Southeast Asia
“Marriage of 11 year old girl is illegal.” Malaysian Deputy PM.

PHOTO: Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail/The Star Online
The Star Online, as a follow up to its earlier revelation about the marriage of a 41 year old Malay man to a Thai 11 year old girl, says that Deputy Malaysian PM, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, says the Government is taking the matter of the child bride seriously. She also hinted that this might not be an isolated case.
“Anyone who has knowledge of such marriages should report it to the nearest Welfare Department.
“We must make sure there is no discrimination or coercion in this marriage, especially towards the child. Our officers have gone to the house and met with the girl’s mother.
Read the earlier story HERE.
She said she was looking at the case from several aspects, such as whether poverty, education level or the family of the girl led to her getting married at such a tender age.
Women groups and social activists have lambasted the 41 year old man for taking the girl as his third wife and called on the authorities to act. They are urging the Government to take legislative action to put an end to child marriage in the country.
The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) noted that many Muslim-majority countries have already raised the minimum age of marriage including Algeria (19), Bangladesh (18 for women and 21 for men), Morocco (18) and Turkey (18).
“The solemnisation of the marriage, which allegedly took place in Thailand, also demonstrates loopholes in our legal system that can be taken advantage of by men to take on more wives without the consent of their wives.”
According to JAG, this marriage did not nullify the fact that sexual relations with a child below 16 years is statutory rape.
JAG said the marriage violated Articles 3 and 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child which outlined that the interests of the child be the primary consideration in any action by the authorities.
Social activist Syed Azmi Alhabshi, who highlighted the case on Facebook, said the act was exploitation at the maximum level.
“What is the stand of the country, especially the religious authorities, on this? We cannot just let it be because the girl is not Malaysian.
The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, in a statement, said there was no record in the courts or the Gua Musang Religious Office permitting the marriage.
It added it was unlawful for parents to marry off their children, who were under the legal minimum age, without written consent from a Syariah court’s judge.
It is an offence under Section 40 of the Kelantan Islamic Family Law Enactment, and the individuals involved could be fined up to 1,000 Ringit or jailed up to six months, or both, if found guilty.
Read the full article HERE.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Find more SE Asian News courtesy of The Thaiger.
Broke? Find employment in Southeast Asia with JobCute Thailand. Rich? Invest in real estate across Asia with FazWaz Property Group. Even book medical procedures worldwide with MyMediTravel, all powered by DB Ventures.

Thailand
Thai herb studied for alternative Covid-19 treatment

A study on the efficacy of a Thai herb for treating Covid-19 will move forward after a trial which alternative medicine officials say had promising results. Although, the trial was basic and only involved 6 people.
Initial results show that the herb “andrographis paniculata,” or “fah talai jone” in Thai, can improve patients’ conditions and relieve symptoms without major side effects.
The second phase of the study aims to confirm whether the herb is efficient and safe in treating the patients alongside standard treatment, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.
Following the new wave of infections last month, the department teamed up with Samut Prakan Hospital to launch a pilot study, but just on 6 patients. The 6 Covid-19 patients were given 180 grammes of the herb extracts each day. By the third day, their conditions of cough, sore throat, phlegm, runny nose, muscle pain, and headache had gradually improved.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
15,000 people in Samut Sakhon at high risk of infection, health officials concerned

The rising number of infections in Samut Sakhon, most detected through proactive testing, has prompted serious concerns over a “high risk” group of 15,000 people, many who still work and travel as normal.
The number for the high risk group is a rough estimate based on the assumption that there are at least 3 people who came in close contact with each of the 5,000 infected people in Samut Sakhon.
Senior public health officer, Naretrith Katthaseema, says the amount of people at high risk is concerning and poses a challenge to health officials who are working to contain the coronavirus.
He also reiterates that health officials need full cooperation the public to help slow the spread of the virus. Agencies and all parties relating to the industrial factories with a large number of workers should take full responsibility to make sure that disease control measures and related laws are strictly practiced.
SOURCE: Thaivisa
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
Survey finds Thais want tourists back… but with quarantine

Most Thai residents and tourism operators want the country to reopen borders to international tourists, as long as a 14 day quarantine still in place, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand survey.
The TCT surveyed 785 operators in tourism-related business and 1,444 Thais from November 11 to December 10. 60% of surveyed locals and 50% of tourism operators agree with the idea to reopen the borders as long as a 14 day quarantine is still required. Most agree that the mandatory quarantine is still necessary.
60% of tourism operators say foreign visitors should enter on the Special Tourist Visa and undergo a 14 day quarantine in closed areas with the opportunity to do recreational activities.
Some 53% of operators say Thailand should welcome independent tourists from low risk countries while also requiring them to undergo a mandatory 10 to 14 day quarantine.
When it comes to lifting the quarantine for travellers from low risk countries, half of the tour operators and 39% of locals agree.
The survey also shows a drop in confidence among operators in tourism sectors, although the government announced additional holidays to stimulate travel and spending. This is in line with the reports of travel sentiment in the first quarter this year, showing 45% Thais consider the coronavirus outbreak as their greatest concern when making travel decisions, followed by 38% for financial status, 28% for time travel, and 13% for political unrest.
According to the survey, the closure rate of tourism businesses increased in the fourth quarter last year, while 2% of companies permanently closed. So far, 17% of them temporarily closed and 4% of them shifted to other businesses.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Business2 days ago
The ‘office’ is SO last century. Say hello to the world of remote working.
- Business3 days ago
34.7% of Thai tourist businesses closed down
- Bangkok4 days ago
State Railway of Thailand furloughs 57 locals trains from Tuesday
- Air Pollution3 days ago
Stop the burn – Thai Governors told to stop farmers burning off agricultural waste
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
First phase of Thailand’s Covid-19 vaccinations to start on February 14
- Thailand3 days ago
Make an appointment online for tourist visa extensions – Thai Immigration
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
CCSA Update: 187 new Covid-19 cases and 2 deaths
- World3 days ago
15,000+ Covid-19 patients in Japan on waiting list for hospitals and health care accommodations