Thaksin marks sixth month behind barsKlongprem Central Prison (file photo)Relatives of Thaksin Shinawatra visited Klongprem Central Prison on Monday as the former prime minister marked his sixth month behind bars, while red-shirt supporters announced plans for a major gathering ahead of his expected parole release on May 11. It was their 46th visit since Thaksin returned to prison to serve his sentence. Red-shirt supporter Pusadee Klintong said excitement is growing among Thaksin's supporters as the anticipated release date approaches. She said red shirts have staged 24 rallies outside Klongprem Central Prison since he began serving his term. Ms Pusadee said that by May 9, Thaksin will have served eight months in prison -- two-thirds of his sentence -- making him eligible for parole.

Siripong denies family graft claimsSiripong: Weighing up a legal responseSiripong Angkasakulkiat, the Bhumjaithai Party deputy leader and MP for Si Sa Ket, has rejected allegations linking his family to irregularities in state project awards, calling the claims baseless and politically motivated. He said the company cited in the allegations -- Thaicharoen Sisaket Limited Partnership -- had been operating long before he entered politics. Mr Siripong also rejected suggestions that family connections should prevent relatives from running legitimate businesses. Asked whether he would pursue legal action, Mr Siripong said his legal team was reviewing the matter. Mr Siripong also suggested the criticism reflected "old‑style political tactics" aimed at discrediting rivals before a new administration begins work.

Activist Tankhun Jitt-itsara leads investment scam complainants to the Central Investment Bureau in Bangkok on Monday. Tankhun Jitt-itsara, president of the Santiprachadham Club, led the alleged victims in submitting a petition to investigators from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) at the CIB complaint centre. According to Mr Tankhun, many victims reported being persuaded by a man identified as "Ackmee Worawat" to invest in cryptocurrencies named WOWBiT and ACET ONLY. When contacted, the suspect reportedly claimed the system had been hacked and later cited foreign anti-money-laundering regulations as the reason the funds could not be transferred. Mr Tankhun also noted the case has seen little progress, partly because many victims failed to preserve evidence.

Trump signals possible end to war, floats removing oil sanctionsA motorcycle passes by fire burning along Tehran's Koohsar Boulevard, Iran, in this screengrab from video obtained from social media and released on Sunday. He vowed bombing “at a much, much harder level” if Iran disrupted oil supplies alongside his sanctions pledge. “We’re looking to keep the oil prices down,” Trump said at a news conference at his resort in Doral, Florida. Trump is mulling a menu of possible options to combat surging oil and gasoline prices in the wake of the Iran war, according to people familiar with the matter. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain again dealt with incoming projectiles again overnight, while blasts were reported across Iran, including in the capital Tehran.

Iran war has airlines reviewing growth plans as fuel surgesAn Emirates airplane at Dubai International Airport, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Sunday. Some Asian carriers, including Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia and AirAsia, are also reviewing timelines for large jet purchases, the people said. Some of the airlines are also considering pausing deliveries, wrong-footed by the Iran conflict that’s triggering a sharp spike in jet-fuel prices, said the people. The spike in fuel prices will have a “meaningful” impact on financial results this quarter, United Airlines Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby said at an event last week. And also mitigating in the short term what they can do about higher oil.”In the Persian Gulf, air travel remains massively disrupted.

A video showing the same scene began circulating on social media on March 2, and satellite imagery verified the location. AI verification tools determined this image, which had none of the same detail in the pilot's face, was real. Generative artificial intelligence is also still prone to error and may "hallucinate" elements that were not in the original image, Kanoulas added. In the AI-treated image, some social media users wrongly saw a weapon in his hand. As the war triggered by the US-Israeli attacks on Iran rages on, experts said that without proper labelling, AI-enhanced images further eroded the public's trust.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (March 9) said the U.S. will "not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil supply," warning of military strikes against Iran if it attempts to disrupt global energy shipments or block key maritime routes.

China extols Myanmar gang executions, pledging to protect citizens abroadIn recent months, China has announced the sentencing and executions of several core members of the Bai and Ming crime families of northern Myanmar. (Photo: Handout via South China Morning Post)Beijing hailed as a success the sentencing and execution of leaders of a Myanmar crime syndicate, vowing to punish all who harm the rights of Chinese citizens overseas. In January, he was transferred to Chinese law enforcement as a result of months of cooperation between the two countries. The Supreme People's Court report also gave examples of how Chinese law has protected Chinese companies and people overseas. The annual work report from China's Supreme People's Procuratorate, also delivered on Monday, also touched on protecting the rights of overseas citizens.

The Thai Restaurant Association is calling on the government to support the restaurant industry amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. These proposed measures would help to prevent immediate food price hikes, reduce food inflation and safeguard employment in the sector. Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), said earlier that rising oil prices would influence the prices of various products, with prepared food likely to see increases before other items. According to the TPSO, if oil prices reach US$100 per barrel and prepared food prices increase by 10% in 20% of the country, inflation could rise by 2-3%. In the worst-case scenario, oil prices would spike to $120 and prepared food prices would rise by 10% in more than 50% of the country, in which case inflation could exceed 3%, said Mr Nantapong.

Real Madrid on ropes against Man CityReal Madrid will be leaning on Vinicius Junior to try and get past Manchester City in the Champions League last 16. (Photo: AFP)MADRID - Rarely do record 15-time winners Real Madrid enter a Champions League clash as underdogs but this is the situation when Manchester City visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Perhaps his biggest success has been helping winger Vinicius Junior back to form, and the Brazilian represents Real Madrid's best hope of success against City. They can offer the steel which Madrid need to withstand the might of Haaland and company. "Real Madrid is about fighting until the end, believing, battling," said Arbeloa after beating Celta.

Govt voices alarm over false reportsThe Joint Information Centre on the Thailand–Cambodia Situation on Monday voiced concerns about the spread of false or distorted reports that could inflame tensions along the border. ACM Prapas Sonjaidee, assistant commander of the Royal Thai Air Force, in his capacity as director of the centre, said authorities are closely monitoring developments concerning the border, before adding officials always carefully verify information they receive before making any public statements. The centre's role, ACM Prapas said, is to present facts to prevent misunderstanding and avoid unnecessary escalation in tensions between the two countries. ACM Prapas added that the centre also maintains regular communications with Cambodian authorities to verify reports concerning the border, although he admitted inaccurate information can still circulate due to various limitations. Any further discussions would need to take place within the framework of the Thai–Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), which may convene after a new government is formed, possibly in April, he said.

Thai-Cambodia ceasefire: What's next? China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, centre, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, left, who is also the country's Foreign Minister, and Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow link arms during a meeting in China's Yunnan province, on Dec 29, 2025. The Fuxian meeting was convened by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi after both countries signed a ceasefire agreement. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangkhetkaew and his Cambodian counterpart, Prak Sokhonn, took part and outlined the next diplomatic steps. Given the current global turmoil, Thailand and Cambodia must move beyond the ceasefire and intensify efforts to resolve border tensions.

Local farmers need helpThe Ministry of Commerce has finally taken steps to protect local fragrant coconut growers from foreign-backed companies that suppress farmers' prices. While this is a welcome move, solutions that rely solely on law enforcement to arrest proxy companies will not end any market monopolies. Yesterday, the 10 state agencies responsible met to discuss directions and solutions for tackling a number of proxy companies believed to be funded by Chinese investors. Farmers often follow market trends, growing popular export products such as durians, longans, and recently fragrant coconuts. Without tackling over-cultivation, local farmers and food growers will continue to face price uncertainty indefinitely.

Donald Trump's art of the deal part XVIIA view of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 2, 2026. REUTERSDonald Trump's vision for how the war against Iran should end is simple: "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!!!!" Will they use that time to make a deal with Mr Trump? Being (apparently) omnipotent is fun and Mr Trump is enjoying the ride, but as usual, he is looking for a quick victory and a "deal". The Israelis always knew that it wasn't going to be a four-week war, and Mr Trump's people are reluctantly arriving at the same conclusion.

People's Party MPs arrive at parliament to formally register as members of the 27th House of Representatives while wearing T-shirts printed with the Thai word 'prachachon' (people). Apichart JinakulNatthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, has pledged to perform his duties as opposition leader vigorously despite a looming legal case involving 44 MPs from his party. The party will also move to establish an opposition whip and formally appoint an opposition leader once internal discussions are completed. Under parliamentary rules, the opposition leader must come from the largest opposition party, which currently positions the People's Party to hold the post. During the registration on Monday, he led 118 People's Party MPs to parliament.