Latest Thailand government News
Prominent Thai human rights lawyer accused of insulting the king receives a 4-year prison term
BANGKOK (AP) — A prominent Thai human rights lawyer was convicted on Tuesday of insulting the monarchy and sentenced to four years in prison, the first conviction under a controversial law guarding the royal institution since a civilian government took office after years of military-backed rule....
Thailand receives the first Chinese visitors under a new visa-free policy to boost tourism
BANGKOK (AP) — Top Thai officials welcomed hundreds of Chinese tourists at Bangkok’s international airport on Monday, the first day of a new visa-free entry program that officials say will boost the country's tourism industry that was badly damaged by the coronavirus pandemic. ...
Thai king's estranged son urges open discussion of monarchy, in rejection of anti-defamation law
BANGKOK (AP) — An estranged son of Thailand’s king who has spent almost all his adult life away from his homeland has unexpectedly gone public with his belief that open discussions about the country's monarchy should be allowed, in a rejection of a harsh royal anti-defamation law. ...
Thailand's opposition Move Forward party to pick new leader as its embattled chief steps down
BANGKOK (AP) — The embattled head of the Move Forward party, which finished first in Thailand’s general election in May but was denied power by Parliament, announced his resignation on Friday as its chief so the party can appoint a new member to serve as Parliament's opposition leader. ...
Thailand's government, seeking return of tourists from China, approves visa-free entry for 5 months
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s new government Wednesday approved a measure granting temporary visa-free entry to Chinese tourists, signaling that the recovery of the country's tourism industry is a top economic priority. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the visa exemption, which...
Thailand's new prime minister tells Parliament his government will urgently tackle economic woes
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin vowed to act quickly to relieve the country's economic problems in his inaugural speech to Parliament on Monday, following four months of political uncertainty while parliamentarians were unable to agree on a government. ...
Thailand's LGBTQ+ community draws tourists from China looking to be themselves
BANGKOK (AP) — Xinyu Wen traveled to Thailand in June, planning a two-week vacation around Bangkok's Pride parade. Instead, the 28-year-old stayed a month and a half, as her experience at the parade gave rise to discussions and discoveries in the Thai capital's thriving LBGTQ+...
Thailand's new government takes office as Cabinet members take oath in front of king
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s new government officially took office on Tuesday, almost four months after the country’s general election, as new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin led the 34 members of his Cabinet to take their oaths of office in front of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. ...
Thailand's king approves a new Cabinet more than 3 months after elections
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s king has formally endorsed members of a new Cabinet, paving the way for a government headed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to take office more than three months after the general election. Srettha, representing the Pheu Thai party, was named prime...
Thailand's king reduces former Prime Minister Thaksin's 8-year prison term to a single year
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s king on Friday reduced former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's eight-year prison term to a single year following the divisive politician's return last week from 15 years of self-imposed exile. The action may mark a symbolic end to the political...
