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[1/2] Thailand's central bank is seen at the Bank of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 27 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. But another day of curve steepening, and 10-year nominal and real yields rising to new multi-year highs crushed stocks. U.S. bond market volatility - a key driver of global market stability and liquidity - had its biggest rise since early July. Investors in Asia will also note the significance of U.S. crude oil's rise on Tuesday after a few days of consolidation, not for the 1% rise in itself, but because it lifts the year-on-year price rise to almost 20%.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Jamie McGeever, Dow Jones, Josie Kao Organizations: Bank of, REUTERS, Bank, Dow, Nasdaq, Investors, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Bank of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand, Treasuries, Asia, Thailand's, Australia, China

☆ Thailand win first esports medal as princess rides in
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Asian Games - Hangzhou 2022 - E-Sports - China Hangzhou Esports Centre, Hangzhou, China - September 26, 2023 Players from Team Thailand prepare before the Arena of Valor Asian Games Version Bronze Medal Match REUTERS/Ann Wang Acquire Licensing RightsHANGZHOU, China, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Thailand claimed the first esports medal awarded at the Asian Games on Tuesday in an event closely watched by Olympic officials as a princess of the kingdom made a royal entrance to the equestrian event. But an enthusiastic crowd of locals cheered on the Thais at the Hangzhou Esports Centre as they prevailed 2-0 in a best-of-three match for the popular mobile phone game developed by a Chinese tech firm. The players tapped their small screens furiously and communicated with team mates via headsets throughout a contest that stretched to nearly 40 minutes. If esports is the future of the Games, Thai Princess Sirivannavari Mahidol represented its past as she made a regal entrance on a horse named 'Es Fangar's Samba King' in the dressage team event. "Luckily our father is supporting us," said the princess, who represented Thailand in badminton at the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar and equestrian at Incheon in 2014.

Persons: Ann Wang, Sirivannavari Mahidol, King Vajiralongkorn, Zhang Boheng, Zhang, Takeru Kitazono, nation's, Lee Hye, kyeong, Kwon, Martin Quin Pollard, Peter Rutherford Organizations: China Hangzhou Esports, Team Thailand, of Valor, REUTERS, Rights, Asian Games, Olympic, Vietnam, esports, Jakarta Asian, Thais, Hangzhou Esports, Thailand, Games, South, Doping Agency, Olympic Council of Asia, OCA, Thomson Locations: Hangzhou, China Hangzhou, China Hangzhou Esports Centre, China, Rights HANGZHOU, Thailand, Bangkok, Sorawat, India, Qatar, Incheon, North, Jakarta, Communist, Korean

Thailand's central bank is seen at the Bank of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand April 26, 2016. Despite inflation in Thailand edging up slightly to 0.88% in August, it remained below the central bank's 1-3% target range for a fourth consecutive month, suggesting little need for the Bank of Thailand (BOT) to continue hiking. A strong majority of economists in a Sept. 18-22 poll, 21 of 27, expected the BOT to keep its benchmark one-day repurchase rate (THCBIR=ECI) at 2.25% on Wednesday. None expected the central bank to raise interest rates at the following meeting in November. Median forecasts showed interest rates remaining at 2.25% through next year.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, Lavanya Venkateswaran, Aris, Anant Chandak, Susobhan Sarkar, Devayani Sathyan, Jonathan Cable, Kim Coghill Organizations: Bank of, REUTERS, Bank of Thailand, Aris Dacanay, HSBC, Thomson Locations: Bank of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand, BENGALURU, China, ASEAN

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

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

☆ Thailand's new prime minister boosts optimism, but his populist policies pose fiscal risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Srettha Thavisin, Thailand's prime minister, arrives at the Thai Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Srettha, Pheu Thai's choice for leader, was appointed prime minister on Aug. 22 — the same day that former prime minister and Pheu Thai founder Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand after 15 years of self-exile. watch nowThe prime minister also pledged to relieve the country's debt problems. "PM Srettha will slowly implement Pheu Thai's populist economic policies as he has to meet public expectations," said Dusadeeisariyakul. Other experts warned against overthinking the fiscal damage since many of Pheu Thai's populist pledges may not materialize.

Persons: Srettha, Valeria Mongelli, Srettha Thavisin, Pheu, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin's, Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul, Friedrich Naumann, Thaksin, Stratfor, Fitch, Teerasak Siripant Organizations: Thai, Bloomberg, Getty, Pracharat Party, United Thai Nation Party, Bhumjathai Party, Friedrich, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Fitch, Bower Group Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai

Earlier the Bangladesh women's cricket team beat Pakistan in the bronze match to claim the country's first Asian Games medal since 2014 at Incheon, South Korea. Cricket, which has hopes of becoming an Olympic sport, returned to the Asian Games this year after being omitted from the last edition in Indonesia in 2018. The South Korean did not disappoint his legions of fans on Monday, helping his Korean team beat Kazakhstan 1-0 in one of the preliminary matches in the 'League of Legends' category. GROUP PHOTOElsewhere on day two of competition, three North Korean marksmen refused to join their South Korean rivals in a group photo of medal winners after narrowly missing out on gold in a men's team shooting competition. "It was really fun," she said after her seventh-placed finish in the women's park, an event won by Japan's Hinano Kusaki.

Persons: India's Divyansh Singh, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Patil, Dylan Martinez, Lee Sang, Anna Prakaten, Panipak Wongpattanakit, Guo Qing, Hong Kong's Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, it’s, I’m, Japan's Hinano, Martin Quin Pollard, Ian Ransom, Peter Rutherford, Ken Ferris Organizations: Sports Centre, India, Hangzhou Asian Games, Games, Sri, Asian Games, Bangladesh women's, Pakistan, Cricket, Olympic, Korean, Kazakhstan, League, North, South, Tokyo, Russian Olympic Committee, Thomson Locations: Hangzhou, China, HANGZHOU, Sri Lanka, Guangzhou, Bangladesh, Incheon, South Korea, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Philippines

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

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

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

Passersby are reflected on an electric stock quotation board outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan April 18, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 25 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. This may hinge largely on whether the U.S. bond market regains its footing. Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Monday:- Singapore inflation (September)- Vietnam inflation, trade, industrial production (September)- Vietnam GDP (Q3)By Jamie McGeever; Editing by Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Issei Kato, Jamie McGeever, Goldman Sachs, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: REUTERS, Fed, Bank of England, Swiss National Bank and Bank of Japan, Treasury, Thailand's, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, U.S, Vietnam, Singapore

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

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

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

☆ Thailand's opposition Move Forward Party names new leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition Move Forward named a new leader on Saturday after Pita Limjaroenrat, who led the party to a stunning election victory in May, was thwarted in his efforts to become premier. The progressive party will lead the opposition after conservative lawmakers and an unelected senate blocked its attempts to form a government. Pita stepped down as party leader earlier this month amid a host of legal and legislative challenges that many see as part of a pattern by the pro-military and royalist establishment to diminish a new generation of leaders. Pita would continue on as advisor to the party and manage activities outside parliament, Chaitawat said. "This could easily wipe out members of the opposition, who give commentary calling for reforms," he added.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Chaithawat, Pita, Chaitawat, Pannika, penalises, Phasuk, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panu, Kanupriya Kapoor, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Human Rights Watch, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand

☆ Thailand's Opposition Move Forward Party Names New Leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition Move Forward named a new leader on Saturday after Pita Limjaroenrat, who led the party to a stunning election victory in May, was thwarted in his efforts to become premier. The progressive party will lead the opposition after conservative lawmakers and an unelected senate blocked its attempts to form a government. Pita stepped down as party leader earlier this month amid a host of legal and legislative challenges that many see as part of a pattern by the pro-military and royalist establishment to diminish a new generation of leaders. Pita would continue on as advisor to the party and manage activities outside parliament, Chaitawat said. "This could easily wipe out members of the opposition, who give commentary calling for reforms," he added.

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

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

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

☆ Counting the cost of contagion fears from Africa coups
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Libgeorge Marc Jones | Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Gabon coup leader General Brice Oligui Nguema is sworn in as interim president during his swearing-in ceremony, in Libreville, Gabon, September 4, 2023. The putsch not only sent Gabon's bonds tumbling 10%, but also hit those issued by a number of other countries including neighbouring Cameroon, as jittery investors scanned for who might be next. The apparent coup trend is adding to other major concerns deterring many investors from Africa - a wave of debt crises, tense geopolitics and an extreme vulnerability to climate change. "Nearly all markets in that region are paying some price in terms of rising cost of debt," said Sergey Dergachev, portfolio manager at Union Investment. There have been scores of coups and attempted coups in recent decades including in Thailand, Ecuador, Egypt and Turkey.

Persons: General Brice Oligui Nguema, Stringer, Sergey Dergachev, Paul Biya, Macky Sall, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Eamon Aghdasi, Fitch, Moody's, Thailand's, Ravi Bhatia, Bongo, Simon Quijano, Evans, Libby George, Marc Jones, Karin Strohecker, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, UNDP, Union Investment, Investors, Reuters, General Assembly, Burkina, P Global, Reuters Graphics, Monetary Fund, Central, CFA, Peace, Thomson Locations: Gabon, Libreville, Africa Mali, Guinea, Africa, Cameroon, Mali, Thailand, Ecuador, Egypt, Turkey, crackdowns, Senegal, Congo Republic, New York, Niger, Burkina Faso, Kenya

☆ Thailand's new PM meets Tesla chief Musk in New York
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of Twitter, gestures as he attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Thursday he met with Tesla (TSLA.O) chief Elon Musk in New York, where they discussed the electric vehicle industry. Srettha, who is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, said he spoke with Musk about EV manufacturer Tesla and his rocket and satellite company SpaceX, including its internet venture Starlink. Around half of all regional EV sales are from Thailand, followed by Vietnam and Indonesia, with Chinese carmakers like BYD leading by a wide margin. Tesla, also popular in Thailand, launched models in the growing market last year.

Persons: Elon Musk, Porte, Gonzalo Fuentes, Srettha Thavisin, Tesla, Asia's, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Jane Merriman, Richard Chang Organizations: SpaceX, Tesla, Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, Rights, EV, United Nations General Assembly, Twitter, Toyota, Honda, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Rights BANGKOK, New York, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Japanese, Vietnam, Indonesia, Asia

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

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

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

"The move from fossil fuels to renewables is happening – but we are decades behind," Guterres said at the start of the one-day summit. "We must make up time lost to foot-dragging, arm-twisting and the naked greed of entrenched interests raking in billions from fossil fuels." Those not invited to speak were the world's two top polluters - the United States and China – though U.S. Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry was in the audience. "This climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis," he said, drawing applause from the heads of state and others in the room. "Climate change is a top priority for my administration," Thavisin told the gathering, his country having recently created a climate change ministry.

Persons: Antonio Guterres, Mike Segar, Guterres, John Kerry, China's U.N, William Ruto, Ruto, Gavin Newsom, Srettha Thavisin, Thavisin, Sultan Ahmed al, Jaber, COP28, Mia Mottley, Ursula von der Leyen, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Valerie Volcovici, Katy Daigle, Howard Goller Organizations: United Nations, General Assembly, REUTERS, Companies Allianz, General, United Arab Emirates, Thailand's, FINANCE, Security Council, Allianz, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Fund, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, COP28, Dubai, Brazil, Canada, Pakistan, South Africa, Tuvalu, United States, China, California, UAE, Barbados, Ukraine

☆ Thai lawmakers plan fresh push to tighten use of cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cannabis buds are seen inside an indoor farm at the Amber Farm, in Bangkok, Thailand, January 30, 2023. "Cannabis will be - double underline - for medical purposes and research," said Saritpong Kiewkong of the Bhumjaithai party, which spearheaded the decriminalisation and is now the second largest component of Thailand's 11-party coalition government. "There is no policy for recreational use," the lawmaker told reporters in parliament, adding that such measures were not yet being considered. It covers permits for growing plants, sales and distribution, and tighter measures against sales in temples, schools and amusement parks. Last week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he supported only medical, and not recreational, use of cannabis.

Persons: Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Chayut Setboonsarng, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Southeast Asia, Phuket, misbehaviour

"Indonesia is not an easy market to do business on your own," said Kim, adding that, beyond government sales, VKTR was in talks with large domestic businesses to sell BYD EV buses. TAKING ON TESLAThai EV buyers contributed 24% of BYD's overseas sales in the second quarter, making it the Chinese automaker's largest foreign market, according to Counterpoint, whereas fewer than 1% of Tesla's sales are in Southeast Asia. BYD's Southeast Asia playbook and its embrace of dealerships contrasts with Tesla, whose direct-to-consumer approach is hard to replicate, since no other new EV brand has its buzz or the outsized media presence of its CEO Elon Musk. BYD and its partner Sime Darby Motors are experimenting with a new approach to draw young, tech-savvy consumers towards the Chinese brand in Singapore. The partnership has launched five "BYD by 1826" showrooms that double as white-tablecloth restaurants where dishes are named after BYD EV models.

Persons: Edgar Su, EVs, Tesla's, Soumen, BYD, Sime Darby, Indonesia's, Chee, Kiang Lim, Ayala, Antonio Zara, Rever, Alex Kim, Kim, VKTR, Tesla, Elon Musk, Darby, Jeffrey Gan, Devjyot Ghoshal, Stefanno Sulaiman, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Counterpoint Research, Reuters, Commission, Ayala Corp, Thailand's, Urban Science, Brothers, Ayala Corp's, Motors, Thai EV, Asia playbook, Darby Motors, Sime, Sime Darby Motors, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Rights BANGKOK, JAKARTA, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, China, Shenzhen, Bangkok, Indonesia, Jakarta, Asia, Hong Kong, Macau

☆ Chinese EV major BYD's partnerships in Southeast Asia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Nick Carey/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 19 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle frontrunner BYD (002594.SZ) has taken an early lead in Southeast Asia's small but fast-growing EV market, partly on the back of distribution partnerships with large, local conglomerates. Here are details about some of its regional partners: MALAYSIA & SINGAPOREBYD cars are sold by Sime Darby Motors, the automotive arm of Malaysian trading and logistics giant Sime Darby (SIME.KL), in two of the region's wealthiest countries. The partnership started in 2019 when Sime Darby Motors began distributing BYD EVs in Singapore, where it now has a dealership network of seven outlets. Sime Darby Motors took on the distributorship for Malaysia in 2022 and currently has nine dealerships nationwide, with another 12 in the pipeline, the company said. INDONESIAIndonesia's Bakrie & Brothers (BNBR.JK), which is focused on the manufacturing and infrastructure sector, is a distributor for BYD's EV buses in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Persons: Nick Carey, Sime Darby, Darby, Sime Darby Motors, BYD, INDONESIA Indonesia's, Devjyot, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, Sime, Sime Darby Motors, THAILAND Rever, EV giant's, Siam Motors Group, PHILIPPINES AC Motors, Ayala Corp, BYD's, Thomson Locations: Farnborough, Britain, Southeast, Singapore, Malaysia, THAILAND, BYD, Thailand, PHILIPPINES, Philippines, INDONESIA, Asia's, Jakarta, VKTR, Bangkok

☆ Thailand Launches Probe Into Chinese Rolled Steel Imports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand has launched an investigation into imports of Chinese rolled steel for evading anti-dumping measures, the commerce ministry said in a statement. The probe includes hot-rolled steel sheets in coils and non-coils from 17 manufacturers in China, according to the statement published on Sept 15. "There is sufficient evidence that there is avoidance of anti-dumping duties and so an investigation is warranted," the statement said. The announcement comes after four Thai steel makers lodged a complaint with Thailand's Foreign Trade Department. (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)

Persons: Chayut Setboonsarng, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Thailand's Foreign Trade Department Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, China

☆ Former Thai PM Thaksin eligible for parole in February - official
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Panarat Thepgumpanat | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. While abroad, Thaksin was found guilty in absentia in three cases involving abuse of power, conflict of interest and malfeasance. There was speculation that Thaksin reached some deal with his old foes, after the pro-military parties gave the Pheu Thai candidate Srettha their backing to form a new government. On his first night in Thailand, Thaksin was transferred to a police hospital with chest pains and high blood pressure where is currently being treated. "After serving six months of his sentence, Thaksin will be eligible for parole for prisoners older than 70 or those who are ill," Corrections Department Deputy Director General Sitthi Sutivong, told Reuters.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Athit, Thaksin, Thailand's, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Sitthi Sutivong, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut Setboonsarng, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Corrections, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai

Farmers across the agrarian heartland that makes Thailand the world's second-largest rice exporter should be poised to benefit. These pressures on the sector, reported in detail for the first time by Reuters, are squeezing debt-laden Thai farmers despite tens of billions of dollars in subsidies over the past decade. Successive governments have spent 1.2 trillion Thai baht ($33.85 billion) on price and income interventions for rice farmers in the last decade, estimates Somporn. The average Thai farmer's income has dwindled. Unstable income for Thai rice farmersIn the years since Sripai followed her family into the paddy fields, the challenges have multiplied, but current prices offer a rare opportunity.

Persons: Somporn, Sripai, Danai Saengthabthim, Srettha Thavisin, King Chulalongkorn, Nipon Poapongsakorn, Thailand's, KNIT's, Yingluck Shinawatra, Yingluck, Devjyot Ghoshal, Pasit, Katerina Ang, Kay Johnson Organizations: Farmers, Reuters, Research, Knowledge Network Institute of Thailand, Bank for Agriculture, Agricultural Cooperatives, Agriculture, El, National Water Resources, Thailand Development Research, Nipon, Thomson Locations: Thailand, Kaeo, Chai, India, East, Asia, Africa, Rice, Chai Nat, Bangkok, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam

☆ Thailand to roll out more populist policies this year, says prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Srettha Thavisin, Thailand's prime minister, arrives at Thai Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Thailand will dole out 560 billion baht ($16 billion) to its 55 million adults in the next six months to spur domestic demand and investment, with new Prime Minister Srettha pitching the revival of a sluggish economy as his government's top priority. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Monday his government will be rolling out more policies by the year's end to lower living costs, including gradually reducing electricity prices and raising the minimum daily wage. The economy is expected to grow 2.8% this year, but Srettha has a target of 5% annual growth. "In addition to lowering cost of living is increasing wages," he said, adding that an announcement could be expected in November.

Persons: Srettha, Srettha Thavisin Organizations: Thai, Southeast Locations: Thai, Bangkok, Thailand, El

☆ Thailand's Pita quits as leader of election-winning party after failed PM bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat reacts during a rally to thank voters ahead of the vote for a new prime minister on July 13, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 9, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Thailand's Pita Limjaroenrat resigned on Friday as leader of the progressive Move Forward party, months after delivering a stunning electoral victory on an anti-establishment reform agenda that threatened to upend the political status quo. "I want to allow other lawmakers to take on this role of opposition leader," Pita said on Facebook. "But in any position, I will work with Move Forward and the people to the fullest of my abilities." The charismatic Pita had led pre-election opinion polls as Thailand's top choice for prime minister but faced a host of legal and legislative challenges that he maintains were orchestrated to keep him from power.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Athit, Pita, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: Forward, REUTERS, Rights, Harvard, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

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