Future-proofing Thailand's next generation of workers
Future-proofing Thailand's next generation of workersMr Ariya says Thai organisations that have the ability to redesign work around human strengths while integrating AI and emerging technologies will thrive. "The Thai organisations that will thrive are those that can redesign work around human strengths while integrating AI and emerging technologies. However, companies that redesign human and machine roles are twice as likely to exceed return on investment expectations. Deloitte suggests that companies must redesign work around skills and outcomes, not just outputs. For Thailand, human capital will be the country's most decisive advantage," Mr Ariya said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 01:05 UTC
Entries open for U17 Thailand C'ship
Entries open for U17 Thailand C'shipYouth teams under the age of 17 nationwide are invited to participate in the Coke Cup U17 Thailand Football Championship 2026, which will take place between May and August. Participation is open to academy teams from Thai League 1-3 clubs that have completed 'Academy Licensing' with the FAT. School or college teams are also eligible, provided they are registered for 'Academy Licensing' with the association. For teams not yet holding 'Academy Licensing' with the association, free registration is available. For more information, please follow the official Facebook pages of Coca-Cola Thailand and the Football Association of Thailand, or through LINE: @cokecupu17.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 00:53 UTC
75 years of Thai-Lao relations
75 years of Thai-Lao relationsThe Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, which links Bueng Kan province in Thailand with Bolikhamxay province in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is seen on Dec 21, 2025, four days before it opened officially. Thailand and the Lao PDR maintain exchanges at all levels, with the Thai royal family contributing significantly to the nurturing of bilateral relations. A historic milestone was when His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, together with the then-president Nouhak Phoumsavanh of the Lao PDR presided over the opening of the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai–Vientiane). During 2024-2025, Thailand and the Lao PDR experienced severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi, Typhoon Wutip, and Typhoon Wipha. Since 2023, Thailand, the Lao PDR, and Myanmar have worked together under the CLEAR Sky Strategy to address PM2.5 pollution.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 00:44 UTC
Lesson from India to avoid the middle-income trap
Lesson from India to avoid the middle-income trapVisitors walk past a hoarding of a virtual reality headset displayed at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Feb 17. But with a population growth rate of 0.6%, the corresponding constant-dollar GNI growth rate would be 7.9%. Together, these figures imply a constant-dollar GDP growth rate of 7.6%. The fifth and final factor likely to enable India to escape the middle-income trap is fierce competition among its 28 states for investment and global market share. The states on India's western coast and southern peninsula have already sustained robust growth for longer than any country that fell into the middle-income trap ever did.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 00:18 UTC
When being neutral is no safeguard
(Photo: AFP)'Don't worry about it, we are neutral!" What surprised me even more was the sluggish Thai newspaper response the following day. In prestige papers, it was positioned behind stories about phishing schemes, famous people, and the rising price of fuel. What a shameful response to an attack conducted by his government in the opening salvos of a war that he commanded. One might hope against hope for a miracle rescue, but the neutral take on the news will become harder to sustain once the full truth of the outrage sets in.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 00:18 UTC
Islands win coveted 5 stars
Islands win coveted 5 starsKoh Kradan beach in Trang province and Bileh Beach on Koh Hong in Krabi, below, have been awarded the highest five-star rating in the 'Beach Star' environmental assessment programme. Mr Surin Worakitthamrong, director-general of the PCD, said the agency is continuing efforts to raise the environmental quality of beaches to international standards through the Beach Star project. The results showed that 10 beaches achieved environmental quality ratings ranging from very good to excellent, or 4.5 to five stars. The department said these beaches demonstrated an outstanding environmental quality and could serve as models for sustainable beach management in Thailand. They are Maya Bay, Krabi; Khao Kalok Beach, Prachuap Khiri Khan; Chao Mai Beach, Trang; Laem Son Beach, Koh Adang, Satun; Koh Mai Phai Beach, Krabi; Laem Tanot Beach, Krabi; Sam Phraya Beach, Prachuap Khiri Khan; and Yong Ling Beach, Trang.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 00:05 UTC
Price stability in focus as oil impact looms
Price stability in focus as oil impact loomsA shopper selects instant noodles at a supermarket. Wittayakorn Maneenetr, director-general of the DIT, said the department is monitoring consumer goods prices, especially items with cost structures linked to oil prices and imported raw materials, to prevent any impact on household expenses. Some 59 controlled items are regulated under the Price of Goods and Services Act (1999). The department carefully assesses cost structures before granting approval. The department is monitoring stock levels and cost structures to ensure sufficient supply nationwide.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 17, 2026 23:10 UTC
Thailand eyes gains from global shifts
Thailand eyes gains from global shiftsA server room in a data centre used for digital data storage. Thailand has an opportunity to attract more foreign investment or even serve as a new global financial hub, Mr Narit said. The BoI recently participated in a global investment meeting in Hong Kong, where Southeast Asia -- particularly Thailand and Vietnam -- attracted significant interest. "Normally, foreign investors must leave Thailand and report to immigration officers every 90 days, and show work permits. Today, the government wants Thailand to attract more foreign investors, so it is considering extending the stay period and granting work visas," Mr Narit said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 17, 2026 23:10 UTC
Cabinet focuses on illicit tour operators
Cabinet focuses on illicit tour operatorsChinese tourists walk in front of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. The cabinet ordered the Tourism and Sports Ministry to work with relevant agencies to address the use of nominees in tourism businesses, including zero-dollar tours. In addition, there are violations of laws governing tour businesses and tour guides. For example, groups of Chinese investors have operated zero-dollar tours, which sell tour packages at below cost, making it difficult for Thai tour operators to compete fairly in terms of both price and quality. Moreover, the use of foreign nationals as tour guides has displaced Thai workers in an occupation reserved for Thais.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 17, 2026 23:10 UTC
Thai hoteliers jittery over energy prices
A large number of travellers from long-haul destinations have been affected by the limited operations of Middle Eastern airlines. Kasmaporn Limpanapongthep, president of the Krabi Hotel Association, said higher airfares and rising energy costs are expected to affect both tourist demand and operating expenses for hotels. “During the first two weeks of the war, hotels in Krabi worked together to offer stranded guests special support, such as discounted rates,” she said. She said the Chinese government has intensified domestic tourism campaigns for several years and may place even greater emphasis on sustaining domestic consumption. “The Thai government should also rely on the domestic market as the most dependable resource during the crisis,” said Ms Kasmaporn.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 17, 2026 23:08 UTC
Thai stocks surge as outlook brightens on Mideast war
Thai stocks surge as outlook brightens on Mideast warStock markets are increasingly pricing in a more positive outlook for the Middle East war following recent signals from the US and oil prices stabilising, while the Thai government has stepped up petrol supply to ensure fuel security. The dollar index weakened to around 99.5 points, while the US 10-year bond yield declined by six basis points, indicating that capital previously withdrawn from risk assets due to geopolitical risk is gradually returning, he said. "The government is confident oil supplies are sufficient for at least 100 days, with continuous replenishment," said Mr Asadej, attributing the stability to "strong and strict cooperation from all related agencies". The outflows were largely driven by profit-taking and investors reallocating funds to perceived safe-haven assets amid volatility, he said. For the year-to-date, foreign investors remain net buyers of Thai equities.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 17, 2026 22:59 UTC
Sugar cane demand poised to rocket
Sugar cane demand poised to rocketBiomass made from sugar cane leaves can be used to fuel power plants. The Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) expects purchases of sugar cane leaves to more than double this year as Thailand reduces its reliance on liquefied natural gas imports, shipments of which have been disrupted by war in the Middle East. Sugar cane leaves, often discarded after harvest, can be converted into biomass fuel for power plants. According to Bainoi Suwanchatri, secretary-general of the OCSB, purchases of sugar cane leaves are expected to rise from 2.14 million tonnes in the 2025-26 crop year to 5 million tonnes in 2026-27. TSMC said sugar cane leaves and other agricultural waste could generate up to 650 megawatts of electricity.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 17, 2026 22:48 UTC
Speaker sees 'no disruptions' in PM vote
Speaker sees 'no disruptions' in PM voteHouse Speaker Sophon Zarum lights candles during a merit-making ceremony on his first official day in office, at Banquet Room 111 in the Parliament Building on Tuesday. Nutthawat WichieanbutHouse Speaker Sophon Zaram expressed confidence that Thursday's parliamentary vote to select a new prime minister will proceed smoothly, in line with regulations and fairness. He added that, in his role as House speaker, he had no particular concerns about overseeing the meeting, as adherence to parliamentary rules and impartiality would ensure order. On welfare issues, Mr Sophon addressed proposals from some MPs to reduce benefits, including catering services. Mr Sophon said welfare measures should be reviewed to determine what should be maintained, reduced, or improved.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 17, 2026 22:39 UTC
Diesel crisis hits services, everyday life
Chakrapan NatanriPanic buying and distribution bottlenecks have triggered diesel shortages, disrupting essential services and daily life across several provinces. Only premium diesel at 44 baht per litre remained, which we had to use to ensure readiness for emergencies," he said. In Kanchanaburi's Muang district, waste collection was suspended in some areas due to diesel shortages after many stations ran out of supply. Healthcare services are under strain, particularly at Khon Buri Hospital in Khon Buri district, where staff have taken extraordinary measures to secure fuel for critical systems. In Phitsanulok, diesel shortages persisted for a second day, with several stations running out within hours of restocking and uncertain delivery schedules.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 17, 2026 21:50 UTC
Oil price spike forecast to slash Thai GDP growth
The war in the Middle East shows signs of becoming prolonged, likely pushing global oil prices significantly higher than estimated, says Mr Ekniti. Every US$10 increase in the oil price per barrel is expected to reduce Thai GDP by 0.2 percentage points, according to caretaker finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. "Initially it assessed a case in which the war could end within one month, estimating that every $10 increase in oil prices would reduce GDP growth by around 0.2 percentage points." He said the ministry urgently convened an internal meeting of executives to analyse the oil market and related import factors. In this case, Thai GDP growth slows to 1.3% this year, according to the council.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 17, 2026 21:38 UTC