Thai politics
- Politics News
Justice minister denies orchestrating Thaksin’s extended hospital stay
Justice Minister Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong has denied any involvement in the Department of Corrections’ (DoC) decision to grant former 74 year old Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra preferential medical treatment outside of prison. The controversial decision was brought to light during a parliamentary meeting yesterday by Move Forward Party MP, Chonthicha Jangrew, who criticised the DoC’s approval of Thaksin’s extended…
- Thailand News
Former MFP leader Pita faces court drama over media scandal
The former leader of the Move Forward party (MFP), Pita Limjaroenrat, is gearing up for a courtroom showdown to defend himself against allegations involving a media scandal. Former MFP leader Pita has declared his readiness to face the Constitutional Court next Wednesday, December 20. The political maverick is set to battle allegations that he held shares in the now-defunct iTV…
- Thailand News
Former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob to be judged by charter court
The Constitutional Court will unveil its verdict on January 17 on the contentious share concealment accusations against former Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. Following a marathon six-hour hearing, Saksayam defended himself against all accusations. “I’ve laid bare the truth about my stake in Burijarearn Construction Limited Partnership. I’ve fully explained the matter.” The court spectacle featured an ensemble cast, including Varaporn Thetsen,…
- Thailand News
Thai senator faces lawsuit for alleged money laundering
Senator Upakit Pachariyangkun is facing charges after public prosecutors filed a lawsuit against him today, December 14. The Thai politician has been accused of money laundering and aiding a transnational criminal organisation. This legal action follows the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) decision to indict Upakit on charges of money laundering, involvement in a transnational criminal organisation, and alleged support…
- Thailand News
Unidentified man attacks Thai political aide in Government House
A dispute erupted at Government House during a Cabinet meeting today, December 12, when an unidentified man assaulted a Thai political aide. The incident occurred around 11.35am at the APCD 60+ coffee shop, adjacent to the main government building where the Cabinet meeting was taking place. The assailant, whose identity is known only as Itthipol, entered Government House without uttering…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s Democrat Party in crisis following mass leadership change
The Democrat Party in Thailand teeters on the brink of a crisis, following an overwhelming loss of members due to a recent change in leadership, according to the party’s former leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Chalermchai Sri-on, the ninth elected leader of the Democrats, took over the reins amidst internal turmoil. Abhisit, in his first public comment since the leadership election on December 9,…
- Business News
Thai Cabinet reshuffle could impact economy and foreign investment
The Thai Cabinet, currently conducting mobile meetings in Nong Bua Lam Phu – the country’s poorest province, is speculated to face potential reshuffles in leadership or dissolution in the coming year, intensifying the political activities across various Thai provinces. Such changes could pose a risk to the country’s economy, given the current administration is only a few months old. The…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s 2 billion baht electricity subsidy for 17.7 million households
The Thai Cabinet has allocated 2 billion baht to subsidise electricity costs for 17.7 million vulnerable households. The scheme, set to be a new year’s gift, will apply to those using no more than 300 units of electricity per month, maintaining a cost of 3.99 baht per unit. Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Peeraphan Salirathaviphak, stated today, December 8,…
- Thailand News
Ex-protest leader Chinnawat gets suspended sentence for royal defamation
Chinnawat Chankrachang, better known as Bright, a former co-leader of pro-democracy demonstrations who later supported the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) linked with ex-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has been given a suspended sentence for royal defamation. This conviction is related to a rally held in February 2002. The details were revealed on Chinnawat’s Facebook page, where he shared that the…
- Thailand News
Thai provincial governors gain CEO-like powers under new decentralisation policy
Thai provincial governors have been granted the authority akin to a company’s CEO, following a Cabinet agreement. This move forms part of the government’s decentralisation policy. However, the main opposition party, the Move Forward Party (MFP), and various critics question if this action truly aligns with accepted international standards of decentralisation. The Cabinet-approved proposal, submitted by the National Economic and…
- Thailand News
Party-hopper: Ex-PPRP MP’s bold Democrat Party leadership bid
Watanya Bunnag, formerly a list MP belonging to the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), recently expressed her intention to run for the leadership of the Democrat Party (DP), following her switch to the latter in August. The election to decide the party’s leader is set to take place on December 9. Watanya, who currently serves as the chairwoman of the Democrat Party’s…
- Thailand News
Bangkok MP Chaiyamphawan joins Thai Progress Party following MFP expulsion
Bangkok MP Chaiyamphawan Manpianjit faces expulsion from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) following accusations of sexual harassment. The MP has now found a new political home, joining another party, a move that ensures he retains his position in the House. The announcement about Chaiyamphawan’s shift to a new party was made late last night, November 28, by his spokesperson,…
- Thailand News
Former Thai PM Prayut’s wealth grows by 2.8 million baht post-office
Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former prime minister of Thailand, along with his wife, saw their assets increase by 2.8 million baht, while former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan‘s wealth increased by 2 million baht after they left office. This information was released by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Thailand. Prayut and Prawit’s finances garnered significant attention when the NACC released…
- Thailand News
Political activist to report Prime Minister of Thailand for alleged interference in police appointments
Renowned political activist Srisuwan Janya pledged yesterday to lodge a formal complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) concerning an alleged statement by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The contested statement revolves around the 61 year old prime minister’s reported claim that some members of the Pheu Thai Party had meddled with the appointment process for police station chiefs. The Thailand…
- Thailand News
Thai Srivijaya Party leader gets one-month prison sentence and 20000 baht fine for intimidation
The Phra Nakhon North District Court sentenced Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, also known as Tae, the leader of the Thai Srivijaya Party, to a month in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht for intimidation. The intimidation charges relate to threats made against Decha Kittiwittayanan, with sentencing to be deferred for a year and a probationary period of one year, during which…
- Thailand News
Thai Interior Ministry to launch nationwide crackdown on influential figures
The nationwide crackdown on influential figures, orchestrated by Thailand’s Interior Ministry, is set to kick off on December 1, confirmed Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiseth. The operation, a collaborative effort between numerous authorities, including provincial administrative organisations, subdistrict administrative organisations, law enforcement and armed forces, is aimed at scrutinising and disbanding networks of these influential figures. A comprehensive list of…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s digital wallet loan bill yet to reach Council of State
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced yesterday that a proposed bill, which aims to secure a loan of 500 billion baht for the digital wallet scheme, has not been presented to the Council of State yet. The revelation came after the digital wallet policy committee meeting, where numerous issues were discussed. Despite the Council of State’s readiness to scrutinise the…
- Politics News
Pheu Thai leader discusses soft power at Thailand 2024 beyond Red Ocean seminar
The leader of the Pheu Thai Party addressed the audience on the Soft Power: The Great Challenger during the Thailand 2024 Beyond Red Ocean seminar organised by Prachachat, a newspaper publisher, on November 15. The term soft power has been making rounds in Thailand recently, defined by the Thai government as an influential power that assimilates new cultures through societal…
- Thailand News
Thai government to finance digital wallet scheme with 500 billion baht loan
The Thai government has plans to secure a loan of 500 billion baht to finance a digital wallet scheme, revealed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This digital wallet scheme is targeted towards Thai citizens who are 16 years and older, earning less than 70,000 baht per month with less than 500,000 baht in bank deposits. The 61 year old Thai prime…
- Thailand News
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,…
- Thailand News
Final call for Social Security Fund members to register for inaugural election
The Labour Ministry has made a final call to Social Security Fund (SSF) members to register for the inaugural election of Social Security Board members, with today marking the end of the registration period. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn explained the extension of the registration period, which was originally set to end on October 31, was granted to provide members with…
- Thailand News
Chiang Mai MP refutes accusations of falsifying documents for party funds
Chiang Mai’s Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, Phattarapong Leelaphat, refuted accusations of falsifying documents to garner financial support from his party yesterday. This controversy was brought to light by the Democrat Party’s Tankhun Jittitsara on Wednesday, November 8. In response to the allegations, Phattarapong took to Facebook, dismissing the claims as baseless. The politician explained that most of the funds…
- Thailand News
First coalition party dinner signals unity and relaxed political discourse
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reported a warm atmosphere at the first coalition party dinner held on November 8, with no bargaining for political gains witnessed among the government parties. The dinner, hosted by the leading Pheu Thai Party, was attended by leaders of coalition parties and was deemed successful enough to warrant monthly repeats, as reported by Deputy Prime Minister…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s new high-flier: Sattha thongkham lands as vice governor, family in tow
Sattha Thongkham, accompanied by his wife and daughter, arrived in Phuket yesterday, ready to assume his new role as the Vice Governor of Phuket. The family made their debut in the city by paying tribute to the statue of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) at the historic former Phuket Provincial Hall, situated on Narisorn Road in Phuket town. The venerable structure…
- Thailand News
Politician ‘Poo Ad’ flushed out of Move Forward Party over apology debacle
Chaiyamparwaan Manphianjit, also known as Poo Ad, a representative for the Bangkok Chom Thong district from the Move Forward Party (MFP), has been booted out of the MFP after his alleged disingenuous apology over the sexual harassment allegations hanging over him. Despite issuing an apology, the party’s leader, Chaithawat Tulathon, believes that there has been no genuine remorse or acknowledgement of…
- Thailand News
Man arrested for online threats against Thai prime minister
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) apprehended a 29 year old man for posting threatening messages against the Thai prime minister online. The accused admitted his guilt, citing his disappointment with Thai politics as the reason for his vented frustrations. He was arrested at 6.30am today following a search warrant authorised the previous day. On November 5, the Anti Online…
- Thailand News
MFP to challenge government amidst internal controversies
The Move Forward Party (MFP), the main opposition party in Thailand, is preparing to challenge the government in a general debate. Critics suggest this is a tactic to divert public attention from the party’s controversies. For the first time, the MFP is exercising its constitutional power to initiate a debate against the government, scheduled for early next year. Although the…
- Thailand News
Bangkok MFP MP defends against sexual harassment claims, refuses to resign
Bangkok’s Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, Chaiyamphawan Manpianjit, more popularly known as Puaut, who was recently admonished by the party for alleged sexual harassment claims, voiced his respect for the party’s decision yesterday. At the same time, he defended his innocence and declined to step down despite growing calls for his resignation. This controversy follows the expulsion of fellow party…
- Thailand News
Deputy Interior Minister’s whirlwind day: Prayers, fire, and fashion in Bangkok
Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiseth started his day with religious activities, then assisted in a fire incident during the day, and ended it at a fashion show in Bangkok, showcasing his versatile persona. The deputy interior minister revealed the incident of rescuing an elderly woman from a burning building in Uthai Thani yesterday. While attending a merit-making event yesterday, he…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai government opts for Chinese frigate
An unexpected turn of events saw the Pheu Thai-led government opting for a Chinese-made frigate over a submarine, after a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding the original submarine purchase. The shift in decision came on the heels of China‘s inability to get the German-made MTU 396 engine for the submarine, as specified in the 2017 agreement. China’s suggestion of using…
