The Diplomat

Since Thailand kicked off its COVID-19 vaccination program for middle and high school students, the country has seen a rise in anti-vax sentiments among its youth. On October 4, Thailand started giving students aged 12 to 17 the mRNA vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech. Approximately 3.6 million out ...

After a year in which it has mostly kept the coronavirus under control, Thailand has seen a sudden alarming spike in coronavirus infections. On December 20, Thai health authorities announced a record 689 infections, including 516 cases announced the day before.That is by far the ...

Health experts warn that Thailand is vulnerable to a second wave of COVID-19 infections due to neglect of the country’s massive migrant labor sector. Migrant workers often live in squalid, cramped conditions without adequate sanitation and poor access to medical care.Keep reading ...

This year was always going to be a tough one for Thailand, with the government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha trying to manage continuing political and economic challenges following last year’s contentious elections as well as rising domestic discontent that has rocked the country.But 2020 has ...

Thailand’s 2019 was a big year, dominated by the March election and its fallout as well as its chairmanship of ASEAN. But 2020 is shaping up to be even larger, with no signs of the drought affecting much of the country ending and the Mekong ...

Thailand plans to seek talks with the United States on a decision to end preferential trade privileges on a range of Thai exports including seafood, officials said Monday.Keerati Rushchano, acting director-general of the Commerce Ministry’s Foreign Trade Department, said his office has been warning exporters ...

The Mekong is reeling from the combined onslaught of climate change, sand-mining, and incessant damming of the river, which combined to help cause the worst drought recorded in over 100 years in July.Keep reading ...

While the holding of an elusive election in the Southeast Asian state would be a notable step in the restoration of democratic rule, the harder work of managing wider political divisions lies ahead.Keep reading ...

Since its establishment in 2016, the Lancang Mekong Cooperation (LMC) forum has been successful for China. The group, which includes the participation of all riparian countries, has made progress on several issues, all while excluding extraregional powers such as Japan and the United States.Keep reading ...

Although Japan has a complex history with the region, it has also carved out a role for itself as a prominent actor in development aid and foreign investment. Japan’s engagement has nevertheless to a certain extent been overshadowed by China’s presence. This year’s Summit highlighted ...