Police imposters arrested for abducting Chinese man for ransomListen to this articleThe two suspects and equipment they allegedly used in the abduction. (Photo: Metropolitan Police Bureau)Two men have been arrested on charges of posing as policemen and kidnapping a Chinese man for 2-million-baht ransom in Greater Bangkok. In Mr Japing's room police also found the 25-year-old Chinese abductee, Lyu Chenglong. The victim called his elder brother in China, and jr paid part of the ransom, worth about 400,000 baht, in two transactions early Tuesday morning. The brother then asked another Thai man to file a complaint with real police, and the complaint led to the raid in Huai Khwang.

New Year traffic toll downListen to this articleTourists flock to Khao Kho district of Phetchabun on Wednesday. (Photo: Soonthorn Kongwarakom)There were 198 traffic accidents and 29 deaths on the first day of the government's New Year holiday road safety campaign, down about 38% and 52% respectively year-on-year. Theerapat Katchamat, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said on Wednesday the road safety campaign that began on Tuesday was off to a heartening start. He said there were 198 traffic accidents on Tuesday, down 38.13% on the corrsponding period a year ago, and 29 traffic deaths, down 51.67%, with 190 other people injured in total, down 38.71% on last year. Chiang Rai and Phuket provinces had the highest number of traffic accidents, 11 each.

Here are the 15 fighters who defined ONE Championship in 2025. NO 15 – MASAAKI NOIRIHis 2025 ended in disappointment, but it still featured one of the defining moments of the year. The atomweight Muay Thai champion defended her belt twice, finishing both challengers on short notice. At just 21, Ruotolo is firmly on a lightweight MMA title trajectory. NO 2 – JONATHAN DI BELLAAfter losing the strawweight kickboxing title to Prajanchai in June 2024, Di Bella quietly rebuilt – then reclaimed everything.

Housemaid charged, held for adulterating baby's milkListen to this articleThe cleaning maid, identified as Usanee, alias "Ann", 57, during her interview on the Channel 3 talk show "Hon Krasae" on Tuesday. She was arrested by police during the show, accused of adulterating a baby's milk bottle with Dettol. (Screen capture)Police have filed two serious charges against a housemaid accused of adding disinfectant to a baby’s bottle of milk while cleaning the family's house. Investigators seized two mobile phones from Ms Usanee for forensic examination of her communication records and possible links to other crimes. Ms Renuka said she had hired the cleaning woman through a Facebook group advertising the availability of casual domestic workers.

In a world where people live in inequality, the South Korean TV series Pro Bono on Netflix gives viewers hope by following a group of public interest lawyers who fight for the underprivileged. However, after Kang was nominated for Supreme Court Justice, he was framed in a bribery case. Kang had no choice but to join Pro Bono, a team of public interest lawyers in a celebrated law firm owned by his alumni. Pro Bono may contain some unnatural comedic moments and some legal cases with dreamlike outcomes, but its strength lies in its fresh, intense and unpredictable trial proceedings. It is another series that viewers might wish was longer than 12 episodes.

The New Year holiday is upon us and many places you visit will provide free Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi is everywhere — in airports, coffee shops and hotels, and even on plane flights. (continues)(Photo: 123RF)So, what are the main risks when you use a public Wi-Fi hotspot? @Airport Free Wi-Fi by NT” — a network you have used before. @Airport Free Wi-Fi by NT2”?

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since JulyListen to this articleThailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers captured in July, at Ban Phak Khat permanent border checkpoint in Pong Nam Ron district of Chanthaburi province on Wednesday morning. (photo supplied)Thailand on Wednesday released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during fighting in July, fulfilling a condition of the ceasefire agreement signed on Saturday, the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry announced. The clause stated the detained soldiers would be returned to Cambodia after the ceasefire had been fully maintained for 72 hours. Eighteen Cambodian soldiers surrendered after being surrounded along the border in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket in late July and have been detained ever since. “Thailand hopes Cambodia will reciprocate this goodwill with concrete action to promote lasting peace between the two countries,” it said.

Foreign women arrested in Pattaya beach prostitution sweepListen to this articleEight foreign women - five Ugandans, two Uzbeks and a Madagascan -are detained for offering sex services on the street in Pattaya, Chon Buri. (Photo: Amporn Sangkaew)PATTAYA - Eight women from Africa and Central Asia have been arrested for soliciting for purposes of prostitution along Pattaya beach, as part of a year-end crackdown on public nuisances to protect the beach city’s tourism image. Acting on complaints, investigators from the Chon Buri immigration office first observed the behaviour of foreign women believed to be offering sex services near the entrance to Soi 13-13/4 along Pattaya beach in the early hours of Wednesday. Eight women were taken into custody: five Ugandans, two Uzbeks and one Madagascan. They were charged with openly soliciting for sex in a public place and causing a public nuisance and embarrassment.

Microsoft has unveiled an ambitious two-year roadmap to transform Windows 11 into a high-performance gaming platform that rivals the seamless experience of dedicated consoles. Over the next year or two, Microsoft plans to re-engineer core components of the Windows 11 architecture. The ultimate goal, according to Microsoft, is to bridge the gap between the Windows system and the Xbox console experience. A cornerstone of this update is the introduction of Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) technology. By combining the flexibility and power of a PC with the user-friendly nature of a console, the company aims to solidify Windows 11 as the definitive platform for the next generation of digital entertainment.

Myriad research and inventions will be showcased during "Thailand Inventors' Day 2026", at Bitec, Bang Na-Trat Road, from Jan 5-9. The event will feature a commemorative exhibition honouring HM King Rama IX, the "Father Of Thai Invention", alongside a royal tribute. It will also include exhibitions showcasing National Research Award–winning works, as well as research and innovation displays from government agencies, the private sector and academic institutions across six areas, totalling more than 1,000 research and invention projects. There will also be highlight exhibitions that aim to spark interest in science, research and innovation including "Restore The Earth, Renew Our Future", "Animal In Wonderland", "Water Wonderland: From Research To A Resilient Water Future! ", "New Gen x Seniors: Playing Together", "Young Detective: Tracing Hidden Substances" and "MedLab Experience: Exploring The World Of Modern Medical Innovation".

Bangkok has several countdown spots but Iconsiam’s River Park stands out every year with its spectacular fireworks lighting up the Chao Phraya River. The “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2026” returns with a promise of spectacular production and special experiences for attendees to welcome the New Year on a high note while CNN will set up a camp there to broadcast the countdown event alongside the others from across the globe. Adding to the festivities is a line-up of popular performers. Mark Tuan of Got7 will take the stage at Iconsiam for an exclusive performance alongside leading Thai artists. The celebration expands across five nights, five concepts, and five musical journeys, featuring more than 200 of Thailand’s top artists, including Pixxie, 4Eve, Atlas, Jeff Satur, Bodyslam, boyband Bus, Proxie and many more.

Bangladesh mourns ex-PM Khaleda Zia with state funeralListen to this articleBangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia was planning an election run despite years of ill health and imprisonmentDHAKA - Bangladesh bids farewell on Wednesday to former prime minister Khaleda Zia with a state funeral expected to draw vast crowds, mourning a towering leader whose career defined politics for decades. Zia, the first woman to serve as prime minister in the South Asian nation of 170 million people, died on Tuesday aged 80. "Khaleda Zia has been an inspiration," homemaker Sharmina Siraj told AFP, adding that "it is difficult to imagine women in leadership positions anytime soon". Suffering from a raft of health issues, Zia was rushed to hospital in late November, where her condition had gradually deteriorated despite treatment. Three-time prime minister Zia was jailed for corruption in 2018 under Hasina's government, which also blocked her from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

A train driver was killed and 40 more people were injured on Tuesday (December 30) after two trains collided on the railway leading to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the Andean nation's top tourist site.

Thai navy seizes tanker suspected of smuggling oil to CambodiaListen to this articleThai navy personnel detain the crew of the Thai-registered tanker suspected of smuggling oil to Cambodia, on Dec 27 in the Gulf of Thailand. (Photo: Royal Thai Navy)A loaded Thai oil tanker with an illegal Myanmar and Cambodian crew has been seized in the Gulf of Thailand on suspicion of smuggling strategic supplies to Cambodia, the Royal Thai Navy spokesman said. It was impounded on Saturday by HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan, a Krabi class offshore patrol vessel, about 50 nautical miles south of Koh Samet, R/Adm Parach Rattanachaipan, spokesman for the Royal Thai Navy, said. Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday signed a 72-hour ceasefire agreement, effective from 12 noon that day. The ship's behaviour and its cargo of fuel oil suggested it was involved in the smuggling of strategic supplies to Cambodia, posing a threat to Thai national security, the spokesman said.

- More AI systems will be implemented in factories, package-sorting systems and even delivery processes as driverless vehicles start to become more common. In a bizarre twist I saw it reported that Time magazine named an AI person of the year for 2025. I guess AI systems are people now? To that end, SpaceX will be launching the higher capacity Starlink satellites early this year. There will be the usual releases of new phones but the foldables will still not be that popular compared to the usual phone slab.