Politics

U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec, center, speaks to reporters at a media roundtable in Bangkok on June 27. (Photo by Francesca Regalado)
Thai election

U.S. denies meddling in Thai vote ahead of parliament opening

Ally watches for Thailand's next move in PM selection, Myanmar and trade

27 June 2023
Photographer Vinai Dithajohn at the opening of his exhibition "Red & Yellow" at VS Gallery on April 22. The show documents Thailand's struggle for democracy between 2003 and 2016. (Photo by Tom Vater)
Arts

A photographer's chronicle of Thailand's democracy struggle

From rural poverty to bus conductor, soldier and photographer, Vinai Dithajohn followed his dream

27 June 2023
From Tehran to Tokyo and beyond, trans people throughout Asia continue to face violence, discrimination and exclusion from society.
Asia Insight

Trans rights progress in Asia hits barricade of tradition, legal maze

Gradual LGBTQ advances in some countries shrouded by stigma, safety concerns

27 June 2023
The seats of the Thai parliament in Bangkok are now set to be occupied early in July.
Thai election

Thailand parliament has early July deadline to convene

Progressive and conservative camps jockey for leverage in prime minister battle

20 June 2023
Protesters hold up a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi and raise three-finger salutes during a demonstration to mark the second anniversary of Myanmar's 2021 military coup, outside the Embassy of Myanmar in Bangkok on February 1.
Myanmar Crisis

Thailand-led regional meeting on Myanmar divides ASEAN

Move by caretaker government angers bloc's chair Indonesia

19 June 2023
Eight Thai opposition parties have agreed to back Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, center, as prime minister, but lack enough support to ensure his victory.
Thai election

Thailand's post-election power transfer in limbo as Pita faces probe

Move Forward struggles to secure majority to replace lame-duck government

16 June 2023
A Chinese submarine takes part in a naval parade in 2019. China is expanding its presence along Asia’s military equipment supply chain.
Defense

Thailand weighs accepting Chinese engine in submarine deal

Beijing pressures Royal Thai Navy to take 'notoriously loud' powertrain

15 June 2023
The Bangkok skyline. Thailand is 52nd on the startup ecosystem scale, according to one ranking.
Startups

Thailand aims to duplicate Singapore model for startups

Capital gains tax breaks begin to attract investor funds to nascent industry

15 June 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat holds a "No. 1" victory pose at a news conference in Bangkok after winning the Thai general election on May 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
The Big Story

Thailand's moment of truth: Pita's struggle for new regime continues

Move Forward pressured to scrap proposed royal reforms as it seeks to govern

7 June 2023
Pita Limjaroenrat and other leaders hold a news conference at coalition partner Pheu Thai's headquarters in Bangkok on June 6. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Pita transfers controversial media shares

Move Forward coalition sets up working groups on corruption and other issues

6 June 2023
Members of the Department for the Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine inspect a cannabis shop on Khaosan Road in Bangkok on April 20. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Society

Thailand cannabis industry in limbo a year after decriminalization

Move Forward Party's planned curbs loom over booming industry

6 June 2023
Thai prime ministerial hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat stands accused of owning media company stock in violation of the constitution. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thai PM hopeful fights accusation of election wrongdoing

Allegations could disqualify Pita from taking prime minister's seat

5 June 2023
While traditional Thai political parties paid canvassers to mobilize voters, Move Forward leaders went all over the country to spread the group's message of reform and change.
Opinion

Thailand's traditional elite should seek compromise while it can

Move Forward's victory shows forces of change have momentum and broad support

2 June 2023
The Bank of Thailand raised its key interest rate a quarter point to 2.0% on May 31, as it seeks to head off inflation.
Economy

Bank of Thailand raises key interest rate to 2.0%

Central bank tightens policy for sixth time as inflation lingers

31 May 2023
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned against a new cold war at the Future of Asia forum in Tokyo on May 25. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
The Future of Asia 2023

Asian leaders home in on economic security in face of U.S.-China rift

Future of Asia speakers welcome 'de-risking' and urge return to multilateralism

26 May 2023
Shares in Thailand's largest independent power generating company Gulf Energy were down 7.6% on Tuesday compared with the price prior to the election on May 14.
Thai election

Thai election results hammer power and construction companies

Move Forward party pledge to cut energy bills, raise wages hits industry outlook

24 May 2023
Parties affiliated with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had won five straight general elections before the streak was broken this year. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Thai election

Thai election defeat shatters Thaksin's myth of invincibility

Former prime minister may have lost his touch over years in exile

23 May 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, center, poses with coalition party leaders during a press conference to announce their agreed agenda in Bangkok on May 22. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Move Forward coalition agrees on cannabis control, puts off lese-majeste

Thai parties pledge marriage equality, constitutional reform on coup anniversary

22 May 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha casts his ballot at a polling station in Bangkok on May 14. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)
Thai election

Thailand's politicized military faces moment of truth after polls

PM Prayuth, high command come under scrutiny amid unsure political transition

19 May 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, second from left, tells reporters in Bangkok on May 18 that he has a road map to getting the necessary votes to be prime minister. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Move Forward leader says coalition 'taking shape'

Lese-majeste to be addressed in MOU as bloc forms negotiating team to whip votes

18 May 2023
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Most read in 2023

Thailand election: How Move Forward's upset win unfolded

PM hopeful Pita Limjaroenrat holds first meeting of budding coalition

17 May 2023
Some businesses in Bangkok are worrying about a higher minimum wage and other policies that a populist government might push through. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Move Forward's electoral surprise puts Thai businesses on edge

Private sector fears infrastructure and fiscal discipline might be big losers

17 May 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, center, parades around Bangkok's Democracy Monument to celebrate the election result on May 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

How Move Forward shocked Thailand's old guard

Party faces uphill battle to win military-picked Senate backing for top office

16 May 2023
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat celebrates his party's victory with supporters in Bangkok on May 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Opinion

Thai public's rejection of rule by generals must be respected

Victorious Move Forward party deserves to lead new government

16 May 2023
Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward Party’s leader, says during a press conference in Bangkok on May 15, "I am ready to be the prime minister for all of you whether you agree with me or you disagree with me." (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Move Forward to form coalition with Pheu Thai

Progressive alliance set to gain 309 seats with Pita for PM

15 May 2023