Number of Thais being held hostage by Hamas rises from 19 to 22
Thailand's foreign ministry has raised its count of nationals taken hostage in Israel by Hamas from 19 to 22. That's one of the highest number of foreign victims being held since conflict broke out in Gaza on Oct 7. At least 32 Thais have been killed in Israel. Close to 6,000 have been repatriated, with another 800 returning today. Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has renewed calls for Thai migrant workers who are still in Israel to come home "as long as they still can", as the escalating situation could make it more difficult to send repatriation flights.
Ruling Pheu Thai party elects Thaksin's youngest daughter Paetongtarn as new leader
Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party has a new leader. Paetongtarn Shinawatra is following in the footsteps of her father, former prime minister and party founder Thaksin. She is a familiar face to the party, having been heavily involved as one of Pheu Thai's prime minister candidates in the election campaign earlier this year. Party members have denied that nepotism played a role in her appointment, but the shadow of her father looms large.
First flight with evacuated Thais from Israel lands in Bangkok
The first batch of Thai nationals evacuated from Israel has arrived in Bangkok. The 15 were on one of the few flights that made it out of Tel Aviv, as countries scramble to evacuate their nationals caught in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. More than five thousand Thais have requested to leave Israel. At least 21 Thais are feared death, with 14 being kidnapped.
Thailand seeks to restore tourist confidence after deadly shopping mall shooting
Thai authorities are scrambling to restore confidence in the country's reputation as a tourist destination, after the shock of yesterday's deadly shopping mall shooting. A 14-year-old suspect has been charged on five counts, including murder and illegal firearm possession. Two people -- one from China and the other from Myanmar -- were killed during his alleged rampage in central Bangkok's Siam Paragon mall. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has attended an event at the mall with several cabinet ministers. In his opening remarks, he also observed a minute of silence for the victims.
Bangkok Siam Paragon mall shooting: At least three killed, 14-year-old suspect arrested
Earlier report
At least three people have been killed in a shooting spree at a shopping mall in Bangkok. Thai police said a 14-year-old suspected gunman has been arrested. The incident occurred at Siam Paragon, one of the city's biggest malls located in the heart of the Thai capital. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has expressed concern over the incident. He expressed condolences to families of those who died, and said the police are closely monitoring the situation.
Thailand's new cabinet sworn in
Thailand’s new government officially took office on Sep 5, nearly four months after its people went to the polls. The King swore in Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his 33 cabinet ministers, in a coalition government made up of 11 parties, that does not include election winner Move Forward Party.
CNA Correspondent Podcast: Thailand finally has a new prime minister after dramatic twists and turns, so what’s next?
Three months after Thais voted in a general election, they finally have their next leader – though it’s not the person many had expected. Sretta Thavisin is a political novice who faces the task of uniting a fractured public. CNA's May Wong and Saksith Saiyasombut sit down with Teresa Tang to talk about what it was like on the ground as the dramatic developments unfolded.
Thai parliament votes Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin to be next prime minister
Srettha Thavisin is set to be Thailand's next prime minister, after securing enough votes in parliament. He is the Pheu Thai party's nominee for the post. His victory possibly puts an end to months of political deadlock that has frustrated the constituency and harmed confidence in the country's economic recovery.
Thaksin’s return to Thailand: Significance of homecoming
Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to Thailand on Tuesday (Aug 22) after 15 years in exile comes hours before parliament votes for a new prime minister. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut was standing by for his appearance at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport. He tells us more about the billionaire’s influence in politics and the timing of his return.
Thailand's Pheu Thai party unveils government coalition ahead of PM vote
Thailand's Pheu Thai party is charting a new path forward after unveiling an 11-party coalition on the eve of a Parliamentary vote to choose a new prime minister. The alliance includes military-linked parties that it has, in the past, said it would not work with, such as outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's United Thai Nation party and the outgoing ruling party Palang Pracharath.
United Thai Nation to back Pheu Thai in PM vote on Aug 22: Spokesperson
Thailand's Pheu Thai Party has received a boost in its bid to form the country's next government, after the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) agreed to back its candidate for prime minister. UTN is the party of outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The move comes ahead of the next parliamentary round of voting for his successor, which is expected to take place on Aug 22. Thailand has entered its third month without a new leader or a new government since the general election.
Thailand to hold new PM vote next week after court dismisses Pita's renomination
Thailand's Parliament is gearing up for another round of voting to pick a prime minister. The Constitutional Court has rejected a request from the election-winning Move Forward, which challenged parliament's decision to block the re-nomination of its leader Pita Limjaroenrat for the top job. This kills off any hope of the progressive party leading the next government. Pheu Thai, which has taken over the reins from Move Forward in forming the next government coalition, will nominate its candidate -- property tycoon Srettha Thavisin -- and hopes to have enough votes to see it through.
Thai political deadlock drags on as prime minister vote delayed indefinitely
Thailand's political deadlock drags on -- the parliamentary vote to select a new premier has been delayed indefinitely, pending a court decision. The Constitutional Court will decide in mid-August whether a prime minister candidate can stand for a vote more than once. The election-winning Move Forward Party has been excluded from a new government coalition by the runner-up Pheu Thai. It has now been over 80 days since May's election was surprisingly won by Move Forward.
Former PM Thaksin to return to Thailand next month after 15 years in exile
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to return to the kingdom in just over two weeks, after spending more than 15 years abroad in self-exile. His daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, announced this on social media in commemoration of his birthday. The 74-year-old -- who is said to be currently in Hong Kong -- was ousted by a military coup in 2006. Mr Thaksin remains a relevant figure in Thailand. His return "coincides" with the current political vacuum: Pheu Thai, the latest incarnation of his old party, is currently attempting to form a new government.
Thai parliament votes to block Pita Limjaroenrat's renomination bid for PM
Thailand's political void remains, with the parliament yet to settle on its next prime minister. This comes after lawmakers voted to disqualify leading candidate Pita Limjaroenrat from a second shot at the position. This is likely to be the end of the road for the leader of the party that took the most votes in elections in May.
Thai Constitutional Court suspends PM frontrunner Pita as MP, as hopes for PM bid fade
The hopes of Pita Limjaroenrat to become Thai Prime Minister in his second attempt have taken a massive setback as the Constitutional Court has accepted a case accusing him of holding media shares while running for office, which is against election laws. Thus he's suspended as MP, though he still can be nominated as Prime Minister.
Can Move Forward leader Pita succeed in second Thai PM vote?
Thailand's Parliament is set to hold another ballot to pick a new prime minister tomorrow. Last week, Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to get enough votes, after military-appointed senators of the Upper House blocked his bid. Even though the eight-party coalition has confirmed to nominate him again, there's now doubt whether he can get a second attempt. The conservative anti-Pita faction has argued that a motion that has been rejected cannot be resubmitted in the parliamentary term. They have argued that Mr Pita's nomination is a motion that has failed.
PM frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat fails to secure enough votes in Parliament
Thailand will have to face a longer wait for a new prime minister after frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat failed to secure enough support to claim the premiership. Despite being unopposed in the contest, the Move Forward Party leader was hit with a host of abstentions and votes against him, falling short of a simple majority of 375.
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.