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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Thailand outlines military capability in 2027 budget
Military capability and national sovereignty will be central to the Thailand defence budget 2027, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today, April 20, as the government unveiled a 3.788 trillion baht spending plan amid mounting global uncertainty. Addressing a budget policy seminar at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi, Anutin pointed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as evidence…
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Rak Chart Party submits UNESCO letter urging tighter review
Representatives of the Rak Chart Party travelled to Paris, France, to submit a letter to UNESCO headquarters today, April 12, expressing appreciation for its recognition of Thai cultural heritage while also calling for careful evaluation of world heritage registrations. The delegation, led by party director Chanin Pinthong and spokesperson Chaiporn Jirawinijnan, said the visit aimed to thank UNESCO for acknowledging…
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Oil firms deny plans to sue government over diesel price controls
Two oil refineries denied legal action against the Thai government after the Ministry of Energy ordered a reduction in the diesel refining fee to lower retail prices during the ongoing energy crisis. Energy Minister Akanat Promphan announced on April 7 that the refining margin for diesel types B7 and B20 would be cut by 2 baht. He added that retail…
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PM thanks public for furl saving during energy crisis
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul thanked the public for reducing fuel use as the country faces an ongoing energy crisis. The Secretary-General of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Danucha Phitchayanan, said he met with Anutin to provide an update on fuel sales. He reported that fuel usage has declined since April 5, particularly diesel. Daily…
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Three missing Mayuree Naree crew members confirmed dead
Three crew members of the Mayuree Naree vessel have been confirmed dead following an attack by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, Thailand’s foreign minister said yesterday, April 8. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that rescue teams from Iran and Oman were able to enter the ship and confirmed the deaths of the three crew…
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Thailand diesel price drops 2.14 baht from April 9
Thailand will cut diesel price by 2.14 baht per litre from tomorrow, April 9, marking a historic first-time reduction in fuel prices. Energy Minister Akanat Promphan, who also chairs the Fuel Fund Management Committee, said refinery prices for both B7 and B20 diesel would be reduced by 2 baht from tomorrow. The move will lower retail prices at petrol stations nationwide…
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Bangchak oil tanker reaches Thailand after Hormuz passage
Bangchak said its oil tanker MT.POLA arrived safely in Thailand at Si Racha district, Chon Buri, today, April 8, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz and delivering crude oil to the company’s refinery. The voyage followed diplomatic coordination involving Thailand, Iran and Oman, which reportedly allowed Thai cargo vessels to use the route on March 23 to 24. The…
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US military aircraft presence at Krabi Airport raises questions
Residents in Krabi have raised questions after multiple United States military aircraft were seen operating at Krabi International Airport yesterday, April 7, with frequent take-offs and landings reported throughout the day and night. Videos shared widely on social media showed several aircraft, including C-130, MV-22 Osprey and H-60 Seahawk, flying at low altitude and producing loud noise. Witnesses said the…
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Anutin unveils budget cuts, fuel sale limit amid energy crisis
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced a package of Thailand energy crisis measures after a Cabinet meeting yesterday, April 6, including budget cuts to fund public support and a plan to limit fuel sales. Anutin and the newly appointed Cabinet issued the announcement after discussing measures to address and prevent fuel shortages. He said conflict in the Middle East continued to…
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MP pushes back against Clean Air Bill as Thais are ‘breathing dust to death’
Thai netizens, today, April 3, slammed objections to the Clean Air Bill, which were raised in Parliament, as people in North Thailand continued to face severe PM2.5 pollution. The issue stemmed from remarks made by Bhumjaithai Party list MP Supachai Jaisamut during a House of Representatives meeting on April 1, when he raised concerns about the draft Clean Air Bill,…
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PM Anutin personal data allegedly leaked and used on SSO site
Personal data of the Prime Minister (PM) Anutin Charnvirakul was allegedly leaked and then used to register for Thailand’s Social Security Office (SSO), with claims that weak security on the SSO website also allowed members of the public to access his data. Software and blockchain technology specialist and the CEO of DomeCloud, Thanarat Kuawattanaphan, raised the issue on his Facebook account…
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Koh Pha Ngan to revoke visas of American-Israeli tourists
Officials on Koh Pha Ngan agreed on March 31 to revoke the tourist visas of three Israeli visitors, including one described as an American national of Israeli ethnicity, after a review found their behaviour could affect public order and security. The district-level committee met at 3pm at the Koh Pha Ngan District Office in Surat Thani. It was set up…
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Justice Ministry names 10 inmates for release including ex-PM Thaksin
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is among 10 prisoners set to be released on parole, with the release schedule expected to be finalised within the next two months. Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison for several legal offences linked to his time in office. His prison term was later reduced to…
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Search finds no trace of missing Thai crew after Mayuree Naree attack
Three Thai crew members from the Mayuree Naree cargo ship remain missing after the ship attack in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, with the vessel’s operator saying an extensive search found no trace of them. The Mayuree Naree was attacked by the Iranian military while departing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and travelling to India. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary…
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Thai and foreign residents protest at US Consulate in Chiang Mai
Yesterday, March 28, about 50 Thai and foreign residents gathered outside the US Consulate General in Chiang Mai to protest the United States’ war with Iran and to call for an end to the conflict. The group, calling itself CNX4PEACE, held placards criticising the United States’ military action and urging peace. A representative of the demonstrators read a statement calling…
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E-cigarette users in Thailand rise 11-fold in three years despite ban
A network of e-cigarette users has urged Thailand’s new government to review the country’s e-cigarette ban, citing official data showing use has risen sharply despite more than a decade of prohibition. The group cited figures from the National Statistical Office, saying the number of e-cigarette users increased from 78,742 in 2021 to about 900,000 in 2024, an increase of more…
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Senator proposes law requiring public to stand during royal anthem
During a March 24 Senate session, a senator proposed amending the law to require people to stand in respect when the royal anthem is played, arguing that the Thai national anthem is protected by law, while the royal anthem is not. The proposal was raised by Senator Alongkot Worakee, who updated the chamber on the work of a special committee…
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Minister to drop lawsuit over berry picker bribery claims
A former labour minister said he will withdraw defamation lawsuits filed against a local news editor over reporting linked to allegations of bribery connected to Thai berry pickers sent to work in Finland and Sweden. The current Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Suchart Chomklin, who previously served as labour minister, said he would withdraw the cases against The Isaan Record…
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Thai vessel passes Strait of Hormuz safely, second ship also permitted
A Thai-flagged Bangchak vessel has passed through the Strait of Hormuz safely amid unrest in the area, according to updates yesterday, March 24, from the Iranian Embassy in Bangkok and Bangchak Corporation Plc. A second Thai ship was also reportedly cleared to transit the strait. In a Facebook post on the “IR Iran Embassy in Bangkok Thailand” page, the Embassy…
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Visa-free stay cut will not affect tourism, Thai foreign minister says
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Puangketkaew said today, March 24, that a proposal to cut the visa-free stay for tourists from 60 days to 30 days will not affect tourism, saying the change is intended to address misuse of the visa-free period. Sihasak spoke ahead of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ annual 2026 seminar for consular officials worldwide, where he also…
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Parliament elects Anutin as Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister
Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul was elected Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister (PM) during a Parliamentary vote held today, March 19. Anutin previously served as PM after former PM Partongtar Shinawatra was removed from office over a leaked phone conversation with Hun Sen. He later announced the dissolution of Parliament on December 11 last year, leading to the General Election on…
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Iran US negotiations disputed as Trump says Tehran wants a deal but terms are not set
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran sees no reason to negotiate with the United States, rejecting President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran is seeking a deal to end the war as the conflict enters its third week. In an interview aired Sunday on CBS’s Face the Nation, Araghchi said Iran was “stable and strong enough” and was “only…
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Pro-Palestinian protest planned in Bangkok today, police on high alert
Bangkok police are preparing for the International Quds Day gathering at about 2pm today, March 13, increasing security planning and surveillance measures around diplomatic premises and other sensitive venues, amid the heightened Middle East tensions. The Metropolitan Police Bureau has been reviewing the situation with other security agencies and adjusting its readiness accordingly. Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam Boonsom, the bureau…
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Iran admits attack on Thai-flagged cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s military has admitted attacking the Thai-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the vessel of ignoring warnings while trying to make an unauthorised transit. The semi-official Iranian news agency Fars reported yesterday, March 11, that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released a statement confirming Iranian forces had targeted two ships in the Strait of…
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Foreign minister welcomes first group of Thai evacuees from Iran
Thailand’s foreign minister met the first group of Thai nationals evacuated from Iran at Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday, March 9, as the government continued assisting citizens affected by the situation in the Middle East and prepared further evacuations. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow welcomed the group on arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where 29 Thai nationals landed at 3.02pm on Turkish Airlines…
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First group of 62 Thai nationals arrives safely in Turkey from Iran
A group of 62 Thai nationals has crossed from Iran into Turkey as part of a Royal Thai Government evacuation effort linked to an ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with onward travel to Thailand planned over March 8 and today, March 9. Officials at the Kapıköy border checkpoint received the first group on the evening of March 7 at…
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Thailand weighs Turkey transit, Egypt charter for Iran evacuation
Thailand is preparing to evacuate Thai nationals from Iran as fighting spreads across parts of the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow outlining the government’s response yesterday, March 3. Thai embassies across the region are reportedly working with host governments to set up safe areas for Thai nationals as officials keep a close watch on the situation. Sihasak said…
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Mongkolkit pitches white-skin injections and flying cars for Bangkok
Mongkolkit Suksintharanont, a former New Alternative Party member, said today, March 2, that his team is gearing up for the Bangkok governor election, with applications already coming in from Bangkok councillor candidates. Mongkolkit said that preparations for the “Krungthep Bin Dai” team, meaning “Bangkok Can Fly”, are underway and that applications have begun coming in from prospective Bangkok councillor candidates.…
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Election Commission targets people over ballot image sharing and decoding
Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) filed a complaint against a group accused of sharing images of barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers online and attempting to decode them, saying the activity was intended to discredit the commission. The ECT ballot barcode and QR code issue emerged during vote counting in the latest General Election. Members of the public gathered…
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New Alternative Party suspends Mongkolkit to protect image and ideology
The New Alternative Party suspended leading member Mongkolkit Suksintharanon from his party duties, saying the move is aimed at protecting the party’s image and ideology. Party leader Rachain Trakunwiang signed the suspension order and released the document to the public yesterday, February 24. According to the document, Mongkolkit has been temporarily suspended from his role as party secretary and was…
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