Ministry to limit treatment, expand meds controls
Ministry to limit treatment, expand meds controlsThe Ministry of Public Health plans to limit certain treatments, expand telemedicine and tighten pharmaceutical management to cope with mounting resource pressures, as the Middle East war threatens global medical supply chains, permanent secretary Dr Somruek Chungsaman said. The issue has been raised with the National Health Security Office (NHSO), with the ministry requesting that no additional benefits be introduced under the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme during this period. "We will prioritise essential treatments and limit bed use for chronic disease patients where hospitalisation is not required, in order to contain costs." To ease pressure on facilities, the ministry plans to expand telemedicine services in state hospitals to cover about 30% of outpatient care, up from the current 2–3%. Doctors will be encouraged to prescribe medicines on the national essential drugs list, while a national dashboard will be set up to monitor inventories, prevent hoarding and support long-term procurement contracts.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 26, 2026 00:01 UTC
Co-pay scheme, emergency projects to get B300bn
Co-pay scheme, emergency projects to get B300bnRoughly 300 billion baht in investment expenditure is expected to be available for transfer to the central budget to support the "Khon La Khrueng" co-payment scheme and urgent government emergency projects. The Budget Bureau would then draft a Budget Transfer Act for the government to submit to parliament for approval. For fiscal 2026, total investment expenditure amounts to 861 billion baht. As of March 24, 58% (about 508 billion baht) has already been contractually committed, leaving 41% (353 billion) uncommitted. The government allocates around 4.7 billion baht per month to the state welfare card programme.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 22:42 UTC
Fuel prices at petrol stations soar by six baht a litre Thursday morning
Fuel prices at petrol stations soar by six baht a litre Thursday morningRetail petrol and diesel prices soar by six baht per litre on Thursday morning due to subsidy reduction by the state Oil Fuel Fund Executive Committee on Wednesday. The sharp price rise resulted from the committee’s resolution to cut subsidies for diesel and petrol prices. The price increase took effect at 5am on Thursday. At PTT petrol stations, prices increased to 38.94 baht a litre for high-speed diesel, 54.64 baht for B7premium diesel, 40.68 baht for gasohol 91 petrol, 41.05 baht for gasohol 95, 36.05 baht for gasohol E20, 32.79 for gasohol E85, 52.04 baht for gasohol 95 premium and 49.64 baht for gasoline 95.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 22:35 UTC
UN designates African slave trade as 'gravest crime against humanity'
UN designates African slave trade as 'gravest crime against humanity'President John Mahama of Ghana, a sponsor of the UN resolution, is one of the African Union's most vocal supporters of slavery reparationsUNITED NATIONS (UNITED STATES) - The UN General Assembly on Wednesday designated the transatlantic African slave trade as "the gravest crime against humanity," despite opposition by the United States and some European countries. The United States, Israel and Argentina opposed the measure, while Britain and EU member states abstained. "The transatlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity that struck at the core of personhood, broke up families, and devastated communities," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. "The United States also strongly objects to the resolution's attempt to rank crimes against humanity in any type of hierarchy," he added. "The perpetrators of the transatlantic slave trade are known, the Europeans, the United States of America.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 22:09 UTC
US says Iran talks continue, will 'unleash hell' if no deal
US says Iran talks continue, will 'unleash hell' if no dealWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran was looking for an 'exit ramp' from the warWASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - The White House said Wednesday it was still in talks with Iran despite Tehran reportedly rejecting a US plan to end the war -- but warned President Donald Trump is ready to "unleash hell" if there is no deal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that negotiations with Iran had hit a dead end. - 'Unleash hell' -But Leavitt warned that it was time for Iran to make a deal, asserting that Trump was nearing what the White House says are the key US military objectives of "Operation Epic Fury." "President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. The White House meanwhile appeared to stick to the four to six-week timeline it has previously given for the war.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 22:08 UTC
California jury finds Meta, YouTube liable in social media addiction trial
California jury finds Meta, YouTube liable in social media addiction trialPlaintiff attorney Laura Marquez-Garrett and family members celebrated a landmark win against Meta and YouTube which were accused of addicting young social media usersLOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday found Meta and YouTube liable for harming a young woman through the addictive design of their social media platforms, ordering the companies to pay $3 million in damages and opening the door to potentially far larger punitive awards. "$3 million is a slap on the wrist for companies like Meta and YouTube, which are two of the biggest ad sellers in the world," said Jasmine Engberg of Scalable, which tracks the social media industry. She told jurors that her near-constant social media use "really affected my self-worth," saying the apps led her to abandon hobbies, struggle to make friends and constantly measure herself against others. Meta and YouTube had maintained throughout that Kaley's mental health struggles had nothing to do with their platforms. A separate New Mexico jury on Tuesday found Meta liable for endangering children by making them vulnerable to predators on its platforms and other dangers.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 22:08 UTC
Price stability efforts keep ramping up
Price stability efforts keep ramping upThe Ministry of Commerce has unveiled a fresh set of measures to ease the cost of living, increasing the number of controlled goods to 71 and requiring prior approval for price increases on 21 products. Fourteen violations were recorded in nine provinces under the Price of Goods and Services Act, largely involving failure to display price labels. Investigations found 14 cases of missing price tags, three instances of incorrect pricing and one of unclear labelling. A complementary "Thai Help Thai" scheme will link large and small enterprises to help stabilise prices of essential goods through negotiated oversight. Later on Wednesday, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun was scheduled to chair a meeting of the central committee on prices of goods and services to consider adding 12 more items.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 21:58 UTC
Korn slams fuel crisis policies
Korn slams fuel crisis policiesKorn: Cause for alarmDemocrat list-MP Korn Chatikavanij on Wednesday criticised the government's handling of the fuel supply crisis with shortages in several provinces, saying it has failed to act against alleged hoarding networks. He claimed the government knew refineries were not distributing fuel to petrol stations but did not monitor where the fuel was actually going. Mr Korn said Thailand effectively has three parallel fuel markets: subsidised pump prices, wholesale sales through jobbers without subsidies, and tax-exempt diesel for fishermen. The Democrat MP also criticised delays in allowing the Fuel Oil Fund, which has accumulated debts exceeding 20 billion baht, to borrow to compensate oil traders. He warned that rising energy prices would quickly affect production, transport and agriculture, noting that every one-baht increase in diesel could reduce GDP by about 0.02%.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 21:49 UTC
Civil groups challenge ban on recruits living with HIV
Civil groups challenge ban on recruits living with HIVCivil society groups are urging the Royal Thai Police to repeal a regulation barring people living with HIV from joining the force. The regulation says Aids and/or HIV infection constitutes a prohibited condition for entry into the police service. It says the provision violates human dignity, restricts career opportunities and reinforces stigma against people living with HIV. The groups contend the regulation contradicts scientific evidence, noting HIV cannot be transmitted through normal social or professional contact. "Maintaining such a prohibition is based on unfounded anxieties lacking scientific backing and directly contradicts medical consensus," the petition says.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 21:37 UTC
The Chairman in Hong Kong is Asia’s best restaurant 2026
HONG KONG — Cantonese cuisine trailblazer The Chairman in Hong Kong clinches the coveted title of The Best Restaurant in Asia, at the awards ceremony for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 in Hong Kong, this evening. Last year’s No.1 winner, Gaggan, claims the No.3 spot, retaining the title of The Best Restaurant in Thailand for its extraordinary experiential Indian gastronomy. Japan’s highest-ranked restaurant this year is La Cime in Osaka (No.13), which is named The Best Restaurant in Japan. Julien Royer’s timeless French fine dining at Odette(No.19) once again earns The Best Restaurant in Singapore accolade, with Lesley Liu also voted Asia's Best Sommelier, sponsored by Vik. Korean heritage restaurant Onjium comes in at No.14, with ChoEun-hee also honoured as Asia’s Best Female Chef.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 21:23 UTC
Upgrade eyed for 'Bone Cave' fossil site
Upgrade eyed for 'Bone Cave' fossil site"Bone Cave" fossil site. (Photo courtesy of Kurah Subdistrict Administrative Organization)The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is moving to have the "Bone Cave" fossil site in Thung Yai district of Nakhon Si Thammarat registered as a national paleontological site in the current fiscal year 2026, officials said. They also discussed several key issues, including draft orders appointing subcommittees on fossil sites and fossils, as well as a draft integrated development plan for the mammal fossil site at Bone Cave site. The meeting also considered designating the area as a registered fossil site and declaring registered fossils deemed rare and of exceptional value as national heritage assets. Ms Raweewan said the Department of Mineral Resources is committed to developing the Bone Cave fossil site into a geological tourism destination.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 19:01 UTC
Barbier retains Tour of Thailand lead after late burst
Barbier retains Tour of Thailand lead after late burstPierre Barbier, yellow jersey, celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the second stage yesterday. Pierre Barbier retained the yellow jersey after winning the 105.20km second stage of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Cup Tour of Thailand 2026 while Athit Poulard won the best Asean rider award yesterday. The Terengganu Cycling Team rider leads the overall standings with a time of 5:40.10 hours. The Thai rider was the stage's best Asean rider, taking the purple jersey. Kim Euro from LX Cycling Team won the stage's intermediate sprint while Malaysia Pro Cycling Team claimed the Best Asean team award with the total time of 9:59.54 hours.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 18:45 UTC
Regulator offers 3 power tariff rates
Electricity prices are set to increase as the power tariff rises, mainly resulting from the impact of the Israel-US war on Iran. Households and businesses are being asked to choose between three different tariff rates -- 3.95, 4.08 and 4.59 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit) -- on the ERC website from March 25-31. "We will announce the new tariff rate on April 1," said Poonpat Leesombatpiboon, secretary-general of the ERC. The tariff consists of a base rate of 3.78 baht and a fuel tariff (Ft), which adjusts for fuel costs and policy-related expenses. According to the regulator, the cheapest option is a power tariff of 3.95 baht a unit, an increase of 2%.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 18:23 UTC
MPs' pensions on the line
MPs' pensions on the lineA bleak economic outlook driven by the oil crisis has prompted renewed calls for a review of the pension scheme for former members of parliament, which critics say has become a heavy burden on taxpayers. The current pension system, introduced in 2013, requires MPs to contribute 3,500 baht a month. One possible reform would be to replace lifetime monthly payments with a lump-sum payout, particularly for MPs who do not complete a full four-year term. If the pension cannot be abolished altogether, at the very least a lower ceiling on monthly payments should be considered. Financial support for MPs' children, for instance, is difficult to justify given the relatively high salaries and allowances already enjoyed by legislators.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 18:17 UTC
PM's crisis-coping skills again in doubt
Beyond the communication breakdown lies a more serious issue -- the absence of clear policy and concrete action to help Thailand weather the energy crisis. If the new government fails to address the oil crisis swiftly and effectively, it risks entering office already on the defensive, regardless of its parliamentary majority. An energy crisis has the potential to become a source of public anger and distrust that could undermine the government's stability. Despite the global oil crisis, Bangkok's traffic congestion remains unchanged. Winning an election is one thing; managing a global energy crisis and deep structural problems is another.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 18:17 UTC