Mr Chuan warned such campaigning risks political discrimination and breaches constitutional principles of fairness. Speaking at Democrat headquarters on Wednesday, Mr Chuan said linking state budgets to electoral choices echoes past political practices that divided the country. The former premier was taking Mr Phiphat to task for making recent remarks in Trang, saying Mr Phiphat disrespected residents and risked misleading voters into believing Mr Chuan had neglected the area. Mr Phiphat had flown into Trang Airport — a facility developed under his administration — only to criticise the province’s progress while attempting to lure MPs to join Bhumjaithai, he said. “This type of politics had caused discrimination in the past and should not be repeated,” Mr Chuan said.

Surveys in the United States and Europe point to falling alcohol consumption and declining club attendance and wonder aloud whether Gen Z cares less about nightlife altogether. When no one insists on permanence, leaving quietly becomes a feature rather than a flaw. When leaving early becomes normal, the meaning of social time shifts. In that sense, the art of leaving quietly isn’t really about disengagement. It is about remaining woven into the city’s social fabric without surrendering entire nights to it.

(Photo: AFP)PARIS - The German deep-discount food retailer Lidl has announced that it would stop advertising on broadcast television in France, where it is one of the country’s top advertisers. The move follows a costly court loss last year, when a French appeals court judged the supermarket chain’s advertisements were deceptive. Linear television refers to traditional broadcast TV channels that adhere to a schedule compared to streaming platforms like Netflix, where viewers watch content on demand. Ouali criticised the regulations as antiquated and intended to benefit traditional media. Linear television accounted for 22% of Lidl’s total advertising spending last year, compared with “zero” planned in 2026, a spokeswoman told AFP.

He said that some people may have believed in certain approaches in the past but if they see the People’s Party as a better way forward, the party is ready to work with them. “During those interviews, I recall that I never said anything in support of the military coup,” he said. Mr Pisan was unveiled as the second member of the party’s “people’s government” management team this week as a foreign affairs minister candidate. Kalyapat Rachitroj, a former People’s Party list MP, recently resigned from the party, saying she had lost faith as the party drifts from its original identity and progressive ideals. She also criticised the leadership for pursuing “illusory power” and sidelining longtime members in favour of outsiders and technocrats such as Mr Pisan.

Thai vocational student teams claimed multiple awards at the 18th International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest in Harbin, China on Wednesday. Of the four participating schools from Thailand, two teams — Chiangrai Vocational College and Saowabha Vocational College — shared first prize, according to the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (Ovec). The competition drew 49 teams from China, England, Thailand, Portugal, Switzerland, Macau, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Ukraine. The first and second runners-up were Ubon Ratchathani Vocational College and Saraburi Vocational College, respectively. Also in 2025: Thai students triumph with ice sculptures in Harbin

Australia win final Test to seal 4-1 Ashes triumph over EnglandListen to this articleCameron Green and Alex Carey celebrate winning the final Ashes Test against England in Sydney. (Photo: AFP)SYDNEY - Australia won the final Ashes Test against England by five wickets on Thursday to seal a dominant 4-1 victory after a gruelling series, sending the retiring Usman Khawaja out on a high. For England it was the final chapter in a miserable series. “That’s Ashes cricket. “The whole Test match I found it hard to control my emotions,” Khawaja added after his 88th and final appearance on the Test stage.

Listen to this articlePhasakorn Siriphakayaporn, deputy secretary-general of the Election Commission, says voters’ lists for the general election and the referendum differ, resulting in the need for two ID checks. Voters will be required to verify their identities twice when voting in the general election and the constitutional referendum on Feb 8, as the voter lists for the two ballots differ, says the Election Commission (EC). The agency understands the inconvenience, but such a requirement is necessary because the election and the referendum have different procedures, said Phasakorn Siriphakayaporn, deputy secretary-general of the EC. He said advance and out-of-constituency voting are permitted in a general election, but for a referendum, out-of-constituency voting is allowed but advance voting provided. The EC says 2,262,643 people had registered to vote on Feb 1, while only 1,598,056 had registered for out-of-constituency voting in the Feb 8 referendum.

The expansive One Bangkok development will be transformed into "The Kids' Imaginarium", inviting young participants to use their creativity to design and construct their city of tomorrow. Curated by the BICT Festival and Poon Poon theatre company, the "Art Performance For Kids" comprises four shows to bring smiles and laughter. They include a fairy-tale story by Cream Bangkok at 2pm, a mime show by Annuts at 3pm, a creative performance from Poon Poon theatre at 4.30pm and a magic show by VK.Vich at 5.30pm. There is no admission fee to the "One Town" and "Art Performance For Kids", while the remaining activities are for One Bangkok and Traveller members. Children will receive complimentary popcorn and cotton candy (limited availability).

The largest state of Malaysia, Sarawak has a complex history. "It is like a little-bit-polished diamond," said Louis. Discovering ancestral rootsAn hour by road from Kuching, the Sarawak Cultural Village sits in the foothills of Mount Santubong. An indigenous performance at the Sarawak Cultural Village. Hardship in China forced people to emigrate to Southeast Asia, including Sarawak.

Kannavee backs ethnic minoritiesListen to this articleKannavee Suebsang, leader of the Movement Party, promised his party would restore dignity to ethnic minorities by granting them citizenship and farmland. Mr Kannavee also visited a Hmong community in tambon Tub Tao, where he reiterated the party's mission to improve the quality of life for highland ethnic communities. He said the time had come to return equality and human dignity to all citizens, regardless of ethnic background. Ethnic communities across Thailand were facing similar systemic challenges, he said, mainly stemming from state neglect of their rights and dignity. Mr Kannavee said state power structures had historically marginalised ethnic populations, treating them as second-tier citizens.

Army set to host event for childrenListen to this articleThe Royal Thai Army will host a special National Children's Day celebration on Saturday at its headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The event invites children and young people to learn about the role of soldiers up close under this year's theme, "Love Thailand, Care for the World". Children will also be able to take part in skill-building activities, while families can enjoy music, games and giveaways. Army units nationwide will organise parallel events, including the 2nd Army Area at Suranaree Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima, the 3rd Army Area at Somdet Phra Ekathotsarot Camp in Phitsanulok, and the 4th Army Area at Sirindhorn Camp in Pattani. The initiative aims to inspire young people, support their development and strengthen ties between the military and the public, reinforcing the Army's role as "the people's soldiers".

People's Party battles shift in voter moodListen to this articlePeople’s Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun joins candidates as they register for the Feb 8 election, in Bangkok on Dec 27. So far, the timing does not appear propitious for the People's Party, the winner of the 2023 national election under the now-defunct Move Forward Party banner. Within Thailand's political landscape, the People's Party is widely seen as a progressive force, championing welfare policies and institutional reform. In my view, the People's Party should resist the temptation to shoot for the moon. Perhaps it is time for the People's Party to fine-tune its electoral platform.

Trump's Greenland logic rattles Europe, NatoListen to this articleA man walks as a Danish flag flutters next to a Hans Egede statue ahead of a general election in Nuuk, Greenland on March 11 last year. And Mr Trump has now used the policy to justify his audacious intervention in Venezuela, showing just how far he will go. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland." Still, Mr Trump's recent actions have cast his Greenland fixation in a new light. The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, also downplayed comparisons between Mr Trump's designs on Venezuela and Greenland.

In 2026, Thailand's overriding economic challenge will not be growth but debt repayment. In 2026, the Thai economy may edge close to crisis, not because of contraction per se, but because of an inability to service debt. This persistent shortfall has contributed to Thailand's high household debt, which stands at 87.7% of GDP -- the ninth highest globally. Household debt figures exclude informal borrowing and credit not supervised by the BoT, such as micro- and pico-loans. When informal debt is included, household debt likely exceeds 100% of GDP.

Listen to this articlePhotographers take pictures of visitors in Thai costumes at Wat Arun in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Photographers from Thai costume rental shops at Wat Arun in Bangkok are now required to take training in “manners” after complaints about improper behaviour. The management of the famous Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn) on Wednesday night apologised for recent incidents that had caused inconvenience or discomfort, saying it had reviewed rules at the temple. The announcement was a response to reports that local photographers shooed other visitors away when taking pictures of clients dressed in traditional Thai costumes. “Photographers who provide photography services within the Temple grounds are affiliated with Thai costume rental shops and are required to undergo training in proper conduct and appropriate practices in accordance with the Temple’s regulations before being permitted to provide photography services within the Temple,” Wat Arun said on its Facebook page.