'Mule' accounts proliferate
Known in Thai as Banchee Ma (literally, "horse accounts"), these bank accounts are essential tools for scam syndicates, money launderers, and call-centre gangs. Three types of 'horses'While mule accounts come in many forms, police have recently coined new internal terms --known mainly within detective circles -- to describe three particularly critical types. The second type is the "fake mule account", referring to accounts belonging to scam victims. Unaware they have become the first link in a laundering chain, they effectively act as frontline mule accounts. Those who recruit or advertise for mule accounts face two to five years in prison and fines ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 22:03 UTC
Piyabutr hits back at Pheu Thai attacks
Listen to this articlePiyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Progressive Movement, speaks to People’s Party supporters at a campaign rally in Loei earlier this month. Speaking at a PP rally in Sakon Nakhon on Jan 24, Mr Piyabutr responded to repeated comments made on Pheu Thai campaign stages questioning whether PP would be able to form a government even if it won the election. Mr Nattawut urged voters to back Pheu Thai instead, saying it offered the safest route to unseat conservative power blocs. Separately, Chaturon Chaisaeng, a Pheu Thai Party party-list MP candidate, criticised PP's campaign slogan "No Orange, No Grey", calling it vague rhetoric that had backfired and distracted from substantive policy debate. "If you keep saying you won't cooperate with this party or that party, how can you expect to become the core party forming a government?
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 22:03 UTC
Arsenal rocked by Man Utd, Villa rekindle Premier League title bid
Arsenal rocked by Man Utd, Villa rekindle Premier League title bidListen to this articleArsenal's 3-2 defeat to Man Utd saw their Premier League lead remain at four pointsLONDON - Manchester United inflicted Arsenal's first home defeat of the season in a 3-2 thriller to blow the Premier League title race open on Sunday as Aston Villa beat Newcastle to close within four points of the Gunners. Not for the first time this season, despite their lofty league position, Arsenal were blunt as an attacking force from open play. Just moments later Cunha took aim from outside the box and delivered a telling blow to the Gunners' hopes of a first league title in 22 years. "We are competing against Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham... Wow, the power they have!" Newcastle slip to ninth but still only four points outside the top five, which will likely be enough for a place in the Champions League.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 22:00 UTC
Ekniti slams 'reckless' populism
Ekniti slams 'reckless' populismListen to this articleEkniti NitithanprapasFinance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, a key member of the Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party's economic "dream team", has criticised what he described as "irresponsible populist policies" rolled out by rival parties during the final stretch of the election campaign. Pheu Thai says it submitted 57 policies to the Election Commission (EC) with a total proposed budget of 243.3 billion baht. Pheu Thai later defended the proposal, describing it as an investment in national data infrastructure designed to expand the tax base and boost long-term state revenue. Mr Ekniti declined to directly criticise other parties' proposals, including Pheu Thai's daily millionaire policy. "The budget comes from taxpayers, so it must be used wisely and generate tangible economic recovery," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 22:00 UTC
Big-spenders abound as poll race tightens
Major political parties are locked in a contest of ever more generous handouts, welfare schemes and cash-based incentives, each attempting to outbid the other to secure votes. The People's Party has pushed for universal welfare policies requiring more than 172 billion baht annually. Across the political spectrum, the pattern is clear: policies revolve around injecting cash or reducing costs, with limited discussion of long-term fiscal trade-offs. He cautioned that expanded welfare commitments could create long-term fiscal burdens of up to 300 billion baht, potentially leading to higher taxes. Nonarit: 'Long-term fiscal burdens a risk'Paper tiger problemSomchai Srisutthiyakorn, a former election commissioner, has been among the most vocal critics of the EC's limited enforcement power.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 21:51 UTC
WHO chief says reasons US gave for withdrawing 'untrue'
WHO chief says reasons US gave for withdrawing 'untrue'Listen to this article'Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue,' said TedrosGENEVA - The head of the UN's health agency on Saturday pushed back against Washington's stated reasons for withdrawing from the World Health Organization, dismissing US criticism of the WHO as "untrue". And in a post on X, he added: "Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue." They accused the agency, of numerous "failures during the Covid-19 pandemic" and of acting "repeatedly against the interests of the United States". - 'Trashed and tarnished' -The two US officials said the WHO had "trashed and tarnished" the United States, and had compromised its independence. "As we do with every Member State, WHO has always sought to engage with the United States in good faith."
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 14:29 UTC
Tourists flock to Thale Bua Daeng, drawn by Lisa promotion
Tourists flock to Thale Bua Daeng, drawn by Lisa promotionListen to this articleVisitors line up before dawn to buy boat tickets for an early‑morning view of the blooming water lilies on Thale Bua Daeng. (Photo: TAT Udon Thani)Visitor numbers have soared at Udon Thani’s Thale Bua Daeng (The Sea of Pink Water Lilies) following the release of a promotional video and photos featuring Thai K‑pop star Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal, some queueing for tickets before 5am. Since early Saturday, streams of Thai and foreign tourists have been arriving at Ban Diam pier on Thale Bua Daeng in Kumphawapi district. TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said many tourists said they were drawn to visit Thale Bua Daeng by the Amazing Thailand x Lisa campaign. About 50,000 tourists had visited Thale Bua Daeng since the blooming season began in December, and the majority were foreign travellers.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 13:59 UTC
Sabalenka, Alcaraz ease into Australian Open quarters, Medvedev crashes out
Sabalenka, Alcaraz ease into Australian Open quarters, Medvedev crashes outListen to this articleUkraine's Elina Svitolina celebrates after winning her fourth round match against Russia's Mirra Andreeva at the Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne on Sunday. (Photo: Reuters)MELBOURNE - Aryna Sabalenka extended her reign as tiebreak queen to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals for a fourth successive year and Carlos Alcaraz joined her as Daniil Medvedev's campaign ended on Sunday. "It's incredible to see these kids coming up on the tour," said the world number one, who has reached 13 successive Grand Slam quarter-finals." - Local hero -Alcaraz next takes on Australian Alex de Minaur, who brushed aside 10th-seeded Kazakh Alexander Bublik 6-4 6-1 6-1 to make his second successive quarter-final at Melbourne Park. Last year's runner-up Alexander Zverev stayed on trackin his bid for an elusive maiden Grand Slam title, beating Francisco Cerundolo 6-2 6-4 6-4.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 12:46 UTC
Off track, the numbers are adding up for F1 newcomers Cadillac
Listen to this articleMexican F1 driver Sergio Perez after announcing he was signing with the Cadillac team. (Photo: Reuters)LONDON - Formula One newcomers Cadillac had hoped to be a team everybody would want to join, but even they have been surprised by the response. Staff numbers are building up as the General Motors-backed outfit prepare to take to the track with rivals for the first time in a shakedown test at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya from Monday. "In that time we had 143,265 applications, all of which had to be acknowledged," he said at last week's Autosport Business Exchange conference. "Building that whole team spirit and way of working, it's not straightforward.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 12:43 UTC
Covid control measures revived amid Nipah virus scare
Listen to this articlePassengers arriving from India are screened for any sign of a fever at Phuket airport on Sunday, part of the strict measures introduced to keep the Nipah virus out of Thailand. (Photo supplied)The government has revived disease control measures earlier imposed to fight the covid-19 pandemic, to prevent a Nipah virus outbreak in Thailand, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Sunday. However, Mr Anutin said, people should not be overly worried about the outbreak of Nipah virus disease in India, or the possibility of it entering Thailand, because the disease is transmitted through bodily fluids. They apply to Rajavithi Hospital, Lerdsin Hospital, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, the Neurological Institute of Thailand, the Central Chest Institute of Thailand and the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health. The department also tasked internal and external specialists to prepare guidelines for medical personnel nationwide for use to cope with a possible Nipah virus outbreak, Dr Nattapong said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 12:36 UTC
Scandal-hit SSO needs more professional management, says minister
Listen to this articleThis Ministry of Labour cafeteria in Din Daeng is at the centre of the debate over a 12-million-baht renovation, funded by the Social Security Office. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)An urgent overhaul of the Social Security Office is needed to enable the 31-year-old agency to match Thailand’s changing social and economic landscape, Labour Minister Treenuch Thienthong said on Sunday. “I have already in place a policy to completely reform the social security system and its administrative structure so that it keeps pace with economic and social changes. Reform would aim at creating a social security system that is both sustainable and fair, with all investment decisions based on reliable data and strong governance, she said. The overhaul follows growing scrutiny of the Social Security Fund over alleged misuse of administrative budgets and controversial investments, prompting acting Prime Minister Anutin to order a review.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 10:36 UTC
Lifting crane and load fall and crush family home
Listen to this article(Photo: screenshots from เรารักด่านตรวจ)KHON KAEN - A 29-year-old man was lucky to escape with his life when a heavy crane lifting a prefabricated house toppled over and crushed his family home. A long-boom crane was hoisting a knock-down prefabricated house weighing at least one tonne from the back of a lorry, moving it to a prepared plot of land. Unable to bear the weight, the crane and its load fell onto a two-storey wooden house in the adjoining community. She ran out and saw the crane lying across the house and the prefabricated house it had been lifting now resting amid the debris inside. Witnesses said when lifting such a heavy load across power lines, the load should have been lowered to reduce the strain on the crane.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 10:35 UTC
Tourists flock to Red Lotus Lake, drawn by Lisa promotion
Tourists flock to Red Lotus Lake, drawn by Lisa promotionListen to this articleVisitors line up before dawn to buy boat tickets for an early‑morning view of the blooming red lotus fields on the lake. (Photo: TAT Udon Thani)Visitor numbers have soared at Udon Thani’s Red Lotus Lake following the release of a promotional video and photos featuring Thai K‑pop star Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal, some queueing for tickets before 5am. Since early Saturday, streams of Thai and foreign tourists have been arriving at Ban Diam pier on Talay Bua Daeng (Red Lotus Lake) in Kumphawapi district. TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said many tourists said they were drawn to visit the Red Lotus Lake by the Amazing Thailand x Lisa campaign. About 50,000 tourists had visited the lake since the lotus blooming season began in December, and the majority were foreign travellers.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 10:35 UTC
Playing the patriot card
One of the most prominent themes emerging in recent weeks has been a surge in nationalist sentiment linked to tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. The issue has been actively woven into campaign narratives, particularly on national security, with analysts pointing to the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) as the main beneficiary. Nationalism as a campaign toolAsked about the impact of nationalist sentiment tied to the border dispute, Mr Olarn said it is having a tangible effect on voter behaviour. "If we focus purely on nationalist sentiment, BJT has the clearest advantage," Mr Olarn said. BJT, by contrast, has leaned heavily into nationalist sentiment, proposing measures such as border fencing and stressing strong cooperation with the armed forces.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 09:44 UTC
ChatGPT rolls out 'age estimation' to protect young users
In response, OpenAI announced the activation of safeguards designed to better protect minors, including clearer separation between youth and adult users. Under the new system, ChatGPT estimates a user’s age based on several factors, including how long the account has been active, usage times, patterns of interaction and the age provided by the user during registration. Accounts deemed suspicious or lacking sufficient clarity will be classified as belonging to users under 18 by default. Users who are adults but incorrectly flagged must verify their age by scanning their face or submitting official identification for full review. Youth accounts will be subject to significantly stricter content controls.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2026 09:16 UTC