Dec 26 tsunami victims remembered 21 years onListen to this articleLocal officials, residents and visitors attend a memorial service at Mai Khao Cemetery in Phuket on Friday to honour victims and reflect on the disaster that devastated six Andaman provinces. "This ceremony reminds us of the lives lost and the importance of readiness in the face of natural hazards," he said. Governor Angkura Siladhewakul presided over tributes for the 722 people who died and 587 who went missing on the island. After prayers from three religions, officials handed wreaths to divers to place at the underwater tsunami memorial off Ton Sai Bay. Phangnga residents gathered at the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial, one of the hardest-hit communities in 2004, to observe multi-faith rites and lay flowers.

(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)In 2025, Thailand faced a convergence of challenges that had laid bare its vulnerability to environmental degradation, natural disasters, and complex regional dynamics. Environmental data points to the rapid growth of unregulated mining activities in Myanmar's Shan State, an area known for rare-earth and gold extraction. Although Thai authorities previously pledged to raise the issue with Myanmar, no concrete progress has been reported, leaving affected communities frustrated and vulnerable. Thai testing in May showed average arsenic levels of around 0.025 mg/L -- more than double the standard limit. Jumbos on jumbosBeyond natural disasters, 2025 also saw a sensitive diplomatic debate over Thailand's proposal to repatriate two Thai elephants from Sri Lanka.

Thais hit by key absences for Asian CupListen to this articleMembers of the Thai youth team celebrate a goal during the SEA Games. Thailand will be heading to the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia without the man who carried much of their scoring burden at the recently concluded SEA Games in Bangkok. The AFC U23 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia will run from Jan 6-24. On paper, it is a tough assignment and without their SEA Games heroes and with several key players unavailable, Thailand's campaign looks less like a charge for glory. These players will report for training camp on Monday and will leave for Saudi Arabia on Jan 4.

Thailand finished as overall champions of the 2025 biennial tournament with a record-breaking 233 gold, 154 silver and 113 bronze medals. The rowing and canoeing association, which delivered 12 gold, nine silver, and five bronze medals, received the largest share of the bonus, totalling 36,832,500 baht. The ju-jitsu association, which won the most gold medals with 14 gold, 11 silver, and 5 bronze medals, received a bonus of 24,585,000 baht. The cricket association received 12,600,000 baht from two gold medals rounded off the top 10 biggest earners. "They were able to win a total of 233 gold medals, 154 silver medals, and 113 bronze medals.

New Year's eve to see some major roads closeListen to this articlestretches of Ratchadamri, Rama I, Phloenchit, Phetchaburi, and Ratchaprarop roads will be temporarily closed on Dec 31 and Jan 1 to facilitate the CentralWorld Bangkok Countdown 2026. (Photo supplied)Parts of several major roads in central Bangkok will be temporarily closed on Dec 31 and Jan 1 to facilitate the CentralWorld Bangkok Countdown 2026, as authorities roll out traffic and safety measures for New Year celebrations. The closures will take effect from Dec 31, 2025, through Jan 1, 2026. Exceptions apply for police vehicles on duty and vehicles authorised by traffic officers. Affected sections include Pratunam–Ratchaprasong intersections (from noon on Dec 31 to 5am on Jan 1); Chalerm Phao–Ratchaprasong intersections (from 4pm on Dec 31 to 2am on Jan 1); Ratchaprasong–Chidlom intersections (from 4pm on Dec 31 to 2am on Jan 1); Makkasan–Pratunam intersections (from 4pm on Dec 31 to 2am on Jan 1); and Chidlom–Pratunam sections (from 4pm on Dec 31 to 2am on Jan 1).

Listen to this articleMr Suphachai, back row centre, poses during the launch of True Alpha Hub. Telecom operators are stepping up efforts to capture future customers with the launch of hubs at Siam Square. Mr Suphachai said the hub will aggregate content and intellectual property, creating new revenue streams that flow back into telecom platforms. The building has four storeys and features three elements, including "Creators Debut Hub", a launchpad that empowers young creators to express their identity through real-time content creation and live-streaming. In July Advanced Info Service (AIS) launched AIS Siam in Siam Square Soi 7 under the "playhouse with purpose" concept.

Trump's Christmas gospel: bombs, blessings and blameListen to this articleUS President Donald Trump -- pictured holding up a bible in front of St John's Episcopal, near the White House, in 2020 -- is not a regular churchgoer. On Thursday, Trump dropped an even darker line: "Enjoy what may be your last Merry Christmas." In reality, Obama regularly said "Merry Christmas." - 'Always... a Christian nation' -The Pentagon even hosted its first-ever Christmas Mass on December 17. "We have been, and by the grace of God, we always will be, a Christian nation," Vance added.

Somalia denounces Israeli recognition of SomalilandListen to this articleIn Hargeisa, crowds took to the streets to celebrate, many carrying the flag of the breakaway state. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has for decades pushed for international recognition, which has been the key priority for president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi since he took office last year. But a Somali foreign ministry statement warned that the decision was "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty that would undermine peace in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he announced "the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state", making Israel the first country to do so. A deal between landlocked Ethiopia and Somaliland last year to lease a stretch of coastline for a port and military base enraged Somalia.

Fiscal decline expected to pressure Thailand over the medium termListen to this articleA woman displays a message of support for the government's 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme. These efforts aim to ensure fairness, broaden compliance, and reflect the true potential of Thailand's tax system. Introducing an outbound travel tax, expected to generate 12 billion baht. Measures to revise and increase "sin taxes" on alcohol, beer and tobacco are expected to raise 5.45 billion baht. The Customs Department plans to eliminate the duty exemption for low-value imports worth less than 1,500 baht, which is expected to generate 3 billion baht.

A strong commitment to responsible business and meaningful social impact continues to shape the way B. Braun Thailand engages with the communities it serves. Mr. Sayan Roy, Managing Director, B. Braun (Thailand) Ltd. said: “More than 58% of our employees actively participate in the CSR Club, demonstrating our belief that meaningful change begins with empowered people. In 2025, the support was expanded to include a new roof for the elementary students’ playground. Mr Tan Sriudon, Senior IT Manager and CSR Club Leader, added: “Our projects are designed for long-term impact—practical, community-driven and built for continuity. We measure our progress each year and remain committed to sharing our expertise and resources in ways that genuinely support local needs.”

Listen to this articleDonald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have met several times as the US president continues efforts to broker an agreement between the warring sides to end Europe’s worst conflict since World War II. (Photos: AFP)KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday for talks on how to end the Russian invasion, Kyiv said Friday. “Over the weekend, I think on Sunday, in Florida, we will have a meeting with President Trump,” Zelensky said in a message to journalists on Friday. His office later said a meeting had been “planned” for Sunday in the southern US state where Trump has a home. It did not elaborate and has not indicated its position on the latest plan.

He made the declaration just a few hours before Cambodian troops fired a rocket barrage at Ban Nong Chan in Surin province, killing three Thai soldiers and injuring 17 others late Friday afternoon. It is about national sovereignty.”Mr Anutin said the Thai armed forces had confirmed that operational objectives had been achieved. Mr Anutin said Thailand remained open to communication through all established mechanisms and informal channels. The Ministry of Defence said Thai forces secured Ban Nong Chan in Khok Sung district after clashes at dawn, and now control three key frontlines: Ban Khlong Phang, Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaeo. Thailand and Cambodia have been at odds for decades over their shared border, which was drawn based on a Franco-Siamese treaty of 1907.

The walls did not meet the required standard, according to the test results on some concrete samples, it said. Moreover, the detailed plans, as well as the embedment length of the reinforcing steel, did not comply with applicable laws. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has also pursued an investigation under the Foreign Business Act and has forwarded cases deemed worthy of legal action to prosecutors. As well, the DSI has submitted some cases to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further investigation. “The DSI and the NACC have yet to reach a conclusion on who should be held accountable,” it said in a statement.

Malaysia's Najib convicted of abuse of power in 1MDB graft trialListen to this articleNajib Razak, 72, has issued an apology for the 1MDB scandal happening during his tenure. His conviction is likely to heap years onto the six-year term he is already serving for a separate case related to the 1MDB fund. Presiding Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah convicted the 72-year-old former leader on Friday on all four counts of abuse of power. Presiding Judge Sequerah started reading a lengthy verdict, before breaking for Friday afternoon prayers, with the hearing resuming at 3pm. The defence's argument that Najib was "misled and duped by management and by Jho Low is unmeritorious", the judge said.

Light traffic on first day of Thailand's M6 motorwayListen to this articleThe new motorway, the M6, is free to use from Friday to Jan 5 next year, but the section between Bang Pa-in and Pak Chong is only for one-way traffic. (Photo: Motorway Thailand Facebook account)Traffic was smooth on the M6 motorway as the new route was opened along its entire length for the first time on Friday, with free rides for motorists. JS100 traffic radio network reported smooth traffic conditions on the M6 after drivers were allowed to use the motorway from midnight. The M6 runs for 196 kilometres from Bang Pa-in district in Ayutthaya province to Nakhon Ratchasima province. Only four-wheel vehicles are permitted to use the new motorway, with a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour.