Eight-party meeting cancelled
Eight-party meeting cancelledKey figures of the eight coalition allies meet at Pheu Thai Party headquarters last week. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Tuesday's planned meeting of the eight political parties intent on forming a new government was suddenly cancelled. The meeting had been called by the Pheu Thai Party to discuss progress in getting additional support for the nomination of a preferred prime minister. The Pheu Thai Party initially made an appointment for the eight parties to meet on Tuesday at 2pm at Pheu Thai headquarters. The eight parties are Move Forward, Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai (Thai Liberal), Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai (New Force) and Peu Thai Rumphlang.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 25, 2023 14:36 UTC
Ombudsman asks court to postpone PM vote
Ombudsman asks court to postpone PM voteMove Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, seated left, consults with party MPS during the joint sitting of the House and the Senate to consider his renomination for prime minister on July 19. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The Ombudsman on Monday asked the Constitutional Court to order the parliament to postpone the next vote for prime minister, and to rule on the rejected renomination of Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Some complainants proposed the Constitutional Court postpone the next parliamentary vote for prime minister pending a ruling by the court. MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulanon said earlier on Monday that the party had petitioned the Ombudsman to ask the Constitutional Court to rule if Mr Pita could be renominated. The parliament on July 19 rejected the renomination of Mr Pita for prime minister by majority vote on a procedural issue.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2023 22:43 UTC
MFP rejects generals' parties
MFP rejects generals' partiesOrange-clad demonstrators with a portrait of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat outside the parliament on July 19, when a joint sitting rejected Mr Pita's renomination for prime minister on procedural grounds. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Move Forward MPs resolved on Monday the party would not join a coalition government with the Palang Pracharath (PPRP) or United Thai Nation (UTN) parties. The party announcement after the meeting said that PPRP was led by Gen Prawit Wongsuwon and UTN had Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as its prime ministerial candidate. Both were key figures in the coup d'etat on May 22, 2014, and there was a push to prolong their hold on power. Any attempt to form a government that went against the people's decision would erode their faith in democracy, the announcement said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2023 09:37 UTC
Chains unveil expansion plans
Chains unveil expansion plansA new Santa Fe restaurant concept called Santa Fe Easy was launched recently to attract younger consumers. "Politics has relatively less impact on the food business since food is a daily necessity. New Santa Fe restaurant concept called Santa Fe Easy was recently launched to capture customers of the younger generation. "In response to the disruption caused by the shabu sukiyaki segment, we have adjusted the expansion plans. "Regardless of the political landscape and the prime minister in power, our expansion plans will stay on course," Mr Suchat said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2023 06:31 UTC
Pita: Move Forward 'keeps promise with voters, won't quit coalition'
Pita: Move Forward 'keeps promise with voters, won't quit coalition'Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat meets supporters in Chon Buri province on Saturday. (Photo: Move Forward Party)The Move Forward Party (MFP) will not quit the eight-party coalition it put together; otherwise, it will be considered to have let people down, its leader Pita Limjaroenrat said on Sunday. Mr Pita acknowledged that the Pheu Thai Party had offered talks with the Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation (UTN) parties. Mr Pita said that if the two latter parties join the coalition, MFP could not stay. I confirm that I still have trust and confidence in the Pheu Thai Party," Mr Pita said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 23, 2023 14:58 UTC
Pheu Thai told again: kick Move Forward out of coalition
Pheu Thai told again: kick Move Forward out of coalitionChartthaipattana Party leader Varawut Silpa-archa, centre, and Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew, right, hold a press conference at the Pheu Thai headquarters on Sunday. Chartthaipattana Party leader Varawut Silpa-archa informed a press conference of his party's standpoint after meeting key Pheu Thai figures at PTP headquarters on Sunday. Pheu Thai has discussed forming a government with parties outside its eight-party coalition alliance, meeting the Bhumjaithai, United Thai Nation and Chartpattanakla parties. "If Pheu Thai has a similar direction with Chartthaipattana about the institution and Section 112 and if there is a prime ministerial candidate from Pheu Thai, we, Chartthaipattana, will be willing to give support. On the same occasion, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said the eight-party coalition alliance assigned Pheu Thai to gather support for government formation with other political parties, and was seeking their opinions.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 23, 2023 14:30 UTC
Comical confrontation
On the surface, the MFP and Pheu Thai came across as the nucleus of a close-knit, so-called pro-democracy alliance. They had managed to side-step direct confrontation over the House speaker role early this month, although it was only a matter of time before cracks in their relationship manifested, according to a source. Pheu Thai claimed it had a long list of members who were a perfect fit for the job. He suggested Pheu Thai look in the mirror to see who was unable to practise what they preach. The MFP's main ally, the Pheu Thai Party, is now in pole position to take the lead in forming the government.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 22, 2023 12:39 UTC
Indian rice export ban fuels price fears
Indian rice export ban fuels price fearsMr Chookiat said as a result of India's rice ban, Thai rice exports are expected to be significantly impacted. Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the ban is likely to prompt Thai rice mills and rice exporters to delay rice purchase orders in order to evaluate the impact, as India is the world's biggest rice exporter. "Thai rice traders are closely monitoring the situation, as initially we expected that the Indian government might adopt alternative measures instead of an export ban. However, it is believed that during this short-term period, both Thai rice exporters and the domestic rice market may have to carefully quote the rice prices, according to Mr Chookiat. "At present, the cultivation of Thai rice itself is facing problems of drought in several areas, which raises concerns that the quantity of Thai rice this year might decrease.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 22, 2023 11:59 UTC
Move Forward steps back for Pheu Thai
Move Forward steps back for Pheu ThaiMove Forward Party (MFP) secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon announces on Friday that his party resolved to step back to let the Pheu Thai Party take charge of forming a government. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The Move Forward Party (MFP) has announced its decision to step back and allow the Pheu Thai Party to take charge of forming a government, MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon announced on Friday. With Mr Pita having been blocked twice from being selected, Move Forward has now decided to give Pheu Thai the opportunity, he said. In the next parliament meeting on July 27 to select the prime minister, Move Forward would nominate a candidate from Pheu Thai for the position, while Pheu Thai could also nominate a candidate of their choice, Mr Chaithawat said. The conservative bloc had coordinated the work of its mechanisms to prevent Move Forward forming a government," Mr Chaithawat said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 21, 2023 14:39 UTC
New firms surge amid Thai recovery
The top three sectors with the highest number of new registrations were general building construction, real estate, and the hotel/restaurant business. The top three industries with the highest number of business closures were also general building construction, real estate, and the hotel/restaurant business. According to Mr Thosapone, June 2023 generated the highest number of new business registrations over the past 10 years (running from June 2014 to 2023), marking six consecutive months of growth. Nevertheless, tourism-related businesses rose by 81.2% in the first half of the year, accounting for 7.99% of all newly registered firms. Additionally, foreign currency exchange businesses saw a 257% increase, likely due to the surge in international travel.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 21, 2023 13:54 UTC
Move Forward to renominate Pita for PM
Move Forward to renominate Pita for PMPheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew, centre, hugs and consoles Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat on Wednesday afternoon when the latter was about to leave the parliament after the Constitutional Court suspended his MP role. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)The Move Forward Party (MFP) will renominate its leader Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister even though a majority of both House representatives and senators rejected the renomination on Wednesday, according to its deputy leader. That day, the Constitutional Court also suspended Mr Pita from duty as an elected member of the House of Representatives. The Pheu Thai leader said he agreed that the regulation no. Dr Cholnan insisted that Pheu Thai had not considered teaming up with other parties outside the eight-party alliance.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 20, 2023 21:34 UTC
Japanese diplomat attacked in US in anti-Asian hate crime
Japanese diplomat attacked in US in anti-Asian hate crimeMembers and supporters of the Asian-American community attend a rally against hate in New York City. (Photo: AFP)A senior Japanese diplomat in Oregon was attacked by a woman last month and sustained injuries, Japan's foreign ministry said on Wednesday, in what local media reports say was an alleged anti-Asian hate crime. The diplomat, who suffered a cut to his head after hitting the pavement, was hospitalised but discharged on the same day. The diplomat told a police officer the attacker pushed him down "unprovoked", according to a report. The officer saw "a lot of blood running" when Yoshioka was taken to hospital, the report said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 20, 2023 14:35 UTC
Pheu Thai primed to form govt
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 20, 2023 06:46 UTC
Exploring the limits of love
"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.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 19, 2023 11:36 UTC
Thailand seen as future IT production hub
"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.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 19, 2023 04:35 UTC