Politics News
Thailand politics news, government updates, policy changes, and election coverage—stay informed on key political events, leaders, and decisions shaping the nation. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for political news in Thailand.
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Photo of Thai PM with Cambodian governor resurfaces
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen has posted a video and photos showing Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his wife together with the Cambodian governor, accusing Anutin of betraying former ties to gain political advantage. In the post, viewers can see Anutin and his wife, Thananon Niramit, in the same frame as Pailin Governor Ban Sreymom. Hun Sen claimed that…
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Rocket fire and armed exchanges continue along Thai–Cambodian border
Clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have continued for a third consecutive day since December 7, with further exchanges taking place this morning, December 9. No new casualties have been confirmed. ThaiRath reported yesterday, December 8, that Cambodian military activity was detected across several provinces bordering Cambodia, including Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, Si Saket, and Sa Kaeo. In Buriram’s Ban Kruad district,…
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PM rules out negotiations with Cambodia, gives reassurance on the Trump Tax Deal
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared that Thailand will end diplomatic negotiations with Cambodia and reassured that the conflict will not derail the Trump tax agreement. Anutin explained that the Thai armed forces already activated full defensive measures, though he declined to disclose operational details. He emphasised that the military will confront any invasion with force if necessary. When asked whether…
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Opposition leader slams flood response committee as headline-making move
Opposition leader and People’s Party MP Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has criticised the government’s decision to establish a flood response review committee, calling the move unnecessary and performative. In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and released on December 4, Natthaphong questioned the rationale behind forming yet another committee, arguing that Thailand has already endured numerous disasters and accumulated…
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Minister denies hiring designer amid SEA Games ceremony controversy
The Sports and Tourism Minister responded to the controversy over the cancelled SEA Games ceremony design, insisting that no hiring contract was ever made with the designer or his team. The drama began after Thai visual and lighting designer Rueangrith “Ton” Suntisuk shared on December 2 that he and his team had been working on the opening and closing ceremony…
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Thailand and UAE mark 50 years of diplomatic relations
Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) marked 50 years of diplomatic relations this week during a ceremony held at the UAE Embassy in Bangkok. The celebration coincided with the UAE’s 54th Union Day. UAE Ambassador to Thailand, Obaid Saeed Obaid Bintaresh Aldhaheri, addressed the attendees on Monday, praising the steady growth of bilateral ties. He remarked that the long-standing…
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Corrections Department defends Thaksin family photo in prison visit
The Corrections Department has defended its policy allowing family photographs of inmates after a photo of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a prison visit sparked criticism from a former senator over security protocols. The image, which circulated widely online on Thursday, November 27, showed Thaksin posing with his children and extended family. According to the department, the picture was…
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Bhumjaithai Party gains 14 MPs from other parties ahead of election
The Bhumjaithai Party, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has welcomed 14 new Members of Parliament (MPs) from various parties previously aligned with the former coalition government led by the now-opposition Pheu Thai Party. A special meeting was held at the party’s headquarters in Bangkok on Sunday, November 23, where Bhumjaithai established a new committee focused on recruiting MP candidates.…
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People’s Party mulls Bangkok comeback with new contender
The People’s Party, which holds more than 140 MPs, is reportedly preparing for a potential early election by laying groundwork in Bangkok’s political scene. Party insiders indicate that former MP Sita Divari, also known as “Captain Pun,” is being considered as a candidate for the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial race. Sita, a former Thai Sang Thai candidate, re-entered politics in 2022…
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Bhumjaithai names 3 PM hopefuls in leadership shakeup
Bhumjaithai Party announced three prime ministerial candidates during a press event, aiming to expand its leadership ahead of the upcoming election. Speaking at Government House, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, along with Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, will join him on the official candidate list. Their nominations are expected to be submitted…
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Thaksin joins Dhamma rehab as Paetongtarn exits spotlight
Thaksin Shinawatra has entered a dhamma-based rehab programme at Klong Prem Prison, as his daughter Paetongtarn steps away from politics. Ex-PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra revealed her father, Thaksin, is currently participating in the Dhammanavawang rehabilitation programme at Klong Prem Central Prison. Speaking after a visit to the Bangkok prison, Paetongtarn said Thaksin’s physical condition remained stable despite changing weather, but hinted…
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Anutin teases early House dissolution amid censure threat
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signalled he may dissolve the House early if the opposition files a no-confidence motion, warning he won’t play into political traps. Speaking at Government House yesterday, November 19, Anutin said his minority government is ready for scrutiny but warned that a formal no-confidence debate under Section 151 would likely lead him to dissolve the House before…
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Thailand may delay decision on scrapping Cambodia border pacts
A Thai House committee reviewing controversial border MoUs with Cambodia is seeking more time to decide whether to recommend their cancellation. A parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing two controversial memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Thailand and Cambodia is requesting a 30-day extension as it struggles to sift through a mountain of evidence. The current deadline is December 3, but committee…
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Miss Teen Cambodia contestant accuses Thailand of starting war (video)
A Miss Teen Cambodia contestant sparked controversy when she tearfully accused Thailand of provoking conflict during a speech at a national pageant event. The woman accused Thailand of instigating conflict and demanding the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers. The moment unfolded during the pageant finals and was later uploaded to TikTok by the account @queencambodiaofficial_17. The video, which quickly went…
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PM Anutin denies bending jail rules to help Thaksin
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied accusations that his government amended prison regulations to help a former leader avoid jail or aid political allies. Speaking to reporters at Government House today, November 19, Anutin, also leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, defended changes relating to inmate medical transfers, sentence suspensions, and alternative detention arrangements. Critics suggested the revisions were politically…
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Aussie journalist faces Thai trial over Malaysia blog posts
An Australian journalist living in Thailand will face trial after publishing blog posts criticising Malaysia, prompting legal action and international concern. Murray Hunter will stand trial in Thailand on December 22 after being charged with defamation over articles critical of the Malaysian government. The 64 year old Aussie, who resides in Hat Yai, faces prosecution following a complaint lodged by…
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Thai activist Jatuporn hits out at Trump, Anwar over border dispute
A Thai political activist announced plans to protest outside the US and Malaysian embassies over alleged foreign interference in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. During his Facebook Live programme Thailand Must Come First – Sovereignty! on Sunday, November 16, activist Jatuporn Prompan announced that his People’s Integration Group, along with student and civil society networks, will rally on November 22 to…
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Thai govt firm on January House exit despite opposition heat
The Thai government confirmed it will dissolve the House by the end of January and says it is prepared to face a possible no-confidence debate in Parliament. Paradorn Prissanananthakul, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed yesterday, November 17, that the administration remains committed to dissolving the House by January 31, 2026, as outlined in the coalition’s memorandum of agreement…
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Supreme Court orders Thaksin to pay 17.6 billion baht in Shin Corp tax case
The Supreme Court of Thailand ordered former Prime Minister (PM) Thaksin Shinawatra to pay 17.6 billion baht in personal income tax following a long-running dispute over the sale of Shin Corporation shares. The tax dispute began after the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ordered the seizure of 46 billion baht in assets gained from the Shin Corp…
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Thailand accuses Cambodia of border aggression in UN letter
Thailand has submitted a formal letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accusing Cambodia of ongoing hostile actions, including the recent placement of landmines and an armed cross-border confrontation. The Thai government has called for international accountability and an immediate halt to what it describes as repeated provocations. The letter, dated November 14 and signed by Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s…
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Thailand and Sweden eye bigger trade boost and tech ties
Thailand and Sweden held talks to boost bilateral trade and investment, focusing on technology, green products, and a potential EU free trade agreement. In a high-level meeting on Friday, November 14, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun sat down with Swedish Ambassador Anna Hammargren to push forward the Thailand-Sweden Strategic Partnership and discuss fast-tracking negotiations on a long-awaited Thailand–EU free trade agreement.…
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Trump threatens to sue BBC for US$5 billion over speech edit
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to sue the BBC over an edited broadcast of his speech, claiming it falsely implied a call for violent action. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump vowed legal action against the BBC’s flagship Panorama programme, accusing it of manipulating footage from his controversial speech on January 6, 2021. “We’ll sue them for anywhere…
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Phuket gets new governor after record-short term ends
Phuket will welcome a new governor after the sudden departure of the former officeholder, marking a swift change in provincial leadership. Nirat Pongsitthaworn, the current Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), is scheduled to arrive in Phuket tomorrow, November 17, to take over as the new Governor of Phuket. His appointment was confirmed earlier this week through an…
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China urges calm as Thailand-Cambodia border heats up
China has urged Thailand and Cambodia to ease rising border tensions, calling on both sides to resolve the issue peacefully through dialogue. China has called for calm between Thailand and Cambodia following a flare-up along their shared border that left one person dead and Thai soldiers injured. Beijing urged both nations to use existing diplomatic channels to defuse the situation…
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Malaysian outlet corrects Thai-Cambodian border landmine blunder
Malaysian news agency Bernama has issued an urgent correction to its initial report about the landmine dispute on the Thai-Cambodian border, following a translation error that significantly altered the Foreign Minister’s original remarks. The original article, published yesterday, November 13, quoted Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan as saying ASEAN observers had reported there were not new landmines at…
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Thai king and queen make China visit to mark 50-year ties
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida arrived in Beijing for an official state visit, marking a historic moment in diplomatic ties between Thailand and China. Their Majesties arrived in the Chinese capital yesterday afternoon, November 13, for an official state visit, strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations on the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations. The royal couple landed…
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Thailand urged to act as domestic violence cases surge
Health officials in Thailand are calling for urgent political action after thousands of domestic violence cases were reported across the country this year. The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) has warned about the country’s growing domestic violence problem, urging political leaders to adopt stronger, unified policies after shocking new figures emerged. Speaking at a seminar yesterday, November 13, titled Local…
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South Korea eases visa rules for young Thai job seekers
South Korea has eased visa rules for young Thai nationals who speak Korean, allowing them to apply for longer stays and job opportunities with fewer restrictions. The South Korean Embassy in Bangkok has announced a major visa policy shake-up, easing the path for young Thai nationals fluent in Korean to live and work in the country. Effective this month, the…
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Thailand scraps elected council in charter rewrite shake-up
Thailand’s parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing constitutional amendments has scrapped plans to establish a directly elected advisory council, instead opting for a 35-member charter-drafting committee (CDC) to oversee the creation of a new constitution. The decision was reached during a recent meeting finalising the structure of the drafting process. The advisory council, originally proposed in the opposition People’s Party’s amendment…
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Thailand gives illegal migrant workers a year-long lifeline
Thailand has approved a one-year extension allowing undocumented migrant workers from neighbouring countries to stay and work legally in the country. Labour Minister Trinuch Thienthong announced the measure this week, confirming that it applies to Laotian, Myanmar, and Vietnamese workers who are either overstaying their residence or work permits or entered the country illegally but wish to become part of…
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