Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat says he is not giving up hope of becoming Thailand’s next prime minister, despite his bid for the top executive post failing in today’s (Thursday) joint parliamentary sitting. Speaking to reporters shortly after the vote, Pita said he will work on a new strategy, to ensure that he will
Senator Prapanth Koonmee has insisted that Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s prime ministerial candidacy cannot be resubmitted to parliament, after he failed to get the minimum 375 votes needed to approve his candidacy in the first ballot. Meanwhile, the Move Forward party plans to submit a bill to the House, seeking to amend Section
The selection of Thailand’s prime minister will be key to the performance of the Thai economy, whether it will continue to improve and prosper or go in the opposite direction, said Associate Professor Dr. Thanawat Pholvichai, rector of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and advisory chair of the Economic and Business forecast
Move Forward Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulathon defended the party’s advocacy for amendment of the lèse majesté law (Section 112 of the Criminal Code) today (Thursday) and explained why the party cannot back down on this matter. Speaking in parliament, Chaithawat said that law has been widely abused, to the extent that, since 2000, 252 people have
6.25pm – Pita’s ambition to become Thailand’s next prime minister was shot down after he lost a historic vote in a joint sitting MPs and Senators on Thursday. Votes in favour were 324, against were 182. There were 199 abstentions. He needs at least 375 votes to become the premier. 5.55pm – A historic election
The Thai parliament has become a fortress today (Thursday), with about 40 cargo containers being placed at the entrance, exit and around the building, while barriers have been erected on roads to cope with supporters of the Move Forward party, who are expected to turn up in droves late this afternoon to offer moral support
Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat claimed today (Wednesday) that he has been unfairly treated by the Election Commission (EC), with its decision to submit the iTV share case to the Constitutional Court for consideration, without giving him a chance to defend himself. In reacting to the EC’s decision, which came one day ahead of
Thailand’s Constitution Court decided on Wednesday to take into consideration a petition lodged against the Move Forward Party, and its leader and PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat, over their policy to amend the lèse majesté law. Pita and his party are required to submit their defence within 15 days of receiving the request from the Court.
Move Forward party secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon has accused the Election Commission (EC) of acting suspiciously with its hasty decision to ask the Constitutional Court to consider party leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s iTV share-holding case, without giving Pita a chance to defend the case. Chaithawat and a group of Move Forward MPs held an impromptu press conference
Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has, again, delayed his return to Thailand, this time saying he will wait to see how the election of the prime minister turns out. Thaksin said last month that he would end his 17 years of self-exile this month, because he wants to care for his grandchildren and is
Bangkok police have put reinforcements on standby, including rapid mobile units and vehicles, to cope with the situation tomorrow (Thursday), when supporters of the Move Forward party are expected to rally near parliament as MPs and senators are due to select the new prime minister. Spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, Pol Lt-Gen Archayon Kraithong,
Bangkok police have declared an area within 50 metres of the parliament building off-limits, in anticipation of a mass protest by supporters of the Move Forward party, who are expected to rally to offer moral support to Pita Limjaroenrat, the party leader, when parliament is scheduled to select Thailand’s 30th prime minister tomorrow (Thursday). The
