Iran, US hold talks in Oman after deadly protest crackdown
Iran, US hold talks in Oman after deadly protest crackdownOman is mediating the talks. (Photo: AFP)MUSCAT - Iran and the United States began talks on Friday in Oman, with Washington refusing to rule out military action against the Islamic republic over its deadly crackdown on mass protests. The talks are the first between the two foes since the United States joined Israel's war with Iran in June with strikes on nuclear sites. 'Inflexibility'German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking in the Qatari capital Doha, urged Iran's leadership to "truly enter talks", saying there was a "great fear of military escalation in the region". With the American threats of military action still looming, the United States has manoeuvered a naval group led by aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln into the region.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 15:11 UTC
In Finland's forests, soldiers re-learn how to lay anti-personnel mines
In Finland's forests, soldiers re-learn how to lay anti-personnel minesFinnish soldiers are exploring the most effective way to use mines. (Photo: AFP)KAJAANI - Finland is barely out of the treaty banning them but the country's armed forces are already training soldiers to lay anti-personnel mines, citing a threat from neighbouring Russia. Like the nearby Baltic states and Poland, it also decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, or production of anti-personnel mines. From a military perspective, antipersonnel mines are a necessary evil, according to Ratto. One million minesFor now, the Finnish army has no caches of antipersonnel mines.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 15:11 UTC
Bitcoin plunges to near $60,000 before paring losses in Asia
Bitcoin slipping below $60,000 could push it into the mid-$50,000sA novelty Bitcoin token arranged in Hong Kong, China, on Dec 5, 2024. (File photo: Bloomberg)SINGAPORE — Bitcoin sank in early Asia trading on Friday, extending a selloff that had already erased all the gains booked by the token since United States President Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory. It later pared those losses and was up by more than 2% to over $64,400 by 9.12am in Singapore. The selling has picked up steam this week in line with the unwinding of leveraged bets and broader market turbulence. Traders are now focused on whether Bitcoin can hold $60,000, Lucas said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 15:05 UTC
UK royal finances in spotlight after Andrew's downfall
UK royal finances in spotlight after Andrew's downfallBritain's King Charles III has stripped his brother Andrew of all his royal titles and ousted him from his Windsor home of two decades. The Windsor estate is managed by the independent property company, the Crown Estate, a commercial business that operates separately to the government and the royal household. Currently, the royal family receives back from the Treasury 12% of the Crown Estate's profits. According to the government website, the Crown Estate has paid pound sterling5 billion to the Exchequer in the last decade. Tax questionsBaker however also pointed to royal tax exemptions as further evidence of a lack of financial transparency.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 15:02 UTC
Line Man Wongnai weighs IPO in Hong Kong or New York
Line Man Wongnai weighs IPO in Hong Kong or New YorkYod Chinsupakul, Chief Executive Officer of Line Man Wongnai. Among Thai companies opting to list elsewhere, cryptocurrency exchange operator Bitkub is considering an offering in Hong Kong, Bloomberg News reported. Line Man Wongnai is moving ahead with plans to raise funds as it intends to boost investment in its fintech unit, Lineman Pay. In 2020, it merged with Line Man, Line Corp’s delivery service in Thailand. Line Man Wongnai raised $265 million in a funding round in 2022, led by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC and Naver, propelling its value to more than $1 billion.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 15:02 UTC
EU tells TikTok to change ‘addictive’ design
It said TikTok was believed to be “in breach of the Digital Services Act for its addictive design”, including through features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and a highly personalised recommender system. The commission findings raised concerns about TikTok design features that “fuel the urge to keep scrolling”. The EU began a separate probe into TikTok in December 2024 on alleged foreign interference during the Romanian presidential elections. EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier said Wednesday that TikTok had been “extremely cooperative” with regulators during that investigation and had been taking measures to address the commission’s concerns. Regnier added that while the probe remained open, regulators could monitor how TikTok behaves during other elections.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 15:01 UTC
Russian tourist dies in fall at Koh Samui viewpoint
Russian tourist dies in fall at Koh Samui viewpointNa Phra Lan Cape viewpoint on Koh Samui, where a Russian man is believed to have climbed past a safety fence and fell while trying to make his way down to the shore. (Photos: Koh Samui police)SURAT THANI: A Russian tourist has died after an apparent fall from a cliff at the Na Phra Lan Cape viewpoint on Koh Samui, police said. Koh Samui police said they were alerted on Thursday to a foreign tourist found dead among the rocks at Na Phra Lan Cape viewpoint in tambon Mae Nam of Koh Samui district, a popular coastal lookout and the site of a 200‑year‑old ancient chedi. Witnesses told police that tourists visiting the viewpoint earlier had noticed a person lying motionless on the rocks below and alerted authorities. Police are determining the exact cause of death before reporting it to the Russian embassy in Bangkok.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 14:50 UTC
Foreigner caught on Samui after scary SUV joyride
The incident began on Highway 4169, the main road around the southern tourist island, in front of the Isan Krok Yai restaurant in tambon Bo Phut on Thursday morning. At one point, he waved down an Isuzu SUV that was being used for airport transfers. The foreigner then climbed into the vehicle and sped off towards the Bo Phut intersection, while the driver managed to get up and cling to the door as the SUV accelerated away, shocking bystanders. Police from a nearby public service point pursued on a motorcycle, radioed ahead to colleagues in Bo Phut, and managed to stop the vehicle at the Bo Phut T-junction — about 3.5 kilometres from where the joyride started. The suspect was taken to the Bo Phut police station but was unable to give a coherent statement.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 00:37 UTC
The remarkable rise of Rukchanok 'Ice' Srinork
The remarkable rise of Rukchanok 'Ice' SrinorkRukchanok 'Ice' Srinork, a party-list candidate for the People's Party, meets with supporters at an election campaign event in the Samyan area of Bangkok on Jan 25. Rukchanok "Ice" Srinork, a former lawmaker representing the People's Party, is now the most popular politician in Thai history. Ice Rukchanok, as people call her, is not just popular; she is phenomenal in male-dominated Thai politics. The SSF became a national agenda -- with Ice at its centre: outspoken, fearless, relentless in her call for transparency. She was scorned as the daughter of a prostitute and a pimp -- a class slur in Thai politics.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 00:32 UTC
Gold on the head, faith in the heart
At a temple in Nonthaburi province, people seeking better luck and prosperity take part in the distinctive Na Nathong ritual, in which monks or ritual masters gild the participant’s face with gold leaf. The rite is believed to strengthen the “metal” element, boost charm, increase confidence and attract favour in personal and professional life. Nonetheless, many emphasise that belief should be balanced with mindfulness while heeding the law of karma, being diligent and doing good deeds.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2026 00:05 UTC
Abhisit calls on voters to pick 'blue'
Abhisit calls on voters to pick 'blue'Abhisit: Addressing strategic votersDemocrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva urged voters keen on strategic voting to choose "blue" on election day -- a reference to the colour of the party's logo. Strategic voting refers to the practice of casting a ballot with the aim of achieving a broader political outcome, rather than simply choosing the party or candidate one personally prefers. Responding to questions about strategic voting at "Thailand's Direction Is in Your Hands" forum in Bangkok, Mr Abhisit said he understood why many voters believe that backing a candidate who would not win amounts to wasting their vote. He said this prompted some voters to back parties they did not genuinely support simply to block another party they opposed. "If voters wanted to make a strategic choice, they should choose blue," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:56 UTC
Ties marked ahead of Nordic Day
(Photo: Embassy of Sweden)Thailand's role as a key partner to the Nordic countries was reaffirmed at the Nordic Day reception jointly hosted by the Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and Swedish embassies on Wednesday at the Norwegian Ambassador's Residence in Bangkok, ahead of Nordic Day on March 23. The four Nordic ambassadors highlighted Thailand's importance as a strategic partner for the Nordic region and Europe, underscoring cooperation in economic ties, multilateralism, sustainability and people-to-people exchanges. He said the Nordic countries remain committed to the UN Charter, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Even in challenging times, she said, the Nordic countries' commitment to human rights and democratic values remains unwavering. She welcomed Thailand's engagement in the UN Human Rights Council and expressed optimism about continued dialogue and cooperation in this area.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:56 UTC
Big 4 prepare 'KO punches'
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, People's Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, greets crowds of supporters at Samyan Mitrtown in Bangkok on Jan 25. The PP will focus on political transformation driven by citizens, emphasising public participation in reshaping Thailand's political and social structures. Beyond Bangkok, election authorities and provincial administrations across the country have intensified efforts to encourage voter turnout and participation in the simultaneous referendum on whether to approve the drafting of a new constitution. In Pathum Thani yesterday, the Election Commission (EC) organised a "Big Day" campaign urging citizens to vote and take part in the referendum. Meanwhile, the EC issued a firm warning to political party executives, stressing their responsibility to prevent members from engaging in actions that could undermine free and fair elections.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:41 UTC
EC chief 'sorry' about remarks on YouTube
EC chief 'sorry' about remarks on YouTubeSawaeng: Words 'taken out of context'Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee has issued an apology following widespread criticism over remarks he made in a YouTube video, in which he said: "If you don't trust the commissioners, then don't go to vote." In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he said he regretted causing public discomfort and stressed that his comments had been taken out of context. He said public trust in elections rests on two pillars: the system and the people who operate it. When only a single sentence was taken and presented without the surrounding context, it led to misinterpretation and unnecessary public unease," he wrote. Assist Prof Ponson proposed comprehensive reform through a new constitution, endorsed by a public referendum, as a more sustainable solution.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:36 UTC
Emotional reunions, dashed hopes as Ukraine soldiers released
Emotional reunions, dashed hopes as Ukraine soldiers releasedFamily members joyfully and apprehensively waited to be reunited with loved ones captured by Russia in the war with Ukraine. Your son has been released," the message read, two years after Russia captured the young soldier. Russia and Ukraine exchanged 157 respective prisoners of war on Thursday, the first such swap between the two warring countries since October. Since then, his father has attended practically every prisoner exchange -- one of the rare areas of direct cooperation between Ukraine and Russia throughout the four-year war. After the emotional reunions, those freed were immediately sent for medical checkups in one of the hospital's buildings.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:26 UTC