Coronavirus Update for Phuket & Thailand
Thursday 13th of January, 2022: As of January 12th Phuket has had 452 new local infections confirmed across the island, but no new deaths, bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 24,968. Phuket is still open to...
Supporters of Indonesian preacher denied entry to S’pore stage protests in Jakarta, Medan
JAKARTA - Supporters of Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara staged protests in Jakarta and Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday (May 20) against Singapore's recent move to deny him entry over his history of extremist teachings. In Medan, about 250 of the preacher's...
Boeing’s Starliner spaceship docks with ISS in high-stakes test mission
Boeing’s Starliner capsule (L) docks with the International Space Station (ISS) on May 20, 2022. – Boeing’s Starliner capsule was preparing to dock with the International Space Station May 20, 2022, in a high-stakes uncrewed test flight key to reviving the US...
Climate change threatening access to water and sanitation
“Climate change is already posing serious challenges to water and sanitation systems in countries around the world,” said Thomas Croll-Knight, spokesperson for the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).Rising risks According to UNECE and the World Health...
Thailand to begin talks on Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
The Cabinet has decided to join talks on the US’s newly proposed multilateral trade agreement, known as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). According to the Thai government’s website, the decision will allow Thailand to join other countries...
Power Play Podcast: The US’ and China’s courtship of Asean
May 12 and 13 saw US President Biden hosting Asean leaders to a special summit, and most of them descended on Washington. Eight out of 10 were there, except for the Myanmar junta leader and the Philippines, which had just had an election. Highlights (click/tap above):...
‘Thailand Pass’ registration eased for international arrivals from 1 June 2022
Bangkok, 20 May, 2022 – Thailand’s Centre of COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today approved the simplified Thailand Pass registration and entry rules for international arrivals, effective 1 June 2022. Foreign nationals are still required to apply for a...
Timor-Leste Celebrates Independence Anniversary, New Leader
AdvertisementFormer Timor-Leste independence fighter and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta was sworn in as president of Asia’s youngest country late Thursday as it marks its 20th anniversary of independence.Crowds cheered as he then traveled by motorcade to...
Philippine Election Marred by Violence, Vote-Buying: Monitoring Mission
AdvertisementThis month’s presidential elections in the Philippines fell far short of “free and fair” due to rampant vote-buying, politically-motivated violence, and serious shortcomings in the electoral process, according to a group of international election...
Indonesia to Scrap Controversial Palm Oil Export Ban
AdvertisementIndonesia said yesterday that it will lift a ban on palm oil exports that has played havoc with global edible oil markets, citing improvements in the domestic supply of cooking oil. The announcement was made by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in a press...
Bottled palm oil price soars to over 70 baht per litre
Despite appeals to palm oil producers, by the Commerce Ministry, to maintain their ex-factory price at between 65 and 68 baht per one-litre bottle, the price of bottled palm oil has soared to over 70 baht per litre in most markets. A random survey, conducted by Thai...
Blast at South Korean oil refinery kills 1 worker, injures 9
SEOUL (REUTERS) - One person died in a blast at South Korea's S-Oil Corp's Onsan refinery in Ulsan, and nine others were injured late on Thursday night, an Ulsan Fire Department official said on Friday (May 20). S-Oil is the country's third-largest refiner and its...
More than 59 million internally displaced in 2021
IOM has welcomed the report, produced by its partner the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), calling it a valuable tool for the organization, humanitarians, and governments, in supporting communities affected by disasters and other...