Ministry launches price-fixing blitz
Ministry launches price-fixing blitzThe Internal Trade Department has uncovered multiple violations after checking fuel stations and markets, warning that unjustified hikes will face legal action. The Commerce Ministry has inspected more than 2,300 businesses nationwide to curb price manipulation and ensure fair pricing, uncovering multiple violations amid volatile energy costs. Yanee Srimanee, deputy director-general of the Internal Trade Department, on Sunday outlined intensified efforts to oversee prices, production costs and supply levels. Additional inspections followed public complaints submitted via the department's 1569 hotline, totalling 300 cases: 53 in Bangkok and 247 in other provinces. The ministry is also encouraging consumers to report affordable outlets and suspicious pricing practices.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:33 UTC
Sharks strike, Rayong regain lost touch
Sharks strike, Rayong regain lost touchChonburi forward Oege Van Lingen. Chonburi secured a valuable three points on home soil with a 2‑0 victory over Sukhothai in Thai League 1 on Saturday night. Dutch forward Oege Van Lingen struck twice in quick succession, netting in the 38th and 43rd minutes to seal the win for the Sharks at Chonburi Stadium. Pongsakron Hanrattana's 20th‑minute strike proved decisive, lifting the Swat Cats to an important away win. Aboubakar Kamara pulled one back for the visitors in the 68th minute, but Rayong held firm to claim the points.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:27 UTC
Start from home
Start from homeRe: "Can we design universal access to compassion? As practical experience shows, even well-intentioned accessibility frameworks often fall short when they overlook the deeper dimensions of human connection and inclusion. Compassion must be cultivated through relationships -- beginning with intergenerational solidarity within families and communities, where empathy is first learned and transmitted. In short, universal access to compassion cannot be engineered top-down; it must be built from the ground up -- across generations, and across borders. Fred Prager bemoans the lack of men's tennis coverage by True Sports, suggesting perhaps there is a gender bias.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:22 UTC
Trump facing headwinds as midterms loom
Trump facing headwinds as midterms loomThe United States' Supreme Court has ruled that the core of the "Trump tariffs" is illegal. Since Mr Trump took office again in January 2025, there has been no strong recovery in US manufacturing employment. Even with conservative justices he appointed joining the ruling, the Supreme Court has effectively told Mr Trump that the high-tariff policy is untenable. Mr Trump is facing mounting headwinds, as his name has appeared in disclosed documents related to late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged with trafficking girls for sexual exploitation. The Supreme Court ruling could prove to be a first step in that direction.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:22 UTC
Traders, shoppers sound price warnings
Traders, shoppers sound price warningsRetailers of locally branded bottled water in Buri Ram raise prices from 19-20 baht per pack to around 21-23 baht, citing higher production and transport costs. (Photo: Surachai Piragsa)Rising fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict are driving up consumer prices, with traders warning of mounting pressure on both businesses and households. In Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima, vendors reported that higher transport costs and supply disruptions are beginning to push up prices of everyday goods. A Mana Santo, a vegetable seller, described sluggish trade and growing concern. "Fuel is expensive and hard to find, which affects transport and will eventually push all prices higher."
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:21 UTC
Thongchai tied for lead at Cologuard
Thongchai tied for lead at CologuardTuscon: Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee carded a four-under-par 67 on Saturday to forge a tie with Ireland's Padraig Harrington atop the leaderboard with a round to play at the US$2.2 million Cologuard Classic in Tucson, Arizona. Thongchai went bogey-free while snatching four birdies on holes 2, 3, 10 and 11 during Saturday's second round. No player has yet to successfully defend his title at the Cologuard Classic, but Alker will have a chance on the final day. Two golfers are ahead of Alker in a tie for third at 10-under 132 after shooting matching 67s: Tommy Gainey and Germany's Bernhard Langer. Zach Johnson (65) and Jason Caron (66) are tied with Alker in fifth.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:18 UTC
Booksellers predict upbeat market
Booksellers predict upbeat marketVisitors browse the latest titles on display at a recent book fair in Bangkok. The Thai book industry predicts a resilient year despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, according to the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (Pubat). Considering the war's effect on the local economy, Mr Nattakorn predicts industry growth of 5-8% this year, down from 5-10% before the conflict began. Pubat is preparing to host the 54th National Book Fair & Bangkok International Book Fair 2026 from March 26 to April 6, open from 10am to 9pm at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Mr Nattakorn anticipates the fair will attract 1.5 million visitors, surpassing the record set by the October 2025 event.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:18 UTC
Thailand Post trumpets EV fleet as fuel costs mount
Thailand Post trumpets EV fleet as fuel costs mountAn EV truck used by Thailand Post. State-run logistics provider Thailand Post is emphasising replacement of petrol-powered vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs) for its last-mile delivery fleet to deal with volatile fuel prices. This year the company wants to convert more than 100 delivery motorcycles to electric motorcycles. Thailand Post plans to lease electric motorcycles to employees, but they may no longer receive a monthly fuel allowance. Thailand Post held previous talks with potential partners on an EV business investment because it holds several strengths such as demand from its operations, said Mr Dhanant.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:18 UTC
Plastic packaging at risk as war hits crucial raw material supplies
Plastic packaging at risk as war hits crucial raw material suppliesA shopper selects instant noodles at a supermarket. Plastic packaging for products may become scarce if the war in the Middle East is prolonged. These types of plastics are key raw materials in the packaging industry, especially food and beverage packaging such as cling wrap and bottles. Consumers who buy products that require plastic packaging will pay more as prices increase as a result of higher raw material costs, said Mr Veera. This helps the company avoid a shortage of raw materials, which is hobbling certain industries such as petrochemicals, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:18 UTC
Energy security now a daunting problem
(Photo: Somchai Poomlard)Amid spikes in global crude oil and gas prices, the government has deployed several measures including price caps to ensure energy security and ease the cost of living. The daily oil price subsidy of at least 1 billion baht is "unsustainable", noted Globlex. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency approved a 400-million-bpd strategic reserve release, including 172 million bpd from the US to be released over 120 days. In total, the strait handles 5.5-6 million bpd of petroleum products, including 1.5 million bpd of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), 1.2 million bpd of naphtha, 2-2.5 million bpd of middle distillates including jet fuel and diesel, and 0.8-1 million bpd of fuel oil and other refined products. Measures will differ, but could include oil price caps, tax rebates, and direct support to households and energy-intensive sectors.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:18 UTC
AI race spurs digital self-reliance push
However, sovereign AI is not achieved simply by hosting data locally or building national data centres, according to the report. "Sovereign AI should be seen as a challenge that connects energy, computing capacity, data governance, AI models, cloud platforms and applications," noted the report. Gartner predicts nations establishing a sovereign AI stack will need to spend at least 1% of their GDP on AI infrastructure by 2029. Regulatory pressure, geopolitics, cloud localisation, national AI missions, corporate risks and national security concerns are driving governments and corporations to accelerate investment in sovereign AI. "Data centres and AI factory infrastructure form the critical backbone of the AI stack that enables AI sovereignty," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:18 UTC
Anutin's govt is off to a flying start
Anutin's govt is off to a flying startA photo dated Sept 23, 2020 shows Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee (Loyal Thai) group, speaking to a crowd before presenting to parliament a petition containing the names of 130,000 people who oppose amendments to the consttution. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)In terms of the numbers, the coalition government of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul should be quite rock solid, politically. Although the party says it has dropped its plan to amend Section 112, the party is still viewed with deep distrust. On top of that, the People's Party is expected to be dealt another blow from the court which may see several of its key members, including party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and deputy leader, Sirikanya Tansakun, booted from politics. He shot into fame for being the man who exposed the massive corruption in the infamous rice pledging scheme of then Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra over a decade ago.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:12 UTC
The economy depends on forests
In reality, the global economy cannot function without healthy forests. Beyond wood, forests provide foods, medicines, resins, fibres, animal feed and ornamental plants that support around 5.8 billion people worldwide. Without forests, global food production simply cannot be maintained. Using wood more efficiently, smarter recycling and reusing wood products can reduce pressure on forests. As we celebrate the International Day of Forests on March 21, one conclusion stands out clearly: without forests, there are no economies.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:12 UTC
Anutin's first big test
Anutin's first big testThe latest escalation in the Middle East targeting energy infrastructure is not merely another flurry of geopolitical tension, but a systemic shock to the global order with the potential to reverberate far beyond oil markets. The destruction of critical energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf will cascade through petrochemical supply chains, transport costs and, ultimately, hit the price of everyday essentials. As a net energy importer, higher fuel prices weigh heavily on the trade balance and costs of energy and goods. The formation of a coherent and capable economic team will be the first litmus test of the Anutin II administration. Mr Anutin now faces a defining leadership test: the resolve to demand a higher calibre of minister and shield critical portfolios from competing political interests.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 23:12 UTC
Fuel panic spreads as pumps run dry
LIMITED INTERVENTIONPipat Luengnaruemitchai, chief economist at Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group, said rising global oil prices would directly affect households, particularly low-income groups that rely heavily on oil and gas. We should avoid full government intervention, as people may not recognise global oil prices are rising," he said. He urged the government not to borrow or create new public debt for fuel subsidies, instead letting fuel prices reflect actual market conditions. Mr Somchai advised against subsidising fuel costs related to logistics, as these mainly benefit wealthier people who own larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles. They urged the government to improve oil supply management and implement gradual price adjustments to ease the impact on consumers.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2026 22:40 UTC