The entertainment complex bill, which allows entrepreneurs to set up a man-made destination with a casino plus at least four other businesses, is expected to stimulate the economy and tourism, as well as draw foreign investments to Thailand. However, several academics have expressed concerns over the policy so far, claiming that the legalisation of casinos could lead to gambling addictions, grey businesses and corruption. The survey was carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA Poll) among 1,310 respondents, aged 18 and above, from around the country on March 18-20. Here are the survey results: Regarding the public’s…
Author: Asia News Network
SINGAPORE – Toymaker Mattel has Barbie-fied a creature from Philippine folklore that has for centuries inspired terror and loathing among Filipinos for its habit of feeding on the hearts of unborn children: the manananggal. Corazon Marikit is the latest to come out of Mattel’s Monster High doll line. In this reimagining of the manananggal, she is a winsome teenager dressed in the traditional Filipino attire of a baro (blouse) and a long skirt that tapers into thin, red fringes that are supposed to emulate dripping blood. She holds a fan in her right hand and a bag with a spider…
MANILA – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed the appointment of British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman as former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal counsel. Based on a court filing before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I dated March 18 (Central European Standard Time), the ICC Registry informed the court that Duterte appointed Kaufman as his lead legal counsel. “The Registry hereby informs Pre-Trial Chamber I that on 14 March 2025, Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte requested in writing to be represented by Mr Nicholas Kaufman in the proceedings before the International Criminal Court,” the ICC said. READ: Duterte defense counsel airs confidence; another…
SINGAPORE – The Singapore Underwater Federation (SUF) submitted falsified results for the women’s 4x200m relay surface event during the selection for the 2023 SEA Games, said Sport Singapore (SportSG) and the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) in a joint statement on March 19. A committee of inquiry (COI) was convened by the two organisations on July 1, 2024, to investigate allegations that the SUF had submitted falsified results for the relay team. The COI concluded its investigations in February. A police report was lodged on March 18 and the Singapore Police Force confirmed that investigations are ongoing. The committee was…
The journey of Napa-ai “April” Suriyabhivadh, a year 12 student at Bangkok Patana School, started when she realised that insects could become an alternative source of protein and a sustainable solution for the future. Napa-ai mentioned how she believes a protein-rich diet is crucial for both students and athletes. As a student-athlete who balanced her academics, sports, and social impact engagements, Napa-ai earned outstanding accomplishments, including being ranked on the Top Achievers Board for the World Mathematics Championships Regional Senior Qualifier 2025 and the Royal Thai Youth Outstanding Award. She achieved success in several basketball competitions, with her team, Varsity…
BANGKOK – A suspected burglar believed he had devised the perfect plan to rob a gold shop in a shopping mall by hiding inside until closing time. Dressed in an outfit resembling a character from the Scream movie series, he attempted the heist late at night. However, his plan had one major flaw—once inside the gold shop, he was unable to escape. Thief Trapped Inside Gold Shop Overnight Police easily arrested the suspect, Aesara (surname withheld), 21, after finding him trapped inside the Yaowarat gold shop in a shopping mall on the Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway in Chiang Mai’s Mueang district…
BANGKOK – Hundreds of Thais and Cambodians participated in a running event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cambodia on Sunday. The so-called Two Kingdoms Run 2025 was launched with Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong presiding over the opening ceremony on Sunday morning. The event was also attended by Tul Traisorat, the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia, and Hun Saroeun, the Ambassador of Cambodia to Thailand, as well as Prinya Phothisat, Governor of Sa Kaeo, and the Governor of Banteay Meanchey. The event was held in Sa Kaeo, with participants running across the Thai-Cambodian Friendship…
DONG NAI – The People’s Court of the southern province Đồng Nai on Tuesday handed a death sentence to 37-year-old former doctor Danh Sơn for the brutal murder and dismembering of his lover. He also received four years imprisonment for robbery, and two years for possessing and transporting military weapons. The trial panel determined that the defendant committed a gruesome and despicable murder. In addition to killing the victim, the defendant also committed robbery, warranting permanent removal from society. Since the victim’s side did not demand or accept compensation, the defendant was not granted any mitigating circumstances for damages. According…
MANILA – The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s arrest warrant against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sparked a firestorm of reactions, with supporters calling it a political attack and critics hailing it as a long-overdue step toward justice. As misinformation spreads across social media, it is essential to separate fact from speculation. On March 11, 2025, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila upon his return from Hong Kong. The arrest was carried out based on a warrant issued by the ICC, which accused him of crimes against humanity related to extrajudicial…
SINGAPORE – A new mobile app that recently made inroads into Asia, including Singapore, hopes to get flight passengers to chat with one another during their idle time in the air. Wingle, a third-party in-flight messaging app, allows users to talk to one another without an internet connection. Users need only turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on their phones to start messaging fellow passengers aboard a flight. On the app, users can also book airport lounges, among other features. Wingle, a portmanteau of “wing” and “mingle”, is available in English and Spanish, with more languages to follow. Wingle’s co-founder Inigo…