Cable car plan makes progressListen to this articleThe cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province is making progress with officials working on an impact assessment and the design. He was speaking during a recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing concerning the tourism development in the park. The EIA study for the cable car will be sent to the National Environment Board by July, before cabinet approval is sought for the country's first-ever cable car project inside a national park, he said. He said work on the 4km cable car project may begin this year. The cabinet in February 2012 assigned the Dasta to study the project and two EIA studies were produced at the time.

Call to stress life quality, palliative careListen to this articleThe next government should reimagine healthcare and welfare policies that support quality of life and palliative care in an ageing society, a recent forum was told. Rather than framing ageing as a burden and relying solely on welfare-based solutions, the discussion emphasised income stability, with government intervention recommended among groups at risk of poverty. Allocating just 0.5% of the budget to support this group could prevent far higher costs later, when individuals become frail, he said. Primary and community-based healthcare services must serve as the first point of contact, providing care ranging from health promotion and disease prevention, such as immunisation and nutrition. This stage includes the treatment of common illnesses, management of chronic conditions like diabetes, rehabilitation, and palliative care, and specialised services when needed.

Investors urged to look overseasListen to this articleThailand's stock market is expected to remain volatile, with returns continuing to lag overseas markets, says One Asset Management (ONEAM), citing a lack of clear catalysts for a near-term turnaround alongside persistent domestic and external risks. He said current valuations for technology stocks remain well below levels seen during the 2000 dot-com bubble. As a result, Thai dividend equity funds remain suitable for investors balancing return and risk," he said. For investors who prefer local exposure, ONEAM recommends high-dividend Thai stocks offering yields of 6-7%, a risk-return profile that remains acceptable to some investors. In November 2025, ONEAM launched the ONE RAREEARTH fund, providing an alternative for investors seeking lower-risk assets with minimal correlation to broader markets.

PP pulls ahead on all frontsListen to this articleThe People's Party (PP) has emerged as the clear frontrunner across key policy categories, party preference and prime ministerial choice, say surveys by Suan Dusit Poll and Nida Poll. The Suan Dusit Poll, conducted by Suan Dusit University, surveyed 2,586 respondents nationwide between Jan 13 and 16. The Pheu Thai Party led in only one category -- cost of living and household economy -- with 35.63%. For constituency MPs in Chiang Mai, 37.39% said they would vote for the PP, followed by Pheu Thai (31.68%) and Bhumjaithai (13.50%). Party-list preferences were identical for the PP at 37.39%, with Pheu Thai at 30.08% and Bhumjaithai at 14.06%.

Two years later, he emerged poorer, bruised and wondering how "serving the nation" had come to resemble forced labour. The clip drew more than four million views and a flood of comments recounting strikingly similar experiences of forced labour and hazing. In 2025, 429,175 young men were required to report for the draft to fill a quota of 88,255 conscripts. When border tensions flare, it is often conscripts, young men with limited combat training, who find themselves closest to the danger. A military that claims to defend the nation should not do so by breaking its young men.

'Thailand Biennale Phuket" is the fourth edition of the international contemporary art exhibition organised by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), under the Ministry of Culture. The theme of "Thailand Biennale Phuket" is "Eternal [Kalpa]", which refers to time and the cyclical nature of Phuket's beauty. Through art, "Thailand Biennale Phuket" hopes to raise awareness of coexistence, cooperation and sharing, so that people can live harmoniously with nature. For The Sound Of Coral Reefs, Pratchaya teamed up with a marine biologist who recorded underwater sounds in areas of healthy coral reefs. Nishizawa was invited to the Thailand Biennale Phuket to design a public library for children in the Nai Harn Beach area.

From a modest beginning just six years earlier, Thailand's ESG bond market has expanded rapidly in scale, sophistication and issuer diversity. By the end of 2025, Thailand's ESG bond market had evolved well beyond its early green-project focus. The ThaiBMA noted a defining characteristic of Thailand's ESG bond market is the dominant role of the public sector. At the end of 2025, government-issued ESG bonds accounted for 713 billion baht, or nearly three-quarters of total outstanding ESG bonds. "Thailand's ESG bond market continues to expand, supported by a combination of mutually reinforcing factors that have strengthened the market over time," he said.

Plentiful policy on offerListen to this articleThailand is heading towards a consequential general election on Feb 8. In the weeks leading up to polling day, voters have been bombarded with policy proposals from across the political spectrum. Their exchange focused on a technical but politically loaded issue: access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the rice export market. Beyond the appealing rhetoric, citizens must weigh whether the policies on offer are truly workable. As taxpayers, they are entitled to look past the gloss and ask not just what is promised, but what is possible.

Before "Bangkok World Music Day" returns on June 13, a series of concerts and musical activities are being presented under the banner "Road to Bangkok World Music Day '26", two of which are concerts to be held at Alliance Française, Witthayu Road, this weekend. Her musical universe lies at the crossroads of contemporary jazz, improvisation and Armenian influences, offering an intimate, poetic and deeply expressive performance. She will be touring Thailand and performing at the Thailand International Jazz Conference (Mahidol University) as well as in Phuket. After the success of the 2025 edition, which attracted 7,000 visitors across multiple stages at One Bangkok and Alliance Française, "Bangkok World Music Day" has become a key cultural event uniting all generations. The upcoming events under the "Road to Bangkok World Music Day '26" will extend the spirit of the festival by offering the public the opportunity to discover unique artists from the French and international scene, while gradually building up the energy towards the 2026 edition.

Changan ramps up battery EV production in ThailandListen to this articleEV charging stations adjacent to electric models at the 2025 Thailand International Motor Expo, where Changan's Deepal ranked among the top 10 brands with 4,586 bookings. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Chinese electric vehicle maker Changan Automobile is gearing up to launch the second phase of its battery electric vehicle (BEV) production in Thailand in the first quarter of 2026, reinforcing its ambitions in one of Southeast Asia's fastest‑growing EV markets. "We will start selling BEVs in April," said Atthawit Techawiboonwong, general manager for government affairs at Changan International Corporation. Until then, the company will continue to import batteries from Time Changan, a joint venture between Changan Automobile and CATL in China. He said Changan is preparing to adjust its production plans once the government's EV3.0 and EV3.5 subsidies expire.

"Autonomous technology will transform the driving experience for everyone," said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and spokesman for its Automotive Industry Club. Beyond technical progress, AV technology is increasingly focused on building consumer trust, improving safety and enhancing efficiency. "Many motorists show little regard for others on the road and often break traffic rules," he said, adding such habits pose challenges for integrating autonomous systems into everyday traffic. While safety, unpredictable scenarios, regulatory hurdles and public perception remain obstacles, he said the government's ongoing efforts to adopt AV technology are timely. The rapid growth of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) should also help pave the way for autonomous systems, said Mr Surapong.

42 fallen honoured on Armed Forces' DayListen to this articleA ceremony paying tributes to fallen Thai soldiers, past and present, held at the Thai National Memorial to mark the Royal Thai Armed Forces' Day. The atmosphere was solemn as 42 Thai troops who lost their lives in clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border were remembered. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Royal Thai Armed Forces on Sunday paid tribute to members of the past generations and the 42 soldiers who died in the Thai–Cambodian border conflict, during an annual event marking Royal Thai Armed Forces' Day. During the ceremony, the armed forces formally honoured and inscribed the names of the fallen soldiers at the National Memorial. The Royal Thai Armed Forces' Day falls on Jan 18 each year to celebrate the victory of King Naresuan the Great in 1592.

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.