Thai politics
- Thailand News
Opposition calls for Pheu Thai’s pledged 600-baht minimum wage
The opposition urged the implementation of the Pheu Thai Party’s promised 600-baht minimum wage while criticising the government’s labour policy for a perceived lack of initiatives to enhance labour skills. Sia Jampathong, an MP from the People’s Party, highlighted these concerns during yesterday’s final day of a joint Parliament sitting. He noted that labour policy was conspicuously absent from the…
- Thailand News
Thai defence minister appoints ex-RTA expert as secretary
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai appointed General Trisak Indararusmi, a former expert with the Royal Thai Army (RTA) and a former classmate of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as his secretary. This appointment precedes Phumtham’s official commencement at the ministry, set for Monday. Gen. Trisak, an alumnus of Class 10 from the armed forces preparatory school, is expected to bring significant experience…
- Thailand News
People’s Party urges urgent rewrite of 2017 constitution
The opposition People’s Party (PP) called on the government to prioritise the rewrite of the 2017 constitution as an urgent policy. The party, formerly known as the Move Forward Party, expressed doubts about the promised changes, citing the minimal mention and low priority given to the charter rewrite in the government’s recent policy statement. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, PP leader, criticised the…
- Thailand News
AI scandal: PPRP slams fake Prawit leadership ambition audio clip
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) vehemently denied the authenticity of an explosive audio clip, which allegedly features its leader, General Prawit Wongsuwan expressing his desire to lead the country. The party insists the clip is an AI-generated fake. The controversial recording was aired on the popular programme Inside Thailand, alongside three other voice clips supposedly involving Prawit. In the first…
- Thailand News
PM Paetongtarn faces ethics probe over mini-heart gesture
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces a new accusation by serial petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, who claims she committed a serious offence by making a mini-heart gesture while in her civil service dress uniform. Ruangkrai, known for seeking the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party for alleged domination by Paetongtarn’s father Thaksin, has focused his efforts on the ethics section of…
- Thailand News
Palang Pracharath executives including key MPs jump ship
Caretaker Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow and five key executives of the Palang Pracharath Party resigned from their posts yesterday, sparking speculation about the party’s future. A well-placed source revealed that the six executives have already notified the Election Commission (EC), adding that their departure was imminent. Among those leaving with Thamanat were influential figures such as Samphan Mayusoh, Narathiwat MP;…
- Thailand News
Defence minister announces new commanders in military reshuffle
A significant military reshuffle list is nearing completion, pending final adjustments from the new Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and his Deputy General Natthapol Nakpanich. The proposed list, which includes appointments for new leaders of the armed forces and other high-ranking positions, was discussed at a meeting on Tuesday. This meeting saw the participation of six top commanders and officials from…
- Thailand News
Thai PM Paetongtarn to submit new Cabinet list next week
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, plans to submit the names of her new Cabinet members for royal endorsement by next week. Unfortunately, future Deputy Minister Chada Thaiseth withdrew his name from the list this morning. Prime Minister Paetongtarn arrived at Shinawatra Tower 3, her temporary office, at 9.40am today, September 3, and revealed to the media that the…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s Seri Ruam Thai Party dumps Pheu Thai amid feud
Thailand’s Seri Ruam Thai Party has quit the Pheu Thai-led coalition government. The move follows a heated dispute between Seri Ruam Thai’s leader, Police General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, and the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which he accuses of neglect. In a tense briefing at the Seri Ruam Thai headquarters yesterday, Pol. Gen. Sereepisuth revealed that the party executive board had decided…
- Thailand News
Democratic Party member slams leadership for joining rivals
In a scathing critique that’s sent shockwaves through Thailand’s political landscape, Watanya Bunnag, a high-profile member of the Democrat Party, condemned her party’s decision to align with the Pheu Thai-led coalition government. Watanya, also known as Madame Dear, labelled the move as a betrayal of the party’s faithful supporters. Taking to Facebook, Watanya accused the party’s leadership of shattering the…
- Thailand News
Senate passes referendum bill, simplifies majority requirement
The Senate has given initial approval to the referendum bill passed by the House of Representatives, despite significant opposition from some senators. The contentious issue revolves around the bill’s replacement of the referendum’s double majority requirement with a simpler single majority or more than half of the votes cast. At the conclusion of yesterday’s session, the Senate voted 179 to…
- Politics News
Pheu Thai Party says no Cabinet seats for Palang Pracharath MPs
Pheu Thai Party MPs met yesterday and agreed to remove members of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) from the new Cabinet. Former Pheu Thai Party Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently revealed that the new Cabinet would be established by the end of August, now only three days away. Phumtham disclosed that some former coalition parties have already submitted the…
- Politics News
Thaksin drops bombshell on fallout with Prawit
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has finally broken his silence on the real reason behind his dramatic fallout with General Prawit Wongsuwan, the ex-military strongman and current leader of the embattled Palang Pracharath Party. During a question-and-answer session following his keynote speech on Thailand’s future at an event hosted by The Nation media group last night, Thaksin spilled the…
- Thailand News
Thaksin denies political deal on return from exile
Thaksin Shinawatra firmly stated yesterday that no political arrangement was crafted with his conservative adversaries to facilitate his return from a 15-year exile last year. The former Thai premier made the statement during an on-stage interview at a forum organised by a local media group. “There is no deal, no one dare do a deal with me.” The 75 year…
- Thailand News
Scandal erupts over judge’s joke about defunct MFP
A Pheu Thai MP is set to submit an urgent motion in the House of Representatives, calling for an investigation into a Constitutional Court judge’s controversial comments regarding a dissolved political party. The judge, Udom Sittiwirattham, already under scrutiny for his role in dissolving the Move Forward Party (MFP), has now sparked outrage with a flippant remark about the People’s…
- Thailand News
Harvard comeback: Pita’s return to the political arena
Pita Limjaroenrat, the exiled political leader with unfinished business in Thai politics, is making an unexpected return to his old stomping grounds. The former leader of the now-disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), who’s currently sidelined by a 10-year political ban, snagged a prestigious spot as a Democracy Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School. “This is an exciting opportunity to continue…
- Politics News
Digital wallet scheme to offer cash option for vulnerable groups
The digital wallet policy conundrum, promoted by the Pheu Thai Party, has taken a new turn, with vulnerable residents potentially receiving 10,000 baht in cash rather than digital currency. Following the leadership change, rumours about the possible cancellation of the digital wallet scheme raised concern among those eagerly anticipating the funds. Many were worried that the new Prime Minister Paetongtarn…
- Thailand News
Slapgate scandal: Prawit faces ethics inquiry
Thailand’s political scene has been rocked by an incident involving Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader, General Prawit Wongsuwon. The former deputy prime minister is now facing calls for an ethics inquiry after being caught on video slapping a reporter during a tense exchange last Friday. The News Broadcasting Council of Thailand (NBCT) and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association have formally…
- Thailand News
Thai PM Paetongtarn’s star-studded birthday bash
Pheu Thai’s 141 MPs gathered yesterday to honour their leader, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on the eve of her 38th birthday. The event, which doubled as a heartfelt thank you to her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was held a day before Paetongtarn’s actual birthday at the party’s headquarters in the Shinawatra 3 Building. Paetongtarn, who officially turns 38 today, kicked off…
- Thailand News
Pita vows to reform Thailand’s broken political system
Thailand’s political arena has been thrown into disarray once again, as Pita Limjaroenrat, the embattled leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP), issues a stark warning: without judicial reform, the country will continue to go around in circles. Pita’s comments follow two seismic court rulings that not only disbanded his progressive party but also ousted a prime minister, leaving…
- Politics News
Paetongtarn’s pledge: No more Shinawatra slip-ups
Thailand’s youngest Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pledged to avoid the political disasters plaguing her father and aunt. Addressing the media for the first time after her royal endorsement yesterday, the 37 year old Thai premier made a bold promise to dodge the fate of Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra. The Bangkok-born Thai politician made known she is keen to avoid her…
- Thailand News
Prawit under fire for alleged reporter intimidation (video)
Palang Pracharath party leader General Prawit Wongsuwan finds himself in hot water after allegedly intimidating a Thai PBS reporter. The incident, which has sparked outrage, is now being condemned by both Thai PBS and the Thai Journalists’ Association (TJA). General Prawit, who harboured ambitions of becoming Thailand’s prime minister, was visibly agitated when the reporter questioned him about the live…
- Politics News
Prawit punchline: PPP leader faces prison after journalist assault
Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan faces an assault charge after he lashed out in anger towards a Thai journalist after being questioned about the new Prime Minister of Thailand. The parliamentary meeting to select a new PM following the removal of ex-PM Srettha Thavisin began at around 10am today, August 16. At the end of the meeting, the leader…
- Politics News
Paetongtarn makes history to become youngest PM of Thailand
In a stunning political shake-up, Paetongtarn “Aung Aing” Shinawatra is the new Prime Minister of Thailand, following in the illustrious footsteps of her father, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Making waves as both the youngest and second female prime minister in Thai history, Paetongtarn is already grabbing headlines and stirring excitement across the nation. The House of Representatives held a special…
- Politics News
Thai MPs call for new constitution after PM Srettha’s removal
Parit Wacharasindhu, a Member of Parliament from the People’s Party, voiced concerns yesterday following the Constitutional Court’s decision to remove Srettha Thavisin from the position of Thai Prime Minister. Parit stated his party’s disagreement with the ruling, highlighting that while political leaders should uphold ethics and integrity, the interpretation of ethics is subjective. He argued that ethical matters should be…
- Politics News
Thai politics in Cabinet fever as PM race heats up, 7 candidates
Following the removal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, several media outlets are closely watching the selection of the next PM and the formation of the new Cabinet with seven potential candidates from five coalition government parties. According to Section 159 of the Constitution, the appointment of the PM of Thailand involves five conditions: The House of Representatives must appoint…
- Thailand News
Thai PM Srettha removed over serious political ethic violation
The Constitutional Court of Thailand today removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office after ruling that he seriously violated political ethics by appointing a former criminal as a minister. The now-former PM Srettha appointed Pichit Chuenban, a renowned lawyer associated with the Shinawatra family, as the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office. This decision raised concerns among 40 Senators, as…
- Politics News
MFP dissolution leads to new political outfit: The People’s Party
Members of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP) today launched their new political outfit, the People’s Party. Natthaphong “Teng” Ruengpanyawut, the former MFP Deputy Secretary-General, has been named the new leader of the rebranded party. The Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the MFP on Wednesday, August 7, accusing the party of posing a threat to both the monarchy and…
- Thailand News
US Embassy concerned over dissolution of Move Forward Party
The United States of America Embassy issued an official statement of concern on Facebook after the Constitutional Court yesterday dissolved the Move Forward Party (MFP) over their attempts to alter the lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Law. After five months of consideration, the Constitutional Court yesterday, August 7, deemed the MFP‘s campaign to reform…
- Thailand News
Thai bill to legalise adult entertainment industry fails first reading
A bill aiming to legalise the adult entertainment industry and its associated products, including pornographic materials and sex toys, failed to pass its first reading in the House yesterday. Sponsored by the Move Forward Party (MFP), the bill was introduced by Bangkok MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn last month. The proposal sought to amend Section 287 of the Criminal Code, which currently…
