First 90 days: Corruption, debt are keyListen to this articleRepresentatives from eight political parties outlined competing visions at a joint TNN-Bangkok Post debate on Thursday at SCBX Next Stage, Siam Paragon. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Most political parties have pledged to fast-track efforts to address household debt and corruption as top priorities during their first 90 days in office. Aekpittaya Iemkongaek from the Rak Chart Party said the party plans to focus on resolving debt problems for retail borrowers by purchasing debt from financial institutions. Two profitable state-owned financial institutions, each earning about 15 billion baht annually, would be assigned to jointly provide 300 billion baht in loans to small borrowers over three years. Mr Anusorn of the People's Party said Thai economic growth of 3-5% remains achievable, provided household incomes are increased and debt burdens reduced.

Suspects flee with likely haul of B85m in robbery in Tokyo's UenoListen to this articleInvestigators work in the area of a suspected robbery in Tokyo's Taito Ward in the early hours of Friday. (Photo: Kyodo)A group believed to be made up of three suspects robbed a group of five men on a street in Tokyo's Ueno district on Thursday night, taking and fleeing with luggage containing some 420 million yen (85 million baht), investigative sources said. As the suspects sped away from the scene, their vehicle struck an unrelated man, who did not sustain life-threatening injuries, the sources said. The suspects allegedly used pepper spray on the men before taking the luggage. The suspected robbery occurred in an area in Taito Ward near JR Okachimachi Station.

Pheu Thai pledges major overhaul of SSFListen to this articleA 12-million-baht canteen renovation is one of many instances of questionable spending by the civil servants overseeing the Social Security Fund (SSF) The Pheu Thai Party on Thursday vowed to implement comprehensive reform of the SSF within three months if it returns to office after the election. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Pheu Thai Party has vowed to implement comprehensive reform of the Social Security Fund (SSF) within three months if it returns to office after the election. He added that a key reform he sought to advance was restructuring the Social Security Board so that its chairperson would be elected from among board members, rather than automatically being the labour permanent secretary. Dr Prommin said the party's reform agenda aims to turn the SSF into a true pillar of economic security for insured members. Pheu Thai also proposed shifting investment management to independent professionals to rebuild confidence and prevent interference, he said.

US Treasury strengthens currency monitoring criteria, Thailand added to watchlistListen to this articleA man gathers a stack of banknotes at Bangkok Bank’s headquarters on Silom Road. The Treasury added Thailand to its "monitoring list" of countries warranting close attention due to the growth of the Asian country's ‌global current account surplus and its trade surplus with the United States. The report has traditionally focused on whether countries are engaging in one-sided currency intervention or ‌other manipulation to resist appreciation against the dollar to keep their exports cheaper. Traditionally, the Treasury's three main criteria for analysing foreign exchange and determining manipulation are a trade surplus ⁠with the US of at least $15 billion, a global current account surplus above 3% of GDP and persistent, one-way net foreign ​exchange purchases that reach 2% of GDP. The Treasury did not label China a currency manipulator, avoiding a potential escalation in trade tensions with Beijing, despite what it called "depreciation pressure" facing its yuan currency.

(Photo: Somchai Poomlard)Thailand's new National Oil Plan will not be affected by PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc's (OR) decision to discontinue sales of gasohol E85, according to the Department of Energy Business (DOEB). Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of the DOEB, said the move would not affect the oil plan, noting that E85 accounts for only a small share of consumption and has long been unprofitable. "This is a normal business decision to cut losses," he said, adding that Susco Plc had already ceased E85 sales in 2020. Biofuels face higher production costs than fossil fuels, and the government has subsidised ethanol-blended fuels, except E85, through the Oil Fuel Fund. IEA data is among the factors being considered in drafting the National Oil Plan.

Holocaust remembrance mattersListen to this articleA photo taken on Tuesday shows the Brandenburg Gate illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag on International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Berlin, Germany. (Photo: Reuters)On Jan 27 each year, the world marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. For many around the world, the Holocaust can feel distant or abstract. Holocaust Remembrance Day is therefore not only about the past. More than eighty years after the Holocaust, Jews are still being murdered for being Jews.

Election strategies built on competenceListen to this articleThe Bhumjaithai Party unveils its electoral policies and reaffirms three 'technocrat' experts in the cabinet on Dec 24, 2025. For the upcoming election, political parties have already started to acknowledge this factional quota problem. Many wondered, therefore, if the next government would return to the norms of Thai cabinet appointments after the election. It named digital economy expert Karndee Leopairote as a candidate for the role of prime minister in addition to former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij, known for his vast experience in the financial markets. All three parties have thus put administrative competence at the heart of their election strategies, even as it may come at the expense of promoting longtime party loyalists.

There are 92 million people in Iran, but the protests took place all over the country (400 cities and towns). He insists he will run Syria as a democratic state tolerant of all religions, and we should all wish him well, of course. Even if the non-violent protests in Iran this week had not been drowned in blood, the odds were always against a happy ending to their protests against Iran's entrenched religious dictatorship. It's all about staying in the limelight, but not with the goal of helping the Iranian protesters whom he told on Jan 13 to "keep protesting -- take over your institutions!!! This week's threats are about forcing Iran to "COME TO THE TABLE and negotiate a fair and equitable deal" on its nuclear weapons programme.

Listen to this articleElection Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee speaks to reporters at the EC headquarters on Jan 19. According to EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee, the decision was taken after the central bank noticed a series of unusually large cash withdrawals over the past 10 days, with amounts ranging from tens to hundreds of millions of baht. The BoT has forwarded information on the transactions to both the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) and the EC for further scrutiny. BoT governor Vitai Ratanakorn said the central bank has requested all commercial banks to report suspicious cash withdrawals covering a period from roughly two weeks ago through to the end of February. He said on Wednesday that at least two suspicious cash withdrawals were detected.

High hopes for small partyListen to this articleSeri Ruam Thai Party leader Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves is seen during a campaign visit to Bangkok's Bang Rak district on Jan 22. Pol Gen Sereepisuth, now in his golden years at 77 years old, has been elected to parliament several times. "We must reclaim everything -- Battambang, Siem Reap, Koh Kong -- because these were once our territories," Pol Gen Sereepisuth said. Politically, Pol Gen Sereepisuth said he does not intend to divide into camps or automatically align with any side if elected. "I admit that this time I have no momentum on social media at all," Pol Gen Sereepisuth said.

Bloc 'must adapt plan' on MyanmarListen to this articleForeign affairs ministers from Asean member states pose for a group photo during the Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Cebu City, the Philippines, on Thursday. (Photo: Reuters)Thailand is calling on Asean to recalibrate its approach to Myanmar following the country's general election, warning the bloc risks losing relevance if it fails to adapt. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow made the call at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat on Thursday in the Philippines, where the crisis in Myanmar topped the agenda. Mr Sihasak said violence and armed conflict have continued since Myanmar's military takeover in 2021, despite Asean's efforts under the Five-Point Consensus. With Myanmar having held a general election, he said Asean must reassess its role.

Listen to this articleFlames rise from a paddy field in Pak Phli district of Nakhon Nayok on Tuesday. The blaze was 100% under control after a handful of new flare‑ups overnight were swiftly doused, governor Chanon Wasiksiri confirmed in a press briefing at the Pak Phli district office on Thursday. More than 50% of the land in Tha Rua is deemed at high risk for illegal field burning. Residents who witness field burning in Pak Phli are urged to contact the district chief directly on 081‑867‑1506. Nakhon Nayok and other provinces in about one-third of Thailand, including Bangkok, recorded red levels of PM2.5 fine-dust pollution on Wednesday morning.

(Photo: AFP)BERLIN - Germany plans to better protect its critical infrastructure with a new law as surging tensions with Russia stoke fears of sabotage attacks and other national security threats. The measures cover facilities that provide critical services to more than 500,000 people in sectors including energy, water, food, health, transport, IT, telecommunications, financial services and waste disposal. Many security experts have welcomed the new critical infrastructure bill in principle, but others have harshly criticised it as too little too late. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has now vowed to turn Germany’s army into Europe’s largest convention force, but Schulz said building infrastructure resilience is “at least as important as tanks and drones, if not more so”. security threats.

(Pool Photo via Reuters)CEBU, Philippines - Myanmar’s Southeast Asian neighbours ​should adopt a “calibrated engagement” with its military-controlled post-election government while still pressing for an end to conflict, Thailand said on Thursday, signalling a possible softening in stance. The election was not contested ‌by opposition groups, most of them already banned, amid a civil war triggered by the 2021 coup. “It’s not an expression of support, but with a view that these elections might be something positive,” she said. Asean’s engagement with Myanmar remains guided by the “five-point consensus” that includes a cessation of violence, dialogue among concerned ⁠parties and provision of humanitarian assistance, she added. The Philippines recently hosted a dialogue among opponents of Myanmar’s ruling junta to try and assist dialogue and aid.

Listen to this articlePrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and cabinet ministers arrive at Government House on Jan 27. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday rejected claims that the dismissal of Dr Supat Hasuwannakit, a former hospital director and current election candidate, was politically motivated or linked to the Bhumjaithai Party. Mr Anutin said the government’s policy was to act against all legal violations, regardless of whether the individuals involved were civil servants or private citizens. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Dr Supat defended his actions, saying the ATK procurement complied with emergency regulations under the 2017 Procurement Act during the Covid-19 crisis. Dr Supat said he had little time to respond to what he described as a “news manipulation campaign”, as he was focused on campaigning among voters in Hat Yai.