Merz, Macron to address first day of Munich security meet
Merz, Macron to address first day of Munich security meetAuthorities have thrown up a ring of steel around the Munich Security Conference. (Photo: AFP)MUNICH — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will Friday address the first day of the Munich Security Conference at a time of strained ties between Europe and the United States. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will also address the conference over the course of the day. The meeting comes as relations between Europe and the United States, their traditional allies and guarantors of the continent's security for decades, are under immense pressure. Rubio will address the conference on Saturday, a year after Vice President JD Vance used the same stage to attack European policies on immigration and free speech, shocking European allies.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 12:56 UTC
Dreaming of glory at Rio's carnival, far from elite parades
Rio's Carnival period starts Friday, with the top schools kicking off three days of glittering parades on Sunday. Rio's tourism agency Riotur president Bernardo Fellows told AFP that 52 million reais ($10 million) had been allocated to samba schools through the ranks. But the roots come from here, they come from the North Zone." Nowadays it's a luxury carnival, a carnival of feathers, sequins, VIP boxes." These people shouldn't just be there to parade to fill the samba school, they need to appreciate the spectacle as well."
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 12:50 UTC
North Korea's Kim positioning daughter as successor
North Korea's Kim positioning daughter as successorNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae stand at a hotel reception counter as they attend an inauguration ceremony for hotels in the tourist resort in Samjiyon City. (Photo: Reuters)SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be taking steps to consolidate his daughter's position as successor, and there are signs she is providing input on policy matters, South Korean lawmakers said on Thursday, citing a spy agency briefing. South Korea's National Intelligence Agency (NIS) will be closely watching whether the daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, attends an upcoming meeting of the ruling Workers' Party and how she is presented, including whether she takes on any official title, the lawmakers said. "In the past, the NIS described Kim Ju Ae as being 'in study as successor' but today the expression used was that she 'was in the stage of being internally appointed successor'," lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun told reporters following a closed-door briefing from the NIS. It remains unclear, however, whether it will be nuclear powered or operationally functional as designed, the lawmakers said, citing the spy agency's analysis.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 12:50 UTC
PM Anutin weds long-time partner
Anutin Charnvirakul and Thananon Niramit registered their marriage on Friday in Bangkok. (Supplied photo)Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul married his long-time partner Thananon Niramit in an intimate ceremony at his private residence in Bangkok on Friday morning, with family members and a senior government official serving as witnesses. The couple registered their marriage at home with officials from Dusit district office officiating. Mr Anutin also serves as Interior Minister. Mr Anutin, 59, and Ms Thananon, 39, first made their relationship public in 2022 at Government House and have since appeared together at numerous official functions.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 12:40 UTC
Les Ateliers Louis Moinet rides the Fire Horse
Les Ateliers Louis Moinet artistically expresses this zodiac theme in the Tourbillon Puzzle Fire Horse timepiece housed in an 18-carat red gold case. Based in Saint-Blaise, the independent Swiss brand has mastered the métiers d'art of micro-painting on a jigsaw puzzle dial. Meticulous hand micro-painting of the jigsaw puzzle pieces. Likewise, the horological puzzle has been solved by Louis Moinet for the new Fire Horse rendition. Tourbillon Puzzle Fire Horse in a 40mm red gold case.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 07:21 UTC
Chinese target Thailand for New Year travel
Thailand remains a top pick for Chinese travellers the holiday. Thailand remains a top destination for Chinese travellers during the upcoming Lunar New Year, but tourism consultants said the country should still develop new attractions and experiences to compete with emerging markets. Thailand should benefit from Chinese tourists redirecting travel from Japan amid a political dispute, she said. "Thailand remains a favourite traditional destination," said Ms Parulis-Cook, citing strong demand for beaches, islands and relaxing travel, according to its survey. Ms Parulis-Cook said 55% of surveyed travel agents said families with children are the leading market for Chinese New Year travel sales.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 07:21 UTC
Strange 'inside-out' planetary system baffles astronomers
Strange 'inside-out' planetary system baffles astronomersThis artist's impressions shows the unusual set up of the solar system around the LHS 1903 star. In our Solar System, the four planets closest to the Sun are small and rocky, while the four farther out are gas giants. Scientists had thought this planetary order -- rocky first, then gaseous -- was consistent across the universe. Puzzled by the weird LHS 1903 planetary system, the team of astronomers tried to figure out what could have happened. "Historically, our planet formation theories are based on what we see and know about our Solar System," said Isabel Rebollido, a planetary disc researcher at the European Space Agency.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 07:21 UTC
Bangchak buys Chevron’s HK unit as Thai firm expands in Asia
Aerial view of a petroleum oil refinery in an industrial engineering concept. (Photo: Bangchak Corporation)Bangchak Corp will acquire Chevron’s Hong Kong fuel business for US$270 million as the Thai energy company accelerates its overseas expansion, it said. The Bangkok-based company agreed to buy 100% of Chevron Hong Kong Ltd, according to its Thai exchange filing. Chevron Hong Kong operates gas stations as well as industrial and marine fuel businesses in the territory, it said. The energy company in 2023 acquired a majority control of Exxon Mobil Corp’s Thai refinery and retail business for $644 million.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 07:20 UTC
Thoroughbred masterpieces
By coincidence, the exhibition ended on Sept 26 — the same date that Xu Beihong passed away in 1953, at the age of 58. Reverso Tribute Enamel Xu Beihong The Running Horse. Jaeger-LeCoultre honours his legacy by reproducing his horse-themed masterpieces for the Reverso Tribute trilogy. Since 1954, his works and art collection have been exhibited at the Xu Beihong Memorial Museum, established at his former residence in Beijing. In addition, the Métiers Rares Atelier coupled grand feu enamel with a hand-guilloché pattern in decorating the dials of the Reverso Tribute Enamel Xu Beihong series.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 07:17 UTC
Singapore plans regulation for blind boxes over gambling risks
Singapore plans regulation for blind boxes over gambling risksA man buy blind boxes at a Pop Mart shop, the first branch in Thailand, at CentralWorld on Sept 20, 2023. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)As mania about “mystery” shopping sweeps through the world, Singapore is moving to tackle gambling risks raised by products which conceal their specific contents from shoppers. Singapore’s gambling authorities and home affairs ministry have decided to regulate how such “blind boxes” are offered to the public, according to a written reply to a parliamentary question on Thursday. While authorities draft new regulations, they will consider standardising and making it mandatory for boxes to disclose the probability of receiving certain products. The move aims to better manage gambling inducement risks, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said in the reply.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 07:17 UTC
Anti-Money Laundering Office eyes assets tied to scam networks
Anti-Money Laundering Office eyes assets tied to scam networksThe Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has asked prosecutors to confiscate 13 billion baht in assets linked to alleged transnational scam networks. The agency is also pursuing the forfeiture of 96 assets belonging to Chinese-Cambodian tycoon Chen Zhi, founder of the US-sanctioned Prince Group. Chen, who was extradited to China for prosecution in early January, holds assets including land plots, cash and luxury items valued at 345 million baht. In addition, Amlo has petitioned prosecutors to confiscate 89 assets worth 560 million baht belonging to Cambodian businessman Kok An and associates, who face charges of participating in an international crime syndicate and money laundering. The petition also seeks the forfeiture of 31 assets valued at 46 million baht belonging to Eua-angkun Santirakyothin and associates.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 07:11 UTC
PM vows tougher anti‑corruption drive after Thailand’s low Corruption Perceptions Index ranking
PM vows tougher anti‑corruption drive after Thailand’s low Corruption Perceptions Index rankingPrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaks to reporters before chairing a meeting of his Bhumjaithai Party's MPs-elected on Thursday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The government has pledged aggressive reforms after Thailand scored 33 out of 100 and ranked 116th in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reacted by calling the ranking "a failing grade". "The government will not ignore the findings and agrees that corruption perceptions can damage Thailand's international reputation." Thailand's score fell by one point from the previous year.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 07:09 UTC
The courage of Sasipat
Sasipat Sinsamosorn, the principal of Patongprathankiriwat School. After escaping from police, the assailant stole a firearm from a police patrol car and later stormed Patongprathankiriwat School. Sasipat pleaded with the attacker to release the student and take her hostage instead. Sasipat later died from excessive bleeding and severe damage to her internal organs. It is also preparing to propose a special salary increase and request royal decorations for Sasipat.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 06:55 UTC
Anutin signs off on border security plan
Prime Minister-elect Anutin Charnvirakul has approved a series of measures intended to bolster security along the border with Cambodia, including the construction of more border fencing, in the wake of another landmine blast which injured three Thai soldiers in Si Sa Ket. A soldier lost his leg, and two others sustained serious injuries as a result of the blast, which reignited concerns about security along the frontier with Cambodia. Mr Anutin said the government has approved the construction of fences along the border, as well as the request for more resources to enhance the capabilities of troops there. When asked about reports of Cambodian youths staging provocations along the border and online, Mr Anutin said that although such actions are regrettable, they shouldn't lead to an escalation, as both governments agreed to a ceasefire deal late last year. However, when asked about MoU 43, which concerns the demarcation of land boundaries, Mr Anutin said the MoU is still being followed because it is particularly useful for determining Thailand's territorial extent.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 06:55 UTC
Anutin dismisses 'sick man of Asia' label for Thailand
Anutin dismisses 'sick man of Asia' label for ThailandPrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul greets media members before chairing a meeting of his Bhumjaithai Party's MPs-elect on Thursday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed confidence in Thailand's economic outlook following the recent general election, rejecting foreign media portrayals that labelled the country the "sick man" of Asia. He was responding to a recent Financial Times article titled "How Thailand became the 'sick man' of Asia", saying such characterisations reflected conditions under previous administrations rather than the current government. On political stability, Mr Anutin said the election outcome sent a positive signal, demonstrating a degree of national cohesion. Asked whether the new cabinet would include technocrats or political outsiders, Mr Anutin said it was premature to discuss the matter.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2026 06:51 UTC