News
Bank of Thailand lifts growth forecast for 2015, but trims 2016 estimate
The Bank of Thailand trimmed its 2016 economic growth forecast on Friday, reflecting expectations of zero export growth and suggesting the military government will continue to struggle with a sluggish economy. At the same time, the central bank nudged its growth estimate for this year up ...
Myanmar politician objects Koh Tao verdict
A Myanmar political group, 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, today showed its objection against the death sentence handed down to two Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. Keep reading ...
Thai court hands Myanmar men death penalty for British tourist murders
Two Myanmar migrants were sentenced to death on 24 December for murdering a pair of British holidaymakers on a Thai island, in a case that sullied the kingdom’s reputation as a tourist haven and raised questions over its justice system. Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun were ...
Thai banks inefficient, says S&P
Academics have slammed the military’s iron grip on cyberspace following the 2014 coup. Surveillance and crackdown measures are creating a climate of fear and self-censorship, they argued. Since last year’s coup, the army has taken many steps to tackle content deemed sensitive or critical of the ...
Thai PM urges middle class to save day
Upper- and middle income people need to come out and vote if they want to stop parties pitching populist policies to the poor from regaining office, says Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. They should decide what they want at the polls or someone else would do that for ...
Bangkok traffic violators given 100-baht 'fine gift'
Traffic violators have been given time until 15 January to pay a flat-rate fine of 100 baht for all minor traffic offences committed in Bangkok as a “New Year gift” offered by the acting Metropolitan Police Bureau chief. Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathaworn said on 22 ...
4.5 tonnes of ivory seized in huge Interpol operation
A huge international police operation has seized 4.5 tonnes of African elephant and rhino tusks in Thailand and Singapore, leading to 376 arrests, Interpol said. Keep reading ...
For migrants, the legal route brings few benefits: report
They are mired in debt bondage, their pay slips are slashed by hidden fees and fabricated taxes, and they’re forced to work excessive hours in slave-like conditions absent of breaks and without the guarantee of overtime pay. This is the lot of migrant workers who ...
Talks with neighbours about migrant labour
Thailand is preparing to take migrant workers from three other ASEAN nations under memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community. Labour Minister General Sirichai Dithakul met on 22 December with delegates from Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia to discuss the MOUs. Thailand has already signed MoUs with Myanmar and ...
Foreigners targeted as police raid Pattaya nightclubs
A foreign tourist was arrested and three illegal migrant workers detained when Pattaya police raided popular Walking Street nightspots as part of a pre-New Year’s immigration crackdown. More than 100 officers from a special operations unit and Pattaya police station took part in the late-night sweep ...
