Thai court clears former PM hopeful Pita of violating election law, reinstates him as lawmaker
Thailand's constitutional court has cleared opposition figure Pita Limjaroenrat of violating an election law and reinstated the once-prime ministerial hopeful as a lawmaker. The ruling marks a win for the Move Forward Party, which has been facing fierce resistance over its plans to radically reform the country's strict royal insult laws, military and business monopolies. However, this doesn't mean Mr Pita is off the hook yet. Next week, the constitutional court will decide in another case against him and the entire Move Forward Party.
Thai opposition figure Pita Limjaroenrat awaits court decision on his political future
Thai opposition figure Pita Limjaroenrat is awaiting a decision that could determine his future in politics. The constitutional court will hand down its ruling tomorrow over his alleged illegal possession of media company shares. The case was brought against Mr Pita by the Election Commission shortly after his opposition Move Forward Party surprisingly won the most seats and when he was in the middle of forming a government coalition.
Thai PM urges central bank to consider easing interest rates amid negative inflation
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has slammed the country's central bank, demanding it cut interest rates because inflation has turned negative. He said keeping rates elevated could cause trouble for low-income earners and businesses. This marks another disagreement between the government and the central bank on monetary policy. The Bank of Thailand has left its policy rate unchanged at 2.5% since September as a means to curb inflation.
Israel-Hamas war: Thai national recounts experience as a hostage in Gaza
23 Thai nationals held hostage in Gaza were released during the temporary cessation of fighting between Israel and Hamas last week. One former hostage, who is now back home with his family in Udon Thani, shared his experience of how he was kidnapped and kept in an underground tunnel for almost two months. The reunion is bittersweet for other families to witness, given the uncertainty surrounding the return of their loved ones who are still missing in the war zone.
Israel-Hamas war: First group of Thai hostages freed from Gaza returns home
Seventeen Thai nationals held hostage in Gaza have arrived back in Thailand. They touched down on Nov 30 afternoon at Bangkok after flying for around 10 hours from Israel.
Thai Prime Minister Lays Out Details of Controversial Digital Cash Handout
Thailand’s government is going ahead with its ambitious digital cash handout scheme. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has laid out the details of the so-called Digital Wallet, which was the Pheu Thai Party's major campaign promise.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: The plight of Thai citizens trapped in Israel-Hamas war
Thai citizens are among the highest number of foreign fatalities in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War with 23 currently held hostage in Gaza. Thai correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut speaks to Steve Lai about the nation’s efforts to rescue them and repatriate its 30,000 citizens. (Note: This was recorded when the number of Thai nationals killed and abducted was 32 and 23, respectively. As of publication, it's now 34 killed and 24 abducted.)
Panel Discussion: Safety of Journalists During Public Demonstrations in Thailand
To commemorate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, UNESCO and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand have jointly organised a panel discussion to highlight the safety of journalists covering demonstrations, political events and elections.
There have been more than 400 public demonstrations in Thailand so far this year.
Statistics from a press freedom monitoring group show there have been 33 attacks and threats against journalists in Thailand since January, more than a third of which were caused by state actors.
Join us in the FCCT clubhouse to hear from:
Chalinee Thirasupa, a freelance photographer injured during a protest at APEC in 2022.
Phansasiri Kularb, a Chulalongkorn University journalism lecturer who has researched the role of the Thai media in protests and political violence.
Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch Asia division deputy director.
Tony Cheng, an Al Jazeera veteran foreign correspondent who frequently covers wars and was arrested in 2017 at a Bangkok airport for carrying disassembled body armor in his checked luggage.
Saksith Saiyasombut, CNA Thailand Correspondent and a longtime observer of Thailand
Moderator: Panu Wong Cha-Um, Reuters senior correspondent and FCCT Past President.
Israel-Hamas war: Thailand scales down repatriation efforts; hostage negotiations ongoing
Thailand has flown back almost 8,000 citizens out of Israel, as they scale down their repatriation efforts. This comes as Thai negotiators are still in talks to release 22 Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas.
Number of Thais being held hostage by Hamas rises from 19 to 22
Thailand's foreign ministry has raised its count of nationals taken hostage in Israel by Hamas from 19 to 22. That's one of the highest number of foreign victims being held since conflict broke out in Gaza on Oct 7. At least 32 Thais have been killed in Israel. Close to 6,000 have been repatriated, with another 800 returning today. Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has renewed calls for Thai migrant workers who are still in Israel to come home "as long as they still can", as the escalating situation could make it more difficult to send repatriation flights.
Ruling Pheu Thai party elects Thaksin's youngest daughter Paetongtarn as new leader
Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party has a new leader. Paetongtarn Shinawatra is following in the footsteps of her father, former prime minister and party founder Thaksin. She is a familiar face to the party, having been heavily involved as one of Pheu Thai's prime minister candidates in the election campaign earlier this year. Party members have denied that nepotism played a role in her appointment, but the shadow of her father looms large.
First flight with evacuated Thais from Israel lands in Bangkok
The first batch of Thai nationals evacuated from Israel has arrived in Bangkok. The 15 were on one of the few flights that made it out of Tel Aviv, as countries scramble to evacuate their nationals caught in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. More than five thousand Thais have requested to leave Israel. At least 21 Thais are feared death, with 14 being kidnapped.
Thailand seeks to restore tourist confidence after deadly shopping mall shooting
Thai authorities are scrambling to restore confidence in the country's reputation as a tourist destination, after the shock of yesterday's deadly shopping mall shooting. A 14-year-old suspect has been charged on five counts, including murder and illegal firearm possession. Two people -- one from China and the other from Myanmar -- were killed during his alleged rampage in central Bangkok's Siam Paragon mall. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has attended an event at the mall with several cabinet ministers. In his opening remarks, he also observed a minute of silence for the victims.
Bangkok Siam Paragon mall shooting: At least three killed, 14-year-old suspect arrested
Earlier report
At least three people have been killed in a shooting spree at a shopping mall in Bangkok. Thai police said a 14-year-old suspected gunman has been arrested. The incident occurred at Siam Paragon, one of the city's biggest malls located in the heart of the Thai capital. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has expressed concern over the incident. He expressed condolences to families of those who died, and said the police are closely monitoring the situation.
Thailand's new cabinet sworn in
Thailand’s new government officially took office on Sep 5, nearly four months after its people went to the polls. The King swore in Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his 33 cabinet ministers, in a coalition government made up of 11 parties, that does not include election winner Move Forward Party.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Thailand finally has a new prime minister after dramatic twists and turns, so what’s next?
Three months after Thais voted in a general election, they finally have their next leader – though it’s not the person many had expected. Sretta Thavisin is a political novice who faces the task of uniting a fractured public. CNA's May Wong and Saksith Saiyasombut sit down with Teresa Tang to talk about what it was like on the ground as the dramatic developments unfolded.
Thai parliament votes Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin to be next prime minister
Srettha Thavisin is set to be Thailand's next prime minister, after securing enough votes in parliament. He is the Pheu Thai party's nominee for the post. His victory possibly puts an end to months of political deadlock that has frustrated the constituency and harmed confidence in the country's economic recovery.
Thaksin’s return to Thailand: Significance of homecoming
Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to Thailand on Tuesday (Aug 22) after 15 years in exile comes hours before parliament votes for a new prime minister. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut was standing by for his appearance at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport. He tells us more about the billionaire’s influence in politics and the timing of his return.
Thailand's Pheu Thai party unveils government coalition ahead of PM vote
Thailand's Pheu Thai party is charting a new path forward after unveiling an 11-party coalition on the eve of a Parliamentary vote to choose a new prime minister. The alliance includes military-linked parties that it has, in the past, said it would not work with, such as outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's United Thai Nation party and the outgoing ruling party Palang Pracharath.
United Thai Nation to back Pheu Thai in PM vote on Aug 22: Spokesperson
Thailand's Pheu Thai Party has received a boost in its bid to form the country's next government, after the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) agreed to back its candidate for prime minister. UTN is the party of outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The move comes ahead of the next parliamentary round of voting for his successor, which is expected to take place on Aug 22. Thailand has entered its third month without a new leader or a new government since the general election.