All the latest news from Thailand and around the world.
Thai police have ended investigation into allegation by a British backpacker that she was drugged, raped and robbed on Koh Tao island in the southern province of Surat Thani on August 26 due to what they claim to be a lack of credible evidence. Speaking at a press conference this morning, the national police chief,
The charity Chon Buri marathon 2018 held on October 14 in the eastern seaboard province of Chon Buri has become the talk of the town – in a bad way though. Images of several thirsty runners sipping water dripping from ice cubs and drinking water poured onto their hands from jugs by event officials because
Monday, October 15, 2018: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha may be playing his cards close to his chest when it comes to whether he will enter mainstream politics, but many analysts said today disclosure about his social media accounts is giving him away. The prime minister’s deputy secretary-general, Puttipong Punnakan, has announced that Prayut
Sudarat Keyuraphan had always been tipped to become Thailand’s first female prime minister, until Yingluck Shinawatra came along. Now, the veteran politician would have to contend with being “second”, if she could manage to beat influential male political players and seemingly insurmountable constitutional rules. But first, she must officially become the Pheu Thai Party’s choice
The Wild Boars soccer team, who were saved in a dramatic rescue operation in Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai three months ago, were treated to a major surprise when their footballing hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed up during their interview on a popular American talk show. The former Manchester United star walked into the studio
An ultra-nationalist monk – dubbed the ‘Buddhist Bin Laden’ – on Sunday condemned the international community for their calls to bring Myanmar’s generals to justice over the Rohingya crisis. AFP reported that firebrand monk Wirathu, known as the face of Myanmar’s Buddhist nationalist movement, was speaking at a pro-military rally that attracted hundreds of supporters,
YANGON (The Irrawaddy) — Myanmar’s ultranationalist firebrand Buddhist monk U Wirathu said he would take up arms if Myanmar’s military leadership is charged at the International Criminal Court (ICC), showing his solidarity with the country’s armed forces, which have been internationally blamed for their alleged atrocities against the Rohingya. Human rights groups abroad and the
The Election Commission (EC) will investigate allegations that Pheu Tham Party and Pheu Chart Party are proxies of the former ruling Pheu Thai Party, EC secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma said. If the allegations are proven true, Pheu Thai may face a possible dissolution, he said. “The EC will have to look into facts to determine whether
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has promised to try to read every comment posted on his Facebook page which he formally launched on Monday. In a Facebook post addressed to his followers, he thanked all those who posted their comments. He noted that most comments were apparently meant for fun with both likes and dislikes which
About 50 tour operators in the southern province of Phang-nga have agreed to suspend boat trips to Similan-Surin islands in the Andaman sea for Monday and Tuesday to protest against the decision of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation to limit the number of visitors to 3,850 a day, including 525 scuba
Sunday, October 14, 2018: The Election Commission said today it’s counting on a Bt100,000 reward to stop vote-buying. According to EC Secretary-General Jaroongwit Phumma, evidence of vote-buying leading to a candidate being disqualified from the election will earn whoever presenting the evidence Bt100,000. Speaking at a political forum organised by the Thai Journalists Association,
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s Facebook page has attracted more than 34,000 likes and another 36,000 followers on the first day of its launch. In addition, over 2,700 opinions were posted – most of them being complaints and views giving moral support to the prime minister. Mr Putthipong Punnakan, deputy secretary-general for political affairs, said Monday
Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak today (Oct 15) dismissed a report by The Wall Street Journal that the 13 Wild Boar footballers and coach had signed a contract to grant a right to Universal Pictures to produce a film about their ordeal. The committee tasked with supervising the 13 footballers and coach on legal matters
Malaysian veteran politician Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as a member of Parliament this morning, two days after he swept to victory in a by-election. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, also created history as Malaysian Parliament now has a husband, wife and daughter serving as MPs at the same time, according to Malaysian media.
With political parties beating the war drums, it seems that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has realized that he cannot afford to just sit idly by. He has decided to go full steam into the world of social media by launching his own website, www.prayutchan-o-cha.com, along with Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts under the name Prayut
Politicians will be dead wrong if they still perceive the people as mere voters subservient to the patronage system, said Suriyasai Katasila, director of Thailand Reform Institute and vice dean of Social Innovations College of Rangsit Uiversity, on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the “October 14” student-led uprising in 1973,
