#THAILAND: Reformist Falls Short of PM Job in Parliament Vote

[world politics news]

Thailand’s Pita Limjaroenrat has said he will not give up after losing in a parliamentary vote for the prime minister’s position, where he was 51 votes shy of the required threshold.

The 42-year-old said on Thursday his party would re-strategise to gather the required support to win the next vote, which is expected to be held next week.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THAILAND: Woman Sentenced To Jail For Insulting The Monarchy

[world politics news] 

A Thai woman convicted of insulting the royal family has been jailed for more than 43 years, a legal rights group said, the harshest punishment ever handed out under the country’s strict lese majeste laws.

The verdict comes as Thailand ramps up its use of the controversial legislation against democracy protesters, whose demands include reforms to the ultra-powerful monarchy.

The woman was charged with 23 counts, which brought a sentence of 87 years in prison. Reports say this sentence was reduced after she confessed.

[FULL STORY HERE] 

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world. 

 

#THAILAND: Students Risk Long Jail Sentences Over "Insulting The Monarchy"

[world politics news] 

Thousands of Thai protesters took to the streets of Bangkok on Wednesday night to call on King Maha Vajiralongkorn to give up control of a royal fortune valued in the tens of billions of dollars, turning their protest movement directly on the once-untouchable monarchy’s vast wealth.

The protesters have already broken a long-standing taboo by criticising the king and police summoned many of the best-known protest leaders ahead of the rally on charges of insulting the monarchy – the first time the law has been used since early 2018.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THAILAND: Government Seeks To Censor Coverage Of Bangkok Protests

[world politics news] 

Thai authorities are trying to stem ongoing protests calling for the Prime Minister to resign by threatening to censor news coverage, raiding a publishing house, and attempting to block the Telegram messaging app used by demonstrators.

The efforts by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's Government to drain the student-led protests of support and organisational abilities comes as demonstrations continue to swell in the capital and spread around the country.

This is despite an emergency decree which bans public gatherings of more than four people in Bangkok.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THAILAND: Tourism Minister Wants Western Tourists Back; Avoiding Due To Political Instability, Lack Of Democracy

[world politics news]

In another example of how politics affects every aspect of a nation's economy and daily life, Thailand's tourism minister says Westerners are steering clear of his country due to its political difficulties and an absence of democracy.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has predicted that 2019 will be a record-breaking year for Thailand’s tourism industry as he presented details of a ฿120 million stimulus package to give a boost to the industry as it heads towards the end of the year. The minister, however, admitted that high spending western tourists have been avoiding the Southeast Asian nation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THAILAND: Future Forward Party Leader Says Court Doesn't Have Authority To Dissolve Party

[world politics news]

Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said the Constitutional Court does not have the authority under Section 49 of the charter to dissolve his party, which has been accused of trying to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.

Last Friday, charter court judges voted 5-4 to accept a petition filed by lawyer Natthaporn Toprayoon, who accused hanathorn and his party executives of trying to bring an end to the monarchy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THAILAND: Future Forward Party Leader Fighting Charges Of Sedition Against The King

[world politics news]

The leader of a new political party that gained prominence in Thailand's election last month has been charged with sedition. Thanathorn is part of the opposition alliance trying to unseat the military junta.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of Thailand's progressive Future Forward Party, is denying charges of sedition filed against him by the ruling military government, and accuses the junta of trying to break up his party.

His anti-junta movement came third in March's elections after campaigning on a pledge to oust army chief Prayuth Chan-oocha, who has kept a tight grip on power since a 2014 coup. A guilty conviction could cost the 40-year-old Thanathorn his seat in parliament, delivering a blow to an alliance of opposition parties trying to form a government. The party, formed in March, 2018, won 18% of the votes and 87 seats in the nation's 500-seat parliament in this March's election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THAILAND: Electoral Commission Rules That Princess Cannot Enter Politics As PM Candidate After King's Rebuke

[world politics news]

Thailand's election commission Wednesday asked the constitutional court to dissolve a political party that put forward a princess as candidate for prime minister, days after the move earned a royal rebuke from her brother, the king. Thailand has been mired in political drama since Friday, when Princess Ubolratana's name was submitted by Thai Raksa Chart, a party allied with the powerful Shinawatra clan.

Ubolratana's unprecedented bid to enter politics unravelled within hours after King Maha Vajiralongkorn decried the entry of a royal into the political fray as "highly inappropriate." Thailand's monarchy is seen as above politics, although royals have intervened in public during times of political crisis.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THAILAND: Parties Launch Campaigns After Announcement Of March 24th Election Date

[world politics news]

Thai parties began to announce their candidates this past week and to roam the nation unveiling policies and platforms after an election date of March 24th was announced this week. The royal decree calling the general election was published last Wednesday, giving the green light to start campaigning on the same day.

Pro-regime Palang Pracharath Party leader Uttama Savanayana says the party is likely to approach Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to be its prime ministerial candidate. Party Leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of the upstart Future Forward Party says it will field candidates in all 350 election districts and would champion "low-income earners who have never seen real change."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THAILAND: Politicians Decry Legislature's Delay Of Elections By 90 Days

[world politics news]

Politicians have slammed the National Legislative Assembly for passing a bill that effectively delays the general election by 90 days. The NLA approved the section of an election bill that sets the election's effective date 90 days after it is published in the Royal Gazette. The result is the general election can only be held 150 days after it takes effect, or by the end of February at the latest.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THAILAND: Government Urges "No Judgment" Over Big Tumble In Corruption Ranking

[world politics news]

The government has failed to improve the country's latest corruption ranking but Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has appealed for no judgment to be passed on the regime's ability to tackle graft.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THAILAND: Constitutional Committee Quashes Idea Of Unelected Senate Helping Choose PM

[world politics news]

The Constitution Drafting Committee has brushed aside a National Legislative Assembly proposal to allow the Junta-appointed Senate to take part in a process to nominate a prime minister,  deciding to keep the power to nominate a prime minister exclusively in the hands of MPs.

#THAILAND: Voters Approve Military-Backed Constitution Amid Pre-Election Crackdown

[world politics news]

Voters Sunday approved military junta-written constitution, in a boost to the army’s political aspirations and a body blow to the country’s pro-democracy movement. The military says its new constitution will curb endemic political corruption, bring stability after years of unrest and pave the way for a general election next year. Critics say a pre-election crackdown on dissent skewed the results, and Western governments protested how the government behaved.

#THAILAND: Backers of Constitutional Referendum Step Up Campaigns To Lure Voters

[world politics news]

Officials across Thailand are drumming up campaigns to encourage voting on the draft constitution in a referendum next Sunday. Officials have accelerated their efforts to raise awareness of the vote to meet the target set by the Election Commission of seeing 80% or 40.4 million of 50.5 million eligible voters, cast ballots on the draft charter.

Pictured: An elephant trainer and his elephant hold posters and walk with the Election Commission's mascot during a campaign ahead of the Aug 7 referendum in Ayutthaya.

#THAILAND: 2,000 Teak Trees Still Won't Be Cut For New Parliament Building - Now It Will Be 5,000!

[world politics news]

Not long ago (as world politics news reported) the Thai prime minister stepped into save 2,000 trees that were slated to be used to construct a new parliament building. But now, it's been revealed that up to 5,000 rare teak trees will actually be used. Once plentiful in Southeast Asia, teak stands have been devastated and wild teak logging is illegal in many places, Thailand included. The teak being used is required, say designers, because it uniquely represents a traditional temple, to remind legislators to make wise decisions.

#THAILAND: Prime Minister Steps In To Save Teak Trees Slated For Cutting

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has put the brakes on a plan to cut down 2,000 teak trees in Chiang Mai for the construction of the new parliament building, following opposition from residents.

#THAILAND: Bangkok Gov. Threatens To Sue Anyone Who Criticizes His Spending On New Years' Light Show

[world politics news]

Embattled Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has threatened to sue anyone suggesting he or his subordinates were guilty of illegal actions before the findings of an investigation into the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s US$1.1 million New Year light show is concluded.

#THAILAND: 57% In Poll Support "Attitude Adjustment" Courses For Politicians Speaking Out Against The Military Gov't

[world politics news]

A shocking 57% people agree to the idea of organizing a 3 to 7-day "attitude adjustment" course for politicians or others who repeatedly express opinions opposed to the National Council for Peace and Order - the nation's military government, according to a survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University. Respondents said "too much criticism" with "personal opinions" could confuse the public and lead to misunderstanding. The military established a junta after it led a coup in 2014. It has broad new powers to arrest opponents of the regime.

#THAILAND: Assets Of 4 Accused Of Money Laundering & 'Lese Majeste' Are Frozen

[world politics news]

The property and cash of two major generals and two others accused of using the monarchy's name attached to personal fundraising efforts have been frozen by a government board. Two of the accused have died in military custody, while one other remains at large.

#THAILAND: Council Rejects Proposed Constitution That Would Have Weakened Parties; Election Delayed

[world politics news]

The National Reform Council has rejected Thailand's proposed constitution by 134 votes to 105, pushing back elections to at least 2017. All parties strongly opposed the revisions, which would have significantly weakened political parties. The military will remain in control of the government until a new charter is approved.

Pictured: Ousted former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose Pheu Thai party rejected the draft constitution. Photo: Reuters