Chonpansa settles for 2nd
Chonpansa settles for 2ndChonpansa Tawinsang tees off during the final round on Friday. (Photo supplied)Thai golfer Chonpansa Tawinsang finished runner-up at the 33rd Taiwan Amateur Golf Championship at Hsin Yi Golf Club on Friday. Chonpansa, who led the tournament after the first three rounds, shot a two-over-par 74 in the final round to end the tournament on five-under 283. Another Thai golfer, Suritpreeya Pruksanubal, 14, finished in fifth place on 288 after shooting a two-under 70 on the final day. She was tied with two Taiwanese golfers, Annika Chen and Chan Pei-wei.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 01:05 UTC
Police cuff two monks over rapes
Police cuff two monks over rapesPolice arrested two monks for allegedly raping seven novices and filming the abuse after luring the victims to their quarters. The investigation team found that the duo lured novices to the quarters, claiming they would let them borrow a mobile phone to play games. Both monks also had the behaviour of secretly taking photos and indecent video clips of novices. Officers seized 100 pornographic clips, gambling equipment, condoms, and a large quantity of alcoholic drinks in the refrigerator. The suspects face charges including rape by coercion, sexual assault of minors under fifteen, recording indecent acts for gain, possessing child pornography, and encouraging misconduct, said Pol Maj Gen Wittaya.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 00:48 UTC
Opposition targets govt over energy crisis
Opposition targets govt over energy crisisPeople's Party list-MP and spokesman Parit WacharasindhuThe opposition is gearing up to question the government over the energy crisis and propose measures to cushion the impact amid rising concerns, said People's Party list-MP and spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu. Mr Parit said the motion on the energy crisis is expected to be included on the House agenda for the next meeting, allowing MPs to fully debate the issue. The PP has submitted nine motions for the House debate, including four urgent ones related to people's livelihoods. Among them is a proposal to set up a special House committee to develop recommendations and monitor the impact of the energy crisis and the US/Israel conflict with Iran. Other urgent motions cover declining agricultural prices, progress on compensation and rehabilitation in disaster-hit areas, and scrutiny of large-scale construction projects that may affect the public, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2026 00:33 UTC
Acer looks beyond computer market
Acer looks beyond computer marketAcer Computer Thailand is beginning to offer tailor-made desktop gaming computers under its Predator sub-brand. Acer Computer is accelerating its expansion beyond the computer market into healthcare, energy, industrial PCs and large home appliances, while stepping up local assembly to expand its "Made in Thailand" portfolio. "This year we will expand beyond PCs to lifestyle-driven products, such as home appliances, medical and industrial PCs," said Jeff Lee, managing director of Acer Computer (Thailand) Co Ltd.Taiwan-based Acer is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Supong Tangtongbenjasin, director of the retail business group, said Acer has maintained its leadership in Thailand's consumer and gaming notebook market. Nitipat Praweenwongwuthi, marketing director at Acer, said the local PC market became relatively mature in recent years, growing around 5% annually.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:52 UTC
CRC combines 3 food companies
The company has united its three flagship food business units -- Central Food Retail Co Ltd (CFR), Central Food Wholesale Co Ltd, and Central Retail Vietnam -- under the Central Retail Food Group. Mr Suthisarn, right, says CRC appointed Mr Coum to lead the group and drive its food business towards sustainable growth. CFR operates the retail brands Tops, Tops Food Hall, Tops Daily, Tops Online, Tops Care and Matsukiyo. Central Food Wholesale operates Go Wholesale, while Central Retail Vietnam operates Go! Under the new structure, Thanawat Jirajariyavej was appointed managing director of CFR, covering the operation and management of Tops, Tops Food Hall, Tops Daily, Tops Online and Tops Care.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:45 UTC
Volatility easing as traders adjust to war
Trade on Thai and global stock markets has been volatile this month amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East. However, the magnitude of market volatility has eased somewhat, compared with the initial stage after the war broke out, as traders are adjusting to conditions. Key losers were power, beverages (raw material and logistics costs) and healthcare (potential losses of Middle East patients for extended periods). On the external front, the Middle East conflict seems to be contained within the region, but there are no guarantees it won't escalate and spread geographically. Any excessive hikes in these three sectors (beyond 30%) in the coming two to three weeks would indicate that risks could be even higher than what global investors estimated.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:44 UTC
Thailand seeks Iran's help for safety of seafarers
Thailand seeks Iran's help for safety of seafarersSmoke pours from the Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree after it was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. Mr Heidari said Thailand's requests had been conveyed to Tehran and that, in principle, Iran was willing to help on humanitarian grounds. Acknowledging Thailand as a friendly nation, he said Thai ships should be allowed safe navigation through the strait and pledged to follow up with the relevant authorities for a prompt response. The ambassador, in turn, encouraged Thailand and Asean partners to engage stakeholders to help halt attacks on Iran as quickly as possible. Authorities said 1,209 Thais had already been assisted to depart affected countries for Thailand or third countries.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:40 UTC
Tourism meets culture
Weerasak: Will trim bureaucracyA proposal to merge Thailand's culture and tourism portfolios to strengthen the country's cultural "soft power" could boost high-value tourism, but bureaucratic reform and greater private-sector involvement will be crucial for the strategy to succeed, according to a former tourism minister. "Thailand's soft power has long-term growth potential, especially in well-being tourism where we have already built a foundation," he said. Closer cooperation between the tourism and culture sectors could also strengthen Thailand's soft power strategy. Tourism authorities can provide insights into visitor demand, while cultural agencies can help communities preserve and promote local heritage. "We should avoid a situation where people live next to important heritage sites but gain no benefit from tourism," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:34 UTC
Finding the soul of a city
Cannes and Grasse in France, and Kumamoto and Hokkaido in Japan are examples of cities with creative city branding. Chakrit explained that there are two dimensions of promoting the country's economy in terms of the creative industry -- creative industry development and creative city development. When it comes to city branding, people often mistake the concept to mean just designing logos and slogans. The three phases are: City Brand Strategy Development -- defining a distinctive city branding strategy; Brand Activation -- designing and testing the city brand in the nine provinces part of the project; and Brand Identity Development -- developing a brand identity to implement in products, services and the city landscape. When asked how investment is expected to occur after city branding, Pichit replied that the city branding will help investors understand the direction of the city and the type of business that suits it.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:34 UTC
New Fifa Asean Cup set for debut
Fifa announced yesterday that its inaugural Fifa Asean Cup will take place from September to October this year. "The Fifa Council approved the introduction of the Fifa Asean Cup, first presented to the Asean Summit in Malaysia in October 2025 to a positive reception, with the first edition planned for September-October 2026," Fifa said in a statement during its Council meeting in Zurich, Switzerland. "In the Fifa Asean Cup, we will bring together Asean nations and the tournament will be a major success that will help develop national teams in Asean and support the growth of football in Southeast Asia," said Infantino. Southeast Asian countries are already gearing up for the Asean Championship -- now also known as the Asean Hyundai Cup -- from July 24 to Aug 26. Organised by the Asean Football Federation (AFF), the biennial tournament is widely seen as the region's premier football competition.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:31 UTC
Rising fuel costs force fishing fleets to dock
People shop for seafood at Or tor Kor Market in Chatuchak district, Bangkok on Friday ahead of expected price rises as fishermen face soaring fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Fishing fleets nationwide are halting operations as surging fuel prices and shortages push costs beyond sustainable levels. "If oil prices continue to rise, all boats may have to dock because operators cannot absorb costs that have more than doubled," he said. Fuel prices for fisheries have risen sharply from 18–20 baht per litre to about 34 baht, with concerns they could increase further. Operators have called on the government to intervene by capping fuel prices and ensuring sufficient supply.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:25 UTC
Fuel frustration mounts
(Photo: Suthiwit Chayutworakarn)Public frustration is mounting across Thailand over restricted access to fuel, despite repeated government assurances that national reserves remain ample. A manager overseeing four petrol stations in Songkhla said deliveries had been suspended, forcing temporary closures. Not only are petrol stations limiting the amount customers can purchase, but at certain times, there is no fuel available at all. Investigations are focusing on fuel quality, pricing, transport documentation and potential hoarding for profit. In one case, a company found holding 330,000 litres of fuel is under scrutiny for possible regulatory violations.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:19 UTC
Ex-MPs 'guilty' in ethical cases
Ex-MPs 'guilty' in ethical casesChaithip: Played cards in officeThe National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has found two former MPs guilty of serious ethical breaches in separate gambling and land cases. NACC secretary-general Surapong Intharathawon on Friday announced the commission's findings in the two cases involving serious ethical violations. The NACC concluded that his actions constituted a serious breach of ethical standards, damaged the reputation of the House of Representatives and fell short of expected conduct. Saritpong: Held land illegallyThe second case involves Saritpong Kiewkhong, also known as Saritpong Kiewkong, a former Bhumjaithai MP for Krabi. He was accused of unlawfully possessing and benefiting from nearly 600 rai of land designated for agricultural reform.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 23:07 UTC
Getting a handle on the oil confusion
Deliveries from depots to service stations have struggled to match a sharp rise in consumption driven by public anxiety, said caretaker transport minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. He also led his entourage to inspect a major oil depot in the same province. Distribution is around 20% higher than average, according to officials, yet some filling stations still report shortages. The Oil Fuel Fund offsets costs for branded stations, creating a price gap of 11-12 baht per litre. The country has six oil refineries that can refine 175 million litres of fuel daily, including 32-33 million litres of benzine, 75-80 million litres of diesel, 25 million litres of jet fuel, 13 million litres of heavy fuel oil, and 6-7 million kilogrammes of liquefied petroleum gas.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 22:40 UTC
American hegemony is waning
American hegemony is waningUS President Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, meet on Thursday in the Oval Office of the White House. With more than 50 treaty allies and formal security partners, the US built the first truly global security system in history. Yet the response from America's security partners has been muted, hesitant, or negative. If European states succeed in negotiating separate guarantees with Iran rather than acting through the alliance system, the implications will extend far beyond the Persian Gulf. Such an outcome would strike at the heart of American power and could mark the beginning of a broader breakdown in the US-centred global security architecture.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 22:34 UTC