War creates energy price risks, warn executivesA US flag flutters in the wind as an oil tanker sits anchored off the California coast. Markets swung wildly after the conflict in Iran effectively closed oil and gas shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite this risk, Mr Win believes the conflict is unlikely to expand beyond Iran's territory into a regional war. OIL PRICE CONCERNSMr Kobsak said risks remain elevated as the shipping lane is only about three kilometres wide. Channarong Kitinartintranee, head of investment strategy at the CIO Office of Kasikornbank, said the current level of oil prices would not "significantly affect the economy, as inflation could rise by 0.4%".

Voices from Iran: protests, fear and scarcitySmoke rises over Tehran on March 5. - Bukan (north-west Iran) -Reza, 36, runs a cafe in Bukan, in Iranian Kurdistan:"I run a cafe right in the city centre. So in my cafe, I made a decision: for those who cannot pay for their coffee, it’s on the house. In recent days, the streets have mostly been filled with people in mourning after the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei." Since the start of the war, the city has become much more closed in on itself, but there are still shops open.

Oil prices surge as Mideast war rages, stocks fall on US jobsBrent North Sea Crude has surged past $90. (Photo: AFP)NEW YORK - Crude prices surged Friday on mounting fears about oil supply disruption amid the Middle East war, while equities retreated on poor US hiring data. Maritime traffic has all but dried up through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies run. The world's biggest economy shed 92,000 jobs last month, down from revised job growth of 126,000 in January, said the Labor Department. But analysts have said higher oil prices complicate that picture.

Middle East war a new shock for financial marketsSmoke rises from the site of air strikes in the Iranian capital. (Photo: AFP)PARIS (FRANCE) - The outbreak of war in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through financial markets, with energy prices soaring and stocks sliding, just a year after US President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught rattled investors. Meanwhile, crude oil prices have jumped by more than a quarter, with a barrel of international reference contract Brent crude shooting over $90 on Friday. But as an oil-exporting country, the United States is not as exposed to a rise in global energy prices. Moreover, stock exchanges were at or near record levels before the war broke out, while oil and gas prices were low.

PHD consolidates Menarini Asia-Pacific’s media mandate in the regionBangkok, March 5, 2026 – Omnicom Media (OM) agency PHD has consolidated Menarini Asia-Pacific’s (Menarini) media mandate in the region following a competitive pitch that began in June 2025. PHD will manage media planning and buying across seven new markets — India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and Korea — building on the network’s existing partnership with Menarini in Australia and New Zealand, Hong Kong and the Philippines. Consolidating our media planning and buying allows us to move towards a more data-informed approach — where performance, learning and optimisation can happen faster and at scale. “Our experience in planning media for highly regulated healthcare categories also gives us a clear understanding of both communication compliance and the importance of building long-term credibility. This foundation will enable Menarini to grow strongly and sustainably in the Thai market.”

(Photo: AFP)BUDAPEST - Kyiv accused Budapest of kidnapping seven of its citizens on Friday, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he would use “every means” to pressure Ukraine in an escalating row over stalled Russian oil supplies. Hungary and Slovakia say Ukraine is deliberately delaying reopening a key oil pipeline pumping Russian oil to the two landlocked EU member states, which Kyiv says was damaged by Russian strikes in January. Ukraine on Friday urged its citizens to avoid travel to Hungary, citing “the inability to guarantee their safety amid the arbitrary actions of the Hungarian authorities”. Threats and accusationsThe nationalist leader has accused Ukraine of holding up Russian oil for political reasons, claiming the Druzhba pipeline has not been damaged in Russia’s Jan 27 attack as Kyiv claims. ‘Hostages’The State Savings Bank of Ukraine, or Oschadbank, said that the bank staff were transporting the cash and gold between Raiffeisen Bank Austria and Oschadbank Ukraine in two vehicles on Thursday.

Nude sunbathers cause stir in Phuket“Shadow Beach” near Laem Promthep at the southwest tip of Phuket is said to have attracted people who want to get an all-over tan. The incident occurred on Thursday at a beach in tambon Rawai of Muang district, where groups of mostly Russian and European tourists were seen sunbathing and swimming nude. The spot, known among foreigners as “Shadow Beach”, stretches for about 800 metres along a narrow coastal path before Laem Phromthep. Although the beach is difficult to reach, authorities confirmed it is public land with no private ownership or entry fees. Residents in Rawai have voiced opposition to the activity, arguing it conflicts with Thai cultural norms and affects the community’s sense of propriety.

As the Bangkok Post marks 80 years of trust and journalistic excellence, we reaffirm our commitment to celebrating women whose leadership shapes business, society and the future. Under the 2026 theme “Architect of New Power,” Bangkok Post Women of the Year honours women leaders who break boundaries across generations and disciplines. Defined not by title or privilege, but by vision and purpose, they reimagine leadership, build sustainable systems and create lasting value. In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, we proudly recognise these exceptional women, role models whose ambition and integrity inspire the next generation to shape their own paths.

CPF Advances as an Innovation-Driven Organisation, Wins 5 Future Trends Awards 2026Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) has strengthened its position as a global AgriTech leader after winning five major honours at the Future Trends Awards 2026. CPF received five awards: Leader of Leaders, Leader of People, Student Love (18–22 years), Young Professional Love (23–35 years), and The Most Innovative. The awards were accepted at Bhiraj Hall, BITEC Bangna by Prasit Boondoungprasert, Chief Executive Officer of CPF, together with the company's management members. CPF also continues to elevate Thailand’s food industry globally through initiatives such as the “Thai Food Mission to Space,” highlighting chicken products certified to the Space Food Safety Standard aligned with NASA requirements. At the core of this success is strong investment in people, supported by programmes including CPF Hack the Future, CPF KM Excellence Awards, and the Business Transformation Programme — reinforcing CPF’s commitment to becoming a future-ready, innovation-driven organisation.

(Photo: Reuters)BATAM, Indonesia - An Indonesian court ​on Friday sentenced one Thai national to life in ​prison and another to 17 ‌years for smuggling nearly two tonnes of methamphetamine, in one of the country’s biggest drug busts in years. Weerapat Phongwan was sentenced ​to life ⁠in prison for acting as an intermediary and overseeing drug distribution, a judge said. The same court on Thursday sentenced another defendant, Fandi Ramadhan, to five years in ​jail. The case ⁠went viral on social media after Ramadhan’s family asked President Prabowo Subianto to intervene and free him. Indonesia has strict drug laws and in 2015 it executed two Australians in the “Bali Nine” drug ring ‌for attempting to ⁠smuggle heroin out of the resort ​island.

Shortage of psychiatrists bodes ill for mental health(Photo: 123RF)The country is grappling with a critical shortage of psychiatrists, with fewer than 900 specialists now working nationwide, according to the Public Health Ministry. Current figures show the country only has 845 psychiatrists, equivalent to 1.28 per 100,000 population and far below the World Health Organization's standard of 10 per 100,000. Hospitals under the Office of the Permanent Secretary will collaborate with the Department of Mental Health (DoMH) to serve as training institutes, with inspectors and service plan leaders supporting hospital selection. The cabinet has already endorsed a five-year development plan (2023–2030) to strengthen the mental health system, targeting a production of about 30 psychiatrists annually, raising the ratio to 1.7 per 100,000 population. DoMH director-general Dr Kittisak Aksornwong reported that around 13.4 million Thais have experienced mental health problems, with 2.9 million patients seeking services in 2023.

Farmers are inspecting the damage as they begin counting heavy losses ahead of the harvest season. The storm hit Moo 2 village in tambon Thung Nonsee between 2pm and 3.30pm, bringing intense winds that uprooted durian trees, sent nearly 10,000 fruits crashing to the ground, and damaged several homes. “About ten trees were uprooted and between 5,000 and nearly 10,000 durians were lost,” he said, adding that authorities are coordinating assistance. Cherdchai Chaemchoi, 46, said the gusts were so violent his durian trees were nearly toppled. You can’t eat it, can’t fry it, can’t even use it for ice cream.

Man sought in kidnap, murder casePolice are hunting a key suspect believed to have fled to Laos through Nakhon Phanom, in a Lop Buri kidnapping-murder case allegedly planned more than a week ago and involving up to 10 conspirators. He was then taken to a rented house in Bang Bo district of Samut Prakan province, where he was held captive. Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom convened a meeting yesterday to discuss the case. Eight are believed to have carried out the abduction, including Phumet Ngernsrichai, who allegedly controlled or hired the group. Pol Lt Gen Siam said as many as 10 people may be involved.

Milk glut hurts dairy farmersDairy farmers and cooperatives nationwide are urging the government to act quickly to tackle a raw milk glut and curb milk powder imports, warning the situation is damaging farmers' livelihoods. Mr Subin said farmers want the Commerce Ministry to postpone milk-powder imports scheduled for 2026. He said around 211 tonnes of raw milk remain unsold each day, and further imports would worsen the surplus. Cooperatives also asked the ministry to help move UHT milk made from farmers' raw milk, noting large stocks now filling warehouses. Officials at the Commerce Ministry said the proposals would be considered.

Six people arrested over ties to online betting sitePolice have arrested six people accused of laundering over 2.4 billion baht through mule accounts and cryptocurrency platforms in the wake of the crackdown on the "BANKKOK1688" online gambling site. Investigators said the site offered a range of wagering services, including lottery-style draws, sports betting, as well as games such as baccarat and slots. Transactions made on the site were processed automatically through the users' bank accounts, with administrators assisting customers with applications and financial transfers, he said. They are Kirin Chanhom, 30, a beneficiary account holder, arrested in Ayutthaya; Panuphol Ngaokrajang, 20, responsible for a web-based transfer account, arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan; Benjawan Ponglakhorn, 40, who held an account used to consolidate funds, arrested in Bangkok; Chaowarit Saengsuk, 43, also responsible for an account used to pool funds, arrested in Chai Nat; Chaianan Hatsadi, 19, a beneficiary account holder, arrested in Phetchaburi; and Siwara Sirikrajang, 27, another beneficiary account holder, arrested in Sa Kaeo. Investigators identified 18 bank accounts used to obscure the network's financial trail.