Thailand, traditionally the largest exporter of fresh durian to China, sees its position falter; Thai exports decreased by 59,5%, while Vietnamese exports increased by 48,1%

On 23 January, the first day of legal same-sex marriages following the introduction of the Marriage Equality Bill, mass weddings were held across the country, in a celebration of a historic date for Southeast Asia

Thailand may soon restart negotiations with Cambodia on overlapping claims in the Gulf of Thailand; the talks would aim to resolve disputes over resource-rich maritime areas, with both nations seeking mutual economic and diplomatic benefits

In Bangkok, public transport will be free for a week to try to counteract the heavy smog enveloping the city these days; pollution has also led the local government to close 352 of the 437 schools in the metropolitan city

Phuket faces a growing garbage crisis, with over 1.000 tonnes of daily waste overwhelming its landfill; authorities plan to cut waste by 15%, expand the landfill, and build an incinerator, stressing the need for better waste separation