Very strong mag. 6.5 Earthquake - 58 km southeast of Loei, Changwat Loei, Thailand

"A very strong magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit 58 km (36 mi) away from Loei, Changwat Loei,

Thailand, shortly after midnight at 12.07 am local time (Asia/Bangkok GMT +7). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow.

The quake was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

Cyclone Senyar leaves over 1 000 dead, millions affected across Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia

"Over 1 000 people have died and hundreds remain missing after rare Tropical Cyclone
Senyar brought severe flooding and landslides across Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Senyar was a very rare cyclone, being only the second known system to form over the Strait of Malacca after Cyclone Vamei (2001). Like Vamei, Senyar was compact but well-organized, confirming that although extremely rare, equatorial tropical cyclones can occur under brief favorable conditions." W

Tropical Cyclone Senyar kills more than 300 across Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand

"A low-pressure area developed over the Strait of Malacca and gradually organized into
Cyclonic Storm Senyar. The rare low-latitude system made landfalls in northern Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, producing extreme rainfall and catastrophic flooding across Indonesia, Malaysia, and southern Thailand. At least 316 people were killed and thousands displaced before Senyar weakened into a low-pressure remnant." W

Massive 164 feet deep sinkhole opens near Vajira Hospital, Bangkok

"A sinkhole measuring about 30 m x 30 m (98 x 98 feet) and 50 m (164 feet) deep opened around 06:30–07:00 LT in front of Vajira Hospital, Bangkok, swallowing vehicles and damaging utilities." W

Trump Oversees Signing of Historic Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Agreement

"President Donald Trump announced Friday that the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan officially signed a peace agreement he oversaw in the Oval Office, marking the seventh global conflict he has settled in as many months.

Trump announced the deal, which includes a key agreement

surrounding the Azerbaijan territory of Nakhichevan, in the State Dining Room while flanked by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan.
“With this accord, we’ve finally succeeded in making peace, and we just left the Oval Office where we signed voluminous documents and very important elements to the agreement,” Trump shared.
The countries have agreed to what will be called the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” to allow Azerbaijan “full access” to Nakhichevan, which sits to the southwest of Armenia.
Armenia and the United States will work in partnership to establish the route, Trump said, noting that it could be in place for up to 99 years with a potential extension nearly a century from now.
Trump, who has used trade as leverage to move along other peace deals like the one he brokered between Thailand and Cambodia, emphasized the economic opportunity at hand for all three nations, sharing that American companies are eager to invest in the region." Breitbart

Cambodia to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize for role in ending country's conflict with Thailand

"Cambodia will nominate President Donald Trump for the Nobel

Peace Prize after he helped the country reach a ceasefire agreement to end its border conflict with Thailand.
Sun Chanthol, Cambodia's deputy prime minister, thanked Trump for bringing peace to the region while speaking to reporters earlier Friday in the country's capital of Phnom Penh.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he had nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize and Pakistani officials said in June they would recommend him for the award for his role in helping to end its conflict with India." 

FOX

Trump on Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire Right After EU Trade Deal: ‘Millions of People Are Going to Be Saved’

"President Donald Trump told Breitbart News that the unconditional ceasefire he negotiated between Thailand and Cambodia while here in Scotland will save millions of lives in the two southeast Asian nations.

That deal, of course, came right on the heels of another major deal the president announced here in Scotland during this short trip to his mother’s homeland: On Sunday evening, after just about an hour of negotiations, Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a massive trade deal between the United States and the European Union, which von der Leyen described as the “biggest trade deal ever.”
Later, Trump departed for Aberdeen on Scotland’s other coast, where the president is opening a new golf course named for his Scottish-born mother, Mary Anne MacLeod." 

Breitbart

Trump calls on Thailand and Cambodia to stop fighting

"Donald Trump said on Saturday he had held talks with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, as the two countries sought an "immediate ceasefire" following border clashes.

At the beginning of a private visit to his Scottish golf courses, the U.S. president wrote on Truth Social that both nations "have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!".
At least 33 soldiers and civilians have been killed while thousands of Thai and Cambodian nationals have been displaced since fighting broke out on 24 July.
From 1 August, businesses in the U.S. shipping in goods from Thailand or Cambodia will have to pay a 36% tax unless an agreement can be reached before then.
Earlier on Saturday, Cambodia had already called for "immediate" ceasefire with Thailand.
Maris Sangiampongsa, Thailand's foreign minister, said its neighbor needed to show "genuine sincerity in ending the conflict" for talks to proceed." BBC

Thailand Giant Storm Like a Typhoon Destroy Homes, Cars in Phuket

"Pol. Lt. Siraphat Chupong, Deputy Inspector (Investigation), Chalong Police Station, was

notified by Chalong Hospital that a foreign tourist had died after being crushed by a falling tree on Koh Hey Beach, Chalong Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province. He reported the incident to Pol. Col. Rungrit Rattanaphakdi, Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, before traveling to investigate. In the emergency room, a deceased woman, Ms. Wang Yang, 53 years old, Chinese nationality, was found. An examination found traces of being crushed by a heavy object. a large Indian gooseberry tree was blown down by the strong winds and crushed a car parked inside the temple, damaging it. At the same time, a cow was injured by the fallen tree, breaking its leg. Rescue units from Kathu Municipality and nearby residents provided assistance to both the cow and the damaged cars." EW

Chaos in Thailand Today! Flash Floods Swept Away Homes, Cars in Uttaradit

"Continuous heavy rain since the evening of July 11th caused the Pad River to overflow and flood Nam Pad District, affecting three sub-districts: Den Lek, with six villages and 175

households; Ban Fai, with two villages and 18 households; and Saen To, with two villages and 18 households, totaling over 200 households. Approximately 1,900 rai of agricultural land was damaged, with Den Lek experiencing the most damage, with over 1,120 rai. Water levels in some areas rose by more than 1 meter, causing several roads leading to the village to be submerged, particularly Highway 1176, kilometer 11, and Highway 1045, Huai Phang Nga Bridge, which were inundated and impassable. Furthermore, Highway No. 1176, kilometer 11, is flooded. Officers have installed cones and roadblocks, along with warning signs, to avoid the route. Residents in Ban Noi, Ban Fai Subdistrict, Nam Pat District, Uttaradit Province, are suffering from the overflowing Nam Pat River, which has flooded their agricultural areas. Some residents were unable to move their belongings. Electrical equipment was severely damaged, while the 316th Border Patrol Police Company and volunteer soldiers were mobilized to distribute food boxes, drinking water, and flat-bottomed boats, as well as evacuate bedridden patients from vulnerable areas." ND

Flash floods damage hundreds of homes in northern Thailand

"Flash floods triggered by heavy rains damaged more than 150 homes in northern Thailand. The torrential downpour struck Chiang Rai spawning floods that reached up to four feet deep. Footage shows the deluge surging across a field as floodwaters ravaged 80 acres of farmland.

Classes were suspended as roads were rendered impassable to many cars. Thailand's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said it was closely monitoring the situation, warning that persistent rainfall will continue to lash the region. Residents, including those living in foothill and riverside communities, have been urged to evacuate to higher ground. Soldiers from the 37th Military District have also been deployed to help with relief efforts as emergency teams brace for more severe weather. The Thai Meteorological Department said ongoing heavy rainfall across northern Thailand was fueled by a monsoon trough stretching across the country, Laos and Vietnam." The Independent

Thailand closes land crossings as border dispute with Cambodia persists

"Thailand has imposed restrictions on citizens and tourists heading into Cambodia via land, as the two countries remain locked in a bitter border dispute.

The measures apply to vehicles or people trying to cross into Cambodia through checkpoints from several Thai provinces.
Foreign tourists are also banned from leaving Thailand for gambling in border towns, and those traveling by air to Siem Reap in Cambodia for gambling will also face restrictions.
Bilateral relations between the two countries are at their worst in more than a decade, after armed clashes along the border in May left one Cambodian soldier dead." BBC

Thailand is underwater today -- Massive floods sweep away buildings in Chiang Rai

"Thailand's Chiang Rai province is battling severe flooding following continuous heavy rain overnight which continued into the morning. The heavy rain caused flash floods and mountain overflows in several districts, with Phaya Mengrai and Wiang Chai being the worst-hit. A large volume of rainwater rushed down from the surrounding mountains into low-lying areas, causing a sudden rise in water levels and widespread waterlogging. Residents were forced to evacuate quickly and move belongings to higher ground. In many areas, flooding reached waist-high, with strong currents damaging property and sweeping away belongings." HAG

Trump hits Ukraine with 10% tariffs, spares Russia and Belarus

"U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his long-awaited package of "Liberation Day" tariffs on imported goods, speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House on the evening of April 2.

The U.S. imposed a basic 10% reciprocal tax on imports from all nations and higher tariff rates on dozens of America's largest trading partners, hitting Cambodia particularly hard with a 49% tariff, Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), and 34% on Chinese goods.
A 20% tariff on all goods from European Union countries and 31% on Switzerland.
Ukraine and the United Kingdom get off comparatively lightly with a 10% tariff.
Trump accused other nations of "looting, pillaging, raping and plundering" the US. The tariffs are expected to shave billions off global economic growth.
No tariffs were imposed on Russia and Belarus because, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, no goods from those countries enter the American market." NV

Thailand reels from earthquake Bangkok grinds to a halt as tremors are felt from Burma earthquake

"Bangkok ground to a halt on Friday after a strong earthquake shook the clogged Thai capital, causing chaos and triggering citywide evacuations that left many thousands of people stranded for much of the day.

All urban rail systems were suspended and roads were gridlocked across one of Asia’s biggest cities after the earthquake in neighboring Burma caused tremors up to a magnitude of 7.1 in Bangkok, about 1,020km from the epicenter.
The earthquake killed nine people in Bangkok, including eight laborers who died after the collapse of a 33-storey building that was under construction. Rescuers with dogs searched for signs of life, with more than 100 missing at the site, authorities said.
Foreign tourists – some shirtless, bathrobes or swim shorts – had to leave their hotels and mingled with throngs of office workers evacuated from high-rise towers in Bangkok’s commercial districts, many in shock at a rare quake that caused some skyscrapers to sway for minutes." IrishTimes

10 Israelis, 2 Foreigners Handed Over By Hamas As Truce Extended

"The Israel Defense Forces says the 12 hostages — 10 Israelis and two Thai nationals — released from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip are now in Israeli territory, and are being escorted by special forces and members of the Shin Bet security agency." ZH

Hamas releases 24 hostages on first day of Gaza truce

"Hamas fighters released 24 hostages on Friday during the first day of the war's first truce, the Red Cross said, including Israeli women and children and Thai farm workers." Reuters

Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake in Myanmar (Burma) Shakes Homes in Chiang Rai

"Estimated magnitude 5.9 earthquake has struck at 8:37 am today 29 km from Keng Tung, Myanmar (Burma) affecting northern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China.

The earthquake could be felt in Chiang Rai province registering 3.6 on the Richter scale." BT