Exports rose to 21.55 million tonnes from 18.05 million in 2024, close to the 2022 record of 22.3 million tonnes, the official said. Non-basmati rice shipments jumped 25% to 15.15 million tonnes, while basmati ‌exports ​increased 8% to a record 6.4 million tonnes, the official said. Non-basmati rice shipments rose sharply to Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Djibouti. India usually exports more ⁠rice than the combined shipments of the world’s next ​three largest exporters: Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan. In the first 11 months of ​2025, Thai rice shipments dropped 21% year-on-year to 7.3 million tonnes, with the value down 30.3%.

(Photo: Central Investigation Bureau)Three Chinese nationals accused of orchestrating a massive investment fraud that cheated 10,000 victims out of 7 billion baht have been arrested in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The suspects were wanted on warrants issued by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security on charges of illegally accepting deposits from the public. Police question two Chinese fraud suspects at a condominium in Bangkok during a raid on Friday. Chinese authorities later revoked the suspects’ travel documents and coordinated with Thai authorities, leading to their arrest. Mr Yang and Mr Wang said that they had kept a very low profile in Thailand, living in a condominium, rarely going out or socialising, and stockpiling supplies in their rooms to avoid detection.

Annual interest rates on credit cards in the US range between 21% and 24%. Lawmakers from ‌both the Democratic and Republican parties have raised concerns about high interest rates and have called for those to be addressed. “Please be informed that we will no longer let the American Public be ‘ripped off’ by Credit Card Companies,” he added. “Begging credit card companies to play nice is a joke. Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Republican Anna Paulina Luna have also introduced a ⁠House of Representatives bill to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, reflecting bipartisan interest in addressing high rates.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has released a brief teaser for a promotional campaign starring Thai K-pop superstar Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal that it will launch later this month. The year-long campaign, with Lisa as Amazing Thailand Ambassador, is being staged under the theme “Feel All The Feelings”, according to the TAT. The full video is scheduled to be released on Jan 28 at an official launch event and on all the Amazing Thailand online platforms. The tourism ambassador campaign will feature stories about Lisa’s return to Thailand, portraying a journey of rest and renewal, the TAT said. Lisa will appear in a 60-second TV commercial, and the TAT plans to produce additional 30- and 15-second clips from it.

(Photos: Government House)National Children’s Day celebrations got under way at Government House on Saturday amid a lively atmosphere, with a one-year-old girl the first child to sit in the Prime Minister’s chair this year. The first, second and third children to sit in the PM's chair on 2026 National Children's Day. Nong Chompoo was followed by her 15-year-old brother, Chanachok “Chok” Saenmuk, and eight-year-old Thapat “Heng Heng” Phurod from Lat Krabang district in Bangkok. A large crowd queues to enter the Children’s Day event, with the family of young Nong Chompoo first in line, at Government House on Saturday morning. Related: PM backs Children’s Day message

Ten-man Thailand show grit in defeatListen to this articleThailand's Oussama Thiangkham, right, controls the ball during the match against Australia. Despite the setback, Thailand showed commendable resilience. FAT chief admits failingsFootball Association of Thailand (FAT) president Nualphan Lamsam has publicly apologised to the Olympic Committee of Thailand after the national sides failed to deliver gold at the 33rd SEA Games. Thailand, as hosts, had targeted four gold medals but managed only two silvers in men's football and futsal, plus two bronzes in the women's competitions. She also admitted that the generous foreign player quotas in the domestic leagues have diminished opportunities for Thai footballers, weakening the national pool.

Damnoen Saduak restaurant owner cites high costs but agrees to lower them after visit from officialsListen to this articleThe Damnoen Saduak floating market is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ratchaburi province. (Bangkok Post file photo)A plain omelette costing 400 baht and other dishes featuring sky-high prices at a restaurant in the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market in Ratchaburi have become the target of tourist complaints. During the recent Year holiday, 14 shops at the market were prosecuted for not displaying menu prices, Mr Thoranin said. The Damnoen Saduak case calls to mind a complaint last year against the Bangkok celebrity chef Jay Fai. She was fined after a customer complained that she paid 4,000 baht for the famous crab omelette at the Michelin-starred eatery.

The report was written by a research group in Seoul commissioned by the Transport Ministry as part of its official investigation into the crash. But the simulation report suggests that the landing could have been successful except for the wall. Report ‘shocking’, says lawmakerThe findings were first shared privately with lawmakers on the National Assembly’s special committee, which has audited the crash investigation since late last month. Kim Gihun, director-general of the South Korean investigation board, confirmed that the board had submitted the report to the committee. Some relatives questioned why the report concluded that the most recent concrete addition to the wall did not cause fatalities.

HP (Hewlett-Packard) has unveiled the EliteBoard G1a Next Gen AI PC, a remarkably slim and lightweight keyboard with an integrated computer system, scheduled for release in March this year. This led to the question: "If an external monitor is already being used, why not put the computer inside the keyboard?" To appeal to professional typists, the EliteBoard G1a features tuned key travel to replicate a desktop experience and includes a full numpad. The HP EliteBoard G1a Next Gen AI PC is expected to be available on HP.com in March. Source: HPPhoto: HP.comPhoto: HP.comPhoto: HP.comPhoto: HP.com

Listen to this articleAn Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team uses machinery to excavate a shell crater beside a concrete road in Ban Nong Ree, Trat province, on Thursday. (Photo: JAKKRIT WAEWKLAYHONG)State security forces have stepped up explosive clearance operations in Trat and Buri Ram following Cambodian shelling during the Dec 7–27 conflict last year, amid lingering fears of renewed border clashes. Royal Thai Navy divers and the Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, working alongside the Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) and Trat provincial police, carried out disposal operations in Ban Nong Ree, Muang district in Trat on Thursday. Village head Napatchara Rattanawan said at least 28 shell craters had been recorded in Ban Nong Ree alone due to the latest round of hostilities. The discoveries have heightened anxiety among border residents, many of whom have kept belongings packed amid fears of another round of fighting.

Asian shares rangebound as investors await US newsListen to this articleRECAP: Asian equities traded in a narrow range yesterday after two days of losses, as investors awaited US economic data and a possible Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump's tariffs later in the day. The Indian government has forecast 2026 economic growth of 7.4%, the highest in the world, accelerating from 6.5% in 2025. ‌The Ministry of Commerce forecasts inflation for 2026 will be between zero and 1%, after a decline of 0.14% in 2025. The Thai Bond Market Association reported outstanding Thai debt securities at the end of 2025 at 17.9 trillion baht, up 4.7% year-on-year. In the US, investors will monitor retail sales, producer prices, existing home sales and oil inventories.

Thai firms told to look for Indian business opportunitiesListen to this articleMrs Suphajee has discussions with executives of the Tata Group in India. The Commerce Ministry is encouraging Thai businesses to explore opportunities within India's supply chains in green construction, real estate and e-commerce. Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun led Thai delegates to a meeting with Tata Group executives on Jan 8 in Mumbai, India to discuss concrete collaboration to connect the Thai private sector with Indian companies and their platforms. "We discussed how Thai businesses can be a piece in the jigsaw of Tata Group's operations in e-commerce, construction materials and other emerging businesses," she said. Moreover, they shared insights on the steel industry, artificial intelligence, and zero-waste initiatives, all of which are key areas for Tata Group.

SET hoping for an election-related boostListen to this articleThe Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) ended December little changed from the month before, but down 10% annually after another disappointing year. A decision by Opec+ not to increase oil production in the first quarter of 2026 lifted oil prices by almost 3% as concerns about a surplus eased. JANUARY OUTLOOKWe are quite positive about the election and believe overall sentiment on the SET in January should be positive. We believe oil prices will move sideways for most of the year with risk of added supply from Opec+ and Venezuela depressing oil prices. TASCO, on the other hand, will be a beneficiary from declining oil prices.

KuCoin platform passes SEC inspectionListen to this articleThe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has confirmed customer assets held by ERX Co Ltd, the operator of the digital asset exchange known commercially as KuCoin Thailand, remain safe following an on-site inspection conducted after the company's temporary suspension of operations. The SEC carried out the inspection after ordering ERX to temporarily halt its digital asset business from Jan 3 as the company failed to maintain regulatory capital levels as required under Thailand's digital asset regulations. The regulator emphasised that protecting customer assets was its top priority and confirmed that, as of Jan 6, all client assets were secure. They underscore the importance of robust risk management and liquidity buffers in the digital asset industry," the SEC said. The SEC said it will continue to monitor ERX and take further action if necessary to safeguard investor interests and uphold confidence in Thailand's digital asset market.

Will lightning strike twice? Thailand is heading towards a general election on Feb 8, and the stakes for the main opposition People's Party (PP) could hardly be higher. Its platform -- centred on political reform, reduced military influence and expanded social welfare -- continues to resonate with these groups. Yet the lesson of 2023 remains stark: in Thailand's parliamentary system, a plurality of seats does not guarantee control of government. There is little indication these parties would relinquish such advantages simply because the opposition secures more seats.