U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday (January 12) announced the integration of Elon Musk's xAI platform, Grok, into military networks as part of a new "AI acceleration strategy" during a visit to SpaceX. He said "very soon we will have the world's leading AI models on every unclassified and classified network throughout our department."

Lightweight MMA fighter Nicolas Vigna was also cut, while the martial arts promotion opted not to re-sign flyweight Muay Thai star Tagir Khalilov. The Bangkok Post understands the organisation wished the fighters well in their future endeavours and indicated that, should they rebuild momentum elsewhere, a return to ONE remains possible. However, she missed out on ever capturing a ONE Championship title – the only major belt missing from her résumé. The Russian striker entered ONE in June 2023 with an immediate title shot against Regian Eersel for the lightweight Muay Thai belt, but was stopped inside a minute. TAGIR KHALILOVThe 33-year-old Russian debuted in spectacular fashion in 2021, pushing Rodtang in a split-decision loss and immediately establishing himself as a flyweight Muay Thai contender.

Draw keeps Thai hopes aliveListen to this articleThailand's Chinngoen Phutonyong, left, celebrates with Sphon Noiwong. The result keeps the group delicately balanced, with all four teams still in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals. The next fixtures will be decisive with Thailand facing China in a must-win encounter, while Iraq take on Australia in what could be a qualification decider. Iraq nearly struck within the opening minutes when Layth Mahmood delivered a precise cross into the box, only for Aymen Luay to misfire his volley. Thailand U23 head coach Thawatchai Damrong-ongtrakul, admitted his team must sharpen their finishing if they are to progress.

Art lovers are invited to discover the everyday choreography of Yaowarat life during "Vernacular Objects", which is running at Bangkok Kunsthalle on Maitri Chit Road until March 15. Curated by Mark Chearavanont, the exhibition takes visitors to see the district through the quiet poetry of its everyday materials. On show is a collection of ready-mades gathered from the surrounding neighbourhood -- objects originally created as improvised parking space holders. Born out of pure necessity, these constructions shift inside the art space from functional street markers into aesthetic artefacts and informal anthropological documents, revealing a vernacular unique to Yaowarat. A codified language emerges -- a vernacular of Yaowarat.

(Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said on Monday any country that does business with Iran will face a tariff rate of 25% on trade with the United States, as Washington weighs a response to the situation in Iran which is seeing its biggest anti-government protests in years. "Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic ‌Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. A newspaper featuring a picture of US President Donald Trump is seen in Tehran, Iran, on Oct 14, 2017. While air strikes were one of many alternatives open to Trump, "diplomacy is always the first option for the president," White House press secretary ⁠Karoline Leavitt said on Monday. Trump's trade policy is under legal pressure as the US Supreme Court is considering striking down a broad swathe of Trump's existing ​tariffs.

EC briefs partners as vote nearsListen to this articleThe Election Commission on Monday held a briefing to prepare its partners for the "Six Weeks of Democracy" campaign, which is a new initiative aimed at promoting youth participation ahead of the upcoming general election and referendum on the constitution on Feb 8. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said the initiative is a collaborative effort between the EC, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and the Territorial Defence Command (TDC). The briefing, which was led by EC chairman Narong Klunwarin, was attended by about 500 representatives from various universities and the TDC, as well as EC officials. He said the polling for Songkhla's Tha Chamuang TAO chief will be repeated, after "No Vote" ballots outnumbered votes cast for candidates. To prevent irregularities that may occur, the EC will organise mock polling drills on Jan 15 ahead of advance voting on Feb 1 and the general election on Feb 8.

The Thai Textile Society is holding "Isaan, A Silk Route of Many Beauties", a presentation and collection sharing at Siam Society, Asok Road, on Saturday at 10am. For Ohl, the strong graphics of the textile designs, enhanced by the complex and intricate mudmee technique, is what he finds pleases the mind. Patterns are almost abstract or in stylised shapes, inspired by the people's environment, whether the nature around them or animals. The talk aims at taking a fresher look at the beauty and diversity of Isan textiles, particularly in silk. The fee is 400 baht (300 baht for Thai Textile Society members).

Dairy cooperatives set for reform to ensure survivalListen to this articleCooperative Promotion Department director-general Niran Munthida Photo: cpd.go.thCooperative Promotion Department director-general Niran Munthida has announced plans to restructure Thailand's dairy cooperative system to ensure long-term sustainability. Mr Niran recently visited Wang Nam Yen Dairy Cooperative Ltd in Sa Kaeo's Wang Nam Yen district, alongside permanent secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, Winaroj Subsingsuk. He said Wang Nam Yen is currently the only dairy cooperative in Thailand that uses spray-drying technology to convert raw milk into milk powder. The department is currently allocating production quotas to smaller cooperatives, such as Chiang Mai Dairy Cooperative Ltd and Chai Prakan Dairy Cooperative Ltd, and coordinating distribution of excess raw milk from nearby facilities to these cooperatives for pasteurised milk production to prevent oversupply in the long term. Thailand currently has 92 dairy cooperatives, eight dairy cooperative federations and one farmers' group, producing about 584,000 tonnes per year.

Traders expect gold prices to continue to skyrocketListen to this articleTraders queue at a gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand. (File photo: Bangkok Post)Traders say gold prices should continue to rise in the near term after bullion broke through US$4,600 an ounce for the first time on Monday, resulting in the baht’s appreciation despite policymakers’ efforts to stem the rise. Jitti Tangsithpakdi, president of the Gold Traders Association (GTA), said on Monday that gold prices are expected to move in a range of $4,700 to 4,900 an ounce in the third quarter of 2026, and potentially hit $5,000 later in the year. Domestic gold prices soared to a new record high of 67,650 baht per baht-weight, while the baht appreciated against the dollar. “A disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could cause a global oil and gas crisis, sending oil prices to $100 per barrel from about $60 now,” he said.

Economic Party to tackle debtListen to this articleGen Rangsee Kitiyansap, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Economic Party, yesterday introduced the party's economic advisory team and key policy proposals, pledging to tackle household debt and reduce electricity costs. He warned that recent coordinated attacks in the deep South were aimed at undermining economic confidence. The launch of the party's "Fifth Policy: Turning the Nation, Turning the Economy" was presented to media as proof of its readiness to form a government and drive a sustained recovery. A member of the advisory team said Thailand's economic potential has been held back by policy failures, stressing the need to address household debt and prevent non‑performing loans. Gen Rangsee added that the next prime minister must be able to manage intertwined economic and security challenges, noting the party seeks a strong mandate to pursue regional connectivity projects to attract investment and tourism.

Eric Doerr, chief product officer at Tenable, challenges the assumption that AI will introduce fundamentally new attack techniques in 2026. "At the end of the day, cybersecurity is a numbers game and AI broadens the attackers' canvas. "We are moving past the novelty phase of generative AI into the utility phase of agentic AI. From a product and research perspective, Tenable sees a structural shift in cloud security priorities in 2026. Liat Hayun, senior vice-president for product management and research at Tenable, predicts increased consolidation and a sharp focus on identity risk.

Rak Chart pledges relief for low-income earnersListen to this articleThe Rak Chart Party yesterday canvassed in Samut Sakhon, pledging to ease economic hardship by tackling informal debt, which it described as a major burden on low-income earners. The campaign was led by party leader and former digital economy and society minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn and its prime ministerial candidate Jade Donavanik. Some of them said they have borrowed from loan sharks who charge 20% interest over a 40-day cycle, with repayments demanded daily. Meanwhile, Kannavee Suebsang, the Movement Party leader, campaigned in Suphan Buri's Song Phi Nong to support MP candidate Napatsaran Chatchawalanon in Constituency 2. He said this approach would help create sustainable local income and reduce reliance on national-level economic policies.

Exports set to expand by 4%Listen to this articlePhoto: 123RFThai exports are expected to grow by 2-4% this year due to foreign investment, particularly in the electronics sector, according to the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC). Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chairman of the TNSC, said exports would reach roughly US$340 billion in 2026, with the electronics sector estimated to grow by 20-25%. The council expects geopolitical conflict and climate change to benefit finished food exports, while rice exports may decline due to India's resumption of shipments. A focal point is the US Supreme Court's ruling on President Donald Trump's tariffs, expected to be announced on Jan 14, he said. Moreover, without the tariffs, businesses may not choose to relocate their production bases to Thailand, which could affect Thai exports in the longer term," Mr Sompol said.

Green energy's unseen toll on our river systemsListen to this articleAt global climate forums, the clean energy transition is framed as progress --necessary, urgent, and inevitable. As minerals move downstream for processing and refining, their origins become harder to trace, while pollution remains embedded in shared river systems that downstream communities must live with. This spending does not restore rivers or stop pollution upstream. This creates layered transboundary harm: pollution originating upstream, compounded by domestic risks from processing and residual waste. Under the polluter pays principle, responsibility must extend to remediation -- restoring river systems, rehabilitating abandoned mines, and supporting affected people.

Coast pays the priceListen to this articleThe flooding caused by high seas that battered coastal communities in Bang Khunthian, Bangkok, last week is a reminder that coastal erosion remains inadequately addressed. Every year, coastal communities such as Bang Khunthian and others along the southern shoreline and the Eastern Seaboard suffer from rising sea levels that not only flood homes but also erode shorelines and coastal land. According to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) under the Ministry of Environment, coastal erosion consumes up to five metres of land, measured from the shoreline, each year. Each year, national and local governments invest hundreds of millions of baht in hard structures such as seawalls to brace against rising seas. Nature-based solutions are also already being tested, such as beach nourishment projects in Pattaya and mangrove reforestation in several coastal communities.