Tourism stimulus eyed to address slowdown
The tourism authority plans to propose measures to the cabinetThe TAT is planning new tourism stimulus to boost tourism amid Middle East conflict. To mitigate the tourism impact from the Middle East conflict, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to propose to the cabinet a stimulus measure for the short-haul and domestic markets, as well as setting up a "war room" in collaboration with private operators. The TAT and private operators held a meeting on Friday to assess the tourism impact of the war in Iran, with plans to establish a tourism war room in the future. She said budget remains from its previous "Summer Blast China & Overseas" scheme, which subsidised charter flights from China since last year. The TAT plans to revise this scheme to cover long-haul markets, as there is still demand for direct travel to Thailand.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 22:27 UTC
ONE Championship: Sinsamut, Jarvis seek redemption in new Fight Night 41 main event
A path back toward Regian Eersel in ONE Championship. The lightweight Muay Thai contenders now headline ONE Fight Night 41 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok after the scheduled atomweight title fight between Allycia Hellen Rodrigues and Phetjeeja fell through. Sinsamut Klinmee is looking to work his way back to Regian Eersel in ONE ChampionshipFor Sinsamut, the opportunity is a welcome surprise. “It is my dream to face Regian Eersel again,” he said. “But when ONE calls and asks if you want to fight Regian Eersel for the world title, how can you say no?”Jarvis says the experience forced him to reassess everything.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 21:17 UTC
Russian tourist gropes female tattooist in Pattaya
Russian tourist gropes female tattooist in PattayaThe victim defended herself after being assaulted by the Russian tourist. (Photo: คนทำข่าว Pattaya)CHON BURI - A 23-year-old female tattoo artist has filed a complaint with Pattaya City Police after being groped by a Russian tourist outside her shop. The victim, identified only as Kulsirisanjakorn, told police the incident occurred at around 9.30pm on March 11 while she was sitting outside her tattoo parlour in Soi 5, Pattaya Second Road. According to the artist, three Russian-speaking foreign men approached her on Thursday evening asking about tattoo prices. She went straight to Pattaya City Police Station to file a report and handed over CCTV footage as evidence.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 18:17 UTC
Bad joke about stricken Thai ship backfires on Iran
Life rafts are seen next to the stricken Thai cargo vessel Mayuree Naree in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, 2026. (Photo: Royal Thai Navy via Reuters)The Iranian embassy in South Africa has removed a social‑media post about Thai seafarers rescued after their ship was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was meant as humour and not to offend Thai people, following angry backlash in Thailand. The mission’s official account on X on Friday shared an image of a Thai crewman in a rescue boat, with smoke seen from the stern of the Thai‑flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree behind him. “When you crash the car and are too scared to go home because of your dad … Strait of Hormuz,” the now-deleted post said. A furious response quickly followed in Thailand, where three of the 23 Thai crew members from the MV Mayuree Naree remain missing after it was struck by two Iranian missiles on Wednesday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 16:36 UTC
Thailand prepares defence against US trade probe
Thailand prepares defence against US trade probeCommerce 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 Ministry of Commerce 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 kingdom is subject to the excess capacity probe, and the USTR named autos, auto parts, machinery and rubber among the sectors under scrutiny.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 15:29 UTC
Refiners assure oil supply adequate amid panic buying
Refiners assure oil supply adequate amid panic buyingA petrol station in Nang Rong district of Buri Ram province posts a “Diesel out of stock” on Friday. (Photo: Surachai Piragsa)Thailand’s oil refiners have sought to allay public concerns by confirming that the country’s oil reserves remain sufficient despite reports of motorists rushing to filling stations in provincial areas. Proactive shipping operations are under way to secure supply routes from Africa and the Americas, ensuring crude oil continues to flow into the refining system, the statement said. As of Thursday, subsidies stood at 7.86 baht per litre for gasohol 91 and 95, 9.4 baht for gasohol E20, and 15.45 baht for diesel. At present, excise tax rates stand at 6.75 baht per litre for gasohol 91, 6.75 baht for gasohol 95, 6.0 baht for gasohol E20 and 6.92 baht for diesel.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 15:16 UTC
People’s Party to field PM and speaker candidates
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition People’s Party, will be nominated for prime minister in a parliamentary vote expected on March 19. (Bangkok Post file photo)The opposition People’s Party will nominate its leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, for prime minister in a parliamentary vote next week, but has declined to reveal its choice for House speaker for now. The decision to nominate candidates for the two positions was intended to reaffirm the People’s Party’s status as the largest opposition party, deputy spokeswoman Pukkamon Nunarnan told reporters on Friday. Under parliamentary rules, a contested House speaker vote is held by secret ballot, with all nominees required to present their visions. The government coalition led by the Bhumjaithai Party currently commands 290 seats in the House, while the opposition holds 209 seats, 120 of which belong to the People’s Party.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 14:10 UTC
B30 million in fake goods seized at ‘notorious’ MBK mall
B30 million in fake goods seized at ‘notorious’ MBK mallOfficials inspect a shop inside MBK Center in Bangkok on Friday. The shopping complex features on Washington’s latest “Notorious Markets” report for intellectual property infringement. (Photo: Department of Special Investigation)More than 100,000 counterfeit goods worth about 30 million baht have been seized during a raid at MBK Center in Bangkok as authorities step up action against intellectual property violations. Investigators discovered large quantities of counterfeit goods, including handbags, shoes, clothing and fashion accessories imitating major international brands such as Christian Dior, Nike, Adidas, Gucci, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, she said. Management of MBK Center cooperated with investigators and confirmed it would immediately terminate rental contracts with vendors found selling counterfeit goods, she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 14:05 UTC
ONE Championship: Suablack fails hydration at ONE Fight Night 41 weigh-ins
Thai fan favourite misses multiple attempts at flyweight limit but rest of Lumpinee card holds togetherSuablack fails hydration during the ONE Fight Night 41 weigh-insSuablack’s risky move to flyweight in ONE Championship hit a major obstacle at Thursday’s official weigh-ins and hydration tests for ONE Fight Night 41 in Bangkok. The Thai striker failed multiple attempts to pass hydration ahead of his flyweight kickboxing bout with Japan’s rising star Hyu Iwata. Suablack will still need to return and pass hydration outside the three-hour testing window before the bout can proceed at a catchweight. Both Mauro Mastromarini (left) and Marcos Aurelio failed hydration for their bantamweight MMA bout at the ONE Fight Night 41 weigh-insElsewhere on the card, both Brazil’s Marcos Aurelio and Argentina’s Mauro Mastromarini failed hydration ahead of their bantamweight MMA bout, which is expected to be renegotiated at a catchweight. Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak likewise passed hydration and weight comfortably for her comeback bout with Hong Kong’s Yu Yau Pui.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 14:02 UTC
Bombed Iranian girls’ school had clear online presence
Separated from the base by a wall painted with bright murals, the Shajareh Tayyebeh School was the northernmost building hit on Feb 28. Reuters has not independently confirmed the death toll, which the Iranian Red Crescent said reached a total of 175. The school’s website includes photos of students gathered in the yard, which matched verified videos outside the building after the strike. Some of the schools in that network, including the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls school and its equivalent boys school in Minab, listed their addresses as being in or adjacent to IRGC-controlled locations, according to the archived website. The address for the Minab girls school is specifically listed as “Resalat Blvd, Alley No.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 13:37 UTC
South Sudan models dominate global catwalks but visas a problem
South Sudan has been mired in conflict, poverty and corruption since its independence in 2011, but the success of its models has been a ray of positivity. 'Heartbroken'Successful models can earn tens of thousands of US dollars in a season, a life-changing amount in South Sudan where 92% live under the poverty line. Bichar Hoah, 24, raised by a single mother in Kakuma refugee camp in neighbouring Kenya, was recently rejected for a European visa. There are added challenges in a conservative country like South Sudan. "One day, really, South Sudan will change," said Agou.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 12:33 UTC
Mini Thailand debuts a fusion of two British design icons in the Mini
Mini Thailand debuts a fusion of two British design icons in the MiniBangkok: Mini Thailand is proud to present a very special meeting of two British legends with the arrival of the new Mini Cooper Paul Smith Edition. The Paul Smith Edition offers a choice of three exterior paint finishes, two of which are edition exclusive. The Mini Cooper Paul Smith Edition is equipped with 18-inch Night Flash Spoke aluminium wheels in black and Dark Steel. BMW Group ThailandBMW Group Thailand, a subsidiary of BMW AG, Germany, was established on Oct 3, 1998. In 2025, BMW Group Thailand recorded a performance with 12,247 BMW and Mini registrations.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 12:31 UTC
German skipper held over illegal Andaman tours
Investigations in Phuket focus on use of yacht charter firms as frontsA marine police patrol boat approaches a yacht off Mai Khao in Phuket to arrest a German skipper accused of running unlicensed 11‑day Andaman tours. (Photo: Phuket marine police)PHUKET - A German skipper has been arrested on a yacht off Mai Khao beach for allegedly running unlicensed tours in the Andaman Sea, Phuket marine police said on Friday. On board, they found six German tourists and a man identified as Markus Wilhelm, 50, acting as skipper. Pol Lt Col Wissanu said Mr Wilhelm was unable to produce a tour‑business licence or the vessel’s operating papers. Police are gathering additional information to pursue checks and arrests of other operators engaged in similar activities, Pol Lt Col Wissanu said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 12:13 UTC
EC panel clears all 229 suspects in Senate collusion case
Board of poll body has 90 days to decide whether to uphold findings and close caseDisappointment and criticism are mounting after reports that an Election Commission (EC) subcommittee has voted to clear all 229 suspects in the high-profile Senate election collusion case, prompting calls for the commission to disclose its reasoning. Those named include 138 current senators and 91 others comprising Bhumjaithai Party executives, members and their associates. Setting up a special panel solely to handle the Senate case could raise concerns about procedural irregularities and fairness. The DSI, meanwhile, confirmed it would continue its separate criminal investigations into alleged “secret society” activities and possible money-laundering offences, regardless of the EC subcommittee’s findings. The final vote in the three-stage Senate election on June 26, 2024 produced highly unusual results, notably a disproportionate number of winners from provinces where the Bhumjaithai Party is strong electorally.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 12:13 UTC
Thai authorities deny claims of huge Israeli presence
Thai authorities deny claims of huge Israeli presenceThe Immigration Bureau discusses the presence of Israelis in Thailand during a briefing on Thursday. (Immigration Bureau photo)Immigration police have denied claims circulating on social media that hundreds of thousands of Israelis have settled in Thailand. There are no irregularities with verified arrival and departure figures for Israeli nationals, Immigration Bureau officials said on Thursday. From Jan 1 to March 11 this year, 84,238 Israelis visited Thailand and 80,171 left the country. Last year Thai authorities stepped in to combat anti-Israeli backlash in Pai in Mae Hong Son, a favourite destination of Israeli travellers.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2026 11:54 UTC