Video highlights gap between textbook Thai and real-life handwritingListen to this articleScreenshot from IG: @ThaibychomA video posted by the social media account @ThaibyChom, which teaches Thai to foreigners, has gone viral, sparking heated discussion and highlighting the striking contrast between textbook Thai script and how the language is commonly written by native speakers. The content compares the neatly structured Thai characters taught in school textbooks with the informal, often untidy handwriting of most Thais in the real world. Most viewers, Thai and foreign, agreed the portrayal was highly accurate, noting that Thai handwriting can be far more difficult to decipher than its textbook counterpart. The discussion took a new turn when one social media user shared samples of handwritten notes from Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and a prominent contender for prime minister at the Feb 8 polls. His handwriting, dating back to his early years, prompted widespread amusement, with many commenting that it resembled the notoriously hard-to-read script often associated with doctors.

Arrest warrant for Chinese man after compatriot robbed in PattayaListen to this articleThe Chinese suspect is seen in this still from security camera footage while waiting for the Chinese property broker to pick him up in Pattaya on Sunday night. (Photo supplied)CHON BURI - The Pattaya Provincial Court has issued an arrest warrant for a Chinese man suspected of tying up and robbing a Chinese property broker in her Mercedes-Benz at a housing estate on Sunday night. The court approved the police request for a warrant to apprehend Gong Gaopeng, 30, for illegally detaining and robbing the woman, Yang Wang, 35, a police source said. He asked the woman to take him to the housing estate to see the house on Sunday. Ms Yang had wounds to her body and remained too traumatized to be alone, she said.

Founded by molecular gastronomist-turned-mixologist Seven Yi, Le Room at Mad House in Taipei, Taiwan, blurs the boundaries between gastronomy, mixology and performance. Describe the new concept of Le Room. From Mad by Le Kief to Room by Le Kief, our journey has always been about exploring the fine line between food and drink. The current theme of Le Room is 'Island'. And with the new Le Room, we’re breaking the definition of a bar once again.

Fourth Army Region commander Lt Gen Narathip Phoyanok said soldiers had been ordered to monitor all illegal border crossings along the river. The southern army chief stopped short of saying all illegal jetties and unregistered boats would be shut down. Lt Gen Narathip said the army would discuss appropriate measures to regulate the piers with Interior Ministry officials and residents along the river. Thai authorities have identified about 200 illegal jetties and 900 unregistered boats operating on the Golok river. Some young Malaysians also illegally cross the river for the entertainment and illegal drugs in adjoining Sungai Kolok district township.

Promotion confirms 6.30pm Bangkok start is permanent as ONE Friday Fights 138 expands to 14 boutsListen to this articleONE Friday Fights 138 will begin at a new start time of 6.30pm in Bangkok on January 16 at Lumpinee StadiumONE Championship has brought forward the start time of its Friday Fights series to 6.30pm local time in Bangkok, marking a structural shift to the promotion’s weekly Lumpinee Stadium shows as 2026’s schedule kicks off. The move coincides with a temporary expansion of the fight card, with Friday’s show featuring 14 bouts instead of the usual 12. While the earlier start time is set to be permanent, future events will not necessarily remain at 14 fights, the Bangkok Post understands. Friday’s event will be broadcast live in Thailand on Channel 7HD, but will still start at 8.30pm as usual, however. The card continues ONE’s established Friday Fights formula: emerging Thai talent matched with international prospects across Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA, with contracts and main-roster opportunities often on the line.

Chinese woman bound, robbed, left in crashed MercedesListen to this articleThe Chinese woman victim was found on the back seat floor of her car. (Photo: Amporn Sangkaew)PATTAYA - A Chinese woman found wrapped in adhesive tape inside a crashed Mercedes-Benz at the back of a housing estate told police she had been lured there and robbed. Police were called to the crime scene in Zensiri housing estate in tambon Nong Prue about 1am on Monday. The 35-year-old woman told police she got to know a Chinese man named Gong Gaopeng, 30, via the WeChat platform, and he promised to show her a house for sale. The Chinese man was in the driver’s seat and tried to speed off, but instead crashed into a fence.

Curfew in Narathiwat liftedListen to this articleNarathiwat deputy governor Wichan Chaisetthasamphan, centre, inspects the quiet city during the curfew on Sunday night. (Photo: supplied)The night curfew in Narathiwat province was lifted on Monday, with security authorities confident they had control of the situation in the wake of the coordinated bombings and arson in the three southernmost border provinces. Maj Gen Yod-arwut Puengpakdee, commander of the Narathiwat Task Force, on Monday signed an order ending the curfew just one day after it was imposed. Bomb explosions and fires set at 11 PTT petrol stations and convenience stores in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala early Sunday morning left a police officer, a firefighter and two civilians injured. Narathiwat suffered the most with five petrol stations and shops damaged.

CU launches ‘Chula XL’ lifelong learning collegeChulalongkorn University has announced the establishment of Chula XL, a new college dedicated to promoting systematic lifelong learning for people of all ages across Thailand. According to Prof Dr Wilert Puriwat, president of Chulalongkorn University, Chula XL marks a major transition for the institution as it evolves into a societal learning platform. “Knowledge is the driving force that sustains work and quality of life for people at every stage,” Prof Dr Wilert said. “Chula XL reinforces the university’s role as a national educational institution that will help propel Thailand toward a lifelong learning society — developing people, strengthening the country and ensuring future sustainability.”The new college will serve learners from diverse groups including school and university students, working professionals, and personnel from both the public and private sectors. The “XL” in Chula XL reflects the university’s expanded and elevated mission — extending learning opportunities beyond traditional formats so that education can happen anytime, anywhere, empowering people across the nation and contributing to a sustainable future for Thai society.

Cambodian, South Korean police arrest 26 for alleged scams, sex crimesListen to this articlePolice officers escort South Korean deportees suspected of being involved in online scam operations in Cambodia, upon their arrival at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on Oct 18, 2025. The two countries have arrested 26 more in Cambodia (Photo: Reuters)SEOUL - ‍A ‍joint investigative team of Cambodian and South ‌Korean police has ​arrested 26 suspects over alleged online scams and sex crimes targeting South Korean citizens, the Korean presidential office ‌said on Monday. The suspects also allegedly coerced multiple female victims into filming ‌sex ‍videos and photos for distribution, Kang said, declining to elaborate ‌on ​details. Cambodian police made the arrests with assistance from the task force and South Korea's intelligence agency, she added. The Cambodian government could not immediately be reached for comment on the arrests ​and allegations.

Old Aussie sailor found dead on his yacht in PhuketListen to this articleThe yacht Synergy owned by deceased old sailor Graham Tucker. (photo: Wichit police)PHUKET: An elderly Australian-British man was found dead on his yacht anchored off this southern island province on Sunday. Police said 70-year-old Graham Tucker's body was found in a bedroom near the bow of his yacht, Synergy, moored off Khao Khad beach in tambon Wichit in Muang district about noon on Sunday. He was found by his German friend Matthias Lepke, 54, who told police he and Tucker both lived on their own yachts in the same area. Local vendors said Tucker had lived on his yacht off the beach of Phuket for the last decade and often sailed to Malaysia and back.

Israelis arrested partying with drugs on Koh PhanganListen to this articleThe three Israeli tourists after their arrest while partying at a villa where drugs were also found, on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province on Sunday. (Photo: supplied/ Assawin Pakkawan)SURAT THANI - Police arrested three Israelis and seized a variety of illicit drugs at a party on Koh Phangan, and apprehended their alleged supplier. They also found and seized 3.32 grammes of cocaine, 28.99 grammes of ketamine, powdered ecstasy weighing 0.86 grammes, and 29 vapes. The Israelis were taken to Koh Pangan police station and the three tourists charged with drug possession. Koh Phangan, in Surat Thani province, is a tourist destination where local residents have complained about the behaviour of some Israeli visitors and the businesses they run there.

Jaylord Antigua, a landfill worker in the central Philippines, recounted his survival after a garbage avalanche at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu nearly buried him alive during its collapse on Thursday (January 8).

Human remains were found in Australia's southeast where bushfires raging for days have razed buildings, cut power to thousands of homes and burned swaths of bushland, police said on Sunday (January 11). The blazes are burning out of control during a summer heat wave in Victoria state, as Caroline Malone reports.

Agency outlines 4 policies for an innovation nationListen to this article(Photo: 123RF)The National Innovation Agency (NIA) has highlighted four policies for this year as it seeks to transform Thailand into an innovation nation over the long term. The policies include promoting investment in innovative businesses, strengthening linkages across sectors, advancing development of regions and enhancing national competencies. Third, the NIA supports regional innovation development, enhancing local economies and quality of life through the Open Innovation, City and Community Challenge and Social Innovation Villages programmes. Lastly, the agency aims to enhance national innovation competencies, cultivating innovation mindsets, technological and business skills, entrepreneurial thinking and global readiness. The NIA collaborates with domestic and international partners, serving as a conductor of innovation and supporting innovative businesses, said Ms Krithpaka.

Cops raid illegal poker denListen to this articleCHON BURI: Ten people were arrested in a raid on an illegal poker den in Chon Buri, following an investigation into the illegal sale of nitrous oxide, commonly known as "laughing gas". Pol Maj Gen Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, said the raid followed the recent arrest of a Chinese man identified as Da Hua. Police examined photographs and GPS data from the suspect's mobile phone, which led them to a large three-storey house which they believe was being used for illegal gambling. Surveillance later confirmed that more than 10 individuals were regularly gathering at the house to play poker, using chips that were exchanged for cash. All suspects were charged under the Gambling Act for participating in illegal gambling, while the organiser faced additional charges for facilitating the activity.