35 parties plan meet to discuss charter referendumListen to this articleRepresentatives from 35 political parties will present their views and stances on the looming constitutional referendum next Tuesday, according to the Election Commission (EC). Party representatives will report at 9am followed by a draw to determine the speaking order. The EC said 35 parties had registered to take part in expressing views on the upcoming national referendum, following an invitation issued between Jan 17-19 via an Open Chat Line group. The process to select party representatives will take place on Friday at 10am via a Zoom meeting hosted by the EC at its headquarters. Parties will be divided into two main groups -- supporters and opponents -- each tasked with selecting five representatives, except for the three parties with alternative views, the EC said.

DES minister told to name politicians linked to scamsListen to this articleThe Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) on Wednesday urged Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob to disclose the names of all politicians allegedly linked to scam networks and online gambling operations. PPRP deputy spokesman Pol Lt Gen Piya Tawichai said the issue was drawing strong public attention, and so the DES minister should reveal their names to meet public demand and keep these individuals out of the political sphere. Pol Lt Gen Piya also called on the DES minister to clarify details surrounding a controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in March 2024 between the DES Ministry and a Singapore-based company with alleged links to controversial foreign businessman Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as "Ben Smith". Pol Lt Gen Piya raised a series of questions including whether the MoU involved online sports gambling or "Sport Rating Online Gaming" and whether such activities would violate the anti-gambling law. He said the names could not yet be disclosed until the review of evidence is completed.

Israeli arrested at pot farmListen to this articleAn Israeli national has been arrested in Krabi after authorities raided a cannabis farm accused of operating through Thai nominees and breaching multiple laws. The operation was carried out Wednesday morning at Cannazon Farm in Mueang district, after more than two months of investigation, said Pol Maj Gen Sukkasem Nakonvilai, commander of Krabi Provincial Police. The search team was led by Krabi Governor Angkura Siladhewakul and accompanied by ML Bhuthong Thongyai, deputy director-general of the Department of Business Development. At the scene, Mr Moshe (surname withheld), the Israeli national identified as the business owner, was stopped as he attempted to leave the premises. Pol Maj Gen Sukkasem said the suspect used Thai nominees to obtain licences, prompting authorities to suspend Cannazon Farm's licence for 60 days pending permanent revocation.

The arrested Thai nationals acted as mule bank account holders and received benefits from fraudulent schemes, Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai, head of the Central Investigation Bureau, said at a briefing on Wednesday. Investigators also identified a Malaysian suspect, Lee Yong Hann Jovan, who served as the cash courier transporting money out of Thailand, Pol Lt Gen Natthasak said. The woman was told not to hang up on the call with the gang and not to inform any bank staff, Pol Lt Col Natthasak said. The group was also found to be linked with four other scam cases and to have worked for other scam gangs, with total losses exceeding 30 million baht, Pol Lt Gen Natthasak added. They were taken into custody at the Muang Pathum Thani police station for legal proceedings, Pol Lt Col Natthasak said.

Netizens speculated the post must have referred to Mr Chaichana, whose nickname is Tan, prompting widespread criticism during the election campaign period ahead of the February election. But there has been no verified link to Mr Chaichana so far, they said. Satit Wongnongtaey, another deputy leader of the Democrat Party, said the checks had found nothing to back up the claims made online. He also said the content of an earlier speech by Democrat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva remained firmly in place, adding it would not protect any members found guilty of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, police in Nakhon Si Thammarat denied reports that officers were preparing to search the home of a Democrat Party deputy leader on Wednesday, dismissing them as completely groundless.

"If the problems are not addressed seriously and promptly, the consequences could extend beyond the capital market and threaten the long-term sustainability of Thailand's economic system," he said. The SET ranked among the world's worst performers in 2025, when only six stock markets globally posted negative returns. They require a strong and functioning capital market as a primary source of funding." While the Thai stock market still has hope, he said it was unlikely to recover on its own without strong and credible government support. The other recommendation is reviving liquidity, starting with domestic investors, as liquidity has declined due to foreign selling and capital outflows.

The ruling is linked to unlawful possession of land within Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chanthaburi. According to an NACC inquiry, in 2014, Lt Col Thanaphat purchased the three plots located in Soi Dao district from previous occupants. The land is situated within the wildlife sanctuary designated under Revolutionary Council Announcement No.200 on Aug 26, 1972. The commission found that after he was elected an MP on March 24, 2019, Lt Col Thanaphat continued to occupy and exploit the land. At the time, Lt Col Thanaphat was serving as an MP and was a member of a House committee studying land issues and land title issuance.

ReutersThe baht is likely to appreciate further after it broke 31 to the US dollar to touch its highest level in nearly five years on Wednesday, as gold prices edged towards a once-unthinkable target of US$5,000 per ounce, say currency and gold traders. Locally prices soared by as much as 1,050 baht per baht-weight despite the baht's appreciation in early morning trade, sending gold bar to trade at 71,600 baht by midday following more than 20 price adjustments. Jitti Tangsithpakdi, president of the Gold Traders Association, anticipates domestic prices could reach 75,000 baht. Investors, wary of a broader economic or even military escalation, have responded by aggressively reallocating capital into gold. Central bank demand remains a powerful structural driver as China and Russia continue to accelerate gold purchases as part of long-term de-dollarisation strategies, said Ms Tipa.

State agencies urged to take action on exchange rateListen to this articleRelevant government agencies, including the Bank of Thailand, are being advised to take quick action to ensure the baht remains at an appropriate level. GOLD FACTORCentral bank governor Vitai Ratanakorn said the baht appreciated past 31 to the dollar on Wednesday, driven mainly by a surge in gold prices. "The baht's strength exceeds levels justified by economic fundamentals and is primarily influenced by a surge in gold prices," he said. Gold trading volume accounts for about 35% of total foreign exchange-related transactions, while foreign capital inflows have added upward pressure on the baht. Mr Vitai said the central bank is monitoring gold trading conducted via digital platforms using baht.

SEC to expand digital asset frameworkListen to this articleThe Thai regulator is planning to unveil new rules this year that support digital asset investment. The SEC also wants to expand the use of digital tokens for investment, moving beyond existing investment tokens to include bond tokens and tokenised fund units. The SEC board already approved crypto ETFs in principle and is now finalising detailed investment and operational rules, she said. Close cooperation is required between asset management companies and licensed digital asset exchanges, enabling jointly developed products that can eventually be listed and traded on the SET, said Ms Jomkwan. In 2025, digital asset operators suspended 47,692 mule accounts, reflecting intensified enforcement efforts.

Strong baht may crimp bookingsListen to this articleWith the baht strengthening against the US dollar, surpassing 31 to the greenback for the first time in almost five years, it should impact forward bookings for the next few months and during the low season, discouraging tourist spending. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said travel agents have expressed concern about the strong baht, which has been an obstacle since last year for many markets, including the US, Russia, Europe and Japan. Hotels this high season have raised room rates by only around 5% year-on-year due to the strong baht and pressure from rising costs, he said. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the strong baht will likely hamper forward bookings in the upcoming months. He said meeting and business groups often have short lead times and tend to require 3-4 times the budget of leisure travel, making their visits more expensive with a strong baht.

Interest rates nudge banks to record varied resultsListen to this articleAn employee counts bundles of 1,000-baht banknotes. Declining interest rates resulted in some banks recording lower operating results in 2025. Apichart JinakulLarge local banks posted mixed operating results in 2025, attributed to a decrease in interest income as rates declined, as well as heightened uncertainties. Meanwhile, net interest income (NII) declined in line with lower interest rates and slower loan growth. Although net interest margin compression following larger policy rate cuts than expected pressured interest income, a recovery in non-interest income, disciplined cost control and lower expected credit losses helped offset the impact of softer interest income.

Reform network chief seeks to axe referendumListen to this articleWirangrong Dabbaransi, chair of the University Network for National Reform, has petitioned the Administrative Court to annul the government's decision to hold a national referendum on Feb 8, arguing that the process used to set the date is unlawful, unconstitutional and violates citizens' rights and freedoms. She argued the process contravenes the Referendum Act 2021 due to unlawful procedures and failure to comply with mandatory legal requirements. First, she said the motion proposal and voting procedures failed to comply with essential steps prescribed under the Referendum Act and parliamentary regulations, rendering the process legally flawed. Second, she argued that the referendum date was set outside the legally mandated timeframe. In addition, she said the referendum would result in a massive waste of public funds if conducted without a proper legal basis.

SRT finishes repairing tracks after crane collapseListen to this articleWreckage at the site where a train was derailed when a construction crane collapsed and fell onto its carriages, causing several casualties, in Sikhiu district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, January 14, 2026. REUTERSThe State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has finished repairing a stretch of railway track in Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima province in the wake of a fatal crane collapse that struck a passenger train on Jan 14, killing 30 people, while a parallel technical investigation moves towards identifying the causes and accountability. The SRT said the damaged and twisted rails had been replaced with 36 metres of new track after the contractor, Italian-Thai Development Plc, removed all remaining crane debris from above the line on Tuesday. Despite the repairs being finished on the afternoon of the same day, the SRT cancelled a planned temporary resumption of services, citing safety concerns as burned-out carriages remained at the site. Green netting has since been installed to cover the wreckage, while further inspections and plans to remove the damaged carriages are under discussion.

Listen to this articleJade Donavanik, the Rak Chart Party's PM candidate. Rak Chart PartyThe Rak Chart Party has issued a firm warning ahead of Thailand's Feb 8, 2026, general election: it will not join any government tainted by corruption, grey-zone dealings, or improper political bargaining. Asked how Rak Chart differs from traditionally conservative parties, Mr Jade pointed first to its demographics. Coalition Red LineWhen asked under what conditions Rak Chart would join a government, Mr Jade was unequivocal. Even if excluded from government, Rak Chart vows to act as a watchdog -- inside or outside parliament.