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Thaksin Shinawatra

August 2024

Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Young, Instagram-friendly heir becomes Thailand’s new PM

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37-year-old daughter of the political power broker Thaksin Shinawatra, is becoming prime minister at a chaotic time.

  • Sui-Lee Wee

September 2023

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, speaks to the media last week.

Pheu Thai puts populist face on Thailand’s discredited establishment

The governing Thai party is risking a lot with its alliance with the remnants of the junta government. It could all just end in yet more political instability.

  • Liam Gammon

August 2023

Thaksin Shinawatra greets supporters as he arrives at Don Mueang International Airport on August 22, 2023 in Bangkok,

Exiled Thai billionaire ex-PM flies home, and straight to jail

Thaksin Shinawatra flew home to Thailand in his private jet, adding to the country’s political drama on a day that parliament was to vote for a new prime minister.

  • Updated
  • Napat Wesshasartar and Juarawee Kittisilpa
Property tycoon and prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra during the election in May.

Thailand’s gridlock intensifies as investors flee

A vote to name the next prime minister has been postponed, prolonging a political deadlock that has raised questions about Thailand’s stability since a May election.

  • Patpicha Tanakasempipat
Pita

Will Thailand’s conservatives finally make peace with Thaksin?

The long struggle between democratic reformers and Thailand’s conservative establishment may now be entering a new phase, with the reappearance of a political veteran.

  • Updated
  • Patrick Jory
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July 2023

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party, arrives at parliament for a crucial vote.

Prison, protests or power await Thailand’s poll winner

Parliament is due to vote on whether to make 42-year-old businessman Pita Limjaroenrat the country’s next prime minister.

  • Grant Peck

May 2023

Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, land Queen Suthida during the royal Ploughing ceremony in Bangkok. Much of the senators’ opposition to to Move Forward is the party’s pledge to amend the lèse-majesté law, which punishes criticism against the king.

Thai election winner in coalition talks as Senate threatens block

It is the first meeting between leaders of the new coalition after the pro-democracy parties swept the election that saw a record voter turnout and defeat of parties aligned to the pro-military establishment.

  • Patpicha Tanakasempipat
Leader of the Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, leaves his party’s headquarters on Sunday night.

Thais reject military rule in election ‘earthquake’

Voters overwhelmingly sought to end nearly a decade of military rule, casting ballots for the junior opposition, the radical Move Forward party.

  • Updated
  • Emma Connors
Pheu Thai party’s candidate for prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at an election rally in Bangkok.

Military likely victim of Thailand’s messy election

The opposition is leading the polls ahead of Thailand’s election, but it may need the support of smaller parties and even military backed ones to form government.

  • Greg Raymond

April 2022

Philippines senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao takes part in a motorcade on Saturday as he campaigns for the presidency.

Why full democracy and development have eluded South-East Asia

The hybrid regimes and middle-income economies of South-East Asia remain stuck in both a developmental and a democratic rut.

  • Dan Slater

December 2020

local elections will test support for the party of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Thailand's provincial elections a test of democracy

The elections in Thailand's 76 provinces outside the capital Bangkok are the first since Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who kept power after last year's ballot, overthrew an elected government in a military coup.

  • Matthew Tostevin and Panarat Thepgumpanat

February 2020

Staying mum: Rio Tinto CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques.

Rio accused of 'weak' silence over ex-PM's jailing

Rio Tinto has been accused of weakness and failing to speak up for the rule of law by lawyers for the former Mongolian prime minister who revived the mine.

  • Peter Ker

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