Rising star enters the semi-finalsListen to this articlePanitchaphon Teeraratsakul advanced to the men's singles semi-finals of the BWF Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters 2026 at Nimibutr Stadium yesterday. The 21-year-old world No.36 continued his impressive run in the home tournament, defeating world No.48 Prahdiska Bagas Shujiwo of Indonesia 21-17, 21-17 in the 47-minute quarter-final. The other semi-final match today will be an all-Indonesian clash between second seed and Jakarta winner Alwi Farhan and Moh Zaki Ubaidillah. Farhan moved a step closer to his second win in two weeks after Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia retired with an injury during their quarter-final match. Ubaidillah survived a test against fourth seed Brian Yang, rallying to overcome the Canadian player in three games, 16-21, 21-18, 21-15.

I remember when politics was a divided issue, an ideological clash of the two colours and what each association stood for. A decade on, I feel that Thais have become more of a united front but against politics and politicians in general. you ask, and the common answer among peers is: "I really don't know, I feel like Thailand will never change." You can tell a lot about a generation in how they discuss politics. Then we each take a collective sigh, go about our day and talk to our colleagues about what we hope will change someday.

'Big Joke's' fall from powerListen to this articleSurachate: Ready to fightFrom deputy police chief to a man facing arrest warrants, the downfall of Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn has become one of the country's most dramatic policing sagas. Pol Gen Surachate, 55, once among the most recognisable faces in the Royal Thai Police (RTP), has now been dismissed from the RTP. On the same day as the raid, courts issued arrest warrants for eight senior police officers under Pol Gen Surachate's command. In response, Pol Gen Surachate authorised his lawyer to file counter-complaints against Pol Gen Torsak at Tao Poon Police Station, alleging his rival also had financial links to mule accounts. The cases of Pol Gen Surachate have already reshaped public trust in the police, and its final chapter is still unwritten.

Young voters poised to reshape politicsListen to this articleA student activist flashes the three-finger anti-dictatorship salute during a rally, in this file photo taken on Aug 14. Although first-time voters account for just 4.5% of the country's 53.2 million eligible voters, their participation carries strong symbolic weight and could prove consequential for Thailand's democratic development. From my observations and interviews with first-time voters, this generation differs markedly from its predecessors. These politicians clearly recognise that young voters represent a crucial constituency that could help propel them into parliament. Beyond the numbers, however, the result will show how first-time voters are beginning to shape Thailand's democratic journey.

Is China's economic policy a little too cautious? Likewise, the tension between balance and dynamism will define Chinese economic policy in the year ahead. But resilience is not the same as momentum, and China remains beset by acute imbalances that are constraining economic growth. Fiscal and monetary expansion will occur within strict boundaries, resulting in policy-supported (not self-sustaining) GDP growth of around 4.5% this year. China's leaders also recognise the deeper structural constraints on the economy, though these will be more difficult to address.

Rise of world's 'middle powers'Listen to this articleDonald Trump's Greenland tariff threat and U-turn last week may have been a watershed for the world's "middle powers". If Mr Trump's aim is to extricate the US from a multilateral rules-based trade system and replace it with a purely transactional one, few now believe they can dissuade him. He said that even if a rules-based global order is now over, Canada and other "middle powers" can act together to avoid being victimised by American hegemony. That seems like a looser construct than a new multilateral rules-based world order "ex-USA". "Its collective bargaining power would far exceed that of the United States, rendering Trump's divide-and-rule tactics ineffective," Ms Krueger wrote for Project Syndicate.

(Photo: Democrat party)The Democrat Party has launched a major campaign tour across the southern provinces, advocating clean elections, anti-corruption politics and safer tourism. Starting in Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket, party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva called on long-time supporters who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the party for decades to help restore honesty and integrity in Thai politics. Mr Abhisit said meaningful change must begin with restoring political integrity, adding that the Democrat Party is positioning itself as a representative of clean politics to help rebuild economic confidence. Meanwhile, Economic Party leader Gen Rangsi Kitiyansap has clarified the party's internal structure, saying key decisions are delegated to party chairman Chris Potranandana as part of a deliberate strategy to ensure management clarity. Despite being party leader, Gen Rangsi is placed 10th on his party's list.

Listen to this articlePhjeu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat on Friday holds a rally in Chiang Mai, his birthplace and the Shinawatra family's hometown. In his campaign speech, Mr Yodchanan, a Chiang Mai native, said he would launch a nationwide drug suppression campaign if elected, with the goal of eradicating narcotics within the first six months of his administration. Mr Yodchanan further pledged to realise the long-discussed Lanna Airport project, noting that a feasibility study has already begun. I, Chain, from Chiang Mai, will make sure everyone has more money," Mr Yodchanan said, referring to himself by his nickname. Mr Yodchanan also addressed the recently floated "nine millionaires every day" proposal, a prize-draw-style initiative that would award one million baht each to nine people daily.

Maersk to take over Panama Canal port operations from HK firmListen to this articleBalboa port on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal. (Photo: AFP)PANAMA CITY - Danish firm Maersk will temporarily take over operation of two ports on the Panama Canal from Hong Kong company CK Hutchison, whose concession has been annulled, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) said Friday. The United States on Friday welcomed the decision. He said foreign investors would likely be increasingly cautious about committing capital "to strategic infrastructure projects in the United States' backyard." Panama has always denied Chinese control over the 50-mile waterway, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and is used mainly by the United States and China.

(Photo: Nutthawat Wichienbut)The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) has stepped up nationalist messaging in the final stretch of the election campaign, as a series of opinion polls show a tightening race and shifting voter sentiment over leadership and party strength. Compared with Nida Poll's first-round survey earlier this month, Mr Natthaphong's support increased, while Mr Anutin's rose slightly. Preferences for both constituency and party-list votes showed a similar pattern, with the PP leading, followed by Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai and the Democrats. Under this scenario, Bhumjaithai would be well placed to lead coalition talks, most likely with Pheu Thai and the Klatham Party, or alternatively with Pheu Thai and the Democrats. A PP-led coalition would require an alliance with Pheu Thai and the Democrats.

(Photo: AFP)BOGOTA - A claim by Colombia’s left-wing president that Jesus “made love” to disciple Mary Magdalene has shocked the country’s many Christians, with the faithful urging him to show respect on Friday. During a recent speech, Gustavo Petro claimed that a man like Jesus “could not exist without love” and that he “died surrounded by women who loved him, and there were many”. Petro insisted that Jesus “made love”, “perhaps with Mary Magdalene” — one of his disciples. Another Bogota Christian, Victor Pardo, told AFP the comments were “not appropriate for the president”. The controversy has ignited national debate in a country where religious identity remains strong and statements about Jesus carry significant cultural weight.

US Senate eyes funding deal vote as government shutdown loomsListen to this articleSenate Democrats have vowed to block government funding measures unless the legislation puts guardrails on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON — The US Senate edged closer to a vote Friday on a funding deal to avert a government shutdown following a bitter standoff over President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that the White House had agreed to the demand, with Senate leaders from both parties hoping to bring the deal to the floor for a vote on Friday. That anger boiled over Thursday when Senate Democrats blocked a key procedural vote on a six-bill spending package designed to keep most of the government funded. Those deaths detonated what had appeared to be a stable bipartisan funding arrangement and refocused congressional debate on the conduct of federal officers operating under Trump's aggressive enforcement campaign.

Turkey offers to mediate as Trump softens Iran threatsListen to this articleAnti-US and anti-Israel banners hang on a building in Palestine Square in Tehran. (Photo: AFP)ISTANBUL - Iran’s foreign minister was in Turkey on Friday as Ankara led a diplomatic push to mediate between Tehran and Washington, after US President Donald Trump cooled threats of an imminent strike on the Islamic republic. The US president brought the temperature down late on Thursday, saying he hoped to avoid military action and saying talks were on the cards with Iran. Iran’s neighbour Turkey led a diplomatic charge on Friday, offering to mediate between Tehran and Washington. Iran quickly hit back at the move, with Araghchi calling it a “mistake” and the military saying it was “irresponsible and spite-driven”.

PRÉCIEUX Thailand hosts launch of high-end German timepieces Tutima GlashütteFrom left: Marcel Gut, Karlo J. Burgmayer and Ravis Haetanurak. PRÉCIEUX Thailand, an importer and distributor of independent watch brands, has officially launched Tutima Glashütte, a high-end watchmaker from Germany, in Thailand. Welcoming attendees were Mr. Ravis Haetanurak, Chief Operating Officer of PRÉCIEUX (Thailand) and CEO & Co-Founder of PRÉCIEUX Thailand, and Mr. Marcel Gut, Founder of PRÉCIEUX Watch Lounge. Tutima Glashütte carries nearly a century of watchmaking heritage from Glashütte, the historic centre of fine watchmaking in Germany. For more information about Tutima Glashütte or the three models, please contact PRÉCIEUX Watch Lounge at Lobby Floor, President Tower Arcade, tel.

(Photo: 123RF)Thailand plans to tighten the rules for investors in data centres and other businesses that use a large amount of electricity, requiring them to provide a bank guarantee or collateral to secure power purchases. Energy officials said the measure is designed to prevent investors from shifting projects to rival Southeast Asian countries competing for data centre investment. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) drafted the regulation, initially targeting data centre projects, with details on the size of the guarantee still to be finalised. In 2025, the BoI received 36 data centre proposals worth 728 billion baht, including hyperscale projects from the UK, Singapore, Thailand and Japan. The regulation does extend to data centre operators under the government’s pilot direct power purchase agreement scheme, which allows them to buy electricity directly from private power producers rather than through state utilities.