Showing 1 - 10 of 271
Anutin's long political ascent
News, Jutamas Tadthiemrom, Published on 06/02/2026
» Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul's ascent from engineer to the 32nd prime minister caps nearly three decades in politics, shaped by infrastructure discipline, political resilience and the decriminalisation of cannabis.
Decriminalising sex work needs clarity
Oped, Poramet Tangsathaporn, Published on 04/02/2026
» The world's oldest profession has always been a taboo subject in Thai society, even in our politics so it was encouraging to see at least five political parties -- the Pheu Thai Party, the People's Party, the Movement Party, the Thai Sang Thai Party, and the Democrat Party -- agree that the current Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996) needs to be repealed.
Sex workers get pre-election boost
Poramet Tangsathaporn, Published on 01/02/2026
» Political parties have voiced support for Thai sex workers ahead of the Feb 8 poll, vowing more protection and dignity under the law in a country where prostitution remains a crime.
Thailand urged to drop defamation charges against Australian journalist
Published on 27/11/2025
» Thai authorities should drop criminal defamation charges against Australian journalist Murray Hunter, who is being prosecuted for his reporting on Malaysia’s media regulatory agency, Human Rights Watch stated on Thursday.
Anutin looks to dodge a political bullet
Published on 01/11/2025
» Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is widely believed to be weighing up an early House dissolution should credible signs emerge that the opposition Pheu Thai Party plans to file a no-confidence motion against his two-month-old government — a move that could spare his Bhumjaithai Party a politically bruising debate ahead of a planned general election next year.
An Asean free from 'wars on drugs'
Oped, Published on 19/09/2025
» Asean governments recently met in Singapore for a regional meeting about drugs, where the host nation urged renewed commitment to a "drug-free region". The problem isn't simply the recycling of an outdated mantra first declared in 1998, nor the fact that the region's drug markets have only expanded since then, but that this approach ignores how government policies themselves shape those markets -- and the devastating harms that follow.
BBC film shows 'dark side' of Pattaya
Gary Boyle, Published on 16/09/2025
» After a recent BBC documentary focusing on the “dark side” of Thailand, Pattaya tourism operators have urged the government to solve negative issues such as fraud, the decriminalisation of sex workers and regulation of cannabis.
Pattaya touts red-light zone
Molpasorn Shoowong, Published on 15/09/2025
» In light of the recent BBC Three documentary focusing on the “dark side” of Thailand, Pattaya tourism operators have urged the government to solve persistent negative issues such as fraud, the decriminalisation of sex workers, and regulation of cannabis.
Cannabis at crossroads
News, Poramet Tangsathaporn, Published on 09/09/2025
» Cannabis advocates in Thailand are calling on the new government to deliver legislation that protects users, businesses, non-users and minors, following concerns that recent regulatory changes have created monopolistic industry conditions.
Thai cannabis industry eyes revival under PM who backed its rise
Published on 07/09/2025
» Thailand’s cannabis industry is eyeing a new lease of life under new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul — a politician who pioneered its decriminalisation and early success.