Does Pheu Thai risk dissolution by the court?
Will it soon go in the same direction as with the Future Forward Party? There are rumors that the actions of senior Shinawatra and Nattawut Saikua, a 'red' leader who is not allowed to engage in political activities, could lead to the disbanding of the party. Just when the party is doing well in the polls to win the elections.
Thai voters abroad who wish to exercise their right to vote ahead of the general election can now register, the foreign ministry said.
The populist Thai election slogans scrutinized (part 1).
On May 14, Thailand will go to the polls to elect a new parliament. I will not bore you with the names of all the parties and their prospective prime ministers. Political parties can nominate at least 1 and at most 3 people for this important post before the elections take place. This way, the voters know in advance who can become the prime minister.
Yesterday, the national electoral body announced that Thailand will hold elections on May 14, one day after the dissolution of parliament.
Thailand's Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-O-Cha, has announced that he will dissolve parliament "in March" ahead of new parliamentary elections to be held in May. The exact date for the elections is not yet known, but it is expected to take place on Sunday 7 May. According to the constitution, elections must take place 45 to 60 days after the dissolution of the House of Commons.
German protests in Thailand against Thai government: reactions from foreigners and Thais
The question of whether foreigners are allowed to interfere in Thai politics in Thailand (or elsewhere) has been around for a long time and opinions are divided. Recently, a German man demonstrated in Rayong against Deputy Prime Minister Prawit. Here I give the opinions of foreigners (mostly negative) and Thais (almost always positive).
Election related agencies need to be reviewed
In 1997 Thailand got a new Constitution that is still seen as the best ever. A number of organizations were set up to supervise the proper functioning of the democratic process. In an op-ed in the Bangkok Post, Thitinan Pongsudhirak describes how the coups d'état of 2006 and 2014 with new Constitutions also placed other individuals in these organizations, individuals loyal only to the powers that be the ruling authorities, thus damaging democracy .
Last week's governor election for the province of Bangkok has put political relations in Thailand on edge. The ruling party Palang Pracharath must fear for the power they now possess after last week's outcome. Political analysts expect that Palang Pracharath will not be able to match the electoral success of 2019 in the upcoming national elections.
After the office of prime minister, it is perhaps the most important political post in Thailand: governor of Bangkok. The election for this important post was won by Chadchart Sittipunt, the former Pheu Thai party minister of transportation in Yingluck Shinawatra's government.
How a wreath-laying was seen as an illegal act of resistance
The day after the 1947 coup, a teacher made the front page of a newspaper. It was December 10, 1947, Constitution Day, when this man came to lay a wreath at the Democracy Monument. That led to his arrest and made the front page of the Siam Nikorn (สยามนิกร, Sà-yǎam Níe-kon) newspaper. The headline read: “Man arrested for laying wreath”. Here is a short translation of this event.
Let love conquer every form of dictatorship
In what ways can you be separated from your loved one? Death? The prison? Or by disappearing without a trace? Min Thalufa's partner was deprived of his freedom by the authorities at the end of September, without the right to bail. This letter is a rallying cry she sent to her sweetheart in Bangkok Remand Prison. She hopes he will have the opportunity to read it.
The 'popular constitution' of 1997 that was lost
Now that discussions about amending the current constitution regularly make the news, it can do no harm to look back at the much-lauded former constitution of 1997. That constitution is known as the 'people's constitution' (รัฐธรรมนูญฉบับประชาชน, rát-thà-tham -ma- noen chàbàb prà-chaa-chon) and is still a special and unique specimen. It was the first and last time that the people were intensively involved in the drafting of a new constitution. This is in stark contrast to, for example, the current constitution, which is established through a junta government. That is also why there are organizations that try to restore something of what took place in 1997. What made the 1997 constitution so unique?
Dangerous children's books, ministry "concerned"
At the end of September, the Ministry of Education announced that they had launched an investigation into children's books about pro-democracy groups. In October, the ministry said at least 5 of the 8 booklets "may incite violence". Prachatai English spoke to primary school teacher Srisamorn (ศรีสมร), the woman behind the books.
Chit Phumisak, the Che Guevara of Thailand
Chit Phumisak, the idol of many Thai students, was born on September 25, 1930 in a simple family in Prachinburi province, which borders Cambodia. He went to the temple school in his village, then to a public school in Samutprakan, where his talent for languages was discovered. Chit spoke Thai, Khmer, French, English and Pali. He later successfully studied linguistics at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. There he joined an academic discussion group suspected by the authorities.
Help, communists! How about that?
Last December 7, the pro-democracy group Free Youth unveiled a new logo: Restart Thailand. The image was a red background with stylistically the letters RT on it. This immediately caused quite a stir, the design looked suspiciously like a hammer and sickle. In short: communism!
Thousands of Thais demand democracy and monarchy reform
An estimated 20.000 protesters gathered in Bangkok yesterday. This made this protest one of the largest ever held in Thailand. The protesters will continue their actions today. They demand a new constitution and an end to the military-dominated government. There was also a call for a reform of the monarchy, a loaded subject in the country.
Interview with Bow, champion of democracy
After the May 2014 military coup that sent home an elected government, Nuttaa Mahattana (ณัฏฐา มหัทธนา ) became a staunch champion of democracy. Better known as Bow (โบว์) and with an online platform of over 100.000 followers, she is a popular speaker at political rallies. She participates in protests and demonstrations and is out to give Thailand a democratic order again. No wonder she's a thorn in the government's side. Who is this woman who dares to continue defying the military regime? Rob V. had a conversation with her at the end of February during a lunch in Bangkok.