Probe into coconut slump
On March 19 farmers dump aromatic coconuts at the entrance of parliament in protest over a prolonged price slump. Pornprom SatrabhayaThe Ombudsman will travel to Ratchaburi on Friday to hear complaints over coconut packing houses, or "longs", and the sharp drop in coconut prices, amid concerns over possible price collusion and foreign nominee arrangements. Chief Ombudsman Songsak Saicheua said the Ombudsman's Office met last week with relevant agencies and had identified several possible solutions. Complainants have pointed to higher output last year, suspected price collusion and possible nominee arrangements that may have distorted market competition and allowed certain operators to influence prices. He noted that under current law, foreign investors of export-oriented packing houses can legally own 100% of the business, which may allow them to operate outside the usual 49:51 shareholding restrictions.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:50 UTC
Russia expels a British diplomat for economic espionage
Russia on Monday (March 30) expelled British diplomat Albertus Gerhardus Janse van Rensburg accusing him of economic espionage, and warned Russians not to interact with British diplomats. The UK said the accusations against its diplomats were "completely unacceptable".
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:48 UTC
Fire at Israel’s Haifa refinery after missile attack
An industrial building and a fuel tanker at Israel's Oil Refineries in the northern city of Haifa was hit by debris from an intercepted missile, Israel's Fire and Rescue Service said on Monday (March 30).
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:47 UTC
Haier unveils growth strategy for 2026
Mr Dong said a key driver for the 2026 expansion is a strategic shift towards the mid-to-high-end segment. Dong Jianping, president of Haier Electrical Appliances (Thailand) Co Ltd, said a key driver for the 2026 expansion is a strategic shift towards the mid- to-high-end segment. Kasemsan Ozawa, director of sales and white goods product management at Haier Electrical Appliances (Thailand), said the company's growth in 2026 will be driven primarily by two key factors. This is likely to support demand for residential air conditioners, the company's flagship product, which is projected to generate 5.3 billion baht in sales this year. The company targets revenue growth of 25% in 2026, reaching 14 billion baht, driven by residential air conditioners (5.3 billion baht), refrigerators (2.9 billion baht), washing machines (1.2 billion baht), commercial air conditioners (1.1 billion baht), TVs (1 billion baht), and water heaters (200 million baht).
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:42 UTC
ONE Championship: Jonathan Haggerty says Yuki Yoza underestimating him after KO vow
Yuki Yoza is looking for his first knockout victory in ONE Championship against Jonathan HaggertyNow the 27-year-old Japanese star will challenge for world title gold on home soil – and believes he can take it emphatically. “I’m finally here, going into a title match, and it’s here in Japan at ONE Samurai 1,” Yoza said. “I’m going to go in there and come out victorious with the belt. I believe I am better than him and that I’m going to win the match with a knockout.”Yoza added that the title shot was only the beginning. “Come April 29 I am going to win this title and start my new chapter.”
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:38 UTC
Court seeks evidence in ballot dispute
Court seeks evidence in ballot disputeThe president of the Constitutional Court said on Monday that all facts and evidence related to ballot design must be submitted to the court, insisting that any ruling will be strictly based on the constitution. Prof Nakharin Mektrairat said the court is awaiting clarifications from both sides after accepting a petition questioning whether ballot papers containing barcodes and QR codes might violate constitutional principles. However, he said that whether hearings will be held depends on whether the judges find the facts and evidence sufficient. He said such information has not yet been submitted to the court, and facts outside the court should be brought into the judicial process. The Constitutional Court was established to resolve constitutional disputes, and they are highly complex, he said, noting that once a dispute reaches the court, it must ultimately be decided one way or the other, and its decisions will not satisfy everyone.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:37 UTC
'Is it Kafka?' US judge baffled by new Pentagon press policy
US judge baffled by new Pentagon press policyThe New York Times sued after the Defense Department stripped journalists of press credentials who refused to agree to the more restrictive access policy. (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON — The New York Times and Trump administration clashed in a federal court on Monday over restrictions imposed by the Pentagon on journalists covering the Defense Department. In addition, under the new policy, "all journalist access to the Pentagon will require escort by authorized Department personnel." Barnes said Pentagon press accreditation pass holders were ultimately told they would be given permission to ride on the shuttle bus. US media and a host of other news outlets including Agence France-Presse (AFP) declined to sign the new access policy in mid-October, resulting in the loss of their Pentagon credentials.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:36 UTC
Rethinking Thailand's visa-free policy
The big question is: Is reducing the visa-free stay enough to solve such a large problem? The 60-day visa-free policy was introduced in July 2024 under the Srettha Thavisin government to attract more tourists after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this time, the 2024 visa policy has created new problems by attracting visitors the country does not want. As the Anutin government has learned, illegal entry often occurs through unguarded channels, making visa policy less relevant. When the 60-day visa-free policy was introduced, the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system was not fully operational, leaving gaps in visitor registration.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:28 UTC
US must let IAEA do its job in Iran
US must let IAEA do its job in IranA woman watches smoke rise from an oil storage facility after strikes by US and Israeli forces in Tehran, Iran. NYTThe US-Israeli war on Iran has already destabilised the global economy and the geopolitics of the Middle East. No one is dismissing the seriousness of the risk posed by Iran's nuclear material. Either way, Iran's nuclear programme cannot be bombed away, and it is not even clear that regime change would eliminate the threat it represents. Moreover, Iran has previously demonstrated some willingness to negotiate with the IAEA, such as when it accepted an Egyptian-facilitated agreement to restore IAEA access last September (though implementation has been limited so far).
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:28 UTC
Army confirms B10m for kin of fallen
Army confirms B10m for kin of fallenWar veterans at Victory Monument in August last year honour soldiers who defended the country during border clashes with Cambodia. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILLThe army on Monday confirmed that families of soldiers killed in Thai-Cambodian border clashes will receive 10 million baht in compensation, pending cabinet approval. The clarification came after the family of a soldier killed on Dec 9 said they have yet to receive compensation or a promised house and are struggling financially. During two rounds of Thai-Cambodian border clashes last year, 43 Thai soldiers were killed and many others injured. The Pheu Thai-led government approved compensation rates, with families of deceased or disabled soldiers eligible for 10 million baht and civilians for 8 million baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:24 UTC
Pump prices hit all-time high
Pump prices hit all-time highA busy petrol station in Phra Khanong district, Bangkok. Retail diesel and petrol prices hit a record high on Tuesday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)Pump prices for diesel and petrol hit an all-time high on Tuesday after the latest announcement on fuel subsidies by the Office of the Oil Fuel Fund late on Monday night. Fuel prices rose by 1.80 baht per litre for diesel and 1.00 baht per litre for petrol at 5am. The previous all-time high at the pump followed a six-baht-per-litre increment on Thursday last week.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:16 UTC
CPN to host Songkran events
CPN to host Songkran eventsMr Nattakit (centre) expects this year's events organised at CPN's malls nationwide to attract around 10 million participants. SET-listed Central Pattana Plc (CPN), the real estate developer and operator of Central shopping centres, will host Thailand's Songkran Festival 2026 at its malls nationwide, with a total budget of 500 million baht. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, chief marketing officer of CPN, said Thailand's Songkran festival is celebrated nationwide, stimulating economic activity in all regions and encouraging both travel and spending, which could be dubbed a "festive economy". CPN will organise events at 44 branches across the country, featuring more than 1,000 events and performances by over 400 artists. Central Pattaya will host events from April 14-19, with performances by Gutsnunova, Ae Jirakorn, Retrospect, Blackhead, Zeal, Paradox and Singto Namchok.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:09 UTC
ONE Championship: Rodtang still under contract despite public claim, sources say
Sources said the 28-year-old remains tied to ONE through a 12-month matching period that came into effect at the end of his deal. Sources also said Rodtang agreed to the Takeru rematch during the term of his previous contract, before it expired. Rodtang struck a more measured tone when asked about the situation by Japanese media at Monday’s press conference in Tokyo. For now, the focus shifts back to Takeru and a second meeting that already carried enough tension without contract talk around it. “I can say that I’m going to bring my best but everything will be decided in the ring on April 29.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 04:01 UTC
Siam Society is heading to Romania
Siam Society is holding a study trip to Romania, a land of legends, landscapes and living traditions, from June 9-20. Framed by the Carpathian Mountains and shaped by Roman, Ottoman, Russian and Austro-Hungarian influences, Romania offers a captivating blend of Latin heritage and Balkan tradition. Medieval towns, fortified churches and painted monasteries -- many of which are recognised as Unesco World Heritage Sites -- form the heart of this remarkable destination. Across the rolling hills of Transylvania, the medieval citadel of Sighișoara transports us back to the Middle Ages, while the fortified church of Biertan speaks of faith and resilience. The route continues to Bucovina, where the celebrated Painted Monasteries of Bucovina reveal brilliant 16th-century frescoes -- masterpieces of devotion and artistry.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 03:50 UTC
Mind games: How football stars are fuelling chess boom
Mind games: How football stars are fuelling chess boomManchester City striker and chess enthusiast Erling Haaland. Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, a five-time world champion, is a huge football fan and the Norwegian's love for both games has played a role in the surprise crossover. Norwegian chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen juggles a football prior to the fifth round of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament at the Philips-Stadion in Eindhoven on Jan 16, 2020. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football," Haaland said. For Kane, his true love remains football, leaving chess as the perfect way to relax.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 31, 2026 03:43 UTC