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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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Tourist truce: PM Srettha makes a ‘Great Wall’ of friendship, inviting Chinese police to patrol in Thailand
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin planned to ask Chinese police to join patrols at several tourist attractions in Thailand to win the trust of tourists from the People’s Republic of China. Unexpectedly, the visa-free policy is failing to attract Chinese tourists to Thailand after the pandemic. Most Chinese tourists are reportedly worried about their safety in Thailand following the death…
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Thai Government Savings Bank promises low interest rates for home loans
The Government Savings Bank (GSB), an institution committed to enabling Thai citizens to own their homes, is prepping a credit line of 45,000 million baht to offer three home loan products with fixed interest rates for the first three years, marking the end of this year. The initiative is expected to inject liquidity into the economy. According to Karm Phonprakong,…
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French President Macron supports establishment of Wat Pho Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly thrown his support behind the establishment of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, colloquially known as Wat Pho Paris, in the French capital. This announcement was made during a reception at the Elysee Palace for Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn, the abbot of the original Wat Pho in Thailand, who is currently in France for the…
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Thai government to finance digital wallet scheme with 500 billion baht loan
The Thai government has plans to secure a loan of 500 billion baht to finance a digital wallet scheme, revealed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This digital wallet scheme is targeted towards Thai citizens who are 16 years and older, earning less than 70,000 baht per month with less than 500,000 baht in bank deposits. The 61 year old Thai prime…
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Thai government to distribute 10,000 baht through Pao Tang digital wallet from May next year
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the distribution of 10,000 baht through the Pao Tang digital wallet, indicating readiness with over 1.8 million familiar shops. The public can start using it from May next year. At 2pm this afternoon, at the Government House, the 61 year old prime minister and Finance Minister, announced the policy of the 10,000 baht top-up program…
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Final call for Social Security Fund members to register for inaugural election
The Labour Ministry has made a final call to Social Security Fund (SSF) members to register for the inaugural election of Social Security Board members, with today marking the end of the registration period. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn explained the extension of the registration period, which was originally set to end on October 31, was granted to provide members with…
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Chiang Mai MP refutes accusations of falsifying documents for party funds
Chiang Mai’s Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, Phattarapong Leelaphat, refuted accusations of falsifying documents to garner financial support from his party yesterday. This controversy was brought to light by the Democrat Party’s Tankhun Jittitsara on Wednesday, November 8. In response to the allegations, Phattarapong took to Facebook, dismissing the claims as baseless. The politician explained that most of the funds…
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First coalition party dinner signals unity and relaxed political discourse
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reported a warm atmosphere at the first coalition party dinner held on November 8, with no bargaining for political gains witnessed among the government parties. The dinner, hosted by the leading Pheu Thai Party, was attended by leaders of coalition parties and was deemed successful enough to warrant monthly repeats, as reported by Deputy Prime Minister…
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Thais in Myanmar issued emergency documents for repatriation
Emergency travel documents are being issued to the majority of Thais awaiting repatriation in Myanmar, as most of them are without passports, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) yesterday. The MFA revealed that these individuals had their passports taken away by their employers. The information was disclosed by Ruj Thammamomgkol, director-general of the MFA Consular…
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Phuket’s new high-flier: Sattha thongkham lands as vice governor, family in tow
Sattha Thongkham, accompanied by his wife and daughter, arrived in Phuket yesterday, ready to assume his new role as the Vice Governor of Phuket. The family made their debut in the city by paying tribute to the statue of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) at the historic former Phuket Provincial Hall, situated on Narisorn Road in Phuket town. The venerable structure…
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Politician ‘Poo Ad’ flushed out of Move Forward Party over apology debacle
Chaiyamparwaan Manphianjit, also known as Poo Ad, a representative for the Bangkok Chom Thong district from the Move Forward Party (MFP), has been booted out of the MFP after his alleged disingenuous apology over the sexual harassment allegations hanging over him. Despite issuing an apology, the party’s leader, Chaithawat Tulathon, believes that there has been no genuine remorse or acknowledgement of…
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Man arrested for online threats against Thai prime minister
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) apprehended a 29 year old man for posting threatening messages against the Thai prime minister online. The accused admitted his guilt, citing his disappointment with Thai politics as the reason for his vented frustrations. He was arrested at 6.30am today following a search warrant authorised the previous day. On November 5, the Anti Online…
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Hamas: Negotiations to release Thai hostages get assistance from Qatar, Egypt and Iran
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, has revealed that Qatar, Egypt, and Iran have committed to assisting in negotiations with Hamas for the safe return of Thai hostages. This announcement was made in a press briefing following Parnpree’s diplomatic visit to Qatar and Egypt, undertaken from October 30 to November 2, to discuss potential avenues…
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MFP to challenge government amidst internal controversies
The Move Forward Party (MFP), the main opposition party in Thailand, is preparing to challenge the government in a general debate. Critics suggest this is a tactic to divert public attention from the party’s controversies. For the first time, the MFP is exercising its constitutional power to initiate a debate against the government, scheduled for early next year. Although the…
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Bangkok MFP MP defends against sexual harassment claims, refuses to resign
Bangkok’s Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, Chaiyamphawan Manpianjit, more popularly known as Puaut, who was recently admonished by the party for alleged sexual harassment claims, voiced his respect for the party’s decision yesterday. At the same time, he defended his innocence and declined to step down despite growing calls for his resignation. This controversy follows the expulsion of fellow party…
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Xinjiang violence: China soughts international media to counter claims
China has opened its doors to a number of international media organisations to showcase its claimed victory in quelling terrorism-related violence in its troubled region, Xinjiang. A senior journalist from Bangkok Post, Mongkol Bangprapa, who also presides over the Thai Journalists Association, was among the 22 guests invited. The delegates were predominantly from 17 countries involved in China’s Belt and…
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New Thai law: Less meth tablets, more help – addicts eligible for treatment, not jail
Thailand‘s Public Health Ministry is set to roll out a new regulation, enabling individuals found with less than ten methamphetamine tablets to be seen as drug addicts, making them eligible for treatment over imprisonment, according to Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew. This significant shift in policy was revealed yesterday during a ministry meeting centred on drug suppression efforts for the fiscal year 2024.…
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Thailand Ministry of Labour: Refund for Thai workers who paid for return from Israel
Thai workers who fled unrest in Israel and bought their return tickets can now apply for a refund, according to the Ministry of Labour‘s Secretary, Pairoj Chotikasathien. This is in response to the recent conflict in Israel that has impacted Thai workers in the country. Thai workers who have returned from Israel since October 7, can now request reimbursement for…
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Deputy Interior Minister’s whirlwind day: Prayers, fire, and fashion in Bangkok
Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiseth started his day with religious activities, then assisted in a fire incident during the day, and ended it at a fashion show in Bangkok, showcasing his versatile persona. The deputy interior minister revealed the incident of rescuing an elderly woman from a burning building in Uthai Thani yesterday. While attending a merit-making event yesterday, he…
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Government’s digital wallet scheme delayed amid sustainability concerns
A seven-month delay is set to affect the government’s digital wallet scheme, with the expected launch now projected around September of next year, according to an adviser to the prime minister. Pichai Chunhavajira, while addressing a Senate-organised forum on the scheme, voiced that the policy is a vital economic stimulant but doubted its implementation in February as initially planned. The…
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Thai PM backs deputy amid criticism over 10,000-baht digital wallet plan
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stood firm against criticisms levelled at his deputy, Julapun Amornvivat, concerning his capacity to chair the governmental sub-committee responsible for the roll-out of the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout initiative. Responding to requests for a more equipped individual to hold the chairmanship, PM Srettha stated unequivocally in a message on platform X (formerly Twitter), that he “won’t…
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Hamas Thai hostages: Negotiations in progress for immediate release
Negotiations with Iran are in progress, with the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, indicating readiness to immediately release all Thai hostages. This crucial update was provided yesterday by Saiyid Sulaiman Husaini, a prominent figure amongst Shia Muslims in Thailand. The negotiating team, assembled by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, initiated discussions with Hamas at 10am local time yesterday in Tehran.…
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Pheu Thai government opts for Chinese frigate
An unexpected turn of events saw the Pheu Thai-led government opting for a Chinese-made frigate over a submarine, after a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding the original submarine purchase. The shift in decision came on the heels of China‘s inability to get the German-made MTU 396 engine for the submarine, as specified in the 2017 agreement. China’s suggestion of using…
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Legalising casinos to boost economy: Thailand House of Representatives forms committee
A 60-member committee to probe into the potential launch of entertainment hubs, inclusive of casinos, has been established by Thailand’s House of Representatives. This move seeks to rectify the issue of underground casinos and invigorate the nation‘s financial state, as suggested in a proposal put forth by members of parliament from diverse parties. The endorsers of the proposal encompassed Thoedchart…
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MFP charter rewrite motion rejected by Thailand House of Representatives
A charter rewrite motion, sponsored by the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), has been rejected by Thailand’s House of Representatives. The decision was influenced by concerns that the proposed changes could lead to a biased charter amendment, as explained by Nikorn Chamnong, who leads a sub-panel tasked with gathering public opinion on a constitutional amendment referendum. The MFP intended…
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NACC probes Thai government’s 10,000-baht digital handout amid corruption fears
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) initiated an in-depth study into the Thai government’s policy for a 10,000-baht digital currency handout. This step comes as the agency intensifies its examination of the key policies of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. According to a source within the NACC, the decision was made following a suggestion from the agency’s corruption monitoring and appraisal…
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Thai PM accuses Israeli employers of exploiting Thai workers amidst crisis
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called on Israeli employers to stop exploiting their Thai workers during this perilous period. He alleges that salary payments are being deliberately postponed as a means to retain Thai workers in Israel amidst growing safety concerns. In a press interaction preceding the weekly Cabinet meeting, the 61 year old prime minister revealed he had contacted…
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Thai Prime Minister defends controversial 10,000-baht digital handout scheme
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin defended the government’s decision to proceed with the controversial 10,000-baht digital currency handout scheme on Monday, despite mounting criticism. Primarily, critics have been concerned about the scheme’s lack of transparency, particularly regarding its funding source. The 61 year old PM, who also holds the position of finance minister, dismissed these concerns. “I insist the policy…
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Move Forward Party probes MP over Bangkok sexual harassment claims
A sexual harassment allegation against a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP is set to undergo investigation, according to Parit Wacharasindhu, a party list MP and spokesperson. The case involves three women accusing an MP from a district within the Thon Buri region of Bangkok and follows closely on the heels of a similar incident reported on October 12 involving a different…
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Compensation for Thai families with members killed in Israel conflict
Eight deceased Thai workers, who were victims of the attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7, were brought back home this morning, aboard a commercial flight. Upon landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan province, their bodies were transported to their respective hometowns. The commercial flight, El Al Flight LY083, carried the eight verified Thai males from Israel,…
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