MFA rebuts Hun Manet's border claimsCambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is interviewed by Reuters during a visit to Washington to take part in the first meeting of President Donald Trump's Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 17, 2026. REUTERSThe Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA) has pushed back against remarks by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, after he alleged that Thai troops continued to occupy disputed areas despite ceasefire mediation efforts by US President Donald Trump. MFA Department of Information acting director-general Panidone Pachimsawat said Thailand has strictly adhered to the joint statement issued bilaterally on Dec 27 last year. Bilateral mechanisms are progressing step by step, he added, noting that Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has maintained regular communication with his Cambodian counterpart, while military channels remain active. He also said the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) would resume its work once Thailand forms a new government.

Laser IDs no privacy risk: People's PartyThe People's Party recruit party members and receive donations at Stadium One, Chula Soi 5, Bangkok on Aug 10, 2024. Nutthawat WichieanbutThe People's Party (PP) has defended its use of Laser ID numbers for party membership applications, insisting the process is secure, lawful and does not involve storing members' personal data in its database. The PP also noted that its predecessors -- the Future Forward Party and Move Forward Party (MFP) -- implemented similar procedures. In those cases, Laser ID information was transmitted to the Department of Provincial Administration solely for verification, it said in its clarification. During this transitional period, it said it is not collecting, using, disclosing or transferring Laser ID data, the party added.

REUTERSThe cabinet has approved a draft ministerial regulation designating certain border areas as controlled zones for goods, aimed at strengthening national security and curbing transnational crime. The Defence Ministry said certain goods sold in border areas may end up benefiting individuals or groups considered a threat to national security, making tighter controls necessary. Under the draft, controlled areas along the Myanmar border include parts of Kanchanaburi, Chiang Rai, Tak and Mae Hong Son provinces. In addition to the western border areas, the cabinet also approved a similar Defence Ministry draft covering parts of seven provinces along the Cambodian border: Chanthaburi, Trat, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Sa Kaeo, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani. Authorities said the expanded designation would ensure more comprehensive and unified enforcement, improve the effectiveness of border goods controls, and enhance security along Thailand's eastern frontier.

US late-night host Stephen Colbert is an outspoken critic of Donald Trump. (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON - US late-night host Stephen Colbert accused CBS on Tuesday of refusing to broadcast his interview with a Democratic Senate candidate over fears it would violate regulatory guidance from President Donald Trump’s administration. He referenced guidance from FCC chairman Brendan Carr seeking to eliminate a perceived exemption to the rule for talk shows. Colbert posted the nearly 15-minute interview with Talarico to YouTube, where it had more than 4.3 million views early Wednesday. Colbert said on Tuesday’s show he was not angry at CBS and noted he did not want “an adversarial relationship” with the network.

Peru to elect interim leader after graft scandal ousts presidentJose Jeri, who lasted only four months in office, was Peru’s seventh head of state in the last 10 years. (Photo: AFP)LIMA - Peru's Congress is preparing to elect an interim president on Wednesday to replace Jose Jeri, who was impeached in a graft scandal just four months after taking office. Jeri himself became president following the impeachment of his predecessor Dina Boluarte in October. The new interim president will serve out the remainder of Jeri’s term. Edgardo Torres, a 29-year-old industrial engineer from Lima, said Peru needed “a true leader” to bring some much-needed political stability.

A disease control officer collects samples from high‑touch areas inside Thonburi Remand Prison in Bangkok on Wednesday as part of efforts to contain an mpox outbreak after two health volunteers exposed to a deceased inmate tested positive. Both are prison public health volunteers with mild symptoms and are being treated at the Medical Correctional Institution. The situation remains contained, Dr Montien Kanasawat, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said on Wednesday. Investigation teams had identified 49 inmates and health volunteers linked to the deceased as high‑risk contacts. The World Health Organization declared in September 2025 that mpox was no longer a global health emergency, but warned that it remained a public‑health concern in many countries.

Thirteen originally attempted illegal border crossing but only six got through barbed wireAuthorities lead six Vietnamese onto a police vehicle after they were caught illegally crossing the border from Cambodia in tambon Laem Klat of Muang district in Trat, on Tuesday. (Photo: supplied/Jakkrit Waewkraihong)TRAT – Six Vietnamese people have been taken into custody after crossing illegally through barbed wire into Thailand, reportedly to escape a scam gang that forced them to work and physically abused them in Cambodia. Only six managed to make it through the barbed wire, with the remaining seven still unaccounted for, he said. The illegal entrants were transferred to police at the Banthaluen station for further investigation. Police have initially charged them with illegal entry, Pol Col Montri said.

Recommendation ‌system had prevented videos from appearing across YouTube surfacesA teenager poses for a photo while holding a smartphone in front of a Youtube logo in this illustration taken on Sept 11, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)YouTube was down for nearly 340,000 users, internet monitor Downdetector said, while the streaming site reported an issue with its recommendations system. The outages led YouTube’s site to appear blank for some users, with no videos loading on the YouTube app, YouTube Music and YouTube Kids. YouTube said that an issue with its recommendation ‌system had prevented videos from appearing across YouTube surfaces. "The issue with our recommendations ⁠system has been resolved, and all of our platforms (YouTube.com, the YouTube app, YouTube Music, Kids and TV) are back ​to normal," YouTube said in an update.

(Photo: Reuters)The Election Commission of Thailand on Wednesday released the “official” results from the Feb 8 general election and constitutional referendum, while acknowledging that recounts and new votes were required at some polling units. It said counts were still not complete in some constituencies because recounts or new votes were required at some polling stations. On Tuesday the EC ordered vote recounts at eight locations including one in Bangkok, and a fresh election at one polling station in Phayao. Many complaintsThe EC faces a flood of complaints about its handling of the Feb 8 polls, with some legal actions already under way to press for the election results to be annulled and new polls held nationwide. The EC cited anti-counterfeiting and security reasons, but critics say there was a risk of vote secrecy being compromised.

The raids at Wat Pa Chana Jai in tambon Nong Yang Suea of Muak Lek district followed a complaint by the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) that a group of monks had encroached on ALRO land and purchased plots from local residents, amassing about 2,000 rai. The first location, the main monastery compound, occupied 13 rai of ALRO land. Participants in the operation on Wednesday included Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat Pankaeo, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau; Pol Maj Gen Anek Taosupap, commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division; and Phumwisan Kasemsuk, secretary-general of the Public Sector Anti Corruption Commission. Investigators gather at Wat Wa Chana Jai in Saraburi following complaints the monastery encroached on land-reform areas. If wrongdoing is confirmed, the agencies will lodge formal complaints with police to proceed with legal action, said Pol Maj Gen Anek.

(Photo: AFP)BERLIN - Germany does not need the same new fighter jets as France, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday, signalling that Berlin could abandon a flagship joint defence project for Europe. “That’s not what we currently need in the German military,” he said. The Future Combat Aircraft System (FCAS) project was launched in 2017 to replace France’s Rafale jet and the Eurofighters used by Germany and Spain, to come into service around 2040. The FCAS project was launched with fanfare in 2017 by Macron and Germany’s then-chancellor Angela Merkel, with Spain joining two years later. The plan envisions not only a fighter jet but an interlinked drone swarm and a digital cloud system.

The 1 Exclusive recently celebrated its 5th anniversary with the launch of “Janice Wong First-Ever Chocolate Edible Art Gallery With Mastercard”, an exhibition hosted at the Mastercard Experience Space at Central Chidlom. Wong is an internationally acclaimed pastry chef and visual artist and two-time recipient of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef award. Her one-of-a-kind chocolate artworks express the brands’ identities that understand the lifestyle aspirations of the “Wealth Segment”. Collaborating with The 1 Exclusive and Mastercard allowed me to translate inspiration from Thai art and culture into works that The 1 Exclusive members and Mastercard cardholders can truly see, touch and taste,” said chef Wong. The exhibition represented a step forward in elevating “privileges” into “world-class lifestyle experiences that are truly meaningful”, created especially for The 1 Exclusive members.

'Buy property, get visa' plan upsets Phuket tourism operatorsPhuket tourism operators oppose the government's policy allowing foreigners who buy real estate worth 3 million baht to qualify for a long‑stay visa, arguing the investment threshold is too low and could attract "non‑quality" visitors as well as risking an increase in property prices. Foreign property ownership may also drive up housing prices across the market, as well as living costs, which would severely impact locals, said Mr Thaneth. According to Thailand Longstay Management, which backed the one-year long-stay visa, the measure aims to lift the property sector through foreign investors. Under the scheme, foreigners may buy or rent property only from Thai developers or owners. Foreigners must comply with national property ownership rules, which stipulate foreigners cannot hold more than 49% of the ownership quota in any condo.

(Photo: supplied/Achadthaya Chuenniran)Thailand’s caretaker government is considering a reduction of the 60‑day visa‑free stay period, following numerous complaints that foreigners have been exploiting the system to engage in illegal activities or exploit local residents, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. Mr Sihasak said the government was preparing to review the appropriateness of the visa measures, particularly the visa‑free scheme. The 60‑day period may be too long, as most visitors stay only 15-30 days on average, Mr Sihasak said. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow speaks to reporters during his visit to Phuket on Wednesday. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, tourism operators proposed a rule change last year, and the ministry agreed that shortening the stay period would not affect tourism.

DP World announced on Friday that Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem had resigned as chief executive and chair. In their correspondence, Bin Sulayem discussed sexual relationships with women with whom Epstein helped him connect. Cooking togetherIn one email exchange, Epstein described Bin Sulayem as funny, trustworthy and a foodie. Epstein went on to say that Bin Sulayem, a Muslim, does not drink and prays five times a day. Bin Sulayem has not publicly commented on Epstein's description or the emails about his relationship with him.