Bangkok - More than 50 international scholars and dignitaries presented a petition Wednesday calling for the reform of laws designed to protect the Thai monarchy which they claim are being abused for political reasons.
The letter said the "frequent abuse of the lese majeste law against political opponents undermines democratic processes" and generates "heightened criticism of the monarchy and Thailand itself, both inside and outside the country."
Manila - Thailand's armed forces chief on Tuesday invited the Philippine military to join annual multinational war exercises in Thailand with four other countries, including the United States.
General Songgitti Jaggabatara, chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, made the invitation during a meeting with his Philippine courterpat, General Alexader Yano.
Jaggabatara, who was in Manila for an introductory visit, said he was looking forward to the active participation of the Philippine armed forces in the annual Cobra Gold training.
The Philippines is currently a mere observer in the exercises, which are participated in by troops from Thailand, the US, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan.
Bangkok- Thailand has declared a drought in 25 of its 76 provinces, affecting 2.7 million people, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office announced Monday.
Hong Kong - Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was Sunday reportedly considering whether to deliver a controversial Hong Kong speech via video link.
Thaksin on Saturday cancelled an appearance scheduled for Monday at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong amid threats by Thailand to seek his extradition.
Cha-am, Thailand - The 14th Summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was kicked off Saturday with a call by host Thailand to make the grouping more people-centred, a goal enshrined by the newly-adopted ASEAN Charter.
"We need to make ASEAN more people-centred," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his opening address to the South-East Asian leaders summit held this weekend in Cha-am, 130 kilometres south-west of Bangkok.
Cha-am, Thailand - The ten members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday signed a free trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand, demonstrating the region's commitment to open markets at a time of growing protectionism in the West.
The free trade agreement (FTA), which will lower tariffs over a 12-year period, is deemed one of the most comprehensive yet signed by the ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand, covering trade in goods and services.
Bangkok - More than 50 international scholars and dignitaries presented a petition Wednesday calling for the reform of laws designed to protect the Thai monarchy which they claim are being abused for political reasons.
Hong Kong - Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was Sunday reportedly considering whether to deliver a controversial Hong Kong speech via video link.
Cha-am, Thailand - The 14th Summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was kicked off Saturday with a call by host Thailand to make the grouping more people-centred, a goal enshrined by the newly-adopted ASEAN Charter.
Cha-am, Thailand - The ten members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday signed a free trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand, demonstrating the region's commitment to open markets at a time of growing protectionism in the West. 
