What are EU countries doing to counter energy price rises?
BRUSSELS - The European Commission will ⁠set out ⁠plans on Wednesday to ​cut electricity taxes as it seeks to reduce the price impact of the Iran war and to coordinate ​the refilling of countries' gas storage ahead ‌of the increase in heating demand later this year.

Fiji villagers reject plan for 'Pacific ashtray' in beach paradise
SYDNEY - An Australian billionaire's plan to burn rubbish for energy in Fiji amounts to "waste colonialism" and risks spoiling a "beach paradise", villagers and the Pacific nation's UN ambassador said.

India orders school water bells to beat heat
NEW DELHI - Schools in India's capital must ring regular bells to remind schoolchildren to drink water as the megacity gears up to face heatwave conditions, a new city order has said.

Thailand offers backing for Myanmar's bid to normalise Asean ties 
Thailand ‌wants to play a leading role in Myanmar's bid to normalise its ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) after five years on the sidelines, the Thai foreign minister said ahead of a meeting on Wednesday with new President Min Aung Hlaing.

Police investigate parasailing incident in Phuket
PHUKET – Police and maritime officials have launched an investigation into a parasailing incident off Kamala beach in which a tow rope snapped mid-air, sending a tourist into the sea. The tourist survived without serious injury.

Heavy rains lure frogs out of hiding and villagers out of homes
NAKHON RATCHASIMA – Residents of Taling Chan village in Khon Buri district have been heading out after dark to catch frogs for food following heavy rains brought by a passing summer storm.

Earth Day spotlight: Sephora and Saie to recycle 1m pounds of plastic
Saie have teamed up with Sephora to celebrate international Earth Day today by launching Planet Beautiful 2026, an initiative set to recover over 1 million pounds (approximately 454,000 kilogrammes) of plastic waste for recycling.

Erawan National Park reopens after wildfire-pollution forces brief closure
The Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi reopened on Wednesday after brief closure due to concerning wildfire and harmful PM2.5 situation.

Summer storms warning from Thursday to Saturday
The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of summer storms affecting upper Thailand, anticipating thunderstorms and gusty winds from Thursday to Saturday.

Thai industrial sentiment drops in March due to Middle East war
Thailand's industrial sentiment ​index dropped in March, ​weighed down ‌by higher oil prices and the conflict in the Middle East, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported on ​Wednesday.