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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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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New deputy House Speakers elected in Thai Parliament shake-up
In a dramatic power shift today, Pichet Chuamuangphan of the Pheu Thai Party has clinched the role of first deputy House Speaker, while Paradorn Prissananantakul from Bhumjaithai took the position of second deputy. Both MPs sailed through unopposed, but their appointments come amid growing political turbulence. Pichet, who was nominated by Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, had previously served as the…
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PM Paetongtarn faces ethics probe over mini-heart gesture
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces a new accusation by serial petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, who claims she committed a serious offence by making a mini-heart gesture while in her civil service dress uniform. Ruangkrai, known for seeking the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party for alleged domination by Paetongtarn’s father Thaksin, has focused his efforts on the ethics section of…
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Thamanat Prompow sues for defamation over ministry interference
Former Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow is suing three public figures for defamation, accusing them of alleging his interference in his successor’s duties. Thamanat has engaged lawyer Thanadon Suwannarit to file these defamation lawsuits against legal scholar Jade Donavanik, former Bangkok MP Boonyod Sukthinthai, and Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom. The complaints were lodged with the Nang Loeng police in…
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Australia cracks down: Social media ban for kids in the works
Australia is set to make waves with a bold plan to keep kids off social media, citing concerns for their mental and physical wellbeing. In a sweeping move, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his government’s intention to introduce legislation that would restrict children’s access to platforms like Instagram and TikTok by the end of the year. “I want to see…
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Thailand to speed up 145 billion baht digital wallet handout
Thailand will advance the distribution of 145 billion baht from its digital wallet handout programme to support vulnerable groups, announced by the deputy finance minister yesterday. The decision aims to provide immediate economic stimulus in the short term. During a budget debate in the senate, Julapun Amornvivat revealed that the government has allocated 450 billion baht for this flagship handout…
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Thai PM urged to approve key high-speed train contract
Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote is pushing for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s approval of a crucial construction contract for the long-delayed Thai-Chinese high-speed train project. This contract is one of the last two to complete the first phase. Boonchai Panich Co secured Contract 4-5, which involves constructing a 13.3-kilometre section. Despite this, the signing of the contract has been delayed…
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Thailand champions game-changing tax scheme for low earners
Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit has thrown his weight behind the daring negative income tax (NIT) scheme, championing welfare payments for workers when their income dips below a certain threshold. Dubbed “workfare,” this initiative is geared to incentivise employment while offering crucial financial support. Lavaron made his case clear: the NIT system encourages people to stay employed by guaranteeing state…
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Thailand unveils trillion-baht infrastructure boom
The Government of Thailand is poised to unveil a series of ambitious infrastructure projects, seeking to attract over 1.5 trillion baht in private investment. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is said to outline these initiatives in her policy statement to Parliament on September 12 to 13, focusing on economic stimulation and critical infrastructure enhancements. One of the flagship projects is the…
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Thailand removes CRC reservation on refugee children’s rights
Thailand has taken a monumental step to protect refugee children by fully embracing a crucial international convention. The country’s final reservation to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has officially been withdrawn, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding children’s rights. H.E. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, formally deposited the Instrument of Withdrawal…
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House passes 3.7 trillion baht budget plan after tepid debate
After a three-day debate that barely sparked a fire, the House of Representatives finally pushed through the colossal 3.7 trillion baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year. In a vote held late last night, the bill was approved by a margin of 309 to 155, with four MPs opting to abstain, leaving no one without a voice. Deputy Prime…
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Former Pheu Thai MP sentenced to prison for corruption
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Somying Buabut, a former Pheu Thai MP, to three years and four months in prison and fined her 100,000 baht for corruption related to the construction of a futsal field. The sentence has been suspended for three years. Yesterday, September 5, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on case number…
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RTA denies overpricing claims on mess trays purchase
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) firmly denied accusations from the People’s Party (PP) regarding the alleged overpricing of mess trays. These claims were presented during the scrutiny phase of the national budget expenditure bill earlier this week. The opposition party accused the army of allocating an excessive portion of its budget to purchase approximately 10,000 mess trays at prices significantly…
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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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