BANGKOK — Thailand’s shifting demographics, marked by an ageing population, rising single households and declining birth rates, are fuelling a fast-growing “cat economy”, with felines increasingly becoming the centre of urban family life.
Data from ttb analytics shows the country’s pet market has been expanding at an average rate of 13–18% annually, with total market value projected to reach 101.4 billion baht in 2026, up sharply from 33 billion baht in 2019.
Cats are emerging as the preferred pet in urban areas, overtaking dogs due to space constraints and fast-paced lifestyles. Research by Kasikorn Research Center estimates Thailand’s domestic cat population will grow by 20–25% per year, surpassing 4 million animals nationwide in 2026.
Analysts say the surge is driven by “pet humanisation”, a trend where owners treat pets like children, now evolving into what some describe as a “petriarchy”, where pets play a central role in household decision-making.
Spending patterns reflect the shift. Owners in the pet humanisation segment spend an average of 50,500 baht per pet annually — around six times higher than traditional owners. Pet food accounts for the largest share at 45%, with more than half of owners prioritising holistic or human-grade ingredients.
Health and wellness services are also expanding, with annual spending ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 baht per animal, particularly among younger consumers who favour preventive care.
Thailand is also strengthening its position as a global pet food exporter. According to the Department of International Trade Promotion, exports are expected to reach US$3 billion (about 105 billion baht) in 2026, driven largely by premium wet cat food made from tuna and high-quality ingredients.
Industry analysts from IMPACT Exhibition Management identify several high-growth sectors within the cat economy, including functional pet food, smart pet technology, mobile grooming services, boutique cat hotels, pet-friendly real estate and pet insurance.
Regulation is also tightening. Under Bangkok’s 2024 animal control ordinance, pet owners are required to microchip and digitally register animals. The rules also limit the number of pets in condominiums and rental units sized 20–80 square metres to one animal, aimed at improving hygiene and reducing urban conflicts.
The developments highlight how demographic change and lifestyle shifts are transforming Thailand’s consumer economy — with cats now at the centre of a booming market.
FILE -Iranian Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, speaks during a press conference after his meeting with the Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s top security official and the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s Basij militia were both killed in overnight strikes in a blow to the country’s leadership, Israel’s defense minister said Tuesday, while Tehran defiantly fired new salvos of missiles and drones at its Gulf Arab neighbors and Israel.
Both security official Ali Larijani and Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani were “eliminated last night,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in an airstrike Feb. 28, the first day of the war launched by the United States and Israel, and other top leaders from the Iranian theocracy have been killed since then.
Iranian state media did not immediately confirm either death. However, it said a message from Larijani’s office would be published shortly.
The announcement came after the Israeli military had earlier said it had carried out a “wide-scale wave of strikes” across Iran’s capital and stepped up strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Israel also reported two incoming salvos before dawn from Iran at Tel Aviv and elsewhere, and said Hezbollah targeted Israel’s north.
Incoming Iranian missiles on the United Arab Emirates prompted Dubai, a major transit hub for international travel, to briefly shut its airspace and a man was killed by the debris of a missile intercepted over Abu Dhabi.
FILE – Commander of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, gives a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
Israel says it has killed two top Iranian officials
Larijani hails from one of Iran’s most famous political families. A former parliamentary speaker and senior policy adviser, he was appointed to advise the late Khamenei on strategy in nuclear talks with the Trump administration.
He also served as the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, its top security body.
Soleimani, meantime, was the head of the Basij militia forces, which Israel’s military called an “armed apparatus of the Iranian terror regime.”
“During internal protests in Iran, particularly in recent periods as demonstrations intensified, Basij forces under Soleimani’s command led the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests and the use of force against civilian demonstrators,” Israel’s military said in a statement.
The U.S. Treasury lists Soleimani as having been born in 1965. He has been sanctioned by the U.S., the European Union and other nations over his role in helping suppress dissent for years through the Basij.
Killing Soleimani would likely further strain the command and control of the Basij, which would be crucial in putting down any uprising against the theocracy. The Basij and other internal security forces have been a target of attack by both the Americans and the Israelis so far.
Iranian strikes pressure neighbors and oil markets
Iran kept up the pressure on the energy infrastructure of its Gulf Arab neighbors, hitting an oil facility in Fujairah, a UAE emirate on the country’s east coast with the Gulf of Oman that has been repeatedly targeted. State-run WAM news reported that no one had been injured in the blast from the drone strike.
The man killed by falling debris from an intercepted missile was the eighth person to die in the UAE since the start of the war, authorities said.
Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations and its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported, has given rise to increasing concerns of a global energy crisis. Early Tuesday it hit a tanker anchored off the coast of Fujairah, one of about 20 vessels hit since Israel and the United States started the war with an attack on Iran on Feb. 28.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said his country had been given no choice but to keep up its pressure on shipping traffic in the strait.
“They are flying, launching missiles, should we just sit back and do nothing in response?” he said in an interview on state television.
With Washington under increasing pressure over rising oil prices, Brent crude, the international standard, remained over $100 a barrel, up more than 40% since the war started.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. But his appeals brought no immediate commitments, with many saying they are hesitant to get involved in a war with no defined exit plan and skeptical that they could do more than the U.S. Navy.
UAE briefly closes airspace as Iran launches new attacks on Gulf neighbors
The UAE shut down its airspace early Tuesday as its military reported it was “responding to missile and drone threats from Iran.” The closure was soon lifted, and not long after the sounds of explosions could be heard as the military worked to intercept incoming fire.
The snap announcement on its airspace showed the balancing act Emirati authorities face in trying to keep their long-haul carriers, Emirates and Etihad, flying as Iranian attacks continue to target the country.
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting a dozen drones Tuesday morning over the country’s vast Eastern Province, home to oil infrastructure.
In Qatar, the sounds of explosions boomed over the capital early in the day as defenses worked to intercept incoming fire. Qatar’s Defense Ministry said later that it had successfully thwarted a missile attack on the city, though a fire broke out in an industrial area from a downed projectile.
Attacks from Iran-linked proxy forces continued in Iraq, as the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was hit with shrapnel from drones that had been intercepted.
The embassy’s air defenses were able to shoot down all four drones targeting the facility, according to two Iraqi security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.
A separate strike targeted a house in the heavily fortified Presidential Compound in Baghdad’s al-Jadriya area, the officials said. It wasn’t clear who carried out either attack but Iran-allied militias have regularly been attacking American targets inside Iraq since the conflict began.
Israel launches new attacks on Tehran and steps up strikes on Beirut
The Israeli military early Tuesday said it had launched new attacks across Tehran in addition to the Lebanese capital targeting Hezbollah militants.
In Iran, it said it hit command centers, missile launch sites and air defense systems. There was no immediate confirmation from Iran, where little information has been coming out due to internet outages, round-the-clock airstrikes and tight restrictions on journalists.
Israel did not immediately release details of its attacks on Lebanon, but the Lebanese army said two of its soldiers were seriously wounded in an airstrike on the village of Kfar Sir.
More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the conflict, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.
Israel’s strikes have also displaced more than 1 million Lebanese — or roughly 20% of the population — according to the Lebanese government, which says some 850 people have been killed.
Some Israeli troops have pushed into southern Lebanon, and there are fears Israel is preparing a large-scale invasion.
The military’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said Monday on a visit to the northern border that Israel’s army is “determined to deepen the operation until all of our objectives are achieved” and that the military’s Northern Command is being reinforced with additional soldiers.
Israel reported two Iranian salvos early Tuesday fired toward Tel Aviv and an area south of the Sea of Galilee. More launches from Lebanon were also reported.
In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed.
Closure of Strait of Hormuz pressures oil shipping
The virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is unnerving the world economy, driving up energy prices, threatening food shortages in poor countries, destabilizing fragile states and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
There have been a handful of ships getting through, primarily Iranian but also from other countries including India and Turkey, and Iran has said it technically remains open — just not for the United States, Israel and its allies. Iraq said Tuesday it was in talks with Iran about allowing passage for its ships.
Underscoring the danger of even getting close to the strait, a tanker anchored off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates was hit by a projectile early Tuesday morning and sustained minor damage, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, run by the British military.
PHUKET — Authorities have confirmed that a lion café in Phuket is operating legally and complies with animal welfare standards, following public concern over viral social media footage.
Surasak Anusorn, director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat) under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said on 17 March that officials inspected the premises after questions were raised about the origin and care of the animals.
The café, Lion Phuket Café at Phuket Old Town, was found to be in lawful possession of three lions, in accordance with permits issued under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019).
Officials said one female lion and two male lions were registered with valid microchip identification and documentation matching official records.
Beyond documentation, authorities also assessed the facility and animal welfare conditions. A prior inspection on Dec 24, 2025 confirmed that the enclosure and care arrangements met required welfare standards.
Surasak said the department continues to closely monitor the possession of protected wildlife to ensure compliance with regulations and transparency, urging the public to remain confident in oversight measures.
NAKHON RATCHASIMA — A Thai influencer has reported a mysterious theft of a 250-kilogram safe from her condominium unit in Nakhon Ratchasima, raising questions about building security despite keycard access and CCTV coverage.
The influencer, known as “Mod Oi,” said in a Facebook post on 16 March that the large safe — measuring 128cm high and weighing about 250kg — was removed from her room without explanation.
She said the safe contained gold bars totalling 35 baht weight, along with other valuables including amulets and jewellery, with total losses estimated at more than 3 million baht.
Mod Oi questioned how the suspect managed to move such a heavy object out of a building with more than 800 units, keycard-controlled floors and multiple surveillance cameras. She also raised concerns over how the perpetrator knew about the safe and the timing of her absence.
She said the incident left her feeling unsafe, adding that the issue affects not only her but other residents in the condominium.
Police in Nakhon Ratchasima said officers have inspected the scene and are reviewing CCTV footage. Investigators are working to identify suspects after examining evidence and questioning several witnesses.
Authorities said the case is being treated as theft and that further forensic results are pending as the investigation continues.
BANGKOK — An activist group on Tuesday submitted a petition with more than 86,000 signatures to the Education Ministry, opposing a policy allowing children without Thai nationality or civil registration to access free education.
The group, Thai Intolerance Team, led by activist Tae Archiwa, gathered outside the ministry at 11:00 to call for the suspension of a 2025 regulation permitting the enrolment of students lacking official documentation.
Tae said the policy should prioritise Thai students over migrant children, arguing that some Thai children still lack access to free education. He questioned the use of more than 800 million baht in taxpayer funds to support non-Thai students, saying authorities should first ensure adequate opportunities for Thai children.
He also raised concerns about potential misuse of the policy, claiming it could pose security risks if individuals falsely claim eligibility to remain in the country.
A ministry representative received the petition and said it would be considered.
Tae said the group would escalate the matter to the Prime Minister’s Office if there is no progress, urging the government to urgently revoke the policy.
CHIANG MAI — 16 March 2026, Chiang Mai province has announced energy-saving measures, urging all sectors to use power only as necessary in response to the current energy situation.
The measures follow a Cabinet resolution on 10 March 2026. Chiang Mai Governor Rattapol Naradisorn called for cooperation across all sectors, outlining three key areas of action:
1. Energy conservation in offices
Air conditioning: Set temperatures at 26–27°C, keep doors and windows closed, and switch off units immediately after working hours.
Lighting: Turn off lights during lunch breaks and in unused areas.
Electronic devices: Set computers to standby mode and switch off monitors during lunch breaks.
Paper use: Reduce paper consumption by prioritising electronic documents.
Lifts: Encourage stair use instead of lifts.
2. Work and meeting adjustments
Consider remote work (work from home) where appropriate, except for public service units.
Shift meetings to online platforms where possible.
3. Study visits and travel
Avoid overseas study trips unless strictly necessary.
Shift to domestic study visits, local activities, or online meetings instead.
Chiang Mai authorities are urging all sectors to adopt these measures as appropriate to ensure more efficient overall energy management.
BANGKOK — The Pathumwan District Court on Tuesday sentenced two Thai gamers, including a former national e-sports athlete, to jail over a cheating case linked to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, citing damage to the country’s reputation.
The court initially handed six-month prison terms without suspension to Napattara, 29, also known as “Tokyogurl,” a former member of Thailand’s national e-sports team, and Chaiyo, 23, known as “Cheerio.” Both defendants had earlier pleaded guilty.
Their sentences were reduced by half to three months due to their confessions, and later commuted to three months of detention instead of imprisonment.
Prosecutors said the pair unlawfully accessed and disclosed protected computer system measures and data intended to prevent unauthorised access, in a way that could cause damage to others. The offences were linked to the SEA Games hosted by Thailand.
The court ruled that their actions severely undermined the credibility of the e-sports athlete selection process and harmed the country’s image.
Following the verdict, both defendants filed requests for temporary release, posting bail of 24,000 baht each. The court granted bail pending appeal without additional conditions.
Detention is considered a lighter penalty than imprisonment under Thai law, with offenders held in designated facilities such as detention centres or police stations, typically for sentences of up to three months.
BANGKOK — Cambodian authorities have raised concerns with Thailand over a doctored image depicting Hun Sen, the former prime minister of Cambodia, embedded in tree roots, as both sides agreed to step up cooperation to curb misinformation and reduce tensions, a Thai military spokesperson said.
Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sornjaidee, assistant air force commander and director of the Thailand–Cambodia Joint Information Center (JIC), said on 17 March that Cambodia had directly coordinated with Thai counterparts over the viral image, which was widely shared on social media and criticised as inappropriate.
The image digitally altered Hun Sen’s face into tree roots shaped to resemble female genitalia, prompting strong dissatisfaction from Cambodian authorities, who viewed it as offensive and disrespectful.
Prapas said the coordination follows mechanisms established under a joint statement signed after the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between Thailand and Cambodia on 27 December 2025, aimed at easing bilateral tensions.
Under Article 16 of the agreement, both sides maintain direct and regular communication between official media teams to manage disinformation, ensure transparency and accuracy, and build mutual trust.
Thailand has appointed Group Captain Patha Kantubtim, Thai air attaché in Phnom Penh, as its focal point under the JIC mechanism, while Cambodia designated Brig Gen Phan Yinyoura, deputy chief of the International Relations Department at its Defence Ministry, under its Command Post Information (CPI) unit.
Both sides expressed concern over provocative, mocking or defamatory content circulating online, warning such material could affect public sentiment and undermine bilateral cooperation.
They reaffirmed commitment to Article 8 of the joint statement, which calls for refraining from disseminating false or misleading information to reduce tensions and foster a more constructive environment for dialogue.
Authorities from both countries will coordinate fact-checking of online content, exchange information through direct channels, and promote accurate reporting to prevent public misunderstanding.
The JIC also urged media and the public in both countries to exercise caution when sharing potentially misleading or provocative content, and to rely on official sources.
The latest incident follows online controversy involving images linked to a Cambodian temple, which sparked criticism among Thai social media users and led to further manipulated content targeting Hun Sen.
PHUKET — 17 March 2026, A hotel in Phuket has issued a safety warning after a foreign man was caught on CCTV entering a reception area in the early hours and taking items from a drawer.
Footage shared online shows the incident occurred at 03:07. The man walked into the hotel lobby and went behind the reception counter before opening a drawer and removing documents and some property.
A female staff member later approached the desk and confronted the man, prompting him to leave the area immediately.
The page said the suspect appeared to take money from the counter, but the situation was interrupted when an employee, reportedly a Myanmar national, arrived at the scene.
The clip has since drawn widespread attention online, with many users voicing concerns over hotel security. Comments highlighted the risks of leaving reception areas unattended at night, insufficient security measures, and the safety of staff, particularly women working alone on night shifts.
Some called on hotel operators to strengthen security protocols and urged the victim to file a police report to pursue legal action.
Police confront the 36-year-old man in Udon Thani before detaining him after his mother and grandmother were brought to safety
UDON THANI — 16 March 2026 A 36-year-old man in Udon Thani who appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis held his mother and grandmother inside their home for several hours early Sunday before authorities intervened and took him for medical evaluation.
Police from Muang Udon Thani Police Station and local administrative officials were called to a house in Ban Lao Na Di, Na Di subdistrict, after the man reportedly prevented his mother, 59, and grandmother, 80, from leaving the home from about 05:00 until noon.
Authorities said the man repeatedly claimed that someone was coming to harm his relatives. Officers spent a prolonged period speaking with him before he eventually allowed the two women to leave the house unharmed.
When officials attempted to escort him for questioning and medical assessment, he initially resisted and insisted that officers identify themselves before approaching him. Authorities then physically escorted him to a vehicle to take him for a medical examination.
Police said the man struggled while being taken to the vehicle, and at one point a bystander attempted to strike him before officers intervened and quickly removed him from the scene.
His grandmother said she was shocked by the incident, describing her grandson as hardworking. She said he had worked in Taiwan and returned to Thailand about two years ago while preparing to take up employment in Israel.
“I don’t know what happened today,” she said. “Suddenly he became agitated and grabbed both me and his mother, saying someone was coming to harm and kill us, telling us to crouch down and be careful.”
She said villagers and the village headman tried to persuade him to release them, but he refused. The two women were held inside the house from early morning until noon.
A neighbour said they heard Mr. Wuttichai shouting, “Don’t come near my house,” while appearing agitated from about 05:00 until noon.
According to neighbours, Mr. Wuttichai had previously worked in Taiwan and had been preparing to travel to Israel for work, but his plans were delayed by the war there. In the meantime, he had been working as a food delivery rider while waiting for the opportunity to go abroad.
Officials said a preliminary drug test conducted at the district office found no narcotics in his system. However, authorities plan to send him to Udon Thani Hospital for a more detailed examination to determine the cause of the episode.
Police speak with the man’s grandmother after he was taken for medical evaluation
