The conflict has become not only a military issue but a political one, unfolding at a critical juncture in Thailand's electoral cycle. Political actors across the spectrum have hardened their rhetoric, with calls for firmness, deterrence, and military readiness dominating campaign discourse. In this sense, the Thai–Cambodian border conflict is acting as a structural force rather than a transient campaign issue. Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob also confirmed that politicians suspected of ties to grey capital would be named, adding that those involved span more than one political party. Stithorn Thananithichot, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, said such a move would demonstrate genuine political courage.

EC pledges transparency in way polls are conductedListen to this articleThe Election Commission (EC) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, saying vote tallies will be posted at every polling station and observers will be permitted to photograph the results. Unofficial counts for both the general election and the referendum are expected by 11pm on election day. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee yesterday addressed a lawsuit filed with the Administrative Court alleging that the layout of polling stations for the election and referendum could cause confusion. Voters will first receive their MP ballot and then proceed to cast their referendum vote. Mr Sawaeng added that voters may photograph the voting and counting process as long as they do not interfere with officials.

PP won't 'distort' a BJT win: ThanathornListen to this articleProgressive Movement chairman Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit assists a People’s Party candidate canvass for votes at a market in Nang Rong district of Buri Ram on Jan 8. (Photo: Surachai Piragsa)Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Progressive Movement and a campaign assistant to the People's Party (PP), said the party is prepared to take on the role of opposition if Bhumjaithai (BJT) wins the election. However, he said if the PP emerges as the leading party, it would move swiftly to form a government. Mr Thanathorn said the election presents voters with a clear choice between the reform-driven agenda of the PP and the platforms offered by other parties. Pita Limjaroenrat will return to support the election campaign, he said.

Thai election, bank earnings in spotlightListen to this articleThai shares gained on the first trading day of the year, but soon lost steam as a hefty sell-off in shares of Delta Electronics via big lots at below-market prices pressured overall sentiment. Investors also dumped finance plays (MTC, SAWAD and TIDLOR) following worse than expected earnings reported by AEONTS, which reflected lending business risks connected with economic fundamentals. The market has diverse views on the election as opinion polls show the outcomes for the three main parties -- People's Party, Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai -- might not differ very much. This election, in essence, reflects the end of the populist era and a stronger focus on fiscal burden reduction. We also recommend gradually taking profit from the run-up in banking stocks as we anticipate a sell-on-fact pattern to prevail during earnings announcements.

For a man who sells experience, curiosity is key to staying new. He has been involved in Central Group, contributing to key projects such as Central Embassy, Central Phuket Floresta and Dusit Central Park. Selfridges London. Unlike many high street stores, his department stores continue to see increased footfall because they offer experiences. Despite his experience, Chart found it challenging to manage luxury department stores across different cultures.

Stamford Hospital, the debut novel by Thammika Songkaeo, published by Penguin Random House (Southeast Asia) in 2025, is a literary manifestation of this painful truism. As for the question about a possible connection between Singapore and a hospital, the writing was not intended that way. Stamford Hospital. When I wrote Stamford Hospital, she was about three, an especially demanding age and a very tiring period for me. You spoke openly that a manuscript of Stamford Hospital was rejected over a hundred times by publishers.

It's nearly three weeks since the demos started on recent Dec 29 and Mr Trump's threats are getting old. A full-scale invasion might do the trick, but Donald Trump couldn't put "boots on the ground" even if he wanted to. As usual with Mr Trump, it was "speak first and think later", but his long delay before acting suggests that he has finally grasped the nature of the difficulty. It's doubtful that Mr Trump has bothered to learn much about either Iran or the history of revolutions, but his political instincts are good. Mr Trump has promised too much already to do absolutely nothing about the massacre of protesters in Iran, but he should do the absolute minimum he thinks he can get away with.

No checks on militaryListen to this articleThe recent decision by the caretaker government to classify the 2026 fiscal defence budget as confidential raises serious questions about transparency and accountability. Undeniably, the transfer further entrenches budgetary privilege for the military following armed clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. Parliament approved more than 100 billion baht for the Defence Ministry without cutting a single baht -- the first time in years that the military budget was left untouched. Last month, the Anutin Charnvirakul government allocated more than 7 billion baht from the contingency budget to support the military. The military has been accused of engaging in information operations amid simmering border tensions, operations that fuelled ultranationalist sentiment and led many citizens to believe that armed conflict was inevitable.

Living in Thailand's age of impunityListen to this articleThere's no place like Thailand. For tourists, Thailand is full of life, a land of tropical joie de vivre. Our culture of impunity is world-famous, rivalling our beaches and nightlife, but back-to-back crane collapses, plus the State Audit Office building fiasco, represent the apogee of shamelessness. There's no place like Thailand, where joyscrolling can abruptly turn into doomscrolling. It can't be that bad here, I tell myself, when there is war, genocide, uprisings, and Trump elsewhere.

2026 outlook calls for recalibrationListen to this articleDonald Trump and Xi Jinping talk in Busan, South Korea, on Oct 30, 2025. Yet as we move further into 2026, the AI narrative is unlikely to prove strong enough to continue overshadowing other lingering uncertainties, many of which reflect deeper structural shifts. If 2025 was about ignoring the market spillovers of domestic and international politics, 2026 will be about navigating them. The 2026 outlook is likely to demand a more tactical, bottom-up approach. High deficits and ballooning debt will prove far less forgivable in a world where the AI narrative is no longer loud enough to drown out lagging policies.

SAT slates National Sports Day celebration for Feb 9Listen to this articleThe men’s volleyball players pose with their gold medals on the podium on Dec 19 during the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Game. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Thai athletes and sports figures with outstanding achievements in 2025 will be honoured during the 2025 National Sports Day, which is scheduled to take place on Feb 9 at Huamark Indoor Stadium, the Sports Authority of Thailand announced. The event has been postponed from Dec 16 so that the performance of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 13th Asean Para Games athletes, which take place between Jan 20-26 in Nakhon Ratchasima, can be considered and recognised. Among the most prestigious awards are the best amateur athlete, the best young amateur athlete, the best professional athlete, the best Muay Thai athlete, the best disabled athlete, with the winners receiving the royal trophies. Other categories include the best sports team, the best coach and the best sports association, the best sports personnel and the best senior athlete.

CPN planning expansion of budget Go Hotel chainListen to this articleMr Phoom says Central Pattana will expand its Go Hotel brand into more secondary cities. SET-listed Central Pattana (CPN) is planning a nationwide expansion of its budget hotel chain Go Hotel to capitalise on a limited supply of national brands offering affordable accommodation. "Domestic tourism and travel to secondary cities is growing, but the supply of affordable, quality hotels remains limited," he said. On Dec 1, 2025, CPN opened Go Hotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. "Go Hotel brand completes CPN's hospitality portfolio, which now covers every segment including luxury, mid-range and budget," said Mr Phoom.

Listen to this articleAuthorities are trying to probe a possible link between gold prices and the baht, though some officials think the argument is overblown. Data from 2025 indicates the baht and gold prices had a correlation coefficient of 0.8-0.88, the highest among emerging Asian currencies. When global gold prices rise significantly, Thai households and even exporters tend to sell their gold holdings to take profits. "The large increase in online gold trading was a factor causing the baht to fluctuate excessively in line with gold prices. There is a possibility gold transactions can be completed using cryptocurrency or via offshore affiliates, which is beyond government oversight.

Seventh seed Ratchanok defeated Zhang Beiwen of the United States 21-16, 21-12 in 31 minutes to reach the last four of the Super 750 event. Ratchanok will next face Korean world No.1 An Se-Young of South Korea, who defeated Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia 21-16, 21-8 in the other quarter-finals. But my goal is just to stay injury free," said Ratchanok, who won the tournament in 2011, 2013 and 2016 in a pre-World Tour era. With the victory, Ratchanok is projected to rise to No.6 in the world when the new world rankings are released next Tuesday. The Korean won a record-equalling 11 BWF World Tour events in 2025.

Smog to persist for a week: PCDListen to this articleSmog hangs over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) remains above 'safe' levels, with hazardous pollution expected to persist until next Friday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Toxic haze continued to blanket Bangkok and large parts of the country, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeding safe limits in 45 provinces nationwide, authorities said, warning that unhealthy air conditions could persist until Jan 23. Bangkok and surrounding provinces, including Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan, recorded widespread unhealthy levels, with one red zone detected in Bang Phut subdistrict of Muang Nonthaburi. The worst pollution in the country was recorded in Mueang district of the northeastern province of Nong Khai. While most regions reported unhealthy air, the southern provinces continued to get off relatively scot-free.