Thai Constitutional Court rules PM Prayut has not reached 8-year term limit
Thailand's Constitutional Court will rule on the fate of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tomorrow (Sep 30). It will decide whether the former coup leader has hit the term limit of eight years. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has taken over duties since then and has used this time for more walkabouts in the provinces. Observers said these appearances are the first rehearsals for Mr Prawit -- who’s also the leader of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party -- for the next election campaign within the next few months.
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How Constitutional Court ruling on Thai PM Prayut's term limit could affect his political career
Thailand's Constitutional Court will rule on the fate of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tomorrow (Sep 30). It will decide whether the former coup leader has hit the term limit of eight years. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has taken over duties since then and has used this time for more walkabouts in the provinces. Observers said these appearances are the first rehearsals for Mr Prawit -- who’s also the leader of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party -- for the next election campaign within the next few months.
Thailand joins race to lure high-income foreign talent
Thailand is offering perks to draw foreign talent as it tries to revive its economy and secure its long-term economic future. Applicants must either have $80,000 in annual income or half as much when they hold a Master's degree relevant to their profession, and in some cases, an existing investment of up to $500,000. In exchange, a 10-year long-term resident visa awaits, including a work permit and a 17% personal income tax - almost half of what people in a similar income bracket would pay.
2 dead, 1 injured in shooting at Thai military education facility
Two people were killed and one injured after a shooting incident inside a military education facility in Bangkok. Police have a suspect in custody.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Did Hollywood get the Thai cave rescue right?
In 2018, a team of young footballers and their coach ventured into a cave in Northern Thailand. Steve Lai and correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut were on air day after day as the dramatic events unfolded. On this episode of CNA Correspondent, they recount their experience, as the latest Hollywood version of this captivating story is released.
Prawit Wongsuwan takes over from Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha
It is the day after the suspension of Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha by the Constitutional Court, which also means it is the first day for Prawit Wongsuwan as acting prime minister. CNA takes a look at the politicians' movements and analyses the power dynamics between the pair.
Thai court suspends PM Prayut from official duty pending term limit review
Thailand's top court has suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from duty, while it considers a legal challenge to his term in office. The Kingdom's constitution limits leaders to eight years in power. Opposition parties have argued that the ex-army chief has overstayed his tenure since he seized power in the 2014 military coup. However, some of Mr Prayut's supporters say his premiership started in 2019, after the first general election under the latest constitution.
EARLIER STORY
Thailand's Constitutional Court has accepted the opposition's petition to review Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha's term limit, while also suspending him from duty until there's a verdict. Prayut's opponents claim that his 8 year term ended yesterday, since he took over power in 2014.
Thai protesters call for PM Prayut to step down after 8 years in office
Protesters are gathering at Bangkok's Democracy Monument to call for the removal of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The demonstrations come as the constitutional court considers whether to take up a petition to rule on when Mr Prayut's eight-year term expires.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: What happens when inflation hits the humble instant noodle?
After China, Indonesia is the world’s top consumer of instant noodles. Thailand regularly makes it to the top 10 list too. Teresa Tang asks our correspondents in Jakarta and Bangkok how hard inflation has hit the convenient carb, and explores what governments are doing to keep the pantry favourite affordable.
Fighting inflation, Thailand steps in to control instant noodle prices
Like many Asian countries, Thais love their instant noodles as well. Along with eight other Asian countries including Indonesia, India and the Philippines, Thailand makes up the top ten countries in the world that consumes the most instant noodles. And because it has become such a staple, the government has stepped in to make sure it remains within the reach of everyone in the country.
Thai parliament to hold no-confidence debate against PM Prayut
Thailand's parliament is set to hold a new no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and 10 other Cabinet ministers this week.
Review of Thai cave rescue movie trailer: How close is Thirteen Lives to real-life events?
The trailer for Thirteen Lives, a Ron Howard-directed movie on the 2018 Thai cave rescue and starring Colin Farrell and Viggo Mortensen is out. How close is it to real-life events at Tham Luang, where a football team and their coach were trapped in a cave and only evacuated after 18 days with the help of a complex operation involving hundreds? CNA's Thai correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut gives his take.
Thailand to scrap pre-registration for arrivals, outdoor mask mandate as it moves to “endemic” COVID-19
Thailand is forging ahead with opening up. The kingdom will lift more COVID-19 restrictions next month, as the pandemic situation improves.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin holds talks with Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha in Bangkok
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Thailand on the second leg of his trip to Asia. He held talks with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in Bangkok, as part of Washington's efforts to strengthen alliances in the region. Mr Austin is also expected to outline plans towards deepening US military cooperation with Thailand.
Thailand plans $20 billion budget deficit to bolster recovery
Thailand plans to stick to an expansionary fiscal policy to aid its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government has proposed a higher spending worth more than $93 billion in its 2023 draft budget bill. The budget deficit is projected at $20 billion, or 3.9% of the country's GDP. Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy is forecast to expand between 3.2% and 4.2% next year, as revenues are expected to improve amid higher domestic demand and a revival in the tourism sector.
Chadchart Sittipunt's First Day As Governor-Elect and Analyzing the Bangkok Election Results
Bangkok looks set to usher in its first democratically elected governor in nine years. An unofficial count by the Election Commission shows independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt winning the election by a landslide - with a million votes ahead of his nearest rival.
After Walkout, APEC Trade Minister Meeting Ends Without Joint Statement
The APEC Trade Minister Meeting in Bangkok concluded without a joint statement today (Sunday). This follows a walk-out of representatives of 5 Western countries in protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Japanese PM in Thailand to talk economics, Myanmar and Ukraine war
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida continues his diplomatic world tour, stopping by in Bangkok today. Mr Kishida met his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier to discuss issues on bilateral relations and regional issues.
Democrat Party Apologizes for Sexual Assault Claims Against Former Deputy Leader Prinn
Thailand’s Democrat Party has expressed “deep regret” over the mounting sexual assault allegations against its former deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi. At least 14 women have filed complaints against him, as the party vows to take responsibility.
CNA Correspondent: Night Shift with Bangkok's Volunteer Rescuers
In Bangkok, most emergency first responders are volunteers organized by private foundations. One of them is the Ruamkatanyu Foundation. Founded in 1959 by a son of Chinese immigrants, this and other organizations initially transported the dead to morgues and crematoriums, earning them the nickname ‘Body Collectors’. Today, they provide emergency services and disaster relief. CNA Thailand Correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut followed the nightly rescue crews to tend to people in need - and those that have passed.