On Friday's Backchat, Global Focus talks about Thai politics, following the appointment of Paetongtharn Shinawatra as Thailand's new Prime Minister.

The 37-year-old daughter of former PM Thaksin becomes the country's youngest ever leader and third member of the family to hold the post. Her appointment comes after the Constitutional Court dismissed her predecessor Strettha Thavisin over alleged ethics violations.


Meanwhile, her father – who was deposed in a 2006 military coup and lived in self-imposed exile for 15 years – was granted royal pardon last Sunday.


After 9:30, we will talk about a Greater Bay Area-like special zone planned between Singapore and Malaysia's Johor state.


After 9:45, we will discuss e-gaming development in the region, following the launch of the Chinese-made online game "Wukong".


9:05am-9:30am: Thailand's new Prime Minister


9:05am-9:30am: Prof Duncan McCargo, President’s Chair in Global Affairs, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University 

9:05am-9:30am: Prof John Burns, Emeritus and Honorary Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration, The University of Hong Kong 

9:05am-9:30am: Tida Yingcharoen, Thai academic and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, House of Representatives


9:30am-9:45am: Singapore-Malaysia economic zone project


9:30am-9:45am: Basil Hwang, Vice-Chairman of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong)


9:45am-10:00am: E-gaming development in the region

9:45am-10:00am: Eric Yeung, Founding President of the Esports Association Hong Kong