Thailand's smartphone market likely to face contraction
Thailand's smartphone market likely to face contractionThailand's smartphone market is likely to contract amid economic uncertainty, the Middle East conflict and rising memory component costs, according to Thai Samsung Electronics Co. The company said smartphone prices are expected to increase starting this month, while shortages of some models may occur in the second quarter due to supply constraints and higher component costs. Thais usage of artificial intelligence (AI) features ranks among the top two globally as AI-based smartphones are becoming more popular in the local smartphone market. Before the Iran war erupted, the mobile phone market this year was projected to be flat. Increasing pricesCommencing this month, Samsung will raise its smartphone prices by 5-20% due to the rising cost of memory.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 23:53 UTC
Four years after banning Russia, FIFA and IOC passive in the face of war
Both wars broke out immediately after the end of a Winter Olympics -- and before the start of the subsequent Paralympics and ahead of a summer World Cup. He said Infantino, and IOC chief Kirsty Coventry, were showing "pragmatism" in the face of political reality. In addition to hosting the World Cup, the US will also host the next Olympics, in Los Angeles in 2028. "But it's quite rational, because he wants his World Cup to go well." Even though it has qualified, it could miss the World Cup.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 23:08 UTC
France, allies preparing bid to 'gradually' reopen Strait of Hormuz
France, allies preparing bid to 'gradually' reopen Strait of HormuzFrench President Emmanuel Macron was in Cyprus on Monday to discuss regional securityABOARD THE FRENCH AIRCRAFT CARRIER CHARLES DE GAULLE - France and its allies are preparing a "defensive" mission to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, President Emmanuel Macron said Monday as the Middle East war entered its second week. Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key Gulf waterway through which a fifth of global crude passes, has all but halted since the war broke out. The flagship Charles de Gaulle may eventually be deployed to the Strait of Hormuz as part of the announced mission, Macron said. Macron earlier said that France would contribute "in the long term" with two frigates to Operation Aspides. Separately, the French president on Monday morning spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the situation in the Middle East and Lebanon, the Elysee said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 23:08 UTC
Govt moves to curb fuel prices
Prior to the announcement, Mr Anutin had ordered a 15-day diesel price freeze, which is due to expire in five days. Finance Minister Ekniti said that, with global oil prices continuing to rise, Thailand must adapt quickly to reduce reliance on expensive fossil fuels. Mr Santi said he had received a report that some businesses in Phangnga had experienced disruptions to their operations due to fuel shortages. "Rising fuel prices can affect other goods and services, potentially causing hardship for consumers," Mr Santi said. Separately, Korn Chatikavanij, Democrat deputy leader, called for the reintroduction of work-from-home measures to reduce domestic oil consumption as global oil prices surged above $110 per barrel on Monday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 22:51 UTC
Water emerges as a dangerous new war target
Water emerges as a dangerous new war targetSeawater desalination plants, like this one in Saudi Arabia, provide drinking water to millions of people in the Middle East. Bahrain's interior ministry said Sunday that an Iranian drone attack damaged a water desalination plant, accusing Tehran of "randomly" targeting civilian infrastructure. Bahrain's national communication office later said the Iranian attack on a water desalination facility has had no impact on water supplies or network capacity. That makes desalination plants essential to the economy and drinking water supplies in the region. Desalination plants are often interconnected, which can limit the impact if one facility shuts down.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 20:08 UTC
Bangkok Bank’s B2,000 e‑Savings minimum sparks outcry
Bangkok Bank’s B2,000 e‑Savings minimum sparks outcryBangkok Bank has come under heavy criticism after announcing a new requirement that all e‑Savings accounts must maintain a minimum balance of 2,000 baht from April 9, or customers will be unable to withdraw or transfer funds. Under the new rule, any transaction that would reduce the balance below 2,000 baht will be blocked. Bangkok Bank urged customers to check their balances before making transactions and to top up their accounts if needed to ensure uninterrupted use of the e‑Savings product. Others said they planned to withdraw their money and close their accounts before the new rule takes effect. E‑Savings accounts are opened digitally through the bank’s mobile application and do not have a physical passbook, a feature that has made them popular for small deposits and light use.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 15:23 UTC
Ukrainian bank worker detained by Hungary was forcibly medicated: Kyiv
Ukrainian bank worker detained by Hungary was forcibly medicated: KyivBudapest is yet to return the $40 million, €35 million and nine kilogrammes of gold bars seized from state-owned Oschadbank. (Photo: AFP)KYIV (UKRAINE) - Kyiv on Monday accused Hungary of grossly violating the rights of seven Ukrainian bank employees -- including by forcibly drugging a man with diabetes -- after they were detained with a truck of cash and gold. Kyiv said it was a routine transfer that abided by all relevant laws, but Hungary said they were arrested on a money-laundering probe. Kyiv said the actions were "unacceptable and disproportionate", amounting to a "cynical violation" of the European human rights conventions. But Hungary, which is a close partner of Russia, says Ukraine is deliberately stalling the re-opening in a form of "blackmail".
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 15:11 UTC
Khamenei's son takes charge as Iran war sends oil price soaring
Khamenei's son takes charge as Iran war sends oil price soaringMojtaba Khamenei is regarded as a conservative figure with ties to the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's military. The war came weeks after Iranian authorities under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei crushed nationwide protests against the government, killing thousands according to rights groups. Oil price spikesAs Iran retaliated against its oil-rich Gulf Arab neighbours, the benchmark price for a barrel of crude soared beyond $100 for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine four years ago. Trump dismissed the price spike, a politically sensitive issue in the United States, as a "small price to pay" for removing the alleged threat of Iran's nuclear programme. Saudi Arabia said Sunday that two people were killed and 12 wounded as a projectile landed in Al-Kharj province.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 15:06 UTC
Energy price spike threatens global economic recovery
Energy price spike threatens global economic recoveryGlobal oil prices have entered a “danger zone” after surging to around US$110 per barrel following reports that an Iranian oil storage facility had been struck, warned Bangkok Bank’s (BBL) chief economist. “Global oil prices have now entered ‘Code Red’ territory — a level that could have serious consequences for the global economy if prices do not ease soon,” Mr Kobsak noted. Domestic fuel prices surged, forcing the government to intervene heavily to stabilise them, resulting in a fiscal burden tallying hundreds of billions of baht. Thai inflation in 2026 is expected to rise to around 1.5%, returning to the Bank of Thailand’s target range of 1-3% sooner due to higher global energy prices. However, if the conflict escalates into a broader regional war, inflation could climb above 4%.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 15:05 UTC
State steps in as oil rockets to $100
Tensions in the Middle East are driving up global oil prices. ReutersThai energy authorities are preparing to secure loans from commercial banks to shore up the Oil Fuel Fund, which is rapidly running dry as global crude prices surge past US$100 per barrel amid the escalating US-Iran conflict. The fund, designed to shield consumers from volatile fuel costs, is currently spending about 700 million baht daily to subsidise domestic oil prices, particularly diesel. “The loan amount will depend on discussions among the Oil Fuel Fund Office, treasury, and excise tax officials,” he said. Thailand consumes 153-155 million litres of oil daily, including 63-65 million litres of diesel and 31-33 million litres of gasoline and gasohol.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 15:05 UTC
Trader laments fertiliser shortage, but govt says there's plenty
Trader laments fertiliser shortage, but govt says there's plentyRujipat Limkosit shows his depleted stock of chemical fertiliser at his store in Nang Rong district, Buri Ram, on Monday. Rujipat Limkosit, a large chemical fertiliser dealer in Nang Rong district, said on Monday that he was running out of stock because his suppliers said they had aready run out. Mr Rujipat quoted his suppliers as saying the Middle East war had disrupted fertiliser shipments and that prices would increase. On Sunday evening, Commerce spokesman Nantapong Chiralerspong said Thailand had a store of 1.52 million tonnes of chemical fertiliser in January. Thailand could also buy additional supplies of fertiliser from Malaysia and Brunei to compensate for delays in deliveries from the Middle East, Mr Nantapong said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 15:03 UTC
Online scams up again, investment fraud worst
Online scams up again, investment fraud worstActivist Tankhun Jitt-itsara, second from right, leads investment scam complainants to the Central Investment Bureau in Bangkok on Monday. (Photo: Wassayos Ngamkham)The number of online-scam complaints rose again over the past week, with investment fraud causing the most damage, according to police. According to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop, fraudulent sales of products and services formed the most complaints, 5,244. Most of the damage, 146.6 million baht, came from fraudulent investment schemes, up from 114.3 million baht, followed by 114.8 million baht from job scams. Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said people could verify investment invitations with the SEC Check First application of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 14:44 UTC
Landmark trial opens for Turkish opposition champion Imamoglu
Landmark trial opens for Turkish opposition champion ImamogluSupporters wave banners reading 'Release Ekrem Imamoglu'. (Photo: AFP)SILIVRI — Istanbul's jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu went on trial on Monday in a sprawling corruption case critics say is a politically motivated bid to scupper his chances of challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. When the trial opened, the judge said Imamoglu would be one of the last to testify, prompting the mayor -- who is the principle accused -- to ask to speak sooner. Imamoglu was jailed on the day he was named the presidential candidate of the main opposition CHP party. Should he be barred, observers expect CHP leader Ozel to run as candidate for the next presidential race.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 14:27 UTC
Elephant choked to death on food while being moved, report finds
Elephant choked to death on food while being moved, report findsWildlife activists demonstrate outside at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on Feb 11, demanding justice for the dead wild elephant Seedor Hupab. The fact‑finding process involved the examination of all evidence, witness statements and laboratory results, Mr Thani said. Experts in wild elephant management were also consulted. The elephant choked on some food, leading to respiratory failure and death. The report will also be submitted to the Administrative Court, Mr Thani added.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 14:23 UTC
Oil shortage hits petrochemical output
Oil shortage hits petrochemical outputSiam Cement’s petrochemical facility in Rayong (file photo supplied)The current “oil shock” has begun to affect companies on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), with industrial conglomerate Siam Cement (SCC) suspending operations at its petrochemical unit in Map Ta Phut due to insufficient feedstock amid the Middle East war, analysts say. The conflict in the Middle East has caused a shortfall of roughly 30% of ROC’s raw materials scheduled for March. Typically, the firm imports 70% of its raw materials from the Middle East and purchases the remaining 30% domestically. “Oil prices have continued to jump this week following the 30% increase last week as attacks in the Middle East have escalated,” he said. Some firms have to suspend their production because they cannot secure an adequate supply of raw materials, Mr Pichai noted.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2026 14:18 UTC