Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
2020 brought a completely new kind of protest to Thailand – anti-establishment rallies that truly belong to the digital age. Tech-savvy young protesters relied on social media to spread their message, schedule demonstrations and communicate with each other. In a battle of wits against the powers-that-be, the youngsters employed tools both old and new –
The anti-establishment movement appears to have reached a crossroads after a clash over “democracy” versus “communism” erupted between its core groups. While the ideological clash may weaken their battle against the powers-that-be, analysts point out that disputes within a “leaderless” protest movement are natural given it is made up of various allies with different standpoints.
The year 2020 saw many changes in Thailand’s political landscape, highlighted by shake-ups in major parties. Though only months had passed since the 2019 election, parties and politicians were unable to avoid political upheaval in which they and their strategies were overhauled. Future Forward gone but not forgotten It started on February 21 with a
The coalition of six opposition parties have again confirmed their decision not to join the parliament-initiated Reconciliation Committee, established to resolve the current political conflict. Speaking on behalf of the opposition, after a meeting this morning, Pheu Thai party leader Sompong Amornvivat told the media that the coalition will not join the committee, unless the
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Progressive Movement, on Monday conceded defeat in the just-concluded nation-wide elections of provincial administration organizations (PAO) which dealt a crushing blow to the group’s ambition to make an inroad into local politics. None of the candidates for PAO chairmanship it fielded in as many as 42 provinces was elected. In
Denouncing sexual violence, demanding abortion reform and destigmatising sex work –- once-taboo issues are finding public expression in Thailand as women take up leadership roles in a youth-led pro-democracy movement. On the protest frontlines, they are urging for gender equality in a kingdom where workplaces and politics are still dominated by men. AFP met three
The Thai government has hit back at the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), claiming that the country’s lèse majesté law (Section 112 of the Criminal Code) does not restrict the rights and liberties of the Thai people, but protects the rights and reputation of the Thai Monarchy, which is in line with laws
Voters around Thailand go to the polls this coming Sunday (December 20) to elect chiefs and other members of provincial administrative organisations (PAOs). The first local elections since 2012 come after political activities were suspended following the May 2014 military coup. Chiefs and other members of PAOs who completed their four-year terms while the post-coup junta was
Protest leader Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak has distanced himself from the Free Youth group, insisting that their recent advocacy of republicanism and communism does not reflect the Ratsadon group’s political ideology. He said that he is not a member of the Free Youth group, but a member of the United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration and
The draconian lèse majesté law is back in the spotlight after at least 41 people were slapped with royal defamation charges in relation to anti-establishment protests over the past few weeks. The move to resume charging people with lese majeste after a two-year hiatus followed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s declaration in November that “all relevant
The Seri Ruam Thai party leader says he is supportive of the lèse majesté law, or Section 112 of the Criminal Code, for its role in protecting the Monarchy, but he suggested that the law must be amended to prevent its use for political persecution. Party leader Seripisut Temiyavet said today that Section 112 must
Protesters have closed Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue outbound and erected several small stages for speakers. The protest site covers the area around the Democracy monument and all the way to the October 14 Memorial. Speakers on each stage are discussing different issues and demands, such as the prime minister’s resignation, a new Constitution, reform of
