Activist demands DPM's exit from govt oil supply task force
Activist demands DPM's exit from govt oil supply task forcePhiphat RatchakitprakarnActivist Srisuwan Janya has asked Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to remove Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn from the government's emergency oil supply task force, alleging conflicts of interest amid a worsening nationwide fuel shortage. He said Mr Phiphat, a former oil business owner with extensive fuel station and transport interests, should not be asked to supervise oil traders, even if those businesses are now managed by relatives. Mr Srisuwan said the appointment could violate the 2017 constitution and anti-corruption laws concerning conflicts of interest. Mr Srisuwan questioned whether the public could trust the body to make decisions free from the influence of major oil companies. He cited 214 fuel stations in Songkhla province that were unable to maintain adequate supply.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 23:37 UTC
News bulletins are going 'off-ramp'
News bulletins are going 'off-ramp'An expression that is being used with increasing frequency in recent news reports, particularly concerning the goings on in the Middle East, is "off-ramp". Switch on the TV and it won't be long before a "talking head" will be authoritatively discussing "off-ramp" opportunities. Another expression we can expect to hear from leading politicians is "the situation is fluid" which sounds a lot more reassuring than "I have no idea what's going on". On BBC Radio's Desert Island Discs he admitted, "The best thing about writing books is being at a party and telling some pretty girl you write books. Remember where you areThere is a scene from the splendid political satire Dr Strangelove (1964) that has a certain relevance to what's going on in the world at the moment.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 23:32 UTC
Forest fire policy fuels haze
Forest fire policy fuels hazeEach dry season, the toxic haze returns with forest fires. In Lampang, for example, authorities banned people from entering 33 national forest areas for 51 days this year. But Thailand's criminalise both forest dwellers and almost any use of fire in forest areas. But forest fires are only one part of the haze crisis. Change is not possible when the forest authorities hold on to central control and blame the forest villagers for their failure.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 23:32 UTC
Pheu Thai settles cabinet picks
Pheu Thai MPs congratulate Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul on his election as prime minister at parliament on March 19. Chanat KatanyuPheu Thai has settled its cabinet nominees, completing all eight allocated posts as government formation moves closer to completion. For the three deputy minister roles, candidates have already been selected. Kanchanaburi MP Akaranun Khankittinan is set to become a deputy education minister. Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the media on Friday evening that his government's policy direction will be set in line with his party's election campaign pledges to the people.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 23:32 UTC
B1.6bn from foreign filmmakers expected
B1.6bn from foreign filmmakers expectedThailand expects foreign film productions to inject over 1.6 billion baht in revenue next year, following strong interest from film producers at the recently ended Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART). Deputy government spokeswoman Aiyarin Phanrit said on Saturday Thailand's delegation, comprising 38 companies across television, film production, post-production services, showcased diverse filming locations and the skill of local workers at the March 17-20 event. On the first day alone, 236 business meetings were held, generating immediate trade valued at 213.76 million baht. Ms Aiyarin cited government incentives, including cash rebates of up to 30%, as a key factor attracting foreign producers. There is also a growing demand for short-form vertical films, particularly in China, offering opportunities for Thailand to diversify its production offerings.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 23:32 UTC
Senate panel to vote on axeing Cambodia MoU
Senate panel to vote on axeing Cambodia MoUProtesters demonstrate at parliament on Aug 21, 2025, to demand the cancellation of two MoUs — one signed in 2000 regarding the land boundary with Cambodia and another the following year concerning the maritime boundary. Apichart JinakulA special Senate committee will vote on March 24 on whether to recommend revoking Thailand-Cambodia MoU 43, a memorandum of understanding that governs land boundary demarcation, after previously backing the cancellation of MoU 44 on maritime and offshore areas. Sen Noppadol said the committee had invited agencies, including the 1st Army Area and 2nd Army Area, to provide information following recent Thai-Cambodian border clashes. He said the panel agreed Thailand should no longer return to Cambodia areas previously discussed under the General Border Committee (GBC) framework, arguing they had been encroached upon for at least 30 years. Sen Noppadol said the committee's earlier recommendation to revoke MoU 44 could not be submitted previously because it coincided with the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 23:32 UTC
Rising fuel costs threaten prices of essential goods
Rising fuel costs threaten prices of essential goodsBottles of palm oil at a market in Nonthaburi province. File photoRising fuel and transport costs are threatening to drive up prices of essential goods as the Commerce Ministry seeks to stabilise retail prices until April. Wholesale prices have increased from 41-42 baht to 48-49 baht per bottle, pushing retail prices in small shops to 50-53 baht. Two main factors are driving the increase in palm oil prices: government policies promoting biodiesel, which have diverted crude palm oil into fuel production, reducing supply for consumption; and rising packaging costs, particularly for plastic bottles. "As a controlled product under the Price of Goods and Services Act, bottled palm oil remains subject to regulatory oversight."
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 23:07 UTC
Liverpool, Chelsea slip up in Champions League race
Liverpool, Chelsea slip up in Champions League raceChelsea slumped to a 3-0 defeat at EvertonLONDON - Chelsea failed to take advantage of another Liverpool stumble in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League on Saturday, thumped 3-0 by Everton to remain outside the top five. Champions Liverpool had slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton in the early kick-off -- their 10th loss of a dismal Premier League title defence. The top five teams in the Premier League are almost guaranteed to play Champions League football next season due to the strong showing of English clubs in Europe. Liverpool boss Arne Slot pointed to key injury absentees and a swift turnaround from Champions League commitments to explain the damaging defeat. Chelsea are still in the FA Cup but were humiliated 8-2 on aggregate by PSG in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 22:53 UTC
Robert Mueller, ex-FBI chief who led Trump-Russia inquiry, dead at 81
Robert Mueller, ex-FBI chief who led Trump-Russia inquiry, dead at 81Former Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller testifies before Congress on July 24, 2019WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led a politically explosive investigation into Donald Trump, has died aged 81, triggering a gloating response Saturday from the US president. Trump responded quickly on Truth Social, writing: "Robert Mueller just died. Mueller led the FBI for 12 years, starting just days before the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States, during which time he built up the bureau's counterterror mission. Before taking on the politically sensitive Russia investigation, Mueller, a former marine who was wounded and decorated for heroism in Vietnam, enjoyed a sterling reputation in Washington. Mueller is a "consummate professional and a straight shooter," then-FBI chief Christopher Wray, a Trump appointee, said in July 2019.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 22:53 UTC
Sweden's Duplantis wins fourth world indoor pole vault title
Sweden's Duplantis wins fourth world indoor pole vault titleSweden's Armand Duplantis competes in the men's pole vaultTORUN (POLAND) - Sweden's pole vault king Armand Duplantis returned to the scene of his first world record in Torun, Poland, to win a record-equalling fourth world indoor title in dominant fashion on Saturday. The bar was raised to 6.00m, Duplantis sailing over at the first time of asking, but Karalis failed on his first effort. Norway's Sondre Guttormsen ambitiously skipped the 6m mark and the bar went up to 6.05m. Karalis sat that height out and the bar went up to 6.15m, just 2cm short of the Greek's personal best set this month at the Greek indoor champs. added Coe of the Swede who has matched Sergey Bubka's record of four world indoor titles.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 22:53 UTC
Energy woes 'will escalate'
Under normal circumstances, governments can use the Oil Fuel Fund and tax adjustments to cushion price spikes. In times of geopolitical panic, the gap between crude prices and refined-product prices often widens sharply. Mr Korn's proposal is to collect 3 baht per litre from refiners and direct the proceeds into the Oil Fuel Fund. Mr Atavit and Mr Korn broadly agree the Oil Fuel Fund cannot be the sole line of defence. Saree: Focusing on public trustTransparency and reformSaree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC), brought another critical issue into focus: public trust.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 22:51 UTC
K-pop kings BTS rock Seoul in comeback concert
SEOUL - The South Korean megastars BTS reunited on Saturday for their first show in nearly four years, blowing away enormous crowds in Seoul for a K-pop extravaganza livestreamed to millions more worldwide. Widely lauded as the biggest boy band in the world, BTS went on hiatus in 2022 so the seven members could serve compulsory stints in the South Korean military. The comeback concert by the group at the vanguard of the Korean cultural wave was staged on the doorstep of the historic Gyeongbokgung royal palace — a fitting venue for the “Kings of K-pop”. Enormous crowds of fans — 260,000 were predicted before — descended on Seoul from morning onwards in colourful costumers, taking selfies and clutching BTS “ARMY” glowsticks. Before they came on stage fans chanted “BTS!
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 19:24 UTC
Matisse’s last years in the spotlight at Paris expo
PARIS - The final years of Henri Matisse’s artistic life, marked by the Nazi occupation of France and a brush with death and surgery, will light up a twilight retrospective opening next week. Yet despite those woes, Matisse was about to embark on “the most prolific moment of his career”, Grammont added. “Well, no: Matisse painted 75 paintings between 1941 and 1954.”Nonetheless, Matisse’s supposed dotage was marked by an outbreak of inspiration. ‘Intimacy’Visitors will have until July 26 to catch the late Matisse’s essential works, including the best part of his ornamentation for the Vence Chapel in southeastern France and its dozen paintings. “It’s about being able to enter Matisse’s studio and find yourself face to face with the artworks.”
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 19:14 UTC
Levy Li Su Lin: From Global Stage to Executive Leadership
At the forefront of this shift is Levy Li Su Lin, Chief Experience Officer (CXO) of Bravo BKK Co, Ltd, who is leading a bold transformation of the retail landscape in Bangkok. Tropickle: Bangkok’s First In-Mall Pickleball DestinationRecognising the sport’s rapid growth and community-driven nature, Levy founded Tropickle—a pioneering indoor pickleball destination within Bravo BKK. Designed as more than just a sports facility, Tropickle blends sport, lifestyle, and social connection within a vibrant, tropical-inspired setting. Capitalizing on the Global Wellness Boom“The global wellness industry is experiencing rapid growth and is expected to continue expanding,” said Levy Li. “At Bravo BKK, visitors can exercise, recharge their energy, explore creative activities, and enjoy premium entertainment all in one place.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 18:47 UTC
Summer storm damages dozens of houses in Nakhon Phanom
Summer storm damages dozens of houses in Nakhon PhanomThe interior of a house is exposed after heavy winds and rain tore off the roof in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phnom on Friday. (Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai)NAKHON PHANOM - Almost 100 households were damaged by strong winds when the first rain of the year, with hailstorms, struck this northeastern province on Friday. The Meteorological Department said 40 provinces nationwide were at risk of experiencing heavy storms on Saturday. Officials in Nakhon Phanom surveyed the damage in Renu district on Saturday morning after heavy rain had been pouring since Friday evening. Provinces at risk of heavy rain and storms on Saturday are:
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 18:41 UTC