Yet opportunities in neighbouring countries and South Asia persist in a divided world, according to the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD). New trade rules related to sustainability, such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), as well as digitalisation and artificial intelligence, are reshaping global trade. Investors see our stability and safety, but we must find ways to integrate ourselves into global supply chains," he said. NETWORK EXPANSIONWimon Punkong, deputy executive director of academic at ITD, said there are opportunities and potential markets in neighbouring countries and South Asia amid a divided world. The institute is focusing on international cooperation with the Global South, where trade measures are expanding rapidly.

Listen to this articleDemocrat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva, fourth from left, leads his party members to campaign at Lumpini Park on Wednesday. (Photo: Democrat Party)Democrat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva took his campaign to Lumpini Park on Wednesday, pledging stronger legal frameworks and incentives to address Bangkok's worsening air pollution. He was joined by fellow prime ministerial candidate Karndee Leopairote, deputy party leader Sakoltee Phattiyakul, and Bangkok MP candidates for Constituency 1, Peerawut Pimsomrudee, and Jedsada Lertthanasarn for Constituency 2. He said three laws are needed to ensure improve people's quality of life, namely the Clean Air Act to protect people's right to clean air, a circular economy law to reduce waste and pollution at the source, and a climate change law to prepare the country for long-term environmental risks. Mr Abhisit also promised to raise rubber prices to 80 baht per kilogramme through value-added processing, while ensuring fair pricing for palm oil.

PP hands Isriya new roleListen to this articleIsriya: Critical of past coalitionsThe People's Party (PP) unveiled Isriya Paireepairit, a party-list election candidate, as a member of its "People's Government Management Team" under its The Professionals campaign, assigning him responsibility for the new economy. Mr Isriya, ranked fifth on the party list, on Wednesday said his many years in the private sector had prepared him well for the role. His decision to join the party, he said, was driven by a desire to help reform Thailand, particularly the state system. Despite Thailand's many strengths, Mr Isriya argued that a major weakness lay within the public sector, where siloed working practices persisted. Mr Isriya said he joined the PP because he still saw hope for the country.

Appeal for full charter redo wanesListen to this articleA motorcyclist rides past the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok. Key members of the Rak Chart Thai Party, Thai Phakdee Party, and the Thai United Nation Party (UTN) said on Wednesday that they would not support any move to scrap the 2017 charter. The 2017 constitution was seen as a tool to maintain national stability and to sustain state institutions, including the military, in functioning effectively, he said. UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga also confirmed his party's opposition to scrapping the 2017 constitution. Removing the entire charter, he warned, could allow previously disqualified figures to re-enter the political system.

Cut to the coreListen to this articleRe: "Academics sound alarm ahead of poll", (BP, Jan 14). Reading the article "Academics sound alarm ahead of poll", what caught my attention was the group's call to "boycott" the election. Reading further through their so-called "core principles", I was struck by the fact that their first three demands are exactly what the People's Party (PP) has been proposing for the past few years. Ron MartinKiller argumentRe: "Economic Party seizes the moment", (BP, Jan 12). Criminals do their own cost-benefit analysis and conclude that the low risk of being caught makes corruption a logical and attractive choice.

Loan repayments set to hit record highListen to this articleMr Chongrak says the local market is deleveraging. Kasikornbank (KBank) expects loan repayments to hit a record high in 2025, with loan growth in 2026 projected to increase marginally in line with Thai economic conditions. According to Chongrak Rattanapian, co-president of KBank, the level of loan repayments last year is expected to set a peak, driven mainly by large corporate customers. Although the bank recorded positive new loan growth last year, loan repayments significantly exceeded new lending. Similarly, KBank anticipates flat to marginal loan growth this year, driven mainly by wholesale and mortgage lending under a selective growth strategy.

What now for the global order? Listen to this articleThe Trump administration's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro marks a watershed for international law and the global order. So much for the "rules-based order", then. That means a new approach must underpin any vision of a rules-based order. If and when we get to a post-Trump world, we should remember these lessons and strive to create a global order that rests on sound philosophical foundations and fairer institutions.

Listen to this articleMr Chartsiri advised the next government to prepare to support investment over the next five years. Bangkok Bank (BBL) has called on the new government to emphasise investment support to accommodate an anticipated increase in foreign trade and investment flows across Southeast Asia over five years. Amid intensifying geopolitical tensions, international trade and investment are increasingly seeking both security and business opportunities. Southeast Asia has emerged as a key destination for these flows, supported by its strong growth potential and large population base. BBL said it is ready to support Thai companies of all sizes to capitalise on these opportunities, while assisting traditional Thai industries in transitioning towards modern industries aligned with global transformation trends.

Poll perils persistListen to this articleAs the election campaign intensifies ahead of the Feb 8 poll, a number of education outlets as well as media channels are churning out opinion survey results suggesting the popularity ratings of individual candidates. This explains why the poll results of individual media channels show severe discrepancies, and inconsistencies. More importantly, there was a severe discrepancy in the same quick poll when it came to the number of seats won. Mr Abhisit finished fourth and Mr Yodchanan fifth. Yet the Election Commission, while prohibiting the release of poll results seven days prior to election day, rarely pays attention to quick polls conducted by media entities despite their weaknesses.

Only medical use to be legal in ThailandListen to this articleLeading political parties support putting cannabis back on the narcotics list. "These are hidden costs that undermine the competitiveness of Thai businesses," said Mr Thienprasit. Every political party introduces policies to curb grey and nominee businesses, but implementation is lacking because of weak enforcement, he said. He said local tourism operators could not fully benefit from inbound tourists because 20-30% of total revenue was redirected to foreign companies. "If we lead the administration, tackling nominee businesses will be addressed within the first 100 days," he said.

Dark horse, deep state in upcoming pollsListen to this articlePrime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party woos voters as he campaigns in Bangkok. Surprisingly, their predictions point in the same direction -- the next coalition could be a surprising mix of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), Pheu Thai and -- hold your breath -- the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party is predicted to be a "dark horse" in the upcoming Feb 8 national election. In all surveys, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut -- leader of the People's Party (PP) -- is the most preferred choice for prime minister. In the deep state's formula, the coalition government would comprise the BJT, Pheu Thai and Klatham.

US official says Venezuela freeing Americans in 'important step'Listen to this articleMany people in Venezuela were jailed for taking part in protests over the country's 2024 elections, in which Nicolas Maduro was declared the victor despite widespread allegations of vote-rigging. WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - Venezuela on Tuesday started freeing jailed Americans, said a US official, who hailed the move by the country's interim leadership following Washington's ouster of former-president Nicolas Maduro. "We welcome the release of detained Americans in Venezuela. This is an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities," a US State Department official said on condition of anonymity. The social network was once again accessible, more than a year after users were blocked by deposed president Maduro.

Station is latest casualty in bankruptcy and fraud saga of firm founded by Anne JakkaphongListen to this articleJakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)JKN18, the digital television channel owned by fugitive entrepreneur Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, will cease broadcasting on Jan 26, the latest casualty in the collapse of her JKN Global Group empire. The digital TV channel on Tuesday posted a message announcing the closure and thanking viewers for their support. The Bangkok South Kwaeng Court on Dec 26 sentenced Jakkaphong to two years in prison without suspension after finding her guilty of fraud. Though the TV channel’s operating licence is valid until 2029, the premature closure of JKN18 underscores the failure of all related parties to manage liquidity as planned.

Fox News says State Department is ‘reassessing its procedures’Listen to this articleThe US Department of State in November instructed consular officers worldwide to prepare to enforce sweeping new screening rules for visas. (Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is preparing to suspend all visa processing ‌for visitors ​from 75 countries — including Thailand — starting on Jan 21, Fox News reported on Wednesday, citing a memo from the US State Department. Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand are among ‌the affected countries, according to the report. The reported pause comes ‌amid ​the sweeping immigration crackdown being pursued by Republican President Donald Trump since taking office last January. The guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, weighing a wide range of factors including health, age, English proficiency, finances and even potential need for long-term medical care.

(Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)BRUSSELS — The planet ‌experienced its third-warmest year on record in 2025, ​and average temperatures have exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming over three years, the longest period since records began, European Union (EU) scientists said on Wednesday. Britain's national weather service, the UK Met Office, confirmed its own data ranked 2025 as the third-warmest in records going back to 1850. "We are bound to pass it," said Carlo Buontempo, director of the EU's ‌Copernicus ‍Climate Change Service. United States President Donald Trump, who has called climate change "the greatest con job", last week withdrew from dozens of United Nations (UN) entities including the scientific Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The long-established consensus among the world's scientists is that climate change is real, mostly caused by humans, and getting ​worse.