Thailand sets the pace for sport in SEAListen to this articleDr Harald Link, president of the Thailand Equestrian Federation, pictured with board members and winners after the conclusion of the Princess's Cup Thailand 2025. Thailand's equestrian sport concluded 2025 on a high note due to the leadership of the Thailand Equestrian Federation under the Royal Patronage, following the successful staging of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Pattaya and Princess's Cup Thailand 2025 in Bangkok. Shortly after, attention shifted to Bangkok for Princess's Cup Thailand 2025, held from Dec 22–28 at the Royal Horse Guard Equestrian Arena, Cavalry Division 2 (Sanam Pao). Organised by the Thailand Equestrian Federation under the Royal Patronage, the event welcomed riders, officials, and professionals from across Asia and beyond, reinforcing Thailand's position on the international equestrian calendar. A historic highlight of Princess's Cup Thailand 2025 was the introduction of Asia's first Indoor Eventing Cross Country, staged at the Furst Henry Arena.

Royal fund donates B121m to boost border defencesListen to this articleHer Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana has donated 121 million baht from the Hathaitip Fund under the Chulabhorn Foundation for work on border fences and bunkers in seven provinces bordering Cambodia for enhanced public safety, says the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc). The princess made the donation out of concern for the safety of security personnel and residents along the border, Isoc said. The donation was raised through the Hathaitip Fund and allocated to urgent projects intended to strengthen protection along the Thai–Cambodian frontier. The projects are being implemented under the supervision of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters and the Royal Thai Army. The Hathaitip Fund is committed to alleviating hardship and improving public welfare, Isoc said, inviting the public to contribute donations to the fund.

Listen to this articleDechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran in action during their first round match on Wednesday. Since then, the two pairs have met three more times, and the Thai pair has won all of them. In their fifth meeting, the Taiwanese pair started strong in the first game, leading by a significant margin. In the second game, the Taiwanese pair extended their lead to 14-8 before the Thai pair caught up towards the end and ultimately won a 21-18 thriller. In the first day's big upset, Lee Cheuk Yiu dug deep to edge World Tour Finals 2025 champion Christo Popov in a pulsating 74-minute battle.

Election buoys stock market sentimentListen to this articleStock market analysts are hopeful 'election rally' sentiment can lift the Thai bourse this month. Chanat KatanyuThailand's equity market has turned more active in January ahead of the general election, with analysts suggesting an election rally sentiment, though the possibility of renewed border tensions with Cambodia and any delay to the election timeline remain downside risks. Several other brokerages highlighted the same group of equities, reinforcing their status as consensus election rally plays. Maybank Securities (Thailand) also sees election-driven upside, noting that historically the Thai index has delivered an average 4% gain from one month in advance of an election to one month after a poll. Renewed Thai-Cambodian border clashes or an election postponement could trigger negative market reactions.

Call for swift reform of tax incentivesListen to this articleA rapid reform of tax incentives is needed as tax benefits for salaried workers are expected to gradually decline from 2027. Tax benefits for salaried workers will gradually decline from 2027 if long-term savings and investment measures are not improved, says caretaker finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. The combined maximum allowed to be claimed as a tax deduction is 800,000 baht. From 2033, the Revenue Department will stop allowing investment in Thai ESG funds to be claimed as a tax deduction. The TISA structure would provide greater benefits to taxpayers earning under 1.5 million baht per year compared with those earning above that level.

Average headline inflation is expected to rise slightly in 2026, driven by increasing prices of agricultural products and the recovery of the tourism sector, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). The TPSO estimates average headline inflation of 0-1.0%, with a midpoint of 0.5%, rising from a 0.14% contraction in 2025. He said the headline inflation for the first quarter of 2026 will continue its downward trend within the range of -0.5% to 0.0% with a midpoint of -0.25%. Key contributing factors include lower oil prices year-on-year and weak economic demand due to the lack of stimulus measures during the election period. He said Brent crude oil prices have not fluctuated despite these developments.

Central bank anticipates growing uncertaintyListen to this articleThe Bank of Thailand expects the recent US military operation in Venezuela to heighten global uncertainty in three areas -- military, trade and finance -- this year and next. Mr Piti warned the US raid could trigger a new phase of the global trade war. Over the past year, US trade policies have triggered widespread changes in global production networks and international trade structures, he said. On the financial front, the military operation could heighten the risk of volatility in global monetary policy and financial markets, coinciding with an expected change in the US Federal Reserve chair. According to the committee, interest rates among financial institutions and financial markets have declined in line with earlier policy rate cuts.

Democrat PartyFormer prime minister Chuan Leekpai, now a Democrat Party candidate, slammed Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) on Wednesday for urging southern voters to support his party in exchange for budget allocations. Mr Chuan warned such campaigning risks political discrimination and breaches constitutional principles of fairness. "During my time as prime minister, policies were based on the bigger picture, not on favouritism toward any one province," Mr Chuan said. "This type of politics had caused discrimination in the past and should not be repeated," Mr Chuan said. Mr Abhisit touted policies, including a progressive rate for old age pensions, which were launched during his tenure as prime minister.

Voters must verify ID twiceListen to this articlePhasakorn: Voter lists differentVoters will be required to verify their identities twice when voting in the general election and the charter referendum, as the voter lists for the two ballots differ, says the Election Commission (EC). He said advance and out-of-constituency voting are permitted in a general election, but for a referendum, only out-of-constituency voting is allowed, with no advance voting provided. As a result, the list of eligible voters at each polling station is not the same, making separate verification necessary. Mr Phasakorn insisted the proposal to streamline the procedures will be considered, as voter participation is the top priority. Voters who believe a candidate lacks qualifications may also file a complaint with the EC, he said.

PP sticks to guns in backing Pisan for FMListen to this articlePisan: Stances align with partyThe People's Party (PP) on Wednesday defended its plan to appoint veteran diplomat and former senator Pisan Manawapat as foreign minister if it forms the next government, saying his political stances are in line with the party's direction. The PP leader said questions about Mr Pisan's personal political beliefs should be directed to the man himself while noting the PP is open to different ideas and looks for consensus. On concerns that Mr Pisan is not qualified to take a cabinet post as two years have not yet passed since he left the Senate, Mr Natthaphong said the party had reviewed the issue and discussed it with Mr Pisan. He said Mr Pisan may not be able to take up a ministerial position immediately if the party forms a government, but he would be eligible once the required legal timeframe has passed. Mr Pisan was unveiled as the second member of the party's "people's government" management team this week as a foreign affairs minister candidate.

'Big Joke' bribery case now rests in NACC's handsListen to this articleSurachate: Case handled swiftlyThe bribery case involving former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, or "Big Joke", is now under the authority of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), with police ready to arrange witness testimony and forward additional evidence without bias, said Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat Pankaeo, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, on Wednesday. Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said police are awaiting instructions from the NACC on whether the case file will be returned for further inquiry. Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat also welcomed the NACC's decision to remove a commissioner implicated in the case from supervisory duties over relevant investigation units, calling it a positive step that would strengthen public confidence. Addressing public attention surrounding Pol Gen Surachate's former aide, Pol Col Phakphum Phisamai, Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said the officer had suffered severe stress due to pressure and reputational damage. All witness testimony will be assessed alongside forensic and financial evidence, to ensure credibility, Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said.

Listen to this articleThe Pheu Thai Party vowed on Wednesday to promote multiculturalism and listen to proposals from the Muslim community during its election campaign in Bangkok and Nonthaburi. The party's main prime ministerial candidate, Yodchanan Wongsawat, highlighted the two issues in the hopes of cashing in on votes from this influential demographic. Kittiphon Ruayfuphun, the party's candidate for Bangkok Constituency 25, also joined the visit. Mr Yodchanan said he was accompanied by Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party responsible for overseeing Bangkok constituencies, along with party candidates representing the area. Pheu Thai said it welcomed proposals from Muslim communities and would consider them in developing policy initiatives aimed at benefiting society and the country as a whole.

Listen to this articleDr Tanupol Virunhagarun, the chief executive officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited, explains a chart on ageing. Wisuttipong RodpaiHealth and wellness are increasingly viewed as a new form of luxury, driving lifestyle changes and fuelling rapid growth across global well-being industries this year. In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Dr Tanupol Virunhagarun, chief executive of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, said the wellness trend will continue expanding over the next five years worldwide. The country remains among the world's top wellness destinations, ranking 15th last year, though down from seventh in 2019. "We want to rebrand the country as 'Wellness Thailand -- the Land of Life', which can't happen if a majority of people can't achieve good health."

UTN launches Isan campaignListen to this articleThe United Thai Nation (UTN) Party has launched its "Isan Must Be Better" campaign, which it says will improve the livelihoods of citizens in the Northeast by reducing electricity and fuel costs and addressing household economic hardships. Mr Pirapan said he had assigned Mr Kriangkraimas to present the party's energy policy, which aims to reduce living expenses and ease the financial burden on citizens in the region. Mr Kriangkraimas said that these policies represent a promise from Mr Pirapan to create real change, reduce expenses and tangibly improve people's quality of life. We are serious, and we will fulfil our promises," Mr Kriangkraimas said. Mr Pirapan said lower energy costs are central to improving the economy, and one of his party's central policies is to help those whose occupations depend on gas.

Syria govt demands Kurdish fighters leave Aleppo neighbourhoodsListen to this articleThousands fled the Kurdish-dominated neighbourhoods of Aleppo in SyriaALEPPO (SYRIA) - Syria's government on Wednesday demanded that Kurdish fighters leave the neighbourhoods they control in Aleppo following clashes between the two sides which saw thousands of civilians flee. In a statement, the government expressed its "demand for the withdrawal of armed groups from the Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh neighbourhoods". The Syrian military shelled the neighbourhoods after declaring them "closed military zones" from 1200 GMT. A military source at the scene told AFP the ongoing operation was "limited" and aimed at "pressuring Kurdish fighters in the two neighbourhoods to leave the area so the authorities can extend their control to the entire city". Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh have remained under the control of Kurdish units linked to the SDF, despite Kurdish fighters agreeing to withdraw from the areas in April.