Call for swift reform of tax incentivesListen to this articleA rapid reform of tax incentives is needed as tax benefits for salaried workers are expected to gradually decline from 2027. Tax benefits for salaried workers will gradually decline from 2027 if long-term savings and investment measures are not improved, says caretaker finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. The combined maximum allowed to be claimed as a tax deduction is 800,000 baht. From 2033, the Revenue Department will stop allowing investment in Thai ESG funds to be claimed as a tax deduction. The TISA structure would provide greater benefits to taxpayers earning under 1.5 million baht per year compared with those earning above that level.

Average headline inflation is expected to rise slightly in 2026, driven by increasing prices of agricultural products and the recovery of the tourism sector, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). The TPSO estimates average headline inflation of 0-1.0%, with a midpoint of 0.5%, rising from a 0.14% contraction in 2025. He said the headline inflation for the first quarter of 2026 will continue its downward trend within the range of -0.5% to 0.0% with a midpoint of -0.25%. Key contributing factors include lower oil prices year-on-year and weak economic demand due to the lack of stimulus measures during the election period. He said Brent crude oil prices have not fluctuated despite these developments.

Central bank anticipates growing uncertaintyListen to this articleThe Bank of Thailand expects the recent US military operation in Venezuela to heighten global uncertainty in three areas -- military, trade and finance -- this year and next. Mr Piti warned the US raid could trigger a new phase of the global trade war. Over the past year, US trade policies have triggered widespread changes in global production networks and international trade structures, he said. On the financial front, the military operation could heighten the risk of volatility in global monetary policy and financial markets, coinciding with an expected change in the US Federal Reserve chair. According to the committee, interest rates among financial institutions and financial markets have declined in line with earlier policy rate cuts.

Democrat PartyFormer prime minister Chuan Leekpai, now a Democrat Party candidate, slammed Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) on Wednesday for urging southern voters to support his party in exchange for budget allocations. Mr Chuan warned such campaigning risks political discrimination and breaches constitutional principles of fairness. "During my time as prime minister, policies were based on the bigger picture, not on favouritism toward any one province," Mr Chuan said. "This type of politics had caused discrimination in the past and should not be repeated," Mr Chuan said. Mr Abhisit touted policies, including a progressive rate for old age pensions, which were launched during his tenure as prime minister.

Voters must verify ID twiceListen to this articlePhasakorn: Voter lists differentVoters will be required to verify their identities twice when voting in the general election and the charter referendum, as the voter lists for the two ballots differ, says the Election Commission (EC). He said advance and out-of-constituency voting are permitted in a general election, but for a referendum, only out-of-constituency voting is allowed, with no advance voting provided. As a result, the list of eligible voters at each polling station is not the same, making separate verification necessary. Mr Phasakorn insisted the proposal to streamline the procedures will be considered, as voter participation is the top priority. Voters who believe a candidate lacks qualifications may also file a complaint with the EC, he said.

PP sticks to guns in backing Pisan for FMListen to this articlePisan: Stances align with partyThe People's Party (PP) on Wednesday defended its plan to appoint veteran diplomat and former senator Pisan Manawapat as foreign minister if it forms the next government, saying his political stances are in line with the party's direction. The PP leader said questions about Mr Pisan's personal political beliefs should be directed to the man himself while noting the PP is open to different ideas and looks for consensus. On concerns that Mr Pisan is not qualified to take a cabinet post as two years have not yet passed since he left the Senate, Mr Natthaphong said the party had reviewed the issue and discussed it with Mr Pisan. He said Mr Pisan may not be able to take up a ministerial position immediately if the party forms a government, but he would be eligible once the required legal timeframe has passed. Mr Pisan was unveiled as the second member of the party's "people's government" management team this week as a foreign affairs minister candidate.

'Big Joke' bribery case now rests in NACC's handsListen to this articleSurachate: Case handled swiftlyThe bribery case involving former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, or "Big Joke", is now under the authority of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), with police ready to arrange witness testimony and forward additional evidence without bias, said Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat Pankaeo, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, on Wednesday. Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said police are awaiting instructions from the NACC on whether the case file will be returned for further inquiry. Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat also welcomed the NACC's decision to remove a commissioner implicated in the case from supervisory duties over relevant investigation units, calling it a positive step that would strengthen public confidence. Addressing public attention surrounding Pol Gen Surachate's former aide, Pol Col Phakphum Phisamai, Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said the officer had suffered severe stress due to pressure and reputational damage. All witness testimony will be assessed alongside forensic and financial evidence, to ensure credibility, Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said.

Listen to this articleThe Pheu Thai Party vowed on Wednesday to promote multiculturalism and listen to proposals from the Muslim community during its election campaign in Bangkok and Nonthaburi. The party's main prime ministerial candidate, Yodchanan Wongsawat, highlighted the two issues in the hopes of cashing in on votes from this influential demographic. Kittiphon Ruayfuphun, the party's candidate for Bangkok Constituency 25, also joined the visit. Mr Yodchanan said he was accompanied by Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party responsible for overseeing Bangkok constituencies, along with party candidates representing the area. Pheu Thai said it welcomed proposals from Muslim communities and would consider them in developing policy initiatives aimed at benefiting society and the country as a whole.

Listen to this articleDr Tanupol Virunhagarun, the chief executive officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited, explains a chart on ageing. Wisuttipong RodpaiHealth and wellness are increasingly viewed as a new form of luxury, driving lifestyle changes and fuelling rapid growth across global well-being industries this year. In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Dr Tanupol Virunhagarun, chief executive of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, said the wellness trend will continue expanding over the next five years worldwide. The country remains among the world's top wellness destinations, ranking 15th last year, though down from seventh in 2019. "We want to rebrand the country as 'Wellness Thailand -- the Land of Life', which can't happen if a majority of people can't achieve good health."

UTN launches Isan campaignListen to this articleThe United Thai Nation (UTN) Party has launched its "Isan Must Be Better" campaign, which it says will improve the livelihoods of citizens in the Northeast by reducing electricity and fuel costs and addressing household economic hardships. Mr Pirapan said he had assigned Mr Kriangkraimas to present the party's energy policy, which aims to reduce living expenses and ease the financial burden on citizens in the region. Mr Kriangkraimas said that these policies represent a promise from Mr Pirapan to create real change, reduce expenses and tangibly improve people's quality of life. We are serious, and we will fulfil our promises," Mr Kriangkraimas said. Mr Pirapan said lower energy costs are central to improving the economy, and one of his party's central policies is to help those whose occupations depend on gas.

Syria govt demands Kurdish fighters leave Aleppo neighbourhoodsListen to this articleThousands fled the Kurdish-dominated neighbourhoods of Aleppo in SyriaALEPPO (SYRIA) - Syria's government on Wednesday demanded that Kurdish fighters leave the neighbourhoods they control in Aleppo following clashes between the two sides which saw thousands of civilians flee. In a statement, the government expressed its "demand for the withdrawal of armed groups from the Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh neighbourhoods". The Syrian military shelled the neighbourhoods after declaring them "closed military zones" from 1200 GMT. A military source at the scene told AFP the ongoing operation was "limited" and aimed at "pressuring Kurdish fighters in the two neighbourhoods to leave the area so the authorities can extend their control to the entire city". Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh have remained under the control of Kurdish units linked to the SDF, despite Kurdish fighters agreeing to withdraw from the areas in April.

(Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The South Korean Embassy in Thailand has rejected claims that Thai travellers have been unfairly denied entry, while outbound tour operators say they knew of few such cases last year. These incidents led to frequently negative portrayals of South Korean immigration officials, and unnecessary concerns among Thai tourists who want to visit the country, the embassy said. Overall, sentiment among Thai tourists towards South Korean immigration has improved significantly improved over previous years. During the first 11 months of 2025, South Korea welcomed 294,810 Thai tourists, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. Mr Chotechuang said South Korea continues to attract repeat visitors, as well as business travellers and luxury incentive groups seeking convenient travel and a refined retreat experience.

Strasbourg face pitfalls of multi-club system as Chelsea take RoseniorListen to this articleStrasbourg supporters were left enraged after their promising young coach Liam Rosenior moved to fellow BlueCo club Chelsea. (Photo: AFP)PARIS — The departure of Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior to take over as Chelsea manager has exposed the harsh realities of multi-club ownership, which is gaining ground across the world but causing discord between supporters and teams. Manchester City, who sit at the top of City Football Group, and Manchester United (Ineos) are some of the other big names. A clear hierarchy exists within such a structure and not being at the top of an ownership group can mean being reduced to the role of feeder club. "Today, players change clubs a lot, as do coaches, and now there are more and more changes in ownership."

Listen to this articleA woman takes a photo with Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva during a campaign stop in Nakhon Si Thammarat on Wednesday. Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva led a campaign team at the Thewada Fresh Market in Si Chon district, in support of Charnwatthana Itsarawattana, the local constituency candidate. Mr Abhisit also said vote-buying in the South was becoming more serious and concerned him. Meanwhile, in Bangkok, Ongart Khlampaiboon, a list-MP candidate, led canvassing in the Lat Phrao area in support of Phanupong Laksanawisit, the local constituency candidate. Mr Ongart said the Democrat Party has received positive feedback in the capital since Mr Abhisit’s comeback, which has helped the party gain better opinion poll ratings.

UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall led the charge, warning that the spread of AI-generated pornography on the X platform is "unacceptable in a civilised society". Since the beginning of the year, a number of X users — women —have reported that fake accounts are using the tool to create and distribute "deepfake" images of them without their consent. They are demanding a crackdown on what they describe as "manifestly sexist and illegal content" originating from Grok and the X platform. Under the UK’s Online Safety Act, sharing intimate images without consent is a criminal offence, even if the images are AI-generated. The legal pressure is also building in the US.