Thailand

Thai PM calls for solidarity, sustainable growth at APEC CEO Summit

BANGKOK, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday urged the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies to join hands in achieving sustainable growth amid global challenges at the APEC CEO Summit.

Prayut, whose country is the host of APEC 2022, delivered a keynote speech at the summit, saying APEC's priorities are guided by the Bio-Circular-Green Economy that Thailand introduced as a recovery strategy from COVID-19 and a blueprint for long-term growth that is more balanced, sustainable and inclusive.

War, North Korea missile tests loom over Asia-Pacific summit

BANGKOK (AP) — Threats to peace and stability burst onto the agenda at a summit of Pacific Rim leaders Friday in Bangkok after North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that landed near Japanese territorial waters.

The missile test was a stark reminder of persisting risks of conflict in the region and beyond, on top of frictions between the big powers that threaten to unravel the global order.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and the leaders of Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia and New Zealand convened an emergency meeting on the missile launch.

APEC Economic Leaders’ Week kicks off in Thailand

BANGKOK, November 14. /TASS/. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum Week opens in the Thai capital of Bangkok on Monday.

From November 14 and through November 19, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center is to host meetings of senior APEC officials, ministerial meetings, plenary sessions, exhibitions and a number of other events related to the forum. It will end with a meeting of APEC Economic Leaders’ meeting on November 18-19, which will be attended by representatives of 21 economies.

Watches, daggers and cricket ice cream: Asian summit treats

BANGKOK (AP) — A custom wristwatch from Cambodian leader Hun Sen at the ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh, a foot-long dagger at the G-20 meetings in Bali, and cricket ice cream and Thai noodles with worm sauce at the APEC talks in Bangkok.

World leaders have a surfeit of swag and surprises awaiting them as they attend back-to-back-to-back summits in Asia starting this week.

World shares slip as markets await vote results, price data

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares were mostly lower on Wednesday as investors awaited the outcome of the U.S. midterm elections and a major inflation update due Thursday.

Benchmarks fell in London, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo. Chinese shares declined after weak inflation data provided further evidence of weakening demand in the world’s second-largest economy. U.S. futures also declined.

Thailand's 'floating train' a big hit as dam waters rise

LOP BURI, Thailand, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Tickets have been selling out fast in Thailand for rides on a special "floating train", where passengers have been enjoying the illusion of aquatic rail travel due to a post-monsoon rise in water levels.

The route starts in the capital Bangkok and passes through the Pasak Jolasid dam in Lop Buri province six hours away on an elevated track just above the water level, which officials say has been unusually high this year.

The train runs only at weekends between November and February and tickets have been sold out until New Year.

Amnesty: Fuel suppliers aiding Myanmar attacks on civilians

BANGKOK (AP) — Amnesty International is urging suppliers of aviation fuel to Myanmar to suspend their shipments to prevent the military from using them to conduct an increasing number of air attacks on civilian targets.

In a report released Thursday, the London-based rights group documented diversion of aviation fuel that is supposed to be used only for civilian travel and transport to the military. It also called on refiners, shipping companies and others in the aviation fuel supply chain to stop shipments until they can ensure they won’t be diverted to military use.

Ethnic group says Myanmar air attack kills 80 at celebration

BANGKOK (AP) — Air strikes by Myanmar’s military killed as many as 80 people, including singers and musicians, attending an anniversary celebration of the Kachin ethnic minority’s main political organization, members of the group and a rescue worker said Monday.

The reported attack comes three days before Southeast Asian foreign ministers are to hold a special meeting in Indonesia to discuss widening violence in Myanmar.

Asian shares mostly lower on worries over China outlook

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mostly lower Tuesday in Asia as markets remained jittery over the outcome of a Communist Party congress in China, where key reformers were excluded from the highest ranks of ruling party leadership.

Hong Kong’s benchmark failed to hold onto early gains after a 6.4% selloff the day before that took it to its lowest close in over a decade. Tokyo and Sydney advanced but Shanghai, Seoul and Mumbai declined.

U.S. futures edged 0.1% higher but oil prices fall back.

Thailand abstained UN vote on Russia due to unfavourable circumstances

BANGKOK, Oct 13 (NNN-Bernama) — Thailand had abstained in a United Nations (UN) vote on Russia’s “attempted illegal annexation” of four partially occupied regions in Ukraine because the vote took place during “extremely volatile, and emotionally charged atmosphere and situation”.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Dr. Suriya Chindawongse said Thailand chose to abstain because such condemnation would marginalise the chance for a crisis diplomacy and may push the world towards the brink of nuclear war and global economic collapse.

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