Thailand

BANGKOK, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The world's largest free trade pact forged by 15 Asia-Pacific countries entered into force Saturday to provide a tailwind for the region's post-pandemic recovery and a catalyst for global economic progress, bringing a ray of hope.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement groups 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, as well as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, covering nearly a third of the world's population and gross domestic product.

BANGKOK (AP) — Members of a China-centered Asian trade bloc that takes effect Jan. 1 are hoping the initiative, encompassing about a third of world trade and business activity, will help power their recoveries from the pandemic.

The 15-member Regional and Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, includes China, Japan, South Korea and many other Asian countries. It does not include the U.S. or India.

BANGKOK (AP) — When the young farmhand returned to his village in Myanmar, he found the still smoldering corpses in a circle in a burned-out hut, some with their limbs tied.

BANGKOK (AP) — When the young farmhand returned to his village in Myanmar, he found the still smoldering corpses in a circle in a burned-out hut, some with their limbs tied.

HATYAI (Songkhla, Thailand), Dec 29 (NNN-Bernama) — A Muslim community in southern Thailand donated 1 million baht (US$29,838) to help alleviate the burden of flood victims in Malaysia.

The online donation drive campaign is an initiative of young preacher Asari Lateh, along with several independent religious orators in southern Thailand.

Asari and the orators, through “Babazu Channel,” held an online talk to collect the donations.

BANGKOK, Dec 28 (NNN-Bernama) — Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha today instructed relevant authorities to tighten COVID-19 measures for public transport during New Year holidays, in bid to halt a surge in infections as concern rises over the rapid spread of Omicron variant.

Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Prayuth raised concerns over cross-provincial travel during the upcoming New Year holidays.

BANGKOK (AP) — A court in military-ruled Myanmar postponed its verdicts Monday on two charges against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in which she is accused of importing and possessing walkie-talkies without following official procedures, a legal official familiar with the case said.

The case in the court in the capital, Naypyitaw, is among many brought against the 76-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate since the army seized power on Feb. 1, ousting her elected government and arresting top members of her National League for Democracy party.

BANGKOK (AP) — A court in military-ruled Myanmar postponed its verdicts Monday on two charges against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in which she is accused of importing and possessing walkie-talkies without following official procedures, a legal official familiar with the case said.

The case in the court in the capital, Naypyitaw, is among many brought against the 76-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate since the army seized power on Feb. 1, ousting her elected government and arresting top members of her National League for Democracy party.

BANGKOK (AP) — Two members of the international humanitarian group Save the Children were missing Saturday after Myanmar government troops rounded up villagers, some believed to be women and children, fatally shot more than 30 and burned the bodies, according to a witness and other reports.

Purported photos of the aftermath of the Christmas Eve massacre in eastern Mo So village, just outside Hpruso township in Kayah state where refugees were sheltering from an army offensive, spread on social media in the country, fueling outrage against the military that took power in February.

BANGKOK, Dec 25 (NNN-Bernama) — The amendment to Thailand’s Sports Doping Control Act 2012 is expected to be completed next month in bid to end a ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Thailand has been amending 24 sections of the law related to WADA standards, with the draft amendments to be submitted to the cabinet next Tuesday.

“The amendment process is expected to completed by January 2022.