Australian Open winners to get $2.79m as prize money hits new high
Australian Open winners to get $2.79m as prize money hits new highListen to this articleThe Australian Open will offer record prize money in 2026. (Photo: AFP)MELBOURNE - Players at this month's Australian Open will be competing for a record prize pool with organisers on Tuesday announcing a 16 percent increase in the total purse to A$111.5 million (US$75 million). Tournament director Craig Tiley said it reflected Tennis Australia's commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level, from rising stars to Grand Slam champions. "From boosting qualifying prize money by 55% since 2023 to enhancing player benefits, we're ensuring professional tennis is sustainable for all competitors," he said. The tournament gets under way at Melbourne Park on Jan 18, with Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys defending their titles.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 18:21 UTC
Thai dealers reiterate opposition to gold trading tax
Though the Bank of Thailand has tightened oversight of the gold trade, Mr Kritcharat said gold traders are against the regulator’s proposal to impose a tax on gold trade. “Gold traders are willing to cooperate as the central bank steps up controls on gold transactions, but we oppose collecting any kind of tax on gold trading because it could have negative consequences, similar to imposing a capital gains tax on stock trading,” he said. Fourteen major gold traders proposed allowing dollar-denominated trading as a way for the central bank to curb the baht’s rise, said Mr Kritcharat. Gold trading in Thailand currently involves a 15% withholding tax on capital gains for 99.99% purity gold bar forward contracts on the Thailand Futures Exchange. While physical gold sales are generally exempt from value-added tax (VAT), excise tax of 10% may apply to jewellery.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 16:55 UTC
120 artillery shells cleared from Buri Ram farmland
Listen to this articleExplosive ordnance disposal officers and a Thailand Mine Action Center team work at a rubber plantation in Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram on Tuesday. A total of 121 shells have so far been discovered in the border district. In one plantation alone, five shells were discovered on Tuesday in tambon Chanthobphet of Ban Kruat district. Artillery shells are removed from a rubber plantation in Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram on Tuesday. In the tambon, shells were found mainly in rubber and cassava fields, with no reports of impacts on residential areas.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 15:49 UTC
Ukraine’s allies discuss security guarantees in Paris
(Photo: AFP)PARIS - Key European allies of Ukraine and top US envoys were to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Tuesday in their latest bid to agree security guarantees for any ceasefire in Russia’s war against its neighbour. The French presidency said the meeting aims to show the “alignment” between Washington, Kyiv and European allies on security guarantees for Ukraine. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are also to attend, according to diplomatic sources. Before leaving for Paris, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the aim of the meeting was to “tighten and align the European and American positions”. We therefore want such a ceasefire … to be backed by security guarantees from the US and Europe.”
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 15:06 UTC
Woman sleuthing on ‘LINE Out’ exposes soldier husband’s affair
Listen to this articleA woman identified only as Namtarn appears on the Hone Krasae TV programme to discuss how she tracked her wayward husband’s digital footprint. (Screenshot from โหนกระแส)A heavily pregnant woman has come forward with allegations of infidelity against her soldier husband in a case that has gripped Thailand’s online community and propelled the little-known “LINE Out” feature into the national spotlight. The situation escalated on Oct 14, while Ms Namtarn was in hospital due to stress-induced bleeding. Instead, he reportedly took his girlfriend to introduce her to his family, while Ms Namtarn remained in hospital. Ms Namtarn told the TV programme she was confident that the woman had been fully aware of her boyfriend’s marital status and family circumstances throughout the relationship.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 14:36 UTC
‘Big Joke’ bribery evidence released
(Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)The Royal Thai Police on Tuesday released video and audio evidence in the high-profile bribery case involving former deputy national police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, following an allegation made by a former aide. Pol Col Phakphum later submitted video and audio of the exchange, along with other related evidence, to the police. He said Pol Gen Surachate had ordered his aide to obtain the gold from a man who is now accused of offering a bribe. The bribery accusation is the latest in a number of allegations against Pol Gen Surachate, who was fired without a pension in March last year for his alleged links to BNKMaster, an online gambling network. The former deputy chief has denied the allegations, saying they were concocted by rivals on the force to block his path to the police chief’s position.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 14:34 UTC
Djokovic pulls out of Australian Open lead-up in Adelaide
Djokovic pulls out of Australian Open lead-up in AdelaideListen to this articleNovak Djokovic has pulled out of the Adelaide International ahead of the Australian Open. (Photo: AFP)SYDNEY - Serbian great Novak Djokovic on Tuesday pulled out of the Adelaide International, saying he was "not quite physically ready" as prepares for the Australian Open. "To all my fans in Adelaide, unfortunately I'm not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week," Djokovic said on Instagram. "My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and seeing all the tennis fans in Australia." He made the semis at all four majors in 2025 but failed to go further, with his last Grand Slam title coming at the US Open in 2023.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 14:33 UTC
Conflict overshadows New Year celebrations along border
Conflict overshadows New Year celebrations along borderListen to this articleThe desolate atmosphere of Aranyaprathet during the New Year. In contrast to the vibrant celebrations in urban centres, residents in conflict-affected provinces are experiencing a subdued and uncertain New Year. Festive excitement has been largely replaced by anxiety, as lingering security concerns continue to disrupt daily life. The ongoing conflict is deeply troubling, charging on both the physical and mental well-being of those along the border. However, due to urgent security concerns, evacuees have been advised to stay put even on New Year’s Day.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 13:57 UTC
Philippines raises alert level at restive Mayon volcano
Philippines raises alert level at restive Mayon volcanoListen to this articleVisitors take pictures of volcanic ash spewing out of a crater of Mount Mayon volcano during an eruption in Camalig, Albay province, south of Manila, the Philippines, on Jan 29, 2018. (File photo: Reuters)MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday raised its alert level for the Mayon volcano in the central province of Albay, warning of "potential explosive activity" in the coming days or weeks and advising people to stay outside of a 6-kilometre (3.7 miles) danger zone. Mayon is the most active of 22 volcanoes in the Philippines, having erupted more than 50 times in the last four centuries. The most destructive eruption came in February 1841 when lava flows buried an entire town and killed 1,200 people. The Philippines lies on the "Ring of Fire", a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean that is also prone to earthquakes.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 13:35 UTC
Charter referendum registration period 'final'
Listen to this articleThe Election Commission (EC) on Monday explained it cannot extend the registration period for out‑of‑constituency and overseas voting in the constitutional referendum. The clarification followed calls to extend the Jan 3–5 registration window. The EC said the referendum registration period must match the advance registration deadline for the general election, which also closed on Jan 5. That left just 37 days for preparation when a referendum normally requires at least 60 days. Observers agreed that with less than six weeks to prepare, agencies may struggle to inform voters about referendum protocol, adding to concerns over confusion on polling day.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 12:26 UTC
New Year road fatalities up 8% from a year ago
(Photo: Pattanapong Hirunard)The seven-day road safety campaign over the New Year holiday in Thailand ended with 272 fatalities, an increase of 8.3% from 251 in the same period a year ago. The Road Safety Centre said the number of accidents from Dec 30 to Jan 5 totalled 1,511, a decline from 1,572 a year ago, while injuries totalled 1,464, down from 1,546. Cumulative figures for the busy seven-day travel period showed Bangkok recording the highest death toll with 22 fatalities. Phatthalung and Yala recorded the most accidents on the Jan 5 with seven each, while Nakhon Sawan had the most fatalities at four. On Monday, a pickup truck driving against traffic collided with several other vehicles on inbound Vibhavadi Rangit Road in Bangkok.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 11:21 UTC
BoT panel forecasts cautious growth outlook
BoT panel forecasts cautious growth outlookListen to this articleThe Bank of Thailand expects Thai GDP growth for this year and next year to remain below its potential, pressured by both cyclical and structural factors. For 2026 and 2027, the Thai economy is projected to grow by 1.5% and 2.3% respectively compared with an estimated 2.2% in 2025. A slowdown in merchandise exports is also expected to weigh on economic growth, primarily due to the impact of US tariff measures. In addition, slower growth in government spending is likely to further dampen GDP, following the 2027 fiscal budget framework, which outlines a narrowing fiscal deficit in line with the latest medium-term fiscal framework. However, the MPC expressed concerns about uneven growth, noting economic expansion remains concentrated among large firms and specific sectors, such as major tourism businesses and electronics exporters.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 10:36 UTC
Unheralded Rosenior tipped to be new Chelsea manager
Unheralded Rosenior tipped to be new Chelsea managerListen to this articleLiam Rosenior had been widely touted as the frontrunner to succeed Enzo Maresca since the Italian was sacked by Chelsea. (Photo: AFP)STRASBOURG, France - Little-known Liam Rosenior is set for the toughest challenge of his short managerial career after revealing on Tuesday that he has “verbally agreed” to become the next manager of Premier League giants Chelsea. Despite having only three years of experience as a manager, and having never coached in the Premier League, Rosenior is on the cusp of taking on one of football’s hardest jobs. “It looks like I am going to be the next manager of that football club (Chelsea),” the Englishman said at a press conference at his present club, Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane took charge of Chelsea for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City and oversaw training on Monday.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 10:36 UTC
Thailand demands Cambodia explain breach of ceasefire
Thailand demands Cambodia explain breach of ceasefireListen to this articleThai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul briefs reporters at Government House on the Cambodian violation of the ceasefire on Tuesday morning in Ubon Ratchathani, when a mortar shell wounded a Thai soldier. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Cambodia must immediately explain the breach of the ceasefire on the border in Ubon Ratchathani on Tuesday morning, when a Thai soldier was wounded by a Cambodian mortar shell, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said. The Thai military and security agencies had lodged a protest with Cambodia seeking an explanation of the incident, which would determine how Thailand responds, Mr Anutin said. “The government of Cambodia reiterates their firm, sincere commitment to respect and implement the terms of the peace accords between Cambodia and Thailand, signed last year in July and October and the last one on Dec 27,” the Cambodian statement said. Prime Minister Anutin was accompanied at his media briefing by Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Defence Minister Gen Natthaphon Narkpanit and National Security Council secretary-general Chatchai Bangchuad.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 10:36 UTC
Maduro heckled and cut off in defiant US court appearance
Maduro heckled and cut off in defiant US court appearanceListen to this articleNicolas Maduro was transported to and from the New York court in an armored vehicle. I am still president of my country," Maduro said in the 30-minute hearing in which he pleaded not guilty to drugs and weapons charges. On one occasion, the judge cut him off as Maduro went well beyond a request that he simply confirm his identity for the court. "I am a prisoner of war," Maduro responded before being led out of the court. One group held Venezuelan flags and signs saying "USA hands off Venezuela" and chanted "Viva viva Maduro."
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2026 09:51 UTC