Latest news with #SretthaThavisin
The Star
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Southern insurgency escalates, Thai govt to crackdown on militant leaders
BANGKOK: The southern insurgency in Thailand has reignited, cornering the government and prompting a renewed plan to hunt down and dismantle militant leadership networks. Three main groups have been targeted by insurgents in the deep southern border provinces: Thai Buddhists, state officials (including civil servants, military personnel, police, and volunteers), and Muslims who cooperate with state authorities. A series of coordinated attacks recently shocked the region, including: >A shooting of monks and novices collecting alms in Saba Yoi District, Songkhla Province >A mass shooting in Tak Bai District, Narathiwat Province, which left three people dead—including a 9-year-old child and a 70-year-old elder—and two others injured >A drive-by shooting in Cho-airong District, Narathiwat, where a 76-year-old blind woman was killed and her 50-year-old son seriously wounded as they were heading to a hospital The attackers deliberately targeted vulnerable individuals, aiming to provoke outrage—and succeeded. The violence drew widespread condemnation and increased pressure on the government to act decisively. ALSO READ: Gunman kills three in conflict-hit southern Thailand Security analysts believe this resurgence of violence stems from several key factors: 1. Stalled peace talks under both the Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra governments, particularly after Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai called for a strategic overhaul but failed to appoint an official Thai representative for dialogue. 2. Internal conflict within the BRN (Barisan Revolusi Nasional) between older and newer factions, leading the newer generation to operate independently. 3. Timing with the holy month of Ramadan, which historically sees heightened tensions. 4. Reduced security checkpoints on minor roads in response to local complaints during 'Ramadan Panjor' policy implementation. 5. Fatigue among security forces, resulting in lapses in vigilance. 6. Political manoeuvring to push for special administrative status in the region. 7. Government leaders' public statements, seen as setting pressure timelines, may have provoked insurgents. Deputy DefenCe Minister Gen Nattapon Nakpanich is scheduled to visit the southern provinces on May 7 to meet with stakeholders, including religious leaders, and energise local security forces. Similarly, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Phana Klaewplodthuk will follow up on operations led by Lt Gen Paisan Nusang, commander of the 4th Army Region, who has deployed proactive paramilitary ranger units. Currently, there are nine regiments (144 companies) of ranger forces and six female ranger units (45 squads) operating in the region as part of seven task forces, covering areas such as Raman (Yala), Panare (Pattani), Nong Chik (Pattani), Sai Buri (Pattani), Ra-ngae (Narathiwat), Rueso (Narathiwat), and Yaha (Yala). Their missions include suppressing violence, adapting deployment based on geography and threat levels, and integrating operations with other local agencies. Additionally, the army chief has ordered Interior Ministry volunteers to man village-level checkpoints, replacing recently withdrawn military forces. Proactive strategies also include closely monitoring known insurgents—those categoriSed as "Black Faces" (active operatives) and "Grey Faces" (indirect operatives). Authorities will also begin identifying "White Faces"—individuals with no criminal records but believed to fund or recruit for insurgent groups—aiming to expose and pressure them. The situation in Thailand's Deep South remains unresolved after years of conflict. Both militants and government forces continue to adapt in a strategic tug-of-war, with civilians caught in the middle as the true victims. - The Nation/ANN
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Albon meets Thai PM to show support for F1 race in Bangkok
Motorsport photo The chances of a Formula 1 race in Thailand continue to improve as Williams driver Alex Albon became the latest representative of the series to meet with the country's prime minister. Hopes of a grand prix around the streets of Bangkok have existed for some time but the process was stepped up last month when F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali held positive talks with prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand, Stefano Domenicali, CEO, Formula One Group Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand, Stefano Domenicali, CEO, Formula One Group Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images Advertisement Now ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, Albon, a Thai-British driver who races under the Thailand flag, has also met with current incumbent Shinawatra for a successful conversation around a future grand prix and representing the nation in F1. Thailand is among a host of countries looking for a place on the already packed 24-race calendar, with a return to Argentina and a new race in Africa also hinted at by Domenicali at different stages of last season. 'I think the good thing that we were able to do in the last couple of years is focus on the places that we do believe represent the future for Formula 1,' he told Sky Sports F1 during the Australian Grand Prix weekend. 'We receive a lot of attention from other places in the world. By the way, I'm just finishing the race here in Melbourne, I'm going to Bangkok - there is a potential interest from the government to develop something there. Advertisement 'We have other places in Europe, and as you know there are interests in Africa, there are interests in South America now.' Last year, the former Ferrari boss told ESPN that 'more than 35' venues had expressed an interest in staging F1 but insisted the 24-race cap would remain in place. McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently praised the idea of adding rotational races but believes the calendar has topped out as it is. Read Also: Is F1 calendar rotation a cash grab or a sensible move? Our writers have their say Asked if F1 had reached its peak, Brown replied: 'I don't think it has hit its peak, which is quite exciting. Advertisement 'Clearly some things have peaked, 24 races. We can't do more. I would like to see, and it is something that has been spoken about in the past in order to grow the calendar, maybe have a fixed 20 races and eight that rotate every other year. 'That is a way to get into 28 markets but maintain a 24-race calendar because the calendar is very difficult on everybody, but that is a way to continue to grow the sport.' The Belgian Grand Prix became the first to sign a rotational contract with F1, agreeing to stage a round of the championship until 2031 but with races not taking place in 2029 or 2030.
Morocco World
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Myanmar Appeals for Aid as Powerful Earthquake Killed Over 140
Tan-Tan – A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, killing at least 144 people and injuring more than 730 others. Officials expect the death toll to rise as rescue efforts continue. The earthquake was one of the strongest to hit the country in recent years. It shook parts of Southeast Asia, with tremors felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand, and China's Yunnan province. The earthquake prompted an unusual response from Myanmar's military government, which has largely isolated the country during its ongoing civil war. The junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, declared a state of emergency and made a rare plea for international assistance. 'We issue an open invitation to any organizations and nations willing to come and help the people in need within our country,' he said late Friday. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, home to about 1.5 million people. Videos shared online showed buildings crumbled and roads buckled as people ran into the streets. The quake also caused a partial collapse of a mosque in Taungoo, killing three people. In neighboring Thailand, the earthquake caused significant damage, especially in Bangkok. An under-construction high-rise building near Chatuchak Park collapsed, killing at least eight people and trapping over 100 others. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared an emergency zone in the capital and mobilized rescue teams to search for survivors. The earthquake has struck Myanmar at a time of extreme crisis. Since the 2021 military coup, the country has been embroiled in a brutal civil war, with armed rebel groups controlling large parts of the country. The ongoing conflict has weakened Myanmar's healthcare system and disaster response capabilities. Humanitarian groups, including Amnesty International, have urged the junta to allow unrestricted access for aid organizations. The United Nations special rapporteur for Myanmar, Tom Andrew, warned, 'This earthquake is a disaster on top of a disaster.' He noted that over 20 million people in Myanmar already need humanitarian assistance, with 3.5 million internally displaced due to the war.
South China Morning Post
24-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Thailand's trillion-baht plan to bypass the Malacca Strait moves ahead
Thailand has unveiled draft legislation to create a special economic zone in the south of the country that would pave the way for a multibillion-dollar transport project linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Advertisement The bill would establish a commission to speed up development of the Southern Economic Corridor in the provinces of Chumphon, Ranong, Suratthani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, according to a Transport Ministry statement. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra 's Pheu Thai party is proposing the so-called Landbridge project at a cost of about 1 trillion baht (US$29 billion), to link two proposed seaports on either side of the country's southern peninsula with a new highway and rail line. Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen The 100km (62-mile) connection would cut shipping times between the Indian and Pacific oceans by bypassing the Malacca Strait – a narrow sea lane between Malaysia and Singapore that is one of the world's busiest ocean routes. The new commission, chaired by the prime minister, will be responsible for the development of logistics, infrastructure, information technology and other facilities in the specified areas, according to the draft bill. It will also be in charge of finding the money to fund the project. The draft bill is being presented for public hearing before proceeding to the cabinet and parliament. Srettha Thavisin, Thailand's then-prime minister, stands in front of an infographic depicting the Landbridge project at a presentation in November 2023. Photo: Facebook/Srettha Thavisin Former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin , also from the Pheu Thai party, previously pitched the Landbridge project to overseas investors during visits to the US and China.
