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.
-
Sponsored Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
-
Senate passes referendum bill, simplifies majority requirement
The Senate has given initial approval to the referendum bill passed by the House of Representatives, despite significant opposition from some senators. The contentious issue revolves around the bill’s replacement of the referendum’s double majority requirement with a simpler single majority or more than half of the votes cast. At the conclusion of yesterday’s session, the Senate voted 179 to…
-
Pheu Thai Party says no Cabinet seats for Palang Pracharath MPs
Pheu Thai Party MPs met yesterday and agreed to remove members of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) from the new Cabinet. Former Pheu Thai Party Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently revealed that the new Cabinet would be established by the end of August, now only three days away. Phumtham disclosed that some former coalition parties have already submitted the…
-
Thai air force opts for Swedish Gripen jets over US F-16s
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) announced its decision to acquire Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, opting for these over US-made F-16s. A committee within the RTAF reached this conclusion after examining additional details submitted by both contenders. The review, which occurred yesterday, August 27, focused heavily on offsets such as technology transfer and training, key factors in the Thai…
-
New regulation allows convicts to serve time outside Thai prisons
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong staunchly defended a new regulation permitting convicts to be detained outside of prison, addressing concerns that it might unfairly benefit former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The Department of Corrections introduced this regulation to mitigate prison overcrowding, as the current system can only accommodate 150,000 to 160,000 inmates. The current prison population in Thailand stands at approximately…
-
Pattaya City officials invited to China’s Hunan for strengthened ties
Pattaya City officials received a visit from the Vice Governor of Hunan province in China, accompanied by a delegation. They extended an invitation for Pattaya officials to visit Hunan province, aiming to enhance friendship and mutual understanding between Thai and Chinese communities. The initiative seeks to promote shared prosperity through cooperation in economics, trade, tourism, science and technology, culture, education,…
-
PM Paetongtarn denies Thaksin’s influence on Cabinet
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly asserted that she alone will decide on the composition of her Cabinet. This declaration follows concerns that her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, might interfere in her selections. Paetongtarn was officially named Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister on August 18 after securing a majority vote in Parliament. Since then, her coalition partners have been…
-
Thailand’s new anti-smoking rule burns Thai vendors’ profits
Thailand is stepping up its fight against smoking with a hard-hitting new regulation that could hit vendors where it hurts—right in the wallet. Starting last Wednesday, August 21, retail sellers of cigarettes and tobacco are now required to display posters warning of the severe dangers of smoking, or they could be slapped with a fine of up to 5,000 baht.…
-
Thailand’s BRICS ambition: Gateway to economic power?
As Thailand contemplates joining the BRICS economic bloc, the nation’s public and private sectors are buzzing with anticipation over the potential opportunities and benefits. The growing excitement was evident at the International Media Club of Thailand (IMCT)’s inaugural seminar in Bangkok last Thursday, August 22, where two panels dissected the pros and cons of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and…
-
Call for dissolution of Pheu Thai over alleged Thaksin influence
An anonymous complaint submitted last week called on the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) to dissolve the Pheu Thai Party. The complaint alleges that party members have permitted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a non-member, to exert undue influence over its political activities. Channel 3 reported that the dissolution request on Monday, August 19, accused the Pheu Thai Party of…
-
New Cabinet line-up to be finalised by weekend
The new Cabinet line-up is expected to be finalised by the end of the week, according to Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The government plans to immediately address national issues following the announcement of its policy statement in parliament next month. Phumtham, who stepped in as acting prime minister after Srettha Thavisin’s dismissal by the Constitutional Court, confirmed that…
-
Thai government destroys counterfeit goods worth 325 million baht
Thai officials recently conducted a significant destruction of counterfeit and pirated goods in an effort to combat intellectual property rights violations. The ceremony took place at the Air Defence Command headquarters in Don Mueang, Bangkok, and was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham, alongside Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisangpang, Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Wuttikrai Leeviraphan,…
-
Thailand drafts new law to restructure oil prices
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy announced the completion of a draft law aimed at restructuring oil prices. This law is currently under review by a team of legal and energy experts before being presented to the Cabinet and later to the House of Representatives for consideration. Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga emphasised his commitment to ongoing projects despite the…
-
Commerce Ministry promotes Thai SELECT restaurants
The Commerce Ministry launched prototype Thai SELECT restaurants to boost Thailand’s soft power on a global scale. Celebrating its 104th anniversary, the ministry hosted the Driving the Thai Economy with Soft Power exhibition, led by caretaker Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, on the forecourt of its building. Phumtham emphasised the ministry’s dedication to enacting policies aimed at accelerating economic recovery. These…
-
Thaksin drops bombshell on fallout with Prawit
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has finally broken his silence on the real reason behind his dramatic fallout with General Prawit Wongsuwan, the ex-military strongman and current leader of the embattled Palang Pracharath Party. During a question-and-answer session following his keynote speech on Thailand’s future at an event hosted by The Nation media group last night, Thaksin spilled the…
-
Thai-Myanmar gates reopen after sudden closure
The Burmese border town of Phayathonzu, straddling Thailand and Myanmar, was thrown into chaos when its gates were abruptly shut on August 16. The gates, crucial for the movement of goods and people, left locals in a lurch. However, on August 20, relief came as the gates were reopened, much to the delight of residents and traders, one Phayathonzu local…
-
Thailand Department of Rice aids northern farmers after floods
Thailand’s Department of Rice, in collaboration with three rice associations, has donated survival bags and over 50 tonnes of rice to assist northern farmers affected by recent floods. Recent floods have ravaged the northern provinces of Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, leading to extensive damage to homes and farmlands. This disaster has severely impacted the agricultural sector in these…
-
Thaksin denies political deal on return from exile
Thaksin Shinawatra firmly stated yesterday that no political arrangement was crafted with his conservative adversaries to facilitate his return from a 15-year exile last year. The former Thai premier made the statement during an on-stage interview at a forum organised by a local media group. “There is no deal, no one dare do a deal with me.” The 75 year…
-
Scandal erupts over judge’s joke about defunct MFP
A Pheu Thai MP is set to submit an urgent motion in the House of Representatives, calling for an investigation into a Constitutional Court judge’s controversial comments regarding a dissolved political party. The judge, Udom Sittiwirattham, already under scrutiny for his role in dissolving the Move Forward Party (MFP), has now sparked outrage with a flippant remark about the People’s…
-
Harvard comeback: Pita’s return to the political arena
Pita Limjaroenrat, the exiled political leader with unfinished business in Thai politics, is making an unexpected return to his old stomping grounds. The former leader of the now-disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), who’s currently sidelined by a 10-year political ban, snagged a prestigious spot as a Democracy Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School. “This is an exciting opportunity to continue…
-
Shocking survey reveals Thai government’s trust crisis
A recent survey has uncovered a deep-seated distrust among the Thai populace towards their government, with more than 69% of respondents expressing doubts that the government acts in the country’s best interests. Conducted by the Institute of Future Studies for Development (IFD) from August 17 to 20, the survey sampled 1,251 adults nationwide. The findings paint a troubling picture of…
-
Petition claims Bhumjaithai leaders encroached on forest park land
A petition was submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul and the party Secretary-General Chaichanok Chidchob over alleged land encroachment in Khao Kradong Forest Park, Buriram. Lawyer Pattharpong Supassorn lodged the complaint yesterday, August 21, calling for an investigation into a building project on a 5,083-rai land plot owned by the State Railway of Thailand…
-
Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement expected by next year
A free trade agreement (FTA) between Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is anticipated to be finalised by next year, according to officials from Canada and Thailand involved in the discussions. Surin Thanalertkul, the Canadian embassy trade commissioner, along with Martin Sullivan, senior market development officer of the Canada Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO), discussed the…
-
Digital wallet scheme to offer cash option for vulnerable groups
The digital wallet policy conundrum, promoted by the Pheu Thai Party, has taken a new turn, with vulnerable residents potentially receiving 10,000 baht in cash rather than digital currency. Following the leadership change, rumours about the possible cancellation of the digital wallet scheme raised concern among those eagerly anticipating the funds. Many were worried that the new Prime Minister Paetongtarn…
-
People’s Party goes all in: By-election showdown in Phitsanulok
In a high-stakes bid to hold onto their seat in Phitsanulok’s Constituency 1, the People’s Party (PP) is pulling out all the stops. PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and former MP Padipat Suntiphada hit the campaign trail yesterday, August 20, introducing Natachanon Chanaburanasak as their candidate for the upcoming by-election. The by-election, set for September 15, was announced by the Election…
-
Thai PM Paetongtarn’s star-studded birthday bash
Pheu Thai’s 141 MPs gathered yesterday to honour their leader, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on the eve of her 38th birthday. The event, which doubled as a heartfelt thank you to her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was held a day before Paetongtarn’s actual birthday at the party’s headquarters in the Shinawatra 3 Building. Paetongtarn, who officially turns 38 today, kicked off…
-
Pita vows to reform Thailand’s broken political system
Thailand’s political arena has been thrown into disarray once again, as Pita Limjaroenrat, the embattled leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP), issues a stark warning: without judicial reform, the country will continue to go around in circles. Pita’s comments follow two seismic court rulings that not only disbanded his progressive party but also ousted a prime minister, leaving…
-
Thailand minimum wage hike to 400 baht awaits govt decision
The Thai Labour Ministry and employer representatives are eagerly awaiting the new government’s decision on whether to increase the daily minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide, a move that could significantly impact the country’s labour market. Permanent Secretary for Labour Pairoj Chotikasathien stated yesterday, August 20, that while the policy was approved by the Srettha Thavisin administration in May, further…
-
Thai Parliament rings in complaint strategy with medieval twist
The Government of Thailand reintroduced a traditional 13th-century method of lodging complaints, by encouraging residents to ring a bell outside the Parliament building to voice their grievances and concerns. Channel 3 reported today, August 20, that a brand-new bell, crafted in a traditional Thai style, was placed outside the government contact centre at the Parliament building about a week ago.…
-
PPP secretary-general to renounce loyalty to Prawit
The Palang Pracharath Party’s (PPP) embattled secretary-general is set to drop a political bombshell in a press conference this afternoon. The caretaker agriculture minister is widely expected to renounce his loyalty to the party leader, General Prawit Wongsuwan, in a dramatic turn of events that could shake the party to its core. Thamanat Prompow announced the press conference, scheduled for…
-
PM urged to address economic issues affecting vendors
Market vendors are hopeful that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will prioritise addressing the nation’s economic challenges, as escalating costs are impacting their businesses. During a visit to Bang Lamphu Market in Khon Kaen’s Muang district yesterday, August 19, reporters gathered insights from vendors on their expectations from the newly appointed prime minister. The 29 year old, Wannida Nakcha, who sells…
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.