Buriram Ready for 2026 MotoGP Season Opener

By

-

17 February 2026, 17:04

Buriram Ready for 2026 MotoGP Season Opener

BURIRAM — 17 February 2026, Authorities in Buriram say preparations are complete for the 2026 MotoGP season opener, with safety, traffic and tourism plans in place ahead of upcoming pre-season testing.

The first shipment of racing equipment has arrived at the Chang International Circuit, where infrastructure installation is under way. Marshals and medical teams have completed intensive training on updated race regulations, safety procedures and emergency response protocols.

Provincial officials, circuit executives and representatives from the Sports Authority of Thailand met to coordinate operations for the “PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2026”, focusing on traffic management, security, transport and visitor services.

Public health authorities have inspected hotels and restaurants, while police have finalised traffic and security plans covering the circuit, main routes and key tourist sites. Officials warned businesses against price gouging, with a 24-hour complaints hotline in operation.

Tourism volunteers and shuttle services will assist visitors, as the province promotes local culture and cuisine to boost the economy and reinforce Buriram’s image as a leading sports destination.

Separately, MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports announced it will rebrand as MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MotoGP SEG).

Official pre-season testing will be held on 21-22 February, followed by the season-opening race from 27 February to 1 March 2026.

Thai EC May Order Recounts at 20 Polling Units

By

Khaosod English

-

17 February 2026, 15:04

Thai EC May Order Recounts at 20 Polling Units

BANGKOK — 17 February 2026, Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) is expected to order vote recounts at more than 20 polling units after discrepancies were found between the number of ballots cast and the number of voters recorded.

The move follows a proposal by the EC Office after officials detected so-called “excess ballots”, where the number of ballot papers did not match the number of voters who turned out.

The discrepancies were initially identified through figures posted on the EC Report 69 website, the commission’s unofficial election results platform. The data show a gap of more than 66,000 voters between turnout recorded for constituency MPs and party-list MPs.

The inconsistency has so far prevented the EC from releasing the official election results.

If the commission resolves to proceed with additional recounts, they are expected to take place in late February, officials said.

Thai Election Body Debates Ballot Reprint for 3 Units

By

Khaosod English

-

17 February 2026, 14:55

Thai Election Body Debates Ballot Reprint for 3 Units

BANGKOK — 17 February 2026, Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) held tense discussions on 17 February over the format of ballot papers to be reprinted for fresh voting at three polling units scheduled for 22 February 2026.

The meeting continued deliberations from the previous day on the printing of new ballot papers, following an earlier EC resolution ordering fresh voting at three units:

Polling Unit 9 in Constituency 15, Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok
Polling Unit 3 in Constituency 1, Chaiyasathan subdistrict, Mueang Nan district, Nan
Polling Unit 4 in Constituency 6, Phon Sung subdistrict, Chai Wan district, Udon Thani.

Commissioners have yet to reach a conclusion on whether the reprinted ballots will retain the same format used in the 8 February general election, including serial numbers, ballot numbers and barcodes.

Without the barcode and numbering system, concerns were raised about possible legal disputes over differences between ballot papers used in the general election and those used in the fresh vote. Such discrepancies, officials fear, could complicate the EC’s defence in an ongoing legal challenge alleging that printing barcodes on ballot papers violates the constitution and could render the election void.

The commission also agreed that holding a press conference, as it did during the election period, may not be in its best interest. Officials said previous briefings had been subject to interpretation and expansion in ways that harmed the agency. The EC will instead focus on issuing written statements.

Meanwhile, after a petition was submitted to the Personal Data Protection Committee accusing the EC of enabling voter identification through ballot barcodes, the EC Office has formally responded with a written clarification on legal grounds. It reaffirmed that the election was conducted by direct and secret ballot inside polling booths.

An inquiry from the ombudsman’s office requesting clarification within seven days is also being processed, as the letter was only recently received, officials said.

Drivers warned as wild elephants cross highway in Nam Nao

By

Khaosod English

-

17 February 2026, 13:37

Drivers warned as wild elephants cross highway in Nam Nao

PHETCHABUN — 17 February 2026, The head of Nam Nao National Park has warned motorists to take extra care after wild elephants were seen regularly crossing a highway through the park.

Somkiat Katib, chief of the park in Phetchabun province, said on 17 February that elephants have been foraging and crossing the Lom Sak–Chum Phae road at kilometre marker 409, near a helicopter landing area within the park.

He said herds are most often encountered in the afternoon and evening, in line with their feeding patterns. At night, lone animals, including elephants as well as barking deer and sambar deer, are more commonly seen crossing the road.

Park authorities urged drivers using the route to slow down and exercise particular caution. If a herd is crossing, motorists should stop at least 30 metres away and switch on hazard lights to warn vehicles behind. Engines should be kept running to allow vehicles to move at any time if necessary.

Drivers were strictly advised not to use high-beam headlights or sound their horns at the elephants. Motorists should wait until the animals have returned to the forest and it is safe to proceed. Revving engines or accelerating noisily should also be avoided, as loud sounds could startle the animals.

Authorities warned that careless driving could endanger both animals and motorists.

Drone rescue launched for injured dugong entangled near Koh Libong

By

Khaosod English

-

17 February 2026, 12:59

TRANG — 17 February 2026, Authorities have launched a drone rescue operation to save a dugong found entangled in fishing gear near Koh Libong, with deep wounds at the base of both flippers.

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), through its Lower Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, is working with Marine National Park Research and Study Centre 3 (Trang) to track and assist the injured animal.

The operation follows a drone survey conducted on 14 February by officials over waters off Laem Ju Hoi and Hat Toob on Koh Libong. Eight dugongs were spotted during the initial search, including one with severe rope injuries around both flippers. The wounds appeared swollen and deeply cut, suggesting the rope had been wrapped around the animal for a prolonged period.

Despite the injuries, aerial observations showed the dugong was still able to swim, dive and feed normally. Its body condition score was assessed at 3 out of 5, with a breathing rate of two breaths per five minutes.

In a follow-up drone survey covering waters from Ao Ban Phrao to Laem Ju Hoi, officials relocated the injured dugong east of Koh Libong, swimming alongside 12 other dugongs. The rope remains tightly wrapped around both flippers, with visible knots trailing towards the rear of its body.

High-resolution drone footage confirmed the animal continues to swim and feed normally, with stable body condition and breathing patterns. However, it displays heightened caution, retreating into deeper channels when boats approach within 150 m.

Officials are coordinating with relevant agencies and the Koh Libong community network to adjust their strategy for safely approaching the dugong and removing the rope as quickly as possible, while minimising stress and harm to the animal.

Doctor says 90% of sexually active men unknowingly carry HPV

By

Khaosod English

-

17 February 2026, 11:20

Doctor says 90% of sexually active men unknowingly carry HPV

BANGKOK — 17 February 2026, A Thai gynaecologist has said that more than 90% of sexually active men will have been infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives, often without knowing it, and urged vaccination for people of all genders.

Dr. Prayongsri Kamprapan, a gynaecologist at Thanakan Hospital, said HPV is commonly recognised as the cause of cervical cancer, leading many people to believe the HPV vaccine is only for women. In fact, men face a similarly high risk of infection, and most are unaware they carry the virus.

In recent years, doctors have seen a growing number of men seeking consultations and requesting the HPV vaccine on their own initiative, particularly those who research health information themselves or receive advice from partners and family members. The trend reflects rising awareness of preventive healthcare, she said.

“More than 90% of men who have been sexually active will have contracted HPV at some stage of their lives. The male immune system does not respond to the virus particularly well, allowing it to remain dormant in the body for more than 10 years without any symptoms,” Prayongsri said.

As a result, infected individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus to their partners. HPV can spread through all forms of sexual contact, including male-female, male-male and female-female relationships. Many countries now recommend gender-neutral vaccination, promoting immunisation for all genders as a shared responsibility in preventing infection, she added.

HPV infection in men is associated with several diseases, including oral and throat cancers, which are found in men at rates up to five times higher than in women, as well as anal cancer, penile cancer and genital warts.

Unlike women, who have cervical cancer screening programmes, men have no routine screening for genital cancers, meaning many cases are detected only after the disease has advanced.

“Many men believe that if they have no symptoms, vaccination is unnecessary. In reality, HPV can remain in the body for years and be passed on to loved ones without their knowledge,” she said. “Vaccination protects both the individual and their partner in the long term.”

She added that although HPV infection is common and often symptomless, the potential long-term health consequences can be serious. Vaccination is therefore an important preventive healthcare option for men, women and people of diverse sexual orientations, she said.

Southern Chiang Mai faces rising forest fire risk

By

Khaosod English

-

17 February 2026, 10:44

Southern Chiang Mai faces rising forest fire risk

CHIANG MAI — 17 February 2026, Wildfires have begun to break out in the southern part of Chiang Mai province, though authorities say the situation remains under control due to lingering forest moisture.

Kritsayam Kongsatri, director of the Protected Area Regional Office 16 in Chiang Mai, said conditions have not yet become severe since the start of 2026, as forests still retain some moisture. However, over the past one to two weeks, fires have started spreading into the southern zone of the province.

The fires initially broke out in Tak before moving into Lamphun and subsequently into southern Chiang Mai, he said. The most serious situation is currently in Doi Tao district of Chiang Mai.

Authorities are also monitoring Op Luang National Park, an ecologically significant area known for its dry dipterocarp and mixed deciduous forests. Prolonged dry conditions have caused leaf fall, increasing the amount of combustible material on the forest floor.

The Protected Area Regional Office 16 has stepped up surveillance at forest entry and exit points and announced temporary forest closures. Residents who need to enter forest areas to forage are urged to register in advance to avoid being treated as suspects.

Patrol plans in the forest interior have been adjusted, with officers focusing on areas prone to repeated fires. Officials are calling on the public to cooperate in wildfire prevention efforts and aim to improve on last year’s statistics.

Fuel management operations are underway in several areas, particularly in Om Koi Wildlife Sanctuary, where fuel conditions are similar to those at Op Luang National Park in Hot district, Chiang Mai. Controlled burns have also begun in small plots in Ban Hong Wildlife Sanctuary and Mae Ping National Park.

Authorities stressed that burns are being conducted in small, manageable sections that can be extinguished before nightfall, focusing on areas with recurring fires or where intervention is strictly necessary. In Mae Ping National Park alone, about 100 rai (approximately 16 hectares) have been designated for fuel management, including areas frequently used by local residents for foraging, to ease pressure on surrounding forests.

Asked whether wildfire management plans under Cabinet resolutions would be revised, Kritsayam said no changes were planned. In previous years, less than 3% of the targeted fuel management operations were completed, largely due to unfavourable weather conditions, poor air ventilation rates or concerns about impacts on local communities.

He said operations would continue to prioritise areas where fires are difficult to extinguish, frequently recur or pose genuine risk, in line with technical guidelines set by the Cabinet.

Chinese tourist assaulted, robbed of 20,000 baht in Pattaya hotel

By

Khaosod English

-

17 February 2026, 10:15

banner1 — The victim of the robbery-assault is treated by medical staff for injuries to his head

PATTAYA — 17 February 2026, A Chinese tourist told police he was assaulted and robbed of more than 20,000 baht by three transgender women at a Pattaya hotel early Monday.

At 04:30 the radio centre of Pattaya City Police Station received a report that a Chinese national had been attacked at a hotel on Soi 4, Pattaya Second Road, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi.

The victim later filed a complaint in person at the station. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Foundation provided initial first aid.

Mr. Jiang Zili, 27, told police through an interpreter that he had invited a transgender woman to his room. She later brought two friends, and an argument broke out.

The trio allegedly damaged property inside the room before assaulting him and taking 20,000 baht in cash that had been left in the room. They then fled.

A motorcycle taxi rider waiting at the entrance to the soi, said the injured tourist ran to him in a panic and asked for help, saying he had been attacked by three transgender women. He then assisted the victim in contacting police.

Investigators are reviewing hotel CCTV footage to identify the three suspects and determine the sequence of events. Legal action is being pursued.

Residents fed up as Chinese new year fireworks last till midnight

By

Khaosod English

-

17 February 2026, 09:56

Residents fed up as Chinese new year fireworks last till midnight

CHONBURI — 17 February 2026, Residents of a housing estate in eastern Thailand have complained of noise and disturbance after fireworks were set off until midnight during Chinese New Year celebrations.

On 00:00, reporters received complaints from villagers about ongoing fireworks during Chinese New Year inside the Chokchai 9 housing estate in Soi Khao Noi, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.

The estate is largely home to foreign nationals, most of them Chinese.

A resident, who asked not to be named, said fireworks were still being set off continuously despite the time passing midnight. He said the late-night explosions caused significant disturbance.

There are many elderly people and children living in the estate, he added, and they have been affected by the loud noise and smoke from the fireworks.

The setting off of fireworks in residential areas is already in violation of the law.

Under current Thai noise control regulations, permissible noise levels between 22:00 and 06:00 are determined by the difference from the ambient background sound level. The law stipulates that noise from a specific source must not exceed the existing background noise level by more than 10 decibels A-weighted, or 10 dB(A).

Conservationist questions welfare of viral hippo Moo Deng, zoo responds

By

Khaosod English

-

16 February 2026, 18:09

616845789_1192469783063526_1528393632929637343_n741000 — Moo Deng

CHON BURI — A social media post by conservationist Psi Scott has sparked heated debate online after he questioned the living conditions of Moo Deng, a popular pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

Psi Scott, whose Thai name is Siranat Scott, posted on X after seeing recent images of Moo Deng’s enclosure and pool. In his post, he wrote that he felt saddened by what he saw, saying the animal had generated significant income but appeared to have a living environment that did not reflect her value.

“Recently I saw photos of Moodeng’s current enclosure and pool. It’s truly sad. Despite generating so much income, in the end she is just a business in the eyes of people around her,” he wrote.

The post quickly drew millions of views and triggered widespread discussion online, with users debating animal welfare standards versus commercial interests.

600409647 847286521341664 4050467354303740025 n — Psi Scott

As criticism mounted, Psi Scott clarified that he was not attacking the hippo’s caretakers or the zoo itself, but was raising concerns about international welfare standards for animals of global prominence.

“I don’t want anyone to misunderstand. I’m not criticising the keepers. I’m trying to say that animals that bring recognition to the country should have living conditions and space that reflect the value they create for us,” he said, adding that the rights of animals in captivity are as important as those in the wild.

In response, the Facebook page “Kha Moo and the Gang”, which represents Moo Deng’s caretakers, urged the public not to escalate the issue. The page stated that the zoo had already planned a “Hippo Village” project before Moo Deng became famous, and that improvements were part of an existing development plan.

“It has always been in the system. Even without Moo Deng, we would be developing the area. Of course, we also want Moo Deng to have a new home as soon as possible,” the statement said.

Narongwit Chotchoi, director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, said images circulating online likely showed hippo waste that had not yet been cleaned, noting that it is natural for hippos to defecate in water to mark territory. He said keepers clean the enclosure every morning and that animal welfare standards are strictly followed.

Narongwit added that the Hippo Village project has already been designed and approved by the zoo committee, but is awaiting budget approval of 75 million baht in fiscal year 2027. The project would cover 10 rai and accommodate the zoo’s six pygmy hippos and seven common hippos.

The debate has continued online, reflecting broader questions about animal welfare and expectations for high-profile zoo animals.

Hot News

LATEST NEWS