Asia News Wrap: Thailand to hold elections on February 8, and more

Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week

Thailand's parliament dissolved, polls on February 8

Thailand is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on February 8, the election commission announced on Monday, following Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's dissolution of parliament last week. The dissolution followed Anutin's falling out with the opposition People's Party, the largest group in parliament. 

Thai voters will elect 500 lawmakers: 400 from constituency seats and 100 from party-list proportional representation. Each party can submit up to three candidates for prime minister. The election commission said official results will be released by April 9. Afterward, the new parliament must convene within 15 days to elect a speaker and then vote on a prime minister.

Delhi chokes on toxic smog

The air quality in India's capital, New Delhi, remained hazardous for several days this week as smog smothered the city. On Thursday morning, the city's overall air quality index, which measures PM2.5, was recorded at 376, more than 25 times the World Health Organization's recommended limit. 

The Delhi Labour Department announced work-from-home norms for government offices and compensation for construction workers affected by the prolonged shutdown of construction activity under the Graded Response Action Plan. Per the department's decision, only 50 percent of staff will be allowed to report to offices and business establishments across the national capital, while the remaining staff will work from home. Offices have also been asked to introduce flexible working hours. Hospitals, fire services and other essential services are exempt from the restrictions.

Cambodia shuts border crossings with Thailand

Cambodia closed its border crossings with Thailand on Saturday (December 13) as fighting persisted between the two sides. The crossings will remain closed until further notice, according to Cambodia's Interior Ministry. 

The violence between the Southeast Asian neighbors, stemming from a long-standing dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800km border, has displaced around half a million people on both sides. On the same day, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated that no ceasefire had been reached with Cambodia and pledged to continue military operations along the disputed border.

Singapore orders 660 electric buses as it phases out diesel fleet

Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded six contracts for 660 new electric buses, comprising 360 single-deck and 300 double-deck vehicles. These will be gradually deployed starting in 2026 to replace diesel buses reaching the end of their statutory lifespan. 

In a statement released on Monday, the LTA said this marks its first large-scale purchase of electric double-deck buses. The authority also issued a tender in November to install electric vehicle charging systems to support the electrification of the country's public bus fleet. Singapore aims to have a fully clean-energy public bus fleet by 2040. By 2030, electric buses are expected to comprise half the fleet, with additional tenders for electric buses to be launched in the coming years, the statement said.

Social media companies will be subject to Malaysian laws from 2026

Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram will fall under Malaysia's laws starting January 1, 2026, as part of a government effort to protect children from online harm and enhance platform accountability. 

All internet messaging and social media service providers with eight million or more users in Malaysia are subject to the country's licensing rules. They will be considered registered as licensees under the Communications and Multimedia Act, according to a statement from the country's communications regulator published on Tuesday. Services that meet these criteria include Meta Platforms' Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, as well as Alphabet's YouTube.

(Cover: Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attending an event at the government building in Bangkok, Thailand, December 12, 2025. /CFP)