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Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Opposition parties intent on preventing the military establishment from remaining in power in Thailand have formed a coalition with the hopes of forming a new government that could radically transform the kingdom if they are successful. Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Thailand’s Move Forward Party, which won the largest share of seats and the popular vote in Sunday’s election, said Thursday seven other parties had joined him in a coalition. Together, they secure a majority 313 votes in the lower house, according to Pita, who said: “We definitely will be able to form a government.”The eight parties include Move Forward, Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Prachachart, Seri Ruam Thai, Pheu Thai Ruam Palang, FAIR Party, and the Plung Sungkom Mai Party. Party members in the new coalition will now develop a memorandum of understanding, which will be presented on May 22. Prayut’s United Thai Nation Party won just 36 seats in the election, while another military-backed party Palang Pracharat, led by former army chief Prawit Wongsuwan, received 40.

Pita Limjaroenrat’s progressive Move Forward Party is on track to win the largest share of seats and the popular vote, according to unofficial results, far ahead of the party of incumbent Prime Minister – and 2014 coup leader – Prayut Chan-o-cha. Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat leads a victory parade with fellow party members and supporters outside Bangkok City Hall on May 15. A party or coalition needs to win a majority in both houses to elect a prime minister and form a government. Asked what would happen if Thailand’s military tried to subvert election outcomes, Pita said, “we have to minimize the risk” of subversion. Move Forward’s predecessor, the Future Forward Party, won the third most seats in the 2019 election.

☆ Thai election: Opposition parties deliver surprise challenge to military leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thai voters have dealt a surprise blow to the ruling military-backed government in the country’s general election, throwing their support behind progressive anti-establishment parties that could change the course of the kingdom’s politics after years of military rule. Before counting paused, the Bhumjai Thai party was in third position, projected to win around 70 seats, while Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s party potentially would grab about 12 seats. Thai Prime Minister and United Thai Nation Party's candidate Prayut Chan-o-Cha leaves after casting his ballot at a polling station in Bangkok on May 14, 2023. Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty ImagesPrayut’s rise from military coup leader to prime minister has been marred with controversy, growing authoritarianism and widening inequality. It’s the party of the billionaire Shinawatra family – a controversial political dynasty headed by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn was initially arrested last week for the alleged murder of Siriporn Kanwong, Deputy National Police Commissioner Gen. Surachate Hakparn told CNN. Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn appeared in Bangkok's criminal court after her arrest Tuesday, where she was taken into police custody. Daily News/ReutersPolice are also investigating Sararat’s partner Witoon Rangsiwuthaporn, a senior police official who held the rank of Lt. Earlier this week, Witoon was fired from his job as a local deputy police chief. He is also facing charges of fraud and embezzlement related to the alleged murders, Surachate confirmed.

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —The frontrunner in Thailand’s upcoming national elections gave birth to a son on Monday, just two weeks before the polls open. The vote has been framed as a showdown between Paetongtarn, whose billionaire Shinawatra family dominates the largest opposition Pheu Thai party, and incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, head of a pro-military conservative grouping. Prayut is a former army chief who in 2014 seized power from the Pheu Thai government, after Paetongtarn’s aunt Yingluck was removed from power in a controversial court ruling. She was the most popular choice for prime minister, the NIDA survey found, receiving “more than double the support” of her rivals – the incumbent Prime Minister Prayut and Pita Limjaroenrat from the progressive Forward Party. This year’s election will see some 52 million eligible voters elect 500 members to the lower house in Thailand’s bicameral system.

The suspect, who police have identified only by the name Am, was arrested on Tuesday for the alleged murder of Siriporn Kanwong, Deputy National Police Commissioner Gen. Surachate Hakparn told CNN. Siriporn was last seen on CCTV footage with Am before she fainted and died, and an autopsy later found traces of cyanide in Siriporn’s system, Surachate said. Am’s lawyer, Thannicha Akesuwannawat, told local media Thairath TV on Wednesday that her client denies any involved in Siriporn’s death. Surachate said one woman who was allegedly targeted by Am came forward to authorities after news of her arrest broke. In the potentially linked cases currently being investigated by police, all the victims ate or drank with Am in the run up to their deaths.

“Looking at the medical angle, doctors are even recommending [sex toys], instead of buying a sex service or cheating on partners,” Thanadirek told CNN. The party wants to decriminalize the sale of sex toys, which are considered “obscene” under Section 287 of Thailand’s Criminal Code. Custom officers confiscated at least 500,000 Thai baht ($15,000) worth of goods, including sex toys, e-cigarettes and products made of ivory in February 2015. She acknowledged that some people may have religious or moral concerns about legalizing sex toys but insisted that doing so could have a positive health impact. Thanadirek said the Thai government could collect taxes on imported sex toys, and the country, as a major global producer of rubber, has the potential to become a sex toy production hub.

Bangkok/Hong Kong CNN —For years, Thailand welcomed legions of Chinese tourists to its golden beaches, shopping districts and striking temples. Three government ministers headed to Bangkok’s international airport earlier this week to personally greet the first group of Chinese tourists to arrive after China lifted travel restrictions. Amazing Thailand always warmly welcomes our Chinese family.”Travelers from a Xiamen Airlines flight being welcomed by Thai officials upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Jan. 9, 2023. “The arrival of tourists from China, as well as from countries around the world, to Thailand is expected to increase continually. In Thailand, that’s been no exception, with travel companies beginning to reactivate Chinese social marketing campaigns and increase staffing, according to Barnett.

☆ Thai princess Bajrakitiyabha hospitalized with heart condition, palace says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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CNN —A Thai media tycoon and transgender rights advocate has bought the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million, according to her company, which will now host the international beauty pageant. In a joint statement, the CEO and president of the Miss Universe Organization said they were “excited to continue the evolution of the Miss Universe Organization with JKN.”“Our progressive approach continues to position us at the forefront of our industry,” they said. The purchase makes Jakkaphong the first woman owner of the Miss Universe Organization, according to the JKN news release. The Miss Universe beauty contest, one of the world’s most-watched pageants, has been running since 1952. And in 2019, the winners of five major pageants – Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss America, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA – were all women of color, a remarkable milestone given black women weren’t allowed to compete in Miss America until the 1940s, and the first black contestant didn’t take that stage until 30 years later.

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand recoiled in horror Thursday after at least 36 people were killed, at least 24 of them children, in a massacre at a child care center in northeastern Thailand believed to be the country’s deadliest incident of its kind. Among the dozens of victims are Panya’s wife and stepson, whom investigators say he killed before taking his own life. “He also used a knife to stab both children and staff at the center,” Paisan said. Police General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that the attacker “mainly used a knife” to kill the children. TPBS/ReutersMedics arrive at the child care center on Thursday, where more than 30 people, mainly children, were killed.

Hong Kong/Seoul CNN Business —Clark Park, a 35-year-old YouTuber, is one of many people in South Korea fed up with high food prices. South Korea is the world’s third largest market for fried chicken, outpaced only by the far more populous United States and China, data from market research provider Euromonitor International shows. Fried chicken on display at a Homeplus store in South Korea. Fried chicken warSellers have taken vastly different approaches to the situation in recent months. In August, emart, another major supermarket chain, launched a one-week promotion to sell fried chicken at almost 50% off — and sold all 60,000 pieces.

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