino defended his controversial decision to award a peace prize to United States president Donald Trump as he dismissed calls for a World Cup boycott. Infantino was widely criticised for giving Trump the honour on behalf of his governing body at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC in December 2025. However, Infantino insisted Trump was deserving of Fifa's inaugural peace prize, telling Sky News on Monday: "Objectively, he deserves it. But Fifa president Infantino said there were never calls for businesses to boycott a country, "so why football?"

(Photo: Reuters)SINGAPORE — China's chief builder of commercial aircraft will display its full product line - including the home-grown C919, the company's marquee narrowbody airliner - at the Singapore Airshow as it seeks to widen its footprint in Southeast Asia. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has "set up" a C919 at the twice-yearly expo, according to independent aviation analyst Li Hanming. China's first domestically manufactured passenger aircraft Comac C919 flies over Victoria Harbour during its inaugural voyage outside the mainland, in Hong Kong, China, on Dec 16, 2023. The C919 made its commercial debut in China in May 2023 and is now on back order for China's three largest airlines. No Southeast Asian airlines - many of which lack regulatory approval or on-the-ground support for new aircraft types - have bought or leased a C919.

China to ban hidden car door handles in industry shiftFrom next year, cars sold in China will have to have door handles with mechanical releases following safety concerns over problems with aerodynamic doors. (Photo: AFP)BEIJING — China will ban hidden door handles on cars sold in the country from next year, phasing out the minimalist design popularised by Tesla over safety concerns. New rules, announced by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Monday, will take effect from Jan 1, 2027, and will require door handles to have both interior and exterior mechanical releases. China will ban hidden door handles on cars sold in the country from next year, phasing out the minimalist design popularised by Tesla over safety concerns. Electronic or "flush" door handles were introduced to the EV industry with Tesla's 2012 launch of the Model S.Folding into the body of the car, such door handles provide a slight boost to efficiency by reducing drag while the vehicle is in motion.