Remote work move weighs on transport, media stocksBangkok traffic has eased recently, partly due to higher oil prices and the government's recently announced temporary work-from-home policy. Thailand's temporary work-from-home (WFH) policy for government agencies, introduced as part of emergency energy-saving measures, creates short-term pressure on transport and out-of-home media stocks, according to analysts. This shift would likely reduce commuting via private vehicles and public transport. With Bangkok's combined population and daily tourist flows exceeding 12 million people, the current WFH policy is unlikely to significantly disrupt overall travel demand, Mr Paradorn said. Despite this, travel demand remains a fundamental necessity in daily life and is unlikely to face technological disruption, supporting BEM's long-term outlook, he pointed out.

(Photo courtesy of Surin Public Relations Office)The Thailand–Cambodia Situation Information Centre organised and successfully wrapped up a field visit for international media to the Chong Chom border in Kap Choeng district of Surin this week, exposing evidence of transnational online fraud networks. Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sornjaidee, director of the centre, led the delegation to inspect areas linked to scam operations and to review security conditions along the border. Early last month, military attachés from 20 countries, including those from the United States, Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as FBI officials, were taken to the Chong Chom border crossing. The visit follows clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border last December and was intended to provide foreign partners with a first-hand view of areas long suspected of hosting large-scale scam operations. The delegation crossed to survey locations opposite Chong Chom, facing O'Smach in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, an area identified by the Thai army as a major scam hub.

Democrat Party deputy leader and former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij (Photo: Korn Chatikavanij Facebook account)Thailand is facing rising fiscal and energy risks stemming from the conflict in the Middle East , according to former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij. “To contain rising energy costs, the Oil Fuel Fund is subsidising diesel heavily,” he said, noting the subsidy costs about 1.3 billion baht a day. Bourse aims to bolster market resilienceThe Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is seeking to strengthen capital market resilience. SET chairman Kitipong Urapeepatanapong said on Thursday that geopolitical tensions, volatile energy prices and supply chain disruptions have created an uncertain investment environment. Despite this, Thailand remains a regional “safe haven” supported by strong foreign reserves, manageable public debt and a stable banking system.

Chairman says Thailand still offers investors a relatively ‘safe haven’ and can do moreThe Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has outlined strategies to strengthen Thailand’s capital market resilience amid rising global uncertainties stemming from war, energy price volatility, supply chain disruptions and rapid technological change. Despite the highly uncertain investment landscape, Thailand still holds strong potential due to its economic stability and diversified industrial structure, SET chairman Kitipong Urapeepatanapong said at a seminar on Thursday. From an investment perspective, the Thai equity market remains attractive as a value play. The exchange is also developing a green capital market ecosystem, including carbon credit trading and environmentally linked derivatives, aimed at attracting global ESG-focused investors. The SET is increasingly using AI-driven surveillance systems to detect suspicious trading patterns such as insider trading and market manipulation.

Can artificial intelligence kill imaginary friends? From a tiny fly that lives on a child's thumb to a skateboard-riding Cyclops with cool hair, imaginary friends are a diverse lot. With imaginary friends, children are free to explore ideas and actions of all kinds in ways appropriately aligned with their developmental needs. Imaginary friends can be provocative, neglectful, or infuriating, and can provide companionship, love, and support. It's a safe way of mulling things over because the imaginary friend's bad behaviour is under the child's control.

Foreign holdings of Thai stocks peakForeign investor holdings in Thai stocks reached a new record high of 6.11 trillion baht in January, representing 37.1% of the total market capitalisation and reflecting growing overseas interest in the equities market, says the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Holdings increased again to 5.83 trillion baht (33.8%) in 2024, followed by 5.61 trillion baht (35.7%) last year, then hit a new peak of 6.11 trillion in the first month of 2026. Foreign investors were net sellers of Thai equities worth 107 billion baht last year, which analysts attributed to short-term profit-taking. According to the SET, several factors contributed to the steady rise in foreign holdings, led by improved political stability following Thailand's elections. "The increasing shareholdings of foreign investors in the Thai stock market suggest overseas investors remain actively engaged and interested in investing in Thai equities," said the bourse.

Anutin says coalition complete, rules out Klatham, DemocratsPrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, second from left, says a government coalition lineup has been finalised during a press conference on Thursday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has confirmed that the government coalition lineup has been finalised, with the main partners being the Bhumjaithai Party and the Pheu Thai Party, along with several smaller parties. Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat and deputy leaders Chousak Sirinil and Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol were present at the press conference. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, greets Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat at the Bhumjaithai headquarters in Bangkok on Thursday. Mr Anutin said Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai would jointly nominate candidates for all three positions -the House speaker and two deputies - for parliamentary approval.

Noma's star chef quits after claims that he hit and bullied staffProtesters at Danish chef Rene Redzepi's Noma restaurant pop-up in Los Angeles. (Photo: AFP)COPENHAGEN - Danish superchef Rene Redzepi -- whose Noma restaurant was long regarded as the world's best -- said he was stepping down Thursday after allegations that he abused and bullied staff for years. His resignation comes as a new pop-up Noma restaurant opened in Los Angeles. He was among a group of former staff members who protested at the Noma pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles where Redzepi had been due to take charge. The Copenhagen establishment was named the world's best restaurant in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2021 by Restaurant magazine.

Logistics service operators are using technology to improve operations as fuel prices surge. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)KEX Express (Thailand) and J&T Express Thailand are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence (AI) and route optimisation to reduce their energy waste, improve fleet efficiency and maintain service stability for the rapidly growing e-commerce sector amid volatile fuel prices. Stephen Bao, chief operating officer at KEX Express (Thailand), told the Bangkok Post the company is monitoring fuel prices and their potential impact. Meanwhile, J&T Express Thailand is prioritising careful cost management while improving operational efficiency to maintain service stability. "We are observing the government's measures, particularly efforts aimed at maintaining fuel prices to help ease the burden on motorists," she said.

For the first time in Thailand, Singaporean flavours by FairPrice's Golden Chef become exclusively available in Thailand at Tops. Launching with the concept of "The Taste Of Singapore", ingredients brand Golden Chef has been brought to Thailand by Tops, the food business under Central Retail, in collaboration with Singapore’s largest retailer FairPrice Group. The just-open-the-pouch highlights include (of course) Singapore chilli crab paste, Singapore laksa paste, Singapore chicken curry paste, Hainanese chicken rice paste, Singapore satay beehoon paste, Mee rebus paste and Singapore rendang paste. On the seasoning side, there are premium oyster sauce, light soy sauce and dark soy sauce. Until the end of March, meet the minimum spending on participating FairPrice products to get a free cooler bag at participating Tops, Tops Food Hall and Tops Online.

Singha backs ONE with a new promoSingha has signed a two-year contract extension to continue its official partnership with global sports broadcaster ONE Championship. The renewed collaboration aims to promote ONE Lumpinee to become the world's most spectacular and modern Muay Thai mega-event, bringing Thailand's national martial art to sports fans in more than 195 countries. To further engage Muay Thai fans nationwide, Singha has also launched the Singha ONE Hit The Ring campaign, featuring four world-class fighters -- Superbon Singha Mawynn, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Tawanchai PK Saenchai, and Rambolek Chor.Ajalaboon -- who will host activities across a network of 23 leading Muay Thai gyms nationwide. Fans interested in participating can register from now until March 31 via Line: @SinghaONE. Additional information is available on Facebook: Singha World of Sport.

Oil forecasts rise as Mideast war ragesAnalysts are lifting their oil price estimates for this year and 2027 amid transport disruption in the Middle East, even though the potential release of reserves by the G7 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) could help temporarily alleviate supply pressures. "We estimate about 10% of global oil supply is currently impacted by the conflict. The Strait of Hormuz typically records shipping of 18-20 million barrels per day (MBD) of crude oil. Another 2 MBD is Iran's exports, which will be crucial for the regime to fund its war. Souring public opinion and rising oil prices could force the Republicans, if not US President Donald Trump necessarily, to find a quick resolution to the conflict, he said.

Strait attack unacceptableThe adverse impact of the war between Iran, the United States and Israel has spilt over to other nations beyond the Middle East, as Tehran ramps up its attacks on cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Shortly after, Iran's Revolutionary Guards officially took responsibility for the attack, stating the ships "ignored warnings" and tried to move through the Strait of Hormuz "illegally". Meanwhile, the Thai government must find out why the Mayuree Naree was in the Strait of Hormuz, despite plenty of early warnings. What happened to the Mayuree Naree was unacceptable. The damage is not just physical and economic -- the attack also harmed the good ties between the two nations' peoples.

Bangkok police have stepped up security ahead of International Quds Day today, monitoring potential protests and sensitive sites amid concerns that tensions linked to conflict in the Middle East could spark unrest. However, authorities are exercising extra caution this year due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, including ongoing hostilities involving Israel, the United States and Iran. Officers in uniform will therefore be deployed to the demonstration site and nearby areas to ensure security, while police continue to assess the situation. Initial risk assessments indicate that the overall situation remains normal, Pol Lt Gen Sayam said, but authorities will maintain heightened vigilance. So far this year, about 84,000 Israelis have entered the country, and over 80,000 have already left, indicating normal travel patterns.

Thai neutrality key as Mideast war escalatesIsraeli army tanks deploy at a position in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon on March 12, 2026. (Photo: AFP)The ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel is causing widespread concern beyond the Middle East. One notable incident occurred in the heart of Bangkok, involving Iranian nationals. Authorities later revealed that the blasts were part of a failed attempt by Iranian nationals to assassinate Israeli diplomats. At the same time, it must strengthen domestic security and intelligence coordination to guard against potential terrorist incidents on Thai soil.