Thailand’s cabinet has approved the second draft of a law that would legalize casino gambling, with the aim of building a world-class gaming industry and expanding the country’s tourism sector. The Entertainment Complex Bill, which was approved by cabinet yesterday, would permit casinos to be established within large-scale “integrated resorts”Continue Reading
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has survived a vote of no-confidence in the country’s parliament, seeking her removal from office on the grounds that she has failed to fulfill the duties of her office and acted as a proxy for her father, Thaksin Shinawatra. In a session today, 387 membersContinue Reading
On a single day in January this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned into the Indian Navy three indigenously built capital warships: a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine. Soon after, another Krivak III-type frigate, built in Russia for India, joined the Indian Navy’s western fleet. While that is aContinue Reading
In less than a week, China has initiated a series of naval drills in the South Pacific, Gulf of Tonkin, and off Taiwan’s southwest coast. These maneuvers demonstrated the capability of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to simultaneously operate across multiple theaters in the Asia-Pacific. What are the motivesContinue Reading
Thailand’s opposition People’s Party has filed a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on the grounds that she has failed to carry out her duties and is under the undue influence of her father Thaksin Shinawatra. Addressing the press yesterday, the head of the People’s Party, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut,Continue Reading
Over two days last week, Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Naval Task Group 107 launched live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea without any warning to the Australian or New Zealand governments. The exercises were directly under the flight path of one of the busiest routes across the Tasman, aContinue Reading
In recent days, the Chinese Navy conducted two live-fire military exercises in waters near Australia and New Zealand, sparking concern in both countries. The Albanese government lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing. China responded by saying it was “deeply surprised and strongly dissatisfied” by Australia’s response. The presence of theContinue Reading
A Singapore court yesterday found the country’s opposition leader guilty of lying under oath to Parliament, potentially impacting his party’s chances at the general election that is due to be held by November. Pritam Singh, a member of Parliament and leader of the Workers’ Party, was convicted on two countsContinue Reading
A succession of corruption scandals has left the Maldives government reeling as a resurgent opposition gears up for direct action. Top officials of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration have been implicated in fraudulently awarding coveted plots of land, diverting welfare funds to operate a pro-government TV channel, and boosting theContinue Reading
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong yesterday formed a committee to review electoral boundaries, an indication that a general election will be held sometime mid-year. The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) is convened by the prime minister ahead of every general election to review and make changes to Singapore’s electoral map,Continue Reading
