Category: Thailand

Thailand Purchase of F-35 Stealth Jets Depends on US Government, Says Lockheed Martin Executive

Thailand’s interest in Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighters is genuine, but clearance to buy the jets is a matter for the U.S. government, a senior executive from the defense giant said on Wednesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow, Tim Cahill, Lockheed Martin’s senior vice president for Global Business, confirmed Thailand had expressed…


Thailand Tackles 2nd Offshore Oil Spill in 3 Weeks

BANGKOK—Thai authorities scrambled Friday to contain the country’s second oil spill in less than three weeks in the Gulf of Thailand. An estimated 5 tons (1,320 gallons) was believed to have leaked 20 kilometers (12 miles) off the eastern province of Rayong, in the same location where at least 22 tons (5,800 gallons) spilled into…


Thailand Government Official Seeks to Expel Human Rights Group Over National Security Threat

Thailand’s top government official said Friday that he would file for the expulsion of London-based human rights organization Amnesty International next week, citing the non-profit organization’s threat to the country. Amnesty International has been accused of supporting a pro-democracy movement, which called for reform of the monarchy in Thailand and the resignation of Prime Minister…


Bomb Attacks Hit Southern Thailand; 2 Killed in Police Raid

BANGKOK—Bombers set off at least 13 blasts in a town in southern Thailand overnight, and police killed two suspected insurgents in a separate raid after a 20-hour siege in a nearby province, authorities said on Saturday. While officials did not link the two incidents directly, the violence came weeks after the government reopened a dialogue…


Thai Beach Declared Disaster Area After Oil Spill

BANGKOK—A beach in eastern Thailand was declared a disaster area on Saturday as oil leaking from an underwater pipeline in the Gulf of Thailand continued to wash ashore and blacken the sand. The leak from the pipeline owned by Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited (SPRC) started late on Tuesday and was brought under control…


Saudi Arabia, Thailand Agree to Mend Diplomatic Ties After Decades of Dispute Over Diamond Theft

Saudi Arabia and Thailand have agreed to fully restore their diplomatic relations and to exchange ambassadors in a “historic breakthrough” after three decades of hostility stemming from a diamond theft, the countries said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The agreement was made during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s meeting with visiting Thai Prime…


Briton Dies, Another Severely Injured in Thailand After Knife Attack, Police Say

BANGKOK—A 49-year-old Briton was found dead at his home with knife wounds in western Thailand, and a Thai suspect was in custody, police said on Sunday. Another British man, 55, suffered injuries and was in hospital, police in Kanchanaburi province said, adding that further evidence was being collected. A Thai man was suspected of attacking…


Thailand to Resume Traveler Quarantine Exemption Program in February

Thailand is set to resume its quarantine exemption scheme for fully vaccinated foreign visitors in February, its coronavirus taskforce said Thursday, as concerns about the highly transmissible Omicron variant subside. The country’s “Test and Go” quarantine waiver program is now able to resume due to the low number of deaths and hospitalizations caused by the…


Thailand Plans to Buy F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is looking for a new type of fighter aircraft to replace its aging F-5 and F-16 fighter aircraft. The RTAF is considering acquiring eight U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighters to reinforce its national defense, said Napadej Dhupatemiya, commander-in-chief of the RTAF. The air force needs a new combat fleet because…


Thailand Extends Suspension of Quarantine Waiver After Raising COVID-19 Alert Level to Second Highest

Thailand’s government has decided to extend the suspension of its “Test and Go” quarantine waiver program until further notice, after raising the coronavirus alert level to its second-highest amid an increase in the country’s infection cases. The Health Ministry has raised Thailand’s COVID-19 level to four, indicating that more stringent measures would be imposed, including…