Thailand Politics News & Analysis — Page 188

Amnesty, Rung Panusaya seek end to alleged Thai Government human rights violations

Today (Monday), anti-establishment protest leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, along with activists from Amnesty International Thailand, submitted over 28,000 signatures, gathered through a change.org campaign, to a representative of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha seeking an end to alleged violations of human rights by government officials. Director of Amnesty International Thailand, Piyanuch Kotsan, revealed that Amnesty International’s

01 Nov 2021

Pheu Thai party changes stance, now supports changes to lèse majesté law

Thailand’s opposition Pheu Thai party has openly declared its support for amendment of the country’s strict lèse majesté law (Section 112 of the Criminal Code), and sedition (Section 116), the Computer Crime Act and the Emergency Decree currently in force, by having them submitted to parliament for consideration. The announcement, by Chaikasem Nitisiri, the party’s

01 Nov 2021

Anti-establishment protesters rally in Bangkok to demand repeal of lèse majesté law

Anti-establishment protesters, which included the Ratsadon group, LBGT supporters and Talufah members, rallied in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong shopping district this afternoon (Sunday) to demand the repeal of the country’s controversial lèse majesté law (Penal Code §112) and the release of their core members currently being held on remand at various locations on the lèse majesté charges.

31 Oct 2021

Public health can aid proactive Thai diplomacy

A carefully-crafted national public health plan with proactive diplomacy can help Thailand to participate in global health development and deal with emerging diseases in the coming decades, suggested a panel of experts. The strategy will reposition health spending, not as a burden but as an investment in the country’s health infrastructure and exports. “But the thinking,

30 Oct 2021

‘Phra Kiew’ parade: How Thailand’s oldest university became epicentre of country’s bitter political divide

Thailand’s oldest and arguably most prestigious seat of learning, Chulalongkorn University (CU) has undergone a transformation in recent years, as witnessed in controversial decisions made by its student union. The latest concerning the university’s symbol, the Phra Kiew coronet, has triggered a bitter clash of opinions between conservatives and liberals, royalists and reformists –

31 Oct 2021

Nationwide ban on public gatherings declared in Thailand from Nov 1

To pre-empt protests by anti-government groups, which may disrupt Thailand’s reopening to foreign travellers on Monday, Armed Forces Commander General Chalermpol Srisawat, who is in charge of overseeing security during the current “emergency situation”, issued a ban on Thursday on public gatherings or activities which may risk the spread of COVID-19 or increase public suffering.

29 Oct 2021

Paetongtarn Shinawatra: the new heir of Thailand’s controversial political dynasty

After seven years out of government, the Shinawatra family appears to be keen on making a comeback. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin, made a surprise appearance at the opposition Pheu Thai Party’s general meeting in the northeastern Khon Kaen province on Thursday (Oct 28). Introduced by outgoing party leader Sompong

30 Oct 2021

Chonlanan Srikaew picked as new Pheu Thai leader, Thaksin’s youngest daughter joins as advisor

Dr. Chonlanan Srikaew, a Pheu Thai party MP for Nan province, has been picked as the new party leader, soon after Sompong Amornvivat resigned as the leader of Thailand’s biggest Opposition party, today (Thursday). Chonlanan was also one of the party’s deputy leaders before being the only candidate nominated for the top job and selected.

28 Oct 2021

Rift in Palang Pracharat party resolved, says party’s deputy leader

Internal conflict within Palang Pracharat, Thailand’s core government party, was resolved at a meeting on Wednesday between the party leader, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, and the party’s MPs, according to Wirat Rattanaseth, the party’s deputy leader today (Thursday). The rift pitted one powerful faction, led by party secretary-general Thammanat Prompao, against another loyal to

28 Oct 2021

Sacked Pheu Thai MP, fellow ex-party member join Bhumjaithai party

Sacked Pheu Thai MP for Pathum Thani province, Pornpimon Thammasarn, and a former Pheu Thai MP for Ubon Ratchathani province, Sombat Rattano, officially applied to join the Bhumjaithai party, the second biggest party in the government coalition, today (Tuesday). The two were welcomed by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Bhumjaithai, and Supachai

26 Oct 2021

Thai Foreign Policy Webinar Series

Thailand still has opportunities to rejuvenate its foreign policy and diplomacy, which have fallen to their “lowest point” in living memory, despite the need to play a role amid intense superpower rivalry and geopolitical disorder, a panel of experts said. Words such as “go with the flow”, “missing in action”, “excessive defensiveness”, “lacking backbone”, “lack

22 Oct 2021

Charter Court rules in favour of PPRP's Paiboon Nititawan

The Constitutional Court ruled today (Wednesday), by a majority, that Paiboon Nititawan, a former MP of the dissolved People Reform Party and currently an MP and a deputy leader of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party, retains his parliamentary status, on the grounds that he has not violated any provisions of the Constitution, as claimed by

20 Oct 2021

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