State rice support measures extended
Listen to this articleGiven continued volatility in the global rice market, the cabinet approved extending interest compensation for stockpiling paddy rice for another six months. The cabinet has approved an extension of the government's rice support measures, citing ongoing volatility in the global rice market. The first was a request to extend the interest compensation programme for rice traders who stored paddy from the 2023-24 production year. The interest compensation programme for rice stockpiling is a government measure to support rice traders by increasing liquidity to buy rice from farmers. This programme requires a one-off supporting budget of 1.68 billion baht, drawn from the central budget and contingency funds.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 23:07 UTC
Ratchanok off to flying start
Ratchanok off to flying startListen to this articleThai seventh seed Ratchanok Intanon will play Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark in the last 16. The Thai seventh seed took 35 minutes to defeat Malvika Bansod of India 21-11, 21-11 to reach the second round of the US$1,450,000 (approx 46,400,000 baht) World Tour Super 1000 event. Ratchanok will next play Mia Blichfeldt after the Danish player edged past Natsuki Nidaira of Japan 21-15, 23-21, 22-20. In the buildup to the tournament, Olympic silver medallist Kunlavut told the media his goal for 2026 is to finally win a Super 1000 title. There are four Super 1000 tournaments in a season, including the Malaysia Open, the All England Open in March, the Indonesia Open in June and the China Open in July.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 23:05 UTC
Ruling on pilot training charges creates legal precedent
Ruling on pilot training charges creates legal precedentListen to this articleNok Air planesOver a dozen student pilots won a lawsuit against Nok Air regarding a requirement for additional training charges outside a contract for co-pilot employment, while the Court of Justice ordered compensation of one-third of 32.5 million baht in total damages. Early last year, 13 student pilots filed the lawsuit claiming a breach of a hiring contract. Mr Teerawat said the lawsuit stemmed from a student pilot programme launched by the airline prior to the pandemic. He said the student pilots deemed this unfair treatment and a violation of their contract. "This shows the airline intentionally refused to repay debts owed to the student pilots, or declared them unfit for work," said Mr Teerawat.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 23:05 UTC
Banker urges expertise in next government
Mr Kobsak urged political leaders to appoint professionals with proven expertise to navigate these uncertainties. "Political party platforms should place greater emphasis on these strategic considerations, rather than focusing solely on conventional policies such as cash-handout schemes," said Mr Kobsak. The source noted the operation is not expected to affect global oil production levels or prices in the short term. Oil prices are on a downward trend primarily due to excess supply. Venezuela's oil production in November 2025 averaged 930,000 barrels per day, while its average production in 2024 tallied 870,000 barrels per day, accounting for 2.12% of total global oil production.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 23:05 UTC
EC seeks to combat underhand campaigning
EC seeks to combat underhand campaigningListen to this articleThe Election Commission (EC) has launched an Electronic Campaign Management Centre, nicknamed the "E-War Room", to monitor online content and crack down on false accusations and defamatory information targeting political parties and election candidates. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee said the E-War Room uses digital monitoring programs to detect fake news and defamatory messages circulated during election campaigns. The system focuses specifically on defamation under election campaign laws. Cases involving libel fall under criminal law and must be handled directly by the affected political parties, he said. The EC has used a similar system since the 2023 general election and has already succeeded in removing a large number of misleading posts.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 22:39 UTC
Pheu Thai makes poll pledge on B40 flat electric rail fare
Pheu Thai makes poll pledge on B40 flat electric rail fareListen to this articlePhiphat: Policy has proved successfulThe Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) on Tuesday pledged to implement its 40-baht flat fare for electric railways within three months of taking office if elected. Party leader and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the policy had already proved successful and is currently in effect on the Red and Purple lines. Building on this, the party plans to introduce its own version of a common ticket system, using EMV credit cards across all rail lines at a uniform fare. Another option would allow private investors to take part in shareholding, which could later be used as collateral for loans. He added that, if elected, the Transport Ministry would instruct the Department of Land Transport to take over management of bus routes, while capping fares for air-conditioned buses at no more than 15 baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 22:31 UTC
PP backs Pisan to take helm of MFA
Listen to this articlePisan Manawapat (photo: People's Party)The People's Party (PP) has officially unveiled the second member of its "people's government" management team, naming veteran diplomat and former senator Pisan Manawapat as its foreign affairs minister candidate. On its Facebook page, the party said the appointment reflects its ambition to unlock bureaucratic reform and head towards "consumable diplomacy". Mr Pisan was among the 13 senators who voted to endorse Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister following the 2023 general election, said the party. Mr Pisan previously served as one of the 250 senators and held ambassadorial posts in the United States, Canada and India. Mr Pisan proposed the concept of "consumable diplomacy" where international relations are linked to the economy, technology, security and people's quality of life, rather than ceremonial gestures.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 22:31 UTC
Ex-Bhumjaithai MP to file DES iris‑scan complaint
Ex-Bhumjaithai MP to file DES iris‑scan complaintListen to this articleSupachai: 'Data sold to scammers'Supachai Jaisamut, party-list MP candidate and key Bhumjaithai Party figure, said he will file complaints with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against former digital economy and society (DES) minister Prasert Jantararuangtong and the ministry's former permanent secretary for allegedly allowing scam networks to obtain iris-scan data of 1.2 million Thai people. At the time, the DES Ministry's Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) and Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) declined to grant permission, citing data-security concerns. However, on June 11 last year, the PDPC discovered that the project was already running, with over 1.2 million participants. The findings were forwarded to Mr Prasert, but he allegedly ignored them and issued no order to suspend the project, nor did he initiate an investigation. Mr Supachai emphasised that this omission has placed highly sensitive data on Thai citizens at serious risk, potentially enabling criminal misuse, such as the creation of mule accounts or facilitating technology-driven crimes.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 22:31 UTC
PM to discuss inter-agency data bureau system
PM to discuss inter-agency data bureau systemListen to this articlePrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will attend a Finance Ministry subcommittee meeting Friday under the "Connect the Dots" initiative, aimed at establishing a data bureau system to tackle money laundering and illicit financial flows linked to grey capital. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, who chairs the subcommittee, likened the current system to "blind men touching an elephant". noting that while each agency holds critical data, legal restrictions prevent them from sharing information across institutions. To resolve this, the committee will propose creating an Open API system, allowing agencies to transmit financial data digitally while retaining authority under their own legal frameworks. This would raise Thailand's overall growth above the 2% forecast by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 22:31 UTC
Yodchanan hears fishery concerns
Yodchanan hears fishery concernsListen to this articleThe Pheu Thai Party’s main prime ministerial candidate, Yodchanan Wongsawat, visits Samut Sakhon on Tuesday to meet with local fishermen. Pheu Thai PartyPheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat visited Samut Sakhon on Tuesday to meet with local fishing operators and to listen to their concerns on matters affecting Thailand's fishing industry. Mr Yodchanan, together with key Pheu Thai figures and MP candidates, visited the Samut Sakhon Fisheries Association in Muang disitrict. The party acknowledged that Samut Sakhon faces challenges beyond fisheries, including infrastructure, traffic congestion, wages and rising cost of living. One supporter shook his hand and said she had consistently voted for Pheu Thai, urging the party not to disappoint its loyal base.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 22:20 UTC
Western allies agree Ukraine guarantees after Paris 'progress'
Western allies agree Ukraine guarantees after Paris 'progress'Listen to this articleThe three leaders signed a declaration on deploying troops to UkrainePARIS (FRANCE) - Ukraine's Western allies on Tuesday agreed key security guarantees for Kyiv including a US-led monitoring mechanism and a European multinational force that would be deployed after a ceasefire in Russia's war against its neighbour. But the security guarantees for Ukraine would only come into force once a ceasefire is agreed to end the almost four-year war sparked by Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Macron said that Paris could deploy "several thousand" French troops to Ukraine after the war. Allies have "largely finished" agreeing security guarantees for Ukraine "so that the people of Ukraine know that when this ends, it ends forever," he said, flanked by President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Kushner added: "This does not mean that we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that was made here today."
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 22:11 UTC
Thamanat admits Pathum Thani talks
Thamanat admits Pathum Thani talksListen to this articleCapt Thamanat PrompowCapt Thamanat Prompow, chief adviser to the Klatham Party and its prime ministerial candidate, has confirmed he held political discussions with Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang, president of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation, as the party steps up efforts to secure parliamentary seats in the province. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Capt Thamanat said the Klatham Party is increasingly confident about its prospects in Pathum Thani and is aiming to win four constituencies, with hopes of possibly securing a fifth. "Frankly, we do have expectations, and those expectations are beginning to take shape," he said, adding a major campaign rally will soon be organised in Pathum Thani. On outreach to younger voters, Capt Thamanat expressed confidence that older voters would play a decisive role. While warning rivals against using "dirty tricks", Capt Thamanat insisted he would not attack opponents on stage.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 22:11 UTC
2.4m register for early poll voting
2.4m register for early poll votingListen to this articleThe Election Commission (EC) has announced that 2,410,425 voters registered to cast their ballots ahead of polling day during the 17-day registration period from Dec 20 to Jan 5. Of this number, 8,247 people registered to vote in advance within their constituencies, while 2,262,643 registered to vote from outside. Advance voting registrations in 2023 were considered record-breaking at the time. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said calls to extend the period for out-of-area referendum voting could not be accommodated. Mr Sawaeng noted that the three-day registration window for out-of-area referendum voting provides each eligible voter with 4,320 minutes over that period to register.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 22:05 UTC
Rights groups say at least 25 dead in Iran protests
(Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters)At least 25 people have been killed in Iran during the first nine days of protests that started in the bazaar of Tehran over the plunging value of the currency and soaring inflation, according to rights groups. However, even though smaller, these protests have quickly expanded from an economic focus to broader frustrations, with some protesters chanting against the country’s clerical rulers. Hengaw, a Kurdish Iranian rights group, put the death toll at 25, including four people under 18. Authorities have acknowledged economic hardships but accused networks linked to foreign powers of “pushing economic protests toward chaos and disorder”, with the judiciary chief pledging to have no mercy toward “rioters”. The rial fell further to 1,489,500 on Tuesday, representing a 4% fall since the protests started.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 19:36 UTC
Parts of Europe in deep freeze, travel disrupted
All domestic rail services in the Netherlands were suspended early on Tuesday after an IT outage compounded disruption across the country’s rail network. Trains began running in parts of the country after 0900 GMT, but problems persisted in the region around Amsterdam, a popular tourist destination. “We haven’t experienced such extreme weather conditions in years,” KLM spokesperson Anoesjka Aspeslagh told Reuters. Parts of Europe, including Britain, France and Germany were bracing for another snow-carrying storm to hit on Thursday and Friday. Meanwhile, in the UK, the Meteorological Office on Monday said winter weather hazards could continue throughout the week for most of the country.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 19:20 UTC