(Photos: 123RF)Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau has issued a stark warning about a surge in fraudulent emails claiming to offer tax refunds, a scam aimed at stealing personal and financial information. Officials say scammers are impersonating trusted agencies, including the Revenue Department and eForm Thai, to lure victims into clicking malicious links. Victims are told they have pending tax refunds and are urged to confirm details or claim money by following links. The Revenue Department emphasised that it never sends links via email or SMS for personal data collection, nor does it request passwords, OTP codes or bank details through such channels. For those seeking legitimate tax refund information, officials recommend visiting the official Revenue Department website or using authorised platforms only.

Manhunt: Hotel receptionist beaten to deathListen to this articleSecurity camera footage shows Rattikorn Yingyod, 36, at the hotel in Hua Hin at the time the on-duty receptionist was beaten to death and robbed early Tuesday morning. Wirin "Nui" Thaolipo, 35, a front-desk receptionist at a hotel in Soi Hua Hin 88/1 in Hua Hin municipality, was attacked about 3am. Hua Hin Provincial Court approved a warrant for the arrest of Rattikorn Yingyod, 36, about 10pm on Monday. More than 100 police drawn from Hua Hin, provincial and regional units were deployed in a coordinated search operation. Police said anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts, or other relevant information, should immediately advise Hua Hin police station.

Lam vows faster growth as he seeks to extend his hold on VietnamListen to this articleVietnam's Communist Party General Secretary To Lam speaks during the 14th National Party Congress in Hanoi on Tuesday. Lam, a former head of state security, is seeking to retain his role as party chief and possibly take on ‌the state presidency. Lam, 68, said Vietnam needs to cut red tape and expand global trade to protect its independence and national interests. He has presided over a splurge in infrastructure projects, which have ​supported economic growth, though that has also raised concerns about favouritism and waste. As minister of ​public security, Lam - a lover of classical music - oversaw approval of a large new opera house, Hanoi's second, which ‍opened in 2023.

Amazing Thailand, the official account for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has released a new poster featuring global K-pop star Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal, this time promoting the ethereal beauty of the Red Lotus Lake in Udon Thani. The poster, unveiled on Tuesday, is the second instalment in the "Feel All The Feelings" campaign, which features Lisa as Amazing Thailand Ambassador for a year-long promotional push. The Udon Thani poster follows the campaign's first release on Jan 13, which showcased Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai. (Photo: Amazing Thailand)The Udon Thani poster follows the campaign's first release on Jan 13, which showcased Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai. The full campaign video is scheduled for release on Jan 28 at an official launch event and across all Amazing Thailand online platforms.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Monday (January 19) that it was essential for members of the NATO alliance and the European Union to stand together as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes the acquisition of Greenland, which Rasmussen described as a "red line."

Experts on Monday (January 19) studying the cause of the derailment of a high-speed train in Spain - which killed dozens of people - found a broken joint on the rails, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. Earlier, the Spanish transport minister said the crash on Sunday night was "extremely strange" as a train derailed on a straight stretch of the track, ahead of colliding with another train.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in two regions in the south of the country on Sunday (January 18) as raging wildfires forced at least 20,000 people to evacuate and left more than a dozen people dead.

A rise in the number of marriages is proving to be a bright spot in China's population data landscape, as official data released on Monday (January 19) showed the country's birth rate hit a record low in 2025 and its total population fell for the fourth straight year.

Young workers most worried about AI affecting jobs: surveyListen to this articleMany people visit Job Expo Thailand 2025 to meet employers and apply for jobs in person. Job vacancies requiring "AI agent" skills have surged by 1,587%, Randstad said in its yearly "Workmonitor" report, with survey data suggesting that AI ‌and automation are increasingly replacing low-complexity, transactional roles. By the numbersNearly half of the workers interviewed fear the nascent technology ​stands to benefit corporations more than the workforce, the data showed. There is also a discrepancy with how employers and workers view business performance. Around 95% of surveyed employers forecast growth ​for this year, while only 51% of employees shared this ‍optimism, according to the report.

Police capture wanted SwedeListen to this articlePRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: Immigration police have arrested a Swedish national, wanted on an Interpol Red Notice in connection with drug trafficking charges, in the resort town of Hua Hin. Immigration Division 3 officers detained the suspect, identified as "Noah", at a condominium on Saturday morning after intelligence indicated he was hiding in the area. The arrest followed complaints about suspicious behaviour and drug use inside the apartment. Police said the man was wanted by Swedish authorities for narcotics offences involving cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis, as well as weapons possession and driving while under the influence of drugs. The suspect is now in custody pending legal proceedings.

The Sala Concert Series 2026 opens with a recital by internationally acclaimed pianist Daniel Ciobanu at Sala Sudasiri Sobha, Lat Phrao 41 yaek 7‑2 (MRT Phawana Exit 1), on Feb 1 at 4pm. This marks Ciobanu's first solo recital programme in Thailand, offering audiences a chance to hear a world‑class pianist perform major repertoire live. A medalist of the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition and winner of other international contests, Ciobanu has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and Gewandhaus Leipzig. Tickets cost 1,000, 1,800, 2,000 and 2,500 baht (500 and 1,000 baht for students). Prior to the show, Ciobanu will give a masterclass with four time slots at 1pm, 1.40pm, 2.20pm and 3.10pm on Jan 31.

Incoming PM2.5 crisis heightens health concernsListen to this articleConstruction projects are cited as a key contributor to rising PM2.5 pollution levels. The Pollution Control Department reported on Monday that PM2.5 levels in Bangkok had reached the 'orange level' in 14 areas, showing an upward trend. Chanat KatanyuThailand is bracing for an air pollution crisis, with authorities warning that fine dust (PM2.5) levels are expected to rise nationwide through Jan 25, heightening health concerns. Regionally, the Northeast and Central regions are the most affected, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding safety standards in nearly all monitored areas. Air pollution ranked as the top concern, cited by 42% of respondents, followed by climate change at 22% and waste pollution at 15%.

EU leaders take stage in Davos as Trump rocks global orderListen to this articleTrump is dominating the week in the Swiss ski resort, with a US delegation already on the ground to promote an American agenda that has unsettled the global order cherished by the World Economic Forum. (Photo: AFP)DAVOS, Switzerland - European leaders take the stage on Tuesday ahead of Donald Trump at the gathering of global elites in Davos, as the US president dangles tariff threats in a bid to pressure the EU over Greenland. When asked if the United States might use force, Stubb said: "I don't believe that the United States will take control of Greenland militarily." 'USA House'Other prominent foreign leaders addressing the WEF on Tuesday include Carney, who has sought to reduce his country's reliance on the United States as Trump has raised tariffs on Canadian products. The United States has sent an unusually large delegation to Davos, in a sign that it wants to make its presence felt at the gathering for global economic and political leaders.

Surapong takes reins as NACC secretary-generalListen to this articleSurapong Intharathaworn has been appointed secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), according to a Royal Gazette announcement published yesterday. The appointment follows a unanimous resolution by the NACC board on Dec 30 selecting Mr Surapong, then deputy secretary-general, to succeed Saroj Phuengrampan, who resigned in October. Mr Surapong, 59, is a career NACC official with more than three decades of service. Among his noted achievements, Mr Surapong spearheaded the drafting of landmark legislation against SLAPP suits in corruption cases, which was passed unanimously by parliament in March last year and enacted in June. He also led regulations establishing the national anti-corruption fund and chaired preparations for the enforcement of constitutional anti-corruption amendments.

Police seek answers to how Indian tourist diedListen to this articlePhuket: Police are investigating the death of an Indian tourist who collapsed and later died after behaving erratically in the early hours of Sunday. Thalang police were alerted at 3.15am by Thalang Hospital that a foreign man had been brought in unconscious and was later pronounced dead. Initial enquiries found that the man had earlier attended the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), a large-scale international music festival held in Cherng Talay, Phuket. Residents contacted Cherng Talay police, but by the time officers arrived, the man was unconscious, and emergency responders had rushed him to the hospital, where he later died. The body has been sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a full autopsy.