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CBC
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Period costume exhibit at P.E.I.'s Government House showcases styles that were all the rage in 1864
Government House in Charlottetown, P.E.I., is once again opening its doors for tours this summer. This year, the program will include a revived tradition of hosting exhibitions, starting with an array of period costumes styled after fashions from 1864, when representatives from the Province of Canada (present-day Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island met in Charlottetown to discuss a political union.
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Suspended Thai PM Paetongtarn hit by ethics investigation, source and media say
FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Minister of Culture Paetongtarn Shinawatra leaves Government House, after Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended her from duty as prime minister pending a case seeking her dismissal, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 3, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/File Photo BANGKOK - Thailand's anti-graft body will investigate suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for alleged ethnics violations over a leaked phone call with Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen, an official and local media said on Monday. The investigation will be another blow to the beleaguered government of 38-year-old Paetongtarn, Thailand's youngest premier, who the Constitutional Court suspended from duty earlier this month over the same issue. The leaked June 15 call, during which Paetongtarn appeared to kowtow before Hun Sen and criticised a Thai army commander, triggered a major backlash at home, with allegations she had undermined Thailand's integrity and sovereignty amid a heated territorial dispute with Cambodia. Paetongtarn has since seen protests calling for her resignation and the exit from her coalition of its second-largest party, leaving her government with a razor-thin majority. "The commission has set up an investigation panel. There is no timeframe," said an official from the National Anti-Corruption Commission, who declined to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly about the matter. The body has a broad remit to probe allegations of offences by state officials beyond graft. Multiple Thai media outlets on Monday reported it had decided to investigate Pateongtarn. The NACC secretary-general Sarote Phuengrampan told reporters he was not aware of the investigation or any decision by commissioners. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun Singapore Man charged over distributing nearly 3 tonnes of vapes in one day in Bishan, Ubi Avenue 3 Singapore Singapore boosts support for Timor-Leste as it prepares to join Asean Singapore UN aviation and maritime agencies pledge to collaborate to boost safety, tackle challenges Business Singapore's economy sees surprise expansion in Q2 despite US tariff uncertainty: Advance estimate Singapore High Court dismisses appeal of drink driver who killed one after treating Tampines road like racetrack Singapore 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat Singapore Jail, caning for man who had 285 child porn videos, including those that show infants The complaint came from 36 senators who also petitioned the Constitutional Court alleging Paetongtarn, the daughter of politically influential billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, had violated ethical standards and intentionally abused her power. She is suspended from duty until a verdict is delivered. Paetongtarn has apologised for the call and insisted she was trying to find a peaceful solution to an escalating row with Cambodia, which saw a troop buildup on both sides of their border. Paetongtarn's battles after only 10 months in office underline a deep rift in Thailand between the Shinawatra political dynasty and its rivals among a conservative establishment backed by the army, a long-running power struggle that has seen two coups and the fall of multiple parties and prime ministers by court orders. REUTERS
The Star
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Thaksin, Pichai meet Prime Minister's policy advisory team to refine US tariff proposal
BANGKOK: Thailand and several other countries have until August 1, 2025, to finalise trade proposals under the United States' new 'Reciprocal Tariff' policy, after Washington confirmed a 36 per cent retaliatory tariff rate on Thai exports. The Thai government is pursuing a two-pronged approach. First, it is finalising a comprehensive proposal addressing tariff reductions, non-tariff barriers (NTB) easing and the relaxation of import conditions. The US has set a July 31 deadline for submission of this additional proposal. Second, the government is preparing mitigation measures in response to the so-called "Trump Tariff" and the expected market opening to US products. This includes budget allocations, relief funding and soft loan schemes aimed at supporting affected farmers, SMEs and exporters within the US-bound supply chain. Thailand submitted its second-round proposal to Washington on July 6, 2025. The revised proposal accelerates the timeline for achieving trade balance, targeting a 70 per cent reduction in Thailand's trade surplus with the US by 2030. By 2031–2032, the two nations are expected to reach full trade balance. A Government House source revealed that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has called a meeting with the Prime Minister's policy advisory team (known as the Baan Phitsanulok team) on July 10 to finalise Thailand's negotiating position. Thaksin's meeting comes ahead of a high-level 'Team Thailand' session on July 11, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. The session will bring together key economic ministers and the advisory team to consolidate Thailand's position before the deadline. Thaksin reportedly stressed the need for a finalised strategy by the end of this week. Pichai said that a high-level meeting on July 11, 2025, will consolidate input from affected businesses to shape appropriate support measures. The goal is to finalise Thailand's negotiating stance and secure a deal with the United States before the July 31 deadline. He stressed the need to prepare for multiple outcomes—ranging from favourable to moderate—while assessing the broader economic implications, particularly for Thai exports. Countries that have already reached trade deals with Washington have faced multiple tariff layers, including import taxes on goods with insufficient domestic content (as measured by RVC – regional value content), and product-specific tariffs. This means individual Thai exporters could face differing tariff rates and uneven impacts depending on their product type and value chain composition. Supavud Saicheua, policy adviser to the Prime Minister and chair of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), said that Pichai has called for a strategic meeting at Baan Phitsanulok on July 11 to review the US negotiations and explore next steps following US President Donald Trump's formal notification of a 36 per cent tariff rate on Thai goods. The deadline for a final proposal remains August 1, 2025. He noted that recalibrating Thailand-US economic ties is critical, as the US accounts for 18 per cent of Thailand's total exports. With mounting pressure from Washington, Thailand can no longer rely on previous trade arrangements. 'The US wants to recoup as much of its past trade deficit as possible, and if Thailand wants to export, it may have to manufacture in the US instead,' he said. 'Frankly, the 36 per cent tariff is seen by the US as lenient given the past trade gap,' Supavud added. 'Thailand will have to continue trading with the US, but the trade value is expected to shrink. At the same time, we will face growing pressure to import more American goods. We must start thinking seriously about who we'll be trading with over the next six to 12 months.' Thailand's negotiation team has concluded that the trade deal struck between the US and Vietnam is now serving as a benchmark—if not a pressure point—for other countries, including Thailand, in ongoing tariff talks. The US is using Vietnam's agreement as a reference in demanding wide-ranging commitments, from across-the-board tariff reductions to sweeping removal of non-tariff barriers (NTBs). Among key US demands are the elimination of agricultural import quotas, streamlined import licensing timelines, and the lifting of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) restrictions—mirroring Vietnam's concessions. Washington is also pressing for the liberalisation of Thailand's financial and telecommunications sectors, though not for immediate implementation, but rather as part of future negotiations. Another sensitive issue is trans-shipment—the rerouting of goods from countries targeted by US trade restrictions through Thai ports. Vietnam was previously hit with a 40 per cent tariff on such goods under a new trade enforcement model, and Thailand may soon face similar scrutiny. Defining what constitutes trans-shipment is expected to become a major sticking point, with potentially significant implications for Thai exporters. According to a Government House source, Thailand's latest proposal, submitted to Washington on 6 July 2025, is now under formal review by the US tariff task force, thanks to coordination by Thailand's trade office in Washington. The Thai government is hoping its concessions will prompt a reduction in the proposed 36 per cent tariff rate. Meanwhile, domestic preparations to cushion the impact of the so-called 'Trump Tariff' are underway. A relief package is being coordinated across ministries, with the Fiscal Policy Office and the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) tasked with presenting support options to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. These will focus on safeguarding employment and supporting exporters, SMEs, and farmers. On July 9, the Finance Ministry convened a meeting with the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking. A broader consultation with the private sector is scheduled for next week, led by the NESDC, to fine-tune the design of targeted support measures. Three key relief channels were identified: Budget allocations – For FY2025: THB47 billion (US$1.4 billion) in the central stimulus fund already earmarked for Trump tariff response, with an additional THB11.1 billion reserved for export relief. – For FY2026: THB25 billion set aside in the central budget, with plans to reallocate a further THB40 billion from other budget items. Relief fund – A dedicated fund will be used to support sectors most impacted by the new tariff regime. Soft loan programme – The Government Savings Bank (GSB) has prepared a THB100 billion soft loan facility to assist three groups: exporters to the US, export-related supply chains and manufacturers hit by cheap Chinese imports. Commerce Minister Jatuporn Buruspat said that the July 11, 2025, meeting at Baan Phitsanulok will partly focus on designing relief measures for sectors affected by the US-imposed 'Trump Tariff'. A proposal for a dedicated compensation fund worth THB10 billion is under discussion, though the final amount will depend on the scale of economic damage identified. Two implementation options are being considered: Establishing a new relief fund specifically for tariff-related impacts Channelling assistance through the existing Agricultural Restructuring Fund (FTA Fund), which aims to enhance national competitiveness in the sector 'We need comprehensive data—who is affected, which products, and the extent of the damage,' said Jatuporn. 'Only then can we determine the appropriate funding level. The Commerce Ministry will coordinate closely with all relevant ministries to ensure an effective and targeted response.' There are reports that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra also took part in the meeting at Baan Phitsanulok on Friday (July 11), underscoring his active role in shaping Thailand's negotiating strategy and economic response to the impending US tariff measures. His presence signals the political weight being placed on securing a resolution before the 1 August deadline. - The Nation/ANN
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Les Amis: Jersey disability charity celebrates 50th birthday
A charity which supports people with learning disabilities has celebrated its 50th Amis' birthday celebrations were attended by around 200 people last month at the grounds of Government House, and included a visit by the former Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, Vice Admiral Sir Jerry Kyd, and Lady group was founded in 1975 with the aim of "empowering" people with conditions such as Down's Syndrome, autism, and Amis said it was "humbled" to have received "so many messages of support", and thanked everyone who had contributed to its fundraising efforts. The group currently provides services such as residential homes, and support for people living independently, to more than 100 adults on the month it began work to build a new £3.5m facility at La Rue de Bechet, Trinity, due to be completed next year."Demand for our services continues to rise," said Leslie Norman MBE, Les Amis chair."We are excited that we are moving forward with our specialist nursing and complex needs facility in Trinity that will also allow us to provide end of life care."Thank you to all of those who celebrated with us and continue to support our work. We look forward to sharing more exciting news soon."
Bangkok Post
04-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Protecting culture is key
The latest cabinet shakeup has shifted the spotlight onto the Ministry of Culture. Officials of this usually quiet ministry received their new, high-profile minister yesterday, who was only days before suspended as prime minister. Paetongtarn Shinawatra swiftly moved her office from Government House to the Ministry of Culture yesterday, creating a buzz among officials and the public alike. PM Paetongtarn is the second prime minister in Thai history to concurrently take up the post of culture minister. The first was Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram in 1952. Field Marshal Plaek -- known for his media savviness, used elements of Thai culture, such as patriotic literature, food and even dress codes to propel his ultra-nationalistic propaganda campaign. In modern times, this portfolio is regarded as Grade C in Thai politics -- the seat is either given to political rookies or to return favours to loyal politicians. The ministry receives around 7 billion baht annually, among the five ministries that have the lowest budget allocation. Unlike agriculture, education or even the labour ministries, the Minister of Culture does not have the opportunity to engage or give favours to local voters. It must be said that the Pheu Thai Party has paid a lot of attention to cultural management. The party has created culturally inclined policies such as the creative economy and soft power. During his first term, her father and then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra created special bodies such as the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD) and new cultural museums to cater to modern culture, such as Museum Siam. With Ms Paetongtarn at its helm, it is certain that this ministry will get more financial and policy support. Indeed, the embattled PM made a good impression on her first day. Appearing energetic and fresh, Ms Paetongtarn said she had enough energy to serve the Ministry of Culture. She told officials that her goal is to "commercialise" Thai culture -- areas such as food, boxing, and even promoting film production, which aligns with the Pheu Thai Party's flagship "soft power" policy. Yet the task of the Culture Ministry is more than just peddling soft power. The Ministry of Culture has a lot of challenges and problems that have been left unresolved. The most glaring problem is the faltering conservation of Thailand's heritage buildings. Thailand has sold its cultural heritage for tourism. Yet, we have seen valuable architectural heritage buildings left in disrepair or simply knocked down, such as the Sala Chalermthai Theatre and, recently, the Scala Theatre. Both architectural gems were demolished simply because they were not listed under the Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums Act 1961. The new minister must improve such laws to protect such architectural gems. Even some national heritage buildings are affected by development projects. One glaring example was the attempt to explore petrochemical resources near the highly valuable Si Thep Historical Park in 2018. Without strong local opposition, oil exploration would have continued near the heritage site, and Si Thep would not have been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2023. PM Paetongtarn should use her power and experience to make development policies to support soft power and cultural heritage protection. Politicians who sit at the Ministry of Culture must pay more attention towards protecting and preserving existing cultural heritage sites. Without this, Thailand will not have much soft power to sell.
