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PHEU THAI CANDIDATE FOR prime minister Srettha Thavisin will not be replaced with anyone else as pressed by the Bhumjaithai, according to Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong. Prasert confirmed only the real estate mogul-turned-prime ministerial candidate will be named and voted in a joint House/Senate meeting later this month and that he will certainly not be replaced with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, one of a trio of Pheu Thai candidates for prime minister. The Bhumjaithai has insisted that Paetongtarn, daughter of de facto Pheu Thai boss/deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, replace Srettha, known as personally associated with deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, given the real estate tycoon’s verbal precondition that nobody in a Pheu Thai-led cabinet assume the same ministerial portfolio of which they may be currently taking charge, albeit in a caretaker’s capacity. By Thai Newsroom Reporters Top: Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Srettha Thavisin. Photo: Thai Rath Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/08/14/srettha-not-being-replaced-as-pm-candidate-prasert/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2023-08-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Family Mart Convenience Stores in Thailand to be Fully Rebranded to Tops Daily By Tanakorn Panyadee Bidding farewell to Thailand, the iconic “Family Mart” convenience stores is being fully rebranded as “Tops Daily” after over three decades of service. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303584-family-mart-convenience-stores-in-thailand-to-be-fully-rebranded-to-tops-daily/

Bidding farewell to Thailand, the iconic “Family Mart” convenience stores is being fully rebranded as “Tops Daily” after over three decades of service. Central Retail Corporation PLC (CRC) has made the decision to fully transform and rename its iconic Family Mart convenience stores to Tops Daily by the end of this year. This strategic move comes as CRC’s contract for the Family Mart franchise in Thailand is set to expire in 2023. The rebranding aims to align and streamline CRC’s convenience store business under the Tops Daily banner, CRC’s chief operating officer, Maytinee Phisutsinthop stated. As part of this transformation, Central Retail has begun gradually rebranding and changing the store signage from “Family Mart” to “Tops Daily.” By Tanakorn Panyadee Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/08/14/family-mart-convenience-stores-in-thailand-to-be-fully-rebranded-to-tops-daily/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-08-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Pattaya Provincial Court Denies Arrest Warrant for Russian Man Present at Falling Death of Russian Woman for Insufficient Evidence By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand-The Pattaya Provincial Court has denied an arrest warrant for a Russian man described as a person of interest in the falling death of a Russian woman in Na Jomtien on Sunday morning, August 13th. As a result, he will be at least temporarily released. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303583-pattaya-provincial-court-denies-arrest-warrant-for-russian-man-present-at-falling-death-of-russian-woman-for-insufficient-evidence/

Thaksin and Pheu Thai have burned their bridges with its national ‘family’ and loyal support base by Joseph O' Connor Redshirt and Pheu Thai supporters in Samut Sakhon on Monday set fire to political paraphernalia associated with two decades of campaigning for Thaksin Shinawatra (inset left) and his political parties after the decision taken by Pheu Thai in Bangkok over the past few weeks to break its alliance with the Move Forward Party Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303582-thaksin-and-pheu-thai-have-burned-their-bridges-with-its-national-‘family’-and-loyal-support-base/

End of an era of over two decades of political power wielded by the Shinawatra family as Pheu Thai Party manoeuvres have angered the party’s devoted base. It is a loss of faith it is unlikely to recover despite the pleas of one Udon Thani-based MP this weekend for the party to change tack and reverse course as it slides into a huge political miscalculation and blunder. Thailand’s political crisis has already obliterated the unity and support behind the Pheu Thai Party’s ‘family’ following the decisions taken by the party’s executive in Bangkok in recent weeks, first in withdrawing from a coalition with the Move Forward Party and now for cementing a deal with the Bhumjaithai Party while preparing to accept the participation of two parties associated with the military junta in a ‘cross polar’ government. The moves have outraged Pheu Thai and Redshirt supporters nationwide who up to recent days could scarcely believe the conflicting media reports. Now, they are burning their shirts in spontaneous and numerous displays of anger just as the country’s second-largest party and the Shinawatra family appear to be on the verge of burning its bridges with its support base and power on the ground as a political movement. A group of approximately 50 people gathered in Samut Sakhon province on Monday, west of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand, to burn an effigy of former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra along with paraphernalia associated with the Red Shirt movement in protest against last week’s confirmation by the Pheu Thai Party, that it was forming a government across the poles which now looks like it may include parties associated with the former military junta, namely the Palang Pracharat Party of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and the United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chart) Party of Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha. by Joseph O' Connor TOP: Redshirt and Pheu Thai supporters in Samut Sakhon on Monday set fire to political paraphernalia associated with two decades of campaigning for Thaksin Shinawatra (inset left) and his political parties after the decision taken by Pheu Thai in Bangkok over the past few weeks to break its alliance with the Move Forward Party Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/08/14/thaksin-pheu-thai-burn-bridges-with-public-political-crisis/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-08-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Pita Cleared In First Round Of Polling Agency Enquiry Over ITV Shares by TNR Staff Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Top photo: Thai Rath THE ELECTION Commission’s investigation committee has ruled that a petition to investigate and disquality Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat for holding a tiny fragment of 0.0035% shares of non-operating ITV channel should be dismissed, TV Channel 7 said this afternoon (Aug. 14). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303581-pita-cleared-in-first-round-of-polling-agency-enquiry-over-itv-shares/

THE ELECTION Commission’s investigation committee has ruled that a petition to investigate and disquality Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat for holding a tiny fragment of 0.0035% shares of non-operating ITV channel should be dismissed, TV Channel 7 said this afternoon (Aug. 14). However the polling agency’s subcommittee has still to decide whether further investigation is required with Pita possibly being asked to testify. It is also possible that the subcommittee will wait for the Constitutional Court’s ruling on its MP-disqualifying lawsuit against Pita on the charge of holding this minuscule amount of ITV shares. Electoral candidates may be disqualified by law if found to hold shares of any media firms. The committee said that this petition should be dismissed because under the Section 151 of the election organic law filing a criminal case requires clear evidence. by TNR Staff Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Top photo: Thai Rath Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/08/14/pita-cleared-in-first-round-of-polling-agency-enquiry-over-itv-shares/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2023-08-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Prayut’s Party To Decide Shortly Whether To Jump Onto Pheu Thai Bandwagon By Thai Newsroom Reporters Top, from left: Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Srettha Thavisin, Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan and caretaker prime minister/de facto Ruam Thai Sang Chart boss Prayut Chan-o-cha. THE RUAM THAI SANG CHART will be shortly invited for informal talk with the Pheu Thai and decide for themselves whether they may join a Pheu Thai-led coalition government, confirmed Pheu Thai wheeler-dealer Bhumtham Wechayachai today (Aug.14). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303579-prayut’s-party-to-decide-shortly-whether-to-jump-onto-pheu-thai-bandwagon/

THE RUAM THAI SANG CHART will be shortly invited for informal talk with the Pheu Thai and decide for themselves whether they may join a Pheu Thai-led coalition government, confirmed Pheu Thai wheeler-dealer Bhumtham Wechayachai today (Aug.14). Known as a right-hand man for de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, the partisan wheeler-dealer confirmed Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew and Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong and himself will shortly discuss with their Ruam Thai Sang Chart counterparts whether the pro-military camp will jump onto the bandwagon and help strengthen the Pheu Thai coalition government. Bhumtham’s latest move was apparently contemplated amidst sustained uncertainties surrounding most senators who might probably decline to vote Pheu Thai candidate Srettha Thavisin for prime minister. By Thai Newsroom Reporters Top, from left: Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Srettha Thavisin, Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan and caretaker prime minister/de facto Ruam Thai Sang Chart boss Prayut Chan-o-cha. Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/08/14/prayuts-party-to-decide-shortly-whether-to-jump-onto-pheu-thai-bandwagon/ -- © Copyright THAI NEWSROOM 2023-08-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 15 August 2023 https://aseannow.com/topic/1303578-thailand-live-tuesday-15-august-2023/

Parliament speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha has yet to decide the final date for the next round of Thailand’s prime ministerial vote pending the Thai charter court’s ruling on the ombudsmen’s petition. Thai House Speaker Delays Setting Final Date for Prime Minister Vote Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303568-thai-house-speaker-delays-setting-final-date-for-prime-minister-vote/

Campaign launched for a referendum to start new charter writing process A signature collection campaign was launched yesterday (Sunday), at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and in 18 provinces, to seek a referendum for the writing of a new Constitution, with public participation from the start. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303541-campaign-launched-for-a-referendum-to-start-new-charter-writing-process/

A signature collection campaign was launched yesterday (Sunday), at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and in 18 provinces, to seek a referendum for the writing of a new Constitution, with public participation from the start. The campaign, launched by civic groups which are against the existing charter, which they allege was crafted in favour of establishment elites, will run until August 20th and collect at least 50,000 signatures. Supporters can also sign up via the http://conforall.com website. After having collected at least 50,000 signatures, the campaign organisers will submit them to the cabinet, demanding that a referendum to be held for the drafting of a new charter, in accordance with the Referendum Act B.E. 2564 (2021). Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/campaign-launched-for-a-referendum-to-start-new-charter-writing-process/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-08-14 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

UPDATE: Pattaya Police Reportedly Pursuing Homicide Charges for Russian Man Linked to Fatal Fall of Russian Woman By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: TMN Cable TV Pattaya Pattaya — Pattaya police are reportedly preparing to charge a Russian man they believe is linked to the fatal fall of his Russian girlfriend on Sunday for homicide after reviewing CCTV footage of the incident which appears to show the man holding the woman by her legs from his balcony. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303539-update-pattaya-police-reportedly-pursuing-homicide-charges-for-russian-man-linked-to-fatal-fall-of-russian-woman/

Patong police clamp down on tuk tuk misuse of public parking spaces by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Patong Police In a stringent move, Patong Police issued a stringent directive for all tuk tuk drivers to cease occupancy of public parking spaces, with a particular focus on the area alongside Patong Beach Road. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303538-patong-police-clamp-down-on-tuk-tuk-misuse-of-public-parking-spaces/

Tax overhaul: Thai excise department plans restructuring to close loopholes by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of Sean Watson, globe.co.th The head of the Excise Department announced plans to overhaul the excise tax structure on alcoholic beverages and beer, aiming to eliminate existing tax loopholes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303537-tax-overhaul-thai-excise-department-plans-restructuring-to-close-loopholes/

The head of the Excise Department announced plans to overhaul the excise tax structure on alcoholic beverages and beer, aiming to eliminate existing tax loopholes. Ekniti Nitithanprapas pointed out the formal conversation is unfolding in conjunction with the private sector to secure an equitable and suitable tax framework. Furthermore, many new beverage entries on the market are technically slipping through the cracks of taxation, including non-alcoholic beers, despite the recent tax restructure from factory-basis pricing to retail sales-led calculations, Ekniti added. These said loopholes permit these products to fall under the non-alcoholic drinks tax bracket. Issues surfaced regarding a growing trend in the Thai market: Korean soju. The multi-process alcoholic drink involving both fermentation and distillation has been placed under the fermented spirits tax class at a mere 10%. This falls short in contrast with the hefty 20% tax applied to distilled spirits, barring rice whisky. According to Ekniti, this comparably low tax rate feels unfitting for such a consumable. However, Ekniti stated this tax restructuring has not been designed with revenue increase in mind but rather, it is a targeted measure to tackle rampant tax evasion. Taking the case of zero-alcohol beers again, they could potentially fall into the alcoholic drinks category but face little to no taxation due to their non-alcoholic nature. by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of Sean Watson, globe.co.th Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thai-excise-department-plans-overhaul-of-alcohol-tax-to-close-loopholes -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-14 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Science Expo in Bangkok Highlights China Cooperation by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand National Science and Technology Fair 2023, the kingdom’s annual science and technology exhibition, kicked off in Bangkok on Friday (11 Aug), aiming to promote cooperation in science and technology between Southeast Asia and the global forefront. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303534-science-expo-in-bangkok-highlights-china-cooperation/

Wild elephant herd caught on camera in Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary by Neill Fronde A herd of wild elephants were caught frolicking by automated cameras. (via supplied photo) The Northeastern province of Buri Ram recently witnessed the majestic sight of a herd of twelve wild elephants within the lush confines of the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303533-wild-elephant-herd-caught-on-camera-in-dong-yai-wildlife-sanctuary/

House and Senate whips to meet Wednesday to set date for PM selection House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said that he will call a meeting of House and Senate whips this Wednesday to set the date for a joint sitting to select the prime minister, which could be any day from August 18th to 22nd. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303531-house-and-senate-whips-to-meet-wednesday-to-set-date-for-pm-selection/

House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said that he will call a meeting of House and Senate whips this Wednesday to set the date for a joint sitting to select the prime minister, which could be any day from August 18th to 22nd. He said he will, however, have to wait for a decision by the Constitutional Court, expected this Wednesday, on whether it will accept a petition from the ombudsman challenging parliament’s decision, by a majority vote, to reject the renomination of Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s prime ministerial candidacy. Wan said that parliament wants a new government to be formed as quickly as possible, but must be in compliance with the law, adding that he hopes the selection of a prime minister will go smoothly. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/house-and-senate-whips-to-meet-wednesday-to-set-date-for-pm-selection/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-08-14 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Body of second victim of boat capsize in Bang Tabun Bay recovered The search for a second passenger, missing after a tour boat was struck by a waterspout and capsized, ended last evening (Sunday) when his body was recovered from the water near a pier, behind Pak Lad Temple in Bang Tabun Bay in Ban Laem district of Phetchaburi province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303529-body-of-second-victim-of-boat-capsize-in-bang-tabun-bay-recovered/

Travel industry girds for weak low season amid cost and weather challenges by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of huahintoday.com The travel industry is bracing itself for an exceptionally weak low season, with predictions of stagnant demand, escalating operational costs at popular destinations, and the impacts of tropical storms. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303525-travel-industry-girds-for-weak-low-season-amid-cost-and-weather-challenges/

The travel industry is bracing itself for an exceptionally weak low season, with predictions of stagnant demand, escalating operational costs at popular destinations, and the impacts of tropical storms. The president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, Charoen Wangananont highlighted that the season’s sale rate for outbound packages significantly lags behind the comparison period recorded before the pandemic. He cited hesitancy and prudence shown by both individuals and executives, reducing their expenditure on travel. A notable shift has arisen within group travel. Government agencies, historically a key market sector for tour companies, have grown concerned about budget allocation amid political uncertainty, added Charoen. Several agencies have decided to curb overseas trips to dodge potential criticisms of opulent spending. Despite the downturn, Charoen noted that a select demographic with high purchasing power is maintaining their international travel plans, reflecting an emerging trend in the aftermath of the pandemic. by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of huahintoday.com Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/uk-travel-industry-girds-for-weak-low-season-amid-cost-and-weather-challenges -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-14 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.