Fifty-three migrants dead or missing after boat capsizes off Libya
Fifty-three people were dead or missing after a boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the Libyan coast. (Image: Google Maps)ROME — Fifty-three migrants, including two babies, were dead or missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the coast of Libya, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported on Monday. The Geneva-based agency said two survivors were rescued after the boat overturned north of Zuwara on Friday. "According to survivor accounts, the boat -- carrying migrants and refugees of African nationalities departed from Al-Zawiya, Libya, at around 11pm on Feb 5. It called for stronger international cooperation to tackle the networks, alongside safe and regular migration pathways to reduce risks and save lives.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 12:56 UTC
Woman motorcyclist assaulted after petty road dispute
She told reporters that the assault occurred about 7pm on Feb 7 outside an apartment building in Soi Mitmaitri 5, tambon Bang Muang, Muang district. CCTV footage shows the attacker parking his motorcycle, removing his helmet and confronting 37-year-old Ms Potjanee as she rode past. Both parties subsequently filed assault complaints at Muang Samut Prakan police station. Pol Col Chakkrit Srirotjanakul, superintendent of Muang Samut Prakan police, confirmed both parties had filed complaints and been sent for medical examinations. About 10 delivery riders gathered outside the police station to monitor the case progress and protest against the assailant's violent behaviour.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 12:20 UTC
Klatham expects to be in Bhumjaithai-led coalition
(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasil)The Klatham Party, which finished fourth in Sunday's general election, expects to be part of a coalition government led by poll winner Bhumjaithai, along with some smaller parties. An informed source within Klatham said on Monday that such a coalition would control about 290 votes in the 500 member House of Representatives. People with a conservative mindset emphasised national security, the Klatham source said. If the new government coalition were to include Pheu Thai, voters would feel betrayed. If excluded from the government coalition, Pheu Thai would be blocked from recovering and growing.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 11:35 UTC
AssetWise to maintain focus on Phuket
AssetWise to maintain focus on PhuketAn artist's rendition of Biancana Surin Beach condo, one of six new residential projects AssetWise plans to launch in Phuket this year. The focus was Phuket, where AssetWise launched eight projects worth a combined 19.3 billion baht, up from an initial plan of five projects valued at 12.2 billion baht. Phuket's presales contribution rose from 3.4 billion baht, or 21%, in 2023 to 7.7 billion baht, or 40%, in 2024. This year AssetWise plans to launch 11 projects worth a combined 17.6 billion baht, comprising six projects valued at 10.1 billion in Phuket and five projects worth 7.45 billion in Greater Bangkok. The company aims to achieve 18.5 billion baht in presales and 12.5 billion baht in revenue in 2026.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 11:06 UTC
Bhumjaithai leader admits election result 'beyond expectations'
Bhumjaithai leader admits election result 'beyond expectations'Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul presses hands while election campaigning in Si Sa Ket province bordering Cambodia on Feb 4. (Photo: Bhumjaithai Party)Anutin Charnvirakul has admitted he was surprised by the overwhelming support his Bhumjaithai Party received in the general election, and credited patriotism as a key factor that propelled the party to victory on Sunday. This is a huge leap up from the previous election in 2023, when Bhumjaithai won only 71 seats - 68 from constituencies and only three from the party list. "Bhumjaithai was ridiculed before the election for its patriotic campaigning," he said. "If Bhumjaithai is given a chance to form a new government, I will follow the result of the referendum," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 10:05 UTC
Workers hospitalised after building collapses at training centre
Workers hospitalised after building collapses at training centreRescuers approach the collapsed building at the Bang Phli Metropolitan Electricity Authority training centre in Bang Sao Thong district in Samut Prakan province on Monday. (Photo: Fire and Rescue Thailand)A domed building collapsed at the Bang Phli electricity authority training centre in Bang Sao Thong district in Samut Prakan on Monday, injuring four construction workers. The building, on soi Kan Kheha Haeng Chat Bang Phli, crumpled about 11.45am, Fire and Rescue Thailand reported. Volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation and Bang Phli emergency responders were dispatched to the scene. Public access had been restricted for the time being and stricter enforcement of safety standards ordered at the construction site.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 09:57 UTC
Hong Kong, Singapore to be biggest winners as global capital flows shift to Asia: DBS CEO
Hong Kong, Singapore to be biggest winners as global capital flows shift to Asia: DBS CEODBS CEO Tan Su Shan expects international investors to deploy capital across IPOs, private assets, precious metals and digital assets. "Global capital flows are changing, and that is going to become increasingly important to Asia," she said. "Singapore and Hong Kong, as financial hubs, will both be winners in capturing the capital flows." "We have seen a lot of growth in trade between the Middle East, North Asia and Southeast Asia," she said. "Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are also creating a very strong capital markets hub."
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 09:57 UTC
EC urged to review ballot rules after over 1 million spoilt votes
EC urged to review ballot rules after over 1 million spoilt votesExamples of invalid ballots caused by repeated marks, left, and marks extending beyond the voting box. The most problematic ballots were those where voters had made multiple cross marks in the same box, creating overlapping lines and multiple intersections. This led some polling station committees to rule them invalid despite the clear intent to vote for a single candidate or party. Ms Phanidchanok suggested the EC should use this case to establish clearer guidelines for future elections, placing greater weight on "voter intent." Several ballots ruled invalid for marks extending beyond the voting box later had their status reversed after public members at polling stations jointly protested and successfully demanded a recount.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 09:05 UTC
Citizens' protest forces recount at Pathum Thani voting station
Protestors at district 7, Pathum Thani, election station call for a transparent recount after the monitoring cameras were left turned off. (Photo: @tawanvampiree Tiktok account)PATHUM THANI - Surveillance cameras were left covered by black bags during counting at a polling station in Pathum Thani on Sunday night, sparking a citizens' protest over being denied rightful access to observe the process. The public outcry erupted at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, the polling station for district 7 of Pathum Thani. At least 300 citizens, mainly students, protested against the perceived lack of transparency and the "suspicious actions" of election officials. Chulalongkorn University professor Jessada Denduangboripant posted the following comment on his Facebook page:“In Pathum Thani district 7 the votes were recounted and the orange party [the People’s Party] won overwhelmingly.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 08:09 UTC
Audio, visual aesthetics combine at Palette Artspace
Art lovers are invited to engage with a conversation between music and visual art during "Rhythm Of My Colour #1", which is running at Palette Artspace until March 5. This is a solo exhibition by Suriya Pojchaijongdee who reflects that both music and visual art share profound similarities when viewed through the lens of structure. In visual art, similarly, a single brushstroke immediately gives rise to physical elements line, colour, weight, form and texture all at once. Suriya's approach to painting resembles improvisation, allowing visual elements to emerge without prior planning, instead letting his mental and emotional state guide the creative process toward its destination. This generates visual tension and emotional stimulation through the rawness of the visual elements that appear instantaneously before the viewer.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 07:12 UTC
Election process essentially error-free, says polling agency
Election process essentially error-free, says polling agencyA polling station staffer in Samut Prakan province displays a green ballot used for voting for constituency candidates during on-site vote counting on Sunday evening. EC chairman Narong Klunwarin thanked all international observers for helping raise Thailand’s election standards to the global level. For the referendum, a majority of 60%, or 19.86 million voters, wanted a new charter while 10.48 million voters (32%) were against it. About 2.88 million voters had no opinion. This election saw 99,483 polling stations in operation, staffed by more than 1.5 million officials and volunteers.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 06:06 UTC
Office eager to amend outdated state enterprise laws
Office eager to amend outdated state enterprise lawsThe State Enterprise Policy Office (Sepo) looks set to "guillotine" state enterprise laws and regulations to improve their operational flexibility. According to Tibordee Wattanakul, director-general of Sepo, the office plans to amend laws and regulations related to state-owned enterprises because some of them are outdated. For example, a 2005 regulation governing remuneration of chief executives no longer reflects real market rates, leaving state-owned enterprises with insufficient incentives to attract high-potential professionals compared with the private sector. "The main reason capable and competent people are reluctant to apply for jobs at state enterprises is the heavy responsibility, the risk of imprisonment and the requirement to disclose asset accounts. For example, the office is expediting amendments to the 2019 State Enterprise Labour Supervision and Management Development Act and the Public-Private Partnership Act, aiming to repeal provisions that are not aligned with international practices or are outdated, with a goal to improve operational agility.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 06:01 UTC
India, Malaysia renew pledges to boost trade, collaboration
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim renewed pledges on Sunday (February 8) to bolster trade and explore potential collaborations in semiconductors, defense, and other fields. Modi is on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation, his first since the two countries elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 04:06 UTC
Thai stocks skyrocket after clear Bhumjaithai victory
Thai stocks skyrocket after clear Bhumjaithai victoryBhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul seated comfortably on the floor ahead of a press conference at party headquarters on election day, Sunday, in Bangkok. (Photo: Reuters)The Stock Exchange of Thailand Index jumped more than 3% on Monday after election results showed the Bhumjaithai Party was in command in forming a new coalition government. Rounding up the top five early winners after the market opened was Krungthaibank Plc, PTT Plc and Cpall Plc. The Thai index closed at 1,354.01 on Friday. Some analysts and strategists told Bloomberg the stock market would be one of the sectors to benefit from the decisive victory of Bhumjaithai.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 04:06 UTC
Thailand's Anutin readies for coalition talks after election win
Thailand's Anutin readies for coalition talks after election winThe party of Thailand's PM Anutin Charnvirakul finished first in Sunday's election but short of an outright majority. (Photo: AFP)BANGKOK - Thailand's caretaker premier Anutin Charnvirakul was preparing for coalition talks Monday after a stunning election victory for his conservative Bhumjaithai Party. The progressive People's Party trailed at a little above 100 seats, while jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Pheu Thai party came in third. Anutin, who took office in September, declined to be drawn Sunday on potential coalition talks, noting the election results remained unofficial. Thailand's military took control of several disputed areas in the latest fighting in December, and a fragile ceasefire remains in place.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 03:48 UTC