Somchai criticises EC's 'biased' infoListen to this articleSomchai SwangkarnFormer senator Somchai Swangkarn has urged the Election Commission (EC) to suspend the distribution of referendum information materials to households nationwide, arguing that the content is biased for portraying the 2017 constitution as undemocratic. On Facebook yesterday, he questioned whether the EC lacked neutrality in its public information campaign ahead of the charter referendum vote on Feb 8. Third, he said the EC materials selectively highlighted "advantages" that, in his view, amounted to biased interpretation and misinformation. He argued that such framing implicitly encouraged voters to support scrapping the entire 2017 constitution and replacing it as a whole, despite what he described as "contrary facts". He warned the original materials continued to create confusion and could still be seen as guiding voters towards approving the repeal of the 2017 constitution.

Anti-military tag harms PP poll hopesListen to this articleRakchanok Srinork, 31, an activist-turned party-list election candidate for the People's Party, campaigns for the election. have repeatedly been cited by critics to reinforce the image of the People's Party as anti-military. The party has tried hard to convince voters that it is neither anti-military nor unpatriotic in its stance on defence affairs. During his current visit to the United States to woo overseas voters, Mr Pita has offered an apology for his controversial remarks. People's Party leader Natthaphong has objected to the fencing plan, arguing it would not prevent border incursions or cross-border smuggling.

SET casts aside taboosListen to this articleThe Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is on the cusp of a progressive reform that could inject much-needed vitality into our capital market. Recent statements from SET chairman Prof Kitipong Urapeepatanapong show the SET is ready to change long-standing reservations by letting alcohol beverage producers list shares and conduct initial public offerings (IPOs). A stock exchange listing neither advertises products nor expands distribution or weakens consumption controls. Patterns of alcohol consumption are the outcome of excise taxes, advertising bans and strict sales-hour regulations, not SET listing status. Let Thailand open its gates to a stronger, more inclusive capital market and a truly resilient economy.

Who is next for the United States? "He's a sick man who likes making cocaine and sending it to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long," according to The Donald (who is lying about Mr Petro.) "Nobody's going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland," said Steve Miller confidently, and that's true. "If the United States decides to militarily attack another Nato country," warned Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, "then everything would stop. A post-Nato alliance including every country except the United States would probably reform, but the enemy would be different.

National Gallery Singapore presents an exhibition of five women reshaping art in Southeast Asia. They developed their practice during a period when women in Southeast Asia were navigating patriarchal norms. (Photo: National Gallery Singapore)Horikawa Lisa, senior curator at National Gallery Singapore, said artists in Southeast Asia exercise power through art that is grounded in lived experience. In this exhibition, women have used artistic practice to respond to social and political realities and to imagine ways of living and working otherwise. Inspired by Dolorosa Sinaga's sculpture Fear No Power (2003), the exhibition celebrates participating artists' fearlessness in their artistic journeys.

Art enthusiasts are invited to celebrate the nation's artistic and intellectual heritage during "Life And Bronze", which is running on the 2nd and 3rd floor of Museum Pier until Feb 15. The exhibition features masterful bronze sculptures alongside valuable records and contributions of Paitun Muangsomboon, a legendary sculptor and national artist known for his lifelike works. While most sculptors of his era focused on human figures or monuments, Paitun stood apart for bringing animals to life in his sculptural practice. Available at the event are shirts featuring Prof Silpa Bhirasri's signature lines, Paitun's works and figurines for enthusiasts to collect. Museum Pier is located at ThaaChang Wangluang, Maharaj Road, and opens daily from 9am to 5pm.

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre invites visitors to explore a new way of co-existence with nature during "Land Art And Non-Human Beings", which is running at its Main Exhibition Gallery on the 7th floor until Feb 22. This is the second part of "Undo Planet", an international exhibition held in collaboration with Space for Contemporary Art and Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange that uses art as a medium to examine possibilities for storing nature. For this project, many artists wrestle with the issue of global climate change, offering various attempts and suggestions as to how our crisis-stricken Earth might be restored. It examines nature as something to co-exist with rather than something that must be overcome. On showcase are works of land art from the 1960s and 1970s to more recent years by 13 artists.

However, these pressures are unlikely to translate into a uniform surge in insurance premiums across the market, said Mr Korunic. "Premium movements will be more selective and differentiated, depending on how effectively insurers manage risk, design coverage and leverage data and technology." For insurers, the key challenge is to balance affordability with long-term protection value, while continuing to build trust through transparency and simplicity, said Mr Korunic. Insurance products that are difficult to understand or feel disconnected from everyday life will "struggle to resonate", he said. "Insurers who can make coverage easier to understand, easier to buy and easier to claim will earn long-term trust."

As Bangkok's prime districts experience a surge in premium Grade A towers, older office buildings face a "lease or die" ultimatum. Landlords of older buildings now face intense pressure to be more flexible, positioning their assets to meet evolving tenant expectations. "Addressing odour and cleanliness through adequate maintenance can significantly enhance the perceived quality of an older building," she said. "This approach improves tenant satisfaction and allows older buildings to compete with the extensive facilities found in newer developments." "Mixed-use developments help landlords diversify income streams, mitigating the financial risks of a volatile office market," said Mr Veeravit.

Engineer preaches rooftop solar safetyListen to this articleHomes equipped with solar rooftops at a residential project in Phuket developed by Supalai. Contractors for rooftop solar installation must register with the Council of Engineers Thailand to enhance consumer confidence on safety, according to the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT). Mr Techatat said an influx of rooftop solar products from foreign players, particularly from China, have increased accessibility in Thailand, but also hindered some aspects of installation. "Safety is a top priority for rooftop solar," he told the Bangkok Post. He said the position for rooftop solar installation is also crucial, especially to avoid flooding.

However, China still needs to react to the US's actions in order to maintain its role in Latin America, he said. In 2025, China's trade with Latin American countries tallied US$518 billion, up 6% year-on-year. Meanwhile, US trade with Latin America excluding Mexico totalled only $365 billion, compared with more than $800 billion in trade with Mexico alone. China recently financed a railway project linking Brazil to Peru's newly developed Chancay Port, designed to transport commodities from Latin America to China. "It is unclear what the US can actually offer Latin America.

Listen to this articleThai gold medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn poses with the Malaysia Open trophy after winning the men's singles final against China's Shi Yuqi. AFPKunlavut Vitidsarn got off to a perfect start to the year after he claimed his first-ever Super 1000 title at the season-opening Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Since his first Super 1000 appearance in 2020, the Thai went on to play 17 more, reaching the semi-finals on four occasions. In winning his eighth World Tour title, Kunlavut has become champion on all four levels (Super 300, 500, 750 and 1000) of the BWF World Tour. Top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated second seeds Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin 21-19, 21-19 in an all-Chinese clash to be crowned the mixed doubles champions.

Listen to this articleAustralia notched up a world first last December when it imposed a nationwide social media ban on users under 16 through the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill. The Ipsos Education Monitor 2025 found 87% of respondents in Thailand believe children under 14 should not be allowed to use social media. Denmark plans to ban social media for under-15s, while Norway is considering a similar move. By contrast, a 2024 attempt in Utah to restrict social media access for under-18s without parental consent was blocked by a federal judge. Many parents argue the rule is difficult to align with daily family routines, while some students continue accessing social media through school tablets or computers.

Listen to this articleGen Rangsi Kitiyansap, the Economic Party leader and its sole PM candidate. Economic PartyGen Rangsi Kitiyansap, 62, is a retired army general and leader of the Economic Party. On April 26 last year, during the annual general meeting of the former Zendai Party, Gen Rangsi was elected as party leader following the resignation of Chris Potranandana. The same day, the party formally changed its name to the Economic Party, with Gen Rangsi as leader and Mr Chris assuming the role of party chairman. By placing myself at number 10, I can focus on executing large-scale economic megaprojects, such as infrastructure and logistics initiatives.

Facial scan to prevent health fund fraudListen to this articleThe National Health Security Office (NHSO) will roll out facial scan verification on Monday as part of an upgrade to the Universal Health Coverage scheme, with the goal of preventing fraud. Deputy government spokeswoman Aiyarin Phanrit said the NHSO will use facial recognition technology to verify requests from patients seeking healthcare services at medical and dental clinics, pharmacies, physiotherapy clinics, medical technology clinics and Thai traditional medicine clinics. The NHSO says 3,551 facilities have completed system reactivation comprising 2,120 pharmacies, 887 dental clinics, 381 medical clinics and 163 physiotherapy clinics. NHSO secretary-general Dr Jadej Thammatacharee said facial scan verification is mandatory and directly linked to reimbursement. "If identity verification through facial scanning is not completed, the system cannot process payment," he said, adding the measure is essential to prevent the misuse of public funds.