Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
The executive subcommittee of Thailand’s Medical Council issued a statement on Monday voicing opposition to violation of the law and the use of provocative acts and excessive force by all sides in the current political conflict. The subcommittee, chaired by Professor Dr. Somsri Paosawat, the chair of the Medical Council, also urged all sides to
Ratsadon protest leader Atthapol Buapat announced an end of today’s protest at about 8.30pm, but warned that an even larger group would return in a week if their four leaders, currently being held on remand, are not released. Followers of the anti-establishment group first converged today at the Democracy Monument, where they wrapped the monument
Eleven small pro-government parties have opted out of a meeting of coalition parties, scheduled today (Saturday) and tomorrow, to make preparations for the defence of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and nine other ministers to be censured by opposition MPs in the parliament on Monday until Thursday. Dr. Ravee Matchamadol, a party-list MP and leader of
Pol. Lt. General Pakkapong Pongpetra, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, insists that police did not use teargas, rubber bullets or high pressure water cannon at the protest site yesterday (February 13th). Pakkapong said, however, that 23 police officers were injured, mostly by a ping-pong bomb blast. 11 people were arrested for inciting public unrest
Followers of the anti-establishment Ratsadon group took to Rajdamnoen Avenue, near the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, for protest called “Count One to One Million to Reclaim People’s Power”. The highlight of this latest political demonstration is a 30 x30 metre red cloth, which was placed on the road as organizers urged people to write their
The Thai parliament will press ahead with deliberation ofcharter amendment bills for their second reading, scheduled for February 24th and 25th, without waiting for a ruling from the Constitutional Court, government chief whip Wirat Rattanaseth said on Friday. On Tuesday, the joint session of parliament voted 366:316 to seek a ruling from the court on
Thailand’s opposition Kao Klai party announced today (Wednesday) that it will propose the decriminalization of defamation and reduction of penalties for acts of lèse majesté. Accompanied by party MPs, Kao Klai party leader Pita Limjaroenrat told the media that they will propose a set of five bills to parliament, including one eliminating imprisonment as a
Anti-establishment Ratsadon followers rallied at the Pathumwan skywalk at about 4pm on Wednesday to protest the court sanctioned detention, at Bangkok’s remand prison, of their four leaders on lèse majesté and other charges. The protesters then marched to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, where speakers took turns lambasting the government for its alleged mishandling
Nine of the opposition Kao Klai party’s MPs have refused to sign up in support of the party’s proposed amendments to the country’s lèse majesté law. 44 MPs, led by party leader Pita Limjaroenrat have, however, agreed to support bill, which seeks to reduce the penalties for breaches of the lèse majesté law. The nine
Thai public prosecutors have decided to indict four key members of the anti-establishment Ratsadon group on multiple charges, including lèse majesté and incitement of unrest, for their roles in the September 19th and 20th protests at Thammasat University and Sanam Luang. The four Ratsadon leaders include Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Anont Nampa, Patiwat Saraiyam alias Mor
The Khlong Luang district police, in Thailand’s Pathum Thani, have decided to drop plans to seek a court order to remand 22 anti-establishment Ratsadon members in custody, pending further investigation. The political activists, including leading figures Parit “Penguin” Chinvarak, Panasaya Sitthijirawattanakul and Panupong Jardnok, alias Mike Rayong, were summoned to the Khlong Luang district police
Representatives of government and opposition parties reached agreement on Friday that the censure debate against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and ten cabinet ministers will last from February 16th to 19th, with opposition parties having 42 hours of speaking time. Also present at the meeting were House Speaker Chuan Leekpai and one of his deputies, Mr.
