Thailand braces for oil price shockThai energy officials are intensifying measures to shield the country from a crisis reminiscent of the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, as mounting tensions between Iran, Israel and the US raise fears of global oil supply disruptions and economic instability. Authorities are working with power companies to avoid a repeat of the sharp price hikes that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, said an energy official who requested anonymity. In March 2022, global crude oil surged to nearly US$140 a barrel, according to media reports. The surge in global energy prices forced the government to tap the Oil Fuel Fund to cushion the impact, subsidising domestic oil and liquefied petroleum gas costs. After gas prices stabilised, consumers had to repay part of the money through electricity bills to reimburse Egat and PTT.

Japan to help pay for public health on Tak borderJapan has pledged 453 million yen (about 90.1 million baht) to strengthen public health services along the Thailand–Myanmar border in Tak province, where the increasing number of refugees is putting a strain on local healthcare systems. The funding agreement was recently signed by the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The funds will go towards an initiative dubbed "the Project for Strengthening Health Care Services for Displaced Persons from Myanmar in Tak Province". Deputy permanent secretary of health, Sopon Iamsirithaworn, said Tak's high population mobility presents unique challenges, placing pressure on health services. "This support from Japan allows us to move beyond temporary solutions by providing essential resources to community hospitals," Mr Sopon said.

UK toughens asylum rulesUnder new British Home Office reforms, refugee status for adults and their accompanying children will be reviewed every 30 months. afpLONDON - The United Kingdom's overhaul of its asylum program takes effect on Monday, the Home Office announced, with the new rules drastically cutting protections for refugees and their children. The overhaul was announced in November, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood arguing the previous system was too generous compared to other European countries. The tougher stance has been seen as an attempt to claw back surging support for firebrand Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK party. The top five nationalities with the largest number of people claiming asylum were Pakistan, Eritrea, Iran, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Evenings are spent on the Hanazakura Terrace, a deck shaded by weeping cherry trees, where dinner is served under illuminated branches. • At Kai Kinugawa in Tochigi Prefecture, cherry blossoms bloom in the river valleys from late March to early April. In the evenings, selected terraces and lounges are illuminated to frame the cherry blossoms on the opposite bank. Both properties provide a bespoke Urban Hanami Map, designed to guide visitors through the city’s most picturesque cherry blossom viewing locations. For art enthusiasts, Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel offers stylish accommodation, steps from the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and the vibrant Leidseplein district.

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to regional peace efforts during talks with Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa P Lazaro, thanking the Philippines for its leadership of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). The talks underscored ASEAN’s role in supporting peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar. He also updated Lazaro on the situation along the Thailand – Cambodia border, affirming that Thailand continues to strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement. Sihasak commended the Philippines’ leadership of the AOT, which is monitoring developments related to the ceasefire. The two sides welcomed the strong ties between their countries and agreed to maintain close coordination in regional and international issues./.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday (March 1) that he has accepted a U.S. request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers. He added that “the basis of our decision is the collective self-defense of long-standing friends and allies and protecting British lives."

SET index falls on Iran-US conflictPeople gather at Vali-Asr Square in Tehran after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by an Israeli strike on Saturday. (Photo: West Asia News Agency/ Reuters)The Stock Exchange of Thailand dropped more than 1% on Monday as the Thai bourse felt the heat from the conflict in the Middle East. The SET index was down 26.48 points, or 1.73%, to 1,501.78 just minutes after the open. “If tensions stabilise or de-escalate, Thai energy and petrochemical stocks are expected to remain key beneficiaries, supported by elevated crude prices. The broader Thai market could rebound strongly and potentially hold onto gains, given the heavy weighting of energy shares,” Mr Piriyaporn said.

Thousands of flights cancelled as Iran conflict upends global air travelStranded travellers sit on the floor at Sydney Airport after their standby flight to Switzerland via Doha was cancelled, in Sydney, Australia, March 2, 2026. Dubai International Airport sustained damage during Iran's attacks while airports in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were also hit. In Bali, Indonesia, long queues snaked through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport as passengers waited ​to ⁠speak to airline staff. Travellers sat on their luggage as they waited to find out details of their flights at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, while departure boards in Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport showed a long list of cancelled flights. Highlighting ⁠the scale of the disruption, Air India cancelled its flights on Sunday departing from Delhi, ​Mumbai and Amritsar for major cities in Europe and North America.

"But America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization." Casualties are politically sensitive in the United States and Trump, who campaigned denouncing foreign interventions, has done little to explain the case for war to the US public. "Iran considers it its legitimate duty and right to avenge the perpetrators and masterminds of this historic crime," Pezeshkian said. Israel and the United States attacked Iran weeks after authorities ruthlessly crushed mass protests, killing thousands. Inside Iran, the Red Crescent in its last toll issued on Saturday evening said that strikes had killed 201 people and injured hundreds more.

Arsenal corner Chelsea into submission, Man Utd climb to thirdJurrien Timber's goal gave Arsenal a five-point lead at the top of the Premier LeagueLONDON - Arsenal reestablished a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League as the Gunners overcame 10-man Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday, while Benjamin Sesko fired Manchester United up to third with victory over Crystal Palace. Saliba forced home the opening goal on 21 minutes after Gabriel Magalhaes headed Eberechi Eze's delivery back across goal. Chelsea levelled from a corner of their own when Pedro Hincapie turned Reece James' cross into his own net. Timber's winner just after the hour mark was the 16th goal Arsenal have scored from a corner in the Premier League this season -- equalling the competition record. Richarlison headed in a late consolation for Tottenham, but they remain the only Premier League side without a win in 2026.

Scam-hit Cambodia tries to woo Hong Kong but travel agencies have doubtsCambodia is famous for the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap. In 2017, by comparison, more than 13,000 Hong Kong residents were counted as having visited. Kim said he believed that Hong Kongers would be particularly attracted to the country's cultural products, food and cheaper luxury goods. Local tour operators said there was still a long way to go before Hong Kongers would flock back to the country. Hong Kongers looking to travel to the region had opted for neighbouring countries such as Vietnam instead, he said.

Infantino says players who cover mouths when speaking could be sent offGianluca Prestianni was provisionally suspended after being accused of racially abusing Vinicius JuniorLONDON - FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested players who cover their mouths while talking to opponents could be sent off, in light of racism allegations against Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni. Argentina's Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during a Champions League game last month, while covering his mouth with his shirt. "If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously," Infantino told Sky News. "There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn't have said, otherwise he wouldn't have had to cover his mouth. He denies racially abusing Vinicius.

Klatham MPs vow to stay with partyTwo Klatham MPs from a faction loyal to Chalermchai Sri-on said they will remain with the party regardless of whether the party becomes a part of the governing coalition. Mr Chalermchai, who is a former leader of the Democrat Party, joined Klatham in December last year, along with 11 former Democrats. Yunaydi Waba, a Klatham Party MP for Pattani, said on Facebook late on Saturday that he and fellow Klatham MP for Narathiwat, Lutfee Haji-itae, are neither "cobras" nor "green snakes" -- terms used to describe politicians who switch sides for political gain. He urged the Pheu Thai, Klatham, People's and Democrat parties to refrain from voting for Anutin Charnvirakul as the next prime minister in parliament. This move would require a political coordinator who is influential enough, especially when facilitating between Pheu Thai and Klatham, he noted.

Maersk suspends vessel transit through Strait of HormuzState media in Oman said Sunday an oil tanker off its coast had been targetedCOPENHAGEN - Maersk, the major container shipping company, said Sunday it was halting passage through the Suez Canal and the narrow Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, next to Iran, for "safety" reasons. The Danish group was the latest of several shipping groups to make similar announcements after Iran's Revolutionary Guards declared the strait closed on Saturday. "We have decided... to pause future Trans-Suez sailings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for the time being," Maersk said in an online advisory. "We are suspending all vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz until further notice," it added. German shipowners Hapag-Lloyd, the fifth largest in the world, said it was suspending traffic by its vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

LH Bank sets robust SME loan targetMr Shih says many Thai SMEs continue to show strong growth potential. LH Bank, a subsidiary of Land and Houses Financial Group, has set an ambitious double-digit loan growth target for its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) segment this year, bucking the broader industry slowdown. The bank is a small lender and targets SME loan growth of 15-20% in 2026, with new SME lending of about 6 billion baht -- almost double last year's level of around 3.5 billion. The bank plans to roll out tailored SME products to better meet the needs of individual clients, said Shih Jiing-Fuh, president and chief executive of LH Bank. LH Bank set a loan growth target of 10-12% this year, assuming GDP growth of 1.8%.