Youth increasingly targeted as scammers deploy new fear‑based tacticsScammers are targeting young people, using complex tactics to extort money, lure them into criminal schemes, facilitate cross‑border trafficking. Cases reported between December 2025 and February 2026 found that scammers were deliberately targeting people between the ages of 17-23. The most common is the impersonation of state officials, which accounted for 16 cases and more than 11 million baht in losses, Pol Gen Thana said. Scammers posed as police or anti‑money laundering officers, accused young victims of serious offences and forced them to add a Line account for a fake “investigation”. In 2024, 11 minors disappeared after being deceived by online scammers, the youngest being only 14 years old.

Tasanapol and Nandhavud launch new campaignsNandhavudThai drivers Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak and Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi are set to start their new seasons in Formula 2 and Formula 3 respectively at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne this weekend. Tasanapol, 20, will make his Formula 2 debut with ART Grand Prix team while Nandhavud will race for DAMS Lucas Oil in Formula 3. Tasanapol is stepping up after an impressive Formula 3 season in which he won three races, including the final shootout in Monza and finished seventh in the drivers' standings. Nandhavud competed in two seasons of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, achieving several points finishes in 2025. "My goal is to be one of the drivers who can compete with others right from the start in Melbourne.

Thailand Post warns of overseas mail delaysState logistics provider Thailand Post has announced potential delays in international mail and parcel deliveries to 25 destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, South Asia and North America from March 3, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East that have disrupted international air transport services. In addition, Thailand Post has temporarily suspended all categories of international postal services to Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Customers are advised to check the latest announcements via the Thailand Post Contact Center at 1545 or on the company's official website at www.thailandpost.co.th. Mr Dhanant said Thailand Post apologised for any inconvenience caused and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining national logistics and communications services. Earlier, he said Thailand Post is rerouting its international express parcel shipments as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, while maintaining current service fees.

42 flights at Bangkok airport still disrupted by US-Israeli attacks on IranAn El Al and an Emirates aircraft parked at Phuket airport on Tuesday, following regional airspace closures amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran. (Photo: Reuters)More than 42 flights on the Bangkok-Middle East routes were disrupted on Friday due to the closures of airspace after the war against Iran by the United States and Israel. The affected airlines were Israel's El Al Airlines, Air Arabia, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air and Kuwait Airways. Several Middle East airlines also operate direct flights to Phuket but the southern airport did not report affected airlines. Emirates and Qatar Airways on Friday resumed a few flights to selected cities from their bases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mideast war fuelling Thailand's inflation riskHeadline inflation for March and the entire year is projected to increase, driven largely by rising energy prices linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the TPSO, outlined the potential impact of global oil prices on inflation in Thailand. If oil prices reach $100 per barrel and prepared food prices increase by 10% in 20% of the country, inflation could rise by 2-3%. "Rising oil prices will influence prices of various products, with prepared food likely seeing increases before other items. In February, the headline consumer price index (CPI) dropped by 0.88% year-on-year to 99.67, primarily driven by lower energy prices.

Ukraine accuses Hungary of taking 'hostage' bank staff carrying $40mnThe State Savings Bank of Ukraine (Oschadbank) says bank staff transporting $40 million and nine kilogrammes of gold" have been detained in Hungary. KYIV (UKRAINE) - Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Hungary on Friday of taking "hostage" a group of Ukrainian bank employees who were reportedly transporting US$40 million and nine kilogrammes of gold. Hungary is one of the few European countries to maintain close ties with Russia since its Ukraine offensive and has consistently opposed military aid for Kyiv. The State Savings Bank of Ukraine (Oschadbank) said that the bank staff were transporting $40 million and nine kilogrammes of gold" when they were detained. "We are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money," Sybiha added on X.

Dell AI servers at the Astronomical Digital Technology and AI Applications Laboratory in Chiang Mai. In the past, hardware prices were stable and price quotes were valid for 30 days. Budgets set mid-year or in the previous year are often no longer sufficient to cover the higher current prices. Despite rising prices and long waits for equipment delivery, many organisations cannot afford to delay their IT investments. "Winning bidders who sign contracts and must deliver within 90 days are now facing losses because component prices have already changed.

Summer storms forecast for 34 provinces, thunderstorms and hail expected(Photo: Guilherme Christmann)The Meteorological Department has warned of summer storms across upper Thailand over the next 24 hours, with thunderstorms, strong gusts and possible hail in 34 provinces. Combined with hot weather conditions and a westerly trough from Myanmar moving over the upper North, these conditions are creating summer storms characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds in some areas and occasional lightning. Central: 20% of the area, mainly Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram. East: 20% of the area, mainly Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong. South (east coast): 30% of the area, mainly Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

Time for region to double down on green energyThe escalating instability in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, forcing Southeast Asian nations into a precarious position. As the conflict widens, the global energy landscape is weathering its most violent disruption since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. For nations stretching from Vietnam to Indonesia, this crisis represents a direct assault on the cost of living and a systemic threat to the regional energy transition. We need a fundamental systemic overhaul of the global energy architecture. By decoupling energy security from geopolitical volatility, we can protect workers and frontline communities while ensuring that energy is no longer a currency used to fund conflict.

Heavy attacks hit Tehran as Israel says war in 'new phase'Plumes of smoke rise after a strike on the Iranian capital of Tehran. (Photo: AFP)TEHRAN - Heavy attacks were reported in Tehran on Friday after Israel said it was hitting "regime infrastructure" in a "new phase" of the war it launched with the United States against Iran. Early Friday, Iranian media reported heavy strikes in the capital, Tehran, shortly after Israel announced it was striking "regime infrastructure" in the city. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also announced "firepower over Iran and over Tehran is about to surge dramatically". Israel has carried out waves of air strikes in Lebanon, killing 123 people, the Lebanese health ministry said.

An Emirates flight departing from Dubai lands at Taoyuan International Airport, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on Thursday. Etihad said on Friday it would resume a limited flight schedule through March 19. Qatar's Doha hub remains shut, though it has been arranging a limited number of relief flights from Oman and Saudi Arabia. "We'd spent about £20,000 booking Emirates flight instead. Saudi budget carrier flynas will run a limited number of flights ​between Saudi Arabia and Dubai starting on Friday.

16 Hong Kongers sued for refusing to vacate homes in 'Little Thailand' areaResidents and shops on Nam Kok Road are affected by the Urban Renewal Authority project. The secretary for justice, on behalf of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), initiated proceedings at the District Court on Wednesday seeking eviction orders and damages against the 16 residents in Kowloon City. Kowloon City, nicknamed "Little Thailand", is home to dozens of Thai restaurants and grocery stores. The community grew in the 1970s when Chiu Chow men returning from Thailand settled in the area with their Thai wives. Some residents have voiced concerns about unaffordable rents for the redeveloped flats and the loss of the neighbourhood's distinctive character.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn chairs an ad-hoc centre set up to cope with the Middle East crisis. (Photo: Government House)Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has set up a 37-member centre to monitor the situation in the Middle East and offer advice to mitigate impacts from the US-Israeli war against Iran. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn will chair the Centre for Middle East Situation Administration, with the prime minister as an advisor and 35 other leaders from state and private agencies as committee members, according to the order signed by Mr Anutin on Friday. It will monitor and manage the situation in the Middle East and suggest measures to alleviate the problems that affect the country. The war against Iran by the United States and Israel entered its seventh day on Friday, and the conflicts have widened to the Gulf region.

Often referred to as "the voice of modern Bahrani cuisine", chef Tala Bashmi -- the UN Gastronomy Tourism Ambassador for the Gulf country -- was on her way to becoming a football star. Known for championing Bahrani cuisine, chef Bashmi says her culinary philosophy is ever-evolving. "In our region, rice came from India, but now it is a staple that you will find in every household. However, going from a traditional table to creating modern Bahraini cuisine hasn't been easy for chef Bashmi. Three years after winning the Middle East and North Africa's Best Female Chef, chef Bashmi was crowned winner of the Chefs' Choice Award last year, as part of the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants.

Australia forces porn sites to block under-18s from MondayAustralia is introducing new online child protection rules. SYDNEY - Australia's online regulator warned porn websites they must block under-18s from Monday under sweeping new restrictions to protect children. It covers porn websites, search engines, app stores, gaming providers and generative AI systems, including chatbots. "Users will be asked to confirm their age when accessing age-restricted material on pornography websites and services," eSafety said. App stores and online gaming sites are also required to block under-18s from adult-only content.