BANGKOK, Sept 16: Thailand’s six ruling parties agreed on Tuesday to back a brother-in-law of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra as prime minister, further angering street protesters who accuse the government of being a puppet of the former leader.

Heads of five smaller coalition partners agreed to support Somchai Wongsawat at a parliamentary vote on Wednesday, leaders of the People Power Party, the biggest coalition partner, told a news conference. “We have discussed among the leaders of the six parties and it is our intention to have our coalition government to stay on until it completes its term,” Mr Somchai told reporters.—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...