The news was announced in the Royal Gazette, which noted that Thaksin, who returned last week after 15 years in exile, had shown remorse and that he has health concerns.

A new study by a US medical research centre suggests 1.9 million people died after China suddenly dropped its Covid-19 restrictions late last year. Beijing has never revealed the full death toll.

Officials expect "significant" economic impact after Hong Kong said it would join mainland China in banning most Japanese seafood from Thursday, when treated water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant will be released into the sea

A fresh crackdown on the country's medical and pharmaceutical sectors, set to last a year, has convinced investors that it may be best to buy the state and sell private sector holdings

The progress made on reducing emissions intensity could help India avert pressure by developed nations to stop using coal, officials said

Indians are questioning the government's disaster management and slack response to global warming after monsoon rains wreaked havoc, and damage of $2 billion, in the country's north

US climate envoy will talk with his Chinese counterpart about issues like reducing methane emissions, limiting coal use, curbing deforestation and helping poor nations address climate change

US vaccine maker says it signed agreements with Shanghai officials on developing mRNA vaccines in China. Local news outlet says it is a $1-billion deal

China has not disclosed how many cremations occurred at the end of 2022 when Covid raged in many cities after it dropped tough restrictions designed to keep the pandemic in check

The number of people who got married in China dropped by 10% last year, continuing a steady decline since it peaked in 2013, new government data has revealed

Dozens of fossil fuel companies have set net-zero emissions targets, but these moves are regarded as "largely meaningless" because most fail to address key concerns

A second Covid-19 wave is spreading in China according to a top infectious disease expert, who said tens of millions will be affected every week with the XXB subvariant