Former Thai PM Thaksin formally indicted on royal defamation charges
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been indicted for allegedly insulting the monarchy in 2015. He has been granted bail, but is not allowed to leave the country without permission. The offence could see him jailed for up to 15 years. Mr Thaksin had returned to Thailand following more than a decade of self-exile. It is one of several court cases that could impact the government and the opposition, adding to political uncertainty in the kingdom.
Earlier live reports
Former Thai PM Thaksin to be formally indicted on lèse majesté charges
Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be formally indicted on allegations of royal defamation, an offense that could see him get up to 15 years behind bars. This is just one of several court cases taking place tomorrow (Tuesday, June 18, 2024) including another against the current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the main opposition party. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut looks at a string of potential political earthquakes.
CNA Exclusive Interview with Tshering Tobgay: Bhutan Prime Minister on the country's economy, culture, environment
In an exclusive interview with CNA, Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay talks about his country's economy, environment and culture, as well as how it's navigating its place in the region. He also touches on the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a special administrative region in southern Bhutan that focuses on mindfulness, sustainability, and harmony.
Impact of climate change, growing power needs on carbon-negative Bhutan
Bhutan is known as the world's first carbon-negative country. The nation of nearly 800,000 people is emitting less carbon dioxide than it is offsetting from the environment today. But can Bhutan continue its focus on conservation and renewable energy in the face of growing power demands, and the onslaught of climate change? CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut finds out.
CNA Correspondent: Bhutan - The Happiest Place on Earth?
Bhutan, a kingdom hidden away in the Himalayas, told the world once Gross National Happiness counts as much as GDP. Now, it has a new vision to take the country into the future. It will redefine capitalism and yet remain loyal to its famous focus on its people’s well-being. CNA Correspondent travels to Bhutan to find out if it has indeed found that winning formula to strike that delicate balance everyone is seeking between material wealth and happiness?
Decoding Bhutan's "Mindfulness Philosophy" and Economic Future
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is perhaps best known for giving the world its Gross National Happiness Index. That's a measure of how happy people are. For the Bhutanese, the GNH index is a national indicator that is not any less important than the GDP -- which is how the rest of the world measures progress. But that's not to say that economic growth does not matter for Bhutan. The Kingdom is facing a serious youth unemployment problem. Many young people are forced to leave the country for better jobs elsewhere. And Bhutan is trying to solve just that -- by rethinking how to improve the situation for its people. It has looked not just to boost jobs, or the economy and has instead turned to mindfulness. Saksith Saiyasombut explored Bhutan’s mindfulness philosophy in the latest episode of CNA Correspondent.
Exploring Bhutan's high-value-low-volume tourism policy
Bhutan is often described as the “last Shangri-La” because of its nature and spiritual allure. In an effort to conserve its culture and natural beauty, authorities have strictly controlled the number of travellers who can enter the Himalayan kingdom. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut explores whether Bhutan’s low-number-high-value tourism policy is a winning formula.
Panel Discussion with Damcho Rinzin, Chief Tourism Officer, Department of Tourism, Bhutan
Exploring Bhutan's place in the world amid China-India rivalry
The Kingdom of Bhutan -- often dubbed "the happiest place on earth" -- is nestled at the foot of the Himalayas, wedged between India and China. Amid the growing geopolitical rivalry between the two nuclear superpowers, CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut looks at how the South Asian nation is trying to safely carve its own path.