French owners of Swiss bar under scrutiny after New Year blazeListen to this articleFlowers and candles in tribute to the victims are displayed at a makeshift memorialGENEVA - An investigation into a fire at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana which killed 40 and left 119 injured has cast a spotlight on the French owners who are suspected of "negligence". According to local newspapers, Jacques Moretti is from Ghisonaccia in Upper Corsica and his wife Jessica is from the Cote d’Azur. Before Switzerland, Jacques Moretti ran a bar in the port of Bonifacio, a popular Corsican seaside town in Corsica. Jean-Charles Orsucci, mayor of Bonifacio since 2008, confirmed to AFP that Jacques Moretti had a business on the port in the late 2000s. He’s a hard worker, he’s a friend of the resort," Charles-Andre Bagnoud, a notary in Crans-Montana, told AFP.

Thailand urges US to settle conflict with Venezuela peacefullyListen to this articleA woman prays outside the Vice-Presidency building in Caracas following the US strike on Venezuela and capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores for trial in the US on charges of narco-terrorism. (Photo Reuters)The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday called on the United States and Venezuela to resolve their conflict peacefully and to fully respect the United Nations Charter and international law. The ministry said the Thai embassy in Lima, Peru, was ready to help Thais in Venezuela. Thailand recently welcomed US help in coordinating peace efforts amid its conflict with Cambodia. The American attack on Venezuela has drawn a mixed reaction from world leaders.

It will move fast — and it will quickly expose how leaders actually think, decide and lead. Employees, customers and investors are not asking leaders to be perfect. In 2026, leadership will require visible values and decisive choices, even when the answers are incomplete. 2026 will not reward leaders who move fastest. It will reward leaders who think most carefully.

(Photo: Government House)Thailand has recovered border areas that Cambodia had encroached on for decades, it did not invade Cambodia as claimed by Phnom Penh, the Royal Thai Army said. Cambodia encroached on Thai territory by positioning its forces and setting up military bases. He said Thai operations along the border remained within Thai territory. “Cambodia had encroached on some Thai areas for so long that it wrongfully thought these areas were within its territory. Cambodia has admitted to the fact that these areas are within Thai sovereign territory,” Maj Gen Winthai said.

From Feb 14 2026 all mobile banking apps in Thailand will support only devices running Android 10 or higher, while Apple users must have iOS 14 or above. To update, go back to Settings, select Software Update, and tap Download and Install. Check the iOS Version listed. To update, go to General, tap Software Update, and follow the prompts if an update is available. Source: The Thai Bankers’ Association, Facebook The Thai Bankers’ Association

Shock, disbelief in bombed Venezuelan portListen to this articleThe port of La Guaira was one of several areas in or near Caracas struck by jets during a stealth US mission to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas MaduroLA GUAIRA (VENEZUELA) - Twelve hours after the United States bombed Venezuela during an operation to oust President Nicolas Maduro, the smoke continued to seep from hangars in the port of La Guaira north of Caracas. La Guaira was one of several areas in or near Caracas struck by jets during a stealth mission to snatch Maduro and whisk him out of the country. Curious onlookers filmed the scene on their smartphones, many still incredulous at the speed and magnitude of the day's events. The blasts blew out the windows of public buildings on La Guaira's seafront and ripped the roofs off several houses. Unamuno's first thoughts were that La Guaira was experiencing another natural disaster, 26 years ago after a landslide of biblical proportions swept away 10,000 people, many of them washed out to sea.

The United States attacked Venezuela and captured its long-serving President Nicolas Maduro in an overnight operation on Saturday (January 3), U.S. President Donald Trump said, promising to put the country under American control for now, including by deploying U.S. forces if necessary.

Investigators have begun the challenging process of identifying the burned bodies from a fire at a bar that killed more than 40 people at a New Year's Eve party in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana. People from many countries were caught up in the tragedy, which prosecutors say was probably caused by sparkling fountain candles setting fire to the ceiling.

Beware of mumps, doctor saysListen to this articleA doctor has warned the public to be wary of cases of mumps as cooler weather can drive higher transmission, after two cases were recently confirmed in Chiang Mai. Patients typically develop symptoms 12–15 days after exposure. Severe complications such as meningitis can also occur. The latest patients include a woman in her 20s and a male office worker. Doctors have provided symptomatic treatment, with recovery expected within a week.

Leaders Buriram United back for more as T1 title charge rolls onListen to this articleSamba in town: Port's new signing Leonardo Kalil. Leaders Buriram United look to extend their winning streak as the second leg of the 2025-26 Thai League 1 season begins on Sunday. Prachuap, meanwhile, have lost three of their last four games and are in 10th place with 18 points. Port build musclePort have strengthened their squad for the second leg of the T1 season after signing Brazilian striker Leonardo Kalil from K-League 2 side Gyeongnam FC. Desert battle loomsThe Thai U23 team headed to Saudi Arabia last night for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, which will take place between Jan 6-24.

Cold surge to lower temperaturesListen to this articleThailand is bracing for cooler weather, with temperatures in the upper North, Northeast and Central regions forecast to fall by 2–4C until Jan 9. The Meteorological Department said cold air masses from China are sweeping across the country, bringing a marked drop in temperatures. Northern provinces are expected to turn cold, with minimum temperatures falling to 11C, while mountaintop readings could dip as low as 2C. Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, along with the Northeast and Central regions, will also experience noticeably cooler mornings. Temperatures in the city are expected to drop by 1–2C, ranging from 20C to 33C through to next Friday, driven by a second surge of high-pressure air from China.

Parties roll out promises as election campaigning steps upListen to this articlePheu Thai leader and prime ministerial candidate Julapun Amornvivat teased the release of two more surprise policy packages, as rival parties intensified their campaigning. Please stay tuned," the Pheu Thai leader said. He also called on the Election Commission (EC) to perform its duties robustly to ensure a clean and fair election. Parties including his are stepping up their campaigning ahead of the election on Feb 8. Vendors and shoppers greeted him enthusiastically as he urged support for his party.

Tourist 'duped' in PattayaListen to this articleJitendra Sahu at Pattaya police station (Amporn Sangkaew)CHON BURI: A 46-year-old Indian tourist has filed a police complaint in Pattaya after allegedly being duped into buying overpriced herbal products by a group of foreign fraudsters. Police said the victim, identified as Jitendra Sahu, reported the incident to Muang Pattaya police at 2.29am on Saturday. He told investigators he had been walking along Pattaya road when four foreign men approached him, befriended him and persuaded him to buy herbal medicine mix that could "cure all diseases". The men allegedly took the victim to a shop inside a hotel complex in Bang Lamung district, where he purchased two 200ml bottles for 43,400 baht and received one free. Locals told reporters that similar scams targeting foreign tourists have persisted for years.

Inequality time bomb ticks away... In 2018, Thailand was ranked the worst in the world for wealth inequality. Last year, it ranked the worst in Asean, according to the World Inequality Report. Against this reality, the claim that the poor are poor because they do not try hard enough is not only wrong, but morally bankrupt. As Thailand enters 2026, the question is simple: will we confront inequality, or accept the unjust society it creates?

Let's hope 2026 is not too amazingListen to this articleWell here we are on the fourth day of a brand new year. But whatever happens, there is no doubt we are in for another Amazing Thailand year. Also running is the Snoring for Democracy Party which has strong support from officials transferred to inactive posts. July: A bid to rename the "Amazing Thailand" slogan is rejected by the tourist authorities. A public opinion poll supports keeping the Amazing catchphrase with the consensus being that like it or not Thailand will always remain amazing and at times even amazingly amazing.