MFP takes aim at minister for 'Boss' helpEducation Minister Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob gives his policies to educational executives and officials during a meeting on Thursday. (Photo: Education Minister Newsline Facebook)The Move Forward Party (MFP) called for the prime minister to reconsider the recent appointment of Education Minister Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob due to allegations he helped Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, the scion of the family behind the Red Bull empire, escape prosecution. One of them is Pol Gen Permpoon, who was an assistant to the then-national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang. Instead of stopping to help the victim, Mr Vorayuth, then in his early 20s, drove off, dragging the victim's body 200 metres from the accident scene. He will be expected to consider the suitability of Pol Gen Permpoon for the education portfolio.

(Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The Move Forward Party will hold a general assembly on Sept 23 to elect a new executive committee following the resignation of Pita Limjaroenrat as the party leader. Mr Pita’s resignation on Friday has left all executive committee members, including the party leader, in caretaking positions. Mr Pita, after consulting with the executive committee, decided to resign to make way for the party to elect a new leader, who could then take up the post of opposition leader, said Chaithawat Tulathon, the caretaker party secretary-general. The general assembly on Sept 23 will be held at the Thai Summit building, the party headquarters, in Huai Khwang district of Bangkok. About 500 representatives of party branches from across the country are expected to attend the meeting to elect the new leader and new executive committee.

Royal Thai Navy denies nepotism claim by MFP MPA lack of sufficient documents from bidders is the reason the Royal Thai Navy is scrapping its first auction to salvage HTMS Sukhothai, according to Royal Thai Navy (RTN) spokesman Adm Pokkrong Monthatphalin. According to Mr Jirat, the RTN had approved a 200-million-baht budget to salvage the ship and organised an auction in August. About 15 bidders submitted documents on Aug 25 as required in the terms of service, but a "controversial" company submitted its bid three days later and received approval to participate, he said. He said the Royal Thai Fleet Division is assigned to supervise the ship salvage, adding it has set up a committee for the bidding process. "I would like to assure [the public] that the hiring of a ship salvage company and the acquisition of rescue equipment by the RTN are being processed with transparency."

Asian markets join global rally as China data beats forecastsTraders welcomed data showing Chinese retail sales grew more than expected last month, boosting hopes the economy is stabilising after an extended slowdown. (Photo: AFP)HONG KONG - Asian markets rallied Friday as forecast-busting Chinese data boosted hopes the world's number-two economy may be stabilising after an extended slowdown. The news out of Beijing, which followed a recent batch of encouraging figures, came a day after authorities further eased restrictions on banks in a bid to kickstart growth. Hong Kong and Shanghai led the Asian charge Friday after data showed Chinese retail sales and industrial production jumped more than expected last month. The figures were the latest suggesting the economy could be stabilising, with inflation, trade and services all showing a marked improvement in recent weeks.

The deficit would be 100 billion baht, or 14%, higher than the 593 billon projected in the fiscal 2024 budget approved earlier by the Prayut Chan-o-cha government. That budget called for a 5.2% rise in spending to 3.35 trillion baht, including 717 billion baht for investment. The projected deficit represented a 14.7% drop from fiscal 2023 that ends on Sept 30. Public debt under the revised spending plan is expected to reach 64% of GDP by the end of the 2024 fiscal year, the government statement said. The government expects gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.2% next year, the statement said.

Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank (ECB), addresses a briefing after the bank’s interest-rate decision on Thursday in Frankfurt. (Photo: Bloomberg)FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the 10th consecutive time as President Christine Lagarde signalled a shift in gear towards keeping them high to choke inflation out of the economy. The Governing Council repeated language that it will keep rates at “sufficiently restrictive levels for as long as necessary”. The ECB decision is the first of several across developed economies over the coming days. The Bank of England, the Swiss National Bank and central banks in Sweden and Norway will review their policy rates on Sept 21.

Mafia blitz spurs gun amnestyPolice display weapons seized in a crackdown on illegal firearms across the country at the police training centre in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi, in July. Mr Srettha has assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to form a special team to implement the month-long amnesty, said Chai Wacharonke, government spokesman. The operation was ordered by Mr Anutin in response to the murder of Pol Maj Sivakorn Saibua, an officer of Highway Police Division 2, in Nakhon Pathom. Pol Maj Sivakorn reportedly refused to agree to Mr Praween's request before a gunman killed him. Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said two cars believed to be used by the suspects when fleeing the scene were found at a firm linked with Mr Praween.

(Photo: Apichart Jinakul)The government has measures in place to “restart tourism” and expects 40 million visitors and 3.1 trillion baht in tourism-related revenue next year, according to a spokesman. “Tourism is the only economic engine that can still run and is expected to generate substantial revenue for the country,” Mr Chai said. Total tourism revenue last year was 600 billion baht as the country was closed to foreign travellers for several months because of Covid restrictions. “This year the expected revenue from tourism will account for 80% of the figure in 2019 when tourism-related revenue peaked before the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr Chai said. “These are the 10 measures to restart Thai tourism and make it a revenue engine that generates a quick win and new income for economic recovery,” Mr Chai said.

Cabinet approves economic stimuli, including visa-free schemePrime Minister Srettha Thavisin announces key resolutions from the first meeting of his cabinet at Government House on Wednesday. After the meeting at Government House, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the visa-free scheme would operate from Sept 25 to Feb 29 next year for visitors from China and Kazakhstan. The scheme will be temporary, so its impact can be assessed," the prime minister said. The cabinet resolved to reduce the power tariff from 4.45 baht per unit to 4.10 baht from this month onwards. "I think the decrease is bigger than expected," the prime minister said.

Organisers call gem fair a huge successThe results of the 68th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair exceeded expectations, with nearly 40,000 visitors from 117 countries, Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), said yesterday. “Bangkok Gems is not just Asia’s most comprehensive gems and jewellery trade show but also a platform for international trade networks," he said. “The success of this event underscores the significance of Bangkok Gems and Thailand as a global hub for the gem and jewellery trade and manufacturing,” he said. The two organisers also spoke about their readiness for the next editions, disclosing that the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair will be held twice during 2024. Those interested are encouraged to reserve their spots promptly to ensure they don’t miss out on the next event, organisers said.

Thai Asia Pacific Brewery Co., Ltd., or TAP, is driving its business while advancing towards sustainability and responsibility in areas that go beyond traditional businesses. Most recently, TAP has set an important milestone for environmental sustainability in Nonthaburi Province through the launch of the "Yellow Pridiyathorn Garden" Project. TAP is celebrating its 28th anniversary by honouring the project's name as a token of gratitude towards M.R. Aligning with Heineken®'s global sustainability mission "Brew a Better World," this year, TAP has initiated numerous projects to support the local communities. With TAP's commitment to sustainability, the business was awarded the "Green Industry Level 4" from the Ministry of Industry.

Dead police officer blamed himself for subordinate's murderPolice in front of the house in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani, where Pol Col Vachira Yaothaisong, commander of Highway Police sub-division 2, was found dead with a gunshot wound on Monday. Pol Col Vachira appeared stressed out and said he could not sleep, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said. He had advised Pol Col Vachira to get plenty of rest, and try to sleep. A police friend later took Pol Col Vachira for a meal and then to sleep at a hotel in Muang Thong Thani. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said he had instructed Pol Col Vachira not to answer any phone calls.

In his first policy statement to parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin likened the country to a "sick person", for which the government needs to prescribe cures such as the 10,000-baht digital cash handout and reduced energy prices. He said Thailand's longstanding economic, social and political problems have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the nation has yet to fully recover from its effects. "Thailand is like a sick person... Tourism and spending are recovering so slowly that there is the risk of economic recession," Mr Srettha said. MFP list-MP Woraphop Viriyaroj called on the government to adjust the digital wallet programme to make it beneficial to SMEs, otherwise large businesses would reap the benefits instead. Digital cash 'well thought out'Pheu Thai's digital wallet programme was the focus of the first day of the two-day debate on the government's policies.

Prime Video recently announced the release of Comedy Island Thailand, the first Thai original to be available in Thailand and more than 240 countries and territories on the streaming platform. The creative director of Comedy Island Thailand is Mez Tharatorn, who directed some of Thailand's all-time favourite romcoms such as ATM: Er Rak Error, I Fine... Thank You Love You and The Con-Heartist, and the director is Krisada Kanivichaporn of comedy-horror Midnight University and horror series The Collector. It is co-written by Mez, Krisada, Puchong Tuntisungwaragul, Eakasit Thairaat, Patha Thongpan, Aticha Tanthanawigrai, Jarinee Thanomyat and Waneepan Ounphoklang. Comedy Island Thailand is produced by Liminal Entertainment in conjunction with Malin Films Production.

Move Forward Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul replies to the government policy statement in parliament on Monday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Move Forward Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul slammed the Pheu Thai Party-led government's policy statement to parliament as being vague and lacking goals, indicators and timeframes. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delivered his policy statement on Monday morning. "This policy statement is no different from a document released earlier. The Pheu Thai Party had done better with the policy statement of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.