Learn from State Audit Office tragedy
Learn from State Audit Office tragedyTomorrow, the nation will mark one of the most painful anniversaries in Thailand's recent history. Last year, a 33-storey office building under construction in Bangkok's Chatuchak district collapsed within seconds after seismic tremors were felt across Thailand. At 12.50pm, the structure -- owned by the State Audit Office (SAO) -- crumbled in just eight seconds. Over the past year, SAO executives have largely maintained that their role was limited to approving designs and monitoring progress based on recommendations from hired consultants. The past year has seen several serious accidents at public construction sites, including projects linked to the same contractor involved in the SAO building.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 19:55 UTC
Cathay to increase fuel surcharge for all flights by 34%
Cathay to increase fuel surcharge for all flights by 34%A Cathay Pacific aircraft taxis at Hong Kong International Airport on the day of the official launch of its third runway in Hong Kong, China, on Nov 28, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)HONG KONG - Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will increase its fuel surcharge for all flights by 34% from April - the second increase in two weeks - citing "considerable pressure" as conflict in the Middle East impacts oil prices. The airline said on Thursday that the fuel surcharge for long-haul flights would increase by HK$396 (US$50.63) to HK$1,560, or 34% from the current HK$1,164. The increase also means the surcharge for short-haul flights will be bumped up from the current HK$290 to HK$389, while the surcharge for medium-haul flights will go from HK$541 to HK$725. The airline said it would review its fuel surcharge every two weeks to better capture jet fuel price movements.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 19:21 UTC
Sakamoto on pace for fourth world crown in Prague
Sakamoto on pace for fourth world crown in PragueKaori Sakamoto performs during the women's short programme. (Photo: AFP)PRAGUE: Japan's Kaori Sakamoto surged into the lead in the women's singles short programme at the world figure skating championships on Wednesday, putting her on course for a fourth world title in the final competitive event of her career. It is common for skaters to withdraw from the world championships in an Olympic season after an intense, months-long draining run. "Obviously it was a special season and I was given this special song to skate to for this last season," Sakamoto said. "So, I am very happy that I was able to put in 22 years of skating career in this last, special season.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 18:45 UTC
Thailand vows to host 1st Disneyland in region
Thailand vows to host 1st Disneyland in regionThe government remains committed to bringing the first Disneyland theme park to Southeast Asia as part of the EEC Capital City project, with potential investors from the Middle East already indicating interest in becoming partners. EEC Capital City is in the process of paying land expropriation compensation for a total area of around 15,000 rai. The goal is to ease congestion at the densely packed Hua Mak Sports Complex in Bangkok, said Mr Phiphat. The concessionaire of the high-speed rail project, Asia Era One led by CP Group, would like to renegotiate its contract with the State Railway of Thailand. Mr Phiphat, who is tipped to extend his role as transport minister, said he opposed changing the contracts signed in 2019.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 18:39 UTC
TGA charts path to Asian Games glory
TGA charts path to Asian Games gloryTGA president Rangsarit Laksitanon. The Thai Golf Association has outlined plans to win gold medals at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, hoping to build on the success of Thai golfers last year. The Thai national golf team swept all four gold medals at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand -- a feat achieved for the first time in 10 years. Pongsapak "Fifa" Laopakdee, who was a member of the SEA Games team, was one of the standout performers last year. "The main goal for this year is the Asian Games.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 18:35 UTC
State Audit Office collapse still demands answers
State Audit Office collapse still demands answersOne year has passed since the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building -- a broad-daylight engineering tragedy that shocked Thailand and, through countless video clips shared online, much of the world. Yet even after a year, the most important question remains unanswered: How could this building collapse in such a way? By then, the lower support system had already failed, and the upper building mass was left without support. This strongly suggests that the last phase of collapse was a near-free-fall vertical descent after the building had already lost its lower support system. Its main vertical support system was first destroyed in a matter of seconds.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 18:34 UTC
City water fest aims for global appeal
City water fest aims for global appealBangkok and Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) are joining forces to host the Songkran Festival this year with a three-day celebration aimed at turning the city into a true global destination. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt yesterday presided over the opening ceremony of the 2026 Songkran Festival under the concept "CP SPLASH TO SPACE", to be held April 12-14, at CP Tower Silom. The governor said Songkran events in over 80 locations across the capital are being prepared through collaboration among government agencies, private-sector organisations, and shopping malls. In Bangkok, the City Hall Plaza will be the centre of cultural activities, such as the procession of a replica Buddha image for public worship and blessings. Silom Road will be the main area for entertainment and tourism.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 18:34 UTC
Selective outrage will not end the war in Iran
Selective outrage will not end the war in IranFew United Nations Security Council resolutions have been as one-sided as its recent condemnation of Iran's "egregious attacks" on regional neighbours such as Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Leaving little room for interpretation, it describes those attacks as "a breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security". Before being attacked, Iran had repeatedly warned that US and Israeli strikes would not go unanswered. At its core, the outrage is less moral or legal than practical: the global economy needs an uninterrupted flow of hydrocarbons. Such human costs seem to carry little weight with the US and Israeli leaders who launched this war.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 18:07 UTC
Easing of fuel subsidies sparks winners and losers among stocks
Easing of fuel subsidies sparks winners and losers among stocksThailand's move to rein in petrol price subsidies is likely to reshape sector dynamics, with fuel retailers emerging as key beneficiaries, while the transport, retail and tourism sectors face rising cost pressures, analysts say. According to Paradorn Tiaranapramote, first vice-president of research at ASPS, companies with strong exposure to the retail fuel segment are likely to benefit the most. PTG Energy (PTG) is seen as the primary beneficiary, given its heavy reliance on retail fuel sales and high diesel exposure, which accounts for 71% of total sales volume. As the Oil Fuel Fund is still running at a significant deficit, analysts expect a further uptick in local petrol prices. "While it supports margin recovery for fuel retailers, it also introduces broader cost pressures across the economy, reinforcing a more selective investment landscape in the near term."
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 18:04 UTC
Credit outlook steady as fuel subsidy ditched
With the government ending fuel price caps, sending pump prices up by 6 baht per litre nationwide, Mr Nattapon said Thailand is "unlikely to face a credit downgrade". STAGFLATION RISKPoonyawat Sreesing, senior economist at SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), agreed that allowing domestic prices to move in line with actual market prices could lessen the risk of a Thai credit downgrade. "However, risks remain if jumping oil prices significantly lower the country's GDP growth because that is also a factor for a credit downgrade," he told the Bangkok Post. Manufacturers understand global crude oil prices have surged, driving retail fuel costs upwards, said Apichit Prasoprat, vice-chairman of the FTI. Some companies may even be forced to temporarily suspend operations due to soaring fuel costs and shortages of certain raw materials, said Mr Apichit.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 18:04 UTC
A global watch for all seasons
Récital 28 Prowess 1 — winner of the GPHG 2024 Mechanical Exception Watch prize. Based in Môtiers, the independent Swiss brand solved the problem with a ground-breaking roller system that debuted in the Récital 28 Prowess 1 -- the Mechanical Exception Watch winner at the GPHG 2024. The DST adjustment has become more accessible through the Récital 30, which earned Bovet the Men's Complication Watch prize at the GPHG 2025. Pushing the crown of the Récital 28 Prowess 1 rotates each cylinder 90 degrees for the simple time-zone setting. The sophisticated complications, however, limit the crafting of the hand-wound movement, and in turn the oversized Récital 28 Prowess 1 with a diameter of 46.3mm.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 17:42 UTC
Initiative aims to ease cost of living
Initiative aims to ease cost of livingThe Thai Retailers Association (TRA) has partnered with the Commerce Ministry to advance the "Thai Chuay Thai" initiative to ease the cost of living. The scheme runs from April to May, aiming to ensure nationwide access to essential goods at affordable prices and to strengthen consumer confidence in product availability. During this period, a standardised nationwide "affordable essential goods basket" (Blue Flag products) will be introduced through collaboration among government agencies, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers across both central and regional areas, ensuring equitable access to essential goods at reasonable prices. Products are to be clearly categorised as highly essential goods, essential goods with substitutes and general goods, allowing for more precise pricing and supply management aligned with consumer needs. Businesses are encouraged to adopt alternative energy in transport systems to reduce long-term costs and mitigate risks from energy price volatility.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 17:42 UTC
Belarus' Lukashenko gifts automatic rifle to North Korea's Kim
Belarus' Lukashenko gifts automatic rifle to North Korea's KimThis frame grab taken from video footage posted on the Telegram account pul_1 and received via AFPTV on March 26, 2026 shows Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko (R) watching as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un holds a rifle gifted to him by Lukashenko in Pyongyang. (Photo: AFP)SEOUL - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko gifted Kim Jong Un an automatic rifle during his maiden visit to Pyongyang, joking that the North Korean leader may need it "in case enemies appear", state media said Thursday. Video footage released by Belarusian state media showed Lukashenko presenting Kim with what appeared to be an automatic rifle, prompting Kim to respond with a mock reloading gesture and say "thank you". In addition to the friendship and cooperation treaty, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation across sectors ranging from agriculture to information, Belarusian state media said. The visit was wrapped up with Kim personally accompanying Lukashenko to the airport for a "warm farewell", it added.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 15:11 UTC
Olympic women's sport to be limited to biological females
Olympic women's sport to be limited to biological femalesIOC President Kirsty Coventry said the new policy was 'based on science'. The screening will mean Olympic women's sports at the 2028 Los Angeles Games will be limited to biological females, which would also rule out those with differences in sexual development (DSD) from competing. "Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening," the IOC said in a statement. "At the Olympic Games even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. "So it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 15:02 UTC
Nearly 700m speed pills seized in six-month crackdown
National police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch and senior officers present drugs seized during a six‑month nationwide crackdown that netted nearly 700 million speed pills and billions of baht in assets. Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch outlined the results during a media briefing at police headquarters in Bangkok, covering operations carried out from Oct 1 last year to Mar 25, 2026. Officers from the anti‑drug transport division, working with military personnel, intercepted six suspects at a petrol station and seized nearly 2 million speed pills hidden inside 11 modified gas cylinders. Pol Gen Kittharath said the incident reflected an ongoing shift in trafficking tactics, with syndicates using parcels, household goods and other items to evade detection. Asked whether rising fuel prices, affected by the Middle East conflict, had affected the narcotics trade, Pol Gen Kittharath said officers were analysing whether transportation costs were constraining trafficking networks.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 15:02 UTC