Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew, seated third from right, reads out the joint statement issued by his 11-party coalition, at the parliament on Monday afternoon. Pheu Thai, which came second in the May 14 general election with 141 elected MPs, is the biggest component of the 11-party alliance. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew told a press conference at the parliament about 1.30pm that Pheu Thai would have eight ministers and nine deputy ministers, including the PM's Office ministry. They include the digital wallet policy, 600-baht minimum daily wage and higher farm prices, the Pheu Thai leader said. The Pheu Thai leader said he acknowledged the heavy criticism of Pheu Thai for teaming up with parties in the caretaker government.

Srettha ThavisinSenators now expect Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin to respond in parliament to questions about his ethical standards following various accusations made against him. He was responding to rumours that the party was considering swapping Mr Srettha with either Paetongtarn Shinawatra or Chaikasem Nitisiri, after accusations by whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit against Mr Srettha raised questions over his business dealings. He was referring to alleged tax evasion carried out by Sansiri Plc, the property development company for which Mr Srettha had served as CEO prior to throwing his hat in the political ring. "The chances [of Mr Srettha winning the support of the senators] stand at fifty-fifty. Meanwhile, Ms Paetongtarn said Pheu Thai still hopes to see Mr Srettha win the forthcoming vote.

Red-shirt throng to greet Thaksin at Don Mueang airportSaensuk Termsrisuk, 62, alias Jae Oy, a red-shirt member in Nakhon Ratchasima, shows her photo with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he came to her shop 20 years ago. They immediately contacted other members and planned to travel to Don Mueang airport in Bangkok. Early on Tuesday morning, they would proceed to Don Mueang airport and plan to arrive there before 9am, Mr Wattanachai said. Wattanachai Suebsiribut, alias Jiew, chairman of the Red-shirt Group of Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) said at least 300 red-shirt members intended to greet Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday. Ms Mayuree said several other groups of red-shirts from other provinces would also gather at Don Mueang airport on Tuesday morning.

Russia's Luna-25 probe crashes on Moon: space agencyA Roscosmos photo showing Luna-25 on its flight to the Moon on Aug 16. MOSCOW: The Luna-25 probe, Russia's first Moon mission in almost 50 years, has crashed on the Moon after an incident during pre-landing manoeuvres, Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Sunday. The 800-kilogram Luna-25 probe was to have made a soft landing on Monday on the lunar south pole -- the first in history. - Space race -But on Saturday, Roscosmos said an "emergency" had been detected during a manoeuvre by the probe prior to its Moon landing, preventing the operation from being carried out. India's competing space probe, Chandrayaan-3, entered the Moon's orbit earlier in August and also hopes to land on the south pole.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra reaches out to local supporters in Thailand and members of the Pheu Thai Party via a video conference in 2021. Thaksin's return from self-imposed exile is scheduled for Tuesday, the same day parliament will meet to select the country's 30th prime minister. "Pheu Thai couldn't dominate the elections, so his return may not make much difference." "Thaksin's return is rather good than bad [for Pheu Thai's coalition] because partners want to directly talk to the showrunner," he said. Acting justice minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the ministry has yet to be officially informed of Thaksin's return plan, but preparations have been made.

Russia 'thwarts' Ukraine drone attack on Moscow regionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed 'a tangible answer' to Saturday's attack on the northern city of Chernihiv. KYIV, Ukraine: Russia said it thwarted Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and its region on Sunday, a day after a "heinous" missile strike killed seven people and wounded 148 in Ukraine's Chernihiv. "At around 4:00 am (0100 GMT), an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by drone on infrastructure in Moscow and the Moscow region was thwarted," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement. A Ukrainian drone raid also hit a railway station in the western Russian city of Kursk, injuring five people, the regional governor said early Sunday. In the southern region of Rostov that borders Ukraine, Russian air defence intercepted two Ukrainian drones, the governor said.

Taiwan details China drills, VP says election not China's to callTAIPEI: Taiwan's election next year is a choice between democracy and autocracy, Vice President William Lai said in comments broadcast after China carried out military drills around the island in anger at his visit this month to the United States. "My position is that Taiwan is not a part of the People's Republic of China. China has demanded that Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of "one China", but it has refused. Lower-key drillsChina's Saturday drills were much more low-key than two rounds of war games around Taiwan last August and again in April this year. Taiwan's military also released pictures of one of its fighter jets taking off and a pilot checking a missile underneath an aircraft.

England, Spain pursue history in Women's World Cup finalEngland coach Sarina Wiegman on the eve of the final. (Photo: AFP)SYDNEY: History will be made at the Women's World Cup on Sunday when England and Spain clash in the final in Sydney, with both bidding to win the tournament for the first time. It will be the final act of a tournament full of shocks which began one month ago and started with 32 teams, making it the biggest Women's World Cup ever. British media has been full of references to 1966 -- when the country won the men's World Cup for the only time. Whoever wins, it will be a new name on the Women's World Cup.

Most disagree with Pheu Thai forming govt with former foes: polllUnited Thai Nation leader Pirapan Salirathvahibhaga (left) and Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew laugh after talks between the two parties at Pheu Thai headquarters on July 22. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)Most people disagree with the Pheu Thai Party's forming a government that includes its former political foes in the coalition regardless of political polarisation, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. The poll was conducted on Aug 15-17 by telephone interviews with 1,310 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education, occupations and incomes throughout the country to compile their opinions on the Pheu Thai Party's forming of a "special government" which includes Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties regardless of political polarisation. Of the respondents, 39.62% said they had never voted for the Pheu Thai Party (or the former Thai Rak Thai and Palang Prachachon parties); 33.13% said had previously voted for Pheu Thai, including in the May 14, 2023 election; 26.72% said they had previously voted for Pheu Thai, excluding the May 14, 2023 election; and 0.53% had never exercised their voting right. Asked who from the Pheu Thai Party they thought was suitable to be prime minister, 38.63% favoured Paetongtarn "Ung-ing" Shinawatra; 36.56% Srettha Thavisin; 8.47% Chaikasem Nitisiri; and 16.34% had no answer or were not interested.

Pheu Thai to unveil final coalition lineupDeputy Pheu Thai leader Phumtham Wechayachai, left, shakes hands with Santi Promphat, then Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) secretary-general and now deputy party leader, as PPRP key members, including Capt Thamanat Prompow, now party secretary-general, second from right, arrive at the Pheu Thai headquarters on July 23. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)The Pheu Thai Party is expected to announce the final lineup of parties in its new coalition government on Monday, which according to a source will definitely include the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai, meanwhile, dismissed media reports about the prospective lineup, saying the details have yet to be settled so the reports are premature. As for the PPRP, Mr Phumtham wouldn't say if Pheu Thai has formally invited the party to join the Pheu Thai-led coalition. However, when asked to confirm whether the PPRP will become a coalition party, Mr Pai simply said the decision lies with Pheu Thai.

(Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON: Electric-vehicle batteries and other car parts are the latest products under scrutiny as part of Washington’s effort to stamp out US links to forced labour in Chinese supply chains, according to a document seen by Reuters, agency statistics and sources. When shipments are detained, CBP provides the importer with a list of examples of products from previous reviews and the kind of documentation required to prove they are not made with forced labour, CBP told Reuters. That document, a recent version of which was obtained by Reuters through a public records request, was updated between April and June of this year to include batteries, tyres, aluminium and steel, a CBP spokesperson said. “The timing of these changes does not reflect any specific changes in strategy or operations,” a CBP spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the list of eight product types was “not exhaustive”. The stepped-up focus on automakers follows a study by Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, published in December, that said nearly every major automaker has exposure to products made with forced labour in Xinjiang.

Small operators face high season staff woesAs the tourism sector remains buoyant, small operators are likely to face labour shortages during the high season as larger businesses offer more competitive salaries. Hotel spas have sufficient staff for the high season as they pay competitive wages based on higher service charges, as most of their guests are high-end customers. Mr Krod said the labour shortage is gradually easing as positive tourism sentiment encourages small operators to hire more skilled staff to prepare for the high season. Some may adjust their daily wage, for example increasing from 400 baht to 1,000 baht during the high season, she said. She said the average occupancy rate in Chiang Mai should grow marginally to 70-75% from 65% during the high season last year.

But it remains to be seen whether the senators will also vote for him, Mr Yutthaporn said. If Mr Srettha is not elected during the vote, it is still not clear whether Pheu Thai will nominate Ms Paetongtarn. The matter was agreed upon by whips from the Senate and representatives of political parties who met with Mr Wan on Friday. Mr Srettha did not seek office in the May 14 election as a constituency or party-list MP. There are no rules specifically barring a non-MP from addressing a parliamentary meeting, Mr Wan said.

Roman Catholic nuns hold placards as they take part in a protest to condemn the attacks on churches in Pakistan, in Karachi on Friday. (Photo: AFP)LAHORE, Pakistan: More than 80 Christian homes and 19 churches in Pakistan were vandalised when a Muslim mob rampaged through the streets over alleged blasphemy this week, the head of Punjab provincial police said on Friday. On Friday, 3,200 churches were being guarded by police across Punjab province to provide reassurance to the Christian community, Anwar said. Homes in the Christian neighbourhood were ransacked, with their contents strewn all over the streets. Muslims living in the predominantly Christian area gave shelter to their neighbours and pinned Koranic verses to the doors of Christian homes to prevent them from being targeted, residents of both faiths told AFP.

MFP firm on urging parliament to review Pita's renominationMove Forward Party (MFP) MP Rangsiman Rome reaffirms that he will push for a motion for parliament to review its July 19 resolution rejecting Mr Pita’s renomination. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Move Forward Party (MFP) list-MP Rangsiman Rome stands firm that he will urge parliament to reconsider its decision to reject the renomination of MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister. Mr Rangsiman said on Friday that he will proceed with his motion for a new parliamentary review of the resolution passed on July 19. We must take extra caution when employing this issue (parliament’s resolution to reject Mr Pita’s renomination) as a precedent." On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court dismissed the Ombudsman's petition related to the rejected renomination of Mr Pita.