Prawit to resign as MP while retaining PPRP leadershipOutgoing Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon arrives at the office of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand in Bangkok on Thursday morning before saying he will resign as a list MP for the Palang Pracharath Party. (Photo: Wassana Nanuam)Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said on Thursday he will resign as an MP but will remain as leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Gen Prawit is the only PPRP MP on the party list. The outgoing deputy prime minister said he still feels energetic working in the field of sports. Gen Prawit, 78, is one of the "Three Por Generals", a clique that also includes outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and outgoing Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda.

Household debt reached 15.9 trillion baht in the first quarter of the year, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council. (Photo: Patipat Janthong)The consumer confidence index dropped to 55.6 in July from 56.7 the previous month as consumers were concerned about household debt, says Fiscal Policy Office director-general Pornchai Thiraveja. The ratio of household debt to GDP stood at 90.6%, representing a slight decrease from the previous quarter. Thailand's headline inflation declined to 0.38% in July mainly from lower raw food prices, while core inflation declined to 0.86% due to the high base last year. In July 2023, 2.49 million foreign tourists visited Thailand, representing an increase of 120% year-on-year.

PM Srettha promises quick cut in energy pricesAs electricity meters click over, the new prime minister has promised an early reduction in the price of energy. (Photo: Bangkok Post)New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has promised an early announcement of reductions in energy prices after his administration starts work. Responding to reporters questions, Mr Srettha said at the parliament on Wednesday that his cabinet would cut energy prices soon after it gets down to work. The caretaker cabinet of outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had its last meeting on Tuesday. Mr Srettha of the Pheu Thai Party was speaking after meeting with outgoing Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow and the economic team of the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) at the parliament on Wednesday.

Thailand mulls easing visa rules to lure Chinese, Indian touristsPeople take a stroll along one of the beaches in Phuket province. Meanwhile, travellers from India must pay 2,000 baht ($57) for a 15-day visa on arrival. The airport operator agreed to reduce bottlenecks to augment flights capacity by 20% and find ways to speed up immigration clearances, Mr Srettha said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, right, meets with leaders of eight major airlines — Thai Airways, Thai Vietjet Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, THAI Smile Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air. But the return of Chinese visitors has been slower-than-expected even though China was the largest source of travellers last month at nearly 420,000.

Last week Mr Pita said in a media interview that neither he nor his party wanted to be leader of the opposition. Under Section 106 of the charter, the opposition leader is appointed from the largest party in that camp. But an MP from the leading opposition party cannot serve as a cabinet minister or as the House speaker or deputy speaker. “The opposition leader post is important because it receives royal endorsement. Mr Chuan also said that because the Pheu Thai-led government is not yet fully formed, Mr Padipat need not step as a deputy speaker.

PM Srettha: Cabinet line-up finalisedPrime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks to reporters. (Bangkok Post file photo)Freshly appointed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Monday his cabinet line-up was finalised, amid speculation the new defence minister could be a civilian member of the prime minister's Pheu Thai PartyMr Srettha, speaking at party headquarters, said the cabinet line-up was settled as far as he was concerned. Mr Srettha said that the defence minister would have to be able to discuss and coordinate security issues and show leadership. He refused to be drawn on speculation the new defence minister may be a civilian. Sources said Pheu Thai deputy leader Sutin Klungsang could be the new defence minister, succeeding outgoing Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Move Forward must officially renounce opposition leader role, says WanPadipat Suntiphada, right, and Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat meet reporters at the parliament after the former was elected a deputy House speaker on July 4. Mr Wan said the right to assume the opposition leader seat must go to the leader of the biggest part of the opposition. A party cannot have its MP concurrently occupy the positions of deputy House speaker and opposition leader. "The charter and the parliamentary rules dictate that an opposition leader must be appointed," he said, explaining that the leader of the opposition takes part in selecting members of some independent agencies. But Mr Wan insisted no deadline is imposed on when the opposition leader must take office.

Thaksin can seek pardon despite opposition: prison bossFormer prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets supporters at Don Mueang airport on Aug 22 as he returned to the country after 15 years of self-imposed exile. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Corrections authorities insist former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra can seek a royal pardon while opponents object to such a request, saying he was investigated for lese majeste. The governor said an application for a royal pardon begins at the petitioner's prison. Prison authorities will check the written petition and then forward it to the Department of Corrections. Mr Nastee also said that visitors would be allowed to see Thaksin at Police General Hospital from Monday onwards.

Surat Thani governor snarls at Thai Smile's flight axe planTravellers board a Thai Smile aeroplane in Surat Thani airport last week. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)The governor of Surat Thani has asked Thai Smile Airways not to cease its flight services to the southern province in order to protect its tourism. The governor said that more passengers were using the flight services to Surat Thani after the Covid-19 pandemic. In the first half of this year, Surat Thani airport served 695,682 passengers, the governor said. Business operators in Surat Thani said Thai Airways and its subsidiary Thai Smile Airways had operated flighs to the southern province for about four decades.

Florida gunman driven by racial 'hate' kills 3: authoritiesThe shooter, who has not yet been identified, left behind manifestos detailing his "disgusting ideology of hate," Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters said. And that's very clear," Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters told a news conference about the gunman, who was in his early 20s. Manifestos discovered by the gunman's family shortly before the attack "detail the shooter's disgusting ideology of hate," Waters said, and at least one of the guns had hand-drawn swastikas on it. The shooting took place near Edward Waters University, a historically Black college in the southern US state. "An on-campus Edward Waters University security officer engaged an unidentified male in the vicinity of the Centennial Library on campus," it said.

It said it would only recognise signatures on paper documents. Once collected, it said, the paper documents would have to be scanned and then submitted to the commission as a PDF file on a CD. The 2017 charter was approved in August 2016 by 61.4% of voters in a referendum, in which all commentary deemed as expressing opposition to the charter was banned. One of the key points of the campaign is that it aims to secure the right for members of the public to pose questions in a charter referendum. Once the EC receives the petition, it is expected to take another 30 days to verify the signatures.

Thaksin to stay in hospital as tests show no uptickThaksin: Heart and lung problemsFormer prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's condition has not improved since he was transferred to the Police General Hospital for treatment. Pol Lt Gen Dr Sophonrat Singhajaru, the hospital's chief physician, said on Friday an echocardiogram and lung tests showed Thaksin's heart and lung conditions were still a concern, while his blood pressure remains stable. Details of Thaksin's treatment cannot be disclosed due to patient privacy laws, said Pol Lt Gen Dr Sophonrat. Pol Lt Gen Achayon Kraithong, Royal Thai Police spokesperson, told the media that security arrangements for visits have not yet been discussed. Asked if Thaksin might be sent to a private hospital, Mr Wissanu said there was no reason to do so.

Pheu Thai digital money giveaway sparks scam appsSompong: Beware of fraudstersThe Royal Thai Police (RTP) warned on Friday that online scammers are promoting false advertisements for the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, a policy proposed by the Pheu Thai Party. The fraudulent app tricks victims into believing they can receive the 10,000 baht in digital money if they install it. "The Public Relations Department also stated that the Digital Wallet mobile app is a fraud, aiming to embezzle money from its users," said Pol Gen Sompong. Once they have started chatting with the scammers, victims are instructed to register for the 10,000 baht in digital money. The digital currency giveaway is a Pheu Thai policy that the public has been highly anticipating since it became the leader of the coalition government.

Thai AirAsia targets 40% share of domestic marketPassengers watch planes parked at Don Mueang airport. Thai AirAsia wants to dominate the domestic market, claiming 40% of the passenger market by the end of 2023 as it eyes two more routes in Japan next year. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Thai AirAsia wants to dominate the domestic market, claiming 40% of the passenger market by the end of 2023 as it eyes two more routes in Japan next year. Of the domestic routes, Thai AirAsia is the sole operator in Ranong, Chumphon, Loei, and the Hua Hin-Chiang Mai route. He said Thai AirAsia will gradually increase capacity on existing routes, rather than seeking new routes, with a plan to fly 54 jets by year-end, up from 45 in the first half.

Selection of new police chief postponedRoyal Thai Police Headquarters in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)The selection of the new police chief has been postponed until the inauguration of the new government for the sake of appropriateness, Royal Thai Police (RTP) spokesman Pol Lt Gen Achayon Kraithong said on Friday. The agenda included the selection of a new RTP commissioner-general to replace Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, who is set to retire at the end of September. According to Pol Lt Gen Achayon, the meeting agreed to postpone the selection of the new police chief until after a new cabinet has been sworn into office, in line with the principle of good governance. Pol Gen Damrongsak was assigned to chair the meeting to proceed with the selection of deputy police chiefs and other positions.