A soldier walks past military vehicles at a US army base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on March 10, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)YEONCHEON, South Korea - North Korea fired more than 10 ballistic missiles into the sea on Saturday, South Korea said, as ​US and ⁠South Korean forces conducted military drills and US President Donald Trump renewed overtures towards Pyongyang for dialogue. Seoul and Washington this week launched their annual major drills in South Korea, which they say are purely defensive, ​aimed ⁠at testing readiness against military threats from North Korea. North Korea frequently displays its anger at such ⁠exercises, saying they are “dress rehearsals” for armed aggression against it by the allies. Trump is eager for any opportunity to sit down with North Korean leader ‌Kim Jong Un, the South Korean premier ⁠told reporters.

Efforts continue to rescue three others from stricken cargo ship Mayuree NareeSmoke rises from the MV Mayuree Naree after it was struck by two Iranian missiles on March 11 in the Strait of Hormuz. Twenty Thai sailors who were rescued from the missile-struck cargo ship MV Mayuree Naree are scheduled to arrive back in Thailand from the Middle East on Monday, the Ministry of Labour said on Saturday. Precious Shipping said three crew members are still trapped onboard the MV Mayuree Naree. The company has told the labour ministry that the sailors would receive full salary and special compensation for working in the Middle East in accordance with international labour law. “The company guarantees the employment of these sailors immediately when they are ready to get back to work,” Mr Santi added.

People's Party sorry for database breachPeople's Party leader Natthaphong RuengpanyawutPeople's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut yesterday apologised to members after a breach exposed personal data from the party's membership database, saying the security hole has been sealed and there is no evidence the leaked information has been misused. Mr Natthaphong said the party detected suspicious attempts on Tuesday by an external actor to access member records unlawfully. The party subsequently warned members, in line with its obligations under the Personal Data Protection Act, after assessing potential risks to data subjects' rights and freedoms. "We take the protection of members' personal data extremely seriously. Separately, activist Srisuwan Janya petitioned the Election Commission to investigate and consider seeking the party's dissolution, alleging negligence in safeguarding personal data.

Trump likely to ‘revise the concept of victory’ before it’s too lateTehran has been hit by multiple strikes since the war began. He also said there was “anger” among Gulf states that had put “so much investment in” diplomacy with Iran. And domestically, Trump — who ordered the surprise strikes without seeking public support for a war — is facing upcoming congressional elections. Not that Iran — facing its own political, military and economic upheaval from the war — is without its own long-term difficulties. But while Trump might want to walk away boasting of killing Khamenei and degrading the Iranian military, “Iran might not give him that off-ramp,” said Nate Swanson, of the Atlantic Council.

In a brief opening speech to members of parliament, His Majesty urged them to uphold righteousness and the public interest as paramount objectives in the performance of their legislative duties. The resumption of parliament comes even as challenges mount over the Election Commission’s handling of the Feb 8 polls. Deputy Prime Minister Sophon ⁠Zaram, a veteran Bhumjaithai politician, confirmed that the party ​poised to lead the new coalition government had nominated him for the speaker’s post. Once chosen, the new speaker will schedule a parliamentary session to vote in the prime minister, almost certain to be Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul. Bhumjaithai deputy leader Siripong Angkasakulkiat ‌said the vote for ⁠prime minister would likely take ​place on Thursday.

(Photo: AFP)TEHRAN - Iran threatened on Saturday to reduce US-linked oil facilities to “a pile of ashes” as the two-week-old Middle East war spilled over into a global oil price crisis. Despite facing superior US and Israeli firepower, Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks against at least 10 countries. US and Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,200 people in Iran, according to health ministry figures that could not be independently verified. Blasts hit TehranHeavy blasts shook Tehran late Friday after the United States vowed to step up air strikes. After 14 days of war, the United States is reportedly sending reinforcements that could open up options beyond the airborne campaign.

“This is an existential battle… we will not allow the enemy to achieve its goal of eliminating our existence,” he said. Hezbollah’s leadership has denied the battle’s timing was linked to the Iran war, instead saying it lost patience with Israeli attacks. Military expert Hassan Jouni said that for Hezbollah “this is an existential battle… so it will fight until the last breath”. “For Israel, this is the final battle against Hezbollah,” he said, noting the current circumstances, which Israel sees an opportunity to destroy its foe, may not reappear. The group is fighting “an existential battle on two fronts: the Lebanese front and its (Iranian) ally’s political, ideological and strategic front”, he told AFP.

Countries looking farther afield for supplies as Strait of Hormuz closure continuesAn oil production platform is seen in the P9 Horizon field in the North Sea. (Photo: ImagePerson via Wikimedia Commons)A Thai oil refiner has made a rare purchase of North Sea crude oil as Asian processors scramble to find alternatives to Middle Eastern supplies stuck in the Persian Gulf. It is the first time a Thai company has bought North Sea Forties crude since at least 2019, when Bloomberg started tracking the data. The Iran war has effectively shut the critical Strait of Hormuz, choking off shipments of crude and fuels to global customers. North Sea crude is normally loaded onto supertankers for voyages to Asia, but the record cost of freight has made the bigger tankers economically unviable.

Port Vale players celebrate after the match against Sunderland. Last week's fifth round didn't let us down either with struggling League One side Port Vale upsetting Sunderland from the Premier League. "Struggling" is in fact an understatement as Port Vale are rock bottom in their division, 11 points from safety and looking doomed for relegation. An intriguing point about Vale is that there is no place actually called Port Vale. The club is said to have been named after a meeting at a building called Port Vale House.

Angels edge Tampines to reach semisBangkok United's Teerasil Dangda celebrates his goal. Teerasil Dangda's 15th-minute strike gave Bangkok United a perfect start as they built on their 2-1 first-leg victory last week in Thailand. If they [Tampines] could play like they did in the second half, they would be a strong team in the future," he added. Next up for Bangkok United is a home match against Port in the Thai League 1 tomorrow. Sharks take on BuriramLeaders Buriram United will host Chonburi in the Thai League 1 today.

Anti-graft body confirms decision but not certain if it is linked to earlier court rulingThe Constitutional Court in January 2024 ordered Saksayam Chidchob — the brother of Bhumjaithai Party patriarch Newin Chidchob — to quit the cabinet over an asset concealment case. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has confirmed that a petition accusing former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob of deliberately filing a false asset declaration has been dismissed. In January 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled 7-1 to terminate Mr Saksayam’s ministerial status over an asset concealment case. Political observers noted that in previous cases linked to Constitutional Court rulings, the NACC has rarely issued decisions that contradict the court’s findings. The Constitutional Court ruled against Yingluck, and the NACC later found grounds for wrongdoing.

Sports and personal wellness have expanded beyond their four walls and courts, and the desire for like-minded community building has a lot to do with that. Suddenly, tennis has become somewhat of a personality trait to aspire to, and running clubs are rampant. We have written extensively about Thailand's rapid adoption of community-led sports and recreational activities, the proliferation of wellness clubs and the rise of optimised health. Whatever is hot and sizzling in the world, we are quick to spot and even quicker to dive in. Hyrox represents the rise of the "Amateur Elite" culture, part of a new cultural subset among the urban population.

Fading hopes of quick end to war depress stocksRECAP: Asian stocks retreated yesterday as dwindling hopes of a resolution to the war with Iran kept oil prices ‌aloft, though a US waiver allowing purchases of Russian crude helped keep a floor under losses. Retail investors were net buyers of 10.23 billion baht, followed by institutional investors at 7.13 billion. Foreign investors were net sellers of 15.17 billion baht, followed by brokerage firms at 2.19 billion. Subsidies have reached 16 baht a litre, costing the state Oil Fuel Fund more than 1 billion baht a day. Central Retail Corporation (CRC) plans to invest 16-18 billion baht this year to open new stores, renovate existing ones and enhance the customer experience.

3 Thai crew on attacked ship 'still alive'Adm Thadawut Thatphithakkul, chief of staff of the Royal Thai Navy, says three Thai crew members remain alive aboard the damaged cargo ship MV Mayuree Naree after it was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. ((Photo: Royal Thai Navy spokesperson)Three Thai sailors remain alive aboard the damaged cargo ship MV Mayuree Naree after it was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Adm Thadawut Thatphithakkul, chief of staff of the Royal Thai Navy. Rear Adm Parach Rattanachaiyaphan, spokesman for the Royal Thai Navy, said Thai authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating assistance for all 23 crew members through diplomatic channels and naval cooperation. Two vessels owned by Thai business interests but registered in Singapore remain safely docked in the United Arab Emirates, carrying a total of 36 Thai sailors along with other foreign crew members. The Royal Thai Embassy in Muscat has already issued emergency passports to facilitate their departure.

Thailand has already increased its crude oil reserves from 92 days to 98 days to strengthen national energy security. Another development is the United States' decision to lift its boycott on Russian crude oil exports. In response, the Energy Ministry is preparing to negotiate purchases of Russian crude to supplement Thailand's supplies and ensure domestic energy security, he said. Initial discussions suggest that Russian crude could be processed by Thai refineries, and officials will coordinate with refinery operators and traders who can access Russian supplies. Refineries must still bear additional costs, including crude oil premiums, shipping and insurance, which have risen significantly.