Uncertain future for King Power after chairman's death
As Thailand’s King Power Group mourns the loss of its founder and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in a helicopter crash last Saturday, the company faces an uncertain future, not only about succession but also challenges to its duty-free monopoly.
Tributes pour in for Leicester City, King Power owner killed in helicopter crash
Tributes pour in from around the world after the death of King Power chairman and Leicester City Football Club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in a helicopter crash on Saturday among with four others. Here's the mood from King Power HQ in Bangkok.
Pheu Thai Party votes new leadership
The Pheu Thai Party, which has been outed of power in the 2014 military coup, has voted a new leadership in preparation for the new democratic elections early next year. And there are many familiar faces at the helm.
Malaysian PM Visits Thailand in Bid to Revive Deep South Peace Talks
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is in Bangkok on a two-day visit. One of the key talking points in his meeting with his Thai counterpart is the ongoing seperatist insurgency in the Deep South along the border with Malaysia.
Deep South Conflict to be Discussed at Malaysia PM Mahathir's Visit to Bangkok
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is set to visit Thailand on Wednesday. One of the likely major talking points between him and his Thai counterpart General Prayut Chan-ocha is the ongoing and deadly separatist conflict in Thailand’s deep south along the border with Malaysia.
Disgraced former 'jet-set monk' found guilty of rape
A disgraced former Buddhist monk who rose to infamy as the 'jet-set monk' has been found guilty of raping a minor. He has been sentenced to 16 years in prison on top of a previous sentence for embezzlement and fraud. Here's our report.
Progress in combatting wildlife trafficking in Thailand, but not enough
On the occaision of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in London, we look how Thailand has been doing in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. And while there has been some progress, it's not enough yet.
Maya Bay remains closed indefinitely
Thai officials have closed Maya Bay in Krabi province indefinitely. It was supposed to be temporarily shut from June to September to allow the strained eco system to recover from the thousands of tourists that have visited the popular beach. I explain why it remains closed.
Future Forward Party outlines next months before election campaign
The newly-established Future Forward Party has presented its next steps for coming months in the run-up of democratic elections early next year. Here's my report on the party’s plans and its challenges ahead.
FULL TRANSCRIPT
As Thailand’s political landscape slowly awakes from its forced slumber since the military coup of 2014, the political parties are holding their first official activities after a partial lift on these activity restrictions a few weeks ago.
The newly established Future Forward Party has outlined its next steps in the run up of democratic elections for next year, but before that it was showcasing its - at least for Thai political standards - very progressive ideals, including opposing the current military government and any long-lasting legacies it may or may not leave behind. More importantly, the party wants to re-establish trust in the democratic system.
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, Co-Founder Future Forward Party:
"[The people need] their power, their rights, their voices, their part in the decision making. They need new opportunities in order to progress and contribute to the economy and society. They need the public infrastructure and the public assistance as a foundation."
Furthermore, the party wants to utilize an online-based membership drive in order to get as many new recruits to the party as possible in the next few months. Would-be members can sign up online as opposed to the usual paperwork conventional parties would require.
As for the challenges ahead, not only do they have to fight against established parties with established voter bases upcountry and translate the hype from the launch into actual votes - the founder of the party, 38-year old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and two other members have been recently charged with computer crimes after criticizing the current military government.
When asked whether this will be a concern in the coming months, Thanatorn’s remains defiant:
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit; Co-Founder Future Forward Party:
"The case against the three of us, it’s not a pressing concern for us. [In English] It’s not our concern, not our pressing concern. It’s not deterring us from walking the way we walk right now."
While political parties can now hold meetings and recruit new members, they still cannot go out and campaign. That is still prohibited by the restrictions of the current military, but they are expected to lifted by the end of this year or beginning of next year as the first democratic elections since 2011 are tentatively scheduled for as early as February and as late as May next year.
Thailand’s auto industry gears up for electric vehicles
Thailand is the largest car manufacturer in ASEAN and it's often called the "Detroit of Asia". But car makers are facing the slow demise of the internal combustion engine and the dawn of electric vehicles.
Thai police charge Future Forward Party Founder, 2 members over Facebook Live criticism of military govt
Thai police have charged the founder of the อนาคตใหม่ - Future Forward Party and two other members for violating a computer crime law, after the miltiary government has filed a complaint against them following a Facebook Live stream on June 29 criticizing the miltiary. Here's my live cross on Channel NewsAsia explaining what that means for the party and their impact, even though elections are not happening until next year.
Bangkok's Dusit Zoo bids farewell
Bangkok’s Dusit Zoo is closing at the end of this month and visitors are rushing to see the animals one last time before moving to Pathum Thani. Here’s our story.
Enacted bills trigger countdown to Thai elections next year
The countdown is on. Two new laws have been enacted and published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday, sealing a long-awaited deadline for elections by May 2019. This is the first step to a general election for Thailand after military coup toppled the elected government four years ago. Here's my live cross on Channel NewsAsia to explain the details and the road ahead.
Little progress as Bangkok UN Climate Change Conference ends
The United Nations Climate Change talks in Bangkok wraps today. Over 190 nations have gathered in the Thai capital to streamline differences ahead of the December UN Climate Summit in Poland. Their aim was to firm up the terms of the 2015 Paris Agreement. But the talks made little progress.
Still far away from reducing global warming, say experts at UN Climate Change Conference
The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bangkok is nearing its end but there are still major disagreements between the delegates from over 190 nations. The issue of financial support to developing nations to combat the effects of climate change has become the biggest obstacle, with more nations coming out to openly complain about the apparent gridlock just before the last day of the conference. Meanwhile, our Channel NewsAsia Correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut, who has been following the developments at the UN in Bangkok, is also exploring another major aspect in the fight against climate change.
Disagreements over financial support biggest stumbling block at UN Climate Conference
With only two days left at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bangkok there are still major disagreements between the delegates from over 190 nations. It is being reported that financial support to developing nations to combat the effects of climate change remains the biggest stumbling block.
Thai government throws lavish 'Thank You' party for cave rescuers and volunteers
Thailand is hosting a massive party to celebrate the rescue of the Wild Boars football team and their coach. The thanksgiving feast dubbed "United as One" will be held in Bangkok's Royal Plaza. It aims to honour the hundreds of participants in the rescue mission at Tham Luang cave, last month. This afternoon, the 12 boys attended a public forum at a mall ahead of the event. They'll be the guests of honour at tonight's festivities.
Traditional weaving industry in Thailand
The art of traditional weaving is popular in Thailand. Saksith Saiyasombut finds out that despite concerns about the future of the trade, sericulture - the production of silk and rearing of silkworms - is alive and well in parts of the rural heartland.
Challenges ahead of UN climate change talks in Bangkok
A top UN official says that the effects of climate change will "only get worse" and that countries to "adapt" as new climate talks are being held this week in Bangkok. This week’s UN Climate Change Conference will serve as a precursor to the big climate summit later this year in the Polish city of Katowice. Meanwhile, climate and rights groups urge delegates to do more for developing countries that are most affected by climate change.
Thai police investigate Koh Tao rape case
Thai police and forensic officials are to visit the Koh Tao today to investigate an allegation by a British tourist that she was drugged, robbed and raped during her stay on the island in late June this year. Koh Tao island in the gulf of Thailand is a popular tourist destination, especially among young backpackers. But series of tourist deaths in the past few years has raised concerns about the security there. Here's my report.