Page 10 - Thailand

Thai Parliament set to choose new PM, Thaksin's daughter likely nominee

Thailand's Parliament convened to select a new prime minister Friday with the youngest daughter of the divisive former leader Thaksin Shinawatra expected to be nominated. The vote would come two days after a court removed the last prime minister over an ethics violation. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, is the leader of the Pheu Thai party. She does not hold an elected office, which the law doesn't require of prime ministerial candidates. The parliament also does not require her to be present at the vote. If Paetongtarn is approved in Parliament's vote, she will become Thailand's second female prime minister and the country's third leader from the Shinawatra family, after her father and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra. She will also become the country's youngest leader. Thaksin was the first Thai politician ever to win an overall majority of seats. He is one of Thailand's most popular but divisive political figures and was ousted by a military coup in 2006. He is widely seen as a de facto

US solar firms seek retroactive duties on imports from Vietnam, Thailand

New tariffs could be particularly harmful to Vietnam, which risks the highest duties as it is deemed by the United States a non-market economy

Daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra to be nominated as new PM

Thailand's populist Pheu Thai party on Thursday said it will nominate its party leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in a Parliament vote for the country's new leader after former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was removed by a court order over an ethical violation. Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is seen as force behind Pheu Thai. He was the first Thai politician ever to win an overall majority of seats. The residual popularity of Thaksin is a factor in the support for Paetongtarn. If Paetongtarn is approved by Parliament's vote, which is scheduled for Friday, she will become Thailand's second female prime minister, and the country's third leader from the Shinwatra family after her father and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thailand's Pheu Thai party gets endorsements to nominate PM candidate

Thailand's populist Pheu Thai party on Thursday was given support by its major coalition partners to nominate one of its two candidates as the new prime minister, a day after former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was removed by court order over an ethical violation. Sorawong Thienthong, secretary-general of Pheu Thai, told reporters at Parliament on Thursday that the party executives are meeting later in the day to decide on its prime ministerial nomination in Parliament, with a vote scheduled for Friday. Pheu Thai's Srettha was ousted on Wednesday after less than a year in office. The Constitutional Court found him guilty of a serious ethical breach regarding his appointment of a Cabinet member who was jailed in connection with an alleged bribery attempt. It was the second major ruling in a week to shake Thai politics. The same court last week dissolved the progressive and main opposition Move Forward party, which won last year's general election but was blocked from power, saying

Thai court dismisses PM Srettha Thavisin for 'gross' ethics violation

Real estate tycoon Srettha becomes the fourth Thai premier in 16 years to be removed in verdicts by the same court after its judges ruled 5-4 in favour of dismissing him

Goa, Thailand, Bali, Coorg: Top 10 destinations for August holidays in 2024

For those looking to stay within India, Goa is the top choice, followed by Lonavala in Maharashtra, Udaipur in Rajasthan, Wayanad in Kerala, and Coorg in Karnataka

After Thailand, Vietnam now plans visa waivers for tourists: Know more

Vietnam aims to attract 18 million international tourists by the end of 2024

Six dead in Bangkok's five-star hotel: A case of poison and a missing guest

The locked hotel room in Bangkok's Grand Hyatt Erawan, the untouched room service, and the missing seventh guest have deepened the mystery

Thailand to roll out disputed $13.8 bn plan in digital money to citizens

Thailand's prime minister said on Monday that eligible businesses and individuals can register from August for digital cash handouts, a controversial program that will cost billions of dollars and is meant to boost the lagging economy. The government announced in April the widely criticised ambitious plan, named the Digital Wallet, meant to give 10,000 baht (about USD 275) to 50 million citizens in digital money to spend at local businesses. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on the social platform X, saying the registration will begin on August 1 and that he has given instructions to ensure the smooth implementation of the program. The Digital Wallet was a major campaign promise of the ruling Srettha's Pheu Thai party ahead of last year's general election. The government says that this scheme will cause an economic tornado, and Srettha has said the stimulus and subsequent consumption are expected to boost gross domestic product growth by 1.2 to 1.6 percentage points. However,

Thailand introduces Destination visa for remote workers: Details here

Soon, if you successfully acquire a DTV, you'll receive a 5-year multiple-entry visa

Thailand expands visa-free status to 93 nations: Here's what you must know

Travellers from these qualified nations can visit Thailand for tourism or short-term business purposes

Jaishankar's meeting with Thai counterpart strengthened bilateral ties: MEA

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa have reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation in areas of trade, connectivity and investment. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said this on Sunday, two days after the two foreign ministers held talks on the sidelines of a meeting of the BIMSTEC grouping. "The two ministers reviewed progress across various areas of partnership covering political exchanges, defence and security ties, trade and investment opportunities, connectivity, science and technology collaboration, health cooperation, culture and people-to-people interaction," the MEA said. A key member of the 10-nation ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) grouping, Thailand is seen by India as a crucial strategic partner in the Southeast Asian region. "The two ministers also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and reiterated commitment to closer cooperation in sub-regional, regional and multilateral fora," it said. On

EAM Jaishankar discusses 'intensifying engagement' with Thai counterpart

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held talks with his Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa during which the two sides discussed on their "intensifying engagement" covering a range of domains, including political, defence and security, trade and investment, and tourism. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional matters, India-ASEAN, Indo-Pacific and cooperation in the UN. The bilateral discussion between the two leaders came a day after Jaishankar hosted his counterparts from the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) member countries at a two-day retreat that began Thursday in the national capital. The external affairs minister had on Thursday held separate meetings with his counterparts from Bangladesh and Bhutan, focusing on ways to boost bilateral ties in diverse areas. On Friday, he held talks with Thai Foreign Minister Sangiampongsa. Jaishankar shared pictures from this meeting in a post on X. "Delighted

JP Morgan India bond index inclusion impact: Weight cut likely for 3 EMs

To accommodate India's 10 per cent weight in the GBI EM index, HSBC said in a recent note, a reweighting will occur for other EM peers in the index, which will see a reduction in their weights.

In a first in Southeast Asia, Thailand passes marriage equality bill

LGBT advocates called the move a "monumental step forward," as Thailand would be the first nation in Southeast Asia to enact marriage equality legislation

Thaksin indicted on charge of royal defamation as more cases stir Thailand

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was formally indicted on Tuesday on a charge of defaming Thailand's monarchy in one of several court cases that have unsteadied Thai politics. Thaksin, an influential political figure despite being ousted from power 18 years ago, reported himself to prosecutors just before 9 a.m. and the indictment process has been completed, Prayuth Bejraguna, a spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, said at a news conference. A car believed to be carrying Thaksin arrived at the Criminal Court in Bangkok but he did not come out to meet reporters, and it is unclear whether he went to the court or the nearby prosecutors' office. His lawyer Winyat Chatmontree told reporters that Thaksin was ready to enter the judicial process and that he has prepared a request for his release on bail. The law on defaming the monarchy, an offense known as lese majeste, is punishable by three to 15 years in prison. It is among the harshest such laws globally and ..

Thailand aims for 3% economic growth this year, to attract more tourists

Growth was 1.5 per cent in the first quarter year-on-year, slowing from 1.7 per cent in the prior quarter

Thailand to offer visa-free travel for Indian travellers, starting June

Starting next month, Thailand will permit remote workers, graduate students, and retirees from 93 nations to stay for up to 60 days

Thailand's Move Forward party braces for court case that might dissolve it

The former leader of Thailand's progressive opposition Move Forward party vowed on Sunday to keep fighting as the party faces a court case that could result in its dissolution. The Constitutional Court has agreed to rule on whether the party violated the constitution by proposing to amend a law that forbids defaming the country's royal family. The petition requested the party's dissolution and a 10-year ban on political activity by its executives. The court has not said when it will rule on this case. Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of Move Forward, laid out the details of the party's legal defences that have been submitted to the court at a news conference on Sunday. If there is a rule of law in Thailand, I'm extremely confident the party's arguments will prevail, he said. Pita said the Constitutional Court does not have jurisdiction to rule on this case and that the petition filed by the Election Commission did not follow due process because Move Forward was not given an ..

Thailand approves longer visa stays for tourists, students, remote workers

Digital nomad visas for self-employed and remote workers extended to five years