Pope Francis holds mass at Bangkok's National Stadium
Thousands of people gathered at Bangkok's National Stadium on Nov 21 as Pope Francis held a mass. The pontiff is in Thailand as part of his week-long trip in Asia. Many Catholics from around the region have flown into Thailand to catch a glimpse of the Pope.
Thai opposition leader Thanathorn disqualified as MP for breaching electoral laws
Thailand's opposition Future Forward Party (FFP) leader has been disqualified as a member of parliament. The Constitution Court found Mr Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit guilty for breaching electoral laws, by illegally holding shares in a media company. That is despite the defence saying that the company had ceased to exist months before the elections. The Future Forward Party is the second biggest opposition and also the most vocal opposition in Thai parliament. The party itself is also facing at least a dozen of charges and complaints, mostly filed by political opponents.
Thailand's Future Forward Party leader faces court verdict over disqualification as MP
Thailand's opposition Future Forward Party leader is set to find out if his political career is set to be grounded. A long-awaited verdict in the constitutional court will be handed down on Nov 20.
At least 15 people gunned down in ambush in southern Thailand
At least 15 people have been gunned down in southern Thailand in an ambush at two security checkpoints. It is the worst single attack in years in the region.
ASEAN Summit: India says it will not join RCEP trade deal
India said it will not be joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The pact -- which would have been the world's biggest trade agreement -- was supposed to cover all 10 Southeast Asian countries and six other countries, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Thai Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha said that negotiations had concluded, and that ASEAN is committed to sign the deal by 2020.
UN Secretary-General Addresses Climate Change, Rakhine State Crisis at ASEAN Summit
Summarizing today's events at the 35th ASEAN 2019 Summit with UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressing the ASEAN leaders and the challenges facing them.
Thai PM calls ASEAN to "Fostering Partnerships"
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha calls the ASEAN community to foster partnerships because "ASEAN could not go at it alone". Also: Bahrain and Germany are signing on for the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in SE Asia and we spoke to the German Ambassador to ASEAN about it.
Thailand launches anti-fake news centre amid censorship concerns
Thailand's anti-fake news centre has been launched, amid concerns about censorship. The centre uses artificial intelligence and trained human monitors to flag posts. There are officers 24/7 monitoring and receiving complaints about fake news. But, critics are worried the government-run facility could act without oversight and impartiality. Thai authorities have ramped up cyber surveillance in the past 10 years, mostly targeting online posts deemed insulting to the monarchy.
Water levels of Mekong River fall to critical level
The water levels of the Mekong River have fallen to a critical level. There are now worsening fears of a major drought along parts of the crucial waterway.
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha's government marks 100 days in office
One hundred days ago, Thailand's new government took office after the March elections. This brought an end to five years of military rule. CNA looks at the first 100 days of the new government and its challenges ahead.
Thai parliament holds contentious debate on 2020 budget
Thailand's parliament has begun a contentious debate on the country's 2020 budget. After scrutinising the bill, lawmakers are expected to vote on the US$105 billion fiscal plan.
Thai PM defends 3.2 trillion Baht budget in parliament
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has defended his 3.2 trillion Budget Bill for the year 2020 at the start of a two-to-three day parliamentary debate session.
Thailand to begin first parliamentary reading of Budget Bill 2020 on Oct 17
Thailand’s parliament will be debating the Budget Bill for 2020 on Oct 17. It is the first budget debate under the new elected government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. He will be facing a parliamentary opposition for the first time. The new budget comes in at a grand total of 3.2 trillion Thai baht, or about US$106 billion. The budget bill has to pass the first reading in parliament first and two more in January before it can finally go into effect in February 2020.
C-Suite: Interview with Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of CP Group & Chairman Of The Board Of True Corporation
In a wide-ranging interview with CNA's Thailand Correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut, CEO of CP Group Suphachai Chearavanont talks about nurturing start-ups, and the role of 5G technology in improving Thailand's economy.
Thailand first in Asia to roll out standardised plain cigarette packaging
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.