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Only Cambodia has so far officially confirmed it intended to attend the talks. Myanmar's junta spokesman could not be reached for comment on Sunday. Thailand's foreign ministry was tight-lipped about exactly who was attending the two-day gathering in the resort town of Pattaya, for which outgoing Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai sent invitation letters just four days before its start. Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn was to attend the meeting, his government said in a statement on Friday. Vietnam's government said its foreign minister would not attend "due to a prior engagement".

Persons: Nobel, Aung, Myanmar's, Swe, Don Pramudwinai, Don, Prak Sokhonn, Vivian Balakrishnan, Nantiwat Samart, Suu Kyi's, Panu, Phuong Nguyen, Ananda Teresia, Stefanno Sulaiman, Poppy McPherson, Devjyot, Kay Johnson, William Mallard Organizations: Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Reuters, Cambodian, Nation TV, National Unity Government, Thai, Ananda, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Cambodia, Suu, Thailand, Pattaya, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Thai, ASEAN, Malaysia, Philippines, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Shoon

Two sources with knowledge of Sunday's meeting told Reuters that Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister had been invited. Myanmar's military spokesman did not respond to phone calls on Friday night. ASEAN chair Indonesia has declined to attend the proposed meeting, according to three sources. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said the Thai foreign minister had shown "arrogance" by inviting his junta counterpart who other regional neighbours have shunned. Indonesia last month cited progress in its own behind-the-scenes efforts to engage multiple parties in Myanmar's conflict in a bid to advance a peace process agreed by ASEAN leaders and Myanmar's military in April 2021.

Persons: Don Pramudwinai, Nobel, Aung, hasn't, Myanmar's, Prayuth Chan, ocha, Don's, Don, Phil Robertson, Ananda Teresia, Devjyot Ghoshal, Kay Johnson, Stanley Widianto, Martin Petty, Devjyot, Angus MacSwan Organizations: ASEAN, of Southeast Asian Nations, Thailand's Foreign, Reuters, Myanmar's, Foreign Ministry, Human Rights, Party, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Thailand BANGKOK, Suu, Jakarta, Asia, Bangkok, Shoon

☆ The 10 cheapest countries where you can buy citizenship or residency for as low as $19,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Thailand golden visa: Minimum application fee of $19,000 requiredTwin pagoda monastery built on top of the mountain in the North of Thailand during sunset. Guntaphat Pokasasipun/Getty ImagesThailand's "Elite Visa" membership program provides qualified foreign investors with a "Privilege Entry Visa" that is valid for up to 20 years. There are eight different program options, ranging from "elite flexible one" to "elite ultimate privilege," according to Thailand Privilege Card Co., the state-owned enterprise within Thailand's federal tourism agency that runs the program. The minimum payment required is an application fee of approximately $19,000.

Persons: Guntaphat Pokasasipun Locations: Thailand, North

Pita, the 42-year-old leader of the progressive Move Forward party whose election victory stunned Thailand's military-backed establishment, has faced multiple complaints from rivals, three of which the poll body has dismissed for late submission, while four others against the party have been thrown out. Pita has downplayed the issue, arguing the shares in the firm, ITV, have since been transferred and the company was not an active media organisation. "There is sufficient information to suspect that the candidate is unfit or prohibited from seeking public office, according to electoral regulations, to further investigate Pita," election commission chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong told Reuters in a text message. "The election commission may take action against Pita in the future," he told a press conference. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pita Limjareonrat, Pita, Thailand's, Ittiporn Boonprakong, Tulathon, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: ITV, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Southeast Asia's, Bangkok

Pita maintains, however, that iTV's loss of its concession means it cannot be considered a mass media organisation. "I am very confident that I am not unfit to run for office and to be a candidate for prime minister," he said, referring to candidate qualifications. Pita, 42, has said the shares were part of his late father's estate, which he has declared to the anti-graft agency. The election commission's chairman at the weekend said the complaints were being examined and further evidence was being gathered. Pita has formed an alliance with seven other parties but faces an uphill battle to woo members of an unelected, conservative-leaning Senate to back him in a legislative vote on a prime minister, which is expected by August.

Persons: Pita, Pita Limjaroenrat, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: iTV, ITV Public Company, Constitutional, U.S, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK

☆ C3.ai shares slide as revenue forecast fails to live up to AI hype
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 1 (Reuters) - Shares of C3.ai Inc (AI.N) dropped nearly 20% in premarket trading on Thursday after the AI software maker's quarterly revenue forecast missed estimates, dampening some of Wall Street's recent euphoria around AI-linked stocks. AI analytics firm BigBear.ai (BBAI.N), conversation intelligence firm SoundHound AI (SOUN.O) and Thailand's security firm Guardforce AI (GFAI.O) were down between 0.5% and 7.5%. The midpoint of C3.ai's full-year revenue forecast was $307.50 million, below Wall Street expectations of $317.1 million, according to Refinitiv data. The company, however, said it had received bookings from diverse industries, benefitting from the strong AI software demand and remained on track to post a profit by the end of April 2024. Average Wall Street rating was "hold".

Persons: We've, we've, Canaccord Genuity, Piper Sandler, Arvind Ramnani, Medha Singh, Vansh Agarwal, Rashmi Organizations: Nvidia, Thomson Locations: Wall, Redwood City , California, Bengaluru

☆ Asia stocks slump to monthly loss as China data disappoints
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Australian dollar is sliding towards a fourth consecutive monthly loss and at $0.6492 is barely above last week's seven-month lows. Aussie stocks (.AXJO) are eying their worst month since February with a 2.4% drop. Based on these factors, we raise our end-2023 targets for Japanese stocks, to 2,300 for TOPIX and 32,500 for the Nikkei 225." Benchmark 10-year yields dropped 12.4 basis points overnight and fell another 1.5 bps on Wednesday in Asian trade to 3.6808%. The drop in yields put a pause in what looks to be the U.S. dollar's best monthly rally since February.

Persons: stockmarkets, Carol Kong, Masashi Akutsu, Joe Biden, Treasuries, Philip Lowe, Sam Holmes Organizations: Nikkei, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, of America, Republican, Brent, Thomson Locations: China, Asia, Japan, SINGAPORE, Pacific, U.S, United States

Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall as Wall Street considered the likelihood of Congress passing a tentative deal on raising the U.S. debt ceiling amid growing opposition within the GOP on the tentative deal that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed over the weekend. Australia will publish its seasonally adjusted April inflation figures, and a rate decision from Thailand's central bank, among others. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,187, lower than the index's last close of 7,209.3, ahead of its unemployment figures for April. Economists polled by Reuters expect the country's weighted inflation rate in April to slow slightly to 6.4%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is set to fall further despite a late rally in Tuesday session, with futures at 18,260 compared to the HSI's close of 18,595.78.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden Organizations: GOP, Nikkei, Reuters Locations: Asia, Pacific, Australia, Thailand's, Japan, Chicago, Osaka, 31,328.160

[1/2] The logo of Chinese carmaker Geely Auto is pictured at the second media day for the Shanghai auto show in Shanghai, China April 17, 2019. Thailand's Board of Investment held discussions with five major Chinese EV makers including Geely during a roadshow to China in April, its Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi said. "All expressed keen interest in Thailand's policy to develop a regional EV production base and an integrated EV supply chain," Narit said, without providing more details of the talks with Geely. BYD and China's Great Wall Motor Co Ltd (601633.SS) are already working on building local EV production in Thailand. China's Great Wall Motor has said it is considering a research and development centre in Thailand that could work on battery-powered pickup trucks.

Persons: Aly Song BANGKOK, Geely, Narit Therdsteerasukdi, JAC Motors, Narit, Aston Martin, China's, Devjyot Ghoshal, Zhang Yan, Jamie Freed Organizations: Shanghai, REUTERS, Reuters, of Investment, BYD Co, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co, Jiangling Motors Corp Ltd, EV, Wall Motor Co, Volvo, Aston, Malaysian carmaker Proton, Toyota Motor Corp, Isuzu Motors, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Thailand, Chongqing, Geely, Swedish, Southeast Asia

The Hebei-based company is also considering establishing a research and development centre in Thailand that could work on battery powered pickup trucks, Narong Sritalayon, managing director of Great Wall Motor Thailand said in an interview. "I think there is a lot of things we can learn from Thailand's unique market for pickup trucks," Narong said. Great Wall launched its Ora Good Cat compact EV in Thailand in late 2021. Great Wall entered Thailand in 2020 after taking over a former General Motors Co (GM.N) plant that currently makes two of its Haval hybrid vehicles for sale in the country. But the facility could be upgraded for battery cell production with additional investment depending on demand and Thai government support, Great Wall added.

Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expanded faster than expected in the first quarter of this year due to a revival in its vital tourism sector. Arkhom said revenue collection also showed strong signs of recovery in the 2022 fiscal year and was expected to surpass the pre-pandemic level in the 2023 fiscal year. "I'm confident that Thailand is firmly heading towards full recovery and soon return to its vibrant economy," he added. Thailand's public debt rose due to the pandemic response, but overall fiscal risks remain manageable, the bank said. Reporting by Orathai Sriring and Kitiphong Thaichareon; Editing by Martin Petty and Sonali PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Former Canadian soldier extradited to Thailand over gang killing
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The deceased is connected with the United Nation Gang and was linked to the murder of one of the leaders of another gang, called the Red Scorpion, in Canada," Jirabhop said. The extradition involved a Thai air force flight after commercial airlines declined requests for transport over safety concerns, Thai police said. "We have ensure that there is security in Thailand and uphold our reputation that this country is safe to live in," she said. An Alberta court approved the extradition of Dupre last December. Reporting by Juarawee Kittisilpa and Napat Wesshasartar; Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Mike HarrisonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

May 29 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever. It could be a double-edged sword for Asian markets, if not on Monday than in the days and weeks ahead. The economy's post-pandemic lockdown recovery has been weaker than expected, to put it mildly, and inflationary pressures are evaporating. Japanese equity markets open on Monday near the 33-year highs reached last week, while Chinese stocks are languishing near six-month lows. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Bans, betrayals and stalemates: How Thailand's old guard could respond to election results
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party (center), at a rally in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 18 2023. The vote for PM is expected in August after the Election Commission certifies election results. A Pheu Thai betrayalLed by the daughter of ex-prime minister Thaksin, Pheu Thai is an opposition party that is more careful about its messaging on the monarchy. "Pheu Thai will run the risk of being punished electorally by the pro-democracy voters, who are the key supporters of Pheu Thai in the future," warned Waitoolkiat. When the Future Forward Party was dissolved in 2020, it set off mass youth-led protests.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Valeria Mongelli, —, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, There's, Pita, Napisa, Susannah Patton Lowy, Thaksin, Susannah Patton, Patton, Pongsudhirak —, electorally, Waitoolkiat, there's Organizations: Party, Bloomberg, Getty, Chulalongkorn University, Chulalongkorn University's Faculty, Political Science, of Security, International Studies, Foreign Relations, Constitutional Court, National, Corruption, Electoral Commission, Constitutional, Human Rights, Center for Strategic, Naresuan University . Conservative, Senate, CSIS, Southeast Asia, Lowy Institute, Conservative, CFR, Pheu, Forward Party Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, parliament's, Pheu Thai

☆ Southeast Asia’s worst-performing stock market is UBS’s ‘top pick’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Audrey Wan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Move Forward Party, attends a press conference of the Thai pro-democracy parties in Bangkok. While the benchmark SET index initially rose when the results came through, but eventually gave up those early gains. In fact, Thai stocks are the worst performers in Southeast Asia this year, but Tay says Thailand is his "top pick" in the region. Thailand's SET index is down 9.22% this year, the biggest laggard in the broader Asia Pacific region. The Move Forward party has called for reforms to the monarchy, including changing its defamation law.

They are seeking to form a coalition government with six other parties, all of which are due to sign the agreement on their objectives later on Monday. Other alliance members have had reservations about tampering with that law. The party had on Friday said lese-majeste would be included only if the eight parties backed it. His alliance comprises 313 seats, but it needs backing from 376 legislators to vote Pita in. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut Setboonsarng and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat holds hands with coalition party leaders following a meeting with coalition partners in Bangkok, Thailand, May 18, 2023. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaBANGKOK, May 19 (Reuters) - Thailand's progressive Move Forward party on Friday said potential coalition partners need not support its controversial stance on amending the royal insult law, as it seeks to win the backing of other parties to form a government. The lese-majeste law prescribes up to 15 years of jail for perceived offences against the monarchy, which many Thais consider sacrosanct. Third-place winner Bhumjaithai party, which commands a critical voting bloc, said it would not support any premier that would amend the lese-majeste law. "We support medical marijuana, and recreational use must be regulated," a recently elected parliamentarian for Move Forward, Parit Wacharasindhu, said.

[1/5] Move Forward Party leader, Pita Limjaroenrat speaks to the media following a meeting with coalition partners in Bangkok, Thailand, May 18, 2023. Move Forward, which won most seats after it capitalised on its groundswell of youth support, has an alliance of eight parties worth about 313 of the 500 lower house seats but no guarantees it can form a coalition government. "There is a committee and negotiation team in place to find out what I further need, the seats I need, so there is stability and no loss of balance in governing," Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat told a press conference. Move Forward won massive youth support with a lively campaign and sophisticated use of social media, but its anti-establishment stance on some issues, including over business monopolies, could complicate its bid to rule. It is far from certain that the new alliance would become Thailand's next government, despite a decisive opposition victory.

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.

☆ Thailand's Move Forward confident of more support to form government
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Chayut Setboonsarng | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Move Forward Party leader, Pita Limjaroenrat speaks to the media following a meeting with coalition partners in Bangkok, Thailand, May 18, 2023. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaBANGKOK, May 18 (Reuters) - The leader of the progressive Move Forward Party that secured a stunning victory in Thailand's election this week said on Thursday he was confident of building more support and being able form a stable and balanced government. Move Forward has campaigned on changing the lese-majeste law, under which at least 200 people have been charged in the past few years, many from a youth-led protest movement. The law prescribes jail terms of up to 15 years for each perceived offence, with some given sentences of several decades. Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat, Writing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. debt drama and data hoist dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar hit a two-week peak of 136.69 yen overnight and hovered just below that at 136.54 in the Asia day. Expectations for U.S. interest rate cuts any time soon were dampened by the solid increase in April consumer spending, and by hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials. "We expect some modest further increases in the dollar as markets continue to take out pricing for rate cuts," said Commonwealth Bank of Australia strategist Joe Capurso. "A rate hike is possible this year, though the hurdle is high." The New Zealand dollar was broadly steady at $0.6244, with investors looking ahead to a 25 bp interest rate hike next week and perhaps one more after that.

"Move Forward chooses an uncompromising mode of change while Pheu Thai choose a compromising mode of change," Prajak said. Pheu Thai has been far more measured in its messaging on the monarchy - and that could leave it with more options. "Pheu Thai is holding its cards close to its chest," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University. "I think Pheu Thai will stick with Move Forward," he said, adding abandoning its ally would make Pheu Thai look as if it was betraying the will of the people. "I still think that a conservative coalition ... with Senate backing is far more likely to emerge than a pro-democracy led coalition," Abuza said.

☆ Thailand's opposition parties meet for coalition talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, May 17 (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition parties, which trounced their military-allied rivals in this week's election, met for coalition talks on Wednesday as the liberal Move Forward Party, which won the most votes, looks to form a government. Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat was seen greeting senior officials from five other parties at a Bangkok restaurant before ushering them upstairs for closed-door talks. Pita earlier this week said that together with five other opposition parties, his coalition will be able control about 310 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives. The parties Pita has approached are Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Prachachart, Seri Ruam Thai and Fair parties. On Wednesday, some Thais questioned the senate's role in electing a prime minister, asking 'why do we need a senate' on social media like Twitter.

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.

Move Forward's main coalition partner would be the Pheu Thai party, backed by the billionaire Shinawatra family that was - until now - the main challenger of the conservative, military-backed royalist establishment that has held power for the last decade. Pheu Thai, which won the last five general elections but got pushed out of power each time, secured 141 seats, according to the latest projections, only 10 fewer than Move Forward. "There are many obstacles that Move Forward and Pheu Thai have to overcome." Full-time politics came in 2019, when Pita entered parliament with 80 other members of the Future Forward Party. To become prime minister, Pita must also navigate the upper house.

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