Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Police are considering taking legal action against the parents of young protesters who vandalised public property during recent protests in Bangkok. Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Pol Maj-Gen Piya Tavichai told a news briefing today (Thursday) that several of the suspected vandals are teenagers and some had previouslybeen arrested for similar offences, adding that this is
A red-shirt politician loyal to self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has suddenly emerged as co-leader of a campaign to oust embattled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in an apparent collaboration between anti-establishment protesters and Thaksin supporters. Nattawut Saikuar, a former deputy commerce minister from the opposition Pheu Thai Party, joined a “car mob” rally in Bangkok
For the second day in a row leaderless hardcore protesters fought battles with crowd control police on the streets of Bangkok today (Wednesday), from the Victory Monument to Din Daeng intersection. The protesters used slingshots, bricks, and giant firecrackers against the authorities. Today’s protest, organized by the “Talu Fah” group, which is closely linked to
The Thai police claim that their use of enhanced crowd control measures, including water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets, during Tuesday’s anti-establishment protest in Bangkok was necessary and in line with standard practices, because hardcore elements among the protesters turned violent and used explosives. 48 people, including 15 minors, were arrested. A police investigation
Hard-core anti-establishment protesters fought street battles with the police, throwing their “ping pong” bombs, bricks and other hard objects, in response to the police use of teargas, water cannons and rubber bullets at Din Daeng intersection in Bangkok, which was the scene of similar clashes during a protest organised by the Free Youth movement on
Thailand’s Civil Court rejected an application for an injunction forbidding the police from using rubber bullets against anti-establishment protesters, citing the necessity under the State of Emergency to bring “emergencies” under control, but has instructed police officers to exercise greater caution. The application was submitted by two journalists, who were hit by rubber bullets while
Anti-establishment protest leader Anon Nampa’s bail request with the police was rejected today (Tuesday), with police saying his temporary release would obstruct the investigation and there is a tendency the human rights lawyer and activist would continue his activism. Facing the charges of lèse-majesté and violation of the Emergency Decree, over his repeated call for
Anti-government protesters, led by the “United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration” group on Tuesday issued five demands, and urged all officials to rebel against the government and all businesses to stop supporting the government. Their demands are: Contain the COVID-19 pandemic and return the country to normality Solve economic problems Revoke the existing Constitution which
The Thai Mai Thon (Impatient Thais) political group lodged a petition with the Central Administrative Court today (Monday) asking it to hold an emergency hearing on COVID-19 vaccine procurement restrictions and to allow the private sector and local administration organizations to import alternative vaccines for use in Thailand. Led by Dr. Kamonpan Chivapansri and Suradet
Thai political activist Srisuwan Janya lodged a complaint with the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) police this morning (Monday), seeking legal action against administrators of the “Youth & Direct Democracy TH” Facebook page for posting images of Thai protesters in a German town, allegedly containing messages deemed to insult and intimidate the Thai monarchy. He
Anti-establishment Ratsadon group leader Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak and another member of the group, Nutchanon Pairote, reported to the police at the Royal Thai Police HQ in Bangkok this afternoon (Sunday), in response to arrest warrants issued by the Tanyaburi provincial court in Pathum Thani province. The warrants for their arrests were requested by the Khlong
Outnumbered by police, anti-government protesters, who had converged at the Democracy Monument before 1pm for a planned march to the Grand Palace and the Government House,were forced to change target locations. Armed with protective shields, crowd control police advanced in formation toward the protesters gathering around the monument,to seize the ground before the arrival of
