Keeping a nationalist election promise made during the campaign, Anutin’s government has scrapped the 2001 agreement (which never got off the ground) for the joint exploitation of energy reserves in disputed maritime areas. This signals how tensions remain high despite the ceasefire in place since December. Cambodia is concerned about the intensification of Thai naval patrols.
New data released by Thailand shows that in some tributaries, arsenic concentrations caused by active mining operations exceed the limits set by guidelines. Civil society initiatives are calling for greater cooperation among the countries in the basin, as well as more concrete measures to halt the pollution.
The return of more than 900,000 migrants has caused the flow of money from abroad to drop by more than 20 per cent, according to a report from the Cambodian central bank. This situation is squeezing households' financial means and creating new pressures on the domestic labour market. Meanwhile criticism of the government and tensions with Thailand along the border continue.
The re-election of the incumbent prime minister marks an unprecedented development in Thai politics ruled over the past two decades by fragile governments and military intervention. Bhumjaithai won a majority and formed a broad coalition, at the expense of progressive movements and the demands of the younger generations. Tensions with Cambodia and the risk of economic stagnation remain in the background.
FABC, CELAM, and SECAM, the three continental episcopal conferences, released a paper that is also a shared commitment, calling on world governments to adopt a non-proliferation fossil fuel treaty. For Caritas International, the role of women is crucial in addressing climate change.
The price of a coconut in Thailand, which was 20 baht before 2020, has now dropped to as low as 2 baht, putting small farmers out of business. According to local producers, a few companies with Chinese capital now control much of the supply chain, imposing extremely low prices and distorting the market.
