In 2024, we put the spotlight on the region's climate victims and on a pygmy hippo from Thailand gone viral, Moo Deng. Criminal gangs largely operating out of Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia -- dateline "Scambodia" -- have defrauded billions of dollars from victims worldwide. Despite growing visibility, Asia's enslaved cyber scam victims earn the distinction of worst year in Asia, with sadly far too little hope for escape and rescue in sight. Good Year: Asia's 'Bamboo Economic Tactics'Resilience was in full display across Asia's slowing but still growing economies at year-end. Here's to a better, safer and more peaceful year for all in Thailand and around the region and world in 2026.

Meanwhile, critics, both at home and abroad, have often asked how Thailand managed to survive repeated shocks while tolerating political nincompoops. He was abducted after arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport and trafficked across the western border of Thailand to Myawaddy, Myanmar's scam centre. It moved swiftly on social media, portraying Thailand as the aggressor and accusing it of using disproportionate force. At one point, Cambodian media accused Thailand of using chemical weapons. Cambodia remains a flashpoint, while the situation in Myanmar remains unpredictable.

Institutional redesign in order for economic changeListen to this articleThe Nobel Prize in economics was awarded both this year and last year to scholars who, in different ways, emphasised the importance of institutions to economic growth. For the 2024 laureates -- Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A Robinson -- the key to economic prosperity lies in the rule of law and enabling institutions. When questions of institutional design emerge, they tend to be restricted to specific bodies, such as central banks. What is preventing less productive incumbent firms from exiting the market, which Prof Aghion and Prof Howitt found is crucial for economic dynamism? As people in advanced economies grow increasingly disillusioned with the economic establishment, the institutions underpinning it will inevitably change.

Justice system testedListen to this articlePol Gen Surachate "Big Joke" HakparnThe latest accusation involving Pol Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn is causing considerable harm to the image of justice and the law enforcement system in Thailand. Pol Gen Surachate heard the police charges on Saturday and has denied all accusations. Meanwhile, the accused NACC commissioner on Monday sent a lawyer to file charges against those who provided information to the police regarding the gold bar allegations. The NACC is probing the case but has remained silent since the gold bar scandal broke on Friday, which is damaging to its image. Without transparency, accusations will gain more ground, and those who suffer most will not be the NACC-accused persons, but the country's justice system.

Listen to this articleThe Bank of Thailand (BoT) has stepped up regulatory oversight of inbound foreign exchange transactions to ease baht appreciation pressure and prevent misreported or undesirable capital inflows, a senior official said. Pimpan Charoenkwan, assistant governor for Financial Markets at the BoT, said the central bank has tightened rules governing the verification of documents for foreign currency sale transactions by residents, both individuals and legal entities. The tightened oversight aims to ensure that sources of foreign currency brought into the country are consistent with those declared and reduce the risk of undesirable or potentially illicit transactions. Under the revised rules, the enhanced scrutiny will cover the following cases: sale of foreign currency for baht and transfers into Foreign Currency Deposit (FCD) accounts; foreign currency proceeds from gold sales; and sale of foreign currency banknotes. As for foreign currency proceeds from gold sales, when commercial banks sell or receive foreign currency derived from such sales, they must verify documentation for the overseas sale of gold.

The defence of its sovereignty came at a human cost. Between Dec 8 and Dec 27, 27 Thai soldiers lost their lives in clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. For this reason, the Bangkok Post names the fallen soldiers, the wounded, and all members of the armed forces who took part in defending and reclaiming Thailand's claimed territorial integrity as its Person of the Year 2025. By honouring a collective rather than a single individual, the Bangkok Post seeks to reflect a truth that this year laid bare. Yet their actions and their losses came to define the year more clearly than any policy decision or public figure.

13 Central department stores across Thailand will host New Year countdown festivities until Dec 31, with the highlight being “centralwOrld Bangkok Countdown 2026 The Original – A Tribute to Love” at CentralWorld. In total, 500 music headliners will perform free concerts at participating Central branches. Free concerts at Central Ayutthaya feature Saran & Dieout, Bowkylion, Silly Fools, Paradox, Dax & Musketeers and more. Central Phitsanulok countdowns to 2026 with 2,500 shots of fireworks and free music from Paradox, Your Mood, Safeplanet and RachYo. Central Hatyai sends off 2025 with free concerts from D Gerrard, Maiyarap, The Darkest Romance and, of course, fireworks.

Chinese attack, stab Pattaya bar guardsListen to this articleA Chinese national involved in the knife attack at The Garden 168 bar in Pattaya is given first aid behind a rescue vehicle, while being detained by police on Sunday night. (Photo: Amporn Sangkaew)PATTAYA – Three security guards were stabbed when attacked by a gang of Chinese nationals after one them was ordered to leave a South Pattaya bar following a heated argument with a woman there on Sunday night. The incident occurred about 11.36pm at The Garden 168 on South Pattaya Road in Bang Lamung district. Rescuers from Sawang Boriboonthammasatan called to the scene reported that three security guards had suffered knife wounds. Shortly afterward, the Chinese man returned with some companions and used a knife to attack the guards, the manager said.

Hired cleaning maid accused of poisoning baby’s milkListen to this articleThe cleaner working in the house (screenshot from FB: Yokey R.)A Thai family has reported a daily-hire cleaner to the police after discovering disinfectant had been deliberately poured into their baby’s milk bottle, an incident that shocked social media users and prompted a warning to other parents. Everything appeared normal until around midday, when the baby’s grandmother prepared a baby's milk bottle that had been left out earlier that morning. The mother examined the baby’s bottle, and confirmed it contained disinfectant, describing a bitter, cooling taste. A subsequent review of the family's security camera footage showed the cleaner taking a half-full baby's bottle from an upper floor, adding disinfectant on another floor and then returning the bottle to the baby’s bedside. The footage also revealed other disturbing behaviour, including taking photographs around the house when she should have been cleaning.

Netanyahu to meet Trump in Florida for crucial Gaza talksListen to this articleIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, will meet again with President Donald Trump, their fifth such meeting in the United States this year. (afp)PALM BEACH, Florida - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Donald Trump in Florida on Monday, with the US president pushing to move to the next stage of the fragile Gaza truce plan. Trump, who said Netanyahu had asked for the talks, is reportedly keen to announce -- as soon as January -- a Palestinian technocratic government for Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilization force. Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said Netanyahu would discuss the second phase, which involves making sure that "Hamas is disarmed, Gaza is demilitarized". Mekelberg said Netanyahu could be attempting to shift attention from Gaza onto Iran as Israel enters an election year.

Listen to this articleZhang Peimian faces off with Jonathan Di Bella ahead of their ONE Championship strawweight kickboxing title fight in 2022Zhang Peimian says he wants a rematch with Jonathan Di Bella – preferably in Tokyo next April, or sooner in China if ONE Championship can stage an event there. Zhang Peimian celebrates after beating Thongpoon by decision at ONE Friday Fights 137Di Bella beat Zhang by unanimous decision in 2022 to win the vacant ONE strawweight kickboxing title on his promotional debut, dropping him with a head kick in the fifth round. Asked whether he believes he has earned another title shot, Zhang struck a measured tone – but made clear his desire for revenge. Jonathan Di Bella beat Zhang Peimian by decision to win the ONE Championship strawweight kickboxing title in 2022“There are lots of Muay Thai and kickboxing fans in China. “Please expect Zhang Peimian 2.0.”Whether that happens first, or whether Zhang gets his wish in Tokyo at Ariake Arena on April 29, remains to be seen.

NACC commissioner files suit over bribery claimListen to this articleA National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) member has filed a complaint against a former police officer over false bribery allegations. The move follows allegations by Pol Col Ekphakphum that Mr Ekkawit solicited a bribe in the form of gold bars of 246 baht-weight. Mr Ekkawit’s lawyers denied the claim, saying the commissioner declared his assets transparently and underwent rigorous vetting before taking up his position at the NACC. The legal team said Pol Col Ekphakphum, who is already facing charges in other cases, appeared to have changed his testimony, which they described as stemming from internal conflicts within the police. Regarding claims the opposing side holds “crucial evidence,” Mr Ekkawit’s legal team said they remain unconcerned and are prepared to fight the case in court, confident in his innocence and the supporting evidence.

Advanced Info Service (AIS) has launched a new "1185 Snap and Share" service allowing customers to report fraudulent SMS messages through a simplified process, providing a fast, free-of-charge solution for users to flag scammers with results promised within 24 hours for both Android and iOS users. Photo: screenshotAIS customers can report suspicious messages by following a straightforward four-step process. The AIS system then processes the data and provides an update on the investigation’s outcome within 24 hours. (continues below)Photo: screenshotUpon receiving a report, AIS takes immediate action by blocking the offending SMS source to prevent further messages from being sent. Detailed instructions and further information regarding the "1185 Snap and Share" service are available on the official AIS website.

Nearly 700k seek advance votingListen to this articleA total of 688,951 people have registered to vote in advance or outside their constituencies, including overseas voters, in the first nine days of registration, the Election Commission (EC) said. Of these, 2,460 signed up for advance voting within their constituencies, 629,595 for voting outside their constituencies, and 56,896 for overseas voting. Advance voting registration remains open until Jan 5 through three channels: in person at district registrars, local registrars or all 50 district offices in Bangkok and Thai embassies abroad; by mail; or online. Those who register for advance voting must cast their ballots on Feb 1. Meanwhile, the EC says registration for referendum voting outside constituencies and overseas will run from Jan 3–5, with the referendum on Feb 8 to be held concurrently with the general election.

US offered Kyiv 15 years of security guarantees, Zelensky saysListen to this articleUkraine's Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with Donald Trump in Florida on ending the war with Russia. KYIV (UKRAINE) - The US has offered Ukraine "solid" security guarantees for 15 years with a possibility of an extension but Kyiv is seeking a longer period, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday after meeting Donald Trump. But Zelensky added that he considered the presence of international troops in Ukraine a necessary part of the guarantees, which Russia has rejected in the past. Any deal to end Europe's worst conflict since WWII "must be signed by Ukraine, Russia, the US and Europe", he said. - Territory issue unresolved -Trump on Sunday acknowledged the issue of territories were unresolved between the warring countries, showing little sign of a breakthrough.