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.
-
Philippines hosts talks as Thailand, Cambodia seek renewed trust
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to rebuild trust and open a new chapter in bilateral relations after three-way talks initiated by the Philippines during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu yesterday, May 7. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the Shangri-La Mactan hotel in Cebu to discuss the Thailand-Cambodia situation,…
-
Several figures enter race ahead of Bangkok governor election in June
Several candidates began presenting their campaigns ahead of the Bangkok governor election 2026, while the current governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, announced that he would start his campaign after his term ends this month. The terms of Chadchart and members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council are scheduled to expire on May 21. Elections for the Bangkok governor and 50 council members representing…
-
Thaksin and family question EM bracelet ahead of prison release
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been approved for parole and is set to leave Klong Prem Central Prison on May 11, though his lawyer says Thaksin has questioned a requirement to wear an electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet given his age and health condition. Lawyer Winyat Chatmontree told reporters yesterday, April 30, that a Justice Ministry sub-committee had included Thaksin’s…
-
Thaksin to return home under probation after parole set for May 11
Former Prime Minister (PM) Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be released on parole on May 11, with authorities requiring him to complete a four-month probation period before his full release in September. The 23rd PM of Thailand, Thaksin, entered Khlong Prem Central Prison on September 9 last year to serve a one-year sentence linked to his stay at Police General…
-
Thai FM expresses frustration with US over war fallout
Thailand’s foreign minister has voiced frustration with the US, saying Washington offered no direct help to its long-standing treaty ally as rising fuel, fertiliser, and shipping costs from the US-Israel war against Iran continue to plague Thailand. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told The Washington Post that the Trump administration appeared aware of the damage but…
-
Cambodia pushes back against ‘Scambodia’ label in US media
Cambodia protested against the use of the term “Scambodia” in a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article published on April 19, demanding its removal, which WSJ refused. The article, titled “How Cybercrime became a leading industry in ‘Scambodia’,” stated that Cambodia is a major global hub for scam operations, with compounds described as being the size of small towns. It also claimed…
-
Thailand cites Cambodia attacks, scam syndicates in UN reply
Thailand exercised its right of reply on April 22 at the 2026 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Forum on Financing for Development Follow-up, in response to allegations of Thai provocation by Cambodia during the General Debate. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, reiterated that Thailand has consistently supported peace-building, nation-building, and development in…
-
MPs push law reform over unlicensed nightlife venues
Concerns over the regulation and licensing of nightlife venues in Bangkok and other tourist areas were formally raised today, April 22, after Members of Parliament highlighted widespread non-compliance under current laws, pointing out Khao San Road as an example. People’s Party MP for Bangkok, Bhuntin Noumjerm, along with fellow Bangkok MPs Paramait Vithayaruksun and Chorayuth Chaturapornprasit, and Nakhon Ratchasima MP Nueng…
-
Thailand seeks closer cooperation in Myanmar visit
Thailand said talks with Myanmar’s new leadership today, April 22, would focus on key bilateral and regional issues, including border security, pollution and the country’s return to ASEAN. Speaking in Naypyidaw at 8.15am local time, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the official visit had three main objectives. The first was to congratulate Myanmar on the formation…
-
US visa applicants must now set social media accounts to public
The United States has expanded screening requirements for the US visa applicants, requiring individuals in multiple non-immigrant visa categories to set their social media accounts to public to support vetting under US law. The update, announced by the US Department of State and shared by the US Embassy in Bangkok on April 20, applies to applicants across a wide range…
-
Thailand outlines military capability in 2027 budget
Military capability and national sovereignty will be central to the Thailand defence budget 2027, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today, April 20, as the government unveiled a 3.788 trillion baht spending plan amid mounting global uncertainty. Addressing a budget policy seminar at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi, Anutin pointed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as evidence…
-
Rak Chart Party submits UNESCO letter urging tighter review
Representatives of the Rak Chart Party travelled to Paris, France, to submit a letter to UNESCO headquarters today, April 12, expressing appreciation for its recognition of Thai cultural heritage while also calling for careful evaluation of world heritage registrations. The delegation, led by party director Chanin Pinthong and spokesperson Chaiporn Jirawinijnan, said the visit aimed to thank UNESCO for acknowledging…
-
PM thanks public for furl saving during energy crisis
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul thanked the public for reducing fuel use as the country faces an ongoing energy crisis. The Secretary-General of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Danucha Phitchayanan, said he met with Anutin to provide an update on fuel sales. He reported that fuel usage has declined since April 5, particularly diesel. Daily…
-
Thailand welcomes US-Iran ceasefire, urges serious talks
Thailand has welcomed a reported two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that it will lead to lasting peace in the Middle East, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said yesterday, April 8. The minister said the conflict and violence had caused widespread damage in Iran and across the region, with the impact…
-
Three missing Mayuree Naree crew members confirmed dead
Three crew members of the Mayuree Naree vessel have been confirmed dead following an attack by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, Thailand’s foreign minister said yesterday, April 8. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that rescue teams from Iran and Oman were able to enter the ship and confirmed the deaths of the three crew…
-
Thailand diesel price drops 2.14 baht from April 9
Thailand will cut diesel price by 2.14 baht per litre from tomorrow, April 9, marking a historic first-time reduction in fuel prices. Energy Minister Akanat Promphan, who also chairs the Fuel Fund Management Committee, said refinery prices for both B7 and B20 diesel would be reduced by 2 baht from tomorrow. The move will lower retail prices at petrol stations nationwide…
-
US military aircraft presence at Krabi Airport raises questions
Residents in Krabi have raised questions after multiple United States military aircraft were seen operating at Krabi International Airport yesterday, April 7, with frequent take-offs and landings reported throughout the day and night. Videos shared widely on social media showed several aircraft, including C-130, MV-22 Osprey and H-60 Seahawk, flying at low altitude and producing loud noise. Witnesses said the…
-
DSI investigates into 57 million litres of fuel missing in Surat Thani
Thailand’s Justice Ministry launched a probe into suspected fuel stockpiling during the energy crisis and found that 57 million litres of fuel went missing during tanker deliveries to Surat Thani. The Justice Ministry, Royal Thai Police and provincial administrative offices nationwide inspected fuel storage following concerns over shortages and rising prices. The operation aimed to prevent major energy companies from…
-
Anutin unveils budget cuts, fuel sale limit amid energy crisis
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced a package of Thailand energy crisis measures after a Cabinet meeting yesterday, April 6, including budget cuts to fund public support and a plan to limit fuel sales. Anutin and the newly appointed Cabinet issued the announcement after discussing measures to address and prevent fuel shortages. He said conflict in the Middle East continued to…
-
MP pushes back against Clean Air Bill as Thais are ‘breathing dust to death’
Thai netizens, today, April 3, slammed objections to the Clean Air Bill, which were raised in Parliament, as people in North Thailand continued to face severe PM2.5 pollution. The issue stemmed from remarks made by Bhumjaithai Party list MP Supachai Jaisamut during a House of Representatives meeting on April 1, when he raised concerns about the draft Clean Air Bill,…
-
Koh Pha Ngan to revoke visas of American-Israeli tourists
Officials on Koh Pha Ngan agreed on March 31 to revoke the tourist visas of three Israeli visitors, including one described as an American national of Israeli ethnicity, after a review found their behaviour could affect public order and security. The district-level committee met at 3pm at the Koh Pha Ngan District Office in Surat Thani. It was set up…
-
Transport boss announces boycott of PT petrol station
A Thai transport company owner announced a boycott of PT petrol stations, saying comments made by Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, a shareholder in the company, amounted to shifting the burden onto the public. K.Laopilao company owner, 39 year old Daechawat, posted the instruction on Facebook, telling staff to stop refuelling at PT stations and to avoid using any services at…
-
Justice Ministry names 10 inmates for release including ex-PM Thaksin
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is among 10 prisoners set to be released on parole, with the release schedule expected to be finalised within the next two months. Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison for several legal offences linked to his time in office. His prison term was later reduced to…
-
Search finds no trace of missing Thai crew after Mayuree Naree attack
Three Thai crew members from the Mayuree Naree cargo ship remain missing after the ship attack in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, with the vessel’s operator saying an extensive search found no trace of them. The Mayuree Naree was attacked by the Iranian military while departing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and travelling to India. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary…
-
E-cigarette users in Thailand rise 11-fold in three years despite ban
A network of e-cigarette users has urged Thailand’s new government to review the country’s e-cigarette ban, citing official data showing use has risen sharply despite more than a decade of prohibition. The group cited figures from the National Statistical Office, saying the number of e-cigarette users increased from 78,742 in 2021 to about 900,000 in 2024, an increase of more…
-
Study trip or tourism? Thai govt spending on overseas trips tops 2.5bn baht
The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) says Thai government state agencies spent at least 2.5 billion baht on overseas study trips over the past 10 years, money it says could have funded more than 100 million school lunches. Secretary-General of ACT, Mana Nimitmongkol, raised the issue in a Facebook post titled Stop overseas study trips disguised as tourism. He said…
-
Senator proposes law requiring public to stand during royal anthem
During a March 24 Senate session, a senator proposed amending the law to require people to stand in respect when the royal anthem is played, arguing that the Thai national anthem is protected by law, while the royal anthem is not. The proposal was raised by Senator Alongkot Worakee, who updated the chamber on the work of a special committee…
-
Minister to drop lawsuit over berry picker bribery claims
A former labour minister said he will withdraw defamation lawsuits filed against a local news editor over reporting linked to allegations of bribery connected to Thai berry pickers sent to work in Finland and Sweden. The current Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Suchart Chomklin, who previously served as labour minister, said he would withdraw the cases against The Isaan Record…
-
Visa-free stay cut will not affect tourism, Thai foreign minister says
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Puangketkaew said today, March 24, that a proposal to cut the visa-free stay for tourists from 60 days to 30 days will not affect tourism, saying the change is intended to address misuse of the visa-free period. Sihasak spoke ahead of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ annual 2026 seminar for consular officials worldwide, where he also…
-
US issues alert urging Americans to exercise increased caution
The US Department of State issued a worldwide security alert advising US citizens to exercise increased caution, citing an escalating US-Israel-Iran war. In the alert issued yesterday, March 22, the department urged US citizens, particularly those in Middle Eastern countries, to take extra precautions and follow security guidance provided by the nearest US embassy or consulate. The department said US diplomatic…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.