Amid renewed Thai–Cambodian tensions, scholars and civic leaders have called for the application of Buddhist principles to ease divisions, urging both societies to draw on their shared spiritual heritage as a foundation for dialogue and reconciliation. Participants said recurring tensions between the two neighbours tend to intensify or subside depending on political and social dynamics, underscoring the need for sustained people-to-people engagement beyond official diplomacy. He cited core teachings such as Right Understanding, Right Speech and Right Conduct as practical tools for resolving disputes. Senior journalist Sanitsuda Ekachai urged a re-examination of nationalist historical narratives that emphasise ownership and superiority. Supachai Verapuchong, secretary-general of the BodhiGaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute, presented Buddhism as a form of regional "soft power" capable of easing political divides.

US told EU it 'stands' by tariff deal: trade chiefThe US Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Donald Trump lacks authority to impose levies under a 1977 law. (Photo: AFP)BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) - The EU's trade chief said Tuesday his US counterparts had told him Washington stands by a key trade deal with the bloc, following an adverse Supreme Court decision on President Donald Trump's tariffs. That raised complex questions about what the new duties mean for the EU deal clinched last year with Trump, which set tariffs at 15 percent for most EU goods. "I have been in constant touch with my counterparts, and they both reassured me they stand by the deal with the European Union," Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic told EU lawmakers. EU member states' representatives in Brussels heard from the EU executive Monday and a European diplomat said everyone agreed "a deal is a deal".

Healthcare system faces 'debt-inspired crisis'Senator Veerapun Suvannamai has warned of a looming financial crisis in the healthcare system due to unpaid debts from the National Health Security Office (NHSO) under the universal healthcare scheme. Under the NHSO's point-based reimbursement system, hospitals often receive less than the actual cost of care, forcing them to rely on their own maintenance funds to cover expenses. With central funds still pending, hospitals will face even greater financial strain this year," Dr Veerapun said. He warned that hospitals with high patient volumes are the most at risk, particularly in rural provinces where maintenance funds are limited. Dr Veerapun described the situation as a "time bomb", stressing that if healthcare workers stop providing services due to lack of pay, patients will suffer directly.

Rigid rules and excessive red tape have become significant structural barriers to private sector development. During the 1997 financial crisis, a regulatory reform committee (RRC) with substantial private sector participation was established. The remaining 13 members were drawn from the private sector, civil society, academia, and the broader public. This institutional design reflected a genuine commitment to inclusive and participatory regulatory reform, ensuring that businesses, scholars, and citizens were meaningfully involved in reshaping the country's regulatory framework. Ultimately, regulatory reform will succeed only if there is a "strong political commitment" from the highest levels.

In collaboration with Siwilai's head chef and team, he presents favourite Thai and international comfort food but with twists in a new all-day dining menu. From the drink-friendly section, Crispy Chiangmai fermented pork is served with Thai coriander pesto, a twist on nam prik noom. Honey pork jowl betel leaf is a twist on miang, giving a mix of juicy meat and herbs inside each wrap. Don't turn your nose up at the lamb's unique aroma; it almost melts in your mouth and goes great with the melange of herbs used in the curry. Roasted baby chicken uses organic chicken from Klong Phai Farm, which is marinated with Thai herbs for aroma, slow roasted until tender and served with spinach.

The Queen's Cup Pink Polo will return with a vibrant programme of international equestrian sport and charity highlights at Thai Polo and Equestrian Club in Pattaya, Chon Buri, on Saturday from noon to 6pm. A major milestone this year is the debut of the "B.Grimm Pink Cup CSIY-B Pattaya 2026", an international youth showjumping competition welcoming riders from 11 countries. The event is led by Harald Link, chairman of B.Grimm and TEF president, alongside Nunthinee Tanner, Thailand's first female polo player and TEF vice-president, who founded the Queen's Cup Pink Polo. Over the past 17 years, the Queen's Cup Pink Polo has evolved into a meaningful platform where sport, philanthropy and community engagement converge. The event also reinforces Pattaya's growing reputation as a regional hub for international equestrian sport, reflecting Thailand's continued leadership in developing world-class equestrian facilities and hosting global competitions.

CAAT rejigs screenings at all airportsThe Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is to allow airport security to inspect suspicious checked baggage without the passenger being present, as part of a broader overhaul of the country's aviation security standards. The CAAT said all such inspections must be recorded on video so passengers can review the process afterwards. The audit found inconsistent use of handheld metal detectors, resulting in incomplete screening of certain body areas. CAAT has ordered all airports to discontinue the use of handheld metal detectors from Jan 1. Only three body screening methods will be permitted: pat-down searches, walk-through metal detectors, and body scanners.

Most everyday headphones may expose users to cancer‑linked chemicals, European researchers warn. BPA is a chemical identified as a hormone disruptor that poses cancer and other serious health risks. Karolína Brabcová, a chemical expert on the project, said the chemicals may be leaching from the headphones into the body through sweat and heat. Even at legal levels, chemicals from multiple sources can combine in the body, and their combined effects could increase the risk of cancer and infertility. (Photo: Tox FreeLIFE for All)The ToxFree project is known for its findings of hormone‑disrupting substances in baby pacifiers labelled "BPA‑free" and for detecting toxins in over 33% of women’s underwear samples.

His second solo exhibition in 2015, "Gushing Out My Confession", depicted nude photos of young men with various kind of flowers in different poses. (Photo courtesy of SAC Gallery)However, the Dendrobium pompadour was stolen and grown outside the home of elites. Hence, the Dendrobium pompadour spread and was cultivated in areas of Lak Song and Nong Khaem. Agony refers to his five previous solo exhibitions: A -- "Always"; G -- "Gushing Out My Confession"; O -- "Only For The Dead On Duty? is a solo exhibition that gained recognition in media since it addresses violence at the Armed Forces Academies Preparation School.

PSG star Hakimi faces trial for alleged rapeThe 27-year-old Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi has denied an accusation of rape and says he looks forward to the trial where “the truth will come out”. (Photo: AFP)PARIS - Paris Saint-Germain footballer Achraf Hakimi, a key player in their Champions League-winning side last season, is to stand trial charged with raping a young woman, his lawyer and a French prosecutor told AFP on Tuesday. In February 2023, a woman then aged 24 told police in the Val-De-Marne region southeast of Paris that Hakimi had raped her. “Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I contest it and everything proves that it is false,” he wrote on X on Tuesday. Hakimi joined PSG in 2021, after stints with Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.

Sri Lanka looks to forge closer ties in 2026Sunil Handunneththi, Sri Lanka's Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, centre, EAS Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand, 2nd from right, and Thailand's Minister of Culture Sabeeda Thaised, far right, at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok. This year, the diplomatic activities will continue, Ms Edirisinghe said during a reception in Bangkok yesterday marking the 78th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence. Sri Lanka's Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi, who appeared for the reception, invited Thai entrepreneurs to visit the Sri Lanka Expo 2026 from June 18-21 in Colombo. Mr Sunil said Sri Lanka deeply treasures the longstanding ties between the two countries. Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised said the kingdom views Sri Lanka as a key partner in the promotion of culture, religion, and people exchanges.

Thai youth are increasingly falling prey to risky behaviours, with e-cigarette use soaring and online gambling reaching troubling levels, according to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). Speaking recently, she cited findings from the 2025 Thai Health Report compiled jointly with a team from Mahidol University. Online gambling presents a similarly alarming trend. A 2023 study by the Gambling Problem Study Centre found that 32.3% of Thai youth had participated in online gambling. Local children and youth councils have emerged as a central mechanism in this effort, with more than 243 local administrative organisations now operating strong youth councils.

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct has scheduled March 17 to decide whether to formally accept a case against Election Commission (EC) chairman Narong Klanwarin and seven other senior officials over the poll ballot controversy. The case concerns the printing and use of ballot papers containing QR codes and barcodes, a controversy that has stoked concerns about voting secrecy and election integrity in the Feb 8 general election. He claimed the decision to include such codes reflected dishonest intent, unnecessarily increased printing costs, and undermined public trust in the confidentiality of the ballot. He said that the absence of serial numbering could create opportunities for fraud, including the printing of excess ballots. Sen Nantana said ballot papers used in the re-vote on Feb 22 differed from those used on Feb 8 because some lacked serial numbers that were present on earlier ballots.

Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) leader Anutin Charnvirakul has rejected suggestions that negotiations to form the new government have been finalised, insisting that discussions remain ongoing and that he alone is leading the process. Speaking at Government House yesterday, Mr Anutin -- serving as caretaker prime minister -- responded to remarks by senior party colleagues indicating that a 300-seat coalition had already been secured. Until the official endorsement of results is complete, he said, it would be inappropriate to discuss binding coalition agreements, cabinet allocations, or voting commitments for the premiership. Mr Anutin declined to reveal whether BJT would insist on voting for the prime minister before ministerial posts are apportioned, saying only that clarity over MP seat numbers must come first. Mr Anutin also laughed off talk of a so-called "traffic-light" alliance involving rival parties that could potentially edge BJT into opposition.

AI will transform business, not just our jobsMany people fear that AI could cause a "job-pocalypse". That is because AI is an information technology that affects decision-making processes. For example, there is emerging evidence that using AI to write code compromises human workers' skill acquisition. AI agents could smooth the frictions inherent in negotiations between different entities and monitor complex supply chains. But if reflected in the repeated actions of human workers, new AI applications may be able to capture this know-how and codify it.