True Corp allays submarine cable concerns
True Corp has set up a war room to ensure proactive network management around the clock, says chief network officer Khurrum Ashfaque. True Corporation has reassured customers that its internet services in Thailand remain stable and unaffected despite potential risks to undersea cable systems stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. The company was responding to reported concerns in the global telecommunications industry that some sections of undersea cable networks could be endangered because of the fighting in and around the Gulf region. “While ongoing developments in the Middle East may pose potential risks to undersea cable systems, such scenarios are not expected to impact True’s international connectivity services in Thailand,” True said in a statement on Saturday. True’s international connectivity is supported by the SJC2 (Southeast Asia-Japan Cable 2) system, which operates on routes between Singapore and Japan.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 16:52 UTC
Eastern destinations ride out flight disruption fallout
Eastern destinations ride out flight disruption falloutTourism operators along Thailand's eastern coast say the region is largely insulated from the flight disruptions currently affecting southern destinations. Despite headwinds stemming from the Middle East conflict, sentiment among businesses in eastern seaside provinces remains positive. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pursuing a dual-track strategy to sustain momentum -- stimulating domestic travel across eastern provinces while intensifying international promotion of Trat's island cluster. Fresh from attending the ITB Berlin, she noted that disruptions to Middle Eastern transit routes have already forced some passengers to reroute flights. By contrast, destinations in the East, including Pattaya and Trat's Koh Chang, Koh Kut and Koh Mak, appear less affected, she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 16:04 UTC
Pheu Thai MP faces land encroachment charge
Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol has been seen as a possible cabinet candidate under the Pheu Thai Party's ministerial quota. Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol, a ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai Party, and her parents face charges over the alleged unlawful occupation of forest land in Ubon Ratchathani, according to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). The six-year-old case centres on the construction of water reservoirs for a tapioca starch factory. Authorised directors of Eiam E-San Tapioca Starch Industry Co Ltd have also been summoned. The investigation, spanning more than six years, has uncovered alleged links between private interests, political financiers and the unlawful exploitation of state land.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 15:58 UTC
Pheu Thai cabinet hopeful ‘stressed’ over land case
Pheu Thai Party deputy party leader Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol, then minister of higher education, arrives at Government House on Aug 25, 2025. Ms Sudawan’s father, Weerasak, a former cabinet minister, went to DSI headquarters on Friday to acknowledge the charges. 21 spot on the Pheu Thai party list, ahead of many veteran politicians. She served as tourism and sports minister, later as culture minister and finally held the higher education portfolio in the Pheu Thai-led government. Pheu Thai reportedly has proposed her for the Social Development and Human Security post in the cabinet now being formed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 15:08 UTC
Unexploded ammo complicates firefighting in Ubon Ratchathani
At least 2,000 rai of forest destroyed by wildfire near army training siteFlames on a mountain ridge in Pha Luang Waterfall Forest Park in Ubon Ratchathani are seen from afar on Friday evening. (Photo: Rak Pha Luang Facebook page)Wildfire has destroyed at least 2,000 rai of forest on a mountain in Pha Luang Waterfall Forest Park in Ubon Ratchathani, where park rangers are working under the threat of unexploded ammunition in the area. They shared pictures of the blaze on the Facebook page Rak Pha Luang, noting that “this fire is severe and will last long”. Volunteers take a break on rocky ground after battling a wildfire in Pha Luang Waterfall Forest Park in Ubon Ratchathani on Saturday. (Photo: Rak Pha Luang Facebook page)By Saturday, the fire was still spreading and remained uncontrolled.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 14:56 UTC
Jury finds Musk misled Twitter shareholders
(Photo: Reuters)SAN FRANCISCO - A US federal jury has found Elon Musk liable for claims he defrauded Twitter shareholders by trying to drive down the social media company’s stock price so he could renegotiate or back out of a $44-billion takeover in 2022. Musk has often chosen to battle shareholders in court rather than settle. Musk tried to back out of the Twitter purchase, prompting the company to sue to force him to honour his original deal. Jurors also said the shareholders didn’t prove a separate claim that Musk engaged in a scheme to defraud them. The lawsuit covers investors who claimed to sell Twitter shares at prices Musk artificially depressed between May 13 and Oct 4, 2022.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 14:43 UTC
Iranians mark Eid as war rumbles on
(Photo: AFP)Thousands of Iranians held Eid al-Fitr prayers on Saturday to mark the end of the Ramadan fast, against the backdrop of war with the United States and Israel, which reportedly carried out a strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear site. Beyond the Gulf, the war has spread to Lebanon where the Israeli military has carried out regular bombardments in response to rocket fire by Iran ally Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes against “Hezbollah terrorist organisation targets” in the Lebanese capital early Saturday. US President Donald Trump has lashed out at NATO allies, calling them “cowards” for declining to defend the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo: AFP)Oil sanctions easedAs concerns grow over oil prices and global supply shortages, the US Treasury said it was temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 14:19 UTC
Petitioner Srisuwan seeks to block Thaksin parole
Political activist Srisuwan Janya asserts that Thaksin Shinawatra should not be eligible for parole and that authorities should consider filing new charges against him. Political activist Srisuwan Janya has petitioned the Ministry of Justice to oppose parole for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and urged authorities to instead press a fresh charge against him. On May 9, Thaksin will have served eight months, or two-thirds of his sentence, making him eligible for parole. Mr Srisuwan said Thaksin was directly involved in violating the enforcement of his original sentence. He now should not be eligible for parole, he said, adding that authorities should consider filing charges against him for the violation.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 13:18 UTC
Foxes, Blackburn dragged into scrap as relegation race tightens
Sheffield Wednesday are already doomed as a result of heavy points deductions following serious financial issues under the previous ownership. It may surprise football fans that of the other five clubs involved in the relegation battle two of them, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers, are former Premier League champions. Only Oxford United have never been in the Premier League, but they did spend two seasons in the top flight when it was Division One from 1986-88, which was a considerable achievement for a small club. It is a far cry from those glory days 10 years ago when, against all odds, they won the Premier League. Blackburn, who won the Premier League title back in 1995, are in 19th place on 42 points, but could still get dragged into the relegation mire.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 10:13 UTC
ONE Championship: Rambolek’s dream comes true as underdog dethrones Nabil Anane in shock upset
The Thai challenger pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory on Friday night, dethroning heavily favoured bantamweight Muay Thai champion Nabil Anane by unanimous decision at ONE Friday Fights 147. “My dream has come true,” Rambolek said in his in-ring interview with Chilson, fighting back tears. Nabil Anane congratulates Rambolek after their title clash at ONE Friday Fights 147Anane looked badly drained when he finally arrived at Thursday’s weigh-ins with just three minutes remaining. His Venum Training Camp teammate Asadula Imangazaliev also struggled, failing hydration and becoming ineligible to win the vacant flyweight Muay Thai title later that same night. Rambolek told Thai media backstage that there will “definitely” be another fight with Anane, and he may well be right.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 09:32 UTC
Election Commission hits back in ballot secrecy row
The Election Commission (EC) insists it has acted lawfully to ensure elections remain free, fair and secret, amid intense scrutiny over its controversial ballot design. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee on Friday addressed ongoing legal concerns about ballot papers containing barcodes and QR codes, which critics argue could compromise ballot secrecy. Mr Sawaeng said the EC is awaiting a summons from the court to provide testimony on specific matters, while emphasising that all elections held by the commission are conducted fairly and lawfully by secret ballot. Mr Sawaeng said the approach the court will use to review the case will depend on the specific issues it wants clarified. Asked whether evidence presented by civil groups or former EC officials, such as simulated election scenarios, would hold weight in court, he refused to comment.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 08:47 UTC
People’s Party MP cleared of royal defamation
(File photo: Piyarat Chongthep Facebook account)A People’s Party MP has been acquitted of a royal defamation charge arising from a speech he made at a protest in Ubon Ratchathani province in 2020, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). The acquittal, announced on Friday by the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Court, was the third for Piyarat “Toto” Chongthep. In 2023 he ran under the Move Forward Party banner and won a seat in Constituency 23 (Phra Khanong-Bang Na) in Bangkok. In the Feb 8 general election this year he was one of the 32 list-MP candidates elected for the People’s Party, the successor to Move Forward. Nawat has been detained at Bangkok Remand Prison since December 2024 for two other counts of royal defamation filed in connection with protests in 2020 and 2021.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 08:47 UTC
Kirins in danger as Buriram loom large
Kirins in danger as Buriram loom largeMuang Thong United players take part in a training session. (Photo: Muangthong United)Struggling Muang Thong United face a daunting task at Chang Arena on Sunday when they visit Thai League 1 leaders Buriram United. However, they gained some confidence back after a 1-0 home victory over Uthai Thani last week. BG Pathum United host Ratchaburi in a clash between two top-five teams tomorrow. In Saturday's matches, Chonburi host Sukhothai, Ayutthaya face Nakhon Ratchasima, Uthai Thani meet Lamphun and Kanchanaburi visit Rayong.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 08:45 UTC
Coroner 'not satisfied' boxer Hatton intended to take own life
Coroner 'not satisfied' boxer Hatton intended to take own lifeFormer Boxing world champion Ricky Hatton died in September 2025. (Photo: AFP)MANCHESTER (UNITED KINGDOM) - A coroner said Friday she "cannot be satisfied" that former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton intended to take his own life, with the inquest into his death hearing how he had made significant future plans. Hatton, 46, was found unresponsive at his home by his manager on September 14 last year. Concluding the inquest, Mutch said: "He had made significant future plans and no notes were found indicating he intended to take his own life. When I add everything together, I cannot be satisfied he intended to take his own life.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 08:26 UTC
30-day visa-free stay ‘sufficient’, says minister
(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it will propose reducing the visa-free stay for foreign tourists in Thailand from 60 days to 30 days in a bid to curb abuses and mitigate potential security threats. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the 60-day exemption was introduced under the administration of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin to boost tourism, a key driver of Thailand’s economic growth. However, a committee overseeing visa policy, chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has concluded that the current duration may be excessively long, he said on Friday. Under the proposed change, nationals eligible for visa-free entry would be allowed to stay for 30 days, with the option to apply for a further 30-day extension. The minister reaffirmed that Thailand remains committed to welcoming and taking good care of foreign visitors.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 08:06 UTC