Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Thailand’s Progressive Movement has expressed hope that its draft Bill, to amend Section 147 of the Constitution and decentralise local administration, will pass its first reading inthe joint session of parliament. The joint session is expected to consider the Bill, co-signed by 765,591 people and submitted by the Progressive Movement, this late afternoon (Tuesday) or
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has indicated that he might order a minor cabinet reshuffle before the New Year. The prime minister was challenged by a group of reporters at Impact Muang Thong Thani yesterday (Monday) who asked him when he will respond to the Democrat Party’s nomination, about 7 weeks ago, of Naris Khamnurak, MP
The Dusit District Court in Bangkok acquitted six anti-establishment Ratsadon protest leaders yesterday (Monday) of defying the Emergency Decree and the law on public assembly, in connection with a protest at the Democracy Monument on August 3rd, 2020. The court did, however, find them guilty of using loudspeakers in public without permission and fined them
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan today denied he had conflict with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and admitted his Palang Pracharath Party and the newly-formed Ruam Thai Sang Chart (United Thai Nation Party) “are the same”. Prawit also said Prayut “is more than welcome” to join Ruam Thai Sang Chart. “We have been brothers. If
Thailand’s modern political history is littered with examples of parties set up, led or supported by governing military figures to serve as a democratic vehicle to legitimize their stay in power. The current ruling Palang Pracharath Party was described as one of these “pro-military” parties when it was established in March 2018, just a year
The leader of Ruam Thai Sang Chart (United Thai Nation) Party has shot down rumours that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is on the verge of joining the newly-formed political party. “All these rumours were cooked up by the media,” UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said in an interview with Thai PBS on Wednesday. Pirapan said Prayut has
The 9 judges of the Thai Constitutional Court has ruled unanimously that a Bill to amend the Political Parties Act is constitutional. A petition challenging the constitutionality of certain provisions in the Bill was submitted to Parliament President Chuan Leekpai by Senator Somjate Boonthanom in August. The senator maintained that several amendments to the Act,
All 25 protesters, arrested near the Democracy Monument yesterday (Friday) as they tried to breach a police cordon to march to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, have each been released on 20,000 baht bail. 23 protesters were released late last night and the remainder early this morning. The protesters, from the “Stop APEC 2022”
At least 25 protesters were taken into police custody this morning (Friday), following clashes with riot-control police on Din Sor Road, near the Democracy Monument, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). Several police officers, protesters and a Reuters photographer sustained minor injuries as protesters from the “Stop APEC 2022” movement tried to breach
Protesters at Lan Khon Mueang Town Square packed their belongings and dispersed this afternoon (Friday), after their attempt to march to the APEC meeting at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre was blocked by police. 25 protesters are currently in custody at Thung Song Hong police station, following clashes with the police near the town
Trairong Suwankiri’s recent appointment as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s advisor has been hailed as a potential game-changer for the PM’s political future. The veteran politician’s surprise appointment on November 9 came just days after he quit the coalition Democrat Party, where his 38-year membership saw him rise to deputy leader. Trairong claimed that he only
An anti-government protest leader said today (Thursday) that protesters may try to move closer to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, in an attempt to get APEC leaders and delegates to acknowledge that there are people in Thailand who are against the current government. Protesters will rally at Lan Khon Mueang Town Square until Friday,
