#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: 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: 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

#THAILAND: PM Gen. Prayut Denies Embezzlement Rumors; Military Says Anti-Junta Students Started Rumor

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday rejected rumours he and his wife had wired tens of billions of baht to Singapore. "If I had that amount of money, why would I have to stand here?" said Gen Prayut. He said students at Thammasat University had started the rumors. Students there rallied for the release of 14 students detained over anti-junta protests.

#THAILAND: Constitutional Drafting Committee Begins Reviewing Changes

[world politics news]

The 30-member Constitution Drafting Committee began the first day of a section-by-section deliberation of the draft constitution's 315 sections on Thursday, with only a few changes being made. The CDC has until July 23 to review changes before sending the amended draft charter back to the National Reform Council for an Aug. 6 vote.

#THAILAND: Frmr Gov't Officials Removed From Nat'l Assembly For Fake Rice Deals

[world politics news]

Three former cabinet-level officials have been overwhelmingly stripped of their positions as members of the National Legislative Assembly after it was revealed that, when in office, they masked government-to-government rice deals as "exports" to boost export figures. They were retroactively removed from office and banned from politics for five years under the provisions of the interim constitution.

Pictured: Former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, left, and former deputy commerce minister Poom Sarapol of the past Yingluck Shinawatra administration were retroactively removed from their positions on Friday.

#THAILAND: Political Parties Get Draft Constitution For Review; Current Law Forbids Them From Meeting To Debate It

[world politics news]

The draft constitution went to political parties for review today, but with a catch: They are forbidden from meeting to debate the proposed charter. Even though martial law has been lifted, political gatherings of five or more people are still prohibited. Critics say the constitution will weaken political parties.

Pictured: National Reform Council chairman Thienchay Kiranandana and other NRC members receive copies of the first draft of the new constitution from the Constitution Drafting Committee at parliament April 7

#THAILAND: PM Offers To Lift Martial Law, If He Gets To Control All Three Branches Of Gov't

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says he has asked Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej for permission to bring an end to martial law. But his desire to replace it by assuming unchecked powers over all branches of government have led to fears of an impending dictatorship.

#THAILAND: Military-Picked Lawmakers Set to "Impeach" Frmr PM Over Failed Rice Plan

[world politics news]

Ousted PM Yingluck Shinawatra is facing impeachment for dereliction of duty in her government's rice-pledging plan. If found guilty, Yingluck would face a 5-year ban from politics as well as a retroactive impeachment. Military-appointed lawmakers will likely issue a verdict by the end of the month.

#THAILAND: Leader of Red Shirts Vow to Oppose Military Coup

[world politics news]