Democrats pledge to support the vulnerable
Listen to this articleA woman takes a photo with Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva during a campaign stop in Nakhon Si Thammarat on Wednesday. Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva led a campaign team at the Thewada Fresh Market in Si Chon district, in support of Charnwatthana Itsarawattana, the local constituency candidate. Mr Abhisit also said vote-buying in the South was becoming more serious and concerned him. Meanwhile, in Bangkok, Ongart Khlampaiboon, a list-MP candidate, led canvassing in the Lat Phrao area in support of Phanupong Laksanawisit, the local constituency candidate. Mr Ongart said the Democrat Party has received positive feedback in the capital since Mr Abhisit’s comeback, which has helped the party gain better opinion poll ratings.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 15:35 UTC
UK pressures Elon Musk over Grok AI deepfake porn scandal
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall led the charge, warning that the spread of AI-generated pornography on the X platform is "unacceptable in a civilised society". Since the beginning of the year, a number of X users — women —have reported that fake accounts are using the tool to create and distribute "deepfake" images of them without their consent. They are demanding a crackdown on what they describe as "manifestly sexist and illegal content" originating from Grok and the X platform. Under the UK’s Online Safety Act, sharing intimate images without consent is a criminal offence, even if the images are AI-generated. The legal pressure is also building in the US.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 15:17 UTC
US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker
(Photo: Marinetraffic.com)The United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker that was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday, after a two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic as part of a US blockade of Venezuelan oil exports, two US officials told Reuters. “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world,” US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in reply to that post. The officials said Russian military vessels were in the general vicinity of the operation, including a Russian submarine. The US Coast Guard first attempted to intercept the vessel last month, but it refused to be boarded. $2-billion oil ‘deal’Top Venezuelan officials have called Maduro’s capture a kidnapping and have accused the US of trying to steal the country’s vast oil reserves, estimated to be the largest in the world.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 15:05 UTC
‘‘Most difficult issues’ still await Ukraine peace talks team
(Photo: AFP)PARIS - American and Ukrainian teams were preparing on Wednesday to tackle the ”most difficult issues” related to Ukraine peace talks, including territory, following a breakthrough in European-led negotiations, Ukraine’s leader said. US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner represented Washington in the talks amid efforts to end nearly four years of war in Ukraine sparked by Russia’s invasion. And this depends on the partners — on whether they ensure Russia’s real readiness to end the war,” he said. A European diplomatic source said that representatives of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom were involved in fresh Paris talks on Wednesday, as well as some from Italy and Turkey. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said he does not want to see NATO troops on the ground in Ukraine.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 15:04 UTC
Traffic seen as a challenge for Tomorrowland Thailand
On Tuesday, the Belgium-based organiser confirmed its partnership with the TAT to host the first Tomorrowland event in Asia at Wisdom Valley, a 560-acre site with six stages, just west of Pattaya City. The three-day festival is scheduled for Dec 11-13 and is expected to attract 50,000 attendees, 60% of them foreigners. However, tourism operators have pointed out that traffic management will need to be improved in order to accommodate the visitors. “Pattaya already experiences heavy traffic during peak periods, so authorities should plan ahead to provide convenient transport for attendees,” he said. “There was a significant drop in the Chinese market of 30-35%, and the South Korean market of 30%, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 14:42 UTC
Political ‘attack posters’ found across Phitsanulok
Listen to this articleA total of 32 banners attacking an unnamed political party believed to be the People’s Party are removed from streets in Constituency 1 of Phitsanulok on Wednesday. Most of the posters were found along major roads in Constituency 1, particularly within Phitsanulok municipality and tambon Bueng Phra. A candidate from the People’s Party said the posters appeared to be politically motivated slander, which could result in legal action. The party asked the Phitsanulok provincial election committee to investigate and it has dispatched officials to investigate the origin of the posters. Mr Natthaphong said he had no information on who was behind the mysterious posters found in Phitsanulok — whether a political party, a political group or other individuals.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 14:36 UTC
Right-angled running track draws flak in Songkhla
(Photo: Padang Besar Municipality office)A new 30-million-baht sports complex in Songkhla province has drawn sharp public criticism for a sharply angled running track that is not safe or practical for use. Complaints mounted after pictures of the completed sports complex were posted on the Facebook page of the Padang Besar municipality. The track was built with sharp angles, which is not standard for running due to safety concerns. Due to the limited land space, it was impossible to build a standard running track after that, he said. “The track is only a bonus, and as for the pitch, it meets all international standards,” Mr Dech-it said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 14:09 UTC
Fire destroys 22 speedboats in Phuket
Fire destroys 22 speedboats in PhuketListen to this articleSpeedboats on fire at Chalong pier in Phuket on Wednesday morning. (Photo supplied)PHUKET - Fire destroyed 22 fully refuelled speedboats at Chalong Pier in this southern tourist island on Wednesday morning. Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn said 22 speedboats belonging to 13 different operators had all been refuelled and readied to serve tourists in the morning. Otherwise, the blaze could have spread to more than 1,000 other fully fuelled tourist boats docked in the Chalong bay. The quick response was carried out despite challenging conditions resulting from strong winds and a high tide on Wednesday morning, Mr Nirat added.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 13:57 UTC
‘Recession’ a concern, says Thai business group
Thailand’s exports are projected to contract this year. “We are concerned about an economic recession,” said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and a member of the JSCCIB. Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and another JSCCIB member, urged the government to monitor gold trading, which can influence foreign exchange rates. In the second quarter of 2025, Thailand’s household debt-to-GDP ratio tallied 86.8%, limiting borrowers’ ability to access new credit and prompting banks to tighten lending criteria. Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association and a JSCCIB member, said the military strikes in Latin America have raised concerns about global investment flows.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 13:47 UTC
Trump: US reaches deal for $2bn in Venezuelan oil
Listen to this articleCrude oil drips from a valve at an oil well operated by the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, in the Orinoco belt, near Morichal in Monagas state. (Reuters File Photo)Caracas and Washington have reached a deal to export up to $2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude oil to the United States, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, which would divert supplies from China while helping Venezuela avoid deeper oil production cuts. Trump has said he wants interim President Delcy Rodriguez to give the US and private companies “total access” to Venezuela’s oil industry. “Trump wants this to happen early so he can say it is a big win,” an oil industry source said. Venezuelan government officials and PDVSA, the Venezuelan state-owned oil company, did not provide comment.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 09:43 UTC
Merkle sees room for crypto recovery in second half
Merkle sees room for crypto recovery in second halfListen to this articleCrypto assets recorded a negative annual return in 2025. "This shift reflects a structural change in crypto markets," said Mr Thanalop. According to Merkle, crypto assets closed 2025 with negative annual returns, compounded by a major liquidation event on Oct 10 that drained liquidity from the system. Historically, crypto markets have shown a positive correlation with small caps, suggesting they could benefit indirectly from this rotation, noted Merkle. "We expect a gradual shift away from short-term, momentum-driven digital asset speculation towards projects with clearer fundamentals.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 09:32 UTC
Bethell’s maiden century gives England hope in final Ashes Test
Bethell’s maiden century gives England hope in final Ashes TestListen to this articleEngland’s Jacob Bethell celebrates reaching his first Test century on day four of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. (Photo: AFP)SYDNEY - Rock-solid Jacob Bethell plundered a chanceless maiden Test century Wednesday as England reeled in Australia then built a tenuous 119-run lead to leave the fifth and final Ashes Test on a knife edge. Remarkably, it was not just Bethell’s maiden Test ton but the only one he has scored in red-ball cricket, with his previous best 96 against New Zealand. Stokes edged Webster to Smith in the slips with Brydon Carse doing the same off Boland on 16. But the Australia skipper did not last long, nicking a fuller length delivery from Josh Tongue to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 08:31 UTC
Vietnamese caught in Japan's illegal worker crackdown
(Photo: AFP)TOKYO — For a decade, Vietnamese worker Minh did tough jobs like sandblasting ships and welding steel, helping address rapidly ageing Japan's dire labour needs. Of the roughly 450,000 technical interns in Japan as of June, just under half were from Vietnam and worked across agriculture, construction and food processing. "Without foreign workers like us, there is no way Japan's economy can function," the 30-year-old said. That, along with dwindling salaries in real termsand higher living costs, has seen resentment towards foreign workers swell. Yoshimizu said that "some technical interns are stuck in conditions that they just have to flee".
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 08:05 UTC
Thai headline inflation remained negative
Thai headline inflation remained negativeListen to this articleShoppers browse through clothes and other products at a night market in the Ram Intra area of Bangkok. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)Thailand's headline inflation remained negative in December 2025, but core inflation was in line with expectations, the Commerce Ministry reported on Wednesday. Headline inflation stood at -0.28% year-on-year last month, compared to a forecast -0.34% in a Reuters poll. Core inflation, which does not include goods in the energy and fresh food categories, stood at 0.59%, versus the 0.69% Reuters poll forecast. On Wednesday, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) said the country's economy is facing challenges, including a sustained decline in competitiveness, with exports expected to be negatively affected by US tariffs.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 07:21 UTC
Man arrested for posing as police officer to dupe Thai woman in the US
Man arrested for posing as police officer to dupe Thai woman in the USListen to this articleThe 29-year-old suspect reads the arrest warrant, as Crime Suppression Division police arrest him for posing as a police officer in Krabin Buri. (Photo: Central Investigation Bureau)A 29-year-old man has been arrested in Prachin Buri after he was accused of posing as a police officer and extorting money from a US-based Thai woman by falsely linking her to a money-laundering case, causing her to lose almost 200 million baht. Deputy Crime Suppression Division commander Pol Col Pongpanot Chukaew apprehended Yongyut in front of a house in the Hat Nang Kaeo sub-district of Krabin Buri on Tuesday. The arrest came after Jenjira (surname withheld) filed a complaint with investigators at the Technology Crime Suppression Division 2 (TCSD 2). Shortly later, a man posing as a police officer contacted her via the Line app, accusing her of being involved in a money laundering case.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2026 07:21 UTC