Steve Suwannarat

Political tensions between the two countries have not eased after a border skirmish on 25 May, while Thailand rejects external “interference” in the border issue. This crisis is intertwined with a court ruling expected on 13 June regarding former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was linked in the past by friendship and business to Cambodia’s ruling Hun clan. Meanwhile, Thailand remains caught in never-ending tensions between civilian and military leaders.

The fate of six teenagers from Rakhine State in Myanmar is unknown since 21 March. They were detained last December after traffickers brought them to Thailand. This case highlights Bangkok's failure to protect underage asylum seekers. For Fortify Rights, “every refugee child” should be “protected – not punished – for seeking safety.”

Despite the average age is still around 31, seniors over 65 are already 8.1 per cent of the more than 35 million Malaysians. Their share is bound to grow rapidly due to the combined effect of longer life expectancy and ageing in a society where care for the elderly is still almost entirely delegated to families.

The highest US tariff announced last night is 49 per cent, which will affect imports from Cambodia. The Southeast Asian country fears serious consequences for growth and jobs. According to several observers, the real goal of the Trump administration is to indirectly hit China, which outsourced production, especially in textiles, to Southeast Asia, but with a probable boomerang effect.

A special scanner has detected 70 signs under the rubble. The investigations are pointing to the Chinese developer (a topic already censored on Chinese social media). Unsafe work is a scourge for Myanmar migrants in Thailand, a situation long highlighted by human rights groups.

The president has decided to build a 700-kilometre-long barrage to stop the sea advancing and causing cities to sink. But there are strong doubts about the feasibility and effectiveness of this colossal work

The city-state government is launching a 100-local-dollar card to facilitate access to events, exhibitions and initiatives for young and old. It is also a way to support employment in the sector, which is still struggling despite the post-Covid recovery.

Police recapture more than 300 people who broke out early this morning, possibly because of tensions with camp guards. Four adults and two children died as they tried to cross a motorway.

In office since 2004, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong could step down in favour of Finance Minister Lawrence Wong after the ruling party gave the thumbs up. Wong, who faces the post-pandemic economic situation, is well-liked by Singaporeans.

According to a poll, almost one Thai in two said they had credit card debts or a mortgage to pay. According to experts, easier access to low-interest credit is needed. The pandemic has made economic difficulties worse.

By 2030 there will be over 900,000 in the city-state. Currently the main challenges for the local government concern the organization of space and the cost of care. In some facilities, fees can be as high as 3,200 euros per month.

At least 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector are likely to close by the end of the year. The government is reluctant to impose a new national lockdown, even though some 17,000 new coronavirus cases were reported today. According to a manufacturers’ association, some 1.2 million Malaysians are out of work.