Politics News
Keep up-to-date with the most important Politics News in Thailand, offering comprehensive coverage of government decisions, policy changes, and electoral developments. We closely follow domestic and international political events, providing reliable news analysis, impartial opinions, and thought-provoking commentaries. Stay informed about the political landscape in Thailand, key players, and the impact of their decisions on citizens’ everyday lives.
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Imagine waking up early in Bangkok and you see all the beautiful morning fog from your balcony, but as you sip your coffee you realise it's just Bangkok's air pollution that's making the sun rise aesthetic. Ranked as the 36th...
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Thai athletes’ Olympic uniform looks like waiter’s outfit
The grand reveal of Thailand‘s Olympic uniform for the Paris Games has set social media ablaze, with critics slamming the design as outdated and unfit for the global stage. Unveiled yesterday, July 17, on Stadium TH’s Facebook page, the uniform, modelled by national badminton star Sapsiree Taerattanachai, sparked a storm of controversy. The design, inspired by the Phraratchathan (Royally Bestowed)…
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Former Thai MP faces charges over film fiasco
Former Thai Civilised Party MP Mongkolkit Suksintharanon faces charges for allegedly breaching the code of ethics by skipping a crucial House meeting to catch a film. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) voted 6:1 to charge Mongkolkit, now a Democrat Party member, for missing a House session on December 15, 2021. The NACC plans to take the case to the Supreme…
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MFP leader asserts party will not be dissolved
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Chaithawat Tulathon stands firm, confidently asserting that his party will not be dissolved by the Constitutional Court next month. However, not everyone shares his optimism. MP Rangsiman Rome has voiced serious doubts about their chances. Chaithawat appeared upbeat despite the looming court decision on August 7. In stark contrast, party-list MP Rangsiman Rome expressed deep…
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Missile attack on Naypyidaw Airport kills 16 soldiers
Armed groups launched a missile attack on Naypyidaw International Airport in Myanmar, resulting in significant damage to three aircraft and the deaths of 16 soldiers. This marks the fifth attack on this airport since the start of the year. High-ranking officials from the Karenni Army (KA) reported on July 16, at 9am, that armed groups MKCDF, MRF, and BWM reportedly…
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Stateless elderly in Chiang Rai die waiting for Thai citizenship
Numerous stateless elderly individuals in Chiang Rai have tragically passed away before receiving Thai citizenship due to prolonged bureaucratic processes. A Chiang Mai teacher, Daeng, called upon Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to visit the area and witness the situation firsthand. Teacher Daeng, whose full name is Tuenjai Deetes, along with Pienporn Deetes, Secretary-General of the Foundation for Community…
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Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption unleashes unlimited entry by land
Three days into Thailand’s 60-day entry visa exemption, a tourist discovered there are no restrictions on the number of entries by land in a calendar year. Tod Daniels, ASEAN NOW‘s visa expert reported that the tourist did two free stamp land entries this year, left Thailand then entered the country again, and got a new 60-day entry with no issues.…
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Thailand’s digital wallet disaster: MFP oppose budget
Opposition parties have taken a firm stand against the supplementary budget bill, targeting the controversial digital wallet scheme. Estimated at a staggering 450 billion baht, the scheme is criticised for its alleged inefficacy in boosting the GDP and potential legal issues, which could set a detrimental precedent for future national budgeting and fiscal policies. Sirikanya Tansakul, Deputy Leader of the…
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PM Srettha’s 122 billion baht budget boost to stimulate economy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin launched the first reading of an additional budget for fiscal 2024, earmarking a whopping 122 billion baht for economic stimulus through the digital wallet scheme. Addressing the House, the Thai Premier outlined the government’s plan to disburse a 10,000-baht digital handout, aimed at enhancing the quality of life and generating job opportunities. “We cannot afford to…
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Thailand’s industrial sentiment hits two-year low amid political strife
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index experienced a decline for the third consecutive month in June, reaching its lowest point in two years, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The drop is attributed to a sluggish economy, weak demand, and increasing bad debt problems. The FTI reported that the industrial sentiment index fell to 87.2 in June, down from 88.5…
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Thailand undecided between Swedish Gripen and US F-16 jets
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the government remains undecided on whether to select the Swedish-made Gripen or the US-made F-16 for the Royal Thai Air Force‘s (RTAF) new fighter jet procurement project. Details of the required offset policy from Saab AB and Lockheed Martin, manufacturers of the Gripen E/F and the F-16 Block 70/72 respectively, are still pending, according to…
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Myanmar civil war boosts maritime trade at Thailand’s Ranong Port
Myanmar’s shift to maritime transport for exports due to its civil war is increasing activity at Ranong Port in Thailand, potentially boosting the government’s Land Bridge project. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri indicated that the civil war in Myanmar has disrupted cross-border trade with Thailand, prompting entrepreneurs to use Ranong Port instead of land routes through Tak’s Mae Sot district.…
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Thai Finance Ministry pledges market confidence amid scandal
Thailand’s Finance Ministry vows to restore confidence in the Thai capital market following allegations of fraud involving former executives of Energy Absolute (EA), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit expressed optimism that actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in collaboration with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the…
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Power play: Thailand’s coalition leaders unite over dinner
Emerging from a high-profile dinner meeting at the Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confidently asserted that the coalition now commands the unwavering support of over 314 MPs. The informal dinner, attended by core leaders of the 11 coalition parties, underscored the unity among the partners. The 62 year old Thai premier highlighted the solidarity within…
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Thailand approves genome editing to boost agricultural yields
Thailand officially sanctioned Genome Editing (GEd) technology for advanced plant breeding, aiming to boost yields while reducing chemical use in agriculture, according to the Department of Agriculture (DoA). DoA Chief Rapeepat Chansriwong announced the approval of the GEd technique under a ministerial regulation. This decision was endorsed by the agriculture minister and subsequently published in the Royal Gazette. Typically, new…
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Thai Education Ministry advances tablet initiative despite budget cut
Thailand’s Education Ministry continues to advance its tablet distribution initiative, despite a budget reduction from 16 billion to 13 billion baht. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, an assistant to the Education Minister, confirmed the ministry’s commitment to the project yesterday. Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob is spearheading the One District, One Quality School project. This initiative aims to consolidate educational resources, both…
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Former Bangkok MP exits Pheu Thai after election controversy
A former Bangkok MP resigned from the ruling Pheu Thai Party following criticism for showing sympathy to a party opponent during a recent local election in Pathum Thani. Wan Ubumrung submitted his resignation at the Election Commission (EC) and announced it was effective immediately. Wan explained that his decision came after being summoned by the party to clarify his presence…
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Thai PM announces 10,000 baht digital wallet registration date
Registration for the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout starts on August 1, as announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This initiative aims to stimulate the economy through significant government spending. The Bangkok-born PM shared the date on X (Twitter) yesterday, July 15, coinciding with the Digital Wallet Policy Committee’s meeting to finalise preparations for registering eligible recipients and vendors. He emphasised…
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Thailand excludes groups from digital wallet project
The Government of Thailand decided to exclude two specific groups from participating in the 10,000-baht digital wallet project. This announcement comes as they prepare to release the registration timeline for the project tomorrow. The Deputy Minister of Finance, Chulaphan Amornvivat, disclosed the decision following a meeting at the Government House. The meeting also addressed the sources of funding for the…
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Thailand senator under fire for questionable PhD certificate
A Thai senator is facing criticism over her educational background after many academics and Thai netizens pointed out that her doctorate from California University was allegedly obtained for 8,600 baht. The newly elected senator, Associate Professor Doctor Keskamol Pleansamai, garnered the highest number of votes (79) in the recent selection of the Thai Senator election. The top score and her…
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Thaksin to be officially released with innocence certificate in August
The Department of Corrections is preparing to issue a certificate of innocence to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, marking the official and legal release of the former politician after the completion of his sentences. The legal proceedings began after the 74 year old ex-PM arrived in Thailand in August of last year. He initially faced eight years in prison…
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New Thailand senators promise change and optimism in politics
Newly appointed Senators in Thailand are expected to bring a wave of change and optimism to the political landscape, asserts Angkhana Neelapaijit. Rumours suggest a significant number of the new Senators have affiliations with the Bhumjaithai Party. However, Angkhana maintains that Senators can still operate independently and prioritise the public’s interests. Angkhana, in an interview, acknowledged her minority status within…
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Mekong power play sparks concerns: Dam contract makes waves
Conservationists and residents of the Mekong Basin are urging the Thai government to reconsider signing a contract to purchase electricity from the Pak Beng Hydropower Dam in Laos, citing potential economic and territorial losses. An open letter addressed to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga captured the concerns, with signatures from Thongsuk Inthawong, former headman of Bann…
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PM Srettha wishes Trump speedy recovery amid assassination attempt
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addressed the shocking incident involving former United States President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who was shot in his right ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania yesterday, July 14. The FBI has now labelled the event an assassination attempt. Reports from the US indicate that the Secret Service responded…
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Red yeast rice scare: Thai FDA ensures public protection
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reassured the public that red yeast rice supplements linked to a shocking number of deaths in Japan have not entered the Thai market. This announcement follows Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co’s revelation that it is investigating an additional 76 deaths potentially connected to its benikoji (red rice tablets). The health scare began in March when…
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Thailand’s 30 baht healthcare policy gets public approval
Thailand’s 30 Baht Treatment Anywhere policy has received widespread approval from the public, providing accessible health services for minor illnesses through community pharmacies in 45 provinces. The 30 Baht Treatment Anywhere policy, which allows citizens to receive healthcare services for minor ailments at designated quality pharmacies, has been warmly received by the public. This initiative, part of the National Health…
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Tourists from 93 countries can now come to Thailand visa-free
Thailand is set to become the ultimate tourist hotspot as the Ministry of Interior rolls out a sweeping visa waiver, allowing travellers from 93 countries to enter visa-free starting next Monday, July 15. This move, designed to boost tourism and simplify travel, marks a significant increase from the current 57 visa-exempt nations. Traisulee Traisoranakul, secretary to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul,…
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Former Justice Minister leads probe into Stark share scandal
Former Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana has been appointed as the new head of the government’s working group investigating the multi-billion-baht Stark share scandal. Pongthep replaces Pichai Nilthongkham, who resigned, according to the Ministry of Justice. Pongthep’s appointment is accompanied by the inclusion of the Secretary-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), the President of the Thailand Federation of Accounting…
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Digital wallet woes: PM Srettha quizzed in Parliament by MFP
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin faced intense scrutiny in Parliament yesterday over the government’s digital wallet handout scheme, marking his first significant confrontation with the opposition since taking office. Deputy leader of the main opposition Move Forward Party, Sirikanya Tansakul, challenged the 62 year old PM on the digital wallet programme and the government’s economic strategy. She acknowledged the PM’s presence…
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Public Health Minister ramps up mental health hotline services
To combat the intertwined issues of mental health and narcotics abuse, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has directed agencies to ramp up hotline services for greater efficiency. During his visit to the Department of Mental Health today, Somsak emphasised the urgent need for improvement. “Around 40% of psychiatric patients suffer due to narcotics.” The health minister highlighted the critical overlap…
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Bangkok launches major drug prevention initiative with urine tests
Bangkok is set to launch a significant drug prevention and control initiative tomorrow, July 12, with the capitol’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, directing district offices to coordinate with local police stations for urine testing in 88 communities identified as high-risk for drug abuse, aiming to bring users into treatment programs. During an online Zoom meeting at the Bangkok City Hall, Chadchart…
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