Samart to bid for projects of over B30bnListen to this articleMr Watchai is upbeat about this year's revenue and profit. SET-listed Samart Corporation aims to participate in bids for projects valued at more than 30 billion baht this year, targeting total revenue of over 14 billion baht, up 30% year-on-year. As a parent company, Samart Corp targets net profit of 859 million baht in 2026, with subsidiaries Samart Aviation Solutions (SAV) expected to post profit of 620 million baht, Samart Telcoms (SAMTEL) 300 million, TEDA 130 million, and Samart Digital Communication (SDC) 100 million. The business targets revenue of 6.5 billion baht this year, representing revenue growth of at least 20%. This year Samart targets revenue of 6.8 billion baht from this business, with SAV accounting for roughly 2.6 billion baht.

The stories of a Chinese community are told through the camera for "The Show Must Go On", which is running at the historic New Chinese Daily News Printing House, Charoen Krung 24, until Feb 8. They are exhibited against the walls of the printing house and office of the New Chinese Daily News, the oldest Chinese-language newspaper in Thailand. Rather, they humbly blend in, as though they had always belonged there, and show stories through portraits and distinctive architecture. It is like walking through an old neighbourhood and suddenly encountering something that makes us pause, look closer and reflect. Each element carries out its role quietly, yet together they form an evolving identity that is steadily taking shape anew.

Human Resource is less about parenthood itself than about accountability -- to the world we inhabit, the systems we sustain and the emotional environments we normalise. A key theme running through Human Resource is the idea that power and control no longer exist only in formal institutions like offices or corporations. Violence, in Human Resource, is rarely physical or loud; it exists in routines, expectations and self-censorship. Rather than positioning Human Resource as a message-driven work, Nawapol describes it as an open-ended process shared between film and viewer. "For me, Human Resource is like one of those personality tests people enjoy taking," Nawapol said.

Eden Estate plans B2.4bn Bang Na sports clubListen to this articleEden Country Club is expected to target family demand in the Bang Na area. Eden Estate Corporation, a property developer owned by a granddaughter of Thailand's richest tycoon Dhanin Chearavanont, plans to invest 2.4 billion baht to develop a private sports club in the Bang Na area, targeting to break even within seven years. Eden Country Club will be developed on a 24-rai plot on Bang Na-Trat Soi 66 near Concordian International School owned by Varnnee Chearavanont Ross, the eldest daughter of Mr Dhanin. "Initially, it was intended to be divided among family members, one rai each, for private homes, but everyone eventually settled in different parts of the world." Founded in 2017 with registered capital of 145 million baht, Eden Estate Corp, renamed from 1.6 Development Corporation in 2021, has developed two luxury condo projects.

Listen to this articleThe outcome of US legislation is expected to drive the crypto market this year. Recent flare-ups in the Middle East, particularly tensions involving the US and Iran, have pushed gold prices sharply higher, while digital assets have come under renewed selling pressure. Despite long-standing narratives framing Bitcoin as "digital gold", price behaviour suggests otherwise in the current environment, said Thanalop Preedamanoch, fund manager at Merkle Capital. Two US bills, the Clarity Act and the Genius Act, could determine the market direction in the coming months, said Mr Thanalop. As of Jan 29, gold significantly outperformed Bitcoin, with prices soaring by 15.1% to around US$5,600 per ounce.

New fund may finance electric rail linesListen to this articleSepo is studying the creation of a 200-billion-baht Thailand Future Fund to acquire all electric railway projects in Bangkok and surrounding areas. Pattarapong ChatpattarasillThe State Enterprise Policy Office (Sepo) is studying guidelines for establishing a 200-billion-baht Thailand Future Fund to acquire all electric railway projects in Bangkok and surrounding areas, bringing them under state ownership. According to Tibordee Wattanakul, director-general of Sepo, the office is examining whether the fundraising vehicle for acquiring the electric rail projects should use the existing Thailand Future Fund or whether a new fund should be created. The current fund has six years remaining, while a new infrastructure fund under the Thailand Future Fund framework would have a 10-year lifespan. Regarding election campaigns, some political parties have proposed flat electric rail fares of 20 baht per trip, while others have proposed 40 baht for unlimited daily travel.

Badminton Association of ThailandPanitchaphon Teeraratsakul suffered a heartbreak after he narrowly lost in the men's singles final of the BWF Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters on Sunday. Earlier, world No.63 Devika Sihag finished off a perfect week in the Thai capital with her first ever Super 300 title. Indonesian players also dominated the doubles competition, sweeping the men's doubles, women's doubles and the mixed doubles titles on Sunday. Top seeds Leo Rolly Carnando/Bagas Maulana defeated youngsters Raymond Indra/Nikolaus Joaquin 21-10, 21-17 in an all-Indonesian men's doubles decider. Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti took home the women's doubles crown with a 15-21, 21-15, 21-18 win over Bao Li Jing/Li Yi Jing of China.

Sharks strike late to throw Port off trackListen to this articleChonburi's Oege van Lingen celebrates his goal in front of a stand. The defeat leaves Port third in the table on 33 points, while Chonburi climb to 10th with 21. The visitors looked set to escape with the points until George Felipe struck deep into added time. Teerasak Phoeiphimai opened the scoring in the ninth minute, before Oege van Lingen equalised for the Sharks midway through the first half. Elsewhere, BG Pathum United and Chiang Rai United shared the spoils in a 2–2 draw at BG Stadium.

Futsal stars shift focus to IraqListen to this articleThailand futsal players train ahead of their quarter-final match against Iraq in Jakarta on Tuesday. PRThailand's national futsal team are refusing to let confidence slip into complacency as they prepare for tomorrow's high‑stakes quarter‑final against Iraq at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 in Jakarta. Their opponents Iraq, runners‑up in Group A, advanced with seven points, level with hosts Indonesia but edged into second place on goal difference. The fixture promises to be a stern test because Iraq have retained much of the squad that Thailand faced two years ago. Iraq have many players from their previous squad, and we've met them before."

As a result, small businesses have struggled to compete with larger domestic and foreign players in the country. Mr Somchai said he expects stronger support for small retail operators, as current regulations do not favour them. Small operators registered as juristic persons face multiple tax obligations, including corporate income tax and value-added tax (VAT). Mr Somchai urged the government to provide clearer guidelines and practical support for small operators concerning accounting practices and taxation. CO-PAYMENT SCHEMESThe Bhumjaithai Party, People's Party and Pheu Thai Party, the three leading parties in recent opinion polls, are presenting their economic plans to the public.

The DIT anticipates durian supply of 1.78 million tonnes this year. Thai durian exports are expected to face several hurdles due to labour shortages and a lack of collection centres during the harvest season. "Assuming the weather does not negatively impact the harvest season starting in April, we anticipate durian supply will increase by 10% year-on-year," he said. The department is also seeking to tap the Indian market by raising awareness of Thai durian among Indian visitors. To lift domestic consumption, the department plans to promote Thai durian to Thai consumers and foreign visitors, including Indian, Russian and South Korean arrivals.

Business leaders and analysts in Thailand urged the country to adapt quickly to the new global order. With the US‑led global order weakening and middle‑power alliances emerging, Thailand needs a government capable of positioning the country strategically amid rising political risks. To stay competitive in the evolving global trade landscape, it's essential for businesses to maximise the benefits of FTAs," he said. NO TURNING BACK"What Trump did during the past year reshaped the global order, and I believe this change is not temporary. Trump's moves to rework the global order have forced countries to adjust their strategies, said Mr Somjai.

Listen to this articleThailand was dubbed an ageing society, meaning more than 10% of the population was aged 60 or above from 2005 to 2023. The party also plans nationwide elderly care centres built on state land with private-sector investment, supported by Board of Investment tax incentives, alongside its "60 Plus, Happy Retirement" employment scheme. Beyond income support, workforce participation and care provision are emerging as structural solutions. International Labour Organization projections suggest Thailand will need up to 250,000 additional paid care workers by 2037, including about 55,000 migrant workers, to support ageing in place. Income support, extended working lives, preventive healthcare and digital innovation form the core of proposed solutions.

EC hails 'smooth' advance voting process nationwideListen to this articleCitizens flock to a polling station in Constituency 14 of Bang Kapi district, Bangkok, on Sunday for advance voting. Mr Sawaeng on Sunday reported that 8,610 voters had registered for advance voting within their respective constituencies, while 2.206 million others had registered to vote outside their constituencies. A total of 521 polling stations were set up for in-constituency voting, while 524 stations were set up for out-of-constituency voting, Mr Sawaeng said. The EC reminded those who registered for advance voting that failure to vote by 5pm Sunday would also forfeit their right to vote on the Feb 8 election day. In Udon Thani, the provincial EC director said advance voting was more active than expected, especially in Constituencies 1 and 2, where more than 6,000 and 2,000 voters registered, respectively.

While the vote is intended to seek public consent for drafting a new charter, concerns have been raised that meaningful debate on the issue may be eclipsed by election campaigning. The 2017 constitution was drafted under the National Council for Peace and Order following the 2014 coup. The 2017 charter, he argued, has again seen political dominance over the Senate. In his view, the most significant advance in the 2017 constitution is the enforceable ethical standards for politicians, linking serious violations to disqualification from office. Mr Khomsan said his position should not be read as a full endorsement of the 2017 charter, but as opposition to what he called a "blank cheque" approach to amendment.