Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Ousted fugitive former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wrote on her Facebook page today (Saturday) saying it was bitter and hurtful to see the Thai people failed by the junta led government, seven years after the military backed National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) took power. “Throughout the past seven years, I feel hurt and
Thailand’s Corrections Department said today (Thursday) that anti-establishment protest leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul did not contract COVID-19 in detention, after the 22-year-old announced her infection yesterday. Panusaya was in quarantine between April 23rd and May 5th, and that “100%” active screening has been conducted at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution, where she was held, said
22-year-old anti-establishment protest leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul has contracted COVID-19, according to her social media post today (Wednesday), almost a week after her release on bail. Panusaya revealed this morning that she just learned that she had tested positive for COVID-19 and had started developing symptoms last night. Charting her movements, to alert those who
Thailand’s Appeals Court today (Tuesday) upheld the verdict of the Nakhon Si Thammarat provincial court, in sentencing former Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong and his brother Manote to two years in prison without suspension and suspending their election rights for ten years, for election fraud. The brothers were found guilty last year of fraud in the
The opposition Move Forward Party is working on a bill, to be submitted to the House of Representatives, seeking to amend the Criminal Code to prevent law enforcement officers from distorting the law in a way which could benefit or cause damage to the accused or defendants. The proposed amendment seeks to heavily penalise law
Anti-establishment protest leader Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak and singer-turned-activist Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan, who have been indicted on lèse majesté charges, were granted conditional bail today (Tuesday). The pair, who had been denied bail several times, were required, by the Bangkok Criminal Court, to refrain from joining activities that could cause unrest, harming the reputation of the monarchy
While for outsiders Anwar Salaeh is a rebel MP, most of his fellow Democrats consider him a black sheep for his role as an opponent of both his party and the government it supports. The 50-year-old politician from Pattani has been a headache for Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit ever since the party joined the military-backed
A Chiang Mai University student has slashed his chest with a razor blade in protest against the country’s lèse majesté law this morning (Tuesday). The incident, with the cut made in the shape of “112″, happened when the student arrived at Phu Ping Ratchanivet police station to acknowledge charges of an alleged violation of Section
As an academic, Anek Laothamatas made his name with a “Tale of Two Democracies”, which explores the divide in Thai society between the rural and urban sectors. But in his role as a minister, Anek has become an enemy of the student-led movement that is seeking democratic change to Thailand’s status quo. His recent attitude
A protest group leader, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, was released from the Central Women’s Correctional Institute yesterday (Thursday) evening, after the Criminal Court granted her conditional bail. The court granted bail after Panusaya agreed to the conditions imposed by the court, supported by assurances from her parents and the vice rector for student affairs of Thammasat
Anti-establishment Ratsadon group leader Anon Nampa, currently being held on remand at Bangkok Remand Prison awaiting trial on lèse majesté and other charges, has been found to be infected with COVID-19 and is now being treated at the Corrections Department’s hospital. Today (Thursday), Thawatchai Chaiwat, deputy director-general and spokesperson of the Corrections Department, confirmed earlier
Thai social media has lit up with heated debate about citizens who have vowed to leave the country over growing frustration with the government’s COVID-19 vaccination policy. Both sides of the political divide, including scholars and political analysts, have been trading barbs and arguments since the launch of the “Yai Prathet Kan Ther” (Let’s Move
