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☆ 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

☆ Thai election: Rivals derail winner’s PM bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsThai election: Rivals derail winner’s PM bidPostedThai prime ministerial hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat has been suspended from parliament with his nomination denied, in a fresh blow to his chances of becoming the country's next leader. Rachel Judah has more.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Rachel Judah Organizations: winner’s

☆ 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

☆ 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 19 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. The disconnect between Asia and the rest of the world has widened recently, and correlations between the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index and leading U.S. and global indexes are the weakest in about a month. Bulls in Asia will be hoping some of that momentum drives local trading on Wednesday. The MSCI Asia equity index ex-Japan is up 4.6% this year, significantly underperforming the MSCI World index, S&P 500 and Nasdaq which are up 17%, 19% and 38%, respectively. Disappointing second quarter growth figures this week pushed the Chinese economic surprises index to its lowest in more than three years.

Persons: Jamie McGeever, John Kerry, Li Shangfu, Henry Kissinger, Pita Limjaroenrat, Josie Kao Organizations: Bulls, Nasdaq, Bank of America, Bank of New York Mellon, Biden, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Asia, Japan, U.S, China, Beijing, Thailand, Zealand

☆ US concerned about developments in legal system after Thailand election
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Simon Lewis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 17 (Reuters) - The United States is concerned about developments in Thailand's legal system, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday, after two separate complaints against the leader of the party that won the most seats in a May 14 election. Thailand's parliament is preparing a second vote on Wednesday on whether Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the progressive Move Forward party, can become prime minister. U.S. officials have said little about the post-election developments in Thailand, a longstanding military ally in a region where Washington is wary of China's growing influence. "We are very closely watching the post-election developments - that includes the recent developments in the legal system, which are of concern," Miller said. The election commission has also recommended the same court disqualify Pita over ownership of shares in a media company in violation of electoral rules.

Persons: Matthew Miller, Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Miller, Simon Lewis, Grant McCool Organizations: State, U.S, Thomson Locations: United States, Thailand's, Thailand, Washington, Thai

☆ 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

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

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

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

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

☆ Taylor Swift: It's a 'Cruel Summer' for fans in Asia as Singapore shows sell out
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —It’s been a Cruel Summer for Taylor Swift fans in Asia. Among them was Jordan Lee, a die hard Swiftie from Jakarta who told CNN that he had come “close to snagging” a ticket, priced $80 and up. “They weren’t violent but they made their views very clear, the same would happen with Taylor Swift if she came to Malaysia,” he said. Venues can only hold about 20,000 people, which is too few for Taylor Swift and her Eras Tour, which will be a big production. Taylor Swift performs onstage during her US-leg of the Eras Tour.

Persons: CNN — It’s, Taylor Swift, Swift, “, Jordan Lee, ” Lee, Taylor Hill, Nur Hazlina, Pita Limjaroenrat, Thais, Suzanne Codeiro, Syed Saddiq, ”, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Stuart MacFarlane, Song Seng, “ Swift Organizations: CNN, Organizers, Ticketmaster, Swift, Rights, Kuala Lumpur, Party, T, Getty, Philippine, Coldplay, Malaysian Islamic, “, ”, Arsenal FC, Kallang, Management, Singapore’s Ministry of Culture ,, Youth Locations: Asia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, United States, South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Kuala, Thailand, “ Thailand, Philippines, Arlington , Texas, AFP, Malaysia, Indonesia, British, Malaysian, Kuala Lumpur, “ Malaysia, Hong Kong

☆ Thailand's royalists foiled Harvard grad Pita Limjaroenrat's first attempt at becoming prime minister. Here's what happens now
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Thailand's Pita Limjaroenrat may get another shot at the country's prime minister job next week. But his path to potential power remains unclear, especially if the leader of the country's Move Forward Party does not budge from his election pledge to amend a law that prohibits criticism of the monarchy. Limjaroenrat fell 51 votes short of the majority he needed from the 749 members of Thailand's bicameral National Assembly for the top job in a first parliamentary vote on Thursday. Forty-two-year-old Pita, who attended Harvard Kennedy School, will be able to stand for prime minister if nominated again by his eight-party alliance. Otherwise, Pheu Thai — the second-largest party in the eight-party coalition with Move Forward — may also put forward its own candidate from among the three candidates the party had earlier surfaced.

Persons: Thailand's Pita Limjaroenrat, Limjaroenrat, Grace Lim, Pita, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin Shinawatra, Srettha Thavisin, Chaikasem Nitisiri Organizations: National Assembly, Senate, Moody's Investors, Harvard Kennedy School Locations: Southeast Asia's

☆ Dollar deepens dive on inflation surprise
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The euro made a fresh 15-month high of $1.1148 in Asia on Thursday and the yen touched its strongest since mid-May at 138.08 per dollar. U.S. core inflation came in at 0.2% in June against market expectations for 0.3%. Moves in other currencies were smaller but still delivered new milestones as traders reckon the dollar has further to drop. The Swiss franc hit its strongest since 2015 at 0.8655 to the dollar and sterling a 15-month top of $1.3019. Amongst the dollar selling, one outlier was perhaps the yen which has led gains.

Persons: Imre Speizer, Malaysia's, Pita Limjaroenrat, Steve Englander, Kazuo, Ueda, Chang Wei Liang, Tom Westbrook, Jamie Freed, Kim Coghill Organizations: month's, U.S, Westpac, New Zealand, Swiss, Standard Chartered, Bank of Japan, Fed, Central Bank, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Asia, Scandinavia

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

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

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

Thailand inched closer to political gridlock on Thursday as politicians gathered in Parliament to vote for the next prime minister with no clear victor in sight. The leading candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, a charismatic young progressive, was dealt a major setback on the eve of the vote when Thailand’s Election Commission asked the Constitutional Court to suspend him from Parliament. Mr. Pita, who scored a major political victory over the ruling military junta and its royalist allies during the general election in May, has been under investigation for allegedly owning undeclared shares in a media company. On Wednesday, the Court also said that it had accepted a complaint against Mr. Pita over his calls to amend a law that harshly penalizes criticism of the Thai monarchy. Neither blow stopped Move Forward, Mr. Pita’s party, and other coalition members from nominating him for prime minister on Thursday morning.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita Locations: Thailand, Thai

The takeaway from Thailand’s general election in May was clear: Voters had dealt a crushing blow to the ruling military junta by supporting a progressive party that challenged not only the generals but also the nation’s powerful monarchy. The generals and their allies responded on Thursday by rejecting the party’s leading candidate for prime minister, tipping the country into a political void and potentially thrusting it further toward autocracy. Parliament failed to elect a new prime minister on Thursday evening after the progressive candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, was unable to muster enough support in the military-backed Senate, where lawmakers are loyal to the generals who have governed Thailand since seizing power in a coup nearly decade ago. As night fell over a rainy Bangkok, one of Southeast Asia’s most important economies was staring down what looked like another intense period of political unrest and nationwide protests.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat Locations: Thailand, Bangkok

☆ Thailand's Pita defeated in parliament in bid for PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Thailand's Pita Limjaroenrat failed on Thursday in his initial bid to become Thailand's next prime minister, after he was thwarted in a high-stakes parliamentary vote that included a host of no-shows and nearly 200 abstentions. The leader of election winners Move Forward was unopposed in the contest but struggled to muster the required support of more than half of 749-member the bicameral parliament, despite the backing of his eight-party alliance. Another vote is expected to be held next week, which Pita can contest if nominated again. Pita's determination to pursue Move Forward's agenda has put him at odds with a powerful nexus of conservatives and old-money families that have loomed large over Thai politics for decades, and had been expected to try to thwart him in parliament. Despite winning the election on massive youth support and popularity in the capital Bangkok, Pita needed to win over some of the 249 members of the conservative-leaning upper house Senate, which was appointed by the military after a 2014 coup.

Persons: Thailand's Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Pheu Organizations: Senate Locations: Bangkok

☆ Thai consumer confidence at 40-mth high in June but politics a worry
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, July 13 (Reuters) - Thai consumer confidence rose for a 13th straight month in June, reaching its highest in nearly 3-1/2 years, bolstered by a recovery in tourism despite concerns over political uncertainty, a survey showed on Thursday. The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce rose to 56.7 in June from 55.7 in May. Thailand has long been a popular destination for foreign tourists, receiving nearly 40 million visitors in pre-pandemic 2019. "Consumer confidence has improved steadily because of the tourism sector, but consumers are very worried about political impacts," Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the university, told a briefing on the consumer survey that determines the index. "Politics will have an impact on the economy if there is a violent protest and a delay in forming a government," he said.

Persons: Phonvichai, Limjaroenrat, Pita, Orathai Sriring, Tom Hogue Organizations: University of, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, 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

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

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

☆ Thai court to decide eligibility case of PM hopeful Pita - media, poll body source
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, July 12 (Reuters) - Thailand's poll body will refer to the Constitutional Court a case over whether Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of election winners Move Forward, should be disqualified as a parliamentarian over a shareholding issue, local media reported on Wednesday. The referral of the case was reported by three media outlets and confirmed to Reuters by an election commission source, who declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to media. Pita, who is seeking to become prime minister, has been investigated over allegations that his ownership of shares in media firm iTV at the time of his registration made him ineligible to stand in the May 14 election. Pita has maintained iTV was not an active mass media organisation. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Constitutional, Reuters, iTV, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK

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