Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan dismissed a suggestion today he is “Minister P”, referred to by celebrity businesswoman May Vasana as having kept her 26-million baht diamond necklace, which she claims to have lent to actress “Dew Arisara”, who then allegedly pawned it to “Minister P”.
The House of Representatives unanimously passed the third reading of amendments to the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act yesterday, which will ease restrictions on advertising, remove the decades-old 2pm-5pm ban on the sale of alcohol and to allow its sale in vending machines and on government property on certain occasions, such as OTOP fairs.
A key opposition MP claimed today that he has valid evidence and information to present during the upcoming censure debate, which is sure to rock the boat of the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration.
A Uyghur man, repatriated from a Bangkok detention centre about a decade ago, told a visiting Thai delegation, being led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, that he now owns 52 cows, two goats and earns 5,400 Yuan per month (Bt25,143).
The no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will be held on March 24th and 25th, with voting expected on March 26.
The opposition People’s Party is demanding a straightforward investigation into the fatal accidents at construction sites on the Rama 2 elevated expressway project and accountability for human and material loss, to prevent repetitions of such accidents, said party leader Natthapong Ruengpanyawut today.
The Senate rejected two candidates vying for vacant posts on the Constitutional Court today.
The opposition’s modified no-confidence motion was resubmitted today, replacing Thaksin Shinawatra’s name with “a family member.”
The main opposition People's Party launched a campaign today, ahead of the censure debate in parliament next week, accusing major political figures of selling out the country for their own benefit.
Thailand is classified as a ‘not-free’ country in the recent annual freedom ranking by Freedom House, which surveys freedoms and rights in over 195 countries and 13 territories around the world.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra topped the listpoliticians from whom respondents want to hear in the upcoming no-confidence debate, followed by opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan.
Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra said that the People’s Party, as a self-proclaimed party of the new generation, should have been more creative and reliable rather than engaging in a bid to include his name in the censure debate.
