Search Results for: Prayut Chan-o-cha
- Election
Prayut Chan-o-cha not keen on minority government post-election
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha affirmed his preference for a majority government in the upcoming May 14 election, despite the constitution permitting the formation of a minority government. In an exclusive interview, the 67 year old, who is also the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party’s chief strategist and top prime ministerial candidate, explained that the formation of the next government would…
- Thailand News
BREAKING: Constitutional Court suspends Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from his duties until the court makes a final verdict on his eight-year term limit. The 77 year old Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan will step in as PM for the time being. Out of the nine people on the voting committee, five voted to suspend Prayut from his duties. The…
- Thailand News
Is time up for Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha?
Yesterday, several emotive but peaceful protests were held around Bangkok calling for Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to stand down. One protestor with a painted face stood outside Bangkok City Hall last night holding a sign that read… “Let it stop at 8 years. The Prime Minister is unconstitutional! Prayut, get out.” Protestors insist that Prayut’s time in office runs…
- Bangkok News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha orders two agencies to lead crackdown on call-centre scams
Following escalating public complaints that many Thais have fallen victim to phone scams that steal either money or personal information, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has assigned two government agencies to lead integrated operations to crack down on scammers and bring them to justice. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Trisulee Trisaranakul, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry and the Royal Thai Police…
- Thailand News
UN envoy urges PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to help stop Myanmar crisis
As the Thai government promised to protect Myanmar refugees who fled into Thailand, a UN ambassador has urged PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to help prevent the worsening crisis in Myanmar, following the in-person meeting at the Government House in Bangkok this week. The UN Secretary-Special General’s Envoy on Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, has visited Thailand after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations…
- Bangkok News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha pressures the public to get vaccinated before the New Year
“Everyone should get the vaccine as soon as possible.” PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is calling on the public to get vaccinated as soon as they can to participate in New Year’s countdown events. New Year’s events were given the “okay” by the CCSA yesterday with alcohol consumption allowed until 1am on January 1, but festival organisers need to abide by “Covid…
- Bangkok News
US State Secretary to meet Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha next week
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US State Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during his Southeast Asia visit on December 15 and 16. The Secretary will also meet with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Don Pramudwinai, to discuss bilateral cooperation and have lunch with representatives from the business…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha vows to prevent Omicron from reaching Thai soil
Thailand’s prime minister has urged the public not to panic, but to remain vigilant against the new Omicron virus, according to government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana yesterday. He added that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha also encouraged people to get fully vaccinated in order to boost group immunity and ensure everyone’s safety, as adequate vaccines are now available for all Thais. As foreign…
- Covid-19 News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says PCR tests will remain a requirement for foreign arrivals
Thailand will continue using the RT-PCR method to screen arrivals for Covid-19 as a preventative measure to keep the Omicron variant from reaching Thai soil. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced today that the Cabinet decided to reverse the CCSA’s decision to change the testing method to the faster, yet less reliable ATK method. The Thai government says the order on PCR…
- Events
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says Loy Krathong festivals will be allowed
NOTE: This article was edited on November 1. Thailand’s annual Loy Krathong celebrations have been given the “okay” by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, but under some restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The Thai holiday is on the 12th full moon in the lunar calendar, which falls on November 19 this year. Krathongs made from banana tree trunks and decorated…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to outline Thailand’s path to net zero at UN Climate Change Conference
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will outline Thailand’s push to achieve carbon neutrality by 2065 at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in the United Kingdom next week. The Bangkok Post has reported Prayut will formally announce the country’s new pledge and provide details about its long-term strategies to drive down greenhouse gas emissions. In essence, he will provide a roadmap of…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha addresses Southeast Asia leaders at 38th ASEAN summit
The following is the intervention by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha at the 38th ASEAN summit, delivered via videoconference. The prime minister’s intervention was translated and posted by the Thai government’s public relations department. “Your Majesty Excellencies, I wish to thank Brunei Darussalam for hosting this ASEAN Summit amid many challenges facing the region such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the shifting…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s televised address, translated in English
The following is PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s televised address to the nation, translated by the Thai government’s public relations department. My fellow citizens, brothers, and sisters: In the last one-and-half years, we have lived with some of the greatest peacetime challenges our country has ever faced in its history, brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, and one that has left nobody…
- Protests
Protesters at Bangkok’s Asok intersection call on PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign
Protesters gathered at Bangkok’s Asok interaction yesterday, calling on PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign. For the past year, pro-democracy groups have been pushing for the prime minister to step down, but with the latest wave of Covid-19 surpassing more than 1 million infections, along with a limited supply of vaccines, protesters now say Prayut should resign due to mismanagement during…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says lifting the nightly curfew is under consideration
Ending the nightly curfew in “dark red” provinces is under consideration, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced today before Parliament during the second day of the censure debate against his government. 29 provinces, including Bangkok, are classified as “dark red” zones under maximum control to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, following a meeting chaired by prime…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says restrictions are likely to be eased by early September
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says disease control measures, including nightly curfews and business closures in Bangkok and other “dark red” zones, are likely to be eased by early September as the Covid-19 infection rate, while still high, is beginning to decline. The prime minister made the announcement on his Facebook page saying that while the Covid-19 case count has been around…
- Covid-19 News
Covid-19 “survival boxes” funded by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s donated salary
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha waived his salary for the next 3 months to support the public amid the most severe wave of Covid-19 infections. Some of the funds will be used for so-called “survival boxes” to distribute to those in “dark red” zones, according to government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri. Several cabinet members and other public officials announced they would temporarily forgo…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says sorry again for delays in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has again apologised for holdups in the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines, saying there were a number of reasons for the delays. Earlier this week, 25 vaccination sites in Bangkok postponed inoculations. Several hospitals also delayed vaccinations over the weekend due to a limited supply. “As the prime minister and director of CCSA, I am the top executive…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says drug suppression should to be a national priority
Following the numerous busts involving drugs en route to overseas, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has declared that the suppression of illegal drugs should be an urgent national agenda item. The deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek made the announcement of the prime minister’s behalf, saying Prayut called for government workers to support the efforts to crack down on drugs. The spokesperson says…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announces 20 year plan to take action against corruption
Action against corruption in Thailand is now a “national agenda” and a 20-year plan, backed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, is set to be rolled out to promote transparency in the Thai government, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced today. On a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being “highly corrupt” and 100 being “very clean,” Thailand’s score is 36, according…
- Covid-19 News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha seeks looser restrictions in ‘red’ zones
Covid-19 infections are still high, but PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says he wants restrictions to loosen up and businesses to reopen as soon as possible in provinces classified as “red” zones under tight control to combat Covid-19. The prime minister says he has ordered governors of red zone provinces to look into easing disease control measures. Looking into each province’s Covid-19…
- Covid-19 News
No one answered PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s calls to Covid-19 hotlines
No one answered PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s calls to the country’s Covid-19 hotlines. The prime minister is now ordering more staff to work for both the 1668 and 1669 Covid-19 hotlines to make sure calls don’t go unanswered. There is now an official LINE account primarily for Covid-19 patients requesting hospital beds after the hotlines were “overwhelmed” with callers, a spokesperson said.…
- Covid-19 News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha gets the first AstraZeneca jab in Thailand
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha got the first AstraZeneca jab in Thailand this morning after a short delay due to safety concerns. A government spokesperson called the prime minister’s inoculation “historic.” The jab kicks off Thailand’s AstraZeneca vaccination programme. Prayut’s vaccination plans were suddenly postponed last Friday and the country’s rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine was put on pause due to concerns…
- Covid-19 News
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to be injected with AstraZeneca vaccine tomorrow
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is set to be injected with the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine tomorrow. He initially planned to get the vaccine last Friday, but suddenly cancelled due to worries that the vaccine could be linked to an increased risk of blood clots. The press is barred from attending the formal vaccination event at the Government House, but the process…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says “sorry” for spraying reporters with hand sanitiser
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says he was just “playing” around when he sprayed puffs of hand sanitiser at reporters during a press conference. When asked questions about a possible reshuffle of the Thai Cabinet, Prayut picked up a bottle of alcohol spray at his podium and gave the front row of the press a good spray while walking off, ending the…
- Covid-19 News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha postpones AstraZeneca jab after some European countries suspended the vaccine
Thailand’s prime minister cancelled plans to get injected with the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine today after reports that some European countries suspended the jab due to the possibility that the vaccine could be linked to an increased risk of blood clots. Some people developed blood clots after receiving the vaccine. In a case in Denmark, a person died. After some European…
- Thailand News
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha sprays hand sanitiser at reporters – VIDEO
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha sprayed hand sanitiser at reporters yesterday, avoiding a question about the cabinet reshuffle and walking out of his press conference followed by a mist of alcohol . The prime minister had been asked about a list of candidates for cabinet positions that opened up after 3 ministers were detained on insurrection charges for their involvement in…
- Covid-19 News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha offers to be first up for Covid-19 vaccine
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has offered to be the first in Thailand to get jabbed with China’s Sinovac vaccine, which is set to arrive on Wednesday. Apparently, the prime minister had said in the past that people over 60 years old should not get the coronavirus vaccine. Prayut is 66. Last month, Prayut made a post on Facebook saying he won’t…
- Covid-19 News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says 19 million people will be vaccinated in the first phase of immunisations
After criticism that the Thai government is taking too long to start mass Covid-19 immunisation, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that 19 million people will be vaccinated in the first phase of inoculations starting next month. Vulnerable groups and frontline workers in areas at the highest risk of infection are first priority. Out of the 19 million people to be vaccinated…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha considers legalising gambling
In the midst of a nationwide crackdown on gambling, an effort driven to contain Covid-19 by stopping the illegal gatherings after an outbreak at a Rayong gambling den, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says now he will consider the legalisation of gambling. He says he’ll start by staging discussions about the pros and cons. In the recent wave of Covid-19, major clusters…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha calls bluff on claims that he benefits from illegal gambling
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is calling bluff on claims that he is benefiting from illegal gambling and is ordering a crackdown on gambling after a cluster of Covid-19 infections were said to be linked to a den in Rayong. The outbreak linked to unlawful activities became a headache for health officials who have been trying to track down elusive gamblers to…
- Thailand News
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to form committee to investigate illegal gambling
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the Thai government to form an investigation committee to crackdown on illegal gambling in response to the outbreak at a Rayong gambling venue. The spike in cases linked to illegal activity has caused problems for health officials who have been trying to track down elusive gamblers to contain the spread of the virus. The prime…
- Thailand News
Amnesty International campaign urges PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to drop charges pressed on protesters
The human rights group Amnesty International has launched a campaign calling on PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to drop charges pressed on a number of activists for their role in the pro-democracy movement and to repeal, or at least amend, Thailand’s draconian lèse majesté law which carries a punishment of 3 to 15 years in prison for insulting or defaming the Thai Monarchy. …
- Protests
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s legal team to review new activist movement
A new movement, at least their “branding”, by the pro-democracy activist group Free Youth has caught the attention of many after it posted a new logo that resembles the Communist party’s hammer and sickle symbol, either by design or co-incidence. It has also caught PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s attention who says he’s asked his legal team to look into the new campaign…
- Bangkok News
Court acquits PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, allowing him to stay on at military residence
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will be staying in office and at his military residence. Bangkok’s Constitutional Court ruled today that the prime minister and former Thai general and commander of the Thai Army has not violated the charter by occupying a military-owned residence. The court says under military regulations, former officers can remain at their Army residence after their retirement at…
- Thailand News
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha congratulates US President-elect Joe Biden
After the tight race for United States president, Thailand’s prime minister sent a message congratulating President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their victory against incumbents President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Reports say that Biden’s win could benefit Thailand. The Bangkok Post says trade tension between the US and China could ease up. The Thai…
- Election
General Prayut Chan-o-cha is Thailand’s 29th Prime Minister
General Prayut Chan-o-cha was elected as Thailand’s next prime minister in a joint upper and lower house Parliamentary vote around 9pm last night following a day of intense debate. Prayut beat his opponent Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit from Future Forward Party with 500 to 244 votes. Three MPs abstained from voting and one was on a sick leave. 250 of the votes came from…
