Deputy PM

  • Thailand NewsRecipients can use 10,000-baht handout to clear debts: Deputy PM

    Recipients can use 10,000-baht handout to clear debts: Deputy PM

    Recipients of the 10,000-baht handout are free to use the money as they see fit, including paying off debts, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham addressed reports that many eligible individuals in the first phase of the scheme, which began yesterday, September 26, plan to use the funds to clear their debts. “They can use the money [to…

  • Thailand NewsThai handicrafts to drive economic growth, says Deputy PM

    Thai handicrafts to drive economic growth, says Deputy PM

    The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce has tasked the Institute for the Promotion of Thai Arts and Crafts (SACIT) with enhancing Thai handicrafts to boost the economy. This initiative aims to honour the legacy of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother. Deputy PM Phumtham announced policies to advance the SACIT at Bang Sai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.…

  • Thailand NewsThai deputy PM defends government’s initial performance amidst economic criticism

    Thai deputy PM defends government’s initial performance amidst economic criticism

    Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai defended the government‘s performance during its initial two months in office, amidst criticism that the economy has seen little to no improvement and the cost of living remains high. The deputy PM stated that the fruits of the government’s labour would not be noticeable until at least 100 days have passed, as many departments,…

  • Songkran NewsDeputy PM’s illegal Songkran banners removed by highway officers on ‘Road to Isaan’

    Deputy PM’s illegal Songkran banners removed by highway officers on ‘Road to Isaan’

    Thailand highway officers in the central province of Saraburi have been busy removing Songkran holiday banners from Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan on Tuesday. The officers said the banners, adorned with the smiley face of the 76 year old Deputy PM and party powerbroker, were not approved to be installed along the roadside and might annoy drivers and cause accidents. Aside…

  • Politics NewsPM and Prawit put on show of unity over lunch, amid rumours of political infighting

    PM and Prawit put on show of unity over lunch, amid rumours of political infighting

    Following murmurings of a rift, the Thai PM has had lunch with deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon in what may be an attempt to dispel such rumours. The Bangkok Post reports that the lunch took place yesterday, at the Five Provinces Bordering Forest Preservation Foundation. Both men had just attended a meeting at the Army Club with Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda.…

  • Visa InformationDeputy PM plans to meet with foreign ambassadors to discuss 10-year visa

    Deputy PM plans to meet with foreign ambassadors to discuss 10-year visa

    Deputy PM Supattanapong Punmeechaow says the government is anxious to promote new measures for attracting wealthy foreigners to Thailand. He says he will be arranging meetings with every foreign ambassador in order to promote a new long-stay visa programme aimed at highly-skilled professionals and wealthy investors. It’s hoped the new visa will help revive Thailand’s economy post-pandemic. Under the new…

  • Thailand NewsNACC ordered to disclose their findings regarding Deputy PM Prawit’s watch scandal

    NACC ordered to disclose their findings regarding Deputy PM Prawit’s watch scandal

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission has been ordered by the Central Administrative Court to show their findings in regard to an investigation into the pricey wristwatches that Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan has been noted to wear in public. The court ruling came yesterday. The court decided that the findings should be revealed, such as witness testimonies and Prawit’s testimonies, in order…

  • Politics NewsDeputy PM declares Thammanat Prompow controversy finished

    Deputy PM declares Thammanat Prompow controversy finished

    Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam says that the debate is over regarding Thammanat Prompow, the controversial Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and influential Palang Pracharath Party ‘fixer’. The Constitutional court has already ruled that he is qualified to hold office under Thai law and will keep his position, though a huge backlash followed the ruling, and the public wondered how…

  • Politics NewsThai activist to submit petition against charter amendment bill voters

    Thai activist to submit petition against charter amendment bill voters

    An activist says he is lodging a petition next week against those who voted in favour of Thailand’s charter amendment bill. Srisuwan Janya says he will submit the petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission against a total of 206 MPs and 2 senators who voted in favour of the bill, despite the votes not being enough to make the bill…

  • World NewsUPDATE: Thailand Deputy PM responds to Myanmar army coup

    UPDATE: Thailand Deputy PM responds to Myanmar army coup

    Myanmar’s military have seized power in a bloodless coup this morning. The elected NLD party, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has been deposed following months of tense speculation by Burmese army leaders over alleged voter fraud after last November’s general election. Out of 476 seats up for grabs in last November’s general election, the military backed party only won…

  • Bangkok NewsNo illegal gambling dens are in Bangkok, deputy PM claims

    No illegal gambling dens are in Bangkok, deputy PM claims

    Following Covid-19 cases linked to illegal gambling dens in Chon Buri and Rayong as well as a nationwide crackdown on gambling, deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan is assuring the public that there are no illegal gambling dens in Bangkok as some worry that the unlawful gatherings could potentially spread the virus. Gambling is illegal and police are “on top of it,”…

  • Thailand NewsDeputy PM says relying on tourism is “unacceptable”

    Deputy PM says relying on tourism is “unacceptable”

    Thailand’s deputy PM says that relying too much on tourism is “unacceptable.” In Supattanapong Punmeechaow’s speech, he said that the tourism industry will never be allowed to recover to its previous levels. For years, Amazing Thailand was the nation’s slogan, which brought in $56.2 billion in 2019 alone, but after Covid struck, it is clear that there has been a…

  • Covid-19 NewsNo nationwide lockdown, Covid-19 outbreak is not severe – Deputy PM

    No nationwide lockdown, Covid-19 outbreak is not severe – Deputy PM

    As a new wave of Covid-19 infections sweeps across Thailand, no nationwide lockdown will be imposed… yet. Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam says the government decided not to call a lockdown because the outbreak is “not severe,” adding that the government will review the situation again before Children’s Day on January 9. Thailand currently has a record high of 2,195 active…

  • Economy NewsDeputy PM says pandemic exposed problems in Thai economy, time to improve

    Deputy PM says pandemic exposed problems in Thai economy, time to improve

    As the Covid-19 pandemic hit economies all over the world with business closures and travel bans, issues with Thailand’s economy were exposed, according to Deputy PM Supattanapong Punmeechaow. The country cannot go back to the way it was before the global outbreak, he says. Thailand’s large tourism industry was battered by the lack of foreign visitors. Small and medium businesses…

  • Politics NewsPM dismisses rumours of alliance with opposition to form new government

    PM dismisses rumours of alliance with opposition to form new government

    Thai PM Prayuth Chan-o-cha has rubbished rumours that the ruling coalition parties plan to join forces with the opposition Pheu Thai party to form a new government. While the PM initially didn’t respond to the question, instead bidding reporters a good day and walking away, he did mumble that he had enough of a headache with just one party. Thai…

  • Economy NewsDeputy PM says 2 years until Thailand’s economy is back to normal

    Deputy PM says 2 years until Thailand’s economy is back to normal

    It’s going to be another 2 years until Thailand’s economy is back on track, according to Deputy PM Supattanapong Punmeechaow. At least that’s the amount of time he expects it will take to get the economy back to “normal levels” from before the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus crisis crippled economies across the globe. The Covid-19 pandemic is already the worst…

  • World NewsThai Health Minister accepts chairman role with WHO Regional Committee

    Thai Health Minister accepts chairman role with WHO Regional Committee

    Thailand’s Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has been appointed chair of the World Health Organisation’s Regional Committee for Southeast Asia. The colourful and controversial minister made the announcement at a press conference yesterday afternoon. He says 14 countries put his name forward for the role, which has a fixed term of 1 year, partly due to Thailand’s success in controlling the…

  • Covid-19 NewsRussian Ambassador offers to share info on Covid-19 vaccine with Thailand

    Russian Ambassador offers to share info on Covid-19 vaccine with Thailand

    At a meeting between the Russian Ambassador to Thailand, Evgeny Tomikhin, and Deputy PM, Wissanu Krea-ngam, the diplomat has praised Thailand’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, saying Russia would be happy to share information on its Covid vaccine. The ambassador says Thailand has done well to suppress the virus, adding that Russia is open to exchanging information and techniques associated…

  • Politics NewsHealth minister urges demonstrators to wear masks, observe social distancing

    Health minister urges demonstrators to wear masks, observe social distancing

    Deputy PM and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday he doesn’t oppose students’ demonstrations but urged them to wear facemasks and observe social distancing to help avoid spreading Covid-19 coronavirus. He said his main concern about student rallies is safety, but masks and social distancing could cope with the disease. (Thailand hasn’t had a locally transmitted case of the…

  • Politics NewsDeputy PM backs protesters’ demand for constitutional reform

    Deputy PM backs protesters’ demand for constitutional reform

    Deputy PM and Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is backing the key demand of student protesters to rewrite Thailand’s Constitution. Responding to activists’ calls for the dissolution of Parliament, the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party said yesterday such a move would be pointless without prior constitutional amendment. Speaking at the party’s annual meeting, Anutin, leader of second-largest partner in…

  • Politics NewsPrawit tipped to become leader of ruling Palang Pracharat party executive

    Prawit tipped to become leader of ruling Palang Pracharat party executive

    Whilst the attention of the country has been on the CCSA, with the PM at the helm, and their handling of the Covid-19 outbreak, there has been ongoing dissent inside the ruling Palang Pracharat party which boiled over yesterday with the resignation of 18 members of the party’s executive committee. There’s been building conflict within the party whilst the PM…

  • Covid-19 NewsFormer deputy PM says government should focus on solutions, not threats

    Former deputy PM says government should focus on solutions, not threats

    Thailand’s former Deputy PM Chaturon Chaisang yesterday posted on his Facebook page and other social media that, in his opinion, the government is focusing on threats versus solutions during the current Covid-19 crisis. His post has been widely shared and gained a lot of traction in Thai-language media. Chaisang, a former Minister of Education in addition to being a Deputy…

  • Expats12 month “Medical Visa” proposed among updates to Thai visa offerings

    12 month “Medical Visa” proposed among updates to Thai visa offerings

    A new visa category is being proposed that could allow people to stay in the Kingdom for up to a year for medical treatments. The so-called “Medical Visa” (Non-MT) would visitors to stay for 12 months. The Thai deputy PM and health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and the tourism and sports minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced yesterday that countries that will benefit are wealthy…

  • Northern Thailand NewsThai actor condemns abuse of donations as “deplorable”

    Thai actor condemns abuse of donations as “deplorable”

    PHOTO: Chiang Rai Times Bin Bunluerit, the Thai actor and volunteer rescue worker who raised funds for Ubon Ratchathani’s flood victims has condemned the community leaders guilty of abusing the relief system he put in place. His statement comes amid complaints on social media that some of those administering the funds are taking a percentage, before passing the money on…

  • World NewsDeputy PM says Malaysia can learn from Thailand on caring for neglected children

    Deputy PM says Malaysia can learn from Thailand on caring for neglected children

    PHOTO: Thai PBS Malaysia’s Deputy PM Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has been visiting Thailand and says that her government can learn something from the methods implemented in Thailand to tackle the issue of neglected children and babies and those without citizenships. Bernama news agency quotes Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, as saying…

  • Thailand NewsPrawit’s luxury watch probe, delayed outcome by the NACC

    Prawit’s luxury watch probe, delayed outcome by the NACC

    Uncertainty over the fate of Deputy PM Gen Prawit Wongsuwan continued yesterday after the country’s anti-graft watchdog failed to deliver its report on the probe into Prawit’s collection of luxury wristwatches. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) was scheduled to discuss the case and make a decision on the matter yesterday but postponed its meeting yet again, because a commissioner had…