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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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?...
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Thai senator sparks outrage for disrespecting protected moss in Iceland and facing public rebuke
A video that went viral on social media depicted a Thai gentleman displaying rather impolite behaviour towards a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Senator Dr Porntip Rojanasunan, during her overseas travels. This gentleman employed a series of unkind words in both the Thai and English languages, thereby eliciting a broad spectrum of criticism on various social media platforms. Opinions…
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MFP faces corruption probe over contentious Deputy House Speaker expulsion
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has come under scrutiny in a corruption probe following the contentious expulsion of Deputy House Speaker Padipat Santipada. Known activist Srisuwan Janya announced his intention to petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate the incident. The MFP’s move was viewed with suspicion, with Srisuwan and several political observers deeming it a tactic to simultaneously…
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MFP ousts deputy speaker in controversial political manoeuvre
Political manoeuvres have seen Deputy House Speaker Padipat Santipada ousted from the Move Forward Party (MFP), a strategic move that preserves the position for MFP allies while the party transitions into its new function as the primary opposition party. This was the consensus amongst politicians and academics alike. Padipat, having been given an ultimatum by the MFP, made the decision…
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Thailand and Cambodia to boost bilateral trade
Thailand’s commitment to deepen ties with Cambodia has been firmly established, with both nations aiming to boost bilateral trade volume to US$15 billion (551 billion baht) by 2025. This was confirmed by government spokesman, Chai Wacharonke, following a significant meeting between Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet. The meeting, which took place in Phnom Penh,…
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Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, gives all salary to charity
Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin today declared that he will not accept his 125,590 baht monthly PM salary while he is in office, adding he will donate it to charity. PM Office spokesperson Chai Watcharong said PM Srettha stressed to officials that charity is a good thing and everyone can do good according to their ability. To extend the…
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Border Banter: Thai and Cambodian PMs tackle disputes and scams in talks
The discussion between Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, will primarily revolve around the issues of Thai-Cambodia border disputes and call centre scams. The meeting is regarded as a significant move towards strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations, as this is the Thai PM’s first visit to an Association of Southeast…
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Thailand’s education minister takes ‘no-conflict’ stance to school corruption
In a bold move against corruption, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, Thailand’s Education Minister, issued directives to all education officials, mandating the avoidance of potential conflicts of interest. This action aims to eradicate graft, corruption, and fraud which can stem from such conflicts. Concerning this, Pol. Gen. Permpoon stated that all agencies must strive for total transparency and accountability. He believes,…
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Royal rumble: Four years behind bars for outspoken lawyer and Thai activist
A prominent Thai activist and lawyer, known for his brazen calls for reforms in Thailand’s monarchy, received a four-year prison sentence today over charges of royal insults, a verdict confirmed by both the judge and his legal counsel. Arnon Nampa emerged as a notable figure during the pro-democracy demonstrations in 2020, where the Thai activist publicly advocated for a discourse…
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Move Forward Party welcomes new spokesperson: Prisath Wasinsathu
The ex-president of the advisory board of the Move Forward Party (MFP) congratulated Parit Wacharasindhu on his appointment as the new spokesperson for the party. Supporting him in the role are two deputy spokespersons, Krunphon Tiansuwan and Phakamon Hunnanan. Former MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat shared his enthusiasm for the new spokesperson in a lively post. He expressed his joy for Prisath, referring…
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Thai PM’s foreign policy balancing act between US and China under scrutiny
The Thai government is confronted with the challenge of sustaining a balanced foreign policy in the face of escalating tensions between the United States and China. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, fresh from his appointment, embarked on his maiden foreign journey to New York where he is presently participating in the 78 Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) and…
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Thai PM denies plans to appoint Thaksin Shinawatra as adviser post-prison
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin denied reports that he plans to appoint former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his adviser upon his release from prison. PM Srettha addressed these reports while attending the 78 Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The 61 year old PM clarified that he was asked by a journalist if he…
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Thai government employees struggle with debt, support higher graduate pay
A recent survey by the National Institute for Development Administration (NIDA) revealed that a significant number of government officials and state enterprise employees are burdened with debt. Moreover, the same group of respondents expressed their support for the government’s policy to set the starting monthly salary for bachelor’s degree graduates at 25,000 baht. The NIDA Poll, carried out from September…
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MFP elects Chaithawat Tulathon as leader amid Pita MP status uncertainty
Previously the secretary general of the Move Forward Party (MFP), Chaithawat Tulathon was elected as the new leader, succeeding Pita Limjaroenrat. Pita resigned amid ongoing uncertainty regarding his Member of Parliament status. Chaithawat, however, indicated this may be a temporary measure, as he and the new executive committee members are prepared to step aside, should Pita be able to resume…
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Thai PM sparks debate with plans to seek advice from ex-PM Thaksin
The Thai Prime Minister and Finance Minister has sparked heated debates among politicians with his new intention to seek counsel from former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, upon his release from prison. Srettha Thavisin revealed in an interview with Bloomberg Television that he values Thaksin’s political advice, describing him as the country’s most popular prime minister, hence “it would be unwise of…
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Thai-US relations: Strengthening trade ties with Estonian E-Government expertise
The Prime Minister of Thailand announced that he has plans to bolster trade relations with the United States. This comes as the two nations observe their 190th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The announcement was made following a meeting between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and US President Joe Biden during a gala dinner, organised by the US-ASEAN Business Council and…
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Thai Prime Minister Srettha rolls up changes: Strict revisions ahead for cannabis laws
The Prime Minister of Thailand announced plans to revise the nation’s cannabis law and put an end to the free use of cannabis. PM Srettha Thavisin emphasized that cannabis should be used only for medical purposes. As Thailand was the first country in Asia to remove cannabis from its list of illegal narcotics last year, Bloomberg interviewed Thai PM Srettha about…
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Former FFP MP, Pannika Wanich, banned for life for disrespecting Thai monarchy
The Supreme Court issued an official notice, permanently banning former Future Forward Party (FFP) MP Pannika “Chor” Wanich from participating in elections and holding political positions for life, following her display of disrespect towards the monarchy. This action stems from a 2019 Facebook post by Chor, which prompted the secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution,…
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Govt criticised after Miss Universe Singapore sets to combat human trafficking in Thailand
Thai netizens criticised the Thai government after the newly crowned Miss Universe Singapore expressed her commitment to combatting human trafficking in Thailand. Priyanka Annuncia, who was crowned 2023 Miss Universe Singapore during the final competition at the Amber Lounge at Millenia Walk last Saturday, September 16, announced her promise to combat human trafficking in Thailand after the prestigious ceremony. With…
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Malaysian Economy Minister roasted over ‘eating out’ remark amid global financial turmoil
Malaysians are expressing their frustration towards their Economy Minister, following an interview where he claimed the public’s financial struggles are due to their preference for eating out, rather than being economical. This criticism comes as various countries worldwide are grappling with economic issues, particularly income disparity and poverty. Malaysia is among those nations facing these issues, with most of its…
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Thailand reviews taxes and launches digital wallet to tackle income disparity
The Finance Ministry of Thailand is set to review the new land and building tax and the inheritance tax and launch the digital wallet following an order from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The move aims to mitigate income disparity in the nation. PM Srettha, who also holds the Finance Minister post, gave the directive subsequent to the appointment of a new…
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Thai citizens suspect state officials’ collusion with mafia-style figures, survey shows
A significant proportion of Thai citizens suspect some state officials, including the police, of colluding with mafia-style influential figures, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). The survey, carried out from September 12 to 14, involved telephone interviews with 1,310 participants over the age of 18, representing a diverse range of educational backgrounds,…
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Thai education minister’s appointment in question over Red Bull heir scandal
The recent appointment of Education Minister, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, has been challenged by the Move Forward Party (MFP), following allegations of his involvement in aiding Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, the heir to the Red Bull fortune, to evade prosecution. MFP MP Teerajchai Phunthumas voiced these concerns during a press briefing yesterday, September 15. He drew attention to the National Anti-Corruption…
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Critical condition: Thai activist’s battle against stomach tumour prompts urgent hospital transfer
Thai political activist Ekachai Hongkangwan remains in a critical condition due to a stomach tumour, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The lawyers requested the Department of Corrections to urgently transfer Ekachai to Thammasat University Hospital for treatment. The tumour, as revealed by tests, measures 11 centimetres in length and 8cm in width. The 48 year old Thai activist was…
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Thai consumer confidence surges as new government takes charge, but high living costs cast a shadow
Last month saw a rise in consumer confidence following the swift establishment of a new government, although concerns about the high cost of living and the sluggish global economy remain. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) revealed that the consumer confidence index rose to 56.9 from 55.6 in July. This uplift was attributed to the easing of…
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Thai PM’s digital wallet pick: Pao Tang app unlocks blockchain integration
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday that the government has chosen the Pao Tang app, operated by Krungthai Bank, for its digital wallet initiative. The integration of the app with blockchain technology was confirmed by Srettha during a policy meeting with executives from the Finance Ministry. The government is prepared with a sufficient budget to roll out a 10,000 baht…
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ASEAN air force leaders’ meet in Myanmar with Thai Air Force on board
A meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) air force leaders, chaired by Myanmar, is currently underway with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in attendance. The conference in Nay Pyi Taw sees the participation of ACM Alongkorn Wannarot, the RTAF commander, alongside air force leaders from Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Brunei, according to a report by activist…
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Bangkok Special Prison seeks ‘checkup’ on ex-PM Thaksin at police hospital
Bangkok Special Prison is set to send an inquiry to the medical team at the Police Hospital about the condition of former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been receiving treatment there. Thaksin has been in the hospital for almost a month, and the prison officials, led by Nasathi Thongplod, insist on following doctors’ orders above all else. Even…
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Scandal unearthed: Thai minister’s wife faces corruption charges over 20 million baht construction project
Rodjana Kantinan, the spouse of Kriang Kantinan, Deputy Interior Minister and a member of the Pheu Thai Party, is currently under investigation for allegations of malfeasance surrounding a construction project. The project in question unfolded in 2012 during Rodjana’s tenure as the Mayor of Nakhon Ubon Ratchathani Municipality, situated within the Ubon Ratchathani province. Isranews Agency reported on Monday that…
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Thai PM ‘splits’ salary option sparks debate among civil servants
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday responded to criticisms surrounding the recent Cabinet resolution, which offers civil servants the option of receiving their monthly salary in two instalments instead of the usual single payment. The resolution, primarily aimed at stimulating the economy, was unveiled during the first Cabinet meeting of his administration on Wednesday and is tentatively set to start in January.…
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Activists demand ex-PM Thaksin’s return to prison amid health condition scepticism
A coalition of political activists and reform campaigners, led by Pichit Chaimongkol, yesterday demanded the reinstatement of public faith in the rule of law. They have urged Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to ensure the re-incarceration of former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. The 74 year old former PM, who recently returned from a 15-year self-imposed exile on August 22, had a…
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