USAID's demise marks end of the development era
USAID's demise marks end of the development eraListen to this articleThis April 24, 2015 photo shows actors taking part in an anti-malaria campaign in Lagos, Nigeria. One of the most effective tools in normalising the idea of development was a genre of documentary filmmaking known as the "development film". Development films typically opened with dimly lit scenes of hostile or lethargic villagers who appeared unable to feed, heal or educate themselves. Despite presenting themselves as unmediated records of reality, development films were carefully constructed. Nostalgia for an era in which the United States convincingly portrayed itself as benevolent is understandable.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 11:20 UTC
The long struggle to rewrite the charter
The long struggle to rewrite the charterListen to this articleA political activist puts up a green banner at the Democracy Monument on Dec 10, 2025, calling on voters to support a rewrite of the nation's charter. To change things, to move things forward, has always been one battle after another since 1932. The same righteous benchmarks have rarely been applied when those independent organisations allegedly act not in the best interests of the nation. Over the past eight years, 56 parliamentary motions to amend sections of the 2017 charter have been tabled -- all but one were rejected. This is for all of us, and the Feb 8 poll is just the first of three referenda before a new charter is completed.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 11:20 UTC
China executes 11 linked to Myanmar-based scam gangs
Listen to this articleThe Myanmar-China border gate is seen in Laukkaing, a town in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone that became a major crime centre. (Photo: Paingpeace via Wikimedia Commons)BEIJING - China has executed 11 criminals from gangs based in northern Myanmar that included key members of online scam fraud groups, the state news agency Xinhua said on Thursday. The family was one of several clans that ran the sleepy town of Laukkaing in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, close to the border with China. In recent years, China has stepped up collaboration with Southeast Asian neighbours Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia to crack down on rampant scam centre operations in the region. Earlier this month, Cambodia extradited to China tycoon Chen Zhi, who the US says chairs a conglomerate that is a front for a multi-billion-dollar cyber scam network.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 11:20 UTC
Thai-French JV marks new era for Le Grand Véfour
Thai-French JV marks new era for Le Grand VéfourListen to this articleFrom left: Julia Dionisi, chief operating officer of Paris Society; Mr Supasith; Sophie Huynh, deputy chief executive of Mud & Hound; and Mr de Gourcuff, at an event marking the formation of a joint venture to preserve and elevate the legacy of Le Grand Véfour in Paris. Le Grand Véfour will unveil its new look and concept in the spring of 2026. Le Grand Véfour is situated in the gardens of the Palais Royal in Paris and dates back to 1784. "We are confident that Le Grand Véfour will continue to captivate diners from around the world and cement its position as one of the world's most extraordinary dining destinations," he said. "Together with Mud & Hound, we look forward to ensuring that Le Grand Véfour continues to shine on the global stage and to writing the next chapter of this extraordinary establishment's story," he noted.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 11:19 UTC
No ICE at Winter Olympics, says US envoy
Ambassador says unit of under-fire agency will have only an ‘advisory’ roleListen to this articleMilan is hosting the Winter Olympics from February 6 to 22. (Photo: AFP)MILAN - A branch of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent to Italy for the Winter Olympics will not carry out patrols and will have only an “advisory” role, Washington’s ambassador to Rome said on Wednesday. “At the Olympics, HSI criminal investigators will contribute their expertise by providing intelligence on transnational criminal threats, with a focus on cybercrimes and national security threats. ICE operations in a number of US cities have triggered large-scale protests, and the recent killings of two demonstrators have caused outrage. Agents accused of violence there are from a different division than that earmarked for the Olympics.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 11:17 UTC
Unsafe levels of smog in Bangkok and 57 provinces
Unsafe levels of ultrafine dust blanketed 57 provinces and Bangkok and one province, Samut Songkhram, faced a red level of harmful smog. The highest level, 75.8, a red level (seriously harmful to health), was recorded in the central plains province of Samut Songkhram west of Bangkok. Orange levels of PM2.5 (starting to harm health) were recorded in Bangkok and 56 other provinces. Moderate air quality was detected in 16 provinces with PM2.5 levels ranging from 25.2 to 37.1. Three southern provinces had good air quality with PM2.5 levels from 19.9 to 24.6.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 11:07 UTC
Liverpool, Man City and Barcelona ease into Champions League last 16
Liverpool, Man City and Barcelona ease into Champions League last 16Listen to this articleMohamed Salah scored his first goal for Liverpool since early November as they reached the last 16. (Photo: AFP)PARIS - Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona booked last-16 places in the Champions League on Wednesday, as holders Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid missed out on the top eight. Premier League champions Liverpool thrashed Qarabag 6-0 in the eighth and final round of league-phase matches at Anfield to finish third in the 36-team table behind already-qualified Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Man City, Champions League winners in 2023, saw off Galatasaray 2-0 at the Etihad to grab eighth place with goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki. Real face play-offs after 'keeper dramaReal Madrid took the lead against Benfica when Kylian Mbappe headed home his 12th Champions League goal of the season.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 11:04 UTC
Traders bullish on gold's skyrocket
Traders bullish on gold's skyrocketListen to this articleGold jewellery on display in a Korea Gold Exchange store. In Thailand, prices jumped by 2,150 baht per baht-weight, with gold bar trading at 77,000 baht, according to the Gold Traders Association (GTA). The most bullish price forecast is from Kritcharat Hirunyasiri, chairman of MTS Gold, who expects global gold to hit $6,400 per ounce, while domestic prices move in a range of 85,000-88,000 baht per baht-weight. "Geopolitical tensions spurred by Trump is the major driver of gold prices jumping by about 20% year-to-date." Domestic prices are on course to reach 80,000 baht per baht-weight, up from the recent estimate of 75,000 baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 01:46 UTC
Schemes for SMEs to generate at least B260bn
Schemes for SMEs to generate at least B260bnListen to this articleMr Sittikorn says TCG recorded cumulative new credit guarantees worth 35.7 billion baht during the first 11 months of 2025. According to TCG president Sittikorn Direksoonthorn, ongoing government stimulus packages aimed at enhancing liquidity for SMEs comprise three main programmes. The "SMEs Credit Boost" credit guarantee mechanism is implemented in collaboration with the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Thailand and commercial banks, expected to result in around 100 billion baht in additional new lending over 1-2 years. During the first 11 months of 2025, TCG recorded cumulative new credit guarantees worth 35.7 billion baht, enabling 45,300 SMEs to access financing, helping to preserve 467,000 jobs, and generating 46.6 billion baht in credit within the system. The overall economic benefit created is estimated at 147 billion baht, according to TCG.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 01:42 UTC
China targeting over 1.5m Thai visitors in 2026
China targeting over 1.5m Thai visitors in 2026Listen to this articleChina aims to attract at least 1.5 million Thai visitors this year, up from more than 1 million in 2025, while the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects to generate 35.4 billion baht from 1.25 million foreign tourists during the 10-day Chinese New Year holiday next month. The Thai Travel Agents Association projected China was the top destination for Thai travellers with more than 1 million visitors last year, and Zhang Ruoyu, chief of the Chinese National Tourist Office (CNTO) Bangkok, said it's possible Thai arrivals could reach more than 1.5 million this year. Mr Zhang said the influx of tourists to China was attributed to supporting policies, such as visa exemptions and instant tax refunds for shopping. According to the CNTO, the number of Thai tourists visiting China soared by 494% year-on-year in the first half of 2024, following the introduction of permanent visa-free entry on March 1, 2024. Overall revenue during the holiday should reach 42.2 billion baht, increasing by 13% year-on-year, noted the TAT.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 29, 2026 00:31 UTC
TSTH flags pressure from Chinese steel
TSTH flags pressure from Chinese steelListen to this articleSteel products manufactured by Tata Steel (Thailand). TSTH president and chief executive Tarun Kuma Daga said weakening demand and pricing pressure in China are pushing mills there to ship more steel overseas. "China will continue exporting steel across the world at an enhanced level, due to weakening domestic demand and pricing competition," Mr Daga said. Mr Pandey has worked across multiple Tata Steel business units in India for 32 years and relocated to Thailand in December 2025. "Competition in the steel business is certainly challenging, especially against steel coming from Chinese mills," Mr Pandey said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 28, 2026 23:52 UTC
Run to fund orthopaedic kit
The initiative aims to raise 100 million baht for 13 hospitals lacking orthopaedic equipment and encourage Thais to collectively run 60 million kilometres — the equivalent distance from Bangkok to Mars. The Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of Thailand (Rocost) has announced a fundraising marathon to support 13 hospitals facing shortages of orthopaedic medical equipment. Saksit Maharattanawong, an orthopaedic surgeon and director of Langsuan Hospital in Chumphon, said his hospital has only two orthopaedists. A lack of surgical equipment often forces patients to be referred to the provincial hospital, where long waiting lists delay treatment. "Although we have an operating theatre, we do not have adequate surgical equipment.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 28, 2026 23:52 UTC
Hospitals ready for Nipah virus
Hospitals ready for Nipah virusListen to this articleRajavithi HospitalThe Department of Medical Services has confirmed that Rajavithi Hospital and other major medical facilities are fully prepared to handle suspected or confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection, even though no cases have yet been reported in Thailand. In Pattaya, mayor Poramet Ngampichet has ordered health and veterinary teams to collect samples from large colonies of fruit bats after residents expressed concern they could spread Nipah virus. The hospital confirmed no Nipah virus cases have been detected, and strict screening and monitoring remain in place. The Embassy of India in Thailand said that since December 2025, only two confirmed Nipah cases have been reported in West Bengal, while 196 close contacts tested negative. On Tuesday, at least 1,700 tourists underwent screening for Nipah virus infection at three international airports, with no detections reported, the Public Health Ministry said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 28, 2026 23:51 UTC
True eager to seek synergy with Arise, CP
True Corporation intends to harness the strength and resources of its group and those of incoming majority shareholder Arise Ventures Group to generate profit and dividend payments. The Arise Group includes True Internet Data Center Co Ltd (True IDC) and Ascend Money. True will explore how the company and Arise can better leverage these businesses together, True Group chief executive Sigve Brekke told the Bangkok Post. Norwegian telecom operator Telenor recently agreed to sell a 24.95% stake in True to Arise Digital Technology Co, a subsidiary of Arise Ventures Group. Arise Ventures Group is owned by Suphachai Chearavanont, the chairman of True Corp.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 28, 2026 23:04 UTC
FTI eyes 1.5m auto units as domestic demand increases
According to the FTI's Automotive Industry Club, the target includes 950,000 units for export and 550,000 units for the domestic market. While the export figure remains unchanged, domestic production is set to increase by 50,000 units. Thailand's domestic car sales are forecast to reach 640,000–650,000 units in 2026, supported by rising BEV demand. Domestic car sales in December surged by 47.2% year-on-year to 75,121 units, boosted by the Thailand International Motor Expo, which recorded total bookings of more than 80,000 vehicles and motorcycles. For 2025, overall domestic sales rose by 8.47% to 621,166 units.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 28, 2026 23:04 UTC