Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew speaks to reporters at the party's headquarters on May 24. Pheu Thai Party has emerged in pole position to form a new government after parliament on Wednesday rejected a bid to renominate Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat for a prime ministerial vote. After the meeting, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said: "At this moment, Pheu Thai still joins hands with the other coalition allies. Asked whether the party would join a new coalition led by Pheu Thai, Mr Varawut said it was premature to discuss the matter. The source said Pheu Thai has now gathered enough support from Bhumjaithai, the PPRP and Chartthaipattana, with a combined number of 282 MPs to form a stable government.

July 20, 2023 06:46 UTC

"I love you to the Moon and back" is a phrase often used by lovers to express strong and enduring love. Piyaphach Jeeno, also known as Art Jeeno. (Photo: River City Bangkok)"Next to the painting, dried flowers are attached to the wall. (Photo: River City Bangkok)"Before this exhibition, I did not have many followers. "To The Moon And (Never) Back" runs at River City Bangkok, RCB Photographers' Gallery 1 until Sunday.

July 19, 2023 11:36 UTC

"This gives us supply chain resilience and fast delivery," he said. However, in term of manufacturing, Thailand should focus on promoting upstream production, product design, and assembly of high-value electronics products. He said diversification of manufacturing and suppliers helps minimise the risk of supply chain disruption and geopolitical issues. HP's decision on the production shift to Thailand might further enhance the attractiveness of the country. He added that the past few years have reinforced the point that HP must also design a supply chain for resilience.

July 19, 2023 04:35 UTC

The Revenue Department is planning to launch a value-added tax (VAT) reverse charge scheme in the scrap metal industry to reduce the risk of refund fraud by January 2024, says director-general Lavaron Sangsnit. The VAT reverse charge scheme, which the department plans to issue a decree for by January next year, will require iron smelter businesses, the ultimate buyer in the transaction chain of the scrap trading ecosystem, to issue both purchase and sales invoices and submit VAT to the department. On the other hand, a tax invoice which the buyer receives is called purchase tax. In the case of a VAT-registered buyer, the buyer has the right to deduct in accordance with the general provisions for the VAT the buyer calculates and reports. If the purchase tax is greater than the sales tax, the business can then claim the deduction or refund of VAT.

July 18, 2023 11:38 UTC

First, Exo returns with another album, Exist, and Taeyeon from Girls’ Generation will have a solo concert in Bangkok. The album also includes the pop R&B track Regret It in which the rapper Chanyeol showcases his songwriting skills. As a solo artist, she has showcased unique musical styles and captivated fans heart with every release, including her latest album, INVU. She was the first Korean female solo artist to hold a solo concert in Thailand, performing two shows at Impact Arena. Thai fans will have the opportunity to experience her incredible talent in person at “Taeyeon Concert - The Odd Of Love” on Aug 12 to 13 at Impact Arena.

July 14, 2023 15:19 UTC

The atmosphere in front of parliament on Thursday morning during a voting session for a new prime minister. “Both businesses and consumers are closely watching the prime ministerial selection, which could require several votes,” said Mr Thanavath. “If the prime ministerial selection and government formation proceed smoothly without intense protests, enabling the implementation of investment initiatives, the economy could grow by 4%,” he said. The FTI said Thailand needs to improve its economy as the recovery has been uneven since the pandemic. The economy is now paced by tourism, said Mr Kriengkrai, with more Chinese travellers visiting Thailand following the reopening of China early this year.

July 14, 2023 14:07 UTC

Mr Pita received 311 votes in favour from MPs and 148 against, with 39 abstentions. It is not yet clear whether the name of the Move Forward leader will be put forward again on one or both occasions. “We accept the result, but we are not retreating,” Mr Pita told reporters shortly after the results were announced. The voting at the joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate followed six hours of debate on the qualifications of Mr Pita, the sole candidate. The session saw 705 out of 749 parliamentarians (one senator resigned on Wednesday) confirming their attendance for the vote.

July 14, 2023 05:36 UTC

Backed by eight prospective coalition partners, Mr Pita, who is the MFP’s sole prime minister candidate, needs 64 votes to secure the premiership. Mr Pita is accused of contesting the May 14 polls despite knowing he was ineligible as he held 42,000 shares in iTV, a media company. According to the source, the Constitutional Court, which meets every Wednesday, would only consider what was on the day’s meeting agenda. Mr Pita said on Wednesday that he was undeterred by the EC’s decision and expressed confidence that the senate would make the right call. Mr Pita also suggested that he was close to clinching the prime minister post, which would explain why the EC’s decision came on the eve of the prime minister selection.

July 14, 2023 01:59 UTC

(Photo: AFP)NIKOPOL, Ukraine: On the 500th day since Russia's invasion and as the war grinds on, Ukrainian forces are advancing slowly without enough arms and ammunition and with its main cities under constant threat. Since the beginning of June, Ukraine's army has been on the offensive to reconquer territory captured by Russian forces in the east and the south. While suffering losses, Russian forces are putting up a ferocious resistance. Russian forces "have built solid fortifications, they have a lot of equipment," said Antonina Morakhovska, a 73-year-old retired teacher in the city of Nikopol in southern Ukraine. Ukrainians remain united in the effort to repel Russian forces but their resilience is constantly being tested.

July 08, 2023 19:47 UTC

The TBA is collaborating with the central bank and other related parties to ease the country's high level of household debt. Almost 100% of the total household debt is under the central bank's supervision after the regulator redefined the debt. National agendaMr Piti said he agrees with the central bank reworking the definition for household debt. In addition, Mr Piti said the household debt database of the central bank should be incorporated into the NCB's database. Measures should attempt to improve loan quality in the financial system, particularly new loan offerings, he said.

July 08, 2023 15:12 UTC

Attack was first to take place in area protected by World Heritage ConventionA local resident rides a scooter through the destroyed central square of Hulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Region on Thursday, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo: AFP)NEW YORK: The United Nations (UN) condemned the civilian cost inflicted by Russia's war in Ukraine as the fighting passed the 500-day mark with no end to the conflict in sight. On June 27, 13 civilians, including four children, were killed in a missile strike on Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine. Local residents fill their bottles with non-potable water at a water distribution centre in Nikopol on Friday, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia regularly bombards Ukraine with air attacks, including indiscriminate artillery and missile fire that have been especially deadly.

July 08, 2023 05:02 UTC

'Lost screws' to blame for airport leg manglingAirports of Thailand medics help an injured woman after her leg became caught in a moving walkway at Don Mueang airport on June 29. Assoc Prof Weerachai Phut-dhawong, a lecturer of the Chemistry Department at Kasetsart University's Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, said it really was an accident. Speaking after the committee meeting on Friday, Assoc Prof Wee-rachai said the mechanical failure might have been caused by missing screws under the platform. Three screws were missing, so when she stepped on the panel, it fell while the walkway was still moving and trapped her leg. The question is how those screws went missing, he said, surmising it might be because the moving walkway was too old.

July 08, 2023 04:02 UTC

Second PM vote on July 19 if first session fails: WanIf Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat fails to secure the votes required to become Thailand's next prime minister in the first House session set for next Thursday, then a second round of voting is likely to be held on July 19, said House speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha on Thursday. However, the House speaker noted the date has yet to be set in stone. "I think the three days should be enough," said the Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai. He also said that he was unsure how many senators would vote for Mr Pita at this stage. He said he was optimistic that the first vote would run as smoothly as the election of the House speaker on July 4.

July 07, 2023 12:18 UTC

Newly elected representatives attend their first meeting at the parliament on Tuesday. Mr Pichet said on Thursday that the three sessions were planned for July 13, 19 and 20, and they should provide enough time for the election of the new prime minister. When asked if Pheu Thai would lead the coalition if the three sessions fail to make Mr Pita as the prime minister, Mr Pichet said that would depend on the parliament and eight coalition parties. There will be internal discussions and there should not be any problem," Mr Pichet said. He also said that he was unsure how many senators would vote for Mr Pita.

July 06, 2023 19:42 UTC

Parliamentary vote for new PM on July 13The new MPs attend their first House session on Tuesday. Mr Wan, ex-officio president of the parliament, said he set the date in consultation with Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai. Mr Wan said voting on July 13 for the new prime minister may be completed immediately, or not. Mr Pita is not the only candidate," Mr Wan said, referring to Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the coalition-leading Move Forward Party (MFP). Unless the members are ready to attend there will be a lack of a quorum," Mr Wan said.

July 06, 2023 13:59 UTC