University admissions policies that convert IELTS scores into English exam marks or bonus points have triggered a surge in demand for the English proficiency test, turning it into a potential deciding factor for tens of thousands of applicants.

Thai Queen Suthida personally piloted a royal aircraft to Japan on Oct. 14 for a nine-day visit to attend the 2027 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship.

A 1,900 baht (US$57) Casio engraved with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's name has become a badge of closeness to power among his ministers, senior officials and political allies.

Thousands of residents in Ho Chi Minh City lined the streets from early morning on Oct. 14, holding white flowers to pay their respects as a procession carrying the remains of fallen soldiers made its way to Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs' Cemetery for reburial.

Japanese police have arrested five Malaysians at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on suspicion of smuggling about 5 kg of cocaine under their shoe insoles, with a street value police put at 120 million yen (US$758,000).