CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple on Tuesday unveiled its next generation of iPad Pros and Airs — models that will boast faster processors, new sizes and a new display system as part of the company’s first update to its tablet lineup in more than a year.
The showcase at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, comes after the company disclosed its steepest quarterly decline in iPhone sales since the pandemic’s outset, deepening a slump that’s increasing the pressure on the trendsetting company to spruce up its products. Apple is expected to make a much bigger splash next month during an annual conference devoted to the latest version of its operating systems for iPhones, iPads and Mac computers — software that analysts expect to be packed with more artificial intelligence technology.
Both lines of new iPads add bells and whistles but have adjusted prices to match. The iPad Pro sports a new thinner design, a new M4 processor for added processing power, slightly upgraded storage and incorporates dual OLED panels for a brighter, crisper display. Prices have been hiked to match its new offerings, with the 11-inch model going for $999 and the 13-inch model fetching $1,299.
The new iPad Air has the faster M2 chip, boasts a new design, more base storage, a new 13-inch display option and a recentered camera. It will also support use of the new Apple Pencil Pro, which was a function previously exclusive to the Pro models. The 11-inch display will sell for $599 while the new 13-inch model will fetch $799.
However Apple did announce a price reduction for its 10th generation iPad, which will now retail for $349, down from $449.
Apple is trying to juice demand for iPads after its sales of the tablets plunged 17% from last year during the January-March period. After its 2010 debut helped redefine the tablet market, the iPad has become a minor contributor to Apple’s success. It currently accounts for just 6% of the company’s sales.
“The enhancements were both needed and predictable, in a maintenance sort of way, and may help stanch some of the revenue loss in that product line,” Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee said of the new iPads. “But it’s nothing to get terribly excited about.”
All the new models will be available in stores starting May 15, with preorders beginning Tuesday.
Vladimir Putin takes his oath as Russian president during an inauguration ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
At the ceremony inside the gilded Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin placed his hand on the Russian Constitution and vowed to defend it as a crowd of hand-picked dignitaries looked on.
“We are a united and great people and together we will overcome all obstacles, realize all our plans, together we will win,” Putin said after being sworn in.
Vladimir Putin arrives for his inauguration ceremony as Russian President in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Since succeeding President Boris Yeltsin in the waning hours of 1999, Putin has transformed Russia from a country emerging from economic collapse to a pariah state that threatens global security. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine that has become Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II, Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the West and is turning to other regimes like China, Iran and North Korea for support.
Already in office for nearly a quarter-century and the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin, Putin’s new term doesn’t expire until 2030, when he will be constitutionally eligible to run again.
In a heavily choreographed performance, Putin was pictured in his office looking at his papers before walking along the Kremlin’s long corridors, pausing at one point to look at a painting, on the way to his inauguration.
His guard of honor waited in the sleet and rain for hours, in temperatures hovering just above freezing, while Putin made the brief journey to the Grand Kremlin Palace in his Auras limousine.
Vladimir Putin walks to take his oath as Russian president during an inauguration ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Sergei Ilnitsky/Pool Photo via AP)
Putin used the the first moments of his fifth term to thank the “heroes” of his war in Ukraine and to rail against the West.
Russia “does not refuse dialogue with Western states,” he said. Rather, he said, “the choice is theirs: do they intend to continue trying to contain Russia, continue the policy of aggression, continuous pressure on our country for years, or look for a path to cooperation and peace.”
The Russian leader was greeted with applause when he entered the hall with more than 2,500 people who, his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, had been invited to the ceremony. They included senior members of the Russian government as well as celebrities including American actor Steven Seagal.
A French diplomat confirmed the French ambassador attended the inauguration. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy did not attend and Russian state news agency Tass reported she was out of the country.
The question now is what the 71-year-old Putin will do over the course of another six years in the Kremlin, both at home and abroad.
Honour guard soldiers attend Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony as Russian president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
Ukraine has brought the battle to Russian soil through drone and missile attacks, especially in border regions. In a speech in February, Putin vowed to fulfill Moscow’s goals in Ukraine, and do what is needed to “defend our sovereignty and security of our citizens.”
Shortly after his orchestrated reelection in March, Putin suggested that a confrontation between NATO and Russia is possible, and he declared he wanted to carve out a buffer zone in Ukraine to protect his country from cross-border attacks.
At home, Putin’s popularity is closely tied to improving living standards for ordinary Russians.
Putin on Tuesday once again promised Russians a prosperous future, but since the invasion of Ukraine, many have seen the cost of living rise.
Putin began his term in 2018 by promising to get Russia into the top five global economies, vowing it should be “modern and dynamic.” Instead, Russia’s economy has pivoted to a war footing, and authorities are spending record amounts on defense.
Analysts say now that Putin has secured another six years in power, the government could take the unpopular steps of raising taxes to fund the war and pressure more men to join the military.
At the start of a new term, the Russian government is routinely dissolved so that Putin can name a new prime minister and Cabinet.
One key area to watch is the Defense Ministry.
Last year, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu came under pressure over his conduct of the war, with mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin launching withering criticism against him for shortages of ammunition for his private contractors fighting in Ukraine. Prigozhin’s brief uprising in June against the Defense Ministry represented the biggest threat to Putin’s rule.
After Prigozhin was killed two months later in a mysterious plane crash, Shoigu appeared to have survived the infighting. But last month, his protege, Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, was detained on charges of bribery amid reports of rampant corruption.
American action-movie actor Steven Seagal arrives for Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony as Russian president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Alexander Nemenov/Pool Photo via AP)
Some analysts have suggested Shoigu could become a victim of the government reshuffle but that would be a bold move as the war is still raging in Ukraine.
In the years following the invasion, authorities have cracked down on any form of dissent with a ferocity not seen since Soviet times.
Putin indicated Tuesday that he would continue to silence critics.
He told his audience in the Grand Kremlin Palace to remember the “tragic cost of internal turmoil and upheaval,” and said that Russia “must be strong and absolutely resistant to any challenges and threats.”
Putin enters his fifth term with practically no opposition inside the country.
His greatest political foe, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic penal colony in February. Other prominent critics have either been imprisoned or have fled the country, and even some of his opponents abroad fear for their security.
Laws have been enacted that threaten long prison terms for anyone who discredits the military. The Kremlin also targets independent media, rights groups, LGBTQ+ activists and others who don’t hew to what Putin has emphasized as Russia’s “traditional family values.”
The police called both parties for mediation at the Mueang Buriram Police Station on May 6, 2024.
BURIRAM – Police officers acted as mediators in successfully ending the conflict between Mr. Cleverley, a 55-year-old British national residing in Ban Khok Yai, Isan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram Province, and Ms. Komkai or Khom, a 38-year-old owner of a chicken rice restaurant who filed a complaint about being threatened by the British.
Previously, on May 5, Ms. Khom filed a police report stating that Mr. Cleverley, carrying a gun, had intruded into her restaurant, Madam Chicken, in front of the Thong Market in Buriram Municipality on May 3. The British man claimed he was there to collect 90,000 baht from Ms. Khom for a visa extension, which he had demanded several times.
Madam Chicken restaurant has been closed down since the Thai owner feared that she and her customers would be harmed.
Ms. Khom insisted that Mr. Cleverley had fabricated this story, as she had already completed the visa paperwork for him when they were still on friendly terms. Initially, when they first met, she had helped him procure construction materials to build a large cannabis greenhouse. However, upon discovering that he was stubborn and liked to pick fights with others, she distanced herself from him.
Later, on April 12, Mr. Cleverley rode his motorcycle and crashed into a table at her restaurant and had an argument with her customers. Since then, she banned him from entering the restaurant, but he regularly came to threaten her. As a result, she had to close down the chicken rice shop for fear that she and her customers would be harmed.
Mr. Cleverley rode his motorcycle and crashed into a table at her restaurant and had an argument with her customers on April 12, 2024.
On May 3, he intruded into the restaurant and attempted to assault her inside, accompanied by a person claiming to be a plainclothes police officer from Nakhon Ratchasima acting as his bodyguard. She then filed a complaint with Pol. Lt. Col. Adichat Meesa, Deputy Superintendent (Investigation) of Mueang Buriram Police Station.
On May 6, the police called both parties for mediation. Mr. Cleverley agreed to apologize and pay 5,000 baht in compensation, while Ms. Khom agreed to withdraw the complaint and warned the British man not to come to the restaurant again, which he promised to comply with.
Although deep down she was still wary and worried whether customers would return to her restaurant that had been closed for a long time, she thanked the officers for their assistance in resolving the matter peacefully.
Miss Khom thanks the officers for their assistance in resolving the matter peacefully.
Signing Ceremony of Collaboration Agreement between TGGS KMUTNB and TUM Asia
Bangkok, Thailand – May 6, 2024 The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), under King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), and Technical University of Munich (TUM) Asia, The Singapore Campus of TUM. have signed an collaboration agreement at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Thailand. H.E. Dr. Ernst Wolfgang Reichel, German Ambassador to Thailand, witnessed the signing of the agreement by representatives from both institutions’ management.
TGGS was established in 2005 through collaboration between KMUTNB and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany under the partnership with RWTH Aachen University.
TUM Asia was established in 2002 as the first German academic venture abroard, supported by the Singapore Government through the Economic Development Board (EDB), the German Government through the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
RWTH Aachen and Tum belong to the leading institution in engineering and technology in Europe and beyond.
Both TGGS and TUM Asia serve as representatives of the German educational model in the Southeast Asian region. The collaboration aims to foster academic exchanges in various fields such as student exchange programs, faculty exchanges, research initiatives, academic and scientific activities etc.
Mr. Selva, a 37-year-old American citizen, was arrested at a condominium in the Bang Phlat District, Bangkok, on May 6, 2024.
BANGKOK – On May 7, 2024, officials from the Central Investigation Bureau’s (CIB) Combating Trafficking in Persons Division and Michel Chai, a representative of the FBI, held a joint press conference to announce the arrest of Mr. Selva, a 37-year-old American citizen of Asian descent.
Mr. Selva was wanted for multiple counts of kidnapping, fraud and forced sexual assault, and trafficking for sexual exploitation. He was arrested at a condominium in Soi Chuen Charoen Phanit in Bang Yi Khan sub-district, Bang Phlat district, Bangkok.
He is charged with intentional assault, kidnapping with intent, coercion, strangulation, assault with a weapon causing bodily injury, and human trafficking.
According to Pol. Col. Korkiet Wuthichumnong, Superintendent of Division 1, CIB, the arrest was initiated by representatives of the US Embassy in Thailand and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General.
They then sought assistance from Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirabhop Bhuride, Commissioner of the CIB, to track down and apprehend Mr. Selva, who was wanted on a warrant issued by the District Court of the United States for the District of Oregon. The request was made under the Extradition Treaty between the United States and Thailand.
Mr. Selva had multiple prior criminal convictions in the United States, primarily related to sexual assault and battery. The Oregon District Court had convicted him of “sex trafficking by force, fraud and/or coercion” with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum sentence of 15 years, and “transportation for unlawful sexual activity” with a maximum sentence of 10 years. These charges were divided into 11 separate counts:
Assault in the second degree
Strangulation
Intentional bodily harm
Kidnapping in the first degree (4 counts)
Coercion
Unlawful use of a weapon
Assault causing bodily harm
After being released on bail, he failed to appear for his sentencing and fled to Thailand, where he had been in hiding for more than three months since February. The authorities were then contacted to track him down and arrest him.
According to the information available, Mr. Selva had entered Thailand on a tourist visa. He was described as 180 centimeters tall, weighing 90 kilograms and muscular. He was violent and often used weapons to commit his crimes.
In analyzing his behavior, the police assumed that Mr. Selva was aware that he was being followed and that he frequently changed his residence to hotels or apartments, staying there for only 1-4 days at a time. He frequently visited entertainment venues in Bangkok and approached both Thai and foreign women, sometimes taking them to his temporary residence. This raised fears that he might repeat his violent sexual offenses in Thailand.
When the authorities found out that he lived in a condominium in the Bang Phlat area, they planned his arrest and carried it out on 6 May 2024. The entire operation took only 10 days. Mr. Selva will now go through the extradition process to be brought back to the United States for further legal action.
Investigating officers from Din Daeng Police Station took into custody 5 suspects, including a former police officer who was the gang leader, in a case of jointly kidnapping a Chinese national and extorting 2.5 million baht. They were taken to the Criminal Court for the first remand period of 12 days from May 5-16, 2024. The officers objected to bail as it is a serious case.
BANGKOK – Recently, three men stormed into a hotel in Soi Prachasongkroh 2, also known as Soi Suttipong, Din Daeng District, Bangkok. They abducted five Chinese nationals from their rooms and pretended to be police officers. The suspects then extorted 65,000 USDT, equivalent to about 2.5 million Thai Baht, from the victims.
On 6 May 2024, Din Daeng police arrested two suspects involved in the gang: Mr. Zhu Lin Su, also known as “Hia Kao,” for charges of extortion, impersonating a public official, unlawful detention, and coercion. The other suspect, Mr. Yang Qiujian, was arrested for receiving stolen property.
Mr. Zhu Lin Su, also known as “Hia Kao,” was questioned by Dindaeng police officers on May 6, 2024.
The investigation revealed that the gang, led by Mr. Zhu Lin Su, targeted Chinese nationals visiting Thailand. Once a target was identified, the gang would collaborate with a group of fake police officers to carry out their plan.
When the victims contacted a Lao gang to arrange a ransom exchange using credit card swiping, Ms. Jaruneth prepared a card reader and met with the victims. She then coordinated with the police, led by Pol. Sgt. Maj. Weerayuth and Pol. Lt. Attawut, to stage the operation. The gang included two Chinese nationals, Mr. Jianbiao Wu and Mr. Zhu Lin Su (who had already obtained Thai citizenship under the name Mr. Chayakorn Su).
They detained the victims in a white Toyota Camry (the getaway car) and threatened them that swiping their credit cards once would result in a 7-year prison sentence. The suspects then took the victims to a shooting range to meet Pol. Lt. Attawut, who posed as the “boss” and a “police officer.” They then provided the victims with a QR code to transfer USDT cryptocurrency into the gang’s digital wallets.
Investigators have obtained arrest warrants for all 10 suspects and have arrested 7 of them.
Mr. Zhu Ling Su confessed to his involvement in the extortion scheme. He stated that Mr. Yang received USDT digital transfers from the suspects into his own digital wallet, converted them into Thai baht, and then transferred the funds to the gang members. The breakdown of the distribution is as follows: 700,000 baht to Pol. Sgt. Maj. Weerayuth, 700,000 baht to Mr. Naphasin, and 748,300 baht to Mr. Jianbiao Wu.
The investigation revealed that a total of 10 individuals were involved in the crime. Investigators have obtained arrest warrants for all 10 suspects and have arrested 7 of them. The remaining 3 suspects are still at large, and authorities are actively pursuing them.
Investigating officers from Din Daeng Police Station brought Mr. Yang Qiujian, a 45-year-old Chinese national, to the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road to request the first detention order on May 7. At the end of the request, they objected to granting bail, as they were concerned that the suspect might flee or tamper with evidence.
Yo, the son of Thai woman Sudarat, showed the video of his younger sister crying when their mother threatened her.
SAMUT PRAKAN – Adrian, a 52-year-old British man, is deeply concerned about the well-being of his 7-year-old daughter, who has received violent threats from his Thai wife, Sudarat. He sent a video clip from Britain to his wife’s former mother-in-law, urgently seeking help for the child.
During a video call with his Thai wife, Adrian recorded the footage and sent the clip to Mrs. Aree, the mother of Sudarat’s ex-husband, who lives in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, desperately seeking help. He also cried a lot.
Mrs. Aree then sought assistance from Mrs. Somsri Ngamprasert, a 61-year-old village committee member in Bang Pu Subdistrict, Samut Prakan Province, who knows Sudarat and lives in the same village, hoping for a quick resolution.
Mrs. Somsri Ngamprasert, a 61-year-old village committee member in Bang Pu Subdistrict, Samut Prakan Province, gives information to the reporter.
However, when Mrs. Somsri visited Sudarat’s house, she discovered that Sudarat had already taken her daughter away, possibly to Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Sudarat left Yo, her 14-year-old son from her previous marriage, at the house.
Mrs. Somsri promptly filed a report at the Bang Pu Police Station on May 4, 2024 and contacted the media on May 5 to publicise the story, urging relevant authorities to help the child.
Mrs. Somsri revealed that Sudarat had previously been married to a Thai man, with whom she had a son, before divorcing. Sudarat then married Adrian, and they had a daughter together. When Adrian returned to work in England, he sent monthly child support. However, he only visited occasionally.
When Mrs. Somsri visited Sudarat’s house, she discovered that Sudarat had already taken her daughter away
Later, Sudarat began experiencing financial problems. Whenever she needed money, she would video call her husband and display violent behaviour towards their daughter, such as tying a cloth around her neck or pointing a gun at her head, threatening to kill the child if she did not receive the money. Adrian would promptly transfer the money each time.
As these incidents became more frequent, Adrian could no longer tolerate them. He sought help from Mrs. Aree and sent a recorded video call with Sudarat as evidence. Adrian stated that he would travel to Thailand next month to take his daughter back to raise her himself, but he also asked the media to publicize the story to seek assistance from relevant authorities.
A 7-year-old girl is crying on the video call between her mother and her father.
Yo said that his mother had been emotionally unstable and violent since he was young. When his mother wanted money, she would threaten his sister and make her cry. His mother also often beat him.
Recently, during a video call with Adrian, she threatened to shoot Yo for not receiving the 17,000 baht she claimed was for his school uniform. Adrian eventually had to transfer the money, but it is unclear what Sudarat used it for.
The teenager expressed concern for his sister’s safety and hoped that she would be safer. If Adrian returns, he wants him to take his sister back and raise her. Yo also wants to live elsewhere and hopes that the relevant authorities will intervene.
“If my mother is ill, I want her to receive treatment. I’m not angry with her because she is still my mother,” Yo said.
Mr. Lamine, a 24-year-old British sports photographer, expresses gratitude to the taxi driver who brought his camara bag on May 5, 2024.
BANGKOK – The team from “Sai Mai Must Survive,” a volunteer group coordinating assistance for people in need, found Mr. Lamine, a 24-year-old British sports photographer who had forgotten his bag in a taxi. They helped him retrieve his belongings.
The photographer reported that he took a taxi from a hotel in the Bang Khen neighbourhood to Don Mueang Airport on Sunday evening to cover a Muay Thai competition in Phuket. However, he had entered the incorrect pin location, and the taxi driver took him to the “Naem Don Mueang” restaurant instead of “Sanambin Don Mueang,” which means Don Mueang Airport.
As he got out of the taxi, looking confused while searching for the airport, the taxi drove away with his bag still inside, containing two sets of DSLR cameras and lenses, a notebook, other valuable items, and his passport.
The Sai Mai Must Survive team coordinated with police officers at Sai Mai and Don Mueang police stations to urgently track down the taxi. They finally contacted the taxi driver, and upon hearing the news, Mr. Lamine burst into tears of joy and relief.
At 10:30 p.m., Mr. Surasak Putchoe, the 42-year-old taxi driver, returned the belongings to the British photographer. He explained that when he picked up Mr. Lamine, the photographer had put his suitcase in the trunk, but the driver didn’t notice the other bag placed behind the rear seat.
When they arrived at the destination, the driver opened the trunk and handed over the suitcase to the passenger without noticing the other bag. It wasn’t until he stopped to walk around an event under the Rama 7 Bridge that the Sai Mai Must Survive team contacted him, and he promptly returned the bag.
Mr. Lamine, a 24-year-old British sports photographer, checks his items in the bag that the taxi driver brought him back on May 5, 2024.
Mr. Lamine expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped him.
“At that time, I was worried and thinking about various things. If this bag was lost, how would I continue living? Because this bag is my life, it’s my profession. And after learning that everyone had helped search for my belongings until they were found, I felt grateful to everyone. Because I alone wouldn’t have known how to find them. Thank you to the Sai Mai Must Survive team, thank you to the Don Mueang police, and thank you to the taxi driver for returning my property.”
Afterwards, the Sai Mai Must Survive team took him to Don Mueang Airport to catch a flight to Phuket at 7:00 a.m. on May 6.
Prime Minister Srettha Thawisin and Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, took a photo in front of the event "10 months that we don't wait, working to the fullest for 10" to showcase the vision and progress of various policies of the Pheu Thai Party on May 3, 2024. (Khaosod Photo/ Yingyos Akmanachai)
ROI ET – Prime Minister Srettha Thawisin confirmed on Monday that he has no plan to remove Mr. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, the Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), from his position, despite conflicts between the government and the BOT regarding the implementation of monetary policy.
During his visit to Roi Et province on May 6, Prime Minister stated that he had never pressured or talked about asking the BOT Governor to resign or be removed from his position. He emphasized that discussions with the BOT Governor would mainly focus on the work at hand.
The conflict arose from the BOT maintaining the interest rate at 2.5% since September 2023, despite the Prime Minister’s calls for a reduction in line with falling inflation rates.
It further escalated when Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, delivered a speech criticising the BOT on Friday, May 3. She argued that the law’s attempt to make the BOT independent from the government is a significant obstacle in solving the country’s economic problems.
During his visit to Roi Et province on May 6, the Prime Minister told reporters that he had never pressured or talked about asking the BOT Governor to resign or be removed from his position.
“The fact that fiscal policy has been heavily used unilaterally all along has caused our country’s debt to increase every year due to deficit budgeting. If the monetary policy administered by the Bank of Thailand does not understand and cooperate, there is no way our country can reduce the debt ceiling,” said Paetongtarn.
After this speech was released, members of the Democrat Party and the Move Forward Party, who are in the opposition, as well as anti-government groups, attacked Ms. Paetongtarn, saying that she was threatening the independence of the Bank of Thailand. It has led to a trend on social media with the hashtag #saveBOTgovernor
“The Governor has nothing that needs to be saved. He came correctly and has duties to perform,” the PM said. He denied having any intention to amend the law to reduce the BOT’s independence.
Meanwhile, members of the Pheu Thai Party, including Mr. Bhumtham Wecchayachai, the Minister of Commerce, retorted that the Bank of Thailand is not an organization above the law that cannot be touched, and that Ms. Paetongtarn’s criticism was sincere.
Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, delivered a speech criticising the BOT on Friday, May 3, 2024. (Khaosod Photo/ Yingyos Akmanachai)
PM Srettha stated that although monetary and fiscal policies may seem to be going in different directions, the government will try to manage these differences to solve problems for the people.
“I don’t deny that when interest rates are high, they should be reduced, but the BOT Governor says they are not high and should not be reduced. That’s clear, isn’t it? So, I went to find other ways to alleviate the suffering of the people by inviting representatives from the Thai Bankers’ Association and four commercial banks to discuss. This has resulted in a 0.25% interest rate reduction, for which I have thanked all the banks,” said Srettha.
He also confirmed that he would proceed with the digital currency project to stimulate the economy, despite the BOT sending two letters opposing the use of the project’s budget.
Lightning illuminates the sky behind the gunner on a Thai military armored vehicle, as he keeps watch along the Moei river, under the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot in Thailand's Tak province on Friday, April 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
The appointment of a new foreign minister would not affect international affairs functions but tough challenges lie ahead, expert says
Prof Dr. Surachart Bamrungsuk, a lecturer with the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, believes turbulence may lie ahead following the recent government reshuffle. The Thai government and new foreign minister will be faced with border security-related issues, he wrote in an article entitled “The rising urgency of Thai national security 2024” published in the Matichon Weekly.
The appointment of Maris Sangiampongsa as new foreign minister will not affect the functions of foreign affairs as he was formerly a member of the ministry team.
Maris replaces Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, who resigned on Sunday, April 28, 2024 after losing the position of deputy prime minister, which he held concurrently, in the cabinet reshuffle.
Maris was a career diplomat at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and a member of Parnpree’s advisory team.
In the article, Prof Dr. Surachart named the three biggest challenges Thailand and the new foreign minister have to deal with related to border security.
1.Myanmar’s civil war
The civil war in Myanmar could well tear the country apart. The war has grown significantly and at an unprecedented rate in an already fragile setting since the military staged a coup on February 1, 2021. The hostilities can be regarded as a full civil war as they pits civilians who disagreed with the military seizing power and ousting the elected government against the junta. The war is not just about ethnic minority armed groups and local defense forces fighting against the Myanmar military.
In short, the war is not simply one against many but many against many.
The civil war escalated significantly in early 1994 after an offensive named Operation 1027, which was launched on 27 October 2023 by an alliance of three powerful ethnic rebel armies, seized control of towns and overran dozens of military bases. The junta lost control of townships where its battalions had been based for decades to resistance groups.
The situation went from bad to worse in recent days. The latest escalation in the conflict has now reached Yangon, which is one of Myanmar’s economic centers, signaling that heavy fighting will follow. Gains by the Myanmar resistance groups have been seen as a symbol of hope for a turning point to overthrow the military junta this summer.
However, this could well lead to an influx of refugees to Thailand.
Meanwhile, the implementation of the Myanmar’s People Military Service Law coupled with heavy fighting in Myanmar’s Myawaddy township in eastern Kayin state across the border from Thailand’s Mae Sot in Tak province and crackdowns on illegal “grey” business involving Chinese nationals in Thailand complicate the problems of the crisis in Myanmar, Surachart noted.
The expert has urged the Thai government and the Thai national security agencies to be well aware of this issue. Some Chinese nationals suspected of operating illegal activities are using the Thailand-Myanmar border areas as their operations base.
The geography means that Thailand serves as an escape route for refugees who flee to the Thai side in the wake of escalating conflict near the border. Massive refugee waves from Myanmar have been a cause for concern for the Thai government. If this continues, Thailand will be heralded as the ‘Poland of Southeast Asia’ and will face similar challenges to the Eastern European nation, which has played a major role in receiving refugees from the war in Ukraine.
Thailand is not new to providing aid along the Thai-Myanmar border and is prepared for refugee situations and the protection of its border and people. At this time, however, the country should have a clear ‘preparedness and response policy’ in place at both the national and local levels, with great emphasis being placed on establishing the integrity of operations that involve several parties and ensuring that humanitarian assistance operations are carried out in compliance with international guidelines for humanitarian aid to prevent the exploitation of this situation.
People cross the Moei river as they flee Myawaddy township in Myanmar to Thailand’s Mae Sot town in Thailand’s Tak province, Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Warangkana Wanichachewa)
Prof Dr. Surachart believes that Thailand should consider taking the role of ‘peace broker’ who helps mediate a peace deal between the two or more groups in conflict or pushes towards a ‘Myanmar Peace Forum’ to help lower the intensity of the conflict. The country should also ensure that Asean member countries including Laos, which is chairing the group this year, are informed about the aid and operation plans, which must be in line with the five points of the ASEAN consensus, the international diplomatic effort on Myanmar aimed at ending the crisis.
External communication is also of paramount importance, the international affairs expert added. It’s important for Thailand to communicate with the US, China, EU, Japan, Australia and India about the plans as the countries also play leading roles in creating peace in Myanmar.
More importantly, Thailand should consider seeking cooperation from NGOs which can contribute to bringing peace to Myanmar even though the former Thai government agreed to the Myanmar military junta’s request to not allow representatives from NGOs to get involved in any operations along the border. Thailand should consider removing itself from this agreement under the current circumstances, Surachart noted.
However, ‘thought’ is a fundamental tool of every action. To ensure successful operations, the Thai government should formulate a policy and assign the roles and powers of the prime minister and the relevant government agencies. Most importantly, it should make sure that all the government leaders and the military leaders fully understand the current crisis in Myanmar and the solutions to problems.
2.Conflicts in the Deep South of Thailand
2024 was an important year for the peace restoration deal in the Deep South, with hope turning into frustration and deep concerns.
The problems of violence and insurgency in the three southern border provinces of Thailand are now back in the spotlight following an agreement to develop a Joint Comprehensive Plan towards Peace (JCPP) which is intended to bring peace to the Deep South.
The agreement has faced strong criticism from experts. Commenting during a public forum on peace talks in southern Thailand, they said the draft plan is not a positive approach to address the problems, particularly in terms of the demand made by Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani (BRN). It appears that the movement wishes to expand the problem areas to include some parts of Songkhla; and not limit them to only three southern border provinces through the agreement.
As such, the ‘comprehensive peace plan’ would become a ‘complicated plan’, Surachart said. It’s still unclear whether the proposed plan, which is supported by some NGOs will bring peace to southern Thailand or build ‘bargaining power’ for the BRN in any negotiations.
Prime Minister Srettha Thawisin, the and his delegation visited Krue Se Mosque in Tanyong Lulo Subdistrict, Mueang Pattani District, on February 27, 2024.
In addition, when Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the three southern border provinces in an effort to boost the economy, he didn’t talk about the violence and insurgency issues in the area. Experts and observers question if a focus on economic growth only will help address the violence and insurgency problems of the Deep South. The government’s actions raise questions as to whether it has a well-designed strategy, a strategic direction, or even a policy to end the conflict and violence.
Villagers of the three southern border provinces have raised doubts as to whether the leader of the Thai government is neglecting his duty to solve the state violence, which is one of the significant impediments to economic growth and indeed how such growth can be achieved.
However, the government must be fully aware that tackling violent issues driven by a ‘war with insurgency’ in the three southern border provinces requires a comprehensive strategy derived from multi-dimensional thinking rather than a plan driven by one-dimensional thinking.
In short, ending war requires a clear strategy, not just a dream. Dreams without strategies are just dreams. They cannot stop violence and fighting. Surachart has urged the Thai government to take this opportunity to seriously review its strategy for the Deep South and think about how to make economic factors part of this strategy to help restore peace.
3.Maritime Border Dispute
The Thai government’s attempts to resolve the Cambodian-Thai land and maritime border disputes have appeared to ignite nationalist and right-wing sentiments.
In 2024, the Cambodian and Thai governments reopened talks on the overlapping maritime claims but already nationalists and right-wing circles are making waves that risk complicating relations between Cambodia and Thailand.
Cambodia and Thailand’s talks over the land surrounding Preah Vihear temple in 2008 awakened ill-feeling and caused tensions and clashes between the two nations.
Surachart explained that the most recent talks between Cambodia and Thailand over the maritime dispute are focused on the ‘Overlapping Claims Area’ (OCA) in the Gulf of Thailand, which is already complicated in itself.
The attempts made by right-wing circles are seen as a mechanism to create a role for them in political activities and to protest against the Thai government. The moves are based on nationalism in relation to border issues, and focus both on the decades-old dispute over Preah Vihear, an ancient Hindu temple complex located between the two countries, and overlapping territorial claims in the Gulf of Thailand.
These right-wing circles are using the conspiracy theory as a tool to draw the attention of people. The expert thus warns that the Thai government to exercise extreme caution over any actions it takes that could make the conspiracy theory a reality.
The overlapping maritime claim issues are very complicated, Surachart noted. The Thai government has been dealing with the long-standing territorial issue for years.
Thailand Cambodia Overlapping Claims Area Source: PE
Following an unresolved claim between Cambodia and Thailand, the Thai government decided to award petroleum concessions in the overlapping areas in the Gulf of Thailand in 1968. However, it later notified the concessionaires to suspend all activities in the areas until the government could reach an agreement with the Cambodian government on the exploitation of resources for the mutual and equal benefits of the two countries, reminiscent of Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (MTJDA).
The MTJDA is the area of overlapping continental shelf claimed by both Malaysia and Thailand, located in the lower part of the Gulf of Thailand. The area was agreed by the Thai government and the Malaysian government to be jointly explored and exploited for non-living natural resources for the mutual and equal benefits of the two countries.
The bilateral negotiations over the OCA are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Thailand and Cambodia in 2001 which serves as a framework.
Surachart explained that it’s common to have a framework for negotiations that guide how parties will work together and define responsibilities and expectations. Even though parties have agreed to cancel the MoU, the documents can be reviewed, updated and reassigned as a new round of negotiation process opens.
The move has reignited the right-wing sentiment and they are criticizing the Thai government for being willing to draw up an agreement in exchange for maritime benefits. They have called on the government to cancel the MoU and ‘innocently denied’ the positive response to this agreement.
The Thai government should not neglect its duty to solve the problems of political movements that use nationalism to achieve political goals which can affect the government’s stability. Surachart has urged the government to look back and review lessons learned from past experiences in 2008 in connection with the Pheu Thai Party.
He added that the Thai government must clarify the issues to the public including the media so that they understand what is involved and thus prevent the use of nationalism to ignite ‘the power of political movement’ that would affect relations between Cambodia and Thailand.
4.Additional issues
Additionally, Surachart said, the Thai government should do more on these two issues; (1) new Chinese migrants in Thailand and their business expansion in the country; and (2) Thai workers held hostage in Gaza.
Thailand is experiencing an influx of Chinese migrants in what is seen as the country’s new social and political phenomenon. Many Chinese nationals have businesses in Thailand and these are causing a flood of cheap Chinese products into the Thai market, hurting local businesses. This would affect Thai national security in the long term. The government needs to figure out how to solve this issue.
Last but not least, the Thai government should step up its effort to help Thai nationals captive in Gaza. No one should be left behind. Even though the hostages have nothing to do with national security, the lecturer said, the Thai government should handle the issue for the sake of ‘human security’ of the Thai workers themselves and their families.
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About the author
Professor Dr. Surachart Bamrungsuk
Professor Emeritus Dr. Surachart Bamrungsuk is an academic specializing in security and military strategy.
He graduated with a degree in Political Science and Government from Chulalongkorn University, an M.A. in Political Science from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University.
Prof. Dr. Surachart is one of the “October People,” referring to former students who participated in the fight against dictatorship in 1973 and 1976, which was heavily suppressed by the authorities. Later, he played a political role in academia and is also a writer whose articles have been published in Matichon and Matichon Weekly for four decades.
