Bills big chance at the Super BowlListen to this article(Photo: AFP)Will this be the season that the Buffalo Bills finally, in the words once sung by The Doors' Jim Morrison, "break on through to the other side"? In four of the last five seasons, Buffalo have been ousted from the playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs, three times in the AFC title game. And with AFC postseason newbies Denver, Jacksonville and resurgent New England all having limited playoff experience, things should be falling into place for a Bill's Super Bowl trip and win, right? Perhaps contributing to Allen's down season -- for him -- is the lack of a game-breaking Bills wide receiver. Small wonder, then, the title of a Morrison biography, No One Gets Out of Here Alive, could also once again apply to the Buffalo Bills postseason appearance.

Governor says issues reported on Traffy Fondue platform will be addressed promptlyListen to this articleAn election campaign sign lies on top of a vehicle parked at a red light after falling over in Pathum Wan district of Bangkok. (Photo: screenshot from TikTok account @coachtoon)Bangkok has opened a special channel via the Traffy Fondue platform for reporting obstructions or safety hazards caused by election signs, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Wednesday. Since the campaign for the Feb 8 general election began last month, several people have taken to online platforms to complain about sign-related issues. Mr Chadchart said a special sign-related channel had been added to Traffy Fondue, the popular online platform used by the public to report problems in Bangkok. The governor said campaign signs must not obstruct traffic routes, cause nuisance or block traffic visibility.

Medical welfare boost for armed services, policeListen to this articleThe National Health Security Board has approved policy guidelines to ensure continued healthcare coverage for military personnel, conscripts and their families, including access to treatment at military hospitals, Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said on Wednesday. He said the board reviewed measures to strengthen medical welfare for soldiers, police, state officials, conscripts and their families affected by national security operations, particularly following recent unrest along the Thai–Cambodian border. Under the new approach, they will continue to receive the same level of medical benefits even after leaving government service. Family members who hold universal healthcare coverage will be allowed to receive treatment at military hospitals, in the same way as conscripts, until the soldier is discharged from service. The move is intended to ease the burden on families and provide reassurance during the conscription period, the board said.

Party touts novel childcare coupons to woo votersListen to this articleThai Sang Thai has unveiled the party's flagship welfare policy under its "tireless Thais" campaign, including a 2,000-baht monthly childcare coupon for mothers until a child reaches six years of age. The party announced it will issue childcare coupons worth 2,000 baht per month starting from pregnancy until the child turns six -- a period it calls the "golden window" for optimal brain and physical development. The coupons will be able to be redeemed for milk, vitamins and other essential childcare products under close medical supervision and doctor recommendations within the programme. The policy aims to ensure Thai children are well-nourished while reducing parents' financial strain. The party said the initiative is a strategic national investment to build human capital and incentivise married couples to have children.

Thailand sets the pace for sport in SEAListen to this articleDr Harald Link, president of the Thailand Equestrian Federation, pictured with board members and winners after the conclusion of the Princess's Cup Thailand 2025. Thailand's equestrian sport concluded 2025 on a high note due to the leadership of the Thailand Equestrian Federation under the Royal Patronage, following the successful staging of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Pattaya and Princess's Cup Thailand 2025 in Bangkok. Shortly after, attention shifted to Bangkok for Princess's Cup Thailand 2025, held from Dec 22–28 at the Royal Horse Guard Equestrian Arena, Cavalry Division 2 (Sanam Pao). Organised by the Thailand Equestrian Federation under the Royal Patronage, the event welcomed riders, officials, and professionals from across Asia and beyond, reinforcing Thailand's position on the international equestrian calendar. A historic highlight of Princess's Cup Thailand 2025 was the introduction of Asia's first Indoor Eventing Cross Country, staged at the Furst Henry Arena.

Royal fund donates B121m to boost border defencesListen to this articleHer Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana has donated 121 million baht from the Hathaitip Fund under the Chulabhorn Foundation for work on border fences and bunkers in seven provinces bordering Cambodia for enhanced public safety, says the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc). The princess made the donation out of concern for the safety of security personnel and residents along the border, Isoc said. The donation was raised through the Hathaitip Fund and allocated to urgent projects intended to strengthen protection along the Thai–Cambodian frontier. The projects are being implemented under the supervision of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters and the Royal Thai Army. The Hathaitip Fund is committed to alleviating hardship and improving public welfare, Isoc said, inviting the public to contribute donations to the fund.

Listen to this articleDechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran in action during their first round match on Wednesday. Since then, the two pairs have met three more times, and the Thai pair has won all of them. In their fifth meeting, the Taiwanese pair started strong in the first game, leading by a significant margin. In the second game, the Taiwanese pair extended their lead to 14-8 before the Thai pair caught up towards the end and ultimately won a 21-18 thriller. In the first day's big upset, Lee Cheuk Yiu dug deep to edge World Tour Finals 2025 champion Christo Popov in a pulsating 74-minute battle.

Election buoys stock market sentimentListen to this articleStock market analysts are hopeful 'election rally' sentiment can lift the Thai bourse this month. Chanat KatanyuThailand's equity market has turned more active in January ahead of the general election, with analysts suggesting an election rally sentiment, though the possibility of renewed border tensions with Cambodia and any delay to the election timeline remain downside risks. Several other brokerages highlighted the same group of equities, reinforcing their status as consensus election rally plays. Maybank Securities (Thailand) also sees election-driven upside, noting that historically the Thai index has delivered an average 4% gain from one month in advance of an election to one month after a poll. Renewed Thai-Cambodian border clashes or an election postponement could trigger negative market reactions.

Call for swift reform of tax incentivesListen to this articleA rapid reform of tax incentives is needed as tax benefits for salaried workers are expected to gradually decline from 2027. Tax benefits for salaried workers will gradually decline from 2027 if long-term savings and investment measures are not improved, says caretaker finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. The combined maximum allowed to be claimed as a tax deduction is 800,000 baht. From 2033, the Revenue Department will stop allowing investment in Thai ESG funds to be claimed as a tax deduction. The TISA structure would provide greater benefits to taxpayers earning under 1.5 million baht per year compared with those earning above that level.

Average headline inflation is expected to rise slightly in 2026, driven by increasing prices of agricultural products and the recovery of the tourism sector, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). The TPSO estimates average headline inflation of 0-1.0%, with a midpoint of 0.5%, rising from a 0.14% contraction in 2025. He said the headline inflation for the first quarter of 2026 will continue its downward trend within the range of -0.5% to 0.0% with a midpoint of -0.25%. Key contributing factors include lower oil prices year-on-year and weak economic demand due to the lack of stimulus measures during the election period. He said Brent crude oil prices have not fluctuated despite these developments.

Central bank anticipates growing uncertaintyListen to this articleThe Bank of Thailand expects the recent US military operation in Venezuela to heighten global uncertainty in three areas -- military, trade and finance -- this year and next. Mr Piti warned the US raid could trigger a new phase of the global trade war. Over the past year, US trade policies have triggered widespread changes in global production networks and international trade structures, he said. On the financial front, the military operation could heighten the risk of volatility in global monetary policy and financial markets, coinciding with an expected change in the US Federal Reserve chair. According to the committee, interest rates among financial institutions and financial markets have declined in line with earlier policy rate cuts.

Democrat PartyFormer prime minister Chuan Leekpai, now a Democrat Party candidate, slammed Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) on Wednesday for urging southern voters to support his party in exchange for budget allocations. Mr Chuan warned such campaigning risks political discrimination and breaches constitutional principles of fairness. "During my time as prime minister, policies were based on the bigger picture, not on favouritism toward any one province," Mr Chuan said. "This type of politics had caused discrimination in the past and should not be repeated," Mr Chuan said. Mr Abhisit touted policies, including a progressive rate for old age pensions, which were launched during his tenure as prime minister.

Voters must verify ID twiceListen to this articlePhasakorn: Voter lists differentVoters will be required to verify their identities twice when voting in the general election and the charter referendum, as the voter lists for the two ballots differ, says the Election Commission (EC). He said advance and out-of-constituency voting are permitted in a general election, but for a referendum, only out-of-constituency voting is allowed, with no advance voting provided. As a result, the list of eligible voters at each polling station is not the same, making separate verification necessary. Mr Phasakorn insisted the proposal to streamline the procedures will be considered, as voter participation is the top priority. Voters who believe a candidate lacks qualifications may also file a complaint with the EC, he said.

PP sticks to guns in backing Pisan for FMListen to this articlePisan: Stances align with partyThe People's Party (PP) on Wednesday defended its plan to appoint veteran diplomat and former senator Pisan Manawapat as foreign minister if it forms the next government, saying his political stances are in line with the party's direction. The PP leader said questions about Mr Pisan's personal political beliefs should be directed to the man himself while noting the PP is open to different ideas and looks for consensus. On concerns that Mr Pisan is not qualified to take a cabinet post as two years have not yet passed since he left the Senate, Mr Natthaphong said the party had reviewed the issue and discussed it with Mr Pisan. He said Mr Pisan may not be able to take up a ministerial position immediately if the party forms a government, but he would be eligible once the required legal timeframe has passed. 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.

'Big Joke' bribery case now rests in NACC's handsListen to this articleSurachate: Case handled swiftlyThe bribery case involving former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, or "Big Joke", is now under the authority of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), with police ready to arrange witness testimony and forward additional evidence without bias, said Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat Pankaeo, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, on Wednesday. Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said police are awaiting instructions from the NACC on whether the case file will be returned for further inquiry. Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat also welcomed the NACC's decision to remove a commissioner implicated in the case from supervisory duties over relevant investigation units, calling it a positive step that would strengthen public confidence. Addressing public attention surrounding Pol Gen Surachate's former aide, Pol Col Phakphum Phisamai, Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said the officer had suffered severe stress due to pressure and reputational damage. All witness testimony will be assessed alongside forensic and financial evidence, to ensure credibility, Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said.