Undertaker brings coffin to pump after refused fuel
Undertaker brings coffin to pump after refused fuelA diesel-powered electric crematorium at Wat Thong Phleng in Khlong San district of Bangkok. The incident was shown in a Facebook Live video shared by Preecha, a 48-year-old undertaker at a temple in Ban Bueng district. They refused his request, insisting on enforcing rationing imposed during the current fuel crisis, despite his repeated explanation. He parked at the pump and opened the coffin as evidence, explaining to staff that the fuel was urgently needed for a cremation. Mr Preecha said he had been a temple undertaker since 2005, when the crematorium still relied on charcoal.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 05:38 UTC
Disney ends OpenAI tie-up after Sora shutdown
Disney has ended its partnership with OpenAI following the decision to discontinue Sora, a popular AI video-generation application, marking a sudden shift in strategy for both firms. OpenAI announced it was shutting down Sora, which launched in late 2024 and operated for only six months. The Sora team confirmed the shutdown via its official account, thanking users for contributing to a growing creative video community. According to a Reuters report, OpenAI and Disney had held a meeting on Sora’s roadmap just 30 minutes before the shutdown announcement. Some members of the Sora team reportedly learned of the decision at the same time as users.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 04:17 UTC
Poll: People’s Party marginally more popular than PM and Bhumjaithai
Poll: People’s Party marginally more popular than PM and BhumjaithaiPrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul holds a press conference on the ongoing global crisis and Thailand's plans to cope, at Government House on Saturday. Apichart JinakulA survey of 2,500 people nationwide over the past two weeks concluded the People’s Party (PP) and its leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut were marginally more popular than the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) and its leader and Prime Minister-elect Anutin Charnvirakul. The National Institute of Development Administration made the survey by phone from March 19 to 24. It asked respondents which candidate they favoured for prime minister. 30.60% of respondents supported PP leader Natthaphong29.40% Bhumjaithai leader Anutin10.92% Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva8.08% Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan WongsawatWhen respondents were asked for their favourite party,35.80% of them mentioned PP26.60% BJT12.04% Pheu Thai Party11.64% Democrat Party
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 04:17 UTC
Govt ‘ready’ for health summit
Govt ‘ready’ for health summitThe Ministry of Public Health says it is ready to host Global Wellness Summit 2026, noting that it aims to showcase Thai massage and herbal medicine on the global stage. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said the event will take place in Phuket from Nov 10-13 under the theme “The Symphony of Wellness”, blending Thailand’s holistic healthcare traditions with global innovation. Thailand will serve as co-chair alongside international experts from Switzerland, Hong Kong and the United States. The summit is expected to attract more than 600 business leaders and investors from 50 countries and position Thailand to tap into the global wellness industry valued at US$6.8 trillion. Event highlights include curated wellness tourism routes, wellness cuisine featuring herbal ingredients and holistic nutrition and global networking sessions.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 04:07 UTC
Bahrain's Alba confirms Iranian attack on its facilities
Bahrain's Alba confirms Iranian attack on its facilitiesA building that was damaged by an Iranian drone attack, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Juffair, Manama, Bahrain, March 1, 2026. REUTERSAluminium Bahrain, also known as Alba, confirmed early Sunday that its facilities were targeted in an Iranian attack a day earlier, Bahrain's state news agency reported. Alba said two people were mildly injured in the attack, adding that it was assessing damage in the facilities. The confirmation comes after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted Alba and Emirates Global Aluminium in response to attacks on two Iranian steel plants. Separately, Bahrain's Foulath Holding, the parent company of Bahrain Steel, declared on Saturday a force majeure on its operations due to the regional conflict and "associated security and logistical disruptions".
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 04:07 UTC
Dead striped dolphin washes up on beach
Dead striped dolphin washes up on beachLeft for dead: A striped dolphin was found dead on Bang Sak beach in Phangnga's Takua Pa district with minor injuries on its left cheek. A striped dolphin was found dead on Bang Sak beach in Phangnga's Takua Pa district, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) said. The dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) measured 2.13 metres in length and had minor injuries on its left cheek. The department urged the public to report injured or stranded marine animals to local authorities or via the 24-hour hotline 1362. The sightings reflect a healthy marine ecosystem and will support further population and habitat analysis of rare marine animals, the department said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 03:59 UTC
Army denies blocking return of displaced
Army denies blocking return of displacedSenior army officers inspect an area in Sa Kaeo province bordering Cambodia on Friday. Photo: First Army AreaThe Royal Thai Army (RTA) rejects allegations from Phnom Penh that Thai forces are blocking the return of tens of thousands of displaced people. The claims are "grossly exaggerated" and misrepresent the situation along the border, said RTA spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree. The affected communities are located in just three villages in Sa Kaeo province, all areas which fall under Thai sovereignty, said Maj Gen Winthai. Maj Gen Winthai said the measures were brought in following recent clashes to prevent renewed confrontations and ensure stability along the frontier.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 03:57 UTC
Navy shadowing Cambodian boats
Navy shadowing Cambodian boatsThe navy is monitoring the activities of Cambodian fishing vessels after more than 20 trawlers encroached on Thai waters amid concerns they could be used for military purposes. Cdr Nattakit Sawaengphon, attached to the navy’s Gulf of Thailand protection task force based in Trat, said more than 20 Cambodian fishing boats had recently been detected in Thai waters. He said the increased activities have raised concerns about whether they are genuine fishing vessels or are used by Cambodian authorities for military purposes. The navy has also intercepted Cambodian vessels which entered Thai waters to collect seafood for transport to Cambodia and seized their cargo, he said. The task force has deployed 12 patrol vessels, led by HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan, to monitor Thai waters following the closure of land border checkpoints.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 03:43 UTC
Covid-19 Cicada variant poses low risk
Covid-19 Cicada variant poses low riskThe Covid-19 variant Cicada, detected in the United States and 22 other countries, will eventually reach Thailand but poses no serious threat and requires no new vaccines, the Ministry of Public Health said. First identified in South Africa in November 2024, the BA.3.2 variant was nicknamed "Cicada" for re-emerging after circulating at low levels for an extended period. No cases have been detected in Thailand so far, said Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, deputy permanent secretary for public health. Symptoms are mostly mild and flu-like, though the elderly and those with underlying conditions face higher risks. While the variant is likely to arrive, it is not severe, and remains under surveillance, he added.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 03:31 UTC
Flyover bridge sparks backlash
Flyover bridge sparks backlashA controversial flyover bridge in Ta Phraya district of Sa Kaeo attests to the fact state authorities have taken little, if any, account of the law requiring public participation in development projects before permits are granted. While agreeing the bridge is necessary, residents are urging the department to revise the blueprint so it does not affect their livelihoods. This could be achieved, they said, by adjusting the slope of the bridge to allow drivers access to the market. The Kok I-doei community is no stranger to hardship inflicted by state authorities. Returning to the bridge project, the community has made clear it does not want the structure scrapped entirely, but tweaked so the market can continue to thrive and sustain their livelihoods.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 03:08 UTC
Salby sprints to glory, Pronskiy holds firm in yellow
Salby sprints to glory, Pronskiy holds firm in yellowDane roars: Alexander Salby reacts after winning the fifth stage. Li-Ning Star team rider Salby crossed the finish line in 2:52.09 hours to win the 136.50km stage that started and finished in Si Chiang Mai district. The Dane is also the top rider in the overall best sprinter category (green jersey). Argentine Eduardo Sepulveda from Li-Ning Star team (+0.03) and Brit Daniel Whitehouse (+0.09) from St George Continental Cycling Team are second and third respectively as the top three positions remain unchanged. In the overall team general classification, Li-Ning Star team remain on top with a total time of 45:01.58 hours, with Terengganu Cycling Team in second place and China Anta–Mentech Cycling Team third.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 03:02 UTC
Thailand edge Vietnam with a lightning-fast opener in China
Thailand edge Vietnam with a lightning-fast opener in ChinaLucky Strike: Thailand's Thanakrit Chotmuangpak, No.10, celebrates his goal with teammates. Thailand's U23 team edged arch-rivals Vietnam 1-0 to pick up their first win in the CFA Team China International Youth Tournament at Fengdong Football Park East Stadium in Xi'an on Saturday. The winger wasted another opportunity in the first-half stoppage time as the Vietnam keeper saved the shot with his left leg. Thanakrit had a chance to double his tally in the 57th minute but his shot was cleared by a Vietnam defender. Chawanwit missed another good opportunity in the 72nd minute while Worawut Noisri should have added a second goal for Thailand in injury time.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 03:02 UTC
A plaintive song for the taxman
A plaintive song for the taxmanI've just got back from filing my income tax and must thank the staff at the branch of the Revenue Department for their helpfulness and efficiency. Tax officials were even sent "undercover" to check out how the massage parlour operated. The best outcome was that for a few weeks Bangkok boasted the sweetest-smelling tax officials in the world. One verse goes: "If you drive a car, I'll tax the street/If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat/ If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat/ If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet." After that comes chicken tikka masala, pepperoni pizza and something possibly British called "loaded fries" which one suspects is not health food.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 02:57 UTC
SMEs’ loan access to improve
SMEs’ loan access to improveThe government has launched a scheme to help small and medium-sized businesses access financing for commercial pickup trucks, targeting transport operators, farmers and freelancers. Deputy government spokeswoman Aiyarin Phanrith said the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG) is offering loan guarantees of up to 1.5 million baht per person. Available at the 2026 Motor Show which runs until April 5, the programme aims to support SMEs to acquire pickup trucks for business use. The scheme provides a total guarantee facility of 3.5 billion baht, with more than 2.9 billion baht still available, targeting over 6,000 purchases of conventional and electric pickup trucks. Benefits include a waiver of guarantee fees for the first three years, followed by 1.5% annual fee, with guarantees covering up to seven years.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 29, 2026 01:10 UTC
Govt moving to secure new energy supply sources
Govt moving to secure new energy supply sourcesThe government is stepping up efforts to protect Thai nationals in conflict zones, including evacuation operations in Iran. It is also moving to secure alternative energy supplies and strengthen regional cooperation on energy and food security. The government's most immediate concern was the safety of Thai nationals in high‑risk areas. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has placed particular emphasis on the situation in Iran, where about 300 Thai nationals are believed to be living. On energy security, he said Thailand's oil reserves remain at a stable level, but the government is using diplomatic channels to identify alternative supplies.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 28, 2026 23:17 UTC