China ready to speed up talks With Asean over South China Sea
China is ready to work with Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations to speed up consultation for a South China Sea code of conduct, Xinhua reported, citing Premier Li Qiang.

Calls for bids on Chatuchot-Lam Luk Ka expressway expected in May
Bids for the construction of the 16.21-kilometre Chatuchot - Lam Luk Ka extension of the Chalongrach expressway from northeastern Bangkok are expected to be called for in May, Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) deputy governor Chatri Tansiri said.

Thick smog only in upper North
Hazardous levels of PM2.5 remained only in the upper North at noon on Sunday, with the worst air pollution in Chiang Dao district of Chiang Mai province.

Philippine leader cheers European move as 50,000 seafarers' jobs protected
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Sunday welcomed the European Commission's (EC) decision to continue recognising certificates issued by his country for Filipino seafarers, saying it averted job losses for roughly 50,000 sailors.

Many unemployed elephants back home in Surin, huge and hungry
SURIN: Lucky was busy munching on some freshly cut grass when she spotted a special treat a tourist was holding out. She dropped her next mouthful of greens and extended her trunk, asking for the banana.

Disney Cruise Line makes Singapore its first home port in Asia
Singapore's tourism board and a Walt Disney Co subsidiary have agreed to make the Southeast Asian country the first Asian homeport for one of the company's cruise ships.

Chinese military relaxes physical rules for non-combat, hi-tech troops. But there's a catch
The Chinese military will ease the physical thresholds for "urgently needed" hi-tech professionals as it steps up a modernisation drive.

Poll: Paetongtarn top PM pick in Samut Prakan
Paetongtarn "Ung-Ing" Shinawatra is the most favoured candidate for the post of prime minister among voters of Samut Prakan, followed by Pita Limjaroenrat of the Move Forward Party, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

Cops on beat for poll applications
A minimum of 170 crowd-control police will be deployed for election candidacy registrations in Bangkok, according to a senior official.

Fugitive Vatana shares clip on son
Fugitive politician Vatana Asavahame, the father of Chonsawat Asavahame, on Saturday sent an audio clip to supporters of his late son, pledging to keep the political group previously led by his son going at both the local and national levels.