Thai politics
- Thailand News
Senators’ lavish overseas jaunts spark outrage
Former Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi has launched a scathing attack on a cohort of senators set to embark on overseas study trips, labelling their plans a disgrace to their dignity. In a fiery Facebook post today, Plodprasop condemned the European excursions planned by several Senate committees, whose terms are set to conclude on May 10, citing the hefty 81…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai Party eyes House Speaker position
The Pheu Thai Party is reportedly planning to reclaim the House Speaker position from the Prachachat Party, according to a source yesterday. This move is part of the ruling party’s strategy to restructure its parliamentary operations, and it is predicted that the position might be given to a prominent member of the party, possibly a minister who may be removed…
- Thailand News
MFP bill to penalise officials ignoring Parliament summons
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has tabled a bill in the Parliament penalising ministers and state officials who disregard summons to testify before House committees. The bill, proposed by Rangsiman Rome, an MFP list-MP and the head of a House committee on state security, was formally presented to Parliament yesterday, April 18. Under the proposed legislation, MPs who ignore their…
- Thailand News
Can a radical proposal save Phuket’s tourism crisis?
In a bid for autonomy, Phuket Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas is leading a daring move to transform the city into a special administrative organisation to save it from a tourism crisis. The current system, he claims, is holding back progress, leaving the island paradise struggling to keep pace with global rivals. “Tourist cities in many countries are far ahead in their…
- Thailand News
Move Forward Party’s fate hangs in balance
The Constitutional Court is set to discuss extending the deadline for the Move Forward Party (MFP) to submit its defence in a crucial dissolution case. Sources revealed that President Nakharin Mektrairat announced that the court will convene next Tuesday, April 16, to mull over the pivotal decision of granting a 15-day extension. Nakharin hinted at the likelihood of the court…
- Thailand News
MFP vows bold defence against dissolution threat
Move Forward Party (MFP) chief Chaithawat Tulathon declared the party’s unwavering resolve to counter the looming spectre of dissolution, revealing plans to submit a comprehensive rebuttal to the Constitutional Court following the upcoming Songkran festivities. The 45 year old Chaithawat affirmed that the MFP would not simply lodge its defence with the court but would also make it accessible to…
- Thailand News
Former Thai MP returns after 15 years political asylum
Former Thai politician Jakrapob Pemkair returned to Thailand after 15 years of political asylum in Cambodia. Upon his return, he was apprehended due to two remaining arrest warrants but was later granted 400,000 baht bail. Jakrapob previously served as a government spokesperson under former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from 2003 to 2005, and later as a minister of the…
- Thailand News
Exiled former celebrity minister Jakrapob returns to Thailand
A former television celebrity and one-time Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office has set tongues wagging with his unexpected announcement of returning to Thailand. This marks his comeback after a self-imposed exile lasting 15 years, undertaken to avoid lese majeste charges. Jakrapob Penkair posted on Facebook yesterday: “At 7.35 am on March 28, I will return to serve Thailand.” The…
- Thailand News
Court clears Thai lawyer’s remark against Thaksin
Thai lawyer and politician Chuan Leekpai’s controversial statement branding ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra as a “harbinger of doom” for the Deep South has been deemed fair game by the South Bangkok Criminal Court. The legal battle, which teetered on the edge of defamation, reached its climax today with a verdict that left both sides reeling. The lawsuit, initiated just three days…
- Thailand News
Thaksin Shinawatra’s secretive meet-up sparks political uproar
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s sudden appearance at the Pheu Thai Party’s headquarters has sparked intense speculation about his true intentions. To dispel mounting rumours, Phumtham Wechayachai, former Pheu Thai Secretary-General, clarified that Thaksin’s scheduled rendezvous on Tuesday was merely a gesture of convenience. “It’s not about control. It’s about respect.” Phumtham asserted that the visit was solely to facilitate…
- Thailand News
Srettha fires back: Defends overseas trips amid criticism
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin staunchly defended his international excursions and trips to neighbouring nations, asserting their vital role in ramping up foreign investment in Thailand and fostering stronger regional ties. Addressing critics head-on, the 62 year old PM justified his frequent forays into provinces to tackle local issues, such as combating the PM2.5 airborne pollution blighting Chiang Mai. Responding to…
- Thailand News
MFP warned of legal implications ahead of general debate
A general debate has been scheduled for April 3 and 4, with a cautionary note to the opposition that they may face legal consequences if issues related to the ex-premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, are raised. This debate doesn’t require a censure vote under Section 152 of the constitution and will span over two days, revealed Wisut Chainarun, the chief government whip.…
- Thailand News
Update: Thaksin sets off for Chiang Mai with Paetongtarn
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra emerged from Chan Song La residence, alongside his youngest daughter and Pheu Thai party leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra ready to take off for his hometown, Chiang Mai. At the crack of dawn, precisely at 5.19am, the duo paid their respects at the revered Bangkok City Pillar shrine, before departing on a jet plane bound for Chiang…
- Thailand News
Thai Pakdee Party leader acquitted in defamation suit
Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, the leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, emerged triumphant today as the Criminal Court acquitted him in a high-stakes defamation suit brought forth by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the former leader of the now-defunct Future Forward Party. Amidst the legal theatrics, Thanathorn, now at the helm of the Progressive Movement, was conspicuously absent as the verdict echoed through the…
- Thailand News
Will Thaksin return to Chiang Mai home?
In an exclusive statement, Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter debunked rumours, stating that while her father expressed a desire to visit Chiang Mai, there are no concrete travel arrangements yet. Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, made known that nothing had been planned. “As of now, no specific itinerary has been planned. He said he’d like to visit his ancestors’ graves. And his elder…
- Thailand News
Former Thai PM Yingluck cleared in major corruption case
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Holders of Political Positions yesterday delivered a resounding verdict, absolving Yingluck Shinawatra and five co-defendants of malfeasance and corruption allegations. The charges stemmed from the allocation of a hefty 240-million-baht campaign budget aimed at promoting the Yingluck government’s ambitious 2-trillion-baht infrastructure projects. Commenting on the verdict, Thanaporn Sriyakul, director of the Political and…
- Thailand News
Myanmar seminar: Promoting dialogue amid political turmoil
In a bold move challenging the Myanmar junta’s objections, Thai politicians kickstarted a two-day seminar delving into Myanmar’s political turmoil. Despite diplomatic tensions, the event aims to foster dialogue among stakeholders. Thai parliament’s Move Forward Party (MFP) member Rangsiman Rome, leading the House committee on national security, initiated the seminar with a vision of promoting peace and sustainability in Myanmar’s…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin paroled raising legal questions
Convicted former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted parole in compliance with legal criteria, according to Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the Justice Minister. This comes following Thaskin’s return to Thailand last year, during which he did not serve any jail time. This development sparked questions from Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a Bangkok MP for the Move Forward Party (MFP),…
- Thailand News
MFP proposes revolutionary gender recognition bill for Thailand
In a landmark move to champion transgender rights, the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) is set to unveil a revolutionary legal proposition aiming to overhaul Thailand’s binary gender recognition system. According to party MP Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, the proposed bill, due for its maiden reading in Parliament, has sparked fervent debate surrounding the rights of transgender individuals to select their official…
- Thailand News
Update: Srettha confirms Thaksin’s release tomorrow
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s release from hospital detention, confirmed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, marks the end of a dramatic chapter in Thai politics. Thaksin, who returned to Thailand after 15 years in self-imposed exile, will step out of confinement on Sunday, according to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. The 74 year old ex-PM, serving a commuted one-year sentence for…
- Thailand News
Red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikua urges lawmakers to pass bills for 2010 crackdown victims
Nattawut Saikua, a key figure in the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), intensified his campaign for justice by urging Pheu Thai Party executives to throw their weight behind two pivotal bills. These bills, spearheaded by ruling party Deputy Leader Chousak Sirinil, are poised to revolutionise the quest for accountability. The proposed legislation encompasses an organic act targeting the…
- Thailand News
Party chief Suwat celebrates 69th birthday with prime minister
Chart Pattana Kla Party chief Suwat Liptapanlop celebrated his 69th birthday by hosting the prime minister and lending his backing to the government’s highly debated digital wallet policy. Despite facing opposition from the central bank and various government agencies, Suwat firmly believes that the controversial plan to distribute 10,000 baht to nearly every Thai aged 16 and above is crucial…
- Thailand News
Supreme court weighs in on vote buying case against PPRP candidate
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a vote buying case brought forth by the Election Commission (EC) against a candidate from the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) from Nakhon Sawan. The candidate, Pornwisit Jaemsai, is accused of vote-buying, an illegal practice that infringes the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives (2018). This announcement was made…
- Thailand News
Thai parties unite to amend Referendum Act for easier constitution change
Thailand’s leading political parties, Pheu Thai and Move Forward, are joining forces to amend the country’s Referendum Act. The act’s existing flaws are viewed as hurdles to modifying the constitution, a critical move supported by many parties who see the current charter as a legacy of the National Council for Peace and Order, the orchestrator of the last coup. Both…
- Thailand News
MFP confident on Constitutional Court ruling on lese majeste law amendment
The Constitutional Court’s impending verdict on the main opposition Move Forward Party‘s (MFP) bid to amend the lese majeste law is anticipated with confidence by the party. The MFP’s list MP and spokesperson, Parit Wacharasindhu, stated yesterday, January 29, that an internal discussion would take place before the court’s ruling. The Constitutional Court was petitioned by Theerayut Suwannakasorn to determine…
- Thailand News
Pita Limjaroenrat’s triumphant return to Parliament after iTV shareholding court case
In a sensational comeback, former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat reclaimed his spot in the Parliament today, delivering a scathing critique of the government’s 500-billion-baht digital wallet scheme. The prime ministerial candidate, now leading the opposition, spared no words as he labelled the scheme a potential long-term burden for the country. “I miss the Parliament atmosphere.” Having successfully…
- Thailand News
MFP supports Pheu Thai’s two charter amendments referendums
The Move Forward Party (MFP) backs Pheu Thai‘s proposal for two referendums on charter amendments, promising to reshape Thailand‘s political landscape. Parit Wacharasindhu, an MFP list-MP and the party’s spokesperson, declared on Tuesday, January 23, the MFP’s full-throated endorsement of Pheu Thai’s deputy leader, Chusak Sirinil’s, proposition for just two referendums, stating that it’s a cost-effective and time-efficient approach. Not…
- Thailand News
Former MFP opposition leader Pita’s fate hangs on Constitutional Court verdict
All eyes will be fixed on today’s Constitutional Court ruling, a potential game-changer in the media shareholding scandal involving Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP). The court’s decision could determine his political destiny, with the looming threat of losing his MP status. Legal expert Komsan Phokong weighed in on the pivotal case, hinting at…
- Politics News
Protesters intensify demonstrations over Thaksin Shinawatra’s preferential treatment
The Students and People’s Network for Thailand Reform (STR) are intensifying their demonstrations over the alleged preferential treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra, the convicted former prime minister. The protesters are set to stage a sit-in outside the Government House starting February 2. According to Pichit Chaimongkol, the STR leader, there are plans to protest indefinitely alongside other groups that are targeting…
- Thailand News
Bhumjaithai’s Chontida Asavahame quits party
Chontida Asavahame, the fifth candidate on Bhumjaithai’s political roster, has quit the party. The move dashes any hopes she had of replacing former Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob as an MP, according to an inside party source. Supachai Jaisamut, Bhumjaithai’s registrar, confirmed the development, revealing that the party promptly notified the Secretariate Office of the House of Representatives about Chontida’s resignation. This…
- Thailand News
Thai government’s 500 billion baht Digital Wallet Scheme hangs in the balance
The eagerly anticipated meeting of the Digital Wallet Committee has been abruptly postponed. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai revealed that the delay hinges on the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) awaited verdict. Council of State’s Secretary General, Pakorn Nilprapunt advocated for the committee to seek input not just from the Council of State but also from the NACC. Last week, the Council of…
- Thailand News
House Committee denied access to hospitalised ex-PM Thaksin
A visit to the Police General Hospital by members of the House Committee on police affairs was met with resistance yesterday, as they were denied access to the hospitalised former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The committee’s objective was to verify if Thaksin was indeed under treatment at the hospital, following approval for the visit granted on Monday. The committee, led…
- Thailand News
Thai prisons chief promises answers for Thaksin’s prolonged hospital stay by next week
Prisons Chief Sahakarn Phetnarin promises to provide long-awaited answers for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s extended residency at the Police General Hospital. Director-General Phetnarin cited the need for a few more days to gather information meticulously from both the prison hospital and the Police General Hospital regarding Thaksin’s health conditions. He assured the public that all lingering questions would be…
- Thailand News
Thai PM denies hold up with digital wallet plan
The government remains undeterred as it stands firm on its 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, scheduled for a May launch, despite legal challenges. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin promised a consensus after seeking opinions from key players. “We stand by the original timeframe.” The Council of State recently weighed in on the legality of the government’s plan to borrow a hefty 500…
- Politics News
Activists challenge Thaksin’s hospital treatment, demand transparency
A recent post by former Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn on January 3 questioned the alleged preferential treatment for Thaksin Shinawatra, former Thai PM, a high-profile prisoner receiving medical care at the Police General Hospital. In response, the Thai Department of Corrections addressed the matter on January 6, clarifying their stance and procedures concerning long-term treatments exceeding 120 days for inmates…
- Politics News
Thailand’s opposition questions rising military budget amid promised reforms
Opposition parties in Thailand expressed concern over the budget allocations for the country’s military, arguing that these contradict the Pheu Thai Party’s commitment to reform and downsize the armed forces. The concerns were voiced during a debate on the 2024 budget bill, with Aekkarat Udomamnuay, an MP with the Move Forward Party (MFP), questioning the Defence Ministry’s request for 198…
- Politics News
Thai politics 2023 in review: Challenges and changes
The landscape of Thai politics in 2023 was filled with suspense, surprises, and setbacks. The Move Forward Party, despite winning the most seats in the May election, couldn’t form a government. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, a significant figure in the country’s political sphere, decided to retire. A potential reconciliation between the red and yellow shirts was on the horizon. Thaksin Shinawatra,…
