Life wishes you a merry Christmas with highlights from many countries around the worldPeople walk past a Pop Mart-themed Christmas tree in front of Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok. (Photo: AFP)People dressed as Santa Claus take part in a Christmas regatta along the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. (Photo: Reuters)A woman takes photos of Christmas decorations during the Pingtung Christmas Festival in Pingtung, Taiwan. (Photo: Reuters)Bikers dressed as Santa Claus ride to support children with disabilities, in Bengaluru, India. (Photo: Reuters)A Christmas tree in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In March, North Korean state media​ carried photos showing such a vessel under construction. The unveiling on Thursday indicated that North Korea ​was making progress, although it has yet to announce when it expects to finish and deploy the vessel. North Korea has been testing various submarine-launched missiles and torpedoes in recent years, claiming that they were built to deliver nuclear warheads. It compels North Korea to accelerate “the modernisation and nuclear weaponisation of the naval force,” he said. North Korea is expected to hold its party congress early next year.

Brazil's bold industrial turn is a gambleListen to this articleFor many in the developing world, Brazil is a rare beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak global landscape. Finally, Mr Lula's industrial policy signals a major shift in Brazil's national-security strategy. Brazil's benchmark interest rate, the Selic, is among the highest in the world, at 15% -- and that's merely the base rate from which other interest rates are derived. Given how difficult it is to imagine any private investment projects being viable at such levels, it is hardly surprising that Brazil's investment rate has remained stubbornly low, at around 18% of GDP. High interest rates persist not because they are economically rational, but because of political choices.

Listen to this articleThe US dollar value of Thai exports ‌rose ​7.1% in November from a ‌year earlier, the Ministry ‌of Commerce said on Thursday, slightly below market expectations. The export growth figure for November compared with a forecast ‌8.25% year-on-year increase in a Reuters ‌poll, ​and followed a 5.7% rise in October. The ministry has forecast export growth ⁠of between 11.6% and 12.1% for the whole of 2025. Import value in November increased 17.6% from a year earlier, versus a forecast rise of 14%, leading to a trade deficit of $2.73 billion, against a forecast of $1.12 billion. Mr Nantapong defended the trade deficit, saying most of the imports were capital goods and raw materials used to support higher production of export goods.

Centara Hotels & Resorts unveils Himalayan hideawayListen to this articleHimalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection, is set to welcome guests from January 2026. Centara Hotels & Resorts (CHR) has announced the upcoming opening of its first property in Nepal, Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection, set to welcome guests from January 2026. Part of The Centara Collection, a curated portfolio of distinctive, one-of-a-kind hotels, Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara invites travellers to discover serenity in the Himalayas. "We are thrilled to bring Centara's signature Thai-inspired hospitality to Nepal for the first time," said Prapaijit Thongma, general manager of the resort. To celebrate the upcoming opening, CHR presents Spirit of the Himalayas, an offer inviting guests to be among the first to experience the new resort.

"The programmes reflect changing consumer realities rather than short-term market weakness," said Kessara Thanyalakpark, managing director of Sena Development. The trajectory of the artificial intelligence (AI) market signals a decisive shift in how consumers interact with technology, businesses and even their own daily routines. Thailand is the second-largest video commerce market in Southeast Asia, tallying a transaction volume of $1.3 billion. The country is home to the region's largest and fastest-growing population of video commerce vendors, surging by 175% annually to 850,000. The influencer market in Thailand was valued at around 45 billion baht, showing the industry's massive scale and economic impact.

Listen to this articleA house in Ban Khlong Phaeng in Ta Phraya district of Sa Kaeo province sustained severe damage after being struck by a Cambodian rocket early on Thursday. (Photo: 1st Army Area)SA KAEO - Three houses were destroyed when Cambodian forces launched rockets into Ban Khlong Phaeng, a village where Thai troops had recently gained full control, the Thai military said on Thursday. There were no casualties in the overnight incident in Ta Phraya district of the eastern province, said the 1st Army Area, which condemned the Cambodian army for targeting civilian areas. Ban Khlong Phaeng was one of the villages along the eastern border that the army had successfully secured on Wednesday. In two other combat zones, Ban Nong Ya Kaew and Ban Nong Chan, there were no reports of fighting as of Thursday morning.

Listen to this articleAnalysts expect foreign funds to continue to flow into the Thai equity market, supported by the sharp baht appreciation that has strengthened significantly since the start of December. Over the period, the dollar index weakened by only 1.20%, while foreign investors recorded net outflows of more than 15 billion baht from the Thai bond market, even as equity inflows gradually returned. ASPS recommends focusing on stocks that benefit directly from a stronger baht, particularly companies with significant foreign-currency debts, as debt servicing costs decline when the baht appreciates. Companies in the tourism sector may also be affected by a strong baht, such as Airports of Thailand, Minor International, Central Plaza Hotel, and The Erawan Group. Hospital stocks with high exposure to foreign patients could face currency headwinds, notably Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, and Praram 9 Hospital.

TAT looks to increase international arrivals by at least 10% after disappointing 2025Listen to this article“In 2026, Thailand must win back tourists by rebuilding trust via safety measures and memorable experiences,” says TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced events to increase spending during the year-end and the first quarter next year, starting with “Amazing Thailand” Ambassador Lisa and a UFO festival, in a bid to increase international arrivals by at least 10% in 2026. “In 2026, Thailand must win back tourists by rebuilding trust via safety measures and memorable experiences,” said TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. During the New Year holiday, countdown events are planned in nine areas in the South, including the “Amazing Thailand Su-Ngai Kolok Countdown 2026” in Narathiwat and “Hat Yai Light Up Countdown”. The UFO festival scheduled for Khun Dan Prakarnchon Dam in Nakhon Nayok province in February is expected to draw alien enthusiasts from both Thailand and overseas.

Unsafe dust pollution covers nearly half of ThailandListen to this articleA map from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) shows unsafe levels of PM2.5 in Bangkok and many provinces in the Central Plains, East and Northeast on Thursday morning. Ultra-fine dust pollution reached unsafe levels in Bangkok and 36 provinces including one designated red (seriously harmful) on Thursday morning, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda). Samut Sakhon province, southwest of Bangkok, recorded the highest concentration at 78.7µg/m³, which is a seriously harmful level. Very good air quality was detected in six provinces, mostly in the South, with PM2.5 levels between 10.2 and 13.7µg/m³. The provinces included Krabi, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Mae Hong Son and Satun.

Party puts leader Anutin and acting foreign minister Sihasak on its list for Feb 8 electionListen to this articlePrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, right, and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow at Government House in October. (Bangkok Post file photo: Chanat Katanyu)The governing Bhumjaithai Party has resolved to name two prime ministerial candidates for the Feb 8 general election: leader and caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. The announcement said Mr Anutin had experience in national administration and people supported his continuous work in the government. Mr Anutin is the most suitable choice,” the statement said. The party said that Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas had agreed to stay on if the party leads the next government.

Property, trading pose high credit riskListen to this articlePotential homebuyers browse residential projects at a recent House and Condo Expo. Although property sales improved in recent months, the financial condition of some developers has continued to weaken, noted the central bank. Wisuttipong RodpaiThe Bank of Thailand has expressed concern over rising credit risks among some large corporations with high debt-to-equity (D/E) ratios, particularly in the property and trading sectors. The sectors facing the greatest risk include property development and trading businesses. Given the elevated risks in the property sector, the central bank said it will continue to monitor developments.

"In 2026, Thailand must win back tourists by rebuilding trust via safety measures and memorable experiences," said TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. This week, caravan tours from Singapore and Malaysia are scheduled to visit Hat Yai for the first time since the incident. During the New Year holiday, TAT will organise countdown events in nine areas in the South, including the "Amazing Thailand Su-Ngai Kolok Countdown 2026" in Narathiwat and "Hat Yai Light Up Countdown". The agency is also supporting countdown events nationwide, including in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Roi Et, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Kamphaeng Phet. The Amazing Thailand Ambassador campaign featuring Thai pop star Lalisa Manoban is slated to launch on Jan 29, with nearly 100 influencers and overseas opinion leaders attending.

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza warListen to this articleChristian scouts march during Christmas eve celebrations at Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. (Photo: AFP)BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories - Scouts marched under a clear blue sky in Bethlehem on Wednesday, as the Palestinian city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza to celebrate its first festive Christmas in more than two years. Throughout the Gaza war that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, a sombre tone marked Chistmases in Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ. ‘There’s still life’Bethlehem’s municipality chose to tone down Christmas festivities while war raged in Gaza — a Palestinian coastal territory geographically separated from the West Bank by Israel. The senior cleric visited war-battered Gaza over the weekend, leading a Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City on Sunday.

Industrial land sales miss target as investors run scaredListen to this articleMr Sumet expects the IEAT's industrial land sales to increase in fiscal 2026 despite economic challenges. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has missed its land sales target for fiscal 2025, underscoring the impact of global trade tensions and domestic political uncertainty on investor confidence. The authority expected to sell 12,000 rai of land, but managed only 8,000 rai for the year ending Sept 30. They wanted to wait until the tariff situation between Thailand and the US was settled," said IEAT governor Sumet Thangprasert. Mr Sumet expressed optimism that sales would improve, despite challenges from tariffs, currency fluctuations, geopolitical conflicts and tensions with Cambodia.