Trump threatens tariffs on countries opposing US plan to take Greenland

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17 January 2026, 11:44

APTOPIX Trump — President Donald Trump speaks during an event to promote investment in rural health care in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON — 16 January 2026, US President Donald Trump said at the White House that the United States could impose tariffs on countries that oppose Washington’s plan to take control of Greenland, despite strong objections from several nations, particularly in Europe.

Denmark, which administers Greenland and is a key US ally as well as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has been among the countries rejecting the idea.

Trump said the United States wants Greenland for national security reasons and insisted that Washington must obtain the territory, either through a purchase or by using military force if necessary. He said the island is strategically important despite its small population, citing its mineral resources and its role in early-warning systems for naval and missile threats.

However, Trump did not specify which countries might face higher tariffs, nor did he explain what legal authority he would use to impose such measures in pursuit of acquiring Greenland.

The United States currently has more than 100 troops stationed at Pituffik Space Base, a missile detection facility in Greenland that has been in operation since World War II. Under existing agreements between Washington and Copenhagen, the US is permitted to deploy military forces to the island.

Trump has argued that US ownership of Greenland is necessary to protect it from Russia and China. Danish military officials have disputed that claim, with the head of Denmark’s Arctic Command saying there is no evidence of Russian or Chinese vessels operating around Greenland as alleged.

European countries have voiced support for Denmark and Greenland, stressing that the Arctic is also of strategic importance to Europe and that security in the region is a shared NATO responsibility.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress is visiting Greenland. The group has held talks with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who is leading the delegation, said the visit aims to listen to local perspectives and convey them back to Washington in an effort to reduce tensions.

Republican Congressman Jeff Landry said the United States should engage directly with Greenland rather than Denmark and expressed confidence that a deal could eventually be reached to purchase the territory.

Republican Congressman Jeff Landry said the United States should engage directly with Greenland rather than Denmark. In a US television interview, he said: “We don’t go in there trying to conquer anybody … we represent liberty, we represent economic strength, we represent protection.”

AP26016584427781 — President Donald Trump speaks during an event to promote investment in rural health care in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Ninja thief strikes amulet stall for fourth time in a month

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17 January 2026, 11:24

Ninja thief strikes amulet stall for fourth time in a month

UDON THANI — 17 January 2026, A rooftop “ninja” thief struck an amulet stall for the fourth time in a month, stealing religious items worth nearly 300,000 baht and prompting police to intensify a manhunt, authorities said.

Police were alerted to the burglary at the Udon Thani Municipal Amulet Centre, where the suspect entered through the roof before breaking through the ceiling and stealing several amulets and Buddha statues, said investigators from Muang Udon Thani police station.

The owner, 57-year-old Issara Phuk, told police the thief climbed onto shelving, punched through the ceiling and lowered himself into the stall. Closed-circuit television footage showed the suspect at about 03:53 on 16 January 2026 wearing a long-sleeved top with a hood, calmly carrying out the theft despite an audible siren and an automated warning announcing an intruder.

Issara said the same thief is believed to be responsible for three previous break-ins at the stall. This time, six well-known religious items were taken, including Luang Phor Phra Bhucha, a Luang Phor Sothon amulet and a Sukhothai-style Buddha statue, with losses estimated at tens of thousands of baht. The suspect also damaged CCTV cameras and removed a memory card before fleeing.

Police said a special investigative unit, known as the “Phirun” team, has been deployed to gather evidence and track down the suspect, noting that repeated attacks suggest the thief may strike again if not apprehended.

Issara said the four burglaries over the past month have cost him more than 300,000 baht in total. He described the suspect as a professional who knows the shop’s vulnerabilities well.

“The first time he broke the door. The next time he tried to pry his way in, so I bricked it up,” Issara said. “This time he came from above, through the roof, snapped the camera, cut the power and took the memory card. It’s as if he knows the entire system.”

Visibly distressed, Issara said weak business conditions and repeated thefts have left him exhausted and close to giving up the trade he has worked in for nearly a decade. He urged police to act swiftly, noting that the stolen items were large and difficult to move alone.

“How can one person steal things this big and still not be caught?” he said. “If this continues, I may have no choice but to quit.”

Man falls ill after finding gecko in roadside sticky rice

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17 January 2026, 10:09

Man falls ill after finding gecko in roadside sticky rice

PATHUM THANI — A Facebook user posted images of gecko in cooked sticky rice in a public community news group for Rangsit, saying he became violently ill after eating it, triggering a wave of reactions from other users.

The post, shared by a user under the name Rakna Manita, said he felt nauseous and began vomiting from 07:00 and had not recovered, forcing him to see a doctor and take time off work. He asked other members to recommend medication for nausea, saying he felt exhausted and sick throughout the day. He added that he could not name the shop where the food was bought to avoid potential legal issues under the Computer Crime Act.

After the images were posted, many social media users commented, with some saying the images were disturbing and made them feel sick themselves.

On 17 January 2026, reporters contacted the Facebook user, identified as Suthep Kaenla, 51, a food delivery rider. He said he had gone to pick up his girlfriend after work and stopped to buy a packet of sticky rice with fermented pork, which he regularly purchases from a roadside stall.

After returning home, he began eating and had nearly finished when he noticed something black inside the rice. At first, he thought it was mould, but after inspecting it more closely, he discovered it was a gecko.

“At first, I felt fine, but once I realised what it was, I started vomiting uncontrollably,” he said. He later developed diarrhoea from about 07:00 until midday, leaving him extremely weak and exhausted.

Unable to cope with the symptoms, he sought medical treatment. Doctors gave him medication for nausea and vomiting, along with oral rehydration salts, and said the symptoms were likely caused by food poisoning. His condition has since improved, though he said the incident still lingers in his mind.

Suthep said the stall is located in the Khlong Nueng area of Khlong Luang district and is one he frequents because it is on his regular route. He initially considered taking legal action but decided against it, saying he felt sympathy for the vendor, who has young children and depends on the business for income.

He said he plans to speak privately with the vendor to raise concerns about hygiene without harming their livelihood. He also called on consumer protection authorities to conduct spot checks on roadside food stalls, particularly on cleanliness and food safety.

He warned consumers to check food carefully before eating, saying unexpected contamination can have serious consequences. He added that the stall is usually very busy, especially in the mornings, and sells large volumes of food.

Burst water pipe collapses Rama II road in Samut Sakhon

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17 January 2026, 09:28

Burst water pipe collapses Rama II road in Samut Sakhon

SAMUT SAKHON — At about 07:00 on 17 January 2026, Samut Sakhon City Police received a report of a vehicle plunging into a large hole on the Rama II Road frontage lane inbound to Bangkok, outside the Chok Thawee Timber shop in Maha Chai subdistrict.

Traffic police led by Pol Capt Pacharaphon Phaosamran were dispatched to the scene, where they found a grey-black Isuzu D-Max pickup truck. The front right wheel had sunk into a hole about 1 metre wide, 1.5 metres long and roughly 1 metre deep, leaving the remaining wheels suspended above the road surface and raising fears the vehicle could tip over.

Police called in a tow truck to remove the pickup from the carriageway and placed traffic cones to warn motorists of the danger. The driver, Samphan Puhuai Phra, 32, from Samut Prakan province, was uninjured.

The road surface was flooded with tap water, and a backhoe was seen parked nearby alongside large water pipes laid along the roadside. Authorities said the pipes belong to the Samut Sakhon City Municipality.

Samphan said he was returning from work and heading home to Bangkok, driving behind a six-wheel lorry. The road surface appeared normal and dry until it suddenly collapsed beneath his vehicle, causing it to drop into the hole.

Deputy mayor Sakchai Nimitpanya, who visited the scene, said he had been alerted at about 05:30 that tap water had stopped flowing across the city. Initial inspections could not immediately identify the cause because the pipes are underground. He ordered urgent inspections and repairs.

He said the area has been under work for five to six months to install a temporary water pipeline while construction of an elevated section of Rama II Road continues. Once the project is completed, the pipeline will be relocated back to its original alignment. Municipal officials will discuss compensation with those affected, he added.

Reporters said the road subsidence caused by the burst pipe occurred about 1 kilometre from the site of a crane collapse earlier, but on the opposite side of the road. The crane incident was on the outbound lanes, while the subsidence was on the inbound side. Both incidents caused severe traffic congestion.

Following the incident, the Samut Sakhon City Municipality issued an emergency notice saying a 1,000-mm water transmission pipe had ruptured on the Rama II Road frontage lane at kilometre marker 29+300 inbound to Bangkok, outside Thawee Construction Materials shop. The damage halted tap water supply across all municipal service areas, and motorists were advised to avoid the area. The municipality apologised for the inconvenience.

Bangkok ranked 3rd best place to visit in 2026 by The New York Times

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16 January 2026, 20:13

Bangkok business district cityscape with skyscraper at twilight, — Bangkok business district cityscape with skyscraper at twilight.

Bangkok has been ranked the world’s third-best destination to visit in 2026 by The New York Times, making it the top-ranked city in Asia and Southeast Asia on the newspaper’s annual “52 Places to Go in 2026” list.

The list placed “Revolutionary America,” highlighting celebrations for the United States’ 250th anniversary, at No.1, followed by Warsaw, Poland, at No.2. Bangkok claimed the third spot, ahead of destinations such as Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Bandhavgarh in India, and Dallas in the United States.

Describing Bangkok as “a frenetic city taking steps toward a greener future,” The New York Times highlighted the Thai capital’s efforts to improve its urban environment. The report noted new green spaces in the city centre, including a 20-acre green corridor connecting Benjakitti and Lumphini parks, as well as a mile-long elevated walkway at Benjakitti Park overlooking lotus ponds and mangrove forests.

The newspaper also pointed to Bangkok’s growing arts scene, citing Dib Bangkok, a new contemporary arts hub showcasing immersive works by Thai and international artists. Beyond the capital, it highlighted Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a historic Buddhist temple complex north of Bangkok that recently completed a 12-year restoration.

Recent transport upgrades were also mentioned, including artificial intelligence–managed traffic systems, air-conditioned electric buses, and improved safety standards for motorcycle taxis, which are expected to benefit visitors navigating the city.

Other destinations in the top 10 include Oran in Algeria, Route 66 in the United States, Saba in the Caribbean, and Poblenou in Barcelona. In Southeast Asia, Penang in Malaysia ranked 15th, Vietnam 34th, and Camiguin in the Philippines 37th.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration spokesman Ekwaranyu Amrapala welcomed the ranking, saying the city was proud that its efforts to improve quality of life and urban development had gained international recognition. He added that being ranked third in the world and first in Asia and ASEAN reflected Bangkok’s growing appeal on the global stage.

One Piece and Disney princesses: Thai police turn crime updates into viral hits

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16 January 2026, 18:57

Thai social media users were amused after Sam Chuk Police Station in Suphan Buri province posted a playful message inspired by the popular anime One Piece but with a serious mission.

In the post, police jokingly said the “Straw Hat Pirates” had paused their search for the legendary One Piece treasure to help crack down on drug-related crime in Sam Chuk district. The message referred to officers from the Sam Chuk investigation unit, who recently conducted patrols around the Tha Kaphi area and arrested several suspects linked to theft cases.

Police said the suspects were charged with drug use and driving under the influence of narcotics, and legal action is now under way.

The post quickly went viral, drawing praise and humorous comments from online users, many of whom joked about characters and locations from the One Piece universe. The post was widely shared, with users applauding the creativity of Thai police.

Sam Chuk Police have previously attracted attention online, including an earlier post showing officers wearing princess-themed costumes while announcing an arrest.

Pol. Col. Kietchai Koetcho, chief of Sam Chuk Police Station, said the post was an idea from the investigation team aimed at making police communication more engaging for the public. He added that the cartoon-style images were created later using AI to protect officers’ identities, while officers wear standard uniforms during actual operations.

Despite the playful approach, police stressed that their main mission remains maintaining public safety and peace in the community.

Chiang Mai arrests Chinese hotel owners, Thai nominee

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16 January 2026, 17:23

Chiang Mai arrests Chinese hotel owners, Thai nominee

CHIANG MAI, 16 January 2026 — Immigration police in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai have arrested two Chinese and a Thai woman accused of acting as a nominee in the illegal operation of a luxury hotel, while a third Chinese suspect remains at large, authorities said.

Chiang Mai Immigration officers executed court warrants to arrest two Chinese investors, identified as Mr. Ma and Mr. Mi, at a four-star hotel on Chang Klan Road in the city centre. A Thai woman, identified as Ms. Jin, was also arrested for allegedly acting as a nominee shareholder and manager. Each suspect faces multiple charges.

Police said a fourth suspect, Ms. Ma, the Chinese wife of one of the investors, fled to China before the arrests and is still being sought.

Pol. Lt. Col. Sutheethep Phonruenimit, an immigration inspector leading the operation, said investigators had been tracking the case since August 2025. Evidence showed the hotel, which has 22 rooms, was effectively controlled by Chinese nationals despite Thai law restricting foreign ownership and operation of certain businesses.

According to investigators, Ms. Jin held a 55.56% stake in the company, while Mr. Ma and Mr. Mi each held 22.22%, with a total investment of 4.5 million baht. Although management positions were changed several times, police said the Chinese investors remained in control.

Financial records showed the hotel earned about 400,000 baht from guest stays and an additional 1.5 million baht from travel agencies, with funds transferred to the bank account of Ms. Ma. Police said the financial trail supported allegations of nominee arrangements.

A complaint was filed with Chiang Mai City police on 14 November 2025. After gathering witness testimony, documents and financial evidence, the Chiang Mai Provincial Court issued arrest warrants on 8 January 2026.

Maj. Gen. Sarawut Khon Yai, commander of Immigration Division 5, said similar violations were widespread, particularly in the tourism sector. He warned Thai nationals against acting as nominees and urged foreign investors to conduct business legally.

“If foreigners want to do business in Thailand under the law, the country welcomes them,” he said. “But nominee arrangements cause money to flow out of the country and violate laws that reserve certain occupations for Thai nationals.”

In a separate case, Chiang Mai immigration officers and provincial employment officials arrested a Japanese man for working without a permit after social media posts showed him selling homemade matcha ice cream outside a temple in Hai Ya subdistrict.

The suspect admitted he was staying in Thailand on a non-immigrant O visa based on marriage to a Thai national and had not applied for a work permit. He was handed over to investigators at Chiang Mai City police station for legal proceedings.

Thailand reviews cancelling ITD contracts after accidents

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16 January 2026, 16:34

Thailand reviews cancelling ITD contracts after accidents

BANGKOK — 16 January 2026, Thailand’s transport ministry is reviewing procedures to terminate construction contracts with Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) on two major projects following a series of accidents, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Thursday.

Speaking after chairing a meeting with relevant agencies at the Ministry of Transport, Phiphat said a fact-finding committee had been tasked with examining whether the government could legally cancel contracts with ITD for two projects under the prime minister’s directive.

The contracts under review include civil works on the Thai–Chinese high-speed rail project, Contract 3-4 covering the Lam Takhong–Sikhio and Kut Chik–Khok Kruat sections, and the elevated highway project on the Ekachai–Ban Phaeo route, part of Motorway M82, Section 7. The committee has been given seven days to reach a conclusion, including consideration of international legal principles and administrative law.

Phiphat said compensation was already being provided to victims of a recent accident in Sikhio district. The State Railway of Thailand has paid initial assistance of 340,000 baht per person, while Dhipaya Insurance Plc will pay 1 million baht per fatality. The compensation will be formally presented by the prime minister next week. Measures to assist victims of a separate accident on Rama II Road are still under consideration.

Addressing concerns about potential legal action, Phiphat said cancelling the contracts would be difficult but necessary, citing public safety as the top priority. He noted that both projects were large-scale works that had seen frequent and closely spaced accidents.

He said the ministry had consulted the Council of State and the Comptroller General’s Department, which advised that the contracts could be terminated under administrative law, even if this led to lawsuits from the private contractor.

Phiphat said the ministry would proceed with cancelling the two contracts even though construction on the Thai–Chinese rail project was about 99% complete. He acknowledged that legal action from the contractor was likely but said the government would accept the risk to ensure the projects could move forward under safer conditions.

He also ordered an immediate halt to all ITD construction projects under the transport ministry’s supervision. Specialists from the Engineering Council of Thailand and the Engineering Institute of Thailand will inspect machinery, equipment and safety standards over the next 7–15 days. Projects found to be unrelated to the accidents and meeting safety requirements may be allowed to resume.

Jirapong Theppithak, deputy permanent secretary for transport and head of the highway infrastructure development cluster, said 14 ITD contracts would be suspended for 15 days to allow for detailed safety inspections. Findings will be reported to the ministry for further legal and administrative action.

He added that large construction projects operated by all companies under the ministry’s oversight would also be temporarily suspended for up to 15 days to undergo similar safety checks.

Oil tanker crash sparks blaze on Korat mountain road

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16 January 2026, 13:44

Oil tanker crash sparks blaze on Korat mountain road

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 16 January 2026, A trailer truck transporting oil slammed into the rear of a paper-laden trailer, sparking a fire on Highway 304 in Wang Nam Khiao district of Nakhon Ratchasima province on Thursday morning, authorities said.

The accident occurred at about 10:30 on the Ratchasima–Kabin Buri road at kilometre marker 243, on the first uphill curve in the Wang Nam Khiao area near Ban Huai Nam Khem, in front of Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Forestry research and training station.

oil truck burn 2 — Officers used water and foam to contain the blaze for more than 30 minutes.

Rescue workers from the Hook 31 foundation in Udom Sap subdistrict said the oil tanker caught fire after rear-ending the paper truck. One person, the oil truck driver, was injured, suffering a head wound. Officials said the tanker was empty at the time, preventing a more serious disaster.

Fire engines from Udom Sap and Phu Luang subdistrict administrative organisations used water and foam to contain the blaze, which took more than 30 minutes to bring under control.

The crash caused traffic heading towards Kabin Buri to back up for several kilometres. Police from Udom Sap station worked to clear the scene and temporarily opened a special lane allowing vehicles to take turns using the opposite carriageway. Normal traffic flow was restored after more than one hour.

Police said the injured tanker driver told investigators he had returned from delivering fuel to a petrol station in Khon Kaen province and was driving an empty truck to collect more fuel from a depot in Rayong province. As he approached the uphill curve, he was unable to brake in time when a fully loaded paper trailer was travelling ahead, causing his vehicle to lose control and crash violently into the rear of the truck.

The paper truck sustained minor damage to its rear section and wheels, police said.

Engineers urge reforms after repeated crane collapses

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16 January 2026, 11:26

Engineers urge reforms after repeated crane collapses

THAILAND — The Structural Engineers Association of Thailand has proposed six measures to halt a recurring cycle of construction crane collapses, citing a series of accidents that point to serious shortcomings in safety standards for public infrastructure projects.

The call follows four launcher crane collapses since work began on the Lat Krabang–On Nut elevated road project in July 2023, construction on Rama II Road in November 2024, a high-speed rail project in Sikhiu, and most recently another collapse on Rama II Road on 14–15 January 2026. These incidents come in addition to a building collapse caused by an earthquake and sinkholes linked to underground rail construction in 2025.

Taken together, the repeated construction failures indicate that Thailand is facing a severe crisis in construction standards for structures in public areas.

Professor Dr. Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Structural Engineers Association of Thailand and a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, said all of the collapses occurred on government construction projects and require systematic solutions that address root causes. He outlined six proposals:

Suspend all government construction projects using launcher cranes in public areas and comprehensively review construction standards.
Establish an independent investigation committee, separate from project-owning agencies. Findings must be made public, and other professional bodies not represented on the committee should be allowed to provide input to prevent professional collusion or concealment of the true causes.
Impose serious criminal and civil penalties on those found responsible, and blacklist offending contractors from future construction projects.
Address subcontracting practices. Main contractors awarded government projects often subcontract work to lower-quality firms, with or without formal contracts, while taking commissions. Subcontractors frequently lack the engineers, personnel, materials, equipment or machinery specified in the main contract, undermining safety standards. The state must issue clear, standardised rules governing subcontracting.
Tackle the use of nominee arrangements for foreign construction capital. Over the past three to four years, foreign firms unable to bid for government projects due to registration requirements have partnered with Thai contractors to submit bids at cut prices. Once awarded, the work is effectively carried out by the foreign firms, while Thai partners receive a percentage. Low bids make it difficult to maintain safety standards.
Introduce registration rules for launcher cranes. Many low-cost, second-hand launcher cranes are imported and used in construction. Some are modified using substandard steel and lack certification by qualified engineers, yet are still deployed due to weak state oversight and registration.

Professor Dr. Amorn said the government must fully understand these six root causes and urgently introduce measures, or amend laws and regulations, to raise construction standards and eliminate the risk of future launcher crane collapses in Thailand.

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