Thailand

Thai badminton star Kunlavut Vitidsarn has reached a final where he is set to meet Malaysia's Loh Kean Yew. The matchup is drawing attention from badminton fans in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, alongside broader regional interest in the sport amid the ongoing Asian Games badminton tournament, where players including Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu have been competing.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin has survived a court ruling concerning election ballots, avoiding an outcome that could have jeopardised his premiership. The decision clears an immediate legal threat tied to the handling of election ballots. The full details of the ruling and its implications for his government remain limited in available reporting.

A Thai court has dismissed a petition challenging the legality of the general election scheduled for 2026, removing a potential legal obstacle to the vote going ahead. The ruling means the election timetable stands as planned, though the specific grounds for the dismissal and details of who filed the petition were not immediately available.

The Guardian's photo roundup for Monday pairs two leading stories: renewed hope for Labour in the UK and severe flooding in Bangkok, Thailand. The picture gallery captures scenes from both, alongside other notable images from around the world on Monday. It offers a quick visual summary of the day's global news agenda.

Mercedes-Benz plans to assemble its electric GLC in Thailand, adding a locally produced battery-electric SUV to its Thai manufacturing operations. The move points to growing investment in electric vehicle production in Southeast Asia, a region where automakers are competing for market share as demand for EVs expands.

Travellers are being warned to check the latest advice before visiting Bangkok after flash flooding hit parts of Thailand. Coverage focuses on which areas are affected, whether airports and main tourist districts remain accessible, and what precautions visitors should take. Tour operators and holidaymakers with trips booked are monitoring updates as authorities respond to the disruption.

Filipino tennis star Alex Eala is facing Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej in the Round of 16 at the 2026 Asian Games. Fans are following the match live and discussing Eala's progress in the tournament, where a win would move her into the quarter-finals and keep her medal hopes alive for the Philippines.

JPMorgan has issued a forecast that goes against market consensus, predicting the Bank of Thailand will raise interest rates three times in 2027. The call, reported by Bloomberg, stands out because most analysts expect Thai monetary policy to remain on hold or ease, making the bank's view a notable outlier among observers of Southeast Asian economies.