https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenYou forgot to mention what happened on June 4th 1989 too.😋Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:39:55 +0000Thailand prides itself as never having been colonized, but that is almost not true. During and after WWII Thailand almost became like the current North Korea/South Korea,split in two. The Japanese Imperial Army set up their regional headquarters in Bangkok during the Second World War, from which they directed Burma and Singapore, whom they had conquered. During that period, the Thai elite had sent their sons to US Ivy League universities to study, and there these Thais met folks who would become members of the Office of Strategic Services, or the OSS. When the war began and Japan entered Bangkok, these Thai students collected to form what became known as the Free Thai movement. They were trained in military tactics at places like Catalina Island off the coast of California and in the Smokey Mountains of the eastern US. After training, many were inserted back into Thailand, where they bravely subverted the Japanese as well as subverting Japanese efforts in Burma. The OSS also inserted Americans into Thailand to work with the Free Thai movement. When the war ended, there was a plan to split Thailand into an area controlled by China, as well as an area from Ayuthayya south to be controlled as a colony of the UK, who wanted to merge it with its colony in Burma. This was quashed by OSS Chief “Wild” Bill Donovan, who convinced President Truman into forcing both China and the UK to give up their colonial ambitions. Hence, Thailand remained free. The members of the Free Thai movement, most of whom have now passed, are true Thai heroes. (Many members of the Free Thai movement also worked with the US during the Vietnam War to keep Thailand free from a Communist takeover.) Key foreign players in this WWII episode include the future silk magnate Jim Thompson, as well as Donovan, who later was named US Ambassador to Thailand. The OSS eventually became the CIA. Thailand owes its post-WWII sovereignty to Bill Donovan and President Truman, as well as the Thai members of the Free Thai movement who worked with Donovan, Thompson and other members of the OSS.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:39:25 +0000I know because a Thai friend who owns a successful bar in a tourist area has a good friend in the police. He knows when they are coming , leaving and where they will be going at what times . They have done this for years , you think they are out wandering around in the scorching heat all day then going out at night 🙄Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:38:12 +0000Only if there's another pandemic and a corresponding shortage of toilet paper.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:38:07 +0000Putin won't do that. But smart to ask.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:37:37 +0000What better way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of a revolution against a madman of Germanic origin, who held too much power, than doing the whole thing all over again?Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:37:15 +0000He should have been an American. Under the Treaty of Amity, an American is allowed to own 100% of a business in Thailand. No need for a Thai partner nor any "nominee". There is a procedure for registering the company under the Treaty, but once done, it's 100% free and clear.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:37:14 +0000A post with unattributed content and a reply has been removed as there was no link provided to the source of information.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:36:14 +0000Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:35:32 +0000For those who were alive in 1989 we all know what happened on this day. But it seems like most of the media organizations with the exception of organizations in Taiwan have not mentioned what happened on that day. I know the leaders in Beijing would like the world to not mention it and just forget what happened. Did not see anything mentioned on news stations in S Korea, Japan or even in Singapore. Anyway another year passes.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:35:10 +0000Nothing against anyone , I wondered how you can go around basically acting like your the police.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:34:43 +0000Zelensky proposes face-to-face talks in open letter to Putin Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a face-to-face meeting between himself and Vladimir Putin in a renewed bid to end the war. In an open letter to the Russian president, the Ukrainian leader said it would be "wrong to simply wait" until the war in Europe becomes the focus of the US's attention once more, adding peace could only come "through direct engagement between" Ukraine and Russia. He also called for a full ceasefire for the duration of proposed negotiations - something Putin ruled out earlier on Thursday. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he thought "it would be great" if the two leaders met. The Kremlin confirmed it had received the letter and Putin would be briefed on it. Full Story: Zelensky proposes face-to-face talks in open letter to PutinUkraine's president tells the Russian leader that only "direct engagement" between the two countries could end the war, with the US focused on Iran.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:34:27 +0000I was requested to do an online report and although I found it strange it seemed easiest just to do it. I realize I will have to go in person on the real date.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:33:16 +0000Who cares. Republicans are finally opposing him. It will get worse for Trump from here.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:32:54 +0000before you go running your mouth and making ridiculous assertions, maybe think for a minute, maybe look at some figures. "Always have it backwards"? Have what backwards? Trump has the lowest polling in history, 34%. Of course it would be better to afford groceries.... that's one of the things Donnie promised in the election, along with no wars, etc. He could fool enough of the morons along with Demos not dumping Biden due to cognitive issues (yet still less than Trump currently....). The tax dollars on arch are chickenfeed compared to the monumental grifts that are taking placeFri, 05 Jun 2026 04:30:41 +0000Al Jazeera, are you kidding; funded primarily by the despotic regime of Qatar. A propaganda mouthpiece for Hamas, whose leaders Qatar had been accommodating in luxurious hotels for years; not left-wing by any chance are you ?Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:29:39 +0000Trump Team Enters Henry Nowak Row Over ‘Two-Tier Policing’ Hampshire Police Washington Breaks Silence On Controversial UK Murder CaseThe Trump administration has weighed into the growing controversy surrounding the murder of British teenager Henry Nowak, with the US State Department condemning what it described as "two-tiered policing" and extending condolences to the grieving family. The intervention marks the first official comment from Washington on a case that has sparked outrage across Britain and fuelled fierce debate about policing, race and public trust. State Department Issues Rare CriticismIn a statement posted on social media, the US State Department linked the case to broader concerns about law enforcement and political culture across Western nations. "Ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing are glaring symptoms of civilisational decline. They must be rejected across the West," the statement said. The department also offered condolences to Henry's family and to the British public following what it described as a troubling case. The remarks closely mirror criticisms made by many British politicians and commentators who argue the tragedy exposed serious failings in police judgement. Bodycam Footage Sparked National OutrageThe controversy intensified after police bodycam footage was released showing Henry, 18, pleading for help after being stabbed in Southampton last December. The teenager repeatedly told officers he had been stabbed and struggled to breathe while lying on the ground. At one point, an officer can be heard responding: "I don't think you have, mate." Henry was handcuffed after his attacker, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, falsely claimed he had been the victim of a racist assault. The court later heard that Henry was the victim and that Digwa's accusations were entirely untrue. Judge Rejected Racism ClaimsDuring sentencing, the trial judge said he was satisfied Henry had not made any racist remarks. Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. The judge described the killer's allegations as false and condemned the damage they had caused to both the victim's family and wider community relations. Elon Musk Keeps Pressure On UK AuthoritiesThe case has also drawn repeated attention from Elon Musk, who has used his social media platform to highlight the footage and criticise the handling of the incident. Musk accused Britain's traditional media of largely ignoring the case and urged followers to share the bodycam footage widely. His comments have helped keep international attention focused on the tragedy and the questions surrounding the police response. Starmer Meets Family As Political Fallout GrowsPrime Minister Keir Starmer has met members of the Nowak family amid mounting public concern. At the same time, Starmer has criticised attempts to use the case to inflame tensions, accusing some campaigners of exploiting the tragedy for political purposes. The case has nevertheless become a major political flashpoint, with critics arguing it highlights concerns about unequal treatment by authorities. Sister’s Tributes Touch MillionsAs political arguments continue, Henry's family have focused attention on the teenager himself. His sister, Olivia Nowak, has shared a series of emotional tributes that have attracted millions of views online. The videos show Henry enjoying family gatherings, holidays and everyday moments with relatives and friends before his life was cut short. In one tribute, Olivia wrote: "Forever my best friend. Fly high my angel brother." Speaking after the trial, she described her brother as a huge part of her life and said she lost a part of herself when he died. Questions Still RemainWhile Digwa has been convicted and sentenced, scrutiny of the police response remains ongoing. Investigators continue to examine officers' actions on the night Henry was killed, while public debate over the case shows little sign of fading. With Washington now entering the debate and political pressure growing on both sides of the Atlantic, the controversy surrounding Henry Nowak's final moments is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. SOURCEFri, 05 Jun 2026 04:28:50 +0000so are you saying Trump does not have a veto !!!!Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:28:35 +0000You must be MAGA to believe that. The revolt has started.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:27:14 +0000You don't have to be a lefty to know that the plans for a grand celebration have fallen apart. No one of any stature wants to participate.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:27:06 +0000Yes. Even the Aristocrats with their act turned him down , much to his annoyance.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:26:49 +0000Hope he got a decent rewardFri, 05 Jun 2026 04:26:23 +0000In 2000, California's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $1.3 trillion In 2026, California's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $4.2 trillion In 2000, the Texas Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $742 billion In 2026, the Texas Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated at roughly $2.9 trillion Texas' economy grew 290% while California's grew at 223% Poverty rate in Texas is 13.4%, while California's poverty rate is 17.7% Median home price in Texas is ~5.2 times median income Median home price in California is ~12.5 times median income State income tax in California: 13.3% State income tax in Texas: 0% Sales tax in California: 7.25-11.25% Sales tax in Texas: 6.25-8.24% Median regular gas price in California: $5.97 (6/6/26) Median regular gas price in Texas: $3.72 (6/6/26)Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:26:03 +0000How is this a blow against trump ! this has to go before the senate and then trump will veto this so what is the point nothing has been achieved all that has happened some republicans have changed there minds WOW !!!!! Big Win !Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:25:30 +0000Opened mine in 2002 with no problems ever.........once an ATM machine took my card, that's all. Not the bank's fault.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:25:20 +0000