Insurance companies are canceling war risk coverage for vessels in the Gulf as the widening Iran conflict disrupted shipping, leaving at least four tankers damaged, two seafarers killed and 150 ships stranded around the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz impasse disrupting world shippingThe conflict has upended shipping in the region, with the Strait of Hormuz a vital maritime route. -The strait is especially key to the world energy markets, with around 20 percent of global seaborne oil passing through. That said, analysts believe that cutting off access, as Iran has threatened to do, will not affect the major Asia-Europe shipping route, with the Gulf ending in a cul-de-sac by the shores of Kuwait, Iraq and Iran. -The Strait of Hormuz has always been open for business. On the Marine Traffic map, which tracks world shipping movements, you can make out clusters of ships, mainly tankers, anchored far to the north near Kuwait, as well as off the coast near Dubai.

Accused man denies forcing young Thai girl into sex work in JapanPolice officers bring a woman accused of forcing her preteen daughter into prostitution in Japan, to the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok in December 2025 shortly after her extradition to Thailand from Taiwan. (Photo: Police)A man accused of conspiring with a woman to force a then 12-year-old Thai girl into sex work at a Tokyo massage parlour he operated denied the charges on Monday. In their opening statement, the prosecutors said the girl entered Japan on a short-term visa after her mother told her she would be working there. Thai police arrested the girl's mother in December on suspicion of offenses including human trafficking. The girl, who had been taken into protective custody in Japan, returned to Thailand that same month.

Energy infrastructure emerges as war target, lifting pricesQatar's state-run energy firm said it had halted liquefied natural gas production following Iranian attacks on facilities at two of its main gas processing basesWASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - Energy prices surged Monday as the war in the Middle East led to outages of key energy production operations and a critical waterway was essentially emptied of traffic. European natural gas prices finished the day up more than 39 percent after surging more than 50 percent earlier in the day. Qatar's state-run energy firm said it had halted liquefied natural gas production following Iranian attacks on facilities at two of its main gas processing bases. The last time oil prices topped $100 a barrel was at the start of the Ukraine war, when natural gas prices also spiked well above Monday's level. Oxford expects oil prices to rise to almost $80 a barrel in the second quarter before eventually dropping back to $60.

Stocks slide as Middle East conflict fans inflation fearsA 3D-printed oil pump jack, Iranian flag, and a rising stock graph appear in this illustration taken on Monday. "Economic policy uncertainty was already elevated and now with the Iran conflict, the geopolitical risk is expected to rise too," said Rupal Agarwal, Asia quant strategist at Bernstein in Singapore. "Last ‌time both spiked was in 2022 during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which didn’t work well for Asian markets." In natural gas markets, benchmark European and Asian LNG prices leapt ​by ‌around 40% on Monday. The odds of a June hold, previously below 50%, edged up on Monday and ​are now slightly better than a coin-toss.

Netflix Thailand, in collaboration with TAT and BMA, will host an eight-day event to delight One Piece fans at Lumphini Park. Scheduled for March 8-15, "Grand Line In Thailand" will transform Bangkok's oldest public park into a legendary sea route which everyone can enjoy for free, especially the Straw Hat Crew. Of course, the event commemorates the premiere of "One Piece: Into The Grand Line" on March 10 only on Netflix. The epicentre is located at the lake near the pedal boat rental station. The highlight is Pirate Pedal Boat, where you can put your leg power to the test as a captain, choosing from three iconic designs: Going Merry, Baroque Works or Marine Battleship.

Online shopping fraud complaints surgePhoto: 123RFComplaints about online fraud surged last week, with losses exceeding 440 million baht, according to the latest figures released by the Anti Cyber Scam Centre (ACSC) on Monday. The combined damages totalled 440.7 million baht during the period. The majority were about online shopping scams, with 4,996 reports, followed by employment, investment and the so-called "phone threat" scams. Although online shopping scams typically lead to lower losses per case, they occur frequently and affect a large number of people, making them one of the most pervasive threats. Losses in this category surged from 86.2 million baht to 117.8 million baht.

GPO confirms medicine stocks sufficient amid Mideast tensionsThe Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) has confirmed it has not been affected by the recent unrest in the Middle East and has sufficient raw materials and medicine reserves to ensure continued production. The GPO has implemented systematic procurement and production plans, alongside comprehensive public health contingency measures in the event of an emergency. At present, the organisation has ensured adequate preparedness in terms of medicine production and raw material stockpiles. Advance procurement planning is conducted at least six months in advance, providing further assurance that medicine production and national supply will not be disrupted, she said. "We maintain adequate reserves of raw materials, finished pharmaceutical products and medical supplies to support ongoing production and distribution.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has expanded its investigation into the transnational drug trafficking network led by alleged kingpin "Sia Jiw", arresting two military officers accused of involvement in money laundering and drug transportation. Data retrieved from a confiscated mobile phone led investigators to identify the alleged mastermind as Chutthithan, known as "Sia Jiw", a former heroin convict arrested in 2006. On Feb 12, the ONCB and Provincial Police Region 5 raided eight locations across Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nonthaburi and Bangkok. On Wednesday, authorities arrested a senior officer identified only as Lt Col Pan, attached to the permanent secretary's office, and his wife in Bangkok. Pol Lt Gen Suriya said that although Sia Jiw remains at large, the arrests have "cut off key financial and operational lifelines" of the network.

Decoding dramatic economic events at home and abroadTwo significant events unfolded almost simultaneously last week. The MPC's decision to bring Thailand's policy rate down to 1.00% was a positive surprise for markets. The committee cited the need to support economic recovery, ease household debt burdens and anchor medium-term inflation expectations -- noting the current level is now "sufficiently accommodative". Nevertheless, we believe a policy rate of 1.00% may still fall short of pushing the economy back to its potential. InnovestX therefore maintains its US GDP growth forecast at 1.9% and views a tariff risk premium as a factor investors will need to monitor.

Mapping system to bolster tax collection managementPornchai ThiravejaThe Excise Department is developing a tax map system to bolster its tax collection management, according to Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the department. The map will cover all shops and service operators under the excise law, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the department's tax collection. The department is targeting 578 billion baht in tax collection in the 2026 fiscal year, up 5% from the previous year. Key sources of excise revenue were petroleum and petroleum products tax, valued at 84.1 billion baht, 5% above target; automobile tax of 21.3 billion baht, 5.73% above target; beer tax valued at 32.4 billion baht, 0.87% above target; liquor and spirits tax of 22.0 billion baht, 8.77% above target; tobacco tax worth 17.2 billion baht, 3.93% above target; and non-alcoholic beverages tax worth 9.08 billion baht, 6.87% below target. The department has adjusted its tax law, and has reduced some processes to make it more convenient for business operators to enter the tax system.

Fire at US embassy complex in Riyadh after blast heard, sources sayPeople pray outside the Iranian Embassy, where flowers and toys were placed following strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, in Moscow, Russia March 1, 2026. REUTERSA loud blast was heard and flames were seen at ​the ⁠U.S. embassy in Riyadh early on Tuesday morning, ‌three people familiar with the matter said, with ⁠one person saying the fire was minor. An embassy spokesperson ​did ‌not immediately respond to a request for ​comment, ⁠nor did the Saudi ⁠government media office. Black smoke was seen rising over Riyadh's ⁠Diplomatic Quarter, which houses ​foreign missions, two of the people said.

Rubio says Israel's strike plan triggered US attack on IranUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses the press before briefing House and Senate leaders on US military action in IranWASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - The United States attacked Iran only after learning that ally Israel was going to strike and fearing Tehran would retaliate against US forces, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday. Rubio, who was preparing to brief key US lawmakers, said that Iran had told field commanders to respond automatically against US forces if there was an attack. Asked if the United States faced an imminent threat from Iran -- a key threshold in the United States as Congress constitutionally has the power to declare war -- Rubio again pointed to the Israeli plans. Rubio, however, said that President Donald Trump's administration believed in the need to strike Iran, regardless of how the timing was triggered. Rubio said that the United States would like to see the overthrow of the Iran's clerical state but that that was not the goal.

VARUTH HIRUNYATHEBThe Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has asked Election Commission (EC) officials to provide additional statements to support allegations of interference by observers during the vote-counting process in Bangkok's Khannayao district on Feb 22. The EC claimed such actions interfered with its work as the poll organiser. Separately, Senator Nantana Natavaropas said the EC is engaging in a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP). She said the problems observed during the election process were the result of the agency's incompetence and inefficiencies. "The EC can try to silence the people, but their voice will only become louder."

When a white coat meets the public spotlightIn recent weeks, Thai social media has been animated by a striking image: a physician standing before the headquarters of the Medical Council, announcing her intention to relinquish her medical licence in protest at an impending disciplinary disclosure. A medical licence is not merely a permit to practice. When disciplinary processes intersect with this new media landscape, disputes that once remained within professional circles become public spectacles. The recent public drama should therefore be viewed not merely as an individual act, but as a symptom of systemic strain. Public trust in medicine is a national asset.