Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
The Action Coalition for Thailand Party (ACT) which has former anti-Thaksin protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban as its de facto leader is throwing full support behind Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to return as prime minister after the March-24 election. Suthep told ThaiPBS World in an interview on Tuesday that the party has confidence in Gen Prayut as
Democrat Party candidates recently hit the campaign trail at Soi Surasena, Bangkok. They made their election promises. But what do the people think?
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today urged political parties to be constructive in their election campaigning and to refrain from mud-slinging. In an apparent reference to the spat between the army chief and Pheu Thai party’s prime ministerial candidate Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, he also assured the public that General Apirat Kongsompong, did not have a conflict
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan have joined the chorus defending military spending and mandatory conscription against increasing criticism from anti-junta politicians, particularly Pheu Thai party’s prime ministerial candidate Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan. The Prime Minister insisted that defence spending was not only intended for the military and for national defence,
Thailand’s Army Commander-in-Chief General Apirat Kongsompong responded to a reporter’s question this morning about his view of the current political situation by suggesting the media listen to the old ultra-nationalist song “Nak Paendin” (Burden of the Land). His comment was an indirect response to a question about the Pheu Thai party’s chief campaign strategist Khunying
According to an opinion poll released today by Rangsit University, the pro-junta Palang Pracharat party will win the March 24 election with an estimated 8.3 million votes, or 21.5 percent of votes cast. The other parties polled as follows: Party % Votes (million) Democrat 18.3 7.04 Pheu Thai 16.9 6.50 Bhumjai Thai 8.2 3.10 Future Forward 7.4 2.87 Ruam Palang Prachachart Thai 5.7 2.20 Seri Ruam Thai 5.6 2.10
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is concerned about alleged distortion of the contents of the upcoming Rice Bill in a way which may cause public misunderstanding. He insists the Bill is intended to protect the benefits of rice farmers, said deputy government spokesman Lt-Gen Veerachon Sukonthapatipark today (Sunday). The spokesman warned the media to exercise
The pro-Thaksin Thai Raksa Chart party today announced the suspension of political activities by the party’s committee for seven days in order to prepare its defence before the Constitutional Court over the allegation that the party committed an act hostile to democratic rule. Party secretary-general Mitti Tiyapairat told a press conference today that the party
The Pheu Thai party has retaliated against the pro-junta Palang Pracharat party by demanding that the Election Commission dissolve that party as well, following action taken against the pro-Thaksin Thai Raksa Chart party. Believed to be an eye for an eye move, the Pheu Thai party, which is closely affiliated with the troubled Thai Raksa
Prayut Chan-o-cha currently tops the list of prime ministerial candidates, but the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai party is ahead, according to the latest NIDA Poll (National Institute of Development Administration). The survey sampled opinions from 2,091 people of minimum age 18 years and with varied occupations and educational backgrounds between February 4th and 7th. Of the
Thailand’s Election Commission announced today that 107 party-list and two prime ministerial candidates have been disqualified. Of the 2,917 party-list registered candidates from 77 political parties, 2,810 candidates as well as 68 prime ministerial candidates from 44 parties have passed qualification screening by the EC. While the EC did not disclose the names of the
The Constitutional Court will decide by tomorrow afternoon whether or not to accept for consideration the request of the Election Commission to have the pro-Thaksin Thai Raksa Chart Party dissolved for breaching the political parties act. The Election Commission has accused the political party of violating Article 92 of the Political Parties Act by nominating
