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 Why traders in Thailand are choosing EC Markets for gold and forex trading
Gold and forex trading have long been favourites among investors in Thailand, but why are so many traders now turning to EC Markets? The answer lies in a combination of tight spreads, ultra-fast execution, Thai baht (THB) deposit support, and...
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Phuket hosts landmark event for equal marriage registrations
Phuket hosted a groundbreaking event yesterday, January 23, marking a significant advance in the recognition of equal marriage registrations in Thailand. This event was part of the nationwide initiative, DOPA-Day One: Beating the Gong to Win All Love, and was held at the Bay Arena in Jungceylon shopping mall, Patong. The event saw 24 couples, including seven male-male and 14…
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Google to build new cloud data centre in Chon Buri
Google is set to enhance its footprint in Thailand by constructing a new cloud data centre in Chon Buri, announced Google’s president and chief investment officer, Ruth Porat. Porat engaged with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Wednesday, January 22. The Google executive expressed gratitude towards the Thai government for its support in…
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Thai PM woos World Economic Forum founder to boost soft power
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with World Economic Forum (WEF) founder Klaus Schwab in Davos yesterday, January 22, seeking to position Thailand as a hub for innovation and soft power on the global stage. The meeting took place during the 55th WEF, themed Collaboration for the Intelligent Age, running from January 20 to 24 in Switzerland. Highlighting the strong partnership…
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Thailand and Yokohama strengthen Bangkok Port collaboration
The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) and the City of Yokohama in Japan have formalised a letter of intent to enhance their port operations and infrastructure on the 10th anniversary of their partnership. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit highlighted that this agreement will bolster cooperation in port development and infrastructure, with a focus on Bangkok Port. The collaboration aims to…
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Election official faces legal action over Bhumjaithai Party decision
Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Sawang Boonmee may face legal action for his decision not to recommend the dissolution of the Bhumjaithai Party over allegations of unlawful donations. Lawyer Pattharapong Supaksorn has filed a petition with the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases against the senior EC official. Pattharapong accuses Sawang of dereliction of duty, based on his decision…
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New Thai law lets LGBTQ+ couples sue for adultery compensation
Thailand has made legal history by granting LGBTQ+ couples the right to sue adulterous spouses for compensation, marking a pivotal step towards equality under the law. The amendment, which came into effect today, ensure[s fair treatment for all couples, regardless of gender. The Civil and Commercial Code has been updated to allow LGBTQ+ spouses the same legal protections as heterosexual…
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Bangkok gears up for historic equal marriage celebrations
Love wins in Bangkok as the city prepares to celebrate equal marriage registrations for all couples starting tomorrow, January 23 when the Marriage Equality Bill comes into effect. From exclusive giveaways to romantic photo corners, each district is ready to make history while creating unforgettable memories for lovebirds. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has announced the city’s readiness to implement the…
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Thai police deny plan to deport 48 Uyghur men to China
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has refuted claims by human rights organisations that they are attempting to deport 48 Uyghur men to China. Since fleeing from China’s Xinjiang province in 2014, the group has reportedly been imprisoned, with 43 held at the Immigration Bureau headquarters and the remaining five in Thai prisons. Human Rights Watch has called on the Thai…
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Labour Ministry probes fake health certificates for migrant workers
Labour Ministry Permanent Secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth ordered an investigation into allegations of fake health certificates being sold to migrant workers, purportedly through connections with senior ministry officials. Boonsong emphasised that the ministry is taking these allegations seriously. He urged representatives and employers registering foreign workers to follow legal protocols, ensuring authentic health checks are conducted. Following these reports, Boonsong has…
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State Welfare Card applications to open by March
Applications for the State Welfare Card will open by the end of March, with low-income and vulnerable groups invited to register. The registration follows two years after the last round, which took place from September 5 to October 31, 2022. Julapan Amornwiwat, Deputy Finance Minister, announced that the details of the new registration for the State Welfare Card this year…
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Thailand updates family registration for equal marriage rights
A new regulation by the Ministry of Interior regarding family registration was published in the Royal Gazette on Monday, January 20, aligning it with the equal marriage bill set to be enacted tomorrow, January 23. The Ministry of Interior Regulation on Family Registration (No.4) 2025 is designed to accommodate same-gender families, including those engaged or married, as explained by deputy…
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Thailand assures China on tourist safety amid rising arrivals
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra plans to personally assure Chinese President Xi Jinping of the safety measures in place for Chinese tourists during her visit to China next month, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Thailand aims to attract 9 million Chinese tourists this year, marking a 35% increase from last year’s figure of 6.7 million. Sorawong stated that…
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Philippines and Thailand forge tourism pact amid casino buzz
In a landmark move to bolster tourism and cross-border collaboration, the Philippines and Thailand inked a five-year deal focusing on mutual growth in the travel and hospitality sectors. The agreement, signed on Sunday, January 19 also hints at Thailand’s potential legalisation of casinos: a game-changing development for its tourism landscape. The Philippines, a regional leader in the casino industry with…
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Thailand urges release of hostages amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire
Thailand is urging the release of Thai hostages from the Gaza Strip following the initiation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on January 19. Yesterday, January 20, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a statement concerning the agreement. The statement called for the release of hostages allegedly captured by Hamas during the conflict in southern Israel which kicked off on October…
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Thai durians cleared for export to China after contamination checks
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Itthi Sirilattayakorn recently inspected the export of durians free from Basic Yellow 2 and cadmium contamination at the Nakhon Phanom border checkpoint. Itthi discussed export strategies to China with the Department of Agriculture and relevant agencies. Following Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat’s urgent policy on safe, high-quality fruit for domestic consumption and export, efforts to address…
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Thailand to rethink visa-free policy for Chinese citizens: Senate
The Senate has urged the Government of Thailand to reconsider its visa-free policy for Chinese citizens, expressing concerns that Thailand may become a centre for criminal activities. Senator Wanchai Ekpornpichit raised these issues during a recent Senate meeting led by Speaker Mongkol Surasajja. Wanchai pointed out that the policy, initially designed to boost tourism, has been misused by criminal groups.…
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Thaksin blames Prawit for political turmoil amid coup fallout
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra responded to complaints from Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwon about political victimisation, attributing the current political turmoil to the general’s actions. Thaksin questioned the necessity of the coup that initially disrupted the political landscape. General Prawit was a key figure in the government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha, established by the National Council…
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Thaksin plans one million homes for low-income Thais
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand and de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, announced plans to construct up to one million housing units for low-income Thai nationals. The announcement was made during a rally in Bueng Kan province. The government recently launched the Home for Thais scheme and Thaksin stated that around 31 million people…
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Thailand’s UNHRC role challenged by human rights shortfalls, says advocate
As a newly elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Thailand faces the need to elevate its human rights performance to align with international standards, according to a Thai human rights advocate. Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW), discussed Thailand’s human rights situation on January 17 at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand,…
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Southern Thai temple seeks UNESCO World Heritage status
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on is set to propose that Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat receive support to pursue UNESCO World Heritage status. The proposal is expected to be presented to the Cabinet next Tuesday, January 21. Apichat Sakdiset, the Minister’s adviser, revealed that the National Committee on the Convention Concerning the Protection of the…
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Close call: Thai deputy PM reveals scammer encounter
Even Thailand’s top officials aren’t immune to scammer schemes. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul shared on Thursday, January 16, that he had been targeted by a call centre scam, vowing to take decisive action against these criminal operations. Speaking to reporters, Anutin recounted receiving a suspicious call claiming his credit card had maxed out. “As she had…
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Phuket honours teachers with National Teacher’s Day celebration
Phuket officials commemorated the 69th Teachers’ Day, also known as Wai Khru Day, with an event at Phuket Wittayalai School on Thursday, January 16, honouring educators for their vital role in shaping Thai education. Phuket Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai led the event, which was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education Region 6 Office, the Culture Office of Phuket,…
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‘Stay away’ leaflets target PM’s visit in Yala slammed as fake news
Reports of ominous warning leaflets telling citizens to stay away from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during her visit to Thailand’s southern border provinces have been branded misinformation by local officials. The alleged leaflets were said to have been distributed at key locations in Yala City, including the Yala Central Mosque, Old Market’s Soi 5, and the Jaru Community near Dhamma…
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Population decline: Thailand’s birth rate hits 75-year low
Mahidol University highlighted a significant demographic issue as Thailand recorded fewer than 500,000 births in a year for the first time in 75 years. In 2024, the country registered only 462,240 births, a marked decrease from 519,000 in 2023. Associate Professor Chalermpol Chamchan from Mahidol’s Institute for Population and Social Research noted that this is the fourth consecutive year where…
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Thai minister demands Shinawatra family forfeit Alpine Golf land
Thai Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also leads the Bhumjaithai Party, announced yesterday that the Shinawatra family’s ownership of extensive land at Alpine Golf and Sports Club should be rescinded. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is connected to these holdings through familial ties. Anutin stated that Chamnanwit Terat, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Interior, must ensure the revocation is completed…
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US nominee Rubio vows to stop Uyghur deportations from Thailand
Donald Trump’s nominee for the position of US Secretary of State expressed intentions to persuade Thailand against deporting 48 Uyghurs to China, where they may face persecution. Marco Rubio, during his confirmation hearing in Washington, stated his commitment to this cause. The Republican senator from Florida is anticipated to be confirmed as the leading diplomat under the incoming Trump administration.…
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Herd mentality: Thai activists stomp on elephant birth control plan
Conservationists gathered yesterday to oppose the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s proposal to administer birth control injections to wild elephants. The Soo Phua Chang Network, advocating for elephants, convened at the ministry, urging a delay in the plan until comprehensive studies and reviews of the contraceptive injections are completed. They presented their petition to Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, and Naraphat…
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PM perfects ‘Salaam’ greeting on helicopter to Muslim south
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prepared for a visit to Thailand’s southern Muslim-majority provinces by practising the universal Islamic greeting, “as-salaam alaykum” (peace be upon you), aboard an air force helicopter. Assisted by Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, the PM repeated the greeting several times to perfect her pronunciation. “I practised this earlier too, but I want to get it just right.”…
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Israel to open 13,000 agriculture jobs for Thai workers
Some 13,000 jobs in the agriculture sector are set to be made available for Thai workers, as announced by Israeli Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Avi Dichter. In recent discussions held in Jerusalem, senior Thai officials, including Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Department of Employment Director General Somchai Morakotsriwan, met with Dichter. The Thai delegation visited Beit Hilkia Moshav on…
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Thai PM faces petition over jailed activist adviser appointment
Activist Sonthiya Sawasdee has lodged a petition against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra concerning the appointment of a former jailed activist as her adviser. Sonthiya requested that the Office of the Attorney-General forward his complaint to the Constitutional Court regarding the appointment of Nattawut Saikuar, a significant figure in the red shirt movement, on October 4 last year. Sonthiya claims that…
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