Many workers feared trapped at site of skyscraper collapse in Bangkok after Myanmar earthquake
CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut is at the scene of a collapsed skyscraper in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok. Many workers are feared trapped there after the under-construction building came down amid tremors from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in neighbouring Myanmar. At least three people are dead from the building collapse in the Thai capital, officials say. Bangkok has declared a disaster zone.
Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra survives no-confidence vote
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has survived a no-confidence vote in parliament, just over six months into the job. 319 MPs among 488 present voted to keep her in office. The opposition had called for the vote, accusing her of being unqualified for the job and taking orders from her father, former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thai PM faces no-confidence vote
Thailand’s parliament is debating a censure motion on Monday (Mar 24) against the country’s prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, which could result in a no confidence vote against her. Ms Paetongtarn has been in office since last August. And the opposition says she has shown herself to be – in their words - untrustworthy to continue as prime minister.
Thai delegation to visit Xinjiang to verify condition of 40 deportees
A Thai government delegation is headed for China’s Xinjiang region to follow up on the condition of Uyghur refugees deported last month. The deportation sparked international condemnation, with concerns raised about members of the Muslim minority group facing persecution in China.
US, Japan embassies warn citizens in Thailand of possible terror attacks after Uyghur deportation
The US and Japanese embassies in Bangkok have warned their citizens in Thailand of possible terror attacks, after the kingdom deported dozens of Uyghurs to China. The US embassy noted that the last deportation of Uyghurs from Thailand in 2015 had been followed by a bomb attack at Bangkok's famous Erawan Shrine. Thai authorities at the time concluded the attack was linked to their crackdown on a human trafficking ring. Meanwhile, Thailand has played host to China and Myanmar for talks to develop long-term strategies for combating cross-border crime, including scams and call centre gangs.
Thailand deports 40 Uyghurs back to China
Thailand has sent back to China 40 Uyghurs, who have been held for more than a decade after fleeing China's Xinjiang region. Rights groups claim the Uyghurs in Xinjiang face persecution from Chinese authorities. The Thai defence ministry said Beijing reassured that it would look after the deportees from the ethnic minority group. The UN said it deeply regrets the move by Thailand, calling it a clear violation of Bangkok's obligations under international law. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Thailand's border with Cambodia.
First batch of Chinese workers rescued from scam centres in Myanmar repatriated
The first batch of Chinese nationals involved in scam centers in Myanmar have left for China from Thailand. They are among hundreds of foreigners turned over to Thai authorities. Thailand’s deputy prime minister was at the airport to monitor the departure, but declined to comment when asked if those on board were people running the scam centres. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut reports.
China and Thailand hold talks on Repatriation of Chinese scam Center Workers
Thailand is preparing to step up the repatriation of people coming from the scam centres operating across the border with Myanmar. A high ranking Chinese official met with Thailand's deputy prime minister and defence minister on Feb 19, with the repatriation of Chinese nationals expected to begin soon. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut with more from the meeting in Bangkok.
CNA Correspondent podcast: Human trafficking and online scams worsens in Southeast Asia
It's a crime where perpetrators are often victims themselves. Cyberscam centres have mushroomed across Southeast Asia, and the unrest in Myanmar is making it even easier for crime syndicates to operate there. Teresa Tang sits down with CNA's May Wong and Saksith Saiyasombut in this episode.
Myanmar's military, ethnic militia pledge to crack down on scam centres
China has continued to put the heat on scam syndicates operating on the Thai-Myanmar border. Under pressure from Beijing, the Myanmar military government and a rival ethnic minority militia operating in the region have vowed to crack down on criminal gangs preying on foreign nationals. Chinese actor Wang Xing went missing in a high-profile case last month. He was promptly rescued from suspected traffickers and returned safely to China. Since then, Thailand has been on a blitz to restore Chinese confidence in the country as a holiday destination.
CNA Correspondent: Thai Hostages Released In Israel, Reunite With Their Families
The Thai men had gone halfway around the world for jobs, for better lives. Instead they were taken hostage and held captive, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. More than a year passed with no news if they would be released. Then one night, everything changed.
The Thai hostages who finally returned home after 15 months in captivity in Gaza
Dozens of Thai nationals working at Israel's border with Gaza were seized by Hamas militants in a surprise attack on Oct 7, 2023. Some were released a month later but six remained in captivity through the 15-month war between Israel and Hamas. Finally, on Jan 30 this year, five of the six Thai hostages were freed and have returned to Thailand. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut has followed their story since day.
Five Thai hostages return home after more than a year in Hamas captivity
Five Thai nationals who were held hostage by Hamas for more than a year in Gaza are back on home soil. The group is the second batch of Thai nationals to be released since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October 2023. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
Thailand cuts electricity, internet to five border areas in Myanmar to tackle scam centres
Thailand has cut electricity, internet and fuel supplies to five border areas in Myanmar, in an attempt to choke scam centres, which have put a damper on arrivals of foreign tourists, particularly those from neighbouring China. The move comes as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra begins her official visit to China, which is supposed to kick off the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties. Saksith Saiyasombut shares what the prime minister hopes to achieve on her trip.
Father of Thai hostage in Gaza receives confirmation of his son’s release
CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut was with Wilas Thaenna in Thailand when he saw his son freed from captivity in Gaza after 15 months. His son, Pongsak Thaenna, had been held hostage by Hamas from Oct 7, 2023, along with dozens of others. He and 5 other Thai nationals were released by militants in Gaza on Thursday (Jan 30) as part of a hostage-prisoner swap.
Thai PM makes AI video appeal to Chinese tourists
“The Thai government attaches great importance to the safety of tourists,” says Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, speaking in Mandarin. Except it’s not actually her voice.
In an effort to reassure Chinese tourists about the safety of visiting Thailand amid concerns over human trafficking, the Thai government has released an AI-generated video featuring the leader.Hundreds tie the knot as Thailand becomes first in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions
Thailand has become the first in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions. In Bangkok, a special event at a shopping mall was held, where a pop-up registration readied to welcome up to 300 couples to tie the knot. Non-heterosexual couples can now enjoy inheritance and adoption rights. The law now uses gender-neutral terms such as "individuals" and "marriage partners", instead of "men", "women", "husbands" and "wives".
Thai PM assures Chinese tourists of country's commitment to improving safety
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has delivered a clear message on Thailand’s commitment to improving safety and combatting transnational crime. She has released an AI-generated video directly addressing tourists from mainland China. It is part of government efforts to rebuild confidence, following reports of Chinese nationals being trafficked to scam call centres in neighboring nations.
Cross-border scams: Is it safe for you to visit Thailand if you are Chinese?
China is cracking down on online scams after a series of cases. The most recent one involved Chinese actor Wang Xing, who went missing after he was tricked into going for a casting call in Thailand. He was later rescued from a scam syndicate in Myanmar. The incident caused a sharp rise in cancellations of travel plans to Thailand by Chinese tourists, citing safety concerns. CNA correspondents Tan Si Hui in Beijing and Saksith Saiyasombut in Bangkok spoke to Chinese tourists to find out what they think about travelling to Thailand.