Thai vocational student teams claimed multiple awards at the 18th International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest in Harbin, China on Wednesday. Of the four participating schools from Thailand, two teams — Chiangrai Vocational College and Saowabha Vocational College — shared first prize, according to the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (Ovec). The competition drew 49 teams from China, England, Thailand, Portugal, Switzerland, Macau, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Ukraine. The first and second runners-up were Ubon Ratchathani Vocational College and Saraburi Vocational College, respectively. Also in 2025: Thai students triumph with ice sculptures in Harbin

Australia win final Test to seal 4-1 Ashes triumph over EnglandListen to this articleCameron Green and Alex Carey celebrate winning the final Ashes Test against England in Sydney. (Photo: AFP)SYDNEY - Australia won the final Ashes Test against England by five wickets on Thursday to seal a dominant 4-1 victory after a gruelling series, sending the retiring Usman Khawaja out on a high. For England it was the final chapter in a miserable series. “That’s Ashes cricket. “The whole Test match I found it hard to control my emotions,” Khawaja added after his 88th and final appearance on the Test stage.

Listen to this articlePhasakorn Siriphakayaporn, deputy secretary-general of the Election Commission, says voters’ lists for the general election and the referendum differ, resulting in the need for two ID checks. Voters will be required to verify their identities twice when voting in the general election and the constitutional referendum on Feb 8, as the voter lists for the two ballots differ, says the Election Commission (EC). The agency understands the inconvenience, but such a requirement is necessary because the election and the referendum have different procedures, said Phasakorn Siriphakayaporn, deputy secretary-general of the EC. He said advance and out-of-constituency voting are permitted in a general election, but for a referendum, out-of-constituency voting is allowed but advance voting provided. The EC says 2,262,643 people had registered to vote on Feb 1, while only 1,598,056 had registered for out-of-constituency voting in the Feb 8 referendum.

The expansive One Bangkok development will be transformed into "The Kids' Imaginarium", inviting young participants to use their creativity to design and construct their city of tomorrow. Curated by the BICT Festival and Poon Poon theatre company, the "Art Performance For Kids" comprises four shows to bring smiles and laughter. They include a fairy-tale story by Cream Bangkok at 2pm, a mime show by Annuts at 3pm, a creative performance from Poon Poon theatre at 4.30pm and a magic show by VK.Vich at 5.30pm. There is no admission fee to the "One Town" and "Art Performance For Kids", while the remaining activities are for One Bangkok and Traveller members. Children will receive complimentary popcorn and cotton candy (limited availability).

The largest state of Malaysia, Sarawak has a complex history. "It is like a little-bit-polished diamond," said Louis. Discovering ancestral rootsAn hour by road from Kuching, the Sarawak Cultural Village sits in the foothills of Mount Santubong. An indigenous performance at the Sarawak Cultural Village. Hardship in China forced people to emigrate to Southeast Asia, including Sarawak.

Kannavee backs ethnic minoritiesListen to this articleKannavee Suebsang, leader of the Movement Party, promised his party would restore dignity to ethnic minorities by granting them citizenship and farmland. Mr Kannavee also visited a Hmong community in tambon Tub Tao, where he reiterated the party's mission to improve the quality of life for highland ethnic communities. He said the time had come to return equality and human dignity to all citizens, regardless of ethnic background. Ethnic communities across Thailand were facing similar systemic challenges, he said, mainly stemming from state neglect of their rights and dignity. Mr Kannavee said state power structures had historically marginalised ethnic populations, treating them as second-tier citizens.

Army set to host event for childrenListen to this articleThe Royal Thai Army will host a special National Children's Day celebration on Saturday at its headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The event invites children and young people to learn about the role of soldiers up close under this year's theme, "Love Thailand, Care for the World". Children will also be able to take part in skill-building activities, while families can enjoy music, games and giveaways. Army units nationwide will organise parallel events, including the 2nd Army Area at Suranaree Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima, the 3rd Army Area at Somdet Phra Ekathotsarot Camp in Phitsanulok, and the 4th Army Area at Sirindhorn Camp in Pattani. The initiative aims to inspire young people, support their development and strengthen ties between the military and the public, reinforcing the Army's role as "the people's soldiers".

People's Party battles shift in voter moodListen to this articlePeople’s Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun joins candidates as they register for the Feb 8 election, in Bangkok on Dec 27. So far, the timing does not appear propitious for the People's Party, the winner of the 2023 national election under the now-defunct Move Forward Party banner. Within Thailand's political landscape, the People's Party is widely seen as a progressive force, championing welfare policies and institutional reform. In my view, the People's Party should resist the temptation to shoot for the moon. Perhaps it is time for the People's Party to fine-tune its electoral platform.

Trump's Greenland logic rattles Europe, NatoListen to this articleA man walks as a Danish flag flutters next to a Hans Egede statue ahead of a general election in Nuuk, Greenland on March 11 last year. And Mr Trump has now used the policy to justify his audacious intervention in Venezuela, showing just how far he will go. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland." Still, Mr Trump's recent actions have cast his Greenland fixation in a new light. The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, also downplayed comparisons between Mr Trump's designs on Venezuela and Greenland.

In 2026, Thailand's overriding economic challenge will not be growth but debt repayment. In 2026, the Thai economy may edge close to crisis, not because of contraction per se, but because of an inability to service debt. This persistent shortfall has contributed to Thailand's high household debt, which stands at 87.7% of GDP -- the ninth highest globally. Household debt figures exclude informal borrowing and credit not supervised by the BoT, such as micro- and pico-loans. When informal debt is included, household debt likely exceeds 100% of GDP.

Listen to this articlePhotographers take pictures of visitors in Thai costumes at Wat Arun in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Photographers from Thai costume rental shops at Wat Arun in Bangkok are now required to take training in “manners” after complaints about improper behaviour. The management of the famous Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn) on Wednesday night apologised for recent incidents that had caused inconvenience or discomfort, saying it had reviewed rules at the temple. The announcement was a response to reports that local photographers shooed other visitors away when taking pictures of clients dressed in traditional Thai costumes. “Photographers who provide photography services within the Temple grounds are affiliated with Thai costume rental shops and are required to undergo training in proper conduct and appropriate practices in accordance with the Temple’s regulations before being permitted to provide photography services within the Temple,” Wat Arun said on its Facebook page.

Bills big chance at the Super BowlListen to this article(Photo: AFP)Will this be the season that the Buffalo Bills finally, in the words once sung by The Doors' Jim Morrison, "break on through to the other side"? In four of the last five seasons, Buffalo have been ousted from the playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs, three times in the AFC title game. And with AFC postseason newbies Denver, Jacksonville and resurgent New England all having limited playoff experience, things should be falling into place for a Bill's Super Bowl trip and win, right? Perhaps contributing to Allen's down season -- for him -- is the lack of a game-breaking Bills wide receiver. Small wonder, then, the title of a Morrison biography, No One Gets Out of Here Alive, could also once again apply to the Buffalo Bills postseason appearance.

Governor says issues reported on Traffy Fondue platform will be addressed promptlyListen to this articleAn election campaign sign lies on top of a vehicle parked at a red light after falling over in Pathum Wan district of Bangkok. (Photo: screenshot from TikTok account @coachtoon)Bangkok has opened a special channel via the Traffy Fondue platform for reporting obstructions or safety hazards caused by election signs, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Wednesday. Since the campaign for the Feb 8 general election began last month, several people have taken to online platforms to complain about sign-related issues. Mr Chadchart said a special sign-related channel had been added to Traffy Fondue, the popular online platform used by the public to report problems in Bangkok. The governor said campaign signs must not obstruct traffic routes, cause nuisance or block traffic visibility.

Medical welfare boost for armed services, policeListen to this articleThe National Health Security Board has approved policy guidelines to ensure continued healthcare coverage for military personnel, conscripts and their families, including access to treatment at military hospitals, Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said on Wednesday. He said the board reviewed measures to strengthen medical welfare for soldiers, police, state officials, conscripts and their families affected by national security operations, particularly following recent unrest along the Thai–Cambodian border. Under the new approach, they will continue to receive the same level of medical benefits even after leaving government service. Family members who hold universal healthcare coverage will be allowed to receive treatment at military hospitals, in the same way as conscripts, until the soldier is discharged from service. The move is intended to ease the burden on families and provide reassurance during the conscription period, the board said.

Party touts novel childcare coupons to woo votersListen to this articleThai Sang Thai has unveiled the party's flagship welfare policy under its "tireless Thais" campaign, including a 2,000-baht monthly childcare coupon for mothers until a child reaches six years of age. The party announced it will issue childcare coupons worth 2,000 baht per month starting from pregnancy until the child turns six -- a period it calls the "golden window" for optimal brain and physical development. The coupons will be able to be redeemed for milk, vitamins and other essential childcare products under close medical supervision and doctor recommendations within the programme. The policy aims to ensure Thai children are well-nourished while reducing parents' financial strain. The party said the initiative is a strategic national investment to build human capital and incentivise married couples to have children.