Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Even more puzzling than the country’s two top policemen being sidelined simultaneously for alleged corruption is that both have been reinstated months later as if no damage had been done. In a development that critics call “a farce”, national police chief Pol General Torsak Sukvimol and his deputy Pol General Surachate Hakparn have been shifted
Thai Sang Thai party leader Sudarat Keyuraphan challenged the prime minister yesterday to clear the air over a widespread rumour that the Pheu Thai party wants to amend the Constitution, to do away with the 100 party-list seats in the House, in an effort to prevent the opposition Move Forward party from winning the next
The House of Representatives passed the 3.75 trillion baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year in its first reading late Friday night, with 311 votes for, 175 against and two abstentions. The Lower House then formed a 72-member committee to scrutinise the bill. The committee comprises 18 members representing the cabinet and 54 from
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presented the 3.75 trillion baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year to the House of Representatives today. He forecasts that it will increase Thailand’s economic growth next year by 2.5%-3.5%. The growth, he said, will be driven by continuing export increases, in line with global economic recovery, an increase in
The government was accused of being reckless and short-sighted in the planning and preparation of the 3.75 trillion baht budget for the 2025 fiscal year, aiming to address its own crises instead of the pressing problems of the country, with the “digital wallet” scheme being singled out for attack. After the presentation of the budget
Foreign envoys in Thailand and the foreign media have welcomed the caretaker Thai Senate’s passing of the Marriage Equality bill yesterday, which will pave the way for same sex marriage in the country. A message from the Embassy of Ireland reads: “A wonderful festive atmosphere at Thai Government House to celebrate the passage of the
The Constitutional Court unanimously dismissed two petitions today, which claimed that the election laws calling for senatorial candidates to vote among themselves are unconstitutional. The ruling means that the Election Commission (EC) can proceed with the national-level voting for senators on June 26. The Constitutional Court’s statement on the case contained only three lines. Earlier,
Paroled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will report to the Office of Attorney-General (OAG) tomorrow, to be formally indicted on a lèse majesté charge in the Criminal Court, one of Thaksin’s lawyers, Winyat Chartmontri, said today. He also said that he has already prepared surety, to be used in the application for bail for Thaksin.
July 10 has been set by the charter court as the date for the first hearing of a petition, submitted by a group of 40 former senators, accusing Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of violating the Constitution by appointing Phichit Chuenban as PM Office Minister, despite him having served time in prison. Srettha could be stripped
The charter court convened today and set the date for the first hearing in the opposition Move Forward Party’s dissolution case, submitted by the Election Commission (EC), for July 3. The EC has also asked the court to debar the party’s executive members from politics, alleging that the party had attempted to overthrow the Constitutional
Paroled former prime minister Thaksin left his Chan Song La residence this morning for the Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court to be formally indicted with lese majeste and violation of Computer Crime Act charges by the public prosecutors. Travelling in a chauffeured Mercedes Benz, Thaksin was seen through the car’s window waving to a small army of
The Election Commission revealed today that 2,164 men and 836 women passed the provincial-level voting for new senators yesterday and they advance to the national-level vote on June 26 at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani. The 200 candidates who win the national-level vote will become senators. In Bangkok, 40 candidates, representing 20 background groups,
