Listen to this articlePolice take the suspected Bangkok expressway gunman into custody on Koh Chang in Trat province on Wednesday evening. Police forensic investigators inspect the car driven by the murder victim at the crime scene on a Bangkok expressway in Bang Sue district early Tuesday morning. Pol Lt Gen Sayam said Mr Songkran admitted to committing the killing and showed police where he dumped his weapon, claiming he did not intend to take the victim’s life. His blood test was positive for methamphetamine, which indicated that he committed the crime while intoxicated from both alcohol and drugs, Pol Lt Gen Sayam said. Pol Lt Gen Sayam said the suspect is facing charges of murder, attempted murder and a firearms offence.

44 current and former lawmakers could face bans for pushing to amend lese-majeste lawListen to this articleThe National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has postponed a ruling on a case involving 44 former Move Forward Party MPs accused of serious ethical violations arising from their push to amend the lese-majeste law after the accused lodged a petition. Of the 44 named in the original complaint, 25 are currently sitting members of the People’s Party, the successor to Move Forward after it was dissolved. The investigation into the former Move Forward MPs was launched last August following a petition by lawyer Theerayut Suwankesorn, who asked the Constitutional Court to order the party to cease all activities relating to amending the lese majeste law. The petition was based on a ruling by the court on Jan 31, 2024, which said the Move Forward Party’s efforts to amend Section 112 constituted an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy. If found guilty, they may have to forfeit their positions as MPs and could be banned from running in elections.

Prime minister hopeful Tarique Rahman arrives in BangladeshListen to this articleActing chair of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Tarique Rahman has returned home after 17-years in self-imposed exile. (Photo: AFP)DHAKA — Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman was welcomed back to Bangladesh on Thursday by huge crowds of joyous supporters after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and heir apparent of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), shook hands with party leaders after touching down at the Dhaka airport. The BNP is widely seen as an election frontrunner, with Rahman expected to be put forward as prime minister if his party wins a majority. "Tarique Rahman is the symbol of hope for this country," Panna, 55, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Listen to this articleThe Cau Binh Loi railway bridge crosses the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is gearing up for a major upgrade of its rail system to support economic development. In addition to Vingroup, investors including the auto industry company Thaco, Vietnam ⁠Railways and Vietnam Investment and Development Group have ​shown interest in the high-speed rail project. Vingroup said its withdrawal would not impede the project’s progress and would allow the company to focus on delivering other large-scale initiatives. The ​government has said the winner of the North-South railway bid will be announced in January.

Thailand cornerstone market for YindiiListen to this articleMr Batard‑Dupré holds up a Yindii bag. As Southeast Asia confronts growing food waste and rising living costs, Yindii, Asia's No.1 food surplus marketplace, closed 2025 with strong growth and measurable impact across the region. In 2025, the Yindii community rescued more than half a million meals from going to waste, equivalent to saving nearly one meal every minute. Thailand remained a cornerstone market for Yindii in 2025." Thailand also became Yindii's first market to expand beyond traditional food-and-beverage outlets into the hospitality sector.

Siam Society is holding a study trip to Sicily and Malta -- two remarkable islands in the heart of the Mediterranean -- from March 10-22. Sicily and Malta have long been crossroads of the Mediterranean, influenced by Phoenician traders, Greek settlers, Roman conquerors, Arab craftsmen, Norman kings and the Knights of St John. These islands bear witness to pivotal historical events, from ancient maritime trade and cultural exchange to strategic military campaigns that shaped European and Mediterranean history. Led by Pikulkaew Krairiksh, former president of Siam Society, participants will engage with the rich cultural heritage of Sicily and Malta, savour authentic Mediterranean flavours and experience the timeless beauty of these two islands where the past and present meet in perfect harmony. This trip is in collaboration with Din l-Art Helwa, the National Trust of Malta, which is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting and preserving Malta's cultural and natural heritage.

Life wishes you a merry Christmas with highlights from many countries around the worldPeople walk past a Pop Mart-themed Christmas tree in front of Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok. (Photo: AFP)People dressed as Santa Claus take part in a Christmas regatta along the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. (Photo: Reuters)A woman takes photos of Christmas decorations during the Pingtung Christmas Festival in Pingtung, Taiwan. (Photo: Reuters)Bikers dressed as Santa Claus ride to support children with disabilities, in Bengaluru, India. (Photo: Reuters)A Christmas tree in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In March, North Korean state media​ carried photos showing such a vessel under construction. The unveiling on Thursday indicated that North Korea ​was making progress, although it has yet to announce when it expects to finish and deploy the vessel. North Korea has been testing various submarine-launched missiles and torpedoes in recent years, claiming that they were built to deliver nuclear warheads. It compels North Korea to accelerate “the modernisation and nuclear weaponisation of the naval force,” he said. North Korea is expected to hold its party congress early next year.

Brazil's bold industrial turn is a gambleListen to this articleFor many in the developing world, Brazil is a rare beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak global landscape. Finally, Mr Lula's industrial policy signals a major shift in Brazil's national-security strategy. Brazil's benchmark interest rate, the Selic, is among the highest in the world, at 15% -- and that's merely the base rate from which other interest rates are derived. Given how difficult it is to imagine any private investment projects being viable at such levels, it is hardly surprising that Brazil's investment rate has remained stubbornly low, at around 18% of GDP. High interest rates persist not because they are economically rational, but because of political choices.

Listen to this articleThe US dollar value of Thai exports ‌rose ​7.1% in November from a ‌year earlier, the Ministry ‌of Commerce said on Thursday, slightly below market expectations. The export growth figure for November compared with a forecast ‌8.25% year-on-year increase in a Reuters ‌poll, ​and followed a 5.7% rise in October. The ministry has forecast export growth ⁠of between 11.6% and 12.1% for the whole of 2025. Import value in November increased 17.6% from a year earlier, versus a forecast rise of 14%, leading to a trade deficit of $2.73 billion, against a forecast of $1.12 billion. Mr Nantapong defended the trade deficit, saying most of the imports were capital goods and raw materials used to support higher production of export goods.

Centara Hotels & Resorts unveils Himalayan hideawayListen to this articleHimalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection, is set to welcome guests from January 2026. Centara Hotels & Resorts (CHR) has announced the upcoming opening of its first property in Nepal, Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection, set to welcome guests from January 2026. Part of The Centara Collection, a curated portfolio of distinctive, one-of-a-kind hotels, Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara invites travellers to discover serenity in the Himalayas. "We are thrilled to bring Centara's signature Thai-inspired hospitality to Nepal for the first time," said Prapaijit Thongma, general manager of the resort. To celebrate the upcoming opening, CHR presents Spirit of the Himalayas, an offer inviting guests to be among the first to experience the new resort.

"The programmes reflect changing consumer realities rather than short-term market weakness," said Kessara Thanyalakpark, managing director of Sena Development. The trajectory of the artificial intelligence (AI) market signals a decisive shift in how consumers interact with technology, businesses and even their own daily routines. Thailand is the second-largest video commerce market in Southeast Asia, tallying a transaction volume of $1.3 billion. The country is home to the region's largest and fastest-growing population of video commerce vendors, surging by 175% annually to 850,000. The influencer market in Thailand was valued at around 45 billion baht, showing the industry's massive scale and economic impact.

Listen to this articleA house in Ban Khlong Phaeng in Ta Phraya district of Sa Kaeo province sustained severe damage after being struck by a Cambodian rocket early on Thursday. (Photo: 1st Army Area)SA KAEO - Three houses were destroyed when Cambodian forces launched rockets into Ban Khlong Phaeng, a village where Thai troops had recently gained full control, the Thai military said on Thursday. There were no casualties in the overnight incident in Ta Phraya district of the eastern province, said the 1st Army Area, which condemned the Cambodian army for targeting civilian areas. Ban Khlong Phaeng was one of the villages along the eastern border that the army had successfully secured on Wednesday. In two other combat zones, Ban Nong Ya Kaew and Ban Nong Chan, there were no reports of fighting as of Thursday morning.

Listen to this articleAnalysts expect foreign funds to continue to flow into the Thai equity market, supported by the sharp baht appreciation that has strengthened significantly since the start of December. Over the period, the dollar index weakened by only 1.20%, while foreign investors recorded net outflows of more than 15 billion baht from the Thai bond market, even as equity inflows gradually returned. ASPS recommends focusing on stocks that benefit directly from a stronger baht, particularly companies with significant foreign-currency debts, as debt servicing costs decline when the baht appreciates. Companies in the tourism sector may also be affected by a strong baht, such as Airports of Thailand, Minor International, Central Plaza Hotel, and The Erawan Group. Hospital stocks with high exposure to foreign patients could face currency headwinds, notably Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, and Praram 9 Hospital.

TAT looks to increase international arrivals by at least 10% after disappointing 2025Listen to this article“In 2026, Thailand must win back tourists by rebuilding trust via safety measures and memorable experiences,” says TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced events to increase spending during the year-end and the first quarter next year, starting with “Amazing Thailand” Ambassador Lisa and a UFO festival, in a bid to increase international arrivals by at least 10% in 2026. “In 2026, Thailand must win back tourists by rebuilding trust via safety measures and memorable experiences,” said TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. During the New Year holiday, countdown events are planned in nine areas in the South, including the “Amazing Thailand Su-Ngai Kolok Countdown 2026” in Narathiwat and “Hat Yai Light Up Countdown”. The UFO festival scheduled for Khun Dan Prakarnchon Dam in Nakhon Nayok province in February is expected to draw alien enthusiasts from both Thailand and overseas.