Four Thai farm workers killed in mortar strike near Israel-Lebanon border
Four Thai nationals have been killed in a mortar strike on the Israeli-Lebanese border, while another was severely injured. They were working on an apple orchard in Metula, just 100m away from the border to Lebanon when a mortar strike hit them with little to no warning. The incident highlights the dependency of Israel's agricultural sector on Thai migrant workers, and the dangers they are exposed to. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
Thai PM Paetongtarn apologises as statute of limitations expires on Tak Bai massacre case
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has apologised for the deaths of 85 people in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre. She issued the apology a day before the statute of limitations lapses on the 20-year-old case. Saksith Saiyasombut tells us more about whether this apology has the potential to calm outrage over the incident.
CNA Correspondent: Thailand’s Southern Discomfort
A conflict festers in Thailand’s Deep South, where in one case, discontent has been ignored and denied for 20 years now. Nearly 100 people died in Tak Bai under official custody, and no one has been punished for it. Now, there is a chance to put things right, but time is running out. Will the families of the victims finally see justice served, or will it add fuel to the insurgency against the government?
20 Years After the Tak Bai Massacre, the Quest for Justice is Running out of Time
This weeks marks the 20th anniversary of the Tak Bai Massacre, in which 78 have lost their lives in a botched military transport of people arrested at a protest in the Deep Southern Thai town of Tak Bai (7 other have been killed in the dispersal prior). This is also the week when the statute of limitations run out as justice is still being sought for what has happened then. Recent legal actions saw several military officers charged, but none of them have been served and are said to have fled the country, hoping to sit the case out.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on South China Sea tensions (Full interview)
Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) need to make their voices heard in the South China Sea dispute, and speed up negotiations for a code of conduct for the contested waters, said Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in an interview with CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut on Oct 18.
A Thai father awaits return of his son held in Gaza for a year and counting
Apart from Israelis, migrant workers from Thailand were also among those taken hostage during the Hamas attack on Oct 7 last year. Two have since died, while another six are still believed to be held captive in Gaza. Apart from them, 39 Thais were killed in the attacks. Before the attacks, an estimated 30,000 Thais were working in Israel.
Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivers maiden policy speech
Thailand's new prime minister has outlined plans to tackle problematic economic issues. Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered her maiden policy speech in Parliament on Sep 12.
Earlier live report
What to expect from Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra ’s first policy speech
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to deliver her first policy speech in Parliament on Sep 12 morning. This comes almost exactly a month after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, unexpectedly lost his job after a Constitutional Court verdict. With the sudden change in leadership, the government will be emphasising continuity.
Thai PM Paetongtarn to continue predecessor's policies
Thailand's new government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is ready to govern. Following her swearing-in, Paetongtarn promised continuity with her predecessor's economic focus. Yet, despite the fresh leadership, she and her new cabinet are facing a tough road ahead.
New Thai PM, Cabinet to be sworn in after oath-taking in front of king
Thailand is set to officially welcome a new prime minister and her Cabinet. They are scheduled to take their oath in front of the king on Sep 6 night. The ceremony comes three weeks after a court ruling removed the then-leader over an ethics violation.
Thai king endorses PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra's new cabinet
Thailand's king has endorsed the new cabinet of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The new cabinet has 35 ministers -- maxing out the legal limit -- coming from seven different parties. Many key portfolios are keeping their ministers, especially the ones important to the ruling Pheu Thai Party, such as finance, commerce, transport and tourism. This marks the end of three weeks of political uncertainty, after the dismissal of Ms Shinawatra's predecessor Srettha Thavisin. But, greater certainty does not mean fewer challenges for the new government.
CNA Explains: What's next for Thailand after a month of political chaos?
Thailand's Constitutional Court on Aug 7 dissolved leading opposition party Move Forward, sparking a period of political turmoil that saw then-prime minister Srettha Thavisin dismissed a week later and Paetongtarn Shinawatra appointed as the country's new premier within 72 hours. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut makes sense of what it all means for Thailand.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Dissecting a dramatic week in Thai politics
In a span of a week, the popular Move Forward Party was dissolved, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was dismissed and ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter Paetongtarn was installed as the new PM. Teresa Tang breaks down all the developments with CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut.
Preview
Thaksin's lèse majesté court case adjourned to next July
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's lèse majesté case has been adjourned to next July next year. His lawyers said they expect the ruling to be handed down next year. Hearings will resume after the appearance of witnesses in several sessions leading up to July. The royal defamation case stems from an interview of Mr Thaksin in 2015 by a South Korean newspaper.
Thailand’s king endorses Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister
Paetongtarn Shinawatra has officially been appointed as Thailand’s new prime minister. She's the country's youngest-ever premier and the second woman to hold the top job. Her rise follows a tumultuous week marked by the dismissal of her predecessor Srettha Thavisin and her father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s recent royal pardon.
Lawmakers elect Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Thailand's next prime minister
Soon-to-be Thailand's youngest prime minister, 37-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has vowed to do her best to lead the country forward. Lawmakers voted her into the post, just two days after the former leader Srettha Thavisin was removed by court order over an ethics violation. Ms Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra. She will be Thailand's second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra to hold the top post. She will also be the youngest head of government in Asia. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut with more.
Earlier Coverage
Thailand's Pheu Thai coalition endorses Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn as PM candidate
Thailand's governing Pheu Thai-led coalition has agreed to back Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra for prime minister. Former premier Srettha Thavisin was removed from office yesterday over an ethics violation. Ms Paetongtarn, 37, is the daughter of former premier and political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra, and niece to ousted former leader Yingluck Shinawatra. If successful in the parliamentary ballot tomorrow, Ms Paetongtarn will be Thailand's second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra to hold the top post.
Thailand's Constitutional Court removes PM Srettha from office over ethics probe
In a fresh bout of political turmoil, Thailand is set to choose a new prime minister after a court removed Srettha Thavisin over an ethics violation that breached the constitution. Mr Srettha says he is saddened by the ruling and is confident of his honesty. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
Earlier Coverage
Thai PM faces possible ouster in court case
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin could potentially be ousted from office following a ruling by the country's Constitutional Court on Aug 14. The court is due to give its verdict on whether Mr Srettha committed an ethical violation when he appointed a Cabinet minister with a prior conviction. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut with more on the case.