Three members of prominent business family linked to MORE scandal brought to courtListen to this articleProsecutors have indicted three members of the Phornprapha family in the More Return stock manipulation scandal, with the Criminal Court accepting the charges and considering bail requests. The three suspects — Akapat (aka Hi-so Kim), Athipat and Orapin — were taken to the Criminal Court on Tuesday. The offences with which the Phornprapha family members are charged fall under the Securities and Exchange Act, with estimated damages of 800 million baht. Ten suspects have yet to be brought before the court and arrest warrants have been issued for four of them. More Return Plc was a holding company in which younger members of the Phornprapha family were major shareholders.

Trump has repeatedly claimed the United States needs Greenland for its national security, while Denmark and Greenland have stressed the island is not for sale and that Greenlanders themselves must decide their own future. ‘Very difficult’In the streets of Copenhagen, Danes are fine with the idea of Greenland separating from Denmark as soon as it feels ready. A roadmap for Greenland’s independence was laid out in a 2009 Self-Government Act adopted by the Danish parliament. Any independence agreement reached between Copenhagen and Nuuk has to be approved by both parliaments and endorsed by a referendum in Greenland, according to the act. While a large majority of Greenlanders are in favour of independence, most do not support the idea of a swift secession.

Against this backdrop, the central bank wants to broaden its role beyond maintaining economic stability to supporting solutions to structural problems. The announcement focuses on gold trading transactions conducted on digital platforms in baht, which accounts for around 35% of total gold trading volume. Roughly 50% of gold trading transactions are carried out on online platforms denominated in US dollars, while the remaining 15% involves physical transactions. Currency exchange limitsHe said the central bank continues to monitor and inspect the money trails of money changers, particularly in border areas. The regulator is also monitoring financial transactions conducted through e-money and e-wallet channels, with transfer limits enforced in line with regulations.

Russians caught selling magic mushrooms for 'stress relief'Listen to this articlePolice wih one of the Russian suspects and the many bags of magic mushrooms seized at a rented house in Muang Phuket on Monday. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)PHUKET – Police have busted a group of Russians selling hallucinogenic mushrooms as a form of stress relief therapy from a house in Muang district they had named the "Mushroom Temple". They had named the place “Mushroom Temple” and claimed to be experts in stress relief though consumption of magic mushrooms to gain spiritual benefits, he said. During the raid, police seized 140 bags containing about 10 kilogrammes of magic mushrooms and arrested two Russians, identified only as Rinat and Aleksandr. Magic mushrooms are classified as a Category 5 illicit drug under Thai law.

Asiatique The Riverfront is getting more pre-historic with the recent opening of Thainosaur Museum as a new edutainment destination for visitors to learn about dinosaurs who once roamed in Thailand, following the openings of "SkyFlyers: Wings Of Garudapterus" and "Jurassic World: The Experience Bangkok". Thainosaur Museum is described as an immersive living museum dedicated to Thailand’s paleontological heritage. Expect a lot of life-sized meticulous replicas of Thai dinosaurs and prehistoric animals, down to their fine fur, skin texture and colours. Through spatial storytelling, curated journeys and authentic fossil specimens, the museum invites visitors of all ages to explore Thailand’s history as a dinosaur habitat. The experience extends to SkyFlyers: Wings Of Garudapterus, a swing ride inspired by a flying reptile species first discovered in Thailand, offering a new perspective over the riverfront.

Thailand imported steel products worth $65 million from Iran in 2024. The official said an analysis of the trade structure between Thailand and Iran indicates risks to Thailand’s economy remain manageable as bilateral trade volumes are relatively limited. In 2024, trade between Thailand and Iran was valued at $208 million, accounting for only 0.03% of Thailand’s total trade value. Data reveals increased imports of steel and steel products from Iran in 2024, valued at $64.6 million. US trading partners should understand the Thai government has transparent trade regulations and most Thai private entities strictly comply with international sanctions, particularly given the absence of any large investments in Iran, according to the official.

Listen to this articleThe Department of Health (DoH) has teamed up with the Interior Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to cut Thailand's preterm birth rate to no more than 8%. The initiative will accelerate proactive health promotion programmes and establish a systematic approach to maternal and child care. According to Dr Tharatip Kholathat, manager of the Thai Maternal and Child Health Network, the preterm birth prevention initiative was piloted in at least 24 provinces over the past two years, with efforts centring on family and community engagement to raise awareness of the consequences of preterm birth. Dr Amporn Benjapolpitak, the DoH director-general, said the collaborative efforts were to address Thailand's current premature birth rate of 9.91%, compared to the global average of 8%. Mothers-to-be are also advised to have a screening test for five risk factors of preterm birth, including diabetes, hypertension, anaemia, vaginal infection, and oral diseases.

The plan builds on MQDC’s core strengths in large-scale development and its deep expertise in creating developments that enhance well-being through sustainability, biodiversity and longevity living for people of all generations. Visit Malaisirirat, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of MQDC, said: “Over the next three years the company will prioritise tangible revenue growth by completing projects in line with its development roadmap. MQDC expects to begin recognising revenue from completed projects in 2026. “In parallel, MQDC is expanding its revenue base through consultancy and advisory services, leveraging its expertise in large-scale developments and city development projects in both Thailand and overseas markets. The knowledge and experience gained will be further extended to support longevity living across all generations.

PTTEP donated a total of 100 million baht to assist relief efforts for people affected by flooding in Songkhla province in November 2025, as well as to support the construction of a new hospital building and the rehabilitation of schools. This support will enable healthcare and educational institutions to resume services efficiently and with long-term resilience. We have allocated a total of 100 million baht to urgently support flood relief efforts, as well as to provide continued assistance for the long-term recovery of impacted areas. In addition, PTTEP provided a total of 20 million baht to four schools affected by the flooding: Hat Yai Wittayalai School, Hat Yai Wittayalai Sombunkulkanya School, Wat Khok Samankhun School and Ban Na Khuan Lang (Ratsamakkhi) School. As Thailand’s national exploration and production company, PTTEP extends its support and encouragement to the Songkhla community and all those affected by the flooding.

Vietnam’s goods trade surplus with the US in the first 10 months of 2025 was $144.2 billion, surpassing its full-year total in 2024. (Photo: Reuters)HANOI - The Trump administration plans to replace ‌the US ambassador to Vietnam with a nominee ​set on addressing “imbalanced” trade relations, as Hanoi’s goods trade surplus with Washington surpassed China’s in recent quarters amid unresolved tariff negotiations. Vietnam overtakes ChinaThe latest seasonally adjusted US data ‌shows ‍Vietnam’s January to October trade surplus in goods reached $144.2 billion, already surpassing its full-year 2024 record. Crucially, Vietnam’s goods trade surplus was higher than China’s in the second and third quarters of 2025, the latest available ‌US ​data shows. China’s trade surplus with the US still remains higher than Vietnam’s for the full January-October period.

The plan builds on MQDC’s core strengths in large-scale development and its deep expertise in creating developments that enhance well-being through sustainability, biodiversity, and longevity living for people of all generations. Visit Malaisirirat, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of MQDC, said: “Over the next three years the company will prioritise tangible revenue growth by completing projects in line with its development roadmap. MQDC expects to begin recognising revenue from completed projects in 2026. “In parallel, MQDC is expanding its revenue base through consultancy and advisory services, leveraging its expertise in large-scale developments and city development projects in both Thailand and overseas markets. The knowledge and experience gained will be further extended to support longevity living across all generations.

Listen to this articleThe Los Angeles wildfires were the costliest natural disaster of 2025, according to the insurer Munich Re. (Photo: AFP)FRANKFURT - Natural disaster losses worldwide dropped sharply to $224 billion in 2025, the reinsurer Munich Re said on Tuesday, but warned of a still “alarming” picture of extreme weather events likely driven by climate change. The costliest disaster of the year came in the form of Los Angeles wildfires in January, with total losses of $53 billion and insured losses of around $40 billion, Munich Re said in its annual disaster report. According to Munich Re’s report, insured losses for 2025 came in at $108 billion, also sharply down on last year. By region, the United States’ total losses amounted to $118 billion, $88 billion of which was insured — around the same as an estimate of $115 billion total losses from US nonprofit Climate Central.

Salah and Mane meet again with Afcon final place on the lineListen to this articleMohamed Salah, left, and Sadio Mane playing against each other in a World Cup qualifying play-off in March 2022. (Photo: AFP)RABAT — Three years after they last appeared together, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah meet again on Wednesday on opposing sides as Senegal and Egypt clash for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final. The last-four showdown in the Moroccan city of Tangiers will be the first time the former Liverpool teammates have shared a pitch since the Anfield club lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final in May 2022. Less than two months later, the teams met again in a decisive World Cup qualifying play-off and once more penalties were needed -- Salah missed, Mane scored and Senegal won. They formed a formidable front line along with Roberto Firmino and together won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020 -- there were also two defeats to Real in Champions League finals.

Thai satellite falling back to earth after failed launch, but is insuredListen to this articleThe president of the Indian Space Research Organisation, V Narayanan, speaks during the launch of Thai-built THEOS-2A, at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, on Monday. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had confirmed a malfunction was detected in the third stage of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C62 carrying the first Thai-built earth observation satellite on Monday. According to the ISRO, the rocket and the satellites would fall back into the atmosphere and burn up over the southern Indian Ocean. The satellite had launch insurance covering both rebuilding and relaunch, Gistda said, and promised public updates. Despite the launch failure, the project had demonstrated Thailand’s progress in building human resource capabilities for satellite development, Gistda said.

Chiang Mai Design Week 2025 (CMDW2025), organised by the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), concluded in December with a clear sense of momentum, reaffirming Chiang Mai's position as one of Southeast Asia's most active creative cities. In its 11th year, Chiang Mai Design Week has evolved into Northern Thailand's most significant creative platform. Throughout the nine-day festival, Chiang Mai became a living creative district. By activating 68 locations across the city, CMDW2025 introduced new perspectives on public space, heritage buildings and creative districts. As Imhathai reflected on the festival's broader mission, she emphasised that Chiang Mai Design Week has never been solely about design.