Standardised plain packaging for cigarettes has been made mandatory in Thailand, which is the first country in Asia to adopt such a rule. Health officials are hoping that the move will reduce the number of smokers in Thailand, where around 19% of the population aged 15 and older smoke regularly. Health advocates ultimately aim to reduce the population of smokers in Thailand to 5%.
Thai opposition to file motion against PM Prayut for #oathgaffe
Thai opposition parties are filing a motion for a parliamentary debate on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha's incomplete swearing-in oath. The debate would focus on Mr Prayut's failure to show up in parliament to explain the matter.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut takes 'sole responsibility' for incomplete oath
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said that he will take sole responsibility for failing to recite the full oath of allegiance when he and his Cabinet were sworn in. In an official ceremony in July, Mr Prayut and 35 ministers had omitted the last sentence of the oath about upholding and complying with the Constitution. No explanation was given as to why this happened. Thai opposition politicians have raised the issue, saying that the mistake could render the current government illegitimate.
S Korea, Japan escalate trade spat / Thai PM orders investigation into Bangkok blasts
South Korea and Japan have esclated their trade war, downgrading their trade relations with each other, overshadowing the ASEAN Foreign Minsiters' Meeting. Also: all the latest updates in the Bangkok blasts that have rocked the city earlier this morning.
Many injured after several blasts hit Bangkok
Three people are injured after three explosions went off in Bangkok, rattling the Thai capital as it hosted the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Brexit, ties with Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region
Why did the UK's new foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, choose Thailand for his first international visit? And how confident is he that the new UK government can deliver Brexit by Oct 31? CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut speaks to him in Bangkok, Thailand.
US will not ask Southeast Asian allies to take sides: Mike Pompeo
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted that Washington would never ask Southeast Asian allies to take sides as tensions continued to rise with its rival China. He made the remarks after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers meeting in Bangkok on Aug 1. The pair discussed bilateral relations, the One China policy and denuclearisation talks with North Korea. Both sides said the talks were positive.
China, ASEAN have made 'major progress' on South China Sea code of conduct
Speaking at a meeting between China and ASEAN foreign ministers in Bangkok, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said consultations on a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea have made "major progress". Mr Wang said China and ASEAN countries have finished the first reading of the COC Single Draft Negotiating Text ahead of schedule.
Remembering those behind Thailand’s Tham Luang cave rescue
The rescue effort to bring 12 boys and their football coach out of the Tham Luang cave complex in northern Thailand was an unprecedented operation involving thousands. One year on, CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut met up with a first responder as well as the widow of a Navy Seal diver who lost his life trying to save them.
Thai cave rescue, one year on: Authorities pledge to turn site into tourist attraction
It has been a year since the Wild Boars football team was rescued from the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand. Authorities have pledged to turn the cave area into a tourist attraction.