News
Thai junta urged to drop criminal defamation case against journalists
Proceedings have ended in the controversial trial of two Thailand-based journalists facing criminal defamation charges for reporting on the alleged involvement of Thai naval forces in human trafficking. The charges against Alan Morison, the 67-year-old Australian editor of independent Thai news website Phuketwan, and reporter Chutima Sidasathian, ...
Thai-Lao duty-free mall proposed for Vientiane
A group of Thai and Lao business people have announced a plan to spend 10 billion baht to develop a large shopping and hotel complex in Vientiane in order to cash in on opportunities arising from the coming from the coming Asean Economic Community. The massive ...
Thai farmers brace for water cut
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned farmers to brace for the impact from reduced dam water releases. The government has ordered provincial governors to work with the military and police to stop farmers from diverting water for their farmland, following its move to cut ...
Chinese put squeeze on Pattaya's hotels
Hoteliers in the resort city have been relying mainly on Chinese tourists after the sharp fall in European tourists, particularly Russians, due to the economic recession in their countries. Locally run Pattaya hotels have faced an oversupply since last year and the situation is getting worse ...
Irrawaddy dolphin carcass washes ashore in Rayong
An Irrawaddy dolphin carcass was found on a Rayong beach on 14 July. Keep reading ...
MoU for Salween hydropower project to be signed between Thailand, Myanmar, China
Thailand, China and Myanmar are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of the 7,000-megawatt Mong Ton hydropower-plant project on the upper Salween River this year, after Myanmar’s government cancelled its Tasang hydropower project. Speaking yesterday on behalf of the three countries, ...
Thailand puts $1 billion Chinese submarines purchase on hold
Thailand has put on hold the purchase of submarines from China, the Thai defence minister said on Wednesday, raising questions about its commitment to acquiring its first such vessels. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said this month the navy had approved a 36 billion baht ($1.06 billion) ...
Fuel tax delayed after pump protest
Provincial administration organisations (PAOs) in Thailand’s three southern border provinces have agreed to delay imposing a new local tax on fuel sales, which led to a brief protest by local pump stations 13 July. Motorists in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat were left high and dry after most ...
KBank, Aeon connect in Laos
Kasikornthai Bank in Laos has extended loans and offered financial management services to Aeon Leasing Service (Lao) to support its retail and motorcycle-financing business there. Both parties are also ready to jointly develop payment channels and other innovative services in a bid to assist Thai investors ...
Rain brings relief to Thailand's drought-stricken provinces
The number of drought-hit provinces has more than halved after rain made an appearance in the upper North and Northeast, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Sunday. Department chief Chatchai Promlert said 40 provinces were reported as drought-hit until the weekend, when welcome rain eased the ...