Cut to the coreListen to this articleRe: "Academics sound alarm ahead of poll", (BP, Jan 14). Reading the article "Academics sound alarm ahead of poll", what caught my attention was the group's call to "boycott" the election. Reading further through their so-called "core principles", I was struck by the fact that their first three demands are exactly what the People's Party (PP) has been proposing for the past few years. Ron MartinKiller argumentRe: "Economic Party seizes the moment", (BP, Jan 12). Criminals do their own cost-benefit analysis and conclude that the low risk of being caught makes corruption a logical and attractive choice.

Loan repayments set to hit record highListen to this articleMr Chongrak says the local market is deleveraging. Kasikornbank (KBank) expects loan repayments to hit a record high in 2025, with loan growth in 2026 projected to increase marginally in line with Thai economic conditions. According to Chongrak Rattanapian, co-president of KBank, the level of loan repayments last year is expected to set a peak, driven mainly by large corporate customers. Although the bank recorded positive new loan growth last year, loan repayments significantly exceeded new lending. Similarly, KBank anticipates flat to marginal loan growth this year, driven mainly by wholesale and mortgage lending under a selective growth strategy.

What now for the global order? Listen to this articleThe Trump administration's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro marks a watershed for international law and the global order. So much for the "rules-based order", then. That means a new approach must underpin any vision of a rules-based order. If and when we get to a post-Trump world, we should remember these lessons and strive to create a global order that rests on sound philosophical foundations and fairer institutions.

Listen to this articleMr Chartsiri advised the next government to prepare to support investment over the next five years. Bangkok Bank (BBL) has called on the new government to emphasise investment support to accommodate an anticipated increase in foreign trade and investment flows across Southeast Asia over five years. Amid intensifying geopolitical tensions, international trade and investment are increasingly seeking both security and business opportunities. Southeast Asia has emerged as a key destination for these flows, supported by its strong growth potential and large population base. BBL said it is ready to support Thai companies of all sizes to capitalise on these opportunities, while assisting traditional Thai industries in transitioning towards modern industries aligned with global transformation trends.

Poll perils persistListen to this articleAs the election campaign intensifies ahead of the Feb 8 poll, a number of education outlets as well as media channels are churning out opinion survey results suggesting the popularity ratings of individual candidates. This explains why the poll results of individual media channels show severe discrepancies, and inconsistencies. More importantly, there was a severe discrepancy in the same quick poll when it came to the number of seats won. Mr Abhisit finished fourth and Mr Yodchanan fifth. Yet the Election Commission, while prohibiting the release of poll results seven days prior to election day, rarely pays attention to quick polls conducted by media entities despite their weaknesses.

Only medical use to be legal in ThailandListen to this articleLeading political parties support putting cannabis back on the narcotics list. "These are hidden costs that undermine the competitiveness of Thai businesses," said Mr Thienprasit. Every political party introduces policies to curb grey and nominee businesses, but implementation is lacking because of weak enforcement, he said. He said local tourism operators could not fully benefit from inbound tourists because 20-30% of total revenue was redirected to foreign companies. "If we lead the administration, tackling nominee businesses will be addressed within the first 100 days," he said.

Dark horse, deep state in upcoming pollsListen to this articlePrime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party woos voters as he campaigns in Bangkok. Surprisingly, their predictions point in the same direction -- the next coalition could be a surprising mix of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), Pheu Thai and -- hold your breath -- the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party is predicted to be a "dark horse" in the upcoming Feb 8 national election. In all surveys, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut -- leader of the People's Party (PP) -- is the most preferred choice for prime minister. In the deep state's formula, the coalition government would comprise the BJT, Pheu Thai and Klatham.

US official says Venezuela freeing Americans in 'important step'Listen to this articleMany people in Venezuela were jailed for taking part in protests over the country's 2024 elections, in which Nicolas Maduro was declared the victor despite widespread allegations of vote-rigging. WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - Venezuela on Tuesday started freeing jailed Americans, said a US official, who hailed the move by the country's interim leadership following Washington's ouster of former-president Nicolas Maduro. "We welcome the release of detained Americans in Venezuela. This is an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities," a US State Department official said on condition of anonymity. The social network was once again accessible, more than a year after users were blocked by deposed president Maduro.

Station is latest casualty in bankruptcy and fraud saga of firm founded by Anne JakkaphongListen to this articleJakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)JKN18, the digital television channel owned by fugitive entrepreneur Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, will cease broadcasting on Jan 26, the latest casualty in the collapse of her JKN Global Group empire. The digital TV channel on Tuesday posted a message announcing the closure and thanking viewers for their support. The Bangkok South Kwaeng Court on Dec 26 sentenced Jakkaphong to two years in prison without suspension after finding her guilty of fraud. Though the TV channel’s operating licence is valid until 2029, the premature closure of JKN18 underscores the failure of all related parties to manage liquidity as planned.

Fox News says State Department is ‘reassessing its procedures’Listen to this articleThe US Department of State in November instructed consular officers worldwide to prepare to enforce sweeping new screening rules for visas. (Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is preparing to suspend all visa processing ‌for visitors ​from 75 countries — including Thailand — starting on Jan 21, Fox News reported on Wednesday, citing a memo from the US State Department. Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand are among ‌the affected countries, according to the report. The reported pause comes ‌amid ​the sweeping immigration crackdown being pursued by Republican President Donald Trump since taking office last January. The guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, weighing a wide range of factors including health, age, English proficiency, finances and even potential need for long-term medical care.

(Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)BRUSSELS — The planet ‌experienced its third-warmest year on record in 2025, ​and average temperatures have exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming over three years, the longest period since records began, European Union (EU) scientists said on Wednesday. Britain's national weather service, the UK Met Office, confirmed its own data ranked 2025 as the third-warmest in records going back to 1850. "We are bound to pass it," said Carlo Buontempo, director of the EU's ‌Copernicus ‍Climate Change Service. United States President Donald Trump, who has called climate change "the greatest con job", last week withdrew from dozens of United Nations (UN) entities including the scientific Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The long-established consensus among the world's scientists is that climate change is real, mostly caused by humans, and getting ​worse.

West Bank Bedouin community driven out by Israeli settler violenceListen to this articleA Bedouin man gathers plastic sheeting as families begin to collect their belongings to leave their homes after harassment from Israeli settlers in Ras Ein al-Auja. (Photo: AFP)RAS 'EIN AL 'AUJA (PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES) - With heavy hearts, Bedouins in a West Bank village dismantle their sheep pens and load belongings onto trucks, forced from their homes in the Israeli-occupied territory by rising settler violence. Most Palestinian Bedouins are herders, which leaves them particularly exposed to violence when Israeli settlers bring their own herds that compete for grazing land in isolated rural areas. Slogans spray-painted in Arabic have appeared along major roads in the West Bank in recent months that read: "No future in Palestine". For Jahaleen, whose family has lived in Ras Ein al-Auja since 1991, the message sums up his feelings.

Japan, South Korea leaders drum up viral moment with K-pop jamListen to this articleSouth Korea's President Lee Jae Myung, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi playing drums, in Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. "Following the summit I played drums with President Lee Jae Myung," Takaichi, who used to drum in a student heavy metal band, said in her X post. "We will work together with one heart to build a future-oriented relationship between South Korea and Japan." The leaders visited one of Japan's oldest temples in Nara on Wednesday morning. Lee, relatively more dovish towards North Korea than was Yoon, has said that South Korea and Japan are like "neighbours sharing a front yard".

Of the total assets, 11.23 billion baht belong to Ms Paetongtarn, 86.7 million baht to her husband Pitaka Suksawat, and 130,693 baht to their two children aged 5 and 2, the declaration showed. The declaration showed that Ms Paetongtarn’s assets include 7.2 million baht in cash, deposits totalling 1.06 billion baht across 26 bank accounts, investments worth 8.35 billion, and 12 land plots valued at 725 million baht. She also declared buildings and structures valued at 168.6 million baht, 23 vehicles valued at 66.8 million baht, and six rights and concessions valued at 425 million baht, including long-term apartment leases in London. Ms Paetongtarn and her spouse also reported liabilities of 4.4 billion baht, unchanged from her earlier filing. Mr Pitaka reported assets of 86.7 million baht, liabilities of 1.18 million and annual income of 4.9 million baht.

Iran vows fast trials over protests after Trump threatListen to this articleIranian authorities have sought to regain control of the streets by staging mass rallies of their own after days of protests in which hundreds of people are said to have died. (Photo: AFP)PARIS — Iran on Wednesday vowed fast-track trials for people arrested over a massive wave of protests, after US President Donald Trump threatened "very strong action" if the Islamic republic goes ahead with hangings. Trump on Tuesday said in a CBS News interview that the United States would act if Iran began hanging protesters. Iranian state media has said dozens of members of the security forces have been killed, with their funerals turning into large pro-government rallies. “You are the national military of Iran, not the military of the Islamic Republic,” he said in a statement.