Latest Thailand News

Thailand and New Zealand vow to strengthen economic ties as they set lofty new trade goals

Apr. 17, 2024 06:05 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand and New Zealand on Wednesday vowed to boost economic cooperation with an aim to triple two-way trade by 2045, as the New Zealand leader visited Thailand for the first time in 11 years. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Bangkok on...

Water guns are in full blast to mark Thai New Year festivities despite worries about heat wave

Apr. 13, 2024 10:05 AM EDT

It's water festival time in Thailand where many are marking the country's traditional New Year, splashing each other with colorful water guns and buckets in an often raucous celebration that draws thousands of people, even as this year the Southeast Asian nation marks record-high temperatures...

Myanmar's ethnic Karen guerrillas claim to have seized the last army base defending key border town

Apr. 11, 2024 07:50 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Guerrillas from the Karen ethnic minority on Thursday claimed to have captured the last of the army’s outposts in Myawaddy township in eastern Myanmar, virtually clearing the way for them to take over the town of Myawaddy, the major crossing point for trade with Thailand. ...

Fighting escalates in eastern Myanmar as army holds out against resistance push on key border town

Apr. 10, 2024 10:48 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Fighting appeared to be escalating in Myanmar on Wednesday as guerrilla fighters from the Karen ethnic minority and pro-democracy forces battle soldiers holding on to a major trading town on the border with Thailand, witnesses said. The fall of Myawaddy, which is...

Thai prime minister unveils details of a $13.7 billion digital money handout plan

Apr. 10, 2024 07:21 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday revealed details of his government’s plan to stimulate the economy by giving digital cash handouts of 10,000 baht ($275) to an estimated 50 million Thais for spending at their local businesses. Srettha said at...

Transgender inclusion? World's major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people

Apr. 10, 2024 05:07 AM EDT

The Vatican has issued a new document rejecting the concept of changing one’s biological sex – a setback for transgender people who had hoped Pope Francis might be setting the stage for a more welcoming approach from the Catholic Church. Around the world, major religions have...

Trial opens in Thailand for the son of Spanish actors over the killing of a Colombian surgeon

Apr. 09, 2024 11:26 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Thailand began a trial Tuesday of the son of Spanish actors accused of killing and dismembering a Colombian surgeon on a popular tourist island. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, was indicted by prosecutors in October over the death of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga,...

Ethnic guerrillas in Myanmar look set to seize an important town on the Thai border from military

Apr. 08, 2024 10:59 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Guerrilla fighters from Myanmar’s Karen ethnic minority claimed Monday to be close to seizing control of a major trading town bordering Thailand, as soldiers and civil servants loyal to the military government appeared to be preparing to abandon their positions. ...

Thailand has a plan to contain the monkey mayhem in the popular tourist town of Lopburi

Apr. 03, 2024 23:39 PM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai wildlife officials laid out a plan on Wednesday to bring peace to a central Thai city after at least a decade of human-monkey conflict. The macaques that roam Lopburi are a symbol of local culture, and a major tourist draw. But after years of dangerous...

Thailand's Constitutional Court says it will rule on whether to dissolve popular Move Forward party

Apr. 03, 2024 07:05 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday said it will rule on whether to dissolve the political party that won the most seats in last year’s election for allegedly violating the constitution by proposing to amend a law against defaming the country’s royal family. ...