Undertaker accused of molestation has been arrestedPol Maj Gen Jruykiat Pankaeo, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, centre, listens to women who have filed molestation complaints against an Ang Thong undertaker, at CIB headquarters in February. (Photo supplied)Police have arrested an undertaker known as “Uncle Sanom" who is accused of sexually molesting several women during superstitious rites performed on temple ground in Ang Thong province. Uncle Sanom, whose real name is Sanom Phiewbang, 82, was apprehended on Monday at a residence in Song district of the northern province of Phrae, according to Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat Pankaeo, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau. Police inspecting the site found evidence supporting the allegations and subsequently issued seven arrest warrants for him, Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said. Uncle Sanom allegedly admitted to sexual assault but denied threatening the women with a knife, Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said.

Israel hits Lebanon after Hezbollah fire, expanding Iran warLebanon's Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement views any attack on Iran's supreme leader as a red lineBEIRUT (LEBANON) - Israeli forces launched strikes on Lebanon including the capital Beirut on Monday, the military said, after Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader. The Israeli strikes followed rocket and drone launches from Lebanon, the first attack on Israel claimed by Hezbollah since a November 2024 ceasefire agreement that followed more than a year of war between them. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli strikes across the country, including in Beirut's southern suburbs where Hezbollah holds sway. It was also "in defence of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the repeated Israeli attacks", Hezbollah said. Without naming Hezbollah, Salam vowed to "stop the perpetrators and protect the Lebanese people".

Pentagon chief refuses to rule out 'boots on ground' in IranUS Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on March 2, 2026. When asked if the United States already had boots on the ground, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told a news conference: "No, but we're not going to go into the exercise of what we will or will not do." As for how long the war will last, Hegseth said: "Four weeks, two weeks, six weeks, it could move up. General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, spoke alongside Hegseth, saying that air superiority had been achieved over Iran. This air superiority will not only enhance the protection of our forces, but also allow them to continue the work over Iran," Caine said.

Man denies allegedly forcing Thai girl,12, into sex work in JapanPeople walk at a shopping area of Shinjuku in Tokyo, Japan, on Sept 11, 2025. (File photo: Reuters)KYODO - 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 Monday. "I did not know she was underage," Masayuki Hosono, 52, told the Tokyo District Court during the first hearing of his criminal trial. 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 offences including human trafficking.

Argentina's Milei says wants US 'strategic alliance' to be state policyArgentina's President Javier Milei (C) gave his annual speech to parliament. (Photo: AFP)BUENOS AIRES - Argentina President Javier Milei said Sunday that he wants to make the "strategic alliance" with the United States led by ally President Donald Trump a "state policy." In a state of the nation address to parliament, the Argentine leader said "the South Atlantic is the strategic battleground of the coming decades," arguing Argentina must be a "player" in the region. His nearly two-hour speech marked the beginning of the new legislative cycle after a turbulent 2025, which was marked by corruption allegations against officials and episodes of currency instability. But Milei, president since 2023, begins this parliamentary year in a position of political strength, bolstered by his electoral success in the midterm elections in October.

Iran war spreads with strikes across Middle East and beyondTehran is still under attack by US and Israeli forces three days after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamanei. (Photo: AFP)BEIRUT - The war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran spread across the Middle East and beyond on Monday with Lebanon's Hezbollah entering the fray and a British air base in Cyprus targeted. Explosions rocked Beirut while, in southern Lebanon residents fled, according to AFP journalists, after the Israeli military announced it was striking several parts of the country. Israel and the United States attacked Iran weeks after authorities crushed mass protests, killing thousands according to rights groups. World leaders have given a mixed reaction to the war, which began two days after Iran and the United States held talks on Tehran's nuclear programme.

(Photo: Reuters)The ongoing conflict with Iran is impacting global trade through heightened energy prices, freight rates, risk premiums and shipping complications, says the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC). Oil prices would likely surge rapidly, potentially fuelling inflationary pressures in many countries, according to the chairman. The Strait of Hormuz accounts for about 20% of global oil trade and acts as a major maritime route for transporting liquid natural gas to Asia. “Rising geopolitical tensions have driven up crude oil prices, and we should expect continued volatility. This is likely to lead to higher global sea, air and land freight costs, thereby raising overall logistics expenses,” he said.

Energy prices soar, stock markets slide on Iran war falloutOil prices surged and stocks sank after US and Israeli forces began striking Iran at the weekend. (Photo: AFP)LONDON - Oil and gas prices soared, stock markets slid and the US dollar firmed on Monday as the widening Iran war shook financial markets across the globe. European natural gas prices rocketed more than 20% and world crude futures surged around eight percent on fears of disruption to Middle East energy supplies. Asian and European stock markets retreated as much as around 2% as investors exited trades in favour of the dollar and gold, seen as safer bets in times of economic unrest. "If higher oil prices persist, it raises the risk of stickier headline inflation," wrote Saxo Markets' Charu Chanana.

Village chief kills one man, shoots at another, then diesPeople gather at the house of the tambon Na San mayor who fled the attack in Phra Phrom district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, on Monday morning. (Photo: Nujaree Rakrun)NAKHON SI THAMMARAT - A village chief shot a sleeping man dead and tried to kill another man before himself collapsing and dying in a pool of blood on Monday morning. Local police said Pornchai Siriwan, chief of Moo 2 village, first broke into the house of Sampan Samchu, 54, in tambon Na San of Phra Phrom district. Pornchai then rode his motorcycle, while carrying a shotgun and an 11mm pistol, to the nearby house of Payong Sa-nguantoi, mayor of Na San. Mr Payong said he knew Pornchai well and had helped him buy the 11mm pistol he was carrying several years ago.

Council to list suspended doctorsThe Medical Council of Thailand will disclose the names of doctors who have been disciplined for ethical violations on its website for the first time to enhance transparency and protect the public interest. Discussions regarding the matter were prompted after people said they should have the right to know when a doctor has been suspended or has had their medical licence revoked. In the past, records of disciplinary action were not made public clearly, which limited patients' ability to verify a doctor's status. Practising medicine while under suspension is illegal. Initially, the disclosure will indicate the current status of doctors who face disciplinary penalties, including the period of licence suspension or if a licence has been revoked.

Thousands of tourists stranded amid Middle East upheavalTravelers check in at Chiang Mai airport in Chiang Mai on Monday. Flights operated by major carriers between the Middle East and Thailand were cancelled, including Thai AirAsia X flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rangsiman Kingkaew, president of the Tourism Council of Phuket, said foreigners on flights from the Middle East to Phuket accounted for roughly 10% of daily arrivals. As of Monday, more than 5,000 tourists were stranded in Phuket following over 30 flight cancellations. Most of the tourists impacted are from the Middle East, Israel, Europe or the United States, utilising an aviation hub in the Middle East.

SINGAPORE - Several marine insurers said ​they are cancelling war risk ‌cover for ships due to the conflict in Iran and the Gulf. War risk cover will be excluded in Iranian waters, as well as the Gulf and ‌adjacent waters, according to the notices. Skuld added in its notice that it was working on a buy-back option to reinstate cover. Japan's MS&AD Insurance Group told ⁠Reuters it had suspended underwriting of a range of insurance policies covering war risks in the waters around Iran and Israel and neighbouring countries. The risks intensified further after at least three tankers were damaged off the Gulf coast and one seafarer was killed.

Police search one of the six raided premises places for evidence against Ben Smith, alias Benjamin Maurerberger, and his wife on Monday. (Photo: Central Investigation Bureau via Wassayos Ngamkham)Police searched six locations for more evidence against accused international swindlers Ben Smith and his wife on Monday, after the Criminal Court approved arrest warrants for the fugitive couple. The alleged crimes were committed in 2016, when Mr Smith lured victims to invest in several projects. Pol Lt Col Arthirat said police suspected the six were involved in transferring money from the victims to Mr Smith and his wife, but none had been charged. Pol Lt Col Arthirat said the latest police charges and evidence seizures on Monday relate to another case against Mr Smith and his wife.

Tourism permanent secretary Natthriya Thaweevong said discounts and fee waivers were being organised in talks with hoteliers, tour guides and related services. She said some tourists who were due to depart could not do so because of flight cancellations. The tourism ministry is asking hoteliers and service providers, through their associations, if they can offer accommodation discounts and tour packages with special prizes,” Ms Natthriya said. Local tourism officials and volunteers would interview affected visitors at their hotels to ascertain their needs, so that officials could help. This would include help for visitors whose visas were about to expire.

Ugandan sex workers earned B500k a month on Koh PhanganPolice detain one of the Ugandan women at a house on Koh Phangan on Sunday on a charge of prostitution. (Photo: Koh Phangan Tourist Police)SURAT THANI - Two Ugandan women have admitted to each earning about 500,000 baht a month working as prostitutes on Koh Phangan after an Israeli customer complained he was robbed while enjoying their charms. He agreed to pay 5,000 baht for a double service, tourist police inspector Pol Lt Col Winit Boonchit said. The suspects, identified as Janat Nakalema, 32, and Mariam Namatovu, 29, were apprehended on Sunday night at an unnumbered house in Village 2, tambon Koh Phangan. They were taken into custody at Koh Phangan police station for legal proceedings, Pol Lt Col Winit said.