Latest news with #SomsakThepsuthin
Bangkok Post
9 hours ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Weed networks still fuming
The Writing Thailand's Cannabis Future Network on Tuesday filed a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to probe Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin and other officials for issuing the latest cannabis regulations to please investors rather than small-scale growers. The complaint outlined five key concerns, including the removal of protection for vulnerable groups previously included in the 2022 regulation, such as a ban on cannabis sales to young people under 20. The 2025 version replaces the ban with a medical prescription system, making access far easier for the young, whom the state should protect, said the network. The group also touched on the imposition of Good Agriculture and Collection Practice (GACP), which requires that distributors and exporters must be certified by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. However, the criteria of the certifications and the sources of the cannabis are never announced, and thus, only a few are ever granted. The complaint addressed cannabis growers, many of whom have held legal licences and have been operating under the 2022 regulation. They now find that their products are unsellable, resulting in major losses for small businesses and communities. The regulation will also take immediate effect upon publication in the Royal Gazette, without allowing time for adaptation for the nearly 20,000 licensed shops, the network noted. The pro-cannabis network also accused the minister of unethical conduct due to his association with certain business groups in public and a lack of transparency, which limited access to economic opportunities for growers. The network said Mr Somsak, as public health minister, understands the cannabis industry in Thailand and the repercussions once the regulations come into effect. Yet, it added that he proceeded without any backup measures, which suggests his intention to benefit certain investors.
ABC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Everything you need to know about the Thailand-Cambodia conflict
Months of border tension between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated into an armed clash, the worst in a decades-long conflict. Each nation has blamed the other for the escalation, which is the latest chapter in a long-running spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet. Thai military air strikes have targeted Cambodian military installations, while Thai Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin told reporters that Cambodia's actions, including an attack on a hospital, should be considered war crimes. After the initial attacks, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet requested the UN Security Council convene an "urgent meeting … to stop Thailand's aggression". What's the latest? At least 14 casualties have been reported in border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. For the latest updates as they happen, see World News here. Locals in the conflict zone on both sides of the border have fled the violence with both Thai and Cambodian citizens injured. A leading expert says questions remain about how the conflict will be handled by both countries and what impacts it might have on the region more broadly. Thai people looks at the damage of Phanom Dong Rak hospital after Cambodia fired artillery shells at Surin Province, Thailand, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunny Chittawil) ( AP Photo: Sunny Chittawil ) What happened in the lead-up? The dispute first flared in May after armed forces of Thailand and Cambodia briefly fired at each other in a relatively small, contested border area that each country claims as its own. Both sides accused each other and said they acted in self-defence. While the countries said afterwards they agreed to de-escalate the situation, Cambodian and Thai authorities continued to implement or threaten measures short of armed force, keeping tensions high. Relations between the South-East Asian neighbours have deteriorated sharply since the armed confrontation in May. Nationalist passions on both sides have further inflamed the situation. Here's what's happened in recent weeks: A soldier salutes as Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra leaves on a helicopter after she visits a Thailand-Cambodia border town of Aranyaprathet district, while she battles to stay in power after drawing sharp criticism of her handling of a border row with Cambodia, in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand, June 26, 2025. ( Reuters: Athit Perawongmetha ) Stream updates Stay up to date on the latest news from the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict through our YouTube channel and international news services.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Health
- Bangkok Post
14 Thai civilians dead, 2,000 Cambodians flee homes
Fourteen Thai civilians have been killed and 31 injured in ongoing border clashes with Cambodia, according to the Special Operations Centre for Thai-Cambodian Border Situations Management (SOC-TCBSM). Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, spokesperson for the centre, said yesterday that as of 9am, a total of 45 Thai civilians had been affected -- including 14 fatalities, seven critically injured, 13 moderately injured, and 11 with minor injuries. Authorities continue to urge residents on both sides of the border to evacuate for their safety, he added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health reported that at least seven hospitals have been forced to fully close due to safety concerns arising from the clashes. According to the ministry's latest update, 11 hospitals across four provinces -- Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Buri Ram -- have been affected by the military conflict, with seven ordered to shut down entirely. These include Nam Khun Hospital and Nam Yuen Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani; Kantharalak Hospital and Bhu Sing Hospital in Si Sa Ket; Kap Choeng Hospital and Phanom Dongrak Hospital in Surin; and Ban Kruat Hospital in Buri Ram. Four other hospitals have been partially closed. They are Nachaluai Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani, which is only operating its emergency room; Prasat Hospital and Sangkha Hospital in Surin; and Prakhon Chai Hospital in Buri Ram. The ministry reported that 429 patients have already been transferred to safer facilities, while more than 83,170 people have been evacuated from at-risk areas. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has ordered the establishment of a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre to closely monitor the situation. The centre will assess hospital closures in high-risk zones and coordinate logistics for transferring patients to safer hospitals within the province or nearby areas. He also ordered the creation of emergency response units, the stockpiling of medical supplies, and close coordination with security officials to ensure an immediate response to the unfolding crisis. More than 2,000 Cambodian nationals crossed back into their country via the Ban Laem permanent checkpoint in Pong Nam Ron district of Chanthaburi yesterday, following renewed clashes along the border.
India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Indian Embassy in Thailand issues travel advisory, warns Indians against visiting these 7 places...
Indian Embassy in Thailand issues travel advisory, warns Indians against visiting these 7 places… Amid tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, the Indian Embassy in Thailand on Friday issued a travel advisory for Indians, requesting Indian nationals to avoid visiting certain areas near the Thailand-Cambodia border. The Indian embassy took to X and urged Indian nationals to avoid visiting seven provinces near the Thailand-Cambodia border. ''In view of the situation near Thailand-Cambodia border, all Indian travelers to Thailand are advised to check updates from Thai official sources, including TAT Newsroom. As per the Tourism Authority of Thailand, places mentioned in the following link are not recommended for traveling,' the embassy posted. What Are The 7 Places That Embassy Asked Not To Visit? The Tourism Department of Thailand (TAT) newsroom listed some key provinces which are on alert. In a post on X TAT said, 'Due to ongoing unrest along the Thai–Cambodian border, please note that several attractions in 7 provinces are now not recommended for visiting.' The 7 places where tourists are requested to avoid are: Ubon Ratchathani Surin Sisaket Buriram Sa Kaeo Chanthaburi Trat At least 14 Thai people were killed and 46 others sustained injuries in military clashes that took place on Thursday near the Thailand-Cambodia border, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Health said. However, Cambodia had not issued any notification on its casualties as of Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. In Bangkok, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin reported 14 fatalities, comprising 13 civilians and one soldier, as well as 46 injuries. He criticized the attacks on civilians and a hospital attributed to Cambodia, stating, 'We call on the Cambodian government to promptly cease these actions, which he labeled as war crimes, and to adhere to the principles of peaceful coexistence.' Notably, the skirmish took place after a landmine blast on Wednesday in which five Thai soldiers were injured. The incident led to the expulsion of ambassadors from both countries and resulting in significant diplomatic consequences.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
‘Do not travel to…': India shares list of places to avoid amid Thailand-Cambodia military clashes
Cambodia-Thailand military clashes: Indian embassy in Bangkok has issued travel advisory for citizens travelling Thailand as it fights what is said to be the bloodiest exchange of fire with Cambodia in over a decade. See the list read more Thai people who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers take shelter in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunny Chittawil) Amid escalating violence along the Thailand–Cambodia border, the Indian embassy in Thailand has issued a travel advisory asking Indian tourists to remain cautious. The embassy posted on X (formerly Twitter), 'In view of the situation near the Thailand-Cambodia border, all Indian travellers to Thailand should stay informed by checking updates from official Thai sources, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Newsroom.' It pointed out that several areas are currently deemed unsafe for visitors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Tourism Authority of Thailand has warned visitors against travelling to numerous popular attractions spanning seven provinces: Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat. The recent clashes have escalated long-building tension between Thailand and Cambodia. Thailand has confirmed 14 fatalities — 13 civilians and one soldier — and reported 46 injuries. Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin condemned the attacks from Cambodia that targeted civilians and even a hospital, condemning them as 'war criminal actions'. Cambodia has so far not disclosed any casualty figures. Over 130,000 people have reportedly been evacuated from the border regions due to the bloodiest military confrontation between Thailand and Cambodia in more than a decade. Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned, 'This incident of aggression is escalating and could develop to the stage of war.' He said that the military actions taken are in defence of Thai sovereignty and territorial integrity. The origin of the recent violence dates back to May, when troops exchanged fire in a contested border zone, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Tensions rose further on Wednesday when a landmine explosion wounded five Thai soldiers — the second such incident that week. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thailand has accused Cambodia of planting the mines, a claim Phnom Penh denies. In response to the escalating violence, Bangkok recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia's envoy The places that the TAT has advised to avoid while visiting Thailand are: Ubon Ratchathani Phu Chong-Na Yoi National Park (Na Chaluai) Kaeng Lamduan (Nam Yuen) Chong An Ma Checkpoint (Nam Yuen) Surin Prasat Ta Muen Thom/Tod Prasat Ta Kwai Prasat Ban Pluang Prasat Phum Pon Chong Chom Phanom Swai Forest Park Phanom Dong Rak border zones Sisaket Khao Phra Wihan National Park (Pha Mo I Daeng) Chong Sa-ngam Border areas near Kantharalak & Phu Sing Buriram Chong Sai Taku Ta Phraya National Park Border zones near Ban Kruat & Lahan Sai Sa Kaeo Ban Khlong Luek Checkpoint & Rong Kluea Market Prasat Sdok Kok Thom Border zones near Aranyaprathet & Khlong Hat Chanthaburi Ban Laem & Ban Phat Kad checkpoints Border zones near Pong Nam Ron & Soi Dao Trat Ban Hat Lek, Ban Muen Dan & Ban Ma Muang checkpoints Issuing the advisory, the TAT cited the 'ongoing unrest along the Thai–Cambodian border' as the reason for travel restrictions in seven provinces of the country.
