Politics News
Keep up-to-date with the most important Politics News in Thailand, offering comprehensive coverage of government decisions, policy changes, and electoral developments. We closely follow domestic and international political events, providing reliable news analysis, impartial opinions, and thought-provoking commentaries. Stay informed about the political landscape in Thailand, key players, and the impact of their decisions on citizens’ everyday lives.
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New travel rules: Thailand’s ETA to shake up visa-free visitors
Thailand is tightening its borders with a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, set to launch between December this year and June 2025. This system will be mandatory for all visa-exempt foreigners entering the country by air, land, or sea. Though not technically a visa, the ETA will act as a computerised security check, similar to the ETIAS programme for…
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Thailand minimum wage hike to 400 baht confirmed for October 1
Pheu Thai Party’s labour policy, particularly the plan to increase the daily minimum wage to 400 baht nationwide, remains firm, confirmed caretaker Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Phiphat assured that the wage hike, targeting specific professions and regions, is set to take effect on October 1, with further details to be announced shortly. The national wage committee, led by the permanent…
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Palang Pracharath executives including key MPs jump ship
Caretaker Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow and five key executives of the Palang Pracharath Party resigned from their posts yesterday, sparking speculation about the party’s future. A well-placed source revealed that the six executives have already notified the Election Commission (EC), adding that their departure was imminent. Among those leaving with Thamanat were influential figures such as Samphan Mayusoh, Narathiwat MP;…
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Thai PM urged to probe environment minister’s state land claims
The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate the qualifications of Chalermchai Sri-on, the newly appointed minister of natural resources and environment, due to allegations surrounding his possession of 120 rai of state land. The foundation emphasised that officials responsible for natural resources must be free from any involvement in the holding of state land. Chalermchai, leader…
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Thailand promotes quality products at Times Square
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce launched a campaign to elevate the image of Thai products at Times Square. The Ignite Thailand Festival: Think Thailand, Next Level took place at 46-47 Broadway Plaza & Duffy Square yesterday, September 4, aiming to showcase the quality and innovation of Thai goods to over 20 million consumers in the United States. Wuttikrai Leeweeraphan, Permanent Secretary…
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Public health minister rejects 30-baht scheme co-payment review
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin dismissed a proposal from health experts to revisit the co-payment system of the universal healthcare policy, known as the 30-baht gold card scheme. Somsak stated emphatically that he had no intention of reopening discussions about the co-payment plan. “The ministry is doing its best to take care of people’s health. No changes have been made.”…
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Court’s ruling: MoU-tain of evidence favours Thai-Cambodian deal
The Constitutional Court dismissed a petition challenging the legality of the 2001 Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand. The petition, submitted by Deputy Palang Pracharath Party leader Paiboon Nititawan, claimed that the MoU had not been approved by Parliament before its signing. Paiboon argued that the MoU, used by the Department of Treaties…
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Bank of Thailand to appoint new chairman amid government push
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) board is set to appoint a new chairperson by early October, as announced by the head of the selection committee. This move comes as the government aims to exert more influence over the central bank following a prolonged public dispute over interest rates. Although the BoT chairperson does not have the authority to set interest…
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Thailand government includes cash options in 10,000-baht handout
The Thailand government’s 10,000-baht handout programme is set for adjustments, with Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat acknowledging the need to include cash distributions for some recipients instead of digital money. Numerous petitions against the government’s flagship policy contributed to this decision, Julapun said yesterday. Additionally, feedback from various sectors has prompted changes to improve the programme’s effectiveness. Initially, the policy…
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Economic challenge: Business tycoon Pichai to the rescue
Pichai Naripthaphan, a businessman-turned-politician, is stepping into the hot seat as Thailand’s new Commerce Minister at a time when the nation’s economy teeters on the edge of disaster. With sky-high expectations from every corner, Pichai faces the daunting task of steering the country out of economic turbulence. Pichai takes over from Phumtham Wechayachai, who has moved to Defence Minister and…
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Aussies now need an ETA to enter Thailand
Australians planning a getaway to Thailand will soon have an extra step to complete before boarding their flight. The Thai government is introducing a mandatory electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which must be obtained ahead of travel. This new system, introduced by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is designed to enhance the screening and tracking of foreigners entering the country. “The…
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Bhumjaithai outlines six key policies for coalition government
Bhumjaithai Party Secretary-General Chaichanok Chidchob, along with the party’s executive committee, held a press conference at 5.30pm on Monday, September 2, to outline their stance on six pivotal policies. As a coalition government member, Bhumjaithai intends to propose these policies to the Pheu Thai Party. Chaichanok disclosed that the party’s focus includes enhancing social order and public safety. The proposed…
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Deputy Interior Minister Chada pulls out of Cabinet
Caretaker Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised has withdrawn his name from consideration for a role in Thailand’s next Cabinet, instead proposing his daughter, Sabeeda Thaised, for the position of Deputy Interior Minister. The move comes amidst swirling controversy surrounding Chada’s murky past and fears that his appointment could imperil the government’s stability. The decision followed a damning report from the…
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Thai PM Paetongtarn to submit new Cabinet list next week
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, plans to submit the names of her new Cabinet members for royal endorsement by next week. Unfortunately, future Deputy Minister Chada Thaiseth withdrew his name from the list this morning. Prime Minister Paetongtarn arrived at Shinawatra Tower 3, her temporary office, at 9.40am today, September 3, and revealed to the media that the…
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Phitsanulok governor addresses waste crisis after landfill closure
Phitsanulok’s provincial governor issued an urgent directive to local government organisations to address the overflowing rubbish problem after a private landfill was closed. Residents have complained about the stench and need for a solution. Reporters yesterday, September 2, surveyed the large piles of rubbish accumulating along the roadside near the irrigation canal behind Naresuan University in Tha Pho, Mueang district,…
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Retirement Lottery age limit extended to 70 in Thailand
The National Savings Fund (NSF) is set to revise the conditions for the Retirement Lottery, extending the purchasing age to between 61 and 70 years. The new rule stipulates that the money must remain in the account for 10 years before it can be withdrawn as cash. In the event of the buyer’s death before the 10 years, the funds…
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Labour minister to investigate measures to save social security fund
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn vowed to investigate measures to avert a potential collapse of the Social Security Fund (SSF) within the next decade due to funding shortfalls. The SSF, currently holding 2.6 trillion baht, is projected to grow to at least 4 trillion baht by 2034, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Despite…
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Abhisit predicts Paetongtarn’s govt term to last, despite challenges
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government is expected to complete the rest of its three-year term, as no coalition parties seem prepared for an early General Election, according to former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who also noted that these parties are still striving to demonstrate to their voters that they merit re-election. However, he pointed out that the coalition’s weak point…
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Thailand to launch digital money handout in two weeks
The coalition government is set to initiate its policy implementation, including the digital money handout scheme, in two weeks, according to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. However, Phumtham did not specify when the revised Cabinet line-up will be submitted for royal endorsement. He indicated that nominations from all coalition parties had been reviewed by state organisations and forwarded to…
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Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirms new Cabinet
Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra confidently returned to the kitchen today, ensuring the flame from the gas cylinder was on while announcing that her new Cabinet’s composition has been finalised. The prime minister seized the opportunity during a visit to flood-stricken Sukhothai to cook pad kaprao with premium beef, alongside renowned chef Chumpol Jaengprai in Mueang district. This time, she left…
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Thai House of Representatives to make 7.8 billion baht budget cut
The House of Representatives is set to proceed with the second and third readings of the budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year next week. This development comes amidst reports that the proposed spending plan has been reduced by nearly 8 billion baht. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced that the budget debate will take place from September 3…
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Hungary and Thailand to sign MoU for stronger economic ties
Hungary and Thailand are set to strengthen their economic ties with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Hungarian-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Budapest Chamber of Commerce next month. The Hungarian embassy facilitated a luncheon in Bangkok, where the Hungarian ambassador and local Thai media discussed Hungary’s role as president of the Council of the European…
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Thailand’s Seri Ruam Thai Party dumps Pheu Thai amid feud
Thailand’s Seri Ruam Thai Party has quit the Pheu Thai-led coalition government. The move follows a heated dispute between Seri Ruam Thai’s leader, Police General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, and the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which he accuses of neglect. In a tense briefing at the Seri Ruam Thai headquarters yesterday, Pol. Gen. Sereepisuth revealed that the party executive board had decided…
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Myanmar journalist jailed for life, another gets 20 years
A military court in Myanmar sentenced one journalist to life imprisonment and another to 20 years behind bars, further tightening the junta’s iron grip on the nation’s media. The verdict was delivered under a draconian counterterrorism law. The journalists, 40 year old Myo Myint Oo and 49 year old Aung San Oo, who work for the independent online news service…
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DJOP evaluates Thicha Nanakorn’s contract amid budget cuts
The Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection (DJOP) is evaluating whether to renew the contract of a seasoned expert in juvenile justice, Thicha Nanakorn amid budget cuts for hiring specialists. A document released today by the DJOP outlines a policy to reduce staff numbers, particularly specialists and experts, during the 2025-2028 fiscal years. This policy has led to Thicha’s resignation,…
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Seri Ruamthai quits coalition over police reform dispute
The Seri Ruamthai Party has withdrawn from the Pheu Thai Party-led government, following frustrations voiced by its leader, Police General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves. During a briefing at the Seri Ruamthai headquarters yesterday, Sereepisuth announced the party executive board’s decision to vote 7:4 on Tuesday, August 27, to exit the coalition government. Sereepisuth cited the desire to switch to the opposition bench…
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Thai Parliament gives EU deal thumbs up: Partnership set to soar
The Thai Parliament unanimously endorsed a framework agreement on the EU-Thailand Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), set to come into force within 30 days. In a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate, 612 votes supported the agreement. Thailand and the European Union (EU) originally signed the PCA on December 14, 2022, in Brussels, with former foreign…
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Commerce Ministry cracks down on hidden foreign ownership
The Commerce Ministry intensifies its scrutiny of businesses allegedly using Thai nominees to hide foreign ownership, focusing on sectors like tourism, real estate, and logistics. Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Business Development, stated that under the Foreign Business Act of 1999, foreign firms must secure permission as outlined in specific lists before starting operations. A Thai limited company…
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Thaksin visits flood-hit Chiang Rai in sensational homecoming
Thaksin Shinawatra, the once-exiled former Prime Minister of Thailand and father of current PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, made a sensational return to his homeland on Tuesday, August 27. Touching down at Mae Fah Luang Airport in Chiang Rai, he immediately set out to assess the devastation caused by severe flooding in the region—a crisis that has left hundreds struggling. Greeted warmly…
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Thaksin’s taxing plan to tackle poverty in Thailand
Thaksin Shinawatra is making more waves to shake up Thailand’s social, economic and political scene. His latest pitch? A negative income tax (NIT) to shake up Thailand’s tax system. This isn’t the first time NIT has been floated in Thailand. Over a decade ago, the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) proposed something similar, and it was included in the…
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