Anutin's long political ascent
Anutin's long political ascentBJT Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul takes a selfie with supporters during election canvassing in Hat Yai district of Songkhla on Wednesday night. "Under Mr Anutin's direction, the capacity of every member has been enhanced, and he allows individuals to perform to their fullest potential," Mr Siripong said. Electoral testMr Anutin's political messaging has remained consistent throughout his career. Supachai Jaisamut, BJT's legal chief, said Mr Anutin's leadership style strengthened internal cooperation. "Mr Anutin's open-mindedness towards younger generations within the party is a crucial factor underpinning effective administration," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:25 UTC
Rethinking global health finance
Rethinking global health financeFor the past half-century, the economics of global health were straightforward. Moreover, the grant-based system makes much use of vertical health programs, which advance specific, measurable, narrow, and often short-term objectives. Yet instead of addressing the weaknesses of the grant-based system, development finance institutions and donor countries want to scrap it. And risk-laden guarantors are more likely to emphasise the financial viability of projects, rather than the health system's needs. The language of leverage might appeal to those who make funding decisions, but it will do little to fix health systems on the ground.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:07 UTC
Pheu Thai bets again on loyal red-shirt base
Pheu Thai bets again on loyal red-shirt baseThe Pheu Thai Party's call for supporters to wear red shirts today appears to be a last-ditch effort to re-energise its traditional "red-shirt" base. Pheu Thai is on the wane. As an observer, I would note that both the Pheu Thai Party and Thai society have come a long way from the era of risky street confrontations. The red-shirt mobilisation of 2026 appears to be a signal -- a test of whether Pheu Thai still enjoys support from its traditional base. Reading the tea leaves, the Dress in Red campaign alone is unlikely to alter the overall trajectory of Sunday's election.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:07 UTC
Politics at the border
His repeated vows not to reopen the border, clearly aimed at pleasing ultranationalist groups, are more than startling. Yesterday, Mr Anutin also told voters he would repeal MOU 44 on maritime border negotiations, which the government signed with Cambodia nearly two decades ago. As the government and the army frame border closures as punishment for Cambodia and the Hun Sen regime, the harsh measures have inflicted serious damage on Thailand's economy. Border trade, which gave Thailand a surplus of more than 109 billion baht in 2024, is now a thing of the past. More worrying still, prolonged border closures are cutting off people-to-people ties -- a key foundation for restoring relations.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:07 UTC
Will poll be breakout or more of same?
Will poll be breakout or more of same? Only once in the past 26 years -- in January 2001 -- have voter preferences prevailed, when Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai Party swept to power. Its successor, the People's Party (PP) under Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, now appears poised to repeat the feat. Having won every election except 2023, Pheu Thai retains extensive upcountry canvassing networks and a formidable war chest. Democrats may siphon off some younger voters seeking reform without touching monarchy reform.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:07 UTC
BGRIM puts emphasis on renewables
BGRIM puts emphasis on renewablesMr Link says BGRIM wants to develop more renewable energy projects to support a transition to a low-carbon society. B.Grimm Power Plc (BGRIM) is positioning clean energy as a game changer for Thailand's energy transition, accelerating its push into renewables as the country and global industry move towards a low-carbon future. The company set an ambitious target to lift its share of renewable energy to more than 50% of total generation by 2030, up from 37% now, while increasing total capacity to 10 gigawatts from 4.6GW. Beyond energy generation, BGRIM is diversifying into digital infrastructure to support the growth of artificial intelligence and cloud services. Plans include a 96MW hyperscale data centre that is to serve as a foundation for Thailand's digital economy.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:07 UTC
Thais make team event quarter-finals
Thais make team event quarter-finalsThai star Pitchamon Opatniputh. (Photo supplied)The Thai women's badminton team reached the quarter-finals of the Asia Team Championships 2026 in Qingdao, China on Thursday. Thursday's victory followed their 5-0 opening win against Myanmar on Tuesday. Pornpicha won the deciding fifth match, beating Malvika Bansod 21-18, 21-14 to send Thailand through as champions of the group. They defeated Macau 5-0 in the opening tie on Wednesday.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 23:06 UTC
TikTok affirms B270bn outlay in Thailand
TikTok affirms B270bn outlay in ThailandMr Ekniti examines a TikTok display at Davos. TikTok has confirmed its long-term investment plan in Thailand worth 270 billion baht, according to caretaker finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. TikTok also proposed positioning Thailand as a regional base for activities such as content development. TikTok established its Thai entity, TikTok Technologies Co, as a regional operating office in 2021 when the company received BoI investment promotion for its international business centre operations. "TikTok reaffirming its investment in Thailand reflects the confidence of global investors in the potential of our digital economy," said Mr Ekniti.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 22:56 UTC
Gold, emerging nations feature in Faber's portfolio
Heavily indebted governments have limited options beyond higher taxes, debt repudiation or inflation, Mr Faber told the recent "Game Changer - Outlook 2026 & Beyond" seminar held in Bangkok. Despite its recent gains, Mr Faber maintains that gold remains undervalued when measured against the expansion of global liquidity and sovereign debt. It is a form of insurance against financial disorder, currency debasement, and political instability," said Mr Faber. As such, Mr Faber sees Bitcoin as a potential diversifier rather than a core store of value comparable to gold. "The biggest risk for investors is not volatility, but the permanent loss of purchasing power in a world dominated by debt and money printing," said Mr Faber.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 22:53 UTC
Former WTO chief urges Thailand to adapt
Former WTO chief urges Thailand to adaptSupachai: Strategy must changeFormer World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Supachai Panitchpakdi is urging Asia and Thailand to adapt to a new era shaped by multipolar power, geoeconomics and strategic technologies. GAME CHANGERSMr Supachai's first game changer is a "multipolar world without multilateralism". The second game changer is the rise of geoeconomics, where economic tools are increasingly used as instruments of political strategy. The third game changer involves the growing dominance of geoeconomic considerations over traditional economic policy, concerning key strategic areas in the world. Beyond geopolitics and trade, he noted artificial intelligence must be developed with a broader purpose, rather than productivity gains alone.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 22:37 UTC
BoT expected to avoid manipulation charge
BoT expected to avoid manipulation chargeThailand has a low likelihood of being designated a currency manipulator, as foreign exchange intervention in the baht remains well below the US threshold, according to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research). Under the US Treasury's foreign exchange intervention criteria, net foreign exchange purchases must not exceed 2% of GDP. K-Research estimates the Bank of Thailand's intervention in the baht amounted to 0.9% of GDP. One of the criterion is a significant bilateral trade surplus with the US. In addition to foreign exchange intervention, the central bank has also supervised domestic gold trading, which can partially affect baht movements.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 22:24 UTC
Iran, US prepare for Oman talks after deadly protest crackdown
Iran, US prepare for Oman talks after deadly protest crackdownOman is a longstanding but discreet mediator. (Photo: AFP)MUSCAT (OMAN) - Iran and the United States were preparing for talks on Friday in Oman, with Washington looking to see if there was any prospect of diplomatic progress on the Iranian nuclear programme and other issues while refusing to rule out military action. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are due to lead their delegations at the negotiations in the discreet Gulf sultanate, which has periodically acted as a mediator between the countries. Trump initially threatened military action against Tehran over its crackdown on protesters and even told demonstrators "help is on its way". But his rhetoric in recent days has focused on reining in the Iranian nuclear programme, which the West fears is aimed at making a bomb.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 22:08 UTC
More toilet timebombs defused in Pattani
Explosive devices in plastic bags were found in a flush tank in the women’s toilet at the Pattani bus terminal in Muang district of the southern border province on Thursday. (Photo: Abdullah Benjakat)Two timebombs were defused at the Pattani bus terminal in Muang district on Thursday after they were found hidden a toilet, with authorities saying they resembled previous finds at several petrol stations in the province. Police received a report from local people in tambon Tabulo of a suspicious object in a restroom at the station at about 7am, said Pol Col Jeffrey Saimankul, chief of the Muang district police station. Authorities went to inspect and discovered two devices in the women’s toilet. The perpetrators of Thursday’s incident were believed to be the same group responsible for planting bombs with digital timers at three PTT petrol stations in the district on Tuesday night.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 22:08 UTC
World Bank calls for rejig of growth model
Thailand should use the global spotlight from hosting the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in October this year to reposition its economic growth model, according to a senior World Bank official. Thai economic growth is expected to slow to 1.8-2% this year, lagging its regional peers. According to World Bank projections, Thailand is growing about 1.8% a year. The World Bank identified three major global trends shaping Thailand's prospects: economic fragmentation, climate change and technological transformation. To drive future growth, the World Bank highlighted five priority sectors with strong potential: advanced and green manufacturing, food and agribusiness, digital services, tourism and wellness, and creative industries.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 22:08 UTC
‘Crisis of faith’ pushes Bitcoin to 15-month low
Bitcoin slumped below $72,000, a level last seen 15 months ago, as a broad risk-off sentiment engulfed global markets on Thursday. The largest cryptocurrency is extending a downward spiral that has produced a 42% decline from its peak in October last year. Bitcoin came within a whisper of breaching $70,000 before recovering slightly to trade around $71,000 as of 9am local time in London. “The market is currently navigating a crisis of faith,” said Shiliang Tang, managing partner of Monarq Asset Management. Unlike equity markets, however, bitcoin and other tokens had already been sliding for months.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2026 18:46 UTC