UN secretary-general calls on all sides in Thailand to refrain from violence
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, at his year-end press conference, stressed the need for everybody involved to quickly act to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria, and also called on all sides in Thailand to refrain from violence. Mr. Ban said 2013 was the year in which the Syrian conflict…
Absentee voting under preparation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing to organize absentee voting overseas for the next general elections in 2014. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sek Wannamethee stated in regard to the absentee voting for the next general elections. He said the Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry…
Democrat Party re-elects Abhisit as party leader for another term
Former opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has been re-elected to lead the Democrat Party for another term. On Tuesday, the Democrat Party held an extraordinary general assembly to select a new team of party executives. At the beginning of the meeting, former party leader Banyat Banthatthan proposed Mr. Abhisit to once…
Muay Thai attraction unveiled in Bangkok
Flying fists, gravity defying kicks and superhuman acts of speed make Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, an exciting element of Thai culture. Visitors can now learn about the origins of the martial art and see exciting displays in nightly shows that will take place at ASIATIQUE The Riverfront, Bangkok’s new…
India’s magic bullet: the ballot
While we Thais are fighting about what to do and what not to do on the political front, the beacon of democracy in the region, India, has managed to show us a way forward. In recent state elections held in five states including the capital New Delhi, the voters basically…
Diesel price to be under 30 baht/liter until 1st quarter of 2014
Diesel price will be maintained at under 30 baht per liter until the first quarter of 2014, thanks to the dissolution of parliament. According to the Energy Ministry, the dissolution of parliament has automatically put on hold the planned energy- price-increase policy, which includes the restructuring of natural gas and…
Surapong: Political conflict could cost Thailand a seat in UNSC
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul is worried that the current political situation will cost Thailand a non-permanent member seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). According to Minister Surapong, who has recently been assigned by the Prime Minister to oversee the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO),…
Thai PM proposes forum for political reforms after Feb 2 polls
In a bid to calm protesters seeking her resignation, Thailand’s embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today proposed a new forum for political reforms to be implemented by the next government after the February 2 general elections. Reaffirming that the snap polls will go ahead, she said the proposed panel would…
Supreme Court says gay sex illegal, LGBT rights activists angry
A two-judge bench struck down a landmark Delhi high court ruling in 2009 which found that section 377 of the Indian penal code prohibiting “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” infringed the fundamental rights of Indians. The decision four years ago to decriminalise gay sex emboldened the still largely…
Bangkok schools earlier affected by protests reopen today
Schools in Bangkok earlier affected by political protests reopened today after deeming the situation has improved and is unlikely to post any threats to students and staff nor difficulty to their traveling to the schools. The schools include Wat Bowonniwet School, Makudkasattriyaram School, Wat Sangwet School, Benchamabopit School, Rajawinit School,…