State agencies urged to take action on exchange rateListen to this articleRelevant government agencies, including the Bank of Thailand, are being advised to take quick action to ensure the baht remains at an appropriate level. GOLD FACTORCentral bank governor Vitai Ratanakorn said the baht appreciated past 31 to the dollar on Wednesday, driven mainly by a surge in gold prices. "The baht's strength exceeds levels justified by economic fundamentals and is primarily influenced by a surge in gold prices," he said. Gold trading volume accounts for about 35% of total foreign exchange-related transactions, while foreign capital inflows have added upward pressure on the baht. Mr Vitai said the central bank is monitoring gold trading conducted via digital platforms using baht.

SEC to expand digital asset frameworkListen to this articleThe Thai regulator is planning to unveil new rules this year that support digital asset investment. The SEC also wants to expand the use of digital tokens for investment, moving beyond existing investment tokens to include bond tokens and tokenised fund units. The SEC board already approved crypto ETFs in principle and is now finalising detailed investment and operational rules, she said. Close cooperation is required between asset management companies and licensed digital asset exchanges, enabling jointly developed products that can eventually be listed and traded on the SET, said Ms Jomkwan. In 2025, digital asset operators suspended 47,692 mule accounts, reflecting intensified enforcement efforts.

Strong baht may crimp bookingsListen to this articleWith the baht strengthening against the US dollar, surpassing 31 to the greenback for the first time in almost five years, it should impact forward bookings for the next few months and during the low season, discouraging tourist spending. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said travel agents have expressed concern about the strong baht, which has been an obstacle since last year for many markets, including the US, Russia, Europe and Japan. Hotels this high season have raised room rates by only around 5% year-on-year due to the strong baht and pressure from rising costs, he said. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the strong baht will likely hamper forward bookings in the upcoming months. He said meeting and business groups often have short lead times and tend to require 3-4 times the budget of leisure travel, making their visits more expensive with a strong baht.

Interest rates nudge banks to record varied resultsListen to this articleAn employee counts bundles of 1,000-baht banknotes. Declining interest rates resulted in some banks recording lower operating results in 2025. Apichart JinakulLarge local banks posted mixed operating results in 2025, attributed to a decrease in interest income as rates declined, as well as heightened uncertainties. Meanwhile, net interest income (NII) declined in line with lower interest rates and slower loan growth. Although net interest margin compression following larger policy rate cuts than expected pressured interest income, a recovery in non-interest income, disciplined cost control and lower expected credit losses helped offset the impact of softer interest income.

Reform network chief seeks to axe referendumListen to this articleWirangrong Dabbaransi, chair of the University Network for National Reform, has petitioned the Administrative Court to annul the government's decision to hold a national referendum on Feb 8, arguing that the process used to set the date is unlawful, unconstitutional and violates citizens' rights and freedoms. She argued the process contravenes the Referendum Act 2021 due to unlawful procedures and failure to comply with mandatory legal requirements. First, she said the motion proposal and voting procedures failed to comply with essential steps prescribed under the Referendum Act and parliamentary regulations, rendering the process legally flawed. Second, she argued that the referendum date was set outside the legally mandated timeframe. In addition, she said the referendum would result in a massive waste of public funds if conducted without a proper legal basis.

SRT finishes repairing tracks after crane collapseListen to this articleWreckage at the site where a train was derailed when a construction crane collapsed and fell onto its carriages, causing several casualties, in Sikhiu district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, January 14, 2026. REUTERSThe State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has finished repairing a stretch of railway track in Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima province in the wake of a fatal crane collapse that struck a passenger train on Jan 14, killing 30 people, while a parallel technical investigation moves towards identifying the causes and accountability. The SRT said the damaged and twisted rails had been replaced with 36 metres of new track after the contractor, Italian-Thai Development Plc, removed all remaining crane debris from above the line on Tuesday. Despite the repairs being finished on the afternoon of the same day, the SRT cancelled a planned temporary resumption of services, citing safety concerns as burned-out carriages remained at the site. Green netting has since been installed to cover the wreckage, while further inspections and plans to remove the damaged carriages are under discussion.

Listen to this articleJade Donavanik, the Rak Chart Party's PM candidate. Rak Chart PartyThe Rak Chart Party has issued a firm warning ahead of Thailand's Feb 8, 2026, general election: it will not join any government tainted by corruption, grey-zone dealings, or improper political bargaining. Asked how Rak Chart differs from traditionally conservative parties, Mr Jade pointed first to its demographics. Coalition Red LineWhen asked under what conditions Rak Chart would join a government, Mr Jade was unequivocal. Even if excluded from government, Rak Chart vows to act as a watchdog -- inside or outside parliament.

Diplomatic protest filed over letterListen to this articleThailand has lodged a formal diplomatic protest with Cambodia following the publication of an open letter by a Cambodian senator, which the government says crossed diplomatic boundaries. "The open letter published by Cambodian media politicising the Thai monarchy is highly inappropriate and reflects an unfortunate lack of sound judgement," he said. Mr Nikondej said Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow had instructed the ministry to move swiftly to clarify Thailand's position, issue a formal letter of protest to the Cambodian government, and send written responses to the Cambodian media outlet involved. According to Mr Sihasak, the publication amounts to interference in Thailand's internal affairs and contravenes basic diplomatic etiquette, the Asean charter, and Clause 6 of the joint statement signed by both sides on Dec 27, 2025, which commits them to each refrain from actions or statements that could provoke heightened tensions. Thailand has urged Cambodia to ensure senior figures in its government and parliament exercise restraint, refrain from issuing provocative statements, and sincerely adhere to bilateral commitments to rebuild mutual trust.

BJT savages co-payment planListen to this articleA countdown sign for the election is displayed by the Bang Sue district office in the Saphan Kwai area, encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote in the election and referendum on Feb 8. Nutthawat WichieanbutPheu Thai's launch of its new co-payment policy, branded "More Than Plus 70:30", has drawn sharp criticism from its chief rival, the Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party, which has questioned the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposal. Pheu Thai's proposal would see the state cover 70% of spending and consumers just 30%, a much higher subsidy than the 50:50 cost-sharing model used in the BJT-led "Half-Half Plus" scheme. The party said the existing Half-Half Plus scheme only lifted GDP growth by about 0.2% in 2025. According to details on Pheu Thai's Facebook page, funds would be distributed to a wider target group, namely all Thai nationals aged 16 and above.

Bhumjaithai PartyBhumjaithai Party (BJT) leader Anutin Charnvirakul brushed aside a projection by the Nida Poll director that the party would win up to 150 seats in the general election, saying the figure was "too low". Mr Anutin said on Wednesday BJT was fighting hard in every constituency and that the Nida estimate fell short of the party's internal target. However, he said opinion polls were useful benchmarks for assessing how well the party's campaign was performing. Earlier, in a television interview, Suvicha Pouaree, director of the Nida Poll Centre, said BJT was surging and expected to secure between 140 and 150 seats. On his first campaign visit to the northeastern region, Mr Anutin led campaigning in Nakhon Phanom on Wednesday.

PP wants more than 20m votesListen to this articlePiyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Progressive Movement, speaks to People's Party supporters at a campaign rally in Loei on Wednesday. Speaking at the Chaiyaphum municipal ground, the former secretary-general of the now-dissolved Future Forward Party was campaigning for the PP ahead of the Feb 8 election. He said pro-democracy parties -- first the Future Forward Party and later the Move Forward Party -- had been dissolved twice, with many of their politicians disqualified, but the movement would continue. "We [the Move Forward Party] won the election [in 2023] but were not allowed to form a government. He warned against splitting votes, saying opponents feared genuine reform.

Pol Lt Col Krit alleged that Pol Gen Surachate slapped him on the left ear so hard that his eardrum ruptured in February 2017, subsequently leaving him with permanent hearing loss in that ear. Another officer who previously worked for Pol Gen Surachate, Pol Col Aris Kooprasitrat, also accused him of emotional abuse causing him to suffer depression. Mr Sanyapatchara said the alleged psychological abuse may be linked to Pol Col Aris having “switched sides” politically. “Pol Col Aris will be the next to get a counter-complaint,” the lawyer said. Pol Gen Surachate has long alleged that there was an organised campaign to block his path to the police chief’s position.

IRPC wins Thailand Energy Awards 2025, solidifying leadership in global energy innovationIRPC Public Company Limited (IRPC), led by Terdkiat Prommool, President and Chief Executive Officer, received the Thailand Energy Awards 2025 in the Creative Energy category for the project “Reduce Hydrocarbon Loss in Flare from PNU by Digitalization”. The award was presented by caretaker Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon, who presided over the award ceremony held at the Grand Ballroom, Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok. The Thailand Energy Awards are organised by the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) under the Ministry of Energy, with the objective of promoting energy conservation and the sustainable development of alternative energy.

Seeing through the marketing trapsListen to this articleAI-generated graphicAs purchasing power weakens and living costs soar, daily expenses shock Bangkok residents. A trap that always worksThe middle class, who typically have the spending power, often falls into the 'illusional trap.' Avoiding traps with simple thoughtsWe can’t completely avoid overpricing but we can learn to restrain our unnecessary spending, fostering financial discipline for future uncertainties. For example, a 3,000-baht product used daily could be more economical than a 500-baht single-use product, highlighting the difference in value. At the end of the day, with rising costs and financial challenges, chasing trends may only undermine your financial stability.

(Photo: Reuters)DAVOS, Switzerland - President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that he would not use force to take control of Greenland, but insisted that the United States must still have “ownership” of the island. Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday afternoon, Trump demanded “immediate” talks on Washington’s acquisition of the autonomous territory from NATO ally Denmark. “It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice, develop it and improve it,” he said. “That’s the reason I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States. Having made that boast, he sought to reassure his audience that force was not an option in Greenland.