Thai government orders flags at half-mast in mourning for Pope Francis

BANGKOK: The Thai government has ordered all government agencies and state enterprises to lower their flags to half-mast for three days as a mark of respect and mourning for Pope Francis. The directive will come into effect from Wednesday to Friday (April 23–25). Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra issued the directive following the death of Pope Francis on...

Paetongtarn to make official visit to Cambodia on Wednesday

BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (pic) will make an official visit to Cambodia on Wednesday (April 23) to mark the 75th anniversary of bilateral ties, the government spokesman said on Sunday. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said Paetongtarn would visit Cambodia on Wednesday and Thursday at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Jirayu said Paetongtarn...

Multiple earthquakes strike Thailand and Myanmar

BANGKOK: On Monday (April 14), a series of earthquakes were reported in Thailand and Myanmar, with the strongest tremor measuring 5.3 magnitude. Earthquake Observation Division, Thai Department of Meteorology (TMD) reported that the epicentre of this quake was located in Myanmar, approximately 10 kilometres from the Thai border. Several smaller earthquakes were also recorded in Myanmar, ranging...

Chinese developer under scrutiny over Bangkok tower quake collapse

BANGKOK: A Chinese construction company is facing questions over the deadly collapse of a Bangkok skyscraper -- the only major building in the capital to fall in a catastrophic earthquake that has killed more than 2,000 people in Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar. The 30-storey tower, still under construction, was to house government offices, but the shaking...

Man wanted for alleged embezzlement in China arrested in Thailand

BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): A 30-year-old Chinese man holding Vanuatu nationality was recently arrested for allegedly embezzling 11 billion baht from a Chinese construction company and overstaying his visa in Thailand, the Immigration Bureau said on Saturday night. Immigration police discovered that the suspect, identified as Zhang Wei, had entered illegally and hidden himself in Bangkok. Investigators...

Postpone all non-essential visits to southern Thailand, urges Wisma Putra

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians travelling to or residing in Thailand's southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat are urged to exercise caution and to remain vigilant following recent security incidents. The Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Sunday (March 9), also recommended Malaysians to postpone all non-essential visits to the provinces for the time being. As a precautionary measure,...

Thai court denies Thaksin request to attend Asean meeting in Indonesia

BANGKOK: Thailand’s criminal court has denied former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s (pic) request to leave the country to attend the Asean meeting in Indonesia on March 7, following an invitation from the Indonesian president. Thaksin, who is facing charges under Article 112 of the Criminal Code (lese-majeste law), submitted his request at the criminal court on...

Wooing Chinese tourists, Thai leader Paetongtarn says she has ‘Chinese blood in her’

BEIJING/BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand's prime minister, seeking to allay security concerns among Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, said she had "Chinese blood in her" and that she had personally looked into security protocols in place to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens. Security in Thailand has become a trending topic of conversation among Chinese nationals, by far the...

Thai police hunt Cambodian over ex-politician’s murder

BANGKOK: Thai police said Wednesday (Jan 15) they are hunting a Cambodian national believed to be the mastermind behind the killing of a Cambodian opposition politician in downtown Bangkok last week. Lim Kimya, a former lawmaker for the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was shot dead last week by a motorcyclist as he arrived in...

Cold to very cold in Thailand, less rain in South

BANGKOK: Strong high pressure system is prolonging the current cold spell in much of Thailand, but rain is expected to ease in the South. Cold to very cold weather has been forecast for the upper part of Thailand as the strong high-pressure system from China extends to cover upper Thailand and the South China Sea, the...