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[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

[1/4] People take pictures of ice creams shaped like tiles of the famous Wat Arun temple, or Temple of Dawn, in Bangkok, Thailand July 8, 2023. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaBANGKOK, July 12 (Reuters) - Under a scorching sun, visitors to Thailand's renowned Temple of Dawn cool down by tasting an elaborately-shaped ice cream depicting intricate patterns inspired by the tiles of the pagoda. "It's different and pretty," said Thai resident Doungkamon Koedthong, 29, holding up the ice cream against the backdrop of the temple, also known as Wat Arun, for an Instagram-worthy snapshot. The ice cream, with butterfly pea coconut milk and Thai milk tea favours, was modelled after the blue ceramic plates and flower details of the pagoda, said ice cream maker Pop Icon. The 'Flower of Dawn' ice cream is also popular among foreign visitors seeking some respite from the heat in Bangkok.

Persons: Doungkamon Koedthong, Wat Arun, Sirinya Hanpachearnchoak, Sherin Babu, Artorn Pookasook, Orathai Sriirng, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Wat, Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, Manchester, England

☆ 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

☆ Thailand's Parliament is about to pick a new prime minister — and a generation's hopes are at stake
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat addresses supporters ahead of the July 13 parliamentary vote to elect Thailand's next prime minister, in front of Central World in Bangkok on July 9, 2023. The installation of Wan Noor as a compromise candidate after second-placed party Pheu Thai had objected to Move Forward's choice, was just the beginning. "It puts the Pheu Thai Party in an advantageous position if Mr Pita fails to get sufficient votes from the senators to back him as prime minister." Limjaroenrat needs 376 votes to become prime minister. Pictured in this May 18 photograph are (from left) Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party; Pita Limjaroenrat, prime minister candidate and leader of the Move Forward Party; and Cholnan Srikaew, leader of Pheu Thai Party.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Thailand's, Tananchai, Wan, —, Party —, Limjaroenrat —, Prayut Chan, Wan Noor, Thai, Mr Wan, Syetarn Hansakul, Mr Pita, it's, Sudarat Keyuraphan, Cholnan Srikaew, Forward's, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Prapanth Koonmee, Nomura, EIU's, Limjaroenrat, Napon Jatusripitak, ISEAS, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Thaksin Shinawatra, — he's, Pheu, Thaksin, He's, he's, Pavin Chachavalpongpun Organizations: Forward Party, Afp, Getty, Thailand's, Representatives, Party, Harvard, Thai Party, Economist Intelligence Unit, National Assembly, Thai Sang, Pheu Thai Party, Limjaroenrat's, ISEAS Yusof, Institute, Chulalongkorn University, CNBC, Prachachat Party, Kyoto University's Center, Southeast Asian Studies, Thai Lawyers for Human Locations: Bangkok, Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Thailand, Singapore, Thai Rak Thai

Bangkok CNN —Burger King is causing a stir in Thailand with its new offering: a burger with no meat and a jaw-dropping amount of cheese. This week, the Thai operator of the fast food chain introduced what it calls the “real cheeseburger,” a bun filled with as many as 20 slices of American cheese. This is for real,” Burger King said in a Sunday social media post. At one Burger King branch in Bangkok on Tuesday, a shift manager was overheard saying the outlet had to stop taking delivery orders so they could have enough stock left for walk-in diners. In Thailand, cheese is especially popular among young customers, and it is common for the dairy product to be sprinkled on all kinds of dishes.

Persons: Bangkok CNN — Burger, ” Burger King, CNN she’d, ”, angus, Alisa Chuengviroj, Burger Organizations: Bangkok CNN, Burger, CNN, Minor International, Dairy Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai, United States

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks with members of the press after casting his vote in the Thai General Election on May 14, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday said he will retire from politics, nine years after the former general seized power in a military coup. His announcement comes ahead of a much-anticipated vote for Thailand's new prime minister this Thursday. Chan-ocha said he would stay in a caretaker role until a new prime minister is elected. This backing nevertheless falls short of the 376 votes that party leader Pita Limjaroenrat to stake his claim as Thailand's next prime minister.

Persons: Prayuth Chan, Chan, ocha, Pita Limjaroenrat, Limjaroenrat Organizations: Thai, United Thai Nation, Thai Sang Chart Party, Facebook Locations: Thai, Bangkok, Thailand

☆ Thailand prime minister Prayuth retires from politics, nine years after his coup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha leaves after a cabinet meeting before end of his term in next week at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaBANGKOK, July 11 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced on Tuesday his retirement from politics, nine years after he took power in a military coup, and promised to stay in charge only temporarily. The former army chief, a staunch royalist, led a junta until an election in 2019 and was chosen by parliament to remain prime minister for four more years, an outcome his opponents insist was pre-determined. "I as prime minister have worked hard to protect the nation, religion, monarchy for the benefit of the beloved people. His announcement comes as the new parliament prepares to convene on Thursday to hold a vote on who will be the next prime minister, an outcome far from certain.

Persons: Prayuth Chan, ocha, Prayuth, Panu, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Government, REUTERS, Thailand's, United Thai Nation, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

The military has for decades invoked its duty to defend the monarchy to justify intervention in politics, and used the lese majeste law to stifle dissent, critics say. Much depends on whether Move Forward's main ally, second-place winner Pheu Thai, sticks with it or seeks other coalition partners if Pita's bid looks doomed. King Vajiralongkorn, 70, who has no role in choosing a government, has remained silent on the lese majeste issue since the election. In the last election in 2019, no party would have dared suggest amending the lese majeste law. Pheu Thai, which has 141 seats to Move Forward's 151, could nominate its prime ministerial candidate with the eight-party alliance intact.

Persons: Maha Vajiralongkorn, Suthida, Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Seri Suwanpanon, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Prayuth Chan, Pheu, King Vajiralongkorn, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Thaksin Shinawatra, Titipol Phakdeewanich, Amarat Chokepamitkul, Panu, Kay Johnson, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Royal News, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, Senate, Ubon Ratchathani University, Royal Household Bureau, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai, Handout, BANGKOK, Pheu

☆ China-led electronic vehicle boom in Thailand threatens Japan's grip on key market
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A visitor plugs a charger into an electric vehicle on display at the 44th Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok on March 22, 2023. 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 transition offers a test case for other economies as Chinese automakers ramp up exports and build overseas production hubs, partly in response to a hypercompetitive home market for electric cars.

Persons: Sebastien Dupuy, BYD Organizations: Thailand's Siam Motors, Nissan Motors, Siam Motors, EV Locations: Bangkok, Siam, Thailand, China, Thai, Southeast, Indonesia, Japan, Europe

☆ Hundreds gather to show support for Thailand's Pita ahead of vote for PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, July 9 (Reuters) - Hundreds of supporters of Thailand's leading prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat rallied in the capital on Sunday ahead of a parliamentary vote for a new prime minister next week. He now needs to secure support from an unelected Senate to become the premier to replace incumbent Prayuth Chan-ocha in the vote set for July 13. Pita said talks with senators were being held and that they should not vote against the will of the people. "We're asking them to vote for democracy, for the majority, and to return normalcy to Thai politics, so we can finally move forward," he told orange-clad supporters on Sunday. Reporting by Juarawee Kittisilpa; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thailand's, Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Thais, Prayuth Chan, Jaturong Soisri, Juarawee Kittisilpa, Orathai Sriring, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Party, 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

☆ Chinese electric vehicle investment plans in Thailand
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

July 10 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are pouring into Thailand, having committed to invest $1.44 billion in production facilities in Southeast Asia's biggest automaking hub that has long been dominated by Japanese companies. IN THE PIPELINESeveral deals are also in the pipeline, according to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), which has been pursuing Chinese automakers. Chongqing Changan, GAC and Chery did not respond to requests for comment on their plans for Thailand. RISING POPULARITYThe influx of Chinese models appears to be helping to boost the popularity of EVs in Thailand, the second-largest car market in Southeast Asia. On Toyota's (7203.T) Thailand website, the Corolla Altis is priced at 894,000 baht and the Yaris Ativ at 549,000 baht.

Persons: China's, Thailand's, BOI, Geely, Wall's Ora, Devjyot, Jamie Freed Organizations: Asia's, General Motors, EV, Electronics, Auto, SAIC, Charoen, New Energy, Assembly, of Investment, State, Chongqing Changan Automobile, Ford, Mazda, Guangzhou Automobile Group, China's Chery, Chongqing Changan, GAC, Chery, Reuters, Corolla, Thomson Locations: Thailand, EVs, Southeast Asia, Europe, Chongqing, China, BOI, 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

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

☆ Thailand's public debt expected to rise due to Covid relief plans, says economist
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThailand's public debt expected to rise due to Covid relief plans, says economistKirida Bhaopichitr of the Thailand Development Research Institute says public debt in Thailand is currently 61% of GDP, and could increase to almost 70%.

Persons: Kirida Bhaopichitr Organizations: Thailand Development Research Institute Locations: Thailand

☆ 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

☆ Thailand's Pita says 'enough support' from Senate to become PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, attends a press conference following the general election, at the party's headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, May 15, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File PhotoBANGKOK, June 27 (Reuters) - Thailand's leading prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat said on Tuesday he has enough support in the upper house to become the country's next premier, just days ahead of the new parliament's first session. When asked on Tuesday how much Senate support he had secured, Pita said: "enough for me to become prime minister". Doubts have lingered over whether Pita has enough support because of his party's controversial proposal to amend Thailand's strict royal insult law or lese majeste. The party was in the process of explaining its position to senators ahead of the July parliamentary vote, said Pita.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Athit, Pita, Thais, Chayut Setboonsarng, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Forward Party, REUTERS, Party, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK

☆ China offers closer military cooperation with Vietnam
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, June 27 (Reuters) - China is willing to work with Vietnam to strengthen high-level communication and cooperation between their militaries, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu said on Tuesday as he met his Vietnamese counterpart. Li told Phan that relations between their militaries had developed well, adding that China's military was willing to push relations to a new level. The U.S. navy visit comes amid tension between China and the United States in the South China Sea, most of which China claims, as the two powers jostle for influence in the energy-rich region. Li, appointed defence minister in March, is under U.S. sanctions over his role in a 2017 weapons purchase from Russia's largest arms exporter. As tensions simmer in the South China Sea, where several countries have overlapping territorial claims and also hold military exercises in its waters, any thaw in Sino-U.S. military relations is being closely watched.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Phan Van Giang, Phan, Ronald Reagan, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Nancy Pelosi, Bernard Orr, Kim Coghill, Robert Birsel Organizations: Chinese Defence, U.S, aircraft, U.S . Defence, Beijing, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Vietnam, Beijing, Asia, Pacific, Danang, U.S, United States, South China, Singapore, Taiwan

☆ Thailand's Pita says he has 'enough support' from Senate to become prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Thailand is awaiting the formal appointment of Pita Limjaroenrat as its new Prime Minister after his Move Forward Party swept the Thai elections in May. Thailand's leading prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat said on Tuesday he has enough support in the upper house to become the country's next premier, just days ahead of the new parliament's first session. When asked on Tuesday how much Senate support he had secured, Pita said: "enough for me to become prime minister." Doubts have lingered over whether Pita has enough support because of his party's controversial proposal to amend Thailand's strict royal insult law or lese majeste. After convening on July 3, parliament is expected to vote on a prime minister on July 13.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Thailand's, Pita, Thais Organizations: Forward Party, Party Locations: Thailand

☆ U.S. to slap new sanctions on Myanmar state-owned banks - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Thai reports, published on Tuesday, said Washington would announce new sanctions on Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank and Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank as early as Wednesday. A spokesman for Myanmar's military junta said it was not worried about any new sanctions. Zaw Min Tun told the state media channel MWD on Tuesday evening that the country has experienced sanctions before and they will not face losses if there are new sanctions on Myanmar state-owned banks. He said the United States was "just doing this to cause difficulties in economics and politics". One of the Thai media reports, by Bangkok Business News, cited Thai sources as saying the sanctions would impact Thailand and other countries in the region financially because of connections with local banks.

Persons: Washington, Aung, Kyi, Min Tun, Critics, Prayuth Chan, Panu, Poppy McPherson, Kay Johnson, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: United, Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank, Myanmar Investment, Commercial Bank, Reuters, Embassy, Bangkok Business, Thai, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, United States, U.S, Thailand, States, Myanmar, Bangkok, Pattaya, ASEAN

☆ Sri Lanka readies ailing Thai elephant for flight home
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"But he is very gentle and obedient, which has made it easier to try and get him used to the process." Since he was gifted to Sri Lanka in 2001, the elephant, often used to carry Buddhist relics in processions, has spent most of his time at a Buddhist temple in Kalutara, about 75 km (47 miles) from Colombo, the commercial capital. Perera, who oversees his care, along with a mahout and other staff, said he would probably need hydrotherapy facilities that Sri Lanka lacks to restore full movement. Thailand will pay for the elephant's journey home, while Sri Lanka has footed the cost of his medical care and food, which runs into about 400 kg (882 lb) a day. The pachyderm is expected to return to Sri Lanka after treatment, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has said, and animal welfare activists hope he will be sent to a sanctuary.

Persons: Read, Sak Surin, Madusha Perera, Muthu Raja, Chiang Mai, Perera, Dinesh Gunawardena, Uditha Jayasinghe, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Sri, Thomson Locations: Sak Surin, Sri Lanka, Thai, Thailand, Colombo, Sri, COLOMBO, Sri Lankans, Chiang, Kalutara, Lanka

☆ Thai parliament to convene soon, after election commission endorses result
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand's poll body certified the results of last month's election on Monday, paving the way for the first session of parliament in the next few weeks ahead of the formation of a new government. The election commission said it had endorsed the winners of all 500 seats of the lower house, which must convene within 15 days to elect a speaker, who will then call for a joint session of the bicameral legislature to vote on a prime minister. The opposition has formed an eight-party alliance that is expected to back Move Forward's Harvard-educated leader Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister and form a coalition government likely next month. Though endorsement of the results clears up some of the uncertainty in the election aftermath in Thailand, it is far from clear whether Pita can muster enough support to become premier, which requires 376 votes from the combined upper and lower houses. The alliance has control of 312 seats and will need to court votes from either rival parties or some of the 250 members of a conservative-leaning Senate, who were appointed under military rule after a 2014 coup.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita Organizations: Forward's Harvard Locations: Thai, Thailand

☆ Thais host Myanmar junta official for talks; key ASEAN members stay away
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister, Than Swe, is due to join the talks, two sources with knowledge of the meeting told Reuters. But some ASEAN members have declined to attend and others are only sending junior officials. ASEAN FRUSTRATIONThe military took over in Myanmar in 1962, isolating it for decades until a tentative opening up began in 2011. Malaysia's foreign minister has also declined to attend the Thai talks, saying it remained supportive of the efforts being undertaken by Indonesia. Cambodia on Monday said Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who last year served as an ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar, would be represented by his deputy.

Persons: Aung, Athit, Don Pramudwinai, Don, Retno Marsudi, Suu Kyi, Prak Sokhonn, Panu, Ananda, Kanupriya Kapoor, Kay Johnson, Robert Birsel Organizations: Protesters, Embassy, REUTERS, Monday, Association of Southeast Nations, ASEAN, Myanmar's, Reuters, Thai PBS, Indonesian, Peace, Myanmar, ASEAN Chair, Malaysian, Cambodian, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, Bangkok, Thailand, BANGKOK, ASEAN, Indonesia, Suu, Cambodia, Ananda Teresia, Jakarta, Rozanna, Kuala Lumpur

BANGKOK, June 19 (Reuters) - Thailand's poll body certified the results of last month's election on Monday, paving the way for the first session of parliament in the next few weeks ahead of the formation of a new government. The opposition has formed an eight-party alliance that is expected to back Move Forward's Harvard-educated leader Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister and form a coalition government likely next month. Move Forward's alliance said it would meet on Thursday to agree on a speaker and deputy speakers. If found guilty by a court, Pita faces a political ban of up to 20 years and even prison. Reporting Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Panarat, Panu, Martin Petty Organizations: Forward's Harvard, iTV, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, Thailand, Bangkok

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