Page 2 - Thailand

Xi refutes Trump's claim that China had no role in Thai-Cambodia peace deal

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday refuted his US counterpart Donald Trump's claims at their summit meeting in Busan that China was not involved in establishing peace between Cambodia and Thailand. At the much-publicised summit, Xi said that he appreciated Trump's "great contribution to the recent conclusion of the Gaza ceasefire agreement". However, Xi rebutted Trump's assertion that China was not involved in establishing peace between Cambodia and Thailand. Xi told Trump that Beijing had been helping the two Southeast Asian neighbours to settle their border dispute in our own way, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. Xi's assertion outlines Beijing's redlines as China too seeks to play a dominant role in Southeast Asia, where it has established strong security and trade links with countries of the region, including Thailand and Cambodia. During the height of the Thailand-Cambodia confrontation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held closed consultations to

Trump's 'historic' trade deals give US major edge over Southeast Asia

The pacts give Trump some clear wins, like the removal of many tariff and non-tariff barriers on US exports into those countries and pledges to spend billions of dollars on American goods

Thailand-Cambodia sign peace deal, pledge stability in presence of Trump

The agreement dubbed 'KL PEACE Accord' was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet

Thailand, Cambodia sign expansion of ceasefire that ended border conflict

Cambodia and Thailand on Sunday signed an expansion of a ceasefire that US President Donald Trump helped broker this summer to end their border conflict. Trump used the threat of higher tariffs against both countries to help get them to agree to end the fighting that resulted in dozens of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. The US leader watched as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the expanded ceasefire at the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both nations are members. The agreement included Thailand releasing 18 Cambodian soldiers held prisoner and for both sides to begin removing heavy weapons from the border area. Territory along the 800-kilometre frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but previous confrontations were limited and brief.

PM Modi mourns Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit, hails her service

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the demise of Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit, and said her lifelong dedication to public service will continue to inspire generations. "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother of Thailand," the prime minister said in a post on X. "Her lifelong dedication to public service will continue to inspire generations. My heartfelt condolences to His Majesty The King, the members of the Royal Family and the people of Thailand in this hour of profound grief," Modi said. Queen Sirikit, who supervised royal projects to help the rural poor, preserve traditional craft-making and protect the environment, passed away on Friday. She was 93.

Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit passes away at 93 after blood infection

She suffered a stroke in 2012 and was afterwards largely absent from public life due to declining health. Her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died in October 2016

Na-Ranong dynasty seeks $100 mn for rare deep-water marina in Phuket

A scion of the clan is leading the sale of a 138,000 square meter deep-water marina on the Thai island that was one of the key filming locations for season three of The White Lotus

US, Malaysia work to expand Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire ahead of Asean meet

Malaysia and the US are facilitating efforts to secure an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that they hope will be signed during a Southeast Asian summit later this month, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Tuesday. Thailand and Cambodia engaged in five days of combat in late July that killed dozens of people and displaced more than 260,000. They agreed to a ceasefire only after mediation by Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and pressure from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless they agreed on a truce. Tensions have remained high since the truce, particularly after Thai soldiers were injured by land mines in August while patrolling a buffer zone between the countries. Thailand accused Cambodia of laying new mines in violation of the ceasefire, which the government in Phnom Penh has strongly denied. Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said Phnom Penh must accept four conditions. They .

Thailand PM vows to resolve Cambodia conflict, push constitutional reforms

Thailand's new prime minister told lawmakers on Monday that his government would address the country's economic woes, find solutions to the ongoing border conflict with Cambodia through diplomacy and push for a new and more democratic constitution. Anutin Charnvirakul faces a self-imposed deadline. He had promised to call elections in four months in exchange for the People's Party which holds the most seats in Parliament supporting his bid to become prime minister. He was elected to Parliament earlier this month. The party has a progressive platform and has long sought to change the existing constitution imposed under military rule, saying it wants to make it more democratic. Anutin had promised to call a referendum for an elected constituent assembly to draft a new charter. He said in his inaugural speech in Parliament on Monday that his government will support the referendum and public participation to uphold the country's constitutional monarchy. Anutin also promised to tackle

Rising digital terror threats pose new challenges in Southeast Asia

Indonesia and the Philippines remain among some of the most affected by terrorism in the region, along with Myanmar and Thailand, according to the Global Terrorism Index 2025

India, Thailand conclude joint military drill 'Maitree' in Meghalaya

The 14th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise, Maitree, concluded in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district on Sunday, with both armies enhancing interoperability and familiarising themselves with each other's operational procedures and combat drills. The two-week exercise, conducted under the United Nations mandate, culminated with a 48-hour validation phase that saw both contingents carry out complex tasks such as setting up a temporary operating base, establishing an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) grid, isolating a village, heliborne operations, raids and hostage rescue. The exercise also featured the display and use of new-generation equipment by both sides. Defence officials said the joint training helped soldiers from the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army learn valuable lessons in counter-terrorism operations, peacekeeping drills, intelligence sharing and the application of modern technology on the battlefield. The closing ceremony was marked by

DGTR for anti-dumping duty on glass fibre imports from China,Thailand

The commerce ministry's investigation arm DGTR has recommended imposition of an anti-dumping duty for five years on imports of glass fibre, used in various sectors, including electricals from China, Bahrain, Thailand, with an aim to guard domestic players from cheap inbound shipments. In its final findings, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has concluded that the product has been exported to India at a price below the normal value, resulting in dumping. The recommended duty ranges between USD 194 per tonne and USD 394 per tonne. "The authority recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty" on the imports of the product from China, Bahrain and Thailand for a period of "five years," the DGTR has said in a notification. While the DGTR recommends the duty, the finance ministry takes the final decision to impose the same. In a separate notification, the DGTR said it has initiated a probe to review the need to continue imposition of anti-dumping duty on chemical used in adhe

Thailand's ex-PM Shinawatra to serve 1 year in prison for past convictions

Thailand's Supreme Court said former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison term for previous convictions. The court was investigating whether officials had mishandled his return to Thailand in 2023 to begin serving the sentences. Following his return to Thailand after more than a decade of living in self-exile, Thaksin was sent to a suite at Bangkok's Police General Hospital, reportedly for medical reasons, after spending less than a day in prison. His eight-year sentence for three cases involving graft and abuse of power was commuted to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and he was released on parole after six months in the hospital. The circumstances raised questions about whether he received special treatment and many were suspicious whether he was genuinely ill.

Thai cannabis industry eyes revival under new PM who backed its rise

Since Anutin decriminalised marijuana in 2022 as health minister, making Thailand the first Asian nation to do so, the industry has been whiplashed by a series of policy reversals

Thailand elects Anutin Charnvirakul as PM amid easing political turmoil

The former construction magnate secured the top spot only with the support of the pro-democracy People's Party, which demanded he commit to hold elections within months

Southeast Asia factories gain momentum as Japan, South Korea face slowdown

In Indonesia, output and new orders increased for the first time in five months and production in Thailand rose at the fastest pace in 13 months, according to S&P Global data

Thai court dismisses PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra over leaked phone call

Thailand's top court removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra as PM over a leaked call with Cambodia's Hun Sen, ruling it a breach of ethics following criticism over her remarks on Thai military officials

At least 8 dead as heavy rain triggers floods, landslides in Southeast Asia

Heavy rain caused flooding and landslides Wednesday in parts of Southeast Asia, where at least eight deaths were reported in the aftermath of a tropical storm. Flooding occurred in several northern and central provinces of Vietnam, seven people died, one was missing and 34 were injured, state media reported. Nearly 20 centimetres (8 inches) of rain fell overnight in parts of northeast Vietnam and flood warnings remained for some riverside areas. In Thailand, one person died and another was missing from a landslide Wednesday in part of the northern city of Chiang Mai. Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said many homes were affected and a few people were injured from flash flooding and landslides in northern provinces. Thailand's Meteorological Department warned of heavy rain in northern and northeastern regions Wednesday. Residents in foothills and low-lying areas near waterways were warned about possible flash floods and landslides. The rain was part of t

Akasa Air to launch direct Mumbai-Phuket flights from September 20

Akasa Air will launch direct flights connecting Mumbai with Phuket from September 20 as the three-year-old airline expands its international network with the foray into Southeast Asia. With a fleet of 30 planes, the airline currently flies to 23 domestic and 5 international destinations. Starting September 20, 2025, Akasa Air will operate daily direct flights connecting Mumbai with Phuket (Thailand), a release said on Tuesday. Phuket will be 6th overseas destination for the carrier, which started flying on August 7, 2022. Presently, the airline flies to five overseas destinations -- Doha (Qatar), Jeddah, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Kuwait City (Kuwait). Last week, the airline said it will start flights to the SAARC and ASEAN regions in the next few years, in addition to leveraging the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Noida International Airports to develop a comprehensive network. Eight countries, including India, are part of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooper

Thai border conflict forces Cambodian migrant workers to return home

Hundreds of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers have been heading home from Thailand as the two countries work to keep a ceasefire in armed clashes along their border. Tensions between the countries have escalated due to disputes over pockets of land along their 800 kilometre border. A five-day clash in July left at least 43 people dead and displaced more than 260,000 in both Southeast Asian nations. A fragile ceasefire brokered by Malaysia, with backing from the US and China, appears to be holding while officials try to resolve issues underlying the conflict. The retreat has left many of the workers streaming back to Cambodia wondering how to get by after they left jobs that enabled them to send money back to their families. Kri Phart, a 56-year-old poultry worker, said he began packing after reading a post by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Facebook urging migrants to return to Cambodia. I have no idea if the fighting will really stop and with fewer and fewer Cambodians