Apichart JinakulThe tourism confidence index in the fourth quarter of 2025 dropped year-on-year, marking a sluggish recovery due to southern flooding, the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict and the strong baht, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT). The council's survey of 740 operators between Nov 10 and Dec 10 tallied a tourism confidence index of 72, down from 75 year-on-year, though improving from 66 in the third quarter. All regions across Thailand, except the central and western regions, recorded a year-on-year dip in tourism confidence in the fourth quarter. Tourism operators' revenue recovered by only 50% of the pre-pandemic level. For the first quarter of 2026, the TCT forecast the tourism confidence index improving to 80, with arrivals reaching 9.3 million, mainly driven by European tourists and the Chinese New Year holiday.

Nutthawat WichieanbutThailand must urgently upgrade its flood and water management systems as climate change intensifies extreme weather, experts warned at the Water Resilience Forum 2026 on Monday. He cited global engineering solutions such as Singapore's "sponge city" concept, Japan's giant underground flood tunnels and the Netherlands' sea barriers, saying Thailand should develop its own flood management model suited to local conditions. Integrated measures to reduce upstream water flows and divert excess water to the sea have helped prevent major inundation, he said. "We don't have a dam to control water at the river's mouth, which makes Bangkok highly vulnerable to climate change," Mr Chadchart said. Victoria Elema, team lead for international water affairs at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, told the event that the Netherlands has successfully reduced flood risks through the Delta Works programme, which includes dams, sluices, locks, dykes and storm surge barriers.

Pheu Thai says 'wanted' councillor already cut tiesListen to this articlePheu Thai's PM candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat speaks during a rally at Thap Kwang Municipal Stadium, Kaeng Khoi district, Saraburi province. Pheu Thai PartyThe Pheu Thai Party said a Kalasin provincial councillor had already resigned from the party after authorities issued arrest warrants over alleged links to an online gambling and scam network. The male was identified as Patthanun Chandorn, a member of the Kalasin Provincial Administrative Organisation Council. Another provincial councillor, whose name has yet to be disclosed, reportedly fled abroad on Jan 15. The party confirmed Mr Patthanun had been a member but said he had resigned earlier and no longer held any status within Pheu Thai.

Doubt clouds status of PP candidateListen to this articleDr Supat Hasuwannakit (photo: People's Party)It remains unclear if Dr Supat Hasuwannakit -- who is running for the Feb 8 election under the banner of the People's Party (PP) -- has been removed from civil service due to a procurement scandal, according to Narong Klanwarin, chair of the Election Commission (EC). If Dr Supat is indeed disqualified, the provincial EC director in Songkhla would be required to petition the Supreme Court to revoke his candidacy, Mr Narong said. He said it falls on the EC provincial director in Songkhla to file a petition to the Supreme Court to revoke Dr Supat's candidacy. Mr Narong said he learned of the alleged dismissal from media reports, but it was unclear whether Dr Supat had actually been dismissed from the civil service. Dr Supat is running as a constituency MP candidate in Songkhla.

Listen to this articleWomen wrapped in Israeli flags stand in front of a clock counting the days since the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas attack, at “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv, on Oct 14, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)TEL AVIV - A clock in a Tel Aviv square that became ‌a rallying point for Israelis demanding the release of hostages taken during the ​October 2023 Hamas attack will be turned off on Tuesday, 844 days after it began counting their captivity. Ran Gvili, 24, was an off-duty police officer recovering from an injury, who was killed fighting militants that had infiltrated Israel during the 2023 attack. Gvili’s mother, Talik, speaking to reporters late on Monday, after her son’s body was recovered, thanked those who had supported the family ‌during the 27 months since the 2023 attack. The Hamas attack, the ‌bloodiest killing of Jews since the Holocaust, was widely seen as the most traumatic event in the country’s history.

PP vows B250bn 100-day economic planNatthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, fifth from right, front row, and his team pose for a photo with Kriengkrai Thiennukul, president of the Federation of Thai Industries, sixth from right, and FTI executives after discussions on economic policy at the FTI headquarters in Bangkok's Sathon district on Tuesday. PEOPLE'S PARTYThe People's Party (PP) has pledged to roll out an ambitious "first 100-day" economic plan worth 250 billion baht if elected to form the next government. The plan aims to revive Thailand's economy by boosting liquidity for entrepreneurs, tightening fair competition and stimulating domestic demand, while continuing the current co-payment scheme. Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut outlined the proposal after a meeting on Tuesday with executives of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). He said the initial phase would focus on plugging structural economic loopholes and restoring fairness for Thai businesses and workers.

BJT urges strategic voting as polls tightenListen to this articlePrime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul campaigns for votes in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Jan 22. "This time, there are really only two sides: the left and the right," Ms Supamas said. Speaking about the party's readiness to stage its first major rally in Bangkok, Ms Supamas said BJT would hold a large campaign event on Friday at Lumpini Park. The rally will be led by Mr Anutin, dubbed the "blue corner" leader, alongside the party's economic "dream team". Ms Supamas said the rally is expected to have a distinctive format compared with previous campaign events.

Listen to this articleDemocrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Suan Rot Fai park on Tuesday. Democrat PartyThe Democrat Party has stepped up its Bangkok campaign, promoting a common ticket transport policy while signalling confidence in coalition leverage, amid polling that shows strong support in the South. Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva led the rally on Tuesday, joined by senior figures and two other prime ministerial candidates, Korn Chatikavanij and Karndee Leopairote. He warned against vote-buying and populism, calling for a clean election enforced by voters and the Election Commission (EC). In the prime ministerial preference, Mr Abhisit led with 51.45%, well ahead of Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul (16.40%) and People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut (14.34%).

Listen to this articleTransport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn (photo: Government House)The touted "Disneyland Thailand" project is both feasible and realistic, says Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, insisting it is not a fanciful promise or political hype. Speaking as the minister overseeing the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Mr Phiphat said Thailand has sufficient potential, infrastructure and readiness to host a world-class entertainment development of this scale. The initiative is being seriously studied as part of a broader plan to transform the EEC into a global entertainment and lifestyle hub, he said. Mr Phiphat stressed the vision extends far beyond a theme park, encompassing large-scale concert halls and a world-standard sports stadium with a seating capacity of at least 80,000. "Disneyland Thailand should not be seen merely as an amusement park, but as a global entertainment and lifestyle hub," Mr Phiphat said.

DPM denies abusing SSF money on travelListen to this articleDeputy Prime Minister Phiphat RatchakitprakarnDeputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Tuesday that he always travels in business class and follows a principle of using Social Security Fund (SSF) money prudently and only when necessary. His remarks were in response to Rukchanok Srinork, a party-list candidate of the People's Party (PP), who said officials allowed to use Social Security Fund money for overseas study trips could choose to fly in first or business class in line with regulations. Ms Rukchanok mentioned Mr Phiphat and another former labour minister, Suchart Chomklin, among those eligible. He said that he never travelled first class on any official trip involving the Social Security Office. He urged Ms Rukchanok to verify information carefully before posting to avoid misleading messages that could damage reputations and cause public misunderstanding.

Nutthawat WichieanbutWith just two weeks remaining before the general election on Feb 8, political parties are intensifying their campaigns, sharpening policy messages and deploying high-profile figures to win over undecided voters. The People's Party (PP), meanwhile, has sought to reignite enthusiasm by bringing back Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the dissolved Move Forward Party, to help campaign. The Pheu Thai Party has accelerated its economic messaging, unveiling policies to address cost-of-living pressures. According to Mr Stithorn, BJT's current strategy is more about reinforcing existing support than expanding it. "They need to fix this fast," Mr Stithorn said, "or the gains from Yodchanan's image will be wasted."

Malaysians advised to have car flood insurance if going to Hat YaiListen to this articleA view of a very quiet Hat Yai city from Hat Yai Municipal Park on Khao Kho Hong hill at night on Dec 6, 2025, shortly after the great flood. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Malaysians planning to vacation in Hat Yai city during the Chinese New Year are being advised to ensure their car insurance covers flood damage. The Malaysian diplomat said although roads are safe as Hat Yai is gradually returning to normaly, visitors should have flood cover for vehicles as a precaution. Hat Yai is recovering from the devasting flood in November that crippled tourism and the hospitality sector, among other economic damage. Hotels in Hat Yai district are struggling due to the plunging confidence of local and foreign tourists.

Listen to this articleA woman casts her vote for the Social Security Board members in December 2023. He said if he were given the opportunity to continue overseeing the agency after the election, he would consider restructuring the SSO to make it more transparent and independent. He said clarification was necessary, adding that following a meeting of the Social Security Board, the permanent secretary for labour and the SSO secretary-general would hold a press conference. However, all six members of the "Progressive Social Security" team opposed the proposal. The meeting minutes also state that SSO representatives would seek to expedite Labour Minister Treenuch's signing of new election regulations during the caretaker period.

Severe storms in Sicily cause part of plateau to give wayListen to this articleA drone picture shows houses perched along the edge of a cliff after a landslide in Niscemi on the Italian island of Sicily, on Jan 27, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)NISCEMI, Italy - Homes in the Sicilian town of Niscemi have been left teetering on the edge of a cliff after a ‌landslide that was triggered by ​a storm, Italy’s civil protection chief said on Tuesday. Niscemi, a town of about 25,000 in south-central Sicily, sits on a plateau that authorities say is gradually collapsing toward the plain below. In Niscemi, ⁠the sudden evacuations have fuelled anxiety and anger among residents, some ​of whom say earlier landslides went unaddressed. “We had the first ​landslide 30 years ago, and no one ever did anything.”

Listen to this articleActing Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul leads cabinet ministers to Government House on Tuesday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Acting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday said there were no signs pointing to a third round of fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border, urging the public to remain calm as security agencies remain on alert. Mr Anutin and his team visited border areas in Sa Kaeo province on Monday. Asked whether Cambodia’s trench digging, reportedly within 500 metres of the border, had heightened mistrust, the prime minister said each country had the right to take defensive measures within its own territory. National Security Council secretary-general Chatchai Bangchuad said assessments indicated elections could proceed in border areas without disruption.