Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said today that the government’s decision to issue a bill to authorise borrowing for the funding needed for the digital wallet scheme is the most straightforward and transparent approach, because members of parliament can debate the issue and set up a panel to increase or cut the amount of the
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has told parliament that the bulk of the 460 billion baht allocated to the Interior Ministry in the 2024 fiscal year will be used to increase opportunities, improve social equality and eradicate poverty. The budget also includes money for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Pattaya City, which are two semi-independent agencies
Move Forward party-list MP Sirikanya Tansakul has questioned the government’s budgeting for the 2024 fiscal year, saying that it does not reflect the government’s claim that Thailand is facing several crises. She also accused the government of cheating in the calculation of GDP, claiming that it will be able to achieve 5% growth in the
The Justice Ministry will call a meeting of the corrections committee on January 11th, to consider the rules for screening convicts who are qualified to serve their remaining terms outside a prison, according to a well-informed source in the Justice Ministry. The rules were drafted by an 8-member panel, led by Chutarut Chintakanon, deputy director-general
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin defended his government’s ambitious land bridge mega project in Parliament today, saying that the project will put Thailand on the map for several countries that want to use Thailand as a production-for-export base. The prime minister also showed his pink socks to reporters, in response to criticism from Democrat MP Jurin
Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand to face legal consequences because he is a peacemaker who wants to see reconciliation in Thailand, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong claimed in parliament during the debate on the government’s budget bill on Wednesday. He defended the Corrections Department‘s issuance of a ministerial regulation to allow convicts
Move Forward party leader Chaithawat Tulathon has described the government’s budget bill as “old wine in a new bottle” which lacks objectives, strategy, prioritisation and organisation. Taking the floor on the first day of the 3-day debate on the budget, Chaithawat, who is also the opposition leader, said that several of the projects claimed as
A Pheu Thai MP has warned the opposition that, if it attempts to link the parliamentary debate on the budget bill for the 2024 fiscal year, due to start tomorrow, to the current status of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, they could face legal action. Visuth Chainaroon, deputy government chief whip, spoke today after chairing
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said today that he does not need “bodyguards”, a term used to describe MPs who speak to defend a minister, during the 3-day debate on the 2024 fiscal budget bill starting on Wednesday. He said that every minister, including himself, has the duty to explain to parliament any issues raised by
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that his government has implemented medium and long-term policies to build the foundations of a better future for Thai children after nine years of what he described as lost opportunities. In his New Year’s speech, the prime minister said that Thailand is currently recovering, both economically and socially, and he
Move Forward party leader Chaithawat Tulathon said he is ready to step aside to allow Pita Limjaroenrat to replace him, if cleared by the Constitutional Court on January 24th of charges related to the party’s election campaign promise to amend the lèse majesté law, which plaintiffs claim constitutes an attempt to overthrow the monarchy. An
On Thursday, the Civil Court ordered the Royal Thai Police to pay about 300,000 baht in compensation to pro-democracy Ratsadon protesters who were physically injured during the police crackdown in front of parliament on November 17th, 2020. While the court ruled that the protest was illegal, because the Ratsadon movement had not notified the police
