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☆ Australia's Smith charges to share of lead at Hong Kong Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 20, 2023; Doral, Florida, USA; Cameron Smith putts on the eighth green during the first round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Cameron Smith went on a late birdie blitz in a round of 63 to take a share of the first round lead at the Hong Kong Open on Thursday as the event made its return after a long COVID hiatus. Australian Smith caught fire from the 12th, rolling in five birdies in six holes to join Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra on seven-under at the storied Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. Coming off a break after the LIV event in Saudi Arabia last month, British Open winner Smith returned to action with eight birdies and a solitary bogey on the par-five third. The Hong Kong Open returned to the Asian Tour schedule this year after last being played in 2020.

Persons: Cameron Smith putts, Sam Navarro, Cameron Smith, Smith, Eugenio Chacarra, Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul, Korean Jang Yu, LIV, Chacarra, Patrick Reed, Ireland's Graeme McDowell, Wade Ormsby, Ian Ransom, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: LIV Golf Miami, Trump National Doral, Mandatory, USA, Hong, Hong Kong Golf Club, British, Oklahoma State University, Hong Kong Open, Thomson Locations: Doral , Florida, USA, HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Fanling, Korean, Hangzhou, China, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Melbourne

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Palestinian death toll in Gaza, calls for ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand's government has seen photographic evidence that Thai hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are alive, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters on Monday. “Our next point of consideration is the period when there is a temporary ceasefire, let’s say a day or two, that could be a window to evacuate (hostages),” he said. Thailand has been one of Israel’s biggest sources of migrant labor for decades, and many of the Thai hostages were captured while working in the south of the country near the Gaza border when Hamas militants attacked on October 7. Last week, Thailand's Foreign Ministry said it had secured "full support" from Iran, Qatar and Egypt to help negotiate the release of Thai hostages. Malaysia has also provided significant assistance with the negotiations, Srettha said Monday.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, ”, Thailand has Organizations: Thai, Ministry Locations: Gaza, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Egypt, Malaysia

☆ Tencent, Alibaba and more: These firms are primed for buybacks and present opportunities, says Jefferies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Announcements of big buyback programs in the region have been rising since 2021, "with a long runway ahead" given the trend's nascence, the firm's analysts wrote in an Oct. 25 research note. Here are some names from Jefferies' screen of companies that are set to "initiate or continue significant buybacks." Other Asian stocks that made Jefferies' list included Singapore's transport operator ComfortDelGro and Indonesian mining player United Tractors. Australian stocks featured on Jefferies list included gaming content and tech firm Aristocrat Leisure and steel manufacturer BlueScope Steel . Financial companies Jefferies' screen also included financial companies in Asia Pacific that are potentially buying back their shares.

Persons: Jefferies, Baidu, PE Reilly, Thailand's, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Jefferies, MSCI, Companies, PE, China United Network Communications, Yunnan Baiyao Group, Energy, Vipshop Holdings, Foxconn Technology, South Korea, Kia, Samsung, LG Corp, United Tractors, BlueScope Steel, Financial, Thai Bank, Chartered Locations: Asia, MSCI Asia, Japan, China, Pacific, Yunnan, South Korea, Australia, South, Asia Pacific, Thai, Philippines

☆ Is FOSO the new FOMO? How the 'fear of switching off' could affect your vacations
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | Harriet Akinyi | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The nagging feeling which keeps travelers tethered to their devices has been coined the fear of switching off, or FOSO. It's loosely similar to the fear of missing out (FOMO), commonly denoted as the worries of not being included in exciting experiences or activities that others are a part of. FOSO can be seen as an extension of FOMO, said Handcock. "The fear of disconnecting from devices partially stems from a fear of missing out on work and home updates," he elaborated. Gideon Mendel | Corbis Historical | Getty ImagesAccording to the survey by Priority Pass, FOSO is more prevalent among younger travelers.

Persons: Jasper Chan ambled, Chan, Collinson, Tan De, Todd Handcock, Cortney Warren, FOSO, Warren, Gideon Mendel, Gen Z, boomers, Tovah Klein, Klein, Zs, Collins, Jefferson Low, Tan De Xun, Tan, Young Organizations: CNBC Travel, CNBC, Barnard College, Jefferson, Bank of Japan, Vw, Getty Locations: Wat Arun, Bangkok, Tan De Xun, FOMO, Niseko, Bank, Singapore, Lesotho, Africa

☆ Thailand to waive visas for Taiwan and India to boost tourism
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Thailand will waive visa requirements for arrivals from India and Taiwan from next month to May 2024, a government official said on Tuesday, in a bid to draw in more tourists as high season approaches. Thailand in September scrapped visa requirements for Chinese tourists, the country's top pre-pandemic tourism market with 11 million of the record 39 million arrivals in 2019. "Arrivals from India and Taiwan can enter Thailand for 30 days," spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said. India has been Thailand's fourth largest source market for tourism so far this year with about 1.2 million arrivals after Malaysia, China and South Korea. Inbound tourism from India showed signs of growth as more airlines and hospitality chains targeted that market.

Persons: Chai Wacharonke, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, India, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, South Korea

☆ Thai policy rate is right for now, Mideast war is a concern - c.bank chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The central bank's growth forecast of 4.4% for 2024 will be revised if there is any change in the government's stimulus plan, he added. Sethaput said the Bank of Thailand is concerned about the fallout from the conflict in the Middle East. "A new factor that I'm quite wary about is Middle East problems as evaluating the impact of this risk is very difficult," he said, but added that the current policy rate is appropriate. The rate has been raised by a total of 200 basis points since August last year to rein in elevated inflation. ($1 = 36.11 baht)Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong Thaichareon and Satawasin Staporncharnchai; Editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, Sethaput, Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Bank of, Bank, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Bank of Thailand, outflows

☆ For the second Halloween in a row, U.S. candy inflation hits double digits
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

For the second year in a row, U.S. shoppers are seeing double-digit inflation in the candy aisle. That's on top of a 14% increase in candy and gum prices in October 2022. "The price of candy has gotten to be outrageous," said Jessica Weathers, a small business owner in Shiloh, Illinois. Weathers said she usually buys plenty of candy for trick-or-treaters and events at school and church. Meanwhile, global sugar prices are at 12-year highs, Goughary said.

Persons: Jessica Weathers, Weathers, Dan Sadler, Kelly Goughary, Goughary, —, Michele Buck, Buck, Hershey Organizations: Gro Intelligence, Aldi, Hershey Locations: Shiloh , Illinois, West Africa, El, Ivory, India, Brazil

☆ Nearly 5,000 Thai workers have fled Israel since the Hamas terror attacks that killed 33 of them
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Sam Fellman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A total of 4,771 Thai citizens have led Israel since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist rampage. The Thai government said that 18 of its citizens remain hostages somewhere in Gaza. An estimated 30,000 Thai workers labored in Israel's food industry prior to the latest war. Many Thai workers, and some students, have opted to stay for now amid reports that some Israeli employers have increased their pay, according to the Bangkok Post. An estimated 30,000 Thai workers have labored in Israel's fields of crops like wheat and its fruit groves as part of an agreement between the countries.

Persons: —, Thais, Young, Sakchai Lalit Organizations: Service, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hamas, Bangkok Post, Suvarnabhumi Locations: Israel, Gaza, Bangkok, Thailand, Samut Prakarn Province, Tehran

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker is tugged towards a thermal power station in Futtsu, east of Tokyo, Japan November 13, 2017. GAS HEAVY GENERATIONThe main driver of Thailand's LNG imports - which have jumped by 127% since 2019 - is its gas-heavy electricity generation system. Since 2015, natural gas capacity expansions have accounted for 72% of Thailand's total increases in electricity generation capacity, Ember data shows. TRACKING PROGRESSA key solace for transition advocates is that the development of new electricity generation capacity may be more important than historical capacity development trends. For the near term, however, the strong growth pace of Thailand's LNG imports suggests fossil fuels have most of the expansion momentum in Thailand's energy system.

Persons: Issei Kato, Ember, Gavin Maguire, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Energy Institute, Singapore Coal, LNG, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Futtsu, Tokyo, Japan, LITTLETON , Colorado, Thailand, LNG, Qatar, Australia, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia, Indonesia, Gulf, Vietnam, South East Asia

☆ Second half show earns Shandong win in Asian Champions League
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Shandong Taishan moved to the top of Group G of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday as Brazilian striker Cryzan and former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini scored in the second half to secure a 2-0 win over hosts Incheon United. Only the winners of each of the 10 groups in the Asian Champions League are certain to progress to the last 16, where they will be joined by the three runners-up from the eastern and western halves of the continent with the best records. Thailand's Bangkok United maintained their perfect start in Group F by coming from behind to beat Kitchee 2-1 in Hong Kong. Austria international Jakob Jantscher, a summer signing for the Hong Kong champions, gave Kitchee a seventh-minute lead but Rungrath Phumichantuk levelled four minutes into first half stoppage time. In Group H, first half goals from Alessandro Lopane and Jamie Maclaren saw Melbourne City secure a 2-0 win over Buriram United in Thailand to move onto seven points from three games.

Persons: Cryzan, Marouane Fellaini, Fellaini, Kota, Kenyu Sugimoto, Anderson Lopes, Kevin Muscat's, Jakob Jantscher, Kitchee, Rungrath Phumichantuk, Willen Mota, Fernando, Thais, Bassel, Dan Petrescu's, Alessandro Lopane, Jamie Maclaren, Japan's Ventforet Kofu, Lucas Possignolo, Nyasha Mushekwi, Michael Church, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Asian Champions League, Manchester United, Incheon United, Chinese Super League, South, Incheon, Yokohama F Marinos, Kaya FC, Kota Mizunuma, Bangkok United, Kitchee, Hong, Jeonbuk Motors, Lion City, Melbourne City, Buriram United, Australians, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Shandong Taishan, Shandong, Iloilo, Philippines, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Austria, Thailand

☆ Thailand aims swapping Chinese sub with frigate after troubled deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The Thai government may buy a frigate instead of a submarine from China after the Chinese manufacturer was unable to include a German engine as specified in the original deal, Thailand's defence minister has said. China has proposed replacing the German engines with Chinese-made equipment several rounds of negotiations did not yield a conclusive result. "We have proposed to China and they are considering it," defence minister Sutin Klungsang told a local media outlet on Tuesday. The defence minister said last week that procurement of submarine would be shelved for now and resume "when the country is ready". The Chinese submarine deal has attracted public criticism of the previous government, with the opposition and critics raising questions about whether was in the public interest, and whether submarines were necessary for security.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin's, Sutin Klungsang, Sutin, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, China, Thailand, Germany, Beijing

[1/2] Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 16, 2023. "And if you look at the month-by-month statistics, Chinese investments are still increasing," he told Reuters. "So I see that in the next two or three years, Chinese investments will still increase drastically in Thailand." But a large proportion of the 228 Chinese investments proposals this year have come in the electronics sector, according to the BOI. Chinese investments will likely continue for the next two years, Jareeporn said.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Tingshu Wang, General Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Srettha, Xiaomi Corp's, Alain Lam, Narit, Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Jareeporn, Chayut, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Thailand's, Beijing Capital International Airport, Forum, REUTERS, Rights, of Investment, Investment, Reuters, Thai, Initiative, HK, Toyota, Isuzu Motors, WHA, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BANGKOK, Thailand, Singapore, Southeast Asia's, Thailand's, Thai

Oct 10 (Reuters) - When 26-year-old Natthaporn Onkaew headed for Israel two years ago to join thousands of fellow Thai migrants and take a job as a farm worker, his father warned him not to go. Now his words have come hauntingly true: Natthaporn is among 11 Thais and scores of other hostages taken by Hamas militants in their unprecedented assault on Israel at the weekend. He is one of 30,000 Thais working in Israel, mainly in the agricultural sector. Among numerous nations with citizens caught up in the conflagration, 18 Thais have also been killed and nine injured. Thailand and the Philippines are among the largest sources of migrant workers for Israel, the Filipinos mainly in healthcare.

Persons: Natthaporn, Onkaew, Thawatchai Onkaew, Thongkoon Onkaew, I'm, Thais, Napat Wesshasartar, Thomas Suen, Chayut, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Hamas, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, SAENG, Baan, Philippines

☆ What Thailand's new coalition government means for the cannabis market
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In June 2022, the Southeast Asian nation became the first in Asia to decriminalize the cannabis plant, allowing it to be grown and consumed freely. Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai party and one of Srettha's coalition partners, was a key figure responsible for legalizing recreational cannabis. Currently, many outlets claim to be medical cannabis platforms but they often prioritize profits rather than patient health, a number of clinics told CNBC. "This could foster a more positive perception of the cannabis industry among the public, and for the industry to sustain in the long run," Jintana said. "The prospect of exporting cannabis products to legal foreign markets aligns with Thailand's medical hub policy propelling both medicinal cannabis and other traditional herbs to the forefront," said Jintana.

Persons: Dimas Ardian, that's, Srettha Thavisin, Soratat, Srettha, hasn't, Soratat Pongsangiam, Sornkanok, Anutin Charnvirakul, Anutin, Jintana Manorompatrasal, Jintana, May's Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Greenhead, Reuters, Greenhead Clinic, Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, Deputy, CNBC, Sawasdee Clinic Locations: San, Bangkok, Thailand, Asia, Phuket, U.S

☆ Thailand says 12 of its citizens killed in Israel, 11 kidnapped
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A view shows a police station that was the site of a battle following a mass-infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, southern Israel October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Thailand's foreign ministry on Monday said 12 Thai nationals had been killed in unrest in Israel, plus 11 more kidnapped and eight injured. "We are working to help all Thai citizens in Israel," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kanchana Patarachoke told reporters. Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ronen, Kanchana Patarachoke, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Foreign, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Sderot, Israel, Rights BANGKOK

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —A teen suspected of shooting two people dead at an upscale shopping mall in Thailand has been charged with six counts including premeditated murder, police told CNN Wednesday. The 14-year-old boy was arrested on Tuesday shortly after the shooting rampage at the busy Siam Paragon mall in central Bangkok’s bustling commercial and tourist district. Thai Police General Torsak Sukvimol told reporters Tuesday the suspect “surrendered himself” after the shooting and still had ammunition when he was apprehended. Staff repair the glass doors of a furniture store where a 14-year-old suspect was apprehended after a shooting rampage in Bangkok. And the shooting of Chinese victims in downtown Bangkok may make some tourists think twice about traveling to Thailand.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, Kanchana Patarachoke, General Nakarin Sukhonthawit, ” Nakarin, Nakarin, Lauren DeCicca, ”, Torsak Sukvimol, “, Thanamorn Noonart, Thanamorn, ” Thanamorn, Bangkok’s Pathum, “ it’s, Jack Taylor, Torsak, Lillian Suwanrumpha, Thailand ”, Srettha Thavisin, ” Srettha, Srettha Organizations: Thailand CNN, CNN, Siam Paragon, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Police, ” Police, Thai Police, Rajavithi Hospital, Video, Thai, Getty, Staff, Tourism Authority of, Survey, SAS, Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington’s Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Siam, Myanmar, Laos, Pathum Wan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Bangkok’s, Bangkok’s Pathum Wan, Thai, AFP, China, Southeast Asia, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Cambodia, Weibo, Switzerland, Philippines, Nong Bua Lamphu

☆ Suspected Thai mall shooter modified handgun designed to fire blanks - police
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] A general view shows the outside of the luxury Siam Paragon shopping mall after Thai police arrested a teenage gunman who is suspected of killing foreigners and wounding other people in a shooting spree, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 3, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Silva Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - A teenager suspected of killing two foreign nationals and wounding five others in a Thai shopping mall shooting had modified a handgun that was designed to fire only blanks, a senior police official said on Wednesday. Chaos erupted at the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok close to peak hours on Tuesday, with hundreds fleeing as gunshots rang out. Major General Samran Nuanma said he modified a gun designed to fire blank rounds, to enable it to use live ammunition. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Samran Nuanma, Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Siam Paragon, Police, National, Thomson Locations: Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai, China, Myanmar

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

☆ Shooting at a major Bangkok shopping mall kills 3, and a suspect is in police custody
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Emergency responders are seen entering the Siam Paragon mall after a shooting incident inside on October 03, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. BANGKOK (AP) — A shooter opened fire inside a major shopping mall in the center of Thailand's capital Tuesday afternoon, killing three people before being apprehended, authorities said. Police said a suspect was apprehended less than an hour after the first reported gunshots at the Siam Paragon Mall, long been seen as one of Bangkok's biggest and most upscale shopping destinations. Witnesses said crowds of people left the building, one of several shopping centers in the area popular with tourists and well-heeled Thais alike. She said she heard gunshots and an alarm ringing, and that the lights in the mall went out.

Persons: Archayon Kraithong, Yutthana Sretthanan, Witnesses, Liu Shiying, We're Organizations: Paragon, Police, Siam Paragon, Bangkok's Emergency Medical Center, Thais, Associated Press, AP Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, Siam, Nakhon Ratchasima

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

☆ Thailand's new PM says committed to attracting major foreign investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO-Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday said his government was committed to introducing the necessary changes to make the country a major destination for foreign investment, including pursuing more free trade agreements. He stressed foreign policy would be neutral and not taking sides between the United States and China, adding that Japan was a major power that Thailand was committed to, given its long history as the country's top investor. He opened the address stating the country's constitution needed to be amended to address political divisions and chronic economic disparities. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Brendan McDermid, Srettha, Sretta, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty, Michael Perry Organizations: Thailand’s, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights BANGKOK, Thailand, United States, China, Japan

☆ 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

☆ South Korea mulls measures after tennis player wrecks racket
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

In a statement on Tuesday, the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) said Kwon's actions were "extremely regretful". "We will take appropriate measures for the situation through a comprehensive review after the Games come to an end," KSOC said. Kwon also drew criticism from South Korea's vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, who called the player's reaction to the defeat "regretful." Kwon apologised to Kasidit, and to his South Korean fans, in a handwritten note posted on social media. "I behaved recklessly soon after a match ended and I shouldn't have as a national team player," he said.

Persons: Pabellon Fuente, Korea’s Kwon, Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Eva Manez, Kwon, Kasidit Samrej, netizens, KSOC, Kasidit, Hyunsu Yim, Ed Davies, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rights, Asian Games, Weibo, Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center, Thai, Korean Sport, Olympic, South, Thomson Locations: Spain, South Korea, San Luis, Valencia, Rights SEOUL, China

☆ Thailand win first esports medal as princess rides in
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Asian Games - Hangzhou 2022 - E-Sports - China Hangzhou Esports Centre, Hangzhou, China - September 26, 2023 Players from Team Thailand prepare before the Arena of Valor Asian Games Version Bronze Medal Match REUTERS/Ann Wang Acquire Licensing RightsHANGZHOU, China, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Thailand claimed the first esports medal awarded at the Asian Games on Tuesday in an event closely watched by Olympic officials as a princess of the kingdom made a royal entrance to the equestrian event. But an enthusiastic crowd of locals cheered on the Thais at the Hangzhou Esports Centre as they prevailed 2-0 in a best-of-three match for the popular mobile phone game developed by a Chinese tech firm. The players tapped their small screens furiously and communicated with team mates via headsets throughout a contest that stretched to nearly 40 minutes. If esports is the future of the Games, Thai Princess Sirivannavari Mahidol represented its past as she made a regal entrance on a horse named 'Es Fangar's Samba King' in the dressage team event. "Luckily our father is supporting us," said the princess, who represented Thailand in badminton at the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar and equestrian at Incheon in 2014.

Persons: Ann Wang, Sirivannavari Mahidol, King Vajiralongkorn, Zhang Boheng, Zhang, Takeru Kitazono, nation's, Lee Hye, kyeong, Kwon, Martin Quin Pollard, Peter Rutherford Organizations: China Hangzhou Esports, Team Thailand, of Valor, REUTERS, Rights, Asian Games, Olympic, Vietnam, esports, Jakarta Asian, Thais, Hangzhou Esports, Thailand, Games, South, Doping Agency, Olympic Council of Asia, OCA, Thomson Locations: Hangzhou, China Hangzhou, China Hangzhou Esports Centre, China, Rights HANGZHOU, Thailand, Bangkok, Sorawat, India, Qatar, Incheon, North, Jakarta, Communist, Korean

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