Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul has issued a wake-up call to the opposition Move Forward Party, whose predecessor he co-founded, warning it faces a dilemma and must now choose the “best path” to contest the next general election. Move Forward, he says, has two options: compromise on its ideology in hope of joining the next government, or remain
Sarng Anakot Thai Party Leader Uttama Savanayana, party secretary Sontirat Sontijirawong and General Wit Dhephasdin na Ayudhya, leader of Thailand Together Party, formally joined the Palang Pracharath Party today (Monday). The three arrived at the Palang Pracharath Party HQ this afternoon and were greeted by Wirat Rattanaseth, a deputy leader, and Sakoltee Phattiyakul, the party’s
The Criminal Court has rejected bail applications for ten “political” prisoners and detainees on the grounds that most of them have been charged with serious offenses, which range from possession of explosives, arson and causing damage to public property to inciting unrest and lèse majesté, during their protests last year. Anti-establishment protesters gathered in front
The amended Election Act for constituency and party-list MPs came into force today (Sunday) following its publication in the Royal Gazette yesterday. Under the amended law, there will be 400 constituency and 100 party-list MPs, instead of 350 and 150 as previously stipulated. The population per constituency seat is determined by the total population of
An elderly man, who had been protesting in front of the Criminal Court in Bangkok for the past couple of days demanding the release of all political detainees and prisoners, collapsed and died today (Sunday). Some protesters claim that Phairote Chotesriphanporn fainted and hit his head on the concrete pavement in front of the Ratchadapisek
Several key members of Thailand’s Sarng Anakot Thai Party are expected to return to the Palang Pracharath Party in the latest realignment, in preparation for the next general election scheduled in May. At the Pullman Hotel in Bangkok today (Friday), Sarng Anakot Thai Party Leader Uttama Savanayana and party secretary, Sontirat Sontijirawong, had a closed-door
Former deputy prime minister Yongyuth Wichaidit is back in the media spotlight after celebrity lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd exposed a sex scandal he said involved a former deputy premier in Yingluck Shinawatra’s government whose name starts with “Y”. The lawyer claimed the ex-deputy premier had an affair with a married woman. Photos of the pair sharing
The Bhumjaithai Party’s registrar has warned the Move Forward Party and its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, that they may be accused of defying the Constitution, if it interferes with the transfer of Public Health Ministry officials. Yesterday (Thursday), Move Forward issued a written statement, signed by Pita, opposing the Ministry’s transfer of Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit, director
Palang Pracharath Party Leader Prawit Wongsuwan was formally nominated as the party’s sole candidate for next prime minister at its general meeting on Friday. Wirat Rattanaseth, a deputy party leader, told the media that party members were unanimous in their choice of General Prawit, who is also a deputy prime minister, as the sole candidate
Thailand’s House of Representatives meeting collapsed again today (Thursday), as only 151 MPs were present in the chamber, which is 60 short of the required quorum. Deputy House Speaker Supachai Phosu chaired the morning session, during which ten impromptu interpellations were submitted by opposition MPs, to be answered by relevant ministers, but only two interpellations
The Opposition general debate, without a vote, against Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut and his cabinet ministers will take place on February 15th and 16th, amidst rumours that the House will be dissolved one day prior to the debate. Cabinet, opposition and government whips agreed on Wednesday that opposition parties will be allocated 24 hours of
The Thai cabinet has approved a budget of 5.95 billion baht for the Election Commission (EC) to hold this year’s General Election. 5.104 million baht is for the EC’s preparations and to hold the election across the country. 840 million baht is intended for other state agencies and state enterprises working to support the EC.
