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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Sutin visits China for submarine acquisition talks
Sutin Klungsang, the Minister of Defence, along with other related agencies, embarked on a trip to China on Thursday to discuss with the Chinese private sectors and other concerned agencies regarding the anticipated acquisition of a submarine for Thailand. The meetings were held to assess whether the procurement process should proceed or be abandoned and to comprehend its potential implications.…
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Former Thai MP returns after 15 years political asylum
Former Thai politician Jakrapob Pemkair returned to Thailand after 15 years of political asylum in Cambodia. Upon his return, he was apprehended due to two remaining arrest warrants but was later granted 400,000 baht bail. Jakrapob previously served as a government spokesperson under former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from 2003 to 2005, and later as a minister of the…
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Thai foreign minister jets off to Japan for diplomatic meeting
The Thai Foreign Minister is gearing up for a crucial diplomatic mission to Japan amidst mounting concerns over the potential revocation of visa-free privileges for Thai travellers. Reports suggest that Japan is contemplating this drastic measure due to a surge in Thais overstaying their welcome. In a statement released today, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara acknowledged Japan’s right to enforce its laws but…
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Cabinet green lights bills to modify alcohol control law
The Cabinet has given initial approval to five proposed bills aiming to modify the current alcohol control law, a move that could potentially lead to extended selling hours and more relaxed advertising rules. This decision has, however, sparked controversy among anti-alcohol advocates. The legislation was introduced for its first reading in the House on Wednesday, March 27, and received a…
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Thailand on anthrax alert after Laos outbreak sparks fear
Thailand is on high alert as anthrax fears surge following a deadly outbreak in neighbouring Laos, warns government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke today. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew to intensify preventive measures, especially in border areas, in response to the escalating threat. Srettha asserted that increased monitoring is crucial to safeguard the health of Thai citizens,…
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Japanese Embassy’s medical vans transform Thailand healthcare
The Japanese Embassy has stepped up to bolster health and human rights initiatives by presenting four vehicles to the SWING Foundation. These vehicles are slated to revolutionise crucial services, ranging from HIV/AIDS testing to food aid, targeting service workers and homeless individuals in Bangkok and Pattaya. The SWING Foundation, renowned for its unwavering commitment to the welfare of service workers,…
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Exiled former celebrity minister Jakrapob returns to Thailand
A former television celebrity and one-time Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office has set tongues wagging with his unexpected announcement of returning to Thailand. This marks his comeback after a self-imposed exile lasting 15 years, undertaken to avoid lese majeste charges. Jakrapob Penkair posted on Facebook yesterday: “At 7.35 am on March 28, I will return to serve Thailand.” The…
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Thai govt accelerates Thai-European FTA negotiations
The Thai government is speeding up negotiations for the Thai-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) to conclude within the current year. This information followed a discussion between Commerce Minister Phuntham Wechayachai and Swiss Ambassador Pedro Zwahlen. The minister revealed that the talks are being hastened following the policy of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration, which desires to expand opportunities and bolster…
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Malaysia mulls expanding rail project towards Thai border
To outmanoeuvre economic rivalry with Thailand, Malaysia is contemplating extending its mammoth rail project closer to its northern neighbour, sparking debates over prosperity or peril. Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, disclosed that the government is receptive to the notion of linking the ongoing East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) with Thailand’s existing or planned rail infrastructure. The move comes amidst Thailand’s…
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Thai state personnel to receive Chinese language training
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI), the Thai-Chinese Cultural Relationship Council (TCCRC), and the Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College (BLCC). The agreement, centred on Thai-Sino cooperation, aims to provide Chinese language training for Thai state personnel. The signing ceremony took place at the King Prajadhipok Museum on Lan Luang Road in…
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Migrant workers get free pass home for Songkran celebrations
To ease the journey home for migrant workers from Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced yesterday that they will be exempted from re-entry fees if they wish to return to their home countries to celebrate Songkran between April 1 and May 15. The decision, greenlit by the policy committee on the management of alien workers, aims to…
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Thai government splurges 2.95 billion on free school lunches
The Cabinet has given the nod to a 2.95 billion baht free school lunch programme for nearly half a million students nationwide for the upcoming 2025 academic year. Karom Pholpornklang, the deputy government spokesperson, revealed the comprehensive scope of the initiative, stating that it will extend its benevolent reach across 7,344 schools throughout the country. This plan encompasses 6,855 schools…
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Saab swoops to supply Gripen jets to RTAF in 19-billion-baht deal
Saab AB, the Swedish aerospace company, yesterday announced its intention to supply Gripen fighter jets to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The company’s proposal aligns with the Thai government’s offset policy and other requirements for national capability development set by the RTAF. The offset policy mandates that suppliers of new military equipment to Thailand provide equal economic evaluations in…
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Thai govt assures no loss of Koh Kood sovereignty in future talks
A reassurance has been issued by the Thai government, stating that the country will not surrender sovereignty over Koh Kood, located in Trat province, to Cambodia during future negotiations concerning the partitioning of marine resources in their shared Overlapping Claims Area (OCA). In a statement during the Senate’s general debate on Monday night, Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara referred to…
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Hong Kong’s national security law: Foreign corporations
Corporate lawyers and consultants have revealed that foreign corporations operating in Hong Kong have been revisiting their strategies since the previous year in anticipation of the recently passed domestic national security law. Despite assurances from the city and central authorities that the legislation, dictated by Article 23 of the Basic Law, would neither disrupt operations nor negatively impact the city’s…
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Court clears Thai lawyer’s remark against Thaksin
Thai lawyer and politician Chuan Leekpai’s controversial statement branding ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra as a “harbinger of doom” for the Deep South has been deemed fair game by the South Bangkok Criminal Court. The legal battle, which teetered on the edge of defamation, reached its climax today with a verdict that left both sides reeling. The lawsuit, initiated just three days…
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Srettha fires back: Defends overseas trips amid criticism
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin staunchly defended his international excursions and trips to neighbouring nations, asserting their vital role in ramping up foreign investment in Thailand and fostering stronger regional ties. Addressing critics head-on, the 62 year old PM justified his frequent forays into provinces to tackle local issues, such as combating the PM2.5 airborne pollution blighting Chiang Mai. Responding to…
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Nan Province: Next UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site?
Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich announced the Cabinet’s approval of the Culture Ministry’s proposal to nominate Nan as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site. This exciting development comprises two key subprojects geared towards enhancing public awareness, revealed the minister yesterday, March 25. Nan Province’s inclusion in the nomination list stems from its vibrant cultural heritage, boasting meticulously preserved pre-historic archaeological findings,…
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Attack in Moscow: PM Srettha assures safety of Thai citizens
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin takes a stand to reassure Thais amidst the chaos of a shooting spree in Moscow. PM Srettha, speaking from Wing 6 of Don Mueang Airport, delivered a message of condolence and concern following the shocking massacre at a concert hall in Russia. The Bangkok-born PM issued the following statement on X, formerly Twitter. “I am deeply…
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Pattaya: Ditched cables spark public uproar
A wave of public outcry has surged on the official Facebook page of Mayor Direct Line, as citizens express alarm over the abandoned cables strewn across various locations in Pattaya. The outcry follows the commencement of demolition and restructuring of communication lines along South Pattaya Road by the Public Utility Division of the Pattaya Municipal Electrical Engineering Office, the Provincial…
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Thailand grapples with surge in illegal foreign workers in tourism
The Labour Ministry of Thailand has expressed worries over the persistent issue of foreigners being unlawfully employed within the country’s tourism sector. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed that the ministry has been vigilantly tracking the situation and has reported a steady increase in the number of illegal foreign workers. From October 2023 to February 2024, as many as 13,424 foreigners…
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Thai tensions thaw as peace talks resume between NSC and BRN
Peace talks between Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) are set to continue next month, despite recent setbacks, according to deputy spokeswoman Rudklao Suwankiri. This announcement follows a series of arson attacks on March 22 in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla, and indications that 45 other locations are likely targets during the holy month of…
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Prayut’s 70th birthday sparks lottery number frenzy in Thailand
The 70th birthday of former Prime Minister and Privy Councillor Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday sparked a flurry of activity among lottery enthusiasts eager to jot down lucky numbers associated with Big Tu for the upcoming draw. Prayut, born on March 21, 1954, served as Thailand’s 29th Prime Minister from August 24, 2014, until his term ended on August 22, 2022, totalling…
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Thailand’s bid to join OECD gains momentum
Thailand’s quest for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) membership gains momentum as insiders reveal surprising support from top diplomats. Thailand’s aspiration to kick-start the accession process for OECD membership has garnered significant backing from the organisation’s members, reports a diplomatic insider. The revelation came to light during the inaugural OECD Council meeting held in Paris on Tuesday,…
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Sutin: PM2.5 pollution focus of high stakes meeting with Cambodia
In a high-profile diplomatic move, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has declared war on PM2.5 pollution, setting the stage for a showdown with Cambodia. Sutin is gearing up for a fierce clash during the 16th General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Phnom Penh. He pointed fingers at Cambodian farm practices exacerbating pollution woes across borders. “I will confront Tea Seiha on…
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Boosting economic growth: Thailand-Hungary relationship
Hungary seeks to cultivate a stronger bilateral relationship with Thailand as part of the Central European country’s objective to achieve 4% economic growth in the current year, according to Péter Szijjártó, the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Trade between Thailand and Hungary hit a new high last year, exceeding US$730 million (approximately 26 billion baht). Thailand made significant…
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Thai defence ministry to downsize military
The Thai Ministry of Defence outlined a comprehensive plan to downsize service personnel by approximately 700 individuals within the next three years. This strategic move aims to restructure the military and is expected to result in savings of up to 34 million baht. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang confirmed these details after a Defence Council meeting last Thursday. The initial phase…
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Southeast Asia’s battle against rare diseases
Healthcare visionaries, policymakers, and patient champions gathered under the theme Amplifying Patients’ Voices for Sustainable Change to unravel the complexities of rare diseases and forge a path towards better diagnosis, treatment access, and equitable healthcare. The Medical Association of Thailand, the Thai Rare Disease Foundation, and the Medical Genetics and Genomics Association united with Takeda (Thailand) Limited, aiming to amplify…
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Sustainable solutions: Bangkok’s waste-to-energy plants
To combat the Thai capital’s mounting garbage crisis, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is rolling out two cutting-edge waste-to-energy plants to revolutionise waste management by 2026. BMA permanent secretary Wanthanee Wattana voiced unwavering confidence in the timely completion of these game-changing facilities. Wattana revealed that construction is well underway at the Nong Khaem and On Nut garbage disposal centres, with Privy…
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700+ illegal foreign workers exposed in Thailand’s reserved jobs
The Thai government has exposed a clandestine workforce of over 700 foreign workers engaged in professions reserved for locals over the past six months, officials declared today. Government spokesperson Kharom Polpornklang disclosed that a vigorous crackdown by the Employment Department had ensnared 721 foreigners, predominantly employed as street vendors, hairdressers, drivers, and masseurs, prompted by grievances from indigenous workers. The…
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