Author: Churai Ekaluck

BANGKOK: A veteran Thai politician said on Friday that he held direct talks with the Palestinian group Hamas seeking the safe release of Thai hostages it is holding, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity by Thailand’s government. The back-channel talks that lasted for about two hourswere conducted in person in the Iranian capital Tehran, on Oct. 26, and Hamas officials said Thai hostages were safe and well-looked after, said politician Areepen Uttarasin.“I told them that I am here not to negotiate but simply to ask for their release,” said Areepen, who declined to name the Hamas officials he met with.…

The information was disclosed by Puangpet after her meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung to gain insight into its anti-fake news initiatives. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 16th Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) and the 7th AMRI Plus Three Conference in the central city of Da Nang, Vietnam, from September 22-23. She praised Vietnam for setting up a committee to fight fake news on social media. According to Puangpet, combatting fake news is one of the main items before the AMRI meeting, adding Thailand also supports the…

Toronto, Atlanta (22/10 – 66) A recent, and eminently reasonable, proposal to pause the military confrontation between Russia and Ukraine was presented by Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto during the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, held in Singapore on June 3, 2023. Minister Prabowo, a retired and much-decorated General, suggested the two sides declare a ceasefire, to be followed by the creation of a demilitarized zone on the battlefield. The proposed truce would be monitored by United Nations peacekeeping forces, followed by a UN-monitored referendum to determine which country the disputed territories should join. Most third-world participants – and those from…

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach – 20 September 2023 – KASIKORN Business-Technology Group (KBTG), Thailand’s leading tech organization and the technology arm of Kasikornbank, organized “KBTG Techtopia”, a thought-provoking and skill-awakening tech conference. This two-day event (1-2 September 2023) serves as a platform for more than 450 tech enthusiasts and members of various industries to explore the world’s latest trends, learn new things, connect with each other, and collect the necessary assets to accelerate their personal and professional growth. With artificial intelligence rapidly dominating every discussion and nearly every industry, KBTG is determined to establish itself at the forefront of AI development…

Every year, the Myanmar burn about half a billion dollars’ worth of illegal narcotics.But tell that to Myanmar drug addicts caught in the vicious cycle of addiction looking for the next hit. Myanmar has a drug problem, an element in a report about to be released this week. The trade is one thing. But how can we help largely young addicts kick the habit in a country awash with cheap drugs? Myanmar society has long struggled with this challenge, with NGOs and faith groups at times taking tough measures to place addicts in “cold turkey” or slash opium poppy plants in…

The regime is mobilizing support from local residents for possible attacks on the capital, following recent resistance attacks on junta bases in the regime’s nerve center. A team of junta officials led by Naypyitaw Council member Colonel Min Naung gave food supplies, issued citizenship ID, and provided healthcare services in villages in Naypyitaw’s Pyinmana Township on Monday and Tuesday. A resident of Pyinmana described the dire warning officials gave to residents of the township. “They said PDFs would come and attack us anytime. They threatened young people [that PDFs would attack them]. Their main intention was to rally our support,”…

Vietnamese stocks closed down 4.5% at 1,177.99 on Friday, the lowest level in nearly a month, led by shares of property companies and VinFast’s parent company. “Traders are selling to take profit after a long streak of gains amid global uncertainty,” a Hanoi-based trader said. Traders also said the macroeconomic situation is not looking positive, with global demand remaining weak, adding that China’s property crisis has hurt sentiment. Vietnam’s benchmark Ho Chi Minh index is up 17% so far this year. Shares of the country’s largest conglomerate Vingroup closed limit down 7% at 66,900 dong, after its Nasdaq-listed unit VinFast…

Economic cooperation has always been a crucial pillar and bright spot in the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE Nguyễn Mạnh Tuấn told the Vietnam News Agency. Economic cooperation has always been a crucial pillar and bright spot in the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE Nguyễn Mạnh Tuấn told the Vietnam News Agency. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (August 1, 1993-2023), the diplomat said that the UAE has identified the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)…

Recent adjustments made to Việt Nam’s electricity retail prices were part of an effort to fuel the next economic development phase, said the former head of the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) Nguyễn Bích Lâm. Recent adjustments made to Việt Nam’s electricity retail prices were part of an effort to fuel the next economic development phase, said the former head of the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) Nguyễn Bích Lâm in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency. In the third quarter of 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will submit to the central Government a…

Welcome to Your Week in Asia. Taiwan will be conducting weeklong military drills at a time when the world is more worried than ever about a Chinese invasion of the democratic island. Elsewhere, leaders from both the U.S. and France are traveling to the Pacific Island region, which has become a new battleground for influence between Beijing and Washington. The Bank of Japan is set to review its monetary policy later in the week. Get the best of our coverage of Asia and much more by following us on Twitter @NikkeiAsia. MONDAY Philippine State of the Nation Address Philippine President Ferdinand…