Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole this morning, after serving eight months in prison, walking out of Bangkok Remand Prison to cheers from supporters and an emotional reunion with members of the Shinawatra family.
‘Red-shirt’ supporters have been streaming towards Klong Prem Central Prison today, preparing to welcome former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is due to be released on parole tomorrow morning after serving eight months of his one-year jail term. Some of Thaksin’s supporters have started erecting makeshift shelters as they prepare to camp outside the prison. Temporary stalls selling food, drinks and souvenirs have also appeared, creating a lively atmosphere. One of Thaksin’s...
The opposition People’s and Democrat parties submitted a motion to the Constitutional Court today, via the Speaker of the House, challenging the legality of half of the 400 billion baht loan to be sought by the government to fund its plan to migrate from a dependence on fossil fuels to alternative clean energy.
The opposition People’s party has agreed to support the Democrats in seeking a Constitutional Court ruling on the constitutionality of the government’s emergency decree seeking a Bt400 billion loan, ostensibly to boost the economy, help people affected by oil crisis and to drive Thailand’s transition from dependence on fossil fuels to alternative and clean energy.
The Department of Corrections has issued a formal clarification regarding the parole of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, insisting that the process complied with all legal requirements and ministerial regulations under the Corrections Act of 2017.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Cabinet today approved the abrogation of the memorandum of understanding signed with Cambodia in 2001 to settle their overlapping maritime claims.
Embattled Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said today that he has ordered a panel to investigate the transfer of Rachen Sillaparaya, director general of the Royal Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation Department, to an inspector general position attached to the ministry, to clear up any doubts over the transfer’s fairness.
A study group monitoring the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) development project is questioning the conduct and judgment of Bhumjaithai Party MPs in 12 southern provinces for initiating and supporting two SEC-related bills that would allow foreign investors to rent or lease land in the South for up to 99 years.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva topped the popularity list of opposition figures, followed by People’s Party MP Rukchanok Srinork. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut ranked third, according to a survey by Suan Dusit Poll.
Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat has explained that the decision-making power rests solely with the party’s executive committee, as former premier Thaksin Shinawatra nears release on parole.
Two political activists have separately petitioned the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Office of The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) to investigate Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit over his abrupt transfer of Rachen Silparaya, former director general of the Department of Royal Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation, to become an inspector general attached to the ministry.
Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit is in the public spotlight over the abrupt transfer and subsequent resignation of the former director-general of the Department of Royal Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation, Rachen Silparaya, to the position of inspector-general of the Agriculture Ministry, following a report that one of Suriya’s nephews had asked to see Rachen regarding an undisclosed matter, but was declined.
