đź”´[Live] This Week with Thai PBS World | 13th March 2026
Why It Matters
The Hormuz attack spotlights Thailand’s vulnerability to Middle‑East volatility, prompting urgent energy diversification and export‑support measures, while the gender‑leadership gap signals a critical area for inclusive economic growth.
Key Takeaways
- •Thai cargo ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz, crew rescued.
- •Middle East trade vital; oil imports $16B, exports $12B annually.
- •Oil price volatility threatens Thai economy, reserves last 95 days.
- •Women hold 43% senior roles, but only 20% board seats.
- •Government urges energy saving, remote work, and exporter support.
Summary
Tonight’s broadcast centered on the June 13 incident when the Thai‑registered cargo vessel Mayori Nari was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, igniting a fire and prompting the rescue of 20 of its 23 crew members in Oman. The episode was used as a springboard to examine how the escalating Middle East conflict could reverberate through Thailand’s trade, energy security, and broader economic outlook.
The program highlighted that the Middle East remains Thailand’s eighth‑largest trading partner, with bilateral trade to the UAE alone reaching $21 billion in 2025. Thailand imports roughly $16 billion of crude oil from the region each year, while exporting $12 billion of goods—primarily automobiles, gems, and agricultural products. Dr. At Pisan Ranit warned that soaring oil prices, now above $100 per barrel, could strain the nation’s 95‑day strategic reserve and erode export competitiveness, potentially shaving $110 million off daily export values to the Middle East and Europe.
An exclusive interview with Israel’s ambassador to Thailand underscored the geopolitical stakes, asserting that Iran’s ballistic‑missile program and uranium enrichment pose an existential threat to Israel and its allies. She emphasized Israel’s extensive civil‑defence infrastructure, noting that while no safety can be guaranteed, “there is a 100 % effort to protect” foreign nationals. The segment on gender equity cited that Thai women occupy 43.1 % of senior‑management roles—the highest in Asia‑Pacific—yet only 20 % sit on corporate boards, a gap attributed to lingering cultural biases.
Analysts concluded that Thailand must accelerate diversification of its energy mix, bolster renewable‑fuel production, and extend fiscal assistance to exporters facing higher input costs. Simultaneously, policymakers are urged to translate the country’s strong female‑leadership pipeline into boardroom representation, ensuring that gender parity translates into tangible decision‑making power across the economy.
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