Sunday 15 March 2026

Good morning Bangkok. It's Sunday and we're looking at 27-36°C (81-97°F) today. Thunderstorms remain possible in about 10% of the Bangkok area, so keep an umbrella handy if you're heading to Chatuchak. PM2.5 was 32.7 µg/m³ yesterday morning (below the 37.5 standard for a change), but air quality in central Bangkok remains moderate to poor due to weak ventilation. Heat index is still at "warning" level between 11 AM and 3 PM. Let's get into it.

Thailand's newly opened parliament reconvenes today to elect a House speaker and two deputy speakers. Deputy PM Sophon Saram, a seven-time MP for Buri Ram and veteran Bhumjaithai politician, confirmed Thursday that the party has nominated him for the speaker's post. The first deputy speaker will also go to Bhumjaithai, with the second deputy speaker allocated to Pheu Thai. Once elected, the new speaker will schedule the PM vote, which is expected on Thursday. But a last-minute controversy has surfaced: the Office of the Ombudsman petitioned the Constitutional Court on Friday over barcodes and QR codes printed on election ballots, saying they received 21 complaints from the public that the codes could potentially be used to identify how individuals voted, violating the constitutional requirement for secret balloting. King Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over yesterday's opening ceremony at Parliament House in Dusit.

Bottom line: The barcode issue is unlikely to derail the government formation. Bhumjaithai's 292-seat coalition is locked in and Anutin is almost certain to be confirmed as PM on Thursday. But the Ombudsman's petition adds legal uncertainty that the opposition People's Party will use as leverage. For expats, the key question remains: how quickly will the new government extend the diesel price cap and address the energy crisis? Every day of delay costs real money at the pump.

Petrol and gasohol prices are expected to rise by 50 satang per liter tomorrow (Monday, March 15). Brent crude settled above $100 per barrel for a second consecutive day on Friday as the Hormuz disruption deepened, with markets doubting US efforts to contain energy prices. Current diesel prices remain frozen at 29.94 baht per liter across all major stations (PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex, Shell), but the 15-day price cap is expiring. Standard gasohol 95 is at 31.05 baht at most stations. Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon said Thailand is negotiating with Cheniere Energy to increase LNG deliveries from 1.0 million to 1.3 million tonnes annually under an existing contract for the remaining 15 years to 2041, and to bring some cargoes forward to Q2 2026. Meanwhile, Iran has warned it will strike regional oil infrastructure linked to the US if its own facilities are attacked, as Trump hinted oil infrastructure on Iran's Kharg Island could be next.

Bottom line: Fill your tank today. The 50-satang hike tomorrow is just the beginning if the diesel cap isn't extended. Brent at $100 means everything from taxi fares to food delivery to airline tickets gets more expensive. The Kharg Island threat is the wildcard: if that facility goes down, millions of barrels vanish from global supply overnight and oil prices could spike well past $100. Thailand imports roughly 50% of its crude through the Strait of Hormuz. This is not an abstract crisis anymore.

A farm-to-table brunch spot, pizza joint, and wine bar tucked down Pridi 26, one of Phra Khanong's quieter residential sois. Earthy Society sources organic ingredients from local Thai farmers and focuses on sustainability without being preachy about it. The brunch menu is the draw: avocado toast, eggs benedict, fluffy pancakes, and specialty coffees. Come evening, it shifts to wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and a solid wine list. The space is small (only 3-4 tables inside, so book ahead), cozy, and pet-friendly. They also support local fisheries with a catch-of-the-day option using eco-friendly fishing methods. It's the kind of place that feels like a neighborhood secret, not a tourist trap. Open daily 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM, closed Mondays.

TIP: Sunday brunch is perfect here. Go before 10 AM for the quietest seating. Book through Chope or Hungry Hub for deals up to 50% off. The pizza dough is excellent but rises big, so the edges can char slightly. That's a feature, not a bug.

Address: 44 Soi Pridi Banomyong 26, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110. BTS Phra Khanong, then a 10-minute walk or short motorbike taxi down Pridi.

15 March 44 BC: The Ides of March. Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of Roman senators who stabbed him 23 times on the floor of the Senate. 2,070 years later, a different group of politicians is gathering in a different parliament building today. Hopefully the only thing getting stabbed in Bangkok is a ballot.

See you tomorrow morning.

— Devon

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