Rappler's latest stories on Thailand politics
Rights groups, family demand answers on missing Thai activists
A Thailand deputy prime minister denies the missing activists are in government custody
Thai pro-marijuana party in high demand after disputed vote
The Bhumjaithai Party is fronted by mega-wealthy Anutin Charnvirakul, an amateur pilot, son of a construction tycoon, and unlikely proponent of the medical benefits of marijuana
Thai court to hear case against party behind princess political bid
Party officials fear the case is being hustled through ahead of the March 24 election, which is already stacked in favor of the ruling junta, whose leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha wants to return as a civilian premier
Thai party leader contrite after rebuke for princess' PM candidacy
'Above us is His Majesty and the monarchy,' Preechaphol Pongpanit tells reporters at the party's headquarters
Politicos register for Thailand's first election since 2014 coup
The registration is marked by a festive atmosphere, with supporters of dozens of groups waving neon banners and party flags as they enter a stadium in central Bangkok
Thailand to hold first election since coup on March 24
(UPDATED) The poll date is set to ignite campaign season in a country where colorful and boisterous political rallies have often tipped into deadly violence
Thailand eases 4-year-old ban on political activities
Parties will now be permitted to elect their leaders, recruit new members and hold general party meetings if they are able to summon at least 250 members. However, campaigning – including holding public gatherings – is still forbidden.
Protest greets 4th year of Thai junta rule
Disquiet with the junta is simmering in Thailand, despite a ban on political gatherings since a coup toppled the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra on May 22, 2014
Dozens of new political parties register in run-up to Thai poll
(UPDATED) 'There are 38 groups who have submitted the applications for party registration,' an election official tells Agence France-Presse
#ThewRap: Things you need to know, October 26, 2017
Hello! Here are the stories you shouldn't miss this Thursday.
Thais bid final goodbye to beloved King Bhumibol
(UPDATED) The lavish funeral will give the public a chance to bid an emotional farewell to a king who was crowned in 1950 and soared over decades of Thai history
Making of a monarch: Thais set to part with the 'people's king'
The late King Bhumibol Adulaydej is remembered as regal but accessible, rich but unflashy and always dedicated to the Thai people
Thai ex-PM Yingluck has fled Thailand – party source
4th UPDATE A senior party source says Yingluck Shinawatra is likely in Singapore
Thai junta chief accepts Trump invite
The offer came as part of a flurry of calls Trump made to Southeast Asian leaders over the weekend trying to shore up regional support over the troubled Korean peninsula
Generals dominate new Thai king's Privy Council
UPDATED The move illustrates the close military royal alliance that has defined Thai politics for the last 5 decades
Black is back as Thais mourn revered king
Thailand is a country that leans heavily on symbols and people have long expressed devotion to the king through clothing
Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies
UPDATED Thailand s revered monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies ending one of modern history s longest reigns ever
Anti-junta 'Red shirts' charged as Thai vote looms
Thais will decide August 7 whether to accept a new military drafted constitution in the first vote since the generals toppled the elected government in 2014
Ailing Thai king marks 70 years since accession to throne
The 88 year old king is the world s longest serving monarch and is seen as a unifying force in a nation bitterly divided along political lines
Defiant Thai leader rebukes 'haters' with vow to stay in power
Prayut Chan O Cha: I won t go anywhere as long as the country is not at peace and in order I won t leave despite how much you hate me
Largest anti-coup rally as Thais mark two years of army takeover
Activists young and old gathered peacefully at Bangkok s Democracy Monument as discontent with the junta resurfaces after two years of relative quiet enforced by the army
Former Thai PM Banharn Silpa-archa dies at 83
Banharn Silpa archa passed away peacefully according to Siriraj hospital where the former prime minister was admitted with asthma
Toppled Thai party meets for Thaksin Skype address
Applause erupted among the Puea Thai Party faithful as the 67 year old cop turned telecoms magnate appeared on a sketchy Skype link from an undisclosed country
Thai PM orders security increase after attacks in deep south
The order comes after a particularly fraught night of skirmishes with militants launching several small scale but coordinated attacks on authorities throughout Sunday evening March 13
Ex-PM Thaksin fears Thai junta will cling to power
The telecoms tycoon says he wished he could go home but would consider a return only if it would benefit the country and the people
Thai junta announces fresh 'influential people' purge
The blacklisted which include government and security officials are suspected of aiding a variety of crime syndicates
Thailand says 100 held in trafficking blitz on seafood industry
The EU hit Thailand with a yellow card warning last April threatening to ban all seafood exports unless the military government tackled rampant illegal fishing and labor abuses among its fleets
Thai junta accused of arbitrary detention of student
Widely circulated security camera footage appears to show three uniformed soldiers grab Sirawitch Sereethiwat on a busy street outside his university on Wednesday evening January 20
Singapore urges ASEAN to act on haze
ASEAN must take firm and decisive action through enhanced regional cooperation to help prevent the recurrence of this transboundary problem
Charter backed by Thai junta is rejected
UPDATED The move will likely extend the military s time in power and delay elections
Thai students to be released from jail but sedition charges upheld
The activists – university students in their 20s including one woman – have been in custody since late June
Senior Thai palace official arrested for lese majeste
Montri Sotangkul is the latest ally of the disgraced Princess Srirasmi to be arrested in a rare public airing of palace intrigue
Thai police seek royal official on lese majeste charges
Montri Sotangkul is accused of defaming the monarchy by improperly using his royal connections to make financial gains police say
Thai junta orders cancellation of human rights event
Thailand s military rulers ban a panel discussion exploring rights abuses alleged to have taken place during the junta s one year rule
Thai ex-PM Thaksin under investigation for lese majeste
Last week Thaksin made rare comments to overseas media as the Thai military marked a year in power although it was not immediately clear which interview he faces censure for
Thai elections pushed back to September 2016 – junta
There had been confusion in recent weeks over when an election might be held after the junta appointed committee tasked with drawing up the new constitution said the document should be approved in a referendum
Ousted Thai PM proclaims innocence as criminal trial starts
A guilty conviction could deliver a hammer blow to the political dominance of her family but it also risks stirring up their grassroots Red Shirt supporters
Thai king leaves Bangkok hospital for coastal palace
Hundreds of Thais many dressed in the royal color yellow wave flags and hold up photos of Bhumibol as some cheer Long Live the King
Ailing Thai king makes rare public appearance
The palace visit is made on Coronation Day a Thai public holiday that marks Bhumibol s official coronation in 1950
Indonesia, Thailand, agree to work together on illegal fishing
Thai companies have been linked to shadowy fishing operations in Indonesia a bountiful hunting ground for a blackmarket industry that costs Jakarta an estimated 20 billion in losses every year
Thai junta lifts martial law but retains key powers
UPDATED Special security measures – including a ban on political gatherings of more than 5 people – will continue to blanket the kingdom
Thai former PM Yingluck to face trial over rice scheme – court
The decision is the latest legal move against Yingluck that could spell the end of her family s political dominance
Thai police detain 3 demonstrators in Bangkok
The demonstrators were calling for a public forum with the junta appointed government to brainstorm ideas with people across the country
Thai ex-PM Yingluck indicted over rice subsidy scheme
Thailand s junta stacked government is also considering launching a civil suit against the nation s first female prime minister
Thai Red Shirt leader accuses junta of looking for a 'fight'
I don t believe that you junta want reconciliation instead you want chaos and want us to go out and fight
Thai junta steps up security after Bangkok pipe bombs
Authorities decline to speculate whether the small bombs – which caused minor injuries to two passers by when they exploded near the downtown Paragon mall on Sunday evening February 1 – are linked to the nation s turbulent politics
Impeachment calls crescendo as D-Day nears for Yingluck
Yingluck Shinawatra faces impeachment by the military appointed National Legislative Assembly over her administration s loss making rice program
Thai smuggling ring tied to prince?
Suspects arrested in massive crackdown were actually delivering a river of money to Vajiralongkorn sources say
Ailing Thai king cancels appearance for 87th birthday
Most Thais have only known King Bhumibol on the throne and anxiety over the future once his 6 decade reign ends is seen as an aggravating factor in Thailand s bitter political divide
Family of Thai princess stripped of title
The family of the wife of Thailand s Crown Prince have been stripped of an honorific title police confirm
