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☆ Moo-ve over Moo Deng: New baby hippo 'Haggis' challenges for the cuteness crown
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Edinburgh Zoo launched a cuteness contest between Haggis, its newborn pygmy hippo, and Moo Deng, the adorable mini hippopotamus that became a viral sensation at a Thailand zoo this summer. Moo deng is a type of meatball that means “bouncy pork” in Thai. A two-month-old female pygmy hippo named "Moo Deng" at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand, on Sept. 16, 2024. “We were wrong to pit Haggis and Moo Deng against each other,” the zoo said in a later post. “There is space in this world for two beautiful pygmy hippo divas and we should celebrate them all.”

Persons: Haggis, Moo Deng, “ Moo Deng, deng, They’re, Moo deng, Deng, Athit Perawongmetha, Gloria, Otto, wee Haggis, “, Moo, ” Organizations: Edinburgh Zoo, Scottish, Zoo, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Locations: Thailand, Scotland, Thai, Chonburi, Khao, West Africa

The 2-month-old female pygmy hippo has become an internet star. A bakery in Bangkok said Sunday on Facebook that it would have to limit orders for its Moo Deng look-alike cakes because demand was so high. Other videos of Moo Deng on the TikTok account also have millions of views. Pygmy hippos have been classified as an endangered species, with their numbers dwindling from poaching and just 2,000 of them believed to be alive in the wild, according to the Pygmy Hippo Foundation. An adult pygmy hippo can live up to 50 years and reach half the height of a full-size hippo.

Persons: Moo Deng, ”, Athit Perawongmetha, Moo Deng’s, Moo Deng chomping, veggies, Narongwit Chodchoi Organizations: Thai Embassy, Facebook Locations: Thailand, Chonburi, Tokyo, Bangkok

☆ Simone Biles’ brilliant comeback and other takeaways from the individual all-around gymnastics final
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Kyle Feldscher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Paris CNN —Simone Biles is once again the Olympic gold medalist in individual all-around gymnastics after winning one of the most dramatic finals of these Paris Olympics. Biles held off a spirited challenge from brilliant Brazilian Rebeca Andrade, who once again won silver and Biles’ teammate Suni Lee took the bronze. Her artistry and rhythm were infectious and, until her final floor exercise penalty, she turned in an incredibly solid, well-rounded performance. At the World Championships last year, Andrade took gold in the vault, while Biles took silver. The winners of the last three individual all-around gymnastics gold medals took in the moment to soak in the cheers.

Persons: Paris CNN — Simone Biles, Biles, Rebeca Andrade, Suni Lee, Andrade, “ That’s, ” Biles, Simone Biles, it’s, “, I’ve, ” Andrade, Biles Rebeca Andrade, Naomi Baker, Lee, Charlie Riedel, savor, ” Lee, Alice D’Amato Organizations: Paris CNN, Reuters, American Locations: Thursday’s, Tokyo, Houston, United States, American, Paris, Algeria

☆ Thailand is now the Myanmar junta’s favored banking destination as military attacks ramp up, UN expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong/Bangkok CNN —International banks are playing a significant role in the Myanmar military junta’s ability to carry out its systematic and deadly assault on its people, a new United Nations-backed report has found. Athit Perawongmetha/ReutersThe Thai connectionSingapore-based entities were Myanmar’s third largest source of weapons and military materials. In 2022, Singapore-based banks facilitated more than 70% of the junta’s purchases passing through the banking system. Looking for other financial institutions, the junta found neighboring Thailand. “Our banking and financial institutions follow banking protocols as any major financial hub.

Persons: Tom Andrews, ” Andrews, Banks, ”, Athit Perawongmetha, “ Organizations: Bangkok CNN — International, United Nations, UN, Administration Council, SAC, “ Banking, Military Junta, States, Karen National Liberation Army, Siam Commercial Bank, CNN, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Economic Bank Locations: Hong Kong, Bangkok, Myanmar, Singapore, Myawaddy, Thailand, Thai, Siam

☆ The yuan's status as a global currency might be gaining ground. But top CEOs see more hurdles to clear
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A bank employee count China’s renminbi (RMB) or yuan notes next to U.S. dollar notes at a Kasikornbank in Bangkok, Thailand, January 26, 2023. Beijing has long touted its ambitions for increasing global use of the Chinese yuan — also known as the "renminbi" or "RMB" — in an international financial market where the U.S. dollar is the dominant currency. watch nowLast year, the HKEX announced a "Dual-Counter" program that allows investors to trade Hong Kong-listed securities in Hong Kong dollars or Chinese yuan. The euro was slightly higher at 5.6%, while the U.S. dollar dominated with a nearly 85% share, the data showed. A maturing financial marketDeveloping more Chinese yuan-denominated investment products also requires a maturation of the local financial sector.

Persons: China’s renminbi, Athit Perawongmetha, Bonnie Chan, Chan, We're, SWIFT, Fred Hu, Hu, it's, Patience, Kenny Lam Organizations: Reuters, Hong Kong Exchanges, U.S ., International Monetary Fund, U.S, Primavera Capital, Sigma Asia Locations: U.S, Bangkok, Thailand, Reuters DALIAN, China, Beijing, Russia, Dalian, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Pacific

☆ Chatuchak: Bangkok market fire leaves hundreds of animals dead
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Kocha Olarn | Alex | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Hundreds of animals are believed to have died after a fire ripped through Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak animal market on Tuesday, according to local authorities. The fire started around 4:10 a.m. local time in Sri Somrat market, in Chatuchak, where live fish and animals were being sold, the Chatuchak administrative office said. Bangkok authorities said no one was injured in the blaze, but “lots of pet animals” were affected. It said the damaged area is estimated to be around 1,400 square meters (about 15,000 square feet). Dogs, cats, rabbits, snakes, birds, fish and chickens were among the animals affected, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s emergency unit 911.

Persons: Chanakarn Laosarakham, Athit Perawongmetha, Natthanicha K, ” Organizations: CNN, Bangkok Metropolitan, Authorities, Getty, Firefighters, Reuters Locations: Sri Somrat, Chatuchak, Bangkok, AFP

☆ Thailand's Ex-PM Thaksin Seen Leaving Hospital on Day of Parole
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Napat Wesshasartar and Athit PerawongmethaBANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's jailed billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was seen early on Sunday in a vehicle leaving a hospital where he has been in detention for the past six months, according to Reuters witnesses. Thaksin, 74, had been scheduled to be released on parole on Sunday, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Thailand's best-known and most polarising premier, Thaksin has loomed large over politics for two decades, despite 15 years in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail sentence for abuse of power and conflicts of interest. Thaksin made a dramatic return from exile in August to cheering crowds and was taken to prison to serve an eight-year sentence. (Reporting by Napat Wesshasartar Napat Wesshasartar Athit Perawongmetha and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Nick Zieminski)

Persons: Napat Wesshasartar, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Srettha Thavisin, Mercedes van, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Martin Petty, Nick Zieminski Locations: Athit, BANGKOK

☆ China’s VC playbook is undergoing a sea change as U.S. IPO exits get tougher
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

That's far less than in the previous years — the share of U.S. dollars in total VC funds raised was around 15% for the years 2018 to 2021, the data showed. China investments, China exitsWashington and Beijing in 2022 resolved a long-standing audit dispute that reduced the risk of Chinese companies having to delist from U.S. stock exchanges. "With U.S. IPOs no longer being a viable exit strategy for China assets, investors should target local exits in their respective capital markets—in other words, China exits for China assets, and U.S. exits for overseas assets," Liao said. The 20 largest VC deals for China-headquartered companies in 2013 were predominantly in e-commerce and software services, according to PitchBook data. ... the venture capital scene has become even more state-concentrated and focused on government priorities.

Persons: China’s renminbi, Athit Perawongmetha, Kyle Stanford, China —, Liao Ming, Stocks, Liao, Didi, Beijing's, Camille Boullenois Organizations: Reuters, Reuters BEIJING — Venture, Liao Ming, U.S, Sequoia, Prospect, Capital, New York Stock Exchange Locations: U.S, Bangkok, Thailand, Reuters BEIJING, China, Sequoia, Washington, India, Japan, Greater China, Beijing, New York, Hong Kong, U.S . Washington

☆ Qatar emir calls on U.N. to force Israel into talks to end Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Buildings lie in ruin in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, December 4, 2023. Qatar, where several political leaders of Hamas are based, has been leading negotiations between the Palestinian militant group and Israel. Those talks led to a truce that ultimately lasted for seven days before hostilities resumed on Friday. During the truce, Hamas released dozens of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and Israel allowed humanitarian aid to flow into the coastal strip. Sheikh Tamim said Qatar was working with both sides to repair the deal.

Persons: Athit, Israel, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, Thani, Sheikh Tamim, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Nayera Abdallah, Andrew Mills, Alex Richardson, Miral Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rights DOHA, . Security Council, Qatari, Doha, UN, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Qatar

☆ WHO board to hold emergency meeting on Gaza health situation
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Emma Farge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Smoke rises above Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, December 4, 2023. "We want to empower the WHO and call for the Israeli side not to target the medical sector. We want to allow for fresh medical supplies," he told Reuters, adding that his diplomatic mission was drafting a motion to be reviewed by the board. Israel has accused Hamas of using ordinary Gazans as human shields by placing command centres and weapons inside hospitals and other civilian buildings. The WHO's governing board is made up of 34 members and typically meets every January to fix the agenda for its annual assembly.

Persons: Athit, Tedros Adhanom, Ibrahim Khraishi, Benjamin Netanyahu, Emma Farge, Matthias Williams, Alison Williams Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, GENEVA, Health, West Bank, WHO, Qatari, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza Qatar, Geneva, United States, France, China, Japan

☆ Hamas says no prisoner exchange without Gaza ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Relatives and supporters of hostages kidnapped on the deadly October 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, rally for their release, after a temporary truce between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas expired, in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 2, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Acquire Licensing RightsDec 2 (Reuters) - Deputy Hamas chief Saleh Al-Arouri told the pan-Arab Al Jazeera TV on Saturday that no more prisoners would be exchanged with Israel until there was a ceasefire in Gaza. Arouri said the hostages still being held captive by Hamas were Israeli soldiers and civilian men who had previously served in the Israeli army. He said they would not be freed unless there was a ceasefire and all Palestinian detainees were also released. Reporting by Ahmed Tolba, Writing by Adam Makary; Editing by Alison Williams and Kevin LiffeyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Athit, Saleh Al, Arouri, Ahmed Tolba, Adam Makary, Alison Williams, Kevin Liffey Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Al, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Tel Aviv, Al Jazeera, Gaza

Media affiliated to Hamas said explosions and gunfire could be head in the northern part of the Gaza Strip ahead of the truce deadline. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report and there was no immediate comment from Israel or Hamas. Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel was open to continuing the ceasefire if Hamas committed to further hostage releases. Israel had previously set the release of 10 hostages a day as the minimum it would accept to pause its assault. [1/5]A helicopter carrying hostages released amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel arrives at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, Israel, December 1, 2023.

Persons: Israel's Kan, Israel, Mark Regev, Benjamin Netanyahu, we're, Athit, Qatar's, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, I've, Mia Schem, Schem, Aisha al, BLINKEN, Jordan's King Abdullah, U.N, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Netanyahu, Nidal al, Mohammed Salem, Humeyra Pamuk, Ari Rabinovich, Emily Rose, Andrew Mills, Cynthia Osterman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Gaza Hamas, Hamas, Media, Street, CNN, United Nations, Sheba Medical, REUTERS, Reuters, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gaza GAZA, TEL AVIV, Qatari, Palestinian, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, ISRAEL, Amman, United States, Tel Aviv, Cairo, Jerusalem, Doha

☆ Elon Musk promises to wear symbol of Gaza hostages
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A screen displays photos of people who were abducted by Hamas gunmen during the October 7 attack on Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 27, 2023. Later on Monday he wrote on X: "I will wear it every day until your loved ones are released." The dog-tags, prevalent throughout Israel, mark the Oct. 7 cross-border killing spree by Hamas during which 240 people were dragged back to Gaza. The White House criticised Musk for what it called an "abhorrent promotion of antisemitic and racist hate" that "runs against our core values as Americans". Musk has said he is against antisemitism and anything that "promotes hate and conflict" and stated that X would not promote hate speech.

Persons: Athit, Elon Musk, Malki Shem, Tov, Omer Shem, Isaac Herzog, Musk, Walt Disney, Howard Goller, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Walt, Warner Bros Discovery, Comcast, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza, U.S

☆ Thailand offers 10-year visas for investors in industrial east
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Bangkok's skyline is photographed during sunset in Bangkok, Thailand, July 3, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Thailand will offer 10-year visas for investors in targeted businesses in its industrial eastern region to attract foreign investment, a deputy prime minister said on Friday. The visa plan, which starts next year, will facilitate investors as the government seeks to ease restrictions, Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters. The government is also targeting higher overall actual investment of 500 billion baht ($14.23 billion) in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) during 2023-2027, or 100 billion baht a year, he said. Actual investment in the EEC is now about 75 billion baht a year, Phumtham said.

Persons: Athit, Phumtham Wechayachai, Phumtham, Kitiphong Thaichareon, Orathai Sriring, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Companies, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Southeast

Visitors look at a Toyota Camry car during the Bangkok Auto Salon 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, July 4, 2019. The 2025 Camry will combine a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric drive system tuned to deliver more power in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the car, Toyota said. The hybrid powertrain and a new electronic all-wheel drive system deliver 232 combined horsepower – nearly 15% more than the outgoing Camry with a mechanical all-wheel drive system, Toyota said. The cheapest Camry hybrid model currently sells for about $2,400 more than the most inexpensive combustion Camry. A current Camry hybrid is rated at 52 miles (84 km) per gallon in combined city and highway driving, compared with a 32-mpg rating for the conventional four-cylinder Camry.

Persons: Athit, David Christ, Christ, Sienna, Joe White, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Toyota Camry, Bangkok Auto, REUTERS, Rights DETROIT, Toyota, Reuters, Los Angeles Auto, Camry, General Motors, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda, Hyundai, Tesla, Car Dealers Association, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, U.S, North America, Los Angeles, Detroit, California

☆ Explainer: What is APEC? Asia-Pacific leaders head to San Francisco
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/Pool/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Leaders from the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum will meet in San Francisco this month for the 30th APEC summit, the first hosted by the United States since 2011. APEC leaders are due to gather between Nov. 15-17. From Nov. 11 senior APEC finance officials and ministers will meet ahead of the summit, while the annual APEC CEO summit will run from Nov. 14-16. As of 2021, APEC members made up seven of the United States' top 10 overall trading partners. FASHION SHOWTraditionally APEC leaders wear local costume for a final-day group photo.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Peng Liyuan, Prayuth Chan, ocha, Naraporn Chao, Athit, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, Morris Chang, John Lee, Lee, Paul Chan, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Matt Goodman, BUZZWORDS, Goodman, Washington, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Michelle Nichols, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Thai, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, APEC, U.S, Reuters Hong, Hong, Financial, The State Department, White, Economic, Thomson Locations: Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, San Francisco, United States, China, Bali, Canberra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Washington, U.S, Ukraine, APEC, Seattle, Francisco

☆ What is APEC? Asia-Pacific leaders head to San Francisco
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

☆ China forex reserves fall to $3.115 trln in September
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Oct 7 (Reuters) - China's foreign exchange reserves fell more than expected in September, official data showed on Saturday, as the U.S. dollar rose against other major currencies. China's reserves - the world's largest - fell $45 billion to $3.115 trillion last month, compared with $3.13 trillion tipped by analysts in a Reuters poll, from $3.16 trillion in August. The yuan fell 0.5% against the dollar in September, while the dollar rose 0.2% against a basket of other major currencies over the month . The value of China's gold reserves fell to $131.79 billion at the end of September from $135.22 billion at the end of August. Reporting by Albee Zhang and Zhang Yan and Kevin Yao; editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: China’s renminbi, Athit, Albee Zhang, Zhang Yan, Kevin Yao, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Thomson Locations: U.S, Bangkok, Thailand, China

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Thailand will close legal loopholes relating to firearm classification and online sales in its gun control efforts, its police chief said on Wednesday, a day after a teenager was arrested following a deadly shooting at a mall that left two people dead. Existing Thai laws on the possession of illegal firearms carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 20,000 Thai baht($539.67). Laws have tightened after mass shootings in recent years in Thailand, including a requirement for a medical evaluation for those who want to buy a gun or renew their gun license. And in 2020, a soldier shot and killed at least 29 people in another northeastern Thai city. "The government should learn the lessons from past mass shooting incidents, review the proposed solutions and quickly implement them," Krisanaphong said.

Persons: Athit, Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak, Lazada, Krisanaphong, Panu, Poppy McPherson, Devjyot Ghoshal, Bernadette Baum, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Authorities, Thailand's Channel, Rangsit University, Reuters, Singapore's, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Southeast Asia, Thai

Fleeing shoppers were ushered by security guards from the mall into torrential rain and towards a road with heavy traffic. We saw all the people run, run, run, we didn't understand what was happening," said 26-year-old Shir Yahav from Israel, who was at a designer store at the time of the shooting. [1/6]People flee following shots fired at the luxury Siam Paragon shopping mall, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 3, 2023. The mall said it had evacuated shoppers and staff immediately, stressing safety was of the utmost importance. "Siam Paragon would like to express our deep apologies for the unexpected event," it said in a statement, adding the mall would reopen on Wednesday.

Persons: Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak, Yahav, Devjyot, handcuffing, Panu, Pasit, Napat, Artorn, Athit, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Gareth Jones Organizations: Siam, Police, Thai, Siam Paragon, National, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, BANGKOK, Bangkok, China, Israel, Thailand, Siam, Nakhon Ratchasima, Instagram, Sun

☆ Thai court denies bail for lawyer who called for monarchy reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Arnon Nampa, a prominent activist and former human rights lawyer, speaks to media ahead of a Thai criminal court's verdict in a case of allegedly having insulted the monarchy, at the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand, September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 30 (Reuters) - A Thai court denied bail on Saturday for an activist lawyer sentenced to four years in prison for royal insults, his lawyer said, in one of the Southeast Asian country's highest-profile lese-majeste cases. Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, 39, is widely known for a speech during pro-democracy protests in 2020 when he broke taboos by calling for public debate on the role of Thailand's powerful king. The Appeal Court read out an order on Saturday rejecting Arnon's bail request due to concerns that "if bail was given he would escape", said his lawyer, Krisadang Nutcharus. Krisadang said he would consult with Arnon on whether to make another bail request or appeal the order to the Supreme Court.

Persons: Arnon, Athit, Arnon Nampa, Krisadang, Thailand's, Prayuth Chan, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Orathai Sriring, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Arnon Nampa, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

☆ Why Thailand's having second thoughts about decriminalizing cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Little more than a year after cannabis decriminalization, following an election that saw a more conservative coalition government come into power, there are signs Thailand’s laws on cannabis could be rewritten once again. Most cannabis dispensaries like his he says, have been responsible and diligent from the start in checking buyers’ IDs and educating customers about cannabis rules. “Thousands of cafes, stores, and other cannabis businesses have sprouted and hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent by tourists in a short amount of time,” Zaytsev said. The debate comes just as the quality of domestically produced cannabis in the country was improving, she added. “The quality of Thai cannabis has gotten better and better.

Persons: “, ” Iemvijan, –, Nitikrist Attakrist, ” Attakrist, Chiang Mai, Srettha Thavisin, ” Thavisin, Iemvijan, Cannabis, ”, Wisawa Mcintyre, Anutin Charnvirakul, Athit Perawongmetha, hasn’t, Ley Singdam, Ley, ” Ley, Kitty Chopaka, Chopaka, Michael Zaytsev, LIM, ” Zaytsev, Gloria Lai, ” Lai, ” “, Thavisin, Manan Vatsyayana Organizations: CNN, Thai, Bloomberg, Thailand’s Public, Thai Health, Staff, Reuters Observers, ” Farmers, Thais, International Drug Policy Consortium, Bhumjaithai Party, Getty Locations: Thai, Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, San, Thonglor, Phuket, ‘, ”, Athit, New York, Asia, Singapore, Indonesia, AFP

☆ Activist who called for Thai monarchy reforms sentenced to 4 years for royal insults
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 26 (Reuters) - A prominent activist and lawyer made famous for his open calls for reform of Thailand's powerful monarchy was on Tuesday sentenced to four years in prison for royal insults, a judge and his lawyer said. Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa is widely known for his taboo-breaking speech during pro-democracy protests in 2020 during which he called for public debate on the role of Thailand's powerful king. Thailand's lese-majeste law shields the palace from criticism and carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years for each perceived insult of the monarchy, a punishment widely condemned by international human rights groups. He was a leader in the youth-led pro-democracy movement that swept the capital Bangkok in 2020, drawing hundreds of thousands into the streets. As of last month, at least 257 people have been charged with 112 since 2020, according legal aide group, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

Persons: Arnon, Athit, Arnon Nampa, Thailand's, Krisadang Nutcharus, Prayuth Chan, ocha, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Arnon Nampa, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

[1/5] A Chinese tourist is welcomed by Thai traditional puppets during a welcome ceremony of the first batch of Chinese tourists under a five-month visa-free entry scheme at Bangkok's International Airport, Thailand, September 25, 2023. The visa waiver programme runs from Sept. 25 until February next year. The government expects 2.88 million Chinese visitors during that 5-month period, slightly higher than the 2.34 million Chinese who have visited this year. "More Chinese tourists come to Thailand for holiday, because it is indeed very convenient," he said. Chinese tourists say they are drawn to Thailand for its beaches and food.

Persons: Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Gu, ”, Ye Weihe, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Miral Fahmy, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Bangkok's International, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Thai, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Bangkok, Shanghai, Srettha, Tourism, Suvarnabhumi, China, Pattaya

☆ Thailand expects Tesla, Google, Microsoft to invest $5 billion, prime minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks during a press conference after a weekly cabinet meeting at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Sunday the country expected to receive investment of at least $5 billion from Tesla (TSLA.O), Google (GOOGL.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O). "Tesla would be looking into an EV manufacturing facility, Microsoft and Google are looking at data centres," he said, without detailing whether the $5 billion was expected to be a combined investment or made individually by each company. Tesla, Google and Microsoft did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Srettha spoke with Tesla CEO Elon Musk last week about the electric vehicle sector.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Athit, Tesla, Srettha, Elon Musk, Asia's, Chayut Setboonsarng, Jamie Freed Organizations: Thailand's, REUTERS, Rights, Tesla, Google, Microsoft, General Assembly, EV, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, New York

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