Politics

Myanmar's Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power on Feb. 1, 2021, appears to be following in the footsteps of military leaders who believe themselves to be reincarnations of ancient Burmese warrior kings. 
The Big Story

Myanmar's iron-fisted ruler Min Aung Hlaing fights to stay on his throne

Two years after seizing power, the general has undone any progress made under civilian rule

1 February 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, right, holds hands with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan during a blessing ahead of the Songkran festival in 2019.
Politics

Prayuth to run against deputy as Thailand primes for elections

Move Forward Party to campaign on constitutional reform

30 January 2023
Muay Thai is Thailand's national sport that has been the inspiration for kickboxing. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Sports

'Muay Thai' or 'Kun Khmer': Neighbors spar over sport's name

Cambodia makes change for SEA Games as Thailand threatens boycott

24 January 2023
The new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal resembles an airport terminal from the outside. (Photo by Yohei Muramatsu)
Transportation

Bangkok's new train terminal offers hope for end to traffic woes

Japan-backed project highlights new possibilities for infrastructure tie-ups

21 January 2023
China is set to announce on Tuesday GDP growth rates for the last quarter and the 2022 full year, along with other key economic data. In December it scrapped its zero-COVID strategy, which had weighed on growth.
Your Week in Asia

Davos 2023, China GDP, Chinese Lunar New Year starts

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

15 January 2023
Thai baht notes at a bank in Bangkok. The Bank of Thailand will hold the Monetary Policy Committee this week.
Economy

China returns as Thailand's top investor through electronics, EVs

Thai investment authority approves $118m BYD battery plant

14 January 2023
Cannabis dispensaries in Bangkok regularly display signs openly advertising their products, despite warnings from the health minister. (Photo by Kosuke Inoue)
Politics

Cannabis 'addictions' surge in Thailand after decriminalization

Number said to be addicted quadruples as politicians play the blame game

10 January 2023
A rice farmer gestures in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The country has strict regulations against importing foreign strains of rice, but industry insiders say Vietnamese seeds are finding their way in.  
Commodities

Vietnamese rice in Thailand's fields poses growing problem

Alien strains help farmers meet demand at low cost but dent national brand

1 January 2023
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Dec. 23 that he has joined the newly formed Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party to run in the upcoming general election.
Politics

Thai PM Prayuth switches to new party to run for next election

Leader wants to stay in power despite two-year term limit

23 December 2022
ASEAN leaders pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony for a series of summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Nov. 11.
Myanmar Crisis

ASEAN's Myanmar rift highlighted as key members skip meeting

Indonesia, Malaysia and others absent from Thailand-hosted gathering

23 December 2022
Casino financiers have been moving out of Macao in recent years, initially into Cambodia and later along Thailand's borders with Laos and Myanmar, creating countless unregulated operations beyond any rule of law. 
Asia Insight

Chinese underworld floods to Thailand-Myanmar river border

Macao squeeze spawns new gambling and trafficking hubs akin to 'penal colonies'

13 December 2022
A bartender pours a craft beer at a promotional event held in a Bangkok park in late November. (Photo by Yohei Muramatsu)
Food & Beverage

Thailand's watered-down beer deregulation panned as weak brew

Limited help for craft brewers seen as protecting leaders Singha and Chang

12 December 2022
Many Russian tourists can be seen on Pattaya Beach in eastern Thailand recently. (Photo by Kosuke Inoue)
Travel & Leisure

Russian tourist numbers jump in Thailand

Southeast Asian country's willing acceptance invites criticism

11 December 2022
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister ousted in a coup in 2006, made some bold election pledges at a Pheu Thai Party assembly on Dec. 6.
Politics

Thai opposition pledges to double minimum wage ahead of election

Pheu Thai backs high-speed rail from China to Singapore and war on drugs

7 December 2022
Thailand's newly introduced high-skilled worker visa program has drawn more than 1,600 applicants so far. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
Economy

Americans, Chinese snap up Thai 'talent visas,' official says

Manufacturing hubs seek industrial upgrade amid supply-chain shift

3 December 2022
A voter casts their ballot to vote in the general election at a polling station in Bangkok in March 2019.
Politics

Thai court upholds election formula favoring opposition Pheu Thai

Path to majority still unclear as Prayuth mulls party change

30 November 2022
The G-20 summit in Bali was one of a series of high-level international meetings held over the course of 12 days this month.
International relations

From ASEAN to G-20 to APEC: 12 days of summitry summed up

India wins, Russia loses and face-to-face meetings help cool U.S.-China tempers

21 November 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, chair of this year's APEC forum, passes a bamboo basket symbolizing the baton to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Nov. 19. The U.S. will host next year's APEC meetings.
International relations

APEC finds consensus on Pacific free trade, Ukraine war fallout

Thailand clinches elusive joint statement and wins support for sustainability agenda

19 November 2022
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministers managed to complete a joint statement on Nov. 18 after a year of frustration.
International relations

APEC ministers overcome Ukraine impasse to issue statement

Document echoing G-20 comes after disappointing year for host Thailand

18 November 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, center, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, arrive for the APEC leaders meeting in Bangkok on Nov. 18.
International relations

APEC opens atop Russia-U.S.-China fault lines

As leaders gather, Thailand aims for pact to codify sustainability agenda

18 November 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, left, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Jan. 25. The two are ushering in a new chapter in bilateral relations. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
International relations

Saudi crown prince visits Thailand, mending ties after 30-year rift

Mohammed bin Salman to seek clean energy and EV supply cooperation

18 November 2022
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet in Bangkok on Nov. 17. (Source photos by Uichiro Kasai and Yusuke Hinata)
International relations

Xi, Kishida meet as Japan Inc. struggles to strike balance on China

Businesses continue to invest in No. 2 economy despite U.S. calls to diversify

17 November 2022
This aerial photo from 2015 shows a Chinese development on a reef in the disputed Spratly Islands, close to Palawan.
South China Sea

Kamala Harris to visit Philippine island near China dispute

VP's stop on Palawan has message: U.S. is engaged in Indo-Pacific

16 November 2022
The venue for the 2022 ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh: It is time for bold and courageous efforts at waging peace.
Opinion

ASEAN can make a difference for Myanmar and for the world

Southeast Asia must seize summit opportunities to secure commitments to peace

14 November 2022
The Rama VIII bridge along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok was illuminated ahead of the APEC Summit 2022 that kicks off on Friday.
Economy

Thailand asks business to power down as leaders arrive for APEC

Energy crunch dims Bangkok while global economic leaders convene

14 November 2022