CNA, Thai Elections 2023 Saksith Saiyasombut CNA, Thai Elections 2023 Saksith Saiyasombut

#ThaiElection23: Can Thai PM Prayut hold on to power despite switching parties?

Thailand's incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is contesting the May 14 elections under a different party, the United Thai Nation Party, after a split with the ruling Palang Pracharat Party that put him up as their choice for the country's top job in 2019. But even if he is returned to office, the 69-year-old can only serve for two years before he hits his term limit. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut reports.

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#ThaiElection23: Can Move Forward Party make a splash like Future Forward Party?

Future Forward Party, which made a splash at the last Thai elections in 2019, may now be defunct, but in its place is the Move Forward Party looking to make the same impact. Despite the new name, it has the same liberal-progressive ideology - almost radical by Thai standards and drawing the ire of Thai conservatives. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut reports.

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CNA Correspondent Podcast: Can the Thai prime minister hold on to power in the upcoming elections?

Incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha looks to fend off challengers, including Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, as she aims to stake her claim. Correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut speaks to Steve Lai ahead of Thailand’s general election on 14 May.

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#ThaiElection23: Ruling Palang Pracharat Party seeks to continue leading without PM Prayut

Thailand heads to the polls this Sunday for its second election since the 2014 military coup. More than 52 million of the country's 66 million population are eligible to vote this year -- in 400 constituencies across 77 provinces. 70 parties are in the race for constituency MP seats. 43 have set their sights on the prime minister's post. The main party of Thailand's outgoing coalition -- the Palang Pracharat -- is looking to continue leading the next government without incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

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#ThaiElection23: Opposition Pheu Thai Party confirms 3 PM candidates

Thailand's opposition Pheu Thai party has unveiled its three prime minister candidates for the upcoming election on May 14. They are Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 36-year-old daughter of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Srettha Thavisin, the party's chief economic advisor, and Chaikasem Nitsiri, the party's chief strategist.

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Prime Minister and Party-List Hopeful Register for Thai Election 23

Political heavyweights in Thailand have begun the process of registering themselves for the position of prime minister, ahead of elections due on the 14th of May. Members from various parties arrived at Bangkok's City Hall to register and find out their assigned party number. Among them - Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha who told people to have faith in his United Thai Nation party. The election is set to be a fierce battle between the Mr Prayut's military-backed party, and the Pheu Thai Party, represented by Mr Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 36-year-old daughter of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

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Thailand to hold general election on May 14

Thailand's Parliament has been dissolved, paving the way for upcoming elections in May. The decree was published in the country's Royal Gazette, after being endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. An election date has not yet been set, but it must take place within 60 days. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's four-year term is set to end this week. The upcoming polls will see him running for the nation's top post again. However, a court ruling last year limited his term to just another two years, if he wins the coming elections.

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Thai Parliament dissolved, paving way for elections in May

The Thai parliament will soon be dissolved to pave the way for a general election in May. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has submitted the decree for a royal endorsement of the dissolution. The dissolution comes after the Election Commission completed its constituency mapping. The final day of the House's four-year term will be on Mar 23, but it is widely expected to be dissolved by Mar 20.

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Thai parliament to be dissolved to pave the way for May general election

The Thai parliament will soon be dissolved to pave the way for a general election in May. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has submitted the decree for a royal endorsement of the dissolution. The dissolution comes after the Election Commission completed its constituency mapping. The final day of the House's four-year term will be on Mar 23, but it is widely expected to be dissolved by Mar 20.

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How the Myanmar military coup has affected the Karen ethnic group

The Karen, an ethnic group that lives on both sides of the Thai-Myanmar border, have been fighting for independence for decades. With reports suggesting that fighting has intensified, CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut travels there to find out what the situation has been with the Karens.

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CNA Correspondent Podcast: Has huge international interest in Muay Thai diluted its traditional roots?

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a symbol of cultural pride and identity and now, Thailand’s national sport is generating huge interest internationally. But with it comes the fear that it will lose its ancient traditions. With dreams of the sport making its Olympic debut growing bigger, Teresa Tang talks to correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut about how Muay Thai could change, and what is being done to preserve it.

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Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha switches party to run for next election

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced his bid to remain the country's premier, switching parties to the United Thai Nation Party. Mr Prayut was originally from the Palang Pracharath Party, which leads the ruling coalition. However, the party has been in decay due to factionalism and infighting.

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Thailand awaits Chinese tourists

Tourists from mainland China made up a quarter of Thailand's visitor arrivals before the pandemic. This year, the Southeast Asian nation expects 5 million visitors from China as it reopens its borders.

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The Year Ahead 2023: Thailand's Inevitable Elections?

After 4 turbulent years, Thailand is going to the polls again in 2023. Will PM Prayut Chan-ocha be able to keep in power, albeit only for 2 years? Or will others take over powers? And can Thai politics be part of the solution to the people's problems - and not be part of it once again?

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CNA Correspondent: Muay Thai - Fighting for the Future (Full Episode)

Thailand’s national martial arts, Muay Thai (or Thai boxing), is in the spotlight — boxers may soon be fighting their way to the Olympics. But the road to the top is paved with sweat, tears, hopes and heartbreak. CNA Correspondent meets those who have made it big and those fighting to join them, and finds out the price they have to pay to make it in Thailand’s national sport.

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TRAILER: "Muay Thai - Fighting for the Future" - CNA Correspondent | Wed (30 Nov) at 8.30pm BK

Muay Thai’s time in the spotlight is now. Thailand’s national martial arts now looking to the future, with new players entering the sport and fighting its way to the Olympics. But away from the million-baht arenas, it’s the road to the top is paved with sweat, tears, hopes and heartbreak. CNA Correspondent meets those who have made it big, those fighting to join them and find out the price they have to pay to make it in Thailand’s national sport.

"Muay Thai - Fighting for the Future" airs on Wednesday, 30 Nov, at 8.30pm BK on CNA and is available as VOD on CNA Insider.

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