Registrations for Thailand's "Digital Wallet" cash handout opens Aug 1
Thailand will open sign-ups for its Digital Wallet cash handout on August 1. The country’s Finance Ministers presented more details of the scheme today, where 50 million Thais are eligible for a one-time payment of 10,000 Thai Baht or $275 to spent on goods in an effort to boost the Kingdom’s flagging economy.
Thailand's new senate convenes for first time following controversial selection process
Thailand's new senate has convened for the first time, following a controversial and complicated selection process. This batch of 200 new lawmakers replace the previous 250 senators who were-handpicked by the previous military government. The first order of business was to vote for a new senate speaker and their deputies. Mr Mongkol Surasajja, the former governor of Buriram province received the most votes. The upper chamber of Thailand's parliament is supposed to be independent from political parties, but it's not as straightforward as it seems.
Cyanide found in teacups shared by 6 foreigners found dead in Bangkok hotel
Thai police say they have detected traces of cyanide in the bodies of six foreigners found in a room in a luxury Bangkok hotel on Jul 16. Authorities are calling the incident a murder-suicide, with the culprit possibly among the dead. Full pathology results are expected before the end of the week.
Six people found dead in Bangkok hotel room in suspected poisoning
Six people were found dead at Bangkok's Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel on Tuesday, with the cause of death unconfirmed. Police are investigating the possibility of poisoning.
Thai banks admit lack of capacity to investigate Myanmar weapon payments
Major Thai banks defended themselves on Thursday against criticism that they facilitated weapons purchases by the Myanmar junta, saying they lacked the capacity to investigate all transactions that may be used for such purchases. This comes after UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Tom Andrews spoke before a Thai parliamentary committee on national security, highlighting the Myanmar military’s use of international banks to finance its weapons.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Bhutan’s Reputation as a Utopia Doesn’t Reflect Its Gritty Reality
The once isolated nation of Bhutan, nestled deep in the Himalayas, is now being forced to reckon with reality. Its government is eyeing cutting-edge technology to stem a brain drain and growing economic unhappiness. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut about how the country can hold onto its past even as it forges a new future.