Asean's energy security at risk
Asean's energy security at riskWorkers change the price label of fuel at a petrol station in Manila on March 17. The Agreement on Asean Energy Cooperation and the Asean Petroleum Security Agreement, signed in Manila in 1986, sought to ensure Asean energy resilience by promoting cooperation in strengthening member states' capabilities to optimise energy resources, promoting energy conservation, concluding agreements to address emergency situations, and diversifying energy supply sources to reduce dependence on a single petroleum source. The 2024 Asean Energy Outlook forecasts that the region's energy demand will triple by 2050. The Asean Renewable Energy Long-Term Roadmap provides the strategic blueprint for energy security. Strategic investment in renewables and weaning our energy mix away from fossil fuels offers a long-term alternative to safeguarding Asean's energy security.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 18:17 UTC
Stricter rules for digital platforms
Stricter rules for digital platformsAfter months of anticipation, Thailand has introduced sweeping new trade competition guidelines to govern multi-sided platforms, aiming to reshape the e-commerce landscape. The new guidelines under the Trade Competition Act of 2017 took effect yesterday following their publication in the Royal Gazette on March 24. The rules target platforms spanning e-marketplaces and social commerce, including Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop, where powerful network effects have concentrated control across sellers, payments and logistics. Visanu Vongsinsirikul, secretary-general of the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand, said the guidelines will clarify which practices are deemed monopolistic behaviour. The rules cover predatory pricing, resale price maintenance and price parity clauses, alongside fees imposed by platforms such as commission charges, advertising fees, logistics or pick-up fees, promotional fees and payment processing fees.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 18:12 UTC
SEC escalates case against Bitazza, FreedomVerse
SEC escalates case against Bitazza, FreedomVerseThe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a criminal complaint against Bitazza and FreedomVerse, along with three senior executives, for allegedly operating a digital asset dealer business without proper authorisation, intensifying regulatory scrutiny in the country's fast-evolving crypto sector. According to the SEC, digital asset broker Bitazza allegedly engaged in activities beyond its permitted scope. "These transactions were conducted outside regulated exchanges and involved direct dealing activities, effectively classifying them as digital asset dealer services under Thai law," the SEC said in a statement. The regulator issued a warning to investors, urging caution when engaging with unlicensed digital asset service providers. "Investors are encouraged to verify licensed operators via the SEC's official channels and remain vigilant amid ongoing regulatory tightening in Thailand's digital asset market," the regulator noted.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 18:07 UTC
War unlikely to dent Songkran revenue
War unlikely to dent Songkran revenueTAT plans to press ahead with nationwide Songkran celebrations in April, banking on the growth of Asian markets. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) remains confident about its projection of 6% revenue growth tallying 30 billion baht during the Songkran holiday this year, mainly driven by Asian markets. TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said combined international and domestic markets are projected to generate 30.4 billion baht in tourism revenue during the "Maha Songkran World Water Festival" in 2026, up 6% year-on-year. However, TAT is monitoring new bookings in May to assess whether the situation is affecting short-haul travellers' decisions. The agency has a remaining budget of 170 million baht from the Summer Blast programme, a subsidy for chartered and scheduled flights and incentive groups.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 18:07 UTC
Amity targets IPO after $100m AI funding round
Amity targets IPO after $100m AI funding roundAmity, a Thailand-founded artificial intelligence (AI) company, has marked Southeast Asia's largest generative AI funding round through the successful completion of a US$100-million Series D fundraising. The company plans to deepen its footprint in Singapore, positioning the city-state as a strategic hub for AI research, product development and go-to-market capabilities. Strategic acquisitions are also on the roadmap for 2026, as Amity targets an initial public offering (IPO) in 2027, he added. Amity's total funding now rises to $160 million, up from the previously announced $60 million in late 2024. Amity will also accelerate agentic AI -- intelligent, autonomous agents that can execute end-to-end business processes -- across its integrated ecosystem, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 18:07 UTC
Taste Australia's finest flavours at Tops stores nationwide
Those who love Australian flavours have until March 31 to browse through more than 1,000 Australian products during "Discover Australia: Six States of Excellence", which is running at participating Tops and Tops Food Hall stores, as well as on Tops Online. More than 25 premium Australian beef selections are presented alongside high-quality lamb selections under James The Butcher. Other highlights include a diverse range of Made in Australia products: namely fresh table grapes, summer fruits, avocados, almond products and high-quality packaged foods. A special highlight is a culinary experience created by chef Nat (Natsasi Nooin) aka Lady Butcher, a renowned meat specialist, who brings premium Australian ingredients to life with a special lamb massaman menu. It is only available at Tops Eatery branches at CentralWorld, Chidlom, Ladprao, Pattaya and Porto de Phuket.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 17:54 UTC
Roblox to introduce new controls to comply with child social media block
JAKARTA — Videogame platform Roblox will introduce content and communications controls for players under 16 in Indonesia to comply with the country's social media block for children, Matt Kaufman, Roblox's Chief Safety Officer, said in an emailed statement on Wednesday. Indonesia will require platforms to deactivate "high risk" social media accounts for under 16s, according to a ministerial regulation issued earlier this month. Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, said that starting from March 28, its Indonesian users must be at least 16 years old to have an account. X said on its website that Indonesia's minimum age requirement "prevents age-restricted social media platforms, including X, from letting people under 16 create or keep an account. Several countries, including Australia, have imposed curbs on social media for children amid mounting concerns about the safety and mental health of underage users.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 17:42 UTC
Iran rejects US peace proposal
(Photo: Reuters)Iran has rejected a peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end the Middle East war, state television reported on Wednesday. “Iran has responded negatively to an American proposal aimed at ending the ongoing imposed war,” the English-language broadcaster Press TV quoted an unidentified official as saying on Wednesday. Iran is focused on achieving its objectives and only if those are met will an end to the war — not a ceasefire — be possible, Fars added. Trump has publicly signalled any peace agreement would have to include a prohibition on Iran ever obtaining a nuclear weapon or enriching radioactive material for civilian purposes. Yet, Iran’s growing control over Hormuz has been emphasised by it starting to charge transit fees for some commercial vessels.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 16:07 UTC
Oil trading spike minutes before post by Trump raises questions
The benchmark Brent crude contract fell as much as 15% in a matter of minutes as Trump indicated “constructive” talks between Washington and Tehran were ongoing. The roughly 2,000-lot spike in volume in Brent futures at that point was far larger than those logged earlier in the day. 13 million barrels in 60 secondsOver 13,000 lots of Brent and WTI crude futures, equivalent to 13 million barrels of oil, changed hands in the space of 60 seconds at 1105 GMT. On average, in the three years leading up to the war, about 300,000 lots of Brent crude futures would change hands on a daily basis. That amount has doubled in the last four weeks as daily volumes have hit record highs above 1 million lots, equal to a billion barrels of oil.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 15:11 UTC
“Shield Insurance Broker” wins global Customer Experience Solution award
Shield Insurance Broker, a service brokerage operated by Ngern Tid Lor Public Company Limited, a subsidiary of Tidlor Holdings (TIDLOR), has won the Customer Experience Solution award at the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2026, organised by The Digital Banker. Mrs. Athitaya Phoonwathu, Chief Insurance Officer, stated that the award highlights the strength of Shield Insurance Broker’s omni-channel approach, which seamlessly integrates online and offline service channels. The company has also elevated Thailand’s insurance brokerage sector through its “After (Unlucky) Service” the Shield Insurance Broker 1501 Call Centre, which provides 24-hour support. In 2025, the group’s non-life insurance brokerage business demonstrated strong growth, with total premiums reaching 11,247.2 million baht, up 10.5% year-on-year—outpacing the industry’s average growth of approximately 3%. For more information, please visit www.prakantidloh.com, the Shield Insurance Broker Facebook page, or contact the Shield Insurance Broker 1501 Call Centre around the clock.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 14:54 UTC
Contractor nabbed for posing as anti-graft fixer
Pol Maj Gen Jruykiat said the suspect, using the alias “Surachai”, contacted Mr Paijit by phone on Dec 18, before arranging a meeting at his office. Investigators said Mr Sarayuth initially demanded 15 million baht as an “administration fee” to ensure the case would be dropped. On Monday, the suspect reportedly contacted Mr Paijit again to press for payment, prompting police investigators to set up a sting operation. During questioning, Mr Sarayuth confessed to the charges, telling police he worked as a construction contractor and had been facing financial difficulties. Mr Sarayuth has been charged with demanding or accepting benefits in exchange for unlawfully influencing a state official’s decision.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 14:20 UTC
Salah’s long goodbye will end a golden era for Liverpool
(Photo: AFP)LIVERPOOL - Mohamed Salah’s long goodbye from Liverpool signals the end of a glorious era and leaves the Premier League giants facing another expensive rebuild. He has won two Premier League titles along with a Champions League and other silverware and piled up a remarkable number of personal awards. Champions League glorySalah is one of the few survivors from the Liverpool side that won the 2019 Champions League under Klopp, along with goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defenders Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. Salah himself has managed just five goals in the Premier League this season — a paltry return by his stellar standards. They remain fifth in the Premier League table, which would almost certainly bring Champions League football next season, despite a poor recent run.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 14:11 UTC
68 Indians held in Pattaya online gambling raids
(Photos supplied/Amporn Sangkaew)Police in Pattaya have dismantled two online gambling networks in a single day with a combined annual turnover of 2.3 billion baht, following separate raids on two villas that netted 68 Indian nationals. Forty-three Indian nationals acting as administrators of gambling websites were arrested in the first raid, while 25 others were detained in the second operation for running major online gambling platforms. He said the group operated as administrators for 23 overseas-based gambling websites, including clickbetexch1, unicon360 and puple399, targeting mainly Indian customers. Officers found 25 Indian nationals working in organised roles, including marketing, accounting and customer service. A search uncovered links to at least three major gambling websites, all bearing names ending in “777”.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 13:35 UTC
5 million speed pills seized after Chiang Rai car chase
5 million speed pills seized after Chiang Rai car chaseSoldiers examine modified sacks containing millions of speed pills in the bed of a pickup truck following a car chase in Mae Fah Luang district of Chiang Rai late Tuesday night. (Photo: Royal Thai Army)Authorities have seized about five million speed pills following a chase in Mae Fah Luang district of Chiang Rai province on Tuesday night. After securing the area, officers searched the pickup bearing Chiang Rai licence plates and found 25 modified sacks. Each sack was filled with 200,000 speed pills, or 5 million pills in total. The drugs were seized as evidence, Chiang Rai deputy governor Prasert Jitpreecheep said during a media briefing on Wednesday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 13:20 UTC
Protracted war could cut arrivals to Thailand by 10%
The government had set a 2026 target of 35 million foreign visitors. The disruption could reduce that number to around the level of 2023, when the country recorded 28 million foreign visitors. Thailand aims to attract at least 200,000 Middle East visitors this year — roughly a quarter of last year’s arrivals from the region, Ms Natthriya said. Marketing budgets earmarked for Europe and the US will be redirected to country-specific campaigns in the Middle East, she added. Authorities are also tailoring marketing campaigns to entice short-haul travellers from neighbouring Asian markets, according to Ms Natthriya.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 25, 2026 13:20 UTC