The Russia-US nuclear treaty is expiring — what comes next?
The last Russia-U.S. nuclear arms control treaty, known as New START, is due to expire on February 5. We look at what the treaty does, what its expiration would mean and what it may take to establish a new treaty.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 04:34 UTC
Hunt for thief who stole B2.4m in gold in Hat Yai
Hunt for thief who stole B2.4m in gold in Hat YaiListen to this articleA photo taken while the robbery was in progress shows the robber snatching gold ornaments while staffers look on from outside. Photo suppliedSONGKHLA: Police hunt for the thief who stole gold ornaments worth about 2.4 million baht from a shop in a shopping mall in Hat Yai district on Tuesday evening. The theft took place at Burapa Gold Shop in the Hat Yai branch of Lotus’s store in tambon Kho Hong at 6.30pm on Tuesday. He jumped across the counter and snatched trays of gold ornaments displayed on the wall. A security guard said that the robber hurriedly put the stolen gold ornaments into his pockets and a shoulder bag, while dropping the gold necklace.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 04:03 UTC
Oil reform raises hope for Venezuela’s retirees and workers
Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA's workers and retirees in and around Maracaibo are hoping oil-industry reform sparked by U.S. intervention last month will increase the purchasing power of their eroding wages and pension payments, but their confidence is measured.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 03:57 UTC
Tardis and Daleks among iconic ‘Doctor Who’ items for auction
From a Dalek to a Tardis, a range of memorabilia from British sci-fi show "Doctor Who” is being offered up for auction this month. More than 300 lots spanning different series over the past 20 years, and featuring Doctors played by various actors, are on offer in Propstore’s online auction, which runs from February 3 to 19. Sian Taylor from Propstore said, "If you're a fan of doctors, we have Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, we've even got a pair of David Tennant's trousers."
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 03:57 UTC
Suit alleging bias in registration rejected
Suit alleging bias in registration rejectedListen to this articleThe Central Administrative Court has dismissed a petition against the Election Commission (EC), ruling that the agency acted in accordance with existing regulations in opening registration for out-of-district voting in the upcoming constitutional referendum. The ruling came despite claims that more than 800,000 eligible voters were deprived of their voting rights. The petitioner sought a court order requiring the EC to reopen registration. The court ruled, however, that the EC had complied with the law and had provided three registration channels and, therefore, dismissed the case. The decision came as political tensions continued to build ahead of the nationwide election and referendum scheduled for Feb 8.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 01:44 UTC
Record numbers choose Hong Kong in 2025: A super springboard for business expansion
Record numbers choose Hong Kong in 2025: A super springboard for business expansionFor Thai businesses eyeing regional growth, Hong Kong is proving itself not just viable — but vital. These findings are highlighted in the surveys titled “2025 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong with Parent Companies Located outside Hong Kong” and “2025 Startup Survey,” released by the Hong Kong Government on Jan 26, 2026. Increasingly, the answer is Hong Kong. The obvious choiceRecently, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the investment promotion agency of Hong Kong government, just hosted the Asean Business Community Reception in January, offering the vibrant local Asean business community a prime opportunity to forge new connections, strengthen existing relationships and explore potential collaborations within the thriving Asean-Hong Kong business ecosystem. For Thai firms ready to expand, Hong Kong is the super springboard to consider.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2026 01:32 UTC
Disneyland plan 'would spur growth'
Disneyland plan 'would spur growth'Listen to this articleA proposed Disneyland in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) will attract 10 million additional visitors annually and generate more than 150 billion baht in revenue, said Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. He said the message reflects how the discussion of the "Disneyland Thailand" concept has entered the realm of economic diplomacy. The plan envisions a large-scale entertainment and lifestyle hub that combines a theme park, a concert hall, and an 80,000-seat international-standard stadium. These would attract global events, including concerts by world-class artists and international sporting competitions, encouraging repeated visits. Addressing concerns about "grey" businesses, the minister stressed the project would involve no casinos or ambiguous activities.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 23:35 UTC
Decriminalising sex work needs clarity
When politicians and experts talk about "sex workers", they often mean full-time sex workers. However, defining sex work as only a full-time and static job does not reflect reality, where sex work can occur at various points along the supply chain. Are they considered sex workers, freelance sex workers, or neither? I raise this because when "sex work" is used as an umbrella term to include all work related to sex, important questions arise. There are migrant sex workers -- including foreign labourers -- working in Thailand, and there have been underreported tensions over claims that foreign workers are taking jobs from Thai sex workers.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 23:04 UTC
Our tariff-era dollar, your problem
Our tariff-era dollar, your problemListen to this articleA worker displays US dollar banknotes at a New Delhi money exchange on July 30, 2025. This implies that even if the greenback weakens in nominal terms, the periphery may receive less effective dollar liquidity than it does in a typical depreciation cycle. Heightened uncertainty can also lift risk premia worldwide, dampening the spillover effects of a weaker dollar, including higher risk appetite and renewed capital inflows into emerging markets. This means that financial conditions may not improve as much as one would expect in a weaker dollar environment. We may be entering a tariff-era version of what then-US Treasury Secretary John Connally famously described in 1971 as "our currency, your problem".
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 23:04 UTC
Shock exit: Thailand fall to the guns of Iraq in futsal quarters
Shock exit: Thailand fall to the guns of Iraq in futsal quartersListen to this articleThailand's Muhammad Osamanmusa in action against Iraq during the quarter-final match on Tuesday. Thailand responded swiftly, levelling two minutes later when Panut Kittipanuwong squared for Muhammad Osamanmusa to tap home amid a scramble in the Iraqi penalty area. Thailand pressed hard for an equaliser, Panut going close twice in quick succession, but Ahmed proved equal to the challenge. Iraq punished that miss almost immediately, Kadhim combining neatly with Ihsan before driving home their third goal. Ahmed saved Osamanmusa's attempt and launched a counter-attack that ended with Iraq firing into an unguarded Thai net.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:57 UTC
Britania pivots to hybrid business parks
Listen to this articleAn artist's illustration of a show unit at Britania's Brilliant Business Park project. SET-listed low-rise housing developer Britania is shifting towards business, warehouse and residential developments across five locations, with a combined value of 1.8 billion baht, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises as demand for pure housing slows. The projects, branded Brilliant Business Park, cover five locations: the Rama II area, Bang Na–Trat Road, near Amata City in Chon Buri, near Laem Chabang in Chon Buri, and Rayong. Each project will comprise just 5-8 units, with plot sizes ranging from 5 to 18 rai. "Our projects address problems that arise when homeowners use residential developments for business purposes, such as internal traffic congestion, parking issues and disturbances to neighbouring residents," said Mr Phakhin.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:55 UTC
Aircraft manufacturers eye Asia-Pacific demand
Aircraft manufacturers eye Asia-Pacific demandListen to this articleDassault Aviation's Falcon 10X, a next-generation long-range business jet aimed at growing demand in Asia-Pacific. As Asia-Pacific outpaces other regions in aviation growth, industry players -- including aircraft manufacturers -- are stepping up efforts to target passengers and clients in the region. He said the current trend shows flight hours for business jets have increased from previous years, reflecting rising demand for business aircraft in 2026. Last year, Dassault booked 31 aircraft sales, delivered 37 aircraft, and aims to maintain at least the same number this year. While 70% of its fleet is in the US, current demand is shifting more towards Asia, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:55 UTC
Deloitte sees strong demand from Thai firms in 2026
Deloitte sees strong demand from Thai firms in 2026Listen to this articleMetinee: Firm has expanded its scopeDeloitte Thailand expects strong growth in advisory and consulting services in 2026 because of demand from Thai companies for business redesign, data and cloud-related services to accelerate their adaptation to shifting consumer behaviour in the digital global economy. In Thailand, auditing accounts for 30-40% of total revenue, though it remains a stable, recurring income stream. The remaining 60-70% comes from advisory services delivered on a project basis, mirroring Deloitte's global structure where advisory has overtaken auditing as the firm's largest business line. Deloitte Thailand employs around 1,700 staff, with headcount growing at an average of 15-20% per year, in line with business expansion. As Thai businesses navigate digital transformation and global economic shifts, Deloitte expects technology-led advisory services to be the primary growth engine in 2026, while traditional auditing continues to provide a stable foundation.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:55 UTC
Study: Small firms must focus on profit
Study: Small firms must focus on profitListen to this articleBased on a Krungthai Compass study covering 2010-2024, the profitability of local SMEs has deteriorated over the past 15 years. Somchai PoomlardKrungthai Compass suggests improving profit margins should be the top priority for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to address persistent liquidity shortages and high debt burdens. The research centre under Krungthai Bank noted the profitability of local SMEs has deteriorated over the past 15 years, based on its study covering 2010-2024. Over the past 15 years, SMEs have generally faced three key challenges: low profit margins, liquidity shortages and high debt levels. This results in liquidity shortages and higher debt levels, leaving many SMEs trapped in a debt cycle, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:55 UTC
Mercedes-Benz accelerates shift to EVs
Mercedes-Benz accelerates shift to EVsListen to this articleMr Schell expects BEV makers to benefit from the state policy to curb carbon dioxide emissions. Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) expects the domestic electric vehicle (EV) market to gain momentum under the government's new car tax policy set to take effect in 2026, aimed at promoting cleaner energy. Christian Schell, the newly appointed president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz Thailand, said the country offers a strong growth opportunity for the German luxury carmaker. "Mercedes-Benz expects this shift to increase Thailand's EV sales volume," he said. Mr Schwenk reported last year Mercedes-Benz Thailand had registered 8,378 vehicles, including 299 vans.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:55 UTC