Politics

Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks at a news conference in April. The central bank is this week set to make its latest monetary policy decision.
Your Week in Asia

Marcos State of the Nation Address, Thailand PM choice, BOJ meeting

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

23 July 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to drum up enough support from either rival parties or military-appointed senators to become prime minister. (Photo by Ken Kobyashi)
Thai election

On topic: Why Thailand's Pita failed to become prime minister

A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic

22 July 2023
Pheu Thai Party prime minister candidates Srettha Thavisin, right, and Paetongtarn Shinawatra meet supporters at an election rally in Bangkok on May 12. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Move Forward yields to Pheu Thai candidate for PM

Coalition's No. 2 party to name candidate on July 26 before next vote

21 July 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat leaves parliament on July 19 after the suspension of his membership by Thailand's Constitutional Court. (Photo by Ken Kobyashi)
Opinion

Thailand just isn't ready yet for Move Forward's agenda of change

Despite election victory, Pita's party lacks enough support to have its way

21 July 2023
Move Forward supporters protest in front of Bangkok's Democracy Monument on July 19. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's pro-democracy coalition mulls next steps without Pita

Pheu Thai's move in focus as parliament convenes again on July 27

20 July 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat removes his member of parliament badge as he was ordered to leave the chamber on July 19. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Pita's Thai PM bid blocked in critical blow to Move Forward

'The people are halfway to victory,' leader says after suspension as lawmaker

19 July 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat attends a parliament session on July 19. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thai court suspends Pita as lawmaker over media shares

Decision deals blow to Move Forward leader as parliament convenes for PM vote

19 July 2023
Pita Limjaroenrat reacts after failing to win parliamentary support to become Thailand's prime minister on July 13. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Comment

Thai PM plots thicken with Senate bill, apparent 'judicial coup'

Parliament votes again Wednesday after Pita fails to claim post in 1st round

18 July 2023
Students at New Blood School in Mae Sot, northwestern Thailand, on June 29 prepare to take the U.S. General Education Development tests. (Photo by Kosuke Inoue)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar kids in Thailand pull off U.S. high school diploma miracle

Mae Sot school helps those who fled military action re-imagine their futures

17 July 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen attends a campaign rally in Phnom Penh on July 1. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Your Week in Asia

China GDP, Tesla's Malaysia launch, Hun Sen's Cambodia elections

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

16 July 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat speaks in a video he posted to Twitter on July 15. (Screenshot from Pita's Twitter account)
Thai election

Thailand's Pita to give nod to Pheu Thai if his next PM bid fails

Coalition piles pressure on Move Forward ahead of second vote on Wednesday

15 July 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat meets journalists after conservative forces sunk his bid to become prime minister on July 13. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand shifts focus to Pheu Thai after Pita fails in PM bid

Country's latest bout of political uncertainty weighs on its biggest businesses

14 July 2023
Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai speaks during the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Jakarta on July 13. (Pool via Reuters)
Myanmar Crisis

Some ASEAN members support Thai diplomacy toward Myanmar

Bloc releases statement following foreign ministers' meeting amid policy divide

14 July 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat reacts after he failed to win parliamentary support to become Thailand's prime minister on July 13. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Pita fails to secure majority in Thai PM vote

Move Forward leader 'will not give up' on second round next week

13 July 2023
Pita Limjaroenrat arrives at a parliament in Bangkok on July 13. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Pita pressed on royal reform ahead of Thailand's PM vote

Conservative camp slams Move Forward policy in parliamentary debate

13 July 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thai court to rule whether Pita was eligible to run in election

Judicial move deals blow to Move Forward leader ahead of PM vote

12 July 2023
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Move Forward, now Thailand's most popular political party, faces a critical vote on July 13. (Nikkei montage/Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

What to expect from Thailand's prime ministerial vote on Thursday

Prayuth's retirement shines brighter spotlight on political battle royal

12 July 2023
Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks at a polling station in Bangkok on May 14. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)
Thai election

Thailand PM Prayuth announces retirement from politics

Conservative parties in search of challenger to Pita ahead of Thursday's PM vote

11 July 2023
Thailand's household debt has swelled to 90% of its gross domestic product. 
Economy

Thailand's household debt swells amid policy stagnation concerns

Expert says next government must address long-standing problem

9 July 2023
A customer holds a cup of a legally brewed beer at the United Peoples Brewery in Bangkok. (Photo by Papangkorn Bamrungmuang)
Life

How craft beer helped turn Thai politics

By closing the lid on brewing, Bangkok's elite may have unseated itself

8 July 2023
Thailand's parliament is scheduled to convene for the prime ministerial vote on July 13. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's parliament to hold PM vote on July 13

Pita to stand for Move Forward coalition as conservatives mull whipping votes

7 July 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat attends a session of the House of Representatives to elect a speaker on July 4. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Pita still 'confident' as House splits on deputy speaker

PM vote to follow after royal endorsement of new speaker

4 July 2023
King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand opened the first parliamentary session in Bangkok on July 3. (Pool photo)
Thai election

Thai king opens parliament as Move Forward aims for PM

Move Forward, Pheu Thai reach compromise ahead of speaker vote on Tuesday

3 July 2023
Move Forward leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat speaks at a press conference on June 7. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand parliament opens to elect new PM: 5 things to know

Real test begins for Pita's Move Forward coalition after historic election

3 July 2023
Customers enjoy cold beers at a restaurant in Bangkok on June 28. Thailand’s overall beverage market was worth $20 billion in 2020, with alcoholic tipples accounting for 64% of that. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Food & Beverage

Thailand braces for liquor industry disruption under Move Forward

Craft brewers and distillers call for easing of production curbs

28 June 2023