Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Thailand’s opposition Move Forward Party is urging members of the public to voice their support for the party’s draft Progressive Liquor Bill openly and to share the party’s view on this issue on social media, according to party leader Pita Limjaroenrat. In his Instagram post today (Wednesday), Pita explained the five reasons why the Move
The Krue Se and Tak Bai massacres in Thailand’s south in 2004, during Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s administration, are set to be revisited in the trial in the Criminal Court of a libel case, filed by the fugitive former prime minister against House Speaker Chuan Leekpai. The case was filed many years ago, after Chuan
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday blamed what he described as a collusion among some military officers for the incident in the conflict-ridden south of Thailand in 2004 in which as many as 85 people died in an army operation. Despite demands by human rights groups for him to be held responsible, Thaksin denied
The Thai Constitutional Court voted 7-2 today (Wednesday) to dissolve the Thairaktham Party, as recommended by the Election Commission, after finding that the party had breached the Political Parties Act by giving valuables or other benefits to persuade people to join their ranks. The dissolution of Thairaktham, a micro party with only one seat in
The Cannabis Bill, which has been reviewed by the House Scrutiny Committee, addresses all the concerns raised by both the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties, said Suphachai Jaismut, head of the committee and a party-list MP for the Bhumjaithai Party. He said that the committee had thoroughly reviewed the controversial Bill and addressed concerns over
Solo political activist Srisuwan Janya was physically attacked this morning (Tuesday), as he was giving an interview to the media, while he was at the office of Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) to lodge a complaint against Udom Taephanich, a stand-up comedian well known for his comedy series “Deaw 1-13”. The attacker approached Srisuwan and
Opposition parties plan to ask Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) to dissolve the Bhumjaithai Party, for alleged violation of the Political Parties Act, over its policy to decriminalise cannabis. Opposition leader Chonlanan Srikaew said on Monday that the Bhumjaithai Party’s flagship policy was designed to curry favour among the people for political gain, which is against
Newly-elected leader of the Chart Pattana Kla Party, Korn Chatikavanij, has vowed to overhaul the Thai economy and bureaucracy, to bring prosperity and a better future for all Thais, with its motto “Dare to think and act anew”. In his Facebook post yesterday (Sunday), he said he will open up better opportunities for the Thai
The Move Forward Party, a political party known for its anti-establishment stance, has proposed a series of reforms as its platform for the next general elections that include amending the lese majeste law and military downsizing. The party calls for amnesty for political offences and those jailed for violating Article 112 of the penal code
Although officially out of politics, Newin Chidchob appears to be playing the role of kingmaker for prime ministerial candidate Anutin Charnvirakul from the coalition Bhumjaithai Party. Newin took the same role in December 2008 after defecting from the camp loyal to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to help the rival Democrat Party form a new
Thailand’s anti-establishment Ratsadon group is demanding the dissolution of the House of Representatives, before the end of the House’s 4-year term in March, so that a general election can be held. In a statement, issued today (Thursday) to mark the 46th anniversary of the October 6th political tragedy in 1976, the group urged the Constitutional
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired his first Cabinet meeting today (Wednesday) at Government House after being absent since the Constitutional Court suspended him from active duty pending a ruling on his 8-year term in the office. Last Friday, the Constitutional Court ruled by 6-3 that the prime minister’s term has not expired, as it should
