Nikkei Asia: Cambodian soldier death toll in border conflict exceeds 110

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13 January 2026, 16:27

Thailand Cambodia — 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.

BKC, Klangjaturat art gallery launch “Art Power: The Energy Transition”

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Mc Marketing

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13 January 2026, 15:53

Bangkhenchai Company Limited (BKC), a subsidiary of CK Power Public Company Limited (SET: CKP), led by Mr. Supawit Supapa, Managing Director of BKC (5^th from left), together with Mr. Samarn Klangjaturat, master artist teacher and founder of Klangjaturat Art Gallery (4^th 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.

Drunken foreigner disparaging Thais and praising Cambodia

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Khaosod English

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13 January 2026, 15:36

Drunken foreigner disparaging Thais and praising Cambodia

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.

Lost young muntjac rescued in northern Thailand

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Khaosod English

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13 January 2026, 13:41

Lost young muntjac rescued in northern Thailand

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.

3 top foreign Muay Thai fighters honoured with ‘Friends of Thailand’ card

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Khaosod English

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13 January 2026, 13:04

President of TPC poses with the 3 TPC Winners — 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.

tpc 1 crop — 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.

tpc barbara crop — 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.

tpc marie — 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.”

Four husbands, one wife: Thai party floats unusual gender equality policy

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Khaosod English

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13 January 2026, 12:45

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.

605531329 32923540073957830 2567647547247009879 n — 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.

Thailand Says Failed THEOS-2A to Fall Into Indian Ocean

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Khaosod English

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13 January 2026, 11:58

Thailand Says Failed Theos-2A to Fall Into Indian Ocean

BANGKOK — 13 January 2026, Thailand’s space agency said a failed satellite launch is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and fall into the southern Indian Ocean, far from populated areas, posing no risk to people or property.

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, or GISTDA, said in a statement that the THEOS-2A satellite could not be placed into orbit after a malfunction occurred during the final phase of the launch of India’s PSLV-C62 rocket.

theos2 3 — The rocket’s flight path deviate from its planned trajectory.

The satellite was launched on Monday, 12 January 2026, at 11:48 local time aboard a rocket operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation. GISTDA said an attitude control anomaly during the latter part of the rocket’s third stage caused the flight path to deviate from its planned trajectory, preventing THEOS-2A and 15 other satellites from reaching orbit.

According to ISRO’s assessment, the rocket and satellites are expected to burn up during atmospheric re-entry over the southern Indian Ocean, a remote area well away from communities.

GISTDA said the THEOS-2A mission was covered by launch insurance, which includes provisions for rebuilding the satellite and conducting a future relaunch in the event of failure. Discussions on the next steps are under way, and further details will be announced once a conclusion is reached.

The PSLV rocket has been used in 63 launches, with 60 considered successful, giving it a success rate of 95.24%, which GISTDA said is high by industry standards. The rocket was designed to place satellites into orbit at an altitude of about 500 kilometres, matching the design parameters of THEOS-2A.

Despite the setback, GISTDA said the project demonstrated Thailand’s growing capability in satellite development and workforce readiness. The agency and its engineers plan to apply the knowledge gained from THEOS-2A to future satellite projects to strengthen the country’s space technology capacity and support national development.

Bangkok, Fukuoka join forces to boost waste management

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Khaosod English

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13 January 2026, 09:59

Bangkok, Fukuoka join forces to boost waste management

BANGKOK — 13 January 2026, Bangkok’s Metropolitan Administration has partnered with Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture to strengthen staff expertise and raise standards in comprehensive municipal waste management.

The collaboration was highlighted at a training programme that opened on 12 January at the Twin Towers Hotel in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district. The opening ceremony was presided over by Thotsapol Suparee, deputy director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Environment Department.

Kayako Haraka, deputy director of Fukuoka’s Environment Department and head of its Environmental Policy Division, addressed participants online, outlining the long-standing cooperation between the two cities. Senior officials from Bangkok’s waste management and international affairs offices, along with civil servants, trainers from Fukuoka prefecture, Japanese environmental organisations and trainees, attended the event.

Thotsapol said the programme aims to enhance participants’ knowledge and understanding of efficient waste management practices in line with international standards. It also provides a platform to exchange experience with experts from Fukuoka, enabling Bangkok officials to apply the lessons learned to improve waste management across the capital.

The trainees include 100 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials working in cleanliness and waste management roles, ranging from operational to senior professional levels. Each district office nominated two participants. The two-day course, held on 12–13 January, featured expert speakers from Fukuoka prefecture, the Japan Environmental Sanitation Centre and the Fukuoka Environmental Foundation, who shared practical knowledge directly relevant to daily operations.

Waste management is a key issue under Bangkok’s 20-year development plan, which focuses on reducing and controlling waste at source and improving efficiency throughout the entire process, from collection and transport to final disposal, in accordance with academic and environmental principles.

The initiative aligns with the city’s environmental policy, which emphasises creating district-level models for complete and integrated waste separation. Particular focus is placed on separating waste at source and managing organic waste through targeted organisational approaches.

To achieve these goals, Bangkok has prioritised upgrading the skills of frontline waste management personnel and learning from international best practice. This has led to a three-year cooperation programme with Fukuoka prefecture, running from 2024 to 2027, under a sister-city framework.

The partnership reflects Bangkok’s growing urgency to address waste disposal challenges as volumes continue to rise with urban growth. By drawing on Fukuoka’s experience, the city hopes to translate policy into practical improvements on the ground to build a more sustainable system for the long term.

American Paraglider Rescued After Getting Stuck on High-Voltage Power Pole in Koh Larn

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Khaosod English

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12 January 2026, 17:57

news102585_qJh8Wq5tyC1768213413 — Rescue workers help a U.S. paraglider after his parachute became entangled on a high-voltage power pole on Koh Larn island, off Pattaya, Thailand.

PATTAYA — A U.S. man was rescued after his paraglider became entangled on top of a high-voltage electricity pole on a popular tourist island off Thailand’s eastern coast, officials said Monday.

Rescue workers were alerted at about 14.30 on 12 January that a foreign tourist had become stranded atop a power pole near Tawaen Beach on Koh Larn island, off Pattaya in Chonburi province.

Police and emergency responders found the man, identified as Michael Travis Langhart, 55, of the United States, hanging more than 10 meters (33 feet) above the ground after his parachute lines became caught on the pole. Witnesses said he was shouting for help as tourists gathered nearby.

The rescue was complicated by the risk of electrocution, prompting authorities to coordinate with the local electricity utility to cut power across the island before attempting the rescue. The blackout affected the entire island for nearly an hour while rescue workers secured the man and lowered him safely to the ground.

Langhart suffered minor abrasions to both legs and burn injuries consistent with an electric shock, officials said. He was taken to Koh Larn Hospital and later prepared for transfer to a hospital in Pattaya for further treatment.

Authorities said Langhart is a licensed paraglider affiliated with the Royal Aeronautic Sports Association of Thailand. He had launched from a hilltop on the island and was attempting to land near the beach when he lost control and drifted into the power pole.

Officials said the incident is under review, and no other injuries were reported.

Trump Says Weighing Tough Response to Iran Crackdown, Tehran Says Ready for War but Also Dialogue

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Reuters

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12 January 2026, 16:45

Iran Protests — In this frame grab from video taken by an individual not employed by The Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows people blocking an intersection during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Thursday Jan. 8, 2026. (UGC via AP)

DUBAI, Jan 12 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said the U.S. may meet Iranian officials and was in contact with the opposition, as he weighed a range of strong responses including military options to a violent crackdown on Iranian protests which pose one of the biggest challenges to clerical rule since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

“We are ready for war but also for dialogue,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday in a briefing to foreign ambassadors in Tehran via English translation.

Trump has warned Iran‘s leaders that the United States would attack if security forces open fire on protesters.

U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested.

Iran has not given an official toll and Reuters was unable to independently verify the tallies.

Trump said on Sunday that Iran had called to negotiate its nuclear programme, which Israel and the U.S. bombed in a 12-day war in June.

“Iran wants to negotiate, yes. We might meet with them. A meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what is happening before the meeting, but a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

Trump was to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss options for Iran, a U.S. official told Reuters on Sunday. The Wall Street Journal had reported that options included military strikes, using secret cyber weapons, widening sanctions and providing online help to anti-government sources.

“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned Washington against “a miscalculation.”

“Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all U.S. bases and ships will be our legitimate target,” said Qalibaf, a former commander in Iran‘s elite Revolutionary Guards.

DOZENS OF BODY BAGS

The protests began on December 28 in response to soaring prices, before turning against the clerical rulers who have governed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iranians, who are struggling to make ends meet, have grown increasing resentful of the powerful Revolutionary Guards, whose business interests including oil and gas, construction and telecommunications are worth billions of dollars.

State TV on Monday aired live footage of large crowds attending a funeral procession for security forces killed in Shahrud and pro-government demonstrations in cities such as Kerman, Zahedan and Birjand, held “in condemnation of recent terrorist events”. It also relayed calls from various senior officials inviting people to take to the streets on Monday.

Iranian authorities accused the U.S. and Israel of fomenting trouble and called for a nationwide rally on Monday to condemn “terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel,” state media reported.

The situation in Iran is “under total control” after violence linked to protests spiked over the weekend, said Araqchi. He added Trump’s warning against Tehran of action should protests turn bloody had motivated “terrorists” to target protesters and security forces in order to invite foreign intervention.

The flow of information from Iran has been hampered by an internet blackout since Thursday. Trump said on Sunday he would talk to Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran through his Starlink satellite service.

Araqchi said internet service will be resumed in coordination with security authorities.

Footage posted on social media on Saturday from Tehran showed large crowds marching at night, clapping and chanting. The crowd “has no end nor beginning,” a man is heard saying.

State TV showed dozens of body bags on the ground at the Tehran coroner’s office, saying the dead were victims of events caused by “armed terrorists”, as well as footage of loved ones gathered outside the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Centre in Tehran waiting to identify bodies.

Reuters verified the locations.

Authorities on Sunday declared three days of national mourning “in honour of martyrs killed in resistance against the United States and the Zionist regime,” according to state media.

Three Israeli sources, who were present for Israeli security consultations over the weekend, said Israel was on a high-alert footing for the possibility of any U.S. intervention.

Israel and Iran fought a 12-day war in June 2025, which the United States briefly joined by attacking nuclear installations. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel and an American air base in Qatar.

‘RIOTERS AND TERRORISTS’

While Iranian authorities have weathered previous protests, the latest have unfolded with Tehran still recovering from last year’s war and with its regional position weakened by blows to allies such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah since the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel.

Iran‘s unrest comes as Trump flexes U.S. muscles internationally, having ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and discussing acquiring Greenland by purchase or force.

Alan Eyre, a former U.S. diplomat and Iran expert, thought it unlikely the protests would topple the establishment.

“I think it more likely that it puts these protests down eventually, but emerges from the process far weaker,” he told Reuters, noting that Iran‘s elite still appeared cohesive and there was no organised opposition.

Trump, posting on social media on Saturday, said: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

(Additional reporting by Elwely Elwelly in Dubai. Rami Ayyub, Maayan Lubell and Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem, Steve Holland in Washington; Video verification by Mahezabin Syed, Eleanor Whalley and Marine Delrue; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Sergio Non, Lincoln Feast and Michael Perry)

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