Ministry clarifies delays in postal votingThe Foreign Affairs Ministry has moved to reassure Thai nationals in France after complaints that postal voting documents had not been received. Panidone Pachimsawat, deputy ministry spokesman, said on Saturday coordination with the Paris embassy confirmed ballot papers were dispatched by express mail on Jan 19, the first day permitted for overseas voting. "Delays are caused by a central data system error at the French postal service, which prevented some mail from being sent," he said. The Thai embassy in Paris has extended the deadline for returning ballots from Jan 30 to Feb 2. Voters are urged to return documents immediately upon receipt, using prepaid express envelopes.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has praised Thailand's performance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, saying the country's proactive engagement helped elevate its role in the global economic value chain and strengthen confidence amid global economic uncertainty. The participation was hailed as a success and helped reinforce international confidence in Thailand. Participation in WEF 2026, he said, enabled Asean to showcase its strengths, including economic openness, neutrality and adherence to international trade rules. "The WEF engagement reflects Thailand's proactive role in driving cooperation with global partners," Mr Siripong said. He added that collaboration on digital rules, cybersecurity and the green economy would support more inclusive and sustainable Asean growth.

One of the most prominent themes emerging in recent weeks has been a surge in nationalist sentiment linked to tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. The issue has been actively woven into campaign narratives, particularly on national security, with analysts pointing to the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) as the main beneficiary. Nationalism as a campaign toolAsked about the impact of nationalist sentiment tied to the border dispute, Mr Olarn said it is having a tangible effect on voter behaviour. "If we focus purely on nationalist sentiment, BJT has the clearest advantage," Mr Olarn said. BJT, by contrast, has leaned heavily into nationalist sentiment, proposing measures such as border fencing and stressing strong cooperation with the armed forces.

Federal agents shoot dead another person in MinneapolisListen to this articleTear gas is deployed by law enforcement in Minneapolis as demonstrators gather near the site where officials say a man was shot by federal agentsMINNEAPOLIS - Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, officials said -- the second fatal shooting of a civilian in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. But Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the shooting "horrific" and demanded that state authorities lead the investigation. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey pulled no punches, urging President Donald Trump to end the federal immigration operation, which has sparked sometimes violent demonstrations. - 'Horrific shooting' -Earlier, Walz said he had discussed "another horrific shooting by federal agents" with the White House. Minneapolis has been rocked by increasingly tense protests since federal agents shot and killed Good, a US citizen, on January 7.

(Photo: State Railway of Thailand)The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) resumed train services through Sikhiu district in Nakhon Ratchasima for the first time on Saturday after a crane collapse that killed 30 people and injured dozens. Local media reported that about 20 metres of rail had been replaced along the damaged tracks. All trains passed safely through the location, with drivers reducing speed as a precaution to reassure passengers, reports said. Acting SRT governor Anan Phonimdaeng said the reopening was carried out under enhanced safety measures. The SRT would maintain strict monitoring throughout construction to ensure public confidence in rail travel, and nationwide protocols for other railway lines had also been strengthened, Mr Anan added.

“Because of the hydration, I probably want to fight at my walking weight – around 155, or openweight,” she said. “That’s probably the weight I’m going to do.”Crevar confirmed she has already raised the issue with DeBlass and expects further talks before her next bout. “I’m really grateful to Teshya for accepting the match even though I missed weight,” Crevar said. “I felt really great during the fight and I’m happy to get the submission on my debut,” she said. “But I’m really grateful to Tom for all the support.

Superstar rock-climber Alex Honnold will try again on Sunday, with Netflix ready to live-streamListen to this articleFog and clouds obscure the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Jan 24, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)TAIPEI - Poor weather on Saturday forced American climber Alex Honnold ‌to postpone his “free ​solo” rope and harness-free ascent of the outside of the Taipei 101 skyscraper, one of the world’s tallest buildings. The top of Taipei 101 was obscured by cloud on Saturday morning, with intermittent rain showers. Taipei 101 has been scaled before. Despite decades of record-setting ascents, this would be his first skyscraper climb — and the first time one of his feats would unfold live before spectators both on the ground and on a streaming platform.

Listen to this articleA team of police search a condominium room in Samut Prakan belonging to drug suspect Kanyapaphat Phatwaratthaya, who was arrested in Bangkok on Friday. (Photo: Wassayos Ngamkham/supplied)Police arrested a major cocaine dealer in Bangkok on Friday, ending her 10-year operation without being captured using her Nigerian ex-husband’s connections, with many of her clients found to be from elite society. Her right-hand man and four customers were also arrested, along with 250 grammes of cocaine and assets worth 6.2 million baht, police said. Investigators said Ms Kanyapaphat admitted she had long been involved with West African gangs and knew sources of cheap cocaine. Her sales records also showed numerous clients from Thai high society, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said, adding that cocaine was expensive and popular among affluent users.

Keys revels in Melbourne heat as Djokovic steps up history bidListen to this articleMadison Keys beat the Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova in straight sets. Matches started an hour earlier than usual because of the heatwave, and Keys had no intention of hanging about. Djokovic history bidThe Serbian great Djokovic faces 75th-ranked Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp for a place in the last 16. Second seed Sinner is bidding to win the Melbourne major for a third time in a row, emulating Djokovic. The winner goes up against either six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek or 31st-seeded Russian Anna Kalinskaya.

On Jan 2, founder and co-owner of Bangkok's legendary club Studio Lam -- DJ Maft Sai (Nattapon Siangsukon) -- announced the venue would close at the end of February after 12 music-packed years. photo:And Studio Lam was born. Wednesday became live music night, and a band created especially for Studio Lam, Toom Turn Molam Band, was really the house band. Details on the Studio Lam Facebook page. DJ Maft Sai has the last word: "Studio Lam was never about trends or hype.

(Photo: Photo: Pheu Thai Facebook)The Pheu Thai Party intends to create tens of thousands of new millionaires if it forms a government after the Feb 8 election, prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat said on Saturday. The scheme would create 3,240 millionaires annually, or about 26,000 over eight years if Pheu Thai remained in office for two terms, he said. (Story continues below)Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat talks to reporters following a rally where he pitched his “Nine New Millionaires a Day” policy, in Yasothon on Saturday. The area is part of Constituency 6, long considered a Pheu Thai stronghold. Pheu Thai touts the latter as an improvement on the most recent half-half programme that subsidised 50% of small-scale consumer purchases.

Listen to this articleNaomi Osaka acknowledges the crowd after winning her second-round match against Sorana Cirstea at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Jan 22, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)MELBOURNE - Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has pulled ‌out of the Grand ​Slam ahead of her scheduled third round match on Saturday due to an abdominal injury. The Japanese 16th seed Osaka, the ‌2019 and 2021 winner at Melbourne Park, said on social media that her body “needed attention” following her previous match ‌against Sorana Cirstea. So ‌this ‍is something I have to be really cautious of.”The pull-out is a setback for Osaka, who has ‌been ​returning to her best and made the US Open semi-finals last year. At Melbourne Park, Osaka made a huge splash before her opening match against Antonia Ruzic when she entered Rod Laver Arena in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, one of the boldest fashion ⁠statements seen at a Grand Slam.

Operators of major coffee chains in Thailand have agreed to adjust sweetness standards for beverages as part of a campaign by health officials to reduce sugar consumption. The Department of Health is spearheading the campaign under the theme “Normal Sweetness Equals 50% Sweetness”. Most beverage outlets in Thailand offer four sweetness levels: 25% (least sweet), 50%, 75% and 100%. In many, 100% is considered the standard, representing what customers consider “normal sweetness”. The beverage chains won’t be changing their recipes, he added — only the “normal” sweetness level will be redefined as equivalent to 50%.

‘Massive’ Russian attackThousands of people in Kyiv went without heating in sub-zero temperatures due to Russian strikes. Meanwhile, the head of the northern Chernigiv region, Vyacheslav Chaus, said “hundreds of thousands” were without electricity after Russian strikes on a critical energy facility in the Nizhyn district. Zelensky last week declared a “state of emergency” in the energy sector, battered by relentless Russian strikes on heat and electricity supplies. “Russia’s position is well known on the fact that Ukraine, Ukrainian armed forces, have to leave the territory of the Donbas,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin has repeatedly said Moscow intends to get full control of eastern Ukraine by force if talks fail.

(Photo: AFP)A US warship on Saturday made a port call at a Cambodian naval base for the first time since Chinese-funded renovations that have raised concerns in Washington, AFP journalists saw. “It is our privilege and our honour to be here as the first US naval vessel to moor pierside at Ream Naval Base, and we hope this is the beginning of a longstanding tradition and friendship,” Lieut Cmdr Andrew J Recame, the ship’s commanding officer, told reporters. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and a delegation from China’s People’s Liberation Army inaugurated the base in April last year. Beijing has since 2022 been contributing to a revamp of the Ream Naval Base, which was originally built partly using US funds. On Saturday morning, AFP journalists saw two Chinese warships still docked at the base.