The grand countdown in the heart of Siam, “SIAM SQUARE STREET OF DREAMZ 2026 Presented by AIS SIAM,” transformed AIS SIAM and Siam Square into a landmark of happiness and entertainment. Through the collaboration between AIS SIAM and PMCU, the event created a spectacular phenomenon to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the New Year 2026 in grand style. The event was honored by the presence of Professor Wilert Puriwat, D.Phil. President of Chulalongkorn University and Saichon Submakudom, Chief Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Officer of AIS.
Set amid a vibrant and festive atmosphere, the celebration attracted overwhelming interest from the public as well as Thai and international tourists, who flocked to the event and filled Siam Square along its entire stretch. It also garnered attention from online audiences worldwide through live broadcasts on the Facebook page Siam Square and AIS SIAM’s Instagram.
The event was filled with fun activities and special performances from a lineup of popular artists. The stage opened with Sugar ’N Spice, followed by SERIOUS BACON, TALAY, and bamm, who brought their hit songs and high-energy performances, drawing continuous cheers from the audience. Next, Jes Jespipat and Bible Wichapas took the stage, bringing smiles to fans, followed by a special performance from the beloved duo Jung and Cullen. The excitement continued with the highly popular on-screen couple Tle Matiman and Firstone Wannakorn during the final stretch of the countdown night.
At the crucial moment of midnight (00:00), a highlight of the event took place with paper shooters firing handwritten New Year blessing messages from the participating artists, spreading happiness to fans and all attendees. The night concluded with a powerful performance by boy group LYKN, delivering nonstop excitement across the New Year and bringing the countdown celebration to a perfect close.
The fun didn’t end with just one night. SIAM SQUARE STREET OF DREAMZ 2026 opened up space for dreamers to showcase their talents, express their identities, and enjoy Siam-style street culture, along with activities from leading partner brands. Everyone was invited to complete their moments of happiness and continue enjoying the “Street of Dreams” through January 4, 2026.
In addition, AIS joined in being part of these joyful moments by enhancing network capacity at countdown event venues nationwide. With an Autonomous Network system monitoring service quality 24 hours a day, AIS ensured smooth, reliable, and worry-free connectivity for every use—reinforcing its role as a network that connects happiness in every festive season.
Fireworks explode over the Chao Phraya River during New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Drummers pounded in the New Year and a stampede of computer-generated horses was shown over a section of the Great Wall as China and the rest of East Asia marked the start of 2026.
Temple bells rang across Japan, and some climbed mountains to see the year’s first sunrise. Hong Kong held subdued celebrations following a recent fire that killed 161 people at an apartment complex.
Sydney saluted the new year with joy and defiance, as the famous Harbor Bridge crackled with fireworks less than three weeks after Australia’s worst mass shooting in almost 30 years.
South Pacific countries were the first to bid farewell to 2025. New Zealand’s capital, Auckland, held a fireworks display 18 hours before the ball drop in New York’s Times Square.
Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the New Year celebrations in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Defiance in Australia
A heavy police presence monitored the thousands watching the fireworks show in Sydney. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the event, after two gunmen targeted a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, killing 15 and wounding 40.
An hour before midnight, the victims of the massacre were commemorated with a minute of silence, and the crowd was invited to show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns had urged Sydney residents not to stay away from the festivities due to fear, saying extremists would interpret smaller crowds as a victory: “We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime.”
Drummers ring in the new year at the Juyongguan Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing, China, early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Indonesia and Hong Kong hold subdued events
Cities around Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides in parts of Sumatra island a month ago, claiming more than 1,100 lives. Concerts and fireworks on the tourist island of Bali were replaced with a cultural event featuring traditional dances.
Hong Kong rang in 2026 without the usual fireworks spectacle over Victoria Harbor after the massive fire in November. Facades of landmarks instead were turned into countdown clocks that presented a light show at midnight.
In Japan, where fireworks aren’t a traditional part of festivities, temple bells rang across the country. Others ate noodles in a traditional wish for long life because of the noodle’s shape. In South Korea’s capital, Seoul, a bell tolled at the Bosingak Pavilion.
Fireworks explode from the Taipei 101 building during the New Year’s celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)People gather to pray during the New Year celebration at the Zojoji Buddhist temple, minutes after midnight Thursday Jan. 1, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Displaced Gazans hope for end to war
Palestinians in Gaza said they hope the new year brings a definitive end to the war between Israel and Hamas that has battered the enclave for two years, as negotiators push for progress into the ceasefire’s challenging second phase.
“We hope that it will be a good year for our people in Palestine,” said Faraj Rasheed, noting that thousands continue to live in harsh conditions in tent camps.
Others described 2025 as a year of loss. “The war humiliated us,” said Mirvat Abed Al-Aal, displaced from the southern city of Rafah.
From Sydney to Paris to New York City, crowds rang in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks or light shows, while others took a more subdued approach.
As the clock struck midnight in Japan, temple bells rang and some climbed mountains to see the year’s first sunrise, while a light show with somersaulting jet skis twinkled in Dubai. The countdown to 2026 was projected onto the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, while in Moscow people celebrated in the snow.
Around Europe
Pope Leo XIV closed out the year with a plea for the city of Rome to welcome foreigners and the fragile. Fireworks erupted over European landmarks, from the Colosseum in Rome to the London Eye.
In Paris, revelers converged around the glittering Champs-Élysées avenue. Taissiya Girda, a 27-year-old tourist from Kazakhstan, expressed hope for a calmer 2026.
“I would like to see happy people around me, no war anywhere,” she said. “Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, I want everybody to be happy and in peace.”
In Scotland, where New Year’s is known as Hogmanay, First Minister John Swinney urged Scots to follow the message of “Auld Lang Syne” by national poet Robert Burns and show small acts of kindness.
Greece and Cyprus turned down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics in capitals. Officials said the change was intended to make celebrations more welcoming for children and pets.
Cori Johnson, 9, left, and Kori Simms, 6, both of Washington, wear 2026 glasses during a noon balloon drop celebration ahead of New Year’s Eve, at The Yards Park, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Ball drop in New York City
Crowds bundled up against the chilly temperatures cheered and embraced as the New Year’s Eve ball covered in more than 5,000 crystals descended down a pole and confetti fell in Times Square.
Revelers wearing tall celebratory hats and light-up necklaces had waited for hours to see the 12,350-pound (5,602-kilograms) ball drop. The festivities also included Tones and I performing John Lennon’s “Imagine” just before midnight.
The television hosts interviewed visitors who were attending from such places as Florida, Mexico and South Korea, and read people’s wishes for the new year. A sixth grader from Dallas, Texas, told one of the hosts that he wants to get good grades in 2026 and have a better year.
Police in the city had planned additional anti-terrorism measures at the ball drop, with “mobile screening teams.” It was not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
A Thai national flag is planted above the ruins of Ta Kwai, also known as Ta Krabey Temple, in Surin province on Dec. 20, following heavy fighting in the disputed Thai-Cambodian border area that left the ancient site damaged.
BANGKOK — Thailand is closing out 2025 as one of its most turbulent years in recent memory, marked by deadly natural disasters, a collapsing flagship construction project, armed conflict with Cambodia and the fall of yet another prime minister.
These crises were deeply intertwined, exposing critical weaknesses in governance, political instability rooted in an uneven democratic system, and rising nationalist sentiment that shaped both domestic politics and foreign policy.
Tourism Hit by Scammer Fears
The year began with high hopes for a tourism rebound. Authorities initially set a target of 40 million foreign arrivals in 2025, approaching pre-pandemic levels, though they later revised this down to about 37.5 million amid global economic headwinds.
Those expectations collapsed following the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was lured from China through Thailand and trafficked to a scam compound in Myanmar. Though Thai police rescued him safely, the incident triggered widespread alarm and renewed fears about transnational scam operations in the region. In response, Thailand launched a large-scale crackdown operation targeting scam networks and trafficking routes.
Chinese actor Wang Xing, right, talks with Thai police officers in Mae Sot district, in Thai-Myanmar border, Tak province Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (The Royal Thai Police via AP)
The fallout was severe. Combined with economic uncertainty, rising competition from neighboring countries, and later border fighting with Cambodia, Thailand received fewer than 34 million foreign visitors in 2025, generating about 2.6 trillion baht ($82 billion) in revenue—well below projections.
Earthquake Topples Audit Office Tower
On March 28, a powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, killing at least 5,456 people and injuring more than 11,000. The tremor was felt across Thailand, shaking high-rise buildings throughout Bangkok.
Only one structure collapsed: a 33-story office tower for Thailand’s State Audit Office, still under construction in the capital’s Chatuchak district. The collapse killed 95 people, nearly all of them construction workers.
Aerial drone image from the Metropolitan Police showing the 33-story State Audit Office building construction that completely collapsed due to tremors from the Myanmar earthquake. This was the only building in Bangkok that collapsed on March 28, 2025.
The building was part of a $67 million contract led by a joint venture between Italian-Thai Development Plc and China Railway No. 10 (Thailand), a subsidiary of a Chinese state-backed firm. The disaster immediately raised uncomfortable questions about construction standards and oversight—particularly awkward for an agency tasked with investigating corruption elsewhere in government.
Border Clashes with Cambodia
Tensions with Cambodia first flared in May following a brief exchange of gunfire between small military units along the border in northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, killing a Cambodian soldier. Each side accused the other of firing first.
The situation deteriorated after Thai troops triggered what officials described as newly planted landmines, prompting Thailand to partially close border crossings. Then-Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra attempted to defuse the crisis through direct talks with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen in a private phone call on June 15.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, talks to Commander of the 2nd Army Area Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, during a meeting with soldiers at Ubonratchathani province, northeast of Bangkok, June 20, 2025. (KHAOSOD Photo/Pattarayoot Phukpol)
The conversation was leaked days later by Cambodia and quickly became a political weapon. Paetongtarn’s informal language—including calling Hun Sen “uncle” and offering to accommodate his requests—was seized upon by critics, overshadowing her remarks urging younger leaders to avoid war.
Fighting erupted again in late July with a five-day clash that killed Thai civilians, including children. A ceasefire was eventually reached with mediation by Malaysia, then chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned of trade consequences if the fighting continued. The agreement was formalized at a regional meeting in Malaysia in October.
Despite the ceasefire, propaganda battles and sporadic violence continued. Fighting escalated once more in early December, with Thailand reporting 26 soldiers and one civilian killed since December 7, along with 44 civilian deaths during a 19-day period of renewed hostilities.
On December 31, Thailand released 18 Cambodian prisoners of war held for five months, fulfilling the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), Cambodian soldiers are welcomed by villagers upon their arrival at Prum border gate, in Pailin province, Cambodia, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, after being captured and held by Thailand. (AKP via AP)
Seven Storms Bring Nationwide Flooding
Thailand also endured an unusually wet year, battered by seven tropical storms that intensified monsoon systems across the region. Flooding began in the north early in the year, spread to the central Chao Phraya basin by midyear, and devastated the south in late November.
Major reservoirs were forced to release water, inundating downstream areas. Parts of Ayutthaya remained submerged for three to four months.
The worst impact came in southern provinces including Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Chumphon. Hat Yai, a major commercial hub, was hit especially hard with 145 deaths. Overall, southern flooding killed 267 people and caused more than $3 billion in damage to agriculture, tourism and infrastructure during the peak travel season.
Cars and houses are submerged in floodwaters in Songkhla province, southern Thailand, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.
Paetongtarn Ousted, Early Election Looms
Political instability deepened in August when Thailand’s Constitutional Court dismissed Paetongtarn, ruling that she had violated ethical standards over her phone call with a senior Cambodian figure. She had served only one year in office, becoming the sixth prime minister from the Pheu Thai party to be removed before completing a term.
The ruling dealt another blow to the influential Shinawatra family. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was subsequently jailed to serve a one-year sentence in a decades-old case.
Anutin Charnvirakul became prime minister in September after winning a parliamentary vote with support from the main opposition People’s Party. In exchange, he pledged to dissolve parliament within four months and hold a referendum on drafting a new constitution.
His government soon came under fire for its handling of the Hat Yai floods, while corruption cases linked to political allies appeared to stall. As fighting with Cambodia resumed in December, Anutin adopted a hard-line military stance, appealing to nationalist sentiment.
Thailand’s Prime Minister and leader of Bhumjaithai Party Anutin Charnvirakul, front right, arrives for a canddate registration in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
With constitutional reform stalled and political tensions rising, Anutin dissolved parliament on December 12, before the opposition could submit a no-confidence motion. Thailand is now heading toward a general election scheduled for February 8, 2026.
As campaigning begins, Anutin’s party is widely expected to perform strongly after recruiting prominent politicians from rival camps. Pheu Thai has nominated “Shane” Yodchanan Wongwasawat, a scientist and nephew of Thaksin, as its prime ministerial candidate, while the People’s Party is struggling to regain its former momentum.
For many Thais, the year’s end brings little relief—only uncertainty over whether 2026 will bring stability after a year defined by conflict, disaster and political upheaval.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn graciously delivers a New Year address from the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall at Dusit Palace on Dec. 31, 2025.
BANGKOK — At 8:00 p.m. on December 31, 2025, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn graciously delivered a New Year address from the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall at Dusit Palace, bestowing royal blessings for the year 2026 to bring encouragement and morale to the Thai people.
The royal address stated:
“On the occasion of the New Year 2569, I wish to extend happiness and good wishes to you all.
As you are all aware, in October of this year, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother passed away. I have been deeply moved to witness people from all walks of life continuously paying their respects to the royal remains, remembering her great royal benevolence and the royal duties she faithfully performed for the nation throughout her life.
I wish to express my profound gratitude to you all, and I will hold the goodwill you have shown on this occasion as encouragement to carry out all my duties to the fullest of my abilities.
His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen graciously bestow Royal New Year greeting cards for the year 2026 upon the people of Thailand.
Over the past year, there have been several matters of concern, such as volatile and tense international situations in various parts of the world, as well as severe natural disasters. When these occurred, they revealed problems and obstacles in various areas that significantly affected the lives and well-being, as well as the morale and spirits, of us all.
For this reason, strengthening friendly relations with allied nations and fostering love and unity among all of us within our own country are matters of utmost importance. I earnestly hope that you will all unite your strength and determination even more firmly to fulfill your duties in coordination with one another, adhering to righteousness, virtue, and the collective interest of the nation, which will bring maximum benefit to everyone in the nation.
Such cooperation will truly guarantee the stability of our country and the peace and happiness of us all. May the power of the Triple Gem and the sacred things you revere protect and keep you all free from suffering, free from danger, and blessed with happiness and success in all aspirations throughout the coming year and forever.”
His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen also graciously bestowed Royal New Year greeting cards for the year 2026 upon the people of Thailand.
Smoke rises from a Cambodian military weapons depot behind Phnom Sampeau mountain in Banan district, Battambang province, following an airstrike.
M y interlocutor from Cambodia rang me up this morning to assess the Thai-Cambodian situation as we approach the end of the year today. The year 2025 was supposed to be an auspicious year for both neighboring nations to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their modern diplomatic relations. Tragically, we went to war twice—five days in July and 19 days this month, December—with a very fragile ceasefire as the year 2026 is just around the corner.
My long-time interlocutor asked me: which country does Thailand trust?
I thought for a few seconds and realized that there’s probably none.
The majority of Thai people hang on to a collective psyche informed by its traumatic close encounters with colonial powers and its narrow minded nationalist history taught at school. This has created a sense of exceptionalism that ensures a distrust of foreign powers and breeds parochialism.
Our encounters with imperial France and Great Britain over a century ago—which ended in Thailand (known as Siam back then) losing territories under its nominal control, including much of today’s Cambodia, Laos, northern Malaysia, and southeast Myanmar—taught many of us not to trust superpowers.
Today, the US is seen as a nuisance superpower trying to boss its way around, such as in what the Thai government sees as a “rushed” KL ceasefire agreement in October, while China’s rising influence in Thailand is being treated with suspicion.
The EU is too far away and too weak, while Japan—though generally regarded as a friendly nation—was not spared from a barrage of online criticism by Thai nationalist netizens when its embassy in Bangkok suggested that the Thai-Cambodian border passes be opened after the first round of clashes in July.
We cannot continue to cling to this sense of exceptionalism, for it will make us parochial and give us a false sense of importance in today’s world. Thailand today is at best an aspiring middle power that needs to be more internationally-minded in order to survive and prosper in this globalized world.
We have to avoid unnecessary conflicts with other nations, such as the one with Cambodia, or at least try our best to resolve them through peaceful means. Otherwise, we will drag down our own economy and our standing among the international community.
There is also a need for Thailand to reassess its place in the world. We should not continue to behave as if we are a major power that can get away with doing whatever we want—such as the war with Cambodia this year—and think this is inconsequential in the long term.
My favorite dog breed is the Yorkshire Terrier.
This fiercely loyal breed of dog is not aware of how diminutive it is in terms of size when dealing with much larger dogs. The Yorkie seems to possess a mistaken sense of size (and importance), which can be very dangerous when confronting a much bigger dog.
While Thailand is not as small a nation as a Yorkie, it would be best for a mid-sized nation, or an aspiring middle power, to avoid counterproductive unilateralism.
Yosuda Leelapanyalert, known as “Jinnie,” poses for a photographer while campaigning among office workers in the Asok area and at Ruam Sap Market in Bangkok on Dec. 29, 2025.
BANGKOK — A prominent Thai actor and singer has issued a public apology after posting a sexually explicit comment about a young female politician, triggering public outrage and a police complaint just days after Thailand expanded its legal definition of sexual harassment.
Dome Pakorn Lam posted a video apology after his comment appeared under a photograph of Yosuda Keyurapan, known as “Jinnie,” a 26-year-old political newcomer and daughter of Thai Sang Thai Party founder Sudarat Keyuraphan. The comment, which suggested sexual arousal upon seeing her image, was posted beneath a portrait photo shared by one of Dome’s friends on social media.
In his apology, Dome claimed he was intoxicated when he made the comment and didn’t know who the woman was. He said crude jokes about women’s photos were common among his friends, though he later suggested he couldn’t recall making the post because multiple people manage his social media account.
“I was shocked when I learned the truth,” Dome said. “I sincerely apologize. Please do not link me to politics in any way, because I have no interest in it. I will have my team contact Khunying Sudarat to apologize directly.”
A combination photo shows Yosuda Leelapanyalert, known as “Jinnie,” at left in an image posted on social media, and Thai actor Dome Pakorn Lam at right, who later apologized after making a sexually explicit comment on the post, on Dec. 30, 2025.
Jinnie responded by saying she felt deeply hurt and disappointed. “Such behavior reflects a mindset that fails to respect others — especially when it comes from public figures with influence over society,” she said, adding that she spoke out to protect her dignity and that of all women. “Sexually harassing or degrading communication should not be normalized.”
Legal Action and New Law
The controversy erupted just days after Thailand’s Royal Gazette announced amendments to the Criminal Code on December 29, formally redefining sexual harassment as a criminal offense rather than a minor violation. The revised law now includes harassment committed through computers, telecommunications or electronic devices when such conduct causes distress, humiliation, fear or sexual insecurity.
On December 30, Thai Sang Thai Party spokesperson Pariyes Angkurakitti and the party’s legal team filed a police complaint at Phahonyothin Police Station. Although Jinnie was not severely affected, the party said it sought legal action to prevent similar conduct, particularly from celebrities who should be held to higher standards.
Police said on December 31 they were awaiting further testimony to determine jurisdiction before summoning additional witnesses. Ginny told investigators she would be available for questioning after the New Year holiday.
Thailand’s two former female prime ministers, Yingluck Shinawatra and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, have also previously been subjected to sexually harassing language, at a time when such conduct was not yet a legal issue.
Broader Context
Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission condemned the incident, calling sexual harassment a violation of human dignity and “an unacceptable display of immaturity.”
Advocates say the case and legal amendments reflect growing efforts to protect women and gender-diverse people as Thai society gradually shifts from deeply rooted patriarchal norms that have long enabled harassment and violence against those with less social power.
Female politicians in Thailand have frequently faced sexually abusive language. Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was repeatedly targeted with sexual insults by protesters before the 2014 military coup, while her niece, former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, faced similar abuse during protests against the formation of a cross-bloc government.
One of two suspects in a Chinese ransom kidnapping plot sits in custody as police display seized evidence, including a BB handgun, handcuffs, and a stun gun, at a mansion in the Pracha Rat Bamphen area of Huai Khwang district on Dec.30, 2025.
BANGKOK — Police in Bangkok arrested two men Tuesday for allegedly posing as elite undercover officers to kidnap a Chinese national and demand a $63,300 ransom.
Huai Khwang investigators apprehended Watcharapon Pimpila, 24, and Japhing Sae-Liu, 23, during a raid at a mansion in the Pracha Rat Bamphen area. Officers seized a collection of tactical gear used in the alleged scheme, including a realistic BB handgun with gas magazines, a holster, handcuffs, and an electric stun gun.
The arrests followed a report that a group of men identifying themselves as Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers had abducted a 25-year-old Chinese man, identified only as Mr. Chenglong, from his residence in Samut Prakan province on Sunday night.
Two suspects in a Chinese ransom kidnapping plot point toward a room during a police reenactment at a mansion in the Pracha Rat Bamphen area of Huai Khwang district on Dec 30, 2025.
According to police, the suspects claimed to be conducting an anti-scam operation to intimidate the victim. Fearing for his safety after seeing what appeared to be a firearm, Chenglong was taken to a room in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district. The kidnappers then forced him to contact his brother to demand a ransom of $63,300. The victim’s brother reportedly transferred an initial $12,400 before seeking help from a Thai associate, who alerted authorities.
Investigators tracked the victim to the mansion using CCTV footage, which showed Chenglong entering the lobby early Monday morning. Police moved in shortly after, finding Chenglong held in a room with Japhing.
Japhing, a 23-year-old from the highlands of Chiang Mai who speaks fluent Thai, allegedly confessed to his involvement and implicated Watcharapon, who was staying in a nearby room. Watcharapon subsequently admitted to his role in the abduction, police said.
Watcharapon faces multiple charges, including kidnapping for ransom, illegal detention, and impersonating a government official. Japhing has been charged with kidnapping for ransom and illegal detention. Both suspects are being held at Huai Khwang Police Station as the investigation continues to determine if other accomplices were involved.
In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), Cambodian soldiers, center, arrive after being captured and held by the Thai army, at Prum border gate, in Pailin province, Cambodia, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AKP via AP)
CHANTABURI — Thailand repatriated 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday, ending a five-month detention that began during a period of deadly clashes along the neighbors’ contested jungle border.
The transfer took place at 10:00 a.m. at the Ban Pak Kad permanent border crossing in Chanthaburi province. The handover followed a 72-hour ceasefire, a key condition of a bilateral agreement reached last week to de-escalate tensions that have displaced thousands of civilians this year.
The Road to Repatriation
The 18 soldiers had been in Thai custody since July 29, 2025. They were detained in the early morning hours in the Sam Tae area of Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, following a fierce exchange of fire between Thai and Cambodian troops.
The July skirmish occurred in a disputed border zone near the historic Preah Vihear temple site. Thai military officials stated at the time that the Cambodian unit had encroached into Thai territory, leading to a confrontation where the 18 soldiers eventually surrendered their weapons. Their detention became a central point of contention in diplomatic talks for the remainder of the year.
Thai security officials return 18 Cambodian soldiers at Ban Phakkat border crossing, Chanthaburi Province, December 31, 2025. The soldiers had been detained since late July.
International Oversight
The repatriation was conducted under the observation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). Representatives from Thailand’s 2nd Army Area handed the soldiers over to Cambodia’s Commander of Military Region 5 and the Governor of Pailin Province.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the soldiers were treated in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
“Prior to the repatriation, the 18 Cambodian soldiers received medical examinations and were informed of their rights to ensure a voluntary, safe, and dignified return,” the Ministry said.
Cambodians gather at the Thai border to receive 18 soldiers detained since July, Ban Phakkat checkpoint, Chanthaburi, December 31, 2025.
A Fragile Peace
The release fulfills a provision of a Joint Statement signed on December 27 during a Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting. The agreement mandated the return of the detainees only after a three-day cessation of hostilities was successfully maintained.
The Thai Joint Border Situation Press Center emphasized that the move does not compromise national sovereignty. “Thai forces remain on 24-hour alert to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the border area,” the center said.
Thai security officials return 18 Cambodian soldiers at Ban Phakkat border crossing, Chanthaburi Province, December 31, 2025. The soldiers had been detained since late July.
Call for Reciprocity
Thai officials characterized the release as a significant “confidence-building” measure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it expects Cambodia to “reciprocate this goodwill through concrete actions to promote sustained peace.”
The border between Thailand and Cambodia has seen periodic conflict over territorial claims for decades. While Wednesday’s handover marks a diplomatic breakthrough, analysts note that the situation remains sensitive as both nations continue to navigate complex claims over the jungle frontier.
In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), Cambodian soldiers are welcomed by villagers upon their arrival at Prum border gate, in Pailin province, Cambodia, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, after being captured and held by Thailand. (AKP via AP)
Official of the Union Election Commission prepare to close a polling station after the votes are counted, during the first phase of general election, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
BANGKOK (AP) — The political party backed by Myanmar ’s ruling military claimed Tuesday it won a commanding lead in the initial round of the first general election in five years, even though the state election body has not named the winners.
Voting is taking place in three phases due to ongoing armed conflicts, with the first round held Sunday in 102 of Myanmar’s 330 townships. The remaining phases will take place on Jan. 11 and Jan. 25, but 65 townships won’t participate because of the fighting.
A senior official of the Union Solidarity and Development Party told The Associated Press that the party has won 88 seats of the total 102 lower house seats contested in the first phase. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information.
Myanmar has a two-house national legislature, totaling 664 seats. The party with a combined parliamentary majority can select the new president, who can name a Cabinet and form a new government. The military automatically receives 25% of seats in each house under the constitution.
Voters line up to cast their ballots at a polling station, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
Final results are expected to be announced by late January. It wasn’t clear if the election commission would release aggregate figures of the first round, although counts were publicly announced at local polling stations.
The USDP’s official said it also won 85% of contested seats in regional legislatures, though complete results will only be known after the second or third phases.
He said the party captured all constituencies in all eight townships in the capital, Naypyitaw, where candidates including former generals were running. Many residents are in the military or work for the government.
While more than 4,800 candidates from 57 parties are competing for seats in national and regional legislatures, only six parties are competing nationwide with the possibility to gain political clout in parliament. The USDP is by far the strongest contender.
The military government said there were more than 24 million eligible voters in the election, about 35% fewer than in the previous election in 2020. The drop is largely attributed to armed conflicts that have displaced many voters, and restrictions on elections in conflict areas.
Voter turnout for the first round has not been officially announced.
An official of the Union Election Commission counts ballots at a polling station during the first phase of general election Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
Opposition groups have called for a boycott by voters.
Human rights and opposition groups say the election is neither free nor fair and that power is likely to remain in the hands of military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who led the army takeover in February 2021 that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and blocked her National League for Democracy party from serving a second term.
The NLD was dissolved in 2023, along with 39 other parties, after refusing to officially register under the new military rules.
The 2021 takeover triggered widespread popular opposition that has grown into a civil war.
The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday that armed groups opposing the army carried out attacks against polling stations and government buildings, as well as other areas in 11 of 102 townships included in the first phase of the election, on Saturday and Sunday, injuring five people.
HAT YAI — Only about half of hotels in Hat Yai have reopened after severe flooding, while others remain closed for cleanup, repairs or permanent shutdown, the local hotel association said.
Sittipong Sithiphatprapha, president of the Hat Yai–Songkhla Hotel Association, said many operators are still assessing whether they can afford to reopen. One long-established hotel that had operated for decades has decided to close permanently, citing high renovation costs and concerns that flooding could return in 2026.
He said the risk of repeat flooding has become the top concern for hotel operators, who are urging the government to focus on flood prevention rather than post-disaster compensation.
Sittipong Sithiphatprapha, president of the Hat Yai–Songkhla Hotel Association
Large parts of Hat Yai remain heavily damaged, with debris still clogging buildings, homes, businesses and public roads, Sittipong said. He called on authorities to deploy more personnel and heavy machinery, saying local communities and provincial agencies lack the capacity to manage the cleanup alone. Without additional support, full recovery may not be possible until at least mid-2026, he said.
Business owners are also facing financial strain. The association has asked the government to grant debt repayment holidays, describing the flooding as a crisis worse than the COVID-19 pandemic. Sittipong said compensation measures announced so far fall far short of covering losses.
Debris left by flooding remains scattered along streets in Hat Yai on Dec. 29, 2025.
“The damage from the floods is far worse than Covid,” he said. “During Covid, there were no customers, but the buildings were still there. Now everything has been washed away, leaving only mud and debris.”
Many hotels suffered broken glass, prolonged water damage and structural problems that require extensive renovation before reopening. Sittipong urged the government to provide access to affordable financing, including low-interest loans and new capital, to help businesses restart.
He said hotel and business operators now fall into three groups: those with enough capital to reopen quickly, those that have shut down permanently — mostly small and medium-sized enterprises — and those that want to continue but lack funds.
Tourists from Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia visit Hat Yai in Songkhla province to celebrate the end of 2024, in a photo released by the Gim Yong page.
The flooding struck just before the year-end holiday season, when many businesses had already stocked up in anticipation of increased activity linked to upcoming regional sporting events and a Thai Chamber of Commerce meeting. Many lost their inventory when floodwaters rose too quickly to move goods, he said.
Despite the challenges, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Hat Yai office reported early signs of recovery, with tourists beginning to return during the New Year period. The agency estimates more than 77,000 visitors will travel to Songkhla province between Dec. 31, 2025, and Jan. 4, 2026, generating more than 600 million baht in revenue.
