By Thai Newsroom Reporters JUSTICE MINISTER SOMSAK Thepsuthin today (Feb.1) pledged to take steps to have bail granted by court for political detainees, particularly a couple of young woman activists still on a severe hunger strike, in bid to help defuse a looming crisis. Somsak made his comment in response to the life-and-death situation
Read moreAuthor: TNR Staff
Trat hit by toxic smoke from forest fires in Cambodia
PEOPLE living in large parts of eastern Trat province are suffering from toxic smoke that drifted across the border from forest fires raging in Cambodia despite the Thai military having built an understanding with the neighbouring country that this should not occur, Naewna newspaper said today (Feb. 1). Trat Governor Mr. Chamnanwit Teerat said
Read moreHunt for German man who jumped from Koh Phangan-Surat Thani ferry
A GERMAN MAN jumped into the sea from a ferry sailing from Koh Phangan to Surat Thani’s Don Sak pier last night (Jan. 31) with search for him continuing today after being halted due to strong waves and the darkness, Naewna newspaper said. An examination of the tourist’s bag identified him as Mr. Florian
Read moreUS, allies mark anniversary of Myanmar coup with fresh sanctions
By Reuters and published by CNA Washington – The United States and its allies will impose further sanctions on Myanmar on Tuesday (Jan. 31), marking the two-year anniversary of the coup with curbs on energy officials and members of the junta, among others. Washington imposed sanctions on the Union Election Commission, mining enterprises, energy
Read moreMyanmar junta hints may extend state of emergency, delay polls
By AFP and published by CNA Yangon – Myanmar’s junta on Tuesday (Jan. 31) said the country had “not returned to normalcy” almost two years after its coup, casting doubt over plans for elections and ending a state of emergency. The Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since the military toppled democracy figurehead
Read morePrivy Council head urged to defuse life-and-death crisis over 2 hunger strikers
By Thai Newsroom Reporters PRIVY COUNCIL PRESIDENT Surayud Chulanont was today (Jan.31) petitioned to immediately help put an end to a life-and-death crisis involving a couple of young women on a severe hunger strike. Thammasat University’s Sociology & Anthropology lecturer Anusorn Unno who submitted the letter of petition endorsed by 91 university lecturers, university
Read moreHouse dissolution expected no later than March 9
By Thai Newsroom Reporters PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha is largely speculated to dissolve the House of Representatives no later than March 9 to call a general election in 60 days, said a partisan source today (Jan.31). Prayut, who is seeking to retain power for two more years, will likely dissolve the House by March
Read moreCapsized pirate-themed pleasure boat will soon be refloated
OFFICIALS are working on refloating a pirate-themed pleasure boat that capsized in Pattaya Bay last evening (Jan. 30) and expect to soon succeed in doing so as it has not sunk, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon. The pleasure boat, Krakenian, has been fitted out like a pirate ship in the movie “Pirates of the
Read moreMichael Jackson’s nephew to star in ‘King of Pop’ biopic
By AP and published by CTV News New York – Michael Jackson’s 26-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will play the King of Pop in the planned biopic “Michael” to be directed by Antoine Fuqua. Lionsgate announced Jackson’s casting on Monday (Jan. 30) for the film being produced by Oscar-winning “Bohemian Rhapsody” producer Graham King. Jackson
Read morePalang Pracharath earns 510 million baht at fundraising event
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE PALANG PRACHARATH PARTY has earned 510 million baht in cash from last night’s (Jan.30) fundraising event at a Bangkok hotel. The largest coalition partner sold a total of 170 dining tables of selected foods for three million baht each to raise the 510 million baht fund for their nationwide
Read moreAnutin-hyping roadside billboards may break election law: Rural Doctor Society
By Thai Newsroom Reporters RURAL DOCTOR SOCIETY today (Jan.30) questioned whether 11,000-plus roadside billboards may illicitly solicit popularity for Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during a current run-up to a general election. Rural Doctor Society posted on its Facebook page to call on the Election Commission to determine whether the 11,000-plus large
Read moreHuai Kwang police station chief transferred over extortion claims
NATIONAL Police Chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat today (Jan. 30) ordered the transfer of Huai Kwang police station superintendent to assist with civil service duties after evidence emerged that policemen manning a checkpoint on Jan. 4 had extorted money from a Taiwanese actress and her friends to set them free, Thai Rath newspaper said.
Read moreDutchman petitions ministry over alleged swindle by female civil servant
A DUTCHMAN who claimed a female civil servant based in Sakon Nakon swindled him out of almost 4 million baht went to the Interior Ministry to file a petition asking for an ethical investigation of this official today (Jan. 30), TV Channel 7 said. Accompanied by Thai businessman Mr. Kanthas Phongphaiboonvej, or Gun Chom
Read moreOdds ‘very high’ of US military conflict with China, top Republican says
By Reuters and published by Swissinfo.ch Washington – A top Republican in the US Congress on Sunday (Jan. 29) said the odds of conflict with China over Taiwan “are very high,” after a US general caused consternation with a memo that warned that the United States would fight China in the next two years.
Read morePrayut dared to join debate between contestants for PM
By Thai Newsroom Reporters PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha today (Jan.29) was dared to take part in an open debate between partisan contestants for prime minister. Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew challenged Prayut to join the proposed debate between varied partisan contenders for prime minister somewhere in near future where they could openly manifest their
Read moreCourt rejects bail for 10 of 12 political activists despite rally
THE CRIMINAL Court refused to grant bail to 10 out of 12 political activists despite a rally taking place for their temporary release while the petition for the other two was sent to the Appeal Court to consider, Matichon newspaper said this afternoon (Jan. 29). Mr. Kittisak Kongthong, a lawyer who had filed the
Read moreProtester dies during rally for release of political detainees
ONE OF the protesters participating in Talufah activist group’s rally and submission of a new petition to the Criminal Court calling for the release of all political activists died during the activity, Matichon newspaper said this afternoon (Jan. 29). Mr. Anon Nampha, a human rights lawyer, said Uncle Phairoj, or Mr. Phairoj Chotisriphanporn, died
Read morePita prepared to become PM, vows to switch off ‘Sam Por’ powers
By Thai Newsroom Reporters MOVE FORWARD LEADER Pita Limjaroenrat today (Jan.28) reconfirmed he has already prepared to become Thailand’s 30th prime minister, denying further rule of coup leader-turned-premier Prayut Chan-o-cha and others associated with the 2014 coup junta. Delivering a campaign speech at Thammasat University Rangsit campus, Pita called on the people nationwide to
Read moreSwedish man dies in crash just 5 days after meeting Thai girlfriend
A ROMANCE between a Swedish man and a Thai woman that bloomed on social media for two years and culminated in their getting together in Thailand just five days ago ended in tragedy when he died in a motorcycle accident today (Jan. 28), TV Channel 7 said. At 2.30 p.m. Pol. Lt. Tharathip Wijarn,
Read moreMae Hong Son in dire condition – 135 fire hotspots so far
NORTHERN Mae Hong Son province will likely see an increase in forest fires this year with as many as 135 fire hotspots having been detected during Jan. 1-27, Naewna newspaper said today (Jan. 28). The Forest Fire Control Centre said it is Mae La Noi district where most of the hotspots were seen, totalling
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