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☆ Thailand's Ex-PM Thaksin Seen Leaving Hospital on Day of Parole
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Napat Wesshasartar and Athit PerawongmethaBANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's jailed billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was seen early on Sunday in a vehicle leaving a hospital where he has been in detention for the past six months, according to Reuters witnesses. Thaksin, 74, had been scheduled to be released on parole on Sunday, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Thailand's best-known and most polarising premier, Thaksin has loomed large over politics for two decades, despite 15 years in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail sentence for abuse of power and conflicts of interest. Thaksin made a dramatic return from exile in August to cheering crowds and was taken to prison to serve an eight-year sentence. (Reporting by Napat Wesshasartar Napat Wesshasartar Athit Perawongmetha and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Nick Zieminski)

Persons: Napat Wesshasartar, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Srettha Thavisin, Mercedes van, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Martin Petty, Nick Zieminski Locations: Athit, BANGKOK

☆ Convicted Thai Ex-PM Thaksin Facing Possible Royal Insults Charge
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's attorney general is considering prosecuting convicted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra over an alleged insult of the powerful monarchy, an official said on Tuesday, just weeks away from his possible release on parole. The lese-majeste law is among the world's strictest, with each perceived offence punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The influential Thaksin, prime minister from 2001-2006, made a dramatic homecoming last August from 15 years in self-imposed exile to serve an eight-year jail sentence for abuse of power, later commuted to one year by the king. Prayut Petchkhun, spokesperson for the attorney-general's office, told reporters the seven-year delay in acting on the royal insults complaint was because Thaksin had been abroad. Thailand current government is backed by the Shinawatra family, with Thaksin's return coinciding with ally and real estate mogul Srettha Thavisin becoming prime minister that same day.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin's, Thaksin, Prayut Petchkhun, Prayut, Srettha Thavisin, Panu, Martin Petty Organizations: Thaksin Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, South Korea, Thailand

☆ Thailand Deports Dissident Russian Rock Band to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Human rights activists had warned that the seven members of the self-exiled rock band Bi-2 would face harsh punishment if they were sent to Russia. Several band members, however, hold both Russian and Israeli citizenship, and the group had been based in Israel in the 1990s. Earlier this week, Thai immigration officials said the band could choose to be deported to another destination if they felt unsafe to return to Russia. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, welcomed the decision to send the band to Israel. "Human rights concerns won out in Thailand's to let all the Bi-2 band members travel to the safety of Israel," he said(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat; editing by Miral Fahmy)

Persons: Surachate Hakparn, Surachate, Igor Bortnick, Vladimir Putin, Phil Robertson, Panu, Miral Fahmy Organizations: Thai, Deputy Police, Reuters, Tel Aviv ., Russia's, Human Rights Locations: BANGKOK, Russian, Ukraine, Thailand, Israel, Moscow, Phuket, Russia, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Asia, Thailand's

☆ New Blow for Thai Election Winners as Lawyer Launches Dissolution Bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The constitution states the king is enshrined to be held in a position of "revered worship". The election commission will weigh the merits of the complaint and whether to send it to the Constitutional Court to decide on party dissolution, which could see its executives banned from politics for a decade. Its predecessor, Future Forward, had championed similar policies and was disbanded in 2020 for violating campaign funding rules. "The election commission must take into account (yesterday's) case ... the commission must carry out its duties and cannot remain idle," Ruangkrai told reporters. Move Forward has rejected accusations that it sought to undermine the monarchy and says it wanted to prevent the wrongful use of the royal insults law.

Persons: Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, Ruangkrai, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panu, Martin Petty Organizations: Thailand's, Party, Constitutional Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand

☆ Thailand welcomes release of two more Thai hostages held by Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Happy to personally welcome 2 additional Thai hostages just released and arrived at the hospital in Tel Aviv," Parnpree, who is also deputy prime minister, posted on social media platform X. Nineteen Thai hostages have so far been released, while the foreign ministry says 13 more remain in captivity. A Thai Muslim group that spoke directly with Hamas said on Monday its efforts were key to ensuring Thai hostages were among the first to be released. A Thai foreign ministry spokesperson said multiple actors were consulted. The Thai citizens released are slated to return home this week as Parnpree visits Israel.

Persons: Parnpree Bahiddha, Eli Cohen, Uriel Bosso, Nukara, Parnpree, Orathai Sriring, Panarat, Tom Hogue, Martin Petty Organizations: Thai Foreign, Israeli, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Gaza, BANGKOK, Israel, Tel Aviv

☆ 'I'm not dead,' Thai hostage says after 'miracle' release in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Chayut Setboonsarng | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"He told me not to cry, to tell mother I’m coming back," Roongarun Wichagern told Reuters of her younger brother after an emotional reunion on a video call. "He said, ‘I’m not dead, I’m not dead,’" Roongarun said, calling his survival a "miracle". The freed Thai hostages will return home after 48 hours in hospital, Thailand’s foreign ministry said in a statement. He called for the release of the remaining "innocent Thai hostages as soon as possible". Photographs from the Thai foreign ministry showed them meeting doctors at a medical centre in Israel.

Persons: I’m, Roongarun Wichagern, ‘ I’m, Roongarun, Srettha Thavisin, Vetoon, Thais, Thongkoon Onkaew, Natthaporn, Chayut Setboonsarng, Napat Wesshasartar, Poppy McPherson, William Mallard Organizations: Hamas, Foreign Affairs, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Reuters, Shamir Medical, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thai, International Committee, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Tel Aviv, Foreign Affairs Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai, Gaza, Thailand, Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Malaysia

☆ Thai economy in 'crisis' and needs major stimulus - PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Speaking at a forum, Srettha said the economy was not in good shape with fewer foreign arrivals than targeted, and he would be prioritising attracting foreign investment and addressing household debt. "There needs to be big economic stimulus," said Srettha, who is also finance minister, adding a plan to tackle debt would be announced on Dec. 12. Thailand recorded 23.85 million foreign tourists arriving from Jan 1 to Nov. 19, spending 1 trillion baht. It is targeting 28 million arrivals versus a pre-pandemic record of nearly 40 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2019 who spent 1.91 trillion baht. In recent weeks, government officials have described the economy to be in a crisis, necessitating its signature plan.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong, Satawasin, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: Thai, Thais, Bank of Thailand, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, Southeast Asia's

☆ Thais to Be Among Hostages Freed by Hamas if Gaza Truce Agreed, Thai-Muslim Politicians Say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai-Muslim politicians said on Thursday they had received assurances from the Palestinian group Hamas that all the Thai hostages being held would be among those released if mediators succeed in brokering a truce in Gaza. The Islamist militants took some 240 people hostage on Oct.7, when they rampaged through southern Israel killing 1,200 people, according to Israel. Thailand's Foreign Ministry says 25 Thais were among those abducted and 39 were among those killed that day. "Any ceasefire either 3 days or 5 days ... Hamas will release hostages, including all Thais being held, which they promised," Lepong Syed, the president of the Thai-Iran alumni association, told reporters in Bangkok's parliament building. Lepong is part of a team formed by Thai-Muslim politicians, headed by House Speaker, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, that has been in contact with the Hamas since October.

Persons: Thais, Lepong Syed, Wan, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Hamas, Thailand's, Ministry, House Speaker, Reuters Locations: BANGKOK, Gaza, Israel, Thai, Iran

☆ Thais to be among hostages freed by Hamas if Gaza truce agreed, Thai-Muslim politicians say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Thai-Muslim politicians said on Thursday they had received assurances from the Palestinian group Hamas that all the Thai hostages being held would be among those released if mediators succeed in brokering a truce in Gaza. The Islamist militants took some 240 people hostage on Oct.7, when they rampaged through southern Israel killing 1,200 people, according to Israel. Thailand's Foreign Ministry says 25 Thais were among those abducted and 39 were among those killed that day. "Any ceasefire either 3 days or 5 days ... Hamas will release hostages, including all Thais being held, which they promised," Lepong Syed, the president of the Thai-Iran alumni association, told reporters in Bangkok's parliament building. Lepong is part of a team formed by Thai-Muslim politicians, headed by House Speaker, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, that has been in contact with the Hamas since October.

☆ Thailand to receive $8.5 bln worth of investment from AWS, Google, Microsoft
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo for Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seen at the Collision conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 23, 2022. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Thailand will receive 300 billion baht ($8.46 billion) worth of investment from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google and Microsoft, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday. AWS plans to build a data centre with a budget of $5 billion over 15 years, the government said in a separate statement. "The prime minister is confident that AWS' investment will enhance the country's competitiveness," said Chai, adding Microsoft and Google were also studying investment plans for large data centres in Thailand. Amazon Web Services, Google and Microsoft did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on investments in Thailand.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Chai Wacharonke, Chai, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Amazon Web Services, REUTERS, Rights, Google, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Rights BANGKOK, Thailand

☆ Thailand, Toyota to jointly develop domestic EV industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A Toyota Logo is seen at a Toyota dealership in Zaventem, Belgium, November 25, 2022. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Thailand will work with Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) in developing the country's electric vehicle (EV) industry, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said after a meeting with the automakers' executives. "Toyota said it sees the potential of Thailand's auto manufacturing industry especially in pick-up trucks and eco-cars," the government said in a statement on Thursday. The announcement comes as Toyota plans to trial its first EV pick-up truck in Thailand in a fresh attempt to boost EV sales in the country where it faces rising competition from Chinese rivals. For decades, the world's 10th largest auto hub has been dominated by Japanese firms like Toyota Motor and Honda Motor Co (7267.T), which use Thailand as a major export base.

Persons: Johanna Geron, Srettha Thavisin, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Toyota, REUTERS, Rights, Toyota Motor Corp, Honda Motor, EV, Thomson Locations: Zaventem, Belgium, Rights BANGKOK, Thailand, Southeast Asia

☆ Thailand to waive visas for Taiwan and India to boost tourism
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Thailand will waive visa requirements for arrivals from India and Taiwan from next month to May 2024, a government official said on Tuesday, in a bid to draw in more tourists as high season approaches. Thailand in September scrapped visa requirements for Chinese tourists, the country's top pre-pandemic tourism market with 11 million of the record 39 million arrivals in 2019. "Arrivals from India and Taiwan can enter Thailand for 30 days," spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said. India has been Thailand's fourth largest source market for tourism so far this year with about 1.2 million arrivals after Malaysia, China and South Korea. Inbound tourism from India showed signs of growth as more airlines and hospitality chains targeted that market.

Persons: Chai Wacharonke, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, India, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, South Korea

☆ Thailand aims swapping Chinese sub with frigate after troubled deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The Thai government may buy a frigate instead of a submarine from China after the Chinese manufacturer was unable to include a German engine as specified in the original deal, Thailand's defence minister has said. China has proposed replacing the German engines with Chinese-made equipment several rounds of negotiations did not yield a conclusive result. "We have proposed to China and they are considering it," defence minister Sutin Klungsang told a local media outlet on Tuesday. The defence minister said last week that procurement of submarine would be shelved for now and resume "when the country is ready". The Chinese submarine deal has attracted public criticism of the previous government, with the opposition and critics raising questions about whether was in the public interest, and whether submarines were necessary for security.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin's, Sutin Klungsang, Sutin, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, China, Thailand, Germany, Beijing

☆ Thai police arrest four suspected of selling modified gun to mall shooter
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Thai police arrested on Thursday four men suspected of illegally selling modified firearms to the teenager who opened fire in a luxury mall in Bangkok this week, killing two and wounding five. Two of the four were arrested in the Thai capital and two in the southern province of Yala on suspicion of selling a modified blank gun to the 14-year-old, who has been charged with premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm. Mass shootings are rare in Thailand, but gun violence and gun ownership is common. "The digital ministry will be shutting down websites selling blank guns," Jakkapong Sangmanee, the deputy foreign minister, told a separate briefing. The government plans to ban imports of blank guns, BB guns and imitation firearms, its deputy spokesperson, Karom Phonphonklang, said in a statement.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Samran Nuanma, Karom Phonphonklang, Chayut Setboonsarng, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thai, Thomson Locations: Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai, Yala

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Thailand will close legal loopholes relating to firearm classification and online sales in its gun control efforts, its police chief said on Wednesday, a day after a teenager was arrested following a deadly shooting at a mall that left two people dead. Existing Thai laws on the possession of illegal firearms carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 20,000 Thai baht($539.67). Laws have tightened after mass shootings in recent years in Thailand, including a requirement for a medical evaluation for those who want to buy a gun or renew their gun license. And in 2020, a soldier shot and killed at least 29 people in another northeastern Thai city. "The government should learn the lessons from past mass shooting incidents, review the proposed solutions and quickly implement them," Krisanaphong said.

Persons: Athit, Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak, Lazada, Krisanaphong, Panu, Poppy McPherson, Devjyot Ghoshal, Bernadette Baum, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Authorities, Thailand's Channel, Rangsit University, Reuters, Singapore's, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Southeast Asia, Thai

☆ Suspected Thai mall shooter modified handgun designed to fire blanks - police
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] A general view shows the outside of the luxury Siam Paragon shopping mall after Thai police arrested a teenage gunman who is suspected of killing foreigners and wounding other people in a shooting spree, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 3, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Silva Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - A teenager suspected of killing two foreign nationals and wounding five others in a Thai shopping mall shooting had modified a handgun that was designed to fire only blanks, a senior police official said on Wednesday. Chaos erupted at the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok close to peak hours on Tuesday, with hundreds fleeing as gunshots rang out. Major General Samran Nuanma said he modified a gun designed to fire blank rounds, to enable it to use live ammunition. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Samran Nuanma, Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Siam Paragon, Police, National, Thomson Locations: Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai, China, Myanmar

Fleeing shoppers were ushered by security guards from the mall into torrential rain and towards a road with heavy traffic. We saw all the people run, run, run, we didn't understand what was happening," said 26-year-old Shir Yahav from Israel, who was at a designer store at the time of the shooting. [1/6]People flee following shots fired at the luxury Siam Paragon shopping mall, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 3, 2023. The mall said it had evacuated shoppers and staff immediately, stressing safety was of the utmost importance. "Siam Paragon would like to express our deep apologies for the unexpected event," it said in a statement, adding the mall would reopen on Wednesday.

Persons: Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak, Yahav, Devjyot, handcuffing, Panu, Pasit, Napat, Artorn, Athit, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Gareth Jones Organizations: Siam, Police, Thai, Siam Paragon, National, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, BANGKOK, Bangkok, China, Israel, Thailand, Siam, Nakhon Ratchasima, Instagram, Sun

☆ Thai court denies bail for lawyer who called for monarchy reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Arnon Nampa, a prominent activist and former human rights lawyer, speaks to media ahead of a Thai criminal court's verdict in a case of allegedly having insulted the monarchy, at the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand, September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 30 (Reuters) - A Thai court denied bail on Saturday for an activist lawyer sentenced to four years in prison for royal insults, his lawyer said, in one of the Southeast Asian country's highest-profile lese-majeste cases. Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, 39, is widely known for a speech during pro-democracy protests in 2020 when he broke taboos by calling for public debate on the role of Thailand's powerful king. The Appeal Court read out an order on Saturday rejecting Arnon's bail request due to concerns that "if bail was given he would escape", said his lawyer, Krisadang Nutcharus. Krisadang said he would consult with Arnon on whether to make another bail request or appeal the order to the Supreme Court.

Persons: Arnon, Athit, Arnon Nampa, Krisadang, Thailand's, Prayuth Chan, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Orathai Sriring, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Arnon Nampa, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

☆ Thailand's new PM says committed to attracting major foreign investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO-Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday said his government was committed to introducing the necessary changes to make the country a major destination for foreign investment, including pursuing more free trade agreements. He stressed foreign policy would be neutral and not taking sides between the United States and China, adding that Japan was a major power that Thailand was committed to, given its long history as the country's top investor. He opened the address stating the country's constitution needed to be amended to address political divisions and chronic economic disparities. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Brendan McDermid, Srettha, Sretta, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty, Michael Perry Organizations: Thailand’s, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights BANGKOK, Thailand, United States, China, Japan

☆ Activist Who Called for Thai Monarchy Reforms Sentenced to Four Years for Royal Insults - Judge
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - An activist and lawyer made famous for his open calls for reform of Thailand's powerful monarchy was on Tuesday sentenced to four years in prison for royal insults, a judge said. Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa is widely known for his taboo-breaking speech during pro-democracy protests in 2020 during which he called for public debate on the role of Thailand's powerful king. Arnon had denied wrongdoing. (Reporting by Napat Wesshasartar, Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty)

Persons: Arnon Nampa, Arnon, Napat Wesshasartar, Chayut, Martin Petty Locations: BANGKOK

[1/5] A Chinese tourist is welcomed by Thai traditional puppets during a welcome ceremony of the first batch of Chinese tourists under a five-month visa-free entry scheme at Bangkok's International Airport, Thailand, September 25, 2023. The visa waiver programme runs from Sept. 25 until February next year. The government expects 2.88 million Chinese visitors during that 5-month period, slightly higher than the 2.34 million Chinese who have visited this year. "More Chinese tourists come to Thailand for holiday, because it is indeed very convenient," he said. Chinese tourists say they are drawn to Thailand for its beaches and food.

Persons: Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Gu, ”, Ye Weihe, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Miral Fahmy, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Bangkok's International, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Thai, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Bangkok, Shanghai, Srettha, Tourism, Suvarnabhumi, China, Pattaya

☆ Thailand expects Tesla, Google, Microsoft to invest $5 billion, prime minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks during a press conference after a weekly cabinet meeting at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Sunday the country expected to receive investment of at least $5 billion from Tesla (TSLA.O), Google (GOOGL.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O). "Tesla would be looking into an EV manufacturing facility, Microsoft and Google are looking at data centres," he said, without detailing whether the $5 billion was expected to be a combined investment or made individually by each company. Tesla, Google and Microsoft did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Srettha spoke with Tesla CEO Elon Musk last week about the electric vehicle sector.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Athit, Tesla, Srettha, Elon Musk, Asia's, Chayut Setboonsarng, Jamie Freed Organizations: Thailand's, REUTERS, Rights, Tesla, Google, Microsoft, General Assembly, EV, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, New York

☆ Thailand's new prime minister courts US companies for investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks during a press conference after a weekly cabinet meeting at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with U.S. companies including Microsoft (MSFT.O), Google (GOOGL.O), and Estee Lauder (EL.N) in his first trip abroad since coming to power last month, looking to draw investment to boost a flagging economy. The prime minister also held talks with banks. "To service foreign investments, we will need financial institutions ... Goldman Sachs (GS.N) said they will consider setting up an office in Thailand," Srettha said. In the first six months of 2023, investment pledges to Thailand rose 70%, driven by Chinese auto investors.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Athit, Estee Lauder, Srettha, I've, Tesla, Elon Musk, Goldman Sachs, Chayut Setboonsarng, Lincoln Organizations: Thailand's, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Microsoft, Google, General Assembly, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, New York

☆ Thailand's New Prime Minister Courts US Companies for Investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with U.S. companies including Microsoft, Google, and Estee Lauder in his first trip abroad since coming to power last month, looking to draw investment to boost a flagging economy. That is a challenge for Srettha, who is aiming to grow Southeast Asia's second-largest economy by 5% each year. The prime minister also held talks with banks. "To service foreign investments, we will need financial institutions ... Goldman Sachs said they will consider setting up an office in Thailand," Srettha said. In the first six months of 2023, investment pledges to Thailand rose 70%, driven by Chinese auto investors.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Estee Lauder, Srettha, I've, Elon Musk, Goldman Sachs, Chayut Setboonsarng, Lincoln Organizations: U.S, Microsoft, Google, General Assembly, Tesla Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, New York

☆ 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

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