ASEAN HEADLINE| THAILAND: Thai court agrees to hear case seeking PM’s removal
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MYANMAR: Blast destroys bridge in Mon State
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The explosion, which appeared to be a deliberate attack, was the second such incident on the Yangon-Mawlamyine road in less than two weeks
A bridge on the Yangon-Mawlamyine road in Bilin Township, Mon State was destroyed on Thursday in an evidently intentional attack for which no group has claimed responsibility.
The attack comes less than two weeks after a similar incident damaged the Kyone Ate Bridge in Mon State, according to local residents and rescue workers.
Locals and emergency response workers said traffic and public transit were blocked in Bilin Township after the incident, which reportedly killed one man and injured two women.
“All vehicles have been barred at the town entrance of Bilin. The damage is extensive but one side of the bridge is still in good condition and passable,” a local motorist said.
Local sources said the destroyed bridge, known in the area as the “Ma Saw” bridge—is on the Yangon-Mawlamyine highway near Bilin, a junta-controlled town, and the village of Shwe Yaung. . .
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THAILAND: Thai court agrees to hear case seeking PM’s removal
BANGKOK (AFP) – A top Thai court Thursday agreed to consider a case seeking to oust Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin over his appointment of a cabinet minister with a criminal conviction.
The Constitutional Court accepted a petition to remove Srettha from office, which was submitted by 40 senators under ethics rules, but it rejected an application to suspend him from his duties as prime minister while it considers the matter.
The case centres on Pichit Chuenban, appointed as a minister in a recent reshuffle, who served six months in jail for a contempt of court conviction in 2008.
Pichit, a former lawyer with close links to billionaire ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, resigned from his cabinet role on Tuesday in a bid to protect Srettha.
Judges voted 6-3 to accept the petition and gave Srettha 15 days to respond to the case.
The 250 current members of the Thai senate were appointed by the junta that ruled the kingdom after a 2014 coup.
An election to choose new senators will be held over three rounds next month.
The senate played a crucial role in determining the outcome of last year’s general election, blocking Pita Limjaroenrat, whose Move Forward Party won the most seats, from becoming prime minister.
Instead Srettha, of Thaksin’s Pheu Thai party, formed a coalition government with army-linked parties.
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