Thailand’s foreign minister abruptly resigned in dissatisfaction over a Cabinet reshuffle that removed him as one of the country's deputy prime ministers. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday confirmed the report of the resignation of Parnpree Bahiddha-Nugara, saying that he respected the decision, and that he has already started looking for a replacement. Srettha said it was normal that some people would be upset by the reshuffle, adding that he already sent a message to Parnpree, apologizing and thanking him for his work.
Chinese-produced durian is set to be available to the public in July, with production from the tropical island of Hainan likely to reach 200 tonnes this year, although Thailand and Vietnam are set to remain the largest sources.
Thailand's influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has praised ally and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin as a suitable leader during a "transition" while highlighting his own daughter's credentials as head of the ruling Pheu Thai party. The 74-year-old billionaire founder of the populist juggernaut Pheu Thai has seen his family's parties win all but one election since 2001, and loomed large over politics throughout his 15 years in self-imposed exile to avoid jail. Thaksin made a dramatic return from exile in August to face an eight-year jail sentence for abuse of power and conflicts of interest.