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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Thai MotoGP extension revs up for Cabinet approval
The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) plans to extend its MotoGP hosting rights following completed talks, with a five-year deal set for Cabinet approval soon. The proposal, aimed at securing the race’s place on the global calendar until 2031, will be tabled at the upcoming Cabinet meeting on November 4. SAT Governor Dr Kongsak Yodmanee confirmed that negotiations with Dorna…
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Locals ready tractors to reclaim disputed Thai-Cambodian land
A group of villagers and activists in Sa Kaeo province gathered near the Thai-Cambodian border to reclaim farmland they say has been occupied for decades. At the heart of the protest is the Nong Chan border area, where residents say Cambodian nationals have occupied Thai farmland for over 40 years. Today, October 31, more than 200 locals, led by activist…
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Julapun takes Pheu Thai reins after Paetongtarn steps down
The Pheu Thai Party has elected Julapun Amornvivat as its new leader, signalling a fresh chapter for Thailand’s largest political party after Paetongtarn Shinawatra stepped down to avoid ethical scrutiny. Julapun, a five-time Chiang Mai MP and former deputy finance minister, secured 354 out of 369 votes in an extraordinary general assembly held at the party’s headquarters today, October 31.…
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Prince Andrew loses title and royal lodge in scandal fallout
A British royal has been stripped of his title and ordered to leave his Windsor home following renewed scrutiny over ties to a convicted sex offender. Andrew has been officially stripped of his royal title and ordered to vacate his Windsor residence following weeks of mounting scandal over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a stunning announcement…
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Pheu Thai veteran Viroj Pao-in dies at 91 after illness
A former Pheu Thai Party leader passed away at a hospital in Pathum Thani after battling an infection, prompting tributes from political allies and MPs. Thailand’s political landscape bid farewell to a long-serving figure this week as Viroj Pao-in, former caretaker leader of the Pheu Thai Party, passed away at the age of 91. He died from an infection at…
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Thai MP blasted for wearing pink to mourning Parliament session
A Thai MP sparked public outrage after arriving at Parliament in a pink outfit during a mourning session, prompting a party apology and clarification. The incident occurred during a House of Representatives meeting yesterday, October 29, when all attending MPs were expected to wear black as a mark of mourning. Photos later emerged showing Somsak Boonprachom, MP for Ubon Ratchathani…
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Anutin pushes China on rice deal at high-stakes APEC summit
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will ask Chinese President Xi Jinping to speed up a major rice deal during their high-level meeting at the APEC summit in South Korea. Before flying out yesterday, October 29, Anutin confirmed he would request China to fast-track the consideration of importing 500,000 tonnes of Thai rice, a move expected to boost Thailand’s economy and strengthen…
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Border breakthrough: Thailand and Cambodia agree to disarm
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to begin withdrawing heavy weapons from their shared border in a phased plan to ease tensions and restore peace. Both nations have agreed to begin withdrawing heavy weaponry in a phased operation starting November 1. The move follows a high-level Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting at the Chong Chom checkpoint in Surin province. The decision…
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Anutin brushes off China worries over rare earths deal with US
Thailand’s prime minister dismissed concerns that a new rare earth cooperation deal with the US could strain relations with China, calling it goodwill. PM Anutin Charnvirakul made the remarks after returning from the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, addressing media at Don Mueang’s Wing 6 terminal in Bangkok yesterday, October 28. Anutin was responding to questions about the memorandum of…
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Ministry confirms schools can celebrate during mourning
Thailand’s Education Ministry has clarified its stance on school celebrations, confirming that festivities are not banned, despite earlier confusion caused by conflicting guidelines. An urgent notice, issued to private schools yesterday, October 28, cancels the ministry’s previous directive and outlines revised measures. The new guidelines, effective from October 25, came following an executive meeting held on Monday, October 27. Academic…
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Royal tribute: Loy Krathong to proceed with subdued tone
The Ministry of Culture has confirmed that Thailand’s traditional Loy Krathong Festival will go ahead as planned, albeit with a more subdued tone to honour the recent passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother. Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaiset stated that the festival, traditionally marked by colourful celebrations and river lanterns, will continue under the revised theme, Thai Loy…
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Education Ministry denies school event ban during mourning
Thailand’s Education Ministry has denied issuing a blanket ban on school activities during the national mourning period for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, following backlash from parents and educators online. Concerns were sparked after the ministry circulated a directive urging educational institutions to avoid “joyful activities” for one year out of respect. However, Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat has…
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US calls on Thailand, Cambodia to release detained soldiers
The United States has turned up the pressure on Thailand and Cambodia to start the release of 18 detained soldiers without delay, following a new ceasefire agreement signed in the presence of US President Donald Trump. A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington expects swift action now that both Southeast Asian nations have committed to…
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Thai and Cambodian leaders sign peace declaration witnessed by Trump
Thai Prime Minister (PM) Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian PM Hun Manet signed a joint declaration in Malaysia, witnessed by United States President Donald Trump and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim. The ceremony, titled Delivering Peace: Cambodia-Thailand Peace Deal, was held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, October 26. President Trump opened the event by expressing his condolences to Thailand over the passing of…
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Pheu Thai Party to elect new leader as four frontrunners emerge
The Pheu Thai Party will hold a special general assembly on Friday to elect a new leader and executive committee following the resignation of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, according to party sources and a report from Bangkok Post. Paetongtarn stepped down as party leader on October 22, after being disqualified from serving as prime minister by the Constitutional Court in August over…
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Trump pushes Thai-Cambodian peace declaration during Malaysia visit
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur today, on October 26, preceding a signing ceremony for a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, according to a government statement. The agreement, described as a ‘declaration’ rather than a peace deal, is intended to signal a desire to normalise relations, stated a Ministry of Foreign…
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Thai govt denies event ban, urges respect for Queen Sirikit
Thai officials have clarified that no ban has been imposed on private events, urging organisers to adjust activities respectfully during the mourning period for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. The government has clarified that no official ban has been imposed on private entertainment events during the national mourning period for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, urging only that activities…
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PM Anutin delays summit trip to lead Queen Mother funeral plans
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has delayed his planned trip to Malaysia to lead an urgent Cabinet meeting regarding the royal funeral arrangements for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. The Queen Mother passed away at 9.21pm yesterday, October 24, at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, as announced by the Bureau of the Royal Household. In response, the Thai national flag…
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Julapun poised to lead Pheu Thai reboot after Paetongtarn’s exit
The Pheu Thai Party is undergoing a major leadership shakeup after Paetongtarn Shinawatra resigned, paving the way for a new figure to guide the party through political headwinds. The shakeup has positioned Julapun Amornvivat as the leading candidate to take the reins, with a formal decision expected at the party’s general assembly on October 31. Julapun, known for his moderate…
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SRT ramps up legal fight over land grabs in Buriram plots
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has launched fresh legal action to evict those occupying its land in Buriram, aiming to reclaim 15 plots through the courts. The SRT is intensifying its efforts to reclaim state land in Buriram, filing fresh lawsuits to evict alleged trespassers from 15 plots in the Khao Kradong area. The move follows earlier legal action…
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Prince Andrew accused of royal romps on Thai taxpayer dime
A former UK official has alleged that Prince Andrew used taxpayer-funded trips to Thailand to meet women while serving as a government trade representative. According to Ian Proud, a former senior diplomat at the British Embassy in Bangkok, the disgraced royal regularly mixed business with pleasure during his visits to Thailand as the UK’s special trade envoy. “The prince would…
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PM Anutin pushes 4am pub hours and nationwide booze revamp
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has proposed lifting alcohol zoning laws and extending pub hours to boost revenue and modernise nightlife regulations nationwide. Anutin has ordered the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Health to study the nationwide removal of zoning restrictions on alcohol sales and extend closing times for entertainment venues from 2am to 4am. The plan also…
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Thailand and Cambodia to sign peace pact at ASEAN Summit
Thailand and Cambodia plan to sign a declaration at a regional summit to ease border tensions and boost cooperation on security and territorial issues. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow revealed that both nations are expected to officially sign the Declaration of Thai-Cambodian Relations during the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, held from October 25 to 28. The agreement is poised to…
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Finance minister of Thailand resigns after 33 days amid scam allegations
The finance minister resigned from his position yesterday, October 22, after 33 days of working due to an accusation of involvement in the call centre scam network based in Cambodia. The Minister of Finance, Vorapak Tanyawong, who is the former president of Krung Thai Bank, recently joined the government under the lead of the Prime Minister (PM) Anutin Charnvirakul on…
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Thailand scraps poker permits in major anti-gambling push
The Ministry of Interior has issued a sweeping order banning all poker and card games across Thailand, in line with the government’s strict anti-gambling policy. Signed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the order No. 3179/2568 was made public today, October 22, and takes immediate effect. It fully revokes a previous order from July and suspends all existing…
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Thai House passes Clean Air Bill in sweeping 308–0 vote
Thailand’s House of Representatives has unanimously passed a new Clean Air Bill, aiming to crack down on pollution and protect public health nationwide. All 308 MPs present, from both coalition and opposition parties, voted in favour after three days of heated debate. The bill, which passed its third reading yesterday, October 21, will now move to the Senate for further…
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Curtain call: Paetongtarn quits Pheu Thai ahead of party shake-up
Former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is expected to formally resign as leader of the Pheu Thai Party this week, with senior figures set to meet at the party’s Bangkok headquarters this morning to confirm her departure. According to party sources, the meeting was scheduled to begin with a gathering of MPs at 8.30am today, October 22, followed by a session…
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Thai construction giant denies links to call centre scam after MPs’ claims
One of Thailand’s leading construction companies, Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction Public Company Limited (STECON), filed a complaint against two Members of Parliament (MPs) from the People’s Party, claiming both accused the company of involvement in a call centre scam network. The United States and United Kingdom recently accused the Prince Holding Group, owned by 32 year old Chinese-born Chen Zhi,…
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Thai defence minister warns Cambodia: No deal, no summit
Thailand’s defence minister warned Cambodia that if border talks fail, there will be no peace deal, no ASEAN summit signing, and no further negotiations. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated as Defence Minister General Nattapol Nakphanit issued a firm ultimatum over ongoing border negotiations. Speaking at Government House at 9.35am today, October 21, General Nattapol declared that the upcoming Thai-Cambodian…
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Thailand rolls out free dialysis as kidney disease cases soar
Thailand’s public health ministry has launched a free dialysis campaign to tackle rising chronic kidney disease cases and promote early prevention nationwide. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat announced a nationwide campaign to provide free dialysis and promote early screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The campaign aims to raise awareness, expand access to treatment and encourage lifestyle changes to prevent…
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