Thailand announced Wednesday that <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-king-names-his-consort-queen-days-before-coronation-215170&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQgoHIhfzhAhU0jOYKHSSgAKsQFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw07pUIFV_lgDmrafAomN1RU">King Maha Vajiralongkorn's</a> long-time consort had become his fourth wife, bestowed with the title Queen Suthida -- a surprise move just days before his coronation.

The Royal Gazette published an announcement saying Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya, a former flight attendant, had "legally married" the king in accordance with royal traditions.&nbsp;

"Therefore, he bestows (the title) on General Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya from Queen Consort to Queen Suthida as of now," the announcement said.

The ceremony was overseen by Vajiralongkorn wearing a white uniform in Bangkok's Dusit Palace Wednesday, according to a broadcast of the announcement, which showed Queen Suthida in a traditional Thai silk dress.

The unpredictable king is due to be crowned the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty in an elaborate three-day ceremony starting Saturday.&nbsp;

Long seen trailing the king in public events as part of his personal security retinue, Suthida, a former Thai Airways flight attendant, was given the rank of "general" in 2016.

Vajiralongkorn, who has been married three times, is frequently abroad in Germany.

Harsh lese-majeste laws have shielded public scrutiny of his colourful private life, and all media in Thailand must self-censor.

This weekend's coronation will be the first since Vajiralongkorn's late father's nearly 70 years ago.&nbsp;

It was not immediately clear what role Queen Suthida will play in the ceremony.

Thailand announced Wednesday that King Maha Vajiralongkorn's long-time consort had become his fourth wife, bestowed with the title Queen Suthida -- a surprise move just days before his coronation.

Thailand announced Wednesday that King Maha Vajiralongkorn's long-time consort had become his fourth wife, bestowed with the title Queen Suthida -- a surprise move just days before his coronation. The Royal Gazette published an announcement saying Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya, a former flight attendant, had "legally married" the king in accordance with royal traditions. "Therefore, he bestows (the title) on General Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya from Queen Consort to Queen Suthida as of now," the announcement said. The ceremony was overseen by Vajiralongkorn wearing a white uniform in Bangkok's Dusit Palace Wednesday, according to a broadcast of the announcement, which showed Queen Suthida in a traditional Thai silk dress. The unpredictable king is due to be crowned the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty in an elaborate three-day ceremony starting Saturday. Long seen trailing the king in public events as part of his personal security retinue, Suthida, a former Thai Airways flight attendant, was given the rank of "general" in 2016. Vajiralongkorn, who has been married three times, is frequently abroad in Germany. Harsh lese-majeste laws have shielded public scrutiny of his colourful private life, and all media in Thailand must self-censor. This weekend's coronation will be the first since Vajiralongkorn's late father's nearly 70 years ago. It was not immediately clear what role Queen Suthida will play in the ceremony.

Thai King announces consort to be Queen ahead of coronation

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn announced on Wednesday (May 1) that he had married his consort, General Suthida Vajiralongkorn, and named her Queen Suthida. The announcement, carried in the Royal Gazette, came just before the official coronation of the king, 66, on May 4-6.

Thai king names his consort queen days before coronation

The story of the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their coach who were trapped for two weeks in a cave in northern Thailand last year will be told by the United States-based media platform Netflix following a deal between several producers announced in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Netflix to stream story of Thai youth soccer team's dramatic rescue from cave

Over 40 roads around and leading toward the Grand Palace will gradually be closed in Bangkok from Thursday (May 2) as Thailand gears up for the country's first coronation in nearly seven decades for King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Sunrise, sunset as Thailand prepares for royal coronation at Grand Palace

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - April 20th, 2019

A dog that was rescued by oil rig workers more than 200 kilometers (125 miles) off the coast of Thailand, was in good health on Wednesday and is set to be adopted by one of its rescuers.

Dog pulled from Gulf of Thailand to be adopted by rescuer

An American bitcoin investor could face the death penalty after Thailand's navy accused him of violating the country's sovereignty by building a "seastead" home off the coast, which he insisted was simply in pursuit of a vision of "freedom".

Chad Elwartowski and his Thai girlfriend Supranee Thepdet, known as "Bitcoin Girl Thailand", are facing charges of threatening the kingdom's independence after authorities found their ocean-based home about 12 nautical miles from shore.

But Elwartowski told AFP their home was 13 nautical miles out, which he said is just outside Thailand's territorial waters.

An official complaint was filed to a Phuket police station, police colonel Nikorn Somsuk confirmed Wednesday.

"The navy and its team... found a concrete tank floating on the sea but there was no one on it," Nikorn told AFP. "So they filed a charge citing criminal code article 119."

If they are officially charged and found guilty, the maximum sentence Elwartowski and Supranee could face is the death penalty.

Nikorn said the navy would have to meet with provincial officials "to consider what to do next".

The Royal Thai Navy said on Facebook the couple "did not seek permission from Thailand" before constructing their home.

Putting a call out to other interested investors also shows "they do not care about Thailand as a sovereign state."

But Elwartowski, who worked as a software engineer for the US military in Afghanistan, Germany and South Korea, told AFP he and Supranee just wanted to live somewhere free.

"I like the idea of being able to vote with your home. If you don't like how your community is being run, you just float to a new one," he said.&nbsp;

The Bitcoin-rich couple are part of Ocean Builders, a community of entrepreneurs who aim to build permanent homes in waters outside of government territory.

They had recently called for 20 interested investors for new seasteads to be built around their maiden platform, which is "just outside of Thailand's territorial waters," said Elwartowski.&nbsp;

On April 10, he put out a call for people to invest in an "Initial Seastead Offering" which would have launched on April 15.

The "ISeaO" is now postponed, and Elwartowski said he and Supranee, whose English name is Nadia, just want to live together in peace.

"We didn't do anything on the seastead that was not legal on land but the feeling of being free is just amazing."

Some advocates of "seasteading" believe in creating "competing governments on the high seas", he said.

But Ocean Builders "never took a political stance" on the homes' purpose.

"That was for the customers to decide," he said.&nbsp;

The couple is now hiding in "a fairly safe place".

A statement published Monday on Ocean Builders' website said Elwartowski and Supranee were not responsible for the construction of the seastead.

An American bitcoin investor could face the death penalty after Thailand's navy accused him of violating the country's sovereignty by building a "seastead" home off the coast, which he insisted was simply in pursuit of a vision of "freedom".

An American bitcoin investor could face the death penalty after Thailand's navy accused him of violating the country's sovereignty by building a "seastead" home off the coast, which he insisted was simply in pursuit of a vision of "freedom". Chad Elwartowski and his Thai girlfriend Supranee Thepdet, known as "Bitcoin Girl Thailand", are facing charges of threatening the kingdom's independence after authorities found their ocean-based home about 12 nautical miles from shore. But Elwartowski told AFP their home was 13 nautical miles out, which he said is just outside Thailand's territorial waters. An official complaint was filed to a Phuket police station, police colonel Nikorn Somsuk confirmed Wednesday. "The navy and its team... found a concrete tank floating on the sea but there was no one on it," Nikorn told AFP. "So they filed a charge citing criminal code article 119." If they are officially charged and found guilty, the maximum sentence Elwartowski and Supranee could face is the death penalty. Nikorn said the navy would have to meet with provincial officials "to consider what to do next". The Royal Thai Navy said on Facebook the couple "did not seek permission from Thailand" before constructing their home. Putting a call out to other interested investors also shows "they do not care about Thailand as a sovereign state." But Elwartowski, who worked as a software engineer for the US military in Afghanistan, Germany and South Korea, told AFP he and Supranee just wanted to live somewhere free. "I like the idea of being able to vote with your home. If you don't like how your community is being run, you just float to a new one," he said. The Bitcoin-rich couple are part of Ocean Builders, a community of entrepreneurs who aim to build permanent homes in waters outside of government territory. They had recently called for 20 interested investors for new seasteads to be built around their maiden platform, which is "just outside of Thailand's territorial waters," said Elwartowski. On April 10, he put out a call for people to invest in an "Initial Seastead Offering" which would have launched on April 15. The "ISeaO" is now postponed, and Elwartowski said he and Supranee, whose English name is Nadia, just want to live together in peace. "We didn't do anything on the seastead that was not legal on land but the feeling of being free is just amazing." Some advocates of "seasteading" believe in creating "competing governments on the high seas", he said. But Ocean Builders "never took a political stance" on the homes' purpose. "That was for the customers to decide," he said. The couple is now hiding in "a fairly safe place". A statement published Monday on Ocean Builders' website said Elwartowski and Supranee were not responsible for the construction of the seastead.

US man could face death penalty over building 'sea home' in Thailand

Thai designer Panupong Chansopa saw a business opportunity in the millions of vinyl campaign posters destined to become trash after last month's general election, and salvaged hundreds of them to turn them into colourful tote bags with a message.

From trash to totes: Thai designer makes politics fashionable

Thailand's pro-military party takes lead; Final results to be released soon

Thai <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-elections-polls-open-thai-king-urges-people-to-support-good-to-prevent-chaos-205166">voters went to the polls on Sunday</a> in a long-delayed election following a 2014 coup, a race that pits a military junta chief seeking to retain power against a "democratic front" led by the populist party he ousted.

Turnout was expected to be high among the 51.4 million Thais eligible to vote for the 500-seat House of Representatives, which will choose the next government along with a Senate that is appointed entirely by the ruling junta.

Thailand has been under direct military rule since then-army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha overthrew an elected government linked to exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who himself was thrown out by the army in 2006.

Critics have said a new, junta-written electoral system gives a built-in advantage to pro-military parties and appears designed to prevent the Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai Party from returning to power.

Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election since 2001, but the past 15 years have seen crippling street protests that destabilised the government and hamstrung business.

Prayuth's party campaigned on maintaining order and upholding traditional values of loyalty and devotion to the monarch.

"I am happy to see citizens come out and exercise their voting rights," Prayuth told reporters on Sunday after casting his vote. "I want to see love and unity. Everybody has one vote, one voice. Everybody wants democracy."

Outcome may take weeks

The anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts, mostly middle class and urban royalists who accuse his parties of corruption, have repeatedly taken to the streets, prompting the military to launch two coups in a decade.

Thaksin's supporters, known as the Red Shirts, also occupied much of Bangkok's main business and shopping districts for months in 2010 after a court dissolved a pro-Thaksin government, again paralysing commerce until a crackdown that left at least 90 people dead and saw landmark buildings burned.

While the election results are due to be announced within a few hours of polls closing at 5 pm, the make-up of the next government may not be clear for weeks, since no one party is likely to have enough seats for an outright win.

The country's king made an unexpected and cryptic statement hours before the vote, recalling a comment made by his late father in 1969 on the need to put "good people" in power and to prevent "bad people from ... creating chaos".

Although he did not refer to any of the sides in the race, there was speculation on social media that it was a coded reference to the country's political factions - broadly the middle class and urban establishment, who identify with the monarchy and the military, and their pro-Thaksin opponents.

The king's intervention was a departure from the approach of his father, who in his latter years usually kept a distance between the monarchy and politics.

It followed a startling turn of events last month when a party allied to Pheu Thai nominated Princess Ubolratana, the king's sister, as its prime ministerial candidate. It was then disqualified by a court after the king said it was "inappropriate" for members of the royal family to enter politics.

"What happened last month ... and then the announcement last night shows that, in contrast to the former reign, that the monarchy is actively interested in monitoring what's going on and it feels that it has some stake in the future direction of the country," said David Streckfuss, a Thailand-based independent scholar.

Deck stacked for military

The junta-written electoral rules ensure the military will continue to have a say in the next government, even if Prayuth does not stay on as prime minister.

Pro-Thaksin parties are expected to win the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives. However, the new system appears designed to prevent it from forming a government because it includes the junta-appointed 250-seat Senate in the vote for prime minister.

The provision means Prayuth's Palang Pracharat Party and allies have to win only 126 seats in the House, while Pheu Thai and its potential "democratic front" partners would need 376.

Among the potential Pheu Thai allies is the new Future Forward Party, led by 40-year-old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, whose criticism of the junta has been scathing and faces charges under the Computer Crimes Act for a critical Facebook speech. Prosecutors have said they will decide whether to put him on trial days after the election.

"The current government has not done much for the economy. Old parties may end up fighting again, so I think the new party is better," said Somkiat Rattanawibun, a 42-year-old business owner told Reuters after casting his vote in Bangkok.

Two officially non-aligned parties could be decisive in whether pro-military or "democratic front" factions make up the next government.

Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the anti-Thaksin Democrats, has portrayed himself as a third way between the "dictatorship" of keeping Prayuth and a return to the "corruption" on Thaksinism, but he would likely have to side with one or the other to form a government.

The Bhumjaithai Party of Anutin Charnvirakul placed third in the last election of 2011 and has grabbed attention for populist campaign promises such as legalisation of recreational marijuana and a four-day work week. It's unclear which side he would choose.

Regardless of the make-up of the government, the election result is likely to yield a shaky coalition that will do little to soothe Thailand's deep political divides and may not be able to accomplish much, said Paul Chambers, lecturer in political science at Naresuan University in northern Thailand.

"There could be a stable government coming out of it in the short term," he said. "But that kind of coalition is not going to last that long."

Thai voters went to the polls on Sunday in a long-delayed election following a 2014 coup, a race that pits a military junta chief seeking to retain power against a "democratic front" led by the populist party he ousted.

Thai voters went to the polls on Sunday in a long-delayed election following a 2014 coup, a race that pits a military junta chief seeking to retain power against a "democratic front" led by the populist party he ousted. Turnout was expected to be high among the 51.4 million Thais eligible to vote for the 500-seat House of Representatives, which will choose the next government along with a Senate that is appointed entirely by the ruling junta. Thailand has been under direct military rule since then-army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha overthrew an elected government linked to exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who himself was thrown out by the army in 2006. Critics have said a new, junta-written electoral system gives a built-in advantage to pro-military parties and appears designed to prevent the Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai Party from returning to power. Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election since 2001, but the past 15 years have seen crippling street protests that destabilised the government and hamstrung business. Prayuth's party campaigned on maintaining order and upholding traditional values of loyalty and devotion to the monarch. "I am happy to see citizens come out and exercise their voting rights," Prayuth told reporters on Sunday after casting his vote. "I want to see love and unity. Everybody has one vote, one voice. Everybody wants democracy." Outcome may take weeks The anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts, mostly middle class and urban royalists who accuse his parties of corruption, have repeatedly taken to the streets, prompting the military to launch two coups in a decade. Thaksin's supporters, known as the Red Shirts, also occupied much of Bangkok's main business and shopping districts for months in 2010 after a court dissolved a pro-Thaksin government, again paralysing commerce until a crackdown that left at least 90 people dead and saw landmark buildings burned. While the election results are due to be announced within a few hours of polls closing at 5 pm, the make-up of the next government may not be clear for weeks, since no one party is likely to have enough seats for an outright win. The country's king made an unexpected and cryptic statement hours before the vote, recalling a comment made by his late father in 1969 on the need to put "good people" in power and to prevent "bad people from ... creating chaos". Although he did not refer to any of the sides in the race, there was speculation on social media that it was a coded reference to the country's political factions - broadly the middle class and urban establishment, who identify with the monarchy and the military, and their pro-Thaksin opponents. The king's intervention was a departure from the approach of his father, who in his latter years usually kept a distance between the monarchy and politics. It followed a startling turn of events last month when a party allied to Pheu Thai nominated Princess Ubolratana, the king's sister, as its prime ministerial candidate. It was then disqualified by a court after the king said it was "inappropriate" for members of the royal family to enter politics. "What happened last month ... and then the announcement last night shows that, in contrast to the former reign, that the monarchy is actively interested in monitoring what's going on and it feels that it has some stake in the future direction of the country," said David Streckfuss, a Thailand-based independent scholar. Deck stacked for military The junta-written electoral rules ensure the military will continue to have a say in the next government, even if Prayuth does not stay on as prime minister. Pro-Thaksin parties are expected to win the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives. However, the new system appears designed to prevent it from forming a government because it includes the junta-appointed 250-seat Senate in the vote for prime minister. The provision means Prayuth's Palang Pracharat Party and allies have to win only 126 seats in the House, while Pheu Thai and its potential "democratic front" partners would need 376. Among the potential Pheu Thai allies is the new Future Forward Party, led by 40-year-old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, whose criticism of the junta has been scathing and faces charges under the Computer Crimes Act for a critical Facebook speech. Prosecutors have said they will decide whether to put him on trial days after the election. "The current government has not done much for the economy. Old parties may end up fighting again, so I think the new party is better," said Somkiat Rattanawibun, a 42-year-old business owner told Reuters after casting his vote in Bangkok. Two officially non-aligned parties could be decisive in whether pro-military or "democratic front" factions make up the next government. Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the anti-Thaksin Democrats, has portrayed himself as a third way between the "dictatorship" of keeping Prayuth and a return to the "corruption" on Thaksinism, but he would likely have to side with one or the other to form a government. The Bhumjaithai Party of Anutin Charnvirakul placed third in the last election of 2011 and has grabbed attention for populist campaign promises such as legalisation of recreational marijuana and a four-day work week. It's unclear which side he would choose. Regardless of the make-up of the government, the election result is likely to yield a shaky coalition that will do little to soothe Thailand's deep political divides and may not be able to accomplish much, said Paul Chambers, lecturer in political science at Naresuan University in northern Thailand. "There could be a stable government coming out of it in the short term," he said. "But that kind of coalition is not going to last that long."

Thailand's coup leader, 'democratic front' face-off in long-awaited election

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/move-to-make-princess-pm-inappropriate-and-unconstitutional-thai-king-196119">A Thai political party</a> will obey a command from the king blocking the candidacy of a princess for prime minister, it said in a statement Saturday, in a dramatic reversal only a day after putting her forward for the position.&nbsp;

"Thai Raksa Chart party complies with the royal command", it said in a LINE message to reporters.

The statement added that the party is ready to do its duty with respect to the "tradition and royal customs" under Thailand's constitutional monarchy.

The announcement effectively invalidates <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-storied-life-thai-princess-turned-populist-aims-to-be-pm-196141">Princess Ubolratana's unprecedented bid for prime minister </a>in March elections and comes after an extraordinary rebuke of her candidacy by her younger brother Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Thai Raksa Chart announced the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/legal-doubts-raised-after-thai-kings-sister-confirms-pm-bid-196103">princess as their candidate</a> Friday morning in a move that looked to rattle the status quo and threaten the ambitions of the junta that has ruled Thailand since it toppled the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra in a 2014 coup.

But the Thai king torpedoed the bid in a sharply worded statement later the same day that said bringing senior royal family members into politics is against tradition, national culture and "highly inappropriate."

Thailand has some of the most severe lese majeste laws in the world and the king's word is considered final.&nbsp;

Analysts had already forewarned that the palace statement had scuttled the princess' chances.

"The palace disapproval invalidates her candidacy," said Puangthong Pawakapan, professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University, before the Thai Raksa Chart announcement.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and has not had a royal run for frontline office since 1932.

The 67-year-old princess did not address the royal rebuke head-on Saturday morning when she thanked supporters on her widely followed the Instagram account and said vaguely that she wanted Thailand to "move forward".

Junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, the leader of the coup that toppled the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra, also said he would stand for the top post-Friday.

Ubolratana's move briefly threw his fortunes into disarray but the palace action made it clear it does not endorse her run.

The king did not criticise the princess directly and seemed to focus blame on political party members who brought her on board.

Thai Raksa Chart is aligned with Yingluck and her brother Thaksin, who was ousted by the army in 2006.

Analysts assumed Thaksin and the party would not make such a move without royal approval.

A Thai political party will obey a command from the king blocking the candidacy of a princess for prime minister, it said in a statement Saturday, in a dramatic reversal only a day after putting her forward for the position.

A Thai political party will obey a command from the king blocking the candidacy of a princess for prime minister, it said in a statement Saturday, in a dramatic reversal only a day after putting her forward for the position. "Thai Raksa Chart party complies with the royal command", it said in a LINE message to reporters. The statement added that the party is ready to do its duty with respect to the "tradition and royal customs" under Thailand's constitutional monarchy. The announcement effectively invalidates Princess Ubolratana's unprecedented bid for prime minister in March elections and comes after an extraordinary rebuke of her candidacy by her younger brother Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Thai Raksa Chart announced the princess as their candidate Friday morning in a move that looked to rattle the status quo and threaten the ambitions of the junta that has ruled Thailand since it toppled the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra in a 2014 coup. But the Thai king torpedoed the bid in a sharply worded statement later the same day that said bringing senior royal family members into politics is against tradition, national culture and "highly inappropriate." Thailand has some of the most severe lese majeste laws in the world and the king's word is considered final. Analysts had already forewarned that the palace statement had scuttled the princess' chances. "The palace disapproval invalidates her candidacy," said Puangthong Pawakapan, professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University, before the Thai Raksa Chart announcement. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and has not had a royal run for frontline office since 1932. The 67-year-old princess did not address the royal rebuke head-on Saturday morning when she thanked supporters on her widely followed the Instagram account and said vaguely that she wanted Thailand to "move forward". Junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, the leader of the coup that toppled the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra, also said he would stand for the top post-Friday. Ubolratana's move briefly threw his fortunes into disarray but the palace action made it clear it does not endorse her run. The king did not criticise the princess directly and seemed to focus blame on political party members who brought her on board. Thai Raksa Chart is aligned with Yingluck and her brother Thaksin, who was ousted by the army in 2006. Analysts assumed Thaksin and the party would not make such a move without royal approval.

Thailand: Will comply with royal order against princess PM candidacy, says Raksa Chart party

Mounting pressure on Thailand to release from detention football player Hakeem al-Araibi has not only refocussed international attention on alleged abuse of human rights and due course of law in Bahrain but also the apparent continued ability of autocratic and authoritarian regimes to enlist global police organisation Interpol in efforts to silence critics.

The arrest by Thai authorities of Al Araibi, acting on an Interpol red notice arrest warrant issued despite the fact that he had been granted political asylum in Australia, raises questions about the effectiveness of Interpol safeguards against exploitation of its powers.

It is also a reflection of a far broader global battle for continued rule of law that is being challenged by autocrats, authoritarians, populists and nationalists on multiple fronts.

“It’s really emblematic of this breakdown of multilateral institutions, particularly those premised on western liberal democratic values which in the wake of the cold war we saw come into ascendance. These institutions were not built with the internal safeguards and mechanisms to protect them against bad faith actors. Once you let them inside the gates, nothing prevents them from poisoning the well,” said Jonathan Reich, an attorney who has worked with Russian business people and anti-corruption dissidents targeted by Russia via Interpol.

Al-Araibi’s case further highlights the incestuous and inextricable relationship between sports and politics that international sports associations strenuously deny.

Nowhere is that relationship increasingly more evident than in the Gulf with Al-Araibi’s arrest; the politicisation of the Asian Cup as a result of the rift between Qatar and its boycotting detractors, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia; Saudi and UAE efforts to substantially increase their influence in global soccer governance, and the Saudi-Qatar dispute over broadcasting rights.

Qatar’s winning of the Asian Cup on Friday was as much a sports achievement as it was a political statement of the country’s resilience and ability to host the 2022 World Cup that had been called into question from day one and was targeted by its Gulf detractors since they declared a diplomatic and economic boycott of the Gulf state 18 months ago.

Al-Araibi has been kept in prison to allow Bahrain to formally request his extradition even though Interpol withdrew the non-binding red notice a week after issuing it. He was on Friday remanded for another 60 days in prison as a Thai court held hearings on the request.

The focus on Interpol safeguards as a result of Al-Araibi’s continued detention and the organisation’s inability to ensure that its mistakes can be corrected was bolstered this week by documents leaked by dissident Turkish journalists in Europe that allege abuse of Interpol procedures by Turkish law enforcement and intelligence.

The documents allege that Turkey has obtained through Interpol information about dissidents in Belgium, Germany and Poland on the basis of purported false charges that nonetheless failed to result in the issuance of a red notice warrant.

Al-Araibi’s detention since November when he arrived with his wife in Bangkok for their honeymoon and the Turkish leak are but the two latest incidents that point fingers at Interpol procedures.

Fair Trials, an international criminal justice watchdog, has documented numerous cases of abuse of Interpol procedures, applauded the organisation for efforts to avoid abuse, and called on it to introduce further safeguards.

In one prominent case, Interpol was put in an embarrassing position in October when its then president, Meng Hongwei, was arrested on a visit to his native China after the police organisation had accepted a resignation letter purportedly signed by Meng and tendered by the Chinese government, which said he was being probed over suspected corruption. Interpol said it had no choice but to comply with the request.

Al-Araibi’s case bolsters the call for further safeguards and focuses attention on the need for mechanisms to counter the fallout of abuse.

A player for Bahrain’s national team, Al-Araibi was arrested in November 2012 while walking to a cafe in Bahrain to watch a Real Madrid-Barcelona game and beaten in detention. He was accused of vandalising a police station at a time when he had been playing in a match that had been aired on live television.

Al-Araibi spent three months in detention and was sentenced to ten years in prison but managed to flee to Australia before the verdict was issued by a judge, who like Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president and world soccer body FIFA vice president, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, is a member of Bahrain’s ruling family.

Al-Araibi’s case erupted as Sheikh Salman is running for another term in AFC elections scheduled for April.

Al-Araibi asserted that Sheikh Salman, who at the time of his arrest in the Gulf state was head of the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) and has long been accused of involvement in the arrest and abuse during mass anti-government protests in 2011 of some 150 Bahraini athletes and sports executives, had failed to respond to requests for help from the player’s family and lawyers.

Sheikh Salman has said he had not received a request for assistance. Sheikh Salman has consistently denied any association with the 2011 events despite the fact that Bahrain’s state-run news agency linked him to the arrests in several reports at the time.

Conspicuously, Sheikh Salman has remained silent about Al-Araibi’s case while the AFC only this week called for the first time for his return to Australia in a statement by its vice president, Praful Patel.

The AFC this week said Patel rather than Sheikh Salman was responsible for Middle Eastern affairs. It said Sheikh Salman had been recused from overseeing the region because of potential conflicts of interest. It was the first time that the AFC disclosed the recusal.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura and International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach have been calling for Al-Araibi’s release for several weeks.

For Bahraini exiles like S Yousif Almuhafdah, a Berlin-based human rights activist, Al-Araibi’s case is one way of focusing attention on Bahrain and trying to ensure that others are spared the soccer player’s fate in a world in which the cards are stacked against them.

Says Almuhafdah, who was detained in the same cell as Al-Araibi before both men left Bahrain: “Nothing will change any time soon. But we have a responsibility to those who stayed behind and remain behind bars.”

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Mounting pressure on Thailand to release from detention football player Hakeem al-Araibi has not only refocussed international attention on alleged abuse of human rights and due course of law in Bahrain but also the apparent continued ability of autocratic and authoritarian regimes to enlist global police organisation Interpol in efforts to silence critics.

Mounting pressure on Thailand to release from detention football player Hakeem al-Araibi has not only refocussed international attention on alleged abuse of human rights and due course of law in Bahrain but also the apparent continued ability of autocratic and authoritarian regimes to enlist global police organisation Interpol in efforts to silence critics. The arrest by Thai authorities of Al Araibi, acting on an Interpol red notice arrest warrant issued despite the fact that he had been granted political asylum in Australia, raises questions about the effectiveness of Interpol safeguards against exploitation of its powers. It is also a reflection of a far broader global battle for continued rule of law that is being challenged by autocrats, authoritarians, populists and nationalists on multiple fronts. “It’s really emblematic of this breakdown of multilateral institutions, particularly those premised on western liberal democratic values which in the wake of the cold war we saw come into ascendance. These institutions were not built with the internal safeguards and mechanisms to protect them against bad faith actors. Once you let them inside the gates, nothing prevents them from poisoning the well,” said Jonathan Reich, an attorney who has worked with Russian business people and anti-corruption dissidents targeted by Russia via Interpol. Al-Araibi’s case further highlights the incestuous and inextricable relationship between sports and politics that international sports associations strenuously deny. Nowhere is that relationship increasingly more evident than in the Gulf with Al-Araibi’s arrest; the politicisation of the Asian Cup as a result of the rift between Qatar and its boycotting detractors, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia; Saudi and UAE efforts to substantially increase their influence in global soccer governance, and the Saudi-Qatar dispute over broadcasting rights. Qatar’s winning of the Asian Cup on Friday was as much a sports achievement as it was a political statement of the country’s resilience and ability to host the 2022 World Cup that had been called into question from day one and was targeted by its Gulf detractors since they declared a diplomatic and economic boycott of the Gulf state 18 months ago. Al-Araibi has been kept in prison to allow Bahrain to formally request his extradition even though Interpol withdrew the non-binding red notice a week after issuing it. He was on Friday remanded for another 60 days in prison as a Thai court held hearings on the request. The focus on Interpol safeguards as a result of Al-Araibi’s continued detention and the organisation’s inability to ensure that its mistakes can be corrected was bolstered this week by documents leaked by dissident Turkish journalists in Europe that allege abuse of Interpol procedures by Turkish law enforcement and intelligence. The documents allege that Turkey has obtained through Interpol information about dissidents in Belgium, Germany and Poland on the basis of purported false charges that nonetheless failed to result in the issuance of a red notice warrant. Al-Araibi’s detention since November when he arrived with his wife in Bangkok for their honeymoon and the Turkish leak are but the two latest incidents that point fingers at Interpol procedures. Fair Trials, an international criminal justice watchdog, has documented numerous cases of abuse of Interpol procedures, applauded the organisation for efforts to avoid abuse, and called on it to introduce further safeguards. In one prominent case, Interpol was put in an embarrassing position in October when its then president, Meng Hongwei, was arrested on a visit to his native China after the police organisation had accepted a resignation letter purportedly signed by Meng and tendered by the Chinese government, which said he was being probed over suspected corruption. Interpol said it had no choice but to comply with the request. Al-Araibi’s case bolsters the call for further safeguards and focuses attention on the need for mechanisms to counter the fallout of abuse. A player for Bahrain’s national team, Al-Araibi was arrested in November 2012 while walking to a cafe in Bahrain to watch a Real Madrid-Barcelona game and beaten in detention. He was accused of vandalising a police station at a time when he had been playing in a match that had been aired on live television. Al-Araibi spent three months in detention and was sentenced to ten years in prison but managed to flee to Australia before the verdict was issued by a judge, who like Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president and world soccer body FIFA vice president, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, is a member of Bahrain’s ruling family. Al-Araibi’s case erupted as Sheikh Salman is running for another term in AFC elections scheduled for April. Al-Araibi asserted that Sheikh Salman, who at the time of his arrest in the Gulf state was head of the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) and has long been accused of involvement in the arrest and abuse during mass anti-government protests in 2011 of some 150 Bahraini athletes and sports executives, had failed to respond to requests for help from the player’s family and lawyers. Sheikh Salman has said he had not received a request for assistance. Sheikh Salman has consistently denied any association with the 2011 events despite the fact that Bahrain’s state-run news agency linked him to the arrests in several reports at the time. Conspicuously, Sheikh Salman has remained silent about Al-Araibi’s case while the AFC only this week called for the first time for his return to Australia in a statement by its vice president, Praful Patel. The AFC this week said Patel rather than Sheikh Salman was responsible for Middle Eastern affairs. It said Sheikh Salman had been recused from overseeing the region because of potential conflicts of interest. It was the first time that the AFC disclosed the recusal. FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura and International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach have been calling for Al-Araibi’s release for several weeks. For Bahraini exiles like S Yousif Almuhafdah, a Berlin-based human rights activist, Al-Araibi’s case is one way of focusing attention on Bahrain and trying to ensure that others are spared the soccer player’s fate in a world in which the cards are stacked against them. Says Almuhafdah, who was detained in the same cell as Al-Araibi before both men left Bahrain: “Nothing will change any time soon. But we have a responsibility to those who stayed behind and remain behind bars.” (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A struggle for rule of law: Detained Bahraini footballer catapults Thailand to centre stage

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Asian soccer chiefs called on the Thai government to release footballer Hakeem Al Araibi as prosecutors in Bangkok on Tuesday acknowledged receipt of an extradition request from Bahrain.

Bahraini Araibi, who fled to Australia from his homeland in 2014 and was later granted asylum, was arrested in November in Bangkok on an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain's request.

The Australian Prime Minister's office confirmed that Morrison had written a letter to his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha asking that Araibi be allowed to return home.

"The PM reminded the Thai prime minister that he is a refugee that has been given permanent residency, he should be released," one source familiar with the details of the letter told Reuters.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also wrote to the Thai Prime Minister, a significant move because the regional governing body, which had been criticised for its silence on the case, is run by a leading Bahraini, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa.

Araibi was a vocal critic of Sheikh Salman, a member of Bahrain's ruling family and a cousin of the king, when the AFC President contested the FIFA presidential election in 2015.

The AFC said on Saturday that Sheikh Salman had been recused from matters relating to West Asia 18 months ago to ensure there were no accusations of a conflict of interest and that Vice President Praful Patel would oversee the Araibi case.

"I hereby respectfully request Your Excellency to take the necessary steps to ensure that Mr AI Araibi is returned safely to Australia, where he has been granted refugee status, at the earliest possible opportunity," Patel wrote to Prayuth.

Araibi was convicted of vandalising a police station in Bahrain and sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia. He denies wrongdoing.

FIFA APPEAL

Thailand's Foreign Ministry have been consistent in saying the case was a matter for their justice system to decide and on Tuesday reiterated that stance.

Chatchom Akapin, Director-General at the International Affairs Department, Office of Attorney General of Thailand told Reuters that an extradition request had been received from the Bahrain government.

"We have to see whether the Bahrain request falls in line with Thailand’s Extradition Act of 2008," he said. "If it matches then we will make the request to the criminal court. It is the court who decides whether to sent Mr. Hakeem to Bahrain or not."

Chatchom said that if the request did not fall in line with Thai extradition law then no request would be made to the court and Araibi would be released when his 60-day detention order expires on Feb. 5.

"The Extradition Act of 2008 stated clearly that for a country with no extradition treaty with Thailand, like Bahrain, we have to see various factors including their government request to determine whether it falls in line with our laws," Chatchom said.

Bahrain has criticised "external interference" in Manama's internal affairs and said Araibi can return to appeal against the sentence, noting that others arrested with Araibi who have done so have been acquitted.

Soccer's world governing body FIFA also released a statement on Tuesday in which Secretary General Fatma Samoura called on the Thai and Bahraini authorities to ensure Araibi could "go back safely to Australia as a matter of urgency".

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Asian soccer chiefs called on the Thai government to release footballer Hakeem Al Araibi as prosecutors in Bangkok on Tuesday acknowledged receipt of an extradition request from Bahrain.

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Asian soccer chiefs called on the Thai government to release footballer Hakeem Al Araibi as prosecutors in Bangkok on Tuesday acknowledged receipt of an extradition request from Bahrain. Bahraini Araibi, who fled to Australia from his homeland in 2014 and was later granted asylum, was arrested in November in Bangkok on an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain's request. The Australian Prime Minister's office confirmed that Morrison had written a letter to his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha asking that Araibi be allowed to return home. "The PM reminded the Thai prime minister that he is a refugee that has been given permanent residency, he should be released," one source familiar with the details of the letter told Reuters. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also wrote to the Thai Prime Minister, a significant move because the regional governing body, which had been criticised for its silence on the case, is run by a leading Bahraini, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa. Araibi was a vocal critic of Sheikh Salman, a member of Bahrain's ruling family and a cousin of the king, when the AFC President contested the FIFA presidential election in 2015. The AFC said on Saturday that Sheikh Salman had been recused from matters relating to West Asia 18 months ago to ensure there were no accusations of a conflict of interest and that Vice President Praful Patel would oversee the Araibi case. "I hereby respectfully request Your Excellency to take the necessary steps to ensure that Mr AI Araibi is returned safely to Australia, where he has been granted refugee status, at the earliest possible opportunity," Patel wrote to Prayuth. Araibi was convicted of vandalising a police station in Bahrain and sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia. He denies wrongdoing. FIFA APPEAL Thailand's Foreign Ministry have been consistent in saying the case was a matter for their justice system to decide and on Tuesday reiterated that stance. Chatchom Akapin, Director-General at the International Affairs Department, Office of Attorney General of Thailand told Reuters that an extradition request had been received from the Bahrain government. "We have to see whether the Bahrain request falls in line with Thailand’s Extradition Act of 2008," he said. "If it matches then we will make the request to the criminal court. It is the court who decides whether to sent Mr. Hakeem to Bahrain or not." Chatchom said that if the request did not fall in line with Thai extradition law then no request would be made to the court and Araibi would be released when his 60-day detention order expires on Feb. 5. "The Extradition Act of 2008 stated clearly that for a country with no extradition treaty with Thailand, like Bahrain, we have to see various factors including their government request to determine whether it falls in line with our laws," Chatchom said. Bahrain has criticised "external interference" in Manama's internal affairs and said Araibi can return to appeal against the sentence, noting that others arrested with Araibi who have done so have been acquitted. Soccer's world governing body FIFA also released a statement on Tuesday in which Secretary General Fatma Samoura called on the Thai and Bahraini authorities to ensure Araibi could "go back safely to Australia as a matter of urgency".

Australia PM urges Thailand not to extradite Bahraini player

A member of Thailand's most popular all-girl band has apologised for wearing a shirt with a Nazi flag featuring a swastika after her TV appearance drew "shock and dismay" from the Israeli embassy Saturday.

Images of Hitler, swastikas and other Nazi regalia are fairly commonplace on T-shirts and memorabilia in Thailand, a phenomenon blamed on a lack of awareness about world history.

The latest faux pas was committed by Pichayapa "Namsai" Natha, one of the singers of BNK48, when she wore the red-and-black top complete with a swastika during the group's televised rehearsal on Friday.

The deputy chief of mission of the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok took to Twitter to express "shock and dismay" at the outfit, noting that Sunday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

"Presenting Nazi symbols by the band's singer hurt the feelings of millions around the world, whose relatives were murdered by the Nazis," said Smadar Shapira.

Following the uproar, Namsai apologised onstage during a concert on Saturday night.

"I want this to be an example for everyone, please forgive me," the 19-year-old singer said, bursting into tears.

In an extended apology posted on her official Facebook page, she later wrote: "Please give me advice so that I can grow up to be a good adult in the future".

"I cannot fix the mistake but I promise I will not let it happen again," she wrote in Thai.

On Sunday afternoon, the singer and the manager of BNK48, both dressed in sombre grey and white clothing, met with Israeli ambassador Meir Shlomo to apologise for the incident.

Diplomat Shapira tweeted photographs of the meeting, adding that the group "discussed the importance of... awareness to the Holocaust and Antisemitism".&nbsp;

The band agreed to participate in an educational workshop on the Holocaust, she said, adding that the ambassador was "pleased" and understands that Namsai's act came from a "lack of knowledge and lack of awareness".

Georg Schmidt, Germany's ambassador to Thailand, also extended an invitation to the group "to discuss the terror of the Nazi Dictatorship with us," he tweeted Sunday. &nbsp;

Nazi imagery&nbsp;

Fans of BNK48, a domestic offshoot of Japanese girl group AKB48, came to Namsai's defence.

"I'm over 40 and I don't know anything about this topic. When I saw the shirt, I didn't think it would be a problem," said fan Prasit Rudeekriengkrai.

Others blamed Thailand's education system, which does not focus much on world history.

"What do you expect? When we were in school, they teach only about Thailand and Myanmar wars," Samruay Kraspra said.

Thailand has gotten in trouble in the past for its flippant use of Hitler and Nazi-related imagery.

In 2013, Bangkok's prestigious Chulalongkorn University was forced to apologise after its students created a mural depicting Hitler during graduation celebrations.&nbsp;

A Catholic school was also left red-faced in 2011 after students dressed up in a Nazi uniform for a sports day parade.

A member of Thailand's most popular all-girl band has apologised for wearing a shirt with a Nazi flag featuring a swastika after her TV appearance drew "shock and dismay" from the Israeli embassy Saturday.

A member of Thailand's most popular all-girl band has apologised for wearing a shirt with a Nazi flag featuring a swastika after her TV appearance drew "shock and dismay" from the Israeli embassy Saturday. Images of Hitler, swastikas and other Nazi regalia are fairly commonplace on T-shirts and memorabilia in Thailand, a phenomenon blamed on a lack of awareness about world history. The latest faux pas was committed by Pichayapa "Namsai" Natha, one of the singers of BNK48, when she wore the red-and-black top complete with a swastika during the group's televised rehearsal on Friday. The deputy chief of mission of the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok took to Twitter to express "shock and dismay" at the outfit, noting that Sunday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. "Presenting Nazi symbols by the band's singer hurt the feelings of millions around the world, whose relatives were murdered by the Nazis," said Smadar Shapira. Following the uproar, Namsai apologised onstage during a concert on Saturday night. "I want this to be an example for everyone, please forgive me," the 19-year-old singer said, bursting into tears. In an extended apology posted on her official Facebook page, she later wrote: "Please give me advice so that I can grow up to be a good adult in the future". "I cannot fix the mistake but I promise I will not let it happen again," she wrote in Thai. On Sunday afternoon, the singer and the manager of BNK48, both dressed in sombre grey and white clothing, met with Israeli ambassador Meir Shlomo to apologise for the incident. Diplomat Shapira tweeted photographs of the meeting, adding that the group "discussed the importance of... awareness to the Holocaust and Antisemitism". The band agreed to participate in an educational workshop on the Holocaust, she said, adding that the ambassador was "pleased" and understands that Namsai's act came from a "lack of knowledge and lack of awareness". Georg Schmidt, Germany's ambassador to Thailand, also extended an invitation to the group "to discuss the terror of the Nazi Dictatorship with us," he tweeted Sunday. Nazi imagery Fans of BNK48, a domestic offshoot of Japanese girl group AKB48, came to Namsai's defence. "I'm over 40 and I don't know anything about this topic. When I saw the shirt, I didn't think it would be a problem," said fan Prasit Rudeekriengkrai. Others blamed Thailand's education system, which does not focus much on world history. "What do you expect? When we were in school, they teach only about Thailand and Myanmar wars," Samruay Kraspra said. Thailand has gotten in trouble in the past for its flippant use of Hitler and Nazi-related imagery. In 2013, Bangkok's prestigious Chulalongkorn University was forced to apologise after its students created a mural depicting Hitler during graduation celebrations. A Catholic school was also left red-faced in 2011 after students dressed up in a Nazi uniform for a sports day parade.

Thai pop idol condemned for Nazi swastika T-shirt

Gunmen in Thailand's deep south shot dead two Buddhist monks and wounded two others inside a temple, police said Saturday, capping a week of deadly violence as the prime minister vowed to "punish" those responsible.

Black-clad assailants carrying rifles crept into Rattanaupap temple in Narathiwat province near Malaysia's border on Friday evening and started firing, local superintendent Pakdi Preechachon told AFP.&nbsp;

"The attack took place around 7:30 pm (1230 GMT) when an unknown number of gunmen dressed in black entered the temple through a rear area via a creek," Pakdi said.

"Two monks were shot dead at the temple while two others were wounded."

Since 2004 clashes between ethnic Malay-Muslim rebels and the Buddhist-majority Thai state that annexed the region a century ago have killed nearly 7,000 people, mostly civilians of both faiths.

The death toll in the south dropped to a record low last year as Thailand's junta tightened its security web but violence has boiled over in recent days, raising concerns about soft targets at schools and religious institutions.

In the past, Buddhist monks have been targeted only infrequently.

But they have been told to suspend morning alms collection starting from Saturday in three southern provinces and the southern army commander has instructed security officials to step up safeguards of Islamic leaders who could also be at risk.

Junta leader and prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha condemned the temple shootings.

"The prime minister denounced such a brazen attack and instructed officials to investigate and find the assailants to punish them," said government spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta.

Human Rights Watch, which said in a statement that at least 23 monks had been killed since the outbreak of the insurgency in 2004, called the assault "ghastly" and a war crime because gunmen went after civilians and a place of worship.

The Sheikhul Islam Office, a national representative of Muslim communities in Thailand, denounced the violence against the monks and expressed sorrow over the incident.&nbsp;

"There are no religions that teach people to kill innocent people, it's the work of some group of people who want to create divisiveness," it said in a statement Saturday.

Pictures taken in the aftermath show monks standing next to heavily armed Thai soldiers and an alms bowl inside the temple compound with bullet holes in it.

No one has claimed responsibility, but that is not unusual for the conflict.

Last week, an imam in the same province was shot dead but it was unclear if the temple attack was related.

Friday's shooting came the same day as four security officials were wounded by two separate roadside bombs and an insurgent was shot dead in a clash near a school that sent students home for the day.

Four civil defence volunteers were also killed in a drive-by shooting outside a school on January 10 in the south's Pattani province, with security forces injuring a boy as they gunned down rebels believed to be responsible.

In a rare public statement dated January 4 the main Malay-Muslim rebel group — the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) — which has command and control over most of the insurgent foot soldiers, swore to "keep fighting".

"Siam (Thailand) can't hold out," the BRN wrote, signing off with a warning: "Do not help and support Siam."

Security analyst Don Pathan said the uptick in violence was connected to efforts from Thai negotiators and Malaysian facilitators across the border to "pressure the BRN ruling council to come to the table without offering possible concessions."

Black-clad assailants carrying rifles crept into Rattanaupap temple in Narathiwat province near Malaysia's border on Friday evening and started firing, local superintendent Pakdi Preechachon said.

Gunmen in Thailand's deep south shot dead two Buddhist monks and wounded two others inside a temple, police said Saturday, capping a week of deadly violence as the prime minister vowed to "punish" those responsible. Black-clad assailants carrying rifles crept into Rattanaupap temple in Narathiwat province near Malaysia's border on Friday evening and started firing, local superintendent Pakdi Preechachon told AFP. "The attack took place around 7:30 pm (1230 GMT) when an unknown number of gunmen dressed in black entered the temple through a rear area via a creek," Pakdi said. "Two monks were shot dead at the temple while two others were wounded." Since 2004 clashes between ethnic Malay-Muslim rebels and the Buddhist-majority Thai state that annexed the region a century ago have killed nearly 7,000 people, mostly civilians of both faiths. The death toll in the south dropped to a record low last year as Thailand's junta tightened its security web but violence has boiled over in recent days, raising concerns about soft targets at schools and religious institutions. In the past, Buddhist monks have been targeted only infrequently. But they have been told to suspend morning alms collection starting from Saturday in three southern provinces and the southern army commander has instructed security officials to step up safeguards of Islamic leaders who could also be at risk. Junta leader and prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha condemned the temple shootings. "The prime minister denounced such a brazen attack and instructed officials to investigate and find the assailants to punish them," said government spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta. Human Rights Watch, which said in a statement that at least 23 monks had been killed since the outbreak of the insurgency in 2004, called the assault "ghastly" and a war crime because gunmen went after civilians and a place of worship. The Sheikhul Islam Office, a national representative of Muslim communities in Thailand, denounced the violence against the monks and expressed sorrow over the incident. "There are no religions that teach people to kill innocent people, it's the work of some group of people who want to create divisiveness," it said in a statement Saturday. Pictures taken in the aftermath show monks standing next to heavily armed Thai soldiers and an alms bowl inside the temple compound with bullet holes in it. No one has claimed responsibility, but that is not unusual for the conflict. Last week, an imam in the same province was shot dead but it was unclear if the temple attack was related. Friday's shooting came the same day as four security officials were wounded by two separate roadside bombs and an insurgent was shot dead in a clash near a school that sent students home for the day. Four civil defence volunteers were also killed in a drive-by shooting outside a school on January 10 in the south's Pattani province, with security forces injuring a boy as they gunned down rebels believed to be responsible. In a rare public statement dated January 4 the main Malay-Muslim rebel group — the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) — which has command and control over most of the insurgent foot soldiers, swore to "keep fighting". "Siam (Thailand) can't hold out," the BRN wrote, signing off with a warning: "Do not help and support Siam." Security analyst Don Pathan said the uptick in violence was connected to efforts from Thai negotiators and Malaysian facilitators across the border to "pressure the BRN ruling council to come to the table without offering possible concessions."

Two monks shot dead as violence flares in Thailand's deep south

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/model-claiming-trump-secrets-to-be-deported-after-thai-trial-190535">A model from Belarus </a>who was arrested during a "sex training seminar" in Thailand and then claimed to have evidence of Russian interference in US president Donald Trump's election was deported on Thursday.

Thai authorities said Anastasia Vashukevich, 27, two other Belarussians and five Russians were being sent to their home countries two days after they pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy and soliciting.

Vashukevich drew world attention last February when she said she had hours of audio recordings that could shed light on links between Russian officials and Trump's election in 2016.

She offered to release the recordings in exchange for asylum in the United States but never produced evidence to substantiate her claim and later said she had no plans to release anything.

Thai immigration chief Surachate Hakparn told media all eight deportees were willing to return to their countries. The deportations were being coordinated with Belarus and Russia, he said.

Vashukevich made no comment at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Last year, she had said she feared that she would be sent to Russia.

Self-proclaimed "sex guru" Alexander Kirillov, 38, a fellow Belarussian among the deportees, told media the group had been seeking deportation since last March.

"If you have been to a Thai prison, you are not afraid of anything," he said.

They were arrested at the beach resort of Pattaya during a seminar on seduction techniques.

Vashukevich, who is also known as Nastya Rybka, said she had recordings of conversations on interference in the US election through an association with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. But Deripaska's representatives have accused her of fabrication and said she was never his mistress.

Deripaska is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and is a onetime associate of Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort.

The US intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow sought to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election to boost Trump's chances of winning. Russia has denied meddling and Trump has said no collusion took place.

A model from Belarus who was arrested during a "sex training seminar" in Thailand and then claimed to have evidence of Russian interference in US president Donald Trump's election was deported on Thursday.

A model from Belarus who was arrested during a "sex training seminar" in Thailand and then claimed to have evidence of Russian interference in US president Donald Trump's election was deported on Thursday. Thai authorities said Anastasia Vashukevich, 27, two other Belarussians and five Russians were being sent to their home countries two days after they pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy and soliciting. Vashukevich drew world attention last February when she said she had hours of audio recordings that could shed light on links between Russian officials and Trump's election in 2016. She offered to release the recordings in exchange for asylum in the United States but never produced evidence to substantiate her claim and later said she had no plans to release anything. Thai immigration chief Surachate Hakparn told media all eight deportees were willing to return to their countries. The deportations were being coordinated with Belarus and Russia, he said. Vashukevich made no comment at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Last year, she had said she feared that she would be sent to Russia. Self-proclaimed "sex guru" Alexander Kirillov, 38, a fellow Belarussian among the deportees, told media the group had been seeking deportation since last March. "If you have been to a Thai prison, you are not afraid of anything," he said. They were arrested at the beach resort of Pattaya during a seminar on seduction techniques. Vashukevich, who is also known as Nastya Rybka, said she had recordings of conversations on interference in the US election through an association with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. But Deripaska's representatives have accused her of fabrication and said she was never his mistress. Deripaska is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and is a onetime associate of Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort. The US intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow sought to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election to boost Trump's chances of winning. Russia has denied meddling and Trump has said no collusion took place.

Sex seminar model who claimed Trump secrets deported from Thailand

A young <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-asylum-seeker-who-fled-her-family-arrives-in-canada-to-official-welcome-189901">Saudi woman's</a> flight from her family and country has stirred debate in Saudi Arabia about its requirement that women get permission from a male guardian to travel or marry, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report made available to EFE on Saturday.

Canada said Friday it would grant refugee status to 18-year-old Rahaf Alqunun, after a weeklong asylum bid that spurred some Saudis to question whether the male-guardianship system still has a place in a kingdom where social mores are quickly changing.

Saudi women can now drive, attend soccer matches with men and work in any field, but they can't travel freely without a guardian. Saudi women are treated as minors in many legal matters, including marriage and being released from prison, requiring authorisation from a male guardian - father, husband or even a son.&nbsp;

Legally nonbinding social customs often force women to demonstrate their guardian's consent to work, get health care and conduct transactions such as renting an apartment, according to a 2016 Human Rights Watch report.

"No one of sound mind can rationalise the idea of the guardianship system," said a Saudi named Bandar, in a video posted this week on Twitter. "It's what's making girls wishful to leave their country and live somewhere else from the country they were raised in."&nbsp;

The post was among thousands with hashtags related to Alqunun or the guardianship system that have trended on Twitter in Saudi Arabia since her case exploded into public view this week.

Alqunun fled on Saturday during a family trip to Kuwait, where she was able to board a flight to Thailand without a guardian's permission.

She was stopped by Thai authorities, but refused efforts to send her back to Saudi Arabia, saying she had renounced Islam and feared her family would harm her.

Alqunun said she had a visa for Australia and planned to seek asylum there, but on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada had granted her refugee status.

A Saudi diplomatic official in Thailand told Saudi television that Alqunun's father said she wasn't a victim of violence.

Saudi guardianship laws are generally unpopular in more cosmopolitan Saudi cities such as Riyadh and the Red Sea port of Jeddah.&nbsp;

But they remain an important part of life in more conservative areas, and the government would face intense opposition if it moved to undo the guardianship system.&nbsp;

While some other Muslim countries have male-guardianship traditions, Saudi Arabia goes the furthest in enshrining these customs in law and carrying them out in practice, drawing on its ultraconservative interpretation of Islam.

"This change would overturn social life in the entire kingdom," said Cinzia Bianco, senior analyst in London for Gulf State Analytics, a geopolitical risk consulting firm.

Many people have come out in defense of the guardianship system this week, arguing that it promotes conservative morals and traditional Saudi values.

"If the guardianship is dropped, what more will happen? Go out and see the loose women on the streets with their loud voices," said Abdulhamid Alodeilh in a Twitter post.

Faisal J. Abbas, the editor in chief of the pro-government Saudi newspaper, Arab News, wrote in an op-ed on Thursday that there was little room for guardianship laws amid the social change sweeping Saudi Arabia.

"Male guardianship over women in Saudi Arabia - or anywhere in the world - is wrong and discriminatory, and all forms of this outdated practice should be abolished," he wrote in the essay, which got widespread attention.&nbsp;

He also said Alqunun shouldn't become a poster child for ending guardianship laws, citing her young age.

Until this week, the debate over the Saudi guardianship system had been muted, in part because the government has jailed a host of prominent womens-rights activists, Dow Jones added in a report made available to EFE.

Among the detained is Aziza al-Yousef, a retired professor and a vocal advocate for scrapping male permissions for travel and other matters.

The arrests are part of a broad crackdown on Saudi civil society by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has also targeted business leaders and clerics in his bid to consolidate power and stifle dissent over his disruptive policies.

Without well-connected activists advocating for abolishing guardianship laws, it isn't clear how this week's calls for change could be sustained, said Kristin Diwan, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. "That clearly affects the room for an open debate," she said.

The Saudi government has accused the activists of terrorism and working with hostile foreign governments. No charges have been publicly leveled against them.

Some guardianship opponents had looked with hope to King Salman and his son, Prince Mohammed, when they came to power in 2015.

A movement called "I Am My Own Guardian" sprang up in 2016. Hundreds of women sent telegrams to King Salman that year, asking him to change guardianship laws.

In April 2017, the king made a gesture that was seen as a positive signal, clarifying that government agencies shouldn't require a guardian's permission unless specifically required to do so under the law.&nbsp;

Prince Mohammed, the 33-year-old in line to succeed his father, spearheaded lifting of the ban on women driving and has pushed other popular reforms, such as disempowering a religious police force that often harassed and even jailed women for how they dressed.&nbsp;

But he has been noncommittal about ending guardianship laws, saying it was for Islamic scholars to study.

"Changing guardianship is harder than the driving ban," said Karen E. Young, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

Some Saudis this week said the kingdom's laws weren't the real impediment to change, but that the rules come from biases against women ingrained deep in society.&nbsp;

Writing with a hashtag about lifting the "travel ban," a Twitter user named Nahawnd said Prince Mohammed would eventually overcome "this backward society and prevailing mind-set."

A young Saudi woman's flight from her family and country has stirred debate in Saudi Arabia about its requirement that women get permission from a male guardian to travel or marry, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report made available to EFE on Saturday.

A young Saudi woman's flight from her family and country has stirred debate in Saudi Arabia about its requirement that women get permission from a male guardian to travel or marry, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report made available to EFE on Saturday. Canada said Friday it would grant refugee status to 18-year-old Rahaf Alqunun, after a weeklong asylum bid that spurred some Saudis to question whether the male-guardianship system still has a place in a kingdom where social mores are quickly changing. Saudi women can now drive, attend soccer matches with men and work in any field, but they can't travel freely without a guardian. Saudi women are treated as minors in many legal matters, including marriage and being released from prison, requiring authorisation from a male guardian - father, husband or even a son. Legally nonbinding social customs often force women to demonstrate their guardian's consent to work, get health care and conduct transactions such as renting an apartment, according to a 2016 Human Rights Watch report. "No one of sound mind can rationalise the idea of the guardianship system," said a Saudi named Bandar, in a video posted this week on Twitter. "It's what's making girls wishful to leave their country and live somewhere else from the country they were raised in." The post was among thousands with hashtags related to Alqunun or the guardianship system that have trended on Twitter in Saudi Arabia since her case exploded into public view this week. Alqunun fled on Saturday during a family trip to Kuwait, where she was able to board a flight to Thailand without a guardian's permission. She was stopped by Thai authorities, but refused efforts to send her back to Saudi Arabia, saying she had renounced Islam and feared her family would harm her. Alqunun said she had a visa for Australia and planned to seek asylum there, but on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada had granted her refugee status. A Saudi diplomatic official in Thailand told Saudi television that Alqunun's father said she wasn't a victim of violence. Saudi guardianship laws are generally unpopular in more cosmopolitan Saudi cities such as Riyadh and the Red Sea port of Jeddah. But they remain an important part of life in more conservative areas, and the government would face intense opposition if it moved to undo the guardianship system. While some other Muslim countries have male-guardianship traditions, Saudi Arabia goes the furthest in enshrining these customs in law and carrying them out in practice, drawing on its ultraconservative interpretation of Islam. "This change would overturn social life in the entire kingdom," said Cinzia Bianco, senior analyst in London for Gulf State Analytics, a geopolitical risk consulting firm. Many people have come out in defense of the guardianship system this week, arguing that it promotes conservative morals and traditional Saudi values. "If the guardianship is dropped, what more will happen? Go out and see the loose women on the streets with their loud voices," said Abdulhamid Alodeilh in a Twitter post. Faisal J. Abbas, the editor in chief of the pro-government Saudi newspaper, Arab News, wrote in an op-ed on Thursday that there was little room for guardianship laws amid the social change sweeping Saudi Arabia. "Male guardianship over women in Saudi Arabia - or anywhere in the world - is wrong and discriminatory, and all forms of this outdated practice should be abolished," he wrote in the essay, which got widespread attention. He also said Alqunun shouldn't become a poster child for ending guardianship laws, citing her young age. Until this week, the debate over the Saudi guardianship system had been muted, in part because the government has jailed a host of prominent womens-rights activists, Dow Jones added in a report made available to EFE. Among the detained is Aziza al-Yousef, a retired professor and a vocal advocate for scrapping male permissions for travel and other matters. The arrests are part of a broad crackdown on Saudi civil society by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has also targeted business leaders and clerics in his bid to consolidate power and stifle dissent over his disruptive policies. Without well-connected activists advocating for abolishing guardianship laws, it isn't clear how this week's calls for change could be sustained, said Kristin Diwan, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. "That clearly affects the room for an open debate," she said. The Saudi government has accused the activists of terrorism and working with hostile foreign governments. No charges have been publicly leveled against them. Some guardianship opponents had looked with hope to King Salman and his son, Prince Mohammed, when they came to power in 2015. A movement called "I Am My Own Guardian" sprang up in 2016. Hundreds of women sent telegrams to King Salman that year, asking him to change guardianship laws. In April 2017, the king made a gesture that was seen as a positive signal, clarifying that government agencies shouldn't require a guardian's permission unless specifically required to do so under the law. Prince Mohammed, the 33-year-old in line to succeed his father, spearheaded lifting of the ban on women driving and has pushed other popular reforms, such as disempowering a religious police force that often harassed and even jailed women for how they dressed. But he has been noncommittal about ending guardianship laws, saying it was for Islamic scholars to study. "Changing guardianship is harder than the driving ban," said Karen E. Young, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Some Saudis this week said the kingdom's laws weren't the real impediment to change, but that the rules come from biases against women ingrained deep in society. Writing with a hashtag about lifting the "travel ban," a Twitter user named Nahawnd said Prince Mohammed would eventually overcome "this backward society and prevailing mind-set."

Runaway teen's bid for asylum in Canada stirs women's rights debate in Saudi Arabia

AFC Asian Cup: India Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh reflects on India's Historic win

The 18-year-old <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-teen-barricades-herself-in-thai-hotel-to-stop-being-returned-to-family-188799">Saudi woman&nbsp;Rahaf Mohammed al- </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-teen-barricades-herself-in-thai-hotel-to-stop-being-returned-to-family-188799">Qunun</a>&nbsp;has been moved out of the Bankok airport "under the care" of UN refugee agency.

Immigration chief&nbsp;Surachate Hakparn said,&nbsp;"She is allowed to stay... she is under the care of the UNHCR now. She left the airport with the UNHCR."&nbsp;

Rahaf had been at Bangkok airport since Saturday when she was denied entry into the country by Thai immigration officials.

The Thai immigration officials and the Saudi Foreign Ministry have however denied her allegations that its embassy had confiscated her passport.

After announcing that Thailand "will not force her" to leave, Surachate told reporters late Monday that Rahaf would be "allowed to stay" after a meeting with officials from the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

"She is under the care of the UNHCR now but we also sent Thai security to help take care (of her)," Surachate told reporters at Suvarnabhumi airport.

He said Rahaf had told UNHCR officials she "wants to stay in Thailand for a while seeking asylum to a third country".

The agency "will take five days to consider her status" and another five days to arrange for travel, Surachate said, adding that he would meet with Saudi diplomats on Tuesday to explain Thailand's decision. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/injunction-filed-in-thai-court-to-prevent-deportation-of-saudi-teenager-188786">Rahaf </a>had locked herself up in a hotel room at the airport saying she is fleeing an abusive family in Saudi Arabia, and that she fears they will kill her if she returns. &nbsp;

Thai immigration official&nbsp;on Monday said that they would not forcibly deport the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/injunction-filed-in-thai-court-to-prevent-deportation-of-saudi-teenager-188786">18-year-old Saudi girl Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun</a>.

The official also assured that they would allow Rahaf to meet&nbsp;UN refugee officials.

Rahaf had been desperately demanding the intervention of UN in the case.&nbsp;

Earlier during the day,&nbsp;she had posted several&nbsp;tweets asking for help and protection from UN.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Rahaf just send me this, she just want you to make sure she is on the hotel and she still needs help and protection. <a href="https://t.co/xxs61JIfhP">pic.twitter.com/xxs61JIfhP</a>
— Rahaf Mohammed رهف محمد القنون (@rahaf84427714) <a href="https://twitter.com/rahaf84427714/status/1082144843374055424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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I want UNHCR
— Rahaf Mohammed رهف محمد القنون (@rahaf84427714) <a href="https://twitter.com/rahaf84427714/status/1082206036038082560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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I’m not going to open the door I want UN <a href="https://t.co/UTI3Dwsm3q">pic.twitter.com/UTI3Dwsm3q</a>
— Rahaf Mohammed رهف محمد القنون (@rahaf84427714) <a href="https://twitter.com/rahaf84427714/status/1082210548228341762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN! 
I want UN!
— Rahaf Mohammed رهف محمد القنون (@rahaf84427714) <a href="https://twitter.com/rahaf84427714/status/1082211096918876161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Rahaf told Reuters she fled Kuwait while her family was visiting the Gulf country and had planned to travel from Thailand to Australia to seek asylum. She said she was detained after leaving her plane in Bangkok and told she would be sent back to Kuwait.

"My brothers and family and the Saudi embassy will be waiting for me in Kuwait," Qunun said by text and voice message from the hotel on Sunday.

"They will kill me," she said. "My life is in danger. My family threatens to kill me for the most trivial things."

Asked why she was seeking refuge in Australia, she said: "Physical, emotional and verbal abuse and being imprisoned inside the house for months. They threaten to kill me and prevent me from continuing my education.

"They won't let me drive or travel. I am oppressed. I love life and work and I am very ambitious but my family is preventing me from living."&nbsp;

(With input&nbsp;from agencies)

The 18-year-old Saudi woman Rahaf Mohammed al- Qunun has been moved out of the Bankok airport "under the care" of UN refugee agency. Immigration chief Surachate Hakparn said, "She is allowed to stay.

The 18-year-old Saudi woman Rahaf Mohammed al- Qunun has been moved out of the Bankok airport "under the care" of UN refugee agency. Immigration chief Surachate Hakparn said, "She is allowed to stay... she is under the care of the UNHCR now. She left the airport with the UNHCR." Rahaf had been at Bangkok airport since Saturday when she was denied entry into the country by Thai immigration officials. The Thai immigration officials and the Saudi Foreign Ministry have however denied her allegations that its embassy had confiscated her passport. After announcing that Thailand "will not force her" to leave, Surachate told reporters late Monday that Rahaf would be "allowed to stay" after a meeting with officials from the UN refugee agency UNHCR. "She is under the care of the UNHCR now but we also sent Thai security to help take care (of her)," Surachate told reporters at Suvarnabhumi airport. He said Rahaf had told UNHCR officials she "wants to stay in Thailand for a while seeking asylum to a third country". The agency "will take five days to consider her status" and another five days to arrange for travel, Surachate said, adding that he would meet with Saudi diplomats on Tuesday to explain Thailand's decision. Rahaf had locked herself up in a hotel room at the airport saying she is fleeing an abusive family in Saudi Arabia, and that she fears they will kill her if she returns. Thai immigration official on Monday said that they would not forcibly deport the 18-year-old Saudi girl Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun. The official also assured that they would allow Rahaf to meet UN refugee officials. Rahaf had been desperately demanding the intervention of UN in the case. Earlier during the day, she had posted several tweets asking for help and protection from UN. Rahaf just send me this, she just want you to make sure she is on the hotel and she still needs help and protection. pic.twitter.com/xxs61JIfhP — Rahaf Mohammed رهف محمد القنون (@rahaf84427714) January 7, 2019 × I want UNHCR — Rahaf Mohammed رهف محمد القنون (@rahaf84427714) January 7, 2019 × I’m not going to open the door I want UN pic.twitter.com/UTI3Dwsm3q — Rahaf Mohammed رهف محمد القنون (@rahaf84427714) January 7, 2019 × I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! I want UN! — Rahaf Mohammed رهف محمد القنون (@rahaf84427714) January 7, 2019 × Rahaf told Reuters she fled Kuwait while her family was visiting the Gulf country and had planned to travel from Thailand to Australia to seek asylum. She said she was detained after leaving her plane in Bangkok and told she would be sent back to Kuwait. "My brothers and family and the Saudi embassy will be waiting for me in Kuwait," Qunun said by text and voice message from the hotel on Sunday. "They will kill me," she said. "My life is in danger. My family threatens to kill me for the most trivial things." Asked why she was seeking refuge in Australia, she said: "Physical, emotional and verbal abuse and being imprisoned inside the house for months. They threaten to kill me and prevent me from continuing my education. "They won't let me drive or travel. I am oppressed. I love life and work and I am very ambitious but my family is preventing me from living." (With input from agencies)

Saudi woman has left Bangkok airport 'under care of' UN agency: Thai immigration official

WION Speed News: Watch top international news of the day, January 4th, 2019

Southern Thailand was on alert Thursday ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Pabuk, which is expected to plow through the Gulf of Thailand and across to the Andaman Sea over three days. 
 
The storm was moving with sustained winds of 65kph through the tip of Indochina and was expected to hit the Gulf of Thailand Thursday, the Thai Meteorological Department said in a weather warning Thursday morning. 
 
Waves are expected to reach 3-5 meters high in the Gulf, and 2-3 meters in the Andaman Sea. 
 
“People in the Gulf should be aware of inshore surges. All ships should keep ashore lasting 5 January 2019,” the department said. 
 
The warning said the storm will affect provinces of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang and Satun from Thursday with “isolated torrential downpours and strong wind.” 
 
From Friday, the same provinces plus Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Phangnga and Phuket will also be affected, according to the department. 
 
Seatran Discovery ferries said on its website that most of their services had been canceled from Thursday to Saturday. 
 
Lomprayah High Speed Catamarans said on its website that Thursday’s 18.15 Koh Pangan to Koh Tao crossing is canceled, as are all routes on Friday. They will resume again on Saturday from midday depending on conditions. 
 
Many fisherman have pulled their boats out of the water and back from the beaches.

Southern Thailand was on alert Thursday ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Pabuk, which is expected to plow through the Gulf of Thailand and across to the Andaman Sea over three days.

Southern Thailand was on alert Thursday ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Pabuk, which is expected to plow through the Gulf of Thailand and across to the Andaman Sea over three days. The storm was moving with sustained winds of 65kph through the tip of Indochina and was expected to hit the Gulf of Thailand Thursday, the Thai Meteorological Department said in a weather warning Thursday morning. Waves are expected to reach 3-5 meters high in the Gulf, and 2-3 meters in the Andaman Sea. “People in the Gulf should be aware of inshore surges. All ships should keep ashore lasting 5 January 2019,” the department said. The warning said the storm will affect provinces of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang and Satun from Thursday with “isolated torrential downpours and strong wind.” From Friday, the same provinces plus Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Phangnga and Phuket will also be affected, according to the department. Seatran Discovery ferries said on its website that most of their services had been canceled from Thursday to Saturday. Lomprayah High Speed Catamarans said on its website that Thursday’s 18.15 Koh Pangan to Koh Tao crossing is canceled, as are all routes on Friday. They will resume again on Saturday from midday depending on conditions. Many fisherman have pulled their boats out of the water and back from the beaches.

Southern Thailand braces for tropical storm Prabuk

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sundar-pichai-explains-why-google-results-for-idiot-shows-trump-183473">Google said on Thursday</a> it had launched an artificial intelligence programme in Thailand to screen for a diabetic eye disease which causes permanent blindness.

The eye screening programme in Thailand follows a similar Google programme in India and highlights a push by big tech companies to show the social benefits of new AI technologies.

"As a society, we have a responsibility to use AI in the best possible way," Kent Walker, the company's Senior Vice President for Global Affairs, said in speech at a Google event in Bangkok on Thursday.

The event also highlighted other social benefits of Google's AI projects, such as stopping illegal fishing in Indonesia.

Google's Thailand diabetes programme was announced in partnership with a Thai state-run Rajavithi Hospital. This followed a joint-study which found the AI programme to have an accuracy rate of 95 per cent when it comes to disease detection, compared with 74 per cent from opticians or eye doctors.

The programme analyses patients' eye screen results to assess if they are at a risk of vision loss, which will enable them to have preemptive treatment.

Thailand is one of the world's most important sugar producers and high sugar consumption is common amongst its 69 million population.

The Thai government has been campaigning against behaviour that can lead to diabetes and has made the diabetic eye screening one of the country's national health indicators since 2015.

Thailand has only around 1,400 eye doctors for its 5 million diabetic patients, who are all at risk of the vision loss, Paisan Ruamviboonsuk, Ravajithi Hospital's assistant director, told reporters.

Paisan said the programme is intended to achieve a nationwide eye screening rate of 60 per cent, which is also the Thai government's target.

In October, Google said it would grant about $25 million globally next year to humanitarian and environmental projects seeking to use AI for good.

Google said on Thursday it had launched an artificial intelligence programme in Thailand to screen for a diabetic eye disease which causes permanent blindness. The eye screening programme in Thailand follows a similar Google programme in India and highlights a push by big tech companies to show the social benefits of new AI technologies.

Google said on Thursday it had launched an artificial intelligence programme in Thailand to screen for a diabetic eye disease which causes permanent blindness. The eye screening programme in Thailand follows a similar Google programme in India and highlights a push by big tech companies to show the social benefits of new AI technologies. "As a society, we have a responsibility to use AI in the best possible way," Kent Walker, the company's Senior Vice President for Global Affairs, said in speech at a Google event in Bangkok on Thursday. The event also highlighted other social benefits of Google's AI projects, such as stopping illegal fishing in Indonesia. Google's Thailand diabetes programme was announced in partnership with a Thai state-run Rajavithi Hospital. This followed a joint-study which found the AI programme to have an accuracy rate of 95 per cent when it comes to disease detection, compared with 74 per cent from opticians or eye doctors. The programme analyses patients' eye screen results to assess if they are at a risk of vision loss, which will enable them to have preemptive treatment. Thailand is one of the world's most important sugar producers and high sugar consumption is common amongst its 69 million population. The Thai government has been campaigning against behaviour that can lead to diabetes and has made the diabetic eye screening one of the country's national health indicators since 2015. Thailand has only around 1,400 eye doctors for its 5 million diabetic patients, who are all at risk of the vision loss, Paisan Ruamviboonsuk, Ravajithi Hospital's assistant director, told reporters. Paisan said the programme is intended to achieve a nationwide eye screening rate of 60 per cent, which is also the Thai government's target. In October, Google said it would grant about $25 million globally next year to humanitarian and environmental projects seeking to use AI for good.

Google launches AI programme in Thailand to screen diabetic eye disease

The Leicester City squad as well as members of staff on Sunday attended funeral rites in Bangkok for chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, whose death in a helicopter crash stunned the Premier League club.

Jamie Vardy, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and club captain Wes Morgan were among the players who took a 12-hour flight to attend a prayer ceremony in a Bangkok temple.

The squad had waited to compete in a Premier League match against Cardiff City before flying to Thailand to pay their respects.

They won the match 1-0, the first game since his death.

The players are due back in Leicester on Tuesday to prepare for their home match against Burnley at the weekend.

Vichai, 60, died last week along with four others when his private helicopter crashed and burst into flames in Leicester's car park shortly after taking off following a match.

The Leicester City squad as well as members of staff on Sunday attended funeral rites in Bangkok for chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, whose death in a helicopter crash stunned the Premier League club.

The Leicester City squad as well as members of staff on Sunday attended funeral rites in Bangkok for chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, whose death in a helicopter crash stunned the Premier League club. Jamie Vardy, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and club captain Wes Morgan were among the players who took a 12-hour flight to attend a prayer ceremony in a Bangkok temple. The squad had waited to compete in a Premier League match against Cardiff City before flying to Thailand to pay their respects. They won the match 1-0, the first game since his death. The players are due back in Leicester on Tuesday to prepare for their home match against Burnley at the weekend. Vichai, 60, died last week along with four others when his private helicopter crashed and burst into flames in Leicester's car park shortly after taking off following a match.

Leicester City squad flies to Thailand to attend chairman's funeral ceremony

A 42-year-old Indian was among two foreign tourists killed and five others, including two Indians, seriously injured in a shootout between two rival gangs here, Thai Police said Monday.

The shooting took place last night on a street behind Centara Watergate Pavillion hotel in Ratchathewi district, where tourist coaches were parked, ‘Bangkok Post’ reported.

Gakhrejr Dheeraj, an Indian, and Keovongsa Thonekeo, 28, a Lao tourist, died at a hospital where other injured are undergoing treatment.

The five people injured in the crossfire were two Thais, two Indians and one Lao. All were taken to a nearby hospital, the report said, quoting police officials.

The Indians were part of a group of tourists who had just had their dinner at an Indian restaurant in the mall and were waiting for their bus at the parking lot.

While they were there, two groups of young men emerged from a nearby snooker club into an alley just beside the parking lot, said police Major General Senit Samararn Samruajkit.

They began a fight that quickly escalated into an armed battle, Samruajkit said.

According to eyewitnesses, around 20 men armed with pistols, knives and sticks ran from the club into the street, he said, adding that three men also opened fire.

The gang members fled as the police arrived at the scene, and none of them was apprehended.

Police have yet to identify the type of rifles used, but spent shells from the AK-47 assault rifle were found at the scene.

A 42-year-old Indian was among two foreign tourists killed and five others, including two Indians, seriously injured in a shootout between two rival gangs here, Thai Police said Monday.

A 42-year-old Indian was among two foreign tourists killed and five others, including two Indians, seriously injured in a shootout between two rival gangs here, Thai Police said Monday. The shooting took place last night on a street behind Centara Watergate Pavillion hotel in Ratchathewi district, where tourist coaches were parked, ‘Bangkok Post’ reported. Gakhrejr Dheeraj, an Indian, and Keovongsa Thonekeo, 28, a Lao tourist, died at a hospital where other injured are undergoing treatment. The five people injured in the crossfire were two Thais, two Indians and one Lao. All were taken to a nearby hospital, the report said, quoting police officials. The Indians were part of a group of tourists who had just had their dinner at an Indian restaurant in the mall and were waiting for their bus at the parking lot. While they were there, two groups of young men emerged from a nearby snooker club into an alley just beside the parking lot, said police Major General Senit Samararn Samruajkit. They began a fight that quickly escalated into an armed battle, Samruajkit said. According to eyewitnesses, around 20 men armed with pistols, knives and sticks ran from the club into the street, he said, adding that three men also opened fire. The gang members fled as the police arrived at the scene, and none of them was apprehended. Police have yet to identify the type of rifles used, but spent shells from the AK-47 assault rifle were found at the scene.

Indian tourist killed, 2 injured in shootout between rival gangs in Thailand

Law enforcement and regulatory forces in Asia say they are gearing up to fight illegal gambling operators who have ramped up activities in the region ahead of the World Cup, making use of savvy technology and cryptocurrencies to evade prosecution.

Illegal gambling on the cup is prevalent in countries like Thailand and Malaysia, where football is hugely popular, but which don't have legal betting alternatives, gambling industry experts say.

Even in South Korea and the Chinese territory of Hong Kong - where betting is legal under registered bodies - illegal gambling on average dwarfs the legal market, they say.

Illegal bookmakers have shifted to online and mobile platforms, which offer a wider range of betting options than legal vendors, making it harder for enforcement agencies to police, the experts say.

Hong Kong and Macau police have said crime syndicates have often used platforms like WeChat to place bets.

Online payment providers and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have also made it easier for illegal operators to facilitate illegal bets, according to Interpol, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which runs Hong Kong's horse racing and football betting franchise.

"There is a need to develop and execute a sustainable enforcement strategy for a lasting impact against illegal betting and related transnational organised crime," said Martin Purbrick, the club's director of security and integrity.

The Jockey Club estimates Hong Kong's illegal betting turnover this year, including the World Cup, will be at least $68 billion, compared to $6.5 billion in Singapore and $79 billion in South Korea annually.

Hong Kong earns around 5 per cent of its budget from taxing legal gambling and views illegal betting as lost potential revenue. The Jockey Club put the potential loss at about HK$13 billion ($1.7 billion) this year.

Illegal bookmakers in Hong Kong are expected to reap HK$750 million during the World Cup alone, the club said.

Illegal betting this year is expected to be far larger than during the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil, helped by the closer time zones between Russia and countries in the Asia region, according to gambling industry executives.

Asia accounts for 80 per cent of the estimated $500 billion in illegal betting volumes globally, according to Transparency International and the Asian Racing Federation.

Much of the illegal betting is facilitated by companies registered offshore, particularly in the Philippines, which sells online betting licenses to operators.

While operators can claim to be licensed in the Philippines, their sites are illegal in most jurisdictions in Asia, including Hong Kong and South Korea.

Since 2016, Philippine authorities have clamped down on illegal betting operators but there has still been a proliferation in the number of sites in operation, according to officials and executives in the country.

Alfredo Lim, president of PAGCOR, the Philippine gaming regulator, said the bureau was collaborating with government agencies to fight illegal gambling.

"We lose millions from unlawful gambling," Lim said.

In South Korea, police said they would closely monitor illegal sports betting during the World Cup. Hong Kong police said they were conducting a large anti-gambling operation called "Crowbreak" to crack down on illegal gambling activities.

Macau, the world's biggest gambling centre, is expected to see revenues squeezed in June due to more Chinese gamblers wagering on the World Cup than in the enclave's glitzy casinos, according to gaming analysts.

Police in China broke up a large illegal online gambling ring in April, arresting more than 100 people, the Xinhua news agency reported, while Macau police have broken up illegal betting operations conducted via the popular WeChat app.

At the last World Cup in 2014, Interpol said during a six-week operation across China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, law enforcement officers cracked crime gangs estimated to have handled around $2.2 billion worth of bets, mainly through illicit websites.

Illegal gambling on the cup is prevalent in countries like Thailand and Malaysia, where football is hugely popular, but which don't have legal betting alternatives, gambling industry experts say

Law enforcement and regulatory forces in Asia say they are gearing up to fight illegal gambling operators who have ramped up activities in the region ahead of the World Cup, making use of savvy technology and cryptocurrencies to evade prosecution. Illegal gambling on the cup is prevalent in countries like Thailand and Malaysia, where football is hugely popular, but which don't have legal betting alternatives, gambling industry experts say. Even in South Korea and the Chinese territory of Hong Kong - where betting is legal under registered bodies - illegal gambling on average dwarfs the legal market, they say. Illegal bookmakers have shifted to online and mobile platforms, which offer a wider range of betting options than legal vendors, making it harder for enforcement agencies to police, the experts say. Hong Kong and Macau police have said crime syndicates have often used platforms like WeChat to place bets. Online payment providers and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have also made it easier for illegal operators to facilitate illegal bets, according to Interpol, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which runs Hong Kong's horse racing and football betting franchise. "There is a need to develop and execute a sustainable enforcement strategy for a lasting impact against illegal betting and related transnational organised crime," said Martin Purbrick, the club's director of security and integrity. The Jockey Club estimates Hong Kong's illegal betting turnover this year, including the World Cup, will be at least $68 billion, compared to $6.5 billion in Singapore and $79 billion in South Korea annually. Hong Kong earns around 5 per cent of its budget from taxing legal gambling and views illegal betting as lost potential revenue. The Jockey Club put the potential loss at about HK$13 billion ($1.7 billion) this year. Illegal bookmakers in Hong Kong are expected to reap HK$750 million during the World Cup alone, the club said. Illegal betting this year is expected to be far larger than during the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil, helped by the closer time zones between Russia and countries in the Asia region, according to gambling industry executives. Asia accounts for 80 per cent of the estimated $500 billion in illegal betting volumes globally, according to Transparency International and the Asian Racing Federation. Much of the illegal betting is facilitated by companies registered offshore, particularly in the Philippines, which sells online betting licenses to operators. While operators can claim to be licensed in the Philippines, their sites are illegal in most jurisdictions in Asia, including Hong Kong and South Korea. Since 2016, Philippine authorities have clamped down on illegal betting operators but there has still been a proliferation in the number of sites in operation, according to officials and executives in the country. Alfredo Lim, president of PAGCOR, the Philippine gaming regulator, said the bureau was collaborating with government agencies to fight illegal gambling. "We lose millions from unlawful gambling," Lim said. In South Korea, police said they would closely monitor illegal sports betting during the World Cup. Hong Kong police said they were conducting a large anti-gambling operation called "Crowbreak" to crack down on illegal gambling activities. Macau, the world's biggest gambling centre, is expected to see revenues squeezed in June due to more Chinese gamblers wagering on the World Cup than in the enclave's glitzy casinos, according to gaming analysts. Police in China broke up a large illegal online gambling ring in April, arresting more than 100 people, the Xinhua news agency reported, while Macau police have broken up illegal betting operations conducted via the popular WeChat app. At the last World Cup in 2014, Interpol said during a six-week operation across China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, law enforcement officers cracked crime gangs estimated to have handled around $2.2 billion worth of bets, mainly through illicit websites.

Authorities across Asia battle illegal gambling surge ahead of World Cup

Nepal&nbsp;has come up with two dates for the fourth summit of the&nbsp;Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation&nbsp;(Bimstec).

The Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul prasad Baskotasaid said, August 30 and 31 or September 6 and 7 have been proposed for the Kathmandu summit, Kathmandu Post reported.

The newly appointed&nbsp;Bimstec&nbsp;General Secretary&nbsp;Shahidul Islam&nbsp;recently visited&nbsp;Nepal&nbsp;to hold meetings with&nbsp;Nepali&nbsp;Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali and Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi.

Bimstec&nbsp;is an international organisation of seven nations of South Asia and South East Asia including&nbsp;Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It houses 1.5 billion people.

It was founded in 1997 and has its permanent secretariat in&nbsp;Dhaka. It functions in 14 different areas of cooperation.

It was founded in 1997 and has its permanent secretariat in Dhaka. It functions in 14 different areas of cooperation

Nepal has come up with two dates for the fourth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec). The Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul prasad Baskotasaid said, August 30 and 31 or September 6 and 7 have been proposed for the Kathmandu summit, Kathmandu Post reported. The newly appointed Bimstec General Secretary Shahidul Islam recently visited Nepal to hold meetings with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali and Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi. Bimstec is an international organisation of seven nations of South Asia and South East Asia including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It houses 1.5 billion people. It was founded in 1997 and has its permanent secretariat in Dhaka. It functions in 14 different areas of cooperation.

Nepal proposes dates for Bimstec Summit

Thailand is a new dumping ground for scrap electronics from around the world, say police and environmentalists, the latest country to feel the impact of China's crackdown on imports of high-tech trash.

Police at Laem Chabang port, south of Bangkok, showed on Tuesday seven shipping containers each packed with about 22 tonnes of discarded electronics, including crushed game consoles, computer boards and bags of scrap materials.

Electronic refuse, or e-waste, is turning up from Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, police said, some of it imported by companies without the required permits.

"This ... shows that electronic waste from every corner of the world is flowing into Thailand," Deputy Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta said as he showed the containers to the media.

While "e-waste" - defined as any device with an electric cord or battery - can be "mined" for valuable metals such as gold, silver and copper, it can include hazardous material such as lead, mercury and cadmium.

Police said they filed charges against three recycling and waste processing companies in Thailand. Anyone found guilty could be jailed for up to 10 years.

"The companies that we have filed charges against don't have a quota to import even a single ton of electronic waste," Wirachai said.

China imposed a ban on overseas trash last year, telling the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it would stop accepting imports on 24 types of foreign waste, leading some to fear that the waste could end up in neighbouring countries.

The ban has upended the world's waste handling supply chain and caused massive pile-ups of trash from Asia to Europe, as exporters struggled to find new buyers for the garbage.

According to estimates in China's state media last year, more than 70 percent of the world's 500 million tonnes of electronic waste entered China in 2016.

Environmentalists say waste once destined for China is being re-routed to Southeast Asia, and new laws are needed or existing laws better enforced to prevent illegal imports.

"Especially after China's ban, Thailand could become one of the biggest dumping grounds for e-waste," said Penchom Saetang, director of Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand (EARTH).

Thailand ratified in 1997 the Basel Convention, which aims to control trans-boundary movements of hazardous waste. But the convention does not completely prohibit these exports from more developed to less developed countries.

"The Basel Convention cannot prevent what is happening in Thailand because it has its limitations," Penchon said in calling for an amendment that would ban these shipments.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha vowed this week to step up nationwide inspections as part of a plan to combat illegal electronic waste. But environmentalists say they have not seen the details of how it will work.

"It isn't clear how he will do this," said Penchom.

Police at Laem Chabang port, south of Bangkok, showed on Tuesday seven shipping containers each packed with about 22 tonnes of discarded electronics, including crushed game consoles, computer boards and bags of scrap materials.

Thailand is a new dumping ground for scrap electronics from around the world, say police and environmentalists, the latest country to feel the impact of China's crackdown on imports of high-tech trash. Police at Laem Chabang port, south of Bangkok, showed on Tuesday seven shipping containers each packed with about 22 tonnes of discarded electronics, including crushed game consoles, computer boards and bags of scrap materials. Electronic refuse, or e-waste, is turning up from Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, police said, some of it imported by companies without the required permits. "This ... shows that electronic waste from every corner of the world is flowing into Thailand," Deputy Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta said as he showed the containers to the media. While "e-waste" - defined as any device with an electric cord or battery - can be "mined" for valuable metals such as gold, silver and copper, it can include hazardous material such as lead, mercury and cadmium. Police said they filed charges against three recycling and waste processing companies in Thailand. Anyone found guilty could be jailed for up to 10 years. "The companies that we have filed charges against don't have a quota to import even a single ton of electronic waste," Wirachai said. China imposed a ban on overseas trash last year, telling the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it would stop accepting imports on 24 types of foreign waste, leading some to fear that the waste could end up in neighbouring countries. The ban has upended the world's waste handling supply chain and caused massive pile-ups of trash from Asia to Europe, as exporters struggled to find new buyers for the garbage. According to estimates in China's state media last year, more than 70 percent of the world's 500 million tonnes of electronic waste entered China in 2016. Environmentalists say waste once destined for China is being re-routed to Southeast Asia, and new laws are needed or existing laws better enforced to prevent illegal imports. "Especially after China's ban, Thailand could become one of the biggest dumping grounds for e-waste," said Penchom Saetang, director of Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand (EARTH). Thailand ratified in 1997 the Basel Convention, which aims to control trans-boundary movements of hazardous waste. But the convention does not completely prohibit these exports from more developed to less developed countries. "The Basel Convention cannot prevent what is happening in Thailand because it has its limitations," Penchon said in calling for an amendment that would ban these shipments. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha vowed this week to step up nationwide inspections as part of a plan to combat illegal electronic waste. But environmentalists say they have not seen the details of how it will work. "It isn't clear how he will do this," said Penchom.

Thailand becomes dumping ground for e-waste

For those who like to mull over the idea of life, death and after-life, a Thai cafe lets its customer lie down in a coffin and contemplate their lives.

A Bangkok cafe has death as its central theme and offers a coffee discount to customers who lie in the coffin.

A customer can stay inside the coffin for as long as he/she wants. Tiny holes in the coffin let in air while a person stays in the dark.

The owner of the cafe, Veeranut Rojanaprapa, shares that almost always people come out of the coffin and share their experiences.

Rojanaprapa states that the one-of-a-kind experience casts an indelible effect on people who often express having realised the meaning and the significance of life.&nbsp;

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The coffin placed inside the cafe is white in colour and surrounded by floral sceptres and chairs. The floral wreath attached to the coffin has an epitaph that reads, "Eventually, you can bring nothing".

Customers can write their experiences in a notebook attached to the coffin. Visitors can also write about their last wish or funeral rites plan which will be sent to them in 10 years.

A walk inside the cafe will also give you a glimpse of quotes splashed across its walls, some of them read, "Are you happy with what you do?", "Is there someone waiting for you at home?".

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Kai Mai Death Awareness Cafe was opened in January this year and is located in Bangkok, Thailand.&nbsp;

A customer can stay inside the coffin for as long as he wants

For those who like to mull over the idea of life, death and after-life, a Thai cafe lets its customer lie down in a coffin and contemplate their lives. A Bangkok cafe has death as its central theme and offers a coffee discount to customers who lie in the coffin. A customer can stay inside the coffin for as long as he/she wants. Tiny holes in the coffin let in air while a person stays in the dark. The owner of the cafe, Veeranut Rojanaprapa, shares that almost always people come out of the coffin and share their experiences. Rojanaprapa states that the one-of-a-kind experience casts an indelible effect on people who often express having realised the meaning and the significance of life. × The coffin placed inside the cafe is white in colour and surrounded by floral sceptres and chairs. The floral wreath attached to the coffin has an epitaph that reads, "Eventually, you can bring nothing". Customers can write their experiences in a notebook attached to the coffin. Visitors can also write about their last wish or funeral rites plan which will be sent to them in 10 years. A walk inside the cafe will also give you a glimpse of quotes splashed across its walls, some of them read, "Are you happy with what you do?", "Is there someone waiting for you at home?". × Kai Mai Death Awareness Cafe was opened in January this year and is located in Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangkok's death-themed cafe lets its customers lie in coffin 

Thailand has made one of its largest crystal methamphetamine busts, seizing 700 million baht ($22.42 million) worth of the drug, police said on Tuesday, as the United Nations warned Southeast Asia was being flooded with illegal drugs from the "Golden Triangle" region.

Police said 700 kilograms (1,543 lbs) of the drug, known as ice, was seized on March 28 in southern Chumpon Province and were destined for Malaysia.

More than nine million meth tablets were also found in fertiliser bags inside the vehicle, which lay some 100 metres away from the banks of the Mekong river that divides Thailand and Laos.

"Both type of drugs were found in the abandoned pickup truck... in Wiang Kaen district in Chiang Rai province," a military official told AFP, requesting anonymity.

He said the drug smugglers had already fled while authorities have detained three Thai men suspected of preparing to move the cache to the next destination.

The Golden Triangle -- a remote region where northern Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet -- is a base for cartels who churn out huge quantities of opium and meth that are smuggled through porous borders to countries across Asia.

"These big seizures are indications that there is a relentless supply pumping out of the Golden Triangle and north Shan to flood Southeast Asian markets and also transit Southeast Asia to high value markets like Australia, New Zealand and potentially further," Jeremy Douglas, the UNODC's chief in Southeast Asia said.

The drugs were found on March 28 among fruit packed into a six-wheel truck in Chumpon province.

"The drugs were being transported via Thailand to Malaysia and destined for third countries," said Soonthorn Chalermkiat from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

Two Thai and two Malaysian trafficking suspects have been arrested, he added.

Commonly known as "ice", crystal meth is a stronger form of the drug that sells for around $60-80 a gramme in Thailand.

The methamphetamine market has expanded at an alarming rate in East and Southeast Asia. In 2015, experts in several countries in the subregion reported an increase in the use of both crystalline methamphetamine and methamphetamine tablets.

Among amphetamines, methamphetamine represents the greatest global health threat, a 2017 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug report said.

Most of the drugs were produced outside of Thailand and were trafficked through the country en route to Australia, North America and Europe.

(With inputs from agencies)

Police said 700 kilograms (1,543 lbs) of the drug, known as ice, was seized on March 28 in southern Chumpon Province and were destined for Malaysia

Thailand has made one of its largest crystal methamphetamine busts, seizing 700 million baht ($22.42 million) worth of the drug, police said on Tuesday, as the United Nations warned Southeast Asia was being flooded with illegal drugs from the "Golden Triangle" region. Police said 700 kilograms (1,543 lbs) of the drug, known as ice, was seized on March 28 in southern Chumpon Province and were destined for Malaysia. More than nine million meth tablets were also found in fertiliser bags inside the vehicle, which lay some 100 metres away from the banks of the Mekong river that divides Thailand and Laos. "Both type of drugs were found in the abandoned pickup truck... in Wiang Kaen district in Chiang Rai province," a military official told AFP, requesting anonymity. He said the drug smugglers had already fled while authorities have detained three Thai men suspected of preparing to move the cache to the next destination. The Golden Triangle -- a remote region where northern Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet -- is a base for cartels who churn out huge quantities of opium and meth that are smuggled through porous borders to countries across Asia. "These big seizures are indications that there is a relentless supply pumping out of the Golden Triangle and north Shan to flood Southeast Asian markets and also transit Southeast Asia to high value markets like Australia, New Zealand and potentially further," Jeremy Douglas, the UNODC's chief in Southeast Asia said. The drugs were found on March 28 among fruit packed into a six-wheel truck in Chumpon province. "The drugs were being transported via Thailand to Malaysia and destined for third countries," said Soonthorn Chalermkiat from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. Two Thai and two Malaysian trafficking suspects have been arrested, he added. Commonly known as "ice", crystal meth is a stronger form of the drug that sells for around $60-80 a gramme in Thailand. The methamphetamine market has expanded at an alarming rate in East and Southeast Asia. In 2015, experts in several countries in the subregion reported an increase in the use of both crystalline methamphetamine and methamphetamine tablets. Among amphetamines, methamphetamine represents the greatest global health threat, a 2017 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug report said. Most of the drugs were produced outside of Thailand and were trafficked through the country en route to Australia, North America and Europe. (With inputs from agencies)

Thailand seizes over $22.42 million worth of crystal meth

At least 18 people were killed and dozens wounded when a bus travelling in northeastern Thailand veered off the road and smashed into a tree, authorities said Thursday.

The accident occured Wednesday evening in Thailand&#39;s Nakhon Ratchasima province with the double decker bus carrying around 50 people returning home from a holiday.

&quot;There are 18 people killed, of these 12 women and six men including one boy,&quot; Suthep Ruenthawil, chief of the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial disaster prevention and mitigation unit told AFP.

He added that 28 people are receiving treatment for injuries.

Photos in local media of the accident&#39;s aftermath showed part of the bus lying on its side and officials standing beside a row of body bags.

Suthep said the bus driver lost control while the vehicle was going downhill, before it veered off the road and jumped a traffic island then smashed into a large tree.

&quot;The bus was torn into two parts,&quot; he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Pornpattana Pisitkarn from the Udomsap police station near where the accident occured said the bus breaks appeared to have failed.

Thailand&#39;s roads are some of the most lethal in the world, killing around 24,000 people each year according to the World Health Organization.

More than half of accidents involve motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians though bus crashes involving tourists and migrant workers are also common.

In November 13 Myanmar nationals were killed when their van collided with a truck in central Thailand and burst into flames.

The accident occured Wednesday evening in Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima province with the double decker bus carrying around 50 people returning home from a holiday

At least 18 people were killed and dozens wounded when a bus travelling in northeastern Thailand veered off the road and smashed into a tree, authorities said Thursday. The accident occured Wednesday evening in Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima province with the double decker bus carrying around 50 people returning home from a holiday. "There are 18 people killed, of these 12 women and six men including one boy," Suthep Ruenthawil, chief of the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial disaster prevention and mitigation unit told AFP. He added that 28 people are receiving treatment for injuries. Photos in local media of the accident's aftermath showed part of the bus lying on its side and officials standing beside a row of body bags. Suthep said the bus driver lost control while the vehicle was going downhill, before it veered off the road and jumped a traffic island then smashed into a large tree. "The bus was torn into two parts," he said. Lieutenant Colonel Pornpattana Pisitkarn from the Udomsap police station near where the accident occured said the bus breaks appeared to have failed. Thailand's roads are some of the most lethal in the world, killing around 24,000 people each year according to the World Health Organization. More than half of accidents involve motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians though bus crashes involving tourists and migrant workers are also common. In November 13 Myanmar nationals were killed when their van collided with a truck in central Thailand and burst into flames.

18 killed in Thai bus crash

The stage is set in New Delhi, India for two days ASEAN-India commemorative summit, an international meet to commemorate 26 years of&nbsp;India-ASEAN relations and its partnership.

Heads of all ten ASEAN member countries will be in India to attend the summit two-day summit from 25-26 of January.

Heads of ASEAN member countries, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei would start arriving in the country on January 25.

During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with leaders of ASEAN nations.

The ASEAN heads will be received by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind and will be followed by lunch at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The leaders coming from ASEAN member countries will also attend Republic day parade and will make a walk in Mughal garden which would be followed by a formal photo shoot.

During the Summit Tour de Exhibition of 20 paintings of ASEAN-India Artists&rsquo; Camp will also be on display inside Mumtaz Hall.

Several cultural programmes will also be organised in honour of the ASEAN leader.

India and ASEAN have celebrated 25 years of their Dialogue Partnership, 15 years of Summit Level interaction and 5 years of Strategic Partnership in 2017.

Heads of all ten ASEAN member countries will be in India to attend the summit two-day summit from 25-26 of January

The stage is set in New Delhi, India for two days ASEAN-India commemorative summit, an international meet to commemorate 26 years of India-ASEAN relations and its partnership. Heads of all ten ASEAN member countries will be in India to attend the summit two-day summit from 25-26 of January. Heads of ASEAN member countries, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei would start arriving in the country on January 25. During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with leaders of ASEAN nations. The ASEAN heads will be received by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind and will be followed by lunch at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The leaders coming from ASEAN member countries will also attend Republic day parade and will make a walk in Mughal garden which would be followed by a formal photo shoot. During the Summit Tour de Exhibition of 20 paintings of ASEAN-India Artists’ Camp will also be on display inside Mumtaz Hall. Several cultural programmes will also be organised in honour of the ASEAN leader. India and ASEAN have celebrated 25 years of their Dialogue Partnership, 15 years of Summit Level interaction and 5 years of Strategic Partnership in 2017.

Heads of ASEAN countries to participate in two-day summit in Delhi

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