Thailand to repair Prasat Ta Khwai

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22 January 2026, 12:34

Thailand’s Second Army Region and Fine Arts Office 10 in Nakhon Ratchasima on 22 January carried out an inspection of Prasat Ta Khwai in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province, ahead of planned restoration work.

Thai officials said the inspection findings would be submitted for further discussion and approval of related actions. Temporary supports were installed to prevent structural collapse, and access routes were opened to transport fallen stone fragments for assessment prior to restoration and repair.

The Second Army Region said it was advised by the Fine Arts Office to avoid entering or approaching the main structure due to safety concerns, warning that the temple remains structurally unstable and at risk of collapse.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has protested the Thai actions at the site, known in Cambodia as Prasat Ta Krabei, accusing Thailand of using armed force to occupy the temple and alter the status of the area.

In a statement, the ministry said the actions violate fundamental principles of international law that prohibit the acquisition or occupation of territory by force. It called on Thailand to halt all activities and projects in and around the temple, which Cambodia says lies within its sovereign territory, and urged a peaceful resolution in line with the Franco–Siamese Treaties of 1904 and 1907.

Thai police raid 25 sites on Koh Phangan, charge 35

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Khaosod English

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22 January 2026, 11:47

Thai police raid 25 sites on Koh Phangan, charge 35

SURAT THANI — Provincial police in Surat Thani launched coordinated raids at 25 locations across the resort island of Koh Phangan, charging 35 people and companies over immigration, labour and nominee business offences, authorities said on 22 January 2026.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of senior police and provincial officials, with Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongrit Dansuwan, deputy commissioner of Region 8 Police, presiding over the launch. About 170 officers took part, drawn from regional and provincial investigation units, local police, immigration police, tourist police and district administrators.

Officers executed court-approved search warrants at 22 restaurants, one clothing and souvenir shop and two hotels across the island, police said.

Those charged included seven Myanmar nationals accused of working outside the scope permitted by law, four Myanmar nationals accused of failing to notify authorities of their employment status within 15 days, and one Myanmar national accused of entering the country illegally.

Police also arrested one suspect for selling controlled herbal products, including cannabis, without permission.

In addition, authorities brought cases against companies over a range of offences, including five firms accused of operating businesses without permission or using Thai nationals as nominees to hold shares on behalf of foreigners. Three cases involved foreign nationals allegedly working beyond their legal rights, while two companies were charged under the Hotel Act.

A further eight companies were accused of employing foreign workers in prohibited roles, and four were charged with failing to notify labour registrars of foreign hires within the required 15-day period, police said.

Authorities said the operation was part of a national plan for 2024–2030 to prevent and suppress transnational crime, focusing on illegal foreign labour, the use of Thai nominees to hold land or operate businesses, and unlicensed work in key tourist destinations to protect public order and local livelihoods.

Cambodia rejects Thai claim over Ta Muen temple complex

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Khaosod English

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22 January 2026, 11:32

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia has rejected Thailand’s claim over the Ta Muen Complex, saying it violates international law, as border tensions persist.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Cambodia PR Team dismissed assertions by Thailand’s Joint Information Center that the complex is legally registered as Thai property, saying such registration has no legal standing.

Cambodia said the claim contradicts the Franco–Siamese Treaty of 1907 and related boundary records from 1908–1909 and 1919–1920, which it said place the Ta Muen temples within Cambodian territory.

“The claimed registration is superseded by treaty-based boundaries and therefore has no legal effect under international law,” the statement said.

Phnom Penh cited the 1907 treaty-based 1:200,000 boundary map, historical demarcation records and Cambodia’s listing of the site in its National Inventory of Cultural Heritage as evidence that the complex is in Oddar Meanchey province. It rejected Thailand’s reliance on unilateral 1:50,000 maps, saying they lack legal authority.

Cambodia reaffirmed that the complex falls under its sovereignty, declared unilateral Thai claims “legally null and void”, and called for a peaceful resolution through the International Court of Justice.

Earlier, Thailand’s Anti-Fake News Center said on 18 January that Ta Muen Thom is a nationally registered ancient monument of Thailand. Citing the Fine Arts Department, it said the site was registered on 8 March 1935, as published in the Royal Gazette, predating Cambodia’s independence in 1953.

Thailand says Ta Muen Thom is located at Ta Muen Pass in Surin province, northeastern Thailand.

Thai authorities on Wednesday also released images of Ta Muen Thom following a nearly month-long ceasefire along the Thai–Cambodian border, showing the Thai national flag prominently raised at the site, which Thai officials say indicates the temple is under Thai control.

Thai park rangers arrest poacher, foil forest fire plot

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Khaosod English

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22 January 2026, 10:13

Thai park rangers arrest poacher, foil forest fire plot

KANCHANABURI — Thai national park rangers arrested a suspected poacher carrying a firearm and ammunition near Srinakarin Dam National Park, foiling an alleged plan to start forest fires to hunt wildlife, officials said on 21 January 2026.

Kunakorn Boonkuesong, chief of Srinakarin Dam National Park, said the arrest followed intensified patrols ordered by Athapol Charoenshansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and Rachan Bua-tree, director of Protected Area Management Office 3 in Ban Pong, to curb encroachment and forest burning during the dry season.

Rangers from Patrol Unit 5 (Huai Mae Phlu) detained a man identified as Nattawut, who withheld his surname, in forestland near Ban Wang Pha Tad in Hin Dat subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum district. He was stopped while riding a motorcycle and attempting to enter the national park, authorities said.

A search found a .22 LR rifle fitted with a scope, 28 rounds of ammunition and a full set of camping supplies, officials said.

Park authorities imposed an immediate administrative fine of 5,000 baht under the National Park Act of 2019 for bringing hunting equipment into a national park without permission. The suspect and seized items were handed over to Thong Pha Phum police for further prosecution under firearms laws.

Kunakorn said pre-emptive arrests were critical because poachers often set forest fires to flush animals into open areas for shooting, causing severe damage to ecosystems. He said authorities would pursue the maximum penalties allowed by law and urged the public to report tips to the 24-hour hotline at 1362.

School bus plunges into canal in Pathum Thani, 30 hurt

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Khaosod English

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22 January 2026, 09:31

School bus plunges into canal in Pathum Thani, 30 hurt

PATHUM THANI — A school shuttle bus plunged into a canal in Pathum Thani province on Tuesday afternoon, leaving about 30 students with minor injuries, police said.

The accident happened at 15:40 on 21 January 2026 on Bang Khan–Nong Suea Road, Khlong 11, in Bung Ba subdistrict of Nong Suea district, according to police.

Police Lt. Col. Pramuan Nualngam, an investigator at Nong Suea police station, said officers, traffic police, district officials and rescue workers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation rushed to the scene after reports that a school bus had fallen into a canal with multiple students injured.

Authorities found a blue six-wheel Isuzu truck, registered in Pathum Thani, with its front end badly damaged after crashing into a traffic signpost and plunging halfway into the canal. Students suffered mostly minor injuries. Some declined hospital treatment and were taken home by their parents, while two students were taken to Nong Suea Hospital.

The driver, Suphap Dechphian, 57, said he was taking students to school and estimated there were about 20 to 30 on board, fewer than the usual 40 registered passengers, as several students were absent that day. All the students were from Nong Suea schools.

He said rain had made the road slippery and uneven, causing one wheel to ride up a rut and pull the steering sharply to the right. Despite driving at about 30 kilometres per hour, he was unable to regain control. With oncoming and following traffic, the vehicle struck a traffic sign before veering into the canal. All students were helped out safely, and none were seriously injured, he said.

A school administrator from Nong Suea Wittayakhom School said initial checks found three students injured, none seriously. One suffered a cut to the hand, another had a split eyebrow, and a third had bruising on the right cheek.

Chayaporn Boonmuang, 19, said she and her younger sister, Kamonchanok Boonmuang, 15, were sitting at the front of the vehicle when the crash occurred. She said heavy rain made the road slippery and the bus ahead braked suddenly. The driver tried to stop but could not and swerved to avoid a collision, ultimately steering off the road into the canal. She said about 39 students from Year 7 to Year 12 were on board, with only minor cuts and abrasions reported. Chayaporn suffered a cut to her left hand from broken glass, while her sister had minor scrapes.

Police tested the driver with a breathalyser and found no trace of alcohol. Investigators said they would review CCTV footage and question witnesses to determine the extent of injuries and any damage to public property. No charges had been filed as of Tuesday evening.

Thailand sends sixth batch of humanitarian aid to Ukraine worth 5 million baht

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Khaosod English

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21 January 2026, 19:22

BANGKOK — Thailand on 21 January 2026 provided its sixth batch of humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people, valued at 5 million baht (about $160,000), through the Thai Red Cross Society, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Eksiri Pintaruchi, permanent secretary for foreign affairs, handed over the contribution to Tej Bunnag, secretary-general of the Thai Red Cross Society, with Viktor Semenov, chargé d’affaires a.i. of Ukraine to Thailand, present as a witness.

The Thai Red Cross Society will transfer the assistance to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society for the procurement of electricity generators, medical equipment and medical supplies based on Ukraine’s needs.

The ministry said Thailand has so far provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine worth 26 million baht (about $910,000) through various channels, including the Thai Red Cross Society, the Ukrainian and Polish Red Cross societies, and UNICEF.

Thailand also reiterated its support for international efforts to end the conflict, including humanitarian demining to rehabilitate agricultural areas through the Thai Civilian Deminer Association.

Singha Park Chiang Rai marks 10 years of balloon fiesta with ASEAN’s biggest sky show

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Khaosod English

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21 January 2026, 18:51

Singha Park Chiang Rai is set to light up the northern skies this Valentine’s season as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of its international balloon festival, positioning the province as a “World Class Love Destination.”

The Singha Park International Balloon Fiesta 2026, scheduled for 11–15 February 2026, will feature more than 30 hot air balloons from 13 countries, making it the largest balloon festival in ASEAN. The event aims to transform Chiang Rai into a global destination for romance, culture and world-class entertainment.

The festival’s signature highlights include the Magic Night Glow balloon light-and-sound shows, an international balloon competition with prize money exceeding 100,000 baht, and a Valentine’s Day special that has become a hallmark of the event “Balloon Love,” where 14 lucky couples will register their marriages and declare their love while floating above Chiang Rai’s mountains.

Adding cultural depth to the celebrations, Singha Park will stage a large-scale khon outdoor performance of the Ramakien episode “Mangkonkanth Chansakda Kesorathamala Mahamit” on 13–14 February, performed by more than 200 artists from the Wang Na troupe and Chiang Rai youth groups. The lakeside setting is designed to bring audiences closer to one of Thailand’s most refined traditional art forms.

Pongrat Lueangthamrongcharoen, managing director of Singha Park Chiang Rai Co, said the festival’s decade-long success reflects its growing international standing. The event recently received a Gold Award for Best Overall Entertainment Program at the 2025 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards in the United States.

“Our goal is to create a travel experience that blends romance, nature, culture and international-standard entertainment,” Pongrat said. “The festival not only strengthens Chiang Rai’s image as a global love destination but also helps generate sustainable income for local communities.”

Beyond balloons and culture, the festival will host five nights of concerts featuring leading Thai artists, running nightly from 19:00 – 23.10, alongside family-friendly zones, workshops, local food stalls and adventure activities such as ziplining, ATV rides and tea plantation tours.

Tickets range from Super Early Bird passes starting at 280 baht, with five-day passes at 999 baht, regular tickets at 350 baht, and VIP tables priced at 4,000 baht per day. Children under 100cm tall can enter for free. Tickets are available via Eventpass and selected on-site outlets at Singha Park.

With hot air balloons filling the skies, cultural performances by the lakeside and Valentine’s celebrations in the air, organisers say the 10th anniversary fiesta aims to deliver its most memorable edition yet while strengthening Chiang Rai’s appeal as a destination for romance, culture and international tourism.

Another train crashes in Spain, killing at least 1 person

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Associated Press

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21 January 2026, 18:07

Spain Train Crash — Emergency crews respond after a commuter train derailed when a retaining wall collapsed onto the tracks in Gelida, near Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra)

GELIDA, Spain (AP) — Commuter rail service in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region was suspended Wednesday after a Barcelona commuter train crashed the night before, Spanish authorities said.

At least one person died in the Barcelona-area crash, and 37 others were injured as crews worked at night to complete the rescue effort. The train hit a retaining wall that fell onto the tracks, authorities said.

The news late Tuesday of another train crash mere days after Spain’s worst railway disaster since 2013 left many Spaniards in disbelief. Emergency workers were still searching for victims in the wreckage from Sunday’s high-speed crash in southern Spain that killed at least 42 people and injured dozens some 800 kilometers (497 miles) away.

Three days of national mourning were underway, and the cause of that crash was being investigated.

The victim of the Tuesday-night crash was a trainee train driver, regional authorities said. Of the 37 people affected, five were seriously injured. Six others were in less serious condition, emergency services said. Most of the injured had ridden in the first train car.

The suspension of commuter trains Wednesday morning caused significant traffic jams on roads leading into Barcelona. Regional authorities in Catalonia asked people to reduce unnecessary travel and companies to allow remote work while the disruptions continued.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez acknowledged the Barcelona area crash, writing on X on Tuesday night: “All my affection and solidarity with the victims and their families.”

While Spain’s high-speed rail network generally runs smoothly, and at least until Sunday had been a source of confidence, commuter rail services are plagued by reliability issues. However, accidents causing injury or death are not common in either.

The commuter train crashed near the town of Gelida, located about 37 kilometers (23 miles) outside Barcelona.

Spain’s railway operator ADIF said the containment wall likely collapsed due to heavy rainfall that swept across the northeastern Spanish region this week.

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Naishadham reported from Madrid.

Thai army engraves names of 43 soldiers killed in Thai–Cambodian clashes on memorial wall

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Khaosod English

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21 January 2026, 17:33

S__38240503_0 — Names etched at the Army Memorial Wall, honouring 43 fallen soldiers who gave their lives in defence of Thailand’s sovereignty.

BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Army has engraved the names of 43 soldiers who were killed during two rounds of fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border in 2025 on the Army Memorial Wall, army officials said.

The inscriptions were completed on 21 January 2026 at Royal Thai Army Headquarters. The fallen soldiers were honoured during a wreath-laying ceremony held on 18 January as part of Army Day commemorations.

All 43 names were engraved under the section dedicated to national defence battlefields.

According to the army, the first group comprised 16 soldiers killed during clashes between 24 July and 23 August 2025 in the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Buri Ram.

The second group included 27 soldiers who lost their lives during fighting between 7 and 27 December 2025 in the same four provinces, as well as in Sa Kaeo province.

The army said the soldiers died while carrying out their duty to defend Thailand’s sovereignty along the Thai–Cambodian border.

First look at Ta Muen Thom temple after nearly a month-long ceasefire

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Khaosod English

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21 January 2026, 16:30

SURIN — Thai authorities on Wednesday released images of Ta Muen Thom temple following a nearly month-long ceasefire along the Thai–Cambodian border, showing the Thai national flag prominently raised and the main structure largely intact.

On 21 January 2026, Lt.Col. Chakrit Piyasuphuek, commander of the 21st Infantry Battalion under Task Force 2, which is responsible for security at Ta Muen Thom in Phanom Dong Rak district, said officials from Thailand’s Fine Arts Department had carried out an initial inspection of the temple.

Lt.Col. Chakrit said the structure may bear some bullet marks from earlier border clashes but remains largely unchanged and has not suffered serious damage, unlike Ta Kwai temple. No parts of the structure were found to have collapsed.

The site remains closed to the public as authorities continue to clear the area to ensure safety.

Lt.Col. Chakrit said that during the clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border, Cambodian forces attempted to seize control of the temple area by firing towards it. He added that Cambodian authorities are now reinforcing and repairing their positions on the Cambodian side.

Thai troops have since established full control around Ta Muen Thom, erecting a Thai flagpole in front of the temple and installing barbed-wire fencing at points that had previously been relaxed to allow Cambodian tourists to visit. Cambodian forces are continuing to monitor movements on the Thai side.

At the former visitor entrance, signs of damage from the clashes were also visible. Bullet holes were found around a platform housing Buddha images and other sacred objects, with parts of the roof collapsed. However, a large Buddha statue and other sacred items were not damaged, authorities said.

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