Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Obdam is not the first beauty queen to fall victim to the Kingdom’s bitter political divide. But just like Miss Thailand 2017 Maria Poonlertlarp before…
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Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Obdam is not the first beauty queen to fall victim to the Kingdom’s bitter political divide. But just like Miss Thailand 2017 Maria Poonlertlarp before…
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A moderate question to the increasingly splintered anti-establishment movement is where Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul was on Sunday. A harder question is whether ideologies that clashed many times in the history of…
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Business leaders and academics insist solving Thailand’s economic crisis must be the top priority in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle. “The new ministers should also be highly competent and capable of…
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Metropolitan police deputy commissioner Pol Maj-Gen Piya Tavichai has vowed to “prosecute to the fullest extent of the law” the three suspects responsible for torching His Majesty the King’s portrait…
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Thailand’s Mental Health Department decided today (Tuesday) to drop Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Obdam as its brand ambassador over her online political comments, only after a week of her…
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Inspired by the ongoing anti-coup protests in Myanmar, and enraged by the indictment and detention of four protest leaders on lèse majesté charges, Thailand’s anti-establishment protests resumed after a pause…
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The Criminal Court’s recent decision to send leaders of the now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to jail over their street rallies against Yingluck Shinawatra’s government has deep political implications…
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April 30, 2021: Brazil has surpassed 400,000 COVID-19 deaths, and more Brazilians have died in the first four months of this year than in the entire 2020. As bodies are…
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A Feb 24 Criminal Court verdict has placed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a situation he was dreading — the need for a Cabinet reshuffle he reportedly tried to delay…
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Although new to Parliament, Sira Jenjaka has lost no time in stealing the limelight from veteran MPs – drawing publicity for his outspoken views, belligerent talk and ability to take…
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The prime minister and nine Cabinet members managed to sail through the recent censure vote, but the voting has rejiggered a rift between the coalition’s two largest partners. Six MPs…
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Although Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha appears to be sailing out of a big storm, his ship will still remain in uncharted waters, which could turn extremely treacherous at any moment….
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Former cabinet minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who led the mass protests to oust the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra between November 23rd 2013 until May 1st, 2014,was sentenced to five…
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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and nine other Cabinet members managed to sail through last week’s no-confidence vote — mostly with comfortable margins — while the opposition declared success in opening…
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With their clear majority in the House, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the nine other targeted ministers are expected to sail through the second no-confidence debate in the two years…
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Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan is expected to gain the fewest approval votes following his censure-debate grilling this week, amid speculation that up to 30 MPs will give him the thumbs-down….
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Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha abruptly cut short his explanation of the southern economic zone project and walked out of the parliament chamber on Thursday afternoon, apparently upset that a…
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Siam Bioscience was chosen by AstraZeneca after a detailed assessment and comparison against other institutions proposed by Thailand, according to the National Vaccine Institute (NVI). Dr. Nakorn Premsri, the director…
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Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said in parliament today (Wednesday) that he is fully aware that opposition MPs are trying to provoke him with unfounded allegations of involvement in the…
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Most of the times, advices from perceived enemies can be discarded, but not those that come from friends or allies. Over the past few days, much caution has been pouring…
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The government’s handling of economic problems worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to be the core of the no-confidence debate starting on Tuesday (Feb 16). Opposition MPs are poised…
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Thirty-eight opposition MPs have been allocated 42 hours on the floor during the four-day censure debate, which kicks off on Tuesday (Feb 16), with voting scheduled for Saturday (Feb 20)….
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Pol. Lt. General Pakkapong Pongpetra, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, insists that police did not use teargas, rubber bullets or high pressure water cannon at the protest site yesterday…
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The battle over Thailand’s lèse majesté law has intensified with supporters and opponents coming out in full force to fight for their cause. Representing opponents of the Criminal Code’s Article…
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The current junta-sponsored Constitution is among the most condemned charters in Thai history, yet also arguably one of the most difficult to amend. The push for charter change received another…
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“Humans are a nation’s most important resource. Nowadays, everyone is equal, equally neglected as a human resource,” said Inthira Charoenpura, nickname “Sine.” The 40-year-old actress has often been in the…
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Illegal gambling will be among the issues fired at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and nine members of his Cabinet in next week’s censure debate. The grilling – scheduled for February…
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Thailand’s Disease Control Board has approved the COVID-19 vaccine management and distribution plan for 2021. The country’s health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said that Thailand will receive 2 million doses of…
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The review of two charter draft bills has been completed, paving the way for changes to the 2017 Constitution that is at the heart of Thailand’s political impasse. However, critics…
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Move Forward, Thailand’s second-largest opposition party, has been hit by accusations that could result in its dissolution after less than a year in politics. Move Forward or Kao Klai is…
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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will remain the prime target, but the similarities between the upcoming no-confidence attack and the last one end there. The rest of the strategy and the…
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A widening rift between coalition partners Palang Pracharath and the Democrats over the upcoming Nakhon Si Thammarat by-election is threatening to undermine the government’s stability. After falling out over several…
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Thailand is bracing for unprecedented chaos in Parliament later this month when the opposition shatters a deep-seated taboo by citing the monarchy in its censure motion against the prime minister….
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Thailand’s Democrat Party is hoping that the Palang Pracharat party, its coalition partner in the government, will keep to the tradition of not fielding a candidate in the by-election in…
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The opposition is unlikely to upend the government in next month’s censure debate, as has been the case previously. But its performance will show if opposition MPs are indeed serious…
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Sometimes, ones explode their way out of a dark tunnel, whether they like it or not, or even intend it or not. Whatever Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is thinking about being charged…
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Thailand’s government coalition parties have threatened to protest if the opposition makes any reference to the Monarchy during the censure debate in mid-February. Government chief whip Wirat Rattanaseth said, on…
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Already hit by an anti-establishment uprising, Thailand’s ruling Palang Pracharath Party is now facing a potential revolt from within as it chooses a candidate for the Bangkok governor election. Three…
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The prime minister can be forgiven if he assumes that his previous problems were “political”, albeit ones that had more to do with ideology and power play than genuine well-being…
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Thailand’s much-touted contact-tracing app, MorChana, risks losing its “national hero” status as questions emerge about its efficacy and transparency. Last Friday (Jan 15), the MorChana Volunteer Team abruptly announced the…
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The new wave of COVID-19 has forced leaders of the anti-establishment movement to break from street rallies and focus instead on legal cases stemming from their campaign. As a result,…
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The old saying “there are no permanent friends or foes in politics” has been proven true once again. Jatuporn Prompan, an activist/politician and a long-time loyal ally of the Shinawatra…
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After 12 months of tumult and tragedy, 2020 will go down as the “worst year ever” for millions in Thailand. Along with a global contagion that almost shut down the…
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To Thai people, 2020 was a year of two halves, and nobody had seen either half coming. The first featured surreal and scary scenes of empty streets, quiet city nights…
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The anti-establishment movement’s dream of seeing Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha ousted from office was shattered at the Constitutional Court in December. The premier was at the centre of a…
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The pro-democracy movement’s push for charter amendment inched forward in 2020, but at the expense of injuries and violent clashes. At least 55 protesters were injured by tear gas, chemical-laced…
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School students were both busy and brave this year, mustering unprecedented courage to challenge authority figures much older and more powerful than themselves over decades-long rules on hairstyles and uniforms….
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2020 brought a completely new kind of protest to Thailand – anti-establishment rallies that truly belong to the digital age. Tech-savvy young protesters relied on social media to spread their…
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Some major political changes in Thailand followed high-profile troubles with the land. A Democrat-led government crumbled in the 1980s after some politicians of the ruling party were accused of grabbing…
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The year 2020 saw many changes in Thailand’s political landscape, highlighted by shake-ups in major parties. Though only months had passed since the 2019 election, parties and politicians were unable…
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Protesters have closed Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue outbound and erected several small stages for speakers. The protest site covers the area around the Democracy monument and all the way to…
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Wednesday’s court verdict in favour of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha increases the likelihood of him staying in power at least until his term ends. The Constitutional Court unanimously ruled…
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Anti-establishment protesters have raised the ante in their ongoing protests for reform of the monarchy, by targeting HM the King’s finances and links with the Army. On November 25, they…
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Students have been grumbling about school uniforms for ages in Thailand. But few people imagined they would be brave enough to challenge strict dress-code rules by wearing casual clothes to…
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The Constitutional Court has dismissed charges of ethics breaches and conflict of interests against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in connection with his continued stay at a property owned by the…
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Thai politics has arrived at a dead end as neither side shows any sign of stepping away from the tug-of-war they have been playing for nearly five months. Analysts say…
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Donations are flooding into the bank accounts of the two main providers of protest supplies ranging from food to inflatable rubber ducks, in a sign of ongoing public support for…
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The country is counting down to December 2, when the Constitutional Court is scheduled to rule if Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha should lose his post for violating the charter….
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Born into a poor farming family, Education Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary Dr Veera Khaengkasikarn may have spoken from experience when he said “your parents pay when you wear long hair”,…
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The road to democracy is never easy, but the path is particularly steep for Thailand in its journey to amend the Constitution and eradicate the legacy of the junta. Analysts…
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Last evening, the leaders of protest groups United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration and Free Youth Movement announced a location change for today’s 3pm protest, from the Crown Property Bureau…
Read MoreThe American online magazine “The Diplomat” said the most striking thing about the current anti-government movement has been its willingness to identify the monarchy as the central question in Thai…
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Giant rubber ducks are generally cute and harmless, good for a few laughs in the pool with friends. But in certain circumstances, they have the power to shake governments and…
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Fear is growing that Thailand’s ongoing political conflict will intensify, with no visible way out, after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared that “all existing laws” would be wielded against anti-establishment…
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BANGKOK (Reuters) – In the midst of thousands of Thai anti-government protesters, one man made his own statement – with barbecued pork. Joined by onlookers, he made an impromptu picnic…
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Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied at Ratchaprasong intersection in the heart of Bangkok Wednesday evening during which many of them also descended on the national police headquarters nearby and spray-painted its…
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BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai police have water cannon and teargas to fire at protesters. The answer: Inflatable yellow pool ducks. The giant ducks starred on Wednesday as thousands of protesters…
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Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today that there is no need for a special law, to deal with the ongoing protests, which, he admitted, have impacted the country’s stability…
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Parliament today voted in favour of two bills in their first reading that would pave the way for drafting of a new constitution but threw out the one proposed by…
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The Reuters reports at least 55 people were hurt, some with gunshot wounds, when demonstrators marching on the Thai parliament clashed with police and royalist counter-protesters, in the worst violence…
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Bangkok’s Democracy Monument has long been the site of political protests in Thailand, most recently on Saturday, when the grand structure was wrapped in a white banner featuring pro-democracy demonstrators’…
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At least 34 people were injured in scuffles with police during a rally in front of the parliament Tuesday while protesters vowed to return for another major demonstration at Ratchaprasong…
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Anti-government protesters vowed to return for another major rally at Ratchaprasongintersection in the heart of Bangkok on Wednesday evening to await the result of the Parliament’s vote on the constitutional…
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Thousands of anti-government protesters have forced their way through police barriers to rally at the main gate of the parliament where parliamentarians are debating bills seeking to amend the constitution….
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As parliamentarians debated the bills seeking to amend the constitution, police battled anti-government protesters trying to break through barriers outside the Parliament at Kiakkai intersection. At one point scuffles also…
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“I feel it is about education. I think, if the standard of education were good, other things would follow. If the infrastructure were good, other things can improve,” said Issadaorn…
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The red and blue colors marking who wins which states in the US presidential race are eerily similar to how Thailand’s map is painted after each general election. Consequences of…
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Parliament will this week (November 17-18) deliberate seven motions seeking amendments to the Constitution, amid mounting pressure for changes to provisions viewed as “problematic”. Among the seven motions, two proposed…
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Anti-government protesters on Saturday rallied at the Democracy Monument which they later wrapped with a huge cloth banner carrying messages denouncing the Prayut government. The wrapping of the monument capped…
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The director of the National Office of Buddhism, Narong Song-ar-rom, said that the Sangha Supreme Council has issued urgent letters, to the temples around the country, barring monks and novices…
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The letters and the four red post boxes from the protest in Bangkok yesterday are in police possession, at the Chanasongkram police station. Deputy Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner, Police Major…
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After negotiating with the police tonight (Sunday), anti-establishment protesters in Thailand announced that the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, constitutional amendments and reforms of the Monarchy are the “utmost…
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“Reconciliation and harmony” is the way out offered every time deep political divisions have pushed Thailand to the brink of disaster in the past decade. But repeated efforts have failed…
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Protest leader Anont Nampa and three anti-establishment activists were released from Bangkok Remand Prison just after midnight last night. Anont, Aekkachai Hongkangwan, Somyot Prueksakasemsook and Suranart Paenprasert were released after…
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Police arrested some of the key anti-government protest leaders early Thursday morning shortly after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared a state of emergency in Bangkok. The state of emergency took…
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