Low-profile Thai philanthropist dies at 89
Hatari Electric founder Joon Wanavit. (Photo: Supplied)Hatari fan founder Joon Wanavit, one of the most low-key philanthropists in Thailand, died on Thursday at age 89. Joon founded Hatari Electric Co in 1990, according to the company’s website, and helped make it the best-selling brand in Thailand, producing a variety of fans and other air-circulation products. His generosity became publicly known in 2022 when he and his family donated 900 million baht to the Ramathibodi Foundation. He and his family have regularly donated money to other institutions without publicly mentioning their philanthropy.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 14:21 UTC
House secretary-general hints quick first parliament convention
House secretary-general hints quick first parliament conventionCaretaker Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul reacts on the day he speaks to members of the media to announce the dissolution of parliament at Government House, Bangkok, on Dec 12, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)The lower chamber could convene quickly, as only a sufficient number of newly certified members of parliament (MPs) is required to begin the process, according to Sirote Paetphan, Secretary‑General of the House of Representatives. Mr Sirote said on Thursday that the House Secretariat will not wait for every certified MP to report before initiating the opening of the new House. Once the required number of MPs have reported, the House Secretariat will notify the cabinet. Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will then seek His Majesty the King’s approval to declare the opening of the House.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 14:21 UTC
Thailand’s search for fuel takes on more urgency
Present in the meeting were Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon. He also asked Mr Sihasak to sound out other countries about securing oil supplies to minimise the impacts on Thai people. Officials are also working out the evacuation of Thai people from the Middle East. They arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport at 6.30pm on Wednesday on the first direct flight from Dubai to Thailand since the Middle East war erupted last Saturday. Transport Minister Phiphat said they would have to travel overland for about 1,000 kilometres to Turkey where they could take a flight to Thailand.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 14:20 UTC
Thai stocks face downside risks as war tensions rise
Thai equities still have downside risk amid heightened volatility as escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten global energy supply routes, with strategists warning only a handful of sectors are likely to withstand a prolonged crisis. "The situation in the Middle East remains highly fluid, and we expect the global risk-off mode to remain in the near term." Political motivation could cause the fighting in the Middle East to be prolonged, similar to the Russia-Ukraine war, said Mr Kitpon. Historically, Thai equities tend to correct for 2-4 weeks during geopolitical shocks, with declines averaging 4-5% if oil supply remains intact. The country imports 85% of its oil, with 57% sourced from the Middle East.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 14:14 UTC
US Senate backs Trump on Iran strikes
(Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON - US Senate Republicans backed President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran on Wednesday, voting to block a bipartisan resolution aiming to stop the air war and require that any hostilities against Iran be authorised by Congress. With control of Congress potentially shifting to Democrats in November’s midterm elections, a prolonged Iran war could concern voters. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed that only one in four Americans approved of US strikes on Iran and about half believe Trump is too willing to use military force. ‘It’s a war’The US-Israel war on Iran has already led to damage in Iran, Israel and throughout the Middle East, and claimed US casualties. The House is expected to vote on a similar Iran war powers resolution on Thursday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 14:07 UTC
Bayern’s Kane eyes single-season goals record
Bayern’s Kane eyes single-season goals recordBayern Munich forward Harry Kane continues to break records. (Photo: AFP)BERLIN - With Bayern Munich well on the way to another Bundesliga title, striker Harry Kane has another milestone in sight: Robert Lewandowski's single-season goals record. Bayern are just 14 goals away from breaking the single-season record of 101 goals set in 1971-72. With 30 goals in 24 league games this campaign, Kane is 11 shy of Lewandowski’s record from the 2020-21 season. Fourteen of Kane’s 30 league goals have come from the spot this season — meaning Undav has just two fewer strikes from open play than the England captain.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 04:14 UTC
INET bets on sovereign cloud with B2.5bn expansion
INET bets on sovereign cloud with B2.5bn expansionMrs Morragot says the new data centre is meant to support the company's strategy to become a sovereign provider. Internet Thailand Plc (INET), a Thai-owned local cloud and digital platform provider, plans to invest 2.5 billion baht to build its fourth data centre in Thailand to tap enterprises' rising demand for data sovereignty. The new data centre is slated for Khon Kaen. The company urged policymakers to consider digital data sovereignty for highly sensitive data, as it will strengthen the protections of the country's data jurisdiction. Investment in the new data centre will span two years and be divided into phases, with the first phase commencing within 24 months, she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 03:56 UTC
The perils of creating a power vacuum in Iran
The perils of creating a power vacuum in IranA black flag flies over Tehran, Iran, after the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. If they secure weapons-usable nuclear material, the logic of nuclear deterrence itself would be broken. The state that currently maintains custodianship over Iran's nuclear material -- however imperfect or hostile -- is the only entity with which an enforceable constraint could be achieved. Destroy it, and you make resolving the nuclear threat both more urgent and effectively impossible. Lower-grade nuclear material, meanwhile, could be repurposed into radiological dispersal devices ("dirty bombs") capable of contaminating urban areas.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 03:55 UTC
Hudson to announce squad on March 12
Hudson to announce squad on March 12Sarawut Treephan will be serving as interim Port coach. PRAnthony Hudson has called on Thailand's footballers to maintain peak form with their clubs as he prepares to name his squad for a decisive Asian Cup qualifier later this month. The national head coach will announce his 23‑man list on March 12 for the Group D clash against Turkmenistan at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium on March 31. Tickets for the fixture are already on sale, with Hudson set to lead Thailand at home for the first time. Port coach hospitalisedPort have appointed Sarawut Treephan as interim head coach after Alexandre Gama was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 03:20 UTC
Thailand monitors war impact on medical supplies
The public health system has yet to experience any direct impact from the escalating conflict in the region, acting Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said on Wednesday. While expressing confidence the unrest will not be prolonged, he acknowledged concerns over possible price speculation. Despite progress, Thailand still faces structural limitations, particularly in the production of precursor chemicals, most of which are supplied by international companies. The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation says essential medicines are stocked in sufficient quantities to meet demand for up to one year. Recent inspections of pharmaceutical inventories found production capacity and supply chains were stable.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 03:06 UTC
Israel keeps up Lebanon strikes as ground forces advance
Israel keeps up Lebanon strikes as ground forces advanceAn ambulance is parked near a sweeping blaze following Israeli bombardment on a solar farm and electricity generation facility in Lebanon's southern coastal city of Tyre. On Tuesday, Israel's military said it was creating a buffer zone inside Lebanon to protect Israeli residents. Southern suburbs targetedA series of strikes on Wednesday hit Beirut's southern suburbs following evacuation warnings from Israel's military. One of the strikes targeted a building near a major hospital, according to an AFP photographer. In Aramoun and Saadiyat south of Beirut -- two towns outside of Hezbollah's traditional sphere of influence -- the health ministry said Israeli strikes killed at least six people.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 03:05 UTC
Red notice sought for 'Ben Smith'
ScreenshotCaretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed police to coordinate with Interpol to seek a red notice for fugitive businessman Benjamin Mauerberger, also known as "Ben Smith", amid ongoing asset seizures. Asked whether Amlo was targeting additional assets belonging to Thai politicians, Mr Anutin said all actions would be taken in accordance with the law. His comments came after Mr Mauerberger's lawyer, Witoon Kengnga, said his client would not return to Thailand. Financial inquiries showed that some of the six had transferred money to Mr Mauerberger, claiming it was for investments. On Tuesday, Mr Mauerberger's lawyers, Mr Witoon and Yodsakorn Laochotthanakul, said the case concerned a civil dispute over share sales, not fraud or money laundering.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 02:51 UTC
Two-thirds of Cuba, including Havana, hit by blackout
Two-thirds of Cuba, including Havana, hit by blackoutCuba's latest power blackout is plunging millions of residents into darkness, as a worsening energy crisis grips the island nationHAVANA - A grid failure knocked out power Wednesday to two-thirds of Cuba including Havana, the national electric company UNE said, the latest electricity collapse for residents suffering daily impacts of US-imposed energy restrictions. Maduro's administration supplied about half of Cuba's fuel. Still, President Donald Trump has maintained his blockade of sorts, and oil shipments from Caracas to Havana are in limbo. The Caribbean island of Cuba lies some 150 kilometers (93 miles) off the southern coast of the US state of Florida. Also on Wednesday, Cuba found itself in a diplomatic spat with Ecuador, which ordered the expulsion of its ambassador to Quito.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 02:35 UTC
Baht faces pressure from oil upswing
Oil prices have increased substantially as war ramps up in the Middle East, which could cause the baht to weaken to 33 per dollar, says K-Research. The greenback is also supported by expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates gradually and fewer times than the market anticipated, as US inflation rises in response to higher oil prices, she said. K-Research anticipates the baht weakening to 32.8 to the dollar in a worst-case scenario based on the war in the Middle East. "But if oil prices top $100 per barrel for a prolonged period, the baht will almost certainly slide to near 33 to the dollar," she said. Thailand spends roughly 5-6% of GDP on oil imports, significantly higher than neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, said Ms Kanjana.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 02:05 UTC
Curb online hate now
Curb online hate nowAs Thailand and Cambodia observe a truce, a group of social media users is pursuing aggressive online campaigns to incite hatred between the peoples of the two countries. Such online hostility strips the public of empathy when armed forces resort to aggressive measures instead of dialogue to resolve border disputes, as jingoism and xenophobia peak. Security issues between Thailand and Cambodia topped the list, followed by government services, disasters and health concerns. The commission stopped short of detailing what authorities had done to curb such practices. In Thailand, however, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and cyber police appear to lag behind online disinformation actors.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 00:57 UTC