Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi kicked off her historic first trip overseas in more than two decades with a visit to meet Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand on Wednesday. Hundreds of people packed a narrow street in Samut Sakhon province south of Bangkok, where the opposition leader, who has ventured abroad for the first time since 1988, was due to address them. Cheering Myanmar migrants held up banners with Suu Kyi's picture and signs in Burmese and English that read "Free Burma" -- referring to the country's former name -- and "We want to go home". "I am very happy and I want to cry. I feel that we will get democracy in Myanmar," said Phyu, who has been in Thailand for six years. Suu Kyi's foray onto the world stage is a significant indication of confidence in dramatic changes that have swept her homeland since a near 50-year military dictatorship was replaced with a quasi-civilian regime last year. The former political prisoner, who won a seat in parliament in historic … [Read more...] about Cheering Myanmar migrants await Suu Kyi in Thailand
Politics thailand
Vietnam and Thailand boost defence cooperation
PANO - A Vietnamese high-ranking defence delegation led by Senior-Lieutenant-General, Do Ba Ty, Chief-of-the-General-Staff under the Vietnamese Defence Ministry, arrived in Bangkok on February 23 rd to start an official visit to Thailand at the invitation of Thai Chief of the Defence Force, General Tanasak Patimapragorn. In the afternoon, there was a solemn ceremony at the Headquarters of the Thai Royal Defence Forces presided by General Tanasak Patimapragorn to officially receive the Vietnamese defence delegation. After the reception, the two sides had talks. At the talks, the Vietnamese Chief-of-the-General-Staff thanked his Thai counterpart for the warm and esteemed reception and showed his empathy with local people, who suffered from huge losses during the historic flooding in Thailand in the end of 2011. The guest also highly appreciated the contributions made by the Royal Thai Armed Forces to rescue and relief of local flooded victims and on behalf of the Vietnamese Defence … [Read more...] about Vietnam and Thailand boost defence cooperation
Vietnamese consumers more optimistic about politics in 2018: Financial Times
Vietnam's strong economic perfomance in 2017, combined with a sweeping anti-corruption movement, has led to an upbeat consumer outlook, according to a Financial Times survey. The organization's Asean Political Sentiment Index tracked the six-month political outlook of 5,000 respondents across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The index in Vietnam improved slightly to 60, the highest since mid-2016. A reading of 50 indicates no change in sentiment, while a score of over 50 signals an improvement. Strong economic results throughout 2017 have helped stem criticism of the government’s management of the economy, while a high-profile anti-corruption drive remains “popular”, the Financial Times said on Monday. Vietnam’s economy expanded 6.8 percent in 2017, the strongest growth recorded in a decade. The country also posted its strongest export growth in the past five years, with revenue expanding by 21 percent against 2016 to $213.7 billion, … [Read more...] about Vietnamese consumers more optimistic about politics in 2018: Financial Times
Thailand, India bolster bilateral relations
New Delhi (VNA) – India’s Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swarajand her Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinal held talks on January 4 in Bangkok, Thailand todiscuss connectivity, security and cultural cooperation to keep up with thegrowing momentum of bilateral ties.Two days before Swaraj’s visit to Thailand, the Ministry of External Affairshad said that all aspects of bilateral relations would be on the agenda, with afocus on political, defence and economic relations.Also, the ministry highlighted that measures to enhance India’s engagement withthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would be an important aspectof the visit as Thailand will assume the role of coordinator country forIndia-ASEAN relations from mid-2018.Swaraj will leave for Indonesia on January 5 and co-chair the fifth meeting of theIndia-Indonesia Joint Commission with her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.After that she will visit Singapore from January 6-8.Her trip aims to … [Read more...] about Thailand, India bolster bilateral relations
Thailand, EU to resume FTA talks
The EU has been suspending political contact at all levels with Thailand since the military coup in Bangkok in May 2014. Thailand, EU to resume FTA talks. Photo: eeas.europa.eu Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak plans to pay an official visit to the EU in early 2018 to enhance the country’s relations with EU nations, particularly the UK and France. Negotiations for the Thailand-EU FTA was launched in March 2013, covering tariffs, non-tariff barriers, services, investment, intellectual property, regulatory issues, competition and sustainable development. The EU agreed to resume political contact with Thailand after the country made democratic progress this year by adopting a new constitution and committing to hold a general election in November 2018. But the bloc repeated its call for the restoration of full democracy in Thailand. Poj Aramwattananont, Vice Chairman of the Thai Board of Trade, said the decision by EU to resume political … [Read more...] about Thailand, EU to resume FTA talks