Pheu Thai plays down poll standingsListen to this articleYodchanan WongsawatPheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidates on Sunday downplayed mixed polling results, saying surveys offer “lessons, not verdicts”, and insisting the party’s policies will resonate with Bangkok voters ahead of the Feb 8 general election. Yodchanan Wongsawat, the party’s prime ministerial frontrunner, and Julapun Amornvivat, party leader and another candidate, spoke to reporters after Suan Dusit Poll placed Pheu Thai second in its recent nationwide opinion survey for their favourite political party, despite Mr Yodchanan ranking only 10th in the latest Nida Poll for Bangkok voters. Mr Yodchanan, 46, is Thaksin Shinawatra's nephew. Pheu Thai, he said, would continue working to regain public trust and prove that its policies can deliver solutions and opportunities. Meanwhile, Mr Yodchanan said he welcomed the polling results as sincere feedback.

Australia falls silent, lights candles for Bondi Beach shooting victimsListen to this articleA father and son are accused of targeting the beachside Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people. SYDNEY - Australians fell silent in flickering candlelight Sunday to honour the Bondi Beach shooting victims, marking one week since gunmen fired into crowds at a Jewish festival. The deadliest mass shooting in almost 30 years, the attack was so unthinkable that many shrugged off the first cracks of gunfire as harmless festive fireworks. It is the largest gun buyback since 1996, when Australia cracked down on firearms in the wake of a mass shooting that killed 35 people at Port Arthur. Sajid Akram, an Indian national who entered Australia on a visa in 1998, was shot and killed by police.

9 killed, 10 injured in South Africa shooting, police hunt for suspectsListen to this articleNine ‌people were killed ​and 10 wounded in an early morning shooting in a township south-west of Johannesburg and authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects, ‌the South African Police Service said on Sunday. The incident occurred just before 1am local time (2300 GMT) at a licensed tavern in Johannesburg's Bekkersdal township, the police said in a ⁠statement. About 12 unknown suspects in a white minibus and a silver sedan opened fire at the tavern patrons and continued shooting randomly as they fled the scene, the police said, adding the motive for the shooting would ‌be ‍determined by investigation. The injured have been taken to medical facilities for treatment, ‌police ​added. South ​Africa, Africa's biggest economy, has one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day.

Listen to this articlePeople's Party leader Natthaphong RuengpanyawutThe People's Party (PP) says it is ready to serve as the opposition after the election if the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) wins the poll. Asked whether the BJT could join a PP-led coalition if the PP wins, Mr Natthaphong said it would depend on how many seats each party secures. "The more seats we win, the more influence we have to assert control over other parties," he said. If the blue party [BJT] forms the government, we are ready to be the opposition to pull back those who have dragged the country into this ruin." Meanwhile, PP members told voters on Saturday the party hopes to win at least 250 seats.

Election Commission allows charter referendum on election dayListen to this articleThe Election Commission (EC) on Saturday issued a regulation allowing a referendum on the rewriting of the constitution to be held on the same day as the general election. Issued under the Referendum Act 2021 and its amendments, the regulation authorises the prime minister and the EC to jointly set a referendum date to coincide with a general election. Under the new rule, if an election is classified as a general election and held within an appropriate timeframe, any national referendum may be scheduled for the same day. Meanwhile, preparations for the 2026 general election are under way, with registration for advance voting now open until Jan 5. The EC has urged voters to register early to ensure their participation in advance voting and on election day.

Today, AI is changing the rhythm of business. For large organisations, transformation is no longer a special project. A small team with data, intelligence and agility can outperform a large enterprise that moves slowly. The question for every enterprise leader today is simple: Are you transforming your technology or are you transforming your enterprise? The organisations that choose the second path will shape the future of the Thai economy and redefine what large organisations can achieve.

Bodies of Thai soldiers who fell in fierce battle returned to native provincesListen to this articlePrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and senior government officials pay respects to the bodies of two fallen Thai soldiers at Fort Weerawatyothin Hospital in Muang district, Surin, on Sunday. (Photo: Public Relations Department)SURIN: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Sunday oversaw the return of the bodies of two Thai soldiers who lost their lives in fierce fighting near the Cambodian border in this northeastern province. Local residents lined the road near the hospital, waving Thai national flags to pay their respects as the motorcades carrying the coffins passed by. I hope Sergeant Major Samroeng and Private Phanuphan were the last in the casualty list of our brave military personnel,” Prime Minister Anutin said. The prime minister also pledged proper care and compensation for the families of fallen military personnel.

Cambodia begins dismantling coastal barrier in Koh KongListen to this articleAn aerial image shows a 300-metre breakwater built off Cambodia’s Koh Kong province, a structure that raised environmental and territorial concerns from Thai authorities before dismantling began on Saturday. The dispute centres on Cambodia’s construction of a 300-metre breakwater in its coastal Koh Kong province, which borders Thailand’s Trat province. During the talks, the Thai side issued a clear ultimatum: failure to dismantle the barrier would leave Thailand no choice but to sever access to the Koh Kong bridge, a strategic resupply route for Cambodia. A backhoe removes a section of the disputed Koh Kong breakwater on Saturday. (Photo supplied)Navy denies issuing demands or threatsThe Royal Thai Navy on Sunday denied reports that it issued an ultimatum to Cambodia over the Koh Kong breakwater.

Haaland sends Man City top, Chelsea fightback frustrates NewcastleListen to this articleErling Haaland fired Man City top of the Premier LeagueMANCHESTER (UNITED KINGDOM) - Erling Haaland fired Manchester City to the top of the Premier League by beating West Ham 3-0, while Chelsea fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Saturday. Chelsea remain in fourth as a second-half fightback rescued manager Enzo Maresca from more speculation over his future. - Newcastle aggrieved -Chelsea have won just once in their last five league games to see ambitions of a title challenge wilt. Spurs begin the game in 13th with Thomas Frank under pressure to deliver a rare home Premier League win. Wolves remain without a league win this season and on course to enter the record books as the worst side in Premier League history.

Ratchanok falls to fitter Wang in last-4 battleListen to this articleFighting finish: Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon hits a return to China's Wang Zhiyi on Saturday. AFPRatchanok Intanon bowed out in the women's singles semi-finals of the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, on Saturday. Wang will face Olympic champion An Se-Young for the title after the top-ranked Korean downed Japanese world champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-15, 21-12 in the first semi-final. The Korean had $763,175 before the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2025, and the winner's cheque of $240,000 will see her surpass $1 million. Kunlavut outplayed Denmark's Anders Antonsen 21–15, 18–21, 21–13 on Friday to progress past the group stage at the World Tour Finals for the first time since 2021. agencies

Australia beat England by 82 runs to win third Test and retain AshesListen to this articleAustralia's Marnus Labuschagne (left), Usman Khawaja (centre) and Alex Carey (right) celebrate after Labuschagne caught Josh Tongue to seal the Ashes. ADELAIDE (AUSTRALIA) - Dominant Australia collected the last four wickets they needed Sunday to win the third Test and retain the Ashes in just 11 days of cricket, crushing the dreams of a "hurting" England side who finally showed some fight. But Stokes also took some positives from the way England battled, having demanded more fight leading into the match. England's capitulation over three Tests is a far cry from the pre-Ashes hype where they were touted as having their best chance in a generation to win a series in Australia. Starc struck again to send Jofra Archer packing before Boland took out Tongue, sparking huge celebrations.

Thai marine loses foot to landmine explosion in TratListen to this articleA Thai marine officer was severely injured by a Cambodian landmine near the border in Trat province on Sunday morning. (Photo supplied)TRAT: A marine officer lost his foot when he stepped on a Cambodian mine while on duty in a newly retaken area of this eastern province bordering Cambodia on Sunday morning. Thai personnel inspected the scene of the explosion and found fragments of a new PMN-2 anti-personnel landmine. The incident was the latest of eight recent instances of Thai military officers losing a foot to Cambodian landmines. A Chinese national was also hurt by a Cambodian landmine planted along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The man suspected of carrying out an attack in Taiwan with a smoke grenade and knife acted alone, police said on Saturday of the incident that killed at least four, including the attacker. This edit contains graphic images.

Singha backs Thai duo for 2026 Formula 2 and 3Listen to this articleFormidable partnership: Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi, left, and Tasanapol Intharaphuvasak. Singha Corporation has announced its support for Thai drivers Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi and Tasanapol Intharaphuvasak in their international campaigns next year, marking a historic step for Thai motorsport. The two rising stars will compete in the FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3 Championships during the 2026 season, the first time Thailand will be represented in both categories in the same year. This opportunity for Tasanapol and Nandhavud to race in Formula 2 and Formula 3 is another important step toward the ultimate goal of Formula 1." With Singha's backing, Thailand will have representation across all three tiers of world formula racing in 2026 -- Alex Albon in Formula 1, Tasanapol in Formula 2, and Nandhavud in Formula 3.

Student loan defaulters warnedListen to this articleThe government has urged more than 100,000 student loan borrowers ordered to repay their debts to comply with the court order or enter a debt restructuring plan this month. Deputy government spokeswoman Airin Phanrit said the Student Loan Fund (SLF) filed lawsuits in 2016 against borrowers who failed to repay their debts, resulting in more than 100,000 court-ordered repayments. She said many borrowers have still not complied despite repeated notifications by mail and phone over the past nine years, so the SLF is preparing to issue enforcement orders. Borrowers who want to avoid enforcement, including possible asset seizure, are urged to repay the full outstanding amount shown on the SLF Connect application or apply for debt restructuring this month. Ms Airin said the loans are funded by taxpayers and must be recovered to ensure educational opportunities for future students.