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☆ Thailand's jailed ex-PM Thaksin hospitalised after return from exile
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Panarat Thepgumpanat | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 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, pays his respects to a portrait of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. The latest condition of 74-year-old Thaksin, the billionaire founder of the populist juggernaut Pheu Thai, was not clear on Wednesday and his representatives did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. The Pheu Thai Party's Srettha was confirmed as prime minister having received royal endorsement, a parliament official said on Wednesday. Police said Thaksin was hospitalised because the prison was unable to guarantee he would get the right care. Thaksin and Pheu Thai have denied that.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Suthida, Athit, Thaksin, Srettha, Pheu, Srettha Thavisin, General Prachuab Wongsuk, Ayuth Sintoppant, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty, Michael Perry, Robert Birsel Organizations: Thai, REUTERS, Reuters, Corrections Department, Wednesday . Police, National Police, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

☆ Plane carrying Thailand's exiled ex-PM Thaksin lands in Bangkok - media, live TV
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra looks on as he speaks to Reuters during an interview in Singapore February 23, 2016. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Aug 22 (Reuters) - A jet reported by Thai media to be carrying the fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra touched down at an airport in Bangkok on Tuesday, according to live television footage. Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup and jailed in absentia in 2008 for abuse of power, has been in self-exile for 17 years and was due to be detained on arrival, according to police. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um, and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Edgar Su, Thaksin, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Chayut, Martin Petty Organizations: Thai, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Rights BANGKOK, Bangkok

BANGKOK, Aug 22 (Reuters) - When Thailand's deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra went into self-imposed exile in 2008 facing a raft of corruption charges following his ouster in a military coup, he issued a hand-written note. Thaksin has been Thailand's most prominent politician for decades, retaining outsized influence despite the years away. "It closes a crucial chapter in Thailand's politics," Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, said of Thaksin's return. A shrewd operator who rarely minces his words, an increasingly wealthy Thaksin entered politics in the mid-1990s, initially serving as foreign minister and then deputy prime minister. But the brash Thaksin, who called himself Thailand's first "CEO prime minister", faced royalist accusations that he was undermining the revered monarchy, which he denied.

Persons: Thailand's, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Thaksin's, Yingluck Shinawatra, Critics, watchdogs, Chalinee, Chiang Mai, Love Thais, Devjyot Ghoshal, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panu, Robert Birsel Organizations: Thaksin, Chulalongkorn University, Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Shin Corporation, Thai Rak Thai, Singapore's Temasek, Premier League, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Bangkok, Thailand, Chiang, United States, Thai, Britain

"We are asking the court to close Facebook, not allowing it to provide services in Thailand if they let these fake pages scam people," Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn told Reuters. Ministry spokesperson Wetang Phuangsup told Reuters officials were currently gathering evidence of wrongdoing by Facebook that would be presented before court. "If there is a lot of wrongdoing, the court could close down pages and accounts. Or the court could close the entire platform," he said. The ministry said scams perpetrated on Facebook included luring users to invest in fake companies, faking government bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission and trading in digital currencies.

Persons: Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Meta, Wetang Phuangsup, Chaiwut, Panu, Martin Petty, Devjyot, David Goodman, Mark Potter Organizations: Facebook, Reuters, Ministry of Digital Economy, Society, Securities and Exchange Commission, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Southeast Asia's, Thailand

Thailand has been under a caretaker government since March and its new parliament has been deadlocked for weeks after anti-establishment election winners Move Forward were blocked by conservative lawmakers, leaving populist heavyweight Pheu Thai to lead a new effort. Srettha said on Monday Pheu Thai had failed to secure the outright majority it had targeted, so its only chance of governing was in partnership with some rivals it had vowed not to work with. Still, he seems determined and confident to follow through this time, however, with widespread speculation that Pheu Thai's alliance with its enemies is part of a behind-the-scenes deal Thaksin may have struck to allow his return. Pheu Thai has denied Thaksin's involvement in its bid to form a government and the former leader has for months denied conspiring with the generals who led coups against him and sister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2006 and 2014. "Tomorrow, at 9 a.m., I want permission to come back to live on Thai soil and breathe the air with other Thai people," Thaksin said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Athit, Pheu, Thaksin, Thaksin Shinawatra, Srettha, Thai, upstarts, Yingluck Shinawatra, Martin Petty, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Ex, Thai Party, English Premier League football, Thaksin, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

Thailand's bicameral parliament has been deadlocked for weeks on forming a government, after the anti-establishment election winner Move Forward succumbed to conservative resistance in parliament, leaving second-placed Pheu Thai to take up the effort. Parliament will vote on Tuesday on the prime ministerial bid of Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin, a 60-year-old real estate mogul who was thrust into politics only a few months ago. "To move the Pheu Thai Party forward, to help the people, we are not lying to the people but we have to be realistic," he told a press conference. "Over the past nine years Pheu Thai was not in government, we didn't have power, it is clear people's living standards dropped." Pheu Thai’s bid to form a governmentPheu Thai said it would still forge ahead with changing the constitution to make it more democratic, but would steer clear of amending laws related to the powerful monarchy.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Athit, Thaksin, Srettha, Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra, Pheu, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut, Panu, Martin Petty, Robert Birsel, Alison Williams Organizations: REUTERS, Ex, Pheu Thai Party, Pheu, Thai Party, Forward, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

☆ Pheu Thai gain backing from rival party to form government
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Thailand's Pheu Thai Party on Thursday gained support from a rival military-backed party, potentially boosting it in its bid to form a government ahead of a prime ministerial vote in parliament next week. The United Thai Nation Party or UTN, the party that fielded former coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha as its prime ministerial candidate in the May election, said on Thursday that it will help Pheu Thai form a government. "United Thai Party will join the government with Pheu Thai," UTN spokesman Akaradej Wongpitakroj told reporters on Thursday. Move Forward's former ally, the second-placed Pheu Thai party, earlier this month took over efforts to form a government. Previous Pheu Thai governments, backed by the billionaire Shinawatra family, were ousted by military coups in 2006 and 2014, when the party's interests clashed with the country's powerful old money elites and royalist military.

Persons: Prayuth Chan, Prayuth, Akaradej Wongpitakroj, Srettha Thavisin, Panu, Toby Chopra, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Thai Party, United Thai Nation Party, United Thai Party, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, Thailand

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Pheu Thai Party leader Chonlanan Srikaew greet each other after a press conference about forming an alliance between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai party, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 7, 2023. Pheu Thai and its businesses allies could face similar resistance. Despite abandoning Move Forward, Pheu Thai is lobbying for the backing of its 150 lawmakers in a prime ministerial vote expected later this month. Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat said no decision had been made on whether to vote for a Pheu Thai government. "The path to government for Pheu Thai is now more about Thaksin than the people."

Persons: Anutin Charnvirakul, Chonlanan Srikaew, Athit, Cholnan Srikaew, Thai's Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pita Limjaroenrat, Veerapat, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai, Titipol Phakdeewanich, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut, Panu, Martin Petty, Nick Macfie Organizations: Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai Party, Pheu, REUTERS, Senate, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, Ubon

[1/6] Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, the second-eldest son of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn arrives at the Foundation for Slum Child Care supported by the Royal Family, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 8, 2023. The trip by Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, comes at a fraught time for the Thai royal family, with the monarch's eldest daughter in a coma since December. To me he is still a member of the royal family," said Angsana Seeprasit, 66. Vacharaesorn's younger sister was later re-embraced by the royal family and given the royal title Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana. The thrice-divorced King Vajiralongkorn has seven children.

Persons: Vivacharawongse, Thailand's, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, Vacharaesorn, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thais, Vacharaesorn's, SonOfTenReturnToThailand, King Rama X, Angsana Seeprasit, King Vajiralongkorn's, Sujarinee, Sirivannavari Nariratana, King Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida, Bajrakitiyabha Narendira, Kay Johnson, Robert Birsel Organizations: Foundation for Slum Child, REUTERS, Foundation for Slum, Household, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, New York

☆ Son of Spanish actor detained in Thailand in grisly murder case
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The son of the well-known actor Rodolfo Sancho who starred in El Ministerio del Tempo (The Ministry of Time) and actress Silvia Bronchalo, Daniel Sancho works as a chef and was visiting Thailand on holiday, media reported. Sancho was detained shortly after body parts were found at a landfill on Koh Phangan, an island well-known to tourists for monthly 'full moon' parties. The police said DNA tests of the remains proved them to be of Arrieta, adding they have other evidence against Sancho. CCTV footage showed by local broadcaster ThaiPBS showed Sancho and Arrieta on a motorcycle together days before the remains were discovered. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, Read, Koh Phangan, Daniel Sancho Bronchal, General Saranyu Chamnanrat, Sancho, Saranyu, Rodolfo Sancho, Silvia Bronchalo, Daniel Sancho, Daniel Sancho himself, Phangan, ThaiPBS, Arrieta, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Kay Johnson, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Reuters, Police, Sunday, El Ministerio del Tempo, Thomson Locations: Spanish, Colombian, Koh Phangan, Thailand, BANGKOK, Koh, El, Arrieta's

CHONBURI, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Thai farmers marked the beginning of rice cultivation during the monsoon season on Sunday with their annual water buffaloes race which dates back to the 1800s. More than 60 buffaloes took part in the race along a 200-meter dirt track in the Napa sub-district of Chonburi province, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) southeast of the capital Bangkok. Samart Suksawang, mayor of Napa, said the event honours the buffalo's traditional role as beast of burden in rice farming. Though many farmers now use tractors for rice ploughing, water buffaloes are still kept for other duties like carrying. The race took place in hot dry weather, with a 5% drop in rainfall forecast for the July-October monsoon, according to the country's Meteorological Department.

Persons: Samart Suksawang, we've, Noppadorn Ponpaiparn, it's, We're, Napat Wesshasartar, Thomas Suen, Panu, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: CHONBURI, country's Meteorological Department, Thomson Locations: Napa, Chonburi, Bangkok

[1/2] People walk outside the parliament, after Thailand's constitution court ordered the temporary suspension of the Move Forward Party's leader Pita Limjaroenrat from the parliament, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Chalinee ThirasupaBANGKOK, July 20 (Reuters) - Thailand's parliament will hold another vote for a prime minister next week which cannot include the leader of election winners Move Forward, a deputy speaker said on Thursday, after rivals derailed his bid by blocking his re-nomination. "A candidate can only be nominated once in each parliamentary session," Deputy House Speaker Pichet Chuamuangphan told Reuters on Thursday. It is widely expected that real estate tycoon and political newcomer Srettha Thavisin from Move Forward's alliance partner Pheu Thai will be nominated for premier for the July 27 vote. "The eight parties are together, if there is a resolution for Pheu Thai to lead, then the party has to choose who to nominate," Srettha told reporters.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Parliament's, Pichet Chuamuangphan, Pita, Srettha, Pheu, Jetn Sirathranont, Thitinan, manoeuvred, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut, Orathai, Panu, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Constitutional, Senate, Chulalongkorn University, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

The 42-year-old, U.S.-educated liberal Pita Limjaroenrat needs the backing of more than half of the bicameral parliament to be endorsed as Thailand's next prime minister, but must overcome fierce resistance from a military at odds with his party's anti-establishment ambitions. In a post on Twitter as parliament convened, Pita appealed to his rivals to vote according to the will of the people. In the first vote last week, Pita was 51 votes short and was backed by only 13 of the 249 senators, many of whom abstained or were no-shows, effectively votes against him. Move Forward believes many were pressured to deny him and Pita is hoping some could change their minds. They pledged to vote for Pita ... that's a sizable bloc."

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Pita's, We're, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty, Michael Perry, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Twitter, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, that's

☆ Can Thailand's Pita succeed in a second PM vote?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/4] Move Forward Party Leader Pita Limjaroenrat speaks during a voting session for a new prime minister at the parliament, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 13, 2023. An eight-party alliance has pledged its backing for Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, despite his defeat in the first vote on July 13. Pita was 51 votes short of the 375 needed, as opponents closed ranks to deny him with a host of abstentions and no-shows. CAN PITA WIN THE SECOND VOTE? A separate concern for Move Forward is possible intervention by the Constitutional Court to suspend Pita from duty as a lawmaker.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Athit, Pita, PITA, Pheu, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prawit Wongsuwan, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Senate, CAN, WIN, Constitutional, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, Pheu

BANGKOK, July 18 (Reuters) - Thai prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat on Tuesday said he was willing to slow the pace of his party's ambitious reform agenda if he forms a government but would not retreat from its plan to amend a law prohibiting royal insults. But the sentiment of the era has changed," he said in the interview. "I'm still sticking to what I promised the voters ... the institution is above politics. He added: "I cannot look them in the eye if I'm walking away from this issue." The military has for decades invoked its duty to defend the monarchy to justify intervention in politics, and used the law against royal insult to stifle dissent, critics say.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Martin Petty, Robert Birsel Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand

☆ Thailand's Pita open to coalition ally leading government if he fails in PM bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, July 15 (Reuters) - Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Thailand's election winning Move Forward Party, on Saturday raised the prospect of a political ally leading the new government if he fails to become prime minister. "If it becomes clear that Move Forward Party cannot realistically lead government formation then I am... open to having the party that came second, which is Pheu Thai, to lead," Pita said. "All of Move Forward members of parliaments are ready to support Pheu Thai's prime minister candidates," he said. Pheu Thai holds 141 seats in the Lower House, 10 less than Move Forward. Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew said on Friday his party will support Pita's bid to become prime minister.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Pheu, Srettha Thavisin, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra, Chonlanan Srikaew, Panu, Mike Harrison Organizations: Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, Lower

[1/8] Move Forward Party Leader Pita Limjaroenrat poses for a picture on the day of voting for a new prime minister at the parliament, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 13, 2023. One senator resigned on Wednesday, lowering the threshold to 375 votes to become prime minister. "I'm confident that I will do my best to match the hopes and encouragement from the people," Pita told reporters. Political uncertainty has pulled Thailand's main stock index (.SETI) down about 11% so far this year. More turbulence can be expected if Pita cannot prevail in the vote given Move Forward's massive support from young voters and its popularity in the capital.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Pheu, ThaiRath, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty, Lincoln, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Senate, Thai, Constitutional, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, Southeast Asia's

On Thursday, 42-year-old Pita Limjaroenrat failed in his initial bid to win the premiership after he was unable to secure enough votes in a joint sitting of Thailand's 750-member parliament. Another vote is expected to be held next week, which Pita can contest if nominated again. But Pita and Move Forward's agenda - particularly a once-unthinkable proposal to amend Thailand's "lese majeste" law - also pit them against the country's powerful conservative establishment, which controls the 250-member appointed senate. First, Thailand's election commission recommended the Constitutional Court disqualify Pita as a lawmaker because of his ownership of shares in a media company in violation of electoral rules. Some of those protesters - and some of those demands - were part of Move Forward's electoral juggernaut, including a call to amend the lese majeste law.

Persons: Thailand's, Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Thais, Thaksin Shinawatra, Kannawee Suebsang, Devjyot Ghoshal, Panu, Nick Macfie Organizations: Wednesday, Constitutional, Harvard University, Pheu Thai Party, Fair Party, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, Thailand, Bangkok

☆ Thailand's Pita fails in PM bid after losing parliament vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BANGKOK, July 13 (Reuters) - Thailand's Pita Limjaroenrat failed on Thursday in his initial bid to become Thailand's next prime minister, after he was unable to secure the required endorsement of more than half of the bicameral parliament. Pita, leader of election winners Move Forward, was unopposed in the contest but could not muster the required support, with a host of abstentions and votes against him. Parliament is expected to hold another vote next week, which Pita can contest if nominated again. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um and Chayut Setboonsarng; Writing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty Organizations: Thomson Locations: BANGKOK

☆ Thailand prime minister Prayuth retires from politics, nine years after his coup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha leaves after a cabinet meeting before end of his term in next week at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaBANGKOK, July 11 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced on Tuesday his retirement from politics, nine years after he took power in a military coup, and promised to stay in charge only temporarily. The former army chief, a staunch royalist, led a junta until an election in 2019 and was chosen by parliament to remain prime minister for four more years, an outcome his opponents insist was pre-determined. "I as prime minister have worked hard to protect the nation, religion, monarchy for the benefit of the beloved people. His announcement comes as the new parliament prepares to convene on Thursday to hold a vote on who will be the next prime minister, an outcome far from certain.

Persons: Prayuth Chan, ocha, Prayuth, Panu, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Government, REUTERS, Thailand's, United Thai Nation, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

The military has for decades invoked its duty to defend the monarchy to justify intervention in politics, and used the lese majeste law to stifle dissent, critics say. Much depends on whether Move Forward's main ally, second-place winner Pheu Thai, sticks with it or seeks other coalition partners if Pita's bid looks doomed. King Vajiralongkorn, 70, who has no role in choosing a government, has remained silent on the lese majeste issue since the election. In the last election in 2019, no party would have dared suggest amending the lese majeste law. Pheu Thai, which has 141 seats to Move Forward's 151, could nominate its prime ministerial candidate with the eight-party alliance intact.

Persons: Maha Vajiralongkorn, Suthida, Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Seri Suwanpanon, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Prayuth Chan, Pheu, King Vajiralongkorn, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Thaksin Shinawatra, Titipol Phakdeewanich, Amarat Chokepamitkul, Panu, Kay Johnson, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Royal News, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, Senate, Ubon Ratchathani University, Royal Household Bureau, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai, Handout, BANGKOK, Pheu

☆ U.S. to slap new sanctions on Myanmar state-owned banks - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Thai reports, published on Tuesday, said Washington would announce new sanctions on Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank and Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank as early as Wednesday. A spokesman for Myanmar's military junta said it was not worried about any new sanctions. Zaw Min Tun told the state media channel MWD on Tuesday evening that the country has experienced sanctions before and they will not face losses if there are new sanctions on Myanmar state-owned banks. He said the United States was "just doing this to cause difficulties in economics and politics". One of the Thai media reports, by Bangkok Business News, cited Thai sources as saying the sanctions would impact Thailand and other countries in the region financially because of connections with local banks.

Persons: Washington, Aung, Kyi, Min Tun, Critics, Prayuth Chan, Panu, Poppy McPherson, Kay Johnson, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: United, Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank, Myanmar Investment, Commercial Bank, Reuters, Embassy, Bangkok Business, Thai, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, United States, U.S, Thailand, States, Myanmar, Bangkok, Pattaya, ASEAN

☆ Thais host Myanmar junta official for talks; key ASEAN members stay away
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister, Than Swe, is due to join the talks, two sources with knowledge of the meeting told Reuters. But some ASEAN members have declined to attend and others are only sending junior officials. ASEAN FRUSTRATIONThe military took over in Myanmar in 1962, isolating it for decades until a tentative opening up began in 2011. Malaysia's foreign minister has also declined to attend the Thai talks, saying it remained supportive of the efforts being undertaken by Indonesia. Cambodia on Monday said Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who last year served as an ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar, would be represented by his deputy.

Persons: Aung, Athit, Don Pramudwinai, Don, Retno Marsudi, Suu Kyi, Prak Sokhonn, Panu, Ananda, Kanupriya Kapoor, Kay Johnson, Robert Birsel Organizations: Protesters, Embassy, REUTERS, Monday, Association of Southeast Nations, ASEAN, Myanmar's, Reuters, Thai PBS, Indonesian, Peace, Myanmar, ASEAN Chair, Malaysian, Cambodian, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, ASEAN, Indonesia, Suu, Cambodia, Ananda Teresia, Jakarta, Rozanna, Kuala Lumpur

BANGKOK, June 19 (Reuters) - Thailand's poll body certified the results of last month's election on Monday, paving the way for the first session of parliament in the next few weeks ahead of the formation of a new government. The opposition has formed an eight-party alliance that is expected to back Move Forward's Harvard-educated leader Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister and form a coalition government likely next month. Move Forward's alliance said it would meet on Thursday to agree on a speaker and deputy speakers. If found guilty by a court, Pita faces a political ban of up to 20 years and even prison. Reporting Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Panarat, Panu, Martin Petty Organizations: Forward's Harvard, iTV, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, Thailand, Bangkok

Only Cambodia has so far officially confirmed it intended to attend the talks. Myanmar's junta spokesman could not be reached for comment on Sunday. Thailand's foreign ministry was tight-lipped about exactly who was attending the two-day gathering in the resort town of Pattaya, for which outgoing Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai sent invitation letters just four days before its start. Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn was to attend the meeting, his government said in a statement on Friday. Vietnam's government said its foreign minister would not attend "due to a prior engagement".

Persons: Nobel, Aung, Myanmar's, Swe, Don Pramudwinai, Don, Prak Sokhonn, Vivian Balakrishnan, Nantiwat Samart, Suu Kyi's, Panu, Phuong Nguyen, Ananda Teresia, Stefanno Sulaiman, Poppy McPherson, Devjyot, Kay Johnson, William Mallard Organizations: Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Reuters, Cambodian, Nation TV, National Unity Government, Thai, Ananda, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Cambodia, Suu, Thailand, Pattaya, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Thai, ASEAN, Malaysia, Philippines, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Shoon

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