UK govt to release files on 'rude' ex-prince AndrewMountbatten-Windsor is being investigated by police. It has piled pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government to release documents on Mountbatten-Windsor and former minister Peter Mandelson, who are both now the subject of high-profile police investigations. Minister Chris Bryant told parliament that the government would release vetting documents on Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as trade envoy, a post he held from 2001 to 2011. Later released files appear to show that Mandelson passed on financial information to the disgraced financier when he was UK business secretary around 2009-2010. When Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed trade envoy, Mandelson was a pivotal figure in Blair's Labour and was nicknamed the "Prince of Darkness" for his media manipulation skills.

Duo on motorbike snatch bag from tuk-tuk touristsPolice are hunting for two thieves on a motorcycle, who snatched valuables from two Chinese women on a moving tuk-tuk late at night near the Pathumwan intersection in Bangkok. Chinese tourist Chang Tsi Weng, 21, and her Hong Kong friend said the incident left them in a state of shock. Ms Chang said the motorcycle carrying two male suspects, described as heavyset and wearing black shirts, pulled up alongside the tuk-tuk in which she and her friend were riding. One of the men snatched her white shoulder bag from the moving vehicle. Inside the bag was her passport, Hong Kong ID card, an iPhone X, her wallet, 1,000 baht and HK$500 (2,000 baht) in cash — yet to be found.

The group said they had fled a scam gang that forced them to work and physically abused them in the neighbouring country. (Photo: supplied/Jakkrit Waewkraihong)The Royal Thai Police Office (RTP) has ordered heightened border security after detecting attempts by transnational scam syndicates to slip into Thailand to evade intensified crackdowns in neighbouring countries. (Photo: Reuters)National police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch has ordered maximum border‑security measures, establishing joint task forces to seal off natural crossings and setting up stringent checkpoints on major and secondary routes nationwide. The RTP is also working closely with international partners to exchange intelligence on scam networks’ movements, Pol Maj Gen Jaturapat said. A US Institute of Peace report estimated that transnational criminal networks running illegal online gambling and scam operations worldwide stole at least US$64 billion in 2023 alone.

EC orders recount at nine more polling stations in five provincesStaff count votes at a polling station in Muang district of Samut Prakan province on Feb 8, 2026. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The Election Commission (EC) has ordered vote recounts at nine more polling stations in Bangkok and four other provinces. The move followed media reports and complaints alleging irregularities in the performance of polling station or vote-counting committees on Feb 1 and Feb 8, 2026. Details of the polling stations ordered to recount are as follows:Suphan Buri, Constituency 1, Mueang district: Polling station 11 in tambon Sanam Chai — party-list ballots only Suphan Buri, Constituency 2, Bang Pla Ma district: Polling station 4 in tambon Ongkharak — party-list ballots only Suphan Buri, Constituency 2, Song Phi Nong district: Polling station 1 in tambon Bang Tha Then — constituency and party-list ballots Suphan Buri, Constituency 2, Song Phi Nong district: Polling station 4 in tambon Ban Chang — constituency ballots only Chanthaburi, Constituency 1, Laem Sing district: Polling station 6 in tambon Phliew — constituency and party-list ballots Chanthaburi, Constituency 2, Tha Mai district: Polling station 8 in tambon Thung Bencha — constituency and party-list ballots Bangkok, Constituency 6, Din Daeng district: Polling station 74 in Din Daeng — party-list ballots only Trang, Constituency 4, Kantang district: Polling station 18 in tambon Kantang — party-list ballots only Samut Sakhon, Constituency 3, Krathum Baen district: Polling station 33 in tambon Om Noi — party-list ballots onlyAll nine polling stations have been instructed to complete the recounts by March 1. There were 99,487 polling stations in the Feb 8 general election.

Rescuers search for missing after deluge kills 30 in BrazilIn the suburb of Parque Burnier, 12 homes were swept away in a massive landslide, according to local fire officials. JUIZ DE FORA (BRAZIL) - Three firemen pulled a man's body from the mud amidst the rubble of houses swept away in a landslide in southeastern Brazil, where 30 people died and 39 were still missing on Tuesday after torrential rains. State firefighters said 30 people had died in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba. Firefighters and sniffer dogs worked to find the 39 people still missing in the debris. Two years earlier, a deluge in the city of Petropolis outside Rio de Janeiro left 241 people dead.

Fifa boss 'very reassured' about World Cup in Mexico despite violenceThe killing of Mexico's most-wanted drug lord sparked violent backlash from cartels across Mexico, particularly in Jalisco state. Mexico is one of the three host countries for the June 11 to July 19 World Cup, along with the United States and Canada. The images of anarchy and violence were beamed around the world less than four months before the start of the World Cup, while FIFA on Monday refused to comment. Earlier, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that there was "no risk" to World Cup fans and said the situation was "gradually returning to normal." Mexico City and the northeastern city of Monterrey will also host games.

According to MI Group, out-of-home media and TV are re-emerging as "trust infrastructures". Online media, including influencer marketing, and TV will continue to command the largest share of advertising spending at 29.1 billion baht, followed by out-of-home media at 17.9 billion baht. Broadcast television and out-of-home media are expected to regain their strategic importance, though these channels are often categorised as traditional media. For 2026, MI Group forecasts a more balanced media mix budget allocation, with online at 45%, broadcast TV at 30%, out-of-home media at 25% and other media at less than 5%. According to the group, out-of-home media and television are re-emerging as "trust infrastructures" that provide credibility and broad reach, contrasting with the fragmented nature of social media.

Thai central bank unexpectedly cuts policy rateStudents and job seekers visit the KU Job Fair & Education 2026 at Kasetsart University in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Bank of Thailand (BoT) unexpectedly ​cut its key interest ​rate ‌at a review on Wednesday, as it seeks to further support the economy facing challenges including ​US ⁠tariff uncertainty and a strengthening baht. The central bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 4 to 2 to cut the one-day repurchase ⁠rate by 25 basis points to 1.00% at its first review of the year. Only six of 27 economists ​in a Reuters poll had forecast a quarter-point cut ​at ‌this week's meeting. Top economists from CIMB Thai Bank, Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research) and Siam Commercial Bank Economic Intelligence Centre (EIC) said they had expected the MPC to keep the policy rate unchanged at Wednesday's meeting, supported by stronger economic growth than forecast and an improving political outlook.

Thailand rejects Cambodia’s claims at UNThailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak PhuangketkeowThe full text of Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow’s address to the high-level segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Feb 24. Over ten years ago, I had the privilege of serving as President of the Human Rights Council during a pivotal moment of institutional review. Human rights challenges today take many forms. What we are witnessing are industrial-scale scam networks that have evolved into a global human rights crisis. Human rights can only thrive where there is respect for the rule of law and accountable leadership – where people can pursue their livelihoods in an open and free society, and most importantly where there is full respect for human rights for all.

25 students injured as two school vehicles collide in Suphan BuriRescue workers use cutting tools to free students trapped inside a school van following a collision with a songthaew in Bang Pla Ma district, Suphan Buri province, on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Highway Police)Twenty-five students were injured, with two of them trapped inside the wreckage, when a school van collided with a songthaew transporting students in Bang Pla Ma district of Suphan Buri on Wednesday morning. The crash occurred at kilometre markers 45-46 on Highway 340 along Suphan Buri-Bang Bua Thong route in tambon Salee of Bang Pla Ma, said Pol Maj Jaturon Jarusirirak, investigation chief at Bang Pla Ma police station. Nearby, there was also a school van with Bangkok licence plates with its front end severely damaged. He stepped out to find the two student vehicles badly damaged and many injured students awaiting help.

Thailand's justice gapThis week, Thailand marks the third anniversary of the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act 2022 -- albeit half-heartedly. The first court trial under the law began in May last year, when judges convicted two Thai army instructors and 11 senior conscripts for the death of a conscript during disciplinary action. The law also provides compensation to victims without waiting for a court trial. Many cases of torture and deaths in custody in the deep south await fair and thorough investigation. One area needing amendment is the statute of limitations on state-sponsored torture cases.

Bodo/Glimt knock Inter out of Champions League as Newcastle, Atletico reach last 16Bodo/Glimt players celebrate after their stunning Champions League win against Inter Milan at San Siro. (Photo: AFP)PARIS (FRANCE) — Norway's Bodo/Glimt pulled off one of the most remarkable results in modern Champions League history on Tuesday, beating last season's runners-up Inter Milan 2-1 at San Siro to reach the last 16 with a 5-2 aggregate triumph, while Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen also went through. But Bodo/Glimt survived at the back before finishing off the tie in the second half. We knew it would be very hard against Inter who are a very strong team and played in the final last season," said Hauge. The 2024 German champions now face a huge test next against either Arsenal or Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.

A 94-year-old kite maker, who learned by watching and memory rather than formal training, has spent decades perfecting the craft she once bought and resold. She says the kites are made during the rains and hawked from her stall when the skies clear, a trade built on patience, "love of the craft" and learning through countless errors.

May parole for ThaksinFormer prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be eligible to apply for parole in May, in accordance with regulations requiring inmates to serve two-thirds of their sentence, said Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat. "In Thaksin's case, the parole eligibility falls in May 2026. Under the regulation requiring two-thirds of the sentence to be served, he qualifies to seek parole." A source at Klong Prem Central Prison said his parole is still under review. The prison is compiling a list of eligible inmates to determine who meets the criteria for general parole consideration.

The success showcases an innovative recycled plastic compound combining rPET, derived from used plastic bottles, and rHDPE sourced from bottle caps, water crates and soda crates. Mr Piti stated: “I would like to commend and congratulate the expert teams from all three companies for successfully recycling rPET and rHDPE plastic waste. Mr Terdkiet added: “The collaboration between Boon Rawd Brewery, PTT and IRPC in developing the rPET and rHDPE recycled plastic compound demonstrates the power of integrating knowledge, technology and expertise across the entire value chain. The successful development of this mixed-polymer recycled plastic formula represents a breakthrough beyond traditional single-polymer recycling limitations, enabling the effective blending of different plastic types. The three companies have now filed a patent application for the rPET and rHDPE recycled compound innovation.