Thailand prepares to defend USTR on trade probes
Thailand prepares to defend USTR on trade probesCommerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun forms a special panel to handle new USTR probes into unfair trade practices between Thailand and the United States. (File photo: Commerce Ministry)The Commerce Ministry has set up a task force to compile evidence to argue against the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which included Thailand in its new investigations into unfair practices. The US trade office announced on Wednesday it would look into a number of countries accused of unfairly trading with the United States, with Thailand among its targets. Thailand was targeted after the US found a Thai-US trade imbalance of US$51 billion in Thailand’s favour last year, up from $46 billion in 2024. The USTR investigation is under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 06:34 UTC
TCG provides B14.5bn in credit guarantees for SME loans
TCG provides B14.5bn in credit guarantees for SME loansTCG staff provide financing services to clients. Banks that extend loans to SMEs with credit guarantees from the TCG file guarantee claims of around 10 billion baht annually, from a cumulative guaranteed portfolio of about 400 billion baht, said Mr Sittikorn. As of the end of 2025, the accumulated NPG ratio was 13% of total outstanding guarantees, unchanged from 2024 but 2-3 percentage points higher than in 2023. For 2026, the TCG targets new credit guarantees of more than 73.5 billion baht. In 2025, the TCG approved credit guarantees worth 40.6 billion baht, lower than the 53.7 billion baht approved in 2024.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 06:24 UTC
Fantastic Mr Stowaway: fox sails from Britain to New York port
Fantastic Mr Stowaway: fox sails from Britain to New York portThere are tens of thousands of urban foxes in Britain, according to academic research. (Photo: AFP)NEW YORK — A red fox that managed to slip onto a US-bound ship in Britain was discovered by customs officers in the Port of New York, a zoo in the city has said. "The Bronx Zoo regularly works with officials to help rescue wildlife that is illegally trafficked through nearby ports and airports," the zoo said. There are tens of thousands of urban foxes in Britain, according to academic research, and Britain has some of the highest-density fox populations in the world. They have been a part of the city landscape since the 1930s, when urban sprawl began to encroach on their rural territory.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 06:22 UTC
French fugitive wanted for attempted murder arrested in Phuket
French fugitive wanted for attempted murder arrested in PhuketImmigration officers have arrested a 46-year-old French national hiding in the Rawai area of Phuket province on Friday. (Photo: Phuket Immigration)PHUKET — Immigration officers have arrested a 46-year-old French national hiding in Phuket's Muang district after he was flagged on an Interpol red notice for attempted murder. Officers from Phuket Immigration carried out surveillance until they confirmed the man, identified only as Faisal, was inside a residence in tambon Rawai. A team led by Pol Lt Col Adisorn Boonchum, an inspector with Phuket Immigration, then moved in and detained him without incident. During questioning, Faisal admitted he was the person named in the arrest warrant.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 06:05 UTC
Spurs search for salvation, Arsenal ready for title charge
Spurs search for salvation, Arsenal ready for title chargeTottenham and Brazil forward Richarlison. Arsenal can move closer to their first Premier League title for 22 years with a win over Everton, while Manchester United meet Aston Villa in a crucial clash in the race for Champions League qualification. If third-bottom West Ham beat Manchester City on Saturday, Igor Tudor's 16th-placed side will have slipped even closer to oblivion by the time they face Liverpool at Anfield. The Gunners are seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City and can extend that lead to 10 points if they beat Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Fixtures:Saturday (1500 GMT unless stated)Burnley v BournemouthSunderland v BrightonChelsea v Newcastle (1730)Arsenal v Everton (1730)West Ham v Manchester City (2000)Sunday (1400 GMT unless stated)Crystal Palace v LeedsManchester United v Aston VillaNottingham Forest v FulhamLiverpool v Tottenham (1630)Monday
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 06:01 UTC
'Say a prayer and send it': Paralympic alpine skiers tackle fear
'Say a prayer and send it': Paralympic alpine skiers tackle fearIn the standing and sitting categories, many para alpine skiers are missing one or more limbs. Meg Gustafson, an American visually impaired skier, said that before a downhill: "I say a little prayer and then I send it." "Being scared and doing things scared, that's what it is to me," said the 31-year-old. American Anna Soens crashed early in her Paralympic debut in Cortina -- the first-ever downhill race of her career. Asked what the experience had taught her, the sitting skier grinned and said: "Land straighter!"
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 06:01 UTC
French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi Kurdistan
French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi KurdistanA plume of smoke rises following an interception of a drone in Erbil, Iraq on March 12, 2026. (Photo: AFP)PARIS — A French soldier was killed in an attack in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, confirming the first French military death in the Middle East war. The French military said earlier that drones had hit a base where troops were taking part in counter-terrorism training with Iraqi counterparts. The French military said on Thursday that six people had been wounded in the attack. No injuries were reported in that attack, but Italy said it was temporarily withdrawing its military personnel from the base.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 06:00 UTC
Mayuree Naree operator assures security protocols followed
Mayuree Naree operator assures security protocols followedThree crew members of Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree remain missing after the vessel was struck by Iranian missiles while travelling through the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. (Photo: Royal Thai Navy spokesperson)M.V. Mayuree Naree owner, Precious Shipping Plc (PSL), has confirmed that the vessel followed all maritime security protocols before being attacked. The vessel maintained regular communication with UKMTO, the Royal Thai Navy, and other relevant maritime security coordination centres throughout its journey. Based on the information and maritime security advisories available at that time, the transit was deemed suitable with appropriate precautionary measures in place.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 06:00 UTC
Experts question EC complaint
Experts question EC complaintA former member of the Election Commission (EC) and several technology experts yesterday sought clarification from police over the criminal investigation connected to the ballot paper barcode saga related to the Feb 8 general election. Mr Somchai said the group submitted a formal letter asking the CSD to clarify three key issues. Mr Somchai said that until now, the names had appeared only in media reports and had never been officially confirmed by the EC. Mr Somchai said only two parties should have had access to the information at that stage: the complainant and the authorities receiving the complaint. Mr Somchai said if the disclosure of names is found to have harmed the reputation or professional work of those implicated, they may consider pursuing legal action.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 05:50 UTC
CRC plans up to B18bn investment for store expansion
CRC plans up to B18bn investment for store expansionMr Suthisarn says the Middle East conflict may affect foreign arrivals, but the impact on CRC's stores should be minimal. As of 2025, the company operated 76 department stores, 172 Tops stores, 14 GO Wholesale stores, 88 Thaiwatsadu stores and 28 Robinson Lifestyle stores in Thailand. This year the company plans to open 8-10 new Tops stores, two new GO Wholesale stores and 3-5 new Thaiwatsadu stores, said Suthisarn Chirathivat, chief executive of CRC. CRC also wants to renovate two department stores, two Tops stores, two Thaiwatsadu stores and one Robinson Lifestyle store. In a worst-case scenario, if the government reduces its energy subsidy, the company's margins could be affected by around 1%, said Mr Suthisarn.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 05:28 UTC
US jury to begin deliberations in social media addiction trial
LOS ANGELES - Jury deliberations are set to begin Friday in a landmark social media addiction trial accusing Meta and YouTube of intentionally trying to hook young internet users. An attorney for Meta, Paul Schmidt, noted that none of the therapists who testified had identified social media as the cause of Kaley's troubles. Instead, he said, Kaley's records show emotional and physical abuse along with academic struggles and psychiatric conditions separate from her use of social media. YouTube, meanwhile, has likened itself to television during the trial, rebuffing the idea of equating it with online social media platforms. Internet titans have long shielded themselves with Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act, which frees them of responsibility for what social media users post.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 05:06 UTC
Diversification key to surviving volatility
Diversification key to surviving volatilitySmoke rises after Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, as the war in the Middle East escalates. As Canada's Mark Carney urged at Davos, middle powers should act together to build a more resilient international order. Diversification, both political and economic, will be central to this new international order. Critics have argued that the theory over-relies on historical data to measure volatility, which may not predict future performance. What concrete steps can Thailand and other nations in the region take to guard against volatility and help build this new international order?
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 03:12 UTC
Iran not going to close Strait of Hormuz, Iran UN envoy says
Iran not going to close Strait of Hormuz, Iran UN envoy saysLuojiashan tanker sits anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, on Saturday. (Photo: Reuters)Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani on Thursday said Tehran was not going to close the Strait of Hormuz, but added it was Iran's inherent right to preserve the peace and security of the waterway. He made his comments in remarks to reporters at the United Nations.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 03:04 UTC
Remote work move weighs on transport, media stocks
Remote work move weighs on transport, media stocksBangkok traffic has eased recently, partly due to higher oil prices and the government's recently announced temporary work-from-home policy. Thailand's temporary work-from-home (WFH) policy for government agencies, introduced as part of emergency energy-saving measures, creates short-term pressure on transport and out-of-home media stocks, according to analysts. This shift would likely reduce commuting via private vehicles and public transport. With Bangkok's combined population and daily tourist flows exceeding 12 million people, the current WFH policy is unlikely to significantly disrupt overall travel demand, Mr Paradorn said. Despite this, travel demand remains a fundamental necessity in daily life and is unlikely to face technological disruption, supporting BEM's long-term outlook, he pointed out.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 02:52 UTC
Foreign media inspect Surin border
(Photo courtesy of Surin Public Relations Office)The Thailand–Cambodia Situation Information Centre organised and successfully wrapped up a field visit for international media to the Chong Chom border in Kap Choeng district of Surin this week, exposing evidence of transnational online fraud networks. Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sornjaidee, director of the centre, led the delegation to inspect areas linked to scam operations and to review security conditions along the border. Early last month, military attachés from 20 countries, including those from the United States, Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as FBI officials, were taken to the Chong Chom border crossing. The visit follows clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border last December and was intended to provide foreign partners with a first-hand view of areas long suspected of hosting large-scale scam operations. The delegation crossed to survey locations opposite Chong Chom, facing O'Smach in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, an area identified by the Thai army as a major scam hub.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 00:44 UTC