United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh secured a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup after defeating Thailand 40-31, guaranteeing a medal in the tournament. The first half saw intense competition, with Bangladesh leading 14-12 at halftime. Thailand pushed hard in the second half, but the spirited Bangladeshi raiders, led by Rupa and Shraboni, maintained control, achieving a comfortable nine-point victory. The win gave Bangladesh six points in Group ‘A’, confirming their top-four position. Earlier, the team had beaten Uganda and Germany but lost to India in the group stage. During the match, Shraboni Mallik sustained an injury in the ninth minute but returned after treatment. Borsha Bishwas delivered crucial raids, including two all-outs, helping Bangladesh extend their lead to 31-18 before sealing the win. Speaking after the match, Borsha said the team had planned to beat Thailand from the group stage and was happy to see their strategy succeed. “Our focus was the Thailand match, and we gave our best. Now, our next target is the final against Chinese Taipei. We will give our maximum effort,” she said. By reaching the semi-finals, Bangladesh has guaranteed a podium finish. The team has also achieved its pre-tournament goal of surpassing their 2012 World Cup performance, where they had finished fifth. The semi-final berths have also been secured by 2012 champions India and runners-up Iran.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left Dhaka for Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday for follow-up eye treatment. Fakhrul, accompanied by his wife Rahat Ara Begum, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Bangkok at 11:15am on a Thai Airways flight, BNP’s media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB. Fakhrul urges interim govt to declare ‘July Charter’, hails consensus on reforms He said the BNP leader will receive follow-up treatment at Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok, where he had a successful surgery on his left eye for a retina problem on May 14. Sayrul said Fakhrul is expected to return home on August 19. Earlier, on May 13, the BNP Secretary General went to Bangkok for emergency surgery on the retina of his left eye.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Bangkok on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid escalating political tensions triggered by a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Public anger has been mounting over Paetongtarn’s handling of a recent border clash with Cambodia, which erupted on May 28 in a disputed area and resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The leaked phone call with Hun Sen, who now serves as Cambodia’s Senate president, has become a focal point of the protests and has sparked multiple investigations in Thailand that could potentially unseat Paetongtarn. Criticism of the prime minister centers on her remarks regarding a prominent regional military commander and her apparent attempts to placate Hun Sen in an effort to de-escalate tensions along the border. Thai PM’s leaked conversation with Hun Sen ignites political crisis and public fluster Protesters, waving national flags and holding banners, gathered around Bangkok's Victory Monument, where a large stage was set up. Speakers urged unity and expressed their love for the country, while demonstrators chanted slogans, sang, and danced to patriotic songs. Tatchakorn Srisuwan, a 47-year-old tour guide from Surat Thani province, said he traveled overnight to join the demonstration, condemning Paetongtarn’s leadership. “As a Thai citizen, I’ve never seen a prime minister so weak,” he said. “We don’t want to invade others, but we must stand up for our sovereignty.” The protest saw participation from prominent members of the so-called Yellow Shirts movement, known for their royalist stance and opposition to the Shinawatra family. The group has long been critical of Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is believed to have close ties with Hun Sen. Yellow Shirt protests in the past have been linked to political unrest, including the military coups that ousted Thaksin in 2006 and Paetongtarn’s aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, in 2014.

A hungry wild elephant caused havoc in a grocery store in Thailand on Monday when he strolled in from a nearby national park and helped himself to food on the shelves. Videos of the incident showed the huge male elephant, known as Plai Biang Lek, briefly stopping in front of the shop, located next to a main road near the Khao Yai National Park in northeastern Thailand, before ducking his whole body inside, according to AP. The elephant stopped in front of the shop’s counter, calmly snatching and chomping snacks, and did not flinch as the national park workers tried to shoo him away. India’s ‘History Hunter’ on a mission to preserve the past for future generations The elephant later backed out of the shop still holding a bag of snacks with his trunk. He left little damage behind, except mud tracks on the floor and the ceiling of the shop. In a video posted on social media, Kamploy Kakaew, the shop owner, appeared amused as she described the moment the elephant rifled her shop. She said he ate about nine bags of sweet rice crackers, a sandwich and some dried bananas she had bought that morning.

Thai officials on Wednesday said that they planned to tighten regulations on cannabis sales after cases of tourists attempting to smuggle the drug out of the country soared in recent months. Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis in 2022, which has boosted Thailand’s tourism and farming and spawned thousands of shops. But it’s facing public backlash over allegations that under-regulation has made the drug available to children and caused addiction, reports AP. The ruling Pheu Thai Party has promised to criminalize the drugs again, but faced strong resistance from its partner in the coalition government which supported the decriminalization. Thailand’s Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said at a press conference that officials are aiming to roll out new regulations in coming weeks that will tighten control on the sale of cannabis, including requiring shops to sell cannabis only to customers who have a prescription. He emphasised that it is against Thai law to bring cannabis out of the country without permission from the authorities. Airport officials said they have tightened inspections to detect smuggling attempts, adding that most people found with cannabis in their luggage are foreigners, especially Indian and British nationals. Thailand and Indonesia announce strategic partnership, vow to boost economic and defense ties Last week two young British women were arrested in Georgia and Sri Lanka for alleged attempts to smuggle cannabis after they flew there from Thailand, according to the British media. Britain's government said a joint operation with Thailand in February resulted in over 2 tons of cannabis seized from air passengers. It said that since July last year, over 50 British nationals had been arrested in Thailand for attempting to smuggle cannabis. It also said there was a dramatic increase in the amount of cannabis sent to the UK from Thailand by post since the decriminalisation in 2022. In March immigration authorities and police said 22 suitcases filled with a total of 375 kilograms of cannabis were seized, and 13 foreigners, most of them British, were arrested at the international airport on the Samui Island.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir went to Bangkok, Thailand for emergency  eye treatment early on Tuesday. Fakhrul, along with his wife Rahat Ara Begum, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Bangkok at 2:45am on a Thai Airways flight, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said the BNP leader noticed a problem with his eyes on Monday morning and immediately visited United Hospital in Gulshan for treatment. After examination, Sayrul said, doctors at the hospital advised that surgery on the retina of one of his eyes is urgently required. "Following the doctors' advice, an appointment was promptly made at Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok for the necessary treatment," he said. On behalf of Fakhrul’s family members, Sayrul urged the country’s people to pray for the speedy recovery of the BNP Secretary General. 18 crore people of Bangladesh no longer want Awami League: Fakhrul Earlier, on April 6, Fakhrul and his wife travelled to Singapore for medical check-ups and necessary treatment.  

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday urged the Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to ease visa procedures for the Bangladeshi citizens travelling to the South East Asian kingdom. The head of the Interim Government raised the issue when he met the Thai Prime Minister on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in the Thai capital, Bangkok. The Chief Adviser said the Thai embassy in Dhaka does not have the capacity to process more visas, resulting in a long delay and queue of the Bangladeshi people waiting to travel to Thailand. "Bangladeshi people who seek treatment in Thailand face a lot of visa difficulties," Professor Yunus said and sought the Thai Prime Minister's support in this regard. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured the Bangladesh leader that she would look into the issue. The Chief Adviser also called for expanded trade, shipping and maritime relations, and air connectivity between the two countries. Professor Yunus said Bangladesh and Thailand can reduce travel time if flights are launched from Chittagong. He recalled the impact made by Air Asia when it launched a flight between Chittagong and the Thai resort city of Chiang Mai more than a decade ago. Bangladesh seeks Sri Lanka's support to bring back stolen money The Thai Prime Minister congratulated Professor Yunus on assuming the chairmanship of BIMSTEC, saying the Bangladesh leader will infuse new dynamism in the regional grouping. Professor Yunus began his meeting by reflecting on the longstanding and excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Thailand. He paid tribute to the late King Bhumibol, who played a key role in Thailand’s early recognition of an independent Bangladesh in 1972. The discussion also focused on investment, with Professor Yunus inviting Thai companies to join next week's investment summit in Dhaka. He also highlighted the importance of improving rail, road, maritime, and air connectivity between the two nations to facilitate increased bilateral trade. In this context, he suggested that Bangladesh would like to participate in the trilateral highway project involving Thailand, India, and Myanmar when conditions permit. Professor Yunus proposed that both countries initiate a Joint Feasibility Study for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as soon as possible, with a view to starting formal negotiations. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he will meet the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries to discuss ways for strengthening collaboration, keeping the interests of people in mind. "I look forward to meeting the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with interests of our people in mind," Modi said in his departure statement as he began his visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka on Thursday. Bangladesh sees this year's BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand on April 4, "very important" for the country as it will assume the chairmanship of the grouping for the next two years. Dhaka also thinks the summit will provide them with an opportunity to present a "just and inclusive" Bangladesh in South and Southeast Asia, officials said this week. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will reach Bangkok on Thursday afternoon to attend the Summit, his Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. Officials in Dhaka indicated that there will be a meeting between Dr Yunus and Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit but did not elaborate further. Dr Yunus leaves for Bangkok to attend 6th BIMSTEC Summit South Asian affairs analyst Michael Kugelman, referring to Bangladesh media rreport, said Modi will meet Yunus at BIMSTEC in Thailand this week. "If true, this will be the biggest India-Bangladesh diplomatic development since (former Prime Minister Sheikh) Hasina’s ouster," Kugelman said in a message shared from his verified X handle. At the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Indian Prime Minister Modi left for Thailand on an official visit and to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. Over the past decade, Modi said, BIMSTEC has emerged as a significant forum for promoting regional development, connectivity and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region. "With its geographical location, India’s North Eastern region lies at the heart of BIMSTEC," said the Indian Prime Minister. During his official visit, the Indian Prime Minister will have the opportunity to engage with Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra and the Thai leadership, with a common desire to elevate our age-old historical ties, which are based on the strong foundations of shared culture, philosophy, and spiritual thought. From Thailand, Modi will pay a two-day visit to Sri Lanka from April 4-6. This follows the highly successful visit of President Disanayaka to India last December. "We will have the opportunity to review progress made on the joint vision of “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future” and provide further guidance to realise our shared objectives," Modi said. ASEAN MPs look to bar Myanmar from BIMSTEC over human rights concerns He said he remains confident that these visits will build on the foundations of the past and contribute to strengthening their close relationships for the benefit of their people and the wider region.

A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread destruction across the impoverished nation. Officials warned that the death toll, already surpassing 140, was expected to rise. In Thailand, at least six people were killed in Bangkok, where an under-construction high-rise collapsed. The full extent of casualties and damage remains unclear, especially in Myanmar, where a civil war and strict government controls limit information. Myanmar’s military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, announced on television that at least 144 people had died and 730 were injured. In Thailand, officials revised their initial death toll, reducing it from 10 to six, clarifying that some critically injured victims had been mistakenly reported as deceased. What to do if you're in a building during an earthquake? The 7.7-magnitude quake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, at midday, followed by strong aftershocks, including one measuring 6.4. Widespread Devastation in MyanmarMyanmar, located in an active seismic zone, has experienced quakes before, but Friday’s event affected densely populated areas. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the death toll could exceed 1,000. In Mandalay, multiple buildings collapsed, including a major monastery. Photos from Naypyidaw showed rescuers pulling victims from the rubble of government housing. The disaster has increased demand for blood donations in the worst-hit regions. Myanmar’s government signaled openness to foreign aid, a shift from previous reluctance. The United Nations has allocated $5 million for initial relief efforts. U.S. President Donald Trump pledged American support, though concerns remain about the impact of his administration’s foreign aid cuts on disaster response. Over 150 killed as powerful earthquake strikes Myanmar and Thailand Severe infrastructure damage—including a collapsed bridge and a burst dam—has made rescue efforts challenging. International Rescue Committee official Mohammed Riyas warned that it could take weeks to assess the full scope of destruction. Bridges Collapse, Monastery Falls, and Dam BurstsMyanmar’s state-run newspaper, Global New Light of Myanmar, reported that five cities experienced building collapses, and two bridges fell, including one on a major highway between Mandalay and Yangon. A photo showed the wreckage of an emergency department at Naypyidaw’s main hospital. A video from Mandalay captured monks filming the Ma Soe Yane monastery just before it crumbled. Damage was also reported at the city’s former royal palace. Christian Aid stated that a dam breach in one city led to flooding in low-lying areas. In Yangon, the country’s largest city, residents fled their homes when the quake struck. In Naypyidaw, partially collapsed buildings left rescuers working through piles of debris. Julie Mehigan of Christian Aid highlighted the disaster’s impact on a nation already struggling with conflict and displacement. The military, which seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in 2021, is engaged in a violent civil war, making aid delivery to affected areas difficult. More than 3 million people have been displaced, with nearly 20 million in need of humanitarian assistance. High-Rise Collapse in BangkokIn Thailand, a 33-story building under construction collapsed near Bangkok’s Chatuchak market, sending a massive cloud of dust into the air. Video footage showed people screaming and fleeing as the structure fell. Emergency sirens echoed across the city as rescue teams worked through the wreckage, where twisted steel and shattered concrete piled up. The injured were rushed to hospitals, some treated on sidewalks. “This is a terrible tragedy,” Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said after visiting the site. Although earthquakes are not uncommon in the region, tremors are rarely felt in Bangkok, a city of over 17 million residents. Witnesses described swaying buildings and chaotic evacuations. Voranoot Thirawat, a lawyer, described seeing lights swinging and hearing creaking sounds before she and her colleagues fled down 12 flights of stairs. A Scottish tourist, Fraser Morton, recounted the sudden panic inside a shopping mall, while an English visitor, Paul Vincent, witnessed a rooftop pool spilling water as people screamed in the streets. The U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ geoscience center reported that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), making its impact more severe. Quake Felt in China The tremors extended into China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, causing damage and injuries in the border city of Ruili. Residents in Mangshi, about 100 kilometers northeast of Ruili, described the shaking as so intense that standing upright was impossible.   

Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, is a dream destination for many travellers, including Bangladeshis. Known for its dazzling temples, bustling street markets, incredible nightlife, and mouthwatering cuisine, Bangkok offers a perfect mix of tradition and modernity.  Whether you are a first-time visitor or a returning traveller, this travel guide will help you explore the best attractions, food, shopping destinations, and travel tips to make your trip from Bangladesh to Bangkok smooth and enjoyable.  Best Things to Do . Explore Chinatown One of the most energetic areas in Bangkok, Chinatown is a paradise for food lovers and photographers. Walk along Yaowarat Road, where you will find sizzling street food, gold shops, and vibrant temples. At night, Chinatown transforms into a lively dining hotspot with vendors selling everything from dim sum to roasted duck. Read more: City Guide to Kathmandu, Nepal for Bangladeshis