Indonesia take jumping team title, Kingdom topListen to this articleMedal winners pose on the podium at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Pattaya. In the final standings, Indonesia secured the gold medal, followed by Malaysia with silver and Singapore with bronze. In the team format, each rider's performance contributes to the overall result, adding an extra layer of intensity to the competition. Despite not adding to the medal count, Thailand continued to lead the overall equestrian medal standings at the Games. The equestrian events of the 2025 SEA Games were hosted at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Pattaya, supported by B.Grimm Country Club, one of Southeast Asia's leading equestrian venues and a regular host of regional and international competitions.

December 20, 2025 09:31 UTC

Iran executes man accused of spying for IsraelListen to this articleIsrael and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken on June 18, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)DUBAI — Iran executed ​a man on Saturday who it said was convicted of spying for Israel and having ties to Iranian opposition ‌groups, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported. Entangled in a decades-long shadow war with ‌Israel, Iran has executed many people it accused of having links with Israel's intelligence service ⁠and facilitating its operations in the country. Executions of Iranians convicted ​of spying for Israel have significantly increased this year, with multiple death sentences carried out in ​recent months. In September 2025, Iran executed a man accused of killing a security officer during unrest sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini.

December 20, 2025 09:26 UTC

Australia four wickets from Ashes glory as England cling onListen to this articleAustralia spinner Nathan Lyon celebrates dismissing England captain Ben Stokes in Adelaide on Saturday. (Photo: AFP)ADELAIDE, Australia - An unrelenting Australia were four wickets from retaining the Ashes at close of play in the third Test on Saturday as England clung to the dying hope that they could chase a record 435 to save the series. Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who made a century in the first innings, had another good day with his quick hands stumping Crawley off Lyon. England took six wickets before lunch to wrap up Australia’s second innings for 349 with Travis Head slamming 170 and Carey 72. Carey was taken at slip by Brook off Stokes, with Josh Inglis (10) following, caught behind by Smith off Tongue.

December 20, 2025 08:30 UTC

Canadian arrested for carjacking in KrabiListen to this articlePolice officers subdue a Canadian man after intercepting a stolen vehicle in Muang district of Krabi on Friday. (Screenshot)KRABI - A Canadian man was arrested following a chase involving 30 police officers after he hijacked a car and fled, causing panic among the public in Muang district on Friday. The Canadian suddenly moved into the driver’s seat and sped away, the victim said. Police immediately radioed all units in the area and more than 30 officers were deployed to pursue the stolen car along Utarakit Road in downtown Krabi. The fleeing Canadian and the vehicle were eventually intercepted in front of a convenience store near Krabi Hospital amid panic among local residents.

December 20, 2025 08:30 UTC

(Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON - ‍US Secretary ‌of ​State Marco Rubio says Washington hopes to bring ⁠Thailand and Cambodia back into compliance with a ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump between now ‌and Monday. And we are cautiously optimistic that we can get there by Monday or Tuesday of next week,” Mr Rubio told journalists in Washington on Friday. Mr Rubio spoke on Thursday by telephone with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and said the administration would hold further conversations over the weekend. “Both sides have made commitments in writing that they signed,” Mr Rubio said on Friday, referring to the declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur in October. Mr Rubio defended the administration’s record, saying that American diplomacy “actually did stop fighting” although it has since resumed.

December 20, 2025 07:50 UTC





Think of Cambodian Space Project, Saigon Soul Revival, Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Dengue Fever and similar bands. Prior to the debut album (released on Nov 13), Nusantara released several 7-inch singles on the Bongo Je Records label; these songs were rearranged and rerecorded for the album. For the debut album, Nusantara Beat focused on Sundanese popular music, or Pop Sunda, according to the Glitterbeat label, using the gamelan pelog scale. But since then I haven't heard any band trying to take the Sunda sound to international audiences. Nusantara Beat is available in all formats.

December 20, 2025 07:16 UTC

PM hopeful's sister slams focus on pastListen to this articleChayapa Wongsawat, sister of Pheu Thai PM candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat, said her marriage, which ended in divorce, to a Cambodian cabinet official should not be used as a political weapon against her brother. "With all my dignity, I affirm that my family is not involved in the politics between the two countries and never received any benefits from the past marriage," Ms Chayapa said. She stated that the public should refrain from using "her pain in the past" as a political weapon. "The regret from past mistakes is already bad enough," she said. Mr Yodchanan said that his sister is not a public figure and her personal matter should not be used as a political issue.

December 20, 2025 07:06 UTC

England lose Duckett in chase of record 435 to keep Ashes aliveListen to this articleEngland's Zak Crawley takes a catch to dismiss Australia's Travis Head for 170 on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test. (Photo: AFP)ADELAIDE — Travis Head slammed 170 and Alex Carey hit 72 Saturday as Australia were all out for 249 to set England a record 435 to win and keep the Ashes alive. England took six wickets before lunch to wrap up Australia's second innings for 349 at the Adelaide Oval. England were at 5-1 at lunch, with Ollie Pope on one and Zak Crawley yet to score. England must win to keep the five-match series alive after being crushed by eight wickets at Perth and Brisbane.

December 20, 2025 07:01 UTC

Agricultural economy to grow despite headwindsListen to this articleThe country's agricultural economy is expected to see slightly slower but still robust growth of 2-3% next year as landowners and farmers have secured more water resources and benefit from higher demand in the global market, as well as accelerated domestic economic growth. However, the industry still faces a raft of challenges, including the impact of climate change, geopolitical conflicts and higher tax barriers, according to the Office of Agricultural Economics. Peeraphan Korthong, acting secretary-general of the Office of Agricultural Economics, said global economic growth is tipped to hit 3.2% next year compared to just 1.2-2.2% in Thailand. Meanwhile, agricultural economic growth in the country is expected to reach 2.0-3.0%, down slightly from 3.3% this year. Yet local consumption is still expected to grow, buoyed by the government's economic stimulus policies.

December 20, 2025 06:54 UTC

Google warns staff with US visas against international travelListen to this articleMiniature figures of people are seen in front of the new Google logo in this illustration taken on May 13, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)BENGALURU — ​Alphabet's Google has advised some employees on US visas to avoid international travel due to delays at embassies, Business Insider reported on Friday, citing an internal email. Some US embassies and consulates face visa appointment delays of up to 12 months, the memo said, warning that international travel will "risk an extended stay outside the US", according to the report. The administration of President ‌Donald ‍Trump this month announced increased vetting of applicants for H-1B visas for highly skilled workers, including ‌screening ​social media accounts. In September, Google's parent ​company Alphabet had strongly advised its employees to avoid international travel and urged H-1B visa holders to remain in the United States, ​according to an email seen by Reuters.

December 20, 2025 06:49 UTC

Unhealthy smog rising in Thailand throughout next weekListen to this articleA morning view on Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok where the sky is seen shrouded with smog in November 2025. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)People in Thailand are warned of experiencing higher levels of harmful smog throughout next week, according to Pollution Control Department (PCD). The overall levels of particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5) have begun to increase in several areas, the PCD reported on Saturday morning. People are urged to refrain from open burning and to use public transportation to reduce traffic emissions. Patients, children, the elderly and pregnant women are advised to take extra care and limit outdoor activities.

December 20, 2025 06:39 UTC

Thai army condemns Cambodia’s indiscriminate attacksListen to this articleDamage from a BM-21 rocket strike by Cambodian forces is seen at a home in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province during the latest round of cross-border conflict. (Photo: Phanom Dong Rak district office)The Royal Thai Army has condemned the actions of Cambodian forces as indiscriminate attacks, which severely impacted civilians’ residences, hospitals and schools — all non-military targets. These actions violated the international humanitarian law and global norms that protect innocent citizens, army spokesman, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, said on Saturday. According to the Thai army, about 400,000 Thai citizens have been affected. The Royal Thai Army calls on Cambodia to immediately cease all acts of violence against innocent parties and comply with international law under humanitarian principles, Maj Gen Winthai said.

December 20, 2025 06:20 UTC

Army deputy spokesman Col Ritcha Suksuwan said Cambodian forces have continued heavy attacks along the frontier, concentrating artillery fire on Hill 350. He said Hill 350 is a decisive tactical position fortified by Cambodian troops, making Thai efforts to regain complete control highly challenging. Since Thai forces seized Ban Sam Lang on Dec 14, Cambodian troops have repeatedly attempted to retake the position. Royal Thai Navy marines are now using fortified bunkers originally built by Cambodian forces -- structures resilient even against F-16 air strikes -- to strengthen their defences, he said. The documents showed training conducted on Oct 7 last year, pointing to deliberate preparation to deploy mines against Thai forces.

December 20, 2025 00:50 UTC

Thailand will call on Cambodia to declare and uphold a ceasefire and to cooperate in mine-clearance efforts, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said. The AMM is expected to take place in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, with representatives from both Thailand and Cambodia attending. The Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh and the consulate-general in Siem Reap have urged Thai nationals to return home since the conflict erupted on Dec 7. Thai nationals in Cambodia seeking assistance can register with the MFA at safe.consular.co.th, Mr Nikorndej said. MFA Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has discussed the situation with the EU, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

December 20, 2025 00:50 UTC

The three senior figures are Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, who also serves as deputy prime minister, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. Speaking after a strategy meeting at BJT headquarters yesterday, Mr Anutin -- who is also prime minister and interior minister -- said all three were under consideration as prime ministerial candidates, with himself as the party's lead nominee. Mr Anutin said the party was refining its policy platform, with members submitting proposals to assess their suitability for the current climate. Mr Anutin said the party needed multiple candidates to avoid political uncertainty, noting the risks of relying on a single nominee. By law, each party may nominate up to three prime ministerial candidates.

December 20, 2025 00:44 UTC