Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Opposition MPs demanded today that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the Shinawatra family return the 148-hectare plot of land, in Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani, to Thammikaram Temple, claiming that the land is for religious use and is not legally transferrable.
The opposition failed to land a knock-out punch on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after 14 hours of censure debate on Monday. Most of the incriminating information presented was “old wine in a new bottle”, according to the government’s assessment of the opposition’s performance.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul claimed today that there is no connection between the Alpine land controversy and the Khao Kradong land case in Buri Ram province, in which the Chidchob family is implicated, as alleged by opposition MPs during the censure debate.
On the first day of the no-confidence debate in parliament today, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra defended herself against accusations made by Palang Pracharath leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, by just claiming that his claims were untrue.
People’s Party MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn accused Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra today of failing to pay over 218.7 million baht in tax for shares, worth about 4.44 billion baht, transferred to her by family members back in 2016.
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut began the no-confidence debate today by unleashing a flurry of accusations against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ranging from being unqualified, incompetent, immature and irresponsible to protecting family and vested interests to the detriment of national interests.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces a no-confidence motion in parliament today, with the opposition set to grill her over the underperforming economy, her lack of leadership, and the perceived influence of her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, on her administration.
With the censure only just over a day away, the political temperature has been heating up, with Pheu Thai MP Anusorn Iamsa-ard accusing the People’s Party of trying to use the debate to insight chaos in parliament.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) investigation into the alleged special treatment of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, at the Police General Hospital, is likely to drag on longer as the commission is waiting for more information from relevant agencies.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra hosted a dinner for leaders of coalition parties at a hotel in Bangkok last night, to enhance unity ahead of the opposition’s no-confidence debate on Monday and Tuesday.
The Election Commission (EC) has agreed to investigate alleged voting collusion in the senatorial election last June, with an official from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) being invited to join the panel.
Palang Pracharath Party’s spokesman claimed today that the party has damning evidence for use against the government during the censure debate next week, which will pin Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra into a corner, not knowing whether “to burst into tears or resign.”
