Articles by: Joseph O' Connor

UN Secretary-General warns of a fractured world at the ASEAN summit over US-China split

UN Secretary-General warns of a fractured world at the ASEAN summit over US-China split

November 3, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Personal, Thailand:

Philippines President urged ASEAN leaders not to choose sides between the US and China and to steer an independent course. He spoke of the rise… Read More ›

Biggest free trade pact in the world being readied for launch at the ASEAN summit on Monday

Biggest free trade pact in the world being readied for launch at the ASEAN summit on Monday

November 2, 2019

Economy, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

At a sideline meeting this weekend, the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad was in no doubt that the ASEAN bloc was now being targeted… Read More ›

‘Real’ farmers reject ministry’s ‘organic’ vision as they seek injunctive relief in court

‘Real’ farmers reject ministry’s ‘organic’ vision as they seek injunctive relief in court

November 1, 2019

Economy, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Former senior Ministry of Agriculture official gives evidence to the court to support the injunction and suggests that farmers may later be forced to take… Read More ›

US coming to the ASEAN summit to talk business and trade as India threatens historic pact 

US coming to the ASEAN summit to talk business and trade as India threatens historic pact 

October 31, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Thailand’s Commerce Minister has been reported as upbeat and hopeful for a historic breakthrough being announced at the summit on the launch of the Regional… Read More ›

PM readies his team to tackle the US withdrawal of Thailand’s preferred partner status

PM readies his team to tackle the US withdrawal of Thailand’s preferred partner status

October 30, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Moves to deal with the new threat to Thailand’s already depressed export performance come as the Chairman of Bangkok Bank expresses concern about the impact… Read More ›

US suspension of Thai preferential trade partner status part of Trump’s ongoing trade war

US suspension of Thai preferential trade partner status part of Trump’s ongoing trade war

October 28, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

The Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Kalin Sarasin, called on the government on Monday to urgently begin negotiations with the United States over… Read More ›

Shock removal of US duty-free status on Thai exports may be linked to the pesticide ban – Trumpian diplomacy

Shock removal of US duty-free status on Thai exports may be linked to the pesticide ban – Trumpian diplomacy

October 27, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

The Thai government stance on the pesticide ban has drawn support from many quarters in Thailand. The ban is seen by many as a health… Read More ›

Thai tourism figures are up but the focus has shifted away from western visitors to Asia perhaps for good

Thai tourism figures are up but the focus has shifted away from western visitors to Asia perhaps for good

October 26, 2019

Foreigners, Living, Thai World, Thailand:

2019 was a year of warnings from hoteliers in Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai about low occupancy rates. Many hotel insiders remain sceptical about not… Read More ›

Chemical pesticide ban will have a severe economic impact on Thailand say US officials who asked for delay

Chemical pesticide ban will have a severe economic impact on Thailand say US officials who asked for delay

October 25, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

A series of letters have emerged detailing a vigorous and comprehensive campaign by the US Department of Agriculture and embassy officials to alert the Thai… Read More ›

Thai Airways in peril – boss tells executives there is ‘not much time’ to save the airline from closure 

Thai Airways in peril – boss tells executives there is ‘not much time’ to save the airline from closure 

October 23, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

The airline has confirmed it is reviewing every aspect of its operations including all routes as it scrambles to stem unsustainable losses with a viability… Read More ›

Army chief’s dramatic volte-face on appearing before a House committee on Monday in transit 

Army chief’s dramatic volte-face on appearing before a House committee on Monday in transit 

October 22, 2019

Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

There was concerned speculation among opposition politicians over the weekend that the passionate army leader may emerge as a successor to General Prayut when his… Read More ›

Online scammers are an organised crime group in Thailand working with international hackers

Online scammers are an organised crime group in Thailand working with international hackers

October 21, 2019

Crime, Media, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

Last week, a large deputation representing 7,000 people visited the Justice Ministry in Bangkok over a ฿400 million loss suffered by customers of several Facebook… Read More ›

Banks report strong profits in the 3rd quarter pointing to a healthy underlying economy and bank sector

Banks report strong profits in the 3rd quarter pointing to a healthy underlying economy and bank sector

October 20, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Thai World, Thailand:

The data from the banks and commentary back up the statement of the Bank of Thailand boss this month who said that despite the economic… Read More ›

MP transferred to Bang Kwang prison and placed on death row as court orders him to resign his seat

MP transferred to Bang Kwang prison and placed on death row as court orders him to resign his seat

October 19, 2019

Crime, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

The conviction and death sentence imposed on a 52-year old Pheu Thai MP has not only shocked the Thai political establishment and his own party… Read More ›

Farmers pesticide ban may have repercussions for PM either way ahead of the crunch decision

Farmers pesticide ban may have repercussions for PM either way ahead of the crunch decision

October 19, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

A policy research expert from the Thailand Development Research Institute has said that government policy should be made on sound economic and scientific grounds, not… Read More ›

Thanthorn confident of victory in Constitutional Court case brought by Election Commission

Thanthorn confident of victory in Constitutional Court case brought by Election Commission

October 18, 2019

Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

The case has sparked wider debate in Thailand about the stringency of the new electoral laws. On one hand, many activists view the current approach… Read More ›

Summit being targeted to announce world’s biggest trade pact with Thailand at the helm

Summit being targeted to announce world’s biggest trade pact with Thailand at the helm

October 17, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Veteran 63-year-old minister is coordinating negotiations between the 16 member states that are party to the huge economic partnership. He is working towards an official… Read More ›

Digital assets wizard with an energy and tech vision that the country needs to make Thailand 4.0 work

Digital assets wizard with an energy and tech vision that the country needs to make Thailand 4.0 work

October 15, 2019

Economy, Foreigners, PR News, Thai World, Thailand:

He has no time for a social life and he spends 7 nights a week speaking with audiences who pay him to hear about the… Read More ›

General’s speech’s leaves Thai opposition deflated and facing a question over constitutional change

General’s speech’s leaves Thai opposition deflated and facing a question over constitutional change

October 15, 2019

Foreigners, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

In his speech, the Army boss also referred to a number of visits by Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong to Thailand and questioned what were… Read More ›

Fake news centre ready as rights activists push for the toning down of the Computer Crime Act

Fake news centre ready as rights activists push for the toning down of the Computer Crime Act

October 14, 2019

Media, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

The fake new centre as outlined by the minister last Friday sounds eminently practical and benign. Free speech and human rights activist are dubious. The… Read More ›

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