BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra returned to the kingdom Tuesday after 15 years in exile and was immediately jailed, just hours before his party’s candidate was elected prime minister. The Supreme Court ordered the 74-year-old billionaire to serve eight years on old graft charges, though it is not clear how much time he will serve behind bars, as his Pheu Thai party forms the government and rumours swirl of […]
ASEAN IN FOCUS
Thai parliament elects Srettha Thavisin as PM: AFP count
BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thai lawmakers approved tycoon Srettha Thavisin as the kingdom’s new prime minister on Tuesday, ending three months of political deadlock on the day former premier Thaksin Shinawatra returned from exile. Srettha easily secured a majority across the two houses of parliament to be approved as Thailand’s 30th prime minister, despite his Pheu Thai party coming second in the May election. He sailed past the 374 votes needed for a […]
Ex-PM Thaksin returns to Thailand after 15 years in exile
BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thailand’s divisive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra returned to the kingdom Tuesday, after 15 years in exile and hours before parliament votes for a new prime minister. The billionaire landed in a private jet at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport at 9 am (0200 GMT), to be greeted by hundreds of noisy “Red Shirt” supporters waving banners and singing songs. Thaksin emerged briefly from the terminal building to bow and offer a […]
Plane carrying former Thai PM Thaksin lands in Bangkok: local media
BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thailand’s divisive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra touched down by private jet in Bangkok on Tuesday, local media reported, returning to the kingdom after 15 years in exile. Public broadcaster Thai PBS said he arrived at 9:00 am (0200 GMT) and showed footage of the plane at Don Mueang airport. This is a developing story.
Filipino communities in US Southwest alerted; Hurricane Hilary precautions advised
The Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles is urging all Filipinos in Southern California, Southern Nevada, and Arizona to be prepared for the potential impact of Hurricane Hilary. Consul General Edgar Badajos issued this caution as the hurricane was downgraded to Category 1. Stay informed, check local advisories, and ensure your safety measures are in place. In case of emergency, call the Consulate’s hotline: (213) 2689990. Southern California is under a first-ever tropical storm warning as […]
Ten killed in light plane crash near Malaysian capital
A light plane crashed into a four-lane road near Malaysia’s capital on Thursday, killing eight people on board and two motorists on the ground, the local police chief said. The plane exploded into a fireball on impact, with thick black smoke seen rising from the site, video clips from the scene showed. “For now, I can say at least 10 people were killed in the plane crash. Two passing motorists — one in a car […]
Australian charged with making fake bomb threat on plane
SYDNEY, Aug 14, 2023 (AFP) – An Australian man was charged Tuesday with making a fake bomb threat on a flight to Malaysia, terrifying passengers and causing havoc in the country’s airspace. The Malaysia Airlines flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur was forced to turn back Monday afternoon when the agitated man started claiming he had “explosives” in his backpack, police said. Police said the 45-year-old, who was arrested after the plane returned to Sydney, […]
Malaysians vote in six state elections seen as referendum on Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12, 2023 (AFP) – Malaysians in six states went to the polls Saturday to vote for state assembly members in elections widely seen as a barometer of support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government. While the elections are unlikely to immediately affect Anwar’s current two-thirds majority in parliament, analysts said his hold on power could weaken if his Pakatan Harapan coalition suffers a setback, especially among Malay Muslim voters in the […]
Philippines says unaware of deal with China over disputed reef
MANILA, Aug 9, 2023 (AFP) – President Ferdinand Marcos said Wednesday he was “not aware” of any agreement with China to remove a Philippine Navy vessel grounded on a reef in the disputed South China Sea. Marcos’ remarks were in response to Beijing’s insistence in recent days that Manila had “repeatedly” promised to tow away the crumbling BRP Sierra Madre from Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. The BRP Sierra Madre, which the Philippines […]
Chinese FM Wang Yi to embark on Southeast Asia tour
BEIJING, Aug 9, 2023 (AFP) – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia this week, Beijing said on Wednesday as it seeks to build ties in the region. Wang, who returned to the post last month after the unexplained disappearance of predecessor Qin Gang, will travel to the three countries from Thursday to Sunday, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement. “China hopes to strengthen strategic communication with the three […]
Philippines takes second place in 2023 UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation
In a significant achievement reported by the Bureau of Customs on Tuesday (August 8, 2023), the Philippines secures the second rank in Southeast Asia within the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation 2023. This achievement is underscored by the Philippines’ Trade Facilitation score of 87.10%. This ascent from the third position in the 2021 survey underscores the nation’s unwavering momentum in modernizing trade processes and achieving top-tier customs administration standards, as stated […]
China demands Philippines remove grounded ship from disputed waters
BEIJING, Aug 8, 2023 (AFP) – China Tuesday renewed calls for the Philippines to remove an ageing ship from a reef which Manila uses to press its stake in the Spratly Islands in defiance of Beijing’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea. The move comes after the Philippines at the weekend accused the China Coast Guard of firing water cannon against boats on a resupply mission to its garrison stationed on the grounded […]