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☆ I'm a 25-year-old with 2 master's degrees and $131,000 in student debt. I just left Paris and am getting ready to travel to Asia.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Alexandra York | Josée Rose | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Hayley is an American who spent two years living in Paris and going to school. She recently left Paris and is getting ready to travel to India and beyond. Once a week, I'd pick her up from school and we'd spend about two hours together. I'm going to do a week in India, then I'm going to do a few days in Singapore, then a week and a half in Australia with friends. I'm part of a Facebook group called Host a Sister so I'm staying with women in India who also love to travel solo and then with friends in all the other countries I'm going.

Persons: Hayley, Paris Hayley, I'd, —, I'm, it's, there's, UNESCO's MGIEP, I've Organizations: Service, Anderson College, Arcadia University, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace, Sustainable Development Locations: American, Paris, India, Asia, Wall, Silicon, Kalamazoo , Michigan, South Carolina, Uganda, Marais, Kalamazoo Shore, Jordan, Europe, Midwest, North America, New Zealand, Italy, undergrad, Spain, Michigan, Southeast Asia, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Kalamazoo

☆ Indonesia says Mitsubishi Motors plans to invest $375 mln in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A man walks near Mitsubishi cars as he visits Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo, Japan October 24, 2019. "We are optimistic that, if implemented, this can boost investment and increase demand to use EVs," Agus said. A Mitsubishi spokesperson said executives from its Tokyo headquarters on Wednesday met with Agus for talks, declining to comment further. Mitsubishi reported combined retail and wholesale sales in the ASEAN region of 120,000 vehicles for the three months to June 30, dropping 1.6% from a year earlier. In Thailand, its retail and wholesale sales slumped to 17,000 units during that period, down from 25,000 a year earlier.

Persons: Soe Zeya, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Agus, Bernadette Christina, Fransiska, Rocky Swift, Daniel Leussink, Louise Heavens, David Evans Organizations: Mitsubishi, Tokyo Motor, REUTERS, Mitsubishi Motors, Wednesday, Japan's Nikkei, Guangzhou Automobile Group, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, JAKARTA, Indonesia, Thailand, China, ASEAN, Jakarta

The Berlin-based company expects total segment revenue to grow around 15% this year, compared with its previous guidance for growth of around 10% in constant currency terms. The company confirmed its outlook for adjusted core profit (EBITDA) margin on gross merchandise value (GMV) of over 0.5% for the year. Revenue rose 16% in constant currency to 2.58 billion euros in the second quarter, slightly above a consensus estimate of 2.50 billion euros. Overall GMV increased 8% in constant currency to 11.08 billion euros in the quarter, exceeding analysts' estimate of 10.96 billion euros. The group's Asia segment, including its core market South Korea, returned to positive GMV growth of 2% in constant currency.

Persons: Emmanuel Thomassin, Niklas Oestberg, Linda Pasquini, Anna Mackenzie, Himani Sarkar, Conor Humphries, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Thomson Locations: Asia, Berlin, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Gdansk

☆ Ancient reptile was riddled with parasites, fossilized poop reveals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Researchers didn’t find the parasites in phytosaur bones or teeth; rather, they retrieved them from a nugget of fossilized feces, known as a coprolite. For example, certain fish with spiraling intestines poop out what eventually become spiral-shaped coprolites, according to Nonsrirach. “Studying the remains of parasites in coprolites is important since it provides us with rare insights into ancient parasite-host relationships,” Qvarnström said. “This event raises interesting questions about how prey animals and parasites interact with each other. It suggests that parasites may have been inside the bodies of prey before they were eaten,” Nonsrirach said.

Persons: didn’t, ”, Thanit Nonsrirach, “, Nonsrirach, Coprolites, Martin Qvarnström, Qvarnström, ” Qvarnström, ” Nonsrirach, ” Mindy Weisberger Organizations: CNN, Mahasarakham, Uppsala University, University of California Museum of Paleontology, Scientific Locations: Thailand, Asia, Kham Riang, Sweden, Berkeley, coprolites

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —The estranged second oldest son of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has made an unexpected visit to the country, his first in almost three decades, in a return that surprised many in the kingdom. “I am delighted to return to Thailand, I have been warmly welcomed. I have been away for a long time, 27 years,” Vacharaesorn told reporters at the Foundation for Slum Child Care. Vacharaesorn is the second of four sons of King Vajiralongkorn, 71, and his second wife, Yuvadhida Polpraserth, who he married in 1994 and later divorced. Vacharaesorn, his mother and siblings were estranged after the separation and he does not hold a formal royal title.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, Thailand’s, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, “, ” Vacharaesorn, King Vajiralongkorn, Yuvadhida Polpraserth, Vacharaesorn, Bajrakitiyabha, Athit Perawongmetha, Vajiralongkorn, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Srirasmi, Queen Suthida, –, Vacharaesorn’s, Sirivannavari, King Organizations: Thailand CNN, Foundation for Slum, Reuters, Yuvadhida, King’s Royal Guard Command, CNN Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, United States, tuk, Bangkok’s

☆ 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

☆ This couple are driving around the world in a Land Rover together
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“It all started with a road trip in Belgium,” says 29-year-old Chazee, who was born in Thailand. Shared dreamNicolas Chazee and Mathilde Vougny are driving around the world in a Land Rover Defender named Albatross. Epic adventureVoughny, seen in Finland, says that she and Chazee thought their dream road trip was "unachievable" until they began researching it. “People joke that if you have a Land Rover, you’re also going to end up being a mechanic,” says Chazee. Next Meridian ExpeditionAside from the car problems, the couple say that the extreme weather conditions they’ve experienced have been among their biggest challenges so far.

Persons: Nicolas Chazee, Mathilde Vougny, ”, “, we’ve, ’ ”, they’d, Chazee, Vougny, ” Vougny, who’ve, they’ve, They’ve, you’re, I’ve, I’m, ” Chazee, he’s, they’ll, Next Meridian Expedition They’ve Organizations: CNN, Rover, Meridian Expedition, Rover Defender, Next Meridian, YouTube, Central America, “, Next, Next Meridian Expedition Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Thailand, Europe, France, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Halifax, Canada, Alaska, Wyoming , Colorado , Utah, Arizona, California, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Australia, Chile, “, Central America, USA, Argentina, Antarctica, Asia, Africa

☆ National Gallery of Australia to return $1.5M statues, bought from disgraced art dealer Douglas Latchford, to Cambodia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Three bronze sculptures looted from Cambodia and later sold to the National Gallery of Australia for $1.5 million will be returned to the Southeast Asian kingdom, the museum announced Thursday. The gallery purchased the artifacts in 2011 from the late art dealer Douglas Latchford, who was subsequently accused by US investigators of trafficking stolen antiquities. He added that “about 20” other Cambodian items in the museum’s collection are still being reviewed. Kingdom of Cambodia/National Gallery of AustraliaThe three items from the National Gallery will join that collection in Phnom Penh once the new extension is complete. In 2021, it returned 17 works of art connected to disgraced art dealers Subhash Kapoor and William Wolff.

Persons: Douglas Latchford, ”, Chanborey, Cheunboran, Nick Mitzevich, Arts Susan Templeman, Karlee, of Australia Latchford, Latchford, Bradley Gordon, Latchford’s, Nawapan Kriangsak, —, Phoeurng Sackona, Subhash Kapoor, William Wolff Organizations: CNN, National Gallery of Australia, Arts, of Australia, Cambodia’s, Culture and Fine Arts, of Locations: Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand, Canberra, Karlee Holland, Khmer, New York, Angkor Wat, Thailand, Phnom Penh, Kingdom

☆ Food delivery apps Grab and Foodpanda expand into dine-in services as explosive growth stalls
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Bryan van der Beek | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesSINGAPORE — Singapore-based food delivery apps Grab and Foodpanda are expanding into the dine-in space, as consumers look to eat out more post-pandemic. Foodpanda was the first food delivery companies in Singapore to introduce dine-in features in 2021. Food delivery is currently still Foodpanda's largest business, followed by grocery delivery, he said. In June, food delivery service AirAsia Food launched dine-in services in collaboration with restaurant reservation platform eatigo. Food delivery apps want to help [restaurants] get some business in terms of dining in and booking.

Persons: Bryan van der Beek, Bernstein, Foodpanda, Jakob Sebastian Angele, Jonathan Woo, Phillip Securities Research Angele, TabSquare, Jein, GrabFood's, Tay, Woo, Sachin Mittal Organizations: Central Business District of Singapore, Bloomberg, Getty, SINGAPORE —, CNBC, Phillip Securities Research, AirAsia Food, DBS Bank Locations: SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE — Singapore, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Asia Pacific

☆ Exclusive: Thai, Vietnamese exporters renegotiate 500,000 T of rice deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Naveen Thukral | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A farmer harvests rice by a paddy field outside Hanoi, Vietnam June 10, 2019. Exporters are rushing to cover rice supplies from farmers who have raised prices following a surge in the world market, putting millions of dollars worth of deals at risk. 2 and 3 exporters respectively, are estimated to ship more than one million metric tons of rice in August. While large exporting houses are likely to fulfil contracts, smaller trading companies are expected to default on shipments, traders said. Importers, including the Philippines, are likely to seek direct deals with governments of exporting countries to ensure critical food supplies.

Persons: Rice, Naveen Thukral, Khanh Vu, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Rice, Thomson Locations: Hanoi, Vietnam, Thailand, SINGAPORE, India, Asia, Africa, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Philippines

CNN —At least 12 people were killed and 121 injured in an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand. The incident – in the village of Mu No – reduced the warehouse and surrounding area to rubble, drone footage showed. At least two of the victims were children, including a four-year-old boy and a eight-month-old baby girl, according to state run Radio Thailand. Kriya Tehtani/APThe cause of the explosion is under investigation but initial reports suggested there had been a welding error. When there was a flood, I still could survive but now I really have nothing left.”Fireworks accidents are not uncommon in Thailand.

Persons: Anuruth Imarb, “, ”, Samsueya Chuenchompoo, Chiang Mai Organizations: CNN, Radio Thailand, “, Provincial Police, AFP Locations: Thailand, Mu

☆ How New Zealand's plan for English and te reo Māori road signs took an unexpected turn
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

But plans to introduce bilingual road signs featuring both the English and te reo Maori languages have sparked a divisive, racially charged debate ahead of the country’s looming general election. Slightly less than a quarter of New Zealand’s 892,200 Maori speak te reo Maori as one of their first languages, according to the latest government data. Part of the reason that te reo Maori is not so widely spoken is that back in New Zealand’s colonial era there were active efforts to stamp it out. The Native Schools Act 1867 required schools to teach in English where possible and children were often physically punished for speaking te reo Maori. “The primary objective of these standards is to guarantee that all road signs are unambiguous, uniform, and legible to all,” he said.

Persons: Simeon Brown, Chris Hipkins, “ I’m, ”, Marty Melville, Awanui Te, Tania Ka’ai, “, ” Ka’ai, –, Kasem Choocharukul, Kasem, Huw Fairclough, James Griffiths ,, Puakea Nogelmeier, Nogelmeier Organizations: CNN, reo, Zealand, Waka, NZ Transport Agency, New, National, Labour Party government, National Party, Labour, Getty, Native, Victoria University of Wellington, Zealanders, The International, Language, Auckland University of Technology, Chulalongkorn University, Research, University of Leeds, Wales –, New Zealand, Welsh, Welsh Language Society, Gaelic, Constitutional Convention, Hawaiian, University of Hawaii, Hawaii’s Department of Transportation, Wales Locations: Aotearoa, Wellington , New Zealand, AFP, New, New Zealand, Zealanders, Wales, United Kingdom, Thailand, Tredegar , Wales, Republic of Ireland, Hawaii, Olelo Hawai’i, Llanfair, Anglesey, Europe, Hawke’s

☆ Chevron expects annual production at low-end of guidance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Sabrina Valle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File PhotoCompanies Chevron Corp FollowJuly 28 (Reuters) - Chevron Corp (CVX.N) on Friday said that its annual oil and gas production should stay near the low-end of the oil major's guidance due to unexpected stoppages in Canada and Thailand operations. For the current quarter, Chevron said it was expecting upstream turnarounds and downtime to reduce production by about 110,000 boepd. Chevron expects TCO's expanded operations, which are 98% complete, to deliver more than 1 million boepd in 2025, and to pump about 1.1 million boepd from the Permian by mid-decade. Its Permian production rose 5% from the first quarter to a record of 772,000 boepd, on track with its full-year guidance, the company said. 2 U.S. oil company also expects Permian output in the third quarter to be roughly flat before growing again in the fourth quarter.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Michael Wirth, Wirth, We've, Sabrina Valle, Arunima Kumar, Mrinalika Roy, Shinjini Ganguli, Anil D'Silva, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Chevron, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Companies Chevron Corp, Chevron Corp, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Canada, Thailand, Tengizchevroil, Kazakhstan, Russia, East, Argentina, Houston, Bengaluru

☆ School closures during Covid could wipe out half a trillion dollars from Asian economies
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

School closures during the pandemic could erase over $500 billion of potential economic growth from a handful of Asian countries, according to Oxford Economics. From 2021 to 2035, each of these economies may lose 0.3% and 0.8% of potential GDP per year on average, according to a report by the economic advisory firm. As a result of pandemic-induced school closures, those countries could lose a collective GDP of approximately $511 billion. Because of that, the Philippines could see the highest loss in potential GDP and investments between 2021 and 2035, according to the global research firm. Thailand is expected to see the least loss in potential GDP and investments during the same period.

Organizations: Longos Elementary School, Oxford Economics, Schools Locations: Alaminos, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

☆ China's Sunwoda plans $274.7 mln Hungarian battery plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, July 27 (Reuters) - China's Sunwoda Electronic (300207.SZ) plans to build a power battery factory in Hungary for electric vehicles, with initial investment of up to 1.96 billion yuan ($274.71 million), as Chinese battery makers expand in the European market. Sunwoda, a smaller player among Chinese battery makers, counts Xpeng (9868.HK), Mercedes (MBGn.DE) and Guangzhou Automobile Group (601238.SS) among its biggest clients. Its move comes as Chinese battery suppliers shake up Europe's e-mobility supply chains by setting themselves up on the continent. Chinese market leader Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) (300750.SZ) is building a 7.3 billion euro ($8.13 billion) battery plant, also in Hungary, following its first European production site in Germany. ($1 = 7.1380 Chinese yuan renminbi)($1 = 0.8977 euros)Reporting by Ethan Wang, Zhang Yan and Ryan Woo; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Emma RumneyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sunwoda, Ethan Wang, Zhang Yan, Ryan Woo, Christian Schmollinger, Emma Rumney Organizations: Shenzhen Stock Exchange, HK, Mercedes, Guangzhou Automobile Group, Amperex Technology, EVE Energy, Energy, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Hungary, Germany, Thailand

☆ A Ukrainian MP is being investigated for calling in sick during the war, and then showing up in the Maldives with his wife and kids
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Ukrainian lawmaker is under investigation after he was found vacationing in the Maldives. He left Ukraine in June on a trip to Poland, and called in sick while abroad on July 10, per officials. He and his family were then discovered to be staying at the Waldorf Astoria, authorities said. Aristov then called in sick on July 10, remotely registering with a private medical institution in Kyiv, the bureau said. The Ukrainian authorities raided Aristov's apartment and seized his passport, publishing a YouTube video showing immigration stamps for the Maldives dated July on the passport.

Persons: Yuriy Aristov, Aristov, Dave Pynt, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mykola Tyshchenko, Tschenko, Stefanchuk Organizations: Waldorf, Service, Bureau of Investigation, State Bureau of Investigation, Michelin, Journalists, Slidstvo.info, holidaying, Facebook, People, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Maldives, Ukraine, Poland, Wall, Silicon, Ithaafushi, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Maldivian, Ukraine's, Aristov, Thailand

☆ Indonesia plans incentives for EV makers, sets up meeting with BYD, Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, has been trying to attract EV makers to invest in the country, enticing them with its rich nickel reserves - the world's biggest - which can be processed into EV batteries. However, some automakers like China's BYD have instead chosen to invest in Thailand, the region's automotive hub. "Tomorrow we are going to finalise incentives that we are going to give to any EV investment in Indonesia," Luhut said, adding they were awaiting President Joko Widodo's approval. Indonesia has been wooing Tesla for years, hoping to host an Asian production hub for the American EV maker. Tesla has been in talks with Indian officials for an investment in an EV factory there.

Persons: Pandjaitan, Luhut, Joko Widodo's, Elon Musk, Tesla, Ananda Teresia, Gayatri Suroyo, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: CNBC Indonesia, Maritime Affairs, Natural, EV, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, China's, Chengdu, California, United States, American

☆ Thai protesters show support for Pita after PM bid blocked
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, July 23 (Reuters) - Hundreds of pro-deomcracy protesters in Thailand gathered on Sunday in a show of support for Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward party, after conservative opponents thwarted his latest attempt to become prime minister. Parliament has twice blocked the Harvard-educated Pita, 42, from becoming prime minister - once last Wednesday and previously the week before - which his supporters say was due to unfair rules. Move Forward's policies put it on collision course with Thailand's nexus of royalist military, old money elites and conservative forces. Move Forward's eight-party coalition includes the populist Pheu Thai party and controls a majority in the 500-member lower house. Another vote on the premiership is scheduled for Thursday when Move Forward coalition ally Pheu Thai will propose a candidate who is largely expected to be political newcomer real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Pheu, Srettha Thavisin, Chayut, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Harvard, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, Bangkok, Thai

BANGKOK, July 20 (Reuters) - Chinese automakers dominated Southeast Asia's fast-growing electric vehicle market, selling three out of every four EVs in the first quarter, research firm Counterpoint Research said on Thursday. Thailand - the main regional auto manufacturing hub - is driving the transition, with the country accounting for almost 79% of all EVs sold in Southeast Asia in the first quarter, Counterpoint said. "Chinese auto groups are experiencing rapid growth and outpacing their competitors in the SEA (Southeast Asia) region, with their market share increasing from 38% a year ago to nearly 75%," Counterpoint analyst Abhilash Gupta said. With Chinese EV offerings expanding, Counterpoint said the share of EVs as a percent of total vehicle sales in Southeast Asia could reach 6% by the end of 2023. Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia are the largest auto markets in Southeast Asia.

Persons: Abhilash Gupta, Devjyot Ghoshal, Emma Rumney Organizations: Research, Great Wall, Chinese EV, SEA, Hozon New Energy Automobile, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Chinese, Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar

☆ Thailand’s political drama raises the stakes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, July 20 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Investors in Thailand are long used to twists and turns in the country’s politics but a court’s move on Wednesday to suspend the leader of the election-winning Move Forward Party as a lawmaker has raised the stakes. Pita Limjaroenrat's supporters are protesting as it’s now unlikely that the liberal and would-be aggressive reformer of the underperforming $500 billion economy will become the prime minister. It’s not a good outcome, however. Opinions expressed are those of the author. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat's, Pita, It’s, It's, whir, Xavier Niel’s, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Investors, Party, SETI, Gulf Energy, Asian Development Bank, Twitter, Xavier Niel’s GAM, Commonwealth Games, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Thailand, Asia

[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

☆ Starbucks teams up with Blackpink, betting on the power of K-pop
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Starbucks is teaming up with Blackpink, one of the world’s hottest musical acts. The centerpiece of the lineup is the Blackpink Strawberry Choco Cream Frappuccino, a drink that is an aptly hued blend of black and pink. Like other major global brands, Starbucks is leaning into the frenzy around K-pop, hoping that it will translate to a boost in sales. The company has partnered with Blackpink before, launching a collection of merchandise in Thailand two years ago. In 2022, the group was named Time magazine’s Entertainer of the Year, becoming just the second K-pop group to receive the title.

Persons: ”, Blackpink, Emma McIntyre, Kan, they’ve, —, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, Rosé —, Dior, Bang, Hyuk, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Starbucks, Coachella, Blackpink, South, Netflix, BTS, Disney, CNN, HYBE Locations: Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Philippines, Indio , California, Asia, Thailand, South Korean

☆ An Anxious Thailand Awaits a New Leader: Here’s What to Know
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Mike Ives | More About Mike Ives | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The Move Forward Party, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, is pushing for change in Thailand, and won the most votes in the May general election. But Mr. Pita cannot form a government unless he is elected prime minister by the Thai Parliament. He lost a previous vote last week. If the Parliament again fails to elect a leader by the end of Wednesday, a third vote could be held as soon as Thursday. A protest was planned for Wednesday evening, and some demonstrators wearing his party’s signature orange had already gathered outside the Parliament building by the afternoon.

Persons: , Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Pita’s Organizations: Party Locations: Thailand, Thai Parliament

☆ Thailand elections: Top court suspends prime minister hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat as a lawmaker over shareholding case
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Pita has denied he broke election rules and previously accused the Election Commission of rushing the case to court. A group of opposition parties then formed a coalition aimed at forming a majority government and put forward Pita as a prime minister candidate. Pita, a 42-year-old Harvard alumni, called the coalition “the voice of hope and the voice of change” and said all parties had agreed to support him as the next prime minister of Thailand. In Thailand, a party or coalition needs to win a majority of 375 seats in both lower and upper houses of parliament – currently 749 seats – to elect a prime minister and form a government. Pita received just 324 votes out of the 376 needed for a majority and the kingdom is still without a prime minister as the political jostling continues.

Persons: CNN —, Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Prayut Chan, Establishment’s, – Organizations: CNN, Move Forward, Party, Harvard Locations: Thailand

☆ Thailand's Pita hits hurdles as rivals seek to scuttle PM bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The leader of Thailand's election-winning Move Forward Party met fresh obstacles in his prime ministerial bid on Wednesday, as a court suspended him as a lawmaker and rivals mounted a parliamentary challenge to try to scuttle his nomination. U.S.-educated liberal Pita Limjaroenrat has an extremely difficult path to the top job, needing the backing of more than half of the bicameral parliament and to overcome fierce resistance from a royalist military at odds with his party's anti-establishment ambitions. The legislature convened for Pita's second shot at the top job on Wednesday but his rivals moved immediately to derail him by questioning the parliamentary rule under which he was nominated by his eight-party alliance. We have come halfway from the people's victory and there is another half to go," a smiling Pita told the house as he acknowledged the court's suspension order, receiving fist-bumps and applause. Hundreds of Pita's supporters gathered peacefully in Bangkok to protest against the efforts to stop him, some carrying signs denouncing senators for refusing to support him.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita Organizations: Party, Pita's, Reuters Locations: Thailand, Bangkok

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