Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
The Bangkok South Criminal Court decided to extend bail this afternoon (Wednesday) for Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, a key leader of the anti-establishment Ratsadon protest group, until May 25th, and eased restrictions on her movements as well. The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said that the court’s decision has spared Rung from being sent back
Thailand’s cabinet yesterday (Tuesday) endorsed the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) plan to buy four fighter jets, at an estimated cost of 13.8 billion baht, to replace its fleet of aging F-16 Falcon jets, which have been in service for about four decades. The spending will be spread over the next four fiscal years. Air
Thailand’s opposition Pheu Thai party is to grill the government in parliament, alleging a cover-up over the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Thailand, which has reportedly spread to 56 provinces since last March, resulting in the cull of almost 160,000 pigs. The cabinet approved a 574 million baht budget today (Tuesday) to be used
Election candidates from various parties and their supporters showed up in high spirits this morning (Thursday) at Bangkok’s Laksi district office on the first day of candidate registration for the by-election in Bangkok’s Constituency 9, scheduled for January 30th. The by-election is being held to fill the seat left by Sira Jenjaka, of the ruling
Chadchart Sittipunt, transport minister in the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, remains the leading contender in the Bangkok gubernatorial election this year, according to the latest opinion poll conducted by Thailand’s National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). NIDA conducted its 9th poll from December 23rd to 25th by telephone, surveying 1,317 people from various
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has approved a proposal by the KLA Party to set up a special panel of experts to screen lèse majesté complaints filed with the police, to determine whether they should proceed, said KLA Party Secretary-General Atavit Suwannapakdee today (Sunday). He referred to his debate with Piyabutr Saengkanokkul of the Progressive
The Speaker of Thailand’s House of Representatives, Chuan Leekpai, has complained about opposition MPs playing games in parliament, causing House meetings to be abruptly suspended due to the lack of a quorum. While admitting that the tactic has been used before by the opposition, to get back at the government, he said that he feels
Pheu Thai Party leader Chonlanan Srikaew called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Saturday) to dissolve parliament and hold a general election to pave the way for a peaceful transfer of power to a new government elected through fully democratic means. He predicted that the coming year will be a rough ride for the government
Former Bangkok Governor Bhichit Rattakul has decided to join former Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt’s team in his gubernatorial campaign. The former Democrat was in the company of Chadchart’s team today (Sunday), during a tour by boat along the Pitthayalongkorn Canal, to visit people in Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian district and to study erosion caused by
Friday’s meeting in the Thai parliament was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum, as some opposition MPs boycotted the meeting, or deliberately did not declare their presence, in apparent retaliation against government MPs. Opposition Pheu Thai MP Julapun Amornvivat told the House that it is the responsibility of the government, not the opposition,
Anurak Tangpanithanon, a Pheu Thai MP for Mukdahan province, has been barred from working as a legislator, effective from yesterday (Wednesday), after the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders accepted a case alleging corruption, filed against him by Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NACC alleged that Anurak committed a gross violation of
Thailand’s House of Representatives today (Wednesday) rejected two bills aimed at repealing all announcements and orders, deemed to be violations of the principles of human rights and democracy, issued by the military junta, officially known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). One of the bills was proposed by Director of Internet Law
