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by Anusak KONGLANG / Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Massive crowds of black-clad Thais lined Bangkok’s streets Friday hoping to see King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s body borne to his palace, as the nation grieved for a monarch whose passing leaves the country facing an uncertain future. Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, passed away at 88 on Thursday after years of ill health, ending seven decades as a stabilising figure in a nation of deep political […]
by Sally Mairs BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Late Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej has left behind one of the world’s richest monarchies, with a multi-billion-dollar empire spanning property, construction and banks. Analysts say the vast royal reserves have allowed the crown to build a deep network among the Thai elite, helping insulate the king from the political pressures felt by monarchs who rely chiefly on state funding. But as with all issues linked to the Thai […]
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — World leaders paid tribute to Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a champion of his people during a momentous seven-decade reign, as observers warned his death could plunge the country into renewed turmoil. Bhumibol, whose reign witnessed regular bouts of political turmoil, coups and violent unrest, was revered as a serene and caring father of the nation, and a bulwark in troubled times. His death Thursday at the age of 88, with […]
PITTSBURGH, United States (AFP) — US President Barack Obama extended condolences Thursday to Thailand for the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, calling him a “close friend” and partner of the United States. Obama paid tribute to the king, whose death at age 88 was announced Thursday, as a “tireless champion” for Thailand’s development, praising his “unflagging devotion” to improving the lives of his subjects. Obama’s warm words for the monarch belie difficult recent relations with […]
by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ Sally Mairs BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — King Bhumibol Adulyadej, long a unifying figure in politically fractious Thailand, died Thursday and uncertainty over the succession quickly arose as his crown prince reportedly sought a delay in taking over. The death of the 88-year-old Bhumibol, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, removed a revered father figure in a country where political tensions are still raw two years after a military coup. US President Barack Obama led […]
by Jerome TAYLOR / Marion THIBAUT BANGKOK, Thailand | AFP | — Thailand’s junta chief said Wednesday he planned to hold talks with the Crown Prince following days of unprecedented concern over the health of ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Bhumibol, 88, is the world’s longest-reigning monarch and beloved by many in Thailand. But he has not been seen in public for nearly a year as he battles a series of ailments in a Bangkok […]
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) – A controversial and colourful former guerilla fighter long accused of playing a key role in the Golden Triangle drugs trade was arrested during a sting operation Tuesday, Thai police said. Laota Seanlee, who is believed to be 79, was allegedly caught trying to sell 20 kilogrammes of crystal meth to undercover officers from his home in a village on Thailand’s border with Myanmar. The rugged hills of northern Thailand form part […]
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Doctors treating Thailand’s hospital-bound King Bhumibol Adulyadej placed the ailing monarch on a ventilator this week, the palace said Sunday, adding that the 88-year-old’s health was “not stable”. Bhumibol is the world’s longest-reigning monarch and beloved by many in Thailand. But he has not been seen in public for nearly a year as he battles a series of ailments in a Bangkok hospital. Historically the palace has tightly controlled news about […]
By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand is considering testing all pregnant women for Zika, the health ministry said on Monday, following confirmation last week of its first known cases of microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size, linked to the Zika virus. The two confirmed cases of microcephaly were the first in Southeast Asia linked to Zika, which has been spreading in the region after outbreaks in […]
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Thai health authorities on Friday said microcephaly in two babies was caused by the Zika virus, in what is believed to be Southeast Asia’s first confirmed case of a link between the sickness and the birth defect. Tourism is expected to account for 17 percent of Thailand’s GDP this year, and authorities will be desperate to prevent visitor numbers from tailing off after Friday’s announcement. “Two of the three infants (tested) […]
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Thai authorities blocked an Amnesty International news conference on torture in the kingdom Wednesday, the watchdog said, the latest move to silence rights groups in the army-run country. Two foreign Amnesty International staff were scheduled to speak at the Bangkok launch of a report detailing 74 cases of alleged torture at the hands of Thai soldiers and police. But the advocacy group was told Wednesday morning that speaking at the event would be […]
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand ruled out on Wednesday Zika as the cause of two cases of microcephaly but is investigating two other cases that could be the first linked to Zika in Southeast Asia of the condition that results in babies being born with small heads. Microcephaly is a rare birth defect that has been linked, in Brazil in particular, to the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is spreading in Southeast Asia. Thai health authorities said […]
