News
Court questions officials over sale of Jolie-Pitt land
An environmental ranger and a village chief were questioned yesterday by the Pailin Provincial Court for allegedly colluding to grab, clear and sell land in a protected area supported by the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, according to officials. The questioning followed a complaint filed by the ...
Rules allowing censorship of depictions of homosexuality criticised
When the Ministry of Culture banned actor Denny Kwan on April 25 from appearing in movies for a year for wearing revealing clothing, the decision drew fire for what many felt were its sexist overtones. It also called attention to the ministry’s code of ethics, ...
Correspondent banking in retreat, but growing in Asia
While financial inclusion is a top priority for emerging economies, new research suggests more stringent enforcement of anti-money regulations in recent years has resulted in major Western banks disconnecting from these regions, leaving local businesses without access to the international financial system. Correspondent banking relationships, ...
Dengue cases plunge
Only 510 cases of dengue fever were reported in the first three months of this year, a drop of 62 percent compared with the same period last year. A National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control report said the incidence was 3.1 out of 100,000 ...
Bangkok welcomes Macron win as nerves calmed over EU
Thailand has welcomed the victory of the pro-European centrist Emmanuel Macron in the French presidential election, banishing for now the spectre of another departure from the European Union and steadying the nerves of investors. Kobsak Pootrakool, Vice Minister for the Prime Minister’s Office, on May 8 ...
Govt lures major Chinese investment to new EEC
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said on May 8 that the government plans to connect its new Eastern Economic Corridor development project with the Chinese government’s One Belt, One Road initiative. “The connection will be through a high-speed railway and other linkage infrastructure, “ Somkid told ...
Inspection authority scrutinises unauthorised projects
The State Inspection Authority is investigating unauthorised development projects carried out by government sectors in Vientiane and the provinces in 2013 and 2014. Although these projects are now complete, the inspection aims to determine whether the government’s budget was used effectively. Anyone found to have ...
NA supports enactment of law on international treaties
National Assembly members have supported the enactment of the Law on Treaties and International Agreements, which would be a reference for future internal and external cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced the newly drafted law for consideration by the National Assembly, with the law tabled ...
Laos, IRRI agreement to boost food security
The government and the International Rice Research Institute have agreed to strengthen their partnership in research and expand the institute’s role in increasing Laos’ food and nutrition security. The agreement was signed in Vientiane on May 8 by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Phouangparisak ...
Water transport to begin operation in early June
Water vehicles will start serving commuters in early June with ships and boats bought from Thailand and Australia, according to Daw Tint Tint Lwin, CEO of Tint Tint Myanmar. The Yangon regional government had promised to implement a water taxi system on the Hlaing River ...
