Govt early-Jan began re-drafting 2007 constitution; debate on Constitution Drafting Committee selection ongoing. Key “Red Shirt” leader Natthawut Saikua appointed deputy agricultural minister 18 Jan in cabinet reshuffle; 1st UDD leader to receive ministerial post in Yingluck govt. Govt 10 Jan approved over $60mn compensation for victims of 2006-2010 political violence. U.S. 13 Jan issued terrorist threat alert for Bangkok tourist areas, prompting other embassies to issue similar warning. Police 13 Jan arrested Lebanese-born Swedish citizen, suspected of links to Hizbollah; 16 Jan found bomb-making materials during raid in Bangkok. Violent insurgency continued in South; explosion 3 Jan killed 2 soldiers attending New Year’s ceremony; suspected insurgents 6 Jan opened fire at defence volunteers outpost, Narathiwat province, killing 2. 4 suspected insurgents killed 30 Jan in gunfight with troops in Pattani province.

Thai and Cambodian military authorities 21 Dec held 8th meeting of Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee in Phnom Penh, agreed to comply with ICJ’s July order to withdraw troops from provisional demilitarised zone near Preah Vihear temple under supervision of Indonesian observers; still no date for deployment of observers. Severe criticism from civil society groups, international community following harsh sentences for 3 people convicted of lese majeste; OHCHR urged authorities to amend laws. Govt 16 Dec returned ousted PM Thaksin’s passport, prompting opposition to seek impeachment of PM and FM. Deputy PM reiterated govt to push forward amnesty law for Thaksin. Fugitive Red Shirt leader Arisman Pongruengrong returned to Thailand 6 Dec to face terrorism charges. In Bangkok police defused 1 bomb 6 Dec, 6 bombs 16 Dec, arrested 1 suspect. Supreme Court 2 Dec sentenced Da-oh Thanam, ex-leader of southern separatist group PULO, 3 other PULO members to life imprisonment. Leader of small Prachatham party shot dead 15 Dec in Narathiwat.

Death toll from recent flooding reached 666 people; cabinet 8 Nov approved 2 committees for post-flood recovery. Cabinet 15 Nov held secret discussion on draft royal decree to give pardons for some prisoners for King’s birthday; move seen to benefit former PM Thaksin, sentenced in absentia to 2 years prison for corruption; Justice Minister 20 Nov denied possibility of pardon for exiled leader. Implementation of ICJ’s July order for Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from disputed border area delayed by flooding and legal debate over need for parliamentary approval. In south, suspected insurgents in uniform 17 Nov opened fire at military-escorted convoy of govt school teachers in Ruesoh district, Narathiwat, injuring 4. 21 Nov bomb in Pattani’s Muang district injured 9 people.

Country hit by worst floods in living memory; almost 400 people reported dead, some 2mn in 27 provinces affected. Floods surrounding Bangkok, already partially submerged. Govt restructured state operation to tackle violence in South, granting more power to military at expense of civilian-led Southern Border Administrative Center. Violence in South continued: series of bomb attacks in 24 places in Yala 25 Oct killed 4, injured 49; attacks apparently meant to mark 7th anniversary of Tak Bai incident that saw 85 Malay Muslims killed by security forces. 4 injured in 3 bomb attacks 31 Oct in Yala, Narathiwat.

Deputy PM Chalerm 8 Sept said Pheu Thai Party would seek to clear name of ousted PM Thaksin, sentenced in absentia to 2 years in prison for conflict of interest charges; speculation mounted that Thaksin might be granted royal pardon. PM Yingluck 5 Sept visited Cambodia, discussed long-standing dispute over Preah Vihear temple for first time since election of new govt, stated Thailand would comply with ICJ order to withdraw troops from designated “provisional demilitarised zone”, welcomed Indonesian observers. Yingluck’s brother Thaksin arrived in Cambodia 2 days later to attend conference, met with Red Shirt leaders. In insurgency-ravaged South, 6 killed, over 100 injured in series of bomb explosions 16 Sept in Sungai Golok border district in Narathiwat; security forces believe attack response to suppression of drug smuggling. 4 soldiers escorting govt teachers shot dead 28 Sept in ambush in Narathiwat. Amnesty International accused southern insurgents of targeting civilians, committing war crimes.

Parliament 5 Aug voted to elect Yingluck Shinawatra as new PM; King gave royal endorsement 8 Aug. Pheu Thai party to lead 6-party ruling coalition; Yingluck pledged to work for “unity and reconciliation”. Opposition Democrat Party 6 Aug re-elected ex-PM Abhisit as leader. Cambodia PM Hun Sen 5 Aug congratulated Yingluck, urged discussion on troop withdrawal from provisional demilitarised zone around disputed Preah Vihear temple. Opposition filed police complaint and threatened to impeach FM after Japan 15 Aug granted visa to exiled ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra. In south, suspected Islamic militants 3 Aug shot dead Buddhist teacher; 4 Aug killed 4 people, including Muslim teacher, in Pattani; 26 Aug killed 6 in Narathiwat bomb attack. Following joint visit to southern provinces with Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapha, army chief Gen Prayuth 18 Aug said military not completely opposed to govt plan to turn 3 southern-most provinces into special administrative zone, but would inform govt about unanticipated consequences.

Pheu Thai (PT) party, supported by ousted ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, won outright majority in 3 July national election (265 of 500 seats); will form coalition govt with 4 minor parties. PM-elect Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s younger sister, said would not seek amnesty for a particular person after being accused of planning to grant amnesty for Thaksin, living in self-imposed exile; said would refer issue to Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand appointed by current Democrat Party (DP) govt. DP 8 July asked Election Commission (EC) to ban PT over alleged involvement of banned PT politicians in election campaign. ICJ 18 July ordered Thai, Cambodian troops withdraw from “provisional demilitarised zone” ICJ created around disputed Preah Vihear temple. Outgoing PM Abhisit said discussion between both govts needed before troop withdrawal, and that this will happen under new govt. Cambodia PM Hun Sen 22 July proposed 3-party talks with Indonesia as mediator. Govt 12 July extended emergency law in southernmost provinces by 60 days. Suspected Muslim insurgents 27 July killed 2 police in southern Pattani province.

Tensions increased ahead of 3 July general election: army chief Gen Prayut Chan-O-Cha criticised for 14 June remarks widely seen as trying to discourage voting for opposition Pheu Thai Party (PTP), raised fears of military intervention in case of PTP victory. At least 4 local vote canvassers killed ahead of election; govt pledged to deploy 100,000 police to polling stations on election day. Ex-PM Thaksin 16 June said he “hopes” to return to Thailand for daughter’s wedding in Dec despite pending arrest warrant. Phnom Penh 11 June complained of “fabricated charges” after Thai police arrested 3, including 1 Cambodian, for spying. In South, suspected Islamic militants 16 June killed 4 soldiers in Pattani; 24 June killed 2, injured 13 in 3 bombings in Narathiwat province.

PM Abhisit 10 May dissolved parliament, called general elections for 3 July. Fears of election violence fuelled 11 May when MP for opposition Pheu Thai Party injured in shooting outside Bangkok. Pheu Thai 16 May named Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of ex-PM Thaksin, as its PM candidate. At least 3 soldiers killed as clashes along Cambodian border continued 1-2 May; Abhisit met Cambodian PM Hun Sen at 8 May ASEAN summit, but Thailand continues to condition deployment of Indonesia observers on Cambodia first withdrawing all troops from disputed areas. In South, suspected militants 4 May killed 4 Muslim civilians in Yala province; 7 May killed 7 soldiers, 1 police officer in 2 separate bombings. 2 Buddhist monks killed 16 May by roadside bomb in Yala. Police 20 May killed 4 militants, including 1 allegedly senior leader, in Yala.

Violence flared along Thai-Cambodian border late month: at least 14 soldiers, 1 civilian killed in clashes from 22 Apr, tens of thousands displaced on both sides; both sides agreed to ceasefire 28 Apr following military-led talks, but fighting broke out again 29 Apr leaving 1 soldier dead. UK-based NGO 6 Apr accused army of using cluster munitions in Feb clashes with Cambodia; army 7 Apr admitted using Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions, but claimed it did not classify them as cluster munitions. Tens of thousands of anti-govt “red shirts” 10 Apr gathered to mark anniversary of deadly 2010 protests in Bangkok; Dept of Special Investigation said it would press charges against 18 “red shirt” leaders for anti-royalist remarks made during protest. PM Abhisit 26 Apr said border clashes with Cambodia will not delay elections to be held either 26 June or 3 July. National Security Council 11 Apr said Thailand intends to repatriate some 100,000 Burmese refugees back to Myanmar, did not specify timeframe. In South, govt 12 Apr extended emergency rule, in effect since 2005, for 3 months. 3 civilians, 1 suspected militant killed 9 Apr in separate incidents across Yala province; 1 ranger killed by car bomb 18 Apr in Yala.