December 7, 2025
World
World
LOS ANGELES, Dec 7 — Spectacular lava fountains burst from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano on Saturday, US volcanologists said, nearly a year after one of the world’s most active volcanoes began its latest eruptive phase.
BANGKOK, Sept 25 — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Wednesday that he intends to dissolve parliament by the end of January, paving the way for a general election in March or early April.
Anutin secured the premiership in early September, becoming Thailand’s third prime minister since August 2023, after withdrawing his Bhumjaithai party from the Pheu Thai-led coalition. To form a government, he gained the support of the largest bloc in parliament, the opposition People’s Party, which demanded elections within four months as a condition for backing him.
The political upheaval has weighed heavily on Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. Fitch Ratings on Wednesday downgraded Thailand’s outlook from “stable” to “negative,” citing growing risks to public finances amid persistent political uncertainty.
Anutin now faces the challenge of reviving an economy burdened by US tariffs, high household debt, and sluggish consumption. He said the government would roll out measures to ease the cost of living and support farmers affected by falling crop prices.
At the same press conference, Anutin also reaffirmed that his administration would not back gambling-related ventures, rejecting proposals for casino-style entertainment complexes and the legalisation of online gambling. — Reuters
