Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
The opposition Move Forward party has decided to expel one of its MPs, Wutthipong Thonglao, an MP for Prachin Buri, after he was found to have committed an act of sexual harassment by the party’s disciplinary board, according to party leader Chaithawat Tulathon. But the party decided to place another MP on probation. Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit,
Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s rise to the helm of the ruling Pheu Thai Party is being seen as preparation for her to become prime minister – either if the top job is vacated prematurely, or after the next election. This highlights her family’s continuing influence in Pheu Thai and Thai politics more than two decades after her
After she was elected Pheu Thai’s new leader yesterday (Friday), Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s comment about Paetongtarn Shinawatra now being qualified to be the next prime minister of Thailand was not indicating that he may resign, to pave way for Paetongtarn to succeed him, according to Phumtham Wechayachai, deputy party leader, today. He dismissed speculation
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has dismissed a suggestion that the Pheu Thai party’s digital wallet scheme is a copy of the Japanese model, introduced in 1999, which was in the form of coupons. His denial was in response to an observation made by Sirikanya Tansakul, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the opposition
Thailand’s Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang said today (Monday) that he is ready to explain, to the House Military Affairs Committee, his decision to switch from procuring a submarine from China to a frigate, even though the surface vessel is more expensive. While admitting that there are reservations about the change, citing the cost of sending
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will hold a side-line meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Beijing. Srettha told a press conference on Monday, after the Cabinet meeting, that he has a scheduled meeting with the Russian leader. This follows the Cabinet decision today (Monday) to extend the visa-free period for Russian tourists,
The young generation of activists are imbibing the spirit of the October 1973 student uprising to take up the torch in the struggle for democracy. But they are also disappointed by some of the senior activists who managed to capture power after the May 14 election, forsaking the principles they had fought for. Imprisoned activist
Many of the activists who participated in the October 1973 student uprising have managed to return to the corridors of power after the May 14 election this year, but they continue to face major challenges in achieving the democracy they dreamed of half a century ago. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, one
Every October in Thailand, public events are held to remember the two massacres of anti-dictatorship protesters by state forces that took place half a century ago. Experts say that, while the spirit of the “October Movement” remains strong, it has not succeeded in changing social and political structures that led to the bloody events of
Representatives of government and opposition parties, parliament, courts of justice, political activists and members of the public gathered at Thammasat University today (Friday) to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the October 6th massacre. 46 people, mostly students, were killed and several others injured by police, right-wing “Red Guar” extremists and village scouts, according to official
The first referendum on a new constitution for Thailand is expected to be held during the first quarter of next year, after the formation of a 35-member ad hoc panel tasked with studying how the Constitution should be amended or rewritten and how many referenda will be needed, said Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai today
Government MPs have agreed to turn to a charter-mandated independent organization, such as the Constitutional Court, to rule on the appropriateness of Padipat Suntiphada remaining as deputy House speaker, after he was expelled from the Move Forward party last week. Government chief whip Adisorn Piengkes said yesterday (Monday) that he initially proposed that an urgent
