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Bangkok Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Protesters demand Thai PM's ouster over leaked call
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Victory Monument in Bangkok on Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over a leaked phone call between her and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The gathering, the largest anti-government protest since the Pheu Thai Party came to power in 2023, was led by the Ruam Palang Paendin Pokpong Athipatai (United Power of the Land to Protect Sovereignty). People waving Thai flags began arriving at the site at 9am. Activities began with a merit-making ceremony, followed by the group leaders taking turns giving speeches and musicians performing on the stage facing Din Daeng Road. The listed speakers included renowned political activists Jatuporn Prompan, Panthep Puaponfpan, Phichit Chaimongkol and Sondhi Limthongkul. They are scheduled to give speeches in the evening after a mass singing of the Thai national anthem at 6pm, which they said would be a symbolic act to demonstrate unity in defending Thai sovereignty over the border. The rally is scheduled to conclude at 9pm, with the leaders promising police they would not stay overnight. Security measures in place Police were stationed throughout the area, including along the skywalks where crowds of general people and press were seen flocking in to witness the large rally site. The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) estimated at 11am that there were about 1,000 protesters on the site. Police on Friday said they expected 5,000 people there by later in the afternoon, while organisers are expecting twice that number. Over 200 CCTV cameras and drones, operated by the police, are monitoring the area, with Explosive Ordnance Disposal units and eight K9 dogs on patrol. Four ambulances were on standby for any emergency. Nearby hospitals are Police General Hospital, Phramongkutklao Hospital and Rajavithi Hospital. Officers confiscated one Sparta knife and three cutters from motorcycle delivery riders at a checkpoint at the Phahon Yothin Soi 2, one of five checkpoints set up in the area. Legal action was taken against them, police said. Officers are committed to maintaining peace and safety for all parties, said Pol Maj Gen Teeradej Thamsuthee, the MPB commander. He cautioned the public, whether joining or not joining the protest, not to carry weapons while travelling through the area. More protesters travelling to Bangkok In Nakhon Ratchasima, about 200 gathered at the Thao Suranari Monument, or Ya Mo Plaza, in Muang district and boarded four tour buses and two vans bound for Bangkok on Saturday morning. They were led by Supot Piriyakiatsakul, the provincial leader of the People's Patriotic Network. 'We are determined to fight to the very end to remove Paetongtarn from office,' Mr Supot said. In Phitsanulok, 80 people departed in a tour bus and three vans, heading to the capital. The group wore colourful shirts and carried a variety of Thai-flagged items. Ms Paetongtarn, who was in Chiang Rai to inspect the severe flooding situation, told reporters she had instructed security authorities to monitor the situation. 'It is their right to protest, and I personally have no intention to respond,' she said, and affirmed that she was open to talks if the protest group wanted to hold a peaceful discussion.
Boston Globe
21 hours ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
Thailand starts banning the sale of cannabis without a prescription
Sellers that violate the new order could face a maximum one-year jail term and a 20,000-baht ($614) fine. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, in charge of enforcing regulations related to cannabis, held an online meeting Friday with officials across the country to prepare them for the change. Officials said during the meeting that shops that are currently licensed can continue to operate but they must get their products only from pharmaceutical-grade farms that are certified by the department, and must declare sources of their products to authorities every month. Those farms must also acquire a license for selling cannabis. The order says shops can only sell a limited amount of cannabis to those with a prescription, enough for personal use in 30 days. They also said the department is setting up clear guidelines for the prescription of cannabis and enforcement of the new regulations. They said they will give time for the shops to adjust, but did not say exactly how long that timeframe would be. Advertisement Chokwan 'Kitty' Chopaka, a cannabis advocate who used to own a dispensary in Bangkok, said there is still a lot confusion about the new rules, with some officials themselves apparently unsure what to do. Advertisement 'Owners are freaking out, a lot of them are scared,' she said. The move to decriminalize in 2022 had boosted Thailand's tourism and farming industries, and spawned thousands of shops. But the country has faced public backlash over allegations that a lack of regulation made the drug available to children and caused addiction. Treechada Srithada, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, said in a statement Thursday that cannabis use in Thailand would become 'fully for medical purposes.' She said shops that violate the order will be closed and the ministry will also tighten requirements for approval of a new license in the future. She said there are curently about 18,000 shops that hold a license to sell cannabis. Chokwan argued that the rules were already in place, but what was lacking was the enforcement. She also said the abrupt change was politically motivated. 'We know we need regulation. We need control. The existing rule that is in the announcement previously needs to be enforced. Can we enforce that first? Before we move on to something that is harder and people don't understand what's going on,' she said. The ruling Pheu Thai Party previously promised to criminalize the drug again, but faced strong resistance from its former partner in the coalition government, the Bhumjaithai Party, which supported decriminalization. A worker tended to cannabis plants at a farm in Kanchanaburi province, west of Bangkok, Thailand. Sakchai Lalit/Associated Press Bhumjaithai quit the coalition last week over a leaked phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Health Minister Somsak signed the new order just days after Bhumjaithai left the government. The move to restrict cannabis sales came after officials last month revealed that cannabis smuggling cases involving tourists had soared in recent months. Somsak told reporters Tuesday he would like to relist cannabis as a narcotic in the future. Advertisement Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board said a study conducted by the agency last year found the number of people addicted to cannabis had spiked significantly after it was decriminalized. A group of cannabis advocates said they will rally at the Health Ministry next month to oppose the change and any attempt to make it a criminal offense again to consume or sell cannabis.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai PM orders heightened vigilance after bomb scare in southern provinces
Pheu Thai supporters hold placards with portraits of Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as they gather at Pheu Thai Party Headquarter to support Paetongtarn, as she battles to stay in power after drawing sharp criticism of her handling of a border row with Cambodia, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 27, 2025. -- REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa BANGKOK (Bernama): Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has placed all government agencies on high alert and urged heightened vigilance following recent bomb threats in the southern tourist provinces of Phuket and Phang Nga. She said reports from relevant agencies suggest that the incidents were attempts to create unrest in the region. The Prime Minister convened a meeting with the National Police Chief, the Commander of the Tourist Police, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to assess the situation and ensure close monitoring. "I have consistently urged all sectors to investigate and closely monitor the situation. Every precautionary measure has been implemented to ensure public safety and prevent harm. "However, the government remains vigilant. The National Security Council will continue to oversee and intensify operations," she posted on X on Friday. Earlier this week, Thai media reported that a car travelling from Songkhla to Phuket was stopped in Phang Nga, where police found a homemade time bomb and arrested two suspects. Suspicious devices were later found and neutralised in Phuket and Krabi, including near the airport. Though the devices caused no injuries and lacked destructive capability, they raised security concerns in the region. Police bomb squads confirmed that the objects were designed to resemble explosive devices, likely intended to instil fear and disrupt normal activities. Paetongtarn also assured the public that all agencies are committed to resolving the matter with the highest level of diligence. "I extend my gratitude to all officials for their dedication, sacrifice, and resilience in maintaining public confidence and enabling residents to live peacefully. "To tourists planning to visit, I assure you it is safe to travel and enjoy your visit without concern," she added. - Bernama
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Chaikasem a ‘ready but reluctant' PM
Chaikasem Nitisiri, the third and final prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai Party in the 2023 election, says he would be willing to take over from Paetongtarn Shinawatra but only if 'necessary', amid speculation he could become Thailand's next premier. With Srettha Thavisin already having been removed from office and Ms Paetongtarn now facing several petitions seeking her removal, the only option for Pheu Thai appears to be Mr Chaikasem, who will turn 77 in August. Ms Paetongtarn is experiencing a crisis of confidence in the wake of fallout from a leaked phone call between her and Cambodian strongman Hun Sen. When asked whether he was ready to step in, should Ms Paetongtarn resign or be removed, Mr Chaikasem said there were many younger people capable of taking on the role, but he would step up if called. 'If necessary, that will be fine. But [my hope is](#) it won't be,' he said, reiterating his desire to see someone from the younger generation lead the nation. 'For me, I would be willing to serve if assigned. But if I had a choice, I'd rather not — that would suit me just as well,' he said. The ruling party need not be concerned about how he might feel if someone else were nominated, he said, adding he would support whoever was most suited to lead the government. 'Am I ready to take on the premiership? As long as I remain in politics, I must always be prepared,' he said. 'But do I truly want to be prime minister? Who would willingly take on such an exhausting job? I wouldn't. I'd rather spend time with my family and do whatever I please.' Mr Chaikasem, a former attorney-general, confirmed that his previous health issues had been resolved. The blood clot found at the back of his neck, which caused a stroke, has since dissolved, and there were no other health problems he needs to worry about, he said, while playing golf on Friday. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, in his role as a senior Pheu Thai figure, insisted the party currently has no 'Plan B' should Ms Paetongtarn be removed from office. 'No, we're not thinking about that at the moment,' he said. 'Our only focus now is for the prime minister to continue her work in government and complete the cabinet reshuffle as soon as possible,' Mr Phumtham added.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Thailand pushes for diplomacy after ex-Cambodia PM's 'extraordinary' attack
Pheu Thai supporters hold placards with portraits of Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as they gather at Pheu Thai Party Headquarter to support Paetongtarn, as she battles to stay in power after drawing sharp criticism of her handling of a border row with Cambodia, in Bangkok, Thailand, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks to administrative officials at the 12th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Battalion (Fort Surasinghanat) of a Thailand-Cambodia border town of Aranyaprathet district, as she battles to stay in power after drawing sharp criticism of her handling of a border row with Cambodia, in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK - Thailand's foreign ministry said on Friday it was taken aback by an unprecedented public attack on the Thai premier and her family by Cambodia's influential former leader, but stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve an escalating bilateral dispute. In a televised address that lasted more than three hours, veteran Cambodian politician Hun Sen rebuked Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her handling of a festering border row between the neighbours. Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades until stepping down in 2023, also took aim at Paetongtarn's father, divisive billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, until recently his close ally. "It surprised us, and it's quite extraordinary in terms of diplomatic norms," foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. "Thailand has opened a lot of doors, and I insist that these doors remain open even after what happened this morning." Hun Sen, who is now president of Cambodia's senate but still holds enormous clout, accused Paetongtarn of looking down at him and his son, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. On Thaksin, who faces an impending court case over the legitimacy of a hospital stay that allowed him to skip prison time, Hun Sen said the former Thai leader faked his illness. "Thaksin was not sick," he said. "He pretended to be sick." Paetongtarn, 38, has come under enormous domestic pressure following the leak of the audio of June 15 phone call between her and Hun Sen, in which she appeared overtly deferential to him and also criticised a Thai military commander. That call came after an escalation in tensions along a disputed border between the Southeast Asian nations, where a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of gunfire with Thai forces in late May. Despite Hun Sen's public vilification, Thailand is working to open a dialogue between both foreign ministers. "We are looking at the earliest possible venue where both sides can talk," Nikorndej said. "Speaking for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are a strong advocate for peaceful resolution through dialogue." At the root of the current tensions is a longstanding dispute over various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border. Following the recent flare-up, which also led to reinforcement of troop on both sides of the border, Cambodia said it would seek resolution by the International Court of Justice. Thailand does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction, but has gathered legal teams to study Cambodia's application and also talked with members of the United Nation Security Council to push its position, Nikorndej said, without naming those members. "We're doing everything we can to try to convince Cambodia to come to bilateral talks," Nikorndej said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
