Prayut Chan-o-cha is the new Prime Minister of Thailand. Yesterday the Senate voted and 500 MPs voted for Prayut and 244 for his rival Thanathorn. Three members abstained, 1 member was ill and Thanathorn was absent because he was suspended by the Constitutional Court.
The Democratic Party leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, wants to become the new prime minister after the elections. He has already stated that he does not want to support Prayut. He believes that the junta has achieved little in recent years.
Former Prime Minister Abhisit and former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban are no longer prosecuted for murder in connection with the violent end of the red shirt protest in 2010. The Criminal Court says it has no jurisdiction to hear the case. Relatives of those killed or injured are appealing.
Budget 2015: Farmers pay off
Bangkok Post opens today with criticism of the 2015 budget. Former governing party Pheu Thai and opposition party Democrats note that the junta has cut sharply in the budget for the countryside. Freely translated: The farmers are the child of the bill.
Abhisit's reform plan falls into black hole
Party leader Abhisit (Democrats) has launched his ideas to break the political deadlock, but his nine-point plan has few hands.
Abhisit: If…., then I will retire from politics
He has no hidden agenda and he doesn't want to profit from it. To prove it, party leader Abhisit will not seek re-election if his reform proposals are adopted.
A surprising sound: Prime Minister Yingluck calls on all political parties to support the initiative of party leader Abhisit, who is trying to break the political deadlock. She also asks those who react skeptically to the initiative of her political opponent to support him.
Action leader Suthep doesn't like intermediaries
Party leader Abhisit (Democrats) does not give up hope that it will succeed in breaking the political deadlock. But action leader Suthep Thaugsuban of the anti-government movement does not seem in the mood for talks.
A fierce exchange of words broke out between Prime Minister Yingluck and opposition leader Abhisit over Yingluck's 'criticism' of the Constitutional Court. No, says Yingluck, it wasn't "criticism," it was just "a comment."
News from Thailand – March 27, 2014
Today in News from Thailand:
• Half of Thailand's 6.200 double-decker buses are unsafe
• Impeachment Senate President Nikhom one step closer
• Opposition leader Abhisit breaks collarbone (pathetic isn't it?)
News from Thailand – December 13, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Abhisit charged with (attempted) murder
• No derailment for once, but a locomotive that breaks down
• Protesters remove barbed wire at Government House
Red shirt protest 2010: Abhisit and Suthep are prosecuted for murder
Former Prime Minister Abhisit and his right-hand man Suthep will be prosecuted for murder. The two are held responsible for the red shirts and civilians who were shot dead by the army in 2010 during the red shirt riots.
News from Thailand – September 13, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Police Pattaya detains 100 female streetwalkers on Walking Street
• Passenger Airbus saw 'guardian angel' during evacuation
• Pope Francis is coming to Thailand; date still unknown
The newspaper you can (not) trust
News Featured is about what could happen today in Bangkok. After reading today's Bangkok Post opening article thrice, I have to disappoint my readers: I wouldn't know.
News from Thailand – June 27, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• DSI wants to prosecute Abhisit and Suthep for wrongful death
• File: City parks in Bangkok
• Quite a few heads will roll in the cabinet
News from Thailand – December 27, 2012
A city with stately streets, leafy parks and affairs of state. That is The Hague according to Themagazine, the biweekly glossy magazine at Bangkok Post. In today's edition, Keith Mundy takes readers to a town inhabited by what the rest of hard-working Holland considers conceited citizens.
News from Thailand – December 23, 2012
As usual on Sundays, the news coverage in Bangkok Post is thin. There is a lot of fuss about foreign workers from Myanmar, six cows have died after drinking poisoned water and Thais keep buying cars.
News from Thailand – December 19, 2012
Is ruling party Pheu Thai a sister of the Dutch VVD? You would almost think so, because the cabinet decided on Tuesday to reduce income tax in the highest bracket (annual income above 4 million baht) from 37 to 35 percent.
News from Thailand – December 14, 2012
“This war is not over. Don't count the teachers' bodies just yet.' Flyers with that threatening message were distributed in southern Songkhla province ahead of Prime Minister Yingluck's visit.
News from Thailand – December 12, 2012
Former Prime Minister Abhisit admits that in 2010 his government gave the army permission to fire live ammunition. 'But how else are you supposed to fight armed people? Armed men had mingled in the crowd and were firing grenades.'
News from Thailand – December 8, 2012
The Surat Thani Provincial Electricity Company has apologized for the three-day power outage on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Early yesterday morning we managed to repair the faulty cable. From 3 o'clock the much-needed electricity flowed through again.
News from Thailand – December 7, 2012
In Thailand, violence between wives is considered a private matter that is rarely discussed in public. Domestic violence is part of a culture of 'silent acceptance'. It is time for Thais to open their mouths about this.