'No plan' for VAT rate hike
The incoming Bhumjaithai-led administration will not raise the value-added tax (VAT) rate to 10% over the next three years, a BJT executive said, adding that the party's immediate focus is economic recovery. BJT deputy leader Siripong Angkasakulkiat gave the assurance on Monday in response to a proposal floated by a Senate sub-committee on economic, monetary and fiscal affairs last week. The sub-committee suggested gradually restructuring the tax system -- including a phased VAT increase to 10% -- sparking speculation that the incoming government might consider raising the VAT ceiling, which is currently capped at 7%. Mr Siripong dismissed concerns about a possible VAT hike, saying the government has no plans to raise VAT in the short term. "The first priority is to restore the economy, not to collect more revenue through charging higher VAT," said Mr Siripong.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 22:01 UTC
PP leader ready to step aside
PP leader ready to step asideNatthaphong RuengpanyawutNatthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party (PP), has declared he is prepared to step down if a court orders him to suspend his duties, as legal uncertainty continues to hang over 44 party MPs. "If the court orders me to stop performing my duties, I am ready to relinquish the leadership and take on other responsibilities." The case, which is expected to become clearer around April, concerns MPs accused over their role in proposing legal amendments. Mr Natthaphong said any change in party leadership, which would also affect the position of leader of the opposition, must be decided by the party's general assembly. Despite the legal cloud, the PP is focusing on rebuilding after its electoral setback.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 22:01 UTC
Pheu Thai denies cabinet talks
Pheu Thai denies cabinet talksJulapun AmornvivatThe Pheu Thai Party has firmly denied reports it is scheduled to meet the Bhumjaithai Party on Tuesday to negotiate cabinet quotas as part of coalition government formation, insisting no such appointment has been arranged. Speaking at party headquarters, Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat said that while senior figures had previously held discussions following an earlier invitation, there had been no further talks since. When pressed on whether Pheu Thai would attend talks if approached again, Mr Julapun reiterated that no coordination had taken place. Asked if a projected 300-seat coalition would provide political stability, Mr Julapun said Pheu Thai had not engaged in such calculations. Over the 10 days since the vote, Pheu Thai has concentrated on monitoring the electoral process, submitting more than 100 complaints to the Election Commission.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 21:52 UTC
Phuket in fresh bid for Specialised Expo
Phuket to refile bid for expo with longevity theme to promote sustainable tourism, reviving Mai Khao plan after 2027 loss and pushing for infrastructure upgradesAn artist’s rendition shows the site Phuket had proposed for Specialised Expo 2028. Phuket plans to submit a bid for the Specialised Expo again this year, aiming to host the event in 2032 or 2033 under a new “longevity” theme, promoting the island’s wellness and sustainable tourism sectors. Mr Bhummikitti said the previous development plan on a 141-rai area of Mai Khao in Phuket would be revived for the new expo bid. According to the previous bid, Phuket Expo was presented under a “Future of Life, Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity” theme, and was expected to draw 4.9 million visitors, generating 49 billion baht revenue and 113,000 jobs. Mr Bhummikitti said that as the Specialised Expo is held every five years, the new proposal must be submitted to the Bureau International des Expositions before the Serbia Expo commences.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 18:56 UTC
Women in gastronomy
In honour of International Women's Day on March 8, "Women In Gastronomy" returns at the Banyan Tree Bangkok. At Moon Bar, Wannaporn "Fang" Jumpa from Mahaniyom and Nattarika "Tangmo" Pho-ong from Scofflaws take over the bar with inventive cocktails. • On March 8, "Women Iin Gastronomy 2026" concludes aboard Saffron Cruise with the "HERitage Of Taste – A Grand Culinary Gala", bringing together culinary heritage, female leadership and refined gastronomy. At Moon Bar, Siriwan and Piyada "May" Mo-on of Supanniga Group close the week with cocktails designed to leave a lasting impression. Proceeds after expenses from "Women In Gastronomy 2026" will be donated to the Half Way Home For Protection And Development Of Mental Disabilities For Women in Pathum Thani province.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 16:23 UTC
Actress 'Nana’, rapper husband indicted in B100m fraud case
Actress 'Nana’, rapper husband indicted in B100m fraud caseActress Rybena 'Nana' Intachai in custody at the Economic Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok after hearing the charges on Dec 3, 2025. (Photo: Wassayos Ngamkham)Prosecutors have laid charges against actress Rybena “Nana” Intachai, her rapper husband Prinya "Way Thaitanium" and two firms in a fraudulent borrowing and document-forgery case allegedly involving more than 100 million baht. They face charges of joint fraud, public fraud through borrowing, and forging and using forged documents. The amounts involved range from 1.5 million baht up to 46.39 million baht. On Dec 12, rapper Prinya reported to police at the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) to acknowledge fraud charges filed against him and his actress wife.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 15:09 UTC
Nigeria paid Boko Haram ransom for kidnapped pupils
Nigeria paid Boko Haram ransom for kidnapped pupilsSome of the freed children were received by the governor of Niger state Mohammed Umaru Bago. (Photo: AFP)KANO (NIGERIA) - The Nigerian government paid Boko Haram militants a "huge" ransom of millions of dollars to free up to 230 children and staff the jihadists abducted from a Catholic school in November, intelligence sources told AFP. Boko Haram has not been previously linked to the kidnapping, but sources told AFP one of its most feared commanders was behind the mass abduction. However, four intelligence sources familiar with the talks told AFP the government paid a "huge" ransom to get the pupils back. Nigeria's State Security Service flatly denied paying any money, saying: "Government agents don't pay ransoms."
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 14:36 UTC
Plan to tax gold imports stokes Thai industry criticism
Plan to tax gold imports stokes Thai industry criticismTraders have warned that any import duty collected on gold could damage Thailand's status as a regional gold trading hub, citing the lesson learned by India. The Customs Department has already conducted a study into gold import duties, which found that several developing countries impose taxes on gold. Trading hubAccording to Mr Phantong, Indonesia levies a 0% import duty on pure gold bars, but imposes value-added tax (VAT) at 11%. Thailand currently grants exemptions on gold import duty, VAT, and gold export tax, in order to position Thailand as a trading hub for the regional gold market, Mr Phantong said. “India was once the world’s largest gold market, but when the country levied an import tax on gold the country’s world ranking slipped to No.2,” she told the Bangkok Post.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 14:19 UTC
Thai exports hit 4-year high despite strong baht
TPSO chief Nantapong Chiralerspong says that while Thailand's export growth continues, the upward momentum might decelerate by June 2026. Exports of electrical appliances, automobiles and auto parts demonstrated sustained growth at a high level, underscoring Thailand’s strong position as a reliable manufacturing hub in the region. Agricultural and processed food products, such as durian, mangosteen, jasmine rice and frozen shrimp, resumed solid growth during the month. Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the TPSO, an office under the Ministry of Commerce, said that while export growth continues, the upward momentum might slow down by June this year. “Front-loading has contributed to Thailand’s recent export growth.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 14:19 UTC
Scam pressure tied to 14-year-old’s fall from fifth floor
Scam pressure tied to 14-year-old’s fall from fifth floorEmergency responders administer first aid to a 14‑year‑old student found critically injured after falling from the fifth floor of a school building. (TV screenshot)A 14‑year‑old girl was critically injured after falling from a fifth‑floor window of a school building in Chon Buri province on Sunday, with investigators believing stress from being targeted by a scam gang was the motive. At the scene rescuers found the girl, an eighth-grade student, lying on the ground beside the building. Local media reported that she sustained severe injuries and will need more time before she can speak with investigators. Her friends said she had been deceived by a call‑centre scam gang into transferring about 3,600 baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 14:06 UTC
Cambodia warned that border fires could stoke conflict
Cambodia warned that border fires could stoke conflictDefence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit. (Photo: Bangkok Post)Thailand has warned Cambodia that uncontrolled bushfires started by Cambodian soldiers could become a new problem in their border conflict. "If the fires expand into Thailand, they could turn into border problems," Gen Nattaphon told reporters on Monday. It alleged that Cambodian soldiers were behind the blazes, which sent polluting smoke into Thailand. The RTA believes Cambodian soldiers intentionally started the fires to provoke Thai soldiers, amid the fragile peace along the border following two rounds of deadly clashes last year.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 13:51 UTC
Iran says would respond 'ferociously' to any US attack, even limited strikes
Iran says would respond 'ferociously' to any US attack, even limited strikesWashington and Tehran have continued to trade threats during the race to cut a deal over Iran's nuclear programme. (Photo: AFP)PARIS — Iran said Monday that a US attack of any scale would spur the Islamic republic to respond "ferociously", after President Donald Trump said he was considering limited strikes against the country. On Monday Iran's foreign ministry reiterated that any strike, even limited, would be "would be regarded as an act of aggression. Further talks, confirmed by Iran and Oman but not by the United States, are scheduled for Thursday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is leading the negotiations for Iran, while the United States is represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 11:07 UTC
Japanese “nude festival” leaves six men hospitalised
Japanese “nude festival” leaves six men hospitalisedMany people take part in the Hadaka Matsuri at Saidaiji Kannon Temple in Okayama, Japan. (Photo: Japan National Tourism Organisation)OKAYAMA — Six men were injured in a crush during this year’s Hadaka Matsuri at Saidaiji Kannon Temple in Okayama, Japanese authorities said. The casualties occurred amid a surge of more than 10,000 nearly naked participants inside the temple grounds. The Hadaka Matsuri, or Saidaiji Eyo, is a 500‑year‑old ritual in which men wearing only a mawashi — a loincloth worn by sumo wrestlers — vie to seize sacred wooden sticks called Shingi. They then pack into the temple awaiting the Shingi, which are thrown from the second floor.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 11:07 UTC
Chinese shoppers are Asia's biggest airport spenders
While Chinese travellers still spend heavily overseas, a growing majority of their airport retail spend is taking place within ChinaA duty-free shop at Suvarnabhumi airport, Samut Prakan province. Many Chinese travellers choose to buy confectionary goods at airports to give as gifts back home, according to Baronci. The association found that Chinese spending at domestic airports had risen 20% since 2019. "While Chinese travellers still spend heavily overseas, a growing majority of their airport retail spend is taking place within China domestically," the director general said. The study did not quantify total Chinese airport spending in US dollar terms.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 11:02 UTC
US to stop collecting tariffs ruled illegal by Supreme Court
US to stop collecting tariffs ruled illegal by Supreme CourtContainer ships at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California on Friday, Feb 20. President Donald Trump imposed a 10% global tariff on foreign goods, moving quickly to preserve his trade agenda after the US Supreme Court struck down many of the levies he imposed last year. (Photo: Kyle Grillot/ Bloomberg)WASHINGTON - The US Customs and Border Protection agency said it will halt collections of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act at 12.01am EST (12.01pm Thai time) on Tuesday, after the US Supreme Court declared the duties illegal. The IEEPA tariff collection halt coincides with Trump's imposition of a new, 15% global tariff under a different legal authority to replace the ones struck down by the Supreme Court on Friday. Reuters reported on Friday that the Supreme Court decision made more than $175 billion in US Treasury revenue generated by the IEEPA tariffs subject to potential refunds, based on an estimate by Penn-Wharton Budget Model economists.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2026 10:52 UTC