China
- Thailand News
Pattaya mayor wins big for Thai-Chinese diplomacy
In a glittering ceremony that brought together stars and statesmen, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet proudly took home the prestigious Political News award at the Thailand Headlines Person of the Year Awards 2024. Celebrating leaders who champion Thai-Chinese relations, this high-profile event highlighted Thailand’s diplomatic soft power and the approach of a landmark year – the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese ties…
- Thailand News
Thailand appetite for exports, food security at key China summits
Promoting Thailand’s exports and tackling food security issues have taken centre stage at two significant regional meetings in China, as declared by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday, November 6. The 38 year old Thai PM is participating in the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Summit and the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) summit, both held in…
- Thailand News
PM Paetongtarn attends key regional conferences in China
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to attend two significant regional conferences in Kunming, China. These gatherings, scheduled today, November 6, and tomorrow, will precede her journey to Peru for the APEC summit on Sunday, as confirmed by Jirayu Houngsub, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office. The initial conference is the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Programme Summit (GMS…
- Thailand News
Panda-monium: Giant pandas to strengthen Thailand-China ties
Another pair of giant pandas is set to arrive in Thailand as part of a diplomatic gesture to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai relations next year. The announcement follows a meeting of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Zoological Park Organisation, Chiang Mai Zoo, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Department of East Asian Affairs,…
- Business News
China’s economy grows 4.6% in Q3 amid property downturn
China’s economy experienced a marginally better-than-expected growth in the third quarter, according to data released today. However, the persistent property downturn and weak consumer spending continue to weigh heavily on economic activity, compelling policymakers to contemplate further stimulus measures to invigorate growth. The world’s second-largest economy expanded by 4.6% year-on-year in the July-September period, surpassing the 4.5% forecast in a…
- Business News
All aboard: Vietnam charts a 7.2 billion baht track to China
Vietnam announced an estimated cost of 179 trillion dong (US$7.2 billion) to build a new railway connecting it with China‘s Yunnan province. The proposed 427-kilometre railway will traverse from Lao Cai province, through Hanoi, and extend to the port city of Haiphong and Ha Long City, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The country is actively pursuing the upgrade of…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s industrial confidence dips as floods hit economy
Thailand’s Industrial Confidence Index dropped to 87.1 in September, down from 87.7 in August, announced Nava Chantanasurakon, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The decline is primarily due to severe flooding across northern, northeastern, and central regions, impacting homes, agricultural areas, industries, and tourism, with economic losses estimated between 30 and 50 billion baht. The widespread flooding…
- Thailand News
Thailand invites China to build satellite launch base
Thailand extended an invitation to China to build a satellite launch base to provide 6G technology, marking a significant step in enhancing economic cooperation as both nations gear up to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations next year. In addition to technological collaboration, China plans to send a new pair of giant pandas to Thailand as goodwill ambassadors for the…
- Politics News
Thailand and China’s friendship to shine on 50th anniversary
China is rolling out the red carpet for Thailand as both nations prepare to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties next year. Chinese Premier Li Qiang vowed to boost traditional friendship and build a China-Thailand community with a shared future in a power-packed meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Vientiane, Laos. “China and Thailand are close friends and…
- Thailand News
Don’t ban TEMU: Thai experts call for enhanced trade standards
Thailand should embrace trade opportunities with China rather than follow Indonesia’s lead in banning the Chinese e-commerce platform TEMU, say experts. In light of Indonesia’s recent decision to prohibit the TEMU application, the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) voiced its opposition to a similar move by Thailand. Wimol Pankong, Deputy Director (Academic) of ITD, urged the Thai government…
- Thailand News
Power play: B.Grimm sets sights on electrifying China and Greece
B.Grimm Power appears to be on a mission to take over the global energy scene, with China and Greece now in its sights. The Thai energy giant is exploring renewable projects in these two countries, aiming to add several hundred megawatts to its portfolio. CEO Harald Link teased the plans but kept most details under wraps, stating that talks were…
- Thailand News
Maths-terpieces: Thai students bring home a gold mine of medals
Thai students have pulled off a remarkable achievement, bagging an impressive 24 medals—including five golds—at the 2024 International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) for primary school students in China. The prestigious event unfolded in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, from October 1 to 6. Thanu Wongchinda, Secretary-General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), announced that a talented team of…
- China News
Myanmar and China crack down on cybercrime fugitives
In a major blow to online scam operations, police from Myanmar and China arrested 313 Chinese nationals, including 45 fugitives wanted for cybercrime. The arrests, part of a coordinated effort between the two countries, aim to stamp out online fraud and strengthen cross-border law enforcement. The bust took place in September, following a joint operation between Myanmar’s Ministry of Home…
- Thailand News
Chinese man calls Thai women prostitutes sparking online outrage
Two Thai women shared their experience of being insulted by a Chinese national who called them prostitutes on TikTok. A well-known American teacher and many netizens condemned the incident. One of the victims, Pinyada Nantakhamee, posted a video on her TikTok account, @made_moji, on Monday, September 23, in which she tearfully recounted the unpleasant experience during her trip to China. In the…
- China News
Whisker from the past: Woman unlocks decade-old iPhone for feline memories
In an incredible twist of tech nostalgia, a Chinese woman unlocked her iPhone 4s after nearly 10 years, all to recover precious memories of her late pet cat. Douyin (the Chinese equivalent of TikTok) user @伊娜娜 (Yi Na Na) recently shared the dramatic moment she powered on her decade-old iPhone and found just 288 minutes (nearly five hours) left before…
- China News
Panda mania hits Hong Kong: Two to arrive from China
Hong Kong is gearing up for panda fever as two giant pandas, gifted by China, are set to arrive in the city on Thursday, September 26. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced the exciting news, calling it a “major event” for the region. The entire city is buzzing with anticipation, with Lee revealing a citywide naming contest for the…
- China News
Heartless landlord in China evicts terminally ill woman
A landlord in China is under fire after heartlessly evicting a cancer-stricken tenant, fearing her death could devalue his property. Zhang, the landlord from Beijing, booted out Wang, a terminally ill woman renting his flat, claiming that her presence could turn the property into a haunted house and slash its value by up to 1 million yuan (nearly 4.7 million…
- China News
City in chaos: Typhoon Bebinca slams Shanghai
Typhoon Bebinca, the most powerful storm to strike Shanghai since 1949, has left the city paralysed, as flights were cancelled, and major attractions, including Disneyland, shut their doors. The storm, which made landfall on Monday, brought China’s financial hub to a grinding halt during the country’s three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. Chaos began on Sunday evening when all flights out of…
- Thailand News
Thai-riffic tech boom: Chinese software firms set sights on Thailand
Chinese software companies are increasingly setting their sights on Thailand, recognising it as a key market for digital growth. Many of these firms, mostly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), started by providing cloud-based solutions to Chinese online merchants in Thailand. Their offerings include sales order management, inventory control, and accounting software. In a sign of the times, Chinese food delivery…
- Thailand News
China approves three more Thai poultry plants for export
Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development announced that the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) recently approved and registered three additional Thai poultry processing and production facilities for export. This approval brings the total number of certified Thai poultry plants exporting to China to 26. The continuous approval of Thai poultry export facilities by China reflects confidence in Thailand’s stringent…
- China News
China: Wealthy woman’s traffic tantrum leaves soldier hospitalised (video)
A shocking road rage incident in Qingdao, eastern China, left social media in uproar after a wealthy woman, driving a luxury SUV, violently attacked a former soldier. The drama unfolded on August 28, when the 38 year old woman, surnamed Wang, attempted to recklessly reverse her Land Rover into oncoming traffic, causing chaos on the road. After multiple failed attempts…
- China News
Woman fined 10,000 baht for sweat stains on wedding dress
A woman from Shandong, China, faced a fine of 2,000 yuan (approximately 10,000 baht, US$300) from a wedding dress shop after trying on a gown and leaving sweat stains. The incident sparked a heated debate online, with netizens largely unsupportive of her stance. The woman, who is planning to get married next year, visited a renowned local bridal shop to…
- China News
China: Bus ploughs into crowd near school, killing 11
A horrifying scene unfolded outside a junior high school in eastern China this morning when a bus ploughed into a crowd, leaving 11 dead and 24 injured. The tragic incident occurred at around 7am, today, September 3, in front of Foshan Junior High School in Dongping County, Shandong province, just as students and parents gathered for the second day of…
- Thailand News
Prawn stars: China approves import of live Thai giant shrimps
China has approved the import of live Thai giant freshwater prawns, a significant boost for Thai farmers and the local economy. Thailand aims to enhance production and export efficiency to meet the increasing demand from international markets. The Department of Fisheries, led by Director-General Bancha Sukkaew, announced efforts to promote and improve the farming of giant freshwater prawns, a crucial…
- Thailand News
Pattaya City officials invited to China’s Hunan for strengthened ties
Pattaya City officials received a visit from the Vice Governor of Hunan province in China, accompanied by a delegation. They extended an invitation for Pattaya officials to visit Hunan province, aiming to enhance friendship and mutual understanding between Thai and Chinese communities. The initiative seeks to promote shared prosperity through cooperation in economics, trade, tourism, science and technology, culture, education,…
- Automotive
How to succeed in Thailand’s automotive market: Insights from SMM’s industry event
As one of the largest manufacturers in Southeast Asia, Thailand’s automotive industry boasts impressive growth opportunities, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. In addition to its geographical location, competitive labour costs, well-developed infrastructure, and supportive business environment, the country also has a pro-investment government. Take, for example, the incentives for joint ventures between Thai and foreign companies to manufacture…
- Business News
Mercedes-Benz shifts into high gear with ByteDance partnership
Mercedes-Benz is revving up its tech game by teaming up with ByteDance’s cloud division, Volcano Engine, to explore cutting-edge large language models (LLMs), generative artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. This turbocharged collaboration aims to supercharge Mercedes-Benz’s in-car systems in China with ByteDance‘s advanced LLM technology, giving their virtual assistants a full-throttle upgrade. According to both companies, ByteDance’s LLMs will…
- China News
Mother pays for daughter’s haircutting antics in Chinese salon
A mother in China faced an unexpected expense when her young daughter cut another customer’s hair at a hair salon, resulting in a hefty compensation fee. The incident occurred at a hair salon in Guangdong province, China. A mother brought her young daughter along to the salon and while the mother was waiting for her turn, chaos suddenly erupted. Her…
- Tourism News
Thailand’s tourism boom: Revenue set to soar to 2.8 trillion baht
Hold onto your sun hats! Thailand’s tourism sector is on the brink of a massive surge in the latter half of the year, with an eye-popping revenue forecast of 1.46 trillion baht. That’s set to push the annual total to a whopping 2.8 trillion baht—up a staggering 25% from last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The…
- Thailand News
Cotti Coffee gains ground in Thailand with affordable menu
Cotti Coffee, a popular Chinese coffee franchise, is making waves in Thailand with its affordable menu starting at just 55 baht. The franchise currently operates eight branches in Bangkok, contributing to the growing presence of Chinese brands in the country. Chinese products are becoming increasingly common in major Thai cities, with a variety of items such as clothing, food, and…
