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[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

☆ 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

☆ 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

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

☆ Thai court to decide on election winners' challenge to derailed PM bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Move Forward Party Leader Pita Limjaroenrat looks on at a voting session for a new prime minister at the parliament, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Thailand's Constitutional Court was due on Wednesday to decide whether to review a parliamentary decision that blocked a second prime ministerial bid by election winners Move Forward, a move that could end or prolong weeks of political deadlock. If it declines to review the decision, parliament could schedule a vote within days on the prime ministerial candidacy of businessman and political neophyte Srettha Thavisin, of the second-place Pheu Thai Party. House speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has previously said a vote could be held as early as this Friday or Aug. 22. Move Forward on Tuesday declined to back former alliance partner Pheu Thai, arguing its government would not reflect the will of the people.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Athit, Pita, Wan Muhamad, Matha, Pheu, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thai Party, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

☆ Thai king's sons wind up surprise first visit home in 27 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Vacharaeson Vivacharawongse, 42, arrived in Thailand last week and visited a child care centre and took part in religious ceremonies at a Bangkok temple. Their visits come at a fraught time for the royal family, with the monarch's eldest daughter in a coma since December. Vacharaesorn and Chakriwat are the second and third of four sons of King Vajiralongkorn's second wife, Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, a former actress whom the then-crown prince divorced in 1996. Vacharaesorn's younger sister was later re-embraced by the royal family and given the royal title Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana. Reporting by Juarawee Kittisilpa, Napat Wesshasartar and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Chakriwat, Maha Vajiralongkorn's, Read, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Vacharaeson Vivacharawongse, Vacharaeson, Vacharaesorn, King Vajiralongkorn's, Sujarinee, Sirivannavari Nariratana, Juarawee Kittisilpa, Napat, Nick Macfie Organizations: Thomson Locations: United States, Thailand, BANGKOK, Thai, Bangkok

☆ Domino effect: India rice export ban puts market on edge for copycat curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Rajendra Jadhav | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

New Delhi had already restricted lower quality broken rice supplies in 2022. In 2008, rice prices reached a record high above $1,000 per ton after India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Egypt, Brazil and other small producers restricted exports. CHAIN REACTIONGlobal prices have risen by around 20% since India's ban. This week, rice prices in Thailand and Vietnam soared to 15-year highs as buyers rushed to cover shipments to compensate for the decline in India's exports. Rao said only Indian supplies can restore equilibrium in the global rice market.

Persons: Nitin Gupta, Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Rice, B.V, Krishna Rao, Rao, Peter Clubb, Rajendra Jadhav, Naveen Thukral, Khanh Vu, Panarat, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Olam Agri, Reuters Graphics, Reuters, of Industry, Trade, Rice, Association of Pakistan, Association of India, International Grains Council, Thomson Locations: Kolkata, India, MUMBAI, New Delhi, Thailand, Vietnam, Delhi, Asia, Africa, Olam Agri India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Brazil, Pakistan, Philippines, China, Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa, Malaysia, Cote d'Ivoire, El, London, Singapore, Hanoi, Bangkok

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

☆ 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

☆ Thailand's Move Forward makes way for Pheu Thai to form government
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BANGKOK, July 21 (Reuters) - Thailand's election-winning Move Forward party said it would let coalition ally, the Pheu Thai party, lead the formation of government, a senior Move Forward official said on Friday. Party secretary Chaithawat Tulathon told a news conference Move Forward would support second-place finisher Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate in a parliamentary vote on July 27. Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Chaithawat Tulathon, Pheu, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thai

[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

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

☆ Vote for Thai PM postponed, uncertainty prolonged
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Panarat Thepgumpanat | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We have to wait for the constitutional court to make its decision on August 16 before determining when we will have the vote again," Wan Noor told reporters. The Thai baht has weakened this week on the political uncertainty. After the election Move Forward, along with Pheu Thai and six other parties, forged an alliance to try to form a government. But Move Forward's leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, was twice blocked by parliament from becoming prime minister. On Wednesday, Pheu Thai said it would seek to form a new alliance without Move Forward and would nominate real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin for the premiership.

Persons: Wan Muhamad, Matha, Wan Noor, Thaksin Shinawatra, Pita Limjaroenrat, Pheu, Srettha Thavisin, Chayut, Devjyot Ghoshal, Edmund Klamann, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

After a meeting with the alliance, Pita said his re-nomination for prime minister could not be blocked by the Senate. However, Pita added that if he failed again he would let Move Forward's ally, the Pheu Thai party, "take action". At the weekend, he raised the prospect of a political ally leading the new government if he failed to become prime minister. Pheu Thai won the second-largest share of votes in May's election. One of its prime ministerial candidates, real estate magnate Srettha Thavisin, could be nominated for the next leader in the third vote for prime minister, if any.

Persons: Wednesday Pita, Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Pheu Thai, Srettha Thavisin, Orathai Sriring, Panarat, Kanupriya Kapoor, Alex Richardson Organizations: Wednesday, Senate, Constitutional, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand's, Thai, May's, Pita

REUTERS/Jorge SilvaBANGKOK/NEW DELHI, July 17 (Reuters) - Indian tourists are streaming into Southeast Asia, cementing the world most populous country's position as a key growth market for a travel and tourism sector that is feeling the pinch of China's slower-than-expected re-opening. "Southeast Asia is obviously very well positioned for a lot of the growth that is inevitably going to come from India," aviation analyst Brendan Sobie told an industry conference last month. Tanes Petsuwan, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said 1.6 million Indians were expected to visit the kingdom this year. Indians are helping to sustain a post-pandemic rebound for hospitality chains, including Minor Hotels, which has 45 properties in Southeast Asia with more than 6,000 rooms. Thailand's central bank expects 29 million visitors this year and 35.5 million in 2024.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Brendan Sobie, Tanes Petsuwan, Chai Eamsiri, Chai, Vinay Malhotra, IndiGo's, Sobie, Dillip, Pratyush Tripathy, That's, Somsong Sachaphimukh, Somsong, Pasit, Stefanno Sulaiman, Neil Jerome Morales, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Jorge Silva BANGKOK, Thai Airways, Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Reuters, Asian Development Bank, Tourism Authority, IndiGo, Airbus, Minor, Bank of, Tourism Council of, Thomson Locations: India, Thailand, Patong, Phuket, DELHI, Asia, China, Thai, Singapore, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Jakarta, Bangkok, Kolkata, Pattaya, Europe, United States, Thailand's, Bank of Thailand, Tourism Council of Thailand, BANGKOK, JAKARTA, MANILA

Only 13 senators backed 42-year-old Pita, with the rest voting against him or abstaining, which his party said indicated some were acting under duress. "There are forces from the old power to pressure the Senate - from the old power to some capitalists who do not want to see a Move Forward government," party secretary general Chaithawat Tulathon said in a television interview. "Since the senators were uncomfortable in electing the PM, why not switch off this power?" he said, adding the party would attempt to limit the Senate's powers by amending an article of the constitution, which could take a month. He can run again if nominated in the next vote, which takes place on July 19, the house speaker confirmed.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Chaithawat Tulathon, Pita, Vijay Vikram Kannan, Juarawee, Rae Wee, Tom Westbrook, Martin Petty Organizations: Senate, Harvard, Constitutional Court, Senators, Societe Generale, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Pita, Thailand, Asia, Singapore, Bangkok

[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

☆ 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

[1/2] The BYD Atto 3 EV car is displayed at the 39 Thailand International Motor Expo, in Bangkok, Thailand, November 30, 2022. Siam Motors is in talks with several Chinese automakers about potential partnerships, particularly for high-end electric vehicles, vice president Sebastien Dupuy said in an interview, referring to previously unreported discussions. Thailand is Southeast Asia's largest car producer and exporter, and its second-largest sales market after Indonesia. Japanese automakers are so dominant that for decades they have treated it almost as an extension of their home market. Thailand's pitch to Chinese EV makers has been its existing supply base – built largely for Japanese automakers – and readiness to provide incentives.

Persons: Athit, Sebastien Dupuy, Pasit Chantharojwong, Wall's Ora, Tesla, Isuzu, Hajime Yamamoto, Yamamoto, Goldman Sachs, General Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Narong Sritalayon, BEV, Chayut, Daniel Leussink, Kevin Krolicki, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Siam Motors, Nissan Motors, EV, Reuters Graphics CHINA, JAPAN, Toyota Corolla, China's SAIC, Toyota, Honda, Nomura Research, Reuters, Thailand's, of Investment, Wall, Thomson Locations: Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand BANGKOK, Siam, BYD, China, Thai, Southeast, Indonesia, Japan, Europe, JAPAN Bangkok, Tokyo

SINGAPORE/LONDON, July 7 (Reuters) - Thailand's largest energy company, state-controlled PTT (PTT.BK), is in advanced talks with Qatar for a 15-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal, four trading sources told Reuters. The Gulf energy giant has been in negotiations with several other Asian buyers this year and has so far signed three LNG supply deals with Asian buyers, with more expected later this year. PTT also signed a nine-year deal with Oman LNG at the start of the year, which will see it receive 800,000 tons of LNG per year beginning 2026. Thailand, a net oil and gas importer, needs to increase imports of LNG to offset a steep production fall at its gas fields. So far, the country has imported around 6 million tons of LNG this year versus 8.7 million tons in 2022, according to data firm Kpler.

Persons: Maha El, Mark Potter Organizations: Qatar, Reuters, PTT, LNG, Oman LNG, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, LONDON, Qatar, Ukraine, Europe, Russia, Oman, Thailand, Maha El Dahan, Dubai, Chayut, Bangkok

SINGAPORE, July 7 (Reuters) - After standing in line for 36 hours, Qayyum Lukman on Friday emerged triumphant from a kiosk where he had just scored tickets to see pop sensation Taylor Swift perform in Singapore, her only stop in Southeast Asia next year. I don’t know what to think, indescribable, I’m very happy I got tickets! Indonesian Friski Riana, 31, joined virtual queues of millions of fans, even borrowing her friend's credit card to try and get tickets. [1/5]Qayyum Lukman, 25, full-time national servicemen, poses with a Taylor Swift vinyl album, as he waits first in line to buy Taylor Swift concert tickets, at a post office in Singapore July 7, 2023. Hours after the pre-sale closed, touts were marking up S$358 ($264.73) tickets to at least S$1,000 on marketplace app Carousell.

Persons: Qayyum Lukman, Taylor Swift, Swift, Lukman, I’m, ”, couldn't, Edgar Su, Friski, Thailand's, Pita Limjareonrat, Lavender, Chayut, Ananda, Kanupriya Kapoor, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Coldplay, Business Times, Twitter, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, British, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Ananda Teresia

☆ Thai parliament to convene as Move Forward looks to lead new government
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Chayut Setboonsarng | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Move Forward Party leader, Pita Limjaroenrat holds hands with coalition party leaders following a meeting with coalition partners in Bangkok, Thailand, May 18, 2023. It will team up in parliament with the populist heavyweight Pheu Thai Party after the two won the lion's share of the house seats, trouncing parties allied with a royalist military that has controlled government since a 2014 coup. "Pheu Thai has a concluded on the matter and choosing the house speaker tomorrow has a definite direction. We will not let the public down," Pheu Thai lawmakers Suthin Klangsaeng told reporters. The alliance is backing Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, to become premier.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Athit, Pita, PM Pita, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Suthin Klangsaeng, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Martin Petty Organizations: Forward Party, REUTERS, PM, Party, Pheu Thai Party, Pheu, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

☆ Thai protesters acquitted over run-in with queen's motorcade
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File PhotoBANGKOK, June 28 (Reuters) - A Thai court on Wednesday acquitted five anti-government protesters indicted on charges of attempted violence against the country's queen during a demonstration in 2020, a legal aid group said. The case stemmed from an event at the height of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2020, in which a motorcade carrying Queen Suthida was heckled as it drove past a group of protesters. The monarchy, which many Thais consider sacrosanct, is officially above politics and constitutionally enshrined to be held in "revered worship". "The court saw that police did not clear the way for the royal motorcade ... there was no announcement before the procession," Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said on Wednesday. "Witness testimony was different and even police in the area did not know there would be a royal motorcade (passing through)," the group said.

Persons: Suthida, Prince Dipangkorn, Soe Zeya, I'm, we've, Bunkueanun, Francis, Paothong, Chayut Setboonsarng, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Government, REUTERS, for Human Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

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