Thai tourist destinations on alert for Nipah virus
Listen to this articleHealth surveillance measures have been stepped up at Phuket International Airport following reports of a Nipah virus outbreak in India. Airport director Monchai Tanod said on Saturday that he had been briefed by the airport’s quarantine checkpoint staff about the Nipah virus situation in India. Tourists use hired motorcycle taxi services in Pattaya, is a major tourist destination popular with Indian visitors. He was alarmed by news of lockdown measures in India as Pattaya hosted a large number of Indian tourists. Health experts have emphasised that Nipah virus does not spread through respiratory droplets like Covid-19.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 08:38 UTC
Starmer calls Trump's remarks on allies in Afghanistan 'appalling'
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called U.S. President Donald Trump's comments about European troops staying off the front lines in Afghanistan insulting and appalling, joining a chorus of criticism from other European officials and veterans.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 08:36 UTC
Four held in Udon Thani mule account crackdown
Listen to this articlePolice search one of several targeted locations in Muang district of Udon Thani on Friday as part of a crackdown on mule account networks linked to online fraud syndicates. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)The accused ringleader of a mule account gang and three accomplices working for an online scam network have been arrested following police raids in Muang district of Udon Thani province. The four suspects were involved in withdrawing cash and delivering it to an online scam network, said Pol Maj Gen Chanannat. Police pose with a 24-year-old suspect accused of organising the opening of mule accounts to handle cash from scam activities in Udon Thai. During questioning, all four confessed to being hired by an online scam gang to open mule accounts and withdraw cash obtained from defrauding victims.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 08:35 UTC
Thai travel agents expect upturn in Chinese arrivals
(Bangkok Post file photo)Both Thai and Chinese tourism operators are optimistic about a recovery in visitors from the mainland during the Chinese New Year next month. The perception of Thailand as a top travel destination, combined with improved flight capacity, should lead to a pickup in arrivals, mostly independent tourists, said Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta). He made the comment on Friday as the association hosted the Thailand Tourism and Mice Next 2026 fair. The ambitious forecast includes 9 million Chinese visitors, compared with only 4.4 million in 2025. Earlier this year, 10 Thai travel agents signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Pingtung county in Taiwan to strengthen tourism between the two destinations.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 05:24 UTC
Thai flights serve 145m passengers
Thai flights serve 145m passengersListen to this articleThe aviation sector grew 3.54% and accommodated more than 145 million passengers in 2025, driven by the expansion of long-haul and emerging markets despite weaker Chinese demand. Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) governor ACM Manat Chuaprayoon said there were a total of 145.1 million passengers last year, including 67 million domestic passengers and 78 million international travellers. The total represents an increase of 4.9 million passengers, or 3.54%, from the previous year. Oceania, particularly Australia, recorded 1.77 million passengers, alongside new direct routes linking Thailand with Pacific island nations. India and Russia remained key markets, with India recording 5.95 million passengers, surpassing the 2019 level of 4.85 million, and Russia accounting for 4.22 million passengers.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 05:12 UTC
People’s Party tests technocrat path
Against this backdrop, the attempt by the People’s Party to replicate a similar model appears both logical and risky. On the other hand, the People’s Party lacks Bhumjaithai’s track record of successfully integrating technocrats into cabinet roles without internal friction or reputational damage. People’s Party heavyweights, including leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, have responded by insisting that all proposed cabinet members would be subject to rigorous vetting should the party enter government. With the election on the horizon, Bhumjaithai’s success narrative offers a clear benchmark against which the People’s Party will be judged. For the People’s Party, the proof of the pudding is in convincing the electorate that its technocrats represent genuine reform and integrity, rather than a calculated imitation of a rival’s playbook.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 05:05 UTC
Google debuts Personal Intelligence, Answer Now features for Gemini
Google has launched two new features for Gemini — Personal Intelligence and Answer Now — aimed at making its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant faster and more personalised by drawing on users’ data across Google services. Personal Intelligence allows Gemini to connect with applications in the Google ecosystem such as Gmail, Google Photos, Google Search and YouTube, enabling the AI to provide deeper, more context-aware answers. Users who feel uncomfortable can disable Personal Intelligence themselves, as the feature is not turned on automatically by default. Personal Intelligence, meanwhile, is being introduced first for Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the United States. The feature will be limited to personal Google accounts, with enterprise and educational accounts not yet supported.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 05:01 UTC
Embezzlement case ends with jail terms
Embezzlement case ends with jail termsListen to this articleThe Court of Appeal Region 4 has handed down jail terms and ordered compensation of more than 405 million baht in the Khon Kaen teachers' cooperative embezzlement case involving Klatham Party deputy leader Ekkarat Changlao and other defendants. All four were ordered to jointly pay more than 405 million baht to the cooperative. Mr Ekkarat is one of the three who received 20 years' jail time. Prosecutors and the cooperative had earlier filed charges against the four defendants over the alleged embezzlement of more than 431 million baht. Ekkarat: Handed 20-year termTwo other civil cases involving Mr Ekkarat are due for rulings on Monday.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 04:56 UTC
Journalist Hunter S. Thompson took own life, investigators affirm
(Photo: Wikipedia)LOS ANGELES — A comprehensive case review into the 2005 death of author-journalist Hunter S. Thompson, including autopsy records, has affirmed authorities' original conclusion that he took his own life, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CIB) said on Friday. The review, conducted after the writer's widow, Anita Thompson, raised questions about the official suicide ruling, found no "new physical evidence, facts, or circumstances to support a conclusion different from the 2005 investigation," the CBI said. Those close to him also had said that Thompson, a longtime gun enthusiast, had contemplated taking his own life for years. "While we have always believed the original investigation was conducted properly, we recognised the importance of an independent review for the Thompson family," Buglione wrote in the statement. But state investigators reviewed autopsy and other law enforcement records from the case, re-examined the scene, and interviewed a number of people, including Anita Thompson, her late husband's son, Juan Thompson, and his ex-daughter-in-law, Jennifer Thompson.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 04:23 UTC
Parties line up to oppose VAT increase
Parties line up to oppose VAT increaseListen to this articleMajor political parties contesting the 2026 general election have lined up to oppose proposed increases in value-added tax (VAT), warning that higher consumption taxes would further burden households and businesses struggling with economic pressures. Korn Chatikavanij, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, said his party opposed a VAT increase under current economic conditions, arguing it was inappropriate while growth remained fragile. However, he said the party supported a gradual increase in corporate income tax to 25% from the current 20%. By comparison, Singapore's corporate tax rate is 17%, with an effective rate of 6.4%. On personal income tax, Mr Korn said the Democrats proposed raising the income threshold exempt from tax.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 03:50 UTC
Fury grows over five-year-old's detention in US immigration crackdown
Fury grows over five-year-old's detention in US immigration crackdownListen to this articleThe administration of US President Donald Trump is pushing a massive campaign to deport undocumented immigrants. Ramos was then used as "bait" by immigration officers to knock on the door of his home to draw out those inside, Zena Stenvik added. Democratic congressman Joaquin Castro, whose constituency includes a San Antonio ICE detention center to which it was thought Ramos was taken, rejected Vance's explanation. - 'Just a baby' -Former US vice president Kamala Harris said she was "outraged" by Ramos's detention and called him "just a baby." Children have long been caught up in federal immigration enforcement, under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 03:36 UTC
Office of irony
Office of ironyListen to this articleThe Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) finally broke its silence on Thursday and revealed to the public how it would be handling the scandalous accusation of bribe-taking levelled against some of its members. Our national graft-buster, tasked with handling high-profile cases of corruption, has been rocked by some serious allegations. The public needs to see and believe the NACC commissioners and officials are transparent and are being treated the same as everyone else. Such actions demean the agency and will continue to undermine public trust in both it and its stated mission of battling corruption. How can the country win the war against graft when we cannot even say we fully trust the anti-corruption agency anymore?
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 02:03 UTC
Gunners on target for the title as foes wobble at halfway stage
Gunners on target for the title as foes wobble at halfway stageListen to this articleIt's just past the halfway mark in the Premier League season and Arsenal are currently being tipped to win their first title in nearly 22 years, sitting seven points clear of nearest challengers Manchester City and Aston Villa. Although the Gunners have let such leads slip in the past, this season they are being helped by the erratic form of their main rivals. The depth of their squad is proving to be an important factor which has also contributed to impressive results in the Champions League. Defending champions Liverpool were pre-season favourites but are not looking anything like the team which comfortably won the title last season. Currently in fifth place are Manchester United whose recent defeat of City in the Manchester derby was their best performance in ages.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 02:00 UTC
PM Anutin defers US peace plan
(Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The caretaker government said it cannot commit Thailand to a US-led peace initiative, leaving the decision entirely to the next administration. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday said the government has received the "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict" and the proposal for a Board of Peace sent by US President Donald Trump. Mr Anutin said that joining a peace board could bring several benefits, including contributing to peacebuilding, promoting stability, and strengthening international networks. However, he said participation would involve significant financial costs, which would have to be carefully weighed by the next government. Mr Trump said permanent members would be required to contribute US$1 billion (about 31 billion baht) each.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 01:21 UTC
Saysunee and Pongsakorn shine again
Saysunee and Pongsakorn shine againListen to this articleSaysunee Jana, right, in action during the gold medal match. Saysunee, one of Thailand's most decorated para athletes, had already struck gold on the opening day in the women's sabre class B. Moments later, Techinee Duangin stormed to victory in the women's 100m T54, clocking 17.99sec to set a new Games record. The standout performance came from Pongsakorn Paeyo, who electrified the crowd with a new Asian record in the men's 100m T53. Archery brought another all‑Thai final, with Phattharaphon Pattawaeo defeating Tpat Chatyotsakorn 6‑0 in the women's individual recurve W2.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2026 00:45 UTC