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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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House committee formulates 2024 budget proposal
The House committee responsible for scrutinising planning and monitoring budget expenditure is formulating a budget proposal for next year. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by the House in early January. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, the committee’s chair and a list MP of the Move Forward Party, confirmed that the panel is currently processing budget requests from various state agencies. These…
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Shinawatra greenlights 5.1 billion baht for soft power industries and Songkran
The Soft Power National Development Committee, headed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has approved a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost 11 industries in Thailand, including the Songkran festival. The plan includes a grand Songkran celebration, dubbed the World Water Festival – The Songkran Phenomenon, to draw international tourists to Thailand. The announcement was made on December 1. The Soft Power…
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Thai government invites citizens to register debts for resolution
The Thai government is inviting citizens to register their debts, both within and outside the formal system, to alleviate the burden of unregulated debt. This move by Prime Minister Settha Thaweesin and the Ministry of Finance is seen as a national issue, aiming to restore dignity, hope, and stability to Thai citizens suffering from the detrimental effects of unregulated debt.…
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Political prognosis: Advisor probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s health and cell
The health status and incarceration conditions of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have come under the scrutiny of Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, an advisor to the Parliament Committee on Budgeting Study and Budget Administration Follow-up. Somchai is pressing the government to shed light on Thaksin’s situation, 100 days after his transfer to the Police General Hospital following chest pain, hypertension, and low…
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Thai Ministry of Interior launches online registration for debt assistance
The Ministry of Interior has initiated a programme to assist citizens struggling with off-system debt, inviting them to enrol either online or in-person from today, December 1, until February 24 next year. This scheme is part of the government’s efforts to alleviate the impact of high-interest-rate debts on the populace. For online registration, individuals can visit the website https://debt.dopa.go.th. The…
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Thailand boosts traditional medicine to attract wellness tourism
Thailand‘s Public Health Ministry is elevating its endeavours to showcase traditional wellness and medicine as a tourist attraction, in a bid to boost the nation’s revenue. As voiced by Deputy Health Minister Santi Promphat yesterday, the country is renowned for its superior traditional medical knowledge and herbal plant utilisation. Santi was addressing the subject of traditional and alternative Thai medicine…
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Thai nursing students demand government expedite delayed student loans
A group of 60 nursing and public health students from Sri Sa Ket and Nakhon Si Thammarat publicly requested the government to expedite the disbursal of their student loans, which has been delayed for several months. Four representatives from the first-year class of Chalermkarnchana University’s Faculty of Nursing at Sri Sa Ket journeyed to Bangkok to deliver a letter outlining…
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Old paths, new strides: BMA’s overhaul project steps up to refurbish Bangkok’s pathways
Bangkok‘s Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initiated a comprehensive project to refurbish the city’s antiquated pathways. The objective is to create robust and user-friendly pathways that cater to the needs of pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities and wheelchair users, as per the announcement made by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt today, November 30. The renovation project has already taken off, with work…
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Kathu residents eligible for upcoming mayoral election in Phuket
The Phuket branch of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT Phuket) officially announced that residents of the Kathu subdistrict will be eligible to participate in an upcoming mayoral election in January. The announcement was made public through a notice yesterday, November 29, although the official date of the election was not disclosed on Kathu Municipality’s official website or Facebook page.…
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Party-hopper: Ex-PPRP MP’s bold Democrat Party leadership bid
Watanya Bunnag, formerly a list MP belonging to the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), recently expressed her intention to run for the leadership of the Democrat Party (DP), following her switch to the latter in August. The election to decide the party’s leader is set to take place on December 9. Watanya, who currently serves as the chairwoman of the Democrat Party’s…
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Former PM Prayut Chan-o-cha appointed as Thailand Privy Council member
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun yesterday appointed the former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to the Privy Council of Thailand. The Royal Gazette yesterday, November 29, officially announced that His Majesty deemed it fitting to appoint an additional Privy Councillor at this time. The king has graciously chosen former Prime Minister Prayut for this appointment. The Privy Council is a body…
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Bangkok MP’s challenge to Computer Crime Act dismissed by Constitutional Court
Bangkok MP Rukchanok Srinork, representing the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), faced a setback yesterday when the Constitutional Court dismissed her petition concerning the constitutionality of Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act. The court’s decision came via the Criminal Court, which is currently presiding over a case against Rukchanok. The charges against Rukchanok, stemming from a tweet she…
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Bangkok MP Chaiyamphawan joins Thai Progress Party following MFP expulsion
Bangkok MP Chaiyamphawan Manpianjit faces expulsion from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) following accusations of sexual harassment. The MP has now found a new political home, joining another party, a move that ensures he retains his position in the House. The announcement about Chaiyamphawan’s shift to a new party was made late last night, November 28, by his spokesperson,…
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Thailand’s power play: Hosting mega IMF and World Bank meetings in 2026
The Chief of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) unveiled Thailand‘s ambitious proposal to host the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in 2026. On October 15, the Finance Ministry, Bank of Thailand, and IMF and World Bank reps threw ink on a memorandum of understanding, sealing the deal for Thailand to reclaim its throne as…
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Debt dilemma: Households in a financial bind as debt soars, Thai PM pledges change
Thailand is in the grips of a financial crisis, with household debt skyrocketing to a staggering 16.07 trillion baht, a 3.6% surge compared to last year. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin vowed to address the problem of what he calls debt slavery. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) yesterday dropped a bombshell, revealing that Thailand’s household debt is…
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Thai government approves 10% increase for civil servants starting at 18,000 baht
The Thai government approved a 10% salary increase for civil servants over a two-year period, beginning with new recruits. According to Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the first increment is expected to come into effect once the budget for 2024 is approved. Danucha explained that the salary adjustment will initially target newly inducted…
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Democrat Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan embraces eco-friendly Loy Krathong tradition
Prawit Wongsuwan, leader of the Democrat Party (DP), along with key party executives, participated in an environmentally friendly version of the Thai tradition of Loy Krathong. Using biodegradable Krathongs (floating baskets), they wished for the good health and happiness of all Thai people and for illnesses to be swept away by the river current. Prawit, the DP leader, was joined…
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Thailand and Malaysia enhance bilateral relations to boost border trade and tourism
A significant agreement was recently reached between the leaders of Thailand and Malaysia to bolster their bilateral relations, with a specific focus on enhancing border trade and tourism. The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, agreed upon this during their working visit at the newly inaugurated Sadao customs checkpoint in Songkhla. Their meeting, which took…
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Thai hostages freed: House Speaker’s gratitude shines in Hamas release
The release of three Thai hostages held by Hamas was greeted with relief and expressions of gratitude by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. This event, which happened Sunday night, brings the total number of liberated Thai hostages to 17, leaving 15-16 still in captivity. The House Speaker is optimistic about their liberation during the next ceasefire between Israel and…
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Thai deputy PM raises concerns over MFP’s political amnesty bill
Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed reservations about the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) political amnesty bill. The MFP, led by Chaithawat Tulathon, proposed an amnesty for individuals involved in politically motivated incidents dating back to the protests of February 2006. This proposition was initially introduced last year and is now under consideration for parliamentary debate. Phumtham stated that while…
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Former Thai PM Prayut’s wealth grows by 2.8 million baht post-office
Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former prime minister of Thailand, along with his wife, saw their assets increase by 2.8 million baht, while former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan‘s wealth increased by 2 million baht after they left office. This information was released by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Thailand. Prayut and Prawit’s finances garnered significant attention when the NACC released…
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Thai workers left in the lurch: Government’s broken promise leaves evacuees stranded
Thai workers who have evacuated from Israel are facing a nightmare as the government’s pledged financial aid remains elusive. Despite assurances of a 50,000-baht compensation almost a month ago, some Thai workers are still waiting, struggling, and urging authorities to expedite relief. The Thai government’s vow of 50,000 baht in compensation, coupled with low-interest loans and additional funds for Thai workers,…
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Diplomatic dance in the seas: Russian Navy’s Admiral Panteleyev pays surprise visit to Thailand
In a diplomatic spectacle, the Russian Navy‘s Pacific Ocean Fleet, Admiral Panteleyev, has made waves with its visit to Thailand‘s Sattahip, marking a significant diplomatic event—the first since 2019. The vessel was welcomed with the Soviet classic Katyusha performed by an orchestra, setting the stage for a diplomatic dance between nations. A Royal Thai Navy official rolled out the red…
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Political activist to report Prime Minister of Thailand for alleged interference in police appointments
Renowned political activist Srisuwan Janya pledged yesterday to lodge a formal complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) concerning an alleged statement by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The contested statement revolves around the 61 year old prime minister’s reported claim that some members of the Pheu Thai Party had meddled with the appointment process for police station chiefs. The Thailand…
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Thai prime minister faces backlash over alleged police favouritism
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is facing a backlash over alleged favouritism in police selection assignments. During a meeting with Pheu Thai MPs on Tuesday, November 21, the PM mentioned that some Pheu Thai MPs had requested police colonel positions for their preferred officers. While addressing the debt issue in the meeting, PM Srettha proposed a solution involving district chiefs…
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Thailand’s bold leap: Marriage equality legislation set to light up Parliament
Thailand‘s Cabinet greenlighted a historic draft legislation on marriage equality, sparking hopes for a significant stride towards inclusivity. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the pivotal decision on November 21, marking a potential turning point for the nation’s LGBTQ+ community. In a nation renowned for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, the legislation aims to bridge the gap between societal shifts and traditional…
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Thai Interior Ministry to launch nationwide crackdown on influential figures
The nationwide crackdown on influential figures, orchestrated by Thailand’s Interior Ministry, is set to kick off on December 1, confirmed Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiseth. The operation, a collaborative effort between numerous authorities, including provincial administrative organisations, subdistrict administrative organisations, law enforcement and armed forces, is aimed at scrutinising and disbanding networks of these influential figures. A comprehensive list of…
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PM Srettha unveils proactive diplomacy for Thai global influence
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday unveiled a fresh approach to foreign policy, dubbed proactive diplomacy, aimed at empowering Thai representatives abroad to stimulate trade, investment, and tourism, and enhance Thailand’s global influence. The 61 year old prime minister detailed his proactive diplomacy policy at a yearly gathering, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by Thai ambassadors, consul-generals, commerce…
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Swedish embassy appoints Honorary Consul in Phuket to boost Thai-Swedish relations
An Honorary Consul has been appointed in Phuket by the Swedish embassy in Thailand, aiming to amplify Thai-Swedish relations on the popular tourist island. To date this year, there have been 110,000 Swedish tourists in Thailand. Anna Hammargren, the Swedish Ambassador to Thailand, was warmly received by Deputy Governor of Phuket, Amnuay Pinsuwan at the City Hall, during her official…
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Top Thai diplomats convene at forum to strategise foreign policy
Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara yesterday inaugurated a forum for top-ranking diplomats. The forum’s objective is to navigate foreign policy to protect and promote the nation’s interests amidst a progressively divided world. Held in Bangkok, the annual forum concludes on November 24, with 97 Thai ambassadors, consuls-general, charges d’affaires, heads of Thai permanent missions and trade representatives in attendance. In his…
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