7 suspects and dozens of mobile phones seized in two incidents in ChanthaburiListen to this articleSome of the phones seized from seven Chinese nationals who were caught illegally crossing the border in Chanthaburi province on Thursday. (Photo: Royal Thai Navy)Seven Chinese cyber scammers have been caught sneaking into Thailand via Chanthaburi province in two separate incidents, with dozens of phones and SIM cards seized, the Royal Thai Army reported on Friday. A search discovered 59 phones, paper scripts in Chinese to be used to scam victims, forged official documents and a notebook for financial keeping records. At 10pm, a different task force caught another Chinese man, 44, near a natural border crossing. With pressure apparently mounting, more people — both Thai employees and Chinese managers — have been attempting to sneak into Thailand.

(Photo: 2nd Army Area)The Thai army said it detected Cambodian troop movements in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket on Friday night, which were believed to be disciplinary lapses. The 2nd Army Area reported the situation on its Facebook page at 11.30pm Friday. It was believed that Cambodian soldiers passed through the entry route toward the Thai position, the 2nd Army said. The 2nd Army said commanders from both sides had communicated to resolve the issue, as the incident occurred abruptly and without prior preparation. It was believed that the situation resulted from disciplinary lapses among Cambodian soldiers, the 2nd Army said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's trip to reset ties with China brings Beijing another win in its rivalry with Washington, but some analysts say, the deals he brings back to London also show the limits of the balancing act that middle powers may try to play.

Ningbo's vast port handles 150,000 ships a year and is the world's largest by cargo tonnage. Its port and manufacturing facilities are the engine that helped power China's record trade surplus last year. Then last year, the bottom dropped out, according to data from the Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Statistics. The city's spending dropped 5.6% last year, according to the municipal statistics agency. In the boom years before the pandemic, municipal spending had risen 11% to 13% annually.

Australia's Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is "very likely" to shift its headquarters and stock market listing from Australia to Europe within a year, its CEO told Reuters, in a strategic pivot to capitalize on booming European defense spending.

"Wan Hai Hotel: Singapore Strait" marks the second edition of "Wan Hai Hotel", which debuted at Shanghai's Rockbund Art Museum (RAM) in 2024. "Wan Hai Hotel: Singapore Strait" could be an entry point to Singapore Art Week (SAW) 2026, which runs until today. 'Wan Hai Hotel: Singapore Strait'. Photo: Thana BoonlertIn 'Wan Hai Hotel: Singapore Straight', a lounge area screens three video works of maritime life. photo courtesy of TAF'Wan Hai Hotel: Singapore Strait'.

Presented by B.Grimm, the annual performance of Handel's Messiah by the Bangkok Combined Choir and Orchestra once again affirmed its place as one of Bangkok's most cherished Christmas traditions. Charunee Hongcharu conducts the Bangkok Combined Choir and Orchestra. Bangkok Combined Choir and Orchestra (BCCO)Mezzo-soprano Onyu impressed with a voice of warm colour and lyrical calm. The Bangkok Combined Choir once again proved why it remains the cornerstone of this annual production. The Bangkok Combined Choir and Orchestra has clearly reached a new artistic level.

It is understandable that health professionals fear any challenge to the gender binary. Siraphop explained that any challenge to the gender binary underlies such fear. Orawan said forcing transgender individuals to choose either male or female titles also relapses into the gender binary. Yet, it could challenge the gender binary by creating new alternatives, for example, all-gender facilities. Natakamon proposed that a new charter should uphold sex, gender identity and sex characteristics.

Rattanakosin fete set to be held in AprilListen to this articleThe Ministry of Culture will organise a large-scale celebration in April to mark the 244th anniversary of the Rattanakosin Era, with events planned to take place at three Bangkok sites. Culture permanent secretary Prasop Riangngoen said celebrations will run from April 22–26 at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, the National Museum Bangkok and Wat Prayurawongsawat. The programme will begin with religious rites on April 20 including merit-making ceremonies dedicated to past monarchs, alms-giving to 99 monks and worship rituals at the City Pillar Shrine. Highlights at the venues include a multimedia exhibition at the park, a "Rattanakosin Royal Night" museum tour, and a cultural walk at the temple.

PP candidate says 'flawed' app points to SSO graftListen to this articleRukchanok Srinork, a party-list MP candidate from the People's Party (PP), has accused the Social Security Office (SSO) of corruption and mismanagement in connection with the 850-million-baht SSO+ web application, saying the flawed project has left insured persons unable to access their benefits. Her remarks come amid mounting criticism of the SSO+ app, which has repeatedly been taken offline for "maintenance". That case took nearly two decades to conclude, with the former SSO secretary-general ultimately sentenced to prison by the Court of Appeal in 2023. She said the 850-million-baht SSO+ web app project showed signs of corruption from the bidding stage onward, resulting in an outdated system that cannot function as intended. Insured persons paid a high price for a system that is unusable in practice, forcing the SSO to shut it down and delaying benefit disbursements, she claimed.

Its leaders have insisted on clean politics and voter awareness, arguing that long-term change requires breaking the cycle of money-driven elections. According to reports, Pheu Thai has submitted 57 campaign policies to the EC, with a combined budget estimate of 243.3 billion baht. According to Pheu Thai, beneficiaries of the cash giveaway would be drawn from five groups. It lacks the appeal needed to persuade voters to shift their support to Pheu Thai," Mr Suvicha said. I wouldn't be surprised if those who end up receiving the money are party canvassers or political allies of Pheu Thai," he said.

New aviation regulations are meant to make operations more systematicListen to this articleThe Thai aviation industry is scheduled to adopt new rules that will affect pilots, crew and instructors. In Thailand, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is being urged by stakeholders to prepare for the implementation of the new Thailand Civil Aviation Regulation (TCAR) rules to avoid similar issues. ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon, director-general of CAAT, said while previous rules were safe, adjustment was needed to align with international standards. Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the Thai Pilots Association, said the new rule allows pilots and crews to have more rest periods, reducing their fatigue, and requires more effective roster planning. These changes not only ensure safety for both employees and passengers, but also result in more pilot recruitment as many Thai airlines are expending their fleets, he said.

Panama Supreme Court voids CK Hutchison port contractsListen to this articleA ship sails through the Panama Canal last March. CK Hutchison did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on the court's decision. CK Hutchison had been waiting for the Supreme Court to make a final ruling about the legal status of its contracts after the local attorney general determined the contracts "unconstitutional". In July, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said public-private partnerships could take over the two ports if the court invalidated the contracts with CK Hutchison. Analysts have flagged the likelihood that the Panama Ports Co will lodge an arbitration complaint after losing the ‍case.

Overseas ballots 'on time': MFAListen to this articleElection-related documents and ballots are prepared for overseas voting, as the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT), Thailand Post Co Ltd, the Department of Consular Affairs and the Royal Thai Police announced their readiness on Jan 9 to handle the transport. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has reaffirmed that all overseas ballots for the 2026 election and referendum will arrive in Thailand by Feb 5, allowing them to be counted together with domestic votes. The Department of Consular Affairs on Friday released updated statistics on overseas voting, reporting 139,810 registered overseas voters and 95,975 registered overseas referendum voters. Australia recorded the highest number of registrants, followed by the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom and Germany. For the overseas referendum, Australia again leads with 19,802 registrants, followed by the United States with 11,114 and Japan with 9,453.

Fetco pushes for overhaul of SSFListen to this articleThe Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (Fetco) has urged a comprehensive reform of the Social Security Fund (SSF), warning that without urgent structural and investment changes, the system could face severe sustainability risks as the country transitions to a fully aged society. Fetco chairman Kobsak Pootrakool said although the SSF holds assets worth trillions of baht, Thailand's rapidly ageing demographics pose a serious long-term challenge. A pillar of reform must be a fundamental overhaul of the fund's investment strategy, he said. Investment returns will ultimately determine how long the fund can support retirees. Fetco also called for the establishment of a dedicated, expert-led body to oversee contributors' funds directly, ensuring contributions are managed prudently and transparently.