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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Biden assures no US default as debt ceiling deadline looms
US President Joe Biden has reassured the nation that there will be no default on the country’s debt, even as lawmakers went on a 10-day break without reaching an agreement on raising the borrowing limit. The government estimates it could run out of money to service its debts by June 1, and failure to repay loans could potentially lead to…
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Excise Department supports Move Forward Party’s Progressive Liquor Act
The deputy director-general of the Excise Department stated that the department’s liquor policy is in line with the Move Forward Party‘s Progressive Liquor Act. The proposed Act aims to liberalise liquor production, allowing both small and large producers to enter the market. Kriengkrai Pattanaporn explained that the proposal is consistent with the department’s policy, and there would be no objections if…
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MFP leader promises reasonable minimum wage increase without economic damage
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat recently assured that a coalition government under his leadership would not immediately raise the minimum daily wage to 450 baht but would ensure a reasonable increase without causing damage to industry or the economy. Limjaroenrat, the party’s prime ministerial candidate, made this promise during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Thai…
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China downplays Micron ban as individual case, not broader US firm targeting
China is attempting to mitigate the fallout from its recent decision to partially ban sales of US chipmaker Micron‘s products in the country on national security grounds. The ban has been challenged by Washington, which views it as a deliberate targeting of US businesses in response to export controls imposed on China. However, Chinese authorities, including the foreign ministry and…
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Biden, McCarthy in debt ceiling talks as US default risk looms
US President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met at the White House yesterday to discuss raising the US government’s US$31.4 trillion debt ceiling, with the US economy at risk if no agreement is reached within 10 days. The Democratic president and the top congressional Republican have struggled to make progress on a deal, as McCarthy pressures the White…
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Democrats to elect new leader amid Abhisit and Watanya speculation
The Democrat Party is set to meet and establish guidelines for selecting a new leader, with Abhisit Vejjajiva and Watanya Bunnag, head of the party’s political innovations working group, being the potential candidates. Yesterday, party spokesperson Ramet Rattanachaweng announced that the caretaker executive panel would convene tomorrow to outline the process for choosing a new leader and appointing a new…
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China bans US Micron chips, escalating global chip industry risks
China’s recent ban on certain sectors using chips from United States-based Micron Technology has highlighted the potential risks faced by the global chip industry amidst rising Sino-US trade tensions. The move against Micron, the largest US memory chipmaker, is widely perceived as retaliation for Washington’s attempts to limit Beijing’s access to crucial technology. This comes as the Group of Seven…
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Modi in Papua New Guinea for talks amid China’s Pacific growth
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for discussions with Pacific island leaders, marking the first visit by an Indian premier as New Delhi aims to counterbalance China’s expanding presence in the region. Modi landed in the capital Port Moresby where he will co-host the Summit of the Forum for India’s Pacific Islands Cooperation on Monday…
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Thailand’s Democrats deny seeking to join Move Forward Party-led coalition
Prominent members of Thailand‘s Democrat Party dismissed claims that they are considering joining the coalition led by the Move Forward Party (MFP). These rumours emerged on Thursday night after the formation of a 10-party alliance, suggesting that a group of winning Democrat candidates close to acting party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on were seeking to approach the MFP and Pheu Thai to join…
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Thai senator faces indictment on money laundering, criminal organisation charges
A Thai Senator Upakit Pachirirangkun faces indictment on charges of money laundering and involvement in a transnational criminal organisation, according to Kosolwat Inthuchanyong, the spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General. The decision follows a police investigation into the senator’s alleged connections with illicit activities, Bangkok Post reported this morning. However, 61 year old Upakit denied the charges. In a press conference…
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Patong local election may impact Bangla Road nightlife
Patong Municipality has announced a local election set to take place on June 11, which will impact the popular nightlife district of Bangla Road and its surrounding areas. The election is being held to elect a new representative for Patong Municipality Constituency 3, covering the heart of the bustling tourism town. The need for a new representative arose following the…
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Thai pro-democracy coalition faces obstacles amid conservative backlash
Pro-democracy parties in Thailand are facing resistance in their efforts to form a government following their historic win in the recent general election. The Move Forward Party (MFP), led by prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat, has expanded its coalition to eight parties with 313 members. However, to form a government without relying on the military-appointed Senate, the bloc needs 376…
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Thai bourse rebounds as Move Forward Party forms coalition government
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) made a positive comeback yesterday, following three days of decline in the aftermath of Sunday’s election. The victorious Move Forward Party (MFP) revealed their plan to form a coalition government with 313 members of parliament. Encouraged by the easing of political concerns and the MFP’s prospects of forming a government, local investors responded positively.…
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Court sentences future MFP MP to prison for drink driving in Bangkok
UPDATE A court in Bangkok sentenced Move Forward Party (MFP) list member Nateepat Kulsetthasith to a two-month prison sentence suspended for two years, 12 hours of community service, and a fine of 4,000 baht after she was caught drink driving in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday morning. Minburi Criminal Court found Nateepat guilty of violating the Road Traffic Act of 1979 after…
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Meet Ivana Kurniawati, wife and supporter MFP’s Rangsiman Rome
A fascinating aspect of Thai politics recently emerged in the online world when photos of Rangsiman Rome, a Move Forward Party List MP, began circulating. Instead of focusing solely on Rangsiman, many netizens became intrigued by the beautiful woman standing behind him in a black outfit, Ivana Kurniawati, the stunning Indonesian wife of Rangsiman. Ivana recently married the 30 year…
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Prayut’s political career uncertain as United Thai Nation suffers election losses
Bangkok’s Deputy leader of the United Thai Nation, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, expressed doubt yesterday over whether Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will continue his political career after their party’s losses in the General Election. Wangboonkongchana mentioned that 69 year old Prayut has not discussed his future plans, but he may have to step down from politics. The preliminary results from Thailand’s Election…
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Future MFP MP arrested for drink driving in Bangkok
A soon-to-be Member of Parliament from Thailand’s Move Forward Party (MFP) was arrested for drink driving in Bangkok in the early hours of the morning. Today, she apologised for her behaviour and announced her resignation from the party. The drink driver held the 27th spot on the MFP’s party list, meaning she would have definitely become an MP once MFP…
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Move Forward Party lottery numbers sell out in Thailand
After the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) won the most seats in Thailand’s elections on Sunday, lottery tickets associated with the party have sold out ahead of this afternoon’s national lottery draw. Sirilak Khamsuk, a 59 year old lottery ticket seller from Khon Kaen in northeast Thailand, revealed that all her tickets containing the MFP’s party number 31, as well…
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Military-backed senators refuse to back MFP form a government
Military-backed senators yesterday told the Move Forward Party (MFP) that they won’t be helping them form a government. The MFP need at least 376 members to form a coalition government but Thai senators said that they won’t be getting any votes from them. They will have to find the votes from somewhere else if they have ambitions to run the…
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Thai voters show up to 2023 General Election in stunning cosplay and colourful outfits
Thai voters flocked to the 2023 General Election polling stations throughout the kingdom in stunning cosplay and colourful outfits. Costumes and outfits ranged from party colours to Spiderman outfits, monk-inspired dresses, and traditional Thai wedding dresses. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced yesterday that the General Election in Bangkok witnessed the highest voter turnout in history. Over 74% of eligible voters…
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MFP leader reaches out to Pheu Thai for coalition government
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat wasted no time after the Election Commission (EC) unofficially confirmed the MFP’s victory in the General Election in Thailand. The MFP chief immediately reached out to the Pheu Thai Party and four other smaller political parties to form a coalition government. Pita believes that a six-party coalition will command a combined 309 seats…
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Police report 38 election violations across Thailand
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) reported 38 violations of election regulations across Thailand yesterday with a record high of 75% of the eligible population, or over 39 million people, exercising their right to vote. Pol. Lt. Gen. Nitthitorn Jintakanon – Director of the Security and Public Order of Election Management Centre – reported that violations included 26 cases of people…
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Determined 19 year old leaves ICU to cast vote in Thailand’s General Election
The political drive of Thailand’s youth was exemplified by a resilient 19 year old who left the intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital in Chanthaburi to exercise his right to vote in Thailand’s General Election yesterday. Staff at Bangkok Chanthaburi Province transferred Kampanat, aka “Boom,” – suffering from a severe allergic reaction – via wheelchair out of the hospital…
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Record breaking! Bangkok has highest turnout in voter history
The 2023 General Election witnessed the highest voter turnout in Bangkok’s history. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), over 74% of eligible voters cast their ballots in the election yesterday. Representatives from the BMA announced the unofficial election result from 6,360 polling stations in Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. Out of the 4,479,155 eligible voters, 3,339,664…
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Vote-buying incidents highest in Bangkok during General Elections, says EC
The Election Commission (EC) reported that the majority of vote-buying incidents during yesterday’s elections took place in Bangkok, which boasts the highest number of constituencies among all provinces. Despite this, the EC noted that the overall number of poll-related violations was lower than in previous elections. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee disclosed that the commission received 163 complaints yesterday, with 58…
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Imran Khan calls for nationwide ‘freedom’ protests after arrest in Pakistan
Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, has called for nationwide “freedom” protests today after last week’s unrest following his brief arrest and detention. The former cricket star, who has faced numerous legal cases since his removal from office in April last year, was released on bail on Friday when the Supreme Court declared his detention unlawful, AFP reported.…
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Thai police keep an eye on vote-buying in competitive provinces
Thai police are keeping a vigilant eye on incidents of vote-buying today, following allegations of election law malpractices in three intensely competitive provinces. After a meeting with election officials, National Police Chief Police General Damrongsak Kittiprapas confirmed yesterday the arrest of a man in the northeast Bueng Kan province, under the suspicion of vote-buying. Evidence collected during the arrest included…
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Intimidation by armed men against anti-cannabis rally in Bangkok
Former politician Chuwit Kamolvisit led a team to file a complaint after being threatened by a group of men with guns during an anti-cannabis rally in Bangkok. The 61 year old claimed that some wore logo shirts of the Thai Pride Party (Bhumjaithai Party), with live broadcast footage as evidence. Chuwit led his team to file a complaint at Phaya…
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Thai Election Commission predicts 85% turnout, confident of smooth process
Thailand‘s Election Commission (EC) predicts an 85% voter turnout for the upcoming General Elections tomorrow (May 14) and maintains confidence in its ability to conduct the elections efficiently despite a few issues encountered during advance voting last week. EC member Thitichet Nuchanart revealed the estimation after an impressive 91% turnout was recorded for last weekend’s advance voting process. The EC…
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Arson attacks hit multiple locations in Thailand’s southern provinces
Arson attacks struck 23 locations in Thailand‘s southernmost provinces late last night, causing damage to mobile phone antenna towers, and power poles, and resulting in the burning of tyres. The attacks took place between 9pm and 11pm, with officials providing updates on the situation on Friday. The affected areas spanned across three provinces: Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. In Yala, seven…
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