Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Rumbling conflict within the Palang Pracharat party appears to be getting louder as the powerful Sam Mitr faction demands that its leader, Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, be reinstated as energy minister to avoid the group reconsidering its position in the coalition government. The group, which reportedly controls about 30 MPs in Palang Pracharat, the core party
A former spokesman for the government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has urged supporters of Ja New to join a rally at Ratchaprasong intersection which he has organized for Monday evening. Dr. Tosaporn Sererak, former deputy secretary-general and spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, said on his Facebook page that he had already notified Lumpini
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has expressed regret over the brutal attack on political activist Sirawith Seritiwat, or Ja New, and ordered the national police chief, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, to hold an urgent meeting with the metropolitan police commissioner to discuss the incident and to intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators, as well
An economics professor at Thammasat University said today that the four unidentified assailants, captured on CCTV attacking anti-junta activist Sirawith Seritiwat, or Ja New, on Friday, used a blunt weapon which he suspects was a type of telescopic metal baton called a “blackjack”. Associate Professor Suvinai Pornawalai said on Facebook today that a person who
As calls grow louder for the government to take action to track down the four assailants who seriously injured democracy activist Sirawith Seritiwat, alias Ja New, a campaign has been launched for public donations to fund his medical expenses. He also said he agreed with the requested individual donation amount of 247.50 baht, which symbolizes the year
Well known anti-junta political activist Sirawith Seritiwat, alias Ja New, has been seriously injured after he was again attacked by four unidentified men in front in the Bang Chan area of Bangkok on Friday morning. The Democracy Restoration Group (DRG), of which Ja New is a core member, said he suffered multiple injuries in the
Over 90% of the respondents to an opinion poll have admitted that they are very bored with the current political situation and 59.9% do not want Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to become leader of the Palang Pracharat party. According to the survey, conducted by the Super Poll Research Institute from 1,673 samples taken throughout the
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced today that there are no more changes to the cabinet line-up required and pleaded with all parties concerned with government formation to stop bickering and allow the country to move forward. Speaking to the Thai media at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, the Prime Minister said that the cabinet
Trouble is brewing in the government’s core party, Palang Pracharat, as resentment has re-emerged between two internal factions after latest cabinet shuffle. A well-informed party source said that Chon Buri MP Suchart Chomklin, who was earlier tipped to be labour minister, and Mr. Anucha Nakasai, a member of the powerful Sam Mitr faction, who was
After 48 years on the newsstands, The Nation, Thailand’s leading English-language daily known for its independent and aggressive news reporting, publishes its last print edition today. The newspaper, which will continue its news service on-line, is the latest victim of the disruptive technology that has rattled the media industry for years. Like most other newspapers,
Seri Ruam Thai party leader Seripisut Temiyavet has defended a party candidate who was apprehended by police under suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking, saying that the suspect is innocent until proven guilty in court. Questioned by a reporter about a picture showing him with the suspect, Mr. Suban Mahachanon, the former national police chief,
Thailand’s national reform master plan, drawn up by the incumbent military backed government, came under heavy criticism from opposition MPs in the lower House today, branding the plan just a pile of paper and unrealized rhetoric. Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul pointed out, during today’s debate, that the national reform master plan has passed two
