Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Pheu Thai’s recent decision to embrace parties linked with the 2010 bloody military crackdown on red-shirt protesters may have shaken many members of the movement. However, it has far from destroyed its spirit. “The red shirts have existed and will continue to exist,” affirmed Thida Thavornseth, a former leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship
Cholnan Srikaew quit as leader of the Pheu Thai party today (Wednesday), with immediate effect, to keep his pre-election promise to resign if Pheu Thai were to partner with Palang Pracharath, United Thai Nation or both in the formation of the government. Chousak Sirinil, one of the deputy leaders, is now acting party leader, until
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had a private meeting over dinner with Thailand’s top business executives from diverse private sector fields on Monday night. The special informal event was organised and hosted by Dr. Vichit Suraphongchai, chairman of SCB X. Other participants included Arthid Nanthawithaya, CEO of Siam Commercial Bank, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, CEO of King Power
After chairing his last cabinet meeting today (Tuesday), outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told the media that he will spend the rest of his life in retirement with his family and taking rest as an ordinary citizen who has no privileges. In his brief farewell speech, he thanked all the ministers, his staff, officials and
As Pheu Thai Party decides to nominate one of its deputy leaders, Sutin Klungsang, as defence minister, Prime Minister-elect Srettha Thavisin is playing down expectations that there will be any radical reform of the military under his new administration. “As I have been saying all along, I don’t like the word “reform”. My preference is
The Thai Pakdee party submitted a petition to Corrections Department director general on Monday, opposing any attempt by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to seek a Royal pardon. The party’s move was triggered by widespread reports that Thaksin, who is serving eight years in prison and who is currently being treated at the Police General
Prime Minister-elect Srettha Thavisin confirmed this morning (Monday) that his cabinet list is now complete, after a long night of discussions both inside his Pheu Thai party and among coalition members. “Today, the Secretariat of the Cabinet will receive the cabinet nominations, so that their qualifications can be checked. Please be patient,” Srettha said at
Pheu Thai Party’s proposed Cabinet line-up has undergone a last-minute change, which sees former trade representative and seasoned politician Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara tipped as foreign minister in the Srettha government, according to party sources. The sources say that Parnpree will double as deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs. Parnpree, an advisor on economic affairs
The new cabinet line-up is about almost complete, with the core party, Pheu Thai, taking most of the economic portfolios, including finance, commerce and transport. The latest cabinet line-up of the 11-party coalition government is as follows: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also doubles as finance minister. There will be 6 deputy ministers, including Phumtham Wechayachai,
Pheu Thai party’s Chiang Mai MP Julapun Amornvivat, who is a member of a political clan in the northern province, is being widely tipped to become foreign minister in the new government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Sources in Pheu Thai say that its Cabinet line-up has been finalized, with Srettha serving concurrently as prime
Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has wished Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin well, hoping that he will keep his election campaign promises. Pita was in Rayong province yesterday to campaign for his party’s candidate, Pongsathorn Sornpetchnarin, in the by-election in Constituency 3 on September 10th. He braved the rain as he rode in the back
Outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha bade farewell to the Thai people, after about nine years in the office, in his farewell message on Facebook today (Saturday) by expressing his hope that some of his government’s initiatives will be continued by the new administration, to lead Thailand to the “finish line.” He also thanked the Thai
