Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha casts his ballot at a polling station in Bangkok on May 14. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)
Thai election

Thailand's politicized military faces moment of truth after polls

PM Prayuth, high command come under scrutiny amid unsure political transition

19 May 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, second from left, tells reporters in Bangkok on May 18 that he has a road map to getting the necessary votes to be prime minister. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Move Forward leader says coalition 'taking shape'

Lese-majeste to be addressed in MOU as bloc forms negotiating team to whip votes

18 May 2023
A former member of the Myanmar parliament trains in an area controlled by ethnic Karen rebels.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar clashes stall completion of Southeast Asia economic corridor

Fighting along border with Thailand drives shipping costs to soar 50%

18 May 2023
VinFast's booth at Future Mobility Asia 2023 in Bangkok. The Vietnamese EV maker is aiming to expand across Southeast Asia. (Photo courtesy of VinFast)
Automobiles

Vietnam's VinFast to sell EVs in ASEAN with eye on 2025 profit

Vingroup's automaker also plans U.S. stock market float via SPAC

18 May 2023
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Most read in 2023

Thailand election: How Move Forward's upset win unfolded

PM hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat holds first meeting of budding coalition

17 May 2023
Some businesses in Bangkok are worrying about a higher minimum wage and other policies that a populist government might push through. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Move Forward's electoral surprise puts Thai businesses on edge

Private sector fears infrastructure and fiscal discipline might be big losers

17 May 2023
Chanathip Songkrasin, the "Thai Messi," in blue uniform, has boosted the popularity of Japanese soccer in Thailand.
Sports

Local star and World Cup run draw Thai fans to Japanese soccer

J.League taps into soaring interest with media deals and international matches

17 May 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, center, parades around Bangkok's Democracy Monument to celebrate the election result on May 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

How Move Forward shocked Thailand's old guard

Party faces uphill battle to win military-picked Senate backing for top office

16 May 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat celebrates his party's victory with supporters in Bangkok on May 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Opinion

Thai public's rejection of rule by generals must be respected

Victorious Move Forward party deserves to lead new government

16 May 2023
Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward Party’s leader, says during a press conference in Bangkok on May 15, "I am ready to be the prime minister for all of you whether you agree with me or you disagree with me." (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Move Forward to form coalition with Pheu Thai

Progressive alliance set to gain 309 seats with Pita for PM

15 May 2023
Tourists dressed in traditional Thai costumes visit Wat Arun temple in Bangkok on Jan. 18.
Economy

Thai GDP grows 2.7% as next government seen focusing on economy

Q1 figures released day after election reveal rising consumption, weak exports

15 May 2023
Move Forward supporters cheer at the party's headquarters in Bangkok as the election results show its strong performance. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)
Thai election

Move Forward and Pheu Thai pull ahead in Thai election

As counting progresses into Monday, coalition talks expected

15 May 2023
Voters cast ballots at a polling station in Bangkok on May 14. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thais head to polls to elect next government

Opposition parties lead pro-military camp in latest surveys

14 May 2023
Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Srettha Thavisin of Pheu Thai party greet supporters during an election rally in Bangkok on May 12. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

In pictures: Election enthusiasm sweeps Thailand

Prime ministerial candidates meet voters in lower-house campaign

13 May 2023
From left, Prawit Wongsuwan, Pita Limjaroenrat, Paetongtarn Shinawatra (top), Srettha Thavisin, and Prayuth Chan-ocha (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thai parties stoke hope and fear in final election pitch

Main opposition Pheu Thai confirms Srettha Thavisin as top PM candidate

13 May 2023
Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin and supporters at a Chiang Mai rally on May 10: "We want a big statement win," Srettha says. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thaksin stronghold transforms into Thai opposition battleground

Pheu Thai seeks to defend north against Move Forward challenge

12 May 2023
The most exciting development in the final stretch of the Thai election campaign has been the rapid rise of the Move Forward Party and its leader, Pita Limchareonrat. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Opinion

The real contest in Thailand is between opposition parties

Move Forward to face dilemma on compromising its goals for share of power

12 May 2023
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha poses during a campaign rally in Bangkok in April. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thai election a referendum on military role in politics

Stakes high, but insiders say chance of new coup slim in short term

11 May 2023
Ads for the Singapore bank UOB at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. (Photo by Dylan Loh)
Finance

Singapore's UOB bets on Thailand, Vietnam in ASEAN growth surge

Lender wins 2 million clients from Citi buyout but economic headwinds pose risks

11 May 2023
A photo from Thweep Rittinaphakorn's book, "Unseen Burma: Early Photography 1862-1962." The caption in the book reads "Shan Boys at Novitiation Ceremony." (Courtesy of Thweep Rittinaphakorn)
Books

Connecting 'Unseen Burma' with picture postcards

Through painstaking sleuth work, Thai author recaptures a lost society

11 May 2023
SAIC Motor plans eventually to manufacture electric vehicles in Thailand. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi)
Automobiles

China's SAIC Motor to make EV batteries in Thailand this year

Shanghai automaker builds industrial park for components

10 May 2023
Leaders of ASEAN countries pose for photos during the opening of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on May 10.
Economy

ASEAN's patchy economic growth suggests long road to recovery

At regional summit, leaders discuss how to push bloc past COVID pains

10 May 2023
Polling stations will open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. on May 14. (Source photos by Kosaku Mimura and Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thai vote Sunday offers chance for change: Five things to know

Divided pro-democracy camp aims to overcome leaders tied to military coup

10 May 2023
Thailand's prime ministerial election has provided fodder for both policy wonks and fashion watchers. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Ken Kobayashi; Bhumjaithai party, Move Forward party via Line)
Tea Leaves

In Thai elections, flaunting wealth is a winner

Candidates sport luxury watches and designer shoes to push populist policies on campaign trail

10 May 2023
Sex workers rally in Bangkok on May 1, Labor Day, to demand legalization of their industry.  (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's sex workers hope election will change their lives

Rights groups lobby political parties on bill to decriminalize industry

10 May 2023