PHETCHABURI — 29 January 2026, a 17-year-old boy riding a dirt bike shot dead a 23-year-old man on Phetkasem Road in Phetchaburi province on Wednesday night, police said.
At about 20:00, investigators at Khao Yoi police station were alerted to a fatal shooting on the inbound carriageway of Phetkasem Road, on the parallel lane in Moo 2, Sa Phang subdistrict, Khao Yoi district. Senior provincial officers, forensic police, an on-call doctor from Khao Yoi Hospital and rescue volunteers were sent to the scene.
Police found a grey-and-black Honda PCX 150 motorcycle, Phetchaburi registration 1กต-6801, lying on its side by the roadside. Nearby was the body of Thanarat Wonglai, 23, a local resident of Sa Phang. He had been shot with a 9mm handgun, suffering six wounds to the abdomen and one to the right elbow, with the bullet passing through the arm.
Investigators recovered an electronic cigarette, seven 9mm cartridge cases and two bullets at the scene. The suspect fled on a red dirt bike of unknown make and registration, riding against traffic towards Mueang Phetchaburi district. Police issued an alert to intercept the rider.
Witnesses told police that the victim had been riding alone when two teenage males on a red dirt bike followed him and signalled for him to stop to talk at the location. One of the pair then pulled out a handgun and opened fire, leaving the victim motionless on the road before fleeing. Bystanders called an ambulance and police, but the victim later died from his injuries.
Police said they have identified one suspect, a 17-year-old male. Investigators believe the motive stemmed from a previous dispute between the parties, though the cause of the earlier altercation remains under investigation.
The suspect’s mother has contacted police to arrange for her son to surrender on Thursday. Officers said the youth has a history of fights in the area. Police are continuing efforts to track down those still at large and proceed with legal action.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn with the Prince Mahidol Award 2025 laureates at the Grand Palace, Bangkok.
Bangkok — Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Wednesday presided over the presentation of the Prince Mahidol Award 2025 on behalf of His Majesty the King at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall, the Grand Palace, Bangkok on 28 January 2026.
The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation said 47 candidates from 17 countries were nominated this year. Two laureates were selected: Dr. Terry Dean King of the United States for Medicine, and Professor Dr. Walter C. Willett of the United States for Public Health.
Dr. Terry Dean King
Dr. King, a paediatric cardiologist at Ochsner Children’s Hospital in Louisiana, was honoured for pioneering minimally invasive treatments for congenital heart disease. His work in the 1970s led to the development of the King–Mills Cardiac Umbrella, enabling atrial septal defect closure via catheter without open-heart surgery. The innovation significantly reduced surgical risks and recovery time, laying foundations for modern minimally invasive cardiac care and expanding access to life saving technology worldwide.
Professor Dr. Walter C. Willett
Professor Willett, a leading epidemiologist and nutrition scientist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, was recognised for transformative research linking diet, lifestyle and chronic disease. His findings on the dangers of trans fats helped drive bans in many countries and informed global public health policy, while his work reshaped understanding of fat quality, sugar intake and disease risk. He later advanced the Planetary Health Diet, highlighting diet’s role in preventing chronic disease and promoting sustainability.
The Prince Mahidol Award honours individuals whose outstanding contributions in medicine and public health have delivered lasting benefits to humanity.
While it would be prudent to prevaricate when asked who will emerge as Thailand’s 33rd prime minister after the 8 February general election due to the fickle nature of many Thai voters and the fact that there’s still nearly 10 days to go before the election, several Thai political pundits and even Bangkok-based foreign observers whom I have spoken to over the past few days are gravitating towards a coalition between the Bhumjaithai Party and the Pheu Thai Party, with incumbent Anutin Charnvirakul returning as PM.
The Scenarios:
The Bhumjaithai Party has managed to attract some sixty political defectors over the past few months since Anutin unexpectedly became PM following the surprise vote of support from the main opposition People’s Party. The party has since emerged as the favourite and most pragmatic choice for conservative voters and the deep state, with Democrat Party leader and PM candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva the only distant rival from the conservative royalist camp.
Even if the Pheu Thai Party were to pull off a miracle and win more votes than the Bhumjaithai Party, it may still have to settle for Anutin as PM because its de facto leader, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, remains an inmate at Klong Prem Prison — effectively a hostage and bargaining chip for the deep state. A highly placed senior source within the Pheu Thai Party told me on Monday that the deep state is likely to compel the party to form a coalition with BJT, although he personally prefers a coalition with the People’s Party.
In the second scenario, the People’s Party (PP) wins big with over 200 seats and tries to form a PP-led coalition government. Under this scenario, the axe may fall on PM candidate and People’s Party leader Natthapong Ruengpanyawut, along with 43 other senior and mid-level party members and MPs who face potential lifetime bans from holding political office as a result of their involvement in a 2021 petition to amend the controversial lèse-majesté law, which prohibits defaming, insulting, or threatening the King, Queen, Heir-apparent, or Regent.
The case is currently with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which is reviewing allegations that these MPs committed “serious ethical violations” by attempting to amend the draconian and anachronistic law — an effort the Constitutional Court ruled amounted to an attempt to undermine the monarchy.
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, one of the party’s so-called “spiritual leaders”, once said, however, that the People’s Party seeks to bring about political change and that does not necessarily require holding government power.
Now, imagine the anger of PP supporters if the party wins the most seats and yet fails to form the government anew. Imagine the explosion of political angst and what it may mean for the future of Thai politics. It may very well be the change, or revolution, that Thanathorn has been waiting for.
The Junta-Sponsored 2017 Constitution and the Referendum:
On 8 February, voters will also decide the fate of the junta-sponsored constitution — whether to rewrite it or not, through a separate “yes or “no” on a separate ballot. This should be a no-brainer choice for those who support democracy. The junta-sponsored charter was passed under duress in a nationwide referendum where the threat was that if not approved, Prayut might remain in power indefinitely as a dictator. Some who campaigned against it were also arrested, including the current deputy leader of the People’s Party, Rangsiman Rome, who at the time was still a young activist.
This is thus a retroactive rejection of Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha as a coup maker and dictator. Voting in favour of drafting a new constitution is a slap in the face — a punishment for Prayut for daring to seize the people’s power in 2014.
Divide and Rule:
As the final week before the election approaches, some voters and politicians are attacking one another verbally and viciously. The bad blood between the Red versus the Orange camp is all too apparent. The split between the Red and the Orange camps — with no visible bridge left to mend — is a success, even a victory, for the conservative side.
Shanghai aerial view at sunset with urban skyscrapers over river
Editor’s note:The following article is an editorial originally published by Global Times. It is reproduced here for reference, and the views expressed are solely those of the publication.
The 2025 “Global Survey on Impression and Understanding of China,” covering 46 countries and about 51,700 respondents and released by the Global Times Institute on Monday, reveals that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era receives high international recognition. “Building a community with a shared future for humanity” and “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” received approval from nearly 80 percent of international respondents, while “advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance,” “further deepening reform comprehensively,” and “people-centered development philosophy” each receives over 70 percent recognition. The approval rate for the above five concepts exceeds 80 percent among respondents from developing countries, and surpasses 60 percent in developed countries.
This diverse sample – spanning different systems, cultures, and development stages – offers a clearer, more direct mirror for understanding “how the world views China.”
The recognition of Chinese ideas reflects international community’s shared quest for certainty and sustainability amid global turbulence. Public perceptions of China abroad are forming a clearer, more structured picture: People value China’s tangible achievements in development while showing growing interest in understanding its proposed concepts and initiatives. Against a backdrop of rising protectionism, spilling conflict risks, and widening development gaps, more and more countries are eagerly expecting to balance security and development, integrate growth and equity, and better manage the relationship between humanity and nature. The broader resonance of these Chinese ideas stems from their grounding in pressing contemporary challenges – peace, security, development, and governance – offering problem-driven, practice-backed pathways that are replicable and scalable.
The profound and widespread international dissemination of Chinese ideas and solutions is fundamentally rooted in the Communist Party of China’s institutionalized delivery of long-term goals and its self-restraint in the exercise of power. The international recognition of China’s implementation of the spirit of central Party leadership’s eight-point decision and its practices related to exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, as shown in the survey, also reflect expectations for clean, efficient, and accountable governance. Positive evaluations of the five-year plans signify acknowledgment of “long-termism.”
For the outside world, the ability to genuinely translate institutional strengths into governance effectiveness, and governance effectiveness into tangible benefits for the people means more stable expectations, more sustainable growth, and governance experience worthy of reference.
The global acceptance of China’s image rests on a deeper foundation: the sense of gain and the incremental development brought about by cooperation. The survey shows that the keywords most frequently associated with China by foreign respondents in 2025 include: economy, technology, science, development, strength, good, culture, advancement, and innovation. When respondents praise China’s technological capabilities and its spirit of hard work and innovation, they often think of everyday, tangible “China-related” features such as popular short-videos, advanced high-speed rail, and convenient mobile payment systems. The fact that media coverage and social platforms in parallel serve as the main sources of information about China suggests that it is not enough to tell China’s stories well; we must also allow the world to see China’s development logic, governance resilience, and openness. More importantly, whether individuals have visited China significantly affects their favorability; visa-free facilitation increases the willingness for people-to-people exchanges. Personal experiences brought back to one’s home country can generate a “multiplied positive amplification effect,” helping to counteract prejudice and information cocoons.
The international community’s expectations of China’s experience are strongly reflected in the call for genuine multilateralism and a just and equitable international order. The survey shows that more than half of foreign respondents look to the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong to contribute to peaceful dispute resolution and international cooperation, and over 60 percent expect China to play a greater role in promoting the resolution of international hotspot issues such as the Ukraine crisis, the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the Israel-Iran conflict. This clearly indicates that, as global governance faces issues of imbalance, disorder, and ineffectiveness, China is viewed as a credible force for balance and mediation. At the same time, the rising international sentiment against unilateral bullying and the instrumentalization of rules further illustrates that what the world needs is not the zero-sum logic of “power politics,” but the “win-win philosophy” of openness, mutual benefit and cooperation.
This survey has measured the appeal of contemporary China, revealing the genuine stories of “seeing China, understanding China, and being willing to cooperate with China” naturally growing worldwide.
Looking ahead, there is a need to continue expanding personnel exchanges and facilitation at a higher level of opening-up, and to provide sustainable cooperative outcomes at a higher quality of development, especially by enhancing exchanges and mutual learning among youth and other groups. The reason why Chinese ideas are more attractive lies in their ability to respond to the common aspirations of a majority of countries for peace, security, development, and dignity, thereby converging into a broader resonance of the era over the long course of history.
Customers que up outside a gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Gold prices climbed sharply on Thursday, hovering just below the $5,600 mark as the precious metal extended its record-breaking rally for a ninth consecutive session.
Spot gold jumped 2.7% to $5,546.29 an ounce by 0752 GMT, after touching an all-time high of $5,594.82 earlier in the day.
In Thailand, domestic gold prices surged by 4,200 baht compared with Wednesday’s close. As of 13:49, gold jewellery was selling at 82,700 baht per baht-weight, according to the Gold Traders Association.
Gold bars with 96.5% purity were quoted at 81,800 baht ($2,623) for buying and 81,900 baht ($2,626) for selling, based on the association’s 37th price announcement of the day. Gold jewellery of the same purity was being bought at 80,166.08 baht ($2,571) and sold at 82,700 baht ($2,652).
Hua Seng Heng said global gold prices were supported by heightened geopolitical tensions after US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, warning of a major naval attack on Iran if it failed to return to nuclear negotiations.
The surge in prices prompted a rush among Thai buyers, with gold shops along Yaowarat Road crowded throughout the day. Many customers were seen queuing outside stores, with most seeking to buy gold for short-term speculative gains.
Foreign tourists share their love for Thailand’s 7-Eleven hot sandwiches
A simple convenience store snack has become an unlikely food highlight for foreign tourists visiting Thailand, with a viral TikTok video showing a visitor raving about a hot ham and cheese sandwich from 7-Eleven.
The clip, shared on 27 January 2026 by TikTok user @kaicoaching, a foreign tourist travelling in Thailand, shows the creator heading straight to the hot sandwich section inside a 7-Eleven store and picking up several packs without hesitation.
Rather than showcasing food from a famous restaurant, the video focuses on an everyday item familiar to most Thais. The tourist is seen buying four ham and cheese sandwiches at once, suggesting a strong craving after having tried them on a previous visit to Thailand.
The video quickly gained attention online, prompting a wave of comments from Thai users. Many expressed surprise that such a basic snack, often overlooked by locals, could be considered a must eat item by foreign visitors. Some noted that while the sandwich originated from Western cuisine, the version sold in Thailand appears to suit international tastes particularly well.
Others commented that Thai consumers tend to be selective about food, suggesting that items popular with locals are likely to appeal to visitors too. Several users also pointed out that 7-Eleven stores have become a common stop for tourists seeking a uniquely Thai everyday experience.
The hot toasted sandwich from 7-Eleven has frequently gone viral among foreign tourists, with many sharing similar experiences on social media and recommending it as a must try item when visiting Thailand.
CHONBURI — 29 January 2026, as gold prices continue to rise, police in Thailand’s Sattahip district have staged a tactical drill to prepare for a potential gold shop robbery, highlighting the readiness of their rapid response unit.
The exercise was held at about 13:00 by the Crime Suppression Division of Sattahip Provincial Police Station. The Rapid Response Unit, known locally as the Special Operations team, took the lead in securing and controlling the simulated incident, demonstrating speed, coordination and professional conduct.
The drill was overseen by Pol. Col. Komsan Khamtunkaew, superintendent of Sattahip police, along with Lt. Col. Chanathat Nawakhunrangsi, deputy superintendent for crime suppression, and Lt. Col. Sila Sajjai, inspector for crime prevention and suppression. Operational command was assigned to Lt. Col. Kosol Sila, who led patrol car units, motorcycle patrols and the Special Operations rapid response team through an intensive exercise.
Throughout the simulation, the special unit showed high mobility, precise target engagement, systematic communication and rapid area containment. Officers were able to bring the mock situation under control within a limited timeframe, reflecting continuous training and preparedness for serious incidents.
Police said the exercise underscored the frontline role of the Special Operations rapid response unit at Sattahip station in dealing with major crimes. It was also intended to reassure residents and business owners that security in the district remains in the hands of highly capable officers.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a meeting in Beijing Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP)
BEIJING (AP) — The leaders of Britain and China called Thursday for a “comprehensive strategic partnership” to deepen ties between their nations at a time of growing global uncertainty.
Neither publicly mentioned Donald Trump, but the American president’s challenges to the post-Cold War order was clearly on their minds.
“I think that working together on issues like climate change, global stability during challenging times for the world is precisely what we should be doing as we build this relationship in the way that I’ve described,” Starmer told Xi in his opening remarks.
The two met in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing as their nations try to improve relations after several years of acrimony. Relations have deteriorated over allegations of Chinese spying in Great Britain, China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war, and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony that was returned to China in 1997. Starmer is the first British prime minister to visit in eight years.
“China-U.K. relations experienced setbacks in previous years, which was not in the interests of either country,” Xi said. “In the current complex and ever-changing international situation, … China and the U.K. need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to maintain world peace and stability.”
Xi also appeared to acknowledge the criticism that Starmer has faced for reaching out to China despite national security and human rights concerns. The U.K. recently approved controversial plans for a huge Chinese Embassy in London, removing a sticking point in relations but also overriding fears that the “mega-embassy” would make it easier for China to conduct espionage and intimidate dissidents.
“Good things often come with difficulties,” Xi said. “As long as it is the right thing to do in accordance with the fundamental interests of the country and its people, leaders will not shy away from difficulties and will forge ahead bravely.”
Starmer, who became prime minister in July 2024, has said he would protect national security while keeping up diplomatic dialogue and economic cooperation with China. He told Xi that it has “been far too long” since a U.K. prime minister visited.
“I made a promise 18 months ago when we were elected into government, that I would make Britain face outward again,” the leader of the center-left Labour Party said. “Because as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens back in our home countries, from prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel.”
His government has struggled to deliver the economic growth it promised and ease a cost-of-living crisis for millions of households.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, third left, and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, second right, attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, Pool)
More than 50 top business executives have joined him on the trip, along with the leaders of some cultural organizations, as he seeks to expand opportunities for British companies in China.
The disruption to global trade under Trump has made expanding trade and investment more imperative for many governments. Vietnam and the European Union upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership Thursday, two days after the EU and India announced a free trade accord.
“At a moment when the international rules-based order is under threat from multiple sides, we need to stand side by side as reliable and predictable partners,” European Council President Antonio Costa said in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Starmer is the fourth leader of a U.S. ally to visit Beijing this month, following those of South Korea, Canada and Finland. The German chancellor is expected to visit next month.
The U.K. leader earlier Thursday met Zhao Leji, the chairman of China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress. The two countries were expected to sign a number of agreements later in the day.
One will try to disrupt the trade in Chinese boat engines used by smugglers to bring people across the English Channel to Britain. More than half the engines come from China, the British government said. Under the agreement, U.K law enforcement agencies will work with Chinese authorities and manufacturers to prevent engines from ending up in the hands of criminal gangs.
FILE - In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Myanmar police hand over five telecom and internet fraud suspects to Chinese police at Yangon International Airport in Yangon, Myanmar, Aug. 26, 2023. (Chinese embassy in Myanmar/Xinhua via AP)
BANGKOK (AP) — China executed 11 members of a Myanmar-based family crime syndicate that killed 14 Chinese citizens and ran scam and gambling operations worth more than $1 billion, authorities said.
The Wenzhou city Intermediate People’s Court announced the execution in a statement Thursday morning. It sentenced the 11 people to death in September. They included Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen, who the court found led the scam and gambling operations, as well as key group members Zhou Weichang, Wu Hongming and Luao Jianzhang.
The group filed an appeal that was rejected by the court in November.
The family members were detained in November 2023 when Chinese authorities exerted pressure on authorities in the border areas shared with Myanmar to crack down on scams.
Scam parks have become an industrial scale business in Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, where a mix of trafficked and willing labor have carried out digital scams on victims around the world.
Authorities in the region face growing international pressure from China, the U.S. and other nations to address the proliferation of criminal activity.
BANGKOK — 29 January 2026, Royal Thai Air Force announced that, the AT-6TH attack aircraft crashed during a training mission in Chiangmai, killing both pilots on board.
Air Marshal Chakrit Thammavichai, the air force spokesperson, said the aircraft from Squadron 411 of Wing 41 went down at 10:20 during a combat search and rescue training flight in Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai province, about 60 kilometres southwest of Chiang Mai airport. The crash did not affect nearby residents or damage civilian property, Chakrit said.
The pilots were identified as Flight Lt. Sammacha Khunmas, an instructor pilot, and Flight Officer Korawit Jenkit. Both were killed on duty.
Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha, the air force commander, ordered the immediate securing of the crash site and appointed an aircraft accident investigation board to determine the cause.
The Royal Thai Air Force expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased pilots and praised their dedication and sacrifice. It said it would provide full assistance to their families.
