BANGKOK, Sept 25 — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Wednesday that he intends to dissolve parliament by the end of January, paving the way for a general election in March or early April.
BANGKOK, Sept 25 — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Wednesday that he intends to dissolve parliament by the end of January, paving the way for a general election in March or early April.
Anutin secured the premiership in early September, becoming Thailand’s third prime minister since August 2023, after withdrawing his Bhumjaithai party from the Pheu Thai-led coalition. To form a government, he gained the support of the largest bloc in parliament, the opposition People’s Party, which demanded elections within four months as a condition for backing him.
The political upheaval has weighed heavily on Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. Fitch Ratings on Wednesday downgraded Thailand’s outlook from “stable” to “negative,” citing growing risks to public finances amid persistent political uncertainty.
Anutin now faces the challenge of reviving an economy burdened by US tariffs, high household debt, and sluggish consumption. He said the government would roll out measures to ease the cost of living and support farmers affected by falling crop prices.
At the same press conference, Anutin also reaffirmed that his administration would not back gambling-related ventures, rejecting proposals for casino-style entertainment complexes and the legalisation of online gambling. — Reuters
BANGKOK, April 24 — Thailand’s Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a petition accusing 44 current and former opposition lawmakers of ethics violations over their 2021 move to amend a law protecting the monarchy from criticism, according to Thai media reports.
PUTRAJAYA, April 24 — The Court of Appeal today dismissed Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura’s appeal against a High Court ruling ordering her to pay RM825,000 in damages and costs for defaming three DAP leaders by linking them to former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng.
THE HAGUE, April 23 — Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will stand trial at the International Criminal Court after judges on Thursday confirmed charges of crimes against humanity over his controversial “war on drugs.”