Twenty-five countries have endorsed the landmark Bangkok Plan of Action on sustainable management of transboundary freshwater to safeguard the population from water crises. The plan, adopted on May 22, the last day of the three-day ministerial meeting on transboundary freshwater in Bangkok, Thailand, requires each participating country to draft an action plan for better management of international rivers. There are 263 international rivers in 155 countries, which account for 60 percent of the freshwater in the world. The national action plan must be completed before the next meeting, in Bangkok in 2011. The Bangkok Plan of Action, which is not legally binding, also calls for closer cooperation on river basin management. Delegates agreed that all activities involving transboundary water resources, particularly the construction of dams, must take into consideration ecological and social impacts, Siripong Hungspreug, director-general of the Water Resources Department, was … [Read more...] about River action plan endorsed in Thailand
Politics thailand
Thailand passes tough security law to control protest
Thailand's government passed a security law on August 25 that clears the way for the military to be brought in to control a planned rally by supporters of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) plan to demonstrate on Sunday outside Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's office, calling for his resignation. A three-week occupation of the premier's office in April sparked Thailand's worst street violence in 17 years, forcing Abhisit to call a state of emergency and stoking concerns over the stability of Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy. If Sunday's protests become unruly, the new law allows Abhisit and the military to move quickly without declaring a state of emergency. It also allows for more stringent checkpoints around the prime minister's office ahead of the protest. Abhisit said he imposed the temporary law, which takes effect from August 29 to September 1, after receiving intelligence that trouble-makers … [Read more...] about Thailand passes tough security law to control protest
Vietnamese defence delegation closes visit to Thailand
PANO - The Vietnamese High-Ranking Defence delegation led by Chief-of-General-Staff, Senior-Lieutenant-General Do Ba Ty left Thailand for Vietnam on the afternoon of February 26th, successfully closing the official visit to Thailand. rd at the invitation of the Chief-of-the-Defence Force of the Royal Thai Army, General Tanasak Patimapragorn. During the visit, the Vietnamese delegation had talks with a Thai delegation led by General Tanasak Patimapragorn, was also received by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Thai Defence Minister Sukumpol Chulalongkhon. The delegation then visited a Thai Naval base and various landmarks in Bangkok. The visit, considered successful, strengthened mutual understanding, the friendship of the two armies and peoples and boosted the defence cooperation between the two countries. During their stay in Bangkok, the delegation also visited the Vietnamese Embassy to Thailand on the afternoon of February 25 th. At the meeting, the Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Vietnamese defence delegation closes visit to Thailand
Improvement in Thailand-Cambodia relations blows cool breeze to ASEAN
“Cambodia will not allow former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to use Cambodia as a political base to attack Thailand,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen declared during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Suthep Thaugsuban on April 4 in Hua Hin, Thailand. PM Hun Sen said during the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit, held for the first time in Hua Hin, that the Cambodian constitution prohibits such political activity. He added that Mr. Thaksin would not be allowed to enter Cambodia in the midst of Thailand’s political unrest. Since a dispute over ownership of the historic Preah Vihear temple broke out in 2008, relations between Cambodia and Thailand have been strained. Cambodia’s recent comments on the contentious issue of Mr. Thaksin, however, have led the public to believe that icy relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbors may be beginning to thaw. Responding to the statement of his Cambodian counterpart, Thai Prime Minister … [Read more...] about Improvement in Thailand-Cambodia relations blows cool breeze to ASEAN
Bomb material found in Thailand after terror warnings
Thai police discovered bomb-making material after the detention of a Lebanese man suspected of planning an attack, but the prime minister insisted Monday that everything was under control. Police officers transport confiscated components that can be used for making explosives in Samut Sakhon province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, January 16, 2012. A Lebanese suspect arrested in Bangkok led Thai police to the components on Monday, according to the police and local media. Thai authorities arrested the suspect after being warned by Israel of a possible attack in Bangkok, the deputy prime minister said on Friday, adding that police had stepped up security and he was confident the situation was under control.Photo: Reuters/Chaiwat Subprasom Authorities beefed up security in parts of the capital and … [Read more...] about Bomb material found in Thailand after terror warnings