(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it will propose reducing the visa-free stay for foreign tourists in Thailand from 60 days to 30 days in a bid to curb abuses and mitigate potential security threats. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the 60-day exemption was introduced under the administration of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin to boost tourism, a key driver of Thailand’s economic growth. However, a committee overseeing visa policy, chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has concluded that the current duration may be excessively long, he said on Friday. Under the proposed change, nationals eligible for visa-free entry would be allowed to stay for 30 days, with the option to apply for a further 30-day extension. The minister reaffirmed that Thailand remains committed to welcoming and taking good care of foreign visitors.

Apple has released new iOS updates for older iPhone and iPad models that are no longer eligible for the latest software versions, aiming to address security vulnerabilities and protect user data. Apple said the updates — iOS 15.8.7, iPadOS 15.8.7, as well as iOS 16.7.15 and iPadOS 16.7.15 — specifically fix the Coruna vulnerability, which was recently disclosed by Google. The update applies to a range of older devices, including iPhone X, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. It also covers several iPad models such as the 5th-generation iPad, 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and iPad mini 4. Apple typically provides security patches for devices for around five years after their release.

Iran attacked an oil refinery in Kuwait on Friday and Israel killed a spokesman of Iran's Revolutionary Guards as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran showed no sign ​of ending.

Mr Takeshi Saito, Senior Executive Vice President, NTT DOCOMO, INC, said: “This historic collaboration is driven by a forward-looking vision under the ‘New Cool Japan Strategy’. “A key ambition of this collaboration is to build the largest and most vibrant community of Japan enthusiasts in Thailand. “This collaboration serves as a key gateway to Japanese entertainment, making it more accessible and convenient for Thai viewers. The collaboration aims to position Thailand as a hub for Japanese content in the Asean region through the TrueVisions NOW platform. In addition, a panel discussion titled “Connecting Japanese Content to the Future of Thai Streaming” was held during the event.

"After failing to pass hydration during the official three-hour window at Thursday’s weigh-ins, Imangazaliev was ruled ineligible to win the vacant strap. Asadula Imangazaliev celebrates his second round knockout win over Nong-O at ONE Friday Fights 147Referee Ricky Sewell held up his head as concern rippled around the arena. Bantamweight Muay Thai champion Nabil Anane also looked in trouble on the scales, eventually making weight and hydration with only three minutes to spare, but appearing badly drained. But for now, his old Muay Thai belt remains unclaimed, while the man who may have looked most like a champion on Friday night was unable to win it. You shock the world again and again.”The belt was not available to Asadula Imangazaliev on Friday.

(Photo: Reuters)The Trump administration has waived sanctions on ​the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days in ‌its latest attempt to ease oil prices that have been driven up by the US-Israeli war on Iran. The US has not meaningfully imported Iranian oil since Washington imposed measures after the 1979 revolution. It was unclear whether any ‌Iranian oil would end up in the country as a result of the waiver. Independent Chinese refiners have been the main buyers of sanctioned Iranian oil, taking advantage of deep discounts as others avoided such purchases. Bessent had ​telegraphed ‌the move in an interview with Fox Business on Thursday, saying the release of the sanctioned Iranian oil into global supplies would help keep oil prices down for 10 to 14 days.

Statement comes amid more Israeli attacks, reports of US troop deploymentUS President Donald Trump has lashed out at NATO allies, calling them “cowards” for declining to defend the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: AFP)JERUSALEM - Israel launched fresh strikes on Tehran and Beirut on Saturday after US President Donald Trump said he was considering “winding down” military operations against Iran following three weeks of war. “We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East,” Trump said in a social media post. The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes against “Hezbollah terrorist organisation targets” in the Lebanese capital early Saturday. US forces hit Kharg on Friday in strikes that Trump said had “totally obliterated” the island’s military targets but not its oil infrastructure.

Rural school funding reforms pilotedThe Equitable Education Fund (EEF) is piloting a new budget allocation formula to support small, remote schools, aiming to improve access, efficiency and student outcomes. "This action research evaluates whether a new funding model can genuinely improve schools and learners," she said. The project covers 989 small schools in remote areas, with 180 participating in a randomised controlled trial, including 60 in the experimental group and 120 controls. "Traditional budget allocation may not meet the needs of remote small schools," she said. "The ultimate goal is a sustainable system that reduces inequality and responds to real needs," she said.

(Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Allegations of irregularities in the handling of the general election by the Election Commission (EC) have drawn widespread attention in the country’s unfolding constitutional debate. The party has long argued that these bodies — particularly the EC — wield sweeping powers with insufficient oversight, allowing them to influence political outcomes without democratic accountability. The EC repositioned voting booths so that voters’ backs faced the public, resulting in a violation of voter privacy. The anticipated appointment of Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Jantararuangtong as education minister has also sparked doubts. Despite these concerns, the source noted that the decision to join the coalition does not rest solely with Pheu Thai.

That's exactly where this year's Chidlom Art Week offers a refreshing change of pace. Chidlom Art Week returns with a special spin-off, Pink*Summer*Club, welcoming the first heat of summer with a pretty-in-pink vibe. Step into a dreamy, soft aesthetic world in the iconic shade of Chidlom Pink and shop exclusive items or find a seat and get creative. Under this year's playful "Pink Hotel" theme, visitors can explore curated rooms -- a series of boutique pop-up spaces designed like hotel suites -- each housing a unique mix of fashion brands, studios and artist showcases. And if you're simply looking to slow down, snap a photo and celebrate a little self-love, the Pink Hotel might just be the sweetest summer escape in the city.

Women negotiate with China's repression of queer romance through consumption of Thai boys' love (BL), according to research by Xiaoping Wu. Following the government's crackdown, BL-related or homosexual content has been censored on social media in compliance with the National Radio and Television Administration. As Chinese fans turned to Thai BL following government censorship, they learned of Putthipong Assaratanakul (Billkin) and Krit Amnuaydechkorn (PP), who got into Nadao Bangkok in 2016. Popular sites include Chinese social media, like Weibo, TikTok, and WeChat, and foreign social media, like Instagram. Chinese fans, Wu explained, navigate internet censorship through VPN to gain access to Thai BL.

The family of national artist Chakrabhand Posayakrit will open a museum of his work in Bangkok on March 29, 2026, to keep his paintings accessible to students and the public. Vallapbhit Sodprasert, chairman of the Chakrabhand Posayakrit Foundation, said the artist refused to sell his work to prevent it ending up in private hands and urged the public to help preserve the collection.

The performance in Bangkok was led by Russian piano maestro Denis Matsuev -- the People's Artist of the Russian Federation -- with six compatriot virtuoso instrumentalists and conductor Yuri Tkachenko -- an Honoured Artist of Russia. Two days later, four pieces from the Russian Seasons concert were repeated at the Sala Bhirombhakdi bandstand in Lumpini Park, at the RBSO's final Concert In The Park, which has certainly been a record-breaking season in terms of attendance. Russian Seasons first appeared more than 100 years ago in 1908 when the famous impresario Sergei Diaghilev organised performances of Russian opera and ballet stars in Europe and America, alongside fine arts exhibitions. Improvisations on themes from Grieg's Peer Gynt introduced the Russian ensemble to the audience and set the aesthetic tone for the evening. Khachaturian's iconic Sabre Dance introduced Ekaterina Mochalova to the stage, dazzling the audience with the traditional three-stringed, plucked Russian folk instrument, the Domra.

Coal units restarted to curb electricity costsThe Mae Moh Power Station in Lampang province is the country’s largest lignite-coal power plant, with a capacity of 2,220 to 2,400 Megawatts. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered the restart of two decommissioned units at the Mae Moh coal-fired power plant in a bid to contain rising electricity bills. (Photo: Egat)The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered the restart of two decommissioned units at the Mae Moh coal-fired power plant in a bid to contain rising electricity bills. ERC secretary-general Poonpat Leesombatpiboon said the commission's board resolved that state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) should bring units 9 and 10 back online. Together, the two units can generate 600 megawatts of electricity, which will be added to Mae Moh's current total capacity of 700MW.

Much of the city's growth over the past several decades was organised around roads rather than public transport. Urban planners increasingly describe walkable cities as places where everyday needs (work, groceries, schools, public spaces) are reachable on foot or through short transit connections. It requires no fuel, produces no emissions, and supports the broader efficiency of public transport networks by helping people move between stations and destinations. Instead of separating work, housing, and recreation across distant districts, these developments aim to compress daily life into more walkable neighbourhoods. Walkable streets, connected transit lines, and mixed-use neighbourhoods all point towards the same idea: a city where daily life happens closer together.