Red Shirts Mark 2010 Anniversary

red shirt protests

Some streets and shops were temporally closed in areas of downtown Bangkok yesterday as thousands of red shirt supporters gathered in and around Ratchaprasong intersection. The rally was held to commemorate the third anniversary of the anti-government street protests which were finally ended when troops moved in on May 19, 2010. In those dark days [...]

Thailand Agrees to Peace Talks with Muslim Insurgents

Thailand Deep South

The Thai government and a Muslim rebel group have jointly signed an agreement to begin formal peace talks concerning the conflict in the Deep South of Thailand. Violence in the southern Thai provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani has been sporadic since the early 1900s, but the insurgency flared dramatically again in 2004. Since then, [...]

Yellow Shirt Leaders Charged over Protests in 2008

Sondhi Yellow Shirt PAD leader

A number of prominent opponents of former Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, have been charged with offences allegedly committed during the political street protests in Bangkok in 2008. Amongst the group charged yesterday were the high-profile figures of Sondhi Limthongkul and retired general Chamlong Srimuang, who were leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) [...]

Former Thai PM Faces Murder Charges

The former prime minister of Thailand, Abhisit Vejjajiva, faces murder charges over the death of a taxi driver who was shot by soldiers during the political protests in Bangkok in 2010. Former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban also faces charges. According to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) the two politicians, who held office during [...]

Bangkok Protest Rally Finishes Early

Pitak Siam anti-government rally in Bangkok

The organisers of yesterday’s anti-government protest in Bangkok called an early end to the rally at 17.20 local time on Saturday. The leader of the rally organisers had previously said that if the protest could not draw 200,000 people it would end and would be the last such rally to be organised by the ultra-royalist [...]

Bangkok Prepares for Anti-Government Rally

The Equestrian Statue of King Rama V at the Royal Plaza in Dusit area of Bangkok

Security is being stepped-up in some parts of Bangkok ahead of tomorrow’s anti-government rally which will take place at the Royal Plaza in the Dusit district of the Thai capital. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA) for three districts of Bangkok including Dusit. The Thai leader has cited intelligence reports [...]

Constitutional Court Dismisses Opposition Complaint

In a ruling made today in Bangkok, Thailand’s Contitutional Court has dismissed an opposition complaint against the government’s proposed constitutional changes. The court also said a referendum was necessary to decide whether the government could go ahead with the changes. The opposition Democrat party had brought the complaint saying the proposed redraft of the constitution [...]

Red Shirts Warn Against Judicial Coup

An estimated 35,000 red shirt supporters held a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok yesterday as political tension in Thailand continues to linger over the controversial Reconciliation Bill. At the heart of the current problems is a battle of power between the government and the legal system with the Constitutional Court expected to make [...]

Fresh Political Tension in Thailand

Pro-government red-shirt supporters rallied in front of parliament in Bangkok today as the political tension in Thailand was once again raised. The red shirt rally comes just a week after their yellow shirt opponents blocked access to parliament and forced the suspension of the debate over the Reconciliation Bill. It also follows the unruly scenes [...]

Yellow Shirt Protest Blocks Parliament

Protesters blocked the access to parliament in Bangkok today preventing politicians from the ruling Pheu Thai party from entering. The protests were led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) also known as the yellow shirts. The protesters are opposed to the way parliament is handling the Reconciliation Bill. Today’s incidents followed the unruly scenes [...]