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.
-
Pheu Thai pledges to top up income to 3,000 Baht for vulnerable Thais
BANGKOK – Pheu Thai Party has officially declared a “War on Poverty,” promising a new income guarantee scheme that ensures every Thai citizen earns at least 3,000 Baht per month. On the evening of January 8, Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate, unveiled the policy during a major rally at Lan Khon Muang in front of Bangkok…
-
Cambodia denies Thai claims of harsh airport screening
A Cambodian aviation official yesterday, January 7, dismissed Thai media claims that Thai travellers faced harsh screening at Phnom Penh’s Techo Airport, calling the reports false and unreflective of the country’s hospitality. Sin Chanserivutha, spokesperson for Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, clarified that Thai nationals leaving Cambodia with verified travel histories would not face additional questioning. He said only…
-
Thai activist urges probe into coup defence and adultery of minister nominee
A Thai political activist accused a member of the People’s Party of defending a military coup and committing adultery, calling on the party to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations. As part of its General Election campaign, the People’s Party recently launched a series of interviews titled The Professionals across its social media platforms. The series aims to present the…
-
Abhisit campaigns in Nakhon Si Thammarat with policy pitch
Abhisit Vejjajiva hit the campaign trail in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday, urging voters to back the Democrat Party as it fights to win back support in one of its long‑standing strongholds. The Democrat Party campaign team visited the Thewada fresh market in Sichon district, where Abhisit was joined by party executives and local figures to rally support for Chanwatthana…
-
Thai Army warns Cambodia after mortar lands in Ubon Ratchathani
Thailand’s army issued a warning to Cambodian authorities today, January 6, after a mortar round landed inside Thai territory in Ubon Ratchathani province, injuring a soldier and raising concerns over a potential ceasefire breach. According to Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree, the incident occurred at around 7.40am on Hill 469 in Nam Yuen district, close to the Thai-Cambodian border.…
-
PM candidate sparks controversy after claim to buy 10 nuclear warheads
A prime ministerial candidate from the New Alternative Party sparked online controversy after claiming he would acquire up to 10 nuclear warheads to strengthen Thailand’s security against global powers. As the General Election approaches in February, the party’s PM candidate Mongkolkit Suksintharanon promoted one of his security policies on Facebook yesterday, January 5. In the post, Mongkolkit wrote… “Nuclear weapon costs…
-
Thai-Cambodian border tensions persist despite ceasefire
A week after a ceasefire came into effect along the Thai-Cambodian border, tensions remain high as Cambodia continues to raise allegations of territorial violations, while Thailand firmly rejects the claims and insists all military operations are within its sovereign borders. On January 4, Cambodian authorities issued a renewed statement accusing Thai forces of encroaching on areas in four provinces. The…
-
Cambodia allows 162 Thais to return, 6 wanted by police
Cambodia allowed 162 Thai nationals to return to Thailand through a border checkpoint in Chanthaburi province on Saturday, January 3, with six of them later found to be wanted criminals. Cambodian authorities reportedly pushed back hundreds of Thai workers who had been stranded in the country, sending them home via the Chanthaburi border following a ceasefire. According to Channel 7,…
-
Thailand human trafficking police crackdown overview
The Royal Thai Police have announced an intensified nationwide crackdown on human trafficking, with a renewed focus on child sexual abuse, exploitation within the fishing industry, and crimes committed through online platforms. Authorities say the move comes in response to a rising number of cases and increasingly complex criminal methods, particularly those involving children and digital networks. Police General Thatchai…
-
Thai Cambodian border dispute: army reaffirms sovereignty
The Royal Thai Army has reaffirmed that a recently reorganized border area remains firmly within Thai sovereign territory, stating that the land has been subject to long-term encroachment by Cambodian forces and settlements. Army officials are urging the public to review official protest letters previously submitted by Thailand through the Memorandum of Understanding 43, known as MOU 43, which governs…
-
Second Army Area releases footage alleging Cambodian military activity near Preah Vihear
The Second Army Area on Saturday released video footage it claims shows Cambodian forces using areas near the Preah Vihear temple complex as an active military position, raising fresh security concerns along the Thai–Cambodian border. The footage was made public on January 3, 2026, at around 3.10pm, as Thai authorities continued close monitoring of border conditions. According to the Second…
-
Will Thailand’s 2026 election reshape tourism, foreign investment, and transport policy?
As Thailand moves toward its 2026 general election, the future of the country’s tourism industry has become a central issue for investors, operators, and local communities. With tourism accounting for a significant share of national income, the policies adopted by the next government are expected to influence foreign direct investment, public safety, and long-term infrastructure planning, particularly in rail transport.…
-
Thai PM candidate defends sea prison plan amid ‘Azkaban’ mockery
A prime ministerial candidate from the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) insisted that the party’s proposal to build a sea prison for influential criminals is not a fantasy, after online users mocked the idea and compared it to Azkaban prison from the Harry Potter series. Following the dissolution of parliament on December 11, Thailand is now heading towards a General…
-
Thai and Cambodian diplomats meet in China to reinforce ceasefire and border stability
Top diplomats from Thailand and Cambodia met in China on Sunday for high-level talks aimed at reinforcing a fragile ceasefire and preventing a return to fighting along their disputed border, as Beijing steps up its role as a regional mediator. The meetings follow the signing of a new ceasefire agreement intended to halt weeks of clashes that have killed more…
-
Thawiphop returns to restore public trust as People’s Party faces candidate crisis
Former People’s Party MP Thawiphop Limjittrakorn has announced his decision to return to frontline politics, volunteering to stand as a parliamentary candidate in a bid to restore public trust following a major crisis involving the party’s candidate selection. The announcement comes in the wake of a large-scale police operation targeting the “Black Mirror TKP” drug trafficking network, which authorities say…
-
People’s Party MP candidate arrested in drug money laundering probe, denies involvement
A parliamentary candidate from the People’s Party was arrested on Monday morning in connection with an ongoing investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering network, according to officials from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. At approximately 10:45 a.m. on December 29, 2025, officers from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau detained Mr. Boonrit Raorungroj, also known as Bank, at his residence…
-
52 political parties register party-list and prime ministerial candidates ahead of 2026 election
Thailand’s political landscape took a major step toward the February 8, 2026 general election on Sunday as representatives from 52 political parties formally registered their party-list candidates and prime ministerial nominees with the Election Commission at the Government Complex in Laksi district, Bangkok. The number of participating parties marks an increase from the 47 political parties that contested the 2023…
-
King grants General rank to Lt Gen Boonsin, awards royal decorations to 15 special guards
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklao Chao Khun has graciously conferred the military rank of General upon Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, along with granting royal decorations to 15 Special Royal Guards officers, according to a royal decree issued on December 28. The announcement was made through an official royal command, detailing the promotion and decorations awarded in recognition of…
-
Border villagers return home, but remain cautious over ceasefire
Residents along Thailand’s eastern border are slowly returning to daily life after weeks of tension, relief, and uncertainty. In Ban Kruat district of Buriram province, families who fled their homes during cross-border unrest are now back in their villages, grateful to work without the sound of gunfire but far from confident that the calm will last. Following the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire…
-
Why “Boycott Thailand” is trending on social media
A social media backlash has erupted after a video showing the partial demolition of a Hindu deity statue near the Thai–Cambodian border went viral, triggering calls to boycott Thailand among some Indian social media users. The footage, widely shared across X and Instagram, appears to show heavy machinery damaging a statue of Lord Vishnu located near the border area between…
-
Three soldiers killed at Ban Nong Chan returned to Chakraphong Camp Hospital
The bodies of three Thai soldiers killed during fighting at the Ban Nong Chan border area were returned early Saturday morning to Chakraphong Camp Hospital, as families, military officials, and rescue teams gathered to receive them. At 12.15am on December 27, a convoy of more than 30 vehicles, including military transport and rescue units from the Sawang Bamphathammasathan Foundation in…
-
Thai Pakdee Party plans to cancel 1,000 and 500 baht banknotes
The Thai Pakdee Party announced today, December 26, its plan to cancel the use of 1,000 and 500 baht banknotes across Thailand in an effort to combat corruption and disrupt the flow of illicit cash in underground networks. Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, revealed the party’s latest anti-corruption policy on his Facebook post, stating their intention to…
-
Thai army rejects Cambodian claims over cluster munitions
Today, December 24, the Royal Thai Army responded to Cambodian allegations that Thailand endangered civilians through the use of cluster munitions, insisting the weapons were deployed solely against military targets and accusing Cambodian authorities of distorting the facts. The clarification was issued by army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree following the release of images and statements by Cambodia’s Ministry of Information, as…
-
Thailand and Laos strengthen ties with fifth friendship bridge
Thailand and Laos are set to open the Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge linking Bueng Kan and Bolikhamsai on Thursday, as the two neighbours celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. The opening ceremony comes as both countries highlight the bridge as an important step in improving cross-border connectivity, which officials say is expected to support people’s livelihoods in both countries.…
-
CCTV trail points to coordinated hit in killing of Phatthalung village headman
CCTV footage has provided new leads in the fatal shooting of a former village headman in Phatthalung province, with investigators now believing the attack involved a coordinated group of at least six to seven assailants, likely linked to a local political dispute. The victim, Phayom Sangthong, 64, a former village headman and candidate for mayor of the Tha Chamuang Subdistrict…
-
US trade deal on hold as tariffs could rise if border conflict drags on
A senior official at Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has warned that any trade deal with the United States cannot be finalized until a new parliament and cabinet are in place, as concerns grow that Washington could raise tariffs if fighting between Thailand and Cambodia is not resolved. Speaking on Friday, Chotima Iamsawadikul, director-general of the Department of International Trade Negotiations,…
-
ASEAN steps in as Thailand-Cambodia border war tests regional unity
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers will meet in Malaysia on Monday in a renewed attempt to stop escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border, as clashes spread across disputed territory and humanitarian pressures intensify. The talks in Kuala Lumpur come after weeks of fighting that have left at least 40 people dead and forced more than 500,000…
-
Ex-minister Prasert to be questioned over Singapore MoU with money launderer
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) plans to call in former Digital Economy and Society Minister, Prasert Jantararuangtong. They are concerned about his involvement in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Singapore. Alleged money launderer, Ben Smith, was reportedly present during this event. The MoU has since been brought under investigation by authorities. This decision comes after testimony from…
-
Thailand confirms Cambodia hired US lobbying firm
Thailand’s Defence Ministry confirmed yesterday, December 16, that Cambodia has hired a US lobbying firm to influence global opinion against Thailand, amid the ongoing border conflict. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Defence Ministry, said the confirmation followed the release of a confidential document by the STRONG Anti-Corruption Club Thailand. The document revealed that Cambodia had enlisted National Consulting…
-
American man detained in Surin after photographing military airport
Police in Surin province detained a suspicious American man yesterday, December 16, after he was seen taking photographs near a military airport and refusing to allow officers to inspect his mobile phone. Border Patrol Police Unit 21 (BPP 21), which was stationed near Chaloem Phra Kiat 80th Anniversary Park in Mueang district, alerted officers from Mueang Surin Police Station after…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.