Latest news with #Shinawatra
NHK
23-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Thai ex-pm ordered to pay $300 mil. over failed rice scheme
A former Thai prime minister has been ordered to pay about 300-million dollars' damages over a controversial rice subsidy program more than a decade ago. Yingluck Shinawatra served as Thailand's leader for 3 years from 2011. The Supreme Administrative Court said on Thursday that Yingluck's administration failed to curb corruption over rice deals that caused losses to the state. The aim of the program was to support farmers' incomes by buying rice from them at prices higher than market value. It was a flagship policy, but led to a large amount of crops going stockpiled and unsold. Yingluck said on Facebook she had no intention to inflict damage and was being held responsible "for a debt I did not cause." She pledged to continue to fight for justice. Yingluck was Thailand's first female prime minister. She is a member of the billionaire Shinawatra family. Former Thai leader Thaksin is her older brother and his daughter is the current Prime Minister Paetongtarn. Yingluck's administration implemented policies such as the rice subsidy scheme to appeal to farmers and low-income groups. She was ousted in 2014 shortly before a military coup, following huge anti-government protests. Yingluck left Thailand before being sentenced to 5 years in prison for criminal negligence over the rice program. She has since lived in self-imposed exile.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thai PM visits Bangkok collapse site as quake rescue continues
STORY: :: Thai PM Shinawatra visits an under-construction building that collapsed during the Myanmar earthquake :: Bangkok, Thailand :: March 31, 2025 :: Shortly after Shinawatra's visit, a sign of life was detected under the rubble :: Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok 'A second ago, we actually found one of the (vital) signal and this is why we're trying to cooperate together so that we concentrate on the tactical team on how we're going to get through to the signal we actually captured. So this time, we really need to concentrate on that. That's why I have to have you (move) out first, and then we (can) work on it.' 'By the medical standard, that 72-golden-hour is a high chance for survival. After this, we have to speed up. We're not going to stop even after 72 hours. We are going to speed up the process, because we want to get to them even faster because it's over the 72 hours golden period.' Paetongtarn was at the site to get an update on the situation and pledged support, with government officials saying they were ready to provide additional equipment or assistance where needed. Shortly after the prime minister's visit, a sign of life was detected — prompting an intensified rescue effort. She left the scene to avoid disrupting the operation, according to officials. Although it has been over 72 hours since the building collapsed, rescue efforts continue in hopes of finding survivors still believed to be alive. The earthquake on Friday (March 28) killed nearly 2,000 people in Myanmar, while in Thailand, at least 18 have been confirmed dead and 76 remain missing beneath the collapsed building, according to officials.
Gulf Today
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Thai PM Shinawatra survives censure motion
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 38, won a censure debate by 319 votes to 162 on Wednesday after a two-day debate on Monday and Tuesday. The opposition accused her of inexperience in tackling the challenges facing the country, and also of taking advice from former prime minister and her father Thaksin Shinawatra. They opposition also said that the prime minister avoided giving answers to the media, and she also ended giving wrong answers. After the vote, Shinawatra, speaking to reporters, said that she would learn from the votes polled against her as well as for her. She also said that there would be no cabinet reshuffle though her coalition partners were pressurising her through her father to make changes in her team. She told reporters that she takes advice from her father but nothing more. During the debate she denied charges that she was but a puppet in the hands of her father. The Shinawatras have been controversial. Thaksin, the tycoon, is popular among the poor people, and his time as prime minister of the country saw the country thrive. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was overthrown in a coup in 2014. During the censure debate, opposition leader Rangsiman Rome of People's Party, accused the prime minister of trying to protect her father and to ensure that he did not have to spend even a day in prison. Shinawatra responded by saying that the royal pardon for her father came much before she became prime minister. The conservatives and the military elite in the country resent the popularity of the Shinawatras but they are unable to keep them out of power. If the army had its way it would want the conservatives to rule the country but given the violent fluctuations in the economy, the army has learnt the hard way that it is difficult to manage Thailand with its poor people and the rocky economy. But the army has been insistent that the monarchy should remain inviolable and they have refused to accept that criticising the king does not amount to sedition. So, the populist Shinawatras are allowed to be in office as long as they satisfy the conditions laid down by the army and the monarchists. Thailand remains an important country in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) because of its geographical location. It has been the tourist hub of the region even as destinations in Malaysia, and now in Vietnam, have become popular. And the Thais in general have proved that they have a mind of their own. Even the army and the monarchists would not want to push the people over the edge as it were. So, it is a truce, an uneasy one at that, between the populists represented by the Shinawatras, and the conservatives led by the army and the monarchists. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, has been the centre of global economic importance. Economic boom in Bangkok has usually meant that things are well in the ASEAN, and if there is economic trouble in Bangkok, it is a sign that ASEAN is in trouble as well. The 1997 Asian economic crisis started in Bangkok with the fall in baht, and spread to other countries in the region. So, Bangkok is the economic barometer of the region. Paetongtarn Shinawatra is not yet a political leader on her own terms like her father Thaksin was in some ways. She will be buffeted on all sides by political currents. And if the economy does well, then she can hope to be in power for a longer time. She is now the prime minister because of her surname. She has to establish her own credentials as the leader.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Thailand eyes hosting Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bangkok from 2028
The Thai government is considering hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bangkok from 2028, with prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirming plans for a feasibility study into the proposal. It marks Thailand's latest effort to establish itself as a premier destination for global sporting events and attract high-spending tourists. Ms Shinawatra met with Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali on Tuesday at Government House in Bangkok, where they discussed the country's potential to hold a race on a street circuit in the capital. Following the meeting, she announced that the government would examine the investment required, assess possible race routes, and evaluate the economic benefits for Thailand. "We had the opportunity to discuss the opportunity of Thailand to host the Formula 1 race, which is a great sport with a worldwide following," Ms Shinawatra posted on X. "The government confirmed that it will study this joint investment, including the study of the race route, the investment budget, and the value for Thailand to receive from hosting the race." Our CEO Stefano Domenicali met with the Prime Minister of Thailand earlier today 🇹🇭"I was delighted to meet with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minster of Thailand, and her team today to discuss their impressive plans to host a race in Bangkok. I am looking forward to… — Formula 1 (@F1) March 18, 2025 Although Thailand already has an FIA-accredited circuit – the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, which hosts MotoGP races – the focus is on holding a Formula 1 street race in Bangkok. The city's traffic congestion is notorious, and Ms Shinawatra believes the event could serve as an impetus to upgrade infrastructure. "I believe that all Thai people will benefit from organising this event, whether it is large-scale infrastructure investment, job creation, new income generation, and importing new technologies and innovations," she said. "I am confident that this project will be successful. It is another important opportunity for the country to organise a world-class event." Mr Domenicali also expressed optimism, calling Thailand's plans "impressive" and stating that he looked forward to continuing discussions in the coming months. If successful, Thailand would join an increasingly crowded Formula 1 calendar, which currently features 24 races worldwide. A third of the scheduled events for 2025 will be held on street or hybrid circuits, including the Singapore Grand Prix, which takes place on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Formula 1 has had two Thai drivers in its history: Alex Albon, who races for the British Formula One team Williams Racing under the Thai flag, and Prince Birabongse Bhanudej, who competed in the sport's early years from 1950 to 1955. While Thailand has expressed interest in hosting an F1 race before, this latest push builds on previous efforts to position the country as a hub for major international events. The government has actively sought to host concerts and festivals, aiming to capitalise on its tourism-driven economy. The feasibility study will determine whether Bangkok can meet the logistical and financial demands of hosting a Grand Prix, as Formula 1 continues to evaluate new venues amid surging global interest in the sport. Additional reporting by agencies
