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Timor-Leste added to visa-free list
Timor-Leste added to visa-free list
BANGKOK: The Cabinet has approved a mutual visa-free agreement with Timor-Leste, under which visitors would be allowed to stay in the country for 30 days upon entry.
Thai GP tickets sell out in a flash
Thai GP tickets sell out in a flash
MOTO GP: Grand Stand tickets for the PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2024 were all sold out within minutes on the first day of sale yesterday (June 18).
Thaksin released on bail after arraignment
Thaksin released on bail after arraignment
BANGKOK: The Criminal Court has released former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on bail of B500,000 after he was arraigned on lese-majeste and computer crime charges in connection with comments made during an interview in 2015.   Thaksin reported to public prosecutors yesterday morning (June 18) and was taken to the Criminal Court for arraignment on his lese-majeste case, according to the spokesman of the Office of the Attorney-General. Prayut Phetcharakhun said the court accepted the case at 8:56am, officially making Thaksin a defendant. Thaksin denied all charges and said he would defend himself in court, reports the Bangkok Post. According to the court, the defendant is required to surrender his passport and is prohibited from leaving the country unless permitted. The court has granted bail to Thaksin, based on reasonable grounds that he will not flee, tamper with evidence, commit dangerous acts or obstruct the court’s proceedings. Late last month, the OAG announced its decision to indict Thaksin, who was on parole at the time. The indictment, initially set for an earlier date, was postponed to yesterday because Thaksin had reportedly contracted COVID-19. Thaksin, 74, is accused of defaming the monarchy during an interview with the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo on May 21, 2015. In the interview, he claimed privy councillors supported the 2014 coup that ousted the government of his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra. The original complaint about the interview was filed in 2015 by Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, then deputy defence minister in the military government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Gen Udomdej instructed the Judge Advocate General’s Department to take legal action against Thaksin, leading the OAG to file a lawsuit. The Criminal Court accepted the case for trial in 2015 and issued an arrest warrant for Thaksin, who remained abroad and did not return to Thailand until August last year. Police alleged that the comments made during the interview violated Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese-majeste law, as well as the Computer Crimes Act. Earlier, the OAG’s spokesman said that Attorney-General Amnat Chetcharoenrak had decided to indict Thaksin on both charges, as proposed by police. The computer crime charge is related to Thaksin inputting information into a computer system that was deemed a threat to national security. Thaksin, who denies any wrongdoing, could face pre-trial detention if he is denied bail by the Criminal Court, following the indictment. The lese-majeste law carries a maximum jail sentence of up to 15 years for each perceived royal insult.
House passes same-sex marriage law
House passes same-sex marriage law
BANGKOK: Thailand is set to become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise same-sex marriage, with its marriage equality law passed in the Upper House yesterday (June 18) and now on the way to being promulgated before it is due to take effect in the next few months.
Unwelcome rebirth of zero-dollar tours
Unwelcome rebirth of zero-dollar tours
BANGKOK: The scourge of zero-dollar tours has returned with even lower prices, targeting inbound tourists from China, Russia and India.
Tourism compensation scheme to be extended until end of year
Tourism compensation scheme to be extended until end of year
BANGKOK: The Tourism and Sports Ministry wants to extend compensation for injured and deceased tourists to the end of this year after only B3.9 million from the B50mn allocated for the scheme was used.
Red shirts to rally for Thaksin
Red shirts to rally for Thaksin
BANGKOK: Supporters of the red-shirt movement are expected to turn up at the Criminal Court on Tuesday morning (June 18) in a show of support for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is scheduled to hear the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) decision on a lese majeste case against him.
Government to chase pink baht after Pride nets B4.5bn
Government to chase pink baht after Pride nets B4.5bn
BANGKOK: The government expects June’s Pride Month will generate more than B4.5 billion in cash flow for the economy, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
CPN to expand luxury store space at Central Phuket
CPN to expand luxury store space at Central Phuket
PHUKET: Retail and property developer Central Pattana Plc (CPN), operator of Central malls, plans to nearly double the luxury store space at Central Phuket by year-end as the island is becoming a luxury tourism destination.
New minister lays out foreign policy
New minister lays out foreign policy
BANGKOK: Maris Sangiampongsa, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, has emphasised Thailand’s role in ensuring peaceful dialogue to help solve the conflict in Myanmar.
TAT bullish on casino investment
TAT bullish on casino investment
BANGKOK: Thailand stands a good chance of attracting investments in entertainment complexes as MGM China Holdings is looking for new overseas investments, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
PM shoots down quit rumours
PM shoots down quit rumours
BANGKOK: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin denied a rumour that he would resign or dissolve the House of Representatives before the Constitutional Court hands down a ruling in a case that could lead to him being removed from office for appointing controversial politician Pichit Chuenban as a PM’s Office minister.
PT Grand Prix ticket prices announced
PT Grand Prix ticket prices announced
MOTO GP: Tickets for this year’s PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2024 will go on sale next Tuesday (June 18) from 2pm onwards.
TAT to assist tourists stranded by FTI
TAT to assist tourists stranded by FTI
BANGKOK: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has pledged to help stranded tourists affected by the bankruptcy of major German tour operator FTI Group, while continuing to work with government officials to ensure hotels receive payments from the company.
Thai spikers beat Bulgaria in thriller
Thai spikers beat Bulgaria in thriller
VOLLEYBALL: Thailand edged Bulgaria 3-2 in the second match of the final week of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League 2024 preliminary phase at Hong Kong Coliseum yesterday (June 13).
New Thai-Malaysia bridge work could start next April
New Thai-Malaysia bridge work could start next April
NARATHIWAT: Construction of a new bridge linking Thailand and Malaysia in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat could start in April next year, the provincial governor has said.
Chatuchak fire sparks calls to protect animals
Chatuchak fire sparks calls to protect animals
BANGKOK: Animal protection activists are calling for changes to laws governing sales of pets and exotic animals following a deadly fire at a pet market in Chatuchak district of Bangkok on Tuesday (June 11).
Kingdom’s spikers no match for Turks
Kingdom’s spikers no match for Turks
BANGKOK: Thailand began the final week of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League 2024 preliminary phase with a 3-0 loss to defending champions Turkey in Hong Kong yesterday (June 12).
Thai hotels hit by collapse of German travel firm FTI
Thai hotels hit by collapse of German travel firm FTI
BANGKOK: The collapse of the third-largest tour operator in Europe has started to affect thousands of tourists and hundreds of hotels in Thailand, leading to losses of B111 million.
‘Wai’ given national identity status
‘Wai’ given national identity status
BANGKOK: The Cabinet has agreed to make the “wai” gesture a national identity for greetings and expressions of respect, according to a deputy government spokesman.