Vietnamese Refugees in Thailand Facing Delays for UN ID Cards
WASHINGTON — Vietnamese refugees in Thailand are facing delays in renewing identity cards issued by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Bangkok, and the pandemic-related suspension of processing has exposed many to the possibility…
US unveils new Indo-Pacific strategy, but can it deliver?
When the top U.S. diplomat visited the Indo-Pacific last week, the White House unveiled a new strategy that vowed to use all “instruments of power” to anchor the United States in the region and counter what it called China’s pursuit of a “sphere of inf…
Will new bill finally pop the cap on Thailand’s booze oligopoly?
Widely dubbed the “Progressive Liquor Bill”, a new draft law on excise tax is tipped to revolutionize Thailand’s alcohol industry if it sails through Parliament untouched.Thailand’s booze market is now worth about Bt260 billion, but in normal times bef…
Additional complaint filed with police over latest oil spill in sea off Rayong
Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) has filed its second complaint with Map Ta Phut police, in the eastern province of Rayong, against those responsible for the marine oil spill in seas off the province on February 10th, the second one this y…
Japan and UNICEF partnership to support COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Cook Islands
Avarua, Cook Islands 8February 2022 – The Government of Japan and UNICEF have handed over two 4×4 vehicles along with motor vehicle accessories to the Ministry of Health in Cook Islands this week to boost COVID-19 vaccination efforts in the country.“Te…
Hong Kong leader says fifth COVID wave has ‘overwhelmed’ city’s capacity
HONG KONG, Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam said on Monday that the “onslaught” of coronavirus infections in the global financial hub has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed its capacity to deal with the epidemic as daily cases surge to record highs.Daily …