Military
- Bangkok News
Court acquits PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, allowing him to stay on at military residence
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will be staying in office and at his military residence. Bangkok’s Constitutional Court ruled today that the prime minister and former Thai general and commander of the Thai Army has not violated the charter by occupying a military-owned residence. The court says under military regulations, former officers can remain at their Army residence after their retirement at…
- Northern Thailand News
Army orders investigation into soldier’s death
The Royal Thai Army is to carry out an internal investigation into the death of a soldier at a military base in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen. 21 year old Rachata Senasanit was found hanged on November 1, with an initial probe ruling his death as suicide. However, the victim’s father, Surachai Senasanit, claims an employee at Srinagarind Hospital’s…
- Covid-19 News
Thai health officials investigate South Korean military officer Covid-19 case
Thai health officials are trying to determine how the South Korean military officer, who tested positive for Covid-19 after returning home from Thailand’s annual Cobra Gold training, became infected with the virus. So far, it’s a mystery. Local health authorities investigating the case are asking South Korean authorities for more information about the officers whereabouts to figure where exactly the…
- Covid-19 News
South Korean soldier tests positive for Covid-19 after Cobra Gold training in Thailand
A South Korean soldier tested positive for Covid-19 after returning home from Thailand. The soldier was in Rayong from November 2 to 6 for Cobra Gold, Thailand’s annual military training exercise. The soldier tested positive during a mandatory screening at a South Korea airport. Thai health officials are investigating the case and are urging residents in Rayong not to panic.…
- Thailand News
Retiring army chief failed to fulfil promises of military reform after Korat mass shooting, critic says
The retiring Thailand army chief vowed to reform the military’s business operations after the February 8 mass shooting in Nakhon Ratchasima where an armed soldier shot and killed 30 people and injured 57 others. He failed to fulfil his promise, according to co-founder of the Progressive Movement and a staunch critic of the army Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. The gunman shot and…
- Politics News
Rumours of another coup are false, PM says
Coup? What coup? Rumours have been floating around about an impending coup d’etat by the army. When asked about a possible coup, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha dismissed it, calling the rumour nonsense and groundless. He then abruptly called the press meeting to an end. Some have been saying the army is preparing for the coup by moving its forces and equipment.…
- Covid-19 News
Senator questions the admission of US troops during state of emergency
A Thai senator is questioning the need for US troops to participate in joint exercises with their Thai counterparts while a state of emergency is still in place in the country. The emergency decree was extended for the third time at the end of July and is now set to expire at the end of this month. Senator Kamnoon Sidhisamarn…
- Covid-19 News
1 new case of Covid-19 reported as a soldier in state quarantine – July 29
One new case of Covid-19 cases confirmed by the government today, as another soldier who was quarantined after returning from a military exercise in Hawaii. Read more on the original story, HERE. Deputy general manager of the Department of Disease Control, says the man arrived on July 22, and was quarantined in the province of Chon Buri. He screened positively…
- World News
Pakistani plane crash “due to pilot error”
A preliminary report over last month’s Pakistani plane crash reveals the pilots made errors that caused them to crash the plane, resulting in the loss of 98 lives. The pilots were reportedly distracted as they were chit-chatting about the coronavirus and didn’t even bother to lower the plane’s landing gear. Furthermore, they tried to land the aircraft when they were…
- World News
Japan and China island-rights battle heating up
A small group of uninhabited islands may be the centre of upcoming military sabre-rattling between China and Japan as both sides appear to be claiming the territory as their own. The islands are called Senkakus (Japan) and Diaoyus (China) with Japan controlling the area since 1972. The potential for the clashes is growing with the US now threatening to intervene.…
- Crime News
Sergeant says he’ll go to court to fight army corruption
After accusing the Thai army of corruption, a sergeant says he’ll now go to court to hash it out and strip his rank to get justice. Sgt. Narongchai Intharakawi, a clerk for the Army Ordnance Department, is accused of deserting his post amid a complaint he made against the army regarding alleged fraud. A video of the a superior officer…
- Crime News
Military school owner gets death sentence for student’s fatal beating
The owner of a private military school in Nakhon Sawan province, about 237 kilometres north of Bangkok, has been sentenced to death, and his wife and mother-in-law to life in prison, for the fatal beating of a 15 year old student. The provincial court handed down its judgement on Tuesday, ordering capital punishment for Natthaphol Thavornphibun, the owner of Ban…
- Covid-19 News
20,000 military-grade masks are on the way to help battle Covid-19
The Thai Royal Army has approved the production of military and medical protective masks, a total of 20,000 pieces valued at 600 million baht, to help the nation save over 500 million baht on imported N95 masks. Funding has come from government agencies and the private sector, hoping to help 500 medical personnel in need in the southern border provinces…
- Northern Thailand News
11 soldiers being investigated after allegedly torturing and killing one brother, injuring the other
Police officers in Nakhon Phanom (northeastern Thailand bordering Laos) are investigation a parent’s complaint filed on Sunday that two of her sons were taken away by soldiers leading to the death of one and the other being seriously injured. 11 soldiers are now under investigation over the incident. The complaint was made by 59 year old Niwat Saisa and his…
- Covid-19 News
Ex-military doctors recalled by the Royal Thai Air Force
Even though Thailand’s government has managed to decrease the number of daily infections, authorities still have a huge workload of looking out for patients and processing new arrivals at state quarantine facilities. So 50 ex-military doctors have been recalled by the Royal Thai Air Force in an “essential mission” of battling Thailand’s Covid-19 outbreak. Air force chief Air Chief Marshal Maanat Wongwat…
- Crime News
Killer in Lop Buri gold shop attack may be ex-military
Police now believe the attack at a Lop Buri gold shop in central Thailand last Thursday that killed three, including a two year old boy, may have been carried out by a former military officer. Four others were wounded in what appeared to be a botched robbery. A high ranking police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that…
- Politics News
Future Forward calls for an end to compulsory military conscription
PHOTO: Thai Army Conscriptees are selected with a lottery system – Al Jazeera Pongsakorn Rodchomphu and several other members of the opposition Future Forward Party have submitted a formal draft revision to the Conscription Act that would make military conscription voluntary, except in emergency situations. The Nation reports that the proposal was put forward to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai yesterday.…
- Crime News
Burmese drug smuggler shot in northern Thailand shootout
PHOTOS: Manager Online A Burmese drug suspect has been killed in a shootout with Thai police and soldiers while attempting to ship drugs across the border into Chiang Mai’s Mae Ai district early today. The man was believed to be a fighter with the Shan ethnic group in Myanmar and a part of a group of 30 drug smugglers. A…
- Politics News
PM holds urgent meetings with Thailand’s economic tsars today
The PM has put himself in control of Thailand’s economic matters nominating himself as Chairman of the Council of Economic Affairs. Today the PM Prayut Chan-o-cha holds talks with top officials of four key economic institutions on the budget bill as the economy, which has been a regional leader over the past decade, stutters. Academics are calling for cuts in military…
- Politics News
Future Forward’s Thanathorn on European and US lecture tour – VIDEO
The Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit spoke with American NBC’s Andrea Mitchell about his hopes and aspirations for Thailand’s future. He also addresses his own current situation in regards to charges he is facing over alleged media shareholdings. Thanathorn is currently suspended from participating in the new Thai parliament as an MP as he awaits the Constitutional Court to hear…
- Thailand Election News
Deputy PM promises ‘no coup’ after the election
Thailand’s Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan is hosing down speculation that there could be another coup after the March 24 general election if the votes don’t support the pro-military parties. Responding to questions about his role in maintaining peace and order around this Sunday’s election, General Prawit says there is “nothing to worry about”, including the situation in the three southernmost provinces of Yala,…
- Thailand News
Cobra Gold troops drink blood from decapitated cobras in annual jungle ceremony
Thailand and US military forces have joined in the opening ceremony for the annual Cobra Gold military exercise. Cobra Gold is the largest biggest military exercise of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region with 29 nations taking part as participants or observers. The military activities will run until February 22, including disaster relief training, military field training and humanitarian assistance…
- South Thailand News
District in Thailand’s south declared Special Control Zones
Special report from Chularat Saengpassa – The Nation “We have no idea what will happen next. The soldiers have been keeping a close eye on people going in and out of the village.” Locals in parts of Pattani’s Nong Chik district now live in fear due to the strong military presence in their hometown. “We are scared and don’t want to…
