Latest Thailand News

Thailand receives the first Chinese visitors under a new visa-free policy to boost tourism

Sep. 25, 2023 05:51 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Top Thai officials welcomed hundreds of Chinese tourists at Bangkok’s international airport on Monday, the first day of a new visa-free entry program that officials say will boost the country's tourism industry that was badly damaged by the coronavirus pandemic. ...

Thongchai Jaidee outlasts Justin Leonard in a playoff to win at Pebble Beach

Sep. 24, 2023 20:37 PM EDT

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Thongchai Jaidee won his second PGA Tour Champions title, beating Justin Leonard on the fourth playoff hole in the Pure Insurance Championship on Sunday when Leonard hooked his tee shot into a penalty area abutting the Pacific Ocean on the par-5 18th at Pebble Beach. ...

Thai king's estranged son urges open discussion of monarchy, in rejection of anti-defamation law

Sep. 20, 2023 10:48 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — An estranged son of Thailand’s king who has spent almost all his adult life away from his homeland has unexpectedly gone public with his belief that open discussions about the country's monarchy should be allowed, in a rejection of a harsh royal anti-defamation law. ...

Thailand's opposition Move Forward party to pick new leader as its embattled chief steps down

Sep. 15, 2023 05:30 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — The embattled head of the Move Forward party, which finished first in Thailand’s general election in May but was denied power by Parliament, announced his resignation on Friday as its chief so the party can appoint a new member to serve as Parliament's opposition leader. ...

Thailand's government, seeking return of tourists from China, approves visa-free entry for 5 months

Sep. 13, 2023 13:03 PM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s new government Wednesday approved a measure granting temporary visa-free entry to Chinese tourists, signaling that the recovery of the country's tourism industry is a top economic priority. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the visa exemption, which...

Thailand's LGBTQ+ community draws tourists from China looking to be themselves

Sep. 10, 2023 22:03 PM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Xinyu Wen traveled to Thailand in June, planning a two-week vacation around Bangkok's Pride parade. Instead, the 28-year-old stayed a month and a half, as her experience at the parade gave rise to discussions and discoveries in the Thai capital's thriving LBGTQ+...

In Southeast Asia, Kamala Harris is at the center of White House efforts to counterbalance China

Sep. 07, 2023 14:29 PM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — It took more than a day of flying, including two refueling stops, for Vice President Kamala Harris to reach this year’s summit of Southeast Asian countries. And once she arrived, she had less than eight minutes of public speaking time during two meetings. ...

Thailand's new government takes office as Cabinet members take oath in front of king

Sep. 05, 2023 06:59 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s new government officially took office on Tuesday, almost four months after the country’s general election, as new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin led the 34 members of his Cabinet to take their oaths of office in front of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. ...

A drone attack on Myanmar border police reportedly kills 5. A resistance group claims responsibility

Sep. 04, 2023 10:16 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — A drone attack on a police headquarters in a major border town in eastern Myanmar has killed at least five officials including a senior army officer and a district administrator, members of two emergency rescue teams and media reports said Monday. The attack, carried...

Megan Khang takes Portland Classic lead in bid to win for second straight week

Sep. 02, 2023 21:35 PM EDT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Megan Khang closed with an 18-foot birdie putt for her third straight 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead Saturday in the Portland Classic in a bid to win for the second straight week. The 25-year-old American was on top at Columbia Edgewater six days after...