https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenNigel Farage has insisted he "has done no wrongdoing" after reports that he failed to declare benefits allegedly provided by a long-time ally before entering Parliament. Get today's headlines by email The Reform UK leader said he had "followed the rules" and accused the political establishment of mounting a campaign against him, adding that he was considering legal action against The Sunday Times, which published the claims. Farage rejects allegationsThe newspaper reported that George Cottrell funded security and social media staff who worked on Farage's online content in the year before he was elected as MP for Clacton. It also alleged that Farage used a property near Buckingham Palace rented by Cottrell. Calls for investigationThe allegations have prompted Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde to ask the parliamentary standards commissioner to investigate whether Farage complied with parliamentary disclosure rules. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Babarinde said Farage should be "straight with the British people" about who supports him financially. Under House of Commons rules, newly elected MPs must declare financial interests and registrable benefits received during the 12 months before their election. However, the guidance states that purely personal gifts or benefits do not have to be registered. Farage is already the subject of a separate parliamentary investigation over an unregistered £5 million gift from a billionaire Reform UK donor. He has argued that the gift did not require declaration because it was received before he entered Parliament and was not political in nature. His team has made a similar argument regarding the alleged non-cash support from Cottrell. Previous declarations and responseCottrell, 32, is a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and a long-standing Farage ally who volunteered for UKIP ahead of the Brexit referendum. In 2017, he pleaded guilty in the United States to a wire fraud offence and was jailed for eight months after admitting he attempted to defraud criminals on the dark web while posing as a money launderer. Farage has previously declared two benefits from Cottrell: a £9,253 trip to Belgium in April 2024 and a £15,276 donation covering a domestic flight in the United States later that year. No other support from Cottrell appears in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Lawyers acting for Cottrell said he "categorically disputes" the allegations and assertions made by The Sunday Times and is reviewing the matter with his legal representatives. Standards concerns and political impactLabour peer Baroness Harman, a former chair of the House of Commons Committee on Standards, defended the parliamentary disclosure system, saying it is designed to maintain public confidence in Parliament. She said Farage should focus on demonstrating compliance with the rules and cooperating with the investigation, rather than portraying it as an "establishment hit job". Harman added that if the commissioner concluded Farage had breached the rules, his conduct while under investigation could be considered when determining any penalty. Farage returned as Reform UK leader in June 2024 after previously stepping down in 2021, and was elected MP for Clacton the following month. Sophie Stowers, of polling company More in Common, said the allegations could resonate with undecided voters considering backing Reform UK because the party's appeal is based partly on presenting itself as an outsider challenging the political establishment. However, she added that many of the party's core supporters are more likely to view the reports as evidence that the establishment is targeting Farage. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 7 July 2026 View full articleMon, 06 Jul 2026 20:42:11 +0000Hamas has announced that it is prepared to hand over governing authority in Gaza after nearly two decades in power, inviting a US-backed interim administration to assume responsibility for running the Palestinian territory. Get today's headlines by email The move, announced on Monday, could mark a significant political shift, although it remains unclear whether it will strengthen the fragile ceasefire in Gaza or improve conditions in the territory, where a humanitarian crisis continues. Hamas Signals Political TransitionWhile Hamas said it was ready to transfer security responsibilities as part of a broader transition, it did not commit to disarming, a key demand made by Israel and the United States. The group has instead maintained that it will not surrender its weapons while Israel retains military control over large parts of Gaza and continues military operations inside the territory. Interim Authority Faces ObstaclesThe proposed successor, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), was established in January under a US-brokered ceasefire arrangement. However, Israel has prevented the committee from entering Gaza since its creation, raising doubts about when any transfer of power could take place. Mohammed al-Farra, who heads Hamas's administration in Gaza, announced his resignation from his government roles, saying preparations had been completed for the handover. He indicated that Hamas would immediately step aside from directing Gaza's political administration, while civil servants would continue performing their duties until the NCAG could assume control. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the organisation had decided to relinquish governance to remove what it described as Israeli justifications for continuing military operations in Gaza. Ali Shaath, the NCAG's chair, said the committee was ready to take on its responsibilities once the necessary conditions and resources were available. Disarmament Remains Sticking PointThe Board of Peace, established by US President Donald Trump as part of a ceasefire framework and responsible for overseeing the NCAG, responded cautiously, saying it had "taken note" of Hamas's announcement. The board said it would judge the proposal by actions rather than statements and reiterated that all weapons should ultimately come under the control of the interim administration, reflecting its principle of "one authority, one law and one weapon." In a report to the UN Security Council in May, Trump's envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, blamed Hamas for the stalled peace process. Hamas, however, argues that it cannot disarm while Israel controls more than 60% of Gaza, continues military strikes and supports Palestinian armed groups inside the territory. Analysts See Symbolic MoveAnalysts described Hamas's announcement as largely symbolic but potentially aimed at reviving a stalled political process that has delayed reconstruction and humanitarian assistance for Gaza's estimated 2.1 million residents. They also suggested the move was intended to challenge Israeli-backed plans to concentrate aid, reconstruction and governance within a limited area of Gaza under Israeli military control. The proposal has received support from the Trump administration under names including "humanitarian city", "alternative safe communities" and "New Rafah", although critics have strongly opposed the concept. Max Rodenbeck of the International Crisis Group said Hamas appeared willing to surrender political authority while stopping short of disarmament, arguing that the group was attempting to break the diplomatic deadlock and shift pressure onto international mediators. Muhammad Shehada of the European Council on Foreign Relations said Hamas was trying to prevent the NCAG from becoming associated only with the proposed New Rafah project, warning that such an arrangement could undermine its legitimacy. Diplomats expect limited progress on Gaza's political future in the coming months, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu focused on maintaining his governing coalition ahead of elections expected by late October. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 7 July 2026 View full articleMon, 06 Jul 2026 20:33:07 +0000Have you never hard of showshoes? No need for a shovel, in my opinion, if one lives in a place with no roads.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:26:24 +0000He's certainly permanently damaged FIFA for ever.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:23:10 +0000Somewhere warm, avoid colder northern states. Texas best country in the world 😂 Or Louisiana, I reckon you'd fit right in with those Louisiana boys, they're great fun working with on the offshore rigs.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:21:50 +0000Trump has destroyed the credibility of the World Cup. The teams should consider leaving the tournament or refusing to play in the USA. No matter how the US team now fares, they cannot claim a right result if they play Folarin BalogunMon, 06 Jul 2026 20:21:31 +0000I would actually choose the Berkshire County area in Western Massachusetts. Lenox. But you are looking at serious annual snowfall in any of the areas you are considering, often for several months of the year. You’ll almost certainly need a car, and a fair amount of your life will be spent digging it out of the snow just to do something as simple as going to the grocery store. You'll save on air conditioning costs though.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:21:28 +0000Please do not worry about whether or not I can afford it. I will be very content to live in my car.... Together with the vast majority of the American middle class. It will be good. It will be a different kind of poverty.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:19:59 +0000I saw an online montage of celebs exiting the event, seemed most of them were unaccompanied. Strange.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:12:42 +0000This was the safest train ride he had ever taken.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:12:20 +0000I see that Brits like you do not truly acknowledge the damage your country has done to the world. Your racism and white supremacy are on display in this forum. Be proud of your oppressive heritage. If you ever find yourself in my area, I'd be happy to teach you some basic mechanical skills. We can start with checking tire pressure and fluid levels. After that, we can discuss your issues with white supremacy.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:09:58 +0000Often enough, from stories told and online postings, young women traveling with their boyfriends on extended holiday tell of how "the whores of Thailand" have stolen their guys. My guess is this gal figured he was dipping his wick elsewhere and what we see now is the consequence of her reaction. It could have been the result of her finding a long, black hair on the sheets or a stray elastic hair tie on the floor.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:02:25 +0000Are you referring to my old bamboo?Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:01:52 +0000Lowering the prices? It will never happened. Inflation is hitting hard. It will go up very high. Never down.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:01:18 +0000Someday, he will share the wealth, and become a true socialist.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:00:44 +0000I enjoy the purity of it.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:58:26 +0000Vermont....! The nice thing about returning to Vermont might be what? Looking in my rear-view mirror and always seeing a police car? But, thankfully, when I finally get myself togther.... I will gladly leave this Sunny Southern Weather...... Soon, I will have the flu every Christmas..... New Hampshire Maine Vermont These are the three best states in the USA. So close to Canada, but not quite there. Vermont has maple syrup, too..... I feel...... I feel like I owe it to.....somebody...... Most people I meet these days seem not to be totally UP TO PAR..... Are you up to par yet? Have you ever been up to par? Has your GF ever really been up to par? Or, is there not something always wrong with your GF? Tell the truth.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:56:20 +0000As a future expat, it seems to me that Thailand should smooth the path for expats and long-term retirees. This would help prop up the tourism sector during low season. Seems like the govt really shot themselves in the foot with the 2024 income tax changes. Plus (and I'm speculating here), the majority of retirees probably come from the west, as those are the countries that provide sufficient pensions to retire overseas. Isn't that the desired demographic? I imagine that most expats have a bit of a multiplier effect on tourism beyond their direct spend.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:47:17 +0000The LTR is actually cheaper than getting annual extensions for 10 years with a re-entry permit. When I said spending the money on the visa, that was more focused on the privilege/elite visa. The LTR is more about their stated goal of getting "high quality" visitors to Thailand. The fast track was not really a factor when I applied for the LTR, but it's a nice touch. It would also be complicated to train every immigration officer on dealing with the LTR visa entries. Even the fast track people are confused sometimes.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:42:21 +0000on similar note any news on what is planned for the giant empty space in jomtien....i am thinking big mall along with Tops, movies, bowling, zillion shops and a few hotels/condos?Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:26:42 +0000Ukraine hits Russian oil tanker and fuel depot in occupied Crimea© RBC-Ukraine (UK) Ukraine has intensified its long-range campaign against Russia's fuel supply network, launching overnight strikes on a Russian oil tanker in the Sea of Azov and a key oil terminal in occupied Crimea. The attacks target logistics that help sustain Moscow's military operations as the war enters another critical phase. Fuel lifeline comes under fire Ukraine's Special Operations Forces said Deep Strike units hit a Russian Volgoneft-class oil tanker during the night of July 6. The vessel was reportedly operating in the Sea of Azov and forms part of Russia's fuel transport network. According to the Ukrainian military, vessels of this type are routinely used to move petroleum products between Russian oil refineries and deliver fuel supporting military logistics. Kerch oil terminal targeted again The operation also struck the oil terminal at the port of Kerch in the Russian-occupied Crimea region. Ukrainian forces described the facility as a critical fuel distribution hub supplying petroleum products across the occupied peninsula. The terminal receives, stores and transfers oil between rail links, storage tanks and tankers, making it a key logistical asset. Ukrainian officials said the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Campaign against Russia's energy network expands The strikes form part of Ukraine's wider effort to disrupt Russia's oil infrastructure far behind the front line. Kyiv has increasingly focused on refineries, fuel depots and transport hubs in an attempt to complicate Moscow's ability to sustain military operations. Recent Ukrainian operations have also reportedly targeted an oil terminal in St Petersburg and one of Russia's largest oil refineries, extending the reach of its long-range strike capability. Pressure grows beyond the battlefield Ukraine's Special Operations Forces said the latest attacks are designed to weaken Russia's military logistics rather than target civilian infrastructure. The campaign has increasingly shifted the conflict beyond the front lines, forcing Moscow to defend strategic economic and transport assets hundreds of miles from active combat. The Special Operations Forces also recently released footage showing strikes on a railway crossing over the North Crimean Canal, underlining Kyiv's determination to keep pressure on Russian supply routes in occupied Crimea. Ukraine hits Russian oil tanker and fuel depot in occupied CrimeaMon, 06 Jul 2026 19:25:29 +0000Ok, this comment is upside-down, back to front and incorrect. Firstly, it's the deadbeat fathers abandoning the mother of his newborn child, now the mothers parents who she lives with must find money for nappies and baby food for this additional occupant. Thailand does not provide welfare or Social Security support, to top it off, the Thai government do not garnish the wages of the deadbeat fathers. You'd find if the west provided zero support we'd see the same number of sex workers. Thai families don't willy nilly send their daughters to work in Pattaya, Thai's are proud people. Sadly a few families have no choice, it's a cruel wo rld.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:24:58 +0000Live chat is through AI Chat boot. You ask for live chat, they collect necessary info, pass you through.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:24:09 +0000whats next trump gonna lay a big bet on superbowl and then call roger goodell to overturn any calls he doesn't like? i know very little re soccer but i do know that it is not the potus duty to pressure a call to be changed like that....bad calls happen in almost every game played and the calls are made by humans....maybe we can just turn all ref duty over to A.I and keep humans out of it....any fan of most any sport has complained about what they see as a bad call but they know that bad calls have always been a part of sports and not yet another trump pardon. Maybe one of trump zillionaire buds had big money bet on next game and donated a few million crypto crap to have don to make the call.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:23:03 +0000Does the LTR bring Thailand that much more visa fees? It certainly can’t be the process because the PR process seems to be the most in-depth application process of all visa types. That would beg the question why PR still exists and is still being issued.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:22:32 +0000