Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Criticism of the government, as well as calls for faster and more procurements of certain COVID-19 vaccine brands, are allowed, as long as they are based on facts, Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri, and Deputy Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek assured the media and the public today (Friday). A government order banning dissemination of fake and distorted news
Anti-government protesters, who call themselves the “Talu Fah” group, gathered in front of Bhumjaithai party’s head office in Bangkok today (Friday), demanding that the party withdraw from the coalition government. The protesters, led by Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, aka “Pai Dao Din”, read out a statement, demanding Bhumjaithai leave the coalition, saying its participation has helped sustain
The Thai government has barred media from disseminating fake or distorted news and news that could stir fear regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, effective from today (Friday), with a threat of censorship if violations are made. Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha signed the restriction order, which was published in the Royal Gazette yesterday. According to the
The National Press Council of Thailand, the News Broadcast Council of Thailand, the Thai Journalists Association, the Online News Providers Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association and the National Union of Journalists of Thailand issued a joint statement today (Wednesday) demanding that the government lift all restrictions, imposed under the Emergency Decree, on freedom of
Once a darling of the anti-establishment movement, Nuttaa “Bow” Mahattana is now being denounced as a traitor to the cause – though the human rights activist insists she is just being herself. She came under fire from netizens after publicly criticizing prominent figures in the protest movement, which has been demanding reform of the monarchy
As many as 25 Thai celebrities have been or are being investigated over their criticism of the government and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, especially concerning the currently inadequate national vaccine rollout and other pandemic measures, said Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Pol Maj-Gen Piya Tavichai today (Thursday). The trend of celebrities calling out the
Thirteen anti-establishment protesters were formally indicted by public prosecutors this morning (Thursday) on lèse majesté and sedition charges, in accordance with Sections 112 and 116 of the Thai Criminal Code, for their roles in the protest in front of the German Embassy in Bangkok on October 26th last year. Among the accused named by the
A rider working for a food delivery app was arrested last night (Monday) at his home in Pathum Thani’s Rangsit area, after an alleged attempt to set fire to a royal portrait during the anti-government protest on Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Nok Road on Sunday. Caught on camera pouring petrol on and setting fire to the base
Police have fired water cannons at anti-government protesters, as they tried to break through barricades and razor wire at Pan Fah Bridge, erected to prevent them from reaching Government House. About 15 protest groups, led by the Free Youth movement, gathered at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument at about 2pm and formed a procession, which then moved
An anti-government protest leader announced an end to the protest near the Government House at about 6.30pm this evening (Sunday) after several hours facing-off against crowd control police, who fired water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets in an attempt to break up the rally when some hard-core protesters tried to force their way through
Anti-government Thai Mai Thon (Impatient Thais) protesters rallied in the resort town of Pattaya this afternoon (Saturday), to repeat demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The protesters, most of them riding motorcycles with some driving cars, converged in front of King Taksin the Great’s shrine on the beach road, near Pattaya Soi
Debutant MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn from the opposition Move Forward Party has campaigned relentlessly for full disclosure of the government’s vaccine procurement contracts, insisting that transparency is vital in the fight against COVID-19. The National Vaccine Institute recently responded by sending Move Forward a copy of a contract for the purchase of 26 million AstraZeneca doses.
