US athletes using Winter Olympics to express Trump criticism
US athletes using Winter Olympics to express Trump criticismTeam figure skating gold medallist Amber Glenn defended her right to speak out, saying politics affects everyonePARIS (FRANCE) - The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is in danger of developing into a Cold War between the athletes and US President Donald Trump with several competitors voicing criticism of his administration. The fatal shootings of two protesters by federal officers in Minneapolis last month sparked outrage in the United States. "Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn't represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics." Glenn, who identifies as pansexual and bisexual, took issue with those who questioned the legitimacy of athletes voicing their opinions. On one side was inscribed "Go Team USA" and on the other: "Apologies to the world for our bad behaviour.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 02:55 UTC
Will Thailand's election deliver a stable government?
Will Thailand's election deliver a stable government? Bhumjaithai leader and caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reacts at the party headquarters on the day of the general election on Sunday. Although Bhumjaithai lacks an outright majority, its 193 seats give Mr Anutin plenty of bargaining power. Clearing away one obstacle, the People's Party said on Sunday it would not form a competing alliance. The size of Bhumjaithai's win consolidates power to enable better governance if Mr Anutin can manage Thailand's stuttering economy and balance the interests of big business groups and powerful institutions.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 02:41 UTC
Russia invites young Thais to attend festival this year
Russia invites young Thais to attend festival this yearRussia has invited young people in Thailand and other countries to apply to the International Youth Festival 2026, which aims to bring together participants aged 35 or younger. Russia previously hosted such festivals in Moscow in 1985, when it was part of the Soviet Union, and in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi in 2017. More recently, a government-run World Youth Festival was held in the Sirius federal territory from Feb 29 to March 7, 2024, drawing about 20,000 participants from 190 countries, according to Russian officials. Following that event, President Vladimir Putin approved a long-term plan for Russia to host regular youth gatherings, including a World Youth Festival every six years starting in 2030, an International Youth Festival every six years beginning in 2027, and smaller annual thematic events. The International Youth Festival 2026 is scheduled to take place in Ekaterinburg from Sept 11 to 17.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 02:12 UTC
AI chatbots give bad health advice, research finds
"Despite all the hype, AI just isn't ready to take on the role of the physician," study co-author Rebecca Payne from Oxford University said. People using the AI chatbots were only able to identify their health problem around a third of the time, while only around 45% figured out the right course of action. Communication breakdownThe researchers pointed out the disparity between these disappointing results and how AI chatbots score extremely highly on medical benchmarks and exams, blaming the gap on a communication breakdown. Unlike the simulated patient interactions often used to test AI, the real humans often did not give the chatbots all the relevant information. One out of every six US adults ask AI chatbots about health information at least once a month, the researchers said, with that number expected to increase as more people adopt the new technology.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 02:05 UTC
New plan to secure gold shops
New plan to secure gold shopsThe police have pledged to step up security measures in a bid to prevent robberies at gold shops across the capital, as surging prices in recent weeks resulted in increased interest from criminals. The pledge was made following a meeting between senior officials from the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) and representatives from the Gold Traders Association, as well as individual gold shop operators. Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, deputy national police chief overseeing cybercrime suppression, said out of the 1,129 gold shops in Bangkok, 435 are classified as highly secure or "green" outlets. Meanwhile, 547 are rated medium-security or "yellow" and 147 are considered low-security ("red"), with limited safeguards and unsafe locations. The measures include improved physical security protocols to reduce opportunities for theft, such as additional CCTV surveillance and ordering shop staff to be more vigilant while on duty.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 01:21 UTC
BJT tops recount in Pathum Thani
Election Commission (EC) officials hold a press briefing to clarify the recount of advance and overseas ballots in Pathum Thani's Constituency 7, which was prompted by complaints from students observing the vote count process. The clarification followed widespread confusion on social media, where claims circulated that Bhumjaithai had initially led but was overtaken by the PP after the recount. After negotiations lasting more than six hours, officials agreed to conduct a new count, allowing students to participate under supervision. Pian Marasri, head of the political investigation at Pathum Thani's EC office, said his office had received complaints that election staff prevented public observation. Provincial officials forwarded the case to the central EC, which approved the recount.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 01:20 UTC
Thailand reconsiders its foreign policy
Bhumjaithai PartyThai foreign policy was elevated to a high priority on the policy platforms of many political parties during Sunday's general election. During the campaign, numerous debates focused on foreign policy -- something that was rare in previous electoral contests. For the time being, only the Bhumjaithai Party and the People's Party (PP) are seriously pushing their foreign policy agendas. To understand the present dynamics of Thai foreign policy, it is important to briefly recap developments under the short-lived Anutin administration. Whatever form Thai foreign policy takes, a sense of national survival runs deep among diplomats and policymakers.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 00:31 UTC
The case of the disappearing senior generals
The case of the disappearing senior generalsArmies can be used against both against foreigners abroad and against citizens at home, but the two roles require quite different equipment and tactics. Slowly at first, but now in a rush, the senior command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been purged of its highest-ranking generals. It's not like Stalin's great purge of Soviet generals in 1937-38, just before the Second World War, when at least 780 generals were shot. The Chinese generals are not being executed, although many are ending up in jail. Speaking of which, have you noticed how many American generals have been removed from office in the past year?
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 00:31 UTC
From conflict to shared prosperity
From conflict to shared prosperityA file photo dated June 1, 2015, shows brisk cross-border trade between Thailand and Cambodia, before fighting erupted in 2025. BloombergThe news from the front line, the border between Cambodia and Thailand, has a depressing familiarity. In both cases, I did not go where there was a significant risk of being caught up in conflict or violence. The Cambodia-Thai border conflict illustrates how tourism requires peace. There are many factors affecting tourism in both countries, but the border conflict was undoubtedly one of them.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 00:31 UTC
Pet food maker i-Tail targets innovation for revenue growth
Pet food maker i-Tail targets innovation for revenue growthMr Pahk said the company's innovation direction is anchored in "science-based nutrition designed to help pets live longer and healthier lives". The global pet nutraceutical market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.1% from 2026, reaching US$8.84 billion by 2031. In response, i-Tail plans to expand its innovation scope into supplements, nutraceutical products and personalised diets by 2030, moving beyond traditional pet food into targeted health solutions. ITC works closely with leading global pet food brands as a co-creator, participating from the early concept stage of product development. This is supported by Thai Union's broader innovation system, including the i-Cattery research facility, the Global PetCare Innovation Center and the Global Innovation Center.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 00:25 UTC
Funeral for a car forms artist's afterlife allegory
Caught in purgatory, the car remains physically intact yet fated to be dismantled. In this context, the car functions as an analogue for the human body; a form that retains traces of use and memory. Running until Feb 28, Act I began with "Forever Love" last Friday, a funeral for a car, where sound and performance served as guides for its passage. During this period, the car remains intact for one last fleeting moment. In this second phase, the car will be reduced to its constituent parts -- a decomposed mechanical body laid out like an excavated burial.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 00:16 UTC
'Anatomy Of Inheritance' reconstructs womanhood
An exhibition by Diana Sanchez explores female bodies as sites of contestation. Spanning paintings, sculptural objects and other media, "Anatomy Of Inheritance" delves into struggle upon female bodies. In this exhibition, female bodies are not only individual -- they are historical. Personal experience intertwines with the broader history. Like human bodies, fragile pieces of furniture are repositories of secrets.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 00:15 UTC
The art of persuasion
Following the Siamese Revolution, the country held its first general election and only indirect vote on Nov 15, 1933. Running throughout last week ahead of Sunday's general election, it charted the course of election posters and other media at key moments in politics. Photos: Thana BoonlertElection campaigns are the means by which political parties and candidates canvass for votes ahead of the poll. "Due to multiple constraints, election posters will wane," said Asst Prof Pitch Pongsawat, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University. Asst Prof Pitch said limited access to voters in fenced homes and condominiums necessitated political parties to run online campaigns.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 00:15 UTC
Digital tech seen key under new government
He said the state agencies' goal is to move from a nation that builds buildings to a nation that builds systems. However, 70–80% of state agencies still need to shift from manual, paper-based work processes to digitalised ones. Network infrastructure remains the backbone of the digital state, facilitating seamless data transmission and inter-agency connectivity, while supporting critical database upgrades. This should boost state agencies' tech spending to enhance their e-services and apps. The state agencies continue to purchase physical servers, instead of using public cloud services, Mr Woraphop said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2026 00:09 UTC
Pheu Thai loses all Chiang Mai seats in shock defeat
Pheu Thai loses all Chiang Mai seats in shock defeatPheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat campaigns for votes in Chiang Mai on Jan 30. Pheu Thai PartyThe Shinawatra family's stronghold crumbled in Sunday's election as the Pheu Thai Party lost all seats in its Chiang Mai heartland. Pheu Thai failed to retain a single seat in the province, losing all 10 constituencies. These results underscored the diminishing electoral influence of Pheu Thai in northern constituency races. Pheu Thai lost multiple seats in key provinces such as Khon Kaen and Roi Et.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 23:24 UTC