Pichitchai named Thai U23 captain
Pichitchai named Thai U23 captainListen to this articlePichitchai Sienkrathok. PRPichitchai Sienkrathok has been appointed the new captain of the Thai U23 national team for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia. Sittha Boonlha will serve as vice captain as the team are set to kick-start their campaign against Australia at Al Shabab Stadium in Riyadh on Thursday. "Pichitchai has been named team captain because he has talent and leadership qualities. Pichitchai said, "As a team captain, I try to get everyone in the team to play to the coach's tactics.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 22:39 UTC
Long-term structural issues hobble Thailand's growth
Long-term structural issues hobble Thailand's growthListen to this articleThailand's aged demographic is a structural challenge, expected to result in labour shortages in the near future. Low economic growth is not a temporary problem -- it has become a structural issue that will require a long time to resolve. Private banks such as SCB also see structural reform as crucial for enabling Thailand to escape the trap of persistently low economic growth. Yunyong Thaicharoen, chief economist and sustainability officer at SCB, said the structural factors affecting Thailand's economy are not temporary. Thailand's economic growth has registered less than 5% since the 10th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2007-2011), remaining a middle-income country while its competitiveness continues to decline.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 22:20 UTC
Election puts new rules in limbo
The Revenue Department is issuing organic laws, including rules on tax calculation and filing requirements. For example, this law would prevent the Board of Investment from granting certain investment promotions, such as corporate income tax exemptions. The Excise Department's proposal calls for a single excise tax rate, regardless of the retail price. Meanwhile, environmental tax reforms, including the carbon tax, are expected to generate 6 billion baht. In terms of other government revenue, a shift from petroleum concession contracts to production-sharing contracts is expected to generate 71.3 billion baht, with licensing fees adding 12.9 billion baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 22:20 UTC
Cops rescue man from 'scammers'
Cops rescue man from 'scammers'Listen to this articleCHON BURI: Police in Pattaya rescued an 18-year-old man after he was allegedly assaulted, detained and threatened by a group running a mule account scam. The victim, identified as Bas, said he had answered an online advertisement offering 1,500 baht for opening a wallet account. After noticing suspicious funds entering the accounts, he requested they be frozen, prompting the suspects to track him down. They allegedly lured him to the condominium, dragged him inside and threatened harm to his family. A staff member of the condominium spotted the struggle, enabling Bas to escape and alert police.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 22:18 UTC
Tangled 'Boss' tale back to haunt
Set B: 177 km/h -- calculated by Pol Col Thanasit, the prosecution's witness. They emphasised the 177 km/h figure had weak evidentiary weight because it conflicted with multiple experts and lacked scientific rigour. However, one of original forensic police officers on the case, Pol Maj Chavalit Laohaudomphan, disputes the court's view. Pol Maj Chavalit, who inspected the scene in 2012 and is now a former MP of the People's Party, calculated the speed at 177 km/h. ConclusionThe question of vehicle speed -- 177 km/h or under 80 km/h -- remains the pivotal factor shaping both public belief and legal outcomes.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 22:18 UTC
Fencing queen Saysunee targets double on home stage
Fencing queen Saysunee targets double on home stageListen to this articleThailand's Saysunee Jana celebrates after winning the women's epee category B gold medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games. AFPWheelchair fencer Saysunee Jana is targeting two gold medals at the upcoming Asean Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima. Saysunee made history after becoming the first woman to win three gold medals -- epee, foil and sabre -- at a single Paralympics in Paris last year. She won gold medals at all major tournaments including the Paralympics, Asian Para Games, World Championships and Asian Championships. The 13th Asean Para Games will feature men's and women's wheelchair fencing in epee, foil and sabre.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 22:12 UTC
Stray shells hamper villagers' return
Listen to this articlePolice and military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units clear the Taku border zone after villagers found unexploded artillery shells in their rubber plantations. SURACHAI PIRAGSAAuthorities are intensifying operations to remove unexploded artillery shells and other munitions after weeks of cross-border fire from Cambodian forces left civilian areas littered with dangerous ordnance. In Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, police EOD officers visited a cassava plantation in Ban Phonthip yesterday afternoon after villagers discovered artillery shells embedded in the soil. He said 13 shells have been destroyed so far, with some 200 unexploded rounds still scattered across the wider area. In Buri Ram, officials were mobilised to clear the Taku border zone in Ban Kruat district after villagers reported craters and unexploded artillery shells in rubber and eucalyptus plantations.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 22:12 UTC
EC urged to streamline votes
EC urged to streamline votesListen to this articleA former election commissioner on Saturday urged the Election Commission (EC) to revise its regulations to make voting more convenient for the public amid concerns over the management of dual voting for the general election and the constitutional referendum on Feb 8. On Facebook, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn asked why the EC did not streamline the process for the Feb 8 polls and charter referendum. Meanwhile, a total of 1,264,103 people from Dec 20 to Jan 3 registered for early voting, the EC Office said. Of these, 4,837 registered for early voting within their constituencies, 1,148,146 for out-of-constituency and 111,120 for overseas. There will be no advance voting for the referendum, even though it will be held on the same day as the general election.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 22:12 UTC
New clashes in Iran as protests enter second week: rights groups
New clashes in Iran as protests enter second week: rights groupsProtests have affected at least 40 different cities in Iran to varying degrees over the last weekPARIS (FRANCE) - New deadly clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in Iran over the weekend, rights groups and local media said Sunday, as demonstrations first sparked by anger over the rising cost of living entered a second week. The Iran Human Rights NGO, also based in Norway, gave an identical toll of four dead, as well as 30 wounded, after "security forces attacked the protests" in Malekshahi. Videos verified by AFP showed security forces dispersing protesters who had gathered overnight and blocked a road by overturning garbage cans. On Sunday, the vast majority of shops were open in the capital, although the streets appeared less crowded than usual, with riot police and security forces deployed at major intersections, AFP observed. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States was "locked and loaded" to respond if Iran killed protesters -- a day before the American operation to capture Iran's ally Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 22:02 UTC
Rising to the AI challenge
Ms Pirongrong highlighted the emergence of "agentic AI" -- systems capable of autonomous decision-making and planning. One of the biggest challenges, she said, is accountability when AI systems act autonomously. Ms Pirongrong pointed to the European Union's AI governance model, which categorises AI systems by risk level. AI and mediaFrom the media perspective, Asst Prof Ekapon Thienthaworn of Thammasat University's Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication said Thailand remains far behind global AI leaders. Finally, addressing geopolitical divisions in AI development between China and the West, Asst Prof Ekapon said Thailand should remain technologically pragmatic.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 21:56 UTC
Govt rejects land incursion claims
Listen to this articleThailand has accused Cambodia of violating international and humanitarian law while noting it still faces unfounded allegations from the other side. Cambodia positioned troops, weapons and military stockpiles within civilian zones, contravening civilian-protection norms and using residents as human shields -- a practice strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law, it added. The centre urged the international community to assess the situation based on international law, humanitarian principles and verifiable evidence -- not misinformation or propaganda. Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Army rejected Cambodia's latest allegations that Thai troops have crossed the border and occupied territory in four Cambodian provinces. Maj Gen Winthai said Thai forces had not seized or occupied any Cambodian land, and all areas currently under Thai control are indisputably within Thailand.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 21:48 UTC
Poll deadlock threatens
With the People's Party (PP) and the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) locked in a tight race for the most seats, neither is expected to secure a parliamentary majority. Mr Sutin said Pheu Thai will remain a decisive power broker regardless of the final seat count. Pheu Thai, on the other hand, has a new candidate, and in the final stretch, we could still finish first," he said. "Even with Pheu Thai, he has yet to make it clear whether he is willing to work with us," he said. Chulalongkorn University political scientist Stithorn Thananithichot said the emerging governing formula looks familiar, centring on a coalition of three main parties -- the BJT, Pheu Thai and Klatham.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 21:36 UTC
Delcy Rodriguez: From Maduro's 'tigress' to acting Venezuelan president
Delcy Rodriguez: From Maduro's 'tigress' to acting Venezuelan presidentListen to this articleVenezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez was a staunch supporter of her ousted boss, Nicolas MaduroCARACAS - Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez is known for her anti-imperialist rhetoric, earning her the nickname "the tigress" from toppled leader Nicolas Maduro. "She has probably been one of Maduro's most trusted people over the years," political analyst Pedro Benitez of the Central University of Venezuela told AFP. Hours after Maduro's capture, Rodriguez insisted he remained the "only president" of Venezuela, demanded his release, and said the government in Caracas stood ready "to defend" the country. "If she doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro," Trump told The Atlantic. Political scientist Benigno Alarcon told AFP that even though Rodriguez still needs to be sworn in formally, she "already is" the de facto president.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 21:36 UTC
114 killed in week of attacks in Sudan's Darfur
114 killed in week of attacks in Sudan's DarfurListen to this articleAfter more than two years of war, 11 million Sudanese have been forced from their homes and many are reliant on humanitarian aid. afpPORT SUDAN, Sudan - Attacks by Sudan's army and its paramilitary foes on two towns in the western Darfur region over the past week have killed 114 people, medical sources told AFP on Sunday. RSF fighters advancing westward towards the border with Chad last week killed another 63 people in and around the town of Kernoi, a medical source in the local hospital told AFP Sunday. The war's fiercest violence is currently unfolding in Kordofan, Sudan's vast oil-rich southern region that links Darfur to the capital Khartoum, which the army recaptured last year. Drone strikes on North Kordofan capital El-Obeid caused a power outage, the national electricity company said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 15:56 UTC
Thailand accuses Cambodia of war crimes
Thailand accuses Cambodia of war crimesListen to this articleA woman peeks out from her tent at a temporary shelter during the deadly clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops in a disputed border area of Surin province, Thailand. (Photo: Reuters)Thailand has accused Cambodia of war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law in attacking Thai civilian areas and discarding the bodies of its own soldiers on the battlefield. “That is considered using civilians as human shields, which violates international humanitarian law,” the joint press centre said. “Such attacks constitute direct attacks on civilians, which are war crimes under international law,” the joint press centre said. They “constitute a threat to peace and security and undermine efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully", the joint press centre said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2026 14:05 UTC