All five officers are investigators attached to the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan, deputy inspector-general and deputy spokesperson. 131 detainees removed, not returnedAn ongoing investigation found that between 2021 and 2025, police investigators requested the temporary transfer of 131 Chinese detainees from immigration custody. “The RTP has already dismissed one of the five officers, Pol Capt Chaiya (surname withheld), today. The remaining four are facing both criminal charges and serious disciplinary proceedings,” Pol Lt Gen Trairong said. “However, the detainees were not returned as required,” Pol Lt Gen Trairong noted.

Bangkok Community Help Foundation launches first NGO homeless shelterListen to this articleSpearheaded by Greg Lange, left, and Friso Poldervaart (right), the Centre of Dreams was created to methodically tackle the root causes of homelessness rather than only its symptoms. (Photos supplied)The Bangkok Community Help Foundation has officially launched the Centre of Dreams, the first inner-city homeless shelter in Bangkok operated by a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The centre represents a major step forward in addressing homelessness in the Thai capital through a structured, long-term and dignified solution. “We’ve been helping the homeless population of Bangkok for years, distributing almost five million meals to vulnerable groups across the city,” said Friso Poldervaart, co-founder of the Bangkok Community Help Foundation. The Bangkok Community Help Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations across Bangkok through emergency aid, long-term solutions and community-driven initiatives.

Thailand orders Italian-Thai projects halted after fatal accidentsListen to this articleA car drives next to a collapsed crane that crushed two vehicles during construction of an elevated highway in Samut Sakhon province on Thursday. (Photo: Thai Rescue Worker Association/handout via Reuters)Thailand's Transport Ministry said on Friday that it had ordered a 15-day construction halt on 14 contracts involving ​Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) as well as other large-scale projects overseen by the ministry, as it conducts safety inspections after two fatal accidents this week. Chirapong Theppithuck, deputy permanent secretary for transport, said the halt to Italian-Thai's projects would allow expert teams to conduct detailed inspections to ensure safety standards were being met. He also ordered other major construction projects commissioned by the ministry to halt construction for up to 15 days for similar inspections, according ‌to ‍a statement. The results would be reported to the ministry and legal and regulatory action would be taken if ​required, it said.

South Korean ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years for obstructionListen to this articleA group of far-right protesters gathering to support Yoon Suk Yeol hold banners with a slogan, before a bus carrying the former South Korean president arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Friday. (Photo: Reuters)SEOUL - A South Korean court on ‌Friday ​sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for charges including obstructing ‌attempts to arrest him following his failed bid ‌to impose martial law. The ruling is the first related to the criminal charges Yoon faces over his botched martial law declaration. Prosecutors did not answer questions from reporters about whether they would lodge an appeal, which they are entitled to do under South Korean law. Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review his arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors in Seoul on July 9, 2025.

National Vaccine Committee backs PCV inclusion immunisation programmeThe National Vaccine Committee has approved the national vaccine security strategy and agreed to push for the inclusion of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in the national immunisation programme , amid persistently severe domestic disease trends. On Jan 13, 2026, at Meeting Room 301, Command Building 1, Government House, Public Health Minister Mr.Pattana Promphat presided over the first National Vaccine Committee meeting of 2026. However, the process of inclusion PCV into the national immunisation programme and recognising it as a benefit under the Universal Health Coverage scheme has faced delays. Dr Montien reported that the 2026 national immunisation recommendations have been drafted based on the life-course immunisation concept. In addition, the committee acknowledged the implementation results of the National Vaccine Security Policy and Strategic Plan for fiscal year 2025 and approved the draft mid-term National Vaccine Security Policy and Strategic Plan for 2026–2027.

Listen to this articleThe International Court of Justice in The Hague settles disputes between states. (Photo: AFP)THE HAGUE - Myanmar on Friday dismissed as “unsubstantiated” allegations that it committed genocide against its Rohingya minority, telling the International Court of Justice that its brutal crackdown was a “counter-terrorism operation”. “Myanmar was not obliged to remain idle and allow terrorists to have free reign of northern Rakhine states,” Hlaing told the judges. Judges are hearing three weeks of evidence before deciding whether Myanmar was in breach of the Genocide Convention with its violent actions against the Rohingya. The ICJ is not the only court looking into possible genocide against the Rohingya — other cases are under way at the International Criminal Court and in Argentina under the principle of universal jurisdiction.

JOINStreet food buffet / Shangri-La Bangkok / Feb 7Shangri-La Bangkok will host the 27th “Raan Dung Ross Ded: RDRD Street Food Buffet Under The Stars @Poolside Riverfront” on Feb 7. Cru Champagne Bar will host "Reggaeton en el Cielo" on Jan 17-18, Feb 13-15 and March 7-8. Cocoa XO will host "XO Ritmo After Dark" on Jan 31 and Feb 1. Wine dinner / Waldorf Astoria Bangkok / Jan 29For one night only, The Champagne Bar at Waldorf Astoria Bangkok will host presents a wine dinner featuring curated pours from New Zealand’s iconic winery, Cloudy Bay. Cross culture / The House On Sathorn / Jan 17The House On Sathorn at W Bangkok brings "Cross Culture" back on Jan 17 featuring China.

Cambodia protests Thai navy seizure of fishing boatListen to this articleA Cambodian fishing vessel was seized by Thai naval authorities after it allegedly entered Thai territorial waters illegally on Jan 6. (Photo: Royal Thai Navy)Cambodia has lodged a formal protest with the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh regarding the Thai navy’s seizure of a fishing boat alleged to be in Cambodian waters off the province of Koh Kong. Mapping applications indicate that the coordinates of the Cambodian boat may actually fall within Thai territory. Last week, RAdm Parat Rattanachaiphan, spokesman for the Thai navy, said the vessel was inspected at coordinates confirmed to be within Thai waters. During the inspection, the boat’s captain admitted to entering Thai waters to conduct fishing activities without authorisation and said the vessel had arrived alongside three other Cambodian fishing boats.

Trump announces 'board of peace' formed for GazaListen to this articleMuch of the Palestinian territory of Gaza has been devastated by the war triggered by the Hamas militant group's unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023. (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the formation of a Gaza "board of peace," a key phase two element of a US-backed plan to end the war in the Palestinian territory. "It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, adding that the members of the body will be announced "shortly." "I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place," Trump said. The committee will work under the supervision of the board of peace, which Trump said Thursday he will lead as its chair.

Families of Korat train crash victims to get B1.69mn eachListen to this articleFamilies of victims killed in Wednesday’s crane collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima are set to receive an initial compensation of 1.69 million baht per person. Injured passengers will initially receive 50,000 baht each, with further compensation to follow under existing legal provisions. It concluded that incident claimed two lives and left two others injured. The agency said the Department of Highways would assess the structure and plan the safe removal of the collapsed crane before restoring traffic flow as quickly as possible. He outlined six key measures to address what he described as structural weaknesses in public construction oversight.

Vietnam targets $5.5bn in foreign loans for 2026 to boost infrastructure developmentListen to this articleTraffic on a street in Hanoi on April 6, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)HANOI - Vietnam ‍plans ‍to secure $5.5 billion (172.5 billion baht) in foreign loans in 2026 as it seeks to speed up ‌the construction of large-scale national infrastructure ​projects and tackle persistent bottlenecks in the disbursement of development finance, its government said on Friday. Last month, the Southeast Asian nation commenced construction on 234 infrastructure projects worth 3,400 trillion dong (4 trillion baht). The government did not give ‌a breakdown of the planned 2026 foreign loans or provide detail about the types of borrowing, which are expected to include official development assistance (ODA), concessional loans, and ⁠other forms of external financing. A ​new ODA strategy for the 2026–2030 period aims to attract up to $38 billion, primarily for major infrastructure development.

Liver cancer remains one of Thailand’s most pressing public health challenges, yet few realise how silently and rapidly it develops. “Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common cause of death in Thai people,” said Prof. Teerha. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), associated with obesity and modern sedentary lifestyles, has also emerged as a growing global cause of liver cancer. “Traditional methods such as ultrasound and AFP alone detect only 60–70% of early cases,” Prof. Teerha said. “Studies show the GAAD Score offers greater sensitivity and specificity than AFP alone, reducing missed early-stage cases,” Prof. Teerha noted.

The hidden friction of growth: Why legal readiness is critical for business expansionAs businesses pursue growth through market expansion, restructuring or new investments, attention is often directed toward commercial opportunities, financial projections and speed to execution. Outlined below are some of the critical legal pillars often overlooked during business expansion initiatives. Entity governance: Companies frequently overlook who has the legal right to bind the company in a new region. “During business expansion, legal requirements are frequently perceived as a secondary administrative task rather than as a strategic foundation. The firm provides audit and assurance, advisory, tax and legal, and business services and outsourcing to local and international organisations.

Surveillance, harassment and bribes: everyday life for migrants in RussiaListen to this articleMigrant workers are vital for Russia's economy, which is facing labour shortages amid the Ukraine offensive. (Photo: AFP)KRASNOGORSK —Facing digital surveillance, bribes, humiliation and street harassment, Kyrgyz taxi driver Alym never has an easy life in Russia. "We have to pay, pay, pay for everything," the 38-year-old father of two told Agence France-Presse (AFP) near Moscow. Among some of the requirements rolled out are ultra-tough language tests for the children of migrants looking to enter Russian schools. In December, a teenager with neo-Nazi views stabbed a 10-year-old Tajik boy to death at a school near Moscow.

Poll: Voters unconvinced by cash handout schemesListen to this articleThe Election Commission conducts a simulation for election officials to prepare them for the upcoming general election and referendum, at Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi, on Thursday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Political parties' promise on cash freebies had no impacts on voters when they cast the ballot in the new election, a KPI poll said on Friday. The survey by King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI) said 67% of the respondents did not consider cash handout schemes a factor when they go to polling stations on Feb 8. Most voters believed the pledge was used only to woo voters with little impacts on making the country better, it added. The survey was conducted from Dec 26-29 by asking 2,000 eligible voters across the country.