A selection of gold coins on display at the Axel Harbaum-Neuhaus goldsmith's shop in Bonn, Germany. Gold was little changed on Monday, trading at around $5,020 an ounce in early afternoon trade. "We are waiting to hear the update of Fed Dot Plot after this week's meeting," she noted. The Thai currency was on Monday quoted at 32.49 to the greenback, its weakest level in three and a half months, as the dollar appreciated. As the Middle East conflict drags on, the market now expects a Fed rate cut to be delayed as oil prices could push US inflation higher, she noted.

This could sharply increase shipping costs and delay deliveries for Thai exporters reliant on Middle Eastern routes. "I think the conflict in the Middle East is more severe than Covid-19," she said. Fortunately for Ms Ghanyapad, a shipment of canned fruit exports to the Middle East from her firm reached its destination just days before the war broke out. Ms Alhuda said the Middle East is an important market for Thai exports, and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun visited in December after assuming office. "Thai products and services are well regarded in areas such as medical treatment, hospitality and service standards, which have helped build trust in the Middle East.

Thai crew members of the 'Mayuree Naree' vessel arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan province on Monday. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)The government plans to evacuate more Thai nationals from war-stricken Iran on Tuesday and on March 25. Iran has continued to launch attacks against members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, targeting ports, airports and energy infrastructure. (Photo: Reuters)Meanwhile, 20 Thai crew members from the cargo vessel M.V. Mr Bancha reaffirmed that efforts to locate three missing Thai crew members continue.

Cuba hit by total blackout as US fuel blockade bitesA blackout on March 4 in Havana, where extended power outages are commonplace as Cuba, facing a US oil embargo, lacks the fuel needed to generate powerHAVANA - A power outage struck the entire island of Cuba on Monday, the state-owned electric company said, the latest blackout as the United States pursues its oil blockade against the island's communist government. Cuba's ageing electricity generation system is in shambles, with daily power outages of up to 20 hours the norm in parts of the island, which lacks the fuel needed to generate power. But since the US ouster of Cuba's top ally, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, on January 3, the island's economy has been hammered further as President Donald Trump maintains a de facto oil blockade. Trump has alleged the fuel blockade is a response to an "extraordinary threat" posed by Cuba to the United States. Trump said Sunday that Cuba "wants to make a "deal", which could come quickly after his administration has finished the war against Iran.

Israel army says ground assault against Hezbollah underway in LebanonIsrael has undertaken ground operations inside LebanonJERUSALEM - Israel's military said Monday it was carrying out what it described as "limited" ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, as Beirut said more than one million people had displaced in two weeks of fighting. An Israeli military statement said that in recent days its troops "have begun limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon". Shoshani said the ground operations where targeting areas where "we understand Hezbollah is posing a threat towards our civilians." - No north Israel evacuations -In recent days, Hezbollah and Iran have launched coordinated rocket and missile attacks against Israel. Israel preceded its ground operations with strikes on some bridges and roads connecting south Lebanon to the rest of the country.

Afghan govt accuses Pakistan after new strikes on KabulAfghan authorities blamed Pakistan for the airstrikes on KabulKABUL - Afghan authorities on Monday accused neighbouring Pakistan of attacking Kabul, as AFP journalists heard loud explosions overhead and anti-aircraft defences swung into action. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on X that the Pakistani military had "once again violated Afghan territory", calling the strikes "a crime" and an "act of inhumanity". There was no comment either from the Pakistani military when contacted by AFP. Three children and a woman were killed by Pakistani shelling in eastern Afghanistan overnight between Sunday and Monday, Afghan officials said. Pakistani mortar shelling killed two children on Sunday night in the Afghan Dubai area of Khost, the governor's office said in a statement.

Fuel pump panic continues in many areasAn attendant at a PT pump in Bua Yai district in Nakhon Ratchasima province with a sign announcing they have run out of diesel. The government insists there is ample fuel and the problem is caused by panic buying. In Bua Yai district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, pump attendants said there were no queues on Monday because they ran out of petrol and diesel on Sunday, and there was no word from their parent companies when deliveries would be made. "Customers flocked to fill up their tanks with gasohol 95 and diesel, until we did not have any left," a PT station attendant in Bua Yai said. The prime minister called an emergency meeting of selected ministers and agencies at Government House on Monday to consider measures to combat fuel price hikes and supply after the current price cap ends.

BENGALURU — Apple ⁠on ⁠Monday unveiled the second ​generation of its premium AirPods Max ​over-ear headphones at US$549 (around 17,700 Thai baht), more ‌than five years after the first version's launch. The update marks Apple's first major refresh of the over-ear headphones since their 2020 ​debut, ⁠as the company adds new features and improved noise cancellation to compete more aggressively in the ‌premium headphones market. Upgrades ​to ‌the AirPods Max 2 include better active noise cancellation, an improved microphone system ​and ⁠a range of new features including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Live ⁠Translation. Live translation, first introduced on the AirPods Pro 3 in September, enables users to translate in-person conversations across languages ⁠using Apple Intelligence, the company's artificial ​intelligence platform. AirPods Max 2 also supports high-resolution lossless audio when connected via USB-C, targeting music creators and professional users ‌who require ⁠higher fidelity audio, ​Apple said.

Chevron Honoured as “The Most Impactful” at Future Trends Awards 2026Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd was honoured as “The Most Impactful” organisation for its positive social impact. Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd has received “The Most Impactful” award at the Future Trends Awards 2026, an award platform established to recognise organisations and leaders that play a pivotal role in driving innovation for a sustainable future, creatively applying emerging trends, and generating meaningful value across all sectors of society. The recognition reflects Chevron’s vision as a global energy company committed to creating positive social impact. Chatit Huayhongtong, president of Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd, said, “Chevron believes that business success is achieved when people and communities grow together. Chevron is proud to be a partner of Thai society, harnessing the strength of human energy from all sectors to help drive the nation towards a sustainable future.”“The Most Impactful” award is part of “The Future Corporate Awards,” one of four award categories under the Future Trends Awards 2026.

Israel announces Lebanon ground assault against HezbollahSmoke rises from a fire near Dubai International Airport after a 'drone-related incident'. (Photo: AFP)JERUSALEM — Israel said Monday it had launched ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon while US President Donald Trump piled pressure on world powers to help reopen the vital shipping lane choked off by Iranian attacks. Israel also announced the launch of "limited ground operations" against Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a key front in the wider war. The announcement echoes similar statements issued in 2024, when Israel and Hezbollah fought a major war in Lebanon, and in 2023, when the military launched a ground assault in Gaza in response to Hamas's Oct 7 attacks. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said about 700 missiles and 3,600 drones had been fired at US and Israeli targets so far.

(Photo: Wisudthipong Rodpai)The government is moving to ensure equitable fuel distribution after the war in the Middle East prompted panic buying across Thailand, causing long queues and shortages at petrol stations in several provinces. Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon convened an urgent meeting with oil traders and refinery representatives on Monday to address distribution delays that left some service stations temporarily without fuel. Petrol stations start to run dryDespite assurances, reports from several provinces indicate anxiety over shortages has already driven motorists to stock up. In Phangnga’s Takua Pa district, long queues formed outside petrol stations as residents and businesses rushed to buy fuel. To prioritise local demand, authorities in Mae Sot district have temporarily banned fuel sales to vehicles from Myanmar.

NACC to indict ex‑governor over 321-million‑baht unexplained wealthChamroen Thipphayaphongthada, when he was the governor of Phuket around 2015 to 2016. (File photo: Phuket Provincial Administration Organization)The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will seek the indictment of Chamroen Thipphayaphongthada, a former governor who served in four provinces, over alleged unexplained wealth totalling more than 321 million baht. According to the anti-corruption watchdog, assets registered under Mr Chamroen’s name, and those of his spouse and minor child, total 321.67 million baht. The commission also cited irregular increases in assets based on comparisons of his declared asset-and-liability statements. Mr Chamroen, a Phuket native, resigned from the civil service in 2023 after serving as Satun governor to run as a party-list candidate for the Bhumjaithai Party in that year’s general election.

Western allies push back on Trump call for Nato help to reopen HormuzBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer ruled out a Nato mission but said allies were working towards a 'viable' plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: AFP)LONDON - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) allies and other Western nations pushed back Monday on US President Donald Trump's demand that alliance members help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical conduit for crude oil that Iran has effectively closed. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London was working with allies to craft a "viable" plan to reopen the waterway, but ruled out a Nato mission, while Berlin insisted it was "not Nato's war". "Nato is an alliance for the defence of territory" and "the mandate to deploy Nato is lacking" in the current situation, Stefan Kornelius told reporters. From day one, we have called for de-escalation," Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told Danish media in Brussels before an EU foreign ministers' meeting.

Cremation crisis at popular temple as fuel runs outPhoto: Thailand Tourism Directory. Wat Saman Rattanaram in Chachoengsao province has a burning crisis. The popular temple has run out of the diesel fuel essential for cremations - and local suppliers are either limiting sales or have also run out. Shortly afterwards, the temple announced that purchasing fuel now required presenting a death certificate, and was limited to 50 litres. Sometimes a cremation had to be carried out quickly, so it was essential to have enough fuel on hand.

Pop Mart bets it can survive with new toysAn employee gestures next to Labubu toys on display at Pop Mart’s booth at China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing on Sept 10, 2025. Twinkle Twinkle plush pendants routinely disappear within minutes of restocking. Twinkle Twinkle, big starFounder and Chief Executive Officer Wang Ning has long framed the company as more than a single-character success. Jessica Yao, 32, said that while her first Pop Mart purchase was a Labubu doll for her niece, she soon gravitated towards Twinkle Twinkle. “I bought about 20 Twinkle Twinkle figurines in a single purchase because they’re extremely cute,” said Yao, an office worker in Hangzhou.