Impacts of Iran war on Southeast Asia
Impacts of Iran war on Southeast AsiaVehicles pass near a billboard with an image of Iranian missiles in Tehran on Monday, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. As Southeast Asia is trade- and export-dependent, the war will have severe repercussions for the region as oil prices rise and international commerce is disrupted. There are many hundreds of thousands of Southeast Asian workers in the Middle East who will be adversely impacted by the war. Apart from the economic costs of lost income, Southeast Asian economies will see lower growth due to higher oil prices and dwindling tourist numbers due to travel risks. But the Vietnamese economy has enough momentum and diversification to weather the current Middle East storm, as do most other countries.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 23:04 UTC
Freedoms fall once more
Freedoms fall once moreThailand's score on Freedom House's latest "Freedom in the World" report dropped by two points, from 36 to 34. While a two-point slip may seem insignificant, the grade effectively placed the country in the "not free" category -- down from "partly free" in 2024. The index also places Thailand well behind its peers in Southeast Asia -- behind the Philippines (58), Indonesia (56) and Malaysia (53). The country even scored lower than Singapore (48), which is well known for its obsession with order and control over public opinion. Although Cambodia (23) held elections recently, the index regarded the country as a one-party state because it has no viable opposition.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 23:00 UTC
Consumer goods prices to rise soon as production costs soar
Consumer goods prices to rise soon as production costs soarA shopper is selecting instant noodles at a supermarket. (Photo: Somhatai Mosika)Major consumer product manufacturers and distributors are warning customers of possible price increases in April due to the Middle East war disrupting the oil supply chain. The companies expect supply chain disruptions to drive up product prices from April, and advised customers to consider replenishing their inventories at appropriate levels. Unilever Thai Trading Co Ltd, a distributor of consumer goods, said higher raw material and logistics costs have directly increased production costs across all categories. He said plastic raw material prices have risen, but the company will maintain current prices across all product categories.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 22:42 UTC
Baht may fall to 35 per dollar if war persists
The baht is expected to weaken to 34-35 to the US dollar if the Middle East conflict drags on for two months. According to Mr Burin, the conflict has already had a significant impact on the baht against the dollar, both in terms of volatility and depreciation. The baht has depreciated by about 4% against the dollar, making it the region's second-weakest currency after the South Korean won. K-Research said war in the Middle East has driven a sharp surge in energy prices, particularly following the closure of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The government's ability to subsidise energy prices is more constrained than during the Russia-Ukraine conflict due to tighter fiscal conditions, she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 22:42 UTC
New movies out this week: Mar 19-25
As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing the sun, and save Earth. Andy Weir sold the book's film rights to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in early 2020 for US$3 million. In order to stop her other self from going out of control, Shiori tries to escape from her smartphone's strange labyrinth. Shiori Sekine (the bass player) is also a real bass player, being a member of the band Base Ball Bear. Premieres on March 21NCT Dream Tour The Dream Show 4: Dream The FutureWho’s in it?
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 22:14 UTC
Penalties vowed for gas gouging
Mr Auttapol inspects a Bangchak filling station in Pathum Thani where a diesel shortage was reported. "I want to confirm that every litre of fuel leaving an oil refinery for domestic sales receives subsidies from the state Oil Fuel Fund." The government is spending money from the fund to subsidise domestic fuel prices, gradually increasing them to avoid a financial burden for businesses and households. With the subsidies already implemented, Mr Auttapol said retailers who sell oil at prices above the regulated levels will be punshished. Mr Auttapol spoke while leading an entourage to inspect a major oil depot in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 22:08 UTC
Trump may push Japan for help with Iran war in White House meeting
Trump hosts Takaichi for a long-scheduled White House visit aimed at burnishing the decades-old security and economic partnership between Washington and its closest East Asian ally. Hours before the White House meeting, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would expect that Japan, which gets 95% of its crude oil supplies from the Gulf, would want to ensure its supplies are safe. "This has suddenly become a very fraught visit for Takaichi," said Chris Johnstone, a former White House official who is now a partner at the Asia Group consultancy. Trump heaped praise on Takaichi during a visit to Tokyo after she became Japan's first female prime minister last year. In her meeting with Trump, Takaichi may have to find a way of placating him over his demand for ships while avoiding domestic legal and political pitfalls.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 18:52 UTC
Government faces trust test
Government faces trust testMPs are set to vote on Thursday to select the next prime minister. As widely expected, caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is likely to be chosen as Thailand's 32nd premier. The real test will be whether an Anutin-led administration can earn that trust. These cases had been major points of contention for BJT and Mr Anutin, with opponents preparing legal challenges. But one thing is certain -- no political party endures without public trust.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 17:24 UTC
Can we design universal access to compassion?
Can we design universal access to compassion? A wheelchair user was forced to wheel himself in front of a moving bus to stop it from passing. First and foremost, what took place on March 13 was a matter of human decency, rather than accessibility. (Video via the Mirror Foundation)The obstacle for this Bangkok resident was never a lack of assistive tools, it was a lack of compassion from a fellow human being. That he was the fourth bus driver to show such neglect indicates that this carelessness is endemic.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 17:08 UTC
No oil, no problem at charcoal-fired crematorium
Phra Kru Uthit Thammakun, the abbot of Wat Ma Prao Soong in Uthai Thani, stands in front of the temple’s traditional charcoal-fired crematory. (Photo: Phra Kru Uthit Thammakun)UTHAI THANI - A Buddhist temple in Nong Chang district of this central province has dusted off old wisdom to manage a very modern problem, offering wood-fired cremations as oil supplies tighten and electric furnaces fall silent. Wat Ma Prao Soong, officially named Wat Wang Boraphet, in tambon Thung Pho is among the few temples in the area that has never abandoned its traditional cremation furnace. Wat Ma Prao Soong is stepping in so that families can proceed with last rites without worry, according to abbot Phra Kru Uthit Thammakun, 58, also known as Phra Ajarn Mayom. “If there’s no oil, bring the body here,” he said, adding that the temple’s charcoal furnace remains fully operational and safe.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 15:51 UTC
Stricter checks for 5-million-baht withdrawals from April 1
Where necessary, institutions must adjust a customer’s risk profile to high and conduct intensified checks. If a customer cannot supply adequate information or documents, banks may refuse the cash transaction. The BoT said the tightening focuses initially on cash withdrawals, including transactions stemming from cash cheques that result in cash being taken out. According to the central bank, cash transactions are easy to conduct without leaving sufficient records of activity or identity, hampering the tracing of money flows. Read more: Banks tighten digital checks to curb mule accountsBoT governor Vitai Ratanakorn recently said his agency detected unusually large cash withdrawals totalling more than 250 million baht, with some customers requesting only 500-baht banknotes.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 15:40 UTC
Thai worker killed in Iranian strike on Israel
(Photo: Reuters)A Thai worker was killed during an Iranian strike on Israel late Wednesday night, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also warned of escalating impact from the Mideast conflict on the world economy and oil prices. Panidone Pachimsawat, the ministry’s deputy spokesman, on Thursday quoted the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv as reporting that the Thai farm worker was killed late Wednesday night. According to local media reports, the Iranian strikes using cluster munition missiles took place in the Sharon area, just north of Tel Aviv. The government extended condolences to the family and is working out full compensation with Israel, Mr Panidone said. Israel has also been heavily attacking positions held by Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and injuries, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 15:40 UTC
China 'willing' to work with Southeast Asia on energy security
China 'willing' to work with Southeast Asia on energy securityHundreds of farmers queue with jerrycans as motorists form a one-kilometre line at the PTT station in Phon Sawan district, Nakhon Phanom province, on Wednesday. (Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai)BEIJING — China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to address energy security issues arising from the war in Iran, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday. The situation in the Middle East has disrupted global energy security, said Lin Jian, spokesperson at the foreign ministry, at a regular news conference, when asked if Southeast Asian nations had reached out to China for help in tackling their energy security issues. In Thailand, the Ministry of Finance are preparing measures to reduce excise taxes on fuel, as well as draft legislation to allow the Oil Fuel Fund to borrow more funds to stabilise domestic prices. In addition, small businesses and households are being urged to reduce their reliance on the state electricity grid and adopt solar power solutions, as global energy price volatility threatens to drive up costs, despite the government's capped power tariffs.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 15:40 UTC
Pheu Thai submits eight ministerial picks to PM Anutin
Yodchanan Wongsawat (centre), a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate and party-list MP, centre, talks with Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat before the parliamentary vote for prime minister on Thursday. Pheu Thai, with 74 seats, is the second-largest party in the 292-member coalition led by Bhumjaithai, which has 191 seats. He confirmed that Pheu Thai has submitted its list of eight ministerial nominees to Mr Anutin. (Story continues below)Yodchanan Wongsawat and Pheu Thai MPs congratulate Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul on winning the parliamentary vote to become prime minister on Thursday. Other key posts include Borwornsak Uwanno as Deputy Prime Minister, Chaichanok Chidchob (Digital Economy and Society), Akanat Promphan (Energy) and Varawut Silpa-archa (Industry).
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 15:24 UTC
China cutting back fertiliser exports
A worker handles sacks of fertiliser for export at a port in Nantong in Jiangsu province of China. In mid-March, Beijing banned exports of nitrogen-potassium fertiliser blends and certain phosphate varieties, sources told Reuters. In China, urea futures are near a 10-month high. The Philippines on Wednesday said China had assured it that fertiliser exports would not be restricted. In December, the state-linked fertiliser association urged major producers to suspend exports of phosphate fertilisers until August.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2026 15:24 UTC