Latest news with #SoutheastAsian
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Thailand pushes for diplomacy after ex-Cambodia PM's 'extraordinary' attack
BANGKOK: Thailand's foreign ministry said on Friday it was taken aback by an unprecedented public attack on the Thai premier and her family by Cambodia's influential former leader, but stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve an escalating bilateral dispute. In a televised address that lasted more than three hours, veteran Cambodian politician Hun Sen rebuked Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her handling of a festering border row between the neighbours. Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades until stepping down in 2023, also took aim at Paetongtarn's father, divisive billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, until recently his close ally. "It surprised us, and it's quite extraordinary in terms of diplomatic norms," foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. "Thailand has opened a lot of doors, and I insist that these doors remain open even after what happened this morning." Hun Sen, who is now president of Cambodia's senate but still holds enormous clout, accused Paetongtarn of looking down on him and his son, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. On Thaksin, who faces an impending court case over the legitimacy of a hospital stay that allowed him to skip prison time, Hun Sen said the former Thai leader faked his illness. "Thaksin was not sick," he said. "He pretended to be sick." Paetongtarn, 38, has come under enormous domestic pressure following the leak of the audio of a 15 June phone call between her and Hun Sen, in which she appeared overtly deferential to him and also criticised a Thai military commander. That call came after an escalation in tensions along a disputed border between the Southeast Asian nations, where a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of gunfire with Thai forces in late May. Despite Hun Sen's public vilification, Thailand is working to open a dialogue between both foreign ministers. "We are looking at the earliest possible venue where both sides can talk," Nikorndej said. "Speaking for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are a strong advocate for peaceful resolution through dialogue." At the root of the current tensions is a longstanding dispute over various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border. Following the recent flare-up, which also led to reinforcement of troops on both sides of the border, Cambodia said it would seek resolution by the International Court of Justice. Thailand does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction, but has gathered legal teams to study Cambodia's application and also talked with members of the United Nations Security Council to push its position, Nikorndej said, without naming those members. "We're doing everything we can to try to convince Cambodia to come to bilateral talks," Nikorndej said.
Korea Herald
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
GACB Sathorn Experience Center & GAC Thailand Battery Service Center Officially Open
BANGKOK, June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 25, 2025, the grand opening ceremony of GACB Sathorn Experience Center & GAC Thailand Battery Service Center was held in the Sathorn district of Bangkok. As GAC's first flagship store in Southeast Asia, the opening of GACB Sathorn Experience Center elevates the consumer service experience in Thailand and marks the successful implementation of GAC's "Sales + Energy Services" dual-track strategy in the region. Representatives from the Thai government and major Thai media outlets attended and witnessed this historic moment. The day before the opening ceremony, GAC launched the upgraded global premium compact model, the AION UT, in Thailand as a gesture of appreciation to local consumers. Regarded as one of the most prominent models in Thailand's electric vehicle segment, the AION UT secured over 4,500 orders during this year's Bangkok International Motor Show. With its stylish design, cutting-edge technology, and high-standard quality, it offers a refined and forward-looking electric mobility experience tailored for young drivers and urban commuters across Thailand. With the opening of the GACB Sathorn Experience Center and the only BOI (Board of Investment of Thailand) approved battery service center in Thailand, GAC has established a comprehensive overseas expansion model under its "One GAC 2.0" strategy, seamlessly integrating products, intelligent manufacturing, channels, services, energy ecosystem, and mobility systems. Looking ahead, GAC aims to position GACB Sathorn as a flagship showroom not only for Thailand but also for the broader Southeast Asian region. Leveraging this important foothold, GAC will further expand its market layout in Southeast Asia, establishing a benchmark market with significant demonstration value.
Cision Canada
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
GACB Sathorn Experience Center & GAC Thailand Battery Service Center Officially Open
BANGKOK, June 27, 2025 /CNW/ -- On June 25, 2025, the grand opening ceremony of GACB Sathorn Experience Center & GAC Thailand Battery Service Center was held in the Sathorn district of Bangkok. As GAC's first flagship store in Southeast Asia, the opening of GACB Sathorn Experience Center elevates the consumer service experience in Thailand and marks the successful implementation of GAC's "Sales + Energy Services" dual-track strategy in the region. Representatives from the Thai government and major Thai media outlets attended and witnessed this historic moment. The day before the opening ceremony, GAC launched the upgraded global premium compact model, the AION UT, in Thailand as a gesture of appreciation to local consumers. Regarded as one of the most prominent models in Thailand's electric vehicle segment, the AION UT secured over 4,500 orders during this year's Bangkok International Motor Show. With its stylish design, cutting-edge technology, and high-standard quality, it offers a refined and forward-looking electric mobility experience tailored for young drivers and urban commuters across Thailand. With the opening of the GACB Sathorn Experience Center and the only BOI (Board of Investment of Thailand) approved battery service center in Thailand, GAC has established a comprehensive overseas expansion model under its "One GAC 2.0" strategy, seamlessly integrating products, intelligent manufacturing, channels, services, energy ecosystem, and mobility systems. Looking ahead, GAC aims to position GACB Sathorn as a flagship showroom not only for Thailand but also for the broader Southeast Asian region. Leveraging this important foothold, GAC will further expand its market layout in Southeast Asia, establishing a benchmark market with significant demonstration value.
The Star
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand pushes for diplomacy after ex-Cambodia PM's 'extraordinary' attack
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks to administrative officials at the 12th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Battalion (Fort Surasinghanat) of a Thailand-Cambodia border town of Aranyaprathet district, as she battles to stay in power after drawing sharp criticism of her handling of a border row with Cambodia, in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's foreign ministry said on Friday it was taken aback by an unprecedented public attack on the Thai premier and her family by Cambodia's influential former leader, but stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve an escalating bilateral dispute. In a televised address that lasted more than three hours, veteran Cambodian politician Hun Sen rebuked Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her handling of a festering border row between the neighbours. Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades until stepping down in 2023, also took aim at Paetongtarn's father, divisive billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, until recently his close ally. "It surprised us, and it's quite extraordinary in terms of diplomatic norms," foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. "Thailand has opened a lot of doors, and I insist that these doors remain open even after what happened this morning." Hun Sen, who is now president of Cambodia's senate but still holds enormous clout, accused Paetongtarn of looking down at him and his son, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. On Thaksin, who faces an impending court case over the legitimacy of a hospital stay that allowed him to skip prison time, Hun Sen said the former Thai leader faked his illness. "Thaksin was not sick," he said. "He pretended to be sick." Paetongtarn, 38, has come under enormous domestic pressure following the leak of the audio of June 15 phone call between her and Hun Sen, in which she appeared overtly deferential to him and also criticised a Thai military commander. That call came after an escalation in tensions along a disputed border between the Southeast Asian nations, where a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of gunfire with Thai forces in late May. Despite Hun Sen's public vilification, Thailand is working to open a dialogue between both foreign ministers. "We are looking at the earliest possible venue where both sides can talk," Nikorndej said. "Speaking for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are a strong advocate for peaceful resolution through dialogue." At the root of the current tensions is a longstanding dispute over various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border. Following the recent flare-up, which also led to reinforcement of troop on both sides of the border, Cambodia said it would seek resolution by the International Court of Justice. Thailand does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction, but has gathered legal teams to study Cambodia's application and also talked with members of the United Nation Security Council to push its position, Nikorndej said, without naming those members. "We're doing everything we can to try to convince Cambodia to come to bilateral talks," Nikorndej said. (Additional reporting by Chantha Lach in Phnom Penh, Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Martin Petty)
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Thailand pushes for diplomacy after ex-Cambodia PM's 'extraordinary' attack
Pheu Thai supporters hold placards with portraits of Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as they gather at Pheu Thai Party Headquarter to support Paetongtarn, as she battles to stay in power after drawing sharp criticism of her handling of a border row with Cambodia, in Bangkok, Thailand, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks to administrative officials at the 12th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Battalion (Fort Surasinghanat) of a Thailand-Cambodia border town of Aranyaprathet district, as she battles to stay in power after drawing sharp criticism of her handling of a border row with Cambodia, in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK - Thailand's foreign ministry said on Friday it was taken aback by an unprecedented public attack on the Thai premier and her family by Cambodia's influential former leader, but stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve an escalating bilateral dispute. In a televised address that lasted more than three hours, veteran Cambodian politician Hun Sen rebuked Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her handling of a festering border row between the neighbours. Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades until stepping down in 2023, also took aim at Paetongtarn's father, divisive billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, until recently his close ally. "It surprised us, and it's quite extraordinary in terms of diplomatic norms," foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. "Thailand has opened a lot of doors, and I insist that these doors remain open even after what happened this morning." Hun Sen, who is now president of Cambodia's senate but still holds enormous clout, accused Paetongtarn of looking down at him and his son, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. On Thaksin, who faces an impending court case over the legitimacy of a hospital stay that allowed him to skip prison time, Hun Sen said the former Thai leader faked his illness. "Thaksin was not sick," he said. "He pretended to be sick." Paetongtarn, 38, has come under enormous domestic pressure following the leak of the audio of June 15 phone call between her and Hun Sen, in which she appeared overtly deferential to him and also criticised a Thai military commander. That call came after an escalation in tensions along a disputed border between the Southeast Asian nations, where a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of gunfire with Thai forces in late May. Despite Hun Sen's public vilification, Thailand is working to open a dialogue between both foreign ministers. "We are looking at the earliest possible venue where both sides can talk," Nikorndej said. "Speaking for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are a strong advocate for peaceful resolution through dialogue." At the root of the current tensions is a longstanding dispute over various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border. Following the recent flare-up, which also led to reinforcement of troop on both sides of the border, Cambodia said it would seek resolution by the International Court of Justice. Thailand does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction, but has gathered legal teams to study Cambodia's application and also talked with members of the United Nation Security Council to push its position, Nikorndej said, without naming those members. "We're doing everything we can to try to convince Cambodia to come to bilateral talks," Nikorndej said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
