CNA Correspondent Podcast: Dissecting a dramatic week in Thai politics
In a span of a week, the popular Move Forward Party was dissolved, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was dismissed and ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter Paetongtarn was installed as the new PM. Teresa Tang breaks down all the developments with CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut.
Preview
Thaksin's lèse majesté court case adjourned to next July
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's lèse majesté case has been adjourned to next July next year. His lawyers said they expect the ruling to be handed down next year. Hearings will resume after the appearance of witnesses in several sessions leading up to July. The royal defamation case stems from an interview of Mr Thaksin in 2015 by a South Korean newspaper.
Thailand’s king endorses Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister
Paetongtarn Shinawatra has officially been appointed as Thailand’s new prime minister. She's the country's youngest-ever premier and the second woman to hold the top job. Her rise follows a tumultuous week marked by the dismissal of her predecessor Srettha Thavisin and her father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s recent royal pardon.
Lawmakers elect Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Thailand's next prime minister
Soon-to-be Thailand's youngest prime minister, 37-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has vowed to do her best to lead the country forward. Lawmakers voted her into the post, just two days after the former leader Srettha Thavisin was removed by court order over an ethics violation. Ms Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra. She will be Thailand's second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra to hold the top post. She will also be the youngest head of government in Asia. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut with more.
Earlier Coverage
Thailand's Pheu Thai coalition endorses Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn as PM candidate
Thailand's governing Pheu Thai-led coalition has agreed to back Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra for prime minister. Former premier Srettha Thavisin was removed from office yesterday over an ethics violation. Ms Paetongtarn, 37, is the daughter of former premier and political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra, and niece to ousted former leader Yingluck Shinawatra. If successful in the parliamentary ballot tomorrow, Ms Paetongtarn will be Thailand's second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra to hold the top post.
Thailand's Constitutional Court removes PM Srettha from office over ethics probe
In a fresh bout of political turmoil, Thailand is set to choose a new prime minister after a court removed Srettha Thavisin over an ethics violation that breached the constitution. Mr Srettha says he is saddened by the ruling and is confident of his honesty. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.
Earlier Coverage
Thai PM faces possible ouster in court case
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin could potentially be ousted from office following a ruling by the country's Constitutional Court on Aug 14. The court is due to give its verdict on whether Mr Srettha committed an ethical violation when he appointed a Cabinet minister with a prior conviction. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut with more on the case.
Thailand’s main opposition party relaunches under new name - People’s Party
A new political party has been launched in Thailand. The People’s Party is the successor to the main opposition Move Forward Party which was disbanded by the Constitutional Court on Aug 7. While the party name itself is new, the faces and policies remain the same. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut reports.
Muay Thai's fight for international success and Olympic status
Many Asian sports are hoping to make a leap onto the world’s biggest sporting stage, including the ancient martial art of Muay Thai. It is being featured on the sidelines of the Games this year, taking it one step closer to becoming a part of the Olympic lineup in future. CNA's Ross Cullen joins a fight in Paris and Saksith Saiyasombut reports from the home of Muay Thai on the journey of Thailand’s national fight sport to the Olympics.
MPs of Thailand's dissolved Move Forward Party preparing to regroup under new banner
In Thailand, the remaining MPs of the dissolved Move Forward Party are set to regroup under a new party on Aug 9. On Aug 7, the Thai Constitutional Court ordered the biggest opposition party to be dissolved, banning 11 executives from politics for a whole decade. Saksith Saiyasombut reports on the latest political movements.
Thai constitutional court dissolves opposition Move Forward Party that won election
Thailand's largest opposition party, Move Forward, has been dissolved by court order, over its campaign promise to reform the royal defamation law. This marks the biggest blow to the party since its election victory a little more than a year ago. The verdict also bans 11 of the party's executives from political office for 10 years, effective immediately. This includes former prime ministerial hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat. The remaining Move Forward MPs will be able to keep their seats in parliament, if they find a new political party within 60 days. Saksith Saiyasombut reports.
What happens if Thai opposition Move Forward Party is dissolved?
The future of Thailand’s Move Forward Party hangs in the balance, as the country’s Constitutional Court will decide on a dissolution petition over the progressive-reformist campaign promise to amend a controversial royal defamation law. CNA looks how we got here and what could happen if the biggest opposition party gets the axe.
Registrations for Thailand's "Digital Wallet" cash handout opens Aug 1
Thailand will open sign-ups for its Digital Wallet cash handout on August 1. The country’s Finance Ministers presented more details of the scheme today, where 50 million Thais are eligible for a one-time payment of 10,000 Thai Baht or $275 to spent on goods in an effort to boost the Kingdom’s flagging economy.
Thailand's new senate convenes for first time following controversial selection process
Thailand's new senate has convened for the first time, following a controversial and complicated selection process. This batch of 200 new lawmakers replace the previous 250 senators who were-handpicked by the previous military government. The first order of business was to vote for a new senate speaker and their deputies. Mr Mongkol Surasajja, the former governor of Buriram province received the most votes. The upper chamber of Thailand's parliament is supposed to be independent from political parties, but it's not as straightforward as it seems.
Cyanide found in teacups shared by 6 foreigners found dead in Bangkok hotel
Thai police say they have detected traces of cyanide in the bodies of six foreigners found in a room in a luxury Bangkok hotel on Jul 16. Authorities are calling the incident a murder-suicide, with the culprit possibly among the dead. Full pathology results are expected before the end of the week.
Six people found dead in Bangkok hotel room in suspected poisoning
Six people were found dead at Bangkok's Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel on Tuesday, with the cause of death unconfirmed. Police are investigating the possibility of poisoning.
Thai banks admit lack of capacity to investigate Myanmar weapon payments
Major Thai banks defended themselves on Thursday against criticism that they facilitated weapons purchases by the Myanmar junta, saying they lacked the capacity to investigate all transactions that may be used for such purchases. This comes after UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Tom Andrews spoke before a Thai parliamentary committee on national security, highlighting the Myanmar military’s use of international banks to finance its weapons.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Bhutan’s Reputation as a Utopia Doesn’t Reflect Its Gritty Reality
The once isolated nation of Bhutan, nestled deep in the Himalayas, is now being forced to reckon with reality. Its government is eyeing cutting-edge technology to stem a brain drain and growing economic unhappiness. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut about how the country can hold onto its past even as it forges a new future.
Preview
Former Thai PM Thaksin formally indicted on royal defamation charges
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been indicted for allegedly insulting the monarchy in 2015. He has been granted bail, but is not allowed to leave the country without permission. The offence could see him jailed for up to 15 years. Mr Thaksin had returned to Thailand following more than a decade of self-exile. It is one of several court cases that could impact the government and the opposition, adding to political uncertainty in the kingdom.
Earlier live reports
Former Thai PM Thaksin to be formally indicted on lèse majesté charges
Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be formally indicted on allegations of royal defamation, an offense that could see him get up to 15 years behind bars. This is just one of several court cases taking place tomorrow (Tuesday, June 18, 2024) including another against the current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the main opposition party. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut looks at a string of potential political earthquakes.