Srettha royally endorsed as new PMPrime Minister-elect Srettha Thavisin meets media members at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters on Tuesday night after parliamentarians voted him in as the new prime minister. "His Majesty has given royal assent for the 30th prime minister of Thailand," Kampee Ditthakorn told reporters. Mr Srettha is scheduled to receive the royal endorsement at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters at 6pm on Wednesday, Mr Kampee said. Almost all of the votes against Mr Srettha came from the Move Forward Party, which won the May 14 general election but could not get its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, approved. I will do my best, forget tiredness in the past and improve the living conditions of all Thai people," Mr Srettha said on Tuesday.

Legal victories for injured protestersThanat: Hit by teargas canisterThe Royal Thai Police (RTP) was on Tuesday ordered to pay compensation to two anti-government protesters severely injured by police munitions used during protests in the capital in 2021. In the first case, the Criminal Court ordered the RTP to compensate Thanat "Luk Nut" Thanakitamnuay for injuries caused during an anti-government protest at Victory Monument on Aug 13, 2021. After the protest, he was sent to receive medical treatment at a hospital, but he lost the sight in his right eye. After the ruling, Mr Thanat posted the court order and screenshots of a chat message between him and his lawyers on his Facebook page. Mr Thanat wrote that he was "speechlessly glad" about the ruling, as he saw little hope during the court process.

Until just a few months ago, Mr Srettha was best known as the CEO of Sansiri Plc, one of the country’s biggest property developers. Mr Srettha attended Prasarnmit Demonstration School before leaving Thailand for high school in the United States. However, Mr Srettha was outspoken in his condemnation of the anti-government movement led by Suthep Thaugsuban and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee against the Yingluck government. Mr Srettha transferred his shares in a total of 13 companies to a number of other parties including his daughter. This has led to questions about to what extent Mr Srettha can be his own man, especially with the looming figure of Thaksin now back on the scene.

Mr Srettha needed a simple majority of 375 votes. Of the 482 votes for Mr Srettha, 330 came from MPs and 152 from senators. Srettha Thavisin, prime minister-electPheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew on Tuesday morning nominated Mr Srettha, a property tycoon, as the sole prime ministerial candidate and five hours of debate on Mr Srettha’s qualifications by MPs and senators followed. Both Mr Srettha and Sansiri have publicly addressed the accusations made by whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit, with Sansiri saying it followed all legal requirements. So, Mr Srettha is considered as being innocent and honest,” Dr Cholnan said.

Parliament resumes, Srettha nominated for PMMembers of the parliament attend the joint session to vote on a prime minister on Tuesday morning. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew nominated Mr Srettha to the parliament at 10.57am. Then Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha asked the session if there were any other candidates for prime minister. Mr Wan declared Mr Srettha the sole candidate. Mr Srettha is the former chief executive of property developer Sansiri Plc.

Credit card rule change set to hit clientsMr Sarut says the credit card rate is scheduled to rise to 8% in 2024 before returning to the normal 10% in 2025. CardX, a credit card service provider under SCB X Group, expects that some customers may fail to comply with the Bank of Thailand’s regulation on minimum credit card payments scheduled for next year. The company has 2 million credit cardholders in total, of which 160,000 accounts, or 8%, repay debt at the minimum rate of 5%. “Some clients are unable to pay at the normal rate, so the company would help support them on debt restructuring. He said the central bank has set a specific timeline for the increase in its minimum payment rate for credit cards.

Stocks bounce despite China rate cut failing to ease worriesFed boss Jerome Powell's speech at Jackson Hole will be closely followed by investors. LONDON: European and US stocks rebounded on Monday but Asian markets ended mixed after a Chinese rate cut failed to reassure investors worried about the outlook for the world's number two economy. In afternoon trading, Paris stocks climbed 0.7%, Frankfurt rose 0.4% and London added less than one tenth of a%. "From recent commentaries, it appears that central bankers will keep the flexibility to hike rates further, while clearly avoiding committing to cut rates soon," said Redmond Wong at Saxo. The decision to lower the one-year loan prime rate (LPR), which serves as a benchmark for corporate loans, comes after a reduction in June and leaves it at a historic low.

Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew, seated third from right, reads out the joint statement issued by his 11-party coalition, at the parliament on Monday afternoon. Pheu Thai, which came second in the May 14 general election with 141 elected MPs, is the biggest component of the 11-party alliance. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew told a press conference at the parliament about 1.30pm that Pheu Thai would have eight ministers and nine deputy ministers, including the PM's Office ministry. They include the digital wallet policy, 600-baht minimum daily wage and higher farm prices, the Pheu Thai leader said. The Pheu Thai leader said he acknowledged the heavy criticism of Pheu Thai for teaming up with parties in the caretaker government.

Srettha ThavisinSenators now expect Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin to respond in parliament to questions about his ethical standards following various accusations made against him. He was responding to rumours that the party was considering swapping Mr Srettha with either Paetongtarn Shinawatra or Chaikasem Nitisiri, after accusations by whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit against Mr Srettha raised questions over his business dealings. He was referring to alleged tax evasion carried out by Sansiri Plc, the property development company for which Mr Srettha had served as CEO prior to throwing his hat in the political ring. "The chances [of Mr Srettha winning the support of the senators] stand at fifty-fifty. Meanwhile, Ms Paetongtarn said Pheu Thai still hopes to see Mr Srettha win the forthcoming vote.

Red-shirt throng to greet Thaksin at Don Mueang airportSaensuk Termsrisuk, 62, alias Jae Oy, a red-shirt member in Nakhon Ratchasima, shows her photo with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he came to her shop 20 years ago. They immediately contacted other members and planned to travel to Don Mueang airport in Bangkok. Early on Tuesday morning, they would proceed to Don Mueang airport and plan to arrive there before 9am, Mr Wattanachai said. Wattanachai Suebsiribut, alias Jiew, chairman of the Red-shirt Group of Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) said at least 300 red-shirt members intended to greet Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday. Ms Mayuree said several other groups of red-shirts from other provinces would also gather at Don Mueang airport on Tuesday morning.

Russia's Luna-25 probe crashes on Moon: space agencyA Roscosmos photo showing Luna-25 on its flight to the Moon on Aug 16. MOSCOW: The Luna-25 probe, Russia's first Moon mission in almost 50 years, has crashed on the Moon after an incident during pre-landing manoeuvres, Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Sunday. The 800-kilogram Luna-25 probe was to have made a soft landing on Monday on the lunar south pole -- the first in history. - Space race -But on Saturday, Roscosmos said an "emergency" had been detected during a manoeuvre by the probe prior to its Moon landing, preventing the operation from being carried out. India's competing space probe, Chandrayaan-3, entered the Moon's orbit earlier in August and also hopes to land on the south pole.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra reaches out to local supporters in Thailand and members of the Pheu Thai Party via a video conference in 2021. Thaksin's return from self-imposed exile is scheduled for Tuesday, the same day parliament will meet to select the country's 30th prime minister. "Pheu Thai couldn't dominate the elections, so his return may not make much difference." "Thaksin's return is rather good than bad [for Pheu Thai's coalition] because partners want to directly talk to the showrunner," he said. Acting justice minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the ministry has yet to be officially informed of Thaksin's return plan, but preparations have been made.

Russia 'thwarts' Ukraine drone attack on Moscow regionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed 'a tangible answer' to Saturday's attack on the northern city of Chernihiv. KYIV, Ukraine: Russia said it thwarted Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and its region on Sunday, a day after a "heinous" missile strike killed seven people and wounded 148 in Ukraine's Chernihiv. "At around 4:00 am (0100 GMT), an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by drone on infrastructure in Moscow and the Moscow region was thwarted," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement. A Ukrainian drone raid also hit a railway station in the western Russian city of Kursk, injuring five people, the regional governor said early Sunday. In the southern region of Rostov that borders Ukraine, Russian air defence intercepted two Ukrainian drones, the governor said.

Taiwan details China drills, VP says election not China's to callTAIPEI: Taiwan's election next year is a choice between democracy and autocracy, Vice President William Lai said in comments broadcast after China carried out military drills around the island in anger at his visit this month to the United States. "My position is that Taiwan is not a part of the People's Republic of China. China has demanded that Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of "one China", but it has refused. Lower-key drillsChina's Saturday drills were much more low-key than two rounds of war games around Taiwan last August and again in April this year. Taiwan's military also released pictures of one of its fighter jets taking off and a pilot checking a missile underneath an aircraft.

England, Spain pursue history in Women's World Cup finalEngland coach Sarina Wiegman on the eve of the final. (Photo: AFP)SYDNEY: History will be made at the Women's World Cup on Sunday when England and Spain clash in the final in Sydney, with both bidding to win the tournament for the first time. It will be the final act of a tournament full of shocks which began one month ago and started with 32 teams, making it the biggest Women's World Cup ever. British media has been full of references to 1966 -- when the country won the men's World Cup for the only time. Whoever wins, it will be a new name on the Women's World Cup.