Safeguarding peace after border conflict
Safeguarding peace after border conflictListen to this article2026 began with good news: Thai–Cambodian ties showed signs of improvement following the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers on the final day of 2025. Worse, public trust across the border remains low, while anguished emotions remain high. Protecting public trust in Thai military through restraintThe Thai armed forces have received strong public endorsement for their response to the conflict. Moderating comments on Thai social mediaThe Thai media must act responsibly in the post-conflict period. Using the Chanthaburi–Pailin border as a building blockThe 89-kilometre border stretch between Chanthaburi and Pailin province in western Cambodia offers a clear opportunity.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 22:36 UTC
North Korea says nuclear forces ready for war
North Korea says nuclear forces ready for warListen to this articleThis picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, inspecting a missile launch exercise in Pyongyang. Lee has said he hopes to use his visit to harness China's clout over North Korea to improve Seoul's ties with Pyongyang. On Monday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying the test showed "the readiness of the DPRK's nuclear forces", referring to North Korea by its official name. Pyongyang's activity, he said, was "aimed at gradually putting the nuclear war deterrent on a high-developed basis". They have been deployed to deadly effect last year on cities in Ukraine by Russia, with whom North Korea has deepened ties in recent years, and by Iran against Israel.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 21:56 UTC
EU 'seriously looking' into Musk's Grok AI over sexual deepfakes of minors
BRUSSELS — The European Commission said Monday it is "very seriously looking" into complaints that Elon Musk's AI tool Grok is being used to generate and disseminate sexually explicit childlike images. "Grok is now offering a 'spicy mode' showing explicit sexual content with some output generated with childlike images. But Grok maker xAI, run by Musk, said earlier this month it was scrambling to fix flaws in its AI tool. X still remains under investigation under the EU's Digital Services Act in a probe that began in December 2023. The commission, which acts as the EU's digital watchdog, has also demanded information from X about comments made around the Holocaust.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 19:21 UTC
Family recounts harrowing ordeal with resort's gas water heater
Listen to this articlePhoto: Nuntaporn KetpongsudaPHETCHABUN - A Thai family has shared their harrowing New Year’s Eve ordeal, caused by a leak in a gas water heater that nearly killed all three of them at a local resort on scenic Phu Thap Boek mountain. The ensuite bathroom was fitted with an LPG water heater and had no exhaust fan or ventilation system. Around 9.30pm, the mother entered the bathroom to shower, increasing the water temperature due to the cold weather. She noticed a faint smell of gas but assumed it was normal, having stayed in places using similar water heaters before. The mother, although suffering a severe headache, dizziness and nausea, was treated and then remained awake caring for her family.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 13:50 UTC
New Year traffic deaths at 241, Phuket and Bangkok worst
New Year traffic deaths at 241, Phuket and Bangkok worstListen to this articleA motorcyclist receives help at an accident scene in Chon Daen district, Phetchabun, on Sunday. (Photo: Soonthorn Kongwarakom)Traffic accidents killed 241 people during the six days of New Year travel, with Phuket reporting the most accidents and most injured, and Bangkok the most fatalities. Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, deputy director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said on Monday that from Dec 30 to Jan 4 there were 1,364 traffic accidents reported nationwide in which 241 people were killed and 1,313 others were injured. Phuket province had the most accidents, 50, and the most injured people, 53. On Sunday alone there were 175 traffic accidents, 174 injured people and 27 fatalities.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 13:50 UTC
Gold, oil jolted by US assault on Venezuela as investors recalibrate amid commodity boom
(Photo: Reuters)SHANGHAI — The US assault on Venezuela jolted the global commodity markets, sending gold higher and reinforcing the long-term bearish view on crude oil as investors navigate rising geopolitical tensions to start 2026. The Bloomberg Commodity Index rose 11% last year, its best annual gain since 2022, while crude oil defied the uptrend with a 20% decline on oversupply jitters. Sticker reads crude oil on the side of a storage tank in the Permian Basin in Mentone, Loving County, Texas, the United States, on Nov 22, 2019. (Photo: Reuters)In stark contrast, pessimism about crude oil is building after the attack. Oil prices would be in the high US$50 range per barrel for much of 2026, he added.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 13:37 UTC
Competitiveness hinges on embracing sustainability
Competitiveness hinges on embracing sustainabilityListen to this articleMr Thiraphong says sustainability is key to Thai Union's strategy. For Thailand, competitiveness depends on embracing sustainability and innovation, ensuring industries thrive under evolving global standards and free trade agreements, said Thiraphong Chansiri, chief executive of Thai Union Group Plc. Thai Union sees these challenges as opportunities to push ahead with its Strategy 2030. Mr Thiraphong said the company's vision is clear: strengthen its position as a global seafood leader while driving sustainable growth. "This year will be one of bold action and partnership, with Thai Union ready to create value for stakeholders while contributing to a more sustainable and competitive Thailand."
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 13:32 UTC
Microsoft to add AI-powered formula assistant to Excel
Microsoft is set to integrate Copilot directly into Microsoft Excel to assist users with formula creation, marking another step in the company’s mission to embed artificial intelligence into the daily workflows of professionals. The primary objective is to simplify the spreadsheet experience, effectively removing the need for users to memorise complex syntax or nested functions. Once the natural language command is entered, Copilot instantly generates a suggested formula and provides a preview of the results. The rollout is also limited in scope, currently available exclusively to Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers using the web version of Excel. As for future updates, including the ability to generate multiple formulas simultaneously, Microsoft said it is currently evaluating user feedback.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 12:31 UTC
Ministry urges calm post-strikes
Ministry urges calm post-strikesListen to this articleThailand has called for calm amid rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela, urging all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution in line with the UN Charter and international law. In remarks issued yesterday after US air strikes on the Venezuelan capital Caracas late on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged maximum restraint to prevent further escalation and emphasised that "the protection of civilians and respecting the will of the Venezuelan people". The ministry said the Royal Thai Embassy in Lima, which oversees affairs in Venezuela, is maintaining close communication with Thai nationals in the country and has prepared assistance measures should conditions deteriorate. The ministry also advised Thais to closely evaluate the situation and reconsider non-essential travel to Venezuela until tensions ease.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 12:24 UTC
New scam centre found in Cambodia after Thailand's crackdown
Listen to this articleAn aerial still captured from Google Maps shows the newly built scam centre in Malai city of Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province. (Photo: the Anti-Cyber Scam Centre)Thai authorities have identified a new scam centre in Malai city of Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province, believed to have moved there following recent crackdowns along the Thai-Cambodian border. The compound is situated about 50 kilometres from Poipet township, which borders Sa Kaeo province, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhob Bhuridej, deputy commissioner of the Anti-Cyber Scam Centre (ACSC) and assistant national police chief, said on Monday. “Inside, there are workers from various nationalities, including Thais, Indians and Indonesians, with their supervisors being Chinese nationals,” Pol Lt Gen Jirabhob said. This discovery came after continued collaboration between Thailand, China and Myanmar to combat scam operations along the border, which have led networks to move deeper into Cambodia for safety due to the Thai-Cambodian conflict, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 11:06 UTC
Gold surges as US capture of Venezuelan president spurs safe-haven demand
Gold surges as US capture of Venezuelan president spurs safe-haven demandListen to this articlePhoto: ReutersDELHI - Gold prices climbed on Monday and other precious metals surged, after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, escalating geopolitical tensions and lifting safe-haven demand. By midday Thai time spot gold had risen 1.8% to US$4,406.77 per ounce, a one-week high. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has taken over as interim leader of Venesuela and said that Maduro remains president. Geopolitical tensions, combined with interest rate cuts, robust central bank purchases and inflows into exchange-traded funds contributed to bullion's 64% gains last year, its biggest annual gain since 1979. Meanwhile, investors are focused on non-farm payroll data, which is due Friday, for more cues into potential Fed rate cuts, Waterer added.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 11:01 UTC
Trump declares US 'in charge' of Venezuela and Maduro goes to court
Trump is unlikely fazed, as his plan to dominate Venezuela and its vast oil reserves unfolds. "We're in charge," Trump announced late Sunday. This was hours after Trump threatened that she'd pay a "very big price, probably bigger than Maduro," if she didn't bend to US wishes. The Trump administration says it retains powerful economic leverage by blockading oil tankers from Venezuela. The US position leaves the Venezuelan opposition -- which the Trump administration says was robbed of victory by Maduro in recent elections -- out in the cold.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 10:42 UTC
Border schools reopen after truce with Cambodia
Border schools reopen after truce with CambodiaListen to this articleStudents tak part in a safety drill at Ban Kok Fuang School in Lahan Sai district, Buri Ram, on Monday after returning to classes. (Photo: Surachai Piragsa)Thai schools in northeastern provinces bordering Cambodia reopened on Monday after being closed for about a month by the recent border clashes. Among them were schools in Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram. Local schools and government offices, their major customers, had been closed since Dec 7 due to the border conflict. School director Dechopol Chonlathee said all teachers and about 80% of his students had returned after taking shelter elsewhere during the border battles with Cambodia.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 10:21 UTC
Photographers under fire for 'rude decluttering' at Wat Arun
Photographers under fire for 'rude decluttering' at Wat ArunListen to this articleTourists pose in rented Thai costumes at Wat Arun in Bangkok. Krisda “Pond” Witthayakhajorndet, CEO of Be On Cloud entertainment, gave details on the X platform of his encounters with local photographers at the famed temple. Steps being taken by tourist police and the Wat Arun committee are aimed at addressing the matter long-term to prevent a recurrence. Wat Arun and the tourist police had acknowledged the issue and were in the process of gathering information to systematically reorganize and address the problem, he said. On Monday, tourist police and the Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan committee scheduled a meeting to set down concrete guidelines of cooperation.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 10:02 UTC
UK begins ban on junk food ads on daytime TV and online
UK begins ban on junk food ads on daytime TV and onlineListen to this articleNo more daytime TV or online ads for "junk food" in the UK. afpLONDON - New regulations come into force Monday in Britain banning daytime TV and online adverts for so-called junk foods, in what the government calls a "world-leading action" to tackle childhood obesity. Tooth decay is the leading cause of UK hospital admissions for young children, typically aged five to nine, according to officials. "By restricting adverts for junk food before 9pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods," health minister Ashley Dalton said in a statement. The charity Diabetes UK also welcomed the ads ban, with its chief executive, Colette Marshall, noting that type 2 diabetes is on the rise in young people.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2026 09:36 UTC