Following a surprise growth result for the fourth quarter of 2025 and an improved performance over the past year, Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research) has upgraded its outlook for the Thai economy. "Although there has been speculation about the possibility of the election being nullified, under our baseline scenario we do not expect this to happen," Mr Burin said. Both the government and the private sector should monitor developments in US trade policy this year, particularly any updates on US tariff measures, he said. "Thai exports are at a competitive disadvantage compared with India, especially as Thailand still lacks an FTA with the EU. The government needs to expedite efforts to secure trade agreements with both the EU and the US," said Mr Burin.

Offender will face both criminal punishment and military discipline, army saysA screenshot from a video shows an army conscript crawling in a septic pit until neck-deep after a sergeant at a military camp in Prachin Buri province ordered him to do so as a punishment. (Photo: Nitchanan Wangkahat Facebook account)An army sergeant at a camp in Prachin Buri province is facing criminal prosecution and disciplinary punishment after a video shared online showed him forcing a conscript to crawl into a septic pit and striking him on the back with a stick. The army spokesperson team emphasised that the case would be pursued to its fullest extent under the law and regulations. Media reports said the cause of the punishment in question was administered because the conscript had returned to camp late. Past investigations have led to pledges by the military to improve treatment of conscripts and punish abusers more severely.

The new baseline duty will be imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which grants the president unilateral ability to impose tariffs. The court rejected an argument by the Trump administration that it had identified a war-like emergency to justify use of the IEEPA. Trump responded with ‌fury to the ruling, denouncing individual justices as he vowed to continue a global trade war that has kept the world on edge for a year. Trump directed the Office of the US Trade Representative to begin probes under its Section 301 authority, according to the fact sheet. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the court ruling could have mixed results.

(Photo: Government House)A coalition government led by the election-winning Bhumjaithai Party has been finalised with a combined 300 House seats — and minus the Klatham Party, according to a source. The coalition will comprise Bhumjaithai as the core party with 193 MPs, joined by Pheu Thai with 74 and smaller parties totalling 33 seats. Key party figures were also keen to project a positive image for the new administration, led by Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, said the source. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Klatham in the darkMeanwhile, Klatham executives remained silent on Saturday following widespread reports that Bhumjaithai had closed the book on coalition formation. Thamanat, the de facto leader of Klatham, also said that concern about the credibility of the Feb 8 election was more worrying than coalition negotiations.

Illegal roads in wildlife sanctuary investigatedDepartment of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) officials inspect a newly cut road inside Mae Yuam Fang Khwa Wildlife Sanctuary and seize logs. DNP director-general Attapol Charoenchansa told a press briefing on Friday that the issue first surfaced in December when authorities discovered 6.6 kilometres of newly cut road inside Mae Yuam Fang Khwa Wildlife Sanctuary in Mae La Noi district. A fact-finding committee was later established, leading to the transfer of at least three officials from the Mae Yuam Fang Khwa and Salawin wildlife sanctuaries to inactive posts pending investigation. On Tuesday, the DNP filed a criminal complaint against former Mae Yuam Fang Khwa sanctuary chief Krisda Uttama, citing strong evidence he had solicited funds from villagers to finance the road construction. Public scrutiny has intensified amid reports that the road network spans 7.88 kilometres across the Mae Yuam Fang Khwa and Salawin wildlife sanctuaries, designated as critical wildlife habitat and classified as Class 1A watershed zone.

Concerns are mounting that entrenched interests — within Bhumjaithai and among coalition partners — could constrain the Fab Three’s ability to execute policy. Analysts warn the Fab Three may face resistance from fellow cabinet ministers whose priorities are shaped less by policy outcomes than by political calculation. Some Pheu Thai sources are unhappy that senior party figures pressured Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat to be the public face of the party’s “surrender” to Bhumjaithai. He is the son of Yaowapa Wongsawat, sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. A Pheu Thai executive described the decision to join a Bhumjaithai-led government as a political gamble with “50-50” odds.

Thai pension reform urgent, says economistAnusorn Tamajai (photo from his Facebook page)Economist Anusorn Tamajai, the former chairman of a committee on pension reform, has called on the Ministry of Labour to urgently implement the "Care" pension formula without delaying the move until the new government takes office. Immediate adoption of the Career-Average Revalued Earnings (Care) formula would ensure fairness for insured workers who have contributed consistently and would allow around 570,000 retirees to receive higher pensions, he said. The Care formula replaces the existing method, which calculates pensions based on the average wages in the final 60 months before retirement. He acknowledged concerns about long-term fund sustainability amid Thailand’s ageing population, noting forecasts — including by the International Labour Organisation — that without reform, the old-age fund could face insolvency around 2054. He said this can be avoided by improving investment strategies targeting average returns of around 5%.

Three-airport rail project lurching forwardThis artist’s rendering of the Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao rail link shows what a proposed Trat extension could look like. Jakkrit WaewkhlaihongThe State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has reported progress on efforts to break a six-year deadlock affecting the high-speed rail project linking three airports, with revised contract terms expected to be submitted to the new cabinet for approval later this year. The project is valued at 224.5 billion baht and is a key component of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The company argues that stricter terms would discourage financial institutions from providing loans and duplicate existing guarantees of 4.5 billion baht, he added. Mr Anan said informal talks with the OAG suggest greater understanding of the concessionaire's concerns, and the SRT will formally reaffirm its preferred contract wording for final legal review.

He was forced to radically scale back his Pennsylvania-based business last year after Trump imposed new tariffs on virtually all trading partners. Knepler had shifted his supply chain out of China to Cambodia at heavy cost after Trump’s trade war with Beijing during his first presidency. But Trump’s new 19% tariff on Cambodian imports last year forced him to halt manufacturing. He was “cautiously optimistic” over the Supreme Court ruling. Greenblatt has been supportive of Trump’s steel levies, which alongside other sector-specific tariffs were not impacted by the high court’s decision.

Inbreeding among animals at tourist attraction may have weakened immunity, say livestock officialsA tiger sleeps in a cage at the Tiger Kingdom tourist attraction in Mae Rim district of Chiang Mai. (Photo: Panumate Tanraksa)Preliminary tests by livestock officials have revealed that the 72 dead tigers at the Tiger Kingdom tourist attraction in Chiang Mai were infected with feline parvovirus, complicated by other bacteria. There were 246 tigers kept at the Tiger Kingdom facilities in Mae Rim and Mae Taeng in the northern province. After autopsies of the carcasses, feline parvovirus, also known as feline panleukopenia, was found in the dead tigers, according to a veterinary team from the Chiang Mai Provincial Livestock Office. Tiger Kingdom executives could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Armed forces release border row white paperArmy officers at a border area adjacent to Cambodia on Feb 13. Royal Thai ArmyThe Royal Thai Armed Forces have reaffirmed their readiness to defend national sovereignty along the Thai-Cambodian border, releasing a white paper outlining facts and evidence in response to recent allegations by Cambodian leaders. The military rejected Cambodian accusations that Thai forces had occupied disputed territory, insisting all deployments strictly comply with a joint statement issued on Dec 27. Thai forces have not advanced into Cambodian territory, ACM Prapas said. The newly released white paper compiles historical records, including events in 2011 and incidents reported in July and December last year.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has joined hands with the army and navy in drafting a framework aimed at improving the treatment of new conscripts. NHRC commissioner Wasan Paileeklee said the draft "Do's & Don'ts" guidelines are intended to support the armed forces while preventing torture and inappropriate conduct within training units. They also call for mental health support systems and allow conscripts to maintain contact with their families. A mental health assessment session provided to conscripts must be confidential, the framework suggests. Mr Wasan said the NHRC has been working closely with the armed forces to strengthen the understanding of human rights standards and promote best practices, noting that the armed forces have been cooperating.

PATTAYA - Police in this seaside resort city have confirmed the death of British businessman Quentin Griffiths, a co-founder of the online fashion retailer ASOS, in a fall from the 17th floor of a condominium. However, police have not ruled out the possibility of foul play pending forensic examinations, a process that could take several months. Subsequently, he launched legal action against BDO, alleging that he had received incorrect advice regarding tax mitigation strategies linked to the sale of shares. As a result, he said he was required to pay more than £4 million in tax arising from the sale of ASOS shares and another online retail venture he had co-founded. Following the breakdown of his first marriage, he later married a Thai national and had a son and a daughter.

Haste eyed for pension rejigAnusorn TamajaiAnusorn Tamajai, the former chairman of the special subcommittee on pension reform, has called on the Ministry of Labour to urgently implement the "Care" pension formula without delaying the move until the new government takes office. Immediate adoption of the Career-Average Revalued Earnings (Care) formula would ensure fairness for insured workers who have contributed consistently and would allow around 570,000 retirees to receive higher pensions, he said. The Care formula replaces the existing method, which calculates pensions based on the average wages in the final 60 months before retirement. The old approach is not considered beneficial to workers whose salaries decline towards the end of their careers despite long histories of making contributions. He said this can be avoided by improving investment strategies targeting average returns of around 5%.

For many voters, the Fab Three symbolised competence, stability and results-driven governance -- qualities that resonated amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical volatility. Yet as BJT prepares to govern with a commanding mandate, observers caution that its greatest test may lie not in winning power but in managing it. Concerns are mounting that entrenched interests -- within BJT and among coalition partners -- could constrain the Fab Three's ability to execute policy. Should internal or coalition pressures significantly impede the Fab Three, BJT risks a credibility gap between its electoral mandate and governing performance. A Pheu Thai executive described the decision to join a BJT-led government as a political gamble with "50-50" odds.