Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
The Criminal Court acquitted 32 core members of the now defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) political group today. They had been charged with insurrection for seizing Don Mueang airport from November 24 until December 3, 2008, in an attempt to force the resignation of the Somchai Wongsawat government. The court did, however, impose a 20,000
Three core members of the Ratsadon protest group were sentenced to one month in prison and fined 20,000 baht each today, for illegal assembly of more than 10 people when they led a protest at Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong junction and at the Royal Thai Police Office on November 18th, 2020. The prison terms were suspended on
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has left for Davos, Switzerland, to attend the annual World Economic Forum (WEF). He wrote on his X account that he chose a commercial flight and was accompanied only by essential personnel due to limited options. He also shared a photo of himself during the flight. According to Thai diplomatic sources,
The Corrections Department has granted permission for convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to continue to receive medical treatment at the Police General Hospital after the expiration of the 120-day limit. Director-General of the Corrections Department, Sahakarn Petchnarin, told the media today that, on Monday, he approved a request from doctors at the Police General
Three former MPs of the Bhumjaithai party have been stripped of their right to contest elections for life and have had their voting rights suspended for ten years by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders. In a ruling read on Wednesday, the court also banned them from holding any political office after
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said today he will on this Saturday unveil his government’s plan to address the worsening problems of Thailand’s education inequality. He said the goal is to bring down the number of Thai children denied education opportunity to “zero”. In his post on X, the prime minister said one of the first
Senator Tuang Untachai said today he wonders how the government can tell the Thai people that Thailand is currently in a crisis, to justify a loan bill to fund its digital wallet scheme, while Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, during his recent overseas trips to woo foreign investors, was telling foreign investors that the Thai economy
Members of the Senate Committee on Political Development and Public Participation have started seeking support among their fellow senators for a general debate against the government. Senator Derekrid Janekrongtham, vice chairman of the committee, claims that most committee members agreed with holding a censure debate under Section 153 of the Constitution, so senators can question
Three ministers from the Pheu Thai party will resign as party-list MPs to focus on their ministerial duties, allowing a new generation of MPs to take their place in parliament. The three are Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, and Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham
Move Forward MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn broke into tears during a debate over the budget bill in parliament today, as she complained that the Public Health Ministry has ignored psychiatric patients, such as those suffering from depression, by allocating only a small budget to address this health problem. Sirilapas came to public attention in September last
Thai Sang Thai party-list MP Thakorn Tansathit has quit as the party’s secretary-general after three MPs defied the Opposition whip by supporting the government’s budget bill. In his letter, addressed to party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, Thakorn said that, before the vote last night, he informed five MPs of the Opposition resolution to vote against
The House of Representatives passed the first reading of the budget bill for the 2024 fiscal year tonight, after three days of debate. The bill was approved by 311:177 votes, with four abstentions. After the successful first reading, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin thanked all MPs, from both sides of the house, and promised to spend
