FDA warns of fake remediesListen to this articleThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers about counterfeit herbal products after discovering their illegal production in Phayao province. The alert followed complaints about the product "Ya Bamrung That Khon Thao Luem Mai Thao", a traditional medicine discontinued in 2003 but still found on sale in Chiang Rai and Phayao, the FDA said on Tuesday. Authorities raided a house in Muang Phayao district, uncovering raw materials, equipment, containers, and labels used to manufacture fake herbal medicines. The site was not licensed by the FDA, violating the Herbal Product Act, which carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 1 million baht. Tests revealed the counterfeit products contained modern drugs and chemicals, posing serious health risks.

Embassy to observe electionListen to this articlePeople queue to cast their votes at a polling station during Myanmar's general election in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, December 28, 2025. REUTERSThe Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon will deploy staff from its observer team to monitor general elections at around 50 polling stations in four townships across Myanmar, a senior Thai diplomat said. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said the ministry has instructed the embassy to observe the elections in four townships: Yangon, Bago, Pathein, and Tachilek. "They will continue their role as observers in the second and third phases of the Myanmar election,'' Mr Nikorndej said. Myanmar's military junta is holding a general election in three stages on Dec 28, Jan 11 and Jan 25.

Co-payment scheme wraps upListen to this articleThe cabinet has urged the public to spend "Khon La Khrueng Plus" funds before the programme's deadline expires on Wednesday. Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Prertiwiwatthana said the cabinet is encouraging citizens to use remaining balances under the "Let's Go Halves" co-payment scheme. Only seven million out of 20 million eligible participants have spent their allocations, leaving about six billion baht unused. The government hopes the spending will help to stimulate the economy.

Housemaid tries poisoning toddler with DettolListen to this articleA 35-year-old university lecturer has filed a police complaint after her housekeeper allegedly poured disinfectant into her two-year-old son's milk bottle, an incident captured on CCTV inside the family's home. The toddler was taken to the hospital, where doctors found no immediate symptoms. The suspect, who identified herself as Usanee, 57, agreed to work from 7am to 6pm for 500 baht a day. After reviewing CCTV footage, Ms Renuka discovered the housekeeper mixing Dettol into the child's milk bottle and returning it to its original place. After the family drove away, she emerged from the room and later footage showed her photographing the house and property.

Mr Sihasak was speaking to reporters on Tuesday about recent trilateral talks between Thailand and Cambodia, hosted by China in Fuxian, near the Chinese city of Kunming. "At this stage, the situation remains fragile," Mr Sihasak said. Regarding Cambodia's apparent push to accelerate a JBC meeting on border demarcation, Mr Sihasak said the outcome of the GBC discussions must first be submitted to the Thai cabinet. Legal considerations would therefore determine when and how a JBC meeting could be convened. Looking ahead, Mr Sihasak said that if the initial 72-hour period passes without incident, the next phase would focus on confidence-building measures, including measures to prevent provocations along the border.

PP rallies behind new city replacement candidateListen to this articleTaopiphob Limjittrakorn (photo from his Facebook account)Taopiphob Limjittrakorn, a prospective candidate for the People's Party (PP), has submitted his application to contest the Bangkok MP seat in Constituency 33, replacing the party's previous candidate who is facing money laundering charges. It is a mission for the PP nationwide -- to reclaim public trust," he said, adding that he felt confident and energised by the support he had received. Mr Taopiphob said that throughout his seven years as an MP, he had made it clear that the most valuable asset of any politician is public trust. If the country continues to move backwards, progress becomes harder," he said, adding that he took only eight seconds to decide to step in as a replacement candidate. Addressing voters in Bang Phlat and Bangkok Noi, he insisted that the PP does not assume victory simply by fielding any candidate.

Sexual harassment criminalisedListen to this articleAn instructor takes part in a demonstration about online fraud, harassment and sexual abuse for students at Khlong Thawi Watthana School in Bangkok in 2023. CHANAT KATANYUSexual harassment has officially become a criminal offence in Thailand following the enforcement of an amendment to the Criminal Code, which took effect on Tuesday. Published in the Royal Gazette, the amendment revises the legal definitions of "rape" and "sexual harassment" to cover a wider range of conduct, aiming to modernise Thailand's sexual offence laws and better reflect social realities. A key feature of the amendment is the introduction of "sexual harassment" as a standalone criminal offence. Under the change, general sexual harassment carries penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.

Cabinet approves new top-up tax rulesListen to this articleThe cabinet has approved in principle a set of decrees and regulations under the 2024 Top-Up Tax Act to specify detailed guidelines for the imposition and calculation of the tax, says Kulaya Tantitemit, director-general of the Revenue Department. The cabinet resolution, adopted on Tuesday, approved four pieces of legislation issued under the Act. The decrees and the regulations define the scope of multinational enterprise (MNE) groups subject to the top-up tax and set out rules for adjusting income, expenses, and covered taxes for the purpose of calculating the tax. Others are a ministerial regulation prescribing rules for the allocation of residual top-up tax revenue received by Thailand in cases where no constituent entity of a multinational enterprise group located in Thailand records profits; and a ministerial regulation prescribing rules for adjusting income, expenses, and covered taxes for the calculation of the top-up tax, as well as criteria for calculating the domestic top-up tax in Thailand. The objective is to align Thailand's top-up tax implementation with international standards, ensuring global consistency and acceptance.

As a result, any stimulus measures aimed at reviving the sluggish economy are likely to come no earlier than the third quarter. He expressed hope for effective economic measures to address Thailand's household debt burden. "These expectations will push the retail sector to adapt quickly and improve operational efficiency," said Ms Voralak. "The tourism industry will be the key engine to boost the retail sector in 2026," said Mr Nattakit. Mr Nattakit said the tourism industry will be the key economic engine to stimulate the retail sector in 2026.

Voters, time to brush up! Politicians and experts have complained the office is being slow and has not properly prepared voters to understand the content of the referendum. Such lukewarm attention does not bode well for society, especially when voters need to make important decisions on the framework of the country despite fully comprehending it. Voters need well-balanced information about the current charter instead of parties telling them what they should tick at the referendum box. Without well-informed voters, the public referendum will just be an empty but costly democratic sham.

'Land bridge' will harm natureListen to this articleThis photo show a vast mangrove forest covering an area of 189,431 rai from south of Muang district to north of Kapoe district in Ranong Biosphere Reserve. In 2026, the government might hope to solicit bids for the Kra Isthmus Land bridge megaproject, intended to reduce cargo transit times between the Pacific and Indian oceans. This is where the land bridge poses its most serious long-term risk -- habitat fragmentation. The land bridge is expected to raise GDP, but it is reasonable to ask: for whom, and at what price? If the land bridge cannot be built with credible safeguards that protect this living corridor, the wisest course is to rethink it radically -- or cancel it.

TMAC condemns Cambodia mine useListen to this articleThe Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) has condemned what it described as repeated violations by Cambodia of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Convention, following another landmine incident on Monday that seriously injured a Thai soldier along the Thai–Cambodian border. TMAC spokesman Col Siwa Whang-akat said Sgt Sujin Jitkreeyan, a driver with the 1st Cavalry Division's 8th Engineer Battalion, was injured on Monday while conducting mine-clearing operations along the border. He also became the 11th Thai soldier to lose a limb since border tensions resurfaced. Thailand, the TMAC spokesman said, has gathered substantial evidence indicating the possession and use of anti-personnel landmines, which pose long-term risks to military personnel and civilians. The TMAC urged treaty members to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

Gold prices plunge but optimism undimmedListen to this articleGold prices plunged 1,300 baht on the final trading day of 2025, but analysts see a bright outlook ahead. The Gold Traders Association reported a sharp drop in domestic gold prices, with the first announcement at 9.02am showing a fall of 1,300 baht, bringing the price down to 65,200 baht per baht-weight. This compares with the final quoted price Tuesday, which remained unchanged at around 66,500 baht despite 27 adjustments throughout the day. By 10.11am, prices had been revised five times, with gold bars quoted at 65,100 baht buying and 65,200 baht selling, while gold ornaments were quoted at 63,793.28 baht on the buy side and 66,000 baht on the sell side per baht-weight. Global gold prices also saw a historic plunge of more than US$200 (6,300 baht) per ounce, falling from $4,500 to around $4,337 per ounce as of Tuesday morning.

Boxer Tyson Fury offers condolences over Joshua car crashListen to this articleNewspapers bearing headlines about a road accident involving British boxer Anthony Joshua, who was hospitalised in stable condition after a crash that killed two people, are displayed at a stall in Abeokuta, Nigeria on Dec 30, 2025. (Photo: AFP)LONDON - Tyson Fury has passed on his condolences after a car crash in Nigeria which killed two of Anthony Joshua’s team members and left his fellow former world heavyweight boxing champion injured. His promoter said the boxer’s “close friends and team members” Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were killed and Joshua himself was taken to hospital “for checks and treatment”. But Monday’s accident will likely further delay a long anticipated bout between former Olympic champion Joshua and Fury, with Paul saying Monday in an X post: “Life is much more important than boxing. Ayodele, also known as Latz, was a personal trainer of Joshua, while Ghami acted as strength and conditioning coach for the 36-year-old.

Despite the defeat, ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong recognised the effort, awarding both fighters a 350,000 baht performance bonus. It marked a record-extending 10th bonus for Suriyanlek on the ONE Friday Fights series. “I am happy and I would like to thank Chatri and all the ONE team for giving me the bonus,” Suriyanlek told the Bangkok Post backstage. Despite nine wins and seven finishes – and appearances on major numbered cards at ONE 170 in Bangkok and ONE 172 in Saitama – Suriyanlek remains unsigned. “The contract has always been my goal since my first fight in ONE,” he said.