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.

If you're anything like me, this past year has been frustrating and, at times, exhausting to read and hear about. Professor Katherine Milkman, a behavioural economist at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, found that the "fresh start effect" is, well, really effective. This applies to fitness ambitions, starting your own business, or even having the resolution to consume less sugar. This "resolution" came to me in September, and so far, it's sticking. People are generally bracing for impact, and I think life is usually stressful enough without having to keep to loosely made resolutions.

Prawat and Chaiwat lead Kingdom's bidListen to this articleThai Paralympic wheelchair racing team athletes train. Hanif HassanThailand's Paralympic icons Prawat Wahoram and Chaiwat Rattana are primed for the upcoming Asean Para Games, set to unfold in Nakhon Ratchasima from Jan 20-26, 2026. They will all be looking forward to strong results at the Asean Para Games on home soil, followed by a seamless transition to the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan. I am confident our athletics para team will meet the medal targets, especially in events that double as qualifiers for the Asian Para Games in Nagoya." The Asean Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima will feature 477 gold medals across 19 sports.

ADTEB president Suparp Khleekajai said many countries implemented the transition from analogue TV to digital TV without a licence auction. There were initially 24 digital TV channels in Thailand, with five digital TV broadcasting networks operated by three network providers. Mr Suparp said digital TV channels are national TV platforms because they broadcast reliable, responsible and verifiable content. All digital TV channels are supervised by the NBTC, while other digital platforms, especially OTT, are not regulated. "It is possible only 3-5 digital TV channels will exist after 2029, which may be operated on high-definition TV systems," said Mrs Pirongrong.

Southeast Asia receives broad supportListen to this articlePhoto: 123RFSoutheast Asian equities ended December with a cautious "risk-on" tone, helped by a softer US dollar and year-end rebalancing, though thin Christmas liquidity exaggerated intra-day swings. Singapore's STI also capped a strong year -- up more than 21% year-to-date as of mid-December -- with banks and yield support underpinning the rally. We maintain an overweight position in the US, China and Vietnam stock markets, which continue to show strong profit growth, offer attractive upside potential, and have reasonable valuations. Strategically, we expect fund flows to rotate into domestically driven sectors and election beneficiaries, including banks, finance, telecom, tourism and property. Trading at 12.4 times P/E ratio for 2026 with a high 9% dividend yield, the stock offers better value than its peers.

PP brushes aside Anutin's BJT coalition conditionsListen to this articlePeople's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, centre, and deputy leaders Sirikanya Tansakul, right, and Veerayooth Kanchoochat, left, hold a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Bangkok on Dec 12 after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved the House. (Photo: People’s Party)The People's Party (PP) brushed aside the Bhumjaithai Party's (BJT) conditions for a post-election coalition formation, saying the upcoming polls would present voters with a clear choice between a government led by the PP and one headed by the BJT. PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut on Friday was responding to comments by Prime Minister and BJT leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who ruled out working with political parties that support amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law. When asked which parties the PP would be unable to work with, Mr Natthaphong said the PP would not join hands with the Klatham Party. He expressed confidence that the PP would finish first in the election and questioned whether the BJT was attempting to form a rival coalition in advance by setting conditions on coalition formation.