CNA Exclusive Interview with Tshering Tobgay: Bhutan Prime Minister on the country's economy, culture, environment
In an exclusive interview with CNA, Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay talks about his country's economy, environment and culture, as well as how it's navigating its place in the region. He also touches on the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a special administrative region in southern Bhutan that focuses on mindfulness, sustainability, and harmony.
Impact of climate change, growing power needs on carbon-negative Bhutan
Bhutan is known as the world's first carbon-negative country. The nation of nearly 800,000 people is emitting less carbon dioxide than it is offsetting from the environment today. But can Bhutan continue its focus on conservation and renewable energy in the face of growing power demands, and the onslaught of climate change? CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut finds out.
CNA Correspondent: Bhutan - The Happiest Place on Earth?
Bhutan, a kingdom hidden away in the Himalayas, told the world once Gross National Happiness counts as much as GDP. Now, it has a new vision to take the country into the future. It will redefine capitalism and yet remain loyal to its famous focus on its people’s well-being. CNA Correspondent travels to Bhutan to find out if it has indeed found that winning formula to strike that delicate balance everyone is seeking between material wealth and happiness?
Decoding Bhutan's "Mindfulness Philosophy" and Economic Future
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is perhaps best known for giving the world its Gross National Happiness Index. That's a measure of how happy people are. For the Bhutanese, the GNH index is a national indicator that is not any less important than the GDP -- which is how the rest of the world measures progress. But that's not to say that economic growth does not matter for Bhutan. The Kingdom is facing a serious youth unemployment problem. Many young people are forced to leave the country for better jobs elsewhere. And Bhutan is trying to solve just that -- by rethinking how to improve the situation for its people. It has looked not just to boost jobs, or the economy and has instead turned to mindfulness. Saksith Saiyasombut explored Bhutan’s mindfulness philosophy in the latest episode of CNA Correspondent.
Exploring Bhutan's high-value-low-volume tourism policy
Bhutan is often described as the “last Shangri-La” because of its nature and spiritual allure. In an effort to conserve its culture and natural beauty, authorities have strictly controlled the number of travellers who can enter the Himalayan kingdom. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut explores whether Bhutan’s low-number-high-value tourism policy is a winning formula.
Panel Discussion with Damcho Rinzin, Chief Tourism Officer, Department of Tourism, Bhutan
Exploring Bhutan's place in the world amid China-India rivalry
The Kingdom of Bhutan -- often dubbed "the happiest place on earth" -- is nestled at the foot of the Himalayas, wedged between India and China. Amid the growing geopolitical rivalry between the two nuclear superpowers, CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut looks at how the South Asian nation is trying to safely carve its own path.
Discussion Panel with Prof. Ian Hall, Griffith University
Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 hit by turbulence, 1 British passenger dead
A Singapore Airlines flight from London made an emergency landing in Bangkok on Tuesday (May 21) due to severe turbulence, with one passenger on board dead and multiple injuries. Flight SQ321 reportedly dropped 6,000 feet in a matter of minutes.
Hunger-striking Thai activist dies in detention after cardiac arrest
A Thai political activist has died from cardiac arrest after more than 15 weeks of a hunger strike. Twenty-eight-year-old Netiporn Sanesangkhom had been prosecuted under the lese majeste law. This is the first death of an activist since massive youth-led protests demanding political reforms broke out in 2020. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
Earlier live report
Thai govt finalizes Digital Wallet handout scheme, set to launch in Q4
Thailand is going ahead with its plan for a flagship cash handout scheme. The government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has presented its finalized plans for the so-called “Digital Wallet” today (Wednesday), in a bid to revive a lackluster economy.
Top Thai court accepts case seeking to disband opposition Move Forward Party
Thailand’s opposition Move Forward Party is under threat, following a decision by the Constitutional Court to accept a case seeking its dissolution. Earlier this year, judges had ruled that the reformist party’s campaign promise to amend the royal insult law was equivalent to treason. Move Forward had won the most seats in last year's election, but were blocked from forming a government coalition, with their stance on the lèse majesté law being one of the factors held against them.
Thailand parliament passes landmark Marriage Equality Bill
The Lower House of Thailand's parliament has passed a historic same-sex marriage Bill, paving the way for the kingdom to become the first Southeast Asian nation and the third territory in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.
Thailand’s Election Commission asks Constitutional Court to consider dissolving Move Forward Party
Thailand’s opposition Move Forward Party is under threat of dissolution following a decision by the country’s Election Commission to petition the Constitutional Court to decide on their fate. This comes as the judges ruled earlier this year that the reformist-progressive party’s campaign promise to amend the royal insult law is equivalent to treason. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut explains the background behind the decision and the potential impact on Thailand’s political landscape.
Thailand's top court acquits former PM Yingluck in last pending case
Thailand's Supreme Court has cleared self-exiled former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and five other officials of negligence. They were acquitted of a decade-old case involving a roadshow to promote Thailand. They had been accused of not carrying out a proper bidding process for the $6.7-million project. This was the last pending case against Yingluck and it has fuelled speculations about her potential return to the country after years of self-exile.
Former Thai PM Thaksin returns home after parole release
Thailand's convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole on Sunday morning. He left a hospital where he spent the entirety of his imprisonment and immedaitely drove to his home. Thaksin was originally sentenced to 8 years upon his return to Thauland after 15 years in self-exile, but it was later commuted to just one.
Why former Thai PM Thaksin is still a formidable force in Thai politics
For more than 20 decades - most of it in self-exile - former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has heavily influenced Thailand's politics for better or worse. As he's set to be released on parole, he's expected to still continue to play a role in the political landscape. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut explains why the 74-old-year old has so much staying power.
Jailed former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra granted parole
Jailed former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra could be released on bail as early as next week. Current Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters on Feb 13 that the 74-year-old has been granted parole, in accordance with prison regulations. The former leader has been held since his return from self-exile last August, but has spent nearly the entirety of his incarceration in a hospital.
CNA Correspondent: Thai Migrant Workers in Israel - Caught in a Foreign Crossfire
Few people saw the events of October 7, 2023, coming. Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel, unleashing a war that continues today. Caught unwittingly in the fighting are a group of Thais, outsiders with little to do with that protracted Middle East conflict that’s lasted for generations. CNA Correspondent meets the Thai workers who were taken captive that day and lived to tell the tale, and a man on a mission to secure their release.
Thai court rules Move Forward Party's bid to amend royal insult law "unlawful"
Thailand's Constitutional Court has ordered the Move Forward Party to cease its campaign to reform the royal insult law, describing it as an "unconstitutional" act. The verdict could set a precedent for any future review of one of the world's strictest lese majeste laws. Saksith Saiyasombut explains the significance of the ruling for the opposition party.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Thai hostage held by Hamas shares his gripping story
Thais made up the largest number of foreign nationals abducted by Hamas when the militants attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023. Nearly two dozen Thais have since been released and returned home. Thai correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut explains to Teresa Tang why he took time to interview the hostages on this episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast.
Thailand’s Constitutional Court set to rule on Move Forward Party
Thailand’s Constitutional Court is scheduled to rule on the opposition Move Forward Party, just a week after it cleared its ex-leader Pita Limjaroenrat. This time it is about whether the party’s campaign promise to amend the country’s strict royal insult law is unconstitutional. Saksith Saiyasombut breaks down the case and the controversial law at the centre of attention.