China
- Thailand News
Navigating new depths: RTN seals deal for Chinese submarine
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed its decision to proceed with the purchase of a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China, following successful negotiations earlier this week. This announcement came from an RTN source. General Somsak Rungsita, adviser to Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and chairman of the Defence Ministry panel dealing with the submarine issue, held discussions with a Chinese delegation led…
- Business News
China’s imports and exports rebound showing positive shift in April
After experiencing a contraction in the previous month, China’s imports and exports rebounded in April, according to customs data released today. This positive shift indicates a promising enhancement in both local and international demand, providing a vital lift to the nation’s fragile economic recovery. The upswing in data suggests that the numerous policy support measures introduced in recent times are…
- Thailand News
Thailand and China to continue submarine purchase negotiations
Negotiations are set to resume next Wednesday between Thailand and China, as they seek to resolve the protracted issue surrounding a submarine purchase agreement. A 13-person delegation from China, encompassing military officials and representatives of the S26T Yuan-class submarine manufacturers, is due to meet their Thai counterparts. The submarine was part of a procurement deal agreed upon by the Royal…
- Business News
Travel growth expected in Asia-Pacific despite cooling demands
Online travel agent Booking.com expects the Asia-Pacific region to see growth in bookings as we start to see stability in the global market. The company’s Managing Director for Asia-Pacific, Laura Houldsworth, said the company anticipated the growth might not be as fast as it has been because it’s starting to stabilize at a very high level. Asia was up mid-teens…
- Politics News
Bangkok Council signs MOU with Kunming City Council to enhance cooperation in various fields
Wirat Meenchainunt, Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, Chayada Vipattipumiprates, The First Vice-Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, along with members of the Bangkok Council and relevant government officials paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Kunming City People’s Council and attended the signing ceremony of the revised Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation and Friendly Relations (MOU)…
- Thailand News
Woman sentenced for abducting child as future bride in China
A shocking scheme in Liupanshui, Guizhou Province, in China, where a woman named Yang abducted an 11 year old girl to groom her as a future bride for her eldest son, has led to prison sentences for both mother and son. The unusual case, which has sparked a furore on Chinese social media, underscores the enduring issue of child brides…
- Business News
Thai commerce minister to boost fruit exports to China via Laos
An evaluation of the Boten and Mohan checkpoints’ capacity to facilitate Thai fruit exports to China is on the agenda for Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. This is part of a strategy to ease the exportation process of Thai fruit during the 2024 harvest season, with shipments expected to commence at the end of April. The ministry’s spokesperson, Wittayakorn Maneenetr, reported that…
- Thailand News
Myanmar junta’s secret deal with China
Myanmar’s junta is stirring up a storm yet again, as their home minister jets off to China for clandestine security discussions with Beijing’s top brass. Myanmar’s Lieutenant-General Yar Pyae slipped under the radar, embarking on a covert voyage to China for what’s touted as a working visit with China’s Minister for Public Security, Wang Xiaohong. The rendezvous, scheduled from April…
- Thailand News
Couple returns cash hidden in chair to elderly owner in China
A Chinese couple’s remarkable discovery of a substantial sum of money hidden inside a second-hand chair has captured widespread attention on social media. Opting to do the right thing, they returned the find to its rightful owner rather than keep it for themselves. The unexpected turn of events unfolded as the wife made her way home from work, spotting the…
- China News
Child in China diagnosed with stomach cancer from raw eggs
A four year old child in China has been diagnosed with stomach cancer, which doctors attribute to the daily consumption of raw eggs—a traditional health remedy gone awry. Grandmother Wang, adhering to age-old beliefs and folk remedies, had heard that raw eggs could enhance children’s immunity, prompting rapid growth and improved appetite. Taking this advice to heart, she fed her…
- Thailand News
Thai-Chinese high-speed railway agreements near completion
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) anticipates the closure of the final chapters in the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway’s first phase, reveals Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. Spanning 251 kilometres and boasting a staggering budget of 179.4 billion baht, the ambitious project links the bustling heart of Bangkok to the vibrant cityscape of Nakhon Ratchasima. Divided into 14 meticulously crafted contracts,…
- Thailand News
Phuket officials explore technology collaboration on Chengdu visit
Phuket officials recently concluded a three-day visit to Chengdu, in China, focusing on potential collaborative ventures in trade, investment, and tourism. One of the key discussions centred on the application of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, to tackle various challenges in Phuket, including traffic management and tourist assistance. The delegation, led by the President of the Phuket Chamber…
- Thailand News
Young woman in China diagnosed with rare vampire disease
A 20 year old woman from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in China, experienced a dramatic health scare when her menstrual cramps, which had been a discomfort since adolescence, suddenly took a turn for the worse over the past year. Her family, concerned by the increasing severity of her symptoms, sought medical help but to no avail, as no health issues were…
- Thailand News
Cosmos Thai-Ming: Thailand and China sign MoU for space prowess
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing personnel capabilities in space science and technology has been inked between Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The MoU signing, which took place at the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre in Beijing, drew high-ranking attendees, including HRH Princess Maha Chakri…
- Thailand News
Chinese government awards US$4.1m for local projects in Thailand
A robust financial boost of US$4.1 million, equivalent to 151 million baht, is being awarded by the Chinese government to 18 local projects in Thailand. This generous funding is being dispensed under the 2021 Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund (MLCSF), as revealed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). A total of 106 projects were put forth for consideration by government…
- Thailand News
Thailand and China join forces for lunar and space research
Thailand and China have taken a significant leap towards space exploration, establishing initial agreements for collaboration on the peaceful use of outer space and international lunar research stations. These pacts were announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The intent behind these Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) is the formation of a joint working group, focused on space exploration and…
- Thailand News
Thailand, China, and Laos forge new routes
Thailand is in talks with China and Laos to revolutionise their airspace, with Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co Ltd (Aerothai) president Nopasit Chakpitak revealing plans to accommodate a staggering 100,000 more flights. The proposed parallel routes aim to alleviate congestion in the current flight path, labelled a bottleneck in northwestern Laos by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Once the…
- Thailand News
Sutin visits China for submarine acquisition talks
Sutin Klungsang, the Minister of Defence, along with other related agencies, embarked on a trip to China on Thursday to discuss with the Chinese private sectors and other concerned agencies regarding the anticipated acquisition of a submarine for Thailand. The meetings were held to assess whether the procurement process should proceed or be abandoned and to comprehend its potential implications.…
- China News
Boy reports father’s illegal gun after threat over studies in China
In a dramatic turn of events, an 11 year old boy from Guizhou province, in China, called the police on his father after being threatened with punishment for his reluctance to study. The situation escalated when the boy feared retribution for his academic disinterest, leading him to report his father’s illegal gun as a self-made firearm. The young student, enrolled…
- Business News
Thailand’s BoI plans more foreign semiconductor investment
The Board of Investment (BoI) of Thailand has expressed an interest in attracting further foreign investment for the production of advanced semiconductors this year. This move comes as numerous businesses from China and Taiwan are looking to expand their investments in Thailand, particularly for printed circuit boards, to circumvent geopolitical risk, said Wirat Tatsaringkansakul, the BoI Deputy Secretary-General. “Companies will…
- Thailand News
Thai durians go hi-tech with Tencent
Thai trade representative Narumon Pinyosinwat held talks with a Tencent executive in Hong Kong, alongside a representative from Shanghai East Best Foreign Trade (SEBFT), a leading durian importer from China. In a post-meeting address to the press, Narumon revealed a monumental deal: SEBFT committed to purchasing a staggering 3,000 containers of Thai durians, amounting to a whopping 10 billion baht.…
- Thailand News
Surin man travels 2,589 kilometres to witness snow in China
A young man from Surin Province completed a daring journey from Thailand to China, spanning a staggering 2,589 kilometres. Riding a Honda Wave motorcycle through rugged terrain, the man embarked on this adventure to fulfil his dream of riding through snow, a quest that took seven days to complete, starting on March 17. The man who goes by the name…
- Thailand News
Chinese woman exposed in 50 million baht grey market scam
A young Chinese woman who rose to social media fame with her tale of rural hardship, amassing over 3.86 million followers, has been revealed to be part of a deceptive grey business that profited over 50 million baht. The young woman, 20 year old Liang San Mingyang captivated millions with her stories of poverty and struggle. However, suspicions arose as discrepancies…
- Business News
Hong Kong pet owners among top spenders in Asia-Pacific
The pet industry in Hong Kong is witnessing steady growth, with pet owners investing nearly HK$700,000 (3.2 million baht) on average in their pets’ lifetimes. This positions them as one of the top spenders in the Asia-Pacific region’s pet care sector. According to a survey conducted by OneDegree, a pet insurance company, 526 pet owners in Hong Kong were found…
- Business News
Thailand to boost rice exports to Hong Kong and China
An upward trend in rice exports from Thailand to Hong Kong and China is anticipated this year, with a particular demand for riceberry and brown rice. This expectation is driven by the global economic recovery and a discerning preference for high-quality rice grains. Thailand is also aspiring to establish a distribution centre in Shenzhen to bolster its market presence. The…
- Aviation News
Flight chaos averted as man tries opening emergency door
A passenger’s curiosity nearly led to disaster on a domestic flight in China from Qingdao, Shandong Province to Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, when he attempted to open the emergency door just before takeoff. Fortunately, a vigilant flight attendant acted quickly to secure the door and inform her colleagues of the perilous situation. The incident, which caused considerable alarm among the cabin…
- Business News
Thai retail sector struggles despite tax incentives and tourist spending
Despite increased spending by tourists and tax incentives to encourage buying, Thailand’s retail sector is under strain. The sector, facing the challenges of a surge of substandard goods from China, is burdening local entrepreneurs. Thai Retailers Association Vice President Chatchai Tuongratanaphan predicts a growth of only 1-2% in the retail sector for the first half of the year. This is…
- Business News
China aims for 5% growth amid economic slowdown
China is poised to set its growth target for the year at about 5%, according to a government work report obtained by Bloomberg News. This growth target hints at the possibility of the government introducing more stimulus to boost the economy’s confidence, which is currently slowing. Premier Li Qiang is expected to disclose the annual gross domestic product (GDP) goal…
- Thailand News
China-Laos high-speed rail to transform northeast Thailand
Krungthai COMPASS Research Centre unveiled a groundbreaking vision, identifying the China-Laos high-speed railway as the cornerstone for transforming the northeast of Thailand into an economic juggernaut within the Greater Mekong Subregion. The centre disclosed that the China-Laos high-speed railway, now operational for both passenger and freight services along the Kunming-Vientiane route, will directly turbocharge trade and investment in Thailand’s northeastern region,…
- Thailand News
Chinese makeup artist turns 57 year old into youthful sensation
The transformation of a 57 year old comedian into a youthful idol by a Chinese makeup artist named Tuzi has sent shockwaves across the Internet and social media platforms, leaving even the comedian’s wife unable to recognize him. Tuzi’s talent for age-defying makeup has earned her the title of master of transformation and has become a viral sensation. Tuzi, famed for…