Thai Parliament Convenes to Vote on New Prime Minister
Thailand's parliament has convened to vote for the country's next prime minister. The floor is now open for six hours of debate Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat bid to become the next Thai leader. Mr Pita's leadership bid faced a major setback ahead of the poll with two major legal challenges lodged against him.
Thai parliament names veteran politician as new House Speaker
Thailand's new parliament named a new House Speaker as it began its first session today. This puts an end to weeks of tense negotiations between the two biggest parties of the Move Forward-led coalition, and takes the country one step closer to the formation of a new government. All three speaker positions were filled by parties of the Move Forward-led coalition. But the top job did not go to Move Forward or Pheu Thai -- it went to 79-year-old Wan Muhamad Noor Matha of the Prachachart Party. He was the consensus nominee of all the eight-party coalition and ran unopposed.
Thai King opens parliament as Move Forward looks to lead new government
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has opened the country's first parliamentary session since the progressive Move Forward Party won elections two months ago. Lawmakers now must form a new government, which will then vote to elect a prime minister. In his opening address, the King reminded lawmakers to put the needs of the nation first. MPs will start proceedings tomorrow to elect a House Speaker, but the two leading parties are in dispute over the post. Move Forward has named its candidate, but Pheu Thai said it should get to choose the seat of the head of the legislature.
Move Forward's Pita Limjaroenrat says he has enough support to become Thai PM
The frontrunner to be Thailand’s next prime minister, Pita Limjaroenrat, has said that he has enough support to be voted in for the top job.
Key ASEAN members skip Thai-hosted Myanmar talks amid criticism
Thailand is hosting "informal talks" with Myanmar's military government in a bid to find a way out of the post-coup crisis. Bangkok has been pushing to re-engage Myanmar's generals, but some key ASEAN members, including Indonesia, declined an invitation to the meeting. Still, Thailand's foreign ministry said "high-level" representatives from Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Vietnam, India and China are expected to attend.
#ThaiElection23: MPs-elect confirmed, paving way for new parliament to assemble
Thailand's Election Commission has ratified the results of the May 14 General Elections, confirmed all 500 MPs-elect. This paves the way for the new parliament to convene within two weeks and the vote on a new Prime Minister shortly after that.
Thai election commission to probe PM frontrunner Pita
Thailand’s Move Forward Party is crying foul against what it sees as efforts to hinder it from forming the next government, after its victory in last month’s election. It held a news conference after the Election Commission threw out complaints alleging its leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat had violated the election law.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Thailand chooses change as a new coalition takes shape but will it work?
A record voter turnout in Thailand’s 2023 election saw the rise of the Move Forward party and a clear decline of former general Prayut Chan-o-cha. Steve Lai speaks to Saksith Saiyasombut on the state of play now and whether the charismatic Pita Limjaroenrat can forge a strong coalition and win enough support from rival MPs or the appointed senators to form a government.
Thai politics: Tussle between Move Forward and Pheu Thai over House Speaker position
There are signs that all may not be well for Thailand's coalition government-in-waiting. A tussle has emerged between Move Forward and Pheu Thai over who will take the prized role of House Speaker in a future parliament. Meanwhile, the country's election commission has released final results from the May 14 election, with Move Forward keeping its position as the clear winner, garnering 151 seats. The eight-party coalition now accounts for 312 seats in the 500-seat parliament.
Thailand's opposition coalition signs MOU, outlines new direction for country
Thailand's opposition parties are charting a new future for the country, one that leaves behind almost a decade of military rule. The Move Forward Party and its coalition partners have signed a memorandum of understanding. The document outlines their key policy objectives.
Earlier report
Thailand's Move Forward announces 8-party coalition, but leader Pita faces hurdles to be PM
The Move Forward Party is forging ahead with plans to form Thailand's next government. An alliance of eight opposition parties is seeking to draft a memorandum of understanding -- one that will see Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat as their choice for prime minister. With all these parties together, that brings the tally to 313 out of 500 seats in the Lower House of Representatives. That is not enough in the vote of a prime minister, because that involves the Upper House, which consists of 250 senators appointed by the previous military government.
#ThaiElection23: Move Forward announces coalition proposal to form next government
Thailand's military-backed government is out, while pro-democracy parties are in following the elections. But the make up of the country's incoming government is anything but certain. Winning opposition party Move Forward is moving to form a coalition. Its proposed combination includes runner-up Pheu Thai Party, which said it is considering joining the alliance.
#ThaiElection23: How Move Forward Party pulled off shock victory
Voters have resoundingly rejected nearly a decade of military-backed rule in Thailand. Key opposition parties Move Forward and Pheu Thai have won the most seats.
#ThaiElection23: Polls open in "most consequential" election in recent Thai history
Voters in Thailand are heading to the polls today in a crucial contest that sees military-backed parties that take on opposition groups challenging the status quo. About 52 million Thais are eligible to vote, a record turnout is expected.
#ThaiElection23: Major parties hold final rallies before May 14 polls
Major political parties in Thailand are holding their last big rallies before the country goes to the polls on Sunday (May 14). The United Thai Nation Party is pitching to voters to give incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha a second chance, despite him having switched parties and only allowed to rule until 2025. Meanwhile, the opposition Pheu Thai Party calls for a change of government with campaign promises under the banner of “Think Big. Act Smart.”