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 New in July: Save 10% for life on family health plans in Thailand
Cigna has a special offer this July for families in Thailand. When you sign up three or more people on a family health plan, you will save 10% on your premiums for life. This deal helps you get affordable, high-quality...
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Pattaya’s long-delayed stadium finally back on track
Once dubbed a never-ending construction nightmare, Pattaya’s 20,000-seat stadium is finally rising — and could open early. After years of delays, controversies, and abandoned construction, Pattaya’s Eastern Sports Stadium is finally back in the spotlight — for the right reasons. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet has revealed that the long-stalled project is now around 53% complete and 51 days ahead of schedule.…
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Bangkok overhaul plan could hand governor more power
Should Bangkok be run more like a country than a city? Politicians think so — and big changes could be coming. Yesterday, May 1, at Bangkok City Hall’s Nopparat Room near the Giant Swing, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt welcomed Members of Parliament to discuss sweeping proposals to overhaul the city’s outdated administration system. The meeting brought together top Bangkok executives and…
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Phuket honours real-life heroes for lifesaving acts
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has honoured eight everyday heroes with certificates of recognition for their bravery, kindness and unwavering service to others throughout 2024. The awards were presented during a ceremony held at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday, April 28, alongside the 4th meeting of the Phuket Provincial Committee and Department Heads for 2025. Governor Sophon, who presided over the…
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Thai Army denies online ops, says it’s just ‘correcting facts’
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) claims that it does not engage in online military-style information-influencing operations but instead provides factual corrections to misleading social media information. During a House Committee on National Security meeting, the army spokesperson discussed the state’s use of social media. The session included representatives from the Office of Policy and Planning, Internal Security Operations Command, and…
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Thai court probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison sentence validity
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions has launched an investigation into whether Thaksin Shinawatra has served his prison sentence. This decision followed the dismissal of a petition by former Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, who questioned whether Thaksin’s admission to Police General Hospital and subsequent stay until parole constituted serving his sentence in a real prison.…
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Bangkok Bank speeds up yuan transfers to boost China trade
Bangkok Bank has launched an expedited yuan transfer service aimed at reducing costs and enhancing trade with China. Pipat Assawamongkol, assistant manager at Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, announced that the bank now offers faster yuan transfers after receiving approval from China’s central bank to use the CIPS (Cross-border Interbank Payment System). The system allows direct transfers to CIPS member…
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Thai agriculture minister boosts lychee farming in Nakhon Phanom
Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat yesterday visited a major lychee farm in Nakhon Phanom province to observe the implementation of policies aimed at enhancing high-value agricultural products and services. Accompanied by Anongnat Jakaew, the agriculture minister’s secretary, and a team of officials, she engaged with local farmers to understand their challenges. The Uthai Rasmilichit Nakhon Phanom 1 lychee variety is a…
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How to hack Thailand’s May holidays for a 10-day break
Get ready to pack your bags—May is shaping up to be a jackpot month for long holidays, and if you play your cards right, you could be lounging for 10 days straight. Hot on the heels of April’s Songkran break, May brings another wave of public holidays that offer golden opportunities for extended rest, road trips or relaxing staycations. Whether…
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Pattaya blitzes illegal signs and sidewalk squatters citywide
Pattaya’s sidewalks just got a little less cluttered and some business owners a lot more nervous. City officials are ramping up their campaign to reclaim public space under the slogan Done, Doing, and Continuing—for Pattaya, with municipal officers hitting the streets to remove illegal signage and unauthorised structures. The latest sweep took place yesterday, April 29, in Jomtien, where businesses…
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British ambassador issues cannabis warning in Phuket
British tourists lighting up in Thailand have been hit with a harsh reminder—bring cannabis home and you could face serious jail time. During an official visit to Phuket on Monday, April 28, British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Gooding urged Thai officials to continue warning tourists that cannabis remains strictly illegal in the UK. The message was delivered during a meeting…
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Thai Cabinet mulls 10,000 baht handout under pressure
The Thai Cabinet will discuss the third phase of the government’s 10,000 baht handout at its meeting next week, with the rollout planned for May to June. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that the schedule remains unchanged. “Everything is well prepared, and no changes have been made.” Approved last month as part of a larger economic stimulus package, this…
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Bhumjaithai loses southern seat in shock Klatham upset
A dramatic political upset has rocked southern Thailand, as the rising Kla Tham Party snatched a crucial seat from the ruling Bhumjaithai Party in Sunday’s by-election. Kongkiat Ketsobat of Kla Tham unofficially clinched victory in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Constituency 8 with 38,680 votes, knocking out Bhumjaithai’s hopes of holding onto the seat. The poll was triggered by the disqualification of former MP Mukdawan…
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Bangkok ranks No. 6 among world’s friendliest cities for expats
Bangkok has been named one of the world’s most expat-friendly cities, securing 6th place in the annual survey conducted by InterNations. While Malaga, Spain, clinched the top spot as the most welcoming city for expatriates, Bangkok’s high ranking highlights the city’s growing appeal to foreigners. According to the survey, expats in Bangkok reported feeling very welcomed by locals, with 67%…
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PM Paetongtarn’s health scare disrupts Nakhon Phanom visit
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Nakhon Phanom province took an unexpected turn yesterday as she battled a high fever and fatigue, forcing her to cancel several key activities. The premier, who appeared visibly unwell, was seen struggling to stay focused during a briefing about cross-border drug issues along the Mekong River. Despite her efforts to push through, Paetongtarn’s…
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Defence minister sets 1 week deadline for southern unrest report
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has given security forces a week to submit a report on their efforts to address the ongoing unrest in Thailand’s southernmost provinces. Yesterday, April 28, Phumtham instructed the Royal Thai Army chief to adopt a more proactive strategy for dealing with security issues in the Deep South. The police and military have…
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Rights group demands action for detained Uyghurs in Thailand
The People’s Empowerment Foundation raised significant concerns regarding seven Uyghur people currently incarcerated in Thailand. Chalida Tajaroensuk, the chair of the civil society organisation, reported to the Bangkok Post that those detained have been split into two groups. The first group, consisting of five Uyghurs, was detained after allegedly escaping a Mukdahan detention centre in 2020. They are serving six-year…
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PM visits Sakon Nakhon to address water quality, support tourism projects
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Sakon Nakhon province today to review water management efforts and receive progress updates from Sakon Nakhon Governor Chusak Ruaying at Don Koen Public Park in Mueang district. The governor reported concerns about the deteriorating water quality and ecosystem of Nong Han Lake, which has become a major discharge point for untreated household wastewater. Rapid weed…
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Three Uyghurs relocated to Canada after decade-long detention in Thailand
Three Uyghurs, formerly held at Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre, have been relocated to a third country, finally putting an end to an extended diplomatic situation lasting over ten years. As confirmed by government and diplomatic sources, the Uyghurs have been transferred to Canada, following an agreement between Thai and Canadian officials. These individuals had been detained since 2014. This…
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PP urges govt to drop charges against US academic for tariff talks
The People’s Party (PP), currently in opposition, is advocating for the government to drop charges against American academic Paul Chambers, highlighting its potential impact on tariff negotiations with the United States. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has associated the delay in tariff discussions with US national security concerns. He also referred to legal cases involving Americans, possibly alluding to the…
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PPRP vows not to rejoin Thai government coalition
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwon affirmed that the PPRP will not re-enter the government coalition. He dispelled rumours suggesting that its MPs had defected to the coalition Kla Dharma Party. Yesterday, April 27, the same day PPRP unveiled a new party logo, Prawit denied any intentions among the party’s MPs to defect, noting that all members were present…
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Thaksin refutes coalition reshuffle rumours in Thailand
In Chiang Mai, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra dismissed speculation that the Bhumjaithai Party might be removed from the coalition, amidst reports of a possible Cabinet reshuffle. Speaking to the media, Thaksin, father of current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, emphasised that decisions regarding the Cabinet rest solely with the PM. He further indicated that any Cabinet changes would be comprehensive,…
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Democrat Party leader calls for change amidst crisis before anniversary
Chalermchai Sri-on, leader of the Democrat Party, underscored the importance of embracing change amidst a significant crisis as the party approaches its 80th anniversary. During the annual general meeting at the Miracle Grand Hotel yesterday, April 26, Chalermchai, who also holds the position of Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, highlighted that the party is in a serious predicament, with…
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Pattaya’s new drainage system ready for rainy season
Pattaya City is gearing up for the rainy season with a major new upgrade to its drainage system, designed to combat flooding in central areas. On Thursday, April 24, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet inspected and tested the newly completed Phase 1 of the Eastern Railway Parallel Road Drainage System, ensuring it’s ready for heavy rainfall. The drainage project, part of…
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Thai-Australian police unite to combat transnational crime networks
Thai and Australian police have initiated a collaborative operation to dismantle transnational criminal networks. This joint effort targets crimes like narcotics, child exploitation, and cryptocurrency-based money laundering, aiming to tackle complex issues that cross international borders. Earlier this month, Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police’s Central Investigation Bureau, led a delegation to Australia for discussions…
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Down with fever: PM Paetongtarn hospitalised after Cambodia trip
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was rushed to the hospital last night after returning from an official trip to Cambodia, according to Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap. “Paetongtarn had a packed schedule in Cambodia from Wednesday to Thursday, meeting with officials and discussing important issues,” Jirayu explained. After departing Cambodia around 2pm yesterday, April 24, she arrived back in Thailand at approximately…
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Audit office blames thin elevator shafts for Bangkok collapse
The State Audit Office (SAO) released a statement addressing the decision to reduce the wall thickness of the elevator shafts in its new 30-storey building, which allegedly contributed to its collapse during an earthquake. The statement clarified that the adjustment in wall thickness was made to comply with appropriate building standards for interior architecture. The construction contract was awarded to…
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Thailand pushes for inclusive job market for silver age workers
Jobsdb by SEEK, Thailand’s leading job platform, is advancing the country’s labour market by supporting the Silver Age workforce, those aged 55 and above, in preparing for a future shaped by AI technology and digital tools. As of yesterday, April 23, the Silver Age group comprises over 13 million people, roughly 20% of Thailand’s workforce, with projections of the country…
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Search is on for Thailand’s next global goodwill heroes
Think you, or someone you know, has what it takes to put Thailand on the global map? The search is on for the next generation of Thailand’s goodwill ambassadors, as nominations open for the fourth annual Thailand Public Diplomacy Awards. Launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Thailand Foundation, the prestigious awards recognise individuals, groups, and organisations whose efforts have…
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Panic button: Thailand to blast phones with emergency alert tests
Don’t panic if your phone suddenly screams at you in May — it’s not the end of the world, just a test. Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has announced a nationwide test of its emergency Cell Broadcast alert system, with thousands of phones set to blare warnings across selected locations. The staged tests are scheduled for May…
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Phumtham denies visa scandal derailed US trade talks
Rumours are swirling about US visa sanctions throwing a spanner in Thailand’s trade negotiations but Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai says it’s all smoke and no fire. In a press briefing yesterday, April 23, Phumtham hit back at claims that visa bans, imposed over Thailand’s controversial deportation of Uyghur refugees to China in February, had sidelined key Thai negotiators from upcoming…
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