Thailand’s two main pro-democracy opposition parties agreed to form a coalition government on Monday, one day after they swept to a landslide victory in elections that saw voters demand a change in the decades-long hold on political power by the military and the monarchy. The progressive Move Forward Party stunned …
Read More »First-ever case of deadly brain-eating amoeba reported by South Korea
The parasite has killed a man who recently came back from Thailand, the health authorities say The first ever case of Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as a ‘brain-eating amoeba’, has been recorded in South Korea, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Monday. The single-celled organism …
Read More »Thailand mass shooting kills 34 at a daycare centre
Thirty-four people were killed in Thailand on Thursday in a gun and knife attack at a daycare centre by a former policeman who killed his wife and child before turning his weapon on himself, police said. There were 22 children among the victims of the suspected attacker, who had been …
Read More »Fire bombs, other blasts rock Thai Deep South
Explosions and fires ripped through at least 17 locations in southern Thailand on Wednesday, authorities said, in what appeared to be multiple coordinated attacks that injured seven people. The bombings and arson attacks happened after midnight and targeted convenience stores and a gas station across three provinces, lightly injuring at …
Read More »Japan PM agrees defence deal with Thailand
The leaders of Japan and Thailand announced a new defense agreement on Monday as well as plans to upgrade their economic relations, as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wrapped up the last leg of a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia. The agreement would facilitate the transfer of defense hardware and …
Read More »More than 2,500 flee to Thailand as rebels clash with Myanmar army
At least 2,500 people including hundreds of children have fled a flare-up in fighting between the Myanmar army and ethnic minority rebels and have taken refuge across the border in Thailand, Thai authorities and an aid group said. Those displaced had poured into the Thai town of Mae Sot after …
Read More »China wraps up first multinational peacekeeping exercise
China wrapped up the country’s first multinational peacekeeping exercise on Wednesday, demonstrating the extent of its military might on a huge training ground ringed by mountains. China’s defense spending is the second-largest in the world after the US, and tensions have dramatically increased between rival powers as Beijing has poured …
Read More »China shows off defense diplomacy with multinational peacekeeping exercise
China has highlighted its role in United Nations peacekeeping operations by hosting multinational exercises called “Shared Destiny 2021.” About 1,000 troops from China, Pakistan, Mongolia and Thailand participated in the comprehensive exercise, which kicked off on September 6 at a training base in Queshan County of central China’s Henan Province, …
Read More »Thai protestors take to the streets as PM remains in power
Pro-democracy protesters vented their anger in Bangkok’s heavy rain Saturday after Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha survived a no-confidence vote in parliament. More than 300 demonstrators marched in central Bangkok’s main shopping mall district carrying red flags and wearing ponchos in the downpour. “The government should be gone. If things …
Read More »Thai activists push for PM to quit as confidence vote looms
Several thousand people gathered in Bangkok to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday, one day before lawmakers hold a no-confidence vote over his government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Protests against Prayuth have gathered steam since late June as university students who sought his removal …
Read More »Thailand eases curbs on retail and restaurants to spur economy
Thailand will lift most coronavirus restrictions on retail and dining from next month and permit gatherings of up to 25 people in Bangkok and other high-risk areas, its COVID-19 task force said on Friday. Easing restrictions and adjusting measures were necessary to revive the economy safely, the task force said, …
Read More »Thai protesters spar with police in march on PM’s residence
Thai police clashed with demonstrators on Friday after hundreds defied a ban on gatherings to rally in central Bangkok, where they attempted to march on the prime minister’s residence to demand his resignation over the country’s coronavirus crisis. Police fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets from an elevated highway …
Read More »Thai police defend use of force as protestors plan new rally
Thai police defended their use of force against protesters as a necessary public safety measure, as the capital Bangkok braced for more demonstrations on Wednesday to demand the prime minister’s removal for mismanaging a coronavirus crisis. Police fired tear gas, water cannon, and rubber bullets on Tuesday to disperse protesters …
Read More »Clashes with police in Bangkok erupt amid anti-government protests in Thailand
More than a thousand Thai anti-government protesters clashed with police on Saturday, as they protested against the government’s failure to handle coronavirus outbreaks and its impact on the economy. The protesters marched toward Government House, the office of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, demanding his resignation. Police sealed off a road …
Read More »Fire rages, mass evacuation after Thai factory blast
Thousands of people on the outskirts of Thailand’s capital were being evacuated on Monday as firefighters battled blazes for hours after a factory explosion that killed a rescue worker and wounded 29 people, officials said. Disaster authorities said 70 houses were damaged and fires were still being fought 15 hours …
Read More »Overseas tourists finally roam free on Thai island of Phuket
Newly arrived overseas tourists on Thailand’s island of Phuket were able to roam free without quarantine on Friday for the first time in more than a year, as Thailand launched a special programme for vaccinated visitors to the island. Tourists swam in hotel pools and walked along Phuket’s postcard-perfect beaches …
Read More »Google takes down maps targeting hundreds of Thais accused of opposing king
Google took down two Google Maps documents on Monday that had listed the names and addresses of hundreds of Thai activists who were accused by royalists of opposing the monarchy, the technology company said. Thai royalist activist Songklod “Pukem” Chuenchoopol told Reuters he and a team of 80 volunteers had …
Read More »South Korea eases COVID-19 restrictions on concerts, sports games
South Korea began easing restrictions on large concerts and sports events on Monday after announcing last week it would loosen a series of coronavirus curbs as the country pushes ahead with its vaccination drive. Up to 4,000 people will be allowed to attend K-Pop concerts and other cultural shows from …
Read More »Hundreds join Thai anti-government protest
More than a thousand protesters gathered in Thailand’s capital Bangkok on Sunday to demand the resignation of the government, changes to the constitution and an end to the harassment of opposition activists. Demonstrators said Sunday’s protest would show broader support for change in the Southeast Asian country beyond the student …
Read More »Thai army suspends U.S. training plans after soldiers contract COVID-19
Thailand has suspended plans for its army to undertake joint training with the U.S. military after nine Thai soldiers tested positive for coronavirus upon returning from Hawaii, the defence ministry said on Sunday. The Thai Army said the infected soldiers were among 151 Thai officers who had returned from Lightning …
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