Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
The Ratsadon group will hold an exhibition and public discussions on the lèse majesté law, or Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, at the October 14 Memorial at Kok Wua intersection tomorrow, December 10th, which is the annual Constitution Day in Thailand. Protest leader Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak has assured that the anti-establishment protesters will not
Royalist politician Warong Dechgitvigrom has called for the “temporary return” of absolute power to His Majesty the King in order to “design a new system of politics”. This renewed call for Royal intervention in Thai political crises comes amid growing tension between royalists and anti-establishment protesters calling for monarchy reform. Parliament’s effort to reconcile the
The apparent showdown between Jatuporn Prompan and his Pheu Thai bosses is just the tip of the chaotic parliamentary iceberg. While the ultimate political landscape, divided into two clashing camps, remains unchanged for now, a microscopic scrutiny of each political party reveals highly unhealthy pictures, some of which can lead to disastrous consequences. Pheu Thai
In recent weeks, the public appearances of Their Majesties King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida have been more than just a part of the royal functions. They have become a rare opportunity for many Thais to display their loyalty to the institution which is being increasingly challenged by young anti-government activists. Though the crowds of
On the surface, the sudden exit of Pheu Thai’s once-powerful chief strategist Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan was due to party infighting. However, political analysts say her departure is part of a long-term strategy to win more seats for Pheu Thai at the next election. Related story: The sudden fall of Sudarat, Thaksin’s right-hand woman Sudarat last week
Thailand’s governing parties are fielding three candidates for seats on the 21-member Reconciliation Committee, initiated by parliament to resolve the current political conflict. According to the Office of the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives, it has received the names of Nirote Sunthornlekha, of Palang Pracharat party, Sora-ath Klinprathum of Bhumjaithai party and Thoedpong Chaiyanan
The United States has the White House and the UK has 10 Downing Street, but in Thailand it is Ban Phitsanulok that serves as the national leader’s official residence. However, over the past four decades, only two Thai prime ministers have actually lived there – with one of them just for a few days. General Prayut Chan-o-cha,
A group of US senators, including Thai-born Tammy Duckworth, have introduced a resolution to show solidarity and support for freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in Thailand in the face of the ongoing anti-government protests. “At a time when democracy is under assault from so many quarters it is critical that the United States
A complaint was lodged with the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) by Thailand’s Constitutional Court today against protest leader Parit Chiwarak, aka “Penguin”, and other core members of the Ratsadon group, for allegedly making insulting remarks about the court during the protest at Lat Phrao intersection on Wednesday. On that day, the Constitutional Court, by
Wednesday’s court verdict in favour of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha increases the likelihood of him staying in power at least until his term ends. The Constitutional Court unanimously ruled Prayut “not guilty” of a conflict of interest by staying on in an Army residence after retirement, clearing him to remain in office. The verdict
Students have been grumbling about school uniforms for ages in Thailand. But few people imagined they would be brave enough to challenge strict dress-code rules by wearing casual clothes to class. In scenes that shocked many observers, hundreds of students broke long-held rules by abandoning their uniforms at the start of the new semester on
Anti-establishment protesters have raised the ante in their ongoing protests for reform of the monarchy, by targeting HM the King’s finances and links with the Army. On November 25, they rallied outside the headquarters of Siam Commercial Bank, in which the King is the major shareholder. An earlier plan to rally at the Crown Property
