Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Natthaporn Toprayoon, a former advisor to the ombudsman, is seeking a ruling from Thailand’s Constitutional Court on whether public statements, made by leaders of anti-establishment groups concerning the monarchy at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus on August 10th last year, amount to an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy. The Constitutional Court is due to issue
Thailand’s Constitutional Court today (Wednesday), ruled that anti-establishment leaders Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, Anon Nampa and Panupong “Mike” Jadnok are guilty of trying to overthrow the country’s constitutional monarchy, stating that the monarchy cannot be violated and that the group has incited disunity with dishonest intent. The three protest leaders were accused of exercising their right
Exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has voiced support for changes to the country’s controversial lèse majesté law (Section 112 of the Criminal Code), especially the maximum 15-year prison term, which he says is too heavy. Thaksin’s opinion on this sensitive issue was released online via the page of the “CARE” group of his supporters.
A shocking act of violence shattered the atmosphere in Chulalongkorn University’s auditorium 68 years ago. Jit Poumisak, then a third-year Arts student and editor of CU’s “University” periodical, was addressing a crowd of 3,000 students when he was grabbed by three angry Engineering seniors and flung to the ground two meters below. Jit was on
BANGKOK – The Prayut government is being called upon to formalise cross border humanitarian assistance to crisis-hit Myanmar through the Thai Red Cross. The call was made at the third Thai foreign policy webinar series on “ASEAN’s Future and Crisis in Myanmar” last Thursday, jointly hosted by the Surin Pitsuwan Foundation, Chiang Mai University’s School
According to a recent survey, Chadchart Sittipunt, transport minister in the government of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, is the current front runner in the race for Bangkok governor, with the election to be held in February or March next year. The 7th survey, by Thailand’s National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), was taken on
The opposition Pheu Thai Party’s MP Chirayu Huangsap challenged Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Friday) to dissolve the House of Representatives after many government MPs and ministers missed House meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, resulting in a lack of a quorum. During a press conference at parliament this morning, the Bangkok MP said that the
Pheu Thai Party MP for Chiang Rai, Pichet Chuamuangphan, was ordered by House Speaker Chuan Leekpai to clean the floor of the parliament chamber today (Thursday). He had thrown rice on the floor to protest Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit’s unavailability to respond to his question about low rice prices. During
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has made clear that his government will not amend the country’s controversial lèse majesté law, as is being demanded by some opposition parties and anti-establishment groups. Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said today (Thursday) that the prime minister told his cabinet that his government will not amend the law and will
New Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew appears to have acknowledged he won’t be a prime ministerial candidate for the opposition party at the next general election. The five-time MP also agrees that political novice Paetongtarn Shinawatra – the youngest daughter of ex-premier and Pheu Thai patriarch Thaksin – will likely be one of the party’s
Thailand’s opposition Move Forward Party announced its determination to push for amendments of the lèse majesté law (Section 112 of the Criminal Code), warning that, if the law remains in its present form, resentment and resistance may escalate to breaking point, resulting in repeal. At a press conference held at Parliament today (Wednesday), which was
A Thammasat University engineering student and aspiring astronaut was sentenced to six months in prison today (Monday) for contempt of the court and for “causing disunity” in the country. The six-month imprisonment is the heaviest penalty for such offence. According to the charge sheet, Benja Apan, a key member of an anti-establishment group called “United
