Thai Parliament dissolved, paving way for elections in May
The Thai parliament will soon be dissolved to pave the way for a general election in May. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has submitted the decree for a royal endorsement of the dissolution. The dissolution comes after the Election Commission completed its constituency mapping. The final day of the House's four-year term will be on Mar 23, but it is widely expected to be dissolved by Mar 20.
Thai parliament to be dissolved to pave the way for May general election
The Thai parliament will soon be dissolved to pave the way for a general election in May. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has submitted the decree for a royal endorsement of the dissolution. The dissolution comes after the Election Commission completed its constituency mapping. The final day of the House's four-year term will be on Mar 23, but it is widely expected to be dissolved by Mar 20.
Residents in Thai village near border still feel uneasy as Myanmar crisis continues
One afternoon in June 2022, a small village in Thailand’s Tak province went into panic when a fighter jet from Myanmar appeared overhead, violating Thai airspace. CNA visited the community that has been brought uncomfortably close to the conflict taking place just a short walk across the border in Myanmar.
How the Myanmar military coup has affected the Karen ethnic group
The Karen, an ethnic group that lives on both sides of the Thai-Myanmar border, have been fighting for independence for decades. With reports suggesting that fighting has intensified, CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut travels there to find out what the situation has been with the Karens.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Has huge international interest in Muay Thai diluted its traditional roots?
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a symbol of cultural pride and identity and now, Thailand’s national sport is generating huge interest internationally. But with it comes the fear that it will lose its ancient traditions. With dreams of the sport making its Olympic debut growing bigger, Teresa Tang talks to correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut about how Muay Thai could change, and what is being done to preserve it.
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha switches party to run for next election
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced his bid to remain the country's premier, switching parties to the United Thai Nation Party. Mr Prayut was originally from the Palang Pracharath Party, which leads the ruling coalition. However, the party has been in decay due to factionalism and infighting.
Thailand awaits Chinese tourists
Tourists from mainland China made up a quarter of Thailand's visitor arrivals before the pandemic. This year, the Southeast Asian nation expects 5 million visitors from China as it reopens its borders.
The Year Ahead 2023: Thailand's Inevitable Elections?
After 4 turbulent years, Thailand is going to the polls again in 2023. Will PM Prayut Chan-ocha be able to keep in power, albeit only for 2 years? Or will others take over powers? And can Thai politics be part of the solution to the people's problems - and not be part of it once again?
CNA Correspondent: Muay Thai - Fighting for the Future (Full Episode)
Thailand’s national martial arts, Muay Thai (or Thai boxing), is in the spotlight — boxers may soon be fighting their way to the Olympics. But the road to the top is paved with sweat, tears, hopes and heartbreak. CNA Correspondent meets those who have made it big and those fighting to join them, and finds out the price they have to pay to make it in Thailand’s national sport.
Muay Thai sets its sights on Olympic glory
Thailand’s national martial art Muay Thai, which has an increasingly global audience, could soon make its debut on the world’s biggest sporting stage, the Olympics. But not everyone is thrilled. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut reports.
TRAILER: "Muay Thai - Fighting for the Future" - CNA Correspondent | Wed (30 Nov) at 8.30pm BK
Muay Thai’s time in the spotlight is now. Thailand’s national martial arts now looking to the future, with new players entering the sport and fighting its way to the Olympics. But away from the million-baht arenas, it’s the road to the top is paved with sweat, tears, hopes and heartbreak. CNA Correspondent meets those who have made it big, those fighting to join them and find out the price they have to pay to make it in Thailand’s national sport.
"Muay Thai - Fighting for the Future" airs on Wednesday, 30 Nov, at 8.30pm BK on CNA and is available as VOD on CNA Insider.
APEC Summit ends with joint leader statement condemning Ukraine War
Asia-Pacific leaders wrapping up a weeklong summit in Bangkok, in which 21 member economies discussed ways to steer the region through the turmoils of war, a pandemic and other threats to peace and stability. On the last day, they added their voices to international pressure on Russia over its invasion in Ukraine, issuing a joint statement saying most of its members condemn the war.
APEC Summit: US VP Kamala Harris, regional allies condemn Pyongyang's missile launch
APEC leaders have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A joint statement signed at the 29th APEC Summit also further advances economic integration in the region.
EARLIER REPORT
World leaders meet on sidelines on eve of APEC Summit in Bangkok
World leaders are arriving in Bangkok for the APEC Summit, capping off a back-to-back-to-back series of international meetings in Southeast Asia. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut reports on the flurry of diplomatic activities and what to look out for when the summit starts on Friday.
EARLIER REPORT
Thailand Hosts APEC Summit, But Global Issues Overshadow Meeting
Thailand is all geared up to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit this evening, as it enters the final lap of its year-long chairmanship of the organisation. As leaders from the APEC economies start arriving in the Thai capital for the two-day summit, CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut takes to the streets of Bangkok to find out what APEC means to ordinary Thais as well as Thailand as the host economy.
Gunman kills dozens at Thailand childcare centre
At least 38 people, many of them children, have been killed in a shooting rampage in northeastern Thailand. Ten other people were injured in the attack that began at a childcare centre. The gunman is among the fatalities. He reportedly took his own life after he fled the scene. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has sent his condolences to the victims and their loved ones.
EARLIER REPORT
Thai Constitutional Court rules PM Prayut has not reached 8-year term limit
Thailand's Constitutional Court will rule on the fate of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tomorrow (Sep 30). It will decide whether the former coup leader has hit the term limit of eight years. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has taken over duties since then and has used this time for more walkabouts in the provinces. Observers said these appearances are the first rehearsals for Mr Prawit -- who’s also the leader of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party -- for the next election campaign within the next few months.
EARLIER REPORT
How Constitutional Court ruling on Thai PM Prayut's term limit could affect his political career
Thailand's Constitutional Court will rule on the fate of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tomorrow (Sep 30). It will decide whether the former coup leader has hit the term limit of eight years. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has taken over duties since then and has used this time for more walkabouts in the provinces. Observers said these appearances are the first rehearsals for Mr Prawit -- who’s also the leader of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party -- for the next election campaign within the next few months.
Thailand joins race to lure high-income foreign talent
Thailand is offering perks to draw foreign talent as it tries to revive its economy and secure its long-term economic future. Applicants must either have $80,000 in annual income or half as much when they hold a Master's degree relevant to their profession, and in some cases, an existing investment of up to $500,000. In exchange, a 10-year long-term resident visa awaits, including a work permit and a 17% personal income tax - almost half of what people in a similar income bracket would pay.
2 dead, 1 injured in shooting at Thai military education facility
Two people were killed and one injured after a shooting incident inside a military education facility in Bangkok. Police have a suspect in custody.