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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Will the Thai election help sex workers?
Many are hoping to see a change in their country after Thailand‘s upcoming General Election on May 14, and sex workers are no exception. Sex workers are crossing their fingers for the elections to bring about a change in the country’s antiquated sex industry legislation. With an estimated 300,000 people involved in the sex industry, campaigners are working to pass…
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Police attacked while investigating voter fraud, former MP involved
Four to five men attacked a police officer when the officer was investigating voter fraud in a community in the central province of Ratchaburi. The former Member of Parliament (MP) to Ratchaburi from Palang Pracharath Party, Pareena “Ae” Kraikupt, defended the attackers. The officer, identified as Jaruphat Khakaew, suffered neck and knee injuries and had his gun stolen during the…
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Fugitive ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra aims to return home by July
National — The exiled former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, expressed his desire to return home to Thailand by July, before his birthday, to care for his grandchildren. Currently residing in Dubai, Thaksin made the statement on Twitter. He tweeted: “Once again, I would like to ask for permission to return to Thailand from whomever it may concern. I…
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Thailand’s struggle with high household debt and political promises
Kavita Wongyakasem, a 48-year-old business owner in Bangkok, struggles daily to keep her household afloat. Running a company that provides services for a major energy firm, she owns a house in Nonthaburi, drives a pickup truck, and sends her two daughters to good schools. But beneath the surface, she is eight million baht in debt and lacks any cash savings.…
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Huge turnout for advance voting as election nears
Yesterday, advance voting saw a large turnout across the nation, with citizens keen to exercise their democratic rights following a four-year wait. The Election Commission (EC) reported that 2,235,830 individuals registered for early voting yesterday, ahead of the May 14 election. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that the process went smoothly, with only a few minor issues emerging at polling…
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No political vacuum following May 14 election, says deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam addressed concerns regarding the potential for political deadlock following the May 14 General Election. Despite foreseeing a delay in the formation of a new government, he dismissed the possibility of a political vacuum emerging. Wissanu’s remarks come as polls indicate that leading parties are continually growing closer in terms of popularity. While he acknowledges that…
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MFP’s popularity rising as election looms, new poll reveals
The Move Forward Party (MFP) is gaining momentum as Thailand’s General Election approaches, according to a recent pre-election poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). While the Pheu Thai Party continues to lead in terms of constituency and party-list Members of Parliament (MPs), the MFP is rapidly gaining popularity. NIDA’s third pre-election poll was released on Wednesday,…
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Thai youth vote for reform despite political hurdles
Three years ago, 24 year old Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul was at the forefront of a democracy movement in Thailand as thousands of young protesters clashed with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets on the streets of Bangkok. The movement shook the kingdom with its calls for reform and unprecedented demands to curb the power of King Maha Vajiralongkorn but gradually…
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TDRI warns political parties of excessive campaign spending and economic risk
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has issued a warning to major political parties that their primary election campaign projects might be unnecessary as an economic stimulus, given that the country is not currently experiencing a recession. Yesterday, TDRI published a report intended to study and analyse the budget management of political parties, offering recommendations for adapting their future strategies.…
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MFP to avoid joining inter-bloc coalition government after upcoming election
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has announced that they will not be participating in any “inter-bloc” coalition government after the forthcoming election, according to Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, the party’s campaign assistant. During a campaign rally yesterday in Samut Sakhon, Piyabutr stated that the MFP would avoid joining a government formed through “inter-bloc breeding”. This seems to be a reference to a…
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Thaksin’s tweet about grandchild seen as political gambit
Academics speculate that a recent tweet by fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was a political ploy to garner support for the Pheu Thai Party, as pollsters predict it may lose votes to the increasingly popular Move Forward Party (MFP) before the General Election scheduled for May 14. Yesterday, Thaksin tweeted that he would return to Thailand now that his…
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Thai Sang Thai Party leader promises to resolve political divisions
Sudarat Keyuraphan, the leader of the Thai Sang Thai (TST) Party, addressed voters in Chiang Rai yesterday, stating that her party is the ideal choice to resolve deeply rooted political divisions. Speaking to an audience of around 3,000 people in the northeastern province, she explained that these rifts have held the nation back for over 17 years and hindered national…
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US President Joe Biden laughs off age jokes at White House dinner
United States President Joe Biden exhibited good humour as he faced a series of playful jabs about his age at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Biden laughed off the jokes, even managing to deliver some jokes of his own. Prominent figures from Washington’s political and media scene convened in the US capital for the much-awaited annual event which featured…
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Pheu Thai party rally focuses on agriculture, digital wallet policy, and appealing for votes in Nakhon Si Thammarat
The Pheu Thai Party held an enthusiastic rally in Nakhon Si Thammarat, featuring prominent members such as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, candidate for prime minister, and her husband Pik Sukhsawat, as well as party strategist Chaturon Chaisang and director Natthawut Saikua. The candidates for MP seats in their respective districts also echoed the party’s policies and called for local support. During the…
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Chatu Mongol Sonakul to lead new Thai Chana Party into historic election
The Thai Chana Party was officially launched yesterday, with Chatu Mongol Sonakul being nominated as its sole prime ministerial candidate. Party leader Jakkraphong Chuenduang, joined by other members, conducted a shrine installation ceremony at the party’s new operations centre on Pradiphat Road. After the ceremony, campaign vehicles were dispatched to traverse Bangkok. Established in 2021, the party plans to field…
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EC addresses rumours of incomplete voter information documents in Thailand
The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) issued a statement today to clarify the wave of online news claiming that some electoral registration documents with details of certain candidates had been printed with errors, labelling it as fake news. The EC said… “The Election Commission office confirms that the aforementioned news is not a factual error.” Additionally, the EC pointed out…
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Over 800,000 Bangkok residents register for early voting in May 14 General Election
Some 800,000 citizens in Bangkok have registered to cast their ballots ahead of the May 14 General Election, as they intend to engage in early voting on May 7. Among the 2.35 million voters nationwide who have registered for advance voting, numerous are located in Thailand’s capital city, with 74 polling stations available. The largest number of early voters registered…
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Thailand welcomes new controversial Chinese-built amphibious assault ship
Thailand yesterday welcomed a new Chinese-built amphibious assault ship to its naval fleet. The HTMS Chang, a Type 071E landing platform dock, arrived at its homeport in southern Thailand a week after its official handover at the Chinese shipyard. The ship, which left Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding’s facility in Shanghai on Tuesday, April 18, travelled through the Taiwan Strait before arriving at…
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Kanit Sangsubhan joins Palang Pracharath Party to boost southern Thailand’s economy
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) recently announced the appointment of Kanit Sangsubhan, previously a special adviser to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office, as a member of its economic team. This move is intended to bolster the economy in Thailand’s southern border provinces. PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon expressed his delight at welcoming Kanit as a key member of the party,…
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Thai Senate committee discusses foreign satellite regulations
The Thai Senate committee yesterday met to focus on information technology, communication, and telecommunications and convened to discuss the proposed changes by the state telecommunications regulatory body regarding the regulations governing the utilisation of foreign-owned satellites to offer domestic telecommunications services. The gathering presided over by General Anantaporn Kanchanarat, focused on assessing concerns and suggestions raised by the National Broadcasting…
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Democrat Party plan to transform Hat Yai into major economic hub
The Democrat Party in Thailand recently revealed its intentions to rejuvenate its previous plan to turn the commercial district of Hat Yai, located in Songkhla province, into a significant economic centre. This attempt aims to attract more investors to the area. Democrat Party officials mentioned that they are considering the enactment of a special law that would promote the growth…
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Thailand offers 11 billion baht subsidy for low-income electricity bills
The Thai government announced plans to allocate over 11 billion baht to support low-income earners with their electricity bills over the next four months, with the subsidy set to begin in May. However, the proposal needs to be reviewed and approved by the Election Commission (EC) before it becomes official. Following yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha addressed the…
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MFP secretary-general confident of securing at least 100 seats in General Election
Chaithawat Tulathon, secretary-general of the Move Forward Party (MFP), expressed confidence that his party is on track to secure a minimum of 100 House seats in the upcoming General Election. Speaking at a major campaign rally in Samyan Mitrtown, which drew attendees of all age groups, Chaithawat was optimistic about the MFP’s chances of surpassing the now-dissolved Future Forward Party’s…
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Palang Pracharath Party urges Chiang Mai voters to choose change in general election
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has recently urged voters in Chiang Mai to vote for change in the upcoming general election. The party’s leader has advocated for a national reconciliation plan which, he claims, would lead to prosperity and sustainability for the country. Capt. Thamanat Prompow, head of the PPRP’s election strategy panel for the North, addressed a large crowd…
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Overseas voting dates set for Thai election: Apr 25-May 5
Ahead of the Thai General Election set for May 14, eligible Thai voters who reside overseas will have the opportunity to cast their votes between April 25 and May 5. The specific date within this period on which Thais can vote will be determined by the Thai embassy and consulate in each respective country, according to Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary-general for…
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Vote wisely: PM Chan-o-cha’s election appeal
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party’s candidate for prime minister, has called on voters to think carefully before casting their ballots, cautioning that electing the wrong politicians could have disastrous consequences for the country. As part of his election campaign, Prime Minister Chan-o-cha visited Tha Pla district to drum up support for the UTN candidates running…
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Thailand’s PM visits Chiang Mai, a Pheu Thai stronghold
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is hoping to win over supporters in Chiang Mai, a province historically known as a stronghold of support his rival Pheu Thai Party. The No.1 prime ministerial candidate for the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party visited Chiang Mai yesterday in an attempt to sway voters, Bangkok Post reported. Prayut, joined by key UTN Party members including…
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Promises of a corruption-free Thailand: Will political parties deliver their election pledges?
For more than a century, corruption, graft, kickbacks, and bribery have been entrenched in the culture of Thailand. However, political parties in anticipation of the upcoming May 14 General Election are promising to eradicate these issues in their election pledges. But will they? Mana Nimitmongkol, the secretary-general of the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), said that despite the implementation of…
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Thavisin’s strategy: Replace conscription for economic growth
Conscription should be replaced with voluntary enlistment to provide economic benefits, according to Srettha Thavisin, prime ministerial candidate for the Pheu Thai Party. Thavisin expressed his disappointment with a particular politician’s staunch support for maintaining conscription in the name of national defence and patriotism. He asserted that compulsory military service is harmful to the economy, as it diverts skilled professionals…
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Prayut: Conscripted soldiers can benefit from opportunities
Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also holds the position of defence minister, has emphasised his commitment to offering army conscripts chances for educational, occupational, and character development, in order to become contributing members of society. Sharing his thoughts with the press following a Cabinet gathering yesterday, PM Prayut expressed satisfaction upon discovering that certain areas of the military had…
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