News
Thailand printers refuse to print New York Times cover story
The New York Times’ printer in Thailand has refused to print one of its articles, leaving a blank space on its cover page. The article, titled “Thai spirits sagging with the economy”, discussed the country’s flagging economy and touched on royal succession concerns. The printer withheld an ...
Thai Government urged to also help big companies go abroad
The Thai Government should change its mindset about offering help only to small and medium-size firms expanding overseas and extend it to larger companies, said Thiraphong Chansiri, president and chief executive of Thai Union Group. Thiraphong added that a new challenge for companies branching out internationally was ...
Asia's first transgender centre opens in Bangkok
The Thai Red Cross Aids Research Centre has joined forces with US development partners to open the first transgender-specific operation in Asia. The Tangerine Community Health Centre – located on the first floor of the Thai Red Cross Aids Research Centre in Bangkok – strives to be ...
Thai-Chinese railway project on schedule
The 873-km Thai-Chinese railway project for the country’s northeastern line got underway on 30 November as scheduled, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said. “The project was not delayed,” he said, adding that even though more details would be added to the system design criteria work, everything was expected ...
Myanmar navy seizes close to 50 unlicensed trawlers
The Myanmar navy has seized 49 trawlers caught illegally fishing in Myanmar waters since 2013, parliament heard on 30 November. Deputy Minister for Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development U Khin Maung Aye told MPs eight of the boats were from Thailand and the rest were local. ...
Judge knocks back villagers on Laos dam
A Central Administrative Court judge has given a preliminary opinion dismissing villagers’ demands to have a say in the Xayaburi hydropower dam project, on the grounds that it is not a state-owned project. The judge, whose name court officials declined to reveal, also said that a process ...
'Agencies broke no laws over Mekong dam'
A Supreme Administrative Court judge rapporteur has suggested it will rule in favour of five state agencies accused of violating laws in their handling of the Xayaburi Dam project in Laos. The judge opinion was the case against them be dismissed, as the five state agencies in ...
Thai traffickers exposed by campaign group investigating fishing industry
A three-year investigation into slavery on Thailand’s fishing boats has uncovered a well-oiled system of trafficking, abuse and exploitation in the southern port of Kantang, leading to eight arrests this month, a campaign group said on 30 November. The owner of a fishing company, three enforcers ...
UN document: Thailand 'knew' Chinese deportees were refugees
The government knew two Chinese men it detained were refugees awaiting resettlement in Canada, but still deported them to China, according to a United Nations letter seen by Reuters. The letter, sent by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ...
Eppo eyes two Laos power plants
Thai policymakers plan to purchase an additional power from two hydroelectric plants in Laos with a combined capacity of 1,318 megawatts, according to the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo). They are the Nam Thuen 1 and Pak Beng hydropower project. Director-general Twarath Sutbutr said Eppo also ...
