Same-sex marriages reach 26,000 markListen to this articleA female couple gets married on Jan 23, 2025, the day the Marriage Equality Act came into effect. The legislation allows same-sex couples to legally register their marriages and grants them the same legal rights, protections and benefits as opposite-sex couples. The organisation also stressed that legal equality remains incomplete, noting that approximately 50 related laws still require amendment. Delays in revising these laws continue to create practical barriers for LGBTQ+ couples seeking full and equal access to their rights. "The enactment of the Marriage Equality Bill is only the first step toward equality," the post said.

LGT calls for disciplined investing amid market volatilityListen to this articleLGT Private Banking Asia Pacific expects global risk assets to gain traction this year, but cautions that investors should be prepared for a more volatile and uneven market, advising disciplined portfolio construction and active risk management. While the broader investment environment remains constructive, volatility and policy-driven market swings are likely to become a structural feature of 2026, he said. The policy environment remains broadly supportive in the US as the country heads towards the November 2026 midterm elections. In Europe, corporate earnings growth is expected to lag that of the US in 2026, limiting the region's potential to outperform. Despite near-term investment challenges, LGT remains confident in the long-term growth potential of Thailand's wealth management market, driven by family businesses, corporates and foundations.

Trump's strategic retreat in EuropeListen to this articleIf anyone wonders why gold prices have surged past $4,900 and silver has touched $90 per ounce, the answer lies in Donald Trump's appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. Yet Trump didn't back down, referencing Venezuela where the new government immediately struck a deal after a show of American force. This is perception management: calming markets short-term while maintaining pressure on Europe. Trump could assert tariffs are negotiating leverage if the court accepts this reasoning in the landmark case it is now deciding. Trump's deal-making involves: start with high demands (seizing Greenland), demonstrate strength (invade Venezuela), use economic tools (tariffs), then negotiate for special rights without using force.

EIC sees new government by MayListen to this articleSCB's Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) expects the formation of a new government to take around five months, which could weigh on the economy, with growth projected at less than 1% in the first half of this year. EIC, the research arm of Siam Commercial Bank, estimates the new government to take office in May following the general election scheduled for Feb 8. These reforms span multiple areas, including household debt, competitiveness, infrastructure investment, environmental risks, demographic challenges, labour quality, inequality, social welfare and public sector governance. Against the backdrop of delayed fiscal budget disbursement and external risks, EIC projects GDP growth of only 1.5% this year, with expansion in the first half less than 1%. Exports are expected to decline this year after strong growth in 2025, as clearer US import tariffs and intensifying global competition weigh on external demand, noted EIC.

Asian stocks rally as global investors diversifyListen to this articleRECAP: Asian stocks rose yesterday as non-US assets found favour with global investors concerned about more policy unpredictability from Donald Trump, even after he dropped his latest tariff threats and softened his position on Greenland. Brokerage firms were net buyers of 7.03 billion baht, followed by foreign investors at 2.47 billion and retail investors at 1.39 billion. The International Monetary Fund has revised its 2026 global GDP growth forecast to 3.3% from 3.1% forecast in October, citing resilience amid trade adjustments and increased AI investment. InnovestX Securities sees positive catalysts led by expectations of a rally ahead of the Feb 8 election, alongside easing geopolitical tensions. Investors should closely monitor the Fed decision (due around 2am Thursday Thailand time) for signals on monetary policy direction.

His words made it clear that remembrance is a burden which lies with us all, no matter our nationality and that future generations must never be allowed to forget. The concert opened with Henryk Górecki's Symphony No.3 -- Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs -- which became a global phenomenon, selling over a million copies, when it was recorded in 1992 by the London Sinfonietta with soprano Dawn Upshaw. The symphony is built from the ground upwards, opening with a sparse theme on the double basses and rising to full orchestral radiance, played by the Siam Sinfonietta with a haunting beauty. King's College International School BangkokThe soprano part demands enough dramatic power to soar over a full symphony orchestra, while retaining the ability to sustain high-lying phrases with exquisite delicacy. In the face of such unimaginable suffering, where language proves inadequate, this concert of great music became a shared act of remembrance.

A decade later, it reads less like a novelty and more like a preview of the direction Thailand's tourism economy is taking. Instead, it has entered the global festival circuit in a way few predicted. This matters because Thailand's tourism machine was built on predictability. Global festival brands go wherever conditions suit them. What began with Wonderfruit no longer sits at the edge of Thailand's cultural map.

Is demographic decline reversible? But the decline in the fertility rate was inevitable, like a boulder rolling down a hill. China's current policies are a scaled-down version of Japan's ineffective response to demographic decline. With China facing even deeper structural demographic constraints, it is not surprising that its fertility rate has already fallen below Japan's. Worse, the share of unmarried women aged 25-29 surged from 9% in 2000 to 33% in 2020, and to 43% in 2023.

Campaign for referendum gains paceListen to this articleA 2015 photograph shows a draft of the 20th constitution during a vote by members of the country's National Reform Council (NRC) in parliament. On Feb 8, eligible voters will give their opinion in a public referendum on whether the country needs to write a new one. (Photo: Reuters)Despite a rough start, the campaign for the Feb 8 charter referendum has gained momentum, with a higher chance of public approval. Now that the referendum campaign has become a public issue, the former ruling party has decided to jump on the charter-rewriting bandwagon. Yet a major obstacle lies ahead, as the referendum requires a double majority -- a majority of eligible voters and a majority of those casting ballots.

Thai rising stars Pitchamon Opatniputh and Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul advanced to the semi-finals of the BWF Indonesia Masters on Friday but Ratchanok Intanon was forced to pull out with an injury. World No.6 Ratchanok pulled out of her match against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan after what appeared to be a knee injury. Men's singles hope Panitchaphon matched Pitchamon's success and made it to the Super 500 semi-finals for the first time. The 21-year-old knocked out seventh seed Lakshya Sen of India 21-18, 22-20 in the quarter-finals on Friday. However, fourth seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue of France lost to sixth seeds Jafar Hidayatullah and Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu of Indonesia 13-21, 22-20, 21-16.

(Photo: Bhumjaithai Party)Since entering politics in 2008, the Bhumjaithai Party has never experienced the momentum and opportunities it now enjoys under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Mr Jatuporn said that historically, Bhumjaithai struggled to gain traction in general elections. And the Bhumjaithai Party has done a great job," he said. "At the time being, Mr Anutin is the politician who fits with the Thai political context," Mr Jatuporn said. Despite his optimistic outlook for the party, Mr Jatuporn warned that electoral success alone would not guarantee national progress.

CPN invested B1.7bn to update Central PinklaoListen to this articleThe façade of Central Pinklao after the renovation. SET-listed Central Pattana (CPN) has invested more than 1.7 billion baht to transform the shopping mall Central Pinklao into a premier lifestyle landmark. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, chief marketing officer at CPN, said Central Pinklao was the company's third mall and has been part of western Bangkok for more than three decades. The property's refreshed design combines a classic-modern façade with an interior that balances elegance and creativity, according to CPN. Following the renovation, total sales at Central Pinklao increased by around 30%, noted CPN.

Analyst queries Telenor's True saleListen to this articleThe Telenor sale of its shares in True is unlikely to have fundamental impact on the latter, according to an analyst. Telenor's sale of its shares in True Corporation may be based on the calculation that it is more difficult to achieve strong profit margins in the Thai telecom sector after 2026, says an analyst. True group chief executive Sigve Brekke held a conference call with analysts to discuss Telenor's divestment. Mr Pisut said Telenor's remaining 5.35% stake in True is likely to be locked up and sold in the market after two years. True recruited Mr Brekke, former chief executive of Telenor Group, in early 2025 shortly after he left Telenor.

Populist policies such as Khon La Khrueng place an increasing burden on the government's fiscal position. The plan emphasises fiscal consolidation under a framework of fiscal discipline, transparency and concrete implementation of management. Public debt, which tallies 64.8% of GDP, may not be reduced rapidly as this depends not only on fiscal discipline, but also on economic conditions. State agencies are required to avoid approving grant-type subsidy projects that do not contribute to productivity improvements in the agricultural sector. All of these measures are intended to signal to the public and credit rating agencies the government's commitment to enforcing stricter fiscal discipline.

Arrivals during Lunar New Year expected to pick upListen to this articleTourists take a photo in front of the Grand Palace. Mr Thanapol said this event should help boost demand this year, as Atta predicts 39 million foreign arrivals, including 9 million Chinese. Atta plans to attend a roadshow hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in March, targeting Chinese tourists in Shanghai. Despite concerns over call scammers and earthquakes, he said Thailand remains a top five destination for Chinese on the platform. According to Tuniu.com, 67% of Chinese visiting Thailand are independent tourists, while the remainder come with tour groups.