Thailand’s main opposition party relaunches under new name - People’s Party
A new political party has been launched in Thailand. The People’s Party is the successor to the main opposition Move Forward Party which was disbanded by the Constitutional Court on Aug 7. While the party name itself is new, the faces and policies remain the same. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut reports.
Muay Thai's fight for international success and Olympic status
Many Asian sports are hoping to make a leap onto the world’s biggest sporting stage, including the ancient martial art of Muay Thai. It is being featured on the sidelines of the Games this year, taking it one step closer to becoming a part of the Olympic lineup in future. CNA's Ross Cullen joins a fight in Paris and Saksith Saiyasombut reports from the home of Muay Thai on the journey of Thailand’s national fight sport to the Olympics.
MPs of Thailand's dissolved Move Forward Party preparing to regroup under new banner
In Thailand, the remaining MPs of the dissolved Move Forward Party are set to regroup under a new party on Aug 9. On Aug 7, the Thai Constitutional Court ordered the biggest opposition party to be dissolved, banning 11 executives from politics for a whole decade. Saksith Saiyasombut reports on the latest political movements.
Thai constitutional court dissolves opposition Move Forward Party that won election
Thailand's largest opposition party, Move Forward, has been dissolved by court order, over its campaign promise to reform the royal defamation law. This marks the biggest blow to the party since its election victory a little more than a year ago. The verdict also bans 11 of the party's executives from political office for 10 years, effective immediately. This includes former prime ministerial hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat. The remaining Move Forward MPs will be able to keep their seats in parliament, if they find a new political party within 60 days. Saksith Saiyasombut reports.
What happens if Thai opposition Move Forward Party is dissolved?
The future of Thailand’s Move Forward Party hangs in the balance, as the country’s Constitutional Court will decide on a dissolution petition over the progressive-reformist campaign promise to amend a controversial royal defamation law. CNA looks how we got here and what could happen if the biggest opposition party gets the axe.
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.
Preview
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.
Discussion Panel with Prof. Ian Hall, Griffith University
Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 hit by turbulence, 1 British passenger dead
A Singapore Airlines flight from London made an emergency landing in Bangkok on Tuesday (May 21) due to severe turbulence, with one passenger on board dead and multiple injuries. Flight SQ321 reportedly dropped 6,000 feet in a matter of minutes.