Listen to this articlePol Gen Surachate HakparnThe Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) is confident mounting evidence will be sufficient to bring charges in a bribery case linked to former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat Pankaeo said. He said investigators believe the evidence gathered so far is strong enough to support legal action, though more witness statements and details are still being pursued. Summonses have already been issued to three civilians, and the case is expected to be forwarded soon to the National Anti‑Corruption Commission (NACC). Pol Gen Surachate is accused of bribing an NACC commissioner in an attempt to interfere with investigations linked to online gambling cases. He said the delivery took place at the Southern Thai Association on Kanchanaphisek Road in Bangkok on Sept 1, 2024.

Plant species resurfaces after vanishing for over 130 yearsListen to this articleLost and found: Coleus tomentifolius (Suddee) Suddee has been rediscovered in Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani and in Phangnga National Park, 130 years after it was last recorded. Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant ConservationA research team from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has confirmed the rediscovery of a plant species believed lost for more than 130 years. It was later described as a new species, Plectranthus tomentifolius Suddee, in the Kew Bulletin in 2004, based on a single preserved specimen held in Singapore. Advances in plant taxonomy have since reassigned the species to the genus Coleus. Its updated scientific name, Coleus tomentifolius (Suddee) Suddee, was published in the journal PhytoKeys in 2019.

Listen to this articlePrime time awaits: The country's first high-speed rail line is facing a one-year delay amid land and infrastructure hurdles. ScreenshotThailand's first high-speed rail project, the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima line, is facing a confirmed delay of at least one year due to land expropriation issues and complications arising from overlapping infrastructure projects. The route includes six stations: Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Don Mueang, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pak Chong, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Thai–Chinese cooperationThe Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail project originated from Thai-Chinese government cooperation during the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration. On July 11, 2017, the cabinet approved construction of Thailand's first-ever high-speed rail line, with ground-breaking taking place on Dec 21, 2017.

"This is a new dimension in Southeast Asian conflict -- military action blended with strategic 'acting' to influence global perceptions." Asean limitationAlthough Asean eventually stepped in with facilitation by Malaysia and the United States, Assoc Prof Dulyapak said the regional bloc displayed familiar weaknesses. Although today's geopolitical landscape is different, the Thai-Cambodian crisis drew both Beijing and Washington back into a familiar stage, said Assoc Prof Dulyapak. Assoc Prof Thasothorn Tootongkam of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University said the crisis influenced governance, foreign policy and public sentiment. "Both major powers remain deeply interested, but neither can dictate outcomes as they once did," Assoc Prof Thasothorn said.

Listen to this articleSupachai Jaisamut (file photo)The Bhumjaithai Party has vowed to pursue legal action against a Pheu Thai candidate over what it described as false and misleading campaign claims linking the scrapped 10,000‑baht digital wallet scheme to the government's "Khon La Krueng Plus" co‑payment programme. During a rally in Renu Nakhon district on Dec 14, Ms Manaporn claimed the digital wallet policy under the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration could not proceed because a minority government later reallocated the budget to fund Khon La Krueng Plus. He said the 10,000‑baht digital wallet project was suspended during the Paetongtarn government itself following objections from several oversight agencies, including the National Economic and Social Development Council, the National Anti‑Corruption Commission and the Council of State, which raised concerns over potential legal violations. As a result, the scheme could not move forward as originally planned and was shelved for review, he said. Mr Supachai added that portraying the current administration under Anutin Charnvirakul as having diverted funds from the digital wallet scheme was misleading, as the project had already been halted before the government took office.

Over 1m have applied for advance poll voting so farListen to this articleThe Election Commission (EC) has opened registration for out-of-constituency and overseas referendum voting from Jan 3–5. Overseas referendum voting will be conducted on the same date, at the same time and venues, and using the same procedures as overseas voting for the general election, as determined by each Royal Thai Embassy. Online registration is available at boraservices.bora.dopa.go.th/election/outvote/ for out-of-constituency voting and boraservices.bora.dopa.go.th/election/popout/ for overseas voting. Of that total, 4,757 registered for advance voting within their constituency, 960,871 for advance voting outside their constituency, and 82,033 for overseas voting. Voters who have registered for advance voting but later find they cannot attend on Feb 1 -- as the referendum does not allow advance voting -- may cancel their registration and vote in both the election and referendum on Feb 8.

Venezuelans in Florida rejoice over Maduro's fall, fret over futureListen to this articlePeople welcome news of the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Doral, FloridaDORAL (UNITED STATES) - Venezuelans who loathed President Nicolas Maduro and for years dreamed of his ouster hugged, sang and cried with joy Saturday over his seizure in a stunning nighttime US military raid. For many people in Doral, Trump is a hero. But thanks to the fall of Nicolas Maduro, I can breathe a bit," said Vivas, who is 39. - 'Mixed feelings' -For some Venezuelans in Florida, the cloud of uncertainty now hanging over Venezuela saps the euphoria they feel over the ouster of Maduro. Raul Chavez, a Venezuelan living in Miami, said he was worried by the remarks of Trump, who also said the United States will now tap Venezuela's oil wealth.

Venezuelan capital quiet, streets emtpy after US strikeListen to this articleSupporters of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gather in the streets of Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured him. CARACAS - A lingering smell of explosives hung over Venezuela's capital Caracas Saturday as shocked residents took stock after an early-morning US strike that ousted strongman Nicolas Maduro. While a few hundred Maduro supporters gathered to clamor for his freedom, the streets were otherwise eerily quiet. -In the aftermath, Venezuelans soon learnt that their long-serving leader Maduro was out. "Long live Nicolas Maduro," echoed a rally cry from a hastily-erected stage with speakers blaring revolutionary music.

Listen to this articleSuspect Thonta Aung, a Myanmar national, is accused of raping and killing a Thai woman in Tak province in November. (Photo: Immigration Division 5)Thai police are pursuing a Myanmar man accused of raping and killing a Thai woman in the northern province of Tak, after discovering he had been mistakenly deported by immigration officials. Pol Maj Gen Sarawut Khonyai, the commander of Immigration Division 5, on Saturday ordered Tak immigration officials to gather all the facts. The suspect, identified as Thonta Aung, was transferred to the Tak immigration office in Mae Sot district on Nov 15, according to Division 5. Police investigators are now coordinating with Myanmar authorities to bring the suspect back to face trial in Thailand as soon as possible, the division said.

State railway readies more trains to ease New Year return rushListen to this articlePassengers prepare to board a train at a station in the northern province of Uttaradit on Saturday. (Photo: State Railway of Thailand)The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will add four special trains by Saturday evening to accommodate the surge of people returning from their New Year holiday travels. The total number of train passengers on Friday was 95,389 — 45,286 outbound and 50,103 inbound, SRT deputy governor Anan Phonimdang said on Saturday. To ease congestion, the SRT has arranged four additional trains beyond the regular schedule to prevent passenger backlog. Services for travel connections at the Bangkok station, Krung Thep Apiwat, have also been enhanced to facilitate travellers:

Microsoft has announced a global price increase for its Microsoft 365 services targeting business, enterprise and government sectors, effective from July 1, 2026. Office 365 E3: from $23 (730 baht) to $26 (826 baht) per month. Microsoft 365 E3: from $36 (1,133 baht) to $39 (1,239 baht) per monthMicrosoft 365 E5: from $57 (1,795 baht) to $60 (1,906 baht). Microsoft 365 F1: from $2.25 (72 baht) to $3 (96 baht) per month. Microsoft 365 F1: from $8 (256 baht) to $10 (320 baht) per month.

Six found to be facing criminal charges after handover in ChanthaburiListen to this articleA police officer speaks with some of the 162 Thais who had been detained in Siem Reap during recent border tensions with Cambodia, after their arrival in Chanthaburi province on Saturday. (Photo: Chanthaburi provincial police)Cambodian authorities on Saturday repatriated 162 Thai nationals who had been detained in Siem Reap province, returning them via the Ban Laem border checkpoint in Pong Nam Ron district of Chanthaburi. According to reports, the Thai nationals had been stranded during heightened tensions and clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border. They were subsequently taken into custody and held in Siem Reap pending coordination between the two countries for their return. Pol Gen Thatchai confirmed that the handover of the 162 Thai nationals, who had travelled through three locations — O’Smach, Chong Chom and Siem Reap — was carried out through coordination by the Thai military attache in Cambodia.

Listen to this articlePeople’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut campaigns from a saleng sidecar as Khon Kaen Constituency 1 candidate Weeranan Huadsri steers the motorcycle around downtown Muang district on Saturday. (Photo: Chakkrapan Natanri)KHON KAEN - People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut took his campaign to the streets of Khon Kaen on Saturday morning, seeking support from voters in this northeastern province as campaigning intensifies ahead of the Feb 8 general election. (Story continues below)Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, receives flowers from a supporter during his campaign tour in Khon Kaen on Saturday. Move Forward, the predecessor of the People’s Party, won three out of the 11 constituency seats in Khon Kaen in the 2023 election. Bhumjaithai held 71 seats in the 500-seat House at dissolution, compared with 143 for the People’s Party and 140 for Pheu Thai.

Calls for regime change starting to be heard as crowds decry economic problemsListen to this articleShopkeepers and traders in Tehran protest against economic conditions in Iran. At least 25 cities have seen protest gatherings of varying sizes, according to an AFP tally based on local media. However, local media do not necessarily report on every incident, and state media have downplayed coverage of protests, while videos flooding social media are often impossible to verify. The movement kicked off on Sunday when shopkeepers went on strike in Tehran to protest economic conditions, and spread after university students elsewhere in the country took up the cause. Her death sparked a nationwide wave of anger that left several hundred people dead, including dozens of members of the security forces.

67 Cambodian migrants caught fleeing hardship to ThailandListen to this articleOfficers from the Marine Task Force in Chanthaburi province question some of the 67 Cambodian nationals detained after crossing the border illegally on Saturday. (Photo: Royal Thai Army)CHANTHABURI - Sixty-seven Cambodians were arrested for sneaking into Thailand in Pong Nam Ron district of this eastern province in the early hours of Saturday, reportedly telling officials they were facing severe hardship at home and hoping for jobs in Thailand. In coordination with police and immigration officials, the force detained 35 men, 25 women and seven children, all Cambodian nationals. According to Thai Ministry of Labour data, there were 512,000 registered Cambodian workers in Thailand as of May 2025. The Thai navy emphasised that illegal immigration impacted national security and public safety, so strict law enforcement was necessary alongside humanitarian practices.