Improved access and shorter treatment times among benefIts of system, say health officialsA Thai-built medical drone lifts off during a trial run under a Ministry of Public Health programme testing faster medicine deliveries to patients on remote islands. (Photo: Department of Medical Services)Thai-built drones are being tested to deliver medicines, vaccines and medical supplies to hard-to-reach hospitals on islands, aiming to shorten treatment waiting times and improve access for patients in remote areas. The agency began testing unmanned aerial vehicles for medical logistics in 2023, starting with routes in the southern province of Satun — from the mainland to islands, director-general Dr Natthaphong Wongwiwat said on Thursday. According to Dr Natthaphong, the trials are being conducted by experienced Thai drone pilots following legally compliant flight plans, with real‑time tracking and strict temperature control to ensure product integrity. “Using drones to transport medicines and medical supplies is still very new in Thailand,” he said.

Canadian PM can’t rule out military role in Iran warAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney (left) walk through the corridors of Parliament House in Canberra on March 5, 2026. (Photo: AFP)CANBERRA - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that he couldn’t rule out his country’s military participation in the escalating war in the Middle East. The Canadian leader reiterated on Thursday his call for a “de-escalation” of the conflict. “In this brave new world, middle powers cannot simply build higher walls and retreat behind them. The Canadian leader has frequently clashed with US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to annex Canada and slapped swingeing tariffs on the country.

It’s a reality, thanks to a breakthrough procedure now available at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital. Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital has established itself as a regional leader in advanced cardiovascular care. Thanks to TAVI at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital. In conclusion, TAVI at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital is a minimally invasive procedure that takes about one hour, with patients typically staying in the hospital for about 3 days. Venue: Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital

Tourism Authority of Thailand pivots to short-haul markets to close the gapTourists walk through the arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi airport. (Photo: Reuters)War in the Middle East could seriously affect Thai tourism this year, with a 25% decline from the 2026 target being the worst-case scenario if the fighting extends beyond three months, prompting officials to target short‑haul tourists to fill the gap. According to a preliminary forecast by the TAT, the worst‑case scenario would involve a potential decrease of 25% to between 27 million and 29 million foreign visitors, from the 2026 target of 36.7 million. If the war ends within three months, the agency sees an 18% decline to 30–31 million, which is the base‑case scenario. For the best‑case scenario, if tensions subside in two to four weeks, there would be a minimal impact of only 2%.

Thailand’s nearly year-long stretch of falling consumer prices may now provide a buffer against potential energy-driven inflation spike, analysts say. With tensions in the Middle East threatening to lift global oil prices and pushing inflation in many economies above targets, Thailand’s negative inflation and muted core readings could help cushion the impact. Over the past year, softer energy prices have kept overall inflation below the Bank of Thailand’s target range of 1%-3%. At a briefing on Thursday, the commerce ministry said Thai inflation is expected to accelerate in March due to higher oil prices. Higher oil prices would raise costs for prepared foods and other consumer goods, adding upward pressure on prices, Mr Nantapong said.

(Photo: Reuters)The impact of the war in the Middle East rippled further through global energy markets on Thursday, with Asian countries taking more measures to shore up supplies. Refiners in China and Japan that depend on Middle East oil halted fuel exports to protect domestic supplies. The cost of shipping oil out of the United States rose to a record as buyers searched for alternative sources of crude. Iranian state media said the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy struck a US oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf. Taiwan said it has secured LNG supplies for April from regions outside the Middle East, while Thailand was seeking extra shipments.

(Screen grab from video posted by Pheu Thai Family FC)Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is in good health and his family is preparing to discuss arrangements regarding his expected parole in May, says daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Ms Paetongtarn and her husband Pidok Sooksawas visited Thaksin at Klongprem Central Prison at 10am on Thursday. After about an hour inside the prison, Ms Paetongtarn told reporters that the visit was routine and focused on updates about daily life. “My father’s health is still strong and he is doing well,” said Ms Paetongtarn, also a former prime minister. Asked how she felt, Ms Paetongtarn paused briefly before replying that it felt like a long time.

A news report on the Iran conflict displayed inside a trading room at Hana Bank in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. (Photo: Bloomberg)HONG KONG — The war in Iran is forcing investors to reevaluate one of their most profitable stock strategies, leading some to conclude that the “Sell America, Buy Asia” trade has reached an inflection point. The Iran war has impacted Asian stocks disproportionately, partly because of the region’s outsize reliance on fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: Bloomberg)Japan and South Korea are particularly exposed to disrupted shipping routes, in contrast to China, which has larger reserves and access to Russian crude. “Some Asian markets like South Korea are particularly vulnerable at the moment given the recent strong rally and resultant high multiples.”

The silent struggle of an anti-war woman in Russia“Any resistance from below will be crushed,” says Varvara. Thousands have been jailed or fined for simply speaking out against the offensive. All major opposition figures are in jail, exiled or dead and anti-war groups outside the country are hobbled by bitter factional infighting. Despite her decision to stop speaking out and commitment to staying inside Russia, the war has completely overshadowed Varvara’s life. “There’s this constant inner struggle: whom can you work with and whom you can’t?” explained the young woman.

Pol Capt Piya currently chairs an EC subcommittee ruling on disputes related to the collusion case in which dozens of sitting senators are implicated. The petitioners point to photographs showing Pol Capt Piya greeting Mr Anutin at an airport in Buri Ram on March 1, when the premier travelled to officiate at the season-opening MotoGP event. The panel led by Pol Capt Piya is responsible for determining whether to proceed with charges recommended by a separate investigative subcommittee. The latter previously proposed indicting more than 200 individuals, including Mr Anutin, in the collusion case. Mr Akkarawat said Pol Capt Piya’s conduct could undermine public confidence in the panel’s impartiality.

Hatari Electric founder Joon Wanavit. (Photo: Supplied)Hatari fan founder Joon Wanavit, one of the most low-key philanthropists in Thailand, died on Thursday at age 89. Joon founded Hatari Electric Co in 1990, according to the company’s website, and helped make it the best-selling brand in Thailand, producing a variety of fans and other air-circulation products. His generosity became publicly known in 2022 when he and his family donated 900 million baht to the Ramathibodi Foundation. He and his family have regularly donated money to other institutions without publicly mentioning their philanthropy.

House secretary-general hints quick first parliament conventionCaretaker Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul reacts on the day he speaks to members of the media to announce the dissolution of parliament at Government House, Bangkok, on Dec 12, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)The lower chamber could convene quickly, as only a sufficient number of newly certified members of parliament (MPs) is required to begin the process, according to Sirote Paetphan, Secretary‑General of the House of Representatives. Mr Sirote said on Thursday that the House Secretariat will not wait for every certified MP to report before initiating the opening of the new House. Once the required number of MPs have reported, the House Secretariat will notify the cabinet. Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will then seek His Majesty the King’s approval to declare the opening of the House.

Present in the meeting were Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon. He also asked Mr Sihasak to sound out other countries about securing oil supplies to minimise the impacts on Thai people. Officials are also working out the evacuation of Thai people from the Middle East. They arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport at 6.30pm on Wednesday on the first direct flight from Dubai to Thailand since the Middle East war erupted last Saturday. Transport Minister Phiphat said they would have to travel overland for about 1,000 kilometres to Turkey where they could take a flight to Thailand.

Thai equities still have downside risk amid heightened volatility as escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten global energy supply routes, with strategists warning only a handful of sectors are likely to withstand a prolonged crisis. "The situation in the Middle East remains highly fluid, and we expect the global risk-off mode to remain in the near term." Political motivation could cause the fighting in the Middle East to be prolonged, similar to the Russia-Ukraine war, said Mr Kitpon. Historically, Thai equities tend to correct for 2-4 weeks during geopolitical shocks, with declines averaging 4-5% if oil supply remains intact. The country imports 85% of its oil, with 57% sourced from the Middle East.

(Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON - US Senate Republicans backed President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran on Wednesday, voting ​to block a bipartisan resolution aiming to stop the air war and require ‌that any hostilities against Iran be authorised by Congress. With control of Congress potentially shifting to Democrats in November’s midterm elections, a prolonged Iran war could concern voters. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released ​on ‌Tuesday showed that only one in four Americans approved of US strikes on Iran and about half believe Trump is too willing to use military force. ‘It’s a war’The US-Israel war on Iran has already led to damage in Iran, Israel and throughout the Middle East, and ⁠claimed US casualties. The House is expected to vote on a similar Iran war powers resolution on Thursday.