Listen to this articleElection Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee speaks to reporters at the EC headquarters on Jan 19. According to EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee, the decision was taken after the central bank noticed a series of unusually large cash withdrawals over the past 10 days, with amounts ranging from tens to hundreds of millions of baht. The BoT has forwarded information on the transactions to both the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) and the EC for further scrutiny. BoT governor Vitai Ratanakorn said the central bank has requested all commercial banks to report suspicious cash withdrawals covering a period from roughly two weeks ago through to the end of February. He said on Wednesday that at least two suspicious cash withdrawals were detected.

High hopes for small partyListen to this articleSeri Ruam Thai Party leader Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves is seen during a campaign visit to Bangkok's Bang Rak district on Jan 22. Pol Gen Sereepisuth, now in his golden years at 77 years old, has been elected to parliament several times. "We must reclaim everything -- Battambang, Siem Reap, Koh Kong -- because these were once our territories," Pol Gen Sereepisuth said. Politically, Pol Gen Sereepisuth said he does not intend to divide into camps or automatically align with any side if elected. "I admit that this time I have no momentum on social media at all," Pol Gen Sereepisuth said.

Bloc 'must adapt plan' on MyanmarListen to this articleForeign affairs ministers from Asean member states pose for a group photo during the Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Cebu City, the Philippines, on Thursday. (Photo: Reuters)Thailand is calling on Asean to recalibrate its approach to Myanmar following the country's general election, warning the bloc risks losing relevance if it fails to adapt. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow made the call at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat on Thursday in the Philippines, where the crisis in Myanmar topped the agenda. Mr Sihasak said violence and armed conflict have continued since Myanmar's military takeover in 2021, despite Asean's efforts under the Five-Point Consensus. With Myanmar having held a general election, he said Asean must reassess its role.

Listen to this articleFlames rise from a paddy field in Pak Phli district of Nakhon Nayok on Tuesday. The blaze was 100% under control after a handful of new flare‑ups overnight were swiftly doused, governor Chanon Wasiksiri confirmed in a press briefing at the Pak Phli district office on Thursday. More than 50% of the land in Tha Rua is deemed at high risk for illegal field burning. Residents who witness field burning in Pak Phli are urged to contact the district chief directly on 081‑867‑1506. Nakhon Nayok and other provinces in about one-third of Thailand, including Bangkok, recorded red levels of PM2.5 fine-dust pollution on Wednesday morning.

(Photo: AFP)BERLIN - Germany plans to better protect its critical infrastructure with a new law as surging tensions with Russia stoke fears of sabotage attacks and other national security threats. The measures cover facilities that provide critical services to more than 500,000 people in sectors including energy, water, food, health, transport, IT, telecommunications, financial services and waste disposal. Many security experts have welcomed the new critical infrastructure bill in principle, but others have harshly criticised it as too little too late. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has now vowed to turn Germany’s army into Europe’s largest convention force, but Schulz said building infrastructure resilience is “at least as important as tanks and drones, if not more so”. security threats.

(Pool Photo via Reuters)CEBU, Philippines - Myanmar’s Southeast Asian neighbours ​should adopt a “calibrated engagement” with its military-controlled post-election government while still pressing for an end to conflict, Thailand said on Thursday, signalling a possible softening in stance. The election was not contested ‌by opposition groups, most of them already banned, amid a civil war triggered by the 2021 coup. “It’s not an expression of support, but with a view that these elections might be something positive,” she said. Asean’s engagement with Myanmar remains guided by the “five-point consensus” that includes a cessation of violence, dialogue among concerned ⁠parties and provision of humanitarian assistance, she added. The Philippines recently hosted a dialogue among opponents of Myanmar’s ruling junta to try and assist dialogue and aid.

Listen to this articlePrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and cabinet ministers arrive at Government House on Jan 27. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday rejected claims that the dismissal of Dr Supat Hasuwannakit, a former hospital director and current election candidate, was politically motivated or linked to the Bhumjaithai Party. Mr Anutin said the government’s policy was to act against all legal violations, regardless of whether the individuals involved were civil servants or private citizens. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Dr Supat defended his actions, saying the ATK procurement complied with emergency regulations under the 2017 Procurement Act during the Covid-19 crisis. Dr Supat said he had little time to respond to what he described as a “news manipulation campaign”, as he was focused on campaigning among voters in Hat Yai.

Chanel’s newest creative director, Matthieu Blazy, unveiled his first-ever Chanel Haute Couture collection on Tuesday at the Grand Palais in Paris. The setting marked a striking departure from Blazy’s previous Chanel Métiers d’art 2025-26 show, staged inside the New York City subway. This dramatic contrast further cemented his versatility, drawing early acclaim for his ability to move seamlessly between the two realms of haute couture and ready-to-wear. These “emotional artefacts” transformed the pieces into intimate expressions, creating a sense of couture as a living canvas for self-storytelling. Photo: Chanel“Haute Couture is the very soul of Chanel — it is the foundation and the full expression of the House,” Blazy stated in his show notes.

Britain's Starmer meets China's Xi for talks on trade, securityListen to this articleBritain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer walks to his meeting with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 29, 2026. Starmer met with China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on January 29, state news agency Xinhua reported, with talks expected to cover trade ties, national security and human rights. BEIJING - Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, seeking closer trade ties while balancing sensitive issues of national security and human rights. Starmer held talks with Xi at the opulent Great Hall of the People, and the two leaders will later have lunch. Downing Street has lauded the China visit as an opportunity to strengthen trade and investment ties while discussing thorny topics including human rights.

Pichai Naripthaphan of the Pheu Thai Party said Thailand has long known about disaster risks, but refused to take decisive action. “This is indirect vote-buying,” he said, arguing disaster budgets averaging 55 billion baht a year should instead fund long-term infrastructure. As well, she said, the party advocates seamless administration between central and regional authorities to address disaster risks effectively. Suradech Taweesaengsakulthai of the Thai Sang Thai Party said crises should be turned into economic opportunities. Anusree Tubsuwan of the New Aspiration Party said processing agricultural products into higher-value goods is the correct response.

(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Supreme Court has upheld the stiff sentences against Sattatham “Pai Tik” Jangchai, the manager of the Victoria’s Secret massage parlour in Bangkok, and several associates, in a high‑profile human trafficking case. Prosecutors indicted them in April 2018 under the Anti‑Human Trafficking Act, Prostitution Prevention Act, Immigration Act and the Penal Code. In Thursday’s ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the convictions, citing credible testimony from victims and undercover officials. The Supreme Court adjusted the compensation terms, raising interest to 7.5% annually in line with revised financial regulations. Former massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit said he sold the establishment to Kampol in 2004.

Economist Anusorn Thammajai of the People’s Party encouraged Thailand to stop deflationary pressures and an economic recession by injecting 250 billion baht into the system. Two profitable state-owned financial institutions, each earning about 15 billion baht annually, would be assigned to jointly provide 300 billion baht in loans to small borrowers over three years. Mr Anusorn said Thai economic growth of 3-5% remains achievable, provided household incomes are increased and debt burdens reduced. Mr Anusorn proposed forming a strategic team for trade negotiations that would prioritise the interests of the entire population rather than specific sectors. “In trade negotiations, we may grant market access for some imported products to benefit consumers and promote competition,” he said.

Teenage Russian stays patient but wants chance to prove he belongs on ONE’s biggest stageListen to this articleRustam Yunusov (right) celebrates his decision win over Khunponnoi at ONE Friday Fights 139Rustam Yunusov left Lumpinee Stadium with another win – and the same unanswered question. “I’m just waiting,” Yunusov told the Bangkok Post, his left arm resting on an ice bag after absorbing heavy elbows. Our main goal is to show great fights, bloody fights, to make the public happy. Rustam Yunusov is still chasing a ONE Championship contractAgainst Khunponnoi, Yunusov believed the finish was there. He was surprised not to earn a deal after stopping Petsukhimvit in October, and knows he may need something more definitive.

Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami on Thursday vowed a “crushing response” to any attack, according to state television, which reported 1,000 “strategic drones” had joined the combat regiments. The United States had hit Iranian nuclear targets when it briefly joined Israel’s war against Iran in June. A Gulf official told AFP that fears of a US strike on Iran are “very clear”. Iran is ready to negotiate on the nuclear file again,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television in English. NATO member Turkey is also weighing contingency plans along its 530-kilometre border with Iran should the dispute escalate, a senior official told AFP.

WASHINGTON - American rock hero Bruce Springsteen dived into the outrage over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown with a fiery song released on Wednesday that pays tribute to two protesters fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. Springsteen said the song Streets of Minneapolis was a response to "state terror" in the northern US city, rocked by the actions of armed federal officers that have stoked vociferous local protests. Pretti died after a scuffle with agents on a snowy Minneapolis street on Saturday. We'll remember the names of those who died on the streets of Minneapolis." But on Wednesday he warned the mayor of Minneapolis that he is "playing with fire" with his refusal to cooperate with federal authorities.