Foreign funds have returned to Thai equities as global risk appetite improves. Foreign funds have returned to Thai equities as global risk appetite improves, yet analysts caution about potential downward pressure, noting risks remain regarding trade retaliation and geopolitical spillovers that temporarily receded. "Foreign investors have begun to re-enter the Thai stock market amid a more supportive global backdrop," he said. Asia Plus Securities (ASPS) issued a broadly constructive but cautious view, noting the Thai market is supported by improving global sentiment, but external risks remain elevated. According to Setsmart data, foreign investors were net buyers of Thai equities valued at 5.5 billion baht from Jan 3-21.

Listed bank profits edge up in 2025Listen to this articleLeading banks exhibit at a recent Money Expo event. The banking sector reported marginal net profit growth of 3.6% in 2025, with large banks posting weaker profitability while small lenders delivered strong earnings growth. The 11 SET-listed banks announced combined consolidated net profit of 265 billion baht, up 3.63% year-on-year. In contrast, small banks reported double-digit net profit growth last year. However, large banks posted marginal loan growth or contractions, resulting in an overall year-on-year decline of 0.64% in total outstanding loans across the industry in 2025.

US negotiators meet Putin for high-stakes Ukraine talksListen to this articleThe meeting marks Witkoff's seventh with Putin, according to Russian state media. (Photo: AFP)MOSCOW - Top US negotiators including Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow late Thursday for talks on a US-drafted plan to end the Ukraine war, just as Kyiv announced it had agreed on post-war security guarantees with Washington. Video published by the Kremlin showed a smiling Putin shaking hands with Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House advisor Josh Gruenbaum. Trump repeated on Wednesday his oft-stated belief that Putin and Zelensky were close to a deal. Russia, which launched its Ukraine offensive in February 2022, says its strikes are aimed at energy infrastructure fuelling Ukraine's "military-industrial complex".

The two tourist towns about 200km south of Bangkok have been shocked by the robbery and killing of a hotel receptionist early Monday in downtown Hua Hin. The murder suspect was arrested the following day. In one deserted building, they found a homeless man from the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, also the home province of the Hua Hin murder suspect. “All officials concerned will clear homeless people from tourist destinations along Cha-am beach to prevent the likes of the Hua Hin crime and guarantee safety for visitors,” he said. Meanwhile, the Hua Hin Provincial Court on Thursday extended the detention of the murder suspect for 12 days as police continue to gather evidence in the murder of the female hotel receptionist.

(Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)Six officials, including two deputy district chiefs, have been arrested in Chiang Mai for allegedly falsifying permanent residency documents to grant Thai nationality to foreigners, mostly Chinese. The suspects were identified as Theerawat Suksri and Wiset Phongnok, both deputy district chiefs in Chiang Mai; and four women — Suwanan Worathongchai, Natenapha Khuenphet, Rungarun Sawatsawai and Pornphatchara Thanakan — who worked as municipal officials in Chiang Dao district of the northern province. The charges include performing or neglecting official duties unlawfully, certifying false official documents, and producing, using or supporting the use of falsified population registration documents. Subsequent inquiries uncovered further irregularities involving applications for birth certificates filed with the registration office of tambon Thung Khao Phuang in Chiang Dao district. The arresting team said the investigation would be expanded to identify other members of the network and to review additional civil registration documents that may have been fraudulently issued.

(Photo supplied)SURAT THANI - Tourist police on Koh Phangan have located and assisted a British tourist who was left stranded on the tourist island after his wallet and ATM cards went missing, leaving him with no money and out of contact. The officers began their search for a 45-year-old British man, identified as Michael Nicholas Lee, after the British Embassy in Thailand requested help. Mr Lee had lost his wallet and bank cards, had no cash and could not be contacted, according to the embassy. Mr Lee was later found sitting on a beach, looking exhausted and dazed, said Pol Lt Col Winit Boonchit, an inspector at the local tourist police station. His condition improved, and police informed the British Embassy, Pol Lt Col Winit said.

Listen to this articleA police officer stands guard next to some of the migrant workers detained in Sangkhla Buri district of Kanchanaburi on Wednesday. (Photos: Highway Police)Highway Police arrested 83 illegal migrants from Myanmar along with three drivers — a fourth escaped — after intercepting four suspicious vehicles in Sangkhla Buri district of Kanchanaburi on Wednesday. The smugglers were believed to have been hired by Thai businesses that wanted to bring migrant workers into the country, said Pol Col Phakapol Suchol, chief of Highway Police Division 2. The migrants were being transported in steps, with vehicles being swapped at various spots, Pol Col Phakapol said. Police were expanding the investigation to identify the ringleaders and those responsible for sourcing the migrant workers, he added.

Pattaya police caution Norwegian skinny-dipperListen to this articleA Norwegian man gathers up his things after a conversation with police at Pattaya beach early Thursday morning. (Photo: Amporn Sangkaew)CHON BURI - Police were called to Pattaya beach in the early hours of Thursday after a Norwegian tourist was spotted walking naked along the shore. Officers arrived the scene near Soi 13/3 in tambon Nong Prue at 1am after being alerted by a concerned citizen. Police spoke with the man and warned him that such behaviour is inappropriate and offensive to tourists and local residents alike. After emerging from the water, the man walked towards people sitting on the beach, causing considerable alarm.

Anutin hits Northeast trail, highlights government recordListen to this articlePrime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul is warmly greeted by supporters as he campaigns on Thursday in support of Thaiwirat Rattanaset, the party's MP candidate for Nakhon Ratchasima Constituency 5. He recalled having previously worked with late Gen Chatichai Choonhavan, a former prime minister who enjoyed the respect and support of locals. “Korat once had a prime minister — Prime Minister Chatichai. Today, if people say so, it would not be wrong to say that the Prime Minister of Thailand is also from Korat, right here in Pak Chong,” Mr Anutin said. In the 2023 general election, Pheu Thai won 73 seats in the region, while Bhumjaithai secured 35.

Keys into Melbourne third round, Sinner and Djokovic primedListen to this articleMadison Keys celebrates beating fellow American Ashlyn Krueger at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday. (Photo: AFP)MELBOURNE - An erratic Madison Keys did enough on Thursday to reach the third round in her defence of the Australian Open, where men’s title-holder Jannik Sinner is also in action later. The Italian coasted through round one when his French opponent Hugo Gaston retired with Sinner in a commanding 6-2, 6-1 lead. The 38-year-old, who has won a record 10 titles in Melbourne, looked imperious in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 first-round stroll past Spain’s Pedro Martinez. It was his landmark 100th Australian Open victory and a statement of intent as he looks finally to claim a 25th Slam title.

TRAT — The eastern province hopes a forthcoming event honouring the Goddess of the Sea will be the first step in attracting more visitors to its border district, which remains quiet despite the end of the clashes with Cambodia. Khlong Yai district will organise the five-day annual festival for the Chinese goddess, Chao Mae Thapthim, from Saturday, highlighted by a parade taking the goddess from the shrine into the district town for worshippers to pay their respects. Khlong Yai is a gateway to Koh Kong province in Cambodia via the Ban Hat Lek border checkpoint and is normally a destination for visitors to Trat. A festival honouring Chao Mae Thapthim will take place in Khlong Yai district, Trat province, this week. (Video: Trat Tourism)

(Photo: Reuters)The ashes of four Thai soldiers who were killed while defending the Thai-Cambodian border will be enshrined at Victory Monument in Bangkok on Feb 3, Thai Veterans Day, as the country prepares to honour their sacrifice amid ongoing regional security monitoring. Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit said on Thursday that a formal ceremony will be held to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. Gen Nattaphon said preparations would be reviewed at a relevant meeting to ensure the ceremony is conducted with full honour. The Victory Monument currently houses the ashes of 7,297 soldiers who died in conflicts ranging from the Franco-Siamese Indochina War to the anti-communist insurgency. Delegations from 10 countries attended the briefing at Sunpasitprasong Hospital, observing a moment of silence for 42 soldiers killed in recent unrest.

Chef Ian Kittichai joins Michel Portos in four-hands culinary extravaganzaKhum Hom at Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok presents the first of its 2026 four-hands culinary experiences. Thai celebrity chef Ian Kittichai will welcome internationally-renowned two Michelin-starred chef Michel Portos for an exclusive three-night engagement running from Feb 3-5. A Knight of the Legion of Honour and Disciple d'Escoffier, chef Portos has spent his career exploring the intersection of Mediterranean flavours and global influences. Chef Portos presents Surat Thani oyster; cannelloni with eggplant caviar and cockles; and Phuket lobster Bourguignonne style. "Working with chef Portos allows us to explore how two distinct culinary languages can create a shared conversation," said chef Ian.

Marking a defining moment for ultra-luxury ocean exploration, Aman at Sea today unveiled the inaugural itineraries for Amangati, its first ocean-going motor yacht, with reservations now open. Currently under construction, Amangati is a 180-metre, nine-deck yacht designed to reflect Aman’s signature principles of space, privacy and tranquillity. A rare experience at sea — private by design, guests feel as though they have the yacht to themselves. Interiors draw inspiration from a Japanese ryokan, with full-height windows and private terraces throughout, ensuring light, openness and a constant connection to the sea. Conceived from the spirit of the sea, Amangati reimagines Aman’s emblematic lifestyle in motion: the sustaining element of water shaping every aspect.

Submitted names will be saved onto a small SD card placed inside the Orion spacecraft, traveling around the Moon before returning to Earth. The Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts — three Americans and one Canadian — to circle around the moon to explore scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars, according to NASA. The approximately 10-day mission is set to launch between February and April 2026 from the Launch Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Everyone is able to submit their names through the US space agency's website. After submission, a digital “Boarding Pass: Artemis II” will pop up for you to download or print as a keepsake.