election

  • Thailand Election NewsPrincess Ubolratana running for the March 24 Thai election
    ThaigerPublished: 10:34, 08 February 2019
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    Princess Ubolratana running for the March 24 Thai election

    The Thai Raksa Chart Party has thrown Thai politics into chaos after it nominated Princess Ubolratana Mahidol as its candidate as prime minister. The princess is His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s elder sister. Thai Raksa Chart Party nominated Princess Ubolratana as its candidate to be prime minister this morning. Today is the final day for political parties to announce candidates and…

  • Thailand NewsPrayut says he’s still waiting for an invitation to join a party for the election
    ThaigerPublished: 18:48, 29 January 2019
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    Prayut says he’s still waiting for an invitation to join a party for the election

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says he won’t be reshuffling his cabinet following the resignations of four ministers who are core members of the pro-junta Palang Pracharat party. And he declared that he will seek to return to power only through election. He also openly ruled out the possibility of exploiting the provisional clauses in the Constitution to be re-appointed PM…

  • Thailand NewsPalang Pracharat to nominate Prayut as candidate for PM after election
    ThaigerPublished: 12:22, 25 January 2019
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    Palang Pracharat to nominate Prayut as candidate for PM after election

    The pro-junta leaning Palang Pracharat Party is poised to name Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as its candidate for PM if it can win a majority at the March 24 general election. This revelation from a Palang Pracharat party source as reported by The Nation. The current junta government’s Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana and Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak are also likely to…

  • Thailand NewsMarch 24 election campaign starts with a whimper – Thai election 2019
    ThaigerPublished: 08:07, 25 January 2019
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    March 24 election campaign starts with a whimper – Thai election 2019

    If you were expecting Wednesday’s announcement of the forthcoming election to spark an outbreak of election posters, billboards and a stream of online campaigning, you’ll be disappointed. Stringent rules governing campaigning for the March 24 general election appear to be restricting freedom of expression as well as voters’ rights to information, according to academics on the matter. Wednesday’s Royal Decree…

  • Thailand NewsHere we go – Royal decree issued for Thai general election
    ThaigerPublished: 13:55, 23 January 2019
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    Here we go – Royal decree issued for Thai general election

    The final hurdle to holding an election this year was cleared this morning by royal decree that sets in motion the countdown to the long-awaited poll. The royal decree, ordering a general election of members of Parliament was issued this morning. The constitutional process calls for the Election Commission to announce a date for the long-awaited election within five days…

  • Thailand NewsWhy Thailand’s election will be a win for the military – International coverage
    ThaigerPublished: 07:45, 22 January 2019
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    Why Thailand’s election will be a win for the military – International coverage

    “When Thailand officials hinted that scheduled elections to end military rule would be postponed for the fifth time in almost as many years, anger and frustration rippled through the country.” The story of Thailand’s election stumbles and rumbles is making headlines around the world, especially since the February 24 election date, mooted as THE date for most of 2018, has…

  • Thailand NewsPick a date, any date – Thai election
    ThaigerPublished: 14:05, 18 January 2019
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    Pick a date, any date – Thai election

    February 24, then March 10, then ‘sometime before May 7’, now March 24. The only thing we can be reasonably sure about is that it will be on a Sunday (Thai elections are always held on Sundays). Yesterday, Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam hinted that the election could now be held on March 24. He painted March 24 as the “most…

  • Thailand NewsElection 2019: Put it in your calendar – March 10
    ThaigerPublished: 08:46, 17 January 2019
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    Election 2019: Put it in your calendar – March 10

    PHOTO: Protesters in Bangkok demanding the Thai Government announce election dates Bets are on for a March 10 election date as the Prime Minister has, for the first time, admitted that the election can no longer be held on February 24. But nothing official has yet been announced. Under the constitution, the general election must be completed within 150 days…

  • Thailand NewsArmy chief claims election delay critics are “bent on creating trouble”
    ThaigerPublished: 17:04, 13 January 2019
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    Army chief claims election delay critics are “bent on creating trouble”

    In a country where the Army has played such a prominent part in the politics of Thailand for so long, we shouldn’t be surprised by commentary today from the Thai Army Commander-in-Chief. General Apirat Kongsompong says that those campaigning against the election delay have a “one-track mind and bent on creating troubles”. “They are being told to think this way,…

  • Thailand NewsSocial media the key in the run up to the 2019 election
    ThaigerPublished: 11:27, 12 January 2019
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    Social media the key in the run up to the 2019 election

    “Newspapers, once the beneficiary of political advertising, will now be side-lined in favor of targeted social media in the lead up to this year’s election.” by Asina Pownwasin Your social media platforms are about to be filled with banter, arguments and lots of advertising. The topic? The forthcoming Thai election (when a date is eventually announced). For the first time…

  • Thailand NewsThai Interior Affairs ministry confirms memo ‘halting election preparations’ is genuine
    ThaigerPublished: 13:46, 10 January 2019
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    Thai Interior Affairs ministry confirms memo ‘halting election preparations’ is genuine

    PHOTO: South China Morning Post A leaked memo on social media, addressed to election officials in every province, to halt election preparations has now been confirmed to be genuine by the interior affairs Minister. The internal memo called for “all preparations for election are hereby halted” in absence of the Royal Decree, which was expected around New Year’s Day, but…

  • Thailand NewsNLA President urges critics not to blame Coronation for election delays
    ThaigerPublished: 16:09, 06 January 2019
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    NLA President urges critics not to blame Coronation for election delays

    The country’s NLA President Pornpetch Wichitworachai is warning critics to refrain from blaming the forthcoming King’s coronation ceremony for causing potential delays in the national election. He says that authorities concerned with planning the election must choose appropriate timing for the election and ensure that it doesn’t affect the auspicious ceremony. “The ceremony would bring joy and happiness to the…

  • Thailand NewsDeputy PM throws doubt on election date
    ThaigerPublished: 10:34, 04 January 2019
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    Deputy PM throws doubt on election date

    by Chanwanpen and Somroutai Sapsomboon The NCPO has throw a curved ball at the Election Commission, placing the onus on the Commission’s committee to decide the date of the general election whilst taking into account the preparations for the royal coronation ceremony. There’s also been suggestions of a month’s delay from the election’s tentative date of February 24. Deputy PM…

  • Thailand NewsTwo key tests for the Land of Smiles in 2019
    ThaigerPublished: 15:52, 02 January 2019
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    Two key tests for the Land of Smiles in 2019

    Thailand faces two major challenges in 2019 – conducting a general election and chairing the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN). Mishandling either task would invite serious damage to both the country and the wider region, according to a New Year editorial in The Nation. “Junta chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha has made a bad start in tackling the first challenge,…

  • Thailand News“Prayut unfit to be the PM” – ex Cabinet colleague
    ThaigerPublished: 08:50, 25 December 2018
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    “Prayut unfit to be the PM” – ex Cabinet colleague

    The Thai PM and the recently formed pro-junta political party are on the defensive as the chains are off other parties criticising them in the lead up to next year’s election. A Government Spokesman, Buddhipong Punnakanta, has been wheeled out to speak to the media over the allegations made by a former Cabinet member citing the Junta chief’s indecisiveness, aggressiveness…

  • Thailand NewsWealth inequality becomes a focus of the election campaign
    ThaigerPublished: 09:16, 22 December 2018
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    Wealth inequality becomes a focus of the election campaign

    GRAPHICS: Karnjana Lao – The Nation Thailand is among the countries with the largest gap between the rich and the poor, with a disproportionate slice of the national wealth and income going to the wealthiest 1 per cent of the population. Inequality has been on the rise across the globe. Economic gaps have continued to grow as the richest few…

  • Bangkok NewsJunta supporters, Palang Pracharat party, raises 650 million baht at banquet
    ThaigerPublished: 16:34, 20 December 2018
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    Junta supporters, Palang Pracharat party, raises 650 million baht at banquet

    The pro-military Palang Pracharat party had the first of their big fund-raisers last night and raised an estimated 650 million baht – 50 million baht more than their initial projection. The banquet was held last night at the Impact Muang Thong Thanee convention hall. Almost 2,000 guests, mostly business people and politicians from different parties, attended the event to fill…

  • Bangkok NewsPolitical parties throwing extravagant dinners to raise election funds
    ThaigerPublished: 14:07, 19 December 2018
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    Political parties throwing extravagant dinners to raise election funds

    The pro-Junta Palang Pracharat political party is expecting to raise 600 million baht from a grand fund-raising dinner named “One Thailand”. The event will be held tonight at Muang Thong Thanee in Bangkok. The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) appears to be winning over business leaders and the elite after selling most of the tables for tonight’s event. The event will…

  • Thailand News“The Election Commission can decide” – PM on foreign observers for election
    ThaigerPublished: 11:27, 18 December 2018
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    “The Election Commission can decide” – PM on foreign observers for election

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is making it clear that the Election Commission (EC) are the sole authority to decide whether or not to allow foreign observers to monitor the election scheduled for February 24, 2019. But, Gen Prayut insisted that Thailand must solve its own internal problems to ensure transparency and fairness in order to restore international community’s confidence in…

  • Thailand NewsRoyal Decree for February 24 election has been sent to HM the King
    ThaigerPublished: 15:32, 16 December 2018
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    Royal Decree for February 24 election has been sent to HM the King

    PHOTO: Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam – The Nation The Royal Decree on the election of members to the parliament has already been submitted to His Majesty the King for his Royal approval, according to the Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam. He reaffirmed that the election date remains unchanged on February 24, but the date for advance voting for overseas voters…

  • Thailand NewsPM comes under attack after political bans lifted
    ThaigerPublished: 08:58, 14 December 2018
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    PM comes under attack after political bans lifted

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and his governmental coming under attack from politicians taking advantage of the junta’s lifting of political restrictions. The ban was officially lifted on Tuesday allowing commentary about politics, including criticism of other politicians and parties. Most of the parties who have been speaking up so far are linked to fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin has…

  • Thailand NewsPolitical ban lifted ahead of February 24 election
    ThaigerPublished: 15:23, 11 December 2018
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    Political ban lifted ahead of February 24 election

    The Thai Junta, aka NCPO, has today lifted restrictions on political activities that have been in effect since the May 2014 military coup. The Nation reports the the lifts a previous prohibition on political parties holding meetings or organising political activities. The cancelled restrictions include the ban on political gatherings of five or more people. The Royal Gazette has published…

  • Thailand News“Post-poll government will lack legitimacy”
    ThaigerPublished: 08:24, 11 December 2018
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    “Post-poll government will lack legitimacy”

    “…the junta government was now trying to buy votes using populist schemes, such as handing out cash as New Year gifts to low-income earners.” A former student activist and renowned scholar Thirayuth Boonmee has predicted that though junta leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha will be able to form the next government, it will lack legitimacy and this will only lead to…

  • Thailand News“Lift all human rights restrictions” – Amnesty International
    ThaigerPublished: 12:30, 08 December 2018
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    “Lift all human rights restrictions” – Amnesty International

    Amnesty International is calling on the NCPO to end all its restrictions on human rights in Thailand before the next election which has now been confirmed as February 24 following yesterday’s meeting between the Junta and political parties. Amnesty says the Thai authorities must drop all, what it describes as, arbitrary restrictions on human rights and peaceful political activities before the…

  • Thailand NewsPolitical parties boycotting todays meeting are ‘trouble makers’
    ThaigerPublished: 08:29, 07 December 2018
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    Political parties boycotting todays meeting are ‘trouble makers’

    Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also defence minister and luxury watch enthusiast, says that parties boycotting today’s meeting were troublemakers. Meanwhile, the Thai PM claims the missing political parties were like boxers who refused to abide by the rules of the fight and would not listen to the referee’s explanations. But political scientist says this only points to the…

  • Thailand NewsPolitical parties give the NCPO a cold shoulder
    ThaigerPublished: 08:47, 06 December 2018
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    Political parties give the NCPO a cold shoulder

    PHOTO: Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjaajiva – The Nation Thank you… next. Thai political parties are saying thanks, but no thanks, to an invitation to meet with the NCPO tomorrow for a ‘briefing’ about the forthcoming election. The number of parties boycotting tomorrow’s meeting with the junta is growing with Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjaajiva announcing his party also will not be attending. The…

  • Thailand NewsThai PM foreshadows coming Royal coronation
    ThaigerPublished: 17:25, 05 December 2018
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    Thai PM foreshadows coming Royal coronation

    The Thai PM has announced that His Majesty’s coronation will take place after the next general election, slated for February 24 next year. Gen Prayut says the government is waiting for the King to issue a royal command which would announce the date and set in motion the schedule for the coronation ceremonies. As part of the traditional ceremony, water…

  • Thailand NewsPM says joining Palang Pracharat “is under consideration”
    ThaigerPublished: 08:11, 05 December 2018
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    PM says joining Palang Pracharat “is under consideration”

    PHOTO: Asia Times In the first real official hint he may be about to enter the political fray for next year’s Thai general election, the PM Prayut Chan-o-cha admits that the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party would be a choice if he is to jump into politics. Normally shrugging off such questions, he was answering a reporter’s question and said aligning…

  • Thailand NewsInternal disputes in the Future Forward camp
    ThaigerPublished: 15:50, 29 November 2018
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    Internal disputes in the Future Forward camp

    PHOTO: The Future Forward Party secretary general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul campaigns in Rayong province earlier this week – Future Forward Party The new Future Forward Party has removed its youth wing leaders from duties and is accusing them of misusing party funds. The allegations are being denied by one of the expelled members. Khaosod English is reporting that a party spokeswoman…

  • Northern Thailand NewsPrawit hands back seized assets from illegal money-lenders
    ThaigerPublished: 09:09, 29 November 2018
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    Prawit hands back seized assets from illegal money-lenders

    PHOTO: The Nation Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan has presented 2,012 debtors in the Loei province, in far north-east Thailand, assets valued around 3.4 billion baht. The hand-over includes 1,773 land-title deeds held as collateral in dodgy loan scams. Many people, holding documents to their chest, couldn’t hold back tears of joy over getting the assets they thought were lost due…