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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Covid chaos hits Thai Cabinet: 2 deputy ministers sidelined by virus
Incoming Deputy Interior Ministers Songsak Thongsri and Sabeeda Thaised have been forced into isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 during routine RT-PCR tests at Government House. Both ministers, from the Bhumjaithai Party, will have to delay their official duties as they recover, a government insider revealed. Songsak, who has held his post since 2019, and first-timer Sabeeda, daughter of outgoing…
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Thailand removes CRC reservation on refugee children’s rights
Thailand has taken a monumental step to protect refugee children by fully embracing a crucial international convention. The country’s final reservation to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has officially been withdrawn, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding children’s rights. H.E. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, formally deposited the Instrument of Withdrawal…
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House passes 3.7 trillion baht budget plan after tepid debate
After a three-day debate that barely sparked a fire, the House of Representatives finally pushed through the colossal 3.7 trillion baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year. In a vote held late last night, the bill was approved by a margin of 309 to 155, with four MPs opting to abstain, leaving no one without a voice. Deputy Prime…
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Former Pheu Thai MP sentenced to prison for corruption
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Somying Buabut, a former Pheu Thai MP, to three years and four months in prison and fined her 100,000 baht for corruption related to the construction of a futsal field. The sentence has been suspended for three years. Yesterday, September 5, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on case number…
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Thailand set to advance casino project with 80% public approval
Newly-appointed Deputy Finance Minister Julaphan Amornvivat recently discussed the progress of the Entertainment Complex (Casino) project following the completion of public hearings, where over 80% of respondents expressed approval. This project, which has its origins in Parliament, is now set to move towards discussions among coalition parties before being submitted to the Cabinet and Parliament for further consideration. Julaphan highlighted…
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New travel rules: Thailand’s ETA to shake up visa-free visitors
Thailand is tightening its borders with a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, set to launch between December this year and June 2025. This system will be mandatory for all visa-exempt foreigners entering the country by air, land, or sea. Though not technically a visa, the ETA will act as a computerised security check, similar to the ETIAS programme for…
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Thailand minimum wage hike to 400 baht confirmed for October 1
Pheu Thai Party’s labour policy, particularly the plan to increase the daily minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide, remains firm, confirmed caretaker Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Phiphat assured that the wage hike, targeting specific professions and regions, is set to take effect on October 1, with further details to be announced shortly. The national wage committee, led by the permanent…
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Palang Pracharath executives including key MPs jump ship
Caretaker Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow and five key executives of the Palang Pracharath Party resigned from their posts yesterday, sparking speculation about the party’s future. A well-placed source revealed that the six executives have already notified the Election Commission (EC), adding that their departure was imminent. Among those leaving with Thamanat were influential figures such as Samphan Mayusoh, Narathiwat MP;…
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Koh Kaew residents still waiting for paved road and electricity
Residents of Koh Kaew have been stuck in limbo for years, living with an unpaved road and no electricity supply. However, after a tense meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, there’s a glimmer of hope. The meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, was convened by the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office following complaints from the residents. A group…
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Thailand promotes quality products at Times Square
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce launched a campaign to elevate the image of Thai products at Times Square. The Ignite Thailand Festival: Think Thailand, Next Level took place at 46-47 Broadway Plaza & Duffy Square yesterday, September 4, aiming to showcase the quality and innovation of Thai goods to over 20 million consumers in the United States. Wuttikrai Leeweeraphan, Permanent Secretary…
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Public health minister rejects 30-baht scheme co-payment review
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin dismissed a proposal from health experts to revisit the co-payment system of the universal healthcare policy, known as the 30-baht gold card scheme. Somsak stated emphatically that he had no intention of reopening discussions about the co-payment plan. “The ministry is doing its best to take care of people’s health. No changes have been made.”…
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Court’s ruling: MoU-tain of evidence favours Thai-Cambodian deal
The Constitutional Court dismissed a petition challenging the legality of the 2001 Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand. The petition, submitted by Deputy Palang Pracharath Party leader Paiboon Nititawan, claimed that the MoU had not been approved by Parliament before its signing. Paiboon argued that the MoU, used by the Department of Treaties…
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Defence minister announces new commanders in military reshuffle
A significant military reshuffle list is nearing completion, pending final adjustments from the new Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and his Deputy General Natthapol Nakpanich. The proposed list, which includes appointments for new leaders of the armed forces and other high-ranking positions, was discussed at a meeting on Tuesday. This meeting saw the participation of six top commanders and officials from…
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Thailand government includes cash options in 10,000-baht handout
The Thailand government’s 10,000-baht handout programme is set for adjustments, with Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat acknowledging the need to include cash distributions for some recipients instead of digital money. Numerous petitions against the government’s flagship policy contributed to this decision, Julapun said yesterday. Additionally, feedback from various sectors has prompted changes to improve the programme’s effectiveness. Initially, the policy…
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Economic challenge: Business tycoon Pichai to the rescue
Pichai Naripthaphan, a businessman-turned-politician, is stepping into the hot seat as Thailand’s new Commerce Minister at a time when the nation’s economy teeters on the edge of disaster. With sky-high expectations from every corner, Pichai faces the daunting task of steering the country out of economic turbulence. Pichai takes over from Phumtham Wechayachai, who has moved to Defence Minister and…
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Aussies now need an ETA to enter Thailand
Australians planning a getaway to Thailand will soon have an extra step to complete before boarding their flight. The Thai government is introducing a mandatory electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which must be obtained ahead of travel. This new system, introduced by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is designed to enhance the screening and tracking of foreigners entering the country. “The…
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Anutin’s high hopes for Thai cannabis green light
In a bold move, Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, declared he’s absolutely certain the new Government of Thailand will back his party’s pro-cannabis stance. This means the green revolution could steam ahead just as it was gaining traction under former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Back in July, Srettha struck a deal with Anutin to move forward with…
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Deputy Interior Minister Chada pulls out of Cabinet
Caretaker Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised has withdrawn his name from consideration for a role in Thailand’s next Cabinet, instead proposing his daughter, Sabeeda Thaised, for the position of Deputy Interior Minister. The move comes amidst swirling controversy surrounding Chada’s murky past and fears that his appointment could imperil the government’s stability. The decision followed a damning report from the…
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Thai PM Paetongtarn to submit new Cabinet list next week
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, plans to submit the names of her new Cabinet members for royal endorsement by next week. Unfortunately, future Deputy Minister Chada Thaiseth withdrew his name from the list this morning. Prime Minister Paetongtarn arrived at Shinawatra Tower 3, her temporary office, at 9.40am today, September 3, and revealed to the media that the…
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Phitsanulok governor addresses waste crisis after landfill closure
Phitsanulok’s provincial governor issued an urgent directive to local government organisations to address the overflowing rubbish problem after a private landfill was closed. Residents have complained about the stench and need for a solution. Reporters yesterday, September 2, surveyed the large piles of rubbish accumulating along the roadside near the irrigation canal behind Naresuan University in Tha Pho, Mueang district,…
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Accidental self-praise of Democrat Party MP amuses Thai netizens
Democrat Party MP Date-it Khaothong has become a laughing stock among Thai netizens after he posted a comment praising himself on Facebook. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has been selected as the new Prime Minister of Thailand. However, she has not yet officially begun her duties, as she awaits royal endorsement. Her new Cabinet has also yet…
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Labour minister to investigate measures to save social security fund
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn vowed to investigate measures to avert a potential collapse of the Social Security Fund (SSF) within the next decade due to funding shortfalls. The SSF, currently holding 2.6 trillion baht, is projected to grow to at least 4 trillion baht by 2034, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Despite…
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Abhisit predicts Paetongtarn’s govt term to last, despite challenges
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government is expected to complete the rest of its three-year term, as no coalition parties seem prepared for an early General Election, according to former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who also noted that these parties are still striving to demonstrate to their voters that they merit re-election. However, he pointed out that the coalition’s weak point…
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Thailand to launch digital money handout in two weeks
The coalition government is set to initiate its policy implementation, including the digital money handout scheme, in two weeks, according to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. However, Phumtham did not specify when the revised Cabinet line-up will be submitted for royal endorsement. He indicated that nominations from all coalition parties had been reviewed by state organisations and forwarded to…
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NACC awaits CCTV in Thaksin hospital treatment probe
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has yet to receive CCTV footage from the Police General Hospital as it investigates potential preferential treatment given to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his hospital stay. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, NACC secretary-general, stated yesterday that the commission has gathered substantial information and will soon determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with questioning. The…
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Thai House of Representatives to make 7.8 billion baht budget cut
The House of Representatives is set to proceed with the second and third readings of the budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year next week. This development comes amidst reports that the proposed spending plan has been reduced by nearly 8 billion baht. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced that the budget debate will take place from September 3…
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Hungary and Thailand to sign MoU for stronger economic ties
Hungary and Thailand are set to strengthen their economic ties with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Hungarian-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Budapest Chamber of Commerce next month. The Hungarian embassy facilitated a luncheon in Bangkok, where the Hungarian ambassador and local Thai media discussed Hungary’s role as president of the Council of the European…
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Thailand’s Seri Ruam Thai Party dumps Pheu Thai amid feud
Thailand’s Seri Ruam Thai Party has quit the Pheu Thai-led coalition government. The move follows a heated dispute between Seri Ruam Thai’s leader, Police General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, and the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which he accuses of neglect. In a tense briefing at the Seri Ruam Thai headquarters yesterday, Pol. Gen. Sereepisuth revealed that the party executive board had decided…
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Bangkok faces 11.75 billion baht Green Line debt crisis
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and its business arm, Krungthep Thanakom (KT), are urgently reviewing a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ruling before they settle a colossal 11.75 billion baht debt owed to the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). This follows a Supreme Administrative Court order on July 26, which gave BMA and KT just 180 days to pay up. The…
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DJOP evaluates Thicha Nanakorn’s contract amid budget cuts
The Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection (DJOP) is evaluating whether to renew the contract of a seasoned expert in juvenile justice, Thicha Nanakorn amid budget cuts for hiring specialists. A document released today by the DJOP outlines a policy to reduce staff numbers, particularly specialists and experts, during the 2025-2028 fiscal years. This policy has led to Thicha’s resignation,…
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