Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Alona Fisher-Kamm visited three northeastern provinces last week to convey condolences and support to the families of four Thai agricultural workers killed in the Oct 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. The two-day trip which began last Monday covered Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lam Phu and Udon Thani provinces. The ambassador was joined by Nawanan Netithanakul, deputy secretary-general of the Senate, and senior officials from the Secretariat of the Senate. Embassy consular officials also held follow-up discussions to ensure the families are receiving allowances and support from the Israeli government, the Israeli embassy said. "The Thai workers play a major role in Israeli agriculture," the ambassador said.

Scaling resilience: The Rong Bon community in Chiang Rai's Phan district is turning its rehabilitation efforts into a model for forest fire reduction. Apinya WipatayotinCHIANG RAI: A small community in Phan district is showing how forest conservation can curb haze pollution while generating sustainable income. Bordering Doi Luang National Park, Rong Bon has restored more than 400 rai of degraded land into a thriving forest buffer zone. The turnaround began in 2001 under village head and community forest committee chair Pranee Ratchakom. Communities receive advance payments of about 29,000 baht per rai over three years, provided they limit forest fires and manage funds transparently.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed, senior Israeli official saysFILE PHOTO: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2026. As supreme leader, he held ultimate control over Iran's political, military and religious institutions, shaping domestic policy and guiding foreign relations. When Israel and Iran fought a 12-day air war in June 2025, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened to assassinate him, saying the supreme leader "cannot continue to exist." The post of Supreme Leader was created after the 1979 revolution and enshrined in Iran's constitution, giving a top cleric ultimate authority ‌over the president and parliament. ⁠The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body ​vetted by a hardline watchdog aligned with Khamenei, formally selects the leader.

Department plans to establish four more in each regionPhrae: The Department of Climate Change and Environment has launched its first Climate Change Learning Centre in northern Phrae province, to promote awareness on forest preservation to build a resilient ecosystem against the threats of climate change. It comes after the cabinet last December approved the country's first climate change bill. The learning centre is located in Ban Nam Phrao community in Phrae's Den Chai district. Department deputy chief Komest Putthasorn said the centre will be a place of learning, where knowledge on adaptation and mitigation of climate change will be provided based on the context of local livelihoods. In effect, the Ban Nam Phrao community can develop their own plans and frameworks and see how the initiatives play out.

PM presides over MotoGP season openerPrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will preside over the opening ceremony of the PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2026 on Sunday at the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram, marking the first race of the MotoGP World Championship season. MotoGP is regarded as a global event that attracts international visitors, particularly motorsport fans with strong spending power who often travel in groups and extend trips to other destinations in Thailand. Thailand has hosted MotoGP for seven years and has served as the season opener for two consecutive years, reinforcing efforts to position the country as a regional motorsport hub. The country also hosted the official pre-season test on Feb 21 and 22. More than 300,000 racers, sponsors and spectators, both Thai and foreign, are expected to attend the race in Buri Ram and nearby provinces, contributing to tourism and income distribution to local communities.

However, once the draft amendment is approved, the steps would mirror those under the first scenario. He said parliament would need to determine how members of a charter drafting body are selected and talks with all sides including the Senate would be necessary. Beyond those chapters, the drafting process should proceed in accordance with parliamentary procedures, he said. Siripong: Powers don't want changePP MP for Bangkok Theeratchai Phanthumas said the charter amendment process must proceed under existing mechanisms, but it remains unclear whether the direction will meet public expectations. Mr Theeratchai said the government may pursue amendments, but the outcome may not align with expectations and could result in limited change.

Ministry calls on Thais to evacuateIsraeli anti-air defence system makes an interception, after missiles were launched towards Israel from Iran, following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, February 28, 2026. REUTERSThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has urged Thai nationals in high-risk areas of the Middle East, particularly Iran and Israel, to leave as soon as possible as regional tensions escalate. The ministry warned on Saturday the conflict could intensify and spread, potentially affecting the safety and well-being of Thai citizens in the region. The ministry also urged Thais with no essential or urgent reason to travel to the affected areas to reconsider their plans, citing ongoing uncertainty. For emergency assistance, Thai nationals can contact the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in their area, or call the Department of Consular Affairs at 02-572-8442.

- EU condemns Iran -EU chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned Iran's "unjustifiable attacks" on the United Arab Emirates Saturday. - Norway: Israel broke international law -Norway's foreign minister said Israel's strikes on Iran broke international law, noting that "a pre-emptive attack would require the existence of an imminent threat". - SAfrica: Israel, US broke international law -The US and Israeli strikes on Iran violated international law, said South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa. "Anticipatory self-defence is not permitted under international law and self-defence cannot be based on assumption or anticipation," he said in a statement, calling for "maximum restraint". - Palestinian Authority: condemns Iran -The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) "strongly condemned" Iran's attacks on Arab countries, including several Gulf nations.

YouTube has upgraded its budget-friendly Premium Lite package, allowing subscribers to download videos for offline viewing and play content in the background while switching to other applications or when the screen is turned off. Previously, Premium Lite’s main benefit compared with the standard Premium plan was the removal of advertisements during most videos, except for music content and music videos. Under the latest update, Premium Lite users will now be able to save videos for offline viewing and continue playing videos in the background while multitasking on other apps or locking their devices. However, YouTube has indicated that the new features will apply to “most videos”, suggesting that certain categories — such as Shorts, songs and music videos — may remain excluded from background playback and offline downloads. The company said it would begin rolling out the upgraded Premium Lite benefits globally over the coming weeks, initially making the features available in selected countries before expanding more widely.

Airlines worldwide quickly began making adjustments as airspace across the Middle East started closing down. The majority of airlines have cancelled flights to the Gulf, including hubs like Dubai, home to Emirates, and carriers in India have also cut back their services. Kuwait closed its airspace, with its military later saying it had “engaged incoming missiles”. Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, said regional airspace closures have caused disruption to several flights. Israel’s ministry of transport said the country closed its airspace and asked citizens to stay away from airports.

(Photo: Reuters)The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a series of measures in the event that conflict in the Middle East could intensify further, potentially affecting the safety of Thai nationals residing in the region. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Saturday the ministry has been in constant contact with all embassies across the region to closely monitor and assess developments, while keeping Thai nationals informed. The Thai embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran have been issuing advisories and guidance to Thai nationals since the early stages of the unrest. All Thai missions in the Middle East have prepared assistance measures for Thai nationals, including evacuation plans should the need arise. Thai nationals requiring immediate help can contact it at 0-2572-8442.

The court has ordered the seizure of assets worth 12 billion baht belonging to businessman and lobbyist Benjamin Mauerberger, Cambodian businessman Yim Leak and three Thai women. The Civil Court on Friday ordered the confiscation of more than 13 billion baht in assets in four cases linked to scam networks. The largest seizure involves assets worth 12 billion baht belonging to Cambodian businessman Yim Leak, businessman and lobbyist Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as Ben Smith, and three Thai women. The court also ordered the seizure of 560 million baht in assets belonging to Cambodian businessman Kok An and associates, who face charges of participating in a transnational crime syndicate and money laundering, as well as 46 million baht in assets belonging to Eua-angkun Santirakyothin and associates. Yim Leak respondsThe Bangkok-based law firm Dentons Pisut issued a statement on behalf of Yim Leak and Veereenyah Yim in response to reports concerning the inquiries and asset-freezing actions by Amlo.

(Photo: supplied/Amporn Sangkaew)CHON BURI - Police say the 2-million-baht robbery at the residence of a British chef and his Thai wife in Bang Lamung district was thoroughly planned, involving three getaway vehicles. Investigators believe the robbers deliberately targeted the couple, knowing they had just withdrawn two million baht to purchase a house, Pol Col Natthaphon Phongsuksakul, chief of the Nong Prue police station, said on Saturday. Mr Russell was threatened by a suspect holding a knife to his neck and demanding to know where the money was kept. Surveillance video revealed the gang used three vehicles in the operation to confuse pursuers, Pol Col Natthaphon said. Later, another black Ford pickup arrived to pick up the gang before heading toward Muang district via Sukhumvit Road, Pol Col Natthaphon said.

Members of the public and media observe a referendum vote re-run at Polling Unit 9 in Bangkok Constituency 15 in Kannayao district on Feb 22. Such activities are lawful provided they do not violate voter privacy, obstruct election officials or interfere with election administration, it said. However, it said authorities must act if those freedoms are abused in ways that compromise ballot secrecy or disrupt operations. Critics say there is a risk that a barcode could be used to identify the voter who cast the ballot. It also expressed concern about social media activity linked to the group, which it said sought to spread misleading claims and generate public mistrust, potentially affecting national stability.

The promotion has confirmed their rematch will headline ONE Samurai 1 on April 29 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, contested for the interim flyweight kickboxing world title. Rodtang narrowly made weight for a flyweight Muay Thai world title bout against Nong-O Hama at ONE 173, but was hospitalised due to complications from his weight cut and the fight was cancelled. “My retirement fight will be against Rodtang for a world title,” the Japanese superstar wrote on social media. Superlek Kiatmookao has not defended the undisputed ONE flyweight kickboxing world title since his unanimous decision win over Takeru at ONE 165 in January 2024. Should Takeru avenge his knockout loss and claim interim gold, a unification bout with Superlek would loom – testing his retirement vow.