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 Where to shop for sports gear at Jungceylon Phuket
Phuket might be known for its beaches and nightlife, but the island also has a thriving fitness culture. From Muay Thai gyms to beach runs at sunrise, staying active is part of daily life for many who live here (as...
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Paetongtarn rolls out 5 fixes to save Thai tourism
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has issued a rallying cry to save the country’s ailing tourism sector, issuing five urgent orders that aim to transform the Land of Smiles into a global travel magnet. The 38 year old Pheu Thai leader has ordered five emergency measures to turbocharge Thailand’s tourism industry, making it a national priority under the government’s massive…
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Thaksin holds firm as Pheu Thai plans Cabinet shake-up
June is shaping up to be a stormy month in Thai politics, with tensions boiling over amid protests and courtroom drama targeting Pheu Thai’s spiritual leader, Thaksin Shinawatra. Despite rumoured flight and political chaos, Thaksin made a rare public appearance on Tuesday, May 27, dismissing speculation that he had fled the country. His keynote speech at a narcotics control event…
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F1 fever hits Bangkok: Street race plans rev up
Thailand is gearing up for a high-octane future as Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong revealed plans to host the F1 World Championship on a street circuit rather than investing in a dedicated racetrack. This bold move aligns with Formula One’s preference and the private sector’s eagerness to back the event, signalling an exciting chapter for Thai motorsport. Minister Surawong…
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Thai-Cambodian tensions ease as leaders seek peace
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are anticipated to ease as both nations engage in talks to address recent conflicts, said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday. The Thai PM’s comments follow a Facebook statement by Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former prime minister and father of the current leader, after a brief gunfight on Wednesday, May 28, resulted in the death of a…
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Thailand to continue US talks despite court blocking Trump’s tariffs
Thailand will continue negotiations with the US despite a US trade court’s decision to block President Donald Trump’s extensive tariffs on imports, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The 38 year old Thai premier stated that the court’s ruling on Wednesday, May 28, is perceived as an internal US issue, adding that it remains unclear how Trump might proceed. Despite…
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Thailand drops lese majeste charges against US scholar
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has decided to dismiss lese majeste charges against a 58 year old American academic due to insufficient evidence. This decision followed nearly two months after his initial detention, which resulted in US national Paul Chambers losing his job, work visa, and the confiscation of his passport. Earlier this week, the OAG issued an…
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Power to the people: Thailand plots solar rooftop shake-up
Going green could soon get a whole lot easier — and cheaper — for Thai homeowners as the government gears up to dismantle red tape blocking access to solar energy. The Energy Ministry is drafting a groundbreaking new law to supercharge the adoption of solar rooftop systems, aiming to cut through the bureaucracy that has long stifled household clean energy…
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Royal first: Thai king blesses historic LGBTQ+ wedding at palace
In a groundbreaking show of royal support, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen have made history by blessing Thailand’s first-ever royally-sponsored same-sex wedding. On May 19, the royal couple graciously presided over a lavish ceremony at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall in Dusit Palace, honouring the union of Kampol Wongnaree and Nutthabhum Taenseesang. The unprecedented event marks a…
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NBTC seeks detailed analysis on digital TV future in 60 days
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board has instructed its management to deliver a more definitive conclusion within 60 days regarding a study on the future of broadcasting. The board, after discussing the study yesterday, May 28, refrained from reaching a final decision, with NBTC Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck indicating the need for a more comprehensive analysis. The board seeks…
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Thai commerce ministry unveils 10 policies to boost exports
Commerce Minister Phichai Naripthaphan led a policy meeting at the Ministry of Commerce in Bangkok, attended by over 200 participants, including directors from the Department of International Trade Promotion and Thai ambassadors to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The aim was to address challenges in Thai exports and present 10 urgent policies to advance international trade. The meeting saw collaboration…
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Boom to boon: Thailand and US launch elite landmine-clearing hub
From deadly danger zones to safe farmland — Thailand is levelling up its landmine-clearing game with help from the US military. The Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC), in partnership with the United States Department of Defence, has officially opened its state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence on Humanitarian Demining Missions, marking a major step forward in regional efforts to eliminate landmine threats.…
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Thai PM proposes 3.78 trillion baht budget amid opposition criticism
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra submitted a 3.78 trillion baht budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026 to the House of Representatives, initiating a four-day debate with the vote set for Saturday, May 31. The People’s Party criticised the proposal for not addressing current economic challenges, indicating their intention to reject it. Paetongtarn explained that the spending plan was crafted based…
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New regulation updates fees for Thai historical sites and museums
Visitors to Thailand’s national museums and registered historical sites should prepare to pay updated entry fees following a new ministerial regulation announced today. Published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette, the regulation immediately revises the charges for entry to these cultural landmarks, aiming to modernise fees that had remained unchanged since 2008. The culture minister enacted the regulation under the…
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Thai Defence Ministry appoints first ever female spokesperson
The Thai Defence Ministry has appointed its first female spokesperson, marking a major milestone in the traditionally male-dominated military sector. The historic appointment signals a fresh, progressive direction for the ministry’s communications and public engagement efforts. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai approved the appointment yesterday, May 27, making Colonel Dr Dangjai Souvannakitti the first woman to hold…
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PM Paetongtarn champions green economy at Malaysia summit
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made waves yesterday at the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Malaysia, unveiling a three-pronged strategy aimed at boosting economic prosperity, protecting human resources, and preserving the environment. Speaking at the high-profile gathering, the 38 year old Thai premier urged deeper collaboration between ASEAN and Gulf countries to tackle pressing challenges while seizing new…
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Takin’ the mic! Thaksin pops up to preach on drugs
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has emerged from the shadows once again, this time turning up at the country’s top anti-narcotics office to lecture on drugs, all while dodging fresh rumours he’s planning another great escape. The former Thai premier rocked up at the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) in Bangkok yesterday, May 27, brushing aside speculation…
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Phuket anti-corruption chief slams dropped appeal in graft case
Phuket’s top anti-corruption official has sharply criticised the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for declining to appeal the overturned conviction of MaAnn Samran, a former local official convicted of corruption but later acquitted on appeal. MaAnn, once the powerful Chief of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) overseeing Phuket’s prized beach areas, including Bang Tao, was sentenced in…
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SSO approves 900 baht refund for flood-hit Thai provinces
The Royal Gazette has announced new regulations from the Social Security Office (SSO) regarding a 900 baht refund for those insured in 55 affected provinces. This measure, effective today, May 27, aims to alleviate impacts from storms and floods between October 2024 and March 2025. The Ministry of Labour and the SSO have implemented measures to support businesses and insured…
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Pakistan’s top envoy brings friendship mission to Phuket
In a warm show of diplomacy and island hospitality, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Rukhsana Afzal paid a high-profile visit to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday, reaffirming her country’s commitment to deepening ties with the popular tourist province. The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall, was more than just a polite exchange of pleasantries. According to an official report, it marked a…
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Thailand seeks ASEAN Heritage status for Doi Inthanon park
Efforts are underway by the government to have Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP), according to Attapol Charoenshunsa, the chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The announcement followed the 12th ASEAN Heritage Park Committee Meeting (AHPCM) in Bangkok, chaired by Attapol. The meeting included over 100…
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Former Thai protest leaders unite against PM’s father’s influence
Former leaders of major Thai protests, Sondhi Limthongkul and Jatuporn Prompan, who were previously adversaries over the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have publicly united to oppose the father of Thailand’s current prime minister. In 2005, Sondhi launched a campaign against Thaksin on his ASTV satellite television channel, eventually becoming a leader of the yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).…
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Pheu Thai supports Yingluck’s 10bn baht rice compensation battle
The Pheu Thai Party is supporting former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in her legal battle against a court ruling demanding she pay 10 billion baht in compensation related to the rice-pledging scheme from over ten years ago. The party is examining potential legal avenues to contest this decision. Danuporn Punnakanta, a Pheu Thai spokesperson and member of Parliament, stated at…
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PM Paetongtarn pushes UK trade and jobs boost in London talks
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra engaged the UK private sector and Thai businesses in London this week to enhance trade, promote a free trade agreement, and boost employment opportunities for Thais. The discussions on Thursday, May 22, centred around increasing the trade value of agricultural and food products and expanding import channels for Thai goods, including lifestyle products. A Thailand-UK Free…
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Pattaya’s party problem: Festivals fuel chaos, neglect locals
Pattaya’s dazzling festivals and flashy events may light up the city, but not everyone is cheering. Long-term visitor Alan French has fired a stark warning to Pattaya’s mayor, claiming the city is losing its soul by prioritising spectacle over substance. In a blunt letter titled simply “Dear Sir,” French calls out Mayor Poramet Ngampichet for focusing too much on high-profile…
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Thai defence minister warns of potential future coup
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has not dismissed the potential for a future coup in Thailand, urging all sides to reflect on past events to bolster democratic institutions. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 2014 coup by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), he emphasised the need for patience and adherence to democratic processes, warning against…
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Yingluck hit with 10 billion baht rice scandal payout
Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been ordered to pay a staggering 10.028 billion baht in damages over her role in the infamous rice pledging scheme, following a dramatic ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court today. The court overturned a previous lower court decision that had cleared Yingluck of financial liability, instead holding her personally accountable for failing to…
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Senators revolt: Block vote on key appointments amid scandal
Thailand’s political arena is heating up as a group of senators prepares to demand the suspension of a key selection process amid explosive allegations of vote-rigging. A coalition of so-called “minority senators,” led by Premsak Piayura and Nantana Nantavaropas, is gathering signatures to halt the Senate’s scheduled selection of members to several independent organisations during its session May 29-30. The…
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Thailand mandates medical certificates for cannabis use
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced that cannabis users in Thailand will soon need medical certificates to ensure the plant is used for medical purposes only. This decision marks another step in the ongoing process of regulating cannabis use since its decriminalisation nearly three years ago. Somsak stated his intention to refine cannabis regulations in Thailand, highlighting that both foreign…
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Thailand and Maldives seal health boost pact in Geneva
Thailand and the Maldives have sealed a landmark deal to boost public health collaboration, with bold plans to strengthen the Maldives’ primary healthcare and regulatory systems — all signed and sealed during a high-profile global summit in Switzerland. The agreement was inked today, May 21, at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Public Health, Dej-is Khaothong,…
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Prawit takes a tumble at Bangkok’s Wat Pho (video)
General Prawit Wongsuwan, better known as “Big Pom,” took a dramatic tumble down the stairs at Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s most iconic temples, during a royal blessing ceremony on Monday evening. But despite the fall, party officials insist the political heavyweight is in fighting form. The incident occurred on Monday, May 19, just after 7pm, as General Prawit, leader…
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