Online storm over Phuket ceramics shop's B40 entry fee
Online storm over Phuket ceramics shop's B40 entry feeInside the ceramics shop at the centre of the controversy, on Thalang Road in Phuket's Old Town in Muang district. (Photo supplied)PHUKET - The owner of a ceramics shop at the centre of an online drama after charging Chinese tourists a 40 baht entry fee had properly displayed the details of the service charge, which was legal, the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office said on Monday. It involved tourists being charged with a 40-baht fee to enter a ceramics shop in Phuket's Old Town. After the story came to public attention, the shop owner talked to the media, explaining the reason for charging an entry fee to the shop. They said the owner had properly displayed price tags, along with clear details of the entry fee, posted at the entrance in Thai, English and Chinese.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 12:49 UTC
Hong Kong police arrest foreign national for wrecking airport kiosks in viral video
Hong Kong police arrest foreign national for wrecking airport kiosks in viral videoA foreign national has been arrested at Hong Kong International Airport after a video showed him damaging self-check-in kiosks. (Photo: Facebook/@ hkcaml via South China Morning Post)A foreign national has been arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on suspicion of criminal damage and drug possession after a viral video showed him wrecking self-check-in kiosks. The video, posted on social media on Monday morning, showed a man in the airport's departure hall pushing over three self-check-in kiosks and hitting them repeatedly with a stanchion. Police confirmed that the man, a foreign passport holder, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a Part 1 poison. The force declined to disclose his nationality, age or immigration status, saying the investigation was ongoing.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 10:06 UTC
Microsoft to end legacy printer driver updates
Microsoft will gradually stop distributing legacy printer drivers via Windows Update starting Jan 15, 2026, with the transition completed by 2027. Rather than distributing older drivers, Microsoft announced that it will focus on modern printing standards—specifically the Microsoft IPP Class Driver, which has supported Mopria-certified printers (network and USB) since Windows 10 version 21H2. This model eliminates the need for traditional driver packages and promotes greater system stability and more standardised updates. Starting Jan 15 this year, manufacturers can no longer publish new printer driver versions to Windows Update, except for security fixes. The major US-based multinational technology company said it will not block the installation of manufacturer-provided drivers outside Windows Update.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 08:16 UTC
Drinks tycoon well after falling from concert stage
Drinks tycoon well after falling from concert stageThe band falls silent and the audience are stunned after Tan Passakornnatee falls from the stage at the concert on Sunday night. (Photo supplied)CHON BURI - Beverages tycoon Tan Passakornnatee, 66, fell from the high stage at a concert he had organised on Sunday night, but said later he escaped with only a slight backache. He danced on the stage while rapper F.HERO was performing, but suddenly slipped and fell from the two-metre-high platform -- and the horrified band fell instantly silent. As the audience shouted its best wishes for his safety, while also applauding the show, he was rushed to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. He thanked people for their concern and best wishes and said he was fine but had a slight backache.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 07:36 UTC
Border bushfire, explosions near Prasat Khana in Surin
Border bushfire, explosions near Prasat Khana in SurinSoldiers pay tribute to the memory of Pvt Therdsak Srilachai, who perished during clashes at Prasat Khana in Surin’s Kap Choeng district on Dec 9, 2025. (Photo: Royal Thai Army)Thai troops were on alert on Monday after a bushfire was seen overnight on the border near Prasat Khana in Surin province, accompanied by the sound of ammunition exploding inside Cambodia. The 2nd Army Region said the fire was seen to the east of the ruins about 9pm on Sunday, followed by explosions believed to be ammunition abandoned by Cambodian soldiers after the end of the border clashes with Thailand. The army announcement said it was trying to verify the information and was closely monitoring the situation. The Khana temple ruins are in Kab Choeng district of Surin, to the east of Prasat Ta Kwai, one of the deadliest battlefields in the recent fighting between Thai and Cambodian soldiers.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 07:22 UTC
Nepal 'addicted' to the trade in its own people
Nepal 'addicted' to the trade in its own peopleLast journey: the body of Nepali migrant worker Rudra Bahadur Kami is loaded onto a lorry at Kathmandu airport. Like many others, they went heavily into debt to pay the employment agencies that got them their jobs there, she said. But critics say would-be migrant workers are being made to pay 30 to 40 times the official service charge. While local authorities said less than 40 died, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) insisted several thousand migrant workers -- many from Nepal -- perished in deplorable conditions in the extreme heat, often from heart attacks. It does not talk about the rights of migrant workers and the obligation of government to ensure those rights."
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 06:55 UTC
Illegal Chinese caught with hundreds of mobile phones
Illegal Chinese caught with hundreds of mobile phonesHighway police stop the Toyota vehicle for a search in Prachin Buri early Sunday morning and find eight illegal Chinese migrants and bags containing hundreds of mobile phones. (Police photo)PRACHIN BURI - Highway police arrested eight illegal Chinese migrants and seized 283 mobile phones on a highway near the Cambodian border in this eastern province. Highway police commander Pol Maj Gen Pornsak Laorujiralai said the Chinese were caught travelling in a Toyota vehicle driven by a Thai man on highway 359 in tambon Krok Somboon of Sri Maha Phot district on Sunday morning. Police also found nine backpacks holding a total of 283 mobile phones, 118 charging cables, two notebook computers and accessories, Pol Maj Gen Pornsak said. Police impound the nine bags of mobile phones found with the illegal Chinese immigrants.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 05:10 UTC
Thai economy beats growth estimates
Thai economy beats growth estimatesLion dancers celebrate the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year at a department store mall in Bangkok. The economy expanded 1.9% from the previous quarter, compared with the forecast of 0.6% growth. Full-year GDP growth stood at 2.4%. The NESDC expects economic growth in a range of 1.5% to 2.5% this year. Its annual growth rate of about 2% a year is less than half the pace of Malaysia and Singapore and barely a quarter of the growth in Vietnam.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 04:48 UTC
Shots fired at motorway rescue team
Shots fired at motorway rescue teamOfficials inspect the bullet holes in the rescue vehicle on motorway 7 in Chon Buri late on Sunday night. (Police photos)CHON BURI - Police were hunting down a couple in a truck with a load of kratom leaves who allegedly fired shots at a motorway rescue crew who stopped to advise them they had parked in a dangerous spot. A motorway rescue team approached the truck to advise them not to park in such a dangerous area. Police said the rescue vehicle had two bullet holes, one in the body near the right rear tyre, and one in the tyre itself. A bullet hole in the body of the rescue truck.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 04:47 UTC
Crowds of black-clad Malaysians protest against anti-graft chief
Crowds of black-clad Malaysians protest against anti-graft chiefProtesters march during a demonstration against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Azam Baki in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. (Photo: Bloomberg)Hundreds of black-clad Malaysians gathered in the capital on Sunday, calling for the arrest of anti-graft chief Azam Baki after reports alleged he had improper shareholdings and that abuse of power took place in the commission he leads. On Thursday, Bloomberg published a report alleging that officials at the commission were helping a group of businessmen seize control of companies. Azam on Sunday said he would cooperate fully with a special committee set up by the government to investigate his shareholdings, the Star reported. The publication cited him as saying there was no reason for him to go on leave pending the probe.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 04:40 UTC
Safety measures ramped up before Chinese New Year
Safety measures ramped up before Chinese New YearThe government has instructed local authorities across the country to ramp up safety measures ahead of the Lunar New Year festival, with a focus on preventing fires, reducing traffic accidents and curbing air pollution. Some communities have also organised firework displays, which increases both the risk of fires and air pollution, she said, adding seasonal conditions further raise the risk of fires. Community areas, businesses, buildings, transport routes and festival venues, including riverside locations, piers and passenger boats, must be checked for safety, and any threat to safety must be addressed immediately, she said. Ms Aiyarin urged event organisers to set clear safety standards and exercise caution when arranging activities involving fireworks, firecrackers and other special effects, especially indoors. Meanwhile, Pol Lt Gen Chaipot Suwanrak, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, said deputy national police chief Thatchai Pitaneelaboot has instructed police nationwide to ramp up security measures and crime prevention measures throughout the period.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 04:03 UTC
Quadruple chasing Arsenal rout Wigan to reach FA Cup fifth round
Quadruple chasing Arsenal rout Wigan to reach FA Cup fifth roundArsenal striker Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring against Wigan. (Photo: AFP)LONDON - Arsenal powered into the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in six years as the quadruple chasers crushed Wigan 4-0 on Sunday. The Gunners are back in the last 16 for the first time since they won the FA Cup in 2020, a success that remains the only major trophy of Arteta's reign. Arsenal's latest FA Cup clash with Wigan lacked the drama of their previous one in 2014 -- a semi-final win featuring a penalty shoot-out goal from then Gunners captain Arteta. Grimsby stunned Manchester United in the League Cup earlier this season.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 02:42 UTC
New anti-government chants in Tehran after giant rallies abroad: reports
New anti-government chants in Tehran after giant rallies abroad: reportsThere were vast demonstrations of Iranians abroad on Saturday. (Photo: AFP)PARIS - Some residents of Tehran on Sunday chanted slogans against the clerical leadership from balconies and windows, reports said, a day after Iranians abroad staged giant opposition rallies in Europe and North America. Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah ousted by the Islamic revolution, had urged people inside the country to stage such actions in parallel with protests abroad over the weekend. Other major pro-monarchy rallies were held in diaspora strongholds including Los Angeles and Toronto. Pahlavi's office said on X that over a million people had attended such rallies worldwide but it was not immediately possible to confirm the figure.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 02:20 UTC
'Ultra-left' blamed for youth's killing that shocked France
'Ultra-left' blamed for youth's killing that shocked France'Pray for Quentin': the killing of a 23-year-old far-right sympathiser in the French city of Lyon has triggered protestsLYON - France's government said Sunday the "ultra-left" was behind the fatal beating of a French youth aligned with the far right, after the killing inflamed political tension ahead of March local elections. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez echoed the accusation, telling public broadcaster France 2 the "ultra-left" was "clearly at the helm" in the attack. According to the Nemesis collective, which is close to the far right, Quentin was providing security for its protesters and was assaulted by "anti-fascist" activists. - Pre-election tension -The incident has further fuelled tension between France's far right and hard left ahead of municipal elections nationwide in March and the 2027 presidential race. The far right has blamed the killing on la Jeune Garde (Young Guard), an anti-fascist youth offshoot of the LFI.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 02:08 UTC
Rio to kick off Carnival parade with ode to Lula in election year
Rio to kick off Carnival parade with ode to Lula in election yearRevelers from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school wave flags depicting Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during a technical rehearsalRIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) - Rio de Janeiro on Sunday kicks off three days of dazzling carnival parades with a tribute to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that the opposition has criticized as early election campaigning ahead of October polls. - Warnings against election propaganda -On Friday, the presidency warned officials attending carnival events to "refrain from making statements that could be characterized as early electoral propaganda." Lula's Worker's Party (PT) on Saturday said the Academicos tribute to Lula was "a cultural manifestation, and any activity of an electoral nature is prohibited at this time." The Academicos parade will involve 3,000 people and feature different scenes from Lula's life, from his poor beginnings in Brazil's northeast, to his time as a factory worker and union leader. The accompanying samba song chants out "Ole, ole, ole, ola; Lula, Lula!
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2026 02:03 UTC