By Robin McDowell and Martha Mendoza Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — The president of one of the world’s biggest seafood exporters expressed frustration and promised change Tuesday after saying an Associated Press investigation that linked slave-peeled shrimp to his company should be a “wake-up call” to the industry. Thiraphong Chansiri said Thai Union will spend […]
Alibaba buys Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post
By Kelvin Chan AP Business Writer HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has announced that it’s buying Hong Kong’s leading English-language newspaper, the South China Morning Post, as part of a plan to create a global platform for news about China. Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd., founded by billionaire Jack Ma, said it signed […]
School hazing gets stern penalty in military-ruled Thailand
By Jocelyn Gecker Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — At a military facility outside Bangkok, a drill sergeant barks orders at a group of film students learning the hard way that creative license has its limits in Thailand. “‘You are here to learn discipline,” the officer shouted. “‘Do you understand?” “‘Yes, sir!” shouted back the group […]
About 4,000 fishermen stranded on Indonesian islands
By Margie Mason and Robin McDowell Associated Press JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) —The number of foreign fishermen stranded on several remote eastern Indonesian islands has spiraled to 4,000, including some revealed in an Associated Press investigation to have been enslaved. Many are migrant workers abandoned by their boat captains after the government passed a moratorium on […]
A mercurial junta leader known for sharp tongue — Banana peel, birthday plans, and multiple personalities
By Todd Pitman and Thanyarat Doksone Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — Ear tugs. A flying banana peel. Sarcastic remarks about getting smacked, or punched — or even executed. Such is life for the press corps covering Thailand’s notoriously testy military ruler. Since leading a putsch that ousted Thailand’s elected government last May, general-turned-prime minister Prayuth […]
Award-winning film from Thai director expertly defies conventions
By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly Thailand’s Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who turns 40 in July, began making feature films 11 years ago in 2000. Working outside the Thai studio system, he quickly established himself as an artistic maverick, with films rich in light and spirit.