NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 14 January 2026, at least 32 people were killed and more than 40 others injured after a crane used in the construction of a high-speed rail bridge collapsed onto a passenger train, causing it to derail and catch fire, authorities said.
The accident occurred at about 09:05 in Ban Thanon Khot, Sikhio district, when a crane fell onto railway tracks as a passenger train travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani was passing through the area.
The train slammed into the fallen crane at high speed, producing a loud impact before parts of the structure collapsed onto the train, officials said. Several carriages derailed and a fire broke out, trapping passengers inside the wreckage.
Rescue teams recovered at least three bodies from the train wreckage at the scene, with more deaths later confirmed. More than 40 passengers were injured, some seriously.
Emergency responders from several rescue foundations rushed to the scene, using cutting and spreading equipment to free trapped passengers. The injured were taken to Sikhio Hospital, Sung Noen Hospital and Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.
Preliminary investigations indicate the crane was operating as part of a high-speed rail bridge construction project when it fell across the tracks moments before the train arrived. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the collapse.
Officials are still working to identify at least one body at the site.
UDON THANI— 14 January 2026, Residents in Udon Thani were shocked at the sight of a naked woman walking through public areas late at night, prompting police and rescue workers to intervene, authorities said.
Police received a report at 21:00 on 13 January from a concerned citizen who spotted a woman walking unclothed in a public area on Phosri Road, near the Udon Thani Primary Educational Service Area Office 1. A man was seen walking behind her, raising fears for her safety.
After receiving the report, police coordinated with the Udon Sawang Methatham Foundation to bring clothing and assist the woman. When officials arrived at the scene, bystanders had already helped her put on clothes.
Initial inquiries found that the woman is homeless and is often seen walking and staying around Udon Thani Hospital and nearby areas.
A witness said she and her sister first noticed the woman outside the hospital. A man was attempting to give her clothes, but she refused to put them on. Concerned that the woman could be harmed, the sisters decided to follow her with clothing and alerted authorities for assistance.
Police later escorted the woman to a place of shelter she identified. Officials said she was able to communicate but is believed to have mental health issues.
Authorities said they will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure the woman receives appropriate care and support.
PATTAYA — 14 January 2026, Police have arrested six migrant workers during a crackdown on foreigners allegedly working illegally and competing with Thai workers, authorities said.
The operation was carried out on 13 January under the direction of Maj. Gen. Pongphan Wongmanithet, commander of Chonburi provincial police. He ordered officers from Pattaya City Police Station, including Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu, the station chief, to conduct inspections at Rattanakorn Thepprasit Market on Thepprasit Road.
During checks at pork stalls inside the market, police found six foreign nationals working without permission. They included 4 Laotians, aged between 18 and 41, and two Burmeses, aged 20 and 39. All six were taken into custody for questioning.
Police later charged them with entering and remaining in Thailand without permission and working without a valid work permit.
Authorities said the investigation will be expanded to identify and take legal action against the stall owners who employed the workers, in accordance with Thai law.
Building on its acquisition of ADK Global last year, Assembly today announced the full rebranding of all former ADK Global offices in Asia to Assembly, completing the first phase of the merger and first step towards creating Asia’s first truly end-to-end brand performance agency. The unified network combines brand strategy, creative, media, data and connected commerce into one integrated offering built for measurable growth.
From January 2026, markets including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, India and Australia will operate under the Assembly brand. Local leadership teams remain in place, ensuring continuity for existing clients while unlocking access to Assembly’s global technology stack including the proprietary AI-powered STAGE Experience Engine, scaled data capabilities, and Brand Performance Planning model. Clients benefit from a simpler experience with one agency, one framework, and deeper cross-market collaboration.
Over the next 12 months, Assembly will roll out the STAGE Experience Engine across former ADK Global markets, including solutions such as COMPASS, Assembly’s new marketing intelligence and decisioning platform; ALERTS, which provides real-time changes driving actionable insights; and SCENE, which delivers MMM at speed, creating a single tech stack for planning, measurement, and content optimization. Continued investment in AI-led products will connect ADK Global’s creative strength directly into STAGE, unlocking more integrated, brand performance-driven outcomes.
Assembly has also established a strategic partnership with ADK Japan through Stagwell’s existing relationship, linking decades of creative leadership in Japan with Assembly’s global scale and data and media capabilities. This partnership will open new doors for Japanese brands expanding globally and for international brands seeking to win in Japan with culturally resonant marketing.
“The real impact begins now. With one brand, one platform, and an partnership with ADK Japan, we can turn deep creative insight into brand performance at scale. Asia’s most ambitious brands want speed, simplicity, and work that truly moves people. This model gives them all three,” said Richard Brosgill, APAC CEO, Assembly.
Assembly’s Global CEO, Rick Acampora adds, “APAC is shaping the future of brand performance and is equipped with the talent and technology to unite creativity, media, commerce and data as one. This is not just integration; it marks the beginning of an evolution in how we do business. We are building a connected model that delivers speed, cultural relevance, and measurable impact, and this approach will shape how we drive clients’ brand growth globally.”
Illumination flares fired by Thai military forces shine in Poipet, Cambodia, as seen from Sa Kaeo, Thailand, on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, following clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
More than 110 Cambodian soldiers and police were killed during the December border clashes with Thailand, according to a review of official social media posts and government announcements compiled by Nikkei Asia.
Cambodia has not released an official national death toll for its armed forces following the 21 days of fighting in December. However, Nikkei Asia identified and verified more than 110 names of security personnel reported killed through posts by government officials, provincial authorities and state-linked organizations. Additional posts from civilians mourning relatives suggest the true number may be higher, potentially exceeding 130 although those cases could not be independently confirmed.
The names were gathered from official and government-affiliated social media accounts, including posts by provincial leaders, the National Assembly and Senate, and by Pich Chanmony, the wife of Prime Minister Hun Manet, who leads a volunteer medical organization. In many cases, officials shared condolences alongside information about funeral rites and donations to bereaved families.
Bangkhenchai Company Limited (BKC), a subsidiary of CK Power Public Company Limited (SET: CKP), led by Mr. Supawit Supapa, Managing Director of BKC (5th from left), together with Mr. Samarn Klangjaturat, master artist teacher and founder of Klangjaturat Art Gallery (4th from left), and a group of art educators, jointly launched “Art Power: The Energy Transition” drawing project for students from schools surrounding Pak Thong Chai 1 Solar Power Plant in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The initiative aims to help build a learning society centered on clean energy while fostering environmental conservation awareness among youth and local communities, supporting sustainable development in the long term.
This project builds upon the “Empowering Clean Energy through Thai Art” initiative implemented in 2024, with the objective of enhancing understanding of clean energy while instilling awareness of natural resource and environmental conservation among children and youth. The project employs a creative learning approach, using artistic works as a medium for knowledge transfer and engagement. The initiative aligns with the Company’s CSR Strategy Framework (2022–2026) under the Hinghoi: Preserving and Restoring Natural Resources pillar, which focuses on the protection, conservation, and restoration of natural resources and the environment. This framework aims to raise awareness and expand conservation areas for forest protection and ecological restoration, using art as a connecting platform to effectively communicate knowledge, foster understanding, and cultivate tangible environmental awareness.
BANGKOK — 13 January 2026, A drunken foreign man was forced off a train in Thailand after hurling abuse at passengers, disparaging Thais and praising Cambodia, then assaulting staff and travellers, witnesses said.
A Facebook user, Ameenah Tokyousoh, posted a video showing the chaotic scenes before passengers restrained the man. She wrote that the tourist boarded with his wife, a Thai national, and the couple began arguing on the train.
According to the account, the man smashed a train window, demanded alcohol and repeatedly made obscene gestures. He then berated passengers throughout the carriage, declaring Thailand and Thais “terrible” and saying Cambodia was better. Passengers initially remained silent as the shouting continued at about 01:00, disturbing those trying to sleep.
Roughly 20 minutes later, railway staff arrived and attempted to calm the situation, witnesses said. The man refused to comply, verbally abused officials and fought with them, punching at least one passenger. Nearby travellers then intervened, leading to the scuffle seen in the video.
Officials ordered the man to leave at the next station, but he resisted and continued livestreaming insults at Thais, witnesses said. His wife also reportedly joined in berating passengers. At the station, the man shouted and struck a window again before being removed.
The video has since been widely viewed online, drawing heavy criticism of the man’s behaviour in the comments.
MAE SARIANG — 13 January 2026, Wildlife officials in northern Thailand have rescued an injured young muntjac deer after it wandered into a residential area, authorities said.
The rescue took place after residents in Ban Pong village, Ban Kat subdistrict, Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son, reported seeing the animal inside their homes. The deer, a female common muntjac about two years old, was found injured.
Officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, including wildlife veterinarians, national park officers, and staff from Salawin National Park and the Salawin Wildlife Sanctuary, responded to the report. The animal was safely captured and taken for treatment at the Office of Protected Area Management 16 in Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son province.
Authorities urged the public to report sightings of lost or injured wildlife by calling the 24-hour wildlife hotline at 1362. Additional assistance is available from the Wildlife Conservation Division at 053-681-1330, extensions 600 or 601.
President of Thailand Privilege Card, Manatase Annawat presents the award on-stage
BANGKOK — 10 January 2026, Thailand Privilege Card presented “Friends of Thailand” membership cards to three foreign Muay Thai fighters from the Rajadamnern World Series, recognising their role in promoting Muay Thai internationally and supporting Thai culture.
The presentation took place at Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium and was organised in collaboration with the Rajadamnern World Series.
“The presentation of the ‘Friends of Thailand’ cards this time is a collaboration between Thailand Privilege Card and an expression of gratitude to three individuals for their role in promoting Muay Thai to an international audience,” said Manatase Annawat, president of Thailand Privilege Card (TPC).
“As individuals who contribute significantly to promoting Muay Thai and Thai culture globally, we presented special membership cards under the title ‘Friends of Muay Thai – Friends of Thailand’ to three international fighters,” he said.
The Best International Fighter (male) award went to Karl Tannian, champion of the Rajadamnern World Series 2025.
The Best International Fighter (female) award was presented to Barbara Aguiar, the 2025 RWS female champion.
The Best International Rising Star award went to Marie Ruumet.
Tannian, from Cork, Ireland, emerged in 2025 as one of the fastest-rising figures in international Muay Thai, according to TPC. By October 2025, he held a 4-0 record in RWS, showing steady improvement in each bout. He later finished the season with a perfect 5-0 record, becoming the only non-Thai fighter to achieve that feat in RWS in 2025.
Karl Tanian, awarded as “The Best International Fighter” (male)
Aguiar, from Brazil, moved to Thailand in 2020 to train at Phuket Fight Club. She won the WBC Muay Thai bantamweight world title in 2022 and captured the RWS championship in 2024. In 2025, she made history again by winning the Rajadamnern Stadium title at 118 pounds, becoming the first non-Thai woman to do so.
Barbara Aguiar, awarded as “The Best Rising International Star”
Ruumet, from Estonia, competes in the 112-pound division and is regarded as one of the top fighters in her weight class. She was the only fighter to defeat the 2024 RWS tournament champion.
Known as Marie “Snow Leopard” Ruumet, she has been described by organisers as an inspiration to female Muay Thai fighters worldwide and a potential future star of the sport as her career at RWS continues to develop.
Marie Rummet, awarded as “The Best International Fighter” (female)
The three fighters join a group of 75 foreign individuals recognised under the Friends of Thailand initiative for contributions to the country. Past recipients include foreign volunteers involved in the Tham Luang cave rescue, Indian actor Sonu Sood, who was also appointed an honorary tourism consultant to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Bollywood film director Abhishek Rao for his role in promoting Thai tourism in India.
Thailand Privilege Card was established in 2003 and currently has nearly 40,000 paid members. Membership is divided into five tiers — bronze, gold, platinum, diamond and reserve — with fees ranging from 650,000 to 5 million baht.
Benefits include long-term visa privileges, airport services, multilingual call centre support, government concierge services for immigration reporting, hotel room upgrades, and access to partner restaurants, spas, golf courses and hospitals.
The largest groups of card holders are from China, Japan and the United States, followed by Britain, Taiwan and Russia. Emerging markets include India and Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
“The primary objective of Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited is to generate revenue from international tourists and attract high-end travellers, entrepreneurs, investors and foreign residents seeking short- and long-term stays in Thailand,” the company said in a fact sheet. “The strategy aims to stimulate the Thai economy and tourism industry through both direct and indirect means.”
A Thai prime ministerial candidate has sparked widespread debate after proposing a policy that would allow women to have up to four husbands, with the consent of all parties, as part of what he describes as a gender equality platform.
Mongkolkit Suksintharanont, a PM candidate from the Thai Alternative Party, said in a recent social media post that “in terms of gender equality, women should be allowed to have no more than four husbands, if it is mutually accepted.” The proposal quickly drew attention online, with users debating whether it reflected progressive thinking, political satire or a deliberate attempt to provoke discussion.
The proposal is the latest in a series of unconventional policy ideas promoted by Mongkolkit, who has built a public profile around eye-catching statements rather than traditional policy platforms. In the past, he has suggested creating a “space force” for Thailand, offering cash incentives to women who become pregnant to address declining birth rates, mandating daily exercise for working-age citizens in exchange for pay rises, and strengthening the military, including the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons.
Mongkolkit Suksintharanont, a PM candidate from the Thai Alternative Party.
While Mongkolkit has not explained how the multi-husband policy would be implemented in legal or social terms, the announcement has already triggered broader discussions about marriage law, gender rights and the role of political messaging in Thailand’s public discourse.
