PHNOM PENH — A Polish historian who went missing in Cambodia has been found in Phnom Penh in a severely weakened condition after allegedly being robbed, according to his family.
Adam Janusz Mielcarek, 59, lost contact with relatives on 21 January after travelling from Siem Reap to the Cambodian capital. His disappearance prompted appeals from his family and the involvement of diplomatic missions and international law enforcement agencies.
Telewizja Polska reported on 4 February that Mielcarek’s family had issued a desperate call for help after he vanished without trace. Mobile phone data cited by relatives showed his phone was located in central Phnom Penh before becoming inactive days later.
Khmer Times reported on 11 February that Mielcarek had been found in a critical condition.
His sister, Kamila Rind, said he was discovered after local residents recognised him from social media posts and contacted the family.
“He has been found and is in a very bad state. He was robbed. Somebody took everything, including his documents, telephone, shoes, and even glasses,” she said. “Some locals saw his photo on social media and recognised him at a park, so they contacted us. He has lost 15 kg and is malnourished. We could barely recognise him. He is hospitalised now.”
Rind said her brother is suffering from amnesia and cannot recall the events leading to his disappearance.
Mobile phone records previously showed his device was tracked to central Phnom Penh on 22 January before logging its final signal on 25 January.
The case drew attention from Polish diplomatic services, including the embassy in Bangkok, which covers Cambodia, as well as the Polish consul in Phnom Penh. Interpol and British police were also informed during the search.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about his movements during the period he was missing to assist with the investigation.
Screenshot from an e-commerce platform showing ballot boxes and related election equipment listed for sale.
BANGKOK — Questions continued to swirl over the 2026 general election after online users revealed that election equipment similar to that used by the Election Commission (EC) was being sold on major e-commerce platforms.
A review by Khaosod English found multiple vendors advertising ballot boxes and related materials, with product descriptions claiming specifications in line with state standards used in both local and national polls. Some listings featured logos or seals resembling those of the EC.
Items on sale included ballot boxes, polling station barriers, voting booths and ballot box security seals, priced from tens to a few hundred baht.
Buyers were able to place orders without any verification of intended use. Listing data showed some vendors had sold more than 500 units.
It remains unclear whether the products are officially authorised by the EC or are commercially produced replicas.
BANGKOK — 11 February 2026, Student protesters gathered outside the Election Commission (EC) headquarters on Tuesday, demanding a nationwide recount of ballots following what they described as widespread irregularities in the recent general election.
At 10:00, representatives of student and civil society groups, led by the Thammasat Alliance and Demonstration Group, assembled in front of the B Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road to press their demands. They insisted that no political party was backing their action.
The protesters cited several alleged irregularities occurring in a similar pattern across multiple constituencies, including power outages during vote counting in strategic polling stations; discrepancies between announced results and actual ballots; ambiguous or opaque tally marks; and suspected manipulation of figures.
They also pointed to problems with the EC’s online reporting system, including errors, delays, interruptions and unexplained reductions in vote totals. In addition, they accused polling station committees and provincial election officials of obstructing public scrutiny.
Demonstrators held placards reading “Recount the Entire Country” and placed a mock ballot box outside the complex bearing the message “Beware of Newborn Ballots”, draped with a condom in a symbolic protest gesture.
Teerapop Tengpravat, a civil society representative and protest leader, said the group was standing in solidarity with people in the provinces who had sought clarification from local election offices.
“We will not allow the seven central EC commissioners to hide behind the system,” he said. The group submitted five demands: a transparent nationwide recount open to public scrutiny; immediate disciplinary and criminal investigations against officials involved; prompt disclosure of polling station-level results; annulment and re-election in constituencies where recounts reveal discrepancies between ballots and voter turnout; and the resignation of all seven EC commissioners to take responsibility for alleged failures.
Asked whether the protest would escalate if their demands were unmet, Teerapop said the group would first assess the EC’s response, adding that they had come prepared with reasons and evidence.
Another political activist, Nopphasin, also known as “Sainam”, said the group would set up a complaints centre for members of the public who believed vote counting in their constituencies lacked transparency. Protesters planned to remain at the site until the evening to allow supporters to join after work.
He said the immediate priority was the full release of polling station-level results, noting that in previous elections such data had been published within one to two days. Any constituency with excessive vote totals should undergo a recount, he added.
When asked whether the protests could return to the scale of the 2020 street demonstrations, Nopphasin said it depended on the EC’s performance. “If they do their job well, no one wants to stand in the sun and rain,” he said.
Rejecting accusations that the movement was backed by political parties or driven by sore losers, he said the issue was not about winning or losing but about fairness. “We cannot accept an unjust system. This has nothing to do with any political party. Everyone here voted differently,” he said.
Pol. Lt. Col. Nattawat Sangiensak, deputy secretary-general of the EC, accepted the petition on behalf of the commission and said all complaints would be handled in accordance with the law. He said polling station tally sheets would be uploaded to the EC website for public verification and that the process would be expedited within one to two days.
However, tensions rose as protesters pressed for clearer assurances about transparency safeguards. Nattawat repeatedly said the EC would proceed according to procedure, prompting frustration among some demonstrators. One shouted an insult accusing him of giving “idiotic answers”.
A member of the public also asked about reports that a constituency tally form, known as Sor Sor 5/11, had been found discarded in a rubbish bin. Nattawat said an investigation was under way and that officials were awaiting a report.
Dissatisfied with the responses, protesters raised their voices and continued questioning the EC representative. Ultimately, the official asked protest leaders to appoint representatives to formally submit their petition inside the EC office.
Buddhist monks walk outside of the Washington National Cathedral after and event they participated during the Walk For Peace, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Buddhist monks — bearing a message of peace — walked into the heart of Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, greeted by large, joyful crowds as they completed their 15-week trek from Texas.
In their saffron and maroon robes, the monks became fixtures on social media as they made their way through the southeastern United States, along with their rescue dog Aloka.
Monk Bhikkhu Pannakara waves to the crowd as he walks along with Buddhist monks who are participating in a Walk For Peace walk through a the streets of Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Their simple mission, to advocate for peace, has resonated across a beleaguered country — and appeared especially welcome in a city at the center of political strife and power.
Thousands gathered along icy sidewalks to watch the monks’ quiet procession that began in late October.
People gather to watch the Buddhist monks as they walk outside of the Washington National Cathedral after an event during the Walk For Peace, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
In the afternoon, the monks stopped at the Washington National Cathedral, where they were joined by more than 100 other Buddhist monks and nuns.
“It is overwhelming for us,” said the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group’s charismatic and soft-spoken leader, on the steps of the cathedral.
Monk Bhikkhu Pannakara walks along with Buddhist monks who are participating in a Walk For Peace walk through a the streets of Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Flanked by dozens of faith leaders across traditions — including Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde, who helped host the interfaith gathering — Pannakara was visibly moved by their shared cause for peace.
“This is the moment I will remember for the rest of my life,” he said. “And I hope you do the same.”
Monk Bhikkhu Pannakara, front, and his fellow Buddhist monks leave after an event at Washington National Cathedral to mark their Walk For Peace, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A respectful silence greets the monks
As the monks walked single-file down city streets, people cheered them. Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent. But the monks acknowledged the people’s enthusiasm with subtle nods and smiled at those calling out “Sadhu!” — an expression in Buddhism that means “well done.”
Nearly 3,500 people packed American University’s Bender Arena for the monks’ first public stop in Washington. But no raucous sports cheers greeted them: Spectators remained silent as they walked into the arena, as a sign of respect for the monks and their quest for peace.
The trek has had its perils. In November outside Houston, the monks were walking on the side of a highway when their escort vehicle was hit by a truck. Two monks were injured; Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan had his leg amputated.
Aloka, a companion dog with Buddhist monks who are participating in a Walk For Peace, sits during an event at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Phommasan, abbot of a temple in Snellville, Georgia, rejoined the monks near Washington and entered American University’s arena in a wheelchair.
The monks won devotees along the way
Phommasan’s return was moving for Jackson Vaughn, 33, who’s used a wheelchair since 2024. He has been traveling beside the monks for a week, since they came through his hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
“There are so many things happening in the world,” said Vaughn, who was among the crowd at the university entrance. “To see people gathering peacefully and setting an example, I think, is a wonderful thing.”
Buddhist monks who are participating in a Walk For Peace stand during an event at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
He was grateful to fellow travelers who helped him navigate icy roads.
“I have been on this journey of trying to find my independence,” Vaughn said. “But this really shows how connected we really are.”
The monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies. Millions have followed them online, and crowds have greeted them at numerous venues, from a church in Opelika, Alabama, to City Hall in Richmond, Virginia.
Kristin Williams, 42, brought her two children, ages 8 and 10, to view the procession outside the cathedral.
“I wanted them to not just witness history but witness the power of coming together,” she said. “The movement they’ve been building for the past couple of months has been really powerful to watch grow.”
Buddhist monks sit in Washington National Cathedral during an event with monks who are participating in a Walk For Peace, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Over 20,000 people tuned in to watch the live feed Tuesday — logging on from places ranging from Jamaica and Germany to Sri Lanka and Thailand. Even as the occasional critic surfaced in the comments section, viewers seemed to heed the monks’ message as they wished that person to find peace.
The trek is a ‘spiritual offering’
Nineteen monks began the 2,300-mile (3,700-kilometer) journey from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth on Oct. 26, 2025. They came from Theravada Buddhist monasteries around the globe, led by Pannakara, who is vice president of the Fort Worth temple.
Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the temple, said the walk is neither a political movement nor is it focused on advocacy or legislation.
“It’s a spiritual offering, an invitation to live peace through everyday actions, mindful steps and open hearts,” he said. “We believe when peace is cultivated within, it naturally ripples outward into society.”
Peace walks are a cherished tradition in Theravada Buddhism. Some of the monks have walked barefoot or in socks during parts of the journey, to feel the ground directly and be present in the moment.
Spectators watch as Buddhist monks who are participating in a Walk For Peace walk through a neighborhood on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha that focuses on breath and the mind-body connection. Pannakara’s peace talks, given at stops along the way, have urged listeners to put down their phones and find peace within themselves.
On Tuesday, the monks completed 108 days of walking. It’s a sacred number in Buddhism, representing spiritual completion, cosmic order and the wholeness of existence.
On Wednesday, the monks plan to walk through Capitol Hill and hold a closing ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial.
Their return trip should be less arduous. After an appearance at Maryland’s Capitol, a bus will take them back to Texas, where they expect to arrive in downtown Fort Worth early on Saturday.
From there, the monks will walk together again, traversing 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) to the temple where their trip began.
NAKHON RATCHASIMA — A 22-year-old man from Sakon Nakhon province was found dead inside a monk’s room at a temple in Muang district, police said.
Officers at Muang Nakhon Ratchasima Police Station were alerted shortly after midnight on 10 February 2026 to the discovery at Wat Prok in Nai Mueang subdistrict. The room was locked from the inside and rescue workers assisted officers in gaining entry. They found the man hung himself.
Police identified the man as Jessadaporn Sura, 22, from Wanon Niwat district, Sakon Nakhon. He was believed to have been dead for about 24 hours.
A handwritten note was found at the scene in which he apologised to the temple and his parents and said he was struggling with personal problems. Police kept the note as evidence.
The body was sent to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital for a post-mortem examination before being released to relatives for religious rites.
A monk staying in a nearby room told police the man had arrived at the temple about three weeks earlier seeking ordination. The abbot had asked to observe his behaviour before allowing him to proceed, and he had since been helping with temple duties.
On the day he was found, the monk said the man had not come out of his room as usual. After receiving no response when calling to him, temple staff alerted authorities.
CHAIYAPHUM — 11 February 2026, A house in Chaiyaphum province was destroyed by fire in the early hours of Wednesday after an apparent electrical short circuit believed to have been caused by ants nesting inside a power socket.
Police at Muang Chaiyaphum station were alerted to the blaze at about 04:00 at house number 155, Moo 17, in Chilong subdistrict. Fire engines from Chilong Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and Chaiyaphum Municipality, along with rescue workers from the Sawang Khunatham Foundation, were dispatched to the scene.
The single-storey wooden house with a corrugated iron roof was engulfed in flames that began inside a room before spreading rapidly throughout the building. Thick smoke and flames billowed into the sky. Firefighters took about 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to nearby homes.
The property belongs to Soshoch Su Non Tat, 67, a retired teacher, national folk artist and former parliamentary candidate for Constituency 2 in Chaiyaphum.
The room where the fire broke out was used as an office and for teaching traditional northeastern Thai music. It contained numerous musical instruments, including phin lutes, khaen mouth organs, percussion instruments, a bass guitar and drum kits, as well as computer equipment and an air-conditioning unit. All were destroyed.
Soshoch said no one was in the room at the time of the fire. He, his wife and their son were staying in an adjacent house. At about 04:00, his son woke to use the bathroom and noticed the flames, prompting him to call the 191 emergency hotline.
Preliminary investigations suggest red ants had built a nest inside an electrical socket. Soshoch said he had encountered the problem before and cleaned the socket several times. However, he had not been at home much recently and, combined with hot weather, the ants were believed to have built up a dense nest inside the socket, causing a short circuit and the rapid outbreak of fire.
Damage to the building and its contents, particularly more than 10 musical instruments, was estimated at no less than 400,000 baht.
Police said the initial cause was believed to be an electrical short circuit. Forensic officers will conduct a detailed examination to confirm the cause and formally assess the damage.
BANGKOK — Thailand’s public and private sectors have joined forces to develop a nationwide Wellness Ecosystem, positioning the country as a global hub for wellness tourism and preventive healthcare.
The initiative, “Wellness Hub Thailand, The Land of Life: The Journey Within,” was launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with BDMS Wellness Clinic and major partners across tourism, healthcare, hospitality, aviation, retail and education.
Mr. Chuwit Sirivajjakul, TAT Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning, said Thailand’s strength lies in its culture of care, traditional wellness wisdom and internationally accredited healthcare system.
“This initiative represents a new direction for Thai tourism—one that focuses on long-term physical and mental well-being while increasing value per visitor and distributing income across the tourism value chain,” he said.
Dr. Tanupol Virunhagarun, CEO of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, said global health challenges such as aging societies, stress and non-communicable diseases have accelerated demand for preventive healthcare and wellness tourism.
“Travel today is no longer just about rest, but about restoring balance to the body and mind,” he said.
According to data from the Global Wellness Institute, Thailand recorded the world’s highest wellness economy growth rate at 28.4% in 2022–2023, while wellness tourism ranked third globally in 2023–2024 with 36.4% growth, highlighting a major economic opportunity.
The Wellness Ecosystem integrates travel, accommodation, lifestyle, scientific wellness and preventive healthcare, supported by organizations including TAT, TCEB, BDMS, Bangkok Airways, leading hotel groups, retail brands and wellness technology providers.
Healthcare services are led by BDMS Wellness Clinic and N Health, offering personalized preventive care backed by advanced laboratory testing and scientific wellness programs.
To ensure long-term sustainability, BDMS is also working with leading universities to develop specialized curricula in preventive medicine, wellness management and related fields.
The collaboration aims to position Thailand not only as a tourism destination, but as “The Land of Life”—a sustainable global center for health and wellness.
Many international schools are shifting their focus from academic results alone to whole-child development, balancing grades with life skills, real-world learning and personal passions. Project-based learning, extracurricular activities and mentoring now play a growing role in preparing students for life beyond the classroom.
According to Dr. Chang Yao-Lang, chairman of Wells International School, the school places “developing students’ unique potential” at the heart of its educational philosophy.
“Our mission is to empower each student to achieve their highest potential by nurturing well-balanced, principled and open-minded global citizens,” he said, adding that the approach underpins everything from American and IB programmes to extracurricular and community activities.
Wells supports students through holistic learning, including personalised pathways in sports, creative arts, service and leadership, alongside guidance from teachers, advisors and coaches. Students are encouraged to think critically, work collaboratively and apply their learning to real-world situations.
Dr. Chang said the approach has helped students gain entry to leading international universities, secure scholarships and excel in global competitions such as Model United Nations and the World Scholar’s Cup, while also taking part in internships, overseas programmes and community service projects.
Students say the emphasis on passion and balance has helped them grow. Nos, a Grade 8 student, said playing football and basketball at Wells improved her confidence, English skills and teamwork through disciplined training and competition.
Grade 11 student Pleng, who won MVP at the ASAC Senior Football Tournament, said sports taught her teamwork, leadership and time management, while helping her enjoy the process rather than focus solely on results.
For Arya, a Grade 5 student, public speaking became a confidence-building passion. She has won several national English speech and impromptu speaking competitions and said the experience of challenging herself mattered more than trophies.
Wells says encouraging students to pursue their interests while developing life skills remains key to preparing them for university, careers and global citizenship.
BANGKOK – TrueBusiness accelerates its strategic trajectory in tech-solution development, reinforcing True Corporation’s vision as Thailand’s leading tech company, marks a pivotal strategic partnership with SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”), the telecommunications leader from the Land of the Rising Sun. True Corporation and SoftBank agreed to jointly explore and develop collaborative business operations that leverage the combined products and services of both companies. This collaboration aims to revolutionize infrastructure and technology by integrating global best practices into Thailand’s industrial landscape. Through co-developed innovations and tailor-made digital solutions, the partnership aims to empower Thai enterprises to transcend digital transformation barriers, catalyze exponential growth, and sharpen their competitive edge on the global stage, while anchoring a robust AI ecosystem for the nation’s digital leap.
This potentially synergistic partnership between TrueBusiness and SoftBank is underpinned by a paramount objective in propelling Thailand to become a Regional Digital Innovation Hub. The roadmap both companies will explore focuses on co-development and the expansion of future-ready solutions and services through three core pillars, which are 1) Market & Product Development: Fusing deep local market insights with global technological prowess to engineer industry-specific solutions; 2) Synergy of Strength: Blending TrueBusiness’s extensive local service footprint with SoftBank’s sophisticated technologies and global partner network to deliver seamless, world-class solutions tailored to the Thai business context; and 3) Future Alignment for Long-term Growth: Securing sustainable growth through strategic co-investments in frontier technologies, including AI Cloud and 5G.
The aim of this partnership between these two industry leaders is to harmonize global innovation and Thailand’s leading connectivity and digital infrastructure. Co-developed “Integrated Innovation” is expected to accelerate digital transformation and create new value for businesses across sectors, both locally and internationally. Specifically, TrueBusiness and SoftBank will explore:
• Tailored Global Solutions, Delivered Locally: Leveraging SoftBank’s global vendor ecosystem and True’s seamless connectivity to deliver bespoke enterprise digital services that address real-market challenges with tangible impact.
• Comprehensive End-to-End Execution: Elevating enterprise services through a full-lifecycle approach—from conceptual design to deployment—combining TrueBusiness’s trusted connectivity and service excellence with SoftBank’s expertise in global tech consulting and sourcing world-class consultancy.
• Future-Ready Innovation with Regional Impact: Long-term committing to continuous innovation and investment in AI Cloud and 5G, positioning Thailand as the center of the regional digital economy.
Dr. Teeradet Dumrongbhalasitr, Chief Business Officer, True Corporation Plc, said “Our partnership with SoftBank represents a pivotal milestone in our quest to harmonize with global leaders. It underscores our commitment to elevating innovation and service standards for our enterprise clients. By synthesizing SoftBank’s global best practices with True Corporation’s nationwide cutting-edge infrastructure and profound market intelligence, we are confident this collaboration will serve as a catalyst for Thai organizations to achieve concrete digital transformation and drive sustainable economic growth through accessible, high-impact technology.”
Mr. Kimimasa Kudo, Vice President, Head of Global Business Division at SoftBank Corp., stated “Establishing a robust AI ecosystem in Thailand aligns seamlessly with our mission. We aspire to introduce global innovations that enhance the innovative and leadership capacities of Thai businesses in this digital era. We believe in True Corporation’s potential as a strategic partner to foster ‘Integrated Innovation,’ enabling Thai enterprises to scale and spearheading ASEAN’s digital economic growth with Thailand at its core.”
Through this partnership, Thai enterprises are expected to gain unprecedented access to technological excellence via SoftBank’s ecosystem—ranging from cutting-edge AI platforms to tailor-made digital solutions—complemented by TrueBusiness’s seamless end-to-end service integration and after-sales support. This holistic approach not only ensures agility and accelerated ROI but also fortifies businesses against future disruptions, ensuring a sustainable and competitive presence in the global arena.
