See you in Washington very soon – US Secretary of State

2 Oct 01:54 Key points summarised by AI

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's planned visit to Thailand was canceled last minute due to COVID-19 cases detected within his delegation.
The cancellation sparked local controversy and speculation in Thailand, with some questioning US motives or accusing them of deceit.
Blinken and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai mutually agreed to forgo an in-person meeting to prioritize public health and safety amidst the Omicron variant spread.
Blinken extended an invitation for Don to visit Washington, reaffirming the strong US-Thai alliance and commitment to future cooperation despite the setback.
The incident underscores the resilience of Thai-US relations, which are expected to remain amicable and multidimensional, built on shared interests and established diplomatic ties.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.