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☆ Anti-Monarchy Activist in Thailand Dies After Hunger Strike
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

To Netiporn Sanesangkhom, the right to dissent and to question Thailand’s powerful monarchy belonged to all Thais. On Tuesday, her crusade to highlight this cause in the face of the country’s strict ban on royal criticism ended in her death. Ms. Netiporn, also known as Bung, 28, was one of Thailand’s most prominent activists calling for changes to the monarchy. She died after a hunger strike that she began in prison on Jan. 27 to pressure the Thai authorities to put an end to jailing political activists. For more than two months, Ms. Netiporn refused food, water and all forms of medication.

Persons: Netiporn Sanesangkhom, Netiporn, Netiporn’s Organizations: Thais, Department of Corrections, Thai Party Locations: Thai

☆ Thailand’s lower house passes bill to legalize same-sex marriage
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Kocha Olarn | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Thailand’s House of Representatives voted to legalize same-sex marriage on Wednesday, bringing the Southeast Asian nation a step closer to becoming the third territory in Asia to guarantee equal marital rights. The lower house of parliament passed the bill following a third and final reading, with 400 representatives voting in favor. It would also make the country only the third place in Asia to allow for marriage equality after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019 and Nepal in 2023. Previous attempts to legalize marriage equality over the past decade have stalled. Nonetheless Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, of the Pheu Thai Party, had also promised to bring the marriage equality bill to parliament.

Persons: CNN —, Pita Limjaroenrat, Srettha Thavisin Organizations: CNN, CNN — Thailand’s, Party, Thailand’s, Pheu Thai Party Locations: Asia, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Nepal

☆ Factbox-Thailand's Polarising Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

(Reuters) - Thailand's billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from detention on Sunday, enjoying freedom in his country for the first time since fleeing into exile nearly 16 years ago to avoid jail. - Thaksin ran several failed businesses with his wife before getting his break in the 1980s leasing computers to the police. In 2010, a court seized $1.4 billion worth of Shinawatra assets, concluding Thaksin had concealed his Shin Corp shareholdings and tailored policy to benefit his business. - Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was also prime minister and suffered an almost identical fate as him. - Thaksin's youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, is Pheu Thai party leader and eligible to become prime minister.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Chiang Mai, Thaksin, Yingluck Shinawatra, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Srettha Thavisin, Martin Petty, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Fried, Thailand's, Shin Corporation, Shin Corp, English Premier League football, Fulham, Manchester City, Forbes, Thai Rak, Thai Rak Thai, People Power Party, Srettha Locations: Thai, Chiang, Kentucky, Singapore, Thailand, Liverpool, Dubai, Britain, Montenegro, Thai Rak Thai, Thai Rak, Bangkok

BANGKOK (AP) — Two years after Thailand made pot legal, the country appears set to crack down on its freewheeling drug market with a ban on “recreational” use. The Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew said last week that he had recommended a draft bill to the Cabinet that would ban recreational cannabis use while allowing medical. The party’s stronghold is in the poor Northeast, where it promised farmers cannabis would be a new cash crop. Anutin had promised that cannabis would be allowed only for medical use, but in practice the market was nearly unregulated. But, she said, widespread recreational cannabis has created social problems such as youth drug abuse.

Persons: Chonlanan Srikaew, Anutin Charnvirakul, Anutin, Bhumjaithai —, Kalyapat, Kitty ” Chopaka, ” Rattapon Sanrak, Thailand’s, “ Sellers …, ” Organizations: Health, Bhumjaithai Party, Narcotics, Health Ministry, Party, ” Cannabis Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, Asia, Bangkok

☆ Thaksin Shinawatra: Thailand’s jailed former prime minister to be freed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand’s jailed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will soon walk free from detention after his parole was approved, according to Thailand’s justice minister, just six months after his dramatic return to the kingdom. The announcement caps an extraordinary decades-long political saga that will see the return of one of Thailand’s most controversial political figures to everyday life. On Tuesday, Thailand’s Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed to CNN Thaksin is one of 930 inmates who have been granted parole this month. The party’s candidate Strettha Thavisin became Thailand’s 30th prime minister in August, just hours after Thaksin’s return to the country. Last week, Reuters reported that Thaksin faces possible lese majeste charges under Thailand’s royal insult law, but it’s unclear whether prosecutors will move forward with the complaint.

Persons: Thailand CNN — Thailand’s, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Tawee Sodsong, Thaksin —, Strettha Thavisin, Thaksin’s, Pita Limjaroenrat Organizations: Thailand CNN, Manchester City, Thailand’s, CNN Thaksin, The Corrections Department, Thai Corrections Department, Reuters Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, New York, Thai

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's signature 500 billion baht ($13.87 billion) stimulus policy has faced criticism over fears it could stoke inflation and adversely impact the fiscal position of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy. Thailand's economy grew just 1.8% year-on-year in the second quarter, sharply slowing from the previous quarter, hit by weak exports that undercut a recovery in its crucial tourism sector. But some analysts are sceptical, as are some opposition lawmakers who have attacked the ruling Pheu Thai party for risking breaching Thailand's fiscal regulations. "We expect Thailand's fiscal outlook to remain uncertain for the rest of this year," said Tim Leelahaphan, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank in Thailand. "Also, the Pheu Thai-led government's ability to implement its pledged economic policies including the handout scheme has yet to be assessed, adding to fiscal uncertainty."

Persons: Lertsuridej, Srettha Thavisin, Devjyot, Srettha, Prommin, Tim Leelahaphan, Martin Petty Organizations: Reuters, Government House, REUTERS, Rights, stoke, Standard Chartered Bank, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

☆ What Thailand's new coalition government means for the cannabis market
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In June 2022, the Southeast Asian nation became the first in Asia to decriminalize the cannabis plant, allowing it to be grown and consumed freely. Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai party and one of Srettha's coalition partners, was a key figure responsible for legalizing recreational cannabis. Currently, many outlets claim to be medical cannabis platforms but they often prioritize profits rather than patient health, a number of clinics told CNBC. "This could foster a more positive perception of the cannabis industry among the public, and for the industry to sustain in the long run," Jintana said. "The prospect of exporting cannabis products to legal foreign markets aligns with Thailand's medical hub policy propelling both medicinal cannabis and other traditional herbs to the forefront," said Jintana.

Persons: Dimas Ardian, that's, Srettha Thavisin, Soratat, Srettha, hasn't, Soratat Pongsangiam, Sornkanok, Anutin Charnvirakul, Anutin, Jintana Manorompatrasal, Jintana, May's Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Greenhead, Reuters, Greenhead Clinic, Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, Deputy, CNBC, Sawasdee Clinic Locations: San, Bangkok, Thailand, Asia, Phuket, U.S

☆ Why Thailand's having second thoughts about decriminalizing cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Little more than a year after cannabis decriminalization, following an election that saw a more conservative coalition government come into power, there are signs Thailand’s laws on cannabis could be rewritten once again. Most cannabis dispensaries like his he says, have been responsible and diligent from the start in checking buyers’ IDs and educating customers about cannabis rules. “Thousands of cafes, stores, and other cannabis businesses have sprouted and hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent by tourists in a short amount of time,” Zaytsev said. The debate comes just as the quality of domestically produced cannabis in the country was improving, she added. “The quality of Thai cannabis has gotten better and better.

Persons: “, ” Iemvijan, –, Nitikrist Attakrist, ” Attakrist, Chiang Mai, Srettha Thavisin, ” Thavisin, Iemvijan, Cannabis, ”, Wisawa Mcintyre, Anutin Charnvirakul, Athit Perawongmetha, hasn’t, Ley Singdam, Ley, ” Ley, Kitty Chopaka, Chopaka, Michael Zaytsev, LIM, ” Zaytsev, Gloria Lai, ” Lai, ” “, Thavisin, Manan Vatsyayana Organizations: CNN, Thai, Bloomberg, Thailand’s Public, Thai Health, Staff, Reuters Observers, ” Farmers, Thais, International Drug Policy Consortium, Bhumjaithai Party, Getty Locations: Thai, Bangkok, Thailand, Southeast Asia, San, Thonglor, Phuket, ‘, ”, Athit, New York, Asia, Singapore, Indonesia, AFP

☆ Thailand's new prime minister boosts optimism, but his populist policies pose fiscal risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Srettha Thavisin, Thailand's prime minister, arrives at the Thai Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Srettha, Pheu Thai's choice for leader, was appointed prime minister on Aug. 22 — the same day that former prime minister and Pheu Thai founder Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand after 15 years of self-exile. watch nowThe prime minister also pledged to relieve the country's debt problems. "PM Srettha will slowly implement Pheu Thai's populist economic policies as he has to meet public expectations," said Dusadeeisariyakul. Other experts warned against overthinking the fiscal damage since many of Pheu Thai's populist pledges may not materialize.

Persons: Srettha, Valeria Mongelli, Srettha Thavisin, Pheu, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin's, Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul, Friedrich Naumann, Thaksin, Stratfor, Fitch, Teerasak Siripant Organizations: Thai, Bloomberg, Getty, Pracharat Party, United Thai Nation Party, Bhumjathai Party, Friedrich, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Fitch, Bower Group Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai

☆ Thai lawmakers plan fresh push to tighten use of cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cannabis buds are seen inside an indoor farm at the Amber Farm, in Bangkok, Thailand, January 30, 2023. "Cannabis will be - double underline - for medical purposes and research," said Saritpong Kiewkong of the Bhumjaithai party, which spearheaded the decriminalisation and is now the second largest component of Thailand's 11-party coalition government. "There is no policy for recreational use," the lawmaker told reporters in parliament, adding that such measures were not yet being considered. It covers permits for growing plants, sales and distribution, and tighter measures against sales in temples, schools and amusement parks. Last week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he supported only medical, and not recreational, use of cannabis.

Persons: Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Chayut Setboonsarng, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Southeast Asia, Phuket, misbehaviour

☆ Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse: Thai King's son signals willingness to talk about lese majeste as he attends exhibition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, the King’s second-oldest son, who lives in New York, confirmed that he went to see the exhibition on his official Facebook page Monday. “The King can do wrong.”Nonetheless lese majeste prosecutions continued in the last decade of his reign, and increased dramatically when the military seized power in a 2014 coup. An unprecedented demand was royal reform to ensure the King is answerable to the constitution and amendments to the royal insult law. A political toolFor years, human rights organizations and free speech campaigners have said lese majeste has been used as a political tool to silence critics of the Thai government. At least 253 people have been charged with lese majeste during that time, the group said.

Persons: Thailand’s, Maha Vajiralongkorn, King, LeRoy Neiman, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, lese, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, “, ’, ” Vacharaesorn, Vacharaesorn, Thais –, Thais, ”, Pavin, ” Pavin, King Vajiralongkorn, Bhumibol Adulyadej, Bhumibol, Srettha Thavisin, lese majeste, majeste, King Bhumibol, Prayut Chan Organizations: CNN, LeRoy, New York’s Columbia University, Kyoto University’s Center, Southeast Asian Studies, Elections, Thai, YouTube, Facebook, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Thai Prime Locations: New York, Thailand, Thai, Local

☆ Thai PM: 'I don't agree with recreational use' of cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Tourists shop cannabis at a cannabis store, at Khaosan Road, one of the favourite tourist spots in Bangkok, Thailand, January 6, 2023. "Cannabis policy will be medical cannabis. On recreational use, I do not agree with that," he said in an interview with Thai news website, The Standard. Srettha's Pheu Thai party leads an 11-party coalition government, which came into power in August. "Drug abuse is a big problem for the country that's been under-addressed ... cannabis has to be used medically," Srettha said.

Persons: Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thai, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Southeast Asia's, New York

☆ Thailand's new PM draws flak in parliament for 'aimless' economic agenda
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delivers the policy statements of the Council of Ministers to the parliament, in Bangkok, Thailand, September 11, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin came under fire in parliament on Monday over a new government policy agenda that opposition lawmakers called vague and short of some of his party's boldest election pledges. Srettha confirmed his agenda before parliament on Monday which included digital cash handouts, lowering energy prices and relaxing visa rules to boost tourism. The new administration adopts an economy that is expected to grow 2.8% this year, below a previous forecast of 3.6%. ($1 = 35.4500 baht)Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Athit, Srettha, Pheu, Sirikanya Tansakul, Party's Jurin Laksanawisit, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat, Panu, Martin Petty Organizations: Thailand's, Ministers, REUTERS, Rights, Thai, Pheu Thai Party, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Real

Reviving Thailand's economy will be one of the biggest tasks for political newcomer Srettha, who became prime minister last month following prolonged uncertainty after a May election. On the day of the vote, Pheu Thai figurehead Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand in a dramatic homecoming after living abroad for 15 years in self-exile to avoid an 8-year prison sentence. Srettha's rapid ascent to power, Thaksin's smooth return and a coalition between Pheu Thai and former rivals fuelled speculation about an agreement between Thaksin and his foes among the country's powerful conservative and royalist army. Thaksin and the Pheu Thai party say that is not the case. The Pheu Thai will control key economic ministries, which will be crucial in implementing its policies, including a 10,000 baht ($285.63)handout in the form of digital currency.

Persons: Pheu, Thailand's, Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Bhumjaithai, Chayut Setboonsarng, Miral Fahmy, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Pheu, Conservative, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed a new cabinet, including real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin as the country’s new prime minister and finance minister, according to a Royal gazette published on Saturday, months after the May elections. Srettha's Pheu Thai party, backed by the billionaire Shinawatra family, will oversee defence, transport, commerce, health and the foreign ministry portfolios. The second-place Pheu Thai broke off an alliance with Move Forward and brought on rival parties aligned with army generals that ousted Shinawatra-linked parties in 2006 and 2014 coups. Thaksin and the Pheu Thai party say that is not the case. The new cabinet has Pheu Thai controlling ministries overseeing the economy ministries, which will be crucial in implementing its policies, including a 10,000 baht ($285.63)handout in the form of digital currency.

Persons: Pheu, Thailand's, Athit, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha's, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Bhumjaithai, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Miral Fahmy, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Pheu, Conservative, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Thailand's king has commuted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's eight-year prison sentence to one year, the royal gazette said on Friday, a day after the billionaire submitted a request for pardon. His return overshadowed a vote in parliament that installed political ally Srettha Thavisin of the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai party, as prime minister. "Thais should accept and not criticise this outcome because it could be considered a violation of royal power," he said. Thailand's strict royal insult law shields the monarchy from criticism, carrying a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Athit, Thaksin Shinawatra's, Thaksin, Srettha Thavisin, Thaksin's, Winyat Chatmontri, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thais, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat, Panu, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. Thaksin, Thailand's most famous politician, made a dramatic homecoming last week after 15 years abroad where he lived in self-exile to avoid prison. A representative of the 74-year-old Thaksin declined to comment when asked by Reuters about his pardon request. A request for royal pardon must be submitted through the corrections department to the justice minister. If a royal pardon is not granted, Thaksin will have to wait two years to submit another request.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Athit, Wissanu Krea, ngam, Thaksin, Thailand's, Srettha, Prayuth Cha, Wissanu, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat, Panu, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

CNN —Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has submitted a request for a royal pardon, the outgoing justice minister said, just over a week after his dramatic return to the country from more than 15 years in self-exile. Thaksin, the head of a famed political dynasty, was prime minister from 2001 until he was ousted in a military coup in 2006. Outgoing Justice Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam confirmed to reporters Thursday that he had received Thaksin’s letter requesting a royal pardon from King Maha Vajiralongkorn. It is unclear how long the application process for a royal pardon will take. In Thailand, prisoners can request a royal pardon through the justice minister, who passes the application to the prime minister and then on the the King for final approval.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Wissanu Krea, ngam, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailand’s, ”, Srettha, Pheu, Pheu Thai’s, Thaksin’s, Yingluck Shinawatra, King, Prayut Chan Organizations: CNN, Former, Thai Corrections Department Locations: Former Thai, Thailand, Bangkok

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, gestures while flanked by his son Panthongtae Shinawatra and daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Aug 29 (Reuters) - The daughter of Thailand's jailed former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday said any move to seek a royal pardon for her father would be entirely "up to him" and such a process would take time. "Drafting (a pardon request) takes time and it is up to him to choose the time and process," Paetongtarn told reporters. The long-awaited return of Thaksin coincided with ally Srettha Thavisin being elected prime minister in a parliamentary vote that same day. An anti-Thaksin group has lodged a complaint at the corrections department seeking to block Thaksin from seeking a royal pardon, arguing corruption cases should not be entitled to clemency.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Panthongtae Shinawatra, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Athit, Thailand's, Thaksin, Paetongtarn, poof, Srettha Thavisin, Pheu Thai, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Pheu Thai Party, Pheu, Thaksin, Thomson Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin gestures at the party headquarters before a royal endorsement ceremony after Thailand's parliament voted in favour of his prime ministerial candidacy, in Bangkok, Thailand August 23, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the resort island of Phuket on Friday, a first official trip to underline plans to shore-up economic recovery by bolstering tourism, a key driver of growth. The state planning agency has since cut its growth projection to a 2.5% to 3.0% range from 2.7% to 3.7%. The government will then have to deliver policy objectives to a joint session of parliament before starting work, likely in late September. ($1 = 35.1100 baht)Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgupmanat; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pheu, Thailand's, Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Chiang Mai, Panu, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Tourism, Thai Party, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Phuket, China, Phangnga

☆ Health of Thailand's billionaire ex-PM Thaksin still a concern, doctor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Thailand's billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was still being treated in hospital on Friday and his condition remained a concern, a senior doctor said, three days after his historic return from self-exile. The Pheu Thai Party that Thaksin founded will lead the next government. Rumours have swirled that his return could be part of a secret agreement with his rivals, which he denies. Tul has asked for physicians from outside of the hospital to examine Thaksin also. "All the rooms at the police hospital have this view," said Soponrat, the doctor at the hospital.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Athit, Thaksin, Srettha Thavisin, Tul Sittisomwong, Tul, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Thai Party, Thaksin, Thomson Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Dubai, Britain

☆ Thai PM Srettha discusses overcoming divisions with former coup leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Napat Wesshasartar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin meets with caretaker former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand August 24, 2023. Government House/Handouts via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin discussed overcoming political divisions with predecessor Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday, in his first meeting as premier as he prepares to form a cabinet from a crowded 11-party alliance that includes fierce rivals. Srettha sailed through a parliamentary vote to become premier on Tuesday and will head a tricky coalition that includes parties backed by the military, which has repeatedly manoeuvred to topple governments led by his Pheu Thai Party. Thursday's meeting underscores a fragile detente in Thai politics, with Prayuth the architect of a 2014 coup against the last Pheu Thai government as chief of the ultra-royalist army. He and Pheu Thai have denied the existence of a deal with their rivals in the military and conservative establishment.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Prayuth Chan, ocha, Srettha, Prayuth, Pheu, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: Government, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Thai, Thai Party, Pheu, Media, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai

Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin attends a press conference, after Thailand's parliament voted in favour of his prime ministerial candidacy, in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. "The picture is not all wine and roses," Thailand's central bank chief Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said in recorded remarks played on Wednesday. Tourism, a major driver of the Thai economy, has managed a robust recovery, although arrivals and tourist spending are still below pre-pandemic levels, data shows. $96 BLN BUDGETIn this first address since winning office, Srettha on Wednesday vowed to provide solutions to fix Thailand's economy, among other measures, and manage the budget transparently. But its ability to execute will depend on the military backers that Pheu Thai has allied with to be able to form a government.

Persons: Pheu, Srettha Thavisin, Chalinee, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, Kobsidthi Silpachai, Srettha, Goldman Sachs, Poon Panichpibool, Sanan Angubolkul, Orathai Sriring, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Tourism, Krung Thai Bank, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Asia's, China, Thai

[1/4] Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin meets with caretaker former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand August 24, 2023. Srettha sailed through a parliamentary vote to become premier on Tuesday and will head a tricky coalition that includes parties backed by a royalist military that has repeatedly manoeuvred against his Pheu Thai Party. His meeting with the outgoing premier and former army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha underscores a fragile detente in Thai politics, with Prayuth the architect of a 2014 coup against the last Pheu Thai government. Thaksin and Pheu Thai have denied the existence of a deal with their rivals in the military and conservative establishment. Prayuth, who has a testy relationship with the Shinawatra family, told Srettha healing rifts was important.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Prayuth Chan, Srettha, Prayuth, Pheu, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty, William Maclean Organizations: Government, REUTERS Acquire, Thai, Pheu Thai Party, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, Thai

☆ A new PM and a fugitive's return: here's what Thailand's political future holds
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. RThe return of Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after years of self-exile could mark the end of a chapter in the country's politics, even as some analysts believe he will still be pulling some political strings — albeit from behind. The founder of Pheu Thai party and widely seen as its de facto leader, Thaksin returned to Thailand on Tuesday after 15 years in exile, and was sentenced to eight years in prison upon his return. But he will be the key person driving Pheu Thai Party behind the scenes," said Kasem Prunratanamala, head of Thailand research at CGS-CIMB. Pheu Thai is the latest iteration of his old party Thai Rak Thai after several before were disbanded by the courts.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Srettha Thavisin, Kasem Prunratanamala Organizations: Thai, Chulalongkorn University's Institute of Security, International Studies, CNBC, Thai Party, CGS, Thai Rak Thai Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Thai, Pheu, Thai Rak

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