Chiang Mai supermarket uses banana leaves as packaging
Chiang Mai supermarket uses banana leaves as packagingPhoto: Perfect Homes ChiangmaiViral images from Chiang Mai are drawing attention to a simple yet effective alternative to plastic packaging for fresh produce. Rimping Supermarket in the northern provincee has introduced an initiative aimed at reducing plastic waste by using natural banana leaves in place of conventional packaging. Fully biodegradable and widely available, the leaves offer an environmental-friendly solution rooted in everyday materials. Produce wrapped in banana leaves is secured with biodegradable bamboo ties and finished with a small sticker. Long used across Asia and other tropical regions as a form of natural “dishware", banana leaves are valued for their flexibility and water resistance.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 10:59 UTC
Teacher probe follows assault claim
Teacher probe follows assault claimThe Education Ministry is investigating allegations that a teacher in Chon Buri physically assaulted a fifth-grade girl for failing to submit all of her homework. Deputy government spokeswoman Aiyarin Phanrit said yesterday the ministry had instructed relevant agencies to conduct a probe after reports emerged that a teacher at a school in Chon Buri had hit the girl as punishment. A preliminary review found the teacher is a civil servant under the Department of Local Administration and holds an advanced-level teaching licence. The incident was first highlighted by the student's parents in Ban Bung district, Chon Buri, on March 11. The parents have filed a police complaint and sought legal action, while the teacher reportedly admitted fault and has offered compensation.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 10:57 UTC
Myanmar parliament starts president-selection process on March 30
Myanmar parliament starts president-selection process on March 30Members of Parliament and military-appointed lawmakers attend a session of the Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) following a phased election dominated by the army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on March 16, 2026. After a vetting process, the parliament will elect one of the three as president, officials of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw said at an event that was broadcast by state media. The officials did not say how long the process to vet candidates would take, or when the vote for president would be held. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is widely expected to become the Southeast Asian country's president. Myanmar has been in turmoil since early 2021, when the military ousted an elected civilian government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 10:43 UTC
Japan PM faces Trump's Pearl Harbor surprise
Japan PM faces Trump's Pearl Harbor surpriseUS President Donald Trump, right, with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office. (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sailed smoothly past a potential clash with Donald Trump over Iran on Thursday, though the United States president whipped up a bit of a storm about Pearl Harbor. Trump gave few details about what help Japan might provide in securing the crucial waterway, through which one-fifth of the world's oil normally passes. But just over an hour before the Trump meeting, Japan and five other allies including Britain and France said they were ready "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz". Trump said it would be "appropriate" for Japan and other allies to contribute, noting that Japan gets around 90% of its oil through the strait.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 10:41 UTC
Troubled waters: Thai fishermen marooned by rising fuel costs
The boats of hundreds of fishers are stuck at the dock because of surging diesel prices. (Photos by AFP)With his belongings stuffed into a plastic bag, Thai fisherman Narongsak Kongsuk heads home, far from the sea. "I've been doing this for about 50 years, and I've never encountered a situation like this before," said Mr Kwanchai, who is in his sixties. It's straight-up losses," said Mr Kwanchai, who has been forced to send his employees home while waiting for prices to fall. Once this batch is gone, everyone will probably dock because we can't handle the costs," Mr Kwanchai said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 10:37 UTC
Israel strikes 'decimated' Iran as war roils markets
Israel strikes 'decimated' Iran as war roils marketsIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated" in the war. (Photo: AFP)JERUSALEM — Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Friday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated", and as Gulf nations faced a fresh set of attacks. "We are winning and Iran is being decimated," the Israeli premier said at a press conference. But Iran has kept up retaliatory fire on Israel and Gulf nations, including attacks on oil and gas facilities that have exacerbated concerns of a global energy supply shock. Israeli premier Netanyahu, enjoying rising popularity at home from a conflict that has drawn attention away from the Gaza war, said Israel was "winning" against Iran.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 10:28 UTC
Small firms take issue with ongoing local fuel turmoil
Small firms take issue with ongoing local fuel turmoilThe Federation of Thai SME Association is concerned about the energy crisis, saying a prolonged shock could force many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gradually shut down. Noppong Teeravorn, the federation's president, warned if crude oil prices rise to US$100 per barrel or higher, production costs for SMEs could increase by 20-30%. A recent meeting of micro and SME entrepreneurs nationwide reflected a shared concern over a potential oil crisis, which could drive prices higher, with supply becoming insufficient to meet business demand. Many entrepreneurs are unable to secure enough fuel for transport, forcing them to consolidate orders before shipping, resulting in delivery delays. Mr Ekniti instructed relevant agencies to prepare measures to cope with volatility in global oil prices, including potential reductions in fuel excise taxes and the issuance of an emergency decree to borrow funds for the Oil Fuel Fund should the fund's resources used to stabilise oil prices approach their limit.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 10:24 UTC
PM downplays fuel hoarding concern amid shortages
PM downplays fuel hoarding concern amid shortagesPrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, centre, chairs a special meeting of the Joint Management and Monitoring Centre for the Situation in the Middle East on Thursday. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed concerns about fuel hoarding, saying the shortages observed are due to rising consumption driven by public anxiety rather than illicit stockpiling. However, concern over the prolonged conflict in the Middle East has led to panic buying, pushing up daily fuel demand. When asked whether the alleged "mystery figure" stockpiling fuel for profit had been identified, the prime minister responded: "No, there is no such mystery figure hoarding fuel. He urged the public not to crowd petrol stations unnecessarily, saying fuel transport vehicles will be given 24-hour access to Bangkok to ease distribution bottlenecks.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2026 00:51 UTC
Crisis inaction
Crisis inactionRe: "Rising costs, empty tanks", (Editorial, March 18). The editorial is well presented, especially when it points out slow government action or reaction to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting drying up of oil reserves at fuel stations. Any peace in the Middle East was upended when Israel was created in 1948. Palestine was suddenly flooded with many thousands of people who had a culture and history with Palestine, but who were not of the Middle East; they were Europeans. Peace in the Middle East will only come when the current population of Israel can find it within themselves to abide with those who are of the Middle East.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 23:43 UTC
Peepo's story exposes lack of child support
His story exposes years of parental neglect and a lack of state mechanisms to help abandoned children. After his heart-wrenching story went viral, assistance -- in the form of donations and state support -- began to pour in. But the question remains: why did he have to suffer in the first place? We must not forget that Peepo's story is also the story of abandoned children across Thailand. The state must provide accessible and efficient support systems -- such as child welfare monitoring and services -- long before children are forced onto the streets.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 23:43 UTC
Ethanol output cranked up to meet E20 demand
Ethanol output cranked up to meet E20 demandVarious fuel types offered at a Bangkok petrol station. Ethanol consumption in Thailand is roughly 3.5 million litres per day, while total gasoline consumption exceeds 30 million litres per day, according to the association. Thailand has more than 11 million rai of sugar cane plantations, producing roughly 90 million tonnes of cane and 10 million tonnes of sugar annually. Sureeyot Khowsurat, chairwoman of the Tapioca Ethanol Association, said ethanol manufacturers are fully prepared to support the E20 policy. E20 promotion would increase cassava demand for ethanol to about 6 million tonnes annually.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 23:43 UTC
US, Israel tactics diverge on Iran as Trump's goals still 'fuzzy'
Earlier this month, the United States voiced unease after Israel bombed fuel depots around Tehran, smothering the city of 10 million people with toxic black smoke. - 'Fuzzy' Trump goal -But Netanyahu has been far more clear than Trump on what he wants in Iran. "It's not unimaginable that Trump sees the cost of this war getting too high and hindering his domestic agenda," Katulis said. - New dynamic for Israel -The conflict marks a watershed for Israel in fighting a war as part of an alliance. In the two wars against Iraq, the United States tried hard to keep Israel out, fearing its presence would alienate Arab allies.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 23:40 UTC
More provinces grapple with fuel shortages
A petrol station in Nakhon Phanom province puts up a sign reading "out of diesel" at its entrance. (Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai)Fuel shortages have been reported in several provinces, with long queues forming at petrol stations overnight and "out of fuel" signs becoming a common sight as supply remains tight. At a petrol station in Chai Nat's Muang district on Thursday, motorists said they began lining up at 4pm on Wednesday. In Phayao, many petrol stations have put up "out of fuel" signs, while those which stayed open were packed with cars and motorbikes. Meanwhile, interior permanent secretary Unsit Sampuntharat said the ministry will monitor fuel stocks at petrol stations in every district nationwide to ensure supplies are managed efficiently.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 23:40 UTC
Insurers look to manage risk from Middle East conflict
Insurers look to manage risk from Middle East conflictInsurance companies have taken steps to cautiously manage their risk exposure amid intensifying conflicts in the Middle East, which has resulted in the cost of war insurance coverage for ships in the Gulf region to reach "unprecedented levels". "At the same time, we have a responsibility to continuously monitor and manage our risk exposure," he told the Bangkok Post. Marine insurance has been transformed by this war because of the increased risks associated with shipping in the Middle East, said Mr Chanaphan. Trade credit insurance, which insures against trade receivables, will increase due to the risk to international payments, said Mr Chanaphan. Other types of insurance affected are professional indemnity due to volatile market conditions, and political risk insurance for investing in regions with increased tension as it carries higher risks.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 23:12 UTC
Energy woes dent Songkran travel sentiment
Tourism operators are now concerned that declining energy confidence could dampen expectations for this year's holiday. Wasuchet Sophonsathien, adviser to the Thai Transportation Operators Association, said that in the short term rising fuel prices could affect next month's Songkran holiday. Some tourists have already booked cross-provincial trips, but many have yet to decide, as they are monitoring fuel prices until they feel more confident. In addition to higher fuel prices, rising living costs and lower savings are prompting people to cut back on their recreational trips. Many hotels are also making use of solar energy to help reduce electricity expenses during the energy crisis.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 23:12 UTC