Assoc Prof Panitan Wattanayagorn, a security and foreign affairs scholar, said the move represents a reconfiguration of US politics in relation to world politics, a transition towards a new form and a restructuring of the global order. Mr Panitan said the proposal could be considered a form of neo-colonialism or great-power dominance that bypasses established rules. This could serve as camouflage for US intentions, he added, noting that overt coercion is harder to pursue in today's world. He warned that the Trump administration has tended to prioritise US national interests over the existing world order and international law, including the UN Charter. However, he cautioned that Thailand must balance its position between major powers, particularly as China may advance its own peace initiatives.

Petroleum law changes put on holdListen to this articleThe Erawan gas block in the Gulf of Thailand, operated by PTT Exploration and Production. The Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) has finished drafting amendments to the Petroleum Act to ensure the continuity of petroleum production when licences expire, avoiding delays that can result in expensive electricity bills. Setbacks in domestic gas production force Thailand to import more costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel power generation, thus driving up production costs. The source said while the Petroleum Act specifies a one-time renewal for only 10 years, a second renewal can actually be done immediately with cabinet approval. This caused delays in petroleum production in the country, resulting in Thailand depending more on LNG imports.

Universal subsidy programmes for energy prices have proven not to ease people's living costs over the long term, notes an analyst. The Oil Fuel Fund Office said earlier it intends to revise its energy price subsidy programmes to focus on groups who desperately need help, rather than implementing universal schemes. Environmentally, subsidising energy prices for a long time could hamper efforts to promote efficient energy consumption, part of climate change campaigns, according to energy analysts. If policymakers prolong energy price subsidies, people will be less concerned about saving energy and ways to improve energy consumption, leading to greater use of fossil fuels, said Mr Praipol. More battery energy storage systems are also being used to serve as back-up electricity, so the AP is no longer needed.

Listen to this articleMr Bhatia says the current AI landscape does not reflect an AI bubble, as the industry has pivoted towards tangible, outcome-based solutions. Funding is primarily directed towards Generative AI (GenAI), AI agent development, public cloud AI services, on-premise AI infrastructure and AI security/transparency tools. As AI workloads scale, infrastructure strategy is emerging as 86% of organisations across Asia-Pacific incorporate on-premises or edge environments as part of hybrid AI architecture, effectively making hybrid AI the default model for enterprise AI deployment. Sumir Bhatia, president for Asia-Pacific Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), said several priorities are shaping business as AI inferencing becomes a value engine. Scaling AI remains a challenge, as only half of AI proof-of-concepts can be materialised and scaled.

New land appraisal prices to have limited impactListen to this articleAn aerial view of terraced rice fields at Na Kian village, in Omkoi district, Chiang Mai. Facebook account of Nopparat CharoenpholA new round of land appraisal prices to be effective in 2027 is expected to increase land prices along mass transit lines in Bangkok and surrounding areas by no more than 10%, attributed to the ongoing economic slowdown. Mr Akkaruth said in the new appraisal round, the department will seek to make appraisal prices closer to actual market prices. Under the current appraisal, Treasury Department prices were determined to be 30-40% lower than market prices. This process will be done gradually, as higher appraisal prices mean a higher tax burden for property owners, he said.

REUTERSIf the US and the EU implement tariff barriers against each other, it could cause severe disruptions to global trade, as both are crucial players in the global supply chain and major consumer markets, say economic analysts. Meanwhile, the EU is considering imposing retaliatory tariffs on US goods worth US$93 billion if Trump imposes tariffs as threatened. Mr Aat noted the influx of Chinese goods into the global market following the trade war between the US and China. Trade with the EU makes up 18% of total US trade, while trade with the US comprises 7% of the EU's total trade. "The US and EU may stop trading with each other and import Thai goods instead, benefiting Thai shipments.

Listen to this articleElection Commission officials count ballots at a polling station during Myanmar's general election in Yangon, Myanmar, December 28, 2025. For Myanmar migrants, students and journalists in Thailand, the vote is seen not merely as flawed but as a carefully managed performance designed to legitimise continued military rule. Voting under fearA 26‑year‑old Myanmar university student studying in Thailand also refused to vote at the embassy. While Bangkok has framed the move as constructive engagement, Myanmar interviewees say observation alone cannot fix a fundamentally broken process. "Some Myanmar people who went to vote know the process is deeply flawed," he said, "but they still hope for change, even if it is only slight".

All parliamentary candidates in scam scandal 'from same party'Listen to this articleChaichanok ChidchobDigital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob has vowed to disclose the names of 10 parliamentary candidates allegedly connected to online gambling websites and scam networks, confirming they are all affiliated with the same political party. When asked whether the 10 candidates belonged to a single party, he said, "They are." Pressed on whether the suspects were all from one party, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon declined to comment. He said all legal actions against PP candidates occurred after the candidate registration process had closed and involved individuals with no prior criminal records. While acknowledging that complaints had been lodged against some candidates, Mr Wiroj said the party treated all allegations seriously.

Listen to this articleThai Sang Thai Party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan underscores the need to stamp out corruption. "Thai Sang Thai is a small party. Thai Sang Thai has not entered into negotiations with any party and remains focused on winning support at the ballot box. Thai Sang Thai proposes establishing a "People's NACC" -- an independent, citizen-led anti-corruption body -- arguing the current National Anti-Corruption Commission lacks transparency and urgency. "An anti-corruption policy that generates funds for national development can be implemented immediately," Khunying Sudarat said.

Almost half of Kyiv without heat, power after Russian attackListen to this articleA resident uses a torch to walk down a darkened street during a power outage in Kyiv on Jan 19, 2026, following Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The large-scale bombardment, which targeted energy facilities across the country, killed at least one person — a 50-year-old man — near Kyiv. AFP journalists in the capital heard air raid sirens and explosions as Ukrainian air defence systems responded to the drones and missiles. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two top Russian military officials over the strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid. Due to wartime sensitivities, Kyiv does not say which energy facilities have been damaged or destroyed in Russian attacks.

Singapore will order airlines worldwide to prohibit undesirable passengers from boarding flights to the city-state from Jan 30 under a new policy to boost security. The Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said no-boarding directives would be enforced for all airlines flying to the country to prevent people who fail to meet requirements or “undesirable immigrants” from boarding planes. The ICA said the new rule is a step forward as it blocks people deemed threats to the country from reaching Singapore. Thai Airways International, Thai VietJet, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and Thai Lion Air are among Thailand-based airlines flying directly between Bangkok and Singapore. Singapore received about 360,000 Thai visitors from January to November last year, according to the latest statistics provided by the Singapore Tourism Board.

The man, affectionately dubbed “Chinese uncle” by netizens, shared photos taken directly from his mobile phone during a recent visit to Paris. There were no filters, no carefully curated angles and no post-production edits — just images captured exactly as his eyes saw them. Some online commenters humorously suggested that Paris tourism officials might want to confiscate the photographer’s phone before more “damage” was done. (Photo credit: RADII)(Photo credit: RADII)(Photo credit: RADII)When asked about the unexpected viral fame, the man responded simply. In an era dominated by filters and curated realities, the unedited truth — however imperfect — can be powerful in its own right.

Senegal poised to party with parade for Afcon champsListen to this articleSenegal forward Sadio Mane holds up the trophy as he celebrates with his teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations. “The Lions made an entire nation proud, beating the host country in those circumstances”, she told AFP, referring to the end of the match. The Moroccan FA said it had referred the incidents, including protests from Senegal players and fans, to the Confederation of African Football and FIFA. Amath Ndiaye, a 36-year-old street vendor who usually sells tissues, told AFP he has switched to hawking jerseys, flags, vuvuzelas and whistles for the duration of Afcon and the celebratory aftermath. : “I’m doing well”, he told AFP from Patte d’Oie, near the joyous crowd decked out in patriotic Senegalese gear and holding flags.

Asean will not certify Myanmar election or send observersListen to this articleElection Commission officials count ballots at a polling station during Myanmar's general election in Yangon, Myanmar, on Dec 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)KUALA ‍LUMPUR — The 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will not send observers to army-ruled Myanmar's ongoing ‌three-stage election and will therefore not ​endorse the poll, Malaysia's foreign minister said on Tuesday. Speaking in parliament, Minister Mohamad Hasan said Asean had rejected a request from Myanmar to send election observers during the annual leaders' summit in Kuala Lumpur last year, though some individual member states had decided to do so on their own. "We have said that Asean will not send observers, ‌and ‍by virtue of that, we will not certify the poll," Mohamad said in response to a question from another lawmaker about ‌Malaysia ​and the bloc's position on the election. Asean and China pledged ⁠in 2002 to create a code of conduct but took ​15 years to start discussions, and progress has been slow.

Survival of the tastiest in 2026Listen to this articleMen walk past a Mala Chinese BBQ restaurant on Pracharat Bamphen Road in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok. Essentials like Greek yogurt topped with fresh fruits, kombucha tea and protein shakes have become part of our daily consumption. Besides the tastes, convenience is a decisive factor for survival in 2026. In this fast-paced era, zero effort is the key to survival. Although the visuals are powerful weapons for grabbing attention, the taste and simplicity actually earn a permanent spot on our plates.