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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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MFP supports Pheu Thai’s two charter amendments referendums
The Move Forward Party (MFP) backs Pheu Thai‘s proposal for two referendums on charter amendments, promising to reshape Thailand‘s political landscape. Parit Wacharasindhu, an MFP list-MP and the party’s spokesperson, declared on Tuesday, January 23, the MFP’s full-throated endorsement of Pheu Thai’s deputy leader, Chusak Sirinil’s, proposition for just two referendums, stating that it’s a cost-effective and time-efficient approach. Not…
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Tourism minister presents six proposals to boost ASEAN relations
The Minister of Tourism and Sports received the Cabinet‘s approval for six proposals set to revolutionise ASEAN tourism. The Cabinet’s green light paves the way for Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol to champion regional partnerships at the 27th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers in Vientiane, Laos. In an exclusive statement on January 23, Minister Sudawan disclosed the approved documents, each designed to…
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DSI officials prosecuted for alleged corruption
Former Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, alongside three confidants, launched a lawsuit against top officials of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). The former DSI director-general, the acting DSI director-general, and the director of the Human Trafficking Cases Division were accused of being involved in a corrupt scheme. Suchart, flanked by his associates, addressed the media with a bombshell revelation. According…
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Thailand aims to become Asian aviation hub, says Thai PM
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin outlined plans to transform Thailand into an Asian aviation hub. The announcement was made during his keynote speech at the Thailand 2024 The Great Challenges event. He highlighted the government’s focus on tourism and the introduction of several measures to boost the industry, including reciprocal visa exemption programmes. A reciprocal visa exemption deal will be signed…
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Anti-corruption bootcamp at Prachuap Khiri Khan unravels secrets
Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan, led by key figures from the Hua Hin Municipality, have embarked on a rigorous training programme to fortify integrity and transparency within governmental operations. The training took place on January 22 at the Koh Lak Meeting Room in Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Hall. The province, in collaboration with the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission…
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Thai passport holders visa waiver with China boosts tourism
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the imminent signing of a visa waiver agreement between Thailand and China. The deal, to be sealed on Friday during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Thailand, promises to liberate citizens from both nations to explore each other’s territories freely, igniting a tourism revolution. Addressing the crowd at the Thailand 2024 – The…
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Thai senator pushes government to solve Cambodia border dispute
Senator Khamnoon Sitthisaman has thrown a spotlight on an unresolved maritime dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, urging the government to address the issue before diving into talks on joint development of a 26,000-square-kilometre energy-rich area in the Gulf of Thailand. The senator’s call for prompt action comes as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gears up for crucial discussions with Cambodian Prime…
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Thai PM announces stimulus measures amidst economic crisis
Acknowledging Thailand’s struggling economy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also serves as the Finance Minister, said today the government is set to introduce a series of stimulus measures to bolster growth. This revelation comes amidst criticism from Bank of Thailand‘s (BoT) Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, who argued that the government’s efforts will not rectify the underlying structural problems at the root…
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Former MFP opposition leader Pita’s fate hangs on Constitutional Court verdict
All eyes will be fixed on today’s Constitutional Court ruling, a potential game-changer in the media shareholding scandal involving Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP). The court’s decision could determine his political destiny, with the looming threat of losing his MP status. Legal expert Komsan Phokong weighed in on the pivotal case, hinting at…
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Mobile Cabinet allocates 552 million baht for Andaman Coast development
A total of 552 million baht (US$15 million) has been allocated by the mobile Cabinet towards the development of 18 new projects across six southern provinces on the Andaman Coast. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday, January 23, after a Cabinet meeting in Ranong. The projects, proposed by the Joint Public and Private Sector Consultative Committee responsible for the southern…
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PM Srettha promises to consider opposition’s concerns on Land Bridge megaproject
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin assured opposition groups that he would take into account their concerns regarding the Land Bridge megaproject. The discussions took place at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University’s education centre in Ranong, following a mobile Cabinet meeting. The megaproject, valued at 1 trillion baht, is designed to create a logistics network linking Ranong with Chumphon. It consists of a…
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German president’s state visit to Thailand after 22 years sparks hope
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier embarked on a state visit to Thailand today, following an invitation extended by Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand. This marks the first visit by a German president to Thailand in 22 years, as stated by Chai Watcharonke, the Thai Government Spokesperson. The three-day visit has its highlight set for tomorrow, where a discussion on trade,…
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Thailand’s hot springs used as tourism strategy
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports unleashed a grand plan to catapult the nation’s hot springs into the global spotlight. Thai hot springs are set to rival European spa towns and Japanese Onsen havens, creating a hotbed for international travellers and an advantage for local economies. Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol revealed the ambitious scheme, aiming to transform Thailand’s hot…
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Thai deputy PM calls for abolition of controversial teacher-guardian system
In a significant administrative shift, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is advocating for the cancellation of the teacher-guardian system, asserting that it is the responsibility of security agencies, not teachers. He emphasises that the simplest and most immediate solution is to return teachers to the classroom. This development emerged following an incident where a teacher was physically assaulted while guarding…
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Surge in Covid-19 infections and rising death toll in Thailand
According to the latest report from the Department of Disease Control (DDC), a staggering 718 patients were admitted to hospitals between January 14 and 20 in a skyrocketing surge in Covid-19 infections. The grim statistics reveal a grim reality, with the death toll soaring to 11, a stark contrast to the four reported just a week earlier. The average daily…
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Thai economy experts predict 3% growth despite digital wallet scheme delay
Leading economist Somchai Phakapaswiwat foresees a 3% economic growth despite the government’s 500-billion baht handout scheme‘s potential delay. Renowned economist Somchai Phakapaswiwat set tongues wagging yesterday, January 22, when he confidently declared that Thailand’s economic trajectory remains unscathed, poised for an impressive 3% growth, despite uncertainties surrounding the government’s 500-billion baht handout scheme. According to Somchai, the delay in the…
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Thai government officials inspect 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject amid environmental concerns
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit embarked on an official visit to the Andaman region, with Ranong, the site of the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject, as their first stop. The project, expected to generate significant benefits across the southern region, is facing criticism due to its potential environmental impact. The officials inspected a…
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Protesters intensify demonstrations over Thaksin Shinawatra’s preferential treatment
The Students and People’s Network for Thailand Reform (STR) are intensifying their demonstrations over the alleged preferential treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra, the convicted former prime minister. The protesters are set to stage a sit-in outside the Government House starting February 2. According to Pichit Chaimongkol, the STR leader, there are plans to protest indefinitely alongside other groups that are targeting…
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Narendra Modi to inaugurate Ram Temple in Ayodhya amid looming elections
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a place of birth believed by Hindus to be associated with Lord Rama. The construction of this temple represents a key fulfilment of a promise by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the Hindu population, taking place just months before India’s upcoming elections, where Modi aims…
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Department of Consular Affairs goes digital with e-passports and more
The Department of Consular Affairs made a giant leap into the future, with its transformation into a digital department this year. This significant change involves the integration of advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into its daily operations, demonstrated by the introduction of contemporary icons and an array of improved e-consular services. The cornerstone of this digital metamorphosis lies in…
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PM Srettha: Digital wallet scheme will go ahead despite postponement
The eagerly anticipated 500 billion baht digital wallet handout scheme, publicised as the government’s economic lifeline, faces an unexpected delay. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday, January 19, that the launch of the 500-billion-baht initiative will be postponed pending an inquiry by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Brushing off rumours of incorporating the scheme into the 2025 budget, PM Srettha…
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Bhumjaithai’s Chontida Asavahame quits party
Chontida Asavahame, the fifth candidate on Bhumjaithai’s political roster, has quit the party. The move dashes any hopes she had of replacing former Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob as an MP, according to an inside party source. Supachai Jaisamut, Bhumjaithai’s registrar, confirmed the development, revealing that the party promptly notified the Secretariate Office of the House of Representatives about Chontida’s resignation. This…
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Chiang Mai court demands PM2.5 emergency plan
The Administrative Court in Chiang Mai demanded Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the National Environment Board craft an emergency plan within the next 90 days. This decisive move comes as a response to the persistent threat of PM2.5 pollution plaguing northern provinces and signals a watershed moment for civil society in the region. The court’s verdict is a resounding call for…
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Thai PM pushes for minimum wage raise
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared yesterday that Thailand must abandon its reliance on low labour costs to entice foreign investments, pushing for a raise in the country’s minimum wage. Addressing a panel discussion titled Learning from ASEAN at the World Economic Forum in Davos, PM Srettha emphasised a paradigm shift in priorities. “Low labour cost should not be the attracting…
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Thai health chief champions surrogacy for same-sex couples
In a move anticipating the impending legalisation of same-sex marriage in Thailand, the nation‘s Health Department Director-General Atchara Nithiapinyasakul is pushing for a revision of the Surrogacy Act. The aim is to open the doors for homosexual couples to adopt a baby through a surrogate mother, addressing not just personal desires but also a national crisis. As Thailand grapples with…
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PM Srettha discusses direct flights from Brussels to Bangkok at WEF
At the 54th World Economic Forum in Davos, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to discuss stronger ties between the two nations at the Congress Centre on January 17. Coming out of the high-profile meeting, the prime minister-cum-finance minister pledged to explore the prospect of direct flights between Brussels and Bangkok with the involvement of…
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Thai activist Arnon Nampa sentenced to four years in prison for royal defamation
Activist and lawyer Arnon Nampa has been given a four-year prison sentence by the Criminal Court. Arnon was charged with violating the lèse-majesté law under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act. This decision comes after 39 year old Arnon was found guilty of defaming the monarchy, a crime carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years.…
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Thai PM tweets from the top: Srettha’s Swiss summit scoop at Davos World Economic Forum
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took to his Twitter account to keep his compatriots in the loop about his diplomatic encounters in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum (WEF). The 61 year old Thai prime minister spared no detail in sharing snippets of his discussions with a constellation of influential figures at the WEF. From rubbing shoulders with executives of…
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Adani eyes Landbridge project for connecting India to Japan and Korea
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with the chairman of the Indian company Adani Group during the World Economic Forum (WEF), held in Davos, Switzerland. Adani Group, known for their extensive investments in developing ports and airports, expressed a strong interest in the Landbridge project, aimed at connecting India’s transportation to Japan and Korea, said the Thai PM. “Adani Group’s investment…
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Democrat Party’s dwindling popularity prompts talks of new political formation
The Democrat Party is grappling with dwindling popularity as internal disputes have left it in a state of chaos. The party, known for its astute opposition role, recently reviewed the government’s budget bill for 2024 in a parliamentary debate. However, the past few years have seen the party suffer from various setbacks, including the departure of experienced party members and…
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