Suspended Thai PM faces ethics probe over Hun Sen callーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
Thailand suspended Prime Minister Patan Shinawat is facing further scrutiny following her leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hunsen. Sources at the country’s anti-graft agency say it will investigate her conduct. Thai media reported that the National Anti-Corruption Commission voted unanimously on Monday to launch a probe of Patong Khan who is currently serving as culture minister. The commission will investigate whether she violated ethical standards in the phone conversation with Hunsen. During the call to discuss border disputes, Patton appeared to criticize a Thai military commander and appease Cambodia. The investigation adds to pressure on Patton who has already been suspended as prime minister by the country’s constitutional court over the issue. The court is now weighing whether to remove her from office. The latest public opinion poll shows only 15% of respondents support Patan staying in power. The overwhelming majority either want her to resign or parliament to be dissolved. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albani has met with China’s President Xiinping during a six-day visit to the country. The two leaders held talks in Beijing on Tuesday and agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. A commitment to equal treatment, to seeking common ground while sharing differences, pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation, serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and our people. Australia values our relationship with China and will continue to approach it in a calm and consistent manner guided by our national interest. The meeting came against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade tariffs. China is Australia’s largest trading partner and the two leaders agreed to maintain an open dialogue. Albani said he raised concerns over the Chinese Navy’s livefire exercises in waters between Australia and New Zealand in February. The prime minister said she responded by saying both countries conduct exercises. As Albani conducts diplomacy in Beijing, China is likely to keep a close eye on Australia’s largest ever military exercises now underway. More than 35,000 personnel from 19 countries including the United States, Japan, Britain, and India are taking part. It’s nations that are in search of uh a common aspiration for peace, stability, a free and open Indopacific and adherence to international law. The exercises cenamed Talisman Sabber began on Sunday. It’s the 11th time they’ve been held. Over the next three weeks, amphibious landings, air combat, and maritime operations will be conducted across the continent. For the first time, some drills will also take place outside Australia in Papio New Guinea, the country’s closest neighbor. On Monday, Australia fired its newly acquired US-made highs long range long range rocket system for the first time. The rockets are capable of striking targets up to 400 kilometers away and are in high demand in Ukraine. Australia has purchased the artillery system as China builds up its military. China is expected to deploy surveillance ships to monitor the exercises, something Albanese described as nothing unusual. And that wraps up our bulletin. I’m Tran Tiraan in Bangkok.
July 15 NEWSROOM TOKYO Bangkok Live Lineup:
00:00 Suspended Thai PM faces ethics probe over Hun Sen call
01:12 Albanese, Xi agree to strengthen bilateral ties
02:26 Australia holds its largest-ever military drills
#thailand #australia
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