Russia's 'shadow tanker fleet' and how it works
Russia's 'shadow tanker fleet' and how it worksListen to this articleThe oil tanker detained by France is suspected of being part of Russia's shadow fleet, which uses flags of convenience and false flags to dodge sanctions. afpPARIS - France's interception of an oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" draws attention to how the vessels allegedly operate in order to escape Western sanctions. - What is the 'shadow fleet'? -The United States, which is leading efforts to try to broker an end to the conflict in Ukraine, in early January stepped up its sanctions against Russia's oil industry, including the shadow fleet. The French navy on Thursday boarded an oil tanker in the Mediterranean suspected of belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 04:01 UTC
Israel agrees to 'limited reopening' of Rafah crossing
Israel agrees to 'limited reopening' of Rafah crossingListen to this articleA Palestinian boy searches for recyclable material at a landfill against the backdrop of destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip on January 25, 2026. JERUSALEM - Israel said Monday it would allow a "limited reopening" of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt once it had recovered the remains of the last hostage in the Palestinian territory. Netanyahu's office said: "Upon completion of this operation, and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the US, Israel will open the Rafah Crossing." Gvili's family has expressed strong opposition to launching the second phase of the plan, which includes reopening Rafah, before they have received his remains. The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 03:51 UTC
Living like sultans: Istanbul's pampered street cats
He's not alone: according to City Hall, Istanbul has more than 160,000 cats living on its streets who are regularly fed and fussed over by the city's 16 million residents. That's why they call it 'the city of cats'," explains Gaye Koselerden, 57, looking at Kanyon's toy-filled corner which looks like a child's bedroom. "Giving the cats food was seen as an offering in the name of God." "In Germany, we have many rats, but here, with so many cats, they must be afraid," she smiled. Without its cats, Istanbul just would not be the same, she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 03:35 UTC
Fifteen dead, 28 missing as ferry sinks in southern Philippines
Fifteen dead, 28 missing as ferry sinks in southern PhilippinesListen to this articlePassengers of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 had to be rescued after the ferry sank on the southwestern tip of MindanaoMANILA - A ferry with more than 350 people onboard sank Monday morning in the southern Philippines, leaving at least 15 dead and 28 still missing, the coast guard said. At least 316 people had so far been rescued, Romel Dua, a coast guard commander, told AFP, with 15 confirmed dead and 28 still unaccounted for. "A coast guard aircraft is also on the way to help the operation. Video released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed survivors being plucked from the water and receiving medical attention. In 2023, more than 30 people were killed when a fire ripped through a ferry in the southern Philippines.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 03:04 UTC
Lawyer sought in assault case
Lawyer sought in assault caseListen to this articlePolice will issue a summons for Monchai Jongkrairattanakul, widely known as "Lawyer Kaew", to acknowledge charges of indecent assault involving an 18-year-old university student. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom said the complainant has already given a statement to investigators. Wang Thonglang police are finalising the date and time to summon the suspect, stressing the case will proceed based on evidence and fairness to both parties. Police also warned the public to exercise caution on social media, noting that reckless commentary could lead to legal consequences.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 01:50 UTC
SSO faces huge overhaul
Listen to this articleThe government's patience with the beleaguered Social Security Office (SSO) has run out, with a minister signalling sweeping changes aimed at restoring public trust and professionalising the management of its funds. The government and Labour Ministry are pushing forward with big reforms to the SSO to address these issues. They include increasing benefits for insured individuals, alongside plans to restructure the administration of the SSO to make it more professional and accountable. The ultimate goal of the reform, Ms Treenuch said, is to establish a benefits system that is "appropriate and sustainable" for all insured individuals. SSO secretary-general Kanchana Poolkaew outlined the statutory protections afforded to insured people through monthly contributions to the Social Security Fund.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 00:50 UTC
'Game changers' headline city summit
'Game changers' headline city summitListen to this articleBangkok will host a landmark financial summit, "The Game Changer: Outlook 2026 & Beyond," scheduled for Feb 3-4 at The Glasshouse, Nai Lert Park. The event aims to raise funds to launch a new initiative to promote financial literacy across Thailand by Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, former director-general of the World Trade Organization and former Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. On Feb 4, Dr Supachai will give a keynote address titled "International game changers impacting Asia & Thailand", followed by an address on investment trends by legendary investor Marc Faber. Other notable speakers include Dr Harald Link, founder and family owner of the B Grimm Group on environmental imperatives in the future; Ramesh Raju, Founder of Kaizen Institute; Paruey Anadirekkul, Founder of Spacely Ai, and David Thompson, a Michelin-star chef at Nahm and Aksorn. For tickets and further details, please contact: +668-6353-9999.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 00:50 UTC
Communities join hands to save nation's wetlands
Communities join hands to save nation's wetlandsListen to this articleThailand's wetlands are under increasing pressure from climate change and accelerating human activity, mirroring a global crisis that has already wiped out 22% of wetlands worldwide since 1970. Speaking on Friday at a seminar titled "Urban Expansion, Global Warming, and the Fate of Wetlands", DWR director-general Theerachun Boonyasit stressed the ecological and social importance of wetlands, particularly for communities whose livelihoods depend on natural resources. "Wetlands are critical ecosystems, yet they are being seriously degraded by climate change and land-use change," he said. "Our approach is to protect and conserve them sustainably by working with partners and empowering local communities to play a central role." The data will be used to design targeted conservation measures and prevent further losses.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 00:32 UTC
'Lisa effect' fuels lily lake rush
'Lisa effect' fuels lily lake rushListen to this articleThe Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has reported a sharp rise in visitors to Udon Thani's famed pink water lily lake, driven by the "Lisa effect" and viral online memes. A promotional poster of Thai superstar Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal at the pink water lily lake. TOURISM AUTHORITYTAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said tourist numbers at Thale Bua Daeng in Kumphawapi district have increased steadily since images of Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal visiting the site circulated online. The pink water lilies are now in full bloom across the 25,500-rai (4,080-hectare) Nong Han reservoir, creating peak-season conditions that have attracted large crowds, particularly foreign tourists. Thale Bua Daeng, named after the pink water lilies blanketing the lake's surface, blooms during the cool season from December to February.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 00:32 UTC
Pavena pulls crowds at Klatham rally in North
Pavena pulls crowds at Klatham rally in NorthListen to this articlePavena Hongsakul used a Klatham rally in Chiang Rai to call for firm policies tackling drugs and domestic violence. The rally was held at Phanphitthayakhom School in Phan district on Saturday evening and drew a large crowd from across the area and nearby communities. Klatham's senior figures took the stage to support the party's Chiang Rai parliamentary candidates and outline policy priorities. She said Klatham had put forward Capt Thamanat Prompow, a party's chief adviser, as its sole prime ministerial candidate to ensure responsibility was clear and direct. Capt Thamanat said his Chiang Rai visits revealed strong calls for development in economic opportunities, tourism, infrastructure and quality of life.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 00:32 UTC
Reflect, respect and celebrate
Reflect, respect and celebrateListen to this articleAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct 26, 2025. Australian Embassy ThailandAustralia Day 2026 is an opportunity to reflect on our nation, history and achievements. This year, we reflect on the Bondi Beach terrorist attack that killed 15 innocent people. Around 100,000 Thai Australians play an important role in modern, multicultural Australia. Under the Mekong-Australia Partnership, Australia continues to invest in the next generation of leaders, offering Master's scholarships for 10 outstanding Thais each year.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2026 00:02 UTC
Beyond marriage equality
The Pheu Thai Party, Democrat Party, People's Party and Thai Sang Thai Party pitched gender-related campaigns at an event titled "Pride Vote: Vote Me If You Can", at SCBX Next Tech, Siam Paragon, earlier this month. "In 2019, we invited political parties to this event to see if they would support marriage equality and civil partnership. Following the legalisation of marriage equality, other laws are still in the pipeline, for example gender recognition and sex work," said Ann "Waaddao" Chumaporn, co-founder of Bangkok Pride. While marriage equality marks the first step towards family building, we want to create a rainbow economy to allow everybody to stand on their own feet," he said. Its campaign for marriage equality paves the way for family building.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 23:50 UTC
Belgian artist transforms Thai textiles into a dark fairy tale
A collection of hand-embroidered copes will take viewers to immerse in a haunting world during "Minsterwood", which is running at RCB Galleria 5 of River City Bangkok, Charoen Krung 24, until March 8. This is a visionary exhibition by Belgian artist Wayn Traub, aka Director Jacq, marking a powerful culmination of his over 26-year practice in art, film, music and theatre. Drawing on a lifelong engagement with fabric and narrative, Traub has, since relocating to Thailand in 2012, meticulously developed a series of 25 hand-embroidered copes, inspired by the liturgical stoles of high Catholic clergy. The experience is further deepened by an original soundtrack composed by the artist for the film. Presented alongside the central textile works are a symbolic life-sized red horse and painted religious triptychs by invited contemporary Thai and international artists.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 23:47 UTC
Acclaimed violinist Min Yang to perform at Alliance Francaise
They will be performed by Beijing violinist Min Yang, with piano accompaniment by Usa Napawan from Thailand. Min Yang formerly held the No.4 first violin position with the London Symphony Orchestra. Usa, meanwhile, is a sought-after educator and collaborative pianist who performs regularly with both Thai and international artists in recitals and festivals. She's currently a piano faculty member at international schools and the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music. Funds raised will complete the essential renovations and furnishing of the iCare Children's Home, scheduled for completion by April this year.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 23:47 UTC
Artist transforms remnants of war into instruments of healing
An installation by Vietnamese-American artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen transforms remnants of the Vietnam War into healing. Currently running at National Gallery Singapore, Temple invites visitors to strike percussive instruments, including suspended shells, gongs and chimes, to create meditative sound. Water hyacinth mats are also provided for sitting within the installation, creating space for moments of reflection. This interplay of form and colour shows how the artist transforms remnants of conflict into healing. Nguyen said he wants to highlight the residual effects of the Vietnam War that continue to affect the community today.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 23:42 UTC