Thai politics

  • Politics NewsPrayut government accused of severe ethical breach over Thai constitution violation in torture law delay

    Prayut government accused of severe ethical breach over Thai constitution violation in torture law delay

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) received a petition from the Thai Constitution Protection Association and officials of the May 1992 Heroes’ Relatives Committee. The petition accuses the government of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, particularly Somkid Thepsuthin, the former Minister of Justice, of violating the Thai Constitution through the deliberate postponement of the implementation of the anti-torture and enforced disappearance law. Srisuwan…

  • Thailand NewsResidents in Thailand rally against US interference, demand an end to meddling (video)

    Residents in Thailand rally against US interference, demand an end to meddling (video)

    Chiang Mai residents expressed their concerns about the United States meddling in Thailand’s internal affairs and gathered outside the US consulate urging them to stop interfering. The Move Forward Party (MFP), led by the future Prime Minister Pita Limjaroenrat, garnered the highest number of votes from citizens across Thailand. As a result, the party is now making preparations to form…

  • Economy NewsThai parties pledge to tackle economic inequality, business groups sceptical

    Thai parties pledge to tackle economic inequality, business groups sceptical

    Business organisations have expressed support for the Move Forward Party’s campaign pledges to address economic inequality in Thailand, but they question the party’s ability to overcome long-standing issues. On May 22, eight political parties signed a memorandum of understanding, outlining 23 focal points for governing Thailand. These included a joint commitment to reducing inequality and promoting equitable economic growth. The…

  • Politics NewsThai election uncertainty raises concerns for small business owners

    Thai election uncertainty raises concerns for small business owners

    A record 39 million Thai citizens participated in the recent general election, with the Move Forward Party (MFP) emerging victorious. However, the recently amended constitution poses challenges for non-military political parties, and the MFP-led coalition still requires additional upper-house votes to secure the 376 seats needed for leadership. This has raised concerns about Thailand‘s political future and its economic prospects.…

  • Politics NewsExcise Department supports Move Forward Party’s Progressive Liquor Act

    Excise Department supports Move Forward Party’s Progressive Liquor Act

    The deputy director-general of the Excise Department stated that the department’s liquor policy is in line with the Move Forward Party‘s Progressive Liquor Act. The proposed Act aims to liberalise liquor production, allowing both small and large producers to enter the market. Kriengkrai Pattanaporn explained that the proposal is consistent with the department’s policy, and there would be no objections if…

  • Business NewsThai foreign investment outlook positive amid political shift

    Thai foreign investment outlook positive amid political shift

    The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and prominent business leaders expressed optimism about foreign investment in the country this year, despite delays due to the formation of a new government. IEAT Governor Veeris Ammarapala stated that foreign investors are expected to understand the evolving political landscape in Thailand, including the transition towards a Move Forward Party-led coalition government. At a…

  • Politics NewsThai pro-democracy coalition faces obstacles amid conservative backlash

    Thai pro-democracy coalition faces obstacles amid conservative backlash

    Pro-democracy parties in Thailand are facing resistance in their efforts to form a government following their historic win in the recent general election. The Move Forward Party (MFP), led by prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat, has expanded its coalition to eight parties with 313 members. However, to form a government without relying on the military-appointed Senate, the bloc needs 376…

  • Thailand NewsEx-teacher charged over assault in Thai Constitution Association case

    Ex-teacher charged over assault in Thai Constitution Association case

    Don Mueang District Court ordered an investigation into a retired teacher‘s behaviour after he allegedly assaulted and defamed the secretary of the Thai Constitution Protection Organisation. A judgment is scheduled for 11 July The case involving Thotsaphol Thannonsophonkhun, a 67 year old retired teacher, is set to take a significant step forward. He has been accused by the Tung Song…

  • Thailand NewsGroups urge Senate to back Thai majority’s choice for PM, Pita Limjaroenrat

    Groups urge Senate to back Thai majority’s choice for PM, Pita Limjaroenrat

    Two prominent civil society groups urged the Senate to honour the majority’s decision in favour of Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) candidate for prime minister. The Rural Doctors Society (RDS) and the Law CU Student Committee, Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University (CU), expressed their support for the MFP to lead a coalition government with Pita at the helm.…

  • Politics NewsPrayut’s political career uncertain as United Thai Nation suffers election losses

    Prayut’s political career uncertain as United Thai Nation suffers election losses

    Bangkok’s Deputy leader of the United Thai Nation, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, expressed doubt yesterday over whether Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will continue his political career after their party’s losses in the General Election. Wangboonkongchana mentioned that 69 year old Prayut has not discussed his future plans, but he may have to step down from politics. The preliminary results from Thailand’s Election…

  • Business NewsBusiness sector urges swift government formation for economic stability

    Business sector urges swift government formation for economic stability

    The business community in Thailand is urging the formation of a new government and the agreement of policies by coalition parties, as this will significantly impact the nation’s confidence. Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the importance of a stable government that can govern without interruption. He also noted the high level of public engagement in…

  • Business NewsSET index drops after MFP election win spooks investors

    SET index drops after MFP election win spooks investors

    Despite the Move Forward Party (MFP) election victory on Sunday, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) experienced a downturn yesterday. Investors sold shares related to politics and large-cap stocks that could be negatively impacted by the MFP’s policies, according to analysts. The SET index closed 1.28% lower yesterday, with shares of Gulf Energy Development Plc (GULF), Thailand’s largest power producer,…

  • Business NewsNew government has room to spend 2 trillion baht on populist pledges

    New government has room to spend 2 trillion baht on populist pledges

    The upcoming government is expected to have around two trillion baht at its disposal for implementing its populist policies, according to an anonymous source from the Finance Ministry. The figure takes into account the 500 billion baht needed for the Pheu Thai Party’s pledge to provide digital wallet handouts of 10,000 baht to those aged 16 and over. Should the…

  • Business NewsProposal to tackle illegal tour guides and boost job opportunities submitted to prime ministerial candidates

    Proposal to tackle illegal tour guides and boost job opportunities submitted to prime ministerial candidates

    Tour guides have presented a proposal to numerous prime ministerial candidates from various political parties, with the aim of eliminating unlawful tour guides and nominee businesses. They also hope that the proposed Tourist Guide Act will expand the scope of the profession, leading to increased employment opportunities. Yesterday, representatives from the Professional Tourist Guides Association of Thailand visited political party…

  • Thailand NewsNACC requires political parties to submit policy corruption risk assessments to EC

    NACC requires political parties to submit policy corruption risk assessments to EC

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has announced that it requires every political party to submit their policy corruption risk assessment criteria reports to the Election Commission (EC) urgently as the EC will forward the findings to the NACC after this Sunday’s election. The NACC stated that it wanted to clarify the urgent letter issued on May 3 to all political…

  • Thailand NewsCampaign urges senators to back winning party in forming Thai government

    Campaign urges senators to back winning party in forming Thai government

    A campaign led by a group of academics is calling for the support of senators for the political party that secures the most House seats in Sunday’s election, in hopes to establish a new government efficiently. The public can contribute their views on this initiative from midday on Monday until midday Wednesday by voting through the QR code provided by…

  • Business NewsThai business leaders’ wishlist for first 100 days under new government

    Thai business leaders’ wishlist for first 100 days under new government

    Business executives are contemplating Thailand’s prospects for the first 100 days under a new administration as the election approaches. Key areas of focus for the incoming government include the appointment of suitable ministers and the prioritisation of business sector policies. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, the 42-year-old chairman of industrial developer WHA Group, emphasises the importance of appointing knowledgeable and capable ministers to…

  • Thailand Election NewsElectoral fraud: Man alleges he was tricked into filming controversial video

    Electoral fraud: Man alleges he was tricked into filming controversial video

    A man accused of manipulating electoral registration in a controversial video on the “Chuwit” Facebook page has filed a police report, alleging he was deceived into participating and was paid only 1,000 baht despite the agreed sum of 5,000 baht. He also revealed that someone wrote a script for him to recite in the footage. Recently, the video of a…

  • Economy NewsPPRP offers upskilling for welfare card holders to tackle poverty

    PPRP offers upskilling for welfare card holders to tackle poverty

    The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has proposed new initiatives for the holders of its Pracharath welfare cards aimed at empowering them to break free from the poverty trap. Charnkrit Detwithak, a spokesperson for the party’s election strategy committee, stated that the party leader and prime ministerial candidate, General Prawit Wongsuwon, is focused on core issues and the need to boost…

  • Politics NewsTDRI warns political parties of excessive campaign spending and economic risk

    TDRI warns political parties of excessive campaign spending and economic risk

    The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has issued a warning to major political parties that their primary election campaign projects might be unnecessary as an economic stimulus, given that the country is not currently experiencing a recession. Yesterday, TDRI published a report intended to study and analyse the budget management of political parties, offering recommendations for adapting their future strategies.…

  • Thailand NewsAngry Thai man crashes car into PPRP election poster

    Angry Thai man crashes car into PPRP election poster

    An angry Thai man was prosecuted for damaging an election campaign poster belonging to the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). He deliberately crashed his pickup into the poster. The suspect’s family revealed he was angry at the party because his request for unemployment compensation was rejected. With the General Election set to take place on May 14, every political party has begun…

  • Thailand NewsMan stabbed by friends over row on politics and Thai PM

    Man stabbed by friends over row on politics and Thai PM

    A man was stabbed by friends after a row about Thai politics and the tenure of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The offender was angry that the victim did not support the Thai PM. Officers from Marb Ta Phut Police Station were notified of the stabbing incident at 3.30pm yesterday, November 16. The incident happened at a shophouse in the Soi…

  • Politics NewsOfficials drug stray dogs for visit of PM Prayut in Sing Buri

    Officials drug stray dogs for visit of PM Prayut in Sing Buri

    Animal rights activists and Thai netizens were outraged after learning stray dogs in the central province of Sing Buri were drugged so that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha could visit the area without any drama. PM Prayut visited Sing Buri on Monday, October 24, to check the province’s flood situation and offer his support to victims affected by the floods. The…

  • Thailand News3 men jailed for insulting PM Prayut & Deputy PM Prawit

    3 men jailed for insulting PM Prayut & Deputy PM Prawit

    Three men face eight months in prison for spreading fake news about Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. The incident happened four years ago in 2018 when Prayut served as Thai PM and Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), and while Prawit served as the Deputy PM and Defence Minister. A court…

  • Thailand NewsFormer MP jailed after casting votes for colleagues

    Former MP jailed after casting votes for colleagues

    A former Member of the House of Representatives from the Pheu Thai Party, Narisorn Thongtirat, was sentenced to 16 months in jail after he was found guilty of signing and casting votes for colleagues. The Criminal Division for Politicians under the Supreme Court yesterday sentenced Narisorn, the former MP of the northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon. An investigation found Narisorn…

  • Thailand NewsThailand schedules general election for May 7, 2023

    Thailand schedules general election for May 7, 2023

    The Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) tentatively scheduled the day of the general election next year for May 7. Registration for all candidates will be open from April 3 to April 7, 2023. The general election plan was announced by the EC today as the government’s four-year term of office is expected to end on March 23,…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Royalist group targets german activist who protested against the Thai govt

    Thailand News Today | Royalist group targets german activist who protested against the Thai govt

      A royalist group now targets a one-person activist who protested against the Thai government last week. Police are under pressure from royalists to prosecute the German activist who staged a one-person protest against the government of Thailand. The founder and leader of the King Protection Group, Songchai Nienhorm, filed a complaint against the activist, Moritz Pfoh, at Nua Khlong police…

  • Politics NewsSuper Poll: Most Thais welcome acting PM Prawit as the next PM

    Super Poll: Most Thais welcome acting PM Prawit as the next PM

    A Super Poll research centre survey has revealed that the majority of Thai people trust the judicial administration of Thailand and are willing to give a chance to caretaker Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan to serve as the kingdom’s next PM. Super Poll research centre director Noppadon Kannika yesterday announced the result of the survey titled Trust the Court, the Peaceful…

  • Politics NewsGerman’s one-man protest against the government of Thailand

    German’s one-man protest against the government of Thailand

    A foreigner held a one-man protest against the government of Thailand today in the central province of Rayong. The German man, Moritz Pfoh, was spotted walking on an island in the middle of Sukhumvit Road in Tapong sub-district, Mueng district, holding a portrait of acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan with a red cross on his face. The 35 year old,…

  • Thailand video newsThai PM suspended from duty by Charter Court | GMT

    Thai PM suspended from duty by Charter Court | GMT

    Price of instant noodles up by one baht. Thai PM suspended from duty by Charter Court, Deputy Prawit becomes acting PM. . All this and more on today’s Good Morning Thailand.