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UPI
4 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Thousands call for Thai PM's removal during Bangkok protests
June 28 (UPI) -- Protestors took to the streets of Bangkok Saturday, calling for the removal of Thailand's prime minister, less than a year after she was sworn into office. Demonstrators blocked streets in the country's capital city, taking issue with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's phone call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The call was recorded and made public this week. In it, Shinawatra appears to be close with Hun, the former prime minister and ex-military officer who is the current head of the Cambodian Senate and the country's de facto leader. Shinawatra has since apologized for the phone call, which took place because of a border dispute between the two countries. Following the phone call, Thai officials sent a letter of protest to the Cambodian government. Earlier this week, authorities closed Thailand's border to travelers looking to cross into Cambodia, following a dispute over scams. One Cambodian soldier has been killed in the rising tensions between the neighboring countries. More than 6,000 people converged for the protests in heavy rain Saturday, Thai police reported. Local media reported Saturday that Shinawatra reaffirmed the public's right to peacefully protest, in a country where previous rulers have been overthrown in military coups, including two of the prime minister's relatives. Shinawatra became Thailand's youngest-ever elected leader when she was sworn into office last August at the age of 37. The leader of the country's ruling Pheu Thai Party is the third member of her family to hold the title of Thai Prime Minister. Her billionaire father Thaksin and aunt Yingluck both led the country during separate periods. The family made its money in the telecom industry. Thaksin served as Thailand's prime minister from 2001 until 2006 when he was deposed by the military. He has had previous close ties with Hun and is set to face trial in the coming weeks over charges he insulted the Thai military. Yingluck Shinawatra served as prime minister between 2011 and 2014 and was removed by a constitutional court.
Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces political collapse after leaked phone call scandal
- Thailand's government teetered on the brink of collapse after a leaked audio recording of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra criticising the country's military provoked the withdrawal of support from a key party in her ruling coalition amid growing calls for her resignation. The exit of the conservative Bhumjaithai Party, which holds 69 seats in the 500-member lower house , leaves the Pheu Thai Party-led government controlling just 261 seats in parliament, as more parties in the coalition held urgent meetings on June 19 to decide whether to join the exodus. Any further defections could tip the Paetongtarn administration into minority government; some political analysts have already written her position off as untenable. Ms Paetongtarn appeared to dig in during a hastily-convened press conference on June 19, where she issued a public apology and urged the Thai people to unite in the face of what she described as a 'threat to national security' after her phone conversation with Cambodian senate president Hun Sen on June 15 surfaced online. In the 17-minute call, which was uploaded to Mr Hun's Facebook page on June 18, Ms Paetongtarn is heard urging the former Cambodian leader to help resolve a renewed outbreak of border tensions between the two South-east Asian nations that she said was proving damaging to her government. Addressing Mr Hun, the father of current Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet, as 'uncle', she appeared to blame the Thai army for inflaming tensions and referred to them as 'the opposite side'. She also urged Mr Hun to ignore comments from a firebrand Thai general whom she said merely wanted to 'appear cool'. She said later that her words were merely part of a 'negotiation tactic'. 'I must apologise for what happened as I really didn't know the conversation was being recorded,' she said at the press conference, flanked by ministers and senior army commanders, adding that the call had been made from her private phone. 'From now on, I'll be more careful with my words.' Ms Paetongtarn said the Thai government had registered a diplomatic protest with Phnom Penh over the leak. 'No one would record such a personal conversation and release it like this. It is unacceptable,' she said. While the situation remains fluid, political analysts said the scandal had shaken political trust and soured public sentiment toward an already unpopular leader to such an extent she was unlikely to survive as prime minister. 'It is the PM's grave mistake to ignore the protocol by having a private phone call with Hun Sen on an unsecured line,' said Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist and former government adviser. There were no good options remaining for Ms Paetongtarn, Dr Panitan said. She could either step down to make way for another candidate to take over, or run the gauntlet of an early election by dissolving parliament, he said. Coming just 10 months into her term, the potential for a fresh wave of political turmoil and leadership changes comes at an inopportune time, with Thailand battling to revive its stagnant economy while staving off the threat of US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. Ms Paetongtarn, the 38-year-old daughter of influential billionaire and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had not held any political office before becoming Thailand's youngest prime minister in August 2024 after the removal of her predecessor by a court order. She assumed power at the head of an uneasy post-election coalition with a clutch of pro-military parties, part of the conservative establishment whose distrust and rivalry with Mr Thaksin's political movement has dominated Thailand's political landscape for much of the past two decades. The fragile alliance had been under growing strain due to mounting legal pressure on Mr Thaksin following his return from 15 years in self-imposed exile as well as factional infighting. The latter erupted into public view after an attempt by Pheu Thai to strip Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul of the interior minister position in a cabinet reshuffle. Ms Paetongtarn's popularity had already been tested by pressure over her management of Thailand's lacklustre economy, a resurgent opposition as well as long-held perceptions of the political influence her father, who has no official title but remains outspoken on policy matters, wields over her. Pro-military voices had also seized on what they considered to be her overly gentle diplomatic approach to the territorial spat after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of gunfire at a disputed border area between the two countries on May 28, fanning nationalist sentiments on both sides. Cambodia said on June 15 that it had formally submitted a request for the International Court of Justice to resolve its territorial row with Thailand after bilateral talks were inconclusive. 'This is by far the biggest crisis that Paetongtarn's administration has faced,' said Dr Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, Director of the Law Centre at Thammasat University. 'The Pheu Thai Party might still have had a chance to retain the stability of the government even after the Bhumjaithai Party left the coalition. But after the leaking of the prime minister's conversation with Hun Sen, the situation is greatly worsened.' Thailand's armed forces have long played a prominent role in the country's politics, with the kingdom experiencing a dozen military coups since the 1930s, including toppling the governments of both Mr Thaksin and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2006 and 2014 respectively. The centre-left main opposition People's Party said Ms Paetongtarn had 'completely lost' the confidence of the people by portraying the Thai army as the enemy. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut called on her to dissolve parliament to take responsibility for the damage caused and stave off any potential repeat of a military coup. 'While current public sentiment may lead to the setting up of pressure groups to gather in front of Government House or other places, people should be reminded that a military coup is not the answer,' he said on June 19. 'We must not let emotions push society beyond the bounds of democracy.' Additional reporting by Pratch Rujivanarom Philip Wen is regional correspondent at The Straits Times, covering South-east Asia from his base in Bangkok. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Fashion United
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
Reiss collaborates with Tom Daley for Pride 2025
British premium brand Reiss has unveiled an exclusive collaboration with Olympic medal-winning diver and knitting enthusiast Tom Daley in celebration of Pride 2025 to benefit charity Rainbow Railroad. The unisex 15-piece collection combines Daley's love of knitting and crochet, as well as his career as a diver, and Reiss' modern design aesthetic, inspired by the themes of love, pride and water. Offering relaxed silhouettes with a focus on knitwear, crochet and sequins, the Reiss | Tom Daley collection features chunky knits, graphic T-shirts, shorts, a denim jacket, shirts, vests, and a sleeveless polo top. Reiss | Tom Daley collection campaign imagery Credits: Reiss There is a recurring theme of love throughout the collection with the 'Lover' logo found embroidered, knitted or printed across pieces, as well as embossed leather patches and heart-shaped motifs that adorn several styles. While the theme of water is shown through tonal blue shades, from waterfall sequins featured on shirts and knits to the wave-patterned knit shirts. Water and swimming are also referenced on the abstract image used for the collection label and a coordinating print T-shirt created by LGBTQ+ artist Richard Kilroy, which depicts two swimmers in a pool. Reiss | Tom Daley collection campaign imagery Credits: Reiss Tom Daley designs Pride collection with Reiss Daley's passion for knitting and crochet is also highlighted with chunky knit pieces that appear hand-knitted, crocheted panels on an ecru denim jacket and co-ord shorts, and blanket stitch details on a cardigan, shirt, sleeveless polo top and ribbed jersey vest. Highlights include the Hun sleeveless chunky knit polo shirt with sequin stripes and 'Lover' across the front, a blue sequinned Atlantis shirt with 'Lover' across the back, and the Poseidon blanket stitch cardigan with heart and 'Lover' logos. Reiss | Tom Daley collection campaign imagery Credits: Reiss Commenting on the collection, Daley said in a statement: 'My inspiration for designing the Reiss | Tom Daley collection were some of my favourite things – water and the craft of knitting. Sequins really spoke to me when it came to knitting as they bounce light off the piece, as you would see if you were looking on the surface of the water. 'I love texture and elements that look hand-finished, such as blanket stitching, and it was really important to me to include these little details in the collection.' The Reiss | Tom Daley collection is available at selected Reiss stores across the UK and All proceeds from the Reiss | Tom Daley collection will be donated to Rainbow Railroad, a charity that helps provide support and safety for LGBTQ+ people around the world. Prices range from 48 to 248 pounds. Reiss | Tom Daley collection campaign imagery Credits: Reiss Reiss | Tom Daley collection campaign imagery Credits: Reiss Reiss | Tom Daley collection campaign imagery Credits: Reiss Reiss | Tom Daley collection campaign imagery Credits: Reiss Reiss | Tom Daley collection campaign imagery Credits: Reiss
San Francisco Chronicle
27-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
A new Hungarian law could ban Pride events. A majority of EU countries are urging a rethink
BRUSSELS (AP) — A group of 17 European Union countries on Tuesday called on Hungary to revise a new law that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities, as pressure mounts on the country's populist government over democratic backsliding. In a declaration, countries including EU heavyweights France, Germany and Spain expressed concern that the law passed in April allows for fines on people organizing or taking part in Pride events, and the use of facial recognition software to identify them. 'We are highly alarmed by these developments, which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights' enshrined in the EU treaties, they said. They called on the European Commission — the powerful executive branch that monitors the respect of EU laws — 'to expeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox at its disposal in case these measures are not revised accordingly.' The declaration was published on social media as ministers for EU affairs gathered in Brussels for yet more talks on the way that Hungary's staunchly nationalist government has introduced legislation that its partners see as undermining rule of law standards. 'I think it's time that we consider the next steps, because this is getting pointless in continuing these hearings,' said Jessica Rosencrantz, the EU affairs minister of Sweden, which signed up to the declaration. Rosencrantz said that the 27-nation EU is 'not just a geographical union but a union based on values, and in that sense we have to act strongly against countries not living up to our common principles.' 'There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban,' Bóka told reporters. 'I hope that after these discussions my colleagues around the table will walk out with a more nuanced view on the Hungarian legislation.' The constitutional amendment passed in April declares that children's rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Hungary's contentious 'child protection' legislation prohibits the 'depiction or promotion' of homosexuality to minors aged under 18. The EU commissioner responsible for democracy, justice and rule of law, Michael McGrath, said that the 'willingness is there' to take action against Hungary. He said that 'a comprehensive analysis of the relevant legislation is underway now.' McGrath also expressed 'very serious concerns' about another piece of draft legislation in Hungary. This bill would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalize and potentially ban organizations it deems a threat to national sovereignty. The draft law marks a significant escalation of the government's long-running crackdown on critical media and non-governmental organizations. It would allow Hungary 's controversial Sovereignty Protection Office to identify organizations that influence public debate or voter sentiment in ways it considers detrimental to Hungary's interests. 'We believe it is a breach of EU law, including a breach of internal market freedoms and also a breach of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,' McGrath said. 'We stand ready to use the tools at our disposal' to oppose it, he added. As part of its many legal disputes with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, the commission has deprived Hungary of access to billions of euros in EU funds, in part due to fears that the money may be misused. 'At this point in time, about 18 billion euros ($20 billion) is not available to Hungary. That's because of their own rule of law breaches. I wish it were otherwise,' McGrath told reporters. Despite rosy government projections, Hungary's economy has for at least two years been in a state of stagnation, partly due to the frozen EU funds. Struggling under high inflation, Hungary's GDP dipped back into negative territory in the first quarter of 2025, the only contraction in the EU. ___ Justin Spike in Budapest contributed to this report.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Tejaswani shoots sports pistol gold
Tejaswani defeated Alina Nestsiarovich 31-29 for the 25m sports pistol gold in the Junior World Cup shooting in Suhl, Germany, on Monday. Tejaswani had qualified with a modest 575, the fourth best score. In fact, qualification topper Zhao Taotao (589) was placed fifth as Miriam Jako of Hungary and Yen-Ching Cheng of Chinese Taipei rose to third and fourth respectively. Tejaswani's gold put India on top of the table with three gold, four silver and four bronze. China was second with three gold and a bronze. In mixed trap, Bhavya Tripathi and Vinay Pratap Chandrawat shot 133 and placed sixth. The other Indian team of Sabeera Haris and Zuhair Khan shot 126 for the 15th spot. The results: 25m sports pistol: Junior women: 1. Tejaswani 31 (575); 2. Alina Nestsiarovich (AIN) 29 (574); 3. Miriam Jako (Hun) 23 (573); 15. Riya Thatte 569; 18. Naamya Kapoor 568; 24. Divanshi 564. Trap: Junior men: 1. Fabrizio Fisichella (Ita) 42 (123); 2. Thomas Betts (GBR) 40 (119); 3. Toni Gudejlj (Cro) 32 (119); 29. Vinay Pratap Chandrawat 113; 34. Arjun 113; 38. Yugan Muthukumaar 112; 48. Zuhair Khan 109.
