People hold a giant rainbow flag during Bangkok's Pride parade in June. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Gender

Thai PM Srettha renews push for marriage equality

Country could be first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage

3 November 2023
A pro-Palestine rally at the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok on Oct. 21: Thais need to understand that sympathy for Palestinians does not imply disloyalty to Thailand.
Opinion

Israel-Hamas war has awakened anti-Muslim hate in Thailand

Despite toll of violence on country's migrant workers, most do not want to go home

1 November 2023
Pita Limjaroenrat, the former prime ministerial candidate of Thailand's Move Forward Party, visited the U.S. this week for the first time since failing to secure the leadership post. (Photo by Sompop Tatiyaratana)
Interview

Thailand's Pita wants to put country back on U.S. and international radar

Ex-prime minister hopeful eyes comeback in next election

1 November 2023
Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks during a campaign rally in April. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter elected leader of Thailand's ruling party

Paetongtarn, 37, tasked with expanding Pheu Thai's support among young people

27 October 2023
Bangkok hopes to encourage startups in areas such as energy, medicine and agriculture.
Startups

Thailand aims to boost innovation, foster 10,000 new startups

Country hopes to overcome conservative business image with four-year plan

24 October 2023
A BMW electric car is displayed at a motor show in Thailand earlier this year. The country is now gearing up to host an expo dedicated to EVs.
Your Week in Asia

Kishida policy speech, Bangkok EV show, Seoul Halloween tragedy memorial

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

22 October 2023
Thai workers who were evacuated from Israel arrive at a military airport in Bangkok on Oct. 16. Thailand has been a big source of labor for Israel's agricultural sector.
Middle East crisis

How Thai workers became integral to Israel's economy

Experts say arrangement was 'strategic decision' to replace Palestinian labor

18 October 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks to reporters in Bangkok on Aug. 29. Thavisin will attend the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing during his visit to China. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
International relations

Thailand's Srettha chases green investment on first China visit

50 private sector representatives to join prime minister in Beijing

16 October 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping raises his glass and proposes a toast at the end of his speech during the Belt and Road Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, April 26, 2019.
Your Week in Asia

Belt and Road Forum, Foxconn Technology Day, China GDP

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

15 October 2023
Srettha Thavisin speaks during an election rally of his Pheu Thai Party in April, explaining its 10,000 baht handout plan. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Thailand PM pushes $15bn handout despite economists' warning

Srettha to detail digital money project next month ahead of February launch

13 October 2023
Thai citizens evacuated from Israel arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Oct. 12. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)
Middle East crisis

'Hamas kept firing at our car': Thai evacuees recount attack

15 citizens return home; authorities look for more aircraft as 6,000 wait

12 October 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport after greeting Chinese tourists from Shanghai on Sept. 25. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thailand PM Srettha shows signs of leaning toward China for growth

New Thai government's policies criticized as pork-barreling

11 October 2023
A "shelter" sign is displayed as people arrive in Israel overlooking others waiting to board flights at Ben Gurion Airport on Oct. 9 in Lod, Israel.
Middle East crisis

Thailand and Philippines scramble to safeguard citizens in Israel

Deaths reported among Southeast Asian workers after Hamas attack

10 October 2023
A Chinese tourist takes a selfie with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, right, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport: "Quick win" stimulus like visa waivers will not bring stronger growth.
Opinion

Time for Thailand's new government to match rhetoric with reform

New growth engines needed to reach ambitious economic targets

10 October 2023
Former Prime Minister Thaksin waves to supporters after his arrival at Don Mueang Airport. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Comment

Thailand's coalition does not guarantee stable politics

Differences between 11-party grouping may mean return to coup-prone past

10 October 2023
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is heading to Thailand's neighbors to tout his country as a destination for investment. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
International relations

Thai PM Srettha visits ASEAN neighbors to lure investment

New leader wants this week's tour to tighten trade ties with key regional economies

9 October 2023
Smoke rises in the distance outside Sderot in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Two Thais have been killed in Israel's most intense fighting in decades.
Middle East crisis

Thailand readies Israel evacuation as 12 nationals killed

PM Srettha condemns Hamas attack, says he ordered air force to get planes ready

9 October 2023
Theos-2, Thailand's second Earth observation satellite, is due to be launched into space on Oct. 7. (Photo courtesy of GISTDA)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Thailand to launch new satellite, expanding aerospace sector

Mission, postponed at last minute, aims to aid agriculture and disaster prevention

7 October 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks to reporters at the Government House in Bangkok on Sept. 5. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
25 September 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat speaks to reporters on May 23. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thailand's Pita resigns as Move Forward leader

Suspended lawmaker 'cannot' fulfill role as head of biggest opposition party

15 September 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks on policy in the legislature in Bangkok on Sept. 11.
Politics

Thailand PM Srettha commits to $280 handout to kick-start economy

Policy address identifies quick wins but stays vague on structural problems

11 September 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appears at Government House after a royal audience ceremony to swear the oath of allegiance in Bangkok on Sept. 5. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Your Week in Asia

Thai PM's policy speech, Apple's new products, Belt and Road summit

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

10 September 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, seated at center, and the cabinet of his new government pose in dress uniform. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thailand's coalition cabinet stresses national unity in first meeting

New PM Srettha Thavisin pledges to focus on economic policies

7 September 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat with supporters in Bangkok on July 9: The party and the new Thailand it stands for are seen as the greatest threats to the establishment.
Opinion

Thaksin no longer scares Thailand's establishment

Ex-prime minister's return and pardon accepted as price of keeping reform at bay

6 September 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appears at Government House after a royal audience ceremony to swear the oath of allegiance in Bangkok on Sept. 5. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thailand cabinet sworn in, revealing Pheu Thai's horse trading

Srettha's party to handle defense, economy but gives prized posts to conservatives

5 September 2023