Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Twenty-four former members of the red-shirt movement, or the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), including several core leaders, were today (Wednesday) acquitted by the Criminal Court of terrorism charges due to insufficient evidence. The 24 ex-UDD members included former UDD chairman Veerakarn Musikapong, UDD chairman Chatuporn Promphan, UDD secretary-general Natthawut Saikua, Weng Tochirakarn,
The three toxic chemicals used as herbicides, namely paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, must be banned within this year, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday. “I would like to ask if we have to wait for more people to die (from these toxic chemicals),” he said. Previously, the Agriculture Ministry was against a complete
Thailand’s national police chief, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, is expected to decide today (Wednesday) whether to transfer the case involving two suspects, held in police custody in connection with the bombing and arson attacks in Bangkok early this month, to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police. An informed police source said that the CSD had
All 13 smaller parties in the coalition government, with the exception of the Thai Civilized Party, are still with the government, said Deputy Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao today (Tuesday). Thammanat, Palang Pracharat party’s strategic chief for the northern region, said that, of all the smaller coalition parties, the Prachachon Patiroop, the Rak Puenpa Prathet Thai,
Deputy Agriculture Minister Manunya Thaiseth has given an assurance that three hazardous herbicides, which are widely used in Thailand and are strongly opposed consumer and civic groups, will be banned within this year. She disclosed Friday that she had ordered a suspension of the granting of permits for, or registration of paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate,
The Serbian government has granted Serbian citizenship to fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, according to a Reuters report on Thursday. Quoting local media in Serbia, Reuters said that the Serbian government decided to grant Serbian citizenship to Ms. Yingluck, citing the provision in the law which entitles foreigners to be granted Serbian citizenship if
Communication problems among the ruling coalition parties are being blamed for the government’s first defeat in the lower House on Thursday, which concerned House regulation No 9 regarding the House speaker’s impartiality. The opposition won the vote to have House regulation No 9 amended to mandate the House speaker’s impartiality in his/her performance of duty
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is being advised to seek a Royal pardon, and request an opportunity to retake the oath in an audience with His Majesty the King, by Mr. Jate Dhonavanik, a former advisor to the Constitution Drafting Committee. Mr. Jate proposed two options to correct the error. The second option, he said, is
The government suffered its first defeat in the lower House today over a parliamentary regulation that would specify the House speaker’s impartiality in the performance of his or her duty. Regulation Number 9 was debated at length today in the House meeting, during which speaker Chuan Leekpai was heavily criticized by opposition MPs for alleged
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha did not offer an apology to his cabinet colleagues over the oath-taking controversy and the media has misinterpreted the Prime Minister’s remarks about the wording, government spokeswoman Mrs .Narumon Pinyosinwat said today. During a meeting with department heads and provincial governors from around the country on Wednesday at the government complex,
Thailand’s national police chief admitted today that it was difficult for the police to track down the real masterminds behind the recent bombings and arson attacks in Bangkok and neighboring Nonthaburi province, even though the police have arrested two suspects. Speaking at a news conference today at the Royal Thai Police HQ, Pol Gen Chakthip
A high-ranking official at the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been found to have falsely declared his assets, which are actually estimated at about 260 million baht. The name of the official has been withheld and he is being allowed to work as normal because, at this stage, he is still regarded
