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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MFP could be dissolved over lese majeste law reformation plan
The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) requested the Constitution Court to consider dissolving the Move Forward Party (MFP). This request comes as a response to the MFP’s efforts to reform the lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Law. Thai lawyer Teerayut Suwannakaesorn previously asked the Constitution Court to take action on the MFP and its…
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Thai Pakdee Party leader acquitted in defamation suit
Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, the leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, emerged triumphant today as the Criminal Court acquitted him in a high-stakes defamation suit brought forth by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the former leader of the now-defunct Future Forward Party. Amidst the legal theatrics, Thanathorn, now at the helm of the Progressive Movement, was conspicuously absent as the verdict echoed through the…
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HTMS Sukhothai search mission closes with five still missing
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN), in collaboration with their US counterparts, embarked on a salvage mission to untangle the mystery surrounding the sunken corvette, HTMS Sukhothai. Despite their efforts, five missing crew members are still yet to be found. Admiral Chatchai Thongsaard, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Fleet, disclosed the harrowing details of the operation. “Our joint endeavour,…
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Government revenue falls short due to dip in oil taxes
There’s been a shortfall in the government’s revenue collection for the first four months of the 2024 fiscal year, largely due to a sharp drop in oil taxes. This data was disclosed by the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) director-general, Pornchai Thiraveja, who highlighted that the government’s net revenue for the period of October 2023 to January 2024 was 824 billion…
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PM Srettha’s international trips sparks questions
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been travelling the world at an unprecedented pace, with trips clocking up significant air miles. Since assuming office in September last year, PM Srettha has been on more overseas trips than the average travel blogger. In a whirlwind 176 days in office, the Bangkok-born PM has been constantly hopping between continents. His itinerary reads…
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Thai PM defends 138 million baht Government House refurb budget
The allocated budget of 138 million baht (US$3.8 million) for the refurbishment of the Government House of Thailand, has been strongly defended by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The budget has been a subject of criticism due to its perceived high cost. Nonetheless, the prime minister clarified yesterday, March 11, that the funds would be used for the comprehensive renovation of…
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Scandal hits Government House with 500,000 baht lawn
The eagerly awaited overhaul of Government House’s front lawn, allegedly costing a staggering 498,352 baht, is on the brink of completion, according to insider sources. An informant disclosed that Green Value Co Ltd clinched the lucrative project due to its unbeatably low bid among three contenders. Utilising Paspalam grass, renowned for its resilience in scorching climates and durability against heavy…
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Laundrygate: Defence Ministry of Thailand digs into laundry scandal
The Ministry of Defence launched an investigation in response to a viral video alleging a soldier was compelled to wash his commander’s wife’s underwear. Rear Admiral Thanitpong Sirisawetsak, the ministry’s spokesperson, emphasised the urgency of the probe, aiming to confirm the authenticity of the footage and the identity of the purported soldier. The 51-second clip, circulated over the weekend, purportedly…
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Thailand’s Kantharalak district to reopen Preah Vihear temple
The district of Kantharalak in Sisaket, Thailand, is buzzing with anticipation as it prepares to reopen access to the Preah Vihear temple after 16 years. The decision to establish a temporary checkpoint for entry into the Cambodian temple followed Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s recent visit to the province. The move has sparked excitement among the locals, who view it as…
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PM Srettha may meet paroled Thaksin during Chiang Mai visit
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has suggested a potential meeting with the recently paroled former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra. This event could take place during PM Srettha’s upcoming visit to Chiang Mai, which coincides with Thaksin’s planned trip to his hometown. The Thai prime minister is scheduled to inspect haze pollution, drug-related issues, and the progress of royally initiated development projects in…
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PM Srettha strikes deals in Parisian power play
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made waves in Paris as he orchestrated a series of high-stakes meetings with France’s business elite. From fashion to automotive technology, the 62 year old Thai PM’s mission was clear: to solidify Thailand’s status as a regional powerhouse for trade and innovation. Kicking off his jam-packed schedule yesterday morning, PM Srettha delved into talks with Sébastien…
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Southern Thailand protests against newly proposed national park
Protests have sparked among the residents of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani over the proposed creation of Hat Khanom-Mu Koh Thale Tai National Park. Approximately 500 locals from these regions argue that the establishment of the park would directly impede their livelihoods, utilising the land they rely on for subsistence. The public outcry was voiced during a meeting held…
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Bangkok’s street stall showdown: Pedestrians vs Vendors
The age-old saga of Bangkok’s bustling streets versus its iconic street stalls continues, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) at the forefront of a new regulation to solve the decade-long issue of street stalls encroaching on pedestrian paths. A resident of Bangkok’s Udom Suk area lamented her daily struggle as a pedestrian, echoing the frustrations of many. “Footpath warfare is…
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Thailand’s population to halve in 60 years, warns deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin cautioned that Thailand’s population could plummet from 66 million to a mere 33 million within six decades. This alarming forecast, issued yesterday, spells out dire consequences for the nation’s economic vitality and security, with the working-age populace dwindling from 46 million to a mere 14 million, according to Somsak. Speaking at a meeting of a…
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Phetchabun residents petition over Khao Kho land dispute
A heated land dispute in Phetchabun’s Khao Kho district led residents of 35 local communities to petition two House committees for intervention. Opposition leader and member of the House of Representatives committees on the military and natural resources and environmental affairs, Chaithawat Tulathon, received the petition yesterday. Buppha Chanpheng, representing the locals living within the Khao Kho forest complex, submitted…
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Thai House rejects labour bill fearing 30% cost surge
A labour welfare bill proposed by the Move Forward Party (MFP) has been rejected by the House of Representatives, sparking concerns about a potential 30% increase in labour costs across Thailand. Despite this setback, the MFP had some success as the House consented to two additional draft bills, one from the Bhumjaithai Party and another from the MFP. List-MP Sia…
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Thai Night Hong Kong 2024 returns with global partnerships
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), under Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, is abuzz with excitement as Thai Night Hong Kong 2024 approaches. Themed Inspiring Thailand, the event, scheduled for next Monday, March 11 at FILMART, aims to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of the Thai entertainment industry. Presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi,…
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Royal return: King’s son makes emotional homecoming
In a recent social media post, His Majesty the King’s second-eldest son, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, stirred emotions as he shared a photo from Suvarnabhumi Airport, declaring, “I have returned home, as promised.” The post, which garnered over 25,000 likes and a flood of welcoming comments from netizens, marks Vacharaesorn’s third journey to his homeland in less than a year. Having spent…
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LGBTQ+ couples flock to homophobic countries for honeymoons
A recent survey unveiled that LGBTQ+ couples are setting their sights on honeymoon destinations where homosexuality remains illegal, defying conventional norms. Dubai, the Maldives, East Africa, and the Caribbean are just some of the places identified by LGBTQ+ couples as dream honeymoon spots, according to Kuoni’s latest LGBTQ+ Honeymoon report. While 44% of respondents prioritise the overall destination experience over…
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Thai government urged to prepare for Myanmar refugee influx
In anticipation of a potential surge in refugees from Myanmar, a security expert called on the Thai government to take immediate action by establishing a safety zone or humanitarian corridor near the Thai-Myanmar border. Associate Professor Panitan Wattanayagorn, speaking to Thai PBS, warned of intensified fighting between government troops and rebel forces during the upcoming dry season, fuelled by Myanmar’s…
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Restaurant encroachment threatens Hua Hin’s sandy shores
Yamu Beach in Phuket may have just played second fiddle to an encroachment crisis engulfing the pristine sands of Hua Hin. Evidence surfaced on the Prachuap News Facebook page, showcasing a long line of eateries and guesthouses that have sunk their claws deep into Hua Hin’s main beach. Witnesses describe a scene akin to invasion, with some structures extending a…
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PM Srettha revs up plans for Thailand’s Formula One debut
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to meet with representatives from the renowned world of Formula One (F1) during his official trip to France in a bid to host an F1 event in Thailand. PM Srettha spoke to the media at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on March 4, discussing his upcoming trips to Australia, Germany, and France. He revealed…
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Will Thaksin return to Chiang Mai home?
In an exclusive statement, Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter debunked rumours, stating that while her father expressed a desire to visit Chiang Mai, there are no concrete travel arrangements yet. Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, made known that nothing had been planned. “As of now, no specific itinerary has been planned. He said he’d like to visit his ancestors’ graves. And his elder…
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Thai PM invites Aussie firms to invest in clean energy
During the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, extended an invitation to prominent Australian companies to invest in Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) battery, clean energy, and transport logistics sectors. The summit, which marks five decades of Australia’s partnership with ASEAN, is being held in Melbourne, Australia. PM Srettha used this opportunity to meet with his…
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PM Srettha to stress infrastructure projects at ASEAN-Australia Summit
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to highlight the nation’s infrastructure advancements, particularly the Land Bridge and Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) projects, at the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit continuing until tomorrow, according to an official government representative. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke announced yesterday that the Thai prime minister will also seek to strengthen collaboration in logistics, capitalisation of Free…
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Thailand considers scrapping arrival cards for Malaysian tourists
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced today the potential removal of the necessity for Malaysian tourists to complete arrival and departure cards at primary border crossings, aimed at promoting tourism and business growth. Currently, all visitors arriving via the Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla, regardless of nationality, are waived from the requirement to fill out the Tor Mor 6 (TM 6) cards.…
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Former Thai PM Yingluck cleared in major corruption case
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Holders of Political Positions yesterday delivered a resounding verdict, absolving Yingluck Shinawatra and five co-defendants of malfeasance and corruption allegations. The charges stemmed from the allocation of a hefty 240-million-baht campaign budget aimed at promoting the Yingluck government’s ambitious 2-trillion-baht infrastructure projects. Commenting on the verdict, Thanaporn Sriyakul, director of the Political and…
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Thai government issuing smart ID cards to Buddhist monks
The Thai government has begun issuing smart ID cards to over 100,000 Buddhist monks across the nation, revealed Puangpet Chunlaiad, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. These ID cards contain crucial details about each monk’s history and are linked to the country’s citizenship database managed by the Interior Ministry. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to enhance…
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Rama II expressway construction issues prompt contractor downgrade considerations
The construction of the Rama II Road expressway, currently plagued by delays, substandard work and safety concerns, has prompted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to consider downgrading contractors responsible for the project. The state budget office was instructed to investigate possible penalties for the contractors involved. Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general of the Comptroller General’s Department, was called to meet with the prime…
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Thai minister ready to battle over funding for Russian helicopter
Thai Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, is set to challenge the parliamentary subcommittee’s refusal to approve funding for a new Russian-made helicopter. The helicopter is intended to augment the capabilities of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), particularly in dealing with the country’s increasing wildfires and haze pollution. The subcommittee, tasked with scrutinising the fiscal budget for 2024, had…
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