NACC backs land claim against ex-MP
The ruling is linked to unlawful possession of land within Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chanthaburi. According to an NACC inquiry, in 2014, Lt Col Thanaphat purchased the three plots located in Soi Dao district from previous occupants. The land is situated within the wildlife sanctuary designated under Revolutionary Council Announcement No.200 on Aug 26, 1972. The commission found that after he was elected an MP on March 24, 2019, Lt Col Thanaphat continued to occupy and exploit the land. At the time, Lt Col Thanaphat was serving as an MP and was a member of a House committee studying land issues and land title issuance.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 23:24 UTC
Gold prices continue magic ride
ReutersThe baht is likely to appreciate further after it broke 31 to the US dollar to touch its highest level in nearly five years on Wednesday, as gold prices edged towards a once-unthinkable target of US$5,000 per ounce, say currency and gold traders. Locally prices soared by as much as 1,050 baht per baht-weight despite the baht's appreciation in early morning trade, sending gold bar to trade at 71,600 baht by midday following more than 20 price adjustments. Jitti Tangsithpakdi, president of the Gold Traders Association, anticipates domestic prices could reach 75,000 baht. Investors, wary of a broader economic or even military escalation, have responded by aggressively reallocating capital into gold. Central bank demand remains a powerful structural driver as China and Russia continue to accelerate gold purchases as part of long-term de-dollarisation strategies, said Ms Tipa.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 23:24 UTC
State agencies urged to take action on exchange rate
State agencies urged to take action on exchange rateListen to this articleRelevant government agencies, including the Bank of Thailand, are being advised to take quick action to ensure the baht remains at an appropriate level. GOLD FACTORCentral bank governor Vitai Ratanakorn said the baht appreciated past 31 to the dollar on Wednesday, driven mainly by a surge in gold prices. "The baht's strength exceeds levels justified by economic fundamentals and is primarily influenced by a surge in gold prices," he said. Gold trading volume accounts for about 35% of total foreign exchange-related transactions, while foreign capital inflows have added upward pressure on the baht. Mr Vitai said the central bank is monitoring gold trading conducted via digital platforms using baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 23:24 UTC
SEC to expand digital asset framework
SEC to expand digital asset frameworkListen to this articleThe Thai regulator is planning to unveil new rules this year that support digital asset investment. The SEC also wants to expand the use of digital tokens for investment, moving beyond existing investment tokens to include bond tokens and tokenised fund units. The SEC board already approved crypto ETFs in principle and is now finalising detailed investment and operational rules, she said. Close cooperation is required between asset management companies and licensed digital asset exchanges, enabling jointly developed products that can eventually be listed and traded on the SET, said Ms Jomkwan. In 2025, digital asset operators suspended 47,692 mule accounts, reflecting intensified enforcement efforts.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 23:24 UTC
Strong baht may crimp bookings
Strong baht may crimp bookingsListen to this articleWith the baht strengthening against the US dollar, surpassing 31 to the greenback for the first time in almost five years, it should impact forward bookings for the next few months and during the low season, discouraging tourist spending. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said travel agents have expressed concern about the strong baht, which has been an obstacle since last year for many markets, including the US, Russia, Europe and Japan. Hotels this high season have raised room rates by only around 5% year-on-year due to the strong baht and pressure from rising costs, he said. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the strong baht will likely hamper forward bookings in the upcoming months. He said meeting and business groups often have short lead times and tend to require 3-4 times the budget of leisure travel, making their visits more expensive with a strong baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 23:24 UTC
Interest rates nudge banks to record varied results
Interest rates nudge banks to record varied resultsListen to this articleAn employee counts bundles of 1,000-baht banknotes. Declining interest rates resulted in some banks recording lower operating results in 2025. Apichart JinakulLarge local banks posted mixed operating results in 2025, attributed to a decrease in interest income as rates declined, as well as heightened uncertainties. Meanwhile, net interest income (NII) declined in line with lower interest rates and slower loan growth. Although net interest margin compression following larger policy rate cuts than expected pressured interest income, a recovery in non-interest income, disciplined cost control and lower expected credit losses helped offset the impact of softer interest income.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 23:14 UTC
Reform network chief seeks to axe referendum
Reform network chief seeks to axe referendumListen to this articleWirangrong Dabbaransi, chair of the University Network for National Reform, has petitioned the Administrative Court to annul the government's decision to hold a national referendum on Feb 8, arguing that the process used to set the date is unlawful, unconstitutional and violates citizens' rights and freedoms. She argued the process contravenes the Referendum Act 2021 due to unlawful procedures and failure to comply with mandatory legal requirements. First, she said the motion proposal and voting procedures failed to comply with essential steps prescribed under the Referendum Act and parliamentary regulations, rendering the process legally flawed. Second, she argued that the referendum date was set outside the legally mandated timeframe. In addition, she said the referendum would result in a massive waste of public funds if conducted without a proper legal basis.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 22:38 UTC
SRT finishes repairing tracks after crane collapse
SRT finishes repairing tracks after crane collapseListen to this articleWreckage at the site where a train was derailed when a construction crane collapsed and fell onto its carriages, causing several casualties, in Sikhiu district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, January 14, 2026. REUTERSThe State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has finished repairing a stretch of railway track in Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima province in the wake of a fatal crane collapse that struck a passenger train on Jan 14, killing 30 people, while a parallel technical investigation moves towards identifying the causes and accountability. The SRT said the damaged and twisted rails had been replaced with 36 metres of new track after the contractor, Italian-Thai Development Plc, removed all remaining crane debris from above the line on Tuesday. Despite the repairs being finished on the afternoon of the same day, the SRT cancelled a planned temporary resumption of services, citing safety concerns as burned-out carriages remained at the site. Green netting has since been installed to cover the wreckage, while further inspections and plans to remove the damaged carriages are under discussion.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 22:38 UTC
Rak Chart 'a litmus test' for govt
Listen to this articleJade Donavanik, the Rak Chart Party's PM candidate. Rak Chart PartyThe Rak Chart Party has issued a firm warning ahead of Thailand's Feb 8, 2026, general election: it will not join any government tainted by corruption, grey-zone dealings, or improper political bargaining. Asked how Rak Chart differs from traditionally conservative parties, Mr Jade pointed first to its demographics. Coalition Red LineWhen asked under what conditions Rak Chart would join a government, Mr Jade was unequivocal. Even if excluded from government, Rak Chart vows to act as a watchdog -- inside or outside parliament.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 22:24 UTC
Diplomatic protest filed over letter
Diplomatic protest filed over letterListen to this articleThailand has lodged a formal diplomatic protest with Cambodia following the publication of an open letter by a Cambodian senator, which the government says crossed diplomatic boundaries. "The open letter published by Cambodian media politicising the Thai monarchy is highly inappropriate and reflects an unfortunate lack of sound judgement," he said. Mr Nikondej said Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow had instructed the ministry to move swiftly to clarify Thailand's position, issue a formal letter of protest to the Cambodian government, and send written responses to the Cambodian media outlet involved. According to Mr Sihasak, the publication amounts to interference in Thailand's internal affairs and contravenes basic diplomatic etiquette, the Asean charter, and Clause 6 of the joint statement signed by both sides on Dec 27, 2025, which commits them to each refrain from actions or statements that could provoke heightened tensions. Thailand has urged Cambodia to ensure senior figures in its government and parliament exercise restraint, refrain from issuing provocative statements, and sincerely adhere to bilateral commitments to rebuild mutual trust.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 22:24 UTC
BJT savages co-payment plan
BJT savages co-payment planListen to this articleA countdown sign for the election is displayed by the Bang Sue district office in the Saphan Kwai area, encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote in the election and referendum on Feb 8. Nutthawat WichieanbutPheu Thai's launch of its new co-payment policy, branded "More Than Plus 70:30", has drawn sharp criticism from its chief rival, the Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party, which has questioned the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposal. Pheu Thai's proposal would see the state cover 70% of spending and consumers just 30%, a much higher subsidy than the 50:50 cost-sharing model used in the BJT-led "Half-Half Plus" scheme. The party said the existing Half-Half Plus scheme only lifted GDP growth by about 0.2% in 2025. According to details on Pheu Thai's Facebook page, funds would be distributed to a wider target group, namely all Thai nationals aged 16 and above.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 22:24 UTC
Anutin scoffs at Nida poll
Bhumjaithai PartyBhumjaithai Party (BJT) leader Anutin Charnvirakul brushed aside a projection by the Nida Poll director that the party would win up to 150 seats in the general election, saying the figure was "too low". Mr Anutin said on Wednesday BJT was fighting hard in every constituency and that the Nida estimate fell short of the party's internal target. However, he said opinion polls were useful benchmarks for assessing how well the party's campaign was performing. Earlier, in a television interview, Suvicha Pouaree, director of the Nida Poll Centre, said BJT was surging and expected to secure between 140 and 150 seats. On his first campaign visit to the northeastern region, Mr Anutin led campaigning in Nakhon Phanom on Wednesday.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 22:24 UTC
PP wants more than 20m votes
PP wants more than 20m votesListen to this articlePiyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Progressive Movement, speaks to People's Party supporters at a campaign rally in Loei on Wednesday. Speaking at the Chaiyaphum municipal ground, the former secretary-general of the now-dissolved Future Forward Party was campaigning for the PP ahead of the Feb 8 election. He said pro-democracy parties -- first the Future Forward Party and later the Move Forward Party -- had been dissolved twice, with many of their politicians disqualified, but the movement would continue. "We [the Move Forward Party] won the election [in 2023] but were not allowed to form a government. He warned against splitting votes, saying opponents feared genuine reform.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 22:17 UTC
‘Big Joke’ files false-complaint charge against former aide
Pol Lt Col Krit alleged that Pol Gen Surachate slapped him on the left ear so hard that his eardrum ruptured in February 2017, subsequently leaving him with permanent hearing loss in that ear. Another officer who previously worked for Pol Gen Surachate, Pol Col Aris Kooprasitrat, also accused him of emotional abuse causing him to suffer depression. Mr Sanyapatchara said the alleged psychological abuse may be linked to Pol Col Aris having “switched sides” politically. “Pol Col Aris will be the next to get a counter-complaint,” the lawyer said. Pol Gen Surachate has long alleged that there was an organised campaign to block his path to the police chief’s position.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 21:21 UTC
IRPC wins Thailand Energy Awards 2025, solidifying leadership in global energy innovation
IRPC wins Thailand Energy Awards 2025, solidifying leadership in global energy innovationIRPC Public Company Limited (IRPC), led by Terdkiat Prommool, President and Chief Executive Officer, received the Thailand Energy Awards 2025 in the Creative Energy category for the project “Reduce Hydrocarbon Loss in Flare from PNU by Digitalization”. The award was presented by caretaker Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon, who presided over the award ceremony held at the Grand Ballroom, Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok. The Thailand Energy Awards are organised by the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) under the Ministry of Energy, with the objective of promoting energy conservation and the sustainable development of alternative energy.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 21, 2026 19:27 UTC