As artillery exchanges, civilian evacuations and military reinforcements dominate national news, the ruling Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party and Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul have found themselves standing on unexpectedly stronger ground. Conversely, the main opposition People’s Party (PP), which had been hoping to capitalise on economic grievances and governance fatigue, has watched its momentum stall. National security instantly eclipsed economic and structural reform issues, restoring the kind of political environment that traditionally benefits incumbents. Criticising the government too aggressively risks appearing unpatriotic or insensitive to national security concerns; being too restrained, however, makes it look passive at a pivotal political moment. Among those who made their picks, the People’s Party (PP) still ranked first in party popularity with 25.3%.

Dems ready policy package with an eye on the capitalListen to this articleDemocrat spokesman Pol Capt Pongsakorn KwanmuangThe Democrat Party is preparing to launch an economic and anti-corruption policy package as Pheu Thai ramps up its election campaign in Bangkok. Democrat spokesman Pol Capt Pongsakorn Kwanmuang yesterday outlined the party's election campaign called #ThailandWon'tTolerate, which was launched earlier as part of another drive named "Blue Friday: Opening a New Horizon". They can share their views from today via the party's social media platforms, after years of living with corruption, poor-quality education and persistent poverty, said Pol Capt Pongsakorn. Pol Capt Pongsakorn also said the party stands for clean, professional politics and practical policies. He added that an agreement was finalised on Dec 18 that three former Chart Pattana MPs would stand in Nakhon Ratchasima under the Pheu Thai banner.

Court to grill 6 in election caseListen to this articleThe Constitutional Court will examine six witnesses on Wednesday in a high-profile case accusing two former ministers of interfering in the Senate election process. The court will hear testimony from six people, including the two former ministers, DSI Director-General Pol Lt Col Yutthana Phraedam, DSI Deputy Director-General Pol Capt Surawut Rangsai, Pol Maj Gen Chatwat Saengphet, who is a senator, and Election Commission (EC) Secretary Sawaeng Boonmee. The DSI had been investigating the case for over nine months when the Special Case Committee resolved to accept it as a special case. Intelligence findings indicated the alleged involvement of Senate aides and senators in the same 45 provinces. Testimonies and financial records allegedly revealed irregular and unusually frequent fund transfers among several individuals, along with reciprocal ties following the election of certain candidates.

PTT ramps up drive to reduce CO2 emissionsListen to this articleThe Arthit gas block in the Gulf of Thailand, operated by PTTEP. National oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc is stepping up efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its businesses by adopting carbon capture technology and preparing to run a trial on hydrogen usage to depend less on fossil fuels. The aim is to help Thailand achieve carbon neutrality, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and absorption, by 2050, along with achieving the net-zero target, a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, by 2065. PTT emits more than 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, with additional carbon dioxide emissions also coming from its subsidiaries. He was providing an update on PTT's ongoing work to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during a forum held on Tuesday in Bangkok on "Net Zero and the Challenges of the New Global Economy".

Retailers experiencing 'uneven' recoveryListen to this articleShoppers browse festive-related goods at a Bangkok department store. The TRA has predicted growth of roughly 3-5% for the retail sector in 2025, compared with GDP growth forecasts of 2.3-3.3%. However, the recovery has been gradual and uneven, depending upon different retail formats and geographical areas. Fashion and lifestyle shops, along with specialty retailers and restaurant chains, experienced growth rates ranging from 3-7%. Despite numerous positive developments, retailers continue to confront challenges, said Nath Vongphanich, president of the association.

In a strongly-worded video message addressing the nation, Marcos did not name Vice President Sara Duterte, his presidential running mate, but said "such criminal plans should not be overlooked". "The statements we heard in the previous days were troubling," Marcos said on Monday. Sara Duterte told reporters she had yet to hear the president's statement but would respond later. According to a senior justice department official, the vice president does not have immunity from prosecution. Rodrigo Duterte told the hearings he was solely responsible for the bloody crackdown and has urged the ICC to "hurry up" on its probe.

(File photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)A civil society group is unhappy with the Medical Council of Thailand's legal action against the National Health Security Office (NHSO)'s policy over free medicine for 16 ailments under the universal healthcare scheme. The NHSO deputy secretary-general Dr Attaporn Limpanyalert, meanwhile, insisted all universal healthcare cardholders will continue to benefit from the policy until the court reaches a verdict. On Tuesday, the Pharmacy Council of Thailand said all prescriptions fulfilled by pharmacists are handled with ultimate safety. The Pharmacy Council said the Medical Council seems not to object to people buying drugs at the pharmacy themselves, but has problems only with the NHSO's free medicine policy for universal healthcare card holders. It also called on the Medical Council to respect other professionals' ethics with regards to the prescriptions of medicines to the public.

Thousands protested in several French cities on Saturday (November 23) to denounce violence against women, with the trial over the mass rape of Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot orchestrated by her husband as a backdrop. Avignon demonstrator Marine Thebaud thanked Pelicot for publicizing her trial which she says shows that "aggressors are not monsters in the street, they're Mr. Everybody."

People mourn over the graves of relatives who were killed after gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in the Kurram tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Shalozan, Pakistan on Nov 22. (Photo: Reuters)PESHAWAR, Pakistan - At least 18 people were killed and 30 injured in further sectarian violence in northwestern Pakistan, officials said on Saturday, as tensions remained high following attacks on transport convoys that killed dozens of civilians this week. The latest killings in a tribal district began on Friday night, when armed men attacked a village in the district, said the chief secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry. AFP reported on Saturday that 32 people were killed in the latest violence, citing an unnamed official. Most of the dead were Shia, officials said, sparking retaliatory attacks by armed groups, with markets and schools remaining shut in a curfew-like situation.

Thai economic and investment landscape under Trump 2.0The global economy in the first quarter of 2025 will be shaped by three themes: US economic resilience, China's strategic pivot, and escalating economic tensions following Donald Trump's return to the White House. While employment growth has slowed significantly, the Federal Reserve's Beige Book signals a broader economic deceleration. The International Monetary Fund projects increased trade barriers under the Trump administration could slow global economic growth by 0.1 to 0.8 percentage points in 2025, intensifying to 0.2 to 1.2 points in 2026. We like companies that have earnings growth, with domestic consumption increasing, that are backed by economic stimulus and are defensive by nature. On this basis, our top picks for the first quarter of 2025 are ADVANC, AOT, BCH, CPALL and HMPRO.

In fact, he is a seasoned politician and was elected Udon Thani municipal councillor in 2004, a Udon Thani PAO member in 2008 and a PAO vice chairman in 2005. The party grabbed one of 10 House seats in the province from Pheu Thai, which also lost in two other constituencies to Thai Sang Thai, originally labelled as a Pheu Thai offshoot. Analysts have predicted a favourable outcome for Pheu Thai in the Udon Thani PAO poll. Also, the recent 10,000-baht handout to the marginalised and underprivileged is likely to help the Pheu Thai candidate. She is said to have pulled quite a few strings locally to increase the Pheu Thai candidate's chance of winning.

Listen to this articleThe Nana Backpacker Hostel is popular with young travellers in Vang Vieng, Laos. (Photo: Nana Backpacker Hostel Facebook)A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning, bringing to six the number of foreign tourists who have died after apparently drinking tainted alcohol in Laos. The owner of the backpacker hostel where the two young Australians were staying before they fell violently ill has been detained by police for questioning in Laos, the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) reported. An unnamed American man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also among the victims of the suspected poisoning. He believed those who became ill could have consumed the tainted drinks at another bar in the town.

Court rejects petition over Thaksin's political influenceFormer prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra speaks to members of the media as he attends THACCA SPLASH - Soft Power Forum 2024 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok on June 28, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)The Constitutional Court on Friday rejected a petition seeking to bar billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the ruling Pheu Thai Party and colluding with it to overthrow the constitutional monarchy. All nine judges agreed that the petition, filed by lawyer Teerayut Suwankesorn, did not meet the court's conditions and criteria. The petition alleged Thaksin was attempting to undermine the monarchy and influence Pheu Thai. Thaksin, the father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has consistently denied exerting influence over Pheu Thai since his return from 15 years of self-imposed exile in 2023.

Listen to this articleThe Thai Digital Asset Association recently said Thailand has the potential to become a digital asset hub. The government has pledged to create opportunities and make investments in digital assets more accessible, seeking to position Thailand as a regional leader. During a keynote speech on digital assets in Thailand at a Binance TH event, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the government would like a partnership with the private sector to support the robust growth of the digital asset market. He said the government prioritises digital literacy, recognising the rapid pace of technological change and its integral role in people's daily lives. He said he was participating in the event to symbolise the government's commitment to creating opportunities and simplifying digital asset investment, aiming to position Thailand as a regional leader in the digital asset space.

Listen to this articleIndian billionaire Gautam Adani addresses delegates during the Bengal Global Business Summit in Kolkata, India, on April 20, 2022. (Photo: Reuters)Gautam Adani, the billionaire chairman of the Indian conglomerate Adani Group and one of the world’s richest people, has been indicted in New York over his role in a $265-million bribery scheme, according to US prosecutors. A judge has issued arrest warrants for Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani and prosecutors plan to hand those warrants to foreign law enforcement, court records show. Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Jaain were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Jaain were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, and the Adanis were also charged in a US Securities and Exchange Commission civil case.