Thai PM makes AI video appeal to Chinese tourists
“The Thai government attaches great importance to the safety of tourists,” says Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, speaking in Mandarin. Except it’s not actually her voice.
In an effort to reassure Chinese tourists about the safety of visiting Thailand amid concerns over human trafficking, the Thai government has released an AI-generated video featuring the leader.Hundreds tie the knot as Thailand becomes first in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions
Thailand has become the first in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions. In Bangkok, a special event at a shopping mall was held, where a pop-up registration readied to welcome up to 300 couples to tie the knot. Non-heterosexual couples can now enjoy inheritance and adoption rights. The law now uses gender-neutral terms such as "individuals" and "marriage partners", instead of "men", "women", "husbands" and "wives".
Thai PM assures Chinese tourists of country's commitment to improving safety
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has delivered a clear message on Thailand’s commitment to improving safety and combatting transnational crime. She has released an AI-generated video directly addressing tourists from mainland China. It is part of government efforts to rebuild confidence, following reports of Chinese nationals being trafficked to scam call centres in neighboring nations.
Cross-border scams: Is it safe for you to visit Thailand if you are Chinese?
China is cracking down on online scams after a series of cases. The most recent one involved Chinese actor Wang Xing, who went missing after he was tricked into going for a casting call in Thailand. He was later rescued from a scam syndicate in Myanmar. The incident caused a sharp rise in cancellations of travel plans to Thailand by Chinese tourists, citing safety concerns. CNA correspondents Tan Si Hui in Beijing and Saksith Saiyasombut in Bangkok spoke to Chinese tourists to find out what they think about travelling to Thailand.
A look at a local tribe in Thailand which miraculously survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
This week, Thailand marked 20 years since the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Five thousand people were killed, but a local tribe managed miraculously to survive with almost no casualties among them. Saksith Saiyasombut visited them and found that 20 years on from surviving the tsunami, they are facing a threat of a different kind.
Thousands across Thailand, Indonesia mark 20 years of devastating Indian Ocean tsunami
Today marks two decades since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed around 230,000 people across multiple countries. Thailand is holding ceremonies to honour the thousands of lives lost. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from a remembrance event in Khao Lak — one of the worst-affected areas in southern Thailand. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, thousands have gathered at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh. Saifulbahri Ismail shares how the disaster became a catalyst for peace in once-restive Aceh province.
ASEAN-Myanmar talks: Bloc holds discussions on Myanmar's plans to hold elections
Thailand hosts ASEAN officials who held talks with China, India and Bangladesh to discuss the ongoing crisis in Myanmar and the military government's plan to hold polls. Incoming chair Malaysia has not given up on its peace plan for the conflict-torn ASEAN member.
Malaysian PM Anwar proposes appointing former Thai premier Thaksin as ASEAN adviser
Malaysia's prime minister is reaching out to former heavyweight government officials around ASEAN to become advisers. Anwar Ibrahim preparing to take the chair of the regional bloc next year. Among the names are ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Mr Anwar made the announcement on the sidelines of a bilateral meeting with current Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Putrajaya.
Thai PM Paetongtarn presents progress report after 3 months in office
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has marked three months in office, with a reaffirmation of continuity in her government’s policies. Speaking in a televised event, she was optimistic on unity in her administration on the need to ensure strength in the economy.
A review of Thai PM Paetongtarn's achievements in the past 3 months
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to deliver an address on Dec 12, as she marks 90 days since her maiden policy speech as leader. Saksith Saiyasombut reviews what her cabinet has achieved in the last three months.
Thailand in negotiations to secure release of four fishermen detained by Myanmar
Thailand has protested an incident early Saturday, where Myanmar's navy fired on a group of Thai fishing vessels. One crew member drowned after he leapt overboard. Myanmar detained four Thai nationals and 31 Myanmar crew members, including their trawler. Bangkok is in negotiations to release the Thai nationals and the return of the boat. Since the Myanmar military coup in 2021, there have been several border incidents with Thailand, mainly stemming from armed conflict between the military government and ethnic armed rebels.
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.