Thai Islamic Council bans child marriage under 17
A new regulation from the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (Cicot) bans children under the age of 17 from marriage. The move after public outcry over the controversial marriage in June of an 11-year-old Thai girl to a 41-year-old Malaysian man earlier this year. Meanwhile in Indonesia, there's push for a wide legislative change on the same issue.
Thai military government lifts political restrictions before 2019 elections
Thailand's military government has lifted restrictions on political activities, effectively allowing parties to start campaigning in the run-up to the elections early next year. But when exactly again? I explain all the details.
Fight to end global hunger wide off mark
In Bangkok, an international conference is seeking ways to accelerate the ambitious goal to end hunger worldwide by 2030, one of the Sustainable Developments Goal by the United Nations. But with only 12 years to go, the efforts are wide off mark.
(Originally aired on November 28, 2018)
Election Commission still does not set exact date for polls
Thailand's Election Commission is meeting with political parties today, to brief them about details of the long-awaited election in February. So the countdown is on for the country's first election since the 2014 military takeover. And many political parties are expected to raise the issue of their lack of preparedness for the election. That's because the comission has not announced new electoral boundaries among other problems.
Thai Q3 GDP 2018 stalls, misses target
Thailand's economic growth has stalled for the Q3 of 2018 at only 3.3%, the worst rate since 2014. Here I explain why.
Palang Pracharath Party welcomes new members
Thailand’s political parties continue their preparations for the first democratic elections since the military coup of 2014. This Sunday, it’s the newly-founded Palang Pracharath Party’s turn to hold its meeting - and while there are no leadership votes to be held today, there was some anticipation about who will sign up for the party widely believed to be to vehicle for the current military government.
Thailand prepares to take over ASEAN chairmanship despite upcoming elections
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Abhisit Vejjajiva re-elected Democrat Party leader
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Democrat Party to choose new leader
Thailand's longest surviving political party, the Democrat Party, Thailand, is choosing a new leader this weekend. The incumbent Abhisit Vejjajiva is facing off against Warong Dechgitvigrom and Alongkorn Ponlaboot. The choice of a new leader could change the direction of the party.
Thanathorn's "walk" testing the boundaries of political restrictions
Future Forward Party founder Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and his mother were "talking a walk" in Bangkok today to talk to locals and recruit new members - but insist that it's not campaigning. He the latest politician to do so as politicial activities are still restricted under military rule.
Late Leicester City FC owner's impact on Thai football
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Uncertain future for King Power after chairman's death
As Thailand’s King Power Group mourns the loss of its founder and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in a helicopter crash last Saturday, the company faces an uncertain future, not only about succession but also challenges to its duty-free monopoly.
Tributes pour in for Leicester City, King Power owner killed in helicopter crash
Tributes pour in from around the world after the death of King Power chairman and Leicester City Football Club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in a helicopter crash on Saturday among with four others. Here's the mood from King Power HQ in Bangkok.
Pheu Thai Party votes new leadership
The Pheu Thai Party, which has been outed of power in the 2014 military coup, has voted a new leadership in preparation for the new democratic elections early next year. And there are many familiar faces at the helm.
Malaysian PM Visits Thailand in Bid to Revive Deep South Peace Talks
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is in Bangkok on a two-day visit. One of the key talking points in his meeting with his Thai counterpart is the ongoing seperatist insurgency in the Deep South along the border with Malaysia.
Deep South Conflict to be Discussed at Malaysia PM Mahathir's Visit to Bangkok
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is set to visit Thailand on Wednesday. One of the likely major talking points between him and his Thai counterpart General Prayut Chan-ocha is the ongoing and deadly separatist conflict in Thailand’s deep south along the border with Malaysia.
Disgraced former 'jet-set monk' found guilty of rape
A disgraced former Buddhist monk who rose to infamy as the 'jet-set monk' has been found guilty of raping a minor. He has been sentenced to 16 years in prison on top of a previous sentence for embezzlement and fraud. Here's our report.
Progress in combatting wildlife trafficking in Thailand, but not enough
On the occaision of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in London, we look how Thailand has been doing in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. And while there has been some progress, it's not enough yet.
Maya Bay remains closed indefinitely
Thai officials have closed Maya Bay in Krabi province indefinitely. It was supposed to be temporarily shut from June to September to allow the strained eco system to recover from the thousands of tourists that have visited the popular beach. I explain why it remains closed.
Future Forward Party outlines next months before election campaign
The newly-established Future Forward Party has presented its next steps for coming months in the run-up of democratic elections early next year. Here's my report on the party’s plans and its challenges ahead.
FULL TRANSCRIPT
As Thailand’s political landscape slowly awakes from its forced slumber since the military coup of 2014, the political parties are holding their first official activities after a partial lift on these activity restrictions a few weeks ago.
The newly established Future Forward Party has outlined its next steps in the run up of democratic elections for next year, but before that it was showcasing its - at least for Thai political standards - very progressive ideals, including opposing the current military government and any long-lasting legacies it may or may not leave behind. More importantly, the party wants to re-establish trust in the democratic system.
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, Co-Founder Future Forward Party:
"[The people need] their power, their rights, their voices, their part in the decision making. They need new opportunities in order to progress and contribute to the economy and society. They need the public infrastructure and the public assistance as a foundation."
Furthermore, the party wants to utilize an online-based membership drive in order to get as many new recruits to the party as possible in the next few months. Would-be members can sign up online as opposed to the usual paperwork conventional parties would require.
As for the challenges ahead, not only do they have to fight against established parties with established voter bases upcountry and translate the hype from the launch into actual votes - the founder of the party, 38-year old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and two other members have been recently charged with computer crimes after criticizing the current military government.
When asked whether this will be a concern in the coming months, Thanatorn’s remains defiant:
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit; Co-Founder Future Forward Party:
"The case against the three of us, it’s not a pressing concern for us. [In English] It’s not our concern, not our pressing concern. It’s not deterring us from walking the way we walk right now."
While political parties can now hold meetings and recruit new members, they still cannot go out and campaign. That is still prohibited by the restrictions of the current military, but they are expected to lifted by the end of this year or beginning of next year as the first democratic elections since 2011 are tentatively scheduled for as early as February and as late as May next year.