Thai politics

  • Politics NewsPM digs in his heels, says he won’t quit while the country needs him

    PM digs in his heels, says he won’t quit while the country needs him

    The Thai PM says he’s not going anywhere and will remain in position at least until next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, which Thailand is hosting. According to a Bangkok Post report, Prayut Chan-o-cha was responding to questions from reporters about the remainder of his 4-year term, which ends in March 2023. He says as long as the country needs…

  • Politics NewsThai PM denies he’s trying to remain in power for up to 20 years

    Thai PM denies he’s trying to remain in power for up to 20 years

    The Thai PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha, says it’s not true he’s using the 20-year national strategy as an excuse to cling on to power for up to 20 years. According to a Bangkok Post report, the PM rejected the allegation during a speech at a Thai Chamber of Commerce event yesterday. “Efforts have been made to distort the intention (of the…

  • Thailand video newsHaters on YouTube, Thai politics, Phuket Seafood festival | Good Morning Thailand LIVE | Ep.128

    Haters on YouTube, Thai politics, Phuket Seafood festival | Good Morning Thailand LIVE | Ep.128

    In today’s episode Jay, Tim and Forrest talk about youtube hate and how to deal with the hate sometimes that comes with being in the public Youtube dome. They look at the current news and headlines regarding Thai politics as we;; as the Phuket Seafood Festival.

  • Thailand video newsEntering Thailand, Chinese/Indian tourists, Ruling coalition rumbles | Good Morning Thailand | Ep.120

    Entering Thailand, Chinese/Indian tourists, Ruling coalition rumbles | Good Morning Thailand | Ep.120

    Jay and Tim go through the top stories in Thailand today that include: The fine print details about the nov 1 re-opening and information the tourists need to know. A chat about what Thailand’s new slogan should be, Talking about the Chinese and Indian tourists as well as the Thai ruling coalition having a few rumbles.

  • Politics NewsPM tells reporters to focus on economy, doesn’t want to talk about election

    PM tells reporters to focus on economy, doesn’t want to talk about election

    The Thai PM says he can cope with everything he has to deal with and is not bothered by rumours of political disagreements. However, according to a Bangkok Post report, he then asked journalists to stop asking about the election and focus their questions on the economy instead. Prayut Chan-o-cha was addressing the media after yesterday’s meeting of the Defence…

  • Politics NewsMP queries appointment of army general to oversee Covid-19 in southern Thailand

    MP queries appointment of army general to oversee Covid-19 in southern Thailand

    An MP from the Bhumjaithai Party has called on the PM to review his appointment of an army general to oversee the Covid-19 situation in the south of the country. MP Suphachai Jaismut has questioned the appropriateness of appointing Nattaphon Narkphanit, formerly secretary-general of the National Security Council. “My point of contention is that the PM is adopting ‘security as…

  • Politics NewsProsecutors to decide Thanathorn’s fate on November 4 following vaccine comments

    Prosecutors to decide Thanathorn’s fate on November 4 following vaccine comments

    On November 4, prosecutors will decide whether or not to indict Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit over comments he made about Thailand’s AstraZeneca technology-transfer deal. At the start of the year, the founder of the Progressive Movement criticised the government for being overly-reliant on Siam Bioscience for Covid-19 vaccines. The Bangkok Post reports that Thanathorn faces charges of violating Thailand’s defamation law and…

  • Politics NewsOpposition accused of misinterpreting how long PM has left in office

    Opposition accused of misinterpreting how long PM has left in office

    A spokesperson from the PM’s Secretariat Office has slammed opposition parties for trying to end the PM’s term prematurely. Thippanan Sirichana accuses opposition MPs of trying to damage Prayut Chan-o-cha’s reputation because they’re concerned he might score a second term in office. According to a Bangkok Post report, the confrontation is the result of a difference of opinion as to…

  • Hot NewsThai artist to launch legal action over National Artist title being revoked

    Thai artist to launch legal action over National Artist title being revoked

    Thai artist Suchart Sawadsri says he’s taking legal action after losing the title of National Artist, allegedly because of his support for anti-government activists. Suchart says it’s not the loss of the title that bothers him, but the belief that the National Culture Commission behaved inappropriately in revoking it. The Bangkok Post reports that the artist took to Facebook to…

  • Thailand video newsLegal action against the Thai PM? Mixing Vaccines | Thailand News Today | September 8

    Legal action against the Thai PM? Mixing Vaccines | Thailand News Today | September 8

    Thailand’s opposition parties plan to take legal action against the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and several of his ministers, following last week’s no-confidence vote that went in the government’s favour. From next Tuesday, health officials in Bangkok will replace two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with one dose of Sinovac, followed by a dose of AstraZeneca. An auto repair shop owner…

  • Politics NewsOpposition to take legal action against Thai PM, ministers, following no-confidence vote

    Opposition to take legal action against Thai PM, ministers, following no-confidence vote

    Thailand’s opposition parties plan to take legal action against the PM and several of his ministers, following a no-confidence vote that went in the government’s favour. Chief opposition whip, Sutin Klungsang, says 6 parties will pursue legal action, according to a Bangkok Post report. Last week’s no-confidence debate targeted PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and 5 of his ministers: Public Health Minister,…

  • Thailand Protest NewsMore protests planned for Bangkok today as activists continue fight to remove PM

    More protests planned for Bangkok today as activists continue fight to remove PM

    Anti-government protesters are planning another “car mob” rally in Bangkok today, as they continue their bid to remove the Thai PM from office. The Bangkok Post reports that yesterday, Red Shirt activist Nattawut Saikuar addressed a rally at the Asoke intersection in the capital, vowing to lead a bigger protest from the Ratchaprasong intersection to Asoke today. According to the…

  • Politics NewsMove Forward MP accused of falsifying documents in complaint filed by Thai army

    Move Forward MP accused of falsifying documents in complaint filed by Thai army

    The Thai military has filed a complaint against Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, an MP from the Move Forward Party. In the complaint, which was filed at a police station in the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, Nattacha is accused of producing fake documents during the ongoing no-confidence debate. The debate against the PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government got underway on Monday.…

  • Politics NewsGovernment asks opposition not to invite public to vote to remove PM from office

    Government asks opposition not to invite public to vote to remove PM from office

    A government spokesman has asked the opposition Pheu Thai party to drop its plan to invite the public to vote on the PM’s removal from office. Thai PBS World reports that the opposition party is planning to ask the public to cast their votes online during, or shortly after, a no confidence debate against PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and 5 of…

  • Politics NewsAt least 5 government ministers named in opposition no-confidence motion

    At least 5 government ministers named in opposition no-confidence motion

    At least 5 government ministers are named in a no-confidence motion being submitted by the opposition Pheu Thai party, including the PM and Health Minister. The Bangkok Post reports that the ministers targeted by the move are PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, and Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin.…

  • Thailand Protest NewsSupreme Court rules against former red-shirt leader

    Supreme Court rules against former red-shirt leader

    Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan has been ordered to serve back-to-back sentences in 2 defamation cases, according to a Supreme Court ruling. The Bangkok Post reports that Jatuporn will now spend another 11 months and 16 days in prison after a 2009 defamation case brought against him by former PM, Abhisit Vejjajiva. The activist was found guilty of defamation in…

  • Thailand Protest NewsProtesters to be charged over weekend rallies

    Protesters to be charged over weekend rallies

    The Metropolitan Police Bureau says it plans to charge the leaders of recent anti-government protests in Bangkok. Investigators from the Nang Loeng neighbourhood say they’ve reviewed footage of Saturday’s rallies and come to the conclusion that organisers broke several laws, including the emergency decree and disease control decree. The Bangkok Post reports that the first protest took place near Government…

  • Thailand Protest NewsPro-democracy activists to march in support of restaurant operators

    Pro-democracy activists to march in support of restaurant operators

    The pro-democracy Ratsadon group is planning another march today, calling once again for the resignation of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. Activists are also organising a flea market to shows its opposition to the current ban on dining-in at restaurants in Bangkok and a number of other provinces. The controversial restrictions were introduced at short notice on Monday, taking restaurant operators by…

  • Politics NewsThamanat elected to role of head ‘fixer’ in Palang Pracharat party

    Thamanat elected to role of head ‘fixer’ in Palang Pracharat party

    Thamanat Prompow, still the Thai deputy agricultural minister, now has a firm grasp of the reigns of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party, the leading coalition party of the Thai government. Thamanat’s stay in an Australian prison for 4 years of a 6 year sentence on heroin trafficking charges back in the 90s, has not swayed his fellow MPs in electing…

  • Politics NewsThai PM ignores demands to step down, insists he’s going nowhere

    Thai PM ignores demands to step down, insists he’s going nowhere

    The Thai PM is fending off near-daily calls for his resignation, insisting he’s going nowhere before the end of his term in office. Prayut Chan-o-cha was speaking during a parliamentary session yesterday, when he declared his intention to see out his 4-year term. Thai PBS World reports that the speech was part of an address to senators, to justify an…

  • Politics NewsFormer Finance Minister petitions to revoke approval of government’s 700 billion baht loan

    Former Finance Minister petitions to revoke approval of government’s 700 billion baht loan

    A former politician, who served as Finance Minister from 2011 to 2012, is petitioning the Supreme Administrative Court to revoke approval for the government’s 700 billion baht loan. Cabinet recently approved an executive decree that allows the government to borrow the funds, in order to restore Thailand’s decimated economy and combat the Covid-19 crisis. Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala says he doesn’t object…

  • Politics NewsOpposition vows to oppose budget, calls on coalition members to do likewise

    Opposition vows to oppose budget, calls on coalition members to do likewise

    Thailand’s main opposition party says it will oppose the national budget when it enters parliament on May 31. The Pheu Thai party is also calling on members of the ruling coalition to do the same. Deputy party leader Yutthapong Charassathien says his party will vote against the budget to prevent the bill from passing. According to a Bangkok Post report,…

  • Politics NewsGovernment accused of infighting, putting Thailand’s recovery at risk

    Government accused of infighting, putting Thailand’s recovery at risk

    Both opposition politicians and members of the coalition have come out to say infighting between various government figures and organisations is putting Thailand’s recovery at risk. The Thai Enquirer carries a report in which government critics say up to 4 different government organisations disagree over the best way out of the pandemic. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, the Bangkok…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s global reputation for pandemic management goes down the pan

    Thailand’s global reputation for pandemic management goes down the pan

    Oh, how the tables have turned… This time last year, Thailand was in strict lockdown to combat a pandemic that was starting its march around the globe, while countries such as the US and UK dithered over how to handle the crisis. The upshot was both western countries ended up with 2 of the world’s highest infection rates and preventable…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Imprisoned protesters cry foul, investigation into scout drowning | March 19

    Thailand News Today | Imprisoned protesters cry foul, investigation into scout drowning | March 19

    Link to Jett’s VDO: https://youtu.be/uJd0qrU9xqE Thailand’s Public Health Minister says the government’s Covid-19 task force will meet today to decide what this year’s Songkran celebrations will look like. While a ban on inter-provincial travel is not expected, the health minister says provincial governors will impose health screening protocols for people moving between provinces. The Ministry of Justice has denied that…

  • Politics NewsJailed former politicians await outcome of bail hearing

    Jailed former politicians await outcome of bail hearing

    8 former politicians, now behind bars for their role in protests that toppled the Yingluck Shinawatra administration and led to the 2014 military coup, are waiting for the outcome of their bail hearing. The detainees, all former members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, are Suthep Thaugsuban, Issara Somchai, Chumpol Julsai, the Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam, Education Minister, Nataphol…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Pollies in jail, Covid originated in Thailand? | Feb 25

    Thailand News Today | Pollies in jail, Covid originated in Thailand? | Feb 25

    Today on Thailand News Today, a number of government ministers have ended up in jail, the vaccines are about to roll out but experts say the injections are not the end of the pandemic, and A Pattaya motorbike taxi driver is being accused of attacking a Chilean national. We’ve also get a special report on the channel about accusations that…

  • Politics NewsBehind bars: government ministers among 29 jailed for Yingluck protests

    Behind bars: government ministers among 29 jailed for Yingluck protests

    A number of government ministers have been jailed for their part in protests against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra that crippled Bangkok and ultimately led to the 2014 military coup. Yesterday, the Criminal Court handed prison sentences to 29 former members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, some of whom were serving in the current administration. Former politician and former…

  • Politics NewsThai PM walks out of parliament, accusing MPs of not listening to him

    Thai PM walks out of parliament, accusing MPs of not listening to him

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has walked out of a parliamentary debate in an apparent huff that MPs were laughing instead of listening to him. Thai PBS World reports that the incident happened in parliament yesterday afternoon, while the PM was explaining the southern economic zone project as part of the censure debate. Accusing some of those present of not paying…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Chinese vaccine on the way to Thailand | February 9

    Thailand News Today | Chinese vaccine on the way to Thailand | February 9

      The Criminal Court has rejected a bid by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to remove a piece of online footage that criticises the government’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout, or more precisely the lack of a Covid-19 vaccine roll out. The former leader of the Future Forward Party, Thanathorn, took to Facebook to live stream his thoughts on the…