Scientists have identified a new species of giant, long-necked dinosaur named 'Nagatitan' from fossils discovered in northeastern Thailand. The species, officially called 'Nagatitan chayaphumensis', lived between 100 and 120 million years ago, predating the Tyrannosaurus rex by about 40 million years. Measuring 27 meters in length and weighing around 27 tons, it is the largest dinosaur ever found in Southeast Asia and belongs to the herbivorous sauropod family.

The fossils were unearthed a decade ago near a pond in Thailand’s Chaiyaphum province by a team of researchers from the United Kingdom and Thailand. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, was led by Thai PhD researcher Thitiot Sethapanisakul of University College London. Researchers believe Nagatitan may represent Thailand’s “last titan,” as the fossils were found in the youngest rock layers containing dinosaur remains.

The discovery is expected to shed light on how ancient climate changes influenced the evolution of large dinosaurs. Scientists noted that Nagatitan lived during a period of global warming and rising carbon dioxide levels, when giant sauropods adapted to high temperatures and changing vegetation.

Former Thai Prime Minister and influential businessman Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole on Monday morning from Bangkok’s Klong Prem Prison, where hundreds of supporters greeted him with chants of affection. The 76-year-old leader had returned to Thailand in 2023 after nearly fifteen years in exile and was convicted of abuse of power and conflict of interest charges. Following a period of hospitalization due to illness, he served several months in prison under court order.

Thaksin appeared energetic upon release, dressed in white and welcomed by his daughter and political heir, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. His release came months after Paetongtarn lost the premiership following a court ruling. Thaksin joked that his long absence from public life felt like a long sleep, expressing relief at his freedom.

Analysts believe his release could reinvigorate the Pheu Thai Party, which underperformed in the last election. However, observers caution that Thaksin must act carefully if he chooses to influence politics from behind the scenes. He will remain under electronic monitoring until September.

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on parole after serving eight months of a one-year sentence for corruption-related charges. He walked out of a Bangkok prison at around 7:40 a.m. local time, greeted by hundreds of supporters, family members, and political allies. Among those present was his daughter, Yingluck Shinawatra, who also previously served as Thailand’s prime minister. The Thai national anthem was played as Thaksin exited, and he paid respect to the national flag.

Thaksin, once a dominant figure who reshaped Thai politics, has seen his influence decline following his imprisonment and the poor electoral performance of his Pheu Thai Party. His parole period will continue until September 9, during which he is required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.

The release marks a significant moment in Thailand’s political landscape, as Thaksin’s return to public life could influence the country’s political dynamics in the coming months.

Thailand’s cabinet has approved an emergency loan package worth 12.2 billion US dollars to address the economic fallout from the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The decision, announced on May 5, 2026, marks one of the country’s largest borrowing plans in decades, aimed at stabilizing the economy amid external shocks.

According to Thai lawmakers, the funds will be used to boost domestic spending and ease financial hardship among citizens. The Ministry of Finance recently revised its GDP growth forecast downward from 2.4 percent to 1.6 percent, reflecting the strain on the economy. The government stated that the emergency loan will be utilized between June and September under the “Thais Help Thais” program, which will provide direct support to over 20 million low-income residents.

Officials expect the initiative to help reduce living costs and sustain household consumption during the period of global economic uncertainty triggered by the Middle East crisis.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Iran’s ambassador following an attack on a Thai-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Thai News Agency, the meeting was called to discuss details of the incident involving the vessel Mayuri Naree, which came under attack on Wednesday. The ship’s operator reported that three crew members were believed to be trapped in the engine room.

Reports from India Today and AFP indicated that the vessel, en route from Thailand to Gujarat, India, was struck by an unidentified projectile resembling a missile, causing a fire onboard. The Omani Navy conducted a rapid rescue operation, evacuating 20 crew members, while three remained on the ship.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, with recent reports of multiple attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait. The Thai government’s move to summon the Iranian envoy signals concern over maritime security and the safety of its nationals.

At least 72 tigers have died from a viral infection at a zoo in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, according to a statement issued Friday by the provincial livestock department. Tests confirmed that the animals were infected with the highly contagious canine distemper virus and also suffered from bacterial respiratory infections. The zoo, known as Tigers Kingdom, has been temporarily closed following the mass deaths.

Somchuan Rattanamungklanon, director of Thailand’s national livestock department, told local media that detecting illness in tigers is more difficult than in domestic animals such as dogs or cats, and by the time symptoms become apparent, it is often too late. The zoo, a popular tourist attraction, allowed visitors to hug and take photos with tigers.

Animal rights group PETA said in a statement to AFP that the tigers lived and died in distressing, confined, and fearful conditions. The organization added that if tourists stayed away, such facilities would quickly become unprofitable and tragedies like this would not occur.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Friday that his Bhumjaithai Party will form a coalition government with the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai Party, which finished third in the February 8 general election. According to the Election Commission, Bhumjaithai won 193 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives, followed by the reformist People’s Party with 118 seats and Pheu Thai with 74 seats.

The alliance would give Anutin’s party a parliamentary majority, paving the way for a stable coalition after a period of political turbulence. Anutin said after discussions with Pheu Thai leaders that they would work together to govern the country effectively. Pheu Thai, once Thailand’s most successful party, suffered its worst electoral performance this time, raising concerns about its future.

Bhumjaithai previously belonged to a Pheu Thai-led coalition formed after the 2023 election but withdrew in June following a leaked phone call between then-Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Paetongtarn was later dismissed by court order, and Anutin replaced her before dissolving parliament in December, triggering the snap election.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party has secured a decisive victory in the country’s recent general election, winning around 190 seats and moving toward forming a coalition government. The result defied most pre-election surveys that had predicted a lead for the reformist People’s Party. The outcome delivered a major setback to young reformists who had hoped to build on earlier momentum.

The mixed electoral system played a key role in shaping the result. Thai voters cast two ballots—one for local candidates and another for party lists. Although the People’s Party received about 10 million votes nationwide, surpassing Bhumjaithai’s 6 million in the party-list count, only 20 percent of the 500 parliamentary seats are allocated from party lists. The remaining 80 percent are decided through direct local contests, where Bhumjaithai’s long-standing local networks and influential figures proved decisive.

Anutin’s strategy of recruiting experienced politicians and consolidating conservative voters through nationalist and pro-monarchy positions strengthened his party’s dominance, marking an unexpected turn in Thailand’s political landscape.

Thailand’s interim Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party has won the country’s general election, according to preliminary vote counts released on February 9, 2026. Early results show the party leading with a significant margin, securing an estimated 194 of the 500 parliamentary seats. The People’s Party is projected to come second with 116 seats. Following the announcement, Anutin said the victory belongs to the people of Thailand.

The election was called in December after Anutin’s coalition government collapsed just three months into his interim tenure. Despite no party expected to achieve an outright majority, Anutin’s position in power now appears almost certain. The leader of the People’s Party, Nathaphong Ruengpaniyaut, stated that his party is prepared to serve in opposition if Anutin forms the next government.

Thailand’s election outcomes are often unpredictable, and this year’s results have again defied expectations, reinforcing Anutin’s political standing amid a fragmented parliamentary landscape.

A Panama-flagged cargo vessel named MV Siloed ARC sank off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, on Saturday afternoon while en route from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Chattogram port in Bangladesh. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. local time, approximately four nautical miles from the Phuket coast. All 16 Bangladeshi sailors aboard were rescued safely by a team from the Thai Navy.

According to Borhan Uddin, operational manager of Alvi Lines Bangladesh, the ship tilted 30 degrees before sinking in deep waters. The vessel’s captain declared it abandoned before the rescue operation. The rescued sailors were taken to a hotel in Phuket, where they are reported to be in good health.

Borhan Uddin added that the sailors are expected to return to Bangladesh within a few days following their rescue.

Thailand began voting in its general election on Sunday, with polls opening at 8 a.m. local time and set to close at 5 p.m. The election features three main political blocs: reformist, military-backed conservative, and populist forces. Alongside the parliamentary vote, a national referendum on constitutional change is also being held. According to the Election Commission, more than 2.2 million people had already cast ballots during early voting that began on February 1.

The election takes place against a backdrop of sluggish economic growth and heightened nationalism. Although over 50 parties are contesting, only three — the reformist People’s Party, Bhumjaithai, and Pheu Thai — are seen as having the nationwide support to form a government. Thailand has 53 million registered voters for this election.

Surveys suggest no single party will win an outright majority in the 500-seat parliament, but the People’s Party, led by Nathaphong Ruangpanyawut, is projected to secure the most seats.

Thailand held national elections on Sunday to form a new government after changing prime ministers three times in two years. The vote pits the reformist People’s Party, which won the most votes in the previous election, against the ruling conservative bloc. Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, currently imprisoned, continues to exert significant influence over Thai politics. Alongside the election, a referendum is being held on whether constitutional reform is needed, though no specific proposal has been presented.

According to reports from Bangkok, the incoming government will face challenges including a long-standing border dispute with Cambodia that turned deadly twice last year and the growing threat of transnational cyber fraud networks. Economically, Thailand is under pressure from weak growth and a tourism sector still below pre-pandemic levels, while Vietnam is overtaking it in attracting foreign investment.

Analysts predict no party will win an outright majority, raising the possibility of another fragmented outcome similar to the disputed election less than three years ago. They warn that entrenched military and judicial influence continues to weaken elected representatives and hinder democratic consolidation.

Voters in Thailand will head to the polls on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in a snap election marked by political volatility and a fragile truce with Cambodia after deadly border clashes. The contest features Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party, aligned with the royalist conservative establishment, against the progressive, youth-led People’s Party. Pheu Thai, long a dominant force in Thai politics, is also seeking a comeback after its founder Thaksin Shinawatra’s imprisonment and the removal of two of its prime ministers by the courts.

The election will fill 500 seats in the House of Representatives through a mixed system, with 400 constituency and 100 party-list seats. For the first time in recent cycles, the appointed Senate will not participate in selecting the prime minister, who will require 251 votes in the House. Voters will also decide in a referendum whether to rewrite the 2017 constitution drafted under military rule. Polls show the People’s Party leading, followed by Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai trailing.

Analysts say no party is expected to win an outright majority, making coalition-building inevitable but potentially unstable. The vote is widely viewed as a test of whether Thailand can end decades of coups, protests, and judicial interventions.

Reformist candidate Nathaphong Ruengpaniyaut of the People’s Party is leading public opinion polls ahead of Thailand’s general election scheduled for February 8. A Suan Dusit University survey released on Friday showed Nathaphong receiving support from 35.1 percent of respondents, ahead of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the conservative Bhumjaithai Party with 16.1 percent, and Pheu Thai Party candidate Yosanan Wongsawat with 21.5 percent. The poll was conducted between January 16 and 28 among 26,621 participants.

The People’s Party is the successor to the Move Forward Party, which won the 2023 election but was blocked from forming a government by conservative lawmakers. Prime Minister Anutin, who succeeded former leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, called an early election on December 12, less than 100 days after taking office, amid a tense border conflict with Cambodia.

A separate poll by the National Institute of Development Administration also placed Nathaphong ahead, with 29 percent support compared to 22.2 percent for Anutin, indicating growing momentum for the reformist bloc before the vote.

The Trump administration has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Thailand, citing high rates of welfare claims by migrants. The decision has upended the plans of many Thais, such as 27-year-old Khaochat Mankong, who had been preparing to move to California with her American husband. The freeze affects EB-class employment visas and K-class spousal and dependent visas, leaving families and workers uncertain about their futures.

Thailand’s government has voiced disappointment at being grouped with poorer, conflict-affected nations like Afghanistan and Haiti. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met with US Charge D’Affairs Elizabeth J Konick to seek clarification, questioning the logic of the inclusion given Thailand’s long-standing alliance and economic contributions to the United States. The move comes amid already strained relations between Washington and Bangkok, worsened by US tariffs and stalled trade talks.

While some Thais support the policy as a measure to curb welfare misuse, others view it as unfair and damaging to bilateral ties. Analysts suggest the suspension reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to sharply restrict legal immigration.