AWOL

The head of the Thai Chamber of Commerce believes Thailand will finalise a tariff deal with the United States prior to next week’s deadline.

Tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border are starting to ease and Thailand expects Cambodia to withdraw forces from the border and return to bilateral talks, say Thai ministers.

Newly appointed Thai cabinet ministers including suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra were sworn in on Thursday, as the debate continued over Ms Paetongtarn’s eligibility to remain in the cabinet.

Leaders of five opposition parties held their first joint meeting of the new parliamentary session on Thursday morning as they welcomed the Bhumjaithai Party, with leader Anutin Charnvirakul vowing to fully scrutinise the government.

Red Bull co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya is the richest person in Thailand this year with a net worth of US$44.5 billion, followed by the CP Group’s Chearavanont brothers with $35.7 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

The opposition People’s Party has signalled its readiness to vote for a new prime minister without joining the governing coalition, on condition that the next administration functions solely as a temporary government.