Pita gives view on PM rejectionPita Limjaroenrat, leader of the election-winning Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, right, and MFP-list MP Rangsiman Rome, left, leave the parliament on July 13 after Mr Pita, the sole prime ministerial candidate, failed to gather enough support in a joint sitting of elected MPs and appointed senators to become the country's 30th prime minister. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat on Thursday said he believes he could have been renominated for prime minister in parliament without having to wait for a court ruling. Responding to questions about the pending court case, Mr Pita said he believed he remains eligible to be renominated as a challenger under House regulations without having to wait for a court decision. But when asked about being in opposition, Mr Pita expressed the hope of having the chance one day to be in the government. "If you were and are impressed by our performance as an opposition party, we can deliver more as a government," he said.

When legal battles shake democraciesThree of the world's biggest democracies, all with past, present and/or prospective leaders facing prison at the same time. Almost all the judges play along in Pakistan, and all Pakistani governments jail opposition politicians (including Imran Khan's, when he was in power). Mr Gandhi, in mid-speech at an election rally, asked "Why do all these thieves have Modi as their surname? Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi." The Gujarat court duly found Mr Gandhi guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison.

(Photo: Apichart Jinakul)All 40 MPs from the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) will vote for the Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate unconditionally because the country urgently needs to have a government, says a party MP. Pai Leeke, a Palang Pracharath MP for Kamphaeng Phet, said on Thursday that the party had not been formally approached by Pheu Thai since key figures of the two parties met at Pheu Thai headquarters on July 23. Pheu Thai, which came second in the May 14 election, later dumped Move Forward and moved to form its own coalition. The votes of the PPRP would bring the total to 278, meaning it would still need the support of 97 senators in a vote for the Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate. The majority of its original members were defectors from the Pheu Thai Party.

(Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The Pheu Thai Party has welcomed the Chartthaipattana Party, along with its 10 MPs, into its coalition, raising the number of House seats held by the coalition to 238 out of the total 500. Chartthaipattana leader Varawut Silpa-archa said he thanked Pheu Thai for inviting his party to the coalition. Mr Varawut cited shared policies and perspectives between Pheu Thai and Chartthaipattana and expressed confidence in Pheu Thai's potential to lead the upcoming administration. Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said that Pheu Thai representatives’ meeting with the MFP on Wednesday was not an invitation for the latter to join the coalition government. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate and daughter of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, also attended the meeting.

It is up to Pheu Thai to decide whether to invite us. "I believe Pheu Thai is also currently approaching other parties," he added. Before attending a cabinet meeting yesterday, Gen Prawit said there had been no approach from Pheu Thai so far. "We are waiting for Pheu Thai to send an invitation," he said. Mr Varawut said it should be left to Pheu Thai to nominate a prime ministerial candidate who it deems fit for the next vote in parliament.

Key members of Pheu Thai and the six new parties announced their alliance at parliament on Wednesday — 87 days after the May 14 general election. The other parties are: Prachachart (9 House seats), Pheu Thai Ruam Palang (2), Chartpattanakla (2), Seri Ruam Thai (1), Palang Sangkhom Mai (1) and The Thongtee Thai Party (The Party of Thai Counties), which has one MP and was formed by former village chiefs, health volunteers and other civil servants. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said his party had now secured 228 House seats in its bid to form a Pheu Thai-led coalition government. Also present at the announcement were Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai, Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong, Seri Ram Thai leader Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, Chartpattanakla chairman Suwat Liptapanlop, Prachachart secretary-general Tawee Sodsong and representatives of the other parties. Pheu Thai came second in the May 14 general election with 141 House seats, followed by Bhumjaithai with 71.

Gas sales from the Bongkot gas field in the Gulf of Thailand are projected to drop this year, mainly due to a change in the way sales volume is calculated under a production sharing contract. Sales volume stood at 468 KBOED last year. From January to June, sales from the Block 61 gas field in Oman decreased. PTTEP is continuing to ratchet up gas production from the Erawan gas field in the Gulf. PTTEP joined a consortium to develop a liquefied natural gas production facility in Mozambique's Rovuma Area 1.

(Photo: Mitr Phol Group)HANOI: Vietnam has imposed anti-dumping penalties between 25.73% and 32.75% on sugar products imported from some of Thailand’s biggest sugar producers for a period of nearly three years, the country’s trade ministry said on Tuesday. An anti-dumping tax of 32.75% will be applied to Asia’s biggest sugar and bioenergy producer, Mitr Phol Sugar, and four associated companies, the ministry said. Thai Roong Ruang Industry and its five affiliates will face an anti-dumping tax of 25.73% and an anti-subsidy tax of 4.65%, the statement added. Vietnamese sugar producers had complained to the government that to get around earlier anti-dumping measures, some sugar products originating from Thailand were being imported via Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar. Vietnam removed duties on sugar imported from Southeast Asian countries in 2020, in accordance with the commitments of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement.

PM at new terminal before soft launchPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tours Satellite Airport Terminal 1 (SAT-1) at Suvarnabhumi airport before its soft launch next month. (Photo: Government House)Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday inspected Suvarnabhumi Airport's Satellite Airport Terminal 1 ahead of its soft launch next month. Gen Prayut said the visit was a follow-up on construction projects under Phase 2 of the Suvarnabhumi Airport development plan, which includes the SAT-1 terminal. The terminal is set for a soft opening late next month, he said. "The SAT-1 terminal, the third runway and other projects under development are part of the foundation work to revive the economy and tourism sector," the premier said.

Atta Gallery is holding "Pearl", a group exhibition by 10 international material-based artists, until Sept 17. On showcase are accessories and artistic items by five female British jewellers -- Caroline Broadhead, Lin Cheung, Melanie Georgacopoulos, Maria Militsi and Frances Wadsworth Jones. The strength of this group, however, is the diversity of each individual's ideas and approaches to a single subject matter. Their investigations interrogate traditional uses of pearls and position them in a contemporary, surprising, humorous or ironic context. Atta Gallery is located at Warehouse 30, Charoen Krung 30 and opens Wednesday to Sunday from 1-6.30pm.

Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai announce bid to form govtPheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, centre right, and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, centre left, announce their partnership to form the next government, at Pheu Thai headquarters on Monday afternoon. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said he was grateful for Bhumjaithai's agreement to join Pheu Thai "to solve people's problems and national crises, especially those concerning the constitution". Pheu Thai came second in the May 14 general election with 141 House seats, followed by Bhumjaithai with 71. Although Move Forward won the most seats, Dr Cholnan said the 212 votes Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai control were also legitimate people's votes. Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said people would see which parties Pheu Thai approaches this week.

Rice exports benefitting from India's export banWorkers unload sacks of rice imported from Thailand from a cargo ship at Malahayati Port in Krueng Raya, Indonesia's Aceh province. (Photo: AFP)Thailand is benefitting from India's rice export ban and has no reason to halt shipments of the grain itself, caretaker Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Monday. In the first seven months, Thailand shipped 4.8 million metric tons, he said, adding monthly exports stood at 700,000 to 800,000 metric tons. Thailand, the world's second-largest rice exporter after India, is expected to export more than 8 million metric tons of rice this year, said Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, up from 7.71 million last year. Two trade sources said last week that some rice exporters in Thailand and Vietnam were re-negotiating prices on sales contracts for around half a million metric tons for August shipment, after India shocked global markets with a ban on exports of non-basmati white rice.

Spanish chef faces murder rap for Phangan dismembermentSURAT THANI: The Koh Samui Provincial Court has approved a warrant for the arrest of a Spanish chef, suspected to have killed and dismembered the body of his Colombian surgeon lover in a hotel room on Koh Phangan island. The Spanish suspect, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, has been detained at Phangan station. Pol Lt Gen Surapong said that after admitting to killing and dismembering the Colombian, the suspect appeared relaxed. Pol Col Panya Nirattimanon, the Koh Phangan police chief, said the suspect is the son of the Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre and actress Silvia Bronchalo. His father was shocked on learning that his son had become a murder suspect and is travelling to the country to see his son.

Meeting set to gauge droughtA shopper browses rice products at a hypermarket. "The price of bagged rice remains normal, despite recent news about a rise in rice prices following India's ban on exporting non-basmati white rice and the drought reducing production," he said. He said overall domestic rice prices are rising, though the department believes it will not significantly affect the price of bagged rice. The free-on-board export price of 5% white rice is now US$600 per tonne, the same price as Vietnamese rice. However, the situation may improve once there is clarity on India's policy regarding the opening of export channels, said Mr Chookiat.

Hawaii eager to further tap Chinese tourism marketTwo girls play at Waikiki beach in Honolulu of Hawaii, the United States, Aug 23, 2018. We are eager to welcome these wonderful travelers to our shores," Daniel Naho'opi'i, chief administrative officer of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), told over 100 guests from China and the United States here on Friday. Most attendees agreed that Hainan and Hawaii were well-known worldwide for their tropical environments, beautiful beaches, lush landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Ka'ana'ana said the recovery of China's economy and the deep relationship between the people of Hawaii and China would help bring more Chinese tourists to the Rainbow State. "My ancestors actually came from China and made their way to Hawaii, and here we are as children of this place.