Crematorium work 'on track'Listen to this articleOne of the design illustrations presented at a press conference yesterday on the progress of the construction of the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang and ceremonial components for the royal funeral of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. MINISTRY OF CULTUREThe work on the Royal Crematorium for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother is progressing according to schedule, with completion expected in October, according to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Mr Anutin and the officials viewed a mock-up of the Royal Crematorium, its auxiliary structures and the surrounding landscape. The Fine Arts Department has been tasked with designing and constructing the Royal Crematorium and related buildings, restoring royal chariots and funeral carriages, and creating the Royal Coffin, urns, and other items. Upon completion, the government will seek royal permission to determine the date of the Royal Cremation Ceremony.

Listen to this articleA logo of the Social Security Office marks its 35th anniversary last year. The SSO board is tasked with deciding how to invest the 2.6-trillion-baht fund. The Pheu Thai Party proposes bringing in professional fund managers to help improve investment returns and using technology to improve transparency. Separately, a member of the SSO board has cautioned that allowing private companies to manage the SSF carries significant risks. Montree Tirakothai wrote on Facebook that while such proposals might appear more efficient, the social security system is designed to protect its members, not to maximise profits.

EU opens probe into Musk's Grok over sexual AI deepfakesListen to this articleThe EU on Monday announced a probe into Elon Musk's Grok over the generation of sexualised deepfake imagesBRUSSELS (BELGIUM) - The EU on Monday hit Elon Musk's X with an investigation over AI chatbot Grok's generation of sexualised deepfake images of women and minors, in the latest step of an international backlash against the tool. "In Europe, we will not tolerate unthinkable behaviour, such as digital undressing of women and children," said European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen said the probe would "determine whether X has met its legal obligations" under the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA), which is designed to police internet giants. She said the rights of women and children in the EU should not be "collateral damage" of X's services. Musk's social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, has been the target of an investigation since December 2023 under the EU's digital content rules.

The Iranian film It Was Just an Accident (2025) is the product of seven months in prison, underground production, and defiance of controlling power. The film did touch on heavy subjects but it was fun and adrenaline-packed that it required no mental energy at all. The director of the film, Jafar Panahi, has always been outspoken against the Iranian authoritarian regime. Likewise, It Was Just an Accident is a middle finger to the power that is trying to control us, no compromise. While No Other Choice serves as a cautionary tale that left a bitter taste, It Was Just an Accident ends on a more optimistic note.

Centara Hotels & Resorts, is set to expand its presence in Japan with the opening of Centara Life Namba Hotel Osaka in Q2, marking Centara's second hotel in Japan following Centara Grand Hotel Osaka in 2023. The two properties are within walking distance from each other, with Centara Life being more compact, casual and cute, i.e. an illustration of Namba Yasaka Shrine above the headboard and touches of turquoise (the brand's colour). To celebrate the launch, Centara is introducing a limited-time, members-only opening offer for those who want to experience Osaka's most vibrant neighbourhood. Centara Life Namba Hotel Osaka offers convenient access to many of the city’s iconic sights, from the vibrant atmosphere of Dotonbori to the fresh flavours of Kuromon Market and the shopping streets of Shinsaibashi.

Delivery rider who 'broke the rules' beaten up by racecourse guardListen to this articleA screen shot from an online video shows angry delivery app riders gathered at Pathum Wan police station in Bangkok on Sunday night, when the guard who attacked a woman rider arrived to surrender to police. A woman delivery rider was beaten up by a male security guard at the Bangkok Sports Club racecourse in Pathum Wan district for not following the venue's delivery rules. Pol Col Rangsan Sornsing, acting chief of Pathum Wan station, said the guard, identified only as Pornsak, said the rules required that delivery riders park their vehicles first and then walk to a designated delivery spot. When Mr Pornsak arrived at Pathum Wan police station on Sunday night to surrender he was confronted by about 100 angry delivery app riders. Pol Col Rangsan said the suspect would be arraigned in Pathum Wan District Court on Monday afternoon.

Cambodia to join Trump's Board of PeaceListen to this articleUS President Donald Trump walks after charter announcement for his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, alongside the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan 22, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)Cambodia ‌will ​join United States President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, the ‌country's prime minister Hun Manet ⁠said in a Facebook post on Monday. Joining the ‌board ‍demonstrates Cambodia's goodwill ‌and strong ​commitment to global peace, Hun ⁠Manet ​wrote. Thailand has also received an invitation from US President Trump to join his "Board of Peace", an organisation ostensibly aimed at overseeing the reconstruction and peace process in Gaza following more than two years of devastating conflict. On Dec 27 last year, Thailand and Cambodia again signed a ceasefire agreement in Chanthaburi province.

Listen to this articleDr Supat Hasuwannakit of the People's Party campaigns in Hat Yai district of Songkhla province on Jan 3. Dr Supat resigned from Saba Yoi Hospital in December to represent the People's Party in the Feb 8 general election in Hat Yai. He said there was a political motive behind the decision to dismiss him from the civil service less than two weeks before the general election. - Narrow decision -The subcommittee resolution on Jan 22 to dismiss him was passed by only one vote, 4-3. The manner of Dr Supat's dismissal has sparked debate on whether he can stand for election on Feb 8, as the constitution bans officials sacked from the civil service running for a seat in parliament.

Foreign tourists brawl on Patong’s Bangla RoadListen to this articleForeign tourists assault a bar owner on Patong’s Bangla Road on Sunday night. (Photo: screenshot, Jeerawut Wangnurak Facebook)A violent brawl involving foreign tourists on Bangla Road in Patong, Phuket, sparked alarm over the safety of visitors and the province's reputation as a top holiday destination. A video of the brawl late on Sunday night was posted on Facebook by user Jeerawut Wangnurak. It showed a group of foreign men repeatedly kicking and punching another man until he fell to the ground. (continues below video)Police later said the victim was a bar owner who had argued with a foreign man over parking at an Isan café around 9.30pm.

Asian currencies soar as dollar weakens with yen intervention in focusListen to this articleA man walks past an advertisement promoting China's renminbi (RMB) or yuan, US dollar and Euro exchange services at foreign exchange store in Hong Kong, China, on Aug 13, 2015. (File photo: Reuters)BENGALURU — The Malaysian ringgit and the Singapore dollar climbed to multi-year highs on Monday as a broadly weaker US dollar and renewed gains in the Japanese yen lifted Asian currencies, with investors remaining on high alert for possible intervention to support the yen. The yen extended its surge from Friday, weighing on the dollar and pulling regional currencies higher. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, slipped 0.4% to a four-month low. “We may be on the brink of a sustained breakdown in the broad US dollar index,” said Lloyd Chan, a senior currency analyst at MUFG.

(Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Thai citizens can now petition digitally for the removal of online pornography they deem personally harmful via the “Take it down” channel on the Court Integral Online Service (CIOS), which was launched on Monday. The launch followed the enforcement of an amendment to the sexual harassment offence, which broadened the range of conduct covered. Previously, blocking or suspending online content fell under officials acting under the Computer Crime Act, which required approval from the Criminal Court. Once submitted, a petition is forwarded to court officials for review before being presented to a judge for consideration, the Court of Justice said. Online petitions can be submitted around the clock, but the date of submission will follow regular office hours.

Sarnies & FriendsSarnies & Friends at The Corner House introduces a new menu shaped by the flavours the neighbourhood loves. The new menu highlights nostalgic Thai flavours in playful, modern forms. A new signature coffee, Thai Coconut Latte, blends espresso with Thai coconut sauce and milk of choice, served hot or iced. Inspired by warm ruby and golden tones, the “Sun-Kissed Seas” menu captures the spirit of the early year, bringing to life the region’s natural bounty through refined Thai flavours. On Jan 24-25, Côte by Mauro Colagreco will mark the launch of its seasonal citrus menu “Citrus, Redefined”, as chef Colagreco in attendance for lunch and dinner.

Iran protest toll nears 6,000 dead as Tehran warns US against interventionListen to this articleIran has warned the US against intervening. (Photo: AFP)PARIS - A US-based rights group said on Monday it had confirmed the deaths of nearly 6,000 people during a wave of protests in Iran suppressed by security forces, as Tehran warned Washington against intervening. US President Donald Trump had appeared to step back from military intervention, but has since insisted it remains an option. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said it had confirmed that 5,848 people had been killed, including 209 members of the security forces. In Iran, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned against intervention and said Iran was "confident in its own capabilities".

Listen to this articleSuvarnabhumi Airport officials set up screening points for passengers arriving from India to monitor for Nipah virus infections. Meanwhile, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) has already alerted its members about the disease, although there hasn’t been any impact on inbound Indian tourism so far. At present, no Nipah virus cases have come to light among travellers, he said. He said Indian tourists tend to stay longer in Thailand, from 6-7 nights compared to four nights in previous years, and are willing to spend more for experiences. Suvarnabhumi Airport officials set up screening points for passengers arriving from India to monitor for Nipah virus infections.

(Photo supplied)Some Thai fruit bats carry a strong strain of the Nipah virus, but the bigger danger comes from infected people arriving from countries where there is an outbreak of the disease, health authorities said on Monday. Officials aimed to prevent Nipah virus outbreaks by banning pig farms from areas where it occurred in bats. Dr Sophon said the Nipah virus found in some Thai fruit bats is of the Bangladesh strain. Nipah virus disease must be taken seriously because it caused severe lung inflammation and there was neither a vaccine nor medication to cure it, she said. Tests on Thai fruit bats revealed only 10% of the samples had the Nipah virus.