Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
The Constitutional Court today agreed to accept for consideration the cases of 32 pro-government MPs accused by the opposition Future Forward party of owning or holding shares in media companies in violation of the election law. At the same time, the court decided to drop the cases of nine other pro-government MPs facing similar allegations
Opposition parties are challenging the qualifications of General Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister, citing his status as head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) which, they claim, is equivalent to “other state official”. A petition, signed by 101 MPs from the seven opposition parties, was today submitted to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai
In what is touted as the first no-confidence debate in five years, the opposition parties will use the House sitting tomorrow (Wednesday) to grill the incumbent government and its ministers over a host of issues, ranging from the 20-year national strategic plan and reform of the justice system to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s wristwatch
The Supreme Administrative Court today (Tuesday) rejected a petition challenging the legitimacy of an order, by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), appointing a panel to select senators. The court ruled that the appointment of a selection committee was the duty of the NCPO and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his capacity as
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai has told Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit be quiet and not to talk about ASEAN’s principle of non-interference if he does not know anything about the matter. The minister was responding to Thanathorn’s comment, made in wake of the 34thASEAN Summit during the weekend, that ASEAN should drop its
The Future Forward party has vowed to press ahead with its intention to do away with, what it deems to be, the legacy of the military junta through legislative means, party secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul said in his Facebook post Sunday night. He detailed the junta’s legacy as the orders issued by the National Council for
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has been named the most favoured minister among the top ten would-be ministers in an opinion survey of 1,254 people conducted by Suan Dusit Poll from June 19th to 22nd. According to the poll, Somkid received 42.12% of the votes followed, in the following order, by Wissanu Krea-ngam, 37.58%; PM
The pro-government Chart Pattana party, which commands three seats in the lower House, is wondering aloud whether it will be given one cabinet portfolio, as promised to the party by the “phuyai” in the Palang Pracharat party. Party spokeswoman Ms. Yaowapa Boorapolchai told the media on Sunday that the party is still waiting for confirmation
Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul has reminded the Constitutional Court to apply the same standard, used against his party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and two opposition candidates, to the 41 pro-government MPs accused of holding media shares. MPs from opposition parties have demanded that the Constitutional Court suspend the 41 MPs in the same way it
The Asian Networks for Free and Fair Elections (ANFREL) released its mission report yesterday (June 21st) on Thailand’s recent general election saying it was a “missed opportunity for democracy” with the striking key words “free but not fair”. The Bangkok-based international poll watchdog, whose members are from over 30 countries in Asia, was officially authorised
Members of parliament have been told by House speaker Chuan Leekpai to be honest in the performance of their duty, in compliance with ethical standards. They must refrain from abusing their privileges and The Speaker warned them that their malpractices may return to haunt them in the future. Regarding MP air and train travel perks,
The Palang Pracharat party’s legal advisors went to the Constitutional Court this afternoon (Thursday) to seek a reprieve from possible suspension for 27 MPs accused of media share ownership. The party‘s deputy spokesman, Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, said today that, during the previous administration of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, the Constitutional Court granted temporary protection to MPs
