The man suspected of carrying out an attack in Taiwan with a smoke grenade and knife acted alone, police said on Saturday of the incident that killed at least four, including the attacker. This edit contains graphic images.

Singha backs Thai duo for 2026 Formula 2 and 3Listen to this articleFormidable partnership: Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi, left, and Tasanapol Intharaphuvasak. Singha Corporation has announced its support for Thai drivers Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi and Tasanapol Intharaphuvasak in their international campaigns next year, marking a historic step for Thai motorsport. The two rising stars will compete in the FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3 Championships during the 2026 season, the first time Thailand will be represented in both categories in the same year. This opportunity for Tasanapol and Nandhavud to race in Formula 2 and Formula 3 is another important step toward the ultimate goal of Formula 1." With Singha's backing, Thailand will have representation across all three tiers of world formula racing in 2026 -- Alex Albon in Formula 1, Tasanapol in Formula 2, and Nandhavud in Formula 3.

Student loan defaulters warnedListen to this articleThe government has urged more than 100,000 student loan borrowers ordered to repay their debts to comply with the court order or enter a debt restructuring plan this month. Deputy government spokeswoman Airin Phanrit said the Student Loan Fund (SLF) filed lawsuits in 2016 against borrowers who failed to repay their debts, resulting in more than 100,000 court-ordered repayments. She said many borrowers have still not complied despite repeated notifications by mail and phone over the past nine years, so the SLF is preparing to issue enforcement orders. Borrowers who want to avoid enforcement, including possible asset seizure, are urged to repay the full outstanding amount shown on the SLF Connect application or apply for debt restructuring this month. Ms Airin said the loans are funded by taxpayers and must be recovered to ensure educational opportunities for future students.

Adobe has announced a landmark integration allowing ChatGPT users to access its flagship software, including Photoshop, Express, and Acrobat, free of charge through simple text prompts. Adobe Photoshop Adobe Photoshop Photo: adobe.comWithin the suite, the Adobe Photoshop integration allows for rapid image enhancements and localised adjustments. Adobe Express Adobe Express Photo: adobe.comFor design tasks, Adobe Express has been integrated to assist with the creation of invitations, posters, and social media graphics. Adobe Acrobat Adobe Acrobat Photo: adobe.comThe Acrobat integration addresses document management by allowing users to edit PDF text, extract data from tables, and merge multiple files. According to Adobe’s official website, these features are now available to all ChatGPT users across multiple platforms.

Impunity in military courts must endListen to this articleThe Anutin government's sudden dissolution of Parliament has frozen a long list of bills that would have nudged Thailand toward a more open and accountable society. One of them is a move to curb military impunity by prosecuting soldiers in corruption and criminal cases in civilian, not military, courts. But after the 2014 coup, the case was pulled back into the military court system, and the soldiers walked free. They know the pattern well: when cases go to military courts, justice stops. Ending military court jurisdiction in criminal cases would allow the military to rebuild credibility through transparency instead of nepotism and secrecy.

A good time of the year to chill outListen to this articleNormally at this stage of the calendar PostScript attempts a festive flavour, welcoming in the season of silly hats and hangovers, but this year it's a real struggle to find something to be festive about. The most significant function of cooler weather is that it gives local people a brief opportunity to wear something slightly different. view of the festive season. Last wordConsidering all the depressing news we've been subjected to lately, the festive season is something of a welcome break even if you hate "Jingle Bells". On that note I would like to wish everyone a terrific festive season and may all your Jinger Ben experiences be just the way they should be -- splendidly out of tune.

Mekong arsenic levels 'safe'Listen to this articleBUENG KAN: Recent water quality tests have confirmed the Mekong River is safe, with arsenic levels within acceptable standards, a senior local environmental official said. The tests followed an August report by Regional Environmental Office 9 in Udon Thani, which found arsenic levels at one monitoring point in Bueng Kan had reached 0.019 mg/L, exceeding the safety threshold. A test in September showed arsenic levels had fallen below standard limits. He said Bueng Kan has no industrial plants or mining concessions that use arsenic in their production processes. While the source of the earlier contamination remains unclear, media reports have pointed to mining activities in Myanmar's Shan State.

Listen to this articlePeople's Party leader Natthaphong RuengpanyawutThe People's Party (PP) says it is ready to serve as the opposition after the election if the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) wins the poll. Speaking on Matichon TV on Friday, PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said the election will be a race between the PP and BJT, adding "there is work being done to prevent the PP from forming a government". Asked whether the BJT could join a PP-led coalition if the PP wins, Mr Natthaphong said it would depend on how many seats each party secures. "The more seats we win, the more influence we have to assert control over other parties," he said. Meanwhile, PP members told voters yesterday the party hopes to win at least 250 seats.

EC allows charter referendum on election dayListen to this articleThe Election Commission (EC) on Saturday issued a regulation allowing a referendum on the rewriting of the constitution to be held on the same day as the general election. Issued under the Referendum Act 2021 and its amendments, the regulation authorises the prime minister and the EC to jointly set a referendum date to coincide with a general election. Under the new rule, if an election is classified as a general election and held within an appropriate timeframe, any national referendum may be scheduled for the same day. Meanwhile, preparations for the 2026 general election are under way, with registration for advance voting now open until Jan 5. The EC has urged voters to register early to ensure their participation in advance voting and on election day.

DSI to summon ex-minister over Singapore MoU with MauerbergerListen to this articlePrasert JantararuangtongThe Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will summon former Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong over his role in the signing of an MoU in Singapore during which alleged money launderer Ben Smith was also present. The MoU was signed with the Singapore-based Prime Opportunity Fund VCC while Mr Prasert was a cabinet minister. Benjamin Mauerberger, alias "Ben Smith", appears in signing ceremony photos, along with Capt Thamanat Prompow, then Minister of Agriculture under the Srettha Thavisin administration. Images from the event show Mr Prasert posing for photographs, alongside Capt Thamanat and Narumon Pinyosinwat, Thailand's trade representative at the time. Investigators said Mr Wisit's statement could be grounds to summon Mr Prasert and his secretary-general at the time of the signing to provide explanations.

Listen to this articlePolice show SIM boxes seized from scam suspects, at the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok in October. Pol Lt Gen Yingyos Thepjamnong, the assistant commissioner-general and RTP spokesman, said on Saturday Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, the chief of police, has ordered crackdowns on online fraud, dismantling criminal networks and cutting off financial routes. Scammers typically begin by exploiting leaked personal data, such as names and former workplaces, to appear credible, Pol Lt Gen Yingyos said. They are then able to lure victims into installing fake government apps that allow criminals to take control of victims' phones. A key tactic, Pol Lt Gen Yingyos said, involves convincing victims to switch their mobile banking app from their language to English, making it easier for scammers to initiate unauthorised transfers.

Bhumjaithai PartyPolitics is entering a phase in which the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) has become the main focal point of political momentum. He said this explains the recent influx of influential political families into the BJT. But the race for the winner's post is really between the BJT and the PP," he said. On the party-list system, he said the BJT is likely to secure around 9–10%, possibly rising to 15% in favourable circumstances. He also warned the strategy could backfire if political opponents portray BJT patriarch Newin Chidchob as seeking to dominate the political system.

(Photo: Reuters)LAHORE, Pakistan - A Pakistani court on Saturday sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in a corruption case involving the under-priced purchase of luxury state gifts, the court and Khan’s lawyers said. Khan’s party plans protestsThe case is separate from an earlier state gifts prosecution linked to Khan’s August 2023 arrest. Earlier sentences of 14 years for Khan and seven years for Bushra Bibi were later suspended on appeal. Following the court ruling, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced plans for protests across Punjab on Sunday. Khan’s party also says routine family and legal visits have been blocked in recent weeks despite court orders.

Anthony Joshua knocks out Jake Paul in sixth roundListen to this articleMIAMI — Former heavyweight champion Anthony ‌Joshua ​delivered a dose of reality to social-media-star-turned prizefighter Jake ‌Paul on Friday with a sixth-round knockout ‌in Miami, Florida. Paul, 28, was effective in evading the ⁠heavily favoured Joshua, 36, through the lacklustre first four rounds before the two-time world champion knocked the YouTuber and influencer down twice in ‌an action-packed ‍fifth round and finished him ‌off ​with a series of punishing blows in the sixth. The bout was carried ⁠live to ​Netflix's approximately 300 million subscribers. In November last year, Paul beat boxing legend Mike Tyson by unanimous decision to win an intergenerational heavyweight battle in Texas, the United States.

Blaze destroys 20 shops but no injuries reported at big border market in AranyaprathetListen to this articleFire trucks and firefighters are deployed to combat a blaze that broke out at the Rong Kluea border market in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo in the early hours of Saturday. (Photo: Sa Kaeo public relations office)A fire at the Rong Kluea border market in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province in the early hours of Saturday damaged about 20 shops but caused no injuries. The market has been largely closed since fighting along the border flared up again this month. The Rong Kluea market is a huge border trade hub covering 170 rai (66 acres), featuring about 2,000 shops and vendors over five zones. (Story continues below)A forensic officer takes photos of evidence at the fire-gutted Rong Kluea market in Sa Kaeo.