Diplomacy key to fixing border woes: AbhisitListen to this articleA supporter takes a selfie with Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party, at Suan Luang Rama IX Park on Sunday. (Photo: Democrat Party)Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged the government to pursue a more proactive diplomatic strategy to ease rising tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border, warning that renewed clashes would only deepen hardship for border communities and undermine regional stability. Asked whether he feared a third round of clashes, Mr Abhisit said he hoped it could be avoided. On the political front, Mr Abhisit said any future coalition involving the Democrats would be based on integrity, a serious commitment to tackling corruption and a focus on national reconciliation. Meanwhile, Jurin Laksanawisit, former Democrat leader and a party-list candidate, was hopeful about the party's prospects in Bangkok.

Listen to this articlePeople's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut receives garlands given by supporters while campaigning at Hang Dong market in Chiang Mai on Sunday. Mr Natthaphong was in Chiang Mai, traditional stronghold of the Pheu Thai Party, on Sunday to campaign for constituency candidates. He urged voters to back PP candidates to give the party a mandate to form a government, tackle corruption and crack down on grey businesses. He was to campaign in Chiang Mai throughout the day before heading to Chiang Rai today to support local candidates there. I ask for overwhelming support for the People's Party on both ballots so we can form the government this time," he said.

The poll, titled "First Round: Election Momentum 2026", shows the People's Party (PP) maintaining its lead in both constituency and party-list voting. Suvicha: 'PP faces challenges'Structural ceilingDespite its overall lead, the PP faces challenges in broadening its electoral base. Mr Suvicha said Mr Natthaphong lacks the personal "aura" that once surrounded Mr Pita. Pheu Thai, whose support base overlaps with the BJT's, appears to be avoiding direct confrontation, mindful that post-election cooperation may be unavoidable. Under that scenario, a BJT-led government with Pheu Thai as a coalition partner would be the most likely outcome.

City's second pedestrian bridge across river to link Old Town, Klong SanListen to this articleAn aerial concept rendering of the proposed Chao Phraya River Pedestrian Bridge, a walk-and-cycle crossing and potential new urban landmark. Strategically, the bridge would sit between the Phra Pok Klao Bridge and the King Taksin Bridge, both major road crossings, creating a long-missing human-scale connection between the two sides of the river. If realised, it would become Bangkok's second pedestrian bridge designed specifically for walking and recreation across the Chao Phraya. "The economy around Yaowarat has grown a lot, and Song Wat has benefited as a secondary commercial area," he said. A pedestrian bridge, he believes, could bring life back to a forgotten corner of the city.

Makers of auto parts for pickups who export to Mexico are bracing for a negative impact based on new tariffs. The levies apply to more than 1,000 tariff lines and are expected to affect daily-use products and industrial inputs, with auto parts facing the highest rates. Auto parts makers are likely to face import taxes of 25-35%, depending on the parts. "We expect to determine the scale of the impact on auto parts companies by the end of this month," said Mr Suphot. According to the FTI, there are roughly 1,700 auto parts manufacturers in Thailand.

This means the review process takes a long time, creating headaches for Thai exporters during the investigation period." The Trade Expansion Act allows the president to impose tariffs if a product is deemed to "threaten national security". Mr Mongkol said fresh geopolitical risks are emerging after Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries trading with Iran. Intensifying military tensions in global hotspots are also expected to raise external risks, weaken global demand and further weigh on Thai exports, he said. For the period until the court issues a ruling, he said Thai exports to the US should remain stable.

Villa's title bid rocked by Everton loss, Newcastle held at WolvesListen to this articleAston Villa's limp performance was punished by Thierno Barry's second-half winner for Everton. (Photo: AFP)LONDON - Aston Villa's Premier League title challenge suffered a huge blow in a 1-0 defeat against Everton, while Newcastle's push towards the top four was derailed by a 0-0 draw at Wolves on Sunday. After Arsenal's goalless draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Mikel Arteta's men are seven points clear of third-placed Villa. Second-placed Manchester City are also seven points behind the leaders following their 2-0 loss at Manchester United on Saturday. "There are other teams with more potential than us," Emery said of Villa's fading title chances.

Limited internet returns in Iran after protest blackoutListen to this articleIranian authorities have said calm has been restored in the capital after a wave of protests. (Photo: AFP)PARIS (FRANCE) - Limited internet access has returned in Iran, a monitor said Sunday, 10 days after authorities imposed a communications blackout that rights groups have said was aimed at masking a violent protest crackdown that killed thousands. Trump, who backed and joined Israel's 12-day war against Iran in June, had repeatedly threatened new military action against Tehran if protesters were killed. As leaders in Washington and Tehran have exchanged barbs, Iranian officials have said calm has been restored in the streets. Alarm has grown over the threat of capital punishment against arrested protesters, even as Trump said Iran had called off hundreds of executions.

Syria's leader agrees truce deal with Kurds after govt troops advanceListen to this articleSyria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa signs the agreement at the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Sunday. - 'Killing must stop' -Deir Ezzor province said all public institutions were closed on Sunday and urged people to stay home. The Kurdish forces' withdrawal came after Barrack met Syrian Kurdish leader Abdi in Erbil on Saturday, and the US Central Command urged government forces "to cease any offensive actions" between Aleppo and Tabqa. The United States has long supported the Kurdish forces, but it also backs Syria's new Islamist authorities. In Qamishli, the main Kurdish city in Syria's northeast, hundreds of residents demonstrated Sunday, an AFP correspondent said, chanting slogans including "we will defend our heroes".

Hosts Morocco face Mane's Senegal for AFCON gloryListen to this articleAfrican player of the year Achraf Hakimi will lead Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations finalRABAT - The Africa Cup of Nations reaches its climax on Sunday with a showdown between host nation Morocco, looking to win the title for the first time in 50 years, and Sadio Mane's powerful Senegal side. Walid Regragui's Morocco have established themselves in recent years as Africa's pre-eminent national team, becoming the first from the continent to reach a World Cup semi-final, in 2022, and climbing to 11th place in the world rankings. However, they have long been AFCON underachievers, with their only title to date coming in 1976. He added: "Senegal will need to be really strong to beat us at home, although they are capable." Off the pitch this edition of Africa's premier sports event has demonstrated that Morocco is determined to be a successful co-host of the 2030 World Cup.

Vonn in Olympic form with another World Cup podium in Tarvisio super-GListen to this articleLindsey Vonn has seven podium finishes in this season's alpine skiing World CupTARVISIO (ITALY) - Lindsey Vonn continued her remarkable form in the lead up to the Winter Olympics with her seventh World Cup podium of the season in Sunday's super-G in Tarvisio won by Emma Aicher. American star Vonn finished 0.27 seconds behind Germany's Aicher to claim second after taking third in Saturday's downhill on the same piste in Italy. Vonn has never missed out on the podium in Tarvisio, which made its World Cup comeback this weekend after a 15-year absence and where her tally now reads two wins, five second places and one third spot. Goggia had another disappointing run and finished 1.13sec behind Germany's Aicher, who held off Vonn and Ester Ledecka to claim her fourth career World Cup win and second of the season. Goggia is one of Italy's alpine skiing medal hopes at the Olympics with uncertainty over the participation of overall World Cup title holder Federica Brignone, who is also giant slalom world champion.

Slow-burn incense used to start deniable, illegal cane firesListen to this articleDiscarded bundles of incense sticks found at the scene of an illegally burned sugarcane field in Chaiyaphum province, believed to have been used as delayed igniters to start the fire. Bundles of burned incense sticks were later found at the scene. They were believed to have been used as slow-burning igniters to delay detection, officials said. Under the Forest Act, illegal burning that damages more than 25 rai carries a maximum jail term of 15 years and/or heavy fines. Officials have been instructed to find those responsible, curb further fires and prevent a worsening pollution crisis, Mr Anan said.

Europe scrambles to respond to Trump tariff threatListen to this articleNATO allies are scrambling to respond to US President Donald Trump's tariff threat as part of his wish to seize Greenland.afpBRUSSELS - European leaders on Sunday hit back at US President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs over their opposition to his designs on Greenland, with far-right Italian leader Giorgia Meloni urging Washington against making a "mistake". Meloni, who has a good relationship with Trump, said she had told him it was a "mistake" to punish Europe economically. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to discuss the situation with Trump "at the earliest opportunity", UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy told the BBC, calling the president's tariff threat "wrong". "In this escalation of tariffs, (Trump) has a lot to lose as well, as do his own farmers and industrialists," she told broadcasters Europe 1 and CNews. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel meanwhile called Trump's threat an "inexplicable" form of "blackmail".

Mystery death, stolen ring and an intruder during Phuket music festivalListen to this articleThe latch that saved the woman DJ from an intruder, at her hotel room in Phuket. Police said a 26-year-old Indian man was pronounced dead at Thalang Hospital in Thalang district on Saturday night. Rescuers took him to Thalang Hospital, where he went into shock and died. His body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for autopsy to find the cause of death. Facebook user Acare Alice sought help via social media after she and her boyfriend lost a valuable diamond ring and other items at the music festival on Saturday night.

Listen to this articleNakhon Ratchasima governor Anupong Suksomnit announces the closure of the ID verification centre on Sunday. (Photo supplied)NAKON RATCHASIMA - All bodies of the victims of the railway crane collapse on Jan 14 have been identified and authorities closed the verification centre on Sunday. Provincial governor Anupong Suksomnit told reporters at the hospital on Sunday that relatives had completed identification of the 30 train passengers killed by the collapse of the base parts of a launcher gantry crane working on the construction of the overhead high-speed train track. The train was reportedly carrying 195 passengers and crew and travelling at 120km per hour. The construction of the high-speed railway bridge is part of Section 1 (Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima) of the US$5.4-billion Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project, which has suffered numerous delays since work first began in 2017.