Thailand’s junta chief turned elected leader Prayuth Chan-ocha has a new-found legitimacy as he chairs this weekend’s Asean Summit. But with the bloc wracked by divisions over China, he’s facing a baptism of fire

Parts of Bangkok are connected by an extensive network of waterways which were once used as a means of transport

As Beijing floods the Mekong with much-needed cash, the US finds itself pushing back against the tide to retain influence. But some nations in the region think the competition can work to their advantage.

Muay Thai is a huge part of society in the kingdom – and while there has been a backlash against the involvement of children as young as 12, for many it is a path out of hardship for them and their family.

The former general’s second stint as prime minister is expected to herald stronger ties with China, but other countries are also expected to re-engage with Thailand.

Vote ensures Prayuth’s transition from leader of the 2014 coup and the ruling junta to a prime minister endorsed by an elected parliament.

‘Democratic front’ alliance reaches consensus that Thanathorn is their man to represent them in high-stakes parliamentary vote set for Wednesday.

Look out for the people’s well-being, the king told the legislature in its first session after the disputed March 24 polls, for which the pro-junta Palang Pracharat Party and its rivals the Democratic Front are both claiming victory.

The US tech behemoth’s plan to block Huawei devices from Android updates has retailers fearing they will be unable to shift their stock. But some users have put their fears on hold, saying they will wait out the US-China trade war.

The leader of the Future Forward Party is accused of breaking electoral laws by holding shares in a media company when he registered to run in the nation’s March 24 election.

The youthful Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit put his name forward for the top job this week, but with mounting legal woes, a lack of consensus among anti-junta parties, and the scales tipped in the military’s favour, his move is seen as ‘symbolic’.

Other power brokers could be in the running to lead the country, including royal privy councillor and long-time technocrat Ampon Kittiampon.

The exiled former leader of Thailand has been linked to the English Premier League team in a deal worth US$194 million. But the club has reportedly said it is not in takeover talks with the billionaire.

Before running for the progressive Future Forward party, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit was a celebrated director of low-budget but poignant films about the LGBT experience in Thailand’s hierarchical and patriarchal society.

From Hong Kong to Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, Muslims in the region have begun the holy month of fasting from dawn till dusk, with communal bonds and traditions binding their communities amid changing societies.

The mogul sparked speculation over his political ambitions after his resignation from the chairmanship of one of the conglomerate’s key businesses.

The ruling junta, however, remains well-placed to form a strong enough coalition through its proxy party to keep Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in the top job

A royal procession lasting more than six hours on Sunday topped off a weekend of sumptuous celebrations filled with symbolism and ritual.

Cleansing and crowning rituals marking king’s transformation from a human into a divine figure are part of three-day event.

Chinese interest in Thai properties is skyrocketing, as cheap price tags and low taxes lure them away from traditional markets such as Australia and Canada.

Queen Suthida served in the special unit of the King’s Guard and was a former flight attendant with Thai Airways. Vajiralongkorn has married her ‘legally and according to tradition’, according to a royal decree.

Condiment producer Thaitheparos has been trying to get into the US for years, but better-known Huy Fong Foods has a tight grip on the market. So the Thai producer now has its eye on Asian taste buds.

The Export-Import Bank of China has offered Thailand a low-interest loan for the construction of a belt and road project linking the country with Kunming and Laos. But analysts are also debating whether the project will turn a profit.

The navy deployed three frigates to demolish the structure and dragged the cabin back to shore to be used as evidence against the couple.

The pair had hoped to escape governments when they went to live on a tiny oil rig-like structure 15 nautical miles out to sea. But things went south when the Thai navy showed up to accuse them of establishing a breakaway nation.

The grilling of a second Future Forward party leader has raised fears that the junta is using prosecutors to neuter the Democratic Front coalition after the country’s March 24 election.

For more than a month, the northern Thai city and its neighbouring provinces have been shrouded in smog, which has discouraged tourists and hurt hotel occupancy rates.

As Thailand waits for the election commission to unveil the allocation of party-list seats after its March 24 polls, concerns are rising over the use of a new formula to determine how many seats contesting parties can obtain.

Authorities say they are distracting pilots and have banned them from the area. The maximum penalty for trespassing is death.

Charges against Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and his deputy Piyabutr Saengkanokkul raise speculation junta leader Prayuth Chan-Ocha will stop at nothing to cripple the democratic front that claims to have won the vote