(Photo: Army Military Force Facebook)Thailand and Cambodia have again signed a ceasefire agreement in Chanthaburi province following Phnom Penh’s acceptance of previously agreed terms. The joint statement reiterated both sides’ commitment to implementing the ceasefire agreement and working towards peace, stability and security along the border. Gen Natthaphon said that Cambodia had agreed to all four points of the agreement discussed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October. On Friday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reaffirmed that Thailand would accept a 72-hour ceasefire but would not agree to resume border negotiations at positions held before the latest clashes, insisting that Thailand “cannot retreat” from secured areas. The agreement, ‌signed ‍by the Thai and Cambodian defence ministers, ​ended 20 days of fighting that has killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million on both sides.

(File photo: Reuters)NAY PYI TAW - ‍Myanmar heads to the ‍polls on Sunday as ‍it battles a civil war that has ravaged parts of the country as well as one of Asia's worst humanitarian crises. Myanmar's humanitarian crisis is one of the most severe in Asia, driven by the intensifying civil war and repeated natural disasters, including a massive earthquake in March. US cuts to humanitarian aid are having a crushing impact on people, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has said. More than 16 million people across Myanmar are acutely food insecure, meaning that their ‌lack ‍of food threatens lives and livelihoods, WFP estimates. They are the fifth-largest group needing aid anywhere in the world, making Myanmar "a hunger hotspot of very high concern," the agency said.

At least 7 killed in Vietnam after bus overturnsListen to this articleHANOI — At ‍least seven people died on Saturday when ‌a ​bus carrying 19 passengers overturned on a mountainous road in Vietnam's northern province of Yen Bai, state-run ‌media reported. The 29-seat bus carrying a charity group was travelling downhill ‌when it flipped and was crushed, according to Vietnam News Agency (VNA). Rescue teams ⁠pulled 10 survivors from the wreckage, while others remained trapped as of 10.30am (0330 GMT) as heavy equipment was deployed to cut through the vehicle, Hoang ‌Anh Tuan, ‍chairman of Phinh Ho commune, told the agency. Calls to authorities of Yen Bai province and Phinh Ho commune went unanswered. Police, military ⁠units, local officials and ​residents were mobilised for rescue efforts, while authorities said an investigation into the cause ​of the accident was ‍ongoing, according to VNA.

For Cambodia, exploiting Thai political instability — through both diplomacy and information campaigns — represents part of a broader strategy. The survey was carried out after Mr Yodchanan was formally introduced as a party candidate on Dec 16. Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantraruangthong recently said Mr Yodchanan has seen a notable rise in support since Dec 16. A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Mr Yodchanan is recognised as a researcher specialising in brain–computer interface technology. “It is a warning that Pheu Thai must rethink its strategy and do so fast,” he said.

Eateries slam new alcohol lawListen to this articleThe Restaurant Association opposes the new alcohol law requiring restaurant operators to share some responsibility for any issues caused by drunk patrons. The revised Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2025 prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to people under 20, as well as those who are already drunk. Under the new legislation, alcoholic beverage sellers must verify a buyer's age when there is reasonable doubt, using a national ID card or other officially issued identification. Alcoholic beverage sellers are advised to assess a person's level of intoxication only when necessary. Chanon Koetcharoen, president of the Restaurant Association, said the new law poses a major challenge for restaurants.

In foreign and security policy, this translated into a markedly tougher posture towards Cambodia. For Cambodia, exploiting Thai political instability -- through both diplomacy and information campaigns -- represents part of a broader strategy. Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantraruangthong recently said Assoc Prof Yodchanan has seen a notable rise in support since Dec 16. A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Assoc Prof Yodchanan is recognised as a researcher specialising in brain–computer interface technology. "It is a warning that Pheu Thai must rethink its strategy and do so fast," he said.

Election safeguards extend to border areasListen to this articleThe Royal Gazette has published an Election Commission (EC) announcement outlining special arrangements to ensure the upcoming general election can proceed in seven Thai provinces affected by unrest along the Thai–Cambodian border. Signed by EC Chairman Narong Klunwarin on Thursday, the announcement sets out guidelines for managing polling, voter access and administrative procedures in areas where normal election operations may be disrupted. Local election directors and district election committees in the seven provinces are instructed to adapt procedures to ensure eligible voters will not lose their rights while maintaining safety as a priority. Under the guidelines, required election announcements and notices should be posted at polling places or nearby locations as stipulated by law. The EC also instructs officials to facilitate early voting registration for eligible voters currently sheltering in evacuation centres, at the nearest safe polling stations.

Pheu Thai flags low public referendum awarenessListen to this articleThe Pheu Thai Party has warned that many voters remain unaware that a national referendum on drafting a new constitution will be held on the same day as the Feb 8 general election, cautioning that poor public communication could jeopardise the outcome and make future constitutional change far more difficult. If approved, the referendum would give parliament strong legitimacy and momentum to draft a new constitution, he said. Under the Referendum Act, political parties, civil society and other groups are allowed to campaign freely and equally, he said. Pheu Thai has outlined five operational frameworks, including building campaign networks, preparing explanatory materials, producing outreach media and urging the EC to set clear rules to ensure fair, safe and comprehensive public participation. Pheu Thai is ready to work with other parties, civic groups and the public in every possible forum, he added, warning that the coming month would be a race against time to inform voters.

Police roll out new app for NYListen to this articlePolice have launched a new mobile application allowing residents to entrust their homes to police patrols during the New Year holiday, with real-time updates aimed at enhancing public safety. National police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch has ordered the enforcement of three key measures covering public safety, traffic management and command oversight, alongside the rollout of four schemes designed to boost public confidence. One of the schemes is the "Vacation House Watch" service, which allows residents to register their homes for police patrols via an app from Dec 22 to Jan 5, with real-time status updates. Another is the "Police Care" app, which integrates services such as filing complaints, checking traffic tickets and freezing bank accounts. The remaining schemes include "Cyber Check", a tool to verify suspicious phone numbers or bank accounts to prevent online fraud, and free rest facilities nationwide, with advance booking available at booking.hwpdth.com.

Myanmar poll to test regionListen to this articleTomorrow, eligible voters in Myanmar will return to the polls in a general election organised by the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC), the military-appointed body overseeing the process. It remains to be seen how Asean, chaired by the Philippines, will re-engage with Myanmar. With powerful partners, Myanmar may no longer need Asean -- or Bangkok -- as it once did. Complaints over water pollution linked to rare earth mining in Shan State have largely gone unanswered by both the Myanmar authorities and ethnic armed groups. Bangkok must also intensify cooperation with Myanmar authorities to tackle call-centre scams and other transnational crimes.

The Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival was born out of the tremors of an earthquake 20 years ago. For context, Thailand had an arguably stronger film industry two decades ago, but over the years we struggled to put together an annual signature film event that promoted local talent, lifted the industry and asserted ourselves as a force in the international film culture. Jogja-Netpac Asian Film FestivalA movie ticket cost around 90 baht. Since 2024, the significant addition to the festival is JAFF Market, an on-site trade platform that strengthened the push to turn Jogja into a regional film hub. Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival.

Junta fears a dead Suu Kyi moreListen to this articleAs Myanmar's military government proceeds with an election starting tomorrow, a fundamental question arises. Aung San Suu Kyi is not a marginal political figure. Aung San Suu Kyi is not merely incarcerated. The death of Aung San Suu Kyi in custody would collapse its remaining claims to legitimacy and foreclose future diplomatic manoeuvring. If and when Aung San Suu Kyi is released, it will not feel like victory.

(Photo: Reuters)The Buddha once stopped a water war between relatives by asking a simple question: What is more valuable: water or human life? Thailand calls itself a Buddhist nation, taking pride in following Theravada Buddhism that preserves the Buddha's original teaching. Yet when the drums of war begin to beat, the Dharma falls silent. Through six months of fighting, however, the Thai clergy has remained utterly silent, as if nothing were happening. When his own relatives prepared to wage war over water from the Rohini River, he did not take sides.

A model to keep multilateralism alive and wellListen to this articleFew would deny that there has been a shift away from multilateral cooperation in recent years. As a realist, I recognise that today's world is more dangerous than the one we inhabited not so long ago. My confidence stems from my experience as the chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. I predict we will see a far greater role for, and collaboration between, regional economic and political blocs as the key drivers of multilateralism in the years ahead. In each case, historic changes needed a catalyst, which is exactly the role that Gavi has played in promoting public health.

Reckless decisionListen to this articleRe: "Talks fail to secure truce", (BP, Dec 23). To make matters worse, Mr Nawat told Miss Mexico to get out! Nonetheless, the damage had already been done, so the event organisers ordered him to limit his interactions with the contestants. In the end, it turned out that the winner was the very same person whom Mr Nawat had called out earlier, Ms Boesch. Unfortunately, things do not end here, as it has now been reported that Mr Nawat has filed criminal charges against the Mexican winner.