Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Only hours after the Election Commission unofficially confirmed Move Forward Party’s victory in Sunday’s general election, its leader Pita Limjaroenrat has begun the process of forming a coalition government with Pheu Thai and four other smaller political parties. Pita estimates that the six-party coalition will command a combined 309 seats in the House of Representatives.
The Pheu Thai party issued a statement on Monday saying that it will not try to form a coalition in competition with the Move Forward party and will let the latter to do its duty as the core party in the formation of a new government. The statement was read by party leader Cholnan Srikaew,
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha may consider ending his political career, United Thai Nation Party’s deputy leader Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Monday. Thanakorn said he personally believes this to be the case, but Prayut has not spoken to him about his plans for the future. “He has worked for the country throughout his life and for
A legal challenge is waiting for Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party, who is tipped to be the country’s next prime minister after his party emerged as the winner of Sunday’s general election. Last week, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), claiming that Pita is violating the
As no party is likely to win an absolute majority in the 500-member House of Representatives, a new coalition government will need to be formed and there are some potential coalition formulae. Since senators’ votes are still needed for the approval of the appointment of Thailand’s 30th prime minister, parties which form a coalition government
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Sunday night said he respects the election results which see Move Forward Party emerge as the top winner. Speaking briefly to journalists as he was leaving the headquarters of the United Thai Nation Party, Prayut thanked voters for their support for the party. “I will continue to perform my duty
The Move Forward party surprisingly dethroned Pheu Thai as Thailand’s most popular party in yesterday’s general election, enjoying stunning victories in numerous constituencies formerly dominated by influential political families. In the eastern province of Chon Buri, which had been the stronghold of the Khunpluem family since patriarch Somchai, aka “Kamnan Poh”, the Move Forward candidates
Move Forward party candidate Rukchanok Srinork, has become a giant-killer in Bangkok’s Bang Bon electoral constituency, a political stronghold of the Yubamrung family, as she was beating Wan Yubamrung by more than 10,000 votes after 52% had been counted late Sunday night. As of 10.30pm, the 28-year-old new face in Thai politics had bagged 33,920
Jurin Laksanawisit has resigned as leader of the Democrat party to take responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the May 14th general election. In his Line message to Democrat party members at about 11.30pm Sunday night, Jurin congratulated the party’s candidates who won their seats and offered moral support to those who did not.
Encouraged by extremely-positive signs for his party in Sunday’s general election, Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has reiterated that his party will go ahead and push for a reform of the lese majeste law or Article 112 which is part of its campaign pledges. As of 10 minutes before midnight Sunday, the Election Commission
Thai voters are poised to come out in huge numbers on Sunday to make a momentous decision about the future of their country. The national vote looks set to be a decisive clash between liberal and conservative forces after years of simmering political conflict. It has also been characterized as a battle between fear and
Unofficial general election results from some polling stations will be announced as early as 6.30pm, only ninety minutes after voting ends. The media and the public will be able to get updates on the vote count via the “ECT Report” system. After polls close at 5pm, the committee based at every polling station across Thailand
