Chinese 'zombie pods' dealer arrested in Pattaya
Chinese 'zombie pods' dealer arrested in PattayaListen to this articleChinese suspect Yu Kun, 34, centre, is arrested in front of a condominium in Pattaya. (Photo: Amporn Sangkaew)PATTAYA - A Chinese national has been arrested for illegally selling ketamine-laced vape pods, known as zombie pods, to partygoers in Pattaya beach town. The arresting officers also impounded 12,000 baht and many ketamine pods found in his possession. Mr Yu's detention followed a tip-off that a Chinese tourist was selling ketamine-filled vape pods to other tourists attending parties in Pattaya, police said. The suspect was arrested in possession of 10 ketamine pods and the 12,000 baht in marked banknotes used in the sting operation.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 19:06 UTC
Thailand trains new generation of reporters to tackle AI-era misinformation
Thailand trains new generation of reporters to tackle AI-era misinformationListen to this articleThailand’s major media organisations have launched an intensive training camp to equip 60 university students with AI literacy and strong newsroom ethics, aiming to prepare a new generation of journalists capable of countering misinformation in the digital age. Thai Media Fund deputy manager Dr. Chamnan Ngammaneeudom added that digital platforms have blurred the line between professional journalists and everyday smartphone users. He hopes the workshop will spark a new generation of creators who can bring evidence‑based reporting to the public. The programme concluded with hands‑on group work, where mixed teams created digital content addressing AI‑related cyber threats without violating privacy or ethical standards. This year’s Young Digital News Providers programme is supported by the Thai Media Fund, NSTDA, True Corporation, Thai Oil, the Bank of Thailand, Boonrawd Trading and the SCG Foundation.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 18:59 UTC
Italy's spread-out Olympics face transport challenge
Italy's spread-out Olympics face transport challengeListen to this articleTwo small tunnels were opened on Jan 26 after many delays, to access Cortina from the plains by bypassing villages. The Games are being organised at seven sites -- the most spread-out Olympics ever. "With these spread-out Olympic Games, the first instinct is to say: 'I'll go by car,'" he said. But getting to the mountain sites will be more difficult as there is no high-speed Olympic train as there was for Beijing in 2022. Two small tunnels were inaugurated on January 26 after many delays, to access Cortina from the plains by bypassing villages.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 18:06 UTC
Tributes pour in for beloved feline influencer ‘Khai Kaow’
An outpouring of condolences has swept across social media following the passing of “Khai Kaow”, a much-loved celebrity cat and social media star. The news was shared on Monday via the cat’s official social media page, which revealed that Khai Kaow had died peacefully. The post used a familiar phrase among pet owners, saying the cat had “gone to the cat star”, prompting an emotional response from followers. Khai Kaow, widely known online as “Khai Kaow Look Mae”, (my beloved child Khai Kaow) rose to fame after being rescued from life as a stray. Jeff Satur in an ad campaign for Pramy with Khai Kaow (Photo: @Pramycat)Through short-form videos and posts shared on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, Khai Khao’s playful personality brought smiles and laughter to a large and devoted fanbase.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 18:01 UTC
Google tests Project Genie to let users create virtual worlds
Google has commenced public testing of "Project Genie", a breakthrough feature allowing users to generate immersive virtual environments through simple text prompts and a significant leap in generative world-building technology. Photo: Screenshot from Google's videoThe system enables users to construct entire digital realms by describing their desired surroundings. At the heart of this innovation is Genie 3, a foundational world model designed to enhance an AI’s understanding of physical laws and environmental logic. Google stated that increased user interaction with Genie 3 provides invaluable data for its "world model" research. The feature is currently being rolled out exclusively to Google AI Ultra subscribers.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 17:36 UTC
Anutin pledges jobs for disabled veterans
Listen to this articleRepresentatives from government and private agencies, foreign military attaches and retired veterans attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Victory Monument on Thai Veterans Day on Tuesday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Acting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul pledged to ensure proper full-time employment and improved welfare for disabled soldiers after their recovery during a solemn ceremony marking Thai Veterans Day at Victory Monument. The ceremony was held to commemorate Veterans Day, observed annually on Feb 3, and attended by senior officials, representatives of the War Veterans Organisation of Thailand and families of the fallen. Mr Anutin noted that many struggle to survive on a monthly veterans’ allowance of just 600 baht. The remains were enshrined in the memorial hall at Victory Monument, joining those of more than 800 other service members who died in past conflicts.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 17:07 UTC
Bencic, Svitolina make history as mothers inside tennis top 10
Bencic, Svitolina make history as mothers inside tennis top 10Listen to this articleUkraine's Elina Svitolina joins Belinda Bencic as mothers ranked inside the WTA Top 10. afpMELBOURNE - Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina have made history as the first mothers ranked inside the WTA Tour's top 10 at the same time, with the governing body hailing it as "an incredible moment for women's sport". In the latest rankings released Monday she was joined by Svitolina, mother of Skai, after the Ukrainian's run to the semi-finals at the Australian Open last week. "Two mothers ranked inside the WTA's Top 10 rankings for the first time is an incredible moment for tennis and for women's sport," said WTA chief executive Portia Archer. Bencic and Svitolina both took advantage of the Special Ranking Rule for returning mothers. "Coming back to the WTA Top 10 one year after returning to competition after maternity leave is something I am incredibly proud of," said Bencic, ranked nine.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 16:31 UTC
‘Study in India Expo’ — Top Indian schools & universities in Bangkok for Thai & Thai-Indian students
‘Study in India Expo’ — Top Indian schools & universities in Bangkok for Thai & Thai-Indian studentsAFAIRS Exhibitions & Media Pvt Ltd (India) proudly announces the return of the Study in India Expo and Indian Boarding Schools Expo to Bangkok, marking its 16th consecutive year in Thailand. Recognised as one of the most trusted international education platforms for Thai and Thai-Indian families, the expo offers direct access to India’s top boarding schools and universities—bringing together globally recognised curricula, multicultural learning environments and cost-effective education under one roof. Meet the experts and explore diverse academic pathwaysThai and Thai-Indian parents and students will have the opportunity to interact face-to-face with school heads, principals and admissions teams from India’s finest boarding and international schools. “The growing number of Thai students choosing India reflects the strong confidence parents have in the Indian education system,” said Vivek Shukla, Director & CEO, AFAIRS Exhibitions & Media. “India offers high-quality English-medium education, globally recognised qualifications and exceptional value—often more cost-effective and academically competitive than options in the UK, US or even Thailand.”Exceptional boarding schools and universities under one roof!
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 15:29 UTC
Blast kills suspected bomb-maker in Yala
Listen to this articleDebris from a bomb explosion is seen inside a house in Muang district of Yala, where one man died of injuries sustained in the blast. Authorities believe three or four accomplices fled into nearby forested areas following the blast. The woman said her partner detained the suspect after noticing suspicious behaviour while they were at a Chon Buri service station. Wildfires gut 950 rai of forestPHETCHABURI - Wildfires in Phetchaburi have damaged an estimated 950 rai of forest, triggering heavy smoke and air pollution affecting nearby communities and the tourist town of Cha-am. Preliminary assessments indicate cumulative forest damage of around 950 rai.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 15:05 UTC
Iran’s president confirms talks with US after Trump threats
(Photo: AFP)Iran’s president confirmed on Tuesday that he had ordered the start of talks with the United States, provided they were free of threats, after his counterpart Donald Trump suggested “bad things” would happen without a deal. Trump has maintained he is hopeful that Washington will “work something out” with Tehran, but also warned that “bad things would happen” if a deal was not agreed. On Tuesday, Qatar’s foreign ministry said diplomacy with Iran was “continuing very intensively”, in “tandem with all our neighbours”. Nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington were abandoned last year after Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran in June, triggering a 12-day war. The Israeli strikes hit nuclear and military facilities, as well as residential areas, killing military commanders, nuclear scientists and hundreds of others.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 14:04 UTC
Cambodian scam compound yields trove of fraud evidence, Thai military says
(Photo: Reuters)CHONG CHOM, Thailand/ODDAR MEANCHEY, Cambodia — The Thai military said on Monday it had recovered a trove of evidence of transnational fraud from a Cambodian scam compound seized during clashes last year between the two countries along their disputed border. Soldiers later showed reporters around one of several buildings in the complex that were bombed and occupied by the Thai military late last year. Touch Sokhak, a spokesperson for Cambodia’s interior ministry, told Reuters that Thailand had used scam centres as a pretext for military attacks. (Photo: Reuters)During the clashes the Thai military struck several casino complexes it alleged were scam compounds, saying they were also used to store weapons and launch attacks. Among the items seized at O’Smach were 871 SIM cards enabling anonymous international communication, dozens of smartphones, counterfeit police insignia and police uniforms, the Thai military said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 13:06 UTC
Musk merges his AI business into SpaceX
(Photo: AFP)SAN FRANCISCO - Elon Musk has announced that his rocket company SpaceX will take over his artificial intelligence outfit xAI, as he seeks to raise billions of dollars for his science fiction-worthy outer space projects. Musk wrote on the SpaceX website on Monday that the merger further entwining his business interests would create “the most ambitious, vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth”. Space data centresBehind the science fiction language is a plan to use SpaceX’s rockets to launch solar powered, satellite-based data centres to develop and run future AI models. “Global electricity demand for AI simply cannot be met with terrestrial solutions… The only logical solution therefore is to transport these resource-intensive efforts to a location with vast power and space,” Musk wrote. Musk had previously opposed an IPO for SpaceX because he had not enjoyed the required scrutiny of publicly traded carmaker Tesla.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 12:48 UTC
HAS Design and Research unveils High Line Bangkok
HAS Design and Research has unveiled a zero-waste thematic pavilion for Bangkok Design Week 2026. Located at Bangkok City Hall's Lan Khon Mueang Townsquare, High Line Bangkok is a rainbow-like installation that provides shade at day and extends light across the plaza at night. High Line Bangkok, a zero-waste thematic pavilion by HAS Design and Research. Last year, HAS Design and Research won the International Architecture Award for its thematic pavilion project, titled Aluminum Grotto And Public Ground. High Line Bangkok is featured in the 9th edition of Bangkok Design Week.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 11:52 UTC
Bangkok Design Week lands at four Siam Piwat malls
Four city-centre shopping destinations under Siam Piwat Group -- Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery and Iconsiam -- have been transformed into platforms for art, design and sustainability as part of Bangkok Design Week 2026, until Sunday. Presented under the concept of "Sustainable Art & Design", the initiative delivers extraordinary art experiences that connect creativity with everyday life, while driving Bangkok towards becoming a hub of creative economy. More than 20 activities that promote artworks and designs as well as markets are presented across the four shopping centres. Siam Center features "Sabai Siam", an art community market featuring works by Thai artists at Atrium 1, ground floor, and "Lucky With Everything" pop-up store at Absolute Siam Store, 1st floor. Among the highlighted showcases at Iconsiam are "Khlongsan Experience – Lost & Found" at the walkway on M floor; "Iconcraft x Pattern.ers Choke-Larb" at Iconcraft, 4th floor; "Sign Of Siam" at Iconsiam Park, 2nd floor; and "The Loudest Silence: Deaf Art Exhibition 2026" at Icon Art & Culture Space, 8th floor.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 11:46 UTC
‘Friends of Dr Supat’ challenge dismissal
As chairman of the Rural Doctors Society, Dr Supat in 2020 criticised the government’s procurement of Covid vaccines and ATKs. He has denied that the case against Dr Supat was political. Dr Supat is currently running as a candidate for the People’s Party in Constituency 2 of Songkhla in the Feb 8 election. The Civil Service Commission has said serious doubts remain over the fairness and completeness of the disciplinary process that led to his removal from public service. The petition was backed by the People’s Health Promotion Movement, the “Friends of Dr Supat” network and a group representing families who lost relatives to Covid-19.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 03, 2026 11:08 UTC