About 10% of tourists cancel their trips or change exotic destinations to Egypt. Flights to Vietnam, China, and the Adriatic are gaining popularity.
Near the Strait of Hormuz, three vessels were hit by unknown projectiles. Israel and Iran exchanged massive strikes, affecting residential areas of Tehran.
In Thailand, 72 tigers died from canine distemper virus and bacterial infection. This happened at the "Tiger Kingdom" zoo, which is criticized for its animal welfare conditions.
Chinese drone exports to Russia are being carried out via Thailand. The volume of drone supplies from Thailand to Russia has sharply increased since 2022.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that Thai soldiers surrounded villages with barbed wire, preventing 80,000 Cambodians from returning home.
The ruling Bhumjaithai party, led by Anutin Charnvirakul, secured approximately 191-194 seats in Thailand's House of Representatives. The Prime Minister promises policy continuity and avoidance of radical legislative changes.
HP, Dell, Acer, and Asus are considering purchasing memory chips from Chinese manufacturers like CXMT due to the global supply crisis. This could help address rising prices and the threat to new product launches.
Asia is experiencing outbreaks of the highly lethal Nipah virus. Experts note that the virus is transmitted from bats to animals, and then to humans through contact.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that the ceasefire agreement with Cambodia is fragile. The countries extended the truce for three months and are taking measures to reduce tensions.
Despite the war and rising prices, demand for winter holidays abroad remains stable. Ukrainians most often choose Egypt, UAE, and exotic countries, spending an average of 50-70 thousand hryvnias for two.
Kyiv customs officers handed over 62 items seized during customs control to the National Scientific and Natural History Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Among them are a mammoth tooth, ancient eurypterids, Jurassic mollusks, and a stuffed rare bird.
A number of Asian countries, including Thailand, Nepal, and Taiwan, are implementing medical screening for air passengers due to the Nipah virus outbreak in India. The virus is transmitted from bats and pigs, as well as between humans, causing severe complications.
Mitsubishi is preparing to bring back the Pajero crossover to the market, with production to be concentrated in Thailand. The new model will use the Triton pickup platform.
Donald Trump has invited a number of countries to his "Peace Council for Gaza" to implement a 20-point plan. The signing ceremony is scheduled for this Thursday in Davos.
Thailand's ruling Bhumjaithai party promises to resolve the territorial dispute with Cambodia before the 2026 elections. The government will focus on restoring security and economic ties.
Near Bangkok, a crane collapsed onto a road, crushing two cars and killing two people. This happened the day after a major accident where a train derailed due to a crane falling, killing 32 passengers.
The United States has begun withdrawing some military personnel from bases in Qatar. This is due to Iran's threats to strike American bases in the region.
The US State Department is suspending visa processing for 75 countries, including Russia and Iran, starting January 21. This is due to a review of applicant screening procedures that could lead to a public charge.
In Thailand, 22 people died and 80 were injured when a construction crane fell onto a train traveling from Bangkok. Among the injured is a one-year-old child.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the government is considering response measures to the mortar shelling of the country's territory by Cambodian troops. The incident occurred after the signing of a ceasefire agreement and the repatriation of prisoners, as a result of which one Thai serviceman was wounded.
The first to welcome 2026 were Oceania and Asia, where celebrations are accompanied by pyrotechnic shows and traditional rituals. New Zealand greeted the year with a five-minute fireworks display over Sky Tower, while Sydney honored the victims of the terrorist attack with a minute of silence and projections on the Harbour Bridge.
New Year is already being celebrated in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. An hour before that, Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan welcomed the holiday.
Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on December 31 after 155 days in captivity, signaling a warming of relations. The repatriation was facilitated by ASEAN and the ICRC.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to rebuild trust and strengthen a ceasefire following border clashes. The talks took place in China, where foreign ministers discussed the border situation.
US President Donald Trump accused the UN of inaction on global conflicts, including the Russian-Ukrainian war. He emphasized that the US plays a key role in resolving conflicts, while the UN has failed to deal with the war between Russia and Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees on synchronizing sanctions with Great Britain against 8 individuals and 40 legal entities involved in the deportation of children and the supply of components for Russian weapons. Ukraine also imposed sanctions against 8 military leaders of South Sudan in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed on a ceasefire regime, which is to take effect on December 27. After three days of negotiations, the secretariats of the General Border Committees agreed on the parameters of the initial silence regime.
Thai Defense Minister Nakphanit flies to Cambodia for truce talks. The conflict has lasted three weeks, causing 98 deaths and half a million refugees.
Cambodia reports shelling by Thailand from December 25-26, hitting villages and temples. Cambodian Prime Minister appeals to the US to facilitate a ceasefire.
The militaries of Thailand and Cambodia have begun three-day talks to end a 16-day armed standoff that has killed at least 86 people. The goal of the meeting is to restore the truce previously brokered by Malaysia and the United States.
