Indonesian rescuers find a body near wreckage of a plane that crashed with 10 aboard

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19 January 2026, 11:35

Indonesia Plane — This photo provided by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows debris of an ATR 42-500 turboprop airplane at Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi province, Indonesia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, after the aircraft lost contact Saturday. (BASARNAS via AP)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian rescuers on Sunday recovered a body in their search for 10 people aboard a plane that crashed while approaching a mountainous region on Sulawesi island.

The body of a man was retrieved from a ravine about 200 meters (656 feet) deep on the slope of Mount Bulusaraung, near scattered aircraft debris, said Muhammad Arif Anwar, who heads Makassar’s Search and Rescue Office.

Teams also found additional wreckage, including parts of the aircraft frame and passenger seats, and visually identified what is believed to be the engine of the turboprop ATR 42-500 that crashed on Saturday afternoon, Anwar said.

The plane, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was on its way from Yogyakarta on Indonesia’s main island of Java to Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi province, when it vanished from radar shortly after being instructed by air traffic control to correct its approach alignment.

plane 2 indo — In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, an Indonesia rescue team search looks out from a helicopter during a search operation for a passenger aircraft that lost contact with ground control while approaching a mountainous region between Java and Sulawesi islands in Indonesia. (BASARNAS via AP)

The plane was carrying eight crew members and three passengers from the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry who were aboard as part of an airborne maritime surveillance mission.

Strong winds, heavy fog and steep rugged terrain have slowed the search, said Maj. Gen. Bangun Nawoko, the South Sulawesi’s military commander. He said that visibility at the summit was about 5 meters (16 miles).

Rescuers spotted additional bodies lying along a steep cliff, but haven’t been able to reach them yet, said Brig. Gen. Andre Clift Rumbayan, who leads the specialized search units.

The search was halted as darkness fell Sunday and was to resume on Monday morning.

Indonesia relies heavily on air transport and ferries to connect its more than 17,000 islands. The Southeast Asian country has been plagued by transportation accidents in recent years, from plane and bus crashes to ferry sinkings.

search mountain — In this photo provided by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), members of its rescue team conduct a searching operation around Mount Bulusaraung, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, after a passenger aircraft lost contact while approaching the mountainous region between Indonesia’s main island of Java and Sulawesi island. (BASARNAS via AP)

OpenAI Prepares to Test Ads on ChatGPT

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19 January 2026, 11:31

Ads on ChatGPT — The ChatGPT homescreen, AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

OpenAI says it will soon begin testing advertisements on the free version of ChatGPT, a move that could fundamentally change how users interact with one of the world’s most widely used artificial intelligence tools.

The San Francisco-based company said on Friday that ads have not yet appeared on the platform, but trials will begin in the coming weeks. The change is aimed at monetising ChatGPT’s massive user base of more than 800 million people, most of whom do not pay for access.

Despite a valuation of about US$500 billion, OpenAI continues to lose more money than it earns as it expands its AI models and infrastructure. Running ChatGPT requires vast amounts of computing power, with the company facing more than US$1 trillion in long-term commitments linked to chips and data centres.

OpenAI says the ads will appear at the bottom of chatbot responses when there is a “relevant sponsored product or service” related to a user’s conversation. The company stressed that advertisements will be clearly labelled and visually separated from ChatGPT’s answers.

“Most importantly: ads will not influence the answers ChatGPT gives you,” said Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s chief executive for applications, in a social media post.

Still, the introduction of advertising raises concerns about how a tool many users rely on for advice, emotional support and decision-making could change over time.

Unlike search engines or social media feeds, chatbots operate in a more intimate, conversational space. Users often disclose personal thoughts, problems and uncertainties, creating a level of trust that critics say could be vulnerable to commercial pressure.

“People are using chatbots for all sorts of reasons, including as companions and advisors,” said Miranda Bogen, director of the AI Governance Lab at the Center for Democracy and Technology. “There’s a lot at stake when that tool tries to exploit users’ trust to hawk advertisers’ goods.”

OpenAI has said it will not use personal information or user prompts to collect data for advertising, but analysts question how sustainable that promise will be as financial pressure grows.

“Free services are never actually free,” said Paddy Harrington, an analyst at research firm Forrester. “These public AI platforms need to generate revenue, and that often leads to the user becoming the product.”

The move also places OpenAI more directly in competition with tech giants such as Google and Meta, which already dominate digital advertising and have integrated ads into some of their AI-powered services. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has expressed confidence that users will accept the change, arguing that many people want powerful AI tools without paying for them.

“It is clear to us that a lot of people want to use a lot of AI and don’t want to pay,” Altman said in a post on X, adding that he personally finds some ads useful on platforms like Instagram.

Founded in 2015 as a nonprofit with a mission to ensure AI benefits humanity, OpenAI last year restructured into a public benefit corporation. The company insists its advertising plans are consistent with that mission, but the shift highlights a growing tension between commercial survival and public trust.

As ChatGPT moves closer to becoming an ad-supported platform, users and regulators alike are likely to watch closely to see whether the line between helpful assistance and subtle persuasion can truly be kept intact.

Residents warn of risk of accidents from gaping road cavities in Pattaya

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19 January 2026, 11:09

Residents warn of risk of accidents from gaping road cavities in Pattaya

PATTAYA — 18 January 2026, Residents have complained about a severely damaged road with large potholes that pose a risk of accidents, urging authorities to carry out urgent repairs.

Local residents reported that a section of Sukhumvit Soi 83 in Pattaya, Chonburi province, has subsided, leaving large holes deep enough for vehicles to fall into. The road is widely used by motorists and motorcyclists as a shortcut to the Khao Talo railway-side road.

Residents said they were concerned that vehicles could be damaged or that repeated accidents could occur if the problem is not addressed promptly.

A reporter who inspected the area found that the road had been dug up for the installation of water pipes within the alley. While parts of the surface had been backfilled, two large holes remained. Water pipes and metal structures were visible beneath the holes, and vehicle wheels could easily drop into them, creating a serious hazard for road users.

Mr. Thanu. said he uses the road every day and that construction has not yet been completed. He warned that drivers travelling at speed could easily be involved in an accident.

He called on the relevant authorities to urgently repair the road and ensure it is safe for the public as soon as possible.

Somkid slams gov’t, election body over constitution referendum

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19 January 2026, 10:43

Somkid slams gov't, election body over constitution referendum

BANGKOK — 19 January 2026, Somkid Cheukong, a party-list parliamentary candidate for the Pheu Thai Party, criticised the government and the Election Commission for failing from the outset to seriously pursue constitutional amendments, accusing them of staging what he called a “ritual” to deceive the public.

Mr. Somkid said there were fewer than 20 days left before Thai voters nationwide would make a crucial decision about the country’s future, including the election of members of parliament and a referendum on amending the 2017 constitution. Yet, he said, many people remained unaware that on 8 February, in addition to voting in the general election, they would also be asked to vote in a constitutional referendum.

He said he was surprised to find, during visits to local communities, that many people said they did not know about the referendum.

Mr. Somkid said both the government and the Election Commission, which is directly responsible for organising the vote, had failed to prioritise public awareness, despite having a large budget. He said there had been no meaningful public campaign or outreach to explain how the referendum would work or why it mattered, apart from distributing thick booklets to households.

“Do they really expect ordinary people to read them?” he said.

Mr. Somkid said only the Pheu Thai Party had actively campaigned to encourage people to take part in the referendum and decide for themselves whether to accept or reject the proposed constitutional changes. Other political parties, he said, had merely paid lip service to the issue and shown no real commitment to campaigning on the referendum.

He said it was clear the government, particularly Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the acting prime minister and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, had never been serious about amending the constitution.

Mr. Somkid said promises to amend the constitution, which formed part of political agreements that enabled Mr Anutin to assume the premiership, were deceptive from the beginning.

“At first, he accepted the conditions in order to take office, but once he got there, he discarded them all,” Mr. Somkid said. “It was nothing more than an act to deceive young people and the public.”

He said the government’s actions showed the process was merely ceremonial, adding that Mr. Anutin knew what the outcome would be but did not care, as his sole aim was securing the position of prime minister.

“His talk of constitutional reform is nothing more than rhetoric to fool people,” Mr. Somkid said.

Police find scam equipment hidden in suspicious rented room

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19 January 2026, 09:54

Police find scam equipment hidden in suspicious rented room

NONG KHAI — Thai police have seized suspected scam operation equipment hidden above the ceiling of a rented room in the centre of Nong Khai after a property owner raised suspicions about unusual behaviour by tenants.

At about 16:30 on 18 January 2026, Lt. Col. Apichat Koltha, an immigration police inspector in Nong Khai, was alerted by a citizen who owns a room rental business in Nai Mueang subdistrict, Mueang Nong Khai district. The owner reported that a young man and woman had insisted on renting room No. 8 and refused other available rooms.

The owner inspected the room and noticed electrical wiring that appeared to have been altered and led into the ceiling, raising concerns that surveillance equipment might have been installed. Police later searched the room and found three SIM box devices concealed above the ceiling, along with two Huawei wireless internet routers, three power adapters and a power strip, all wired to operate continuously. No one came forward to claim ownership, and officers seized the equipment for further examination.

According to the owner, a Thai woman first called at 23:26 on 9 January to ask about renting a room. She arrived at about 01:00 with an unidentified man on a motorcycle and rented room No. 8 for 400 baht, paying via a mobile payment application. The pair left early the next morning and did not return.

Nearly 10 days later, the same woman called again requesting to rent room No. 8. When told the room was occupied and offered another available room, she insisted on waiting specifically for the same room. The owner became suspicious, checked the room and discovered hanging wires above the ceiling before contacting police.

Lt. Col. Apichat said scam networks have adapted their methods by renting rooms and secretly installing signal transmission equipment to conduct fraud targeting victims in various forms, often linked to overseas operations. He praised the cooperation of the property owner and urged the public to report suspicious activity. Police are now working to identify and prosecute those involved and to expand the investigation.

Foreign man rolls on Phuket road near EDC Thailand

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19 January 2026, 09:26

Foreign man rolls on Phuket road near EDC Thailand

PHUKET — Social media users have criticised a video showing a foreign man rolling on a busy road near the venue of EDC Thailand 2026 in Phuket.

On 18 January 2026, the Facebook page Phuket Times shared a clip of a foreign man lying and rolling on the Ban Don–Cherng Talay (Pa Sak) road in Cherng Talay subdistrict, Thalang district. The location is close to the site of the EDC Thailand 2026 music festival, where traffic was heavy at the time.

The video, about 12 seconds long, shows the man appearing disoriented and seemingly out of control as vehicles pass nearby. A friend is later seen intervening and helping remove him from the road. The incident occurred at night on 17 January 2026.

The page captioned the clip: “At EDC, you can see everything. Who knows what he took.”

After the footage circulated online, many users posted comments expressing concern and dissatisfaction, saying the behaviour endangered road users and caused disruption to traffic in the area.

Train collides with pickup truck in Songkhla, killing one

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18 January 2026, 18:52

messageImage_1768736651221 — CCTV footage shows the pickup stopped on the railway crossing moments before it was hit by a train in Songkhla.

SONGKHLA — A train collided with a pickup truck at a railway crossing in Sadao district, Songkhla province, on Saturday, killing one person and injuring another.

Police at Sadao station said the crash occurred at about 11:30 on 18 January at a railway crossing in Ban Bang Khwai village, Moo 7, Thung Mo subdistrict. Officers and rescue workers rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the collision.

At the site, a white four-door Isuzu pickup truck, was found severely damaged after being struck by the train. One man was found dead inside the vehicle. Another man was injured and taken to Padang Besar Hospital.

The deceased was identified as Theerasak, 30, from Uthai Thani province. The injured man was identified as Phanu, 26.

Witnesses told police the pickup truck had driven out of the village and stopped on the railway tracks at the crossing before being hit by an oncoming train travelling at high speed. The impact reportedly hurled the vehicle more than 100 metres, leaving debris scattered across the area.

CCTV footage from the crossing showed the pickup truck stationary on the tracks moments before the train struck it.

Local residents said the vehicle was familiar in the area, as the deceased regularly visited the village to collect daily loan repayments from residents. They added that warning signs at the railway crossing were clearly visible.

Police have coordinated with forensic officers to collect evidence and are continuing their investigation to determine legal responsibility.

Not a gym: Chiang Mai temple warns tourists to stop doing yoga

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18 January 2026, 16:34

98820 — Foreign tourists performs a yoga pose at Wat Pha Lat in Chiang Mai, prompting a warning from the temple about inappropriate behaviour.

CHIANG MAI — Wat Pha Lat, a Buddhist temple at the foot of Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, has urged visitors to respect the site after inappropriate behaviour by some tourists, including yoga poses and acrobatic photography inside the temple grounds.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on 18 January 2026, the temple said it had recently observed visitors performing acro-yoga, climbing on ancient structures and rocks, and wearing revealing clothing at the temple.

“Wat Pha Lat is a Buddhist temple and a sacred sanctuary, not a recreational park or a gym,” the statement said.

The temple stressed that it remains an active place of worship for monks and a historical site that requires respect from visitors.

According to the announcement, the following activities are strictly prohibited within the temple grounds: yoga or gymnastic activities, climbing on statues, pagodas, waterfalls or rocks, wearing swimwear or inappropriate outfits, and making loud noises that disturb the peaceful environment.

The notice was posted in both Thai and English to ensure that all visitors clearly understand the rules.

The temple warned that if disrespectful behaviour continues, the administration may be forced to permanently close the site to tourists in order to preserve its spiritual sanctity.

“We welcome visitors who come with respect,” the statement said, calling on the public to help keep the temple open by following the rules.

Two husbands, one woman: TikTok love shocks social media

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18 January 2026, 14:23

A TikTok clip showing a woman with her twin partners has sparked widespread debate online.

BANGKOK — A Thai woman has confirmed that her relationship with twin brothers is real, not staged content, after a TikTok video showing the trio celebrating her birthday went viral online.

The clip, posted on 17 January 2026, shows two men who look identical carrying a cake to surprise the woman and taking turns kissing her on the cheek. The video quickly drew widespread attention, with many social media users questioning whether the relationship was genuine or created for views.

The woman, identified only as Fah, later spoke out to clarify that the relationship is real. She said she had been single for nearly a year and was not actively seeking a partner when she met the twin brothers. Both men approached her at the same time, and their relationship gradually developed.

Fah said the three eventually agreed to be in a consensual three-person relationship and have been together for more than a year.

She added that both her family and the men’s families are aware of and accept the relationship. In their daily life, the trio live together and support one another. The twin brothers work and earn income, which Fah manages to cover household expenses and plan for their shared future.

Addressing online questions about having children, Fah said that if she becomes pregnant, a DNA test would be carried out to identify the biological father so the correct name can be listed on the birth certificate. She added that the child would call both men “father”.

The story has continued to spark debate online, with reactions ranging from curiosity to support.

Proposal plan collapses after diamond ring stolen by Pickpocket in Phuket

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18 January 2026, 12:20

A woman appeals for help on Facebook after her boyfriend’s proposal ring was stolen by a pickpocket at EDC Phuket.

PHUKET — A man who planned to propose to his girlfriend at the EDC Thailand 2026 music festival in Phuket has appealed for help after a diamond ring and wallet were stolen during the event.

On 18 January 2026, a Facebook user identified as Acare Alice posted an appeal on social media, sharing three photos of a diamond ring and a wallet. She said her boyfriend was pickpocketed at EDC Phuket, losing a wallet and a diamond ring engraved with the names “Acare & Golf”.

She asked members of the public, including jewellery shops and pawn shops in Phuket and nearby areas, to contact her if anyone attempts to sell a ring matching the description. A contact number was provided in the post, along with the hashtags #edcthailand2026 and #edcthailand.

The post quickly gained traction, with many users sharing it and offering words of encouragement, hoping the couple would recover their belongings.

The victim, identified as Golf, told reporters that he and his girlfriend travelled from Chiang Mai to attend EDC Thailand 2026 in Phuket. They arrived at the venue at about 9pm. While standing in the crowd, he began receiving repeated notifications from his banking application.

After checking, he discovered that his credit card had been used for transactions totalling about 300,000 baht. He then examined his chest bag and found the zip open and his Louis Vuitton wallet missing.

The stolen items included his and his girlfriend’s identification cards, a driving licence, a diamond ring valued at about 300,000 baht, 2,500 baht in cash and several credit cards.

Golf said he has filed a police report at Cherng Talay police station. Officers told him such cases are difficult to solve unless the stolen ring is brought in for sale, which could help lead investigators to the suspect.

He said he had brought the diamond ring to the festival because he knew there was a designated proposal zone at the event and intended to surprise his girlfriend. The theft occurred before he had the chance.

Golf appealed to the public to help share information so the ring and important documents, especially the identification cards, can be returned, saying they are of great importance to him.

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