Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
New Economic party-list MP Mingkwan Saengsuwan tendered his resignation as a member of parliament in the middle of the general debate today (Thursday), saying that he has not felt happy in his legislative role for the past two years. Taking to the floor at about 5pm, Mingkwan said that he feels, after almost eight years,
Move Forward MP Padipat Suntiphada accused the government today (Thursday) of covering up the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) since October 2019, as there was an official letter issued, which was acknowledged by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit and Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Srion, ordering the setup of an ad hoc committee
The opposition Thai Liberal party leader, Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyavet, said today that the government has completely failed in political reform, lacks the sincerity needed to lead political reform, and cited several examples of tainted politicians managing to get elected to parliament, only to be stripped of their parliamentary status later and rampant money politics.
Opposition and Pheu Thai party leader Chonlanan Srikaew accused Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Thursday) of being the root cause of all the pressing problems now facing Thailand, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic slowdown, the high cost of living and the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) to the failure of political reform,
After campaigning vigorously for reform of the Thai monarchy, activist Chonthicha “Lookkate” Jangrew is now setting her sights on entering politics and becoming an MP. Introduced last Saturday as an opposition Move Forward Party candidate for the next general election, Chonthicha vowed to continue her push for monarchy reform in Parliament if elected. Chonthicha, 27,
Thailand’s Public Health Minister and Bhumjaithai Party Leader Anutin Charnvirakul maintained today (Tuesday) that Ekkarat Changlao and his son Wattana, both former MPs of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party and among 20 MPs loyal to Thammanat Prompao who were sacked from the party last month, joined his Bhumjaithai party voluntarily. “I didn’t tempt them into
A demonstration, led by political activist, Brahmasara “Fah” Viradhammajari and his partner Titat “Peter” Kuantrakul, was held at the CAT Telecom building in Bangkok today (Monday), when they intended to request a marriage license, which were being issued on Valentine’s Day. The couple also displayed a rejection letter, issued by Bang Rak district office, which
Two anti-establishment leaders have been granted bail while awaiting their trials on lèse majesté and other protest-related charges. One was released yesterday (Thursday) evening, and the other is expected to be released this evening (Friday). A court in Ayutthaya province has agreed to release Panupong “Mike” Jadnok on Friday, conditional upon him refraining from any
The collapse of three Thai House of Representatives meetings this month alone, due to the lack of a quorum, has drawn widespread criticism for allegedly improper conduct by dissident MPs, especially among the Opposition. The Kla party, led by Pongpol Yodmuangcharoen, lodged a petition signed by 8,000 people and addressed to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai
Several Thai Economic Party MPs, led by former Palang Pracharath party secretary-generalThamanat Prompow, voted with the Opposition in supporting the draft liquor bill, aimed at breaking the domestic liquor oligopoly, and opposed the proposal to send it to the cabinet for vetting. 14 out of 18 Thai Economic Party MPs voted in line with the
Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insists that his Bhumjaithai party’s relationship with the government remains good and problem-free, despite their differences over the extension of the concession contract for the operation of the BTS Skytrain, or the Green Line. Speaking on the Thai PBS “Moom Karnmuang” (Political Corner) program aired this morning (Thursday), Anutin,
Once a red-shirt leader dubbed “Isan Rambo”, Seksakol Atthawong has made yet another political pivot, leaving the ruling Palang Pracharath to join a new party aiming to secure Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to power after the next general election. Currently a vice-minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Seksakol disclosed on Monday (Jan 7) that
