Thailand

Former Thai premier in Dubai, to address supporters next month

Former Thailand premier Thaksin ShinawatraBangkok - Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is in Dubai, from where he will address his supporters on December 10, a colleague of his said Monday.

The host of the Truth Today talk show, Jaturporn Promphan, who is also a member of parliament in what is considered Thaksin's proxy political party, said the former premier will phone into the show on that date to explain what political direction he will next take.

Thailand stages royal funeral procession for king's sister

Princess Galyani VadhanaBangkok - Providing a rare glimpse of Thailand's royal pageantry and rituals, the funeral procession for Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was held Saturday.

The princess' remains were escorted on an ornate palanquin carried by 60 soldiers from the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall at the Grand Palace, where the remains had been lying in state for the past 11 months, to Sanam Luang, or the Royal Grounds, where Thai kings and royal family members have been cremated for the past two centuries.

Thailand's former first couple divorces

thailandBangkok- Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has divorced his wife of 32 years, sealing the separation at the Thai consulate in Hong Kong, close aides confirmed Saturday.

Thaksin, who faces a two-year jail term if he returns to Thailand, announced his divorce from his wife, Pojaman, to political allies who attended a dinner with him in Hong Kong Friday evening, the Bangkok Post reported in the fornt page article.

Thailand's former first couple divorces, newspaper says

Thailand's former first couple divorces, newspaper says Bangkok  - Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has divorced his wife of 32 years, sealing the separation at the Thai consulate in Hong Kong, Thai news reports said Saturday.

Thaksin, who faces a two-year jail term if he returns to Thailand, announced his divorce from his wife, Pojaman, to political allies who attended a dinner with him in Hong Kong Friday evening, the Bangkok Post said.

The Thai-language Thai Rath newspaper also carried reports of the separation.

Royal funeral procession for king's sister begins

Royal funeral procession for king's sister beginsBangkok  - Providing a rare glimpse of Thailand's royal pageantry and rituals, the funeral procession for princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, began Saturday morning.

The princess' remains were kept in an urn on an ornate palanquin carried by 60 soldiers clad in red uniforms. The procession left the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall at the Grand Palace, where the remains had been lying in state for the past 11 months.

Thais flock to Royal Ground for princess' funeral

Bangkok - Thais from all walks of life and provinces near and far flocked to Bangkok's Sanam Luang - the Royal Grounds - Friday to attend the royal funeral of Princess Galyani Vadhana, elder sister of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

"I arrived at 4 am this morning and will stay here until the funeral is over tomorrow night," said Lek Paekhajae, 65, a farmer from Nakorn Sawan, 210 kilometres north of Bangkok. "We are here because we love the princess and the king."

Like many other mourners from the provinces, Lek and his wife plan to sleep outside at Sanam Luang, located in the heart of old Bangkok, to reserve a front row observation point at the princess' funeral procession on Saturday.

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