Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
2022 was likely the most challenging year in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s political career, which began when he came to power via the military coup he led in May 2014. After ruling unchallenged for almost five years by virtue of his absolute power as junta chief, General Prayut began to feel the political heat when
A House meeting in Thailand’s parliament was abruptly adjourned yesterday afternoon (Thursday), after Deputy House Speaker Suchart Tancharoen told MPs that he was hungry. The sudden end to the meeting was ordered by Suchart, despite the fact that House Speaker Chuan Leekpai was in the chamber, waiting to take over the chairing of the meeting.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced today (Friday) that he has decided to join the United Thai Nation Party (Ruam Thai Sang Chart), ending months-long speculation about when he will formally join which party to contest the next election. He told the media at Government House that he decided to join the United Thai Nation Party
The House of Representatives voted 119:0 with 31 abstentions today (Wednesday) to delete the Section 3 of the Cannabis Bill in its entirety. In essence, Section 3 of the Cannabis Bill stipulated that cannabis is not a narcotic drug. Suphachai Jaisamut, party-list MP from the Bhumjaithai Party and chairman of the House committee scrutinising the
About 40 former and active MPs from various parties showed up at the newly-renovated head office of the Bhumjaithai Party today (Friday) to join formally. They were from the Palang Pracharath, Pheu Thai, Move Forward, Thai Economic and People Progressive parties. Among them were Chakkrapan Pornnimit and Srihadet Kraikupt of Palang Pracharath and Niyom Changpinit
The opposition Pheu Thai Party has cancelled its political activities in Samut Sakhon Province this Sunday, which they will resume in the New Year, according to a statement on the party’s Facebook page today (Friday). No reason was given for the abrupt cancellation of the event. Nattawut Saikua, director of the “Pheu Thai Family”, simply
The Election Commission (EC) has allocated free air time on state-run radio and television stations for political parties which won House seats in the last election to proclaim their achievements. So far, 14 parties have applied for the free air time, which will begin on Monday and continue until Friday at prearranged times between 7am
Chadchart Sittipunt made history on May 22 when he won Bangkok’s governor election with a record 1.38 million votes or 52 percent of all ballots cast. His two closest rivals received less than 10 percent each. The 1,386,769 votes won by Chadchart was the highest in a Bangkok gubernatorial election. It also saw him tipped
Six small parties announced today (Wednesday) that they will merge to form a new party to contest the next election, due to the new electoral system which will make it almost impossible for a small party to win a House seat. Dr. Ravee Maschamadol, leader the New Palangdharma Party, said today that the merger of
Former Democrat MP Nipit Intarasombut was formally presented to the media today (Tuesday) as a new member of the Palang Pracharath Party, responsible for election campaigning in Thailand’s southern provinces. On hand to welcome him were the party’s secretary-general, Santi Promphat, and two deputy leaders, Wirat Rattanaseth and Paibul Nititawan. Nipit, who recently left the
Thailand is entering “election mode” after two organic laws necessary for the next national vote were recently cleared by the Constitutional Court to be submitted for royal endorsement. The House of Representatives’ four-year term expires on March 23, but many analysts expect Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to dissolve the House early in search of political
The Bhumjaithai Party will formally open its newly-renovated head office this Friday, but many are keener to see how many defectors from the other parties will show up. It is speculated that as many as 40 MPs, from the Democrat, Palang Pracharath, Pheu Thai, Move Forward, Thai Economic and Prachachat parties, have pledged to join
