Russia
- Politics News
Diplomatic dance in the seas: Russian Navy’s Admiral Panteleyev pays surprise visit to Thailand
In a diplomatic spectacle, the Russian Navy‘s Pacific Ocean Fleet, Admiral Panteleyev, has made waves with its visit to Thailand‘s Sattahip, marking a significant diplomatic event—the first since 2019. The vessel was welcomed with the Soviet classic Katyusha performed by an orchestra, setting the stage for a diplomatic dance between nations. A Royal Thai Navy official rolled out the red…
- Business News
Saudi Arabia and Russia extend oil cuts, pushing Brent crude to ten-month high
The global oil market experienced a significant shift as Saudi Arabia and Russia disclosed their decision to prolong voluntary oil production cuts until the end of the year. This announcement pushed Brent crude prices to a peak unseen in the last ten months, reported Bangkok Post. The energy ministry of Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading crude oil exporter, stated that…
- World News
German politician’s damning critique of NATO raises questions about alliance’s purpose (video)
As global leaders gathered at the NATO summit in Lithuania last week, seeking to ratify the membership of Sweden and discuss Ukraine’s eligibility, German politician Sevim Dagdelen delivered a scathing indictment of what the North Atlantic Treaty Organization stands for. The 47 year old German Left Party member dissected NATO hypocrisy, lies and smoke and mirrors with the precision of…
- Phuket News
Russian foreign minister arrives in Phuket
Sergey Lavrov, the acting Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, was warmly received at Phuket International Airport by a welcoming committee spearheaded by Amnuay Pinsuwan, Phuket’s Vice Governor. Lavrov’s visit is labelled by expectation as he lands on Thai soil to inaugurate the already functioning Russian consulate at Boat Lagoon in Koh Kaew, despite the absence of further details about…
- World News
Chechen attackers brutalise Russian reporter amidst political tensions
A brutal assault has been launched on renowned investigative reporter, Yelena Milashina, by a group of masked men, shortly after landing in the Russian republic of Chechnya. She recounts a chilling ordeal, where she was seized, forced out of her car, savagely attacked with plastic pipes, her head ruthlessly shaved and doused in green dye within the proximity of the…
- World News
Cuba turns to Russia amid fuel crisis and economic downturn
Equipped with a navy blue, Soviet-era Lada, Cuban cab driver Jorge Lloro’s everyday life is a stark reminder of Cuba’s Cold War-era relationship with Russia. There are roughly 100,000 Russian-made autos on this island nation, originally brought here as a workaround for the United States’ long-standing economic embargo. Today, grappling with a severe fuel crisis and a grim economic outlook,…
- Business News
Business uncertainty grows as Thai stock slide continues amid Chinese property defaults and Russian turmoil
Analysts flagged potential downswings to the Thailand Stock Exchange (SET) index due to ongoing business uncertainties in Russia and loan defaults in China’s property market. Over the past week, the SET index experienced a seven day consecutive drop, and despite brief rallying, finished in the red. Concerns stemming from smaller stock performances and news of Chinese property market default have…
- News
Russia’s national day: President Putin encourages patriotism and unity
Celebrating Russia’s National Day, President Vladimir Putin urged citizens to be patriotic and dedicated to their nation amid challenging times. Speaking in Moscow, Putin did not mention Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence released a video showcasing Russia’s beautiful landscapes, as well as citizens and soldiers expressing their love for the country. Putin also paid tribute…
- Phuket News
First flight from Russia’s Red Wings Airlines makes its way to Phuket
Russian tourists are continuing to flock to Thailand’s holiday paradise of Phuket. Yesterday morning, officials and staff at Phuket International Airport welcomed the first Red Wings Airlines flight from Zhukovsky, Russia, to Phuket. The flight carried 400 passengers. Earlier this month, it was reported that Russians were Thailand’s fourth largest tourist group this year, with a total of 115,743 tourists so…
- World News
G7 leaders convene in Hiroshima to discuss Russia sanctions, China strategy
G7 leaders have gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, to discuss tighter sanctions against Russia and protective measures against China’s “economic coercion”. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is hosting the summit in a city marked by its history of nuclear destruction. Over the course of three days, leaders, including US President Joe Biden, will work on presenting a united front on issues…
- World News
CIA seeks Russian whistleblowers with emotional Telegram video
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ramped up its efforts to encourage Russians to disclose their country’s secrets, releasing a poignant video on Telegram targeting individuals dissatisfied with President Vladimir Putin‘s regime. The brief video portrays a Russian bureaucrat and a woman at home with a child, both seemingly discontent with their lives, and asks if this is what they had…
- World News
FBI’s flawed Trump-Russia probe lacked evidence, says independent prosecutor
The long-awaited report on the origins of the FBI’s investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and Donald Trump‘s 2016 presidential campaign has been released, revealing serious flaws and a lack of substantial evidence. Independent US prosecutor John Durham, who was appointed in 2019, conducted the investigation and produced a more than 300-page report that criticised the FBI’s “Crossfire Hurricane” probe.…
- Business News
China increasingly uses yuan for trade with Russia, sidelining the dollar
China has significantly raised its use of the yuan for purchasing Russian commodities in the past year, with almost all its procurement of oil, coal, and some metals from the neighbouring country now settled in the Chinese currency instead of US dollars, multiple trading executives with direct knowledge of the situation have revealed. The shift towards using the yuan to…
- World News
US takes down Russian FSB’s sophisticated global malware network
The US Justice Department announced yesterday that it had successfully dismantled a “sophisticated” malware network, known as “Snake” or “Uroburos”, that had been utilized by Russia’s FSB intelligence agency for two decades. This highly advanced cyber-espionage tool allowed the FSB to secretly spy on target computer systems in 50 countries, focusing on government networks, research facilities, journalists, and other high-value…
- World News
Chinese foreign minister assures Russia and India of deepening bilateral ties at SCO meeting
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has assured his Russian and Indian counterparts that China will continue to deepen bilateral relations and that “coordination and cooperation” will only grow stronger, as it demonstrates its solidarity with two of China’s biggest neighbours. Qin met with other foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in India last week, as Beijing seeks to…
- World News
Ukraine’s ambassador commends effectiveness of UN in condemning Russia
The United Nations (UN) may have its flaws, but it has been effective in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya. He acknowledged the imperfections of the UN but argued that there may be no other country in the world where citizens pay such close attention to UN General Assembly or Security Council…
- World News
China and Russia sign maritime law enforcement agreement
China and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together in the field of maritime law enforcement. This collaboration follows a two-day meeting held in the Russian city of Murmansk, within the Arctic Circle and close to Finland’s border, a new NATO member. The agreement between China’s coastguard and Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) was signed on…
- World News
Norway surpasses Russia in energy exports
Norway is now surpassing Russia in energy exports. In a remarkable turn of events, a humble office building overlooking a fjord in Stavanger, Norway, now holds the key to European energy security. Here, the company Petoro oversees several of the continent’s largest oil and natural gas fields on Norway’s petroleum-rich continental shelf. This unassuming location has become central to Europe’s…
- World News
G7 ministers issue urgent warning of ‘severe costs’ for supporting Russia
In a recent meeting at Karuizawa, Japan, G7 foreign ministers warned of “severe costs” for those aiding Russia in its war with Ukraine. The discussions primarily focused on China, with a united front addressing its increasing military and economic power. Although the G7 did not announce any new sanctions against Moscow over its invasion, they promised to crack down on…
- Crime News
Phuket Police arrest Ukrainian woman for spray painting slogans at viewpoint
Phuket Police yesterday morning arrested a Ukrainian woman for spray painting slogans critical of Russia at a popular viewpoint. The 34 year old woman spray painted “#Russia is a terrorist state,” and “#Russia” on rocks and a bench at Khao Khad Viewpoint in the Wichit sub-district of Phuket’s main city district. Wichit Police tracked the woman down through CCTV footage.…
- World News
Russian tourist to be deported from Bali for naked pic on sacred mountain
A Russian man is to be deported from Indonesia after posting a photo of himself on social media standing on a sacred mountain in Bali with his pants around his ankles. Mount Agung – an active volcano – is the highest point in Bali and is especially sacred to Hindus, who believe it to be a replica of Mount Meru,…
- Politics News
Thailand’s neutrality ensures exclusion from US Summit for Democracy
It appears Thailand’s nonpartisan stance toward China and Russia ensured their exclusion from the United States’ Summit for Democracy meeting yesterday. Thailand pledged to remain neutral in regard to the Russia-Ukraine conflict last year and also refused to get drawn into the US’ latest warmongering plans against China ensuring the kingdom’s absence. Just like in 2021, only the Philippines, Malaysia,…
- World News
Russia to deploy nuclear weapons to Belarus
Levelling up the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced his plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, a close ally and neighbour of Russia. Putin has repeatedly hinted at a return to Cold War brinksmanship, threatening the possible use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. During an interview on Russian television, Putin stated that if Kyiv received…
- Hot News
Russian aircraft takes big fat fuel dump on US drone in newly-released footage
The US Pentagon has released the footage of a Russian aircraft taking a big fat fuel dump on a US surveillance drone. The footage shows the drone’s propeller was also clipped leaving it to come crashing down into the Black Sea. According to Khaosod English, the incident took place in international airspace. The 42-second video shows a Russian Su-27 coming…
- Hot News
Thailand responds to incoming Russians with extradition treaty
Thailand is responding to the flock of incoming Russians fleeing their home country with a new extradition treaty. The Cabinet approved a draft extradition treaty with Russia that is similar to agreements with other nations. According to The Star, the treaty would boost collaboration to help curb crime and does not need Parliament’s approval. The mass exodus of Russians from…
- Hot News
UN says viral video of Russian troops executing Ukrainian soldier may be authentic
The United Nations believes a viral video of Russian troops executing a Ukrainian soldier may be authentic. The disturbing video appears to show a detained Ukrainian combatant standing in a trench smoking a cigarette. What happens next, is described by viewers as horrifying. The Ukrainian soldier is shown saying, “Glory to Ukraine,” moments before he is shot to death by…
- Phuket News
Russians own 40% of foreign-owned condos in Phuket
Thailand’s Real Estate Information Centre (REIC) reported that Russian citizens own nearly 40% of foreign-owned condominiums in Phuket, worth a collective 880 million baht (US$25). In Phuket, Russians have overtaken the Chinese as the No.1 condo buyer. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year, Thailand has become a refuge for Russian citizens, as reported by Al Jazeera. The…
- Phuket News
Group rallies in Patong for end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
A group rallied in Patong on Saturday, calling for an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The group of around 30 people gathered a year and one day after Russia first invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The demonstrators, many of whom were Ukrainians and Russians, held placards with slogans in English and Russian, The Phuket News reported. Slogans included…
- World News
Thailand votes for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine at UN Assembly
Thailand was one of 141 countries at the United Nations (UN)’s General Assembly yesterday that voted for Russia to end the war in Ukraine and withdraw troops immediately. Seven countries voted against and 32 countries abstained. Thailand’s vote is significant since Thailand refused to condemn Russia’s annexation of Ukraine at a UN Assembly in October 2022, abstaining from the vote.…
- Politics News
China ‘walking a delicate path in its dealings with Russia’ or is it?
China is “walking along a very delicate path in its dealings with Russia over the Ukraine” wrote one Western commentator on yesterday’s high-profile meeting between President Vladimir Putin and senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi. The statement appears to be a little naïve, and hypocritical and totally ignores the hypocrisy of the current geopolitical situation surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But put…
- Hot News
UN denounces Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, proposes history-making resolution amid war anniversary
The United Nations is denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amid the one-year anniversary of the war while members reportedly voted on a history-making resolution. According to Reuters, both Ukraine and Russia lobbied countries at the UN for backing ahead of a vote by the General Assembly. The US says the new resolution will “go down in history.” The General Assembly…
- World News
Independent Chinese travellers demand freedom
Independent Chinese travellers are set to shake up expectations in Thailand and across all of Southeast Asia. More than 10 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand in 2019. Almost all of them were on a strict schedule overseen by a terrifying tour guide. Almost all spent most of their money on Chinese-owned operations. Many were riding around in buses provided by…
- News
Olympic Games on the brink as 40 nations threaten to pull out
Poland‘s Sport and Tourism Minister, Kamil Bortniczuk reckons that up to 40 countries could boycott the next Olympic Games. This comes after Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia jointly rejected an International Olympic Committee (IOC) plan to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Bortniczuk said… “Considering this, I don’t think we will face tough decisions…
- Hot News
US woman detained and fined in Russia after walking a calf on Moscow’s Red Square
A Russian court has detained and fined a US woman after she walked a calf on Moscow’s Red Square. She alleged that she bought the calf to save it from a slaughterhouse. Alicia Day was charged with obstructing pedestrians in an unauthorised protest and was fined 20,000 rubles (US$285). The 34 year old was also sentenced to 13 days of…
- Tourism News
Thailand welcomes 900,000 foreign tourists during Jan 1-15
In the first half of January, Thailand welcomed a grand total of 913,013 foreign tourists, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Governor of the TAT Yuthasak Supsasorn revealed that Russia has overtaken Malaysia as the Number 1 tourism market… Foreign Arrivals in Thailand by Nationality January 1 – 15, 2023 Russians (99,593) Malaysians (89,461) South Koreans (47,471) Indians…
- Hot News
Ukraine helicopter crash kills Interior Minister, at least 18 others
A Ukraine helicopter crash reportedly killed Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky and at least 18 others. The crash occurred near a kindergarten in the town of Brovary, just northeast of the capital of Kyiv yesterday. Yehvheniy Yenin, Monastyrsky’s deputy, along with a state secretary, was also killed in the crash. According to the Interior Ministry, three children were killed among the tally…
- Pattaya News
Raging Russian tourist wreaks havoc on two Pattaya 7-Eleven stores
A Russian tourist smashed his way through the door at a 7-Eleven convenience store on Walking Street in Pattaya in Chon Buri province early this morning, injuring himself and others. He continued to vandalize a second 7-Eleven branch before being detained by police. An employee explained that a Russian man, estimated to be 35 – 40 years old, came into…
