Thailand's food industry talent gap
Thailand's food industry talent gapThis photo, dated March 6, 2024, shows a food scientist testing samples from cell cultures at Esco Aster, a company making cultivated meat in Singapore. But who will do the cooking when the food scientists are overworked, underpaid, and fewer young people want to study food science in the first place? One of the economic policies across political parties, including the current Bhumjaithai, is to push the food industry as a new engine of growth. Value-added goods will enable the food industry to grow further, leading to more demand for food scientists and higher pay. Third, develop a network to link food science graduates to food producers in different regions.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 23:19 UTC
Truth will prevail over Russia's war on Ukraine
Truth will prevail over Russia's war on UkraineChildren's artwork on a wall at a mental health centre, where Ukrainian servicemen and veterans undergo rehabilitation, in Kyiv, on March 14, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFPThis recent February marked 12 years of armed aggression against my country and also marks five years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Indeed, Russia's aggression began at the height of mass pro-European protests in Ukraine, known as the Revolution of Dignity. Moreover, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to the accession of new members to Nato as it's the most reliable safeguard against potential aggression from Moscow. It has so far verified the deportation or transfer of over 1,200 children from five regions in Ukraine.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 23:19 UTC
SME loan demand deteriorates in Q1
SME loan demand deteriorates in Q1Confidence among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fell sharply in the first quarter, driven by mounting concerns over rising costs linked to the energy crisis and a slowdown in lending, according to the latest survey by the SME Development Bank of Thailand (SME D Bank). The decline was attributed to concerns over rising oil prices and higher production costs, which have affected orders and business operations. As a result, 62.2% of SME loan demand remains focused on working capital to maintain liquidity and cope with rising energy costs, rather than on expansion. Mr Phichit said global energy volatility caused by geopolitical tensions has led to higher production costs across the business sector. The programmes include: the SME Green Productivity Loan, with a maximum loan of 30 million baht for investment in clean energy machinery and equipment; the Beyond SME Loan, with maximum lending of 30 million baht to enhance business efficiency; and the SME Empowerment Loan, with a cap of 1 million baht per recipient, supporting small firms in accessing funding without collateral.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 23:17 UTC
Crackdown targets use of Thai proxies
Crackdown targets use of Thai proxiesIn October last year, officials of the Department of Business Development raid firms in Koh Phangan district of Surat Thani, which were suspected of operating as nominee businesses and using Thai nationals as proxy shareholders for foreigners. Photo by the departmentThe government is tightening controls on nominees by introducing new measures to prevent foreigners from using Thais as proxies to operate businesses, effective April 1. Previously the department required businesses considered high-risk, such as those with foreign shareholding of less than 50% or with foreign directors, to provide financial evidence of Thai shareholders to verify actual investment. Providing false information constitutes an offence under the Criminal Code and may violate the Foreign Business Act of 1990, which carries penalties of both imprisonment and fines. "The government is working to suppress nominee arrangements to ensure fair business competition and to strengthen confidence in Thailand's economy," she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 23:17 UTC
More Thais returning from Mideast
Overland travellers cross into Turkey from Iran at the Kapikoy border gate in eastern Van province on March 2, 2026. Thais seeking to return home from Iran need to travel to Turkey first before boarding flights. Since the outbreak of the Middle East war, 1,483 Thai nationals have been assisted in leaving high-risk areas for Thailand or third countries, Mr Panidone said. Mayuree Naree searchThe ministry also said that all Thai vessels have now exited high-risk areas around the Strait of Hormuz safely. However, the fate of three Thai sailors on the stricken cargo ship Mayuree Naree remained unclear after an Iran-Oman joint search, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Tuesday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 23:04 UTC
Fuel panic spreads
Fuel panic spreadsIt is normal for people to go into panic mode during a crisis. For the past three weeks, the government's contingency plan to handle the current oil crisis has failed to reassure the public or prevent hoarding. Mr Anutin derides "panic buyers" for hoarding fuel, while government officials deny accusations that "shadowy figures" are manipulating oil stocks for profiteering. The government also opened fuel stations for factories and contractors to buy cheaper blended diesel. The energy crisis facing the country is far too large for band-aid solutions.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 22:35 UTC
CAAT moves to ease flight prices as Songkran looms
CAAT moves to ease flight prices as Songkran loomsTourists at Suvarnabhumi airport during the Songkran festival last year. The CAAT said it has been closely monitoring the regional conflict, which has constrained aviation operations and disrupted connectivity on several routes, particularly those relying on Middle Eastern transit hubs. The CAAT advised passengers planning to transit in the region to check flight status and airline requirements closely. ACM Manat Chuanprayoonsuk, the CAAT's director-general, said the regulator is monitoring ticket prices closely, particularly during peak travel periods. For the Songkran holiday, from April 10–15, the CAAT has coordinated with Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet to expand capacity and ease travel costs.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 22:35 UTC
CPF vows to keep food prices unchanged
CPF vows to keep food prices unchangedCharoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) Plc, a leading integrated agro-industrial and food conglomerate, says it will keep its meat and food prices unchanged for at least two months as the company uses local sources for most of its raw materials. Up to 70% of total costs stem from animal feed materials, including corn and tapioca, which are sourced locally. He said CPF is intensifying its shift from a purely agro-industrial operator to a high-value food vendor, scaling up production of higher-margin ready-to-eat meals and processed food. The company's food-base portfolio accounted for 25% of its total revenue in 2025 valued at 120 billion baht, compared with zero in 2023. CPF posted a net profit of 25.2 billion baht in 2025, up 29% year-on-year, attributed to overseas operations, which now account for two-thirds of the company's total sales.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 22:35 UTC
Shipments rise in February on industrial demand
Shipments rise in February on industrial demandExports surged by 9.9% year-on-year to US$29.4 billion in February, driven by strong industrial goods shipments, while imports jumped by 31.8% to $32.3 billion, mainly due to machinery and gold purchases, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). For the first two months, exports increased by 17% to $61.0 billion and imports surged by 30.5% to $67.2 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $6.14 billion. Meanwhile, industrial product exports expanded by 13.3% in February, marking 23 consecutive months of growth. However, in the first two months, exports of industrial goods surged by 21.3%. Moreover, gold imports surged by 154% to $4.37 billion.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 22:08 UTC
New cabinet ready for royal endorsement
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaks to reporters at Government House on Tuesday. Chanat KatanyuThe new cabinet line-up is ready to be submitted for royal endorsement, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday while downplaying reports on the absence of legal scholar Borwornsak Uwanno. Even if the prime minister remains the same, it is still considered a new administration," he said. It was reported that cabinet nominees had already submitted their records to the Secretariat of the Prime Minister for vetting. Meanwhile, Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat on Tuesday dismissed reports of dissatisfaction among party MPs over cabinet allocations.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 22:08 UTC
Opposition seeks energy crisis debate
Opposition seeks energy crisis debateOpposition parties agreed at their first informal whips' meeting on Tuesday to seek an urgent House debate on the country's energy crisis, with the People's Party (PP) warning it would expose alleged fuel hoarding during today's parliamentary session. The informal meeting of the opposition coordination committee brought together representatives from five parties: the PP, Democrat Party, Klatham Party, Thai Pakdee Party and Seri Ruam Thai Party. After the meeting, Mr Parit said the five opposition parties had agreed to submit an urgent oral motion on Wednesday to allow MPs to present recommendations to the government on the energy crisis. He said the party had received reports from multiple locations and would disclose the information during the debate. Meanwhile, Nan Boonthida Somchai, a BJT MP for Ubon Ratchathani and the party's spokeswoman, said after a party meeting that BJT would also submit an urgent motion on the oil crisis.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 22:06 UTC
Middle East conflict delays auto exports to key market
Thailand's automotive industry is facing mounting pressure as the Israel-US war on Iran disrupts shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, delaying vehicle exports to the Middle East, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The Middle East is Thailand's third-largest export market for vehicles, after Asia and Australia, with strong demand for pickup trucks. Roll-on/roll-off ships, which transport cars, motorcycles and trucks, are now holding back more than 200,000 vehicles bound for the Middle East due to concerns over attacks on cargo vessels. In February, car shipments fell 0.05% year-on-year to 81,195 units, with declines across Asia, Oceania, Australia and the Middle East. Despite these challenges, overall domestic sales between January and February rose 25.5% year-on-year to 122,218 units, driven by earlier BEV demand.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 21:48 UTC
Gas price hike to push up Thai power bills
Thailand's power prices are expected to increase as a result of tensions in the Middle East. Pattanapong HirunardThe new government is bracing for a surge in electricity bills as liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices climb in the wake of conflict in the Middle East, according to an energy official who requested anonymity. Despite partial reimbursements, Egat still faces losses of more than 36 billion baht, while PTT shoulders around 13 billion baht. Spot market LNG prices have since spiked to US$25 per million British thermal units, nearly double last year's average of US$12-13. Last year, former energy minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga ordered an investigation into Egat's lignite procurement from the Mae Moh coal mine following allegations of non-transparency.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 21:48 UTC
Russia rains drones on Ukraine, killing eight, hitting UNESCO site
Russia rains drones on Ukraine, killing eight, hitting UNESCO siteRussia pours 400 drones at western Ukraine in rare daytime attackLVIV (UKRAINE) - Russia fired almost 1,000 drones at Ukraine over the last 24-hours, unleashing one of its largest-ever daytime attacks, killing at least eight people and hitting the UNESCO-protected city centre of Lviv, officials said Tuesday. A spokesman for Ukraine's air force told AFP it was one of the biggest-ever daytime attacks on Ukraine. I don't recall there being such daytime strikes with this number of drones," said the spokesman, Yuriy Ignat. Russia fired 550 drones during the day on Tuesday, following 392 overnight, Ukraine's air force said in a statement. In Russia, authorities in the western Kursk region said a Ukrainian strike on a farm had killed one person and wounded 13.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 21:35 UTC
Stolen dogs trek 17km along motorway to return home
Stolen dogs trek 17km along motorway to return homescreenshot from X: @AMAZINGNATUREA remarkable story of loyalty and resilience has captured hearts online. Seven stolen dogs reportedly travelled more than 17 kilometres along a motorway in finding their way back home, in northeastern China. The incident occurred in Changchun, in Jilin province, where footage emerged showing the pack of dogs walking together along the Changchun–Shuangyang Expressway, and the video quickly went viral. While travelling on the motorway, the dogs managed to escape by chewing through their cage, falling onto the road in the process. By the following day, all seven dogs had been safely returned home.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2026 20:03 UTC