In the short term, he said this may cause some volatility in global oil prices, but there is no significant risk of prices rising sharply as global oil supply this year is expected to exceed demand. Aat Pisanwanich, an international economics academic, said the crisis in Venezuela may affect global oil prices and global geopolitical tensions. Regarding oil prices, he said two scenarios are possible. This shift would cause both upward and downward fluctuations in global oil prices, said Mr Aat. However, after a year global oil prices are likely to trend downward, especially as Opec is already producing more oil than the global market requires, he said.

The baht is expected to trade in a range of 31.00-31.85 to the US dollar this week. K-Research expects the baht to trade in a range of 31.00-31.60 to the US dollar this week, she said. KTB expects the baht to trade in a range of 31.15-31.85 per dollar this week. However, baht depreciation was partly capped as geopolitical concerns helped support a rebound in gold prices, which recently rebounded back to US$4,400 per ounce. "This situation could influence global oil prices, especially if the US is able to exert greater influence over Venezuela's political landscape and oil industry."

Gold set to gain from Venezuelan upheavalListen to this articleTraders predict gold may return to record-high prices following the US capture of Mr Maduro and threats against other countries, as investors fret about geopolitical risks. "Gold prices seasonally soared 5.6% in January alone without extraordinary events," Ms Siriluck told the Bangkok Post. According to the Gold Traders Association, domestic gold prices surged by 650 baht per baht-weight in early morning trade on Monday. MTS Gold predicts international gold prices could fluctuate by about $100 in short term, potentially hitting $4,450 an ounce as geopolitical risks have intensified. The Stock Exchange of Thailand shrugged off geopolitical risk, rising by more than 1.8% to finish at 1,282.73 points at midday on Monday.

Oil markets shrug off US military intervention in CaracasListen to this articleFuel dispensers for different kinds of fuel at a Bangkok filling station. The US attack on Venezuela has yet to affect global crude oil prices. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)Global crude oil markets revealed little reaction in the immediate aftermath of the US military operation in Venezuela to detain President Nicolás Maduro on Jan 3, says the Thai Energy Ministry. Saudi Arabia was second with 267 billion barrels, followed by Iran with 209 billion barrels. However, US sanctions imposed prior to the pandemic restricted exports from Petróleos de Venezuela, Venezuela's state-owned oil company.

Cane farmers win supportListen to this articleAn agricultural worker harvests sugar cane in Surin province. The Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) has announced measures to support sugar cane farmers affected by the ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia that have disrupted farming activities in five provinces. "The Industry Ministry, sugar factories and cane farmers met in late December to closely monitor the situation and agreed to provide assistance," Mr Bainoy said. Provincial governors will be asked to permit the controlled burning of fields of sugar cane to help enable farmers to detect unexploded devices. The OCSB forecasts sugar cane output at around 90 million tonnes, with sugar production expected to reach 11 million tonnes.

Safeguarding peace after border conflictListen to this article2026 began with good news: Thai–Cambodian ties showed signs of improvement following the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers on the final day of 2025. Worse, public trust across the border remains low, while anguished emotions remain high. Protecting public trust in Thai military through restraintThe Thai armed forces have received strong public endorsement for their response to the conflict. Moderating comments on Thai social mediaThe Thai media must act responsibly in the post-conflict period. Using the Chanthaburi–Pailin border as a building blockThe 89-kilometre border stretch between Chanthaburi and Pailin province in western Cambodia offers a clear opportunity.

North Korea says nuclear forces ready for warListen to this articleThis picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, inspecting a missile launch exercise in Pyongyang. Lee has said he hopes to use his visit to harness China's clout over North Korea to improve Seoul's ties with Pyongyang. On Monday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying the test showed "the readiness of the DPRK's nuclear forces", referring to North Korea by its official name. Pyongyang's activity, he said, was "aimed at gradually putting the nuclear war deterrent on a high-developed basis". They have been deployed to deadly effect last year on cities in Ukraine by Russia, with whom North Korea has deepened ties in recent years, and by Iran against Israel.

BRUSSELS — The European Commission said Monday it is "very seriously looking" into complaints that Elon Musk's AI tool Grok is being used to generate and disseminate sexually explicit childlike images. "Grok is now offering a 'spicy mode' showing explicit sexual content with some output generated with childlike images. But Grok maker xAI, run by Musk, said earlier this month it was scrambling to fix flaws in its AI tool. X still remains under investigation under the EU's Digital Services Act in a probe that began in December 2023. The commission, which acts as the EU's digital watchdog, has also demanded information from X about comments made around the Holocaust.

Listen to this articlePhoto: Nuntaporn KetpongsudaPHETCHABUN - A Thai family has shared their harrowing New Year’s Eve ordeal, caused by a leak in a gas water heater that nearly killed all three of them at a local resort on scenic Phu Thap Boek mountain. The ensuite bathroom was fitted with an LPG water heater and had no exhaust fan or ventilation system. Around 9.30pm, the mother entered the bathroom to shower, increasing the water temperature due to the cold weather. She noticed a faint smell of gas but assumed it was normal, having stayed in places using similar water heaters before. The mother, although suffering a severe headache, dizziness and nausea, was treated and then remained awake caring for her family.

New Year traffic deaths at 241, Phuket and Bangkok worstListen to this articleA motorcyclist receives help at an accident scene in Chon Daen district, Phetchabun, on Sunday. (Photo: Soonthorn Kongwarakom)Traffic accidents killed 241 people during the six days of New Year travel, with Phuket reporting the most accidents and most injured, and Bangkok the most fatalities. Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, deputy director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said on Monday that from Dec 30 to Jan 4 there were 1,364 traffic accidents reported nationwide in which 241 people were killed and 1,313 others were injured. Phuket province had the most accidents, 50, and the most injured people, 53. On Sunday alone there were 175 traffic accidents, 174 injured people and 27 fatalities.

(Photo: Reuters)SHANGHAI — The US assault on Venezuela jolted the global commodity markets, sending gold higher and reinforcing the long-term bearish view on crude oil as investors navigate rising geopolitical tensions to start 2026. The Bloomberg Commodity Index rose 11% last year, its best annual gain since 2022, while crude oil defied the uptrend with a 20% decline on oversupply jitters. Sticker reads crude oil on the side of a storage tank in the Permian Basin in Mentone, Loving County, Texas, the United States, on Nov 22, 2019. (Photo: Reuters)In stark contrast, pessimism about crude oil is building after the attack. Oil prices would be in the high US$50 range per barrel for much of 2026, he added.

Competitiveness hinges on embracing sustainabilityListen to this articleMr Thiraphong says sustainability is key to Thai Union's strategy. For Thailand, competitiveness depends on embracing sustainability and innovation, ensuring industries thrive under evolving global standards and free trade agreements, said Thiraphong Chansiri, chief executive of Thai Union Group Plc. Thai Union sees these challenges as opportunities to push ahead with its Strategy 2030. Mr Thiraphong said the company's vision is clear: strengthen its position as a global seafood leader while driving sustainable growth. "This year will be one of bold action and partnership, with Thai Union ready to create value for stakeholders while contributing to a more sustainable and competitive Thailand."

Microsoft is set to integrate Copilot directly into Microsoft Excel to assist users with formula creation, marking another step in the company’s mission to embed artificial intelligence into the daily workflows of professionals. The primary objective is to simplify the spreadsheet experience, effectively removing the need for users to memorise complex syntax or nested functions. Once the natural language command is entered, Copilot instantly generates a suggested formula and provides a preview of the results. The rollout is also limited in scope, currently available exclusively to Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers using the web version of Excel. As for future updates, including the ability to generate multiple formulas simultaneously, Microsoft said it is currently evaluating user feedback.

Ministry urges calm post-strikesListen to this articleThailand has called for calm amid rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela, urging all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution in line with the UN Charter and international law. In remarks issued yesterday after US air strikes on the Venezuelan capital Caracas late on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged maximum restraint to prevent further escalation and emphasised that "the protection of civilians and respecting the will of the Venezuelan people". The ministry said the Royal Thai Embassy in Lima, which oversees affairs in Venezuela, is maintaining close communication with Thai nationals in the country and has prepared assistance measures should conditions deteriorate. The ministry also advised Thais to closely evaluate the situation and reconsider non-essential travel to Venezuela until tensions ease.

Listen to this articleAn aerial still captured from Google Maps shows the newly built scam centre in Malai city of Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province. (Photo: the Anti-Cyber Scam Centre)Thai authorities have identified a new scam centre in Malai city of Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province, believed to have moved there following recent crackdowns along the Thai-Cambodian border. The compound is situated about 50 kilometres from Poipet township, which borders Sa Kaeo province, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhob Bhuridej, deputy commissioner of the Anti-Cyber Scam Centre (ACSC) and assistant national police chief, said on Monday. “Inside, there are workers from various nationalities, including Thais, Indians and Indonesians, with their supervisors being Chinese nationals,” Pol Lt Gen Jirabhob said. This discovery came after continued collaboration between Thailand, China and Myanmar to combat scam operations along the border, which have led networks to move deeper into Cambodia for safety due to the Thai-Cambodian conflict, he said.