Thailand ‘must prove it merits Human Rights Council seat’
Discussed: 20 Jan 2025 at 04: 30
Thailand needs to improve its effectiveness on promotion and protection of human rights in order to adhere to international standards, according to a Thai animal rights advocate.
Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch ( HRW), spoke with the Bangkok Post on Friday at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand, ahead of the launch of HRW’s country-by-country annual report.
He said Thailand’s human rights methods do not meet the standards required to earn a seats during the 2025–2027 name.
According to him, member nations of the government should now have a strong record of human rights protection and mechanisms to safeguard those in danger in the legal, political, and cultural domains. More importantly, their techniques in respecting human rights may be steady.
Thailand may have spent time promoting its human rights standards while it has been a member of the UNHRC for the past ten times, he claimed. Thailand’s word commenced on Jan 1.
He cited the Move Forward Party’s ( MPF ) dissolved last year and the lifetime ban on 44 of its MPs for attempts to reform the monarchy.
He even made a special mention of the demise of political activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom, who died while on a hunger strike while requesting the release of political prisoners ‘ loan.
According to Mr. Sunai, more people have been found guilty of rebellion and lèse-majesté, and their loan has frequently been refused.
Legal society has proposed including lèse-majesté claims in the Amnesty Bill. No member of the parliament, however, had support a move that would put some political prisoners still imprisoned.
He added that under international human rights rules, Thailand is also required to uphold the rule of non-refoulement. However, authorities routinely send social asylum seekers to encounter consequence back to their home countries, he said, citing new cases of UNHCR-recognised Thai political refugees.
As a UNHRC member, Mr. Sunai said,” It’s ironic for a state to seek worldwide acknowledgment for its work in individual right.”
The state has failed to advance and defend human rights both domestically and internationally.
Mr. Sunai claimed that Thailand had worked hard to secure the UNHRC seats and that it is now gloating over its victory, but that it had failed to actually show a strong track record.
He questioned Thailand’s ability to raise its human rights standards and justify its status with the UNHRC. He suggested that Thailand should be closely scrutinized under UN guidelines, such as the Universal Periodic Review ( UPR ). Thailand would be able to identify areas where it needs to improve if another part state reviewed it, he said.
Sunai: Record never up to scratch
‘Set aside personal feelings’ to protect the majority, says Shanmugam on the death penalty
Singapore’s Minister of Law and Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, stated on Sunday ( Jan 19 ) that personal feelings are” set aside” to protect the majority of Singaporeans from the death penalty. Before quitting his position on January 20, Mr. Shanmugam responded to a Wall Street Journal ( WSJ) articleContinue Reading
‘Stop the violence’: ASEAN tells Myanmar to prioritise peace over holding elections, says bloc chair Malaysia
Previous Malaysian foreign minister secretary general Othman was chosen by the country to work with ASEAN to utilize its peace plan in Myanmar. Since the fight started in 2021, he is ASEAN’s five special envoy to Myanmar.  ,
Othman said he would travel to Myanmar” immediately.”
The junta leadership’s failure to follow through on the harmony schedule, which has enraged the bloc’s most powerful nations, has harmed ASEAN’s most powerful nations.
The junta is urging a 2025 vote, an exercise that critics have labeled as a sham, despite being battered on numerous frontlines, dealing with a collapsing economy, and lots of political events banned.
FACILITATING TIMOR-LESTE’S Arrival
Mohamad added that ASEAN foreign ministries applauded Timor-Leste’s development in putting together a blueprint for its entire account in the union.  ,
He added that the member nations remained committed to facilitating Timor-Leste’s entry to ASEAN.  ,
” Some highlighted the need to help Timor-Leste’s efforts through capacity-building and certain technical support programs”, said Mohamad.  ,
Timor-Leste participated in the surrender as an observer. Bendito windows Santos Freitas, the country’s foreign affairs minister, represented it.  ,
The youngest nation in Asia has been a wait since 2011 to join ASEAN. The 10 ASEAN member states initially agreed on Timor-Leste’s membership and gave it outsider status in November 2022 while Cambodia was in charge.
In May 2023, the alliance adopted a strategy for Timor-Leste’s full account to help the country in fulfilling the account criteria.
In a new special interview with CNA, Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta expressed wish that his nation had become ASEAN’s 11th part in 2025.
” We have made tremendous progress ( since 2023 )”, said Ramos-Horta.
” At the same time, I think ASEAN officials, most of them, all of them, realize that it is enough, what Timor-Leste has done to significance instant account. That it is not realistic, (or ) even fair, to expect Timor-Leste to join ASEAN only when it has reached the level of Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand”.
A SINGLE ASEAN VISA FOR Visitors?  ,
At the same time, ASEAN countries are examining ways to make cross-border travel between member states more convenient and promote hospitality.
Tourism is a key driver of economic growth in the region, according to Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing, who stated on Sunday that improving cross-border cooperation is necessary to create a dynamic and visible tourism environment.
” We need to improve laws to increase the number of visitors entering.” We can’t be tolerant on the security front, he said after chairing the 28th ASEAN tourism ministers ‘ meeting in Johor Bahru.” I believe this issue should be discussed further within our respective countries,” he said.
Thaksin promises a million homes for low-income Thais
PUBLISHED: 19 Jan 2025 at 18: 54
In a speech at a rally in Bueng Kan state on Sunday, the former prime minister and de facto leader of the decision Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin Shinawatra, made the pledge to build up to one million cover products for people with low income.
Following the launch of the president’s Home for Thais system late last year, about 31 million people have expressed their involvement in signing up for a product, with hundreds of thousands currently registered, said Thaksin.
He made the remarks on Sunday at a campaign path event in Bueng Kan state in advance of the provincial administration organization’s polls for February 1.
He claimed that there is a lot of desire, but only about 7, 000 of them are currently being constructed.
In response to this exceptionally high demand for housing, he continued, the state will create at least 100, 000 more modules this year and another 100, 000 the following month.
He claimed that the project’s goal is to create one million products.
Since leading the Thai Rak Thai Party, the group that gave rise to Pheu Thai, under his leadership, Thaksin said he has been considering building flats for low-income residents who live and work in Bangkok.
He claimed that he had envisioned these cover projects being constructed close to the energy rail system for no more than 20 baht per trip. He suggested that Bangkok’s rail system may continue to be expanded to connect with those in other regions.
Thaksin even claimed that he was the one who, in 2003, ordered the cabinet’s determination to be overturned so that only the lowest-priced location could be grown for food.
He claimed he saw hidden potential in the industry and instead recommended expanding, paying 1 million ra at the time, while also finding new marketplaces where Thailand was require higher, fairer prices. The success of the rubber-growing regions in Bueng Kan only, Thaksin claimed, demonstrates that he made the right choice.
The former leading vowed to tackle drug addictions as harshly as he did some years ago, stating that drug dealers would be dealt with as soon as possible and drug addicts would be treated.
” These drug dealers will soon be required to stop their illegal activities. They have been doing it for a long time, he claimed.
” Be warned, you will lose all assets ]earned illegally from dealing drugs ]. All of the homes and cars you purchase may be seized, and you will go to jail.
Thaksin stated that there are still other worthwhile initiatives in development, including the upcoming cycle of the online money handout program for people under the age of 60.
Panel backs Bangkok’s Chatuchak area for F1 event
PUBLISHED: 19 Jan 2025 at 18: 46
According to Kongsak Yodmanee, government of the Sports Authority of Thailand, state companies are considering the practicality of holding an F1 race in Bangkok in 2027 with the intention of doing so as a city culture along Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
Due to the number of agencies in charge of the region, discussions were held last week to review potential pathways and obstacles for the sporting event being held on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
His remarks came in response to reports that a working committee has chosen Chatuchak, the city’s major location for the F1 race, as the main location for the route’s 6-kilometer route, which will also go through three parks in the district.
The F1 event, which has been designated as a venture to raise tourism and market Thailand as a world-class location, has been proposed for five spots across the nation.
They are Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station’s vicinity, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the Chatuchak place, and the Eastern Aviation City in Rayong, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, and Muang Thong Thani.
The commission concluded that Chatuchak would be the ideal spot for the F1 competition.
The next step may be submitting the proposed page to the Fédération Internationale del’Automobile, the governing body for earth racing, which would give officials to determine the site’s viability.
If approved, Thailand did send its bid to host the occasion, with a decision expected in January 2025. The state hopes to provide the function to the nation in 2027. It may attract 300, 000 tourists and provide in estimated income of 12 billion ringgit.
Foreigners die after after attending music festival in Phuket
PUBLISHED: 19 Jan 2025 at 18: 29
PHUKET: Two international visitors died on Saturday night at a renowned electronic dance music event in this southern area province.
Both immigrants, an American and a American, passed out at the , Electric Daisy Carnival Thailand 2025 music event in tambon Choeng Thale of Thalang area Saturday night.
According to authorities, Canadian Sharfaraz Maqbul Ahmed, 28, was brought to Thalang Hospital at 8.50pm on Saturday. On arrival that, he was unconscious but still had a signal.
The doctor tried to revive him, but they were unsuccessful. He was pronounced deceased at 9.26pm on Saturday.
British Minh Nguyen Quang Phan, 32, was taken from the song festival space to Thalang Hospital at 11.35pm on Saturday. He was pronounced deceased at 12.30am on Sunday after unsuccessful treatment efforts.
The cause of the fatalities was not immediately known by Thalang Hospital’s officers and personnel. The systems were not yet being examined at Vachiraphuket Hospital.
32 Indonesians sneak into Thailand’s Tak province from Myanmar
PUBLISHED: 19 Jan 2025 at 16: 35
TAK:  , Thirty-two Indonesian citizens, 30 people and two ladies, have been caught fleeing from neighbouring Myanmar into Thailand through a border region in Mae Sot area and detained for questioning.
The illegal immigrants were apprehended while crossing the border in Wang Ta Khian town on Saturday evening, according to sources.
The Indonesians claimed that they had escaped from Myanmar’s Myawaddy, where they had been employed, and told the mixed border security army that detained them.
They claimed they had left their work and wanted to live back home in Indonesia.
The Mae Sot city police station was where the Indonesian immigrants were all interrogated before being processed for legal actions.
Philippines, US hold joint maritime exercises in South China Sea
Manila’s armed forces announced on Sunday that the Philippines and the United States conducted joint seafaring exercises for the second time in the South China Sea, causing China to likely be offended. The Asian martial announced in a statement that it was conducting a “maritime cooperative exercise” with the USContinue Reading
ASEAN-wide digital payment system, regional power grid key amid geopolitical risks: Vivian Balakrishnan
ON Thailand AND BRICS
Dr. Balakrishnan was even asked to comment on the Myanmar condition and how some ASEAN member states have freely engaged the Burmese military state.  ,
Next December, Thailand hosted a meeting on Myanmar involving the war-torn country’s five neighborhood, including China, Bangladesh and India.
At the meeting, the regime’s foreign secretary Than Swe outlined a political strategy and progress on election arrangements, including a community survey and registration of 53 political parties.
 , Dr Balakrishnan stated that Myanmar’s neighborhood in ASEAN have “greater risks” as they are more exposed to violence, improper activities like drug smuggling and the flow of migrants.  ,
Nevertheless, he stressed that even with various levels of risks, all the member states want Myanmar to reach “national peace”.  ,
” None of us want to interfere with a fellow ASEAN ( member’s ) internal affairs.” So in that regard, the more channels of communication, the more potential market for all the various stakeholders in Myanmar to come up, the better”, he added.  ,
Since February 2021, Myanmar has experienced upheaval since its military seized power and ousted a democratically elected government, causing protests and putting the junta at odds with its leadership.
Since the defense revolt, more than 5, 000 residents have been killed and over 3.3 million displaced, according to a United Nations report in September 2024.
Dr. Balakrishnan was also questioned about Singapore’s concern over some ASEAN member states ‘ efforts to develop closer relationships with the BRICS ( Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa ) cluster of emerging markets.  ,
BRICS, established in 2009, first included Brazil, Russia, India, and China, while South Africa joined a year later. It has since expanded to encompass Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian nation to fully join the group earlier this month.
Thaksin asks Naomi Campbell to help turn Thais into supermodels
PUBLISHED: 19 Jan 2025 at 13: 00
Previous Thai prime minister said that diva Naomi Campbell will travel to Thailand next month to give advice to Thaksin Shinawatra on how to groom Thais to get world-class on catwalks in order to encourage soft power and increase his country’s wealth.
Ms. Campbell will be in the country from February 8 to February 10 according to Thaksin, who stated at Nakhon Phanom University on Saturday. She did give him advice on how Thais can emulate her victory as a supermodel.
The Pheu Thai Party’s de facto leader stated that prospective Thais of all females may be screened from villages up to the highest level with the only requirement being that they must have a healthy appearance without surgery.
” We will screen Thais who are born gorgeous by nature, without having to undergo beauty surgery,” he said at a rally in the Muang city of Nakhon Phanom state to support Anuchit Hongsadee’s strategy for provincial organization president.
The ex-prime minister said,” Anyone who wants to become a world-class design can come out of their little hut to join the scheme.”
On February 1, a statewide vote of local authorities leaders will take place.
Thaksin requested assistance from all people in order to begin scouting girls, men, and LGBTQ people in their neighborhoods who had the potential to serve as models for the project.
The National Soft Power Development Committee led by president Surapong Suebwonglee, has driven the structure, Thaksin said, which needs about 20 million ringgit to achieve success.
Mr. Thaksin claimed to have spoken with Dr. Surapong and that he had spoken to him about funding the project from both his own bag and those of other sponsors he might process.
He claimed that the female finding drive was intended to increase villagers ‘ skills and give them better opportunities to earn more money than the national average daily income.
The prime minister declared that the year will be filled with opportunities. I would like to give opportunities in all aspects”, he added, referring to one of the New Year hopes of his daughter, Paetongtarn.
One of the halts to encourage the Pheu Thai candidate for president of Nakhon Phanom state is the presentation of the previous prime minister’s address at That Phanom College in Thai Phanom neighborhood on Saturday. ( Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai )
At a conference held by Pheu Thai in December of last year, Thaksin simply covered people in the northern area. Afterwards, he stated in Chiang Mai state on January 5 that he wanted to discover Thai women who have normal beauty enter beauty contests.
Parts of the conversation brought , powerful accusations of bigotry when he described designs from Africa.
” African persons, who have dark skin and smooth faces that make it difficult to breathe, are hired for thousands of ringgit to be types”, he said. ” Indian citizens look much better. There’s no need for]our individuals to get ] nose, jaw or chest extension”.
” It’s time to promote more Thais, including those from racial organizations like the Karen, who possess natural beauty, to be global types”, he added.
Her daughter argued that her father had no desire to make any unfair remarks and that Mr. Thaksin had come out to defend him.