CNA Correspondent: My Father’s Daughter - What It Took For Asia's Many Women Leaders To Rise To The Top
Asia is no stranger to female leaders. From India's Indira Gandhi to Thailand's Paetongtarn Shinawatra, they ran countries across the spread of the continent over the span of recent history. Yet they have all come to power as descendants of influential families. Why have most Asian women only risen to power as their father's daughters?
Sanae Takaichi is one frontrunner in this weekend's LDP leadership race in Japan. She has polled well as a contender, which puts her in position to potentially take office as prime minister in what would make her Japan's first female premier. Asia has seen its share of women taking top office. From family legacies to successors, CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut and Afifah Ariffin delve into how female leaders in Asia rise to power.
Thailand's new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cabinet sworn into office
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Cabinet has been sworn in, marking the nation's third in two years. This comes less than a month after the ouster of former leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra over an ethics violation, which sent the country into another political crisis. The 36-member Cabinet includes Mr Anutin, who also takes on the role of interior minister. The line-up is largely filled by figures in Mr Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party. The new administration is expected to deliver a mandatory policy statement by end-September. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from the Government House in Bangkok.
Thai king approves PM Anutin Charnvirakul's Cabinet
The Thai king has approved the new Cabinet under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. But as CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut reports, time is short for a new government up against formidable challenges.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Billionaire behind bars: Thai court sends ex-PM Thaksin back to jail
A watershed ruling has sent former leader Thaksin Shinawatra to jail for one year. The verdict comes shortly after the daughter of the once self-exiled icon was ousted from the prime minister's office. Is political stability finally on the horizon? Teresa Tang sits down with CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut to dissect the developments.
Thai ex-PM Thaksin must serve one year in jail after hospital detention deemed unlawful
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is being held at the Bangkok Remand Prison, after receiving a one-year prison sentence from the Supreme Court. His previous hospital detention from August 2023 to February 2024 has been deemed unlawful. The judges said the 76-year-old embellished his illness and therefore, his hospitalisation could not be counted as time served. The verdict — which comes after Mr Thaksin's daughter, former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was sacked by the Constitutional Court earlier this month — is another major blow for a powerful family that has dominated Thai politics for two decades. Saksith Saiyasombut reports.
Former PM Thaksin has returned to Thailand ahead of court verdict, says party official
Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the country, a day before a Supreme Court verdict that could send the billionaire to prison. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut has more on what’s at stake in the verdict on Sep 9.
Thai PM Paetongtarn faces dismissal on alleged ethics violation over leaked call
A court verdict on Aug 29 could end the political career of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The 39-year-old is currently suspended from duty while being investigated for an alleged ethics violation. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut has more from Bangkok.
Thai Criminal Court dismisses royal insult case against former PM Thaksin
The Thai Criminal Court has dismissed a royal insult case against 76-year-old former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. However, the legal and political challenges against him and his family — including his daughter, suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra — are not over. Next Friday, the Constitutional Court will deliver its verdict against Ms Paetongtarn, who has been accused of ethical violations in a leaked phone call with Cambodia's Hun Sen. The next few weeks are being watched with anticipation to see if this is the beginning of the end of the Shinawatras in Thai politics. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
Suspended Thai PM Paetongtarn testifies over leaked phone call with Cambodia's Hun Sen
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has been suspended from duty, has given her testimony before Thailand's Constitutional Court in a hearing that could end her political career. She is accused of breaching ethics and integrity clauses in the Constitution for her phone call with Cambodian former-PM Hun Sen that was leaked into the public domain in late June. Tomorrow, her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, will receive a verdict that could also send him behind bars. For many political observers in Thailand, it feels like the beginning of the end for the Shinawatras' hold on power — a family that has dominated Thai politics for three decades. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
Thailand-Cambodia tensions: Independent observers monitoring border ceasefire implemented in July
Teams of independent observers have been monitoring the ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia on both sides of the border. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut accompanied the observer team to Thailand's border with Cambodia for a rare glimpse into their work.
Thai Q2 GDP grows 2.8% on-year, but faces headwinds
Thailand's economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter of 2025 as exports growth helped offset slowing tourism. Gross domestic product (GDP) for the April to June quarter expanded 2.8 per cent on-year, beating estimates. But this was still weaker than the 3.1 per cent growth seen in the first three months of the year. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut has more on the challenges Thailand faces from global economic uncertainties and domestic political instability.
Thailand-Cambodia tensions: International media invited to tour affected areas on disputed border
There has been a flurry of media activity on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, days into a ceasefire reached earlier this week. The Royal Thai Army and Foreign Affairs ministry arranged a tour for international media on the Thai side of the border to sites of recent clashes. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut and Leong Wai Kit report.
Thailand and Cambodia reaffirm truce commitment at China-facilitated talks in Shanghai
Thailand and Cambodia have reaffirmed their commitment to Jul 28's truce, following reports of sporadic cross-border skirmishes. Officials from both sides were in Shanghai for informal consultations, brokered by China. Beijing pledged to play a constructive role to promote a peaceful solution between the Southeast Asian neighbours. Leong Wai Kit and Saksith Saiyasombut report.
Thailand-Cambodia tensions: Military commanders meet, agree to maintain ceasefire
A tense calm is returning to the Thailand-Cambodia border, with a ceasefire that put an end to five days of fighting appearing to hold up. Military commanders from Thailand and Cambodia met on Jul 29, reaffirming their commitment to maintain the truce. Leong Wai Kit reports from Samroang in Cambodia, while Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
Interview with Thai MFA spokesman: Is Thailand ready for a ceasefire with Cambodia?
Is Thailand ready for a ceasefire with Cambodia? Not yet, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura tells CNA correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut in an interview, adding that "up to now, the Cambodian side has not stopped the armed aggression". The US, China, and ASEAN chair Malaysia have offered to help mediate talks, but Thailand’s foreign ministry says the country prefers to resolve its dispute with Cambodia through bilateral channels. CNA has reached out to Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.
Thailand warns border clashes with Cambodia could escalate into 'state of war'
Thailand and Cambodia have traded blame over the escalation in border clashes, as the fighting enters its second day. Cambodia's premier has urged its neighbour to accept calls for a ceasefire, while Thailand's acting prime minister has warned that clashes may escalate into a "state of war" as the country defends its sovereignty. The US, China and ASEAN chair Malaysia have made offers to mediate between the parties. Thai authorities said more than 130,000 civilians have been evacuated, while some 1,500 Cambodian families have been told to leave their homes for safety. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
Thailand deploys F-16 fighter jets as clashes erupt along disputed border with Cambodia
An age-old border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has intensified into deadly clashes. Thailand's Public Health Ministry confirmed that 11 civilians have been killed in the latest bout of fighting. The clashes erupted near a disputed temple along the border this morning, with both countries blaming each other for firing the first shot. The Thai Army deployed F-16 fighter jets, striking what it said were two military targets, while Cambodia reportedly used multiple weapons, including a rocket launcher. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Why are Thailand and Cambodia locked in a deadly clash?
Thailand and Cambodia have a long-standing agreement to resolve border issues bilaterally. But on Jul 24, simmering tensions boiled over when troops on both sides exchanged fire, with reports of several civilian casualties. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene. But who will lay down arms first to begin a diplomatic solution? Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut on this special episode.
Escalating border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia
Tensions escalated between Thailand and Cambodia following fresh clashes near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, with both sides accusing each other of initiating fire. This violence is part of an ongoing border dispute fuelled by landmine incidents, prompting Thailand to expel Cambodia's envoy and downgrade diplomatic ties, a move reciprocated by Cambodia.