■ In Thailand, the Issue of the PM’s Term

Thailand's government announced that Prime Minister (PM) Prayuth Chan-Ocha would continue to conduct the chief of military government duties, even though he has been suspended from official PM duty.

Thailand’s top court suspended his official duty regarding his tenure on August 24th, and will be adjudicated on September 30th. The main issue is “his term limit.”

Prayuth was an ex-army chief, seized power in the 2014 military coup, and then retained office in 2019 under an election. Opposition parties have filed a case arguing that he, in charge since 2014, has overstayed his tenure in accordance with the 2014 coup. Yet, his supporters claimed that his term started in 2017, under the revised law after a general election on June 9th, 2019, when he was sworn in as PM again.

   Most Thais and surveys claimed that Prayuth must leave his job, and a rally has been held on the street every weekend. Yet, he restarted his official duty, visiting a local area. AP reported that Mr. Prayuth’s move seems to extend his power.

■ Russia Cut Off Gas Supplies to Europe

Russia halted its operating gas pipelines to France and Germany due to urgent maintenance work to repair key components and failure to pay for all deliveries. As the US and the European Union (EU) tighten their chokehold on Russia, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been using its resources as a weapon.

On August 31st, Russia’s state-owned gas company, Gazprom, halted gas supplies to Germany via “the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.” The announcement was made just a day before it had been scheduled to restart deliveries. Due to the French company's failure to pay for all deliveries made in July, the French utility company, Engie said that Russia would suspend its gas deliveries to Engie from September 1st.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “Technological problems caused by Western sanctions on Russia is the only thing standing in the way of supplying gas via Nord Stream 1.”

■ “Liz Truss,” A New PM of the UK

   Liz Truss became the United Kingdom (UK)’s new Prime Minister (PM) on September 5th in the Conservative leadership race, gaining the support of 57.4% of the Tory membership vote. Rishi Sunak was leading the race in the initial phase of campaigning, but Truss won the race defeating him among other party members.

Boris Johnson, ex- UK Prime Minster, who was known for his ability to shrug off scandals, resigned from his roles as the Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minster in July. Truss is expected to discuss a big concern of the UK, such as the soaring inflation, a plummeting national currency, and skyrocketing energy bills. She was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II and officially became Britain's new Prime Minister.

■ Queen Elizabeth II Passed Away

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, at age 96, on September 8th.

The Queen’s Coffin had rested at Balmoral Castle, traveled to Edinburgh, and finally arrived at St Giles' Cathedral on September 11th. Prior to the State Funeral, The Queen has been lying in Westminster Hall to allow the public to pay their respects. Hundreds of mourners had gathered and paid their respects. The Queen was finally laid to rest on September 19th.

Her son Charles was officially proclaimed King and is now known as King Charles III. A formal ceremony was held at St James's Palace in London. At the ceremony, he announced, "comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held."

Reporter Park Yeon-Hee

Translated by Park Yeon-Hee