Are the Iranians pretending to have nukes?
Are the Iranians pretending to have nukes? Listen to this articleThe Iranian regime is brutal, fanatical and corrupt. He caused enough delay to rouse everybody's suspicions about Iraqi nuclear weapons. Because a similar kind of logic may apply to Iran's "nuclear weapons programme". There is no evidence that Iran even considered nuclear weapons until Pakistan and India tested their first nuclear weapons in 1998.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:54 UTC
Thana quits office over Games failure
PRThe resignation of Thana Chaiprasit as president of the Takraw Association of Thailand has cast uncertainty over his standing within the country's Olympic movement. Thana's resignation, tendered formally on Tuesday, comes just two years after he was elected to lead the Takraw Association. His departure follows a humiliating campaign for Thailand's men's team at the SEA Games, staged in Bangkok last year. His departure now raises questions not only about the future leadership of the Takraw Association but also about his wider role in Thai sport. With takraw's failure at the SEA Games still raw, and with the NOCT facing scrutiny over its governance, Thana's resignation may prove to be more than a symbolic gesture of responsibility.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:45 UTC
D-day for Buriram, Pathum in Asean club competition
D-day for Buriram, Pathum in Asean club competitionListen to this articleBuriram United coach Mark Jackson addresses a pre-match press conference. PRDefending champions Buriram United will look to secure their passage into the semi-finals of the Asean Club Championship (Shopee Cup) Wednesday night when they host Dynamic Herb Cebu of the Philippines. A draw at MBPJ Stadium will be enough to take the hosts through, while Pathum must win to be certain of advancing. Buriram, a point behind Masatada Ishii's side, remain in contention should Pathum falter. Buriram coach Mark Jackson is equally determined to see his side progress.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:45 UTC
Thai indicators set for improvement in 2026
Thai indicators set for improvement in 2026Listen to this articleAnalysts believe the Thai economy has passed its cyclical low, with a gradual U-shaped recovery likely in 2026, supported by improving global conditions, a rebound in tourism and faster government spending. Paradorn Tiaranapramote, first vice-president of research at Asia Plus Securities (ASPS), said economic and investment indicators are showing clearer signs of improvement. Industries expected to deliver both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter earnings growth include agribusiness, media, commerce, packaging, transport, energy and finance. BLS predicts stimulus of roughly 40 billion baht would add only 0.1-0.2% to GDP and 0.4-0.8% to SET index earnings, placing the short-term market ceiling at 1,350-1,370 points. If a government is formed smoothly by May, the brokerage maintains its 2026 SET index target at 1,440 points.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:45 UTC
SET on course for strong growth in 2026
Tisco AM recommends equities account for 50% of portfolios, with 15-20% in Thai equities and around 30% in foreign equities. The remainder is allocated to fixed-income instruments and gold, with gold exposure set at 5-10% to enhance diversification. The company flagged rising refinancing risks this year, with more than 87 billion baht worth of lower investment-grade bonds due for rollover, up from about 60 billion baht in 2025. In 2025, the firm's assets under management (AUM) rose by 10.2% to nearly 450 billion baht. Tisco AM targets AUM of 470 billion baht in 2026, rising to 500 billion within three years.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:45 UTC
India's pledge no threat to local data centres
Listen to this articleAt its first board meeting this year on Jan 15, the BoI approved seven significant data centre and data hosting projects, representing investment of more than $3.1 billion. Thailand's ambition to become Southeast Asia's data centre hub should not be directly affected by India's plan to offer a 20-year tax holiday to foreign firms using local data centres, as India is not a major rival to Thailand in attracting data centre investment, say local executives. "Implementing government policies to promote cloud-first and AI-native initiatives would ensure continuous demand and sustainable growth of the data centre sector," said the source. At its first board meeting this year on Jan 15, the BoI approved seven significant data centre and data hosting projects, with investment of more than US$3.1 billion. In 2025, the BoI received applications for 36 data centre projects with a combined investment of $23.1 billion.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:45 UTC
Parties highlight trade policies
As government policy plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of the country's international trade, key political parties have outlined policies such as accelerating free trade agreement negotiations, developing value-added products and integrating into the global supply chain. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPBhumjaithai Party's trade policies are centred around the "Trade Plus-Thailand Plus" strategy, which highlights global connectivity and mutual benefits. She referred to supply chain integration, which aims to embed Thai products into the global supply chains of trading partners. When the new government is formed, the council is hopeful that the minister responsible for international trade should understand the global trade dynamics and real business conditions. "There must be a war room to respond to US trade policies, as more measures are likely to emerge, with nations increasingly prioritising their own interests.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:45 UTC
UK probes leaks of ‘highly sensitive’ info to Epstein
Prime Minister Keir Starmer told ministers on Tuesday the alleged passing on of sensitive government information was “disgraceful”. “The prime minister said he was appalled by the information that had emerged over the weekend in the Epstein files,” his spokesman said. The prime minister in September sacked Mandelson as ambassador to the United States following the release of an earlier trove of Epstein-related documents. In another email, Mandelson appeared to tip Epstein off that Brown planned to resign as Labour leader and prime minister hours before he actually did so. The latest round of Epstein material — totalling about 3 million pages — includes a slew of financial and travel records, along with email correspondence.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:37 UTC
BJT vows to respect voters' wishes and bow to winner
BJT vows to respect voters' wishes and bow to winnerListen to this articleAdvance voting in Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi, on Feb 1. Pattarapong ChatpattarasillThe Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party has signalled it would respect parliamentary convention by allowing the party that wins the most seats in the upcoming general election to take the first shot at forming a government. Asked whether any parties had approached the BJT about the formation of a post-election government, Mr Anutin replied: "Let's get past Sunday first." He insisted political negotiations should only begin once the results were clear, out of respect for voters. If BJT does not emerge as the top party, Mr Anutin said it would carefully assess whether any prospective coalition leader was genuinely committed to implementing its policies.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:06 UTC
Ministry steps up Nipah virus vigilance
Suvarnabhumi airport managementThe Ministry of Public Health has intensified preventive and surveillance measures against the Nipah virus, even as authorities stress that the risk of infection in the country remains very low. The heightened vigilance follows recent reports of Nipah cases in India's eastern state of West Bengal, prompting health authorities here to strengthen monitoring across healthcare and transport sectors. From 2015 to 2025, Thailand tested 478 encephalitis patients for the Nipah virus, with no positive cases detected. "The Nipah virus is a reminder that we must remain prepared for future outbreaks," Dr Tawee said. Currently, no antiviral treatment has been definitively proven effective against Nipah virus infection.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:06 UTC
Coalition options emerge
VARUTH HIRUNYATHEBAnalysts are mapping coalition scenarios for the next government, depending on whether the People's Party (PP) or Bhumjaithai finishes first, with no party expected to govern alone. Ultimately, coalition talks are expected to hinge on cabinet negotiations, with Pheu Thai emerging as the key variable in forming a government. He outlines three possibilities: a PP-Pheu Thai coalition, a Bhumjaithai-Pheu Thai alliance with the PP in opposition, or a less likely partnership between the PP and Bhumjaithai. Mr Chaiyan considers the first scenario most probable, followed by a later realignment returning Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai to power. Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science lecturer at Rangsit University, argues that the most likely coalition would involve Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai and Klatham, citing their prior experience working together.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:06 UTC
UN panel taps Gistda exec
UN panel taps Gistda execListen to this articlePakorn: Named new STSC chairThailand has assumed a significant leadership role in international space affairs after the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN Copuos) appointed Pakorn Apaphant, director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda), as chair of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) for 2026. The STSC is one of two major subcommittees under UN Copuos, alongside the Legal Subcommittee. It serves as the UN's highest technical forum for shaping global space policy and governance. It addresses critical issues such as space debris, space weather, long-term sustainability of space activities, and space traffic management, providing the foundation for future international cooperation frameworks. Out of 110 UN Copuos member countries, only 14 nations have previously chaired the STSC.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:06 UTC
Finland building icebreakers for US amid Arctic tensions
Finland building icebreakers for US amid Arctic tensionsListen to this articleMost of the world's icebreakers are built in Finland - like the Urho, Kontio and Sisu, moored in HelsinkiHELSINKI - Finland is building a new fleet of icebreakers for the US but President Donald Trump's plans for Greenland, which he covets, and tense US-EU ties have raised concerns over the deal. In October, Trump and Helsinki announced that the United States coast guard will procure 11 icebreakers. "It is not possible to sail through the Arctic Sea without icebreakers and many big nations have interests in the Arctic right now," Viitanen said. In December, Finland's Rauma shipyard confirmed a contract from the US coast guard to build two icebreakers, to be completed in 2028. Managing director Kim Salmi told AFP they expected to sign a contract with the US coast guard for two icebreakers shortly.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:06 UTC
US-Iran talks 'still scheduled' after drone shot down: White House
US-Iran talks 'still scheduled' after drone shot down: White HouseListen to this articleWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump was keeping military options open against IranWASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - The United States is still planning talks with Iranian officials this week, the White House said Tuesday, even after a US warplane shot down an Iranian drone that approached an American aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. "I just spoke with special envoy (Steve) Witkoff, and these talks as of right now are still scheduled," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that they were due to happen "later this week." "President Trump is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango," Leavitt said outside the West Wing. The US military said earlier that an F-35C stealth fighter jet shot down the Iranian drone that "aggressively" drew near to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier on Tuesday. "Of course, the president has always a range of options on the table, and that includes the use of military force," Leavitt told Fox News in a separate interview.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 22:06 UTC
France summons Musk after raids on X offices
(Photo: AFP)PARIS - France summoned billionaire Elon Musk to a “voluntary interview” as cybercrime authorities on Tuesday searched the French offices of his social media network X, the Paris public prosecutor’s office said. “A search is being conducted today at the French premises of the X platform,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement. The investigation was then broadened after additional reports criticised the AI chatbot Grok’s role in disseminating Holocaust denials and sexual deepfakes on X, the prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday. The social media platform, which has denied the allegations, also in July called the investigation “politically motivated”. In late January, the European Union hit X with an investigation over Grok’s generation of sexualised deepfake images of women and minors.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 19:51 UTC