Top National Thailand Stories From the Past Week: MOU to Form New Government Signed, Cannabis Situation Hazy, and more

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from the last week, Monday, May 22nd, 2023, to Sunday, May 28th, 2023.

They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

Let’s get started and see what the top stories were!

  1. The 8-party coalition partners led by the Move Forward party (MFP) have officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today, May 22nd, to mark the formation of Thailand’s new government.

Parties in the coalition are allowed to introduce policies of their own, but the policies must not deviate from the above agreements, according to the MFP leader.

2. At least seven people died including students and 19 people suffered injuries after a major storm hit a school in Phichit.

More than 200 families in the area have also suffered from the storm. Local residents told Thai media this was the worst storm in the past 40 years.

3. A wanted Indian suspect was arrested near a resort in Maha Sarakham with 1,273 days of overstay.

He is also being accused of theft by night with weapons and attacking others causing emotional and bodily injuries.

4. A group of Thai royalists gathered in front of the US embassy yesterday, May 24th, urging the United States to stop interfering with Thai politics and undermining the country’s institution of monarchy, according to them.

In response to the petition, Godec met with the demonstrators in person to accept their complaint and deny the allegations.

5. Move Forward Party (MFP) deputy leader Ms. Sirikanya Tansakun affirmed Thursday, May 25th, that registered marijuana growers and business operators would be legally shielded even when the new government re-lists marijuana as a narcotic.

Pita Limjaroenrat, who leads the prospective coalition government, is hypocritical trying to designate cannabis as a narcotic again when he once said in Parliament that the plant helped him overcome epilepsy, said Decha Siriphat, a Thai prominent figure who fought for the legalization of cannabis.

One thing is for sure…the future of cannabis and what happens next is hazy.

And, that is all for this week. Thank you as always for reading the Pattaya News/TPN News!

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The TPN National News, owned by our parent company TPN media.

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for more than four years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.