Latest news with #Nida
The Star
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Most Thais want Premier to quit or Parliament dissolved: Survey
FILE PHOTO: Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's former prime minister, left, with his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand's suspended prime minister, right, during the Splash Soft Power Forum in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. - Bloomberg BANGKOK: Most Thais want Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to quit or dissolve parliament to ease political turmoil following her suspension from office by the country's Constitutional Court, according to an opinion poll. Paetongtarn should resign to pave the way for a new premier, 42.4 per cent of respondents said, while 39.9 per cent backed the dissolution of parliament to trigger new elections, according to the July 4-7 survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, known as Nida. Around 15 per cent of participants expect the prime minister to remain in office and a minority of 1.4 per cent support a coup to change the government, the poll showed. About 1,310 Thais aged 18 and above were interviewed in the survey, which a margin of error of three per cent, Nida said on Sunday (July 13). Support for Paetongtarn has declined, with thousands of protesters taking part in a rally in Bangkok last month to demand her resignation as the fallout continued from her leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which led to the court order. The poll showed 32.8 per cent of respondents support former prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha - who led the last coup - as the best option for premier, while 11.5 per cent back Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and 10.9 per cent favour Pheu Thai party's Chaikasem Nitisiri. Some 27.9 per cent had no preference for a possible successor to Paetongtarn, according to the survey. Paetongtarn was selected as prime minister in August in a parliament vote just days after the removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, by the Constitutional Court in an ethics violation case. - Bloomberg
Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Most Thais want PM Paetongtarn to quit or Parliament dissolved: Survey
Thailand's suspended and newly-sworn in Culture Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (right) and her father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra at a forum in Bangkok on July 9. BANGKOK – Most Thais want Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to quit or dissolve Parliament to ease political turmoil following her suspension from office by the country's Constitutional Court, according to an opinion poll. Ms Paetongtarn should resign to pave the way for a new premier, 42.4 per cent of respondents said, while 39.9 per cent backed the dissolution of Parliament to trigger new elections, according to the July 4-7 survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, known as Nida. Around 15 per cent of participants expect the prime minister to remain in office and a minority of 1.4 per cent support a coup to change the government, the poll showed. About 1,310 Thais aged 18 and above were interviewed in the survey, which a margin of error of 3 per cent, Nida said on July 13. Support for Ms Paetongtarn has declined, with thousands of protesters taking part in a rally in Bangkok in June to demand her resignation as the fallout continued from her leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, which led to the court order. The poll showed 32.8 per cent of respondents support former prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha – who led the last coup - as the best option for premier, while 11.5 per cent back Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and 10.9 per cent favour Pheu Thai party's Chaikasem Nitisiri. Some 27.9 per cent had no preference for a possible successor to Ms Paetongtarn, according to the survey. Ms Paetongtarn was selected as prime minister in August in a Parliament vote just days after the removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, by the Constitutional Court in an ethics violation case. BLOOMBERG
Bloomberg
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Most Thais Want Premier to Quit or Parliament Dissolved: Survey
Most Thais want Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to quit or dissolve parliament to ease political turmoil following her suspension from office by the country's Constitutional Court, according to an opinion poll. Paetongtarn should resign to pave the way for a new premier, 42.4% of respondents said, while 39.9% backed the dissolution of parliament to trigger new elections, according to the July 4-7 survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, known as Nida.
Bangkok Post
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Long struggle ahead for LGBTQ+ rights
Thailand enacted the Marriage Equality Bill on Jan 23 this year, making it the third country in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal to recognise same-sex marriage. But the work to recognise LGBTQ+ rights does not stop here, say lawmakers and observers. Three bills are in the pipeline awaiting a parliamentary reading, namely the Gender Recognition Bill, the Bill on Decriminalisation of Sex Work, and the Anti-Discrimination Bill, aimed at ensuring LGBTQ+ rights and the rights of other marginalised groups under the law. PROGRESS AND REGRESS Assist Prof Jaray Singkhowinta, dean of the Graduate School of Social Development and Management Strategy, National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), said the issue of LGBTQ+ rights has made progress, only to slip back again. Greece, for example, legalised same-sex marriage in February 2024, nearly a year ahead of Thailand. Countries like Singapore, Mauritius, Dominica, and Namibia have decriminalised same-sex sexual acts, while Germany and Ecuador have passed self-identification laws for gender recognition. However, there are setbacks elsewhere. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation was passed in Ghana, Mali, Georgia and Bulgaria. Project 2025, initiated by the right-wing Washington DC-based think tank, the Heritage Foundation, attempts to virtually erase LGBTQ+ people from federal protections altogether, indicating potential federal-level rollbacks, said Asst Prof Jaray. In the United Kingdom, Supreme Court decisions on the definition of "woman" have created legal complexities around transgender inclusion in women-only spaces and services, reflecting broader social debates about balancing transgender rights with sex-based protections. He said the implications are profound: one-third of the world continues to criminalise consensual same-sex sexual acts, indicating persistent global divisions. "This polarisation suggests that while some regions advance toward equality, others are actively moving backwards, resulting in vastly different rights depending on location and politics, highlighting the need for stronger international cooperation," he added. WHAT COMPANIES CAN DO Thailand's LGBTQ+ friendly reputation enhances its position as a tourism destination and attracts international investment from diversity-focused companies, he said. There is a conservative opposition, he said, as LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand are termed as "woke" rather than a universal human right. By framing LGBTQ+ progress as Western cultural imperialism, a nationalist sentiment could be provoked -- an obstacle to future passing of related legislation. Additionally, Thailand lacks comprehensive transgender rights legislation and anti-discrimination protection in employment and public services, he said. Aitarnik Chitwiset, co-founder of Thai Intersex Rights, said bias persists in the business world, rooted in ignorance and an unwillingness to acknowledge new realities that Thailand's rainbow economy, referring to economic contributions from the LGBTQ+ community, is growing steadily. "If Thailand succeeds in passing comprehensive gender equality legislation and enhancing safety and inclusion in urban spaces, the country has the potential to become a global hub for tourism and industries linked to the rainbow economy," she added. Ms Aitarnik said the government could introduce tax incentives to companies that come up with initiatives that support LGBTQ+ rights. Asst Prof Jaray from Nida said the private sector should contribute through inclusive workplace policies, responsible investment standards, and funding LGBTQ+ focused organisations and activities. Companies can also create market incentives by prioritising businesses with LGBTQ+ friendly suppliers and destinations, he said. Thailand could pursue an active role to protect LGBTQ+ rights internationally, such as through diplomatic means to enhance rights and campaigns or provide a safe haven for persecuted individuals, he said. Natthineethiti Phinyapincha, the founder of TransTalents Consulting Group and the co-chair of InterPride Global Trans Task Force, said Thailand requires structural reform to ensure inclusive protection.
Bangkok Post
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
PM Paetongtarn's popularity plummets in Thai opinion poll
A quarterly opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration has found most respondents considered the opposition leader the most suitable choice for the position of prime minister and his party as their favourite. Nida conducted the survey on 2,000 people sampled nationwide from June 19 to 25 and it found that opposition leader and People's Party chief Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut emerged as the most favoured candidate for the position of prime minister. Respondents' support for him and his party was much greater than that for the ruling Pheu Thai Party and its leader, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Of the respondents, 31.48% of respondents wanted Mr Natthaphong to be the prime minister today because he is of the young generation, has courage to express opinions and political stances and presents clear and modern ideas. The second biggest group of respondents, 19.88%, said they did not see a suitable prime ministerial candidate. The third largest group of respondents, 12.72%, considered Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as the most suitable choice for the premiership. Gen Prayut is a privy councillor and former prime minister and former defence minister. He was a prime ministerial candidate of the United Thai Nation Party (UTN). The poll found Gen Prayut was favoured for his honesty, straightforwardness and ability to restore national order. He did not appear as a choice for the prime ministerial position in the previous quarterly poll by Nida. The fourth most popular choice was Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul who was supported by 9.64% of respondents, followed by incumbent Prime Minister and ruling Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra favoured by 9.20% of respondents. Ms Paetongtarn had been the most favoured choice as the prime minister in the previous quarterly Nida Poll in March when she received support from 30.9% of respondents while Mr Natthaphong had support from 22.90% of respondents. Ms Paetongtarn has been heavily criticised after the leaked audio clip of her phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen earlier this month. When respondents were asked about their favourite political party, the biggest group, 46.08%, chose the opposition-core People's Party, followed by 13.24% for UTN, 11.52% for Pheu Thai and 9.76% for Bhumjaithai. Meanwhile, 7.72% of respondents did not have a favoured party.
