Thailand’s triangular political equilibrium rests on many things, and one of the most important foundations can be the most unpredictable. Thaksin Shinawatra, wielding one of the country’s biggest political influences…
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Thailand’s triangular political equilibrium rests on many things, and one of the most important foundations can be the most unpredictable. Thaksin Shinawatra, wielding one of the country’s biggest political influences…
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The world bullion market is on its toes, so to speak. When Israel launched strikes on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, the capital of Syria, on April 1, the price of…
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The millions of Thais heading back to their home provinces to visit elderly parents over Songkran underlines the harsh reality that many of these seniors spend most of the year…
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Many months are still to go for 2024, but perhaps the understatement of the year should go to the one made by Elon Musk, who has predicted a few days…
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After several months of vacancy, former Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop has been appointed by the UN Secretary General as the UN special envoy on Myanmar. She will be the…
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The Thai government may find itself bearing a higher cost of borrowing due to unfavorable conditions in the local debt market. More 34.3 billion baht of capital has flown out…
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The recent football match between Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities may have looked like an edition of the traditional sporting event held almost every year since 1934. But in reality, it…
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It should be a time of celebration for the world’s most powerful military alliance as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization marks its 75th anniversary this week. But this is not…
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What difference can virtual banks make in a financial market where depositors are not happy with the low interest rates offered by commercial banks while borrowers are fretting about higher…
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If Thailand’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms Part I ended with the formation of the Srettha government, the evolving Part II is about how to maintain the shaky alliance and…
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The world we live in today is facing ominous man-made danger. Whoever is elected the new president of the US in November will face the same old rival, Russian President…
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Amid the uncertainty and delay in its submarine acquisition, the Royal Thai Navy suffered another setback when its slim hopes of procuring a frigate were dashed by lawmakers. A House…
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The crisis of high household debt is casting a dark shadow over Thai society: over a million people are on the edge of bankruptcy, some have committed suicide or crimes,…
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If Hollywood is thought of by some as America’s mouthpiece, Oppenheimer has to be a nuclear bomb that could all but destroy that perception. The film and the Oscar awards…
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The Move Forward Party has suffered a turbulent three-year ride since it emerged as the reincarnation of the disbanded Future Forward in 2020. Not only was its leader suspended as…
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In over six months in office, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has earned kudos for his efforts to win back the confidence of international investors, but there’s little else to show for…
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A government initiative to convert agricultural land reform certificates into title deeds has sparked both hope and concern for millions of Thailand’s poorest people. For farmers, the initiative offers the…
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Thai tourists are excited at the permanent visa-free agreement signed by Thailand and China, which would make travel for citizens of both countries easy, with large-scale implications for tourism. Chairat…
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One “tradition” that Move Forward will find hard to challenge concerns the parliamentary censure of the government. Although opposition MPs are not required to do it every time it is…
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The private visit of former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen to Bangkok to see former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra is not only a testament to their personal friendship, but also has…
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For the first time since the two countries established modern-day diplomatic ties almost 50 years ago, Thai tourists will be allowed visa-free entry to China from March 1. Excitement is…
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Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput is yielding no ground in his face-off with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin over the central bank’s interest rate policy. Against the backdrop of…
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No one will know who will become the 47th president of the United States until November 5 after the votes have been counted. What is clear, however, is the growing…
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Legal amnesty for people charged with political crimes has been a hot potato for the past decade in Thailand. An attempt in 2013 by Yingluck Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai government to…
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The use of AI deep-fakes in Indonesia, during the run-up to this year’s elections, is ringing alarm bells among advocates for information integrity, as they are being used for political…
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Cannabis has soared in popularity among Thais since being removed from the narcotics list two years ago and launched into an almost unregulated market. Estimates suggest the number of cannabis…
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The expected release of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra next week is set to inject more heat into the simmering powerplay between conservative elites and the ex-PM, analysts say….
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The Thai government’s controversial plan to raise 500 billion baht through an off-budget loan for the digital wallet scheme has run into another roadblock. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) recently…
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Article 112 requires prudence in everything – enforcement, commentaries for and against, judgement of wrongdoing and etc. Cue Thaksin Shinawatra and that can be an understatement. In a few days,…
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Thai society was shocked when well-known serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya, who has been a thorn in the flesh of the powers that be for years, was arrested on January 28…
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The ongoing push in Parliament to improve Thailand’s appalling record of air pollution offers hope that the decades-long threat to public health posed by PM2.5 smog could soon be curbed….
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The Thai government is grappling with a dilemma on how to deal with an unresolved maritime border issue with Cambodia amid political pressure at home, while also pursuing joint development of…
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Last week, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan held two days of talks at a five-star hotel in Bangkok. The outcome of their in-depth…
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Budgetary provisions are under scrutiny as Thailand’s House of Representatives is currently in the process of vetting the much-delayed budget bill for fiscal 2024. The total outlay is 3.48 trillion…
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A shocking murder recently committed by a group of boys aged 13 to 16 has prompted a big question in Thailand. Should children who commit serious crimes be sentenced as…
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While a court case ousted Saksayam Chidchob as transport minister in the previous government, his formidable political networking skills mean there’s a good chance he will return to power. On…
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The idea of a land bridge connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea has been in the pipeline for a few years. Former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob had…
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s estimate, one in eight of us is currently struggling with mental health problems. But in Thailand, only a fraction of these sufferers receive…
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The coalition government led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has come under fire from the opposition, which is accused it of lacking a strong commitment to pursue military reform following…
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After former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to face prison following 15 years of self-exile and managed to spend the last four months in hospital, many people are wondering if…
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Franking speaking, Timor Leste’s membership in Asean is becoming increasingly problematic. This is mainly due to the extensive comments by the country’s leaders on the role of Asean and the…
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Japan and ASEAN firmed up their already close relationship at their meetings in Tokyo over the weekend. After five decades, Japan has proved to be a reliable partner of ASEAN…
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In a groundbreaking first, millions of Social Security Fund (SSF) members are poised to elect representatives to the powerful board that manages Thailand’s biggest fund and their benefits. SSF members…
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Move Forward Party MPs Wuttipong Thonglour and Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit were expelled from the party after it was decided by the party’s disciplinary board that they had sexually harassed party volunteers….
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Given the huge difference between penalties for abuse of methamphetamine and for selling the drug, the government’s plan to classify people convicted of possessing more than five methamphetamine tablets as…
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The Royal Thai Navy’s dream of acquiring its first submarine in over seven decades has been shattered once again. Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang announced last Friday that the Thai government…
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The Pheu Thai-led coalition government faces mounting pressure to abandon its populist policy of handing out 10,000 baht to all citizens aged 16 years and above under its digital wallet…
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Thailand’s vision for a green economy fails to tackle the country’s environmental problems at their root, say many environmentalists, who accuse the government of prioritizing big business at the expense…
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Hundreds of protesters have been demonstrating in front of Government House since October 3, calling on the new administration to address 10 demands to improve the lives of marginalized groups…
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As Thai authorities try to uncover the motive behind a 14-year-old suspect’s shooting spree at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on October 3rd, some media outlets have discovered…
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Less than two months after taking power, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appears to be overshadowed by the Shinawatra family, judging from the people around him. A high proportion of his…
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Thai businesses remain optimistic about the outlook for tourism despite the shooting incident at Siam Paragon, but remain wary of unpredictable events. The tragic incident happened on October 3 when…
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50 years ago this week, growing discontent with the Thai ruling elite’s corruption and abuse of power boiled over into a major campus protest at Thammasat University, one of Thailand’s…
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The Move Forward Party has been on the defensive ever since its shock election victory in May. The party has taken what many observers describe as “political missteps” that may…
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If they were being stared at, who’s to blame? Women. If they were sexually harassed or assaulted, who’s to blame? Also, women. If their sex tape is leaked without their…
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Grey clouds gather over Thailand’s welfare state as elderly subsidy cut Thailand’s universal welfare has taken a backward step with the caretaker government’s recent decision to limit monthly subsidies of…
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The presence of two former Thai premiers — Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck — in Cambodia on August 5 was not only a personal visit to celebrate strongman Hun Sen’s…
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Amid the ongoing political impasse in the country, made murkier by highly debatable rules, Srettha Thavisin, a property developer-turned politician, is within sight of becoming the 30th prime minister of…
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Economic experts are not happy with the policies pursued by the outgoing administration to increase the income of Thai households, as well as the proposals of the parties who could…
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Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has endured a painful dilemma for the past 15 years – whether or not to return to Thailand and face jail terms imposed during…
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Southeast Asian nations are gearing up to tackle the threat of a tougher-than-usual “haze” season together, as the El Nino climate phenomenon raises the risk of soaring temperatures. Ministers and…
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The baton has passed from Move Forward to Pheu Thai, who are now busy talking to parties of all political persuasions, even its political enemies, in a bid to form…
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Ongoing efforts to form a new government after the May 14 general election have hit a roadblock – an impasse that may pave the way for the return of the…
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Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew had intended to deliver a single message to a planned meeting with its political allies this afternoon (Tuesday). Even without the meeting, which was…
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Thailand’s household debt has ballooned to almost 16 trillion baht, with more and more Thais at risk of defaulting on their loan repayments. The pressure then falls on guarantors, who…
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Though the eight-party coalition has resolved to put Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s name forward again in the second vote for Thailand’s next premier, Pita and his party appear to…
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Political and economic systems are vulnerable to corruption and abuse to favor a few influential persons at the expense of the public at large. The challenge is how to correct…
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The recent deportation of at least 59 children to Myanmar – which has been engulfed in violence since the 2021 military coup – has brought to light many problems in…
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The return of ailing Thai elephant “Sak Surin”, after 22 years in Sri Lanka, not only brought joy and relief to Thais, but also raised awareness of animal welfare. Many…
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The chance of Move Forward Party chief Pita Limjaroenrat becoming Thailand’s next prime minister shrank on Wednesday as Parliament prepared for Thursday’s vote to select the country’s leader. The Election…
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This Thursday (July 13) will see a crucial vote in Thailand’s Parliament when 500 MPs and 250 senators convene to select the country’s 30th prime minister. Move Forward Party leader…
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Although the rainy season has begun in Thailand, the threat of prolonged drought and water shortages is hovering on the horizon because of El Nino. The US National Oceanic and…
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Thailand is host to the second-largest refugee population in Asia. There are over 150,000 stateless children in the system, plus an estimated 50,000 who are not registered. Though Thailand has…
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Unlike many other countries, Thailand does not usually celebrate its national day. And it is not uncommon to find Thais who have no idea what date it takes place or…
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How will the coalition partners reconcile their differences in approach towards resolving the long-running conflict in the predominantly Muslim deep South? In the second of a three-part series, our Political Desk…
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The first of a three-part series by Thai PBS World’s Political Desk analyses the latest disputes among political forces over the right to self-determination and the peace process in Thailand’s…
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If the accomplishment of Bangkok Pride 2023 can be measured by the number of participants, then it was a success. The event, which was held earlier this month, drew around…
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The eight-party coalition’s bid to form Thailand’s next government is threatened by a dispute between its two leaders – Move Forward and Pheu Thai – over the House Speaker’s seat….
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Despite slowing inflation, the residential market in the first few months of 2023 has been sluggish, the real estate sector reports. Overall, the housing demand in Thailand has dropped and…
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If the debt crisis roiling Washington were eventually to send the United States crashing into recession, America’s economy would hardly sink alone. The repercussions of a first-ever default on the…
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For many Thais, the proposed new coalition government of parties from the opposition camp represents a “dream team” of liberal democrats. The six-party coalition, led by election-winner Move Forward, would…
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A combination of the Thaksin factor, appeal of a youthful image and repellence of old-style politics has contributed to one of the biggest surprises in modern Thai political history. Signs…
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The Pheu Thai Party is still widely tipped to win more seats than any other party, but signs are that their ambition of surpassing the 300-seat mark is unlikely to…
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Striking a right balance in its relationship with the US and China whose ongoing geopolitical rivalry is rattling the world will be a major policy challenge for Thailand’s new administration,…
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Fighting in Sudan between forces loyal to two top generals has put that nation at risk of collapse and could have consequences far beyond its borders. Both sides have tens…
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Thailand expresses gratitude and respect for the older generation every year on April 13, National Elderly Day. Yet, every year the number of senior Thais in dire straits, struggling to…
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Press freedom remains a challenge in Thailand, especially when it comes to political issues. According to the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, by Reporters Without Borders, Thailand’s press is considered…
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Pheu Thai and Move Forward, who once seemed perfect allies as Thailand’s two largest opposition parties, are now in a fierce fight to lure votes from the same voter base….
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While the young Generation Z adults may not be the biggest group of voters yet, their keen interest in politics is set to have a super-sized influence on the outcome…
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Registration of constituency candidates nationwide on Monday (April 3) marks the official start of the May 14 general election, as candidates and their parties will now have to comply with…
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The global financial markets are highly interconnected. When Thailand’s banking system suffered a collapse and the baht’s value plummeted in 1997, the contagion effect spread to other Asian countries. Similarly,…
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In a surprise move, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra last Friday (March 24) announced he was ready to return and serve his prison term in Thailand regardless of the May…
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The SEA Games, Southeast Asia’s regional “Olympics” held every two years, has earned a reputation as a gold-medal mine for its host nations. Since its birth in 1959, when the…
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Thailand’s justice system was forced to swing into damage control mode after a series of disclosures pointed to senior judges and police officers attempting to spare a senator prosecution for…
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“How did I know that I was pregnant? I knew it because I had missed my period but, then I was just a kid, I thought it was probably delayed….
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The latest statistics show an overall improvement in Thailand’s labor market, nearly returning to the pre-COVID level, but questions remain about the availability of well-paying jobs. Unemployment fell to 1.15…
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“Thailand will be a full-fledged aging society this year, as citizens 60 years old and above will represent 20 per cent of the total population,” said Worawan Plikhamin, deputy secretary-general…
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A deep connection between Myanmar’s arms dealer Tun Min Latt and the Thai elite has triggered a political controversy in Thailand at a time when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is…
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Thailand’s economic growth in the fourth quarter of last year has disappointed many people. Real gross domestic product (GDP), a broader measure of economic output, grew just 1.4 percent year on year,…
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It is common sense for politicians to campaign on a platform of tax cuts in the run-up to an election, as opposed to making a case for tax hikes, which…
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