Philippines anti-terrorism law 'threatens human rights' despite 'killer caveat' strikedown
The Philippines' highest court has struck down a "killer caveat" in President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial anti-terrorism law, but critics said Thursday the rest of the legislation still threatened human rights.
Marijuana worth B50m in truckload of eucalyptus wood
NARATHIWAT: Police found 1.6 tonnes of compressed marijuana hidden among a cargo of eucalyptus wood on a parked 18-wheeler at a seaside village in Tak Bai district late on Wednesday night.
Two Chinese property firms default on $1.6 billion in bonds - Fitch
BEIJING: Two major Chinese property firms have defaulted on $1.6 billion worth of bonds to overseas creditors, Fitch Ratings agency said Thursday, as contagion spreads within the country's debt-ridden real estate sector.
China warns Olympics diplomatic boycott nations will 'pay a price'
BEIJING: China warned Western nations on Thursday they would "pay the price" for a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
3 Omicron cases confirmed, 1 more suspected
Health authorities confirm Omicron cases in two Thai women who returned from Nigeria and an American man who flew in from Spain; test results are awaited for a returnee from DR Congo.
Bank of Thailand expects economy to return to pre-Covid levels in 2023
The economy is expected to return to pre-Covid-19 levels in the first quarter of 2023 and its recovery will be slower than some other countries in the region, the governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) told a business forum on Thursday.
World unprepared for next pandemic, report says
Nearly two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, the world remains “dangerously unprepared” for the next major outbreak, according to a new report.
Number of jailed journalists reached global high
The number of journalists worldwide who are behind bars reached a global high in 2021, according to a new report from the non-profit Committee to Protect Journalists, which says that 293 reporters were imprisoned as of Dec 1 this year.
Revered Somdet Chuang of Wat Pak Nam dies, aged 96
Revered monk Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, aka Somdet Chuang, abbot of Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen in Bangkok, has died aged 96 years.
4,203 new Covid cases, 49 more deaths
Health officials report an increase in the number of new patients, and daily coronavirus- related deaths are also up, to 49 from 38 last reported.
New Zealand plans to phase out tobacco sales
WELLINGTON: New Zealand announced plans on Thursday to effectively ban smoking by progressively lifting the age at which tobacco products can be bought, in a "world-first" that means today's young teens will never be able to buy cigarettes legally.
US hits Cambodia with arms embargo over China ties
The US on Wednesday imposed an arms embargo on Cambodia over its connections with China and human rights abuses, just days before sending a top State Department official to convince the Southeast Asian country to keep up pressure on Myanmar’s military regime.
Sinovac says Omicron data to take time
China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd, whose coronavirus vaccine is the most widely used globally with 2.3 billion doses shipped out, said it’s testing its inactivated shot against Omicron in a number of laboratory studies but that any results would take time.
Man charged with plastic-bag murder of his mother
A 26-year-old engineer has been arrested and charged with killing his mother, who was found stabbed and with four plastic bags over her head, fastened shut around her neck.
Pfizer says its booster offers strong protection against Omicron
WASHINGTON: Pfizer and BioNTech said Wednesday that laboratory tests suggest a booster shot of their coronavirus vaccine offers significant protection against the fast-spreading omicron variant of the virus.
Consumer confidence at 7-month high
Consumer confidence improved for a third straight month in November to reach a seven-month high, according to a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerceshowed on Thursday.
Drug-crazed son burned down family home
CHAIYAPHUM: A drug addict burned down his 86-year-old great-grandmother's house, leaving her, his mother and three girls homeless, and threatened to kill them.
Jimmy Lai among three Hong Kong activists convicted over Tiananmen vigil
HONG KONG: Jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai was among three democracy campaigners convicted on Thursday for taking part in a banned Tiananmen vigil as the prosecution of multiple activists came to a conclusion.
Sitala to stay in H1-Key, says K-pop record label
Sitala Wongkrachang, a daughter of late actor and director-turned-activist Saranyu Wongkrachang, will remain a part of the soon-to-debut K-pop girl group H1-Key despite calls on Thai social media to ban her, the band's managers said.
Johnson orders Christmas party probe as aide quits
LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised and his adviser resigned on Wednesday after a video emerged of senior aides joking about a Christmas party at Downing Street last year when social events were banned under Covid-19 rules.
