Risk of crisis growing more acute
AFPThis article is a follow-up to my previous piece titled "Fiscal deficit will trigger 2026 crisis". Unlike the 1997 crisis, a 2026 crisis would not be triggered by inadequate foreign reserves, but by insufficient domestic liquidity. I believe I have said enough to unsettle readers about liquidity risk and the possibility of crisis. As this is fundamentally a liquidity risk, the earliest signs of trouble will appear in the money market. The balance has fallen from a peak of 631 billion baht in September last year to 325 billion baht in January 2026.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 00:56 UTC
Mideast war weighs on transport costs
Mideast war weighs on transport costsContainer-laden shipping vessels docked at the Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri province on April 25, 2024. Airlines are required to carry additional fuel reserves for safety, reducing the cargo weight aircraft can transport and tightening air freight capacity. The imbalance between rising demand and limited air cargo capacity is likely to push air freight rates higher in the coming weeks. The longer flight paths add pressure to operating costs for carriers, particularly fuel expenses, said Kettivit Sittisoontornwong, chief executive of Leo. Rising crude oil prices result in higher bunker fuel costs for vessels and likely adjustments to the bunker adjustment factor and emergency bunker surcharge, noted Mr Kettivit.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 00:51 UTC
The growing cost of elephant intrusions
Conservation officials warn that the Northeast, particularly the Phu Khieo–Nam Nao Forest Complex, which includes Phu Luang, risks becoming the country's second major conflict hotspot after the Eastern Forest Complex. "If we have done nothing, it will repeat the severe situation in the eastern forest complex. The average annual growth rate stands at around 3%, rising to 8.2% in the eastern forest complex, where conflict is most acute. More than 191 monitoring teams operate nationwide, supported by 227 local networks receiving 50,000 baht each to help prevent elephant intrusions. After successful trials in African elephants, three animals in the eastern forest complex received the vaccine in January, with plans to expand to 15 more.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 00:51 UTC
Iran's supreme leader gone, but opposition still at war with itself
"To date, no opposition leader has managed to forge the kind of broad-based coalition needed to unify the fragmented opposition landscape," Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at International Crisis Group, told AFP. Inside Iran, opposition figures have been repressed and imprisoned, as was the case with jailed 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. His supporters have attacked other opposition figures online and clashed with the spectrum of ethnic minority opposition groups, who experts say wouldn't accept Pahlavi. - 'Somebody from within' -Asked on Tuesday about Pahlavi, Trump was tepid. "It would seem to me that somebody from within (Iran) maybe would be more appropriate" than Pahlavi, Trump said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 00:51 UTC
Mideast conflict a major roadblock for long-haul markets
Mideast conflict a major roadblock for long-haul marketsTourists enjoy the Songkran festival on Khao San Road in Bangkok in April last year. Varuth HirunyathebAs the conflict in the Middle East weighs on global travel prices and travellers' pocketbooks, tourism operators project long-haul markets in 2026 will fall short of last year's 10 million arrivals. "Tourism arrivals this year could dip even more severely than last year." The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set a target of 11.6 million arrivals from long-haul markets this year, with total arrivals of 36.7 million. In the long term, Thailand seeks to develop itself as an aviation hub by increasing direct flights to the country, according to the TAT.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 00:43 UTC
Pornpawee powers on as Shi crashes out
Pornpawee powers on as Shi crashes outPornpawee Chochuwong will play Michelle Li in the last 16. Eighth seed Pornpawee defeated Unnati Hooda of India 21-12, 21-18 in the first round of the Super 1000 event at Utilita Arena Birmingham. Meanwhile, men's defending champion Shi Yuqi of China suffered his earliest loss in nearly three years, with India's Lakshya Sen causing the day's biggest upset. Women's top seed An Se-Young of South Korea moved safely through with a 21-8, 21-6 victory over Neslihan Arin of Turkey. Thai stars Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon, Busanan Ongbamrungphan and Supanida Katethong were due to play later on Wednesday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 00:36 UTC
Govt offers visa relief after flights canned
Airports of ThailandThe government has introduced visa relief measures after 166 flights were cancelled amid Middle East fighting, with immigration waiving overstay fines for stranded travellers. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said it is closely monitoring travel disruption linked to the conflict between Israel and Iran. However, the cancellations have affected departure stamp procedures, raising the possibility of congestion at immigration checkpoints, particularly at Suvarnabhumi. "The volume of foreign travellers reflects Thailand's vibrant tourism atmosphere," Pol Maj Gen Choengron said. We are not complacent and wish to clarify the necessity of these measures to Thai society and foreign visitors."
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2026 00:12 UTC
Senators petition EC to drop Piya from panel
Senators petition EC to drop Piya from panelA group of reserve senators on Wednesday petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to remove Pol Capt Piya Raksakul from the Senate collusion inquiry panel, citing alleged political bias after a photograph showing him with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul surfaced. Led by Akkarawat Pongthanachalitkul, the group submitted a formal request to the EC seeking the removal of Pol Capt Piya, who chairs Subcommittee 36 ruling on disputes related to the Senate collusion case. He cited EC regulations requiring inquiry subcommittee members to demonstrate political neutrality and integrity. It comprises seven members, with Pol Capt Piya later named chair. Mr Akkarawat said Pol Capt Piya's conduct could undermine public confidence in the panel's impartiality and called for his removal.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 04, 2026 23:43 UTC
Fuel price rises start to bite
"For the public, there will not be a shortage of oil, but there may be an impact on price," he said. It will be another big wave of non-system oil," he said, adding smuggled fuel prices would also rise. "Our costs are already higher than the current fare structure," he said, calling for targeted state assistance, such as fuel price controls for bus operators or reduced import duties on spare parts. Diesel locally stands at 30.36 baht per litre, despite the government capping the price at 29.94 baht. While Thailand's oil reserves offer a buffer, the unfolding Middle East conflict has exposed vulnerabilities in pricing, logistics and public confidence.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 04, 2026 23:38 UTC
Man City falter as Premier League leaders Arsenal go seven points clear
Man City falter as Premier League leaders Arsenal go seven points clearArsenal celebrate Bukayo Saka's goal against BrightonLONDON - Manchester City stumbled in the Premier League title race on Wednesday, held to a costly 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest as Bukayo Saka's goal against Brighton sent Arsenal seven points clear. - Joao Pedro hat-trick -In the tight race for Champions League qualification, Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick for Chelsea, who came from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-1, pushing Liverpool down to sixth spot. Cole Palmer made it 3-1 in the second half and Joao Pedro tapped home Alejandro Garnacho's cross to complete his hat-trick. The win lifted Chelsea to fifth spot in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Villa. The top five teams in the Premier League are almost certain to qualify for the Champions League thanks to the strong showing of English sides in Europe this season.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 04, 2026 23:38 UTC
Iran says US-Israeli attack breaches international law
Iran says US-Israeli attack breaches international lawHeidari: Condemns 'war crime'Iran's ambassador to Thailand has condemned what he described as US-Israeli aggression against his country, calling it a grave breach of international law. Ambassador Nassereddin Heideri on Wednesday denounced attacks launched on Feb 28 against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said such action violated Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and fundamental principles including sovereign equality and the immunity of heads of state. He maintained that targeting a sitting head of state struck at the core norms governing relations among nations and risked destabilising the international system. Describing the incidents as war crimes and crimes against humanity, the ambassador urged United Nations action to halt the violence and hold those responsible to account.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 04, 2026 23:38 UTC
94 Vietnamese held in online gambling raid
Police watch over nearly 100 Vietnamese nationals arrested at a Bangkok office being used for an online gambling business targeting Vietnamese customers on Wednesday. (Police photo)Police arrested 94 Vietnamese people for allegedly running online gambling websites in Bangkok on Wednesday evening. After obtaining a search warrant, police found 94 Vietnamese workers — 69 men and 25 women — along with 68 computers and about 500 mobile phones. Some computer screens displayed gambling websites in Vietnamese. He claimed that he did not know they would be forced to work for an online gambling business.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 04, 2026 21:09 UTC
Cillian Murphy and Rebecca Ferguson premiere new 'Peaky Blinders' film
The British crime drama “Peaky Blinders” concluded in 2022, but the Shelby family saga continues with a new sequel movie “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man” that had its global premiere at England’s Birmingham on Monday (March 2).
Source:Bangkok Post
March 04, 2026 19:19 UTC
Smart devices company HONOR unveils AI-powered 'robot' phone
HONOR unveiled on Sunday (March 1) a prototype “robot phone” featuring an integrated motorized gimbal and artificial intelligence designed to interact physically with users and its surroundings, marking the company’s latest push into embodied AI.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 04, 2026 19:19 UTC
Thai business group keeps 2026 GDP growth forecast at 1.6% to 2.0%
Thai business group keeps 2026 GDP growth forecast at 1.6% to 2.0%Sunset above the Buddha statue at Wat Klang pier on Thoet Thai Road, Bangkok, on Feb 21, 2026. (Photo: Eakkapod Tanvichien)A leading business group maintained its forecast for Thailand's economic growth this year at 1.6% to 2.0%, but said on Wednesday a prolonged conflict in the Middle East would hit activity. The group's forecast for exports, a key driver of Thai growth, was kept at a fall of 0.5% to 1.5%, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) reported. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, which has lagged regional peers since the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, expanded 2.4% last year, with exports up 12.9% as concerns over US tariffs drove front-loading. According to Bank of Thailand governor Vitai Ratanakorn, the new war in the Middle East could dent gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.1-0.15 percentage points due to the heightened risk to oil supply.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 04, 2026 16:50 UTC