BANGKOK: Political newcomer Paetongtarn Shinawatra will bid to become Thailand’s youngest prime minister in a crunch parliamentary vote on Friday (Aug 16), a day after being thrust into the spotlight and an unrelenting power struggle between the country’s warring elites. The 37-year-old daughter of divisive political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra faces a baptism of fire if … Read more
If successful in Friday’s vote, Paetongtarn would be Thailand’s second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra to hold the top post. “We were confident that under her leadership, we will all support her and be ready to carry out her policies from the day she assumes office,” Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, … Read more
Pheu Thai has moved quickly to preserve its advantage, with media broadcasting live images late on Wednesday of its coalition partners visiting the residence of Thaksin, 75, its founder and influential figurehead. “They want to be decisive … The longer it takes, the more squabbles and power struggles will ensue, so the quicker the better,” … Read more
Thailand’s Constitutional Court sacked Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday, branding him dishonest in a ruling in an ethics case that throws the kingdom into fresh political turmoil. The judges ruled 5-4 that Srettha breached regulations by appointing a cabinet minister with a criminal conviction. The ruling comes a week after the same court dissolved … Read more
Thailand has been moving to boost tourism in the country in recent months. Last month, its government approved longer visa stay periods for tourists, postgraduate students and remote workers, and better visa conditions for retirees. From this month, travellers from 93 countries will be allowed to stay in the country for periods of 60 days, … Read more
GIVE SOME CREDIT FOR TRYING That does not mean that Srettha’s specific stimulus, as written, is well designed. The pandemic-era US stimulus measures triggered high inflation with payments to households that comprised about 4 per cent of Americans’ personal income, and that could be deposited rather than spent immediately, coupled with policies (from lockdowns to … Read more
BANGKOK: Thailand plans to relist cannabis as a narcotic and issue permits only to those who grow and use it for medical purposes and research, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said on social media on Thursday (May 23). The comments follow a stunning policy reversal this month by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who pledged to … Read more
BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered an investigation on Wednesday (May 15) into the death of a young political activist who died after she went on a partial hunger strike during pre-trial detention on charges including insulting the country’s monarchy. Hundreds of people, including activists and opposition lawmakers, joined a candlelight vigil on Tuesday … Read more
POLITICAL POSTURING Draft bills on cannabis have been circulating for months but there remains a lack of clarity or detail about how the Pheu Thai-led government will enact changes to the law. The Ministry of Public Health has said more consultation needs to be done before a final bill is decided by cabinet and then … Read more
CHANGES IN FINANCE MINISTRY The most significant shakeup is in the Finance Ministry. Mr Srettha relinquished the finance minister portfolio to his advisor Pichai, who will also serve as DPM. The 75-year-old recently quit as the chairman of the Thai Stock Exchange and was a former senior energy executive. Meanwhile, Mr Paopoom’s appointment as deputy … Read more
