Thailand's cabinet has granted Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha sweeping new powers aimed at curbing COVID-19 that critics fear could be used as a political tool to suppress dissent.The country is struggling to contain a third wave that has seen a jump of more than 32,000 cases since an outbreak was detected in the capital's nightlife district.Mandatory mask-wearing and restrictions on daily life have done little to slow the rising death toll, with Prayut's leadership coming in for cr

Myanmar's military launched air assaults for the second day in a row into rebel-held territory after gunfire was heard from neighbouring Thailand, a Thai official said Wednesday, as fighting escalates along the border.Myanmar has been in turmoil since the junta ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a 1 February coup, its power grab angering much of its population.The anti-junta movement has also garnered some support from some ethnic rebel groups, which control territory along Myanm

Thailand's prime minister was fined for not wearing a mask Monday after new COVID-19 restrictions came into force to try to halt the country's spiralling outbreak.Wearing masks is now compulsory in public spaces in 49 provinces and the capital, Bangkok – where the latest outbreak has been traced back to a nightlife district. Some locations are backing up that requirement with a 20,000 baht (US$640) fine.After a picture of a maskless Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha attendin

Almost 40 Thai provinces have brought in entry restrictions and quarantine requirements for people travelling from Bangkok and other coronavirus hotspots ahead of a holiday travel period, as the capital grapples with soaring infections.On Sunday the government announced 967 new infections, bringing the overall tally to more than 32,000.Separately, health officials in the northern city of Chiang Mai flagged a further 281 cases that were likely to be included in Monday's national figures.B

Veteran Thai politician Supachai Jaisamut of the Bhumjaithai Party was absolutely right when he said: contracting COVID-19 is not a crime. Of course, it's not.

Thailand has detected at least 24 cases of the coronavirus variant B.1.1.7 that was first identified in Britain, a government health expert said on Wednesday.

At first glance, one can see similar motives for the 2006 and 2014 coups in Thailand as well as the 2021 Myanmar coup.In all three cases, coup-plotters faced popular civilian governments seeking more control over the military.In 2006, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin confronted Thailand’s populist Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

An Australian couple was released from house arrest in Myanmar and allowed to leave the country, as protests against the military junta continued Monday.Myanmar has been in turmoil since a 1 February coup ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and derailed the country's experiment with democracy.Business consultants Matthew O'Kane and Christa Avery, a dual Canadian-Australian citizen, tried to leave the country on a relief flight in late March but were barred from departing and pla

A sleepy village in remote northern Thailand became a hub of activity this week when it received refugees fleeing Myanmar – a sight that brought back vivid memories for its ethnic Karen residents.Hkara, 70, said she had spent roughly 30 years crisscrossing the Salween river, which marks the frontier, to flee military attacks on ethnic rebel armies in Myanmar's eastern Karen state.She decided to settle in the Thai village of Mae Sam Laep village two decades ago – a safer bet than Myanmar,

ASEAN, and Thailand in particular, have a responsibility to convince Myanmar's generals to change course, or risk the grouping losing all credibility, says former Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya.Kasit, who was foreign minister between 2008 and 2011 – during Myanmar's transition to a hybrid form of democracy – told an Asian media. "10 years ago, we were midwives to democracy (in Myanmar) and now it has been snatched away so we all have the obligation, Thailand in pa