Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Despite being coerced into reshuffling his Cabinet by factions in the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has at least succeeded in resisting pressure from political veterans and stamping his authority on the ministerial selection. Observers, however, see his first Cabinet shake-up as only a temporary end to the tug-of-war within the core
A defiant Thammasat University student union is maintaining that the views expressed during the protest rally at the university’s Rangsit campus on Monday night, including allegedly improper references to the Monarchy, are legitimate and in line with the Thai Constitution and international rules regarding political rights. In an undated statement, the union voiced sympathy for
Deputy Attorney-General Nate Narksook, who endorsed the public prosecutors’ decision not to prosecute Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya on a charge of reckless driving causing death, has tendered his resignation. A statement from the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG), released today, said that he had submitted his resignation letter to the Attorney-General, Mr. Wongsakul Kittipromwong,
The Government is ready to hold a forum, tentatively in mid-August, to allow student activists to voice their political views and grievances, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Tuesday). He added that similar fora will be held in various places and the views expressed by the students will be collated and forwarded to him for
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, said today (Tuesday) that he feels uncomfortable with the rally at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus last night, during which some speakers touched on “sensitive issues”, which has provoked widespread criticism of the University. He made his comments during a 75th birthday party for Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, held
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday, making history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket and acknowledging the vital role Black voters will play in his bid to defeat President Donald Trump. In choosing Harris, Biden is
MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Election officials in Belarus said Monday that the country’s longtime authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has won his sixth consecutive presidential term, taking over 80% of the votes. Human rights groups said one person was killed and dozens were injured in a police crackdown on protests that followed Sunday’s vote. The
Thai PBS has obtained a transcript, purporting to be of a phone conversation between Mr. Sakda Wichiensilp, Director-General of Thailand’s Ground Water Resources Department, and an unidentified MP. The MP allegedly demanded five million baht in kickbacks from Mr. Sakda, in exchange for approval, by a panel of the House Budget Scrutiny Committee, of the
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan faces an increasingly difficult position as China pressures the democratic island to accept conditions that would turn it into the next Hong Kong, its top diplomat told visiting U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar on Tuesday. Azar arrived in Taiwan on Sunday as the highest-level U.S. official to visit in four
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister, Buddhipongse Punnakan, has warned protesters to refrain from offending the Monarchy, as pro-democracy and royalist groups rallied in front of Parliament this morning (Monday). While recognizing their right to free expression, he asked the demonstrators in both camps to obey the law and to refrain from doing anything,
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested on Monday over suspected collusion with foreign forces under the new national security law in a wide-ranging police operation, the highest-profile arrest yet under the legislation. Lai, 71, has been one of the most prominent democracy activists in the Chinese-ruled city and
Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Woravuth Silpa-archa, has urged student activists to be patient, pointing out that not all their demands can be met at once. Student activist groups, from across the country, have been demanding the dissolution of Parliament, a new Constitution and an end to Government harassment of anti-government activists. The Minister
