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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Alcohol bill on the rocks: New legislation nearly ready to pour
Wisarn Techathirawat, chairperson of the special committee overseeing the new Alcoholic Beverage Control Bill, announced that the legislation is nearing completion. Aiming for submission to Parliament by mid-December, the draft is approximately 80% finished. At a national academic conference on alcohol, Wisarn revealed that Parliament had given the green light to five Alcoholic Beverage Control Bill drafts, contributed by the…
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Attorney General throws out coup accusation against Thaksin
In a bold move that’s shaking up Thai politics, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has flatly refused to process a high-stakes case accusing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the ruling Pheu Thai Party of attempting to overthrow Thailand’s democratic system with the King as Head of State. According to a news source, the case was dismissed today, November 19, …
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Trump and Thailand: PM Paetongtarn pledges to strengthen ties
In a historic phone call, Thailand’s youngest Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, reached out to congratulate US President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory, underscoring Thailand’s commitment to a robust alliance with Washington. The conversation, which took place at 9.50am today, November 19, as disclosed by government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsub, marks an early push to fortify diplomatic and economic ties between…
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Somchai tees off at Thai PM to settle Alpine Golf land dispute
In a blistering call to action, former senator Somchai Sawangkarn has once more urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to decisively tackle a fiery land dispute around Alpine Golf Course that’s been simmering for far too long. In his third open letter, Somchai implores the Thai premier to show true grit and integrity, insisting that the nation’s wellbeing is at stake.…
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Thai elderly to soon receive 10,000 baht cash aid: Finance Ministry
The Ministry of Finance is poised to introduce a one-time cash payment initiative targeting the elderly, as confirmed by Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul. This proposal, amounting to 10,000 baht, will be presented during the upcoming economic stimulus policy committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 19. This new measure specifically excludes state welfare cardholders and disabled individuals who previously received…
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Thailand’s Marriage Equality Bill to boost GDP and tourism
Thailand’s historic decision to legalise same-sex marriage, starting January 2025, is set to supercharge its tourism industry, drawing in millions of visitors and billions in revenue. According to a new study by digital travel platform Agoda, this legislative move is projected to bring in 4 million additional international visitors each year, driving up tourism revenues by an impressive US$2 billion…
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Police in Thailand to receive increased allowances this year
Police officers across Thailand are set to receive increased allowances this year, following a directive signed by Kittirat Phanpetch, the National Police Chief. The directive, dated Tuesday, November 12, emphasises the need for efficient budget management and cautions against any misallocation of funds. Kittirat issued the directive to various police divisions, including the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Provincial Police Regions…
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Pattaya City councillor ‘paves’ the way for safer roads
In a proactive move to address complaints over potentially dangerous road conditions, Pattaya City Council member Wutthithorn Saengurai inspected an ongoing road project on Sukhumvit Road near the South Pattaya intersection yesterday, November 14. Accompanied by top officials from the Drainage System Maintenance Division, Sanitary Engineering Division, and the Pattaya City Administration’s Complaint Reception Department, Wutthithorn responded to residents’ concerns…
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PM Paetongtarn to visit Malaysia for trade and border security talks
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra plans to visit Malaysia next month to enhance bilateral ties, focusing on trade and border security improvements. This announcement follows Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s meeting with Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Jojie Samuel during his farewell visit, where they discussed pressing issues along the southern border that necessitate increased collaboration. Anutin highlighted that PM Paetongtarn’s December…
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Thaksin under scrutiny for possible VIP hospital privileges
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, is set to be summoned by a parliamentary committee to address allegations regarding his treatment at the Police General Hospital during his detention. These claims suggest the 74 year old politician received special privileges while at the hospital, raising questions about the standard procedures typically followed for prisoners requiring medical attention. The…
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Experts demand green vision for Thailand’s smart cities
Smart cities must do more than shine with technology, they need to be green, open, and truly life-enhancing, experts emphasised at the Thailand Smart City Expo 2025 seminar, hosted by the Nation Group’s PostToday and Springnews. The event, held yesterday, November 12, gathered experts, public officials, and private sector leaders to shape Thailand’s future through sustainable urban development. Chula Sukmanop,…
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Wage against the machine: Workers rally at Government house over pay delays
Hundreds of workers gathered in front of Government House yesterday, November 12, voicing frustrations over unpaid wages and seeking government intervention. Approximately 10,000 workers have not received their salaries for the past eight months due to delays from subcontractors involved in a clean fuel project located in Chon Buri. Members of the Federation of Subcontractors, representing 28 different firms, delivered…
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Thailand approves 55 billion baht low-interest home loans
The Thai Cabinet has approved the Government Housing Bank (GHB) to roll out a low-interest loan package worth 55 billion baht. This initiative aims to enhance housing accessibility for Thai citizens and includes two major schemes: a fixed-rate mortgage for the first five years at 3% per annum for purchasing or constructing homes, and a low-interest loan for home renovations…
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Thailand’s Huai Mun Pineapple gains GI status in Japan
Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Commerce, Naphinthorn Srisampan, recently engaged in discussions with Japan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Yoichi Watanabe. They focused on the registration of Huai Mun Pineapple as a Geographical Indication (GI) product, marking the first Thai fruit to achieve this recognition in Japan. The meeting also included a visit to Japan’s largest wholesale market for…
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Bangkok to beat the gridlock with new congestion charge
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit revealed that Bangkok could soon join cities like London and Singapore with a congestion charge aimed at unclogging the city’s crowded streets and reducing pollution. Suriya announced a six-month timeline for the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to finalise a study identifying the best model for implementing the charge. “We’re looking at…
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Thai Cabinet approves 15 billion baht loan for small businesses
The Thai Cabinet approved a substantial loan initiative aimed at boosting employment and entrepreneurship with a budget of 15 billion baht, targeting street vendors and small businesses to alleviate high-interest debt. The scheme is expected to benefit around 300,000 individuals across the country. Finance Deputy Minister Paophum Rojanasakul announced that the Cabinet agreed to allow the Government Savings Bank (GSB)…
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Thai Cabinet approves 3 new holidays for 2025 and 2026
The Thai Cabinet has approved an addition of three special public holidays for the years 2025 and 2026, resulting in a total of 21 official holidays next year. These additional days aim to extend existing holiday periods into longer breaks. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Phumtham Wechayachai, announced the decision following the Cabinet meeting at Government House earlier…
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Ex-Finance Minister Kittirat to head Bank of Thailand amid backlash
Former Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong has been selected as chairperson of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), sparking fierce debate over his potential influence on the nation’s economic policies. In a closed-door meeting that lasted five hours yesterday, November 11, the selection committee decided to appoint Kittirat to replace Poramethi Vimolsiri, whose term ended in September. The committee also appointed two…
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Minister defends ‘controversial’ land title decision in Buriram
Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri recently stepped into the spotlight by defending a contentious decision made by a land committee regarding land title documents for plots in Buriram’s Khao Kradong area. This decision comes despite a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that the land is owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The crux of the issue lies in the…
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Thailand denies Thaksin-Cambodia secret deal on Gulf territory
The Government of Thailand firmly denied allegations that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra orchestrated a clandestine agreement with Cambodia’s previous leader, Hun Sen, concerning contested maritime territories in the Gulf of Thailand. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai dismissed these claims, emphasising that no such deal could occur without official involvement. “There is no such deal whatsoever. How can anyone who has…
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Thaksin’s Pheu Thai campaign in Surin election ‘not unlawful’
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s planned campaign activities in Surin province are within legal bounds, Defence Minister and Deputy PM Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed today, November 11, at Government House. Thaksin, who is widely seen as Pheu Thai Party‘s de facto leader, is scheduled to visit Surin from November 19 to 20 to support Natthamon Siriwattanawanit, a former vice CEO of…
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Thailand to spotlight climate change at COP29 in Azerbaijan
Thailand unveils its plans to spotlight climate change initiatives at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Azerbaijan. The Thailand Pavilion will be a central feature, offering a platform to display the nation’s strategies and actions against climate change. Among the highlights are activities revolving around Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo, which will draw attention at the international…
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Thai-Cambodia skirmish rumours on Koh Kut debunked
Reports of alleged confrontations between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on Koh Kut have been dismissed by the government as fake news. Despite the rumours, government agencies maintain that the tourism situation on the island remains positive, with visitor numbers surpassing those of previous years, according to Jirayu Houngsub, an adviser to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Koh Kut, located in Trat…
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PM on dual-purpose trip to US west coast and APEC summit
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra departed Bangkok yesterday for a diplomatic mission combining stops in Los Angeles and Lima, Peru. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and other officials, the delegation touched down in Los Angeles at 7.30pm local time, yesterday, November 10. The Thai premier’s Los Angeles agenda includes chairing a strategic meeting with diplomatic representatives from across the Americas…
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Big pay day: Thailand minimum wage to hike to 400 baht in 2025
Thai workers could be ringing in the new year with a pay boost, as the Labour Ministry announces plans to raise the minimum wage to 400 baht per day in 2025. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed the increase, calling it “a new year present” for the nation’s workforce. Initially slated for October, the raise faced delays as the national wage…
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Thailand grants citizenship to 483,000 migrants
The Thai government’s recent decision to grant citizenship to a significant number of migrants and ethnic minorities has received a warm welcome from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The move, announced by the Cabinet yesterday, aims to provide Thai citizenship to over 483,000 individuals who have either been residing in Thailand for an extended period or were born within…
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Pattaya mayor wins big for Thai-Chinese diplomacy
In a glittering ceremony that brought together stars and statesmen, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet proudly took home the prestigious Political News award at the Thailand Headlines Person of the Year Awards 2024. Celebrating leaders who champion Thai-Chinese relations, this high-profile event highlighted Thailand’s diplomatic soft power and the approach of a landmark year – the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese ties…
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UNICEF Thailand launches campaign for children’s brighter future
UNICEF Thailand has launched an ambitious campaign titled A Better Tomorrow, Today, urging collective action for a brighter future for children. Faced with global challenges like conflicts, health crises, poverty, and climate change, UNICEF is pressing for immediate measures to safeguard children’s rights and potential. The campaign, which will include public events, social media initiatives, and celebrity participation, is designed…
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Bangkok survey finds 377 homeless on Ratchadamnoen Avenue
Bangkok’s initiative to survey the homeless population along Ratchadamnoen Avenue has uncovered 377 people, prompting police to record their details and facilitate access to welfare rights and vocational training. This operation took place at the Rattanakosin Room in the Bangkok City Hall, located in the Phra Nakhon district. The meeting was chaired by Chakkapan Phewngam, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, alongside…
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Trump victory prompts Thai stock market strategy reevaluation
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, coupled with a comprehensive Republican majority in Congress, has prompted a reevaluation of investment strategies in the Thai stock market. Natchat Mekmasin, assistant managing director of securities analysis at Trinity Securities, suggests that the Thai stock market is likely to align with the broader trend observed in emerging markets. However, he points…
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