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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Digital wallet scheme sees 5.8 million registrations in three hours
Registration for the digital wallet scheme surged to 5.8 million people within just three hours. Officials expected the number to hit 7 million by noon today, following the government’s launch of a scheme allowing citizens to claim 10,000 baht via a digital wallet through the Tang Rat application on smartphones. This initiative, open from today, August 1 to September 15,…
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Thai electricity tariff to remain at 4.18 baht per unit
The Thai Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) decided to maintain the electricity tariff at 4.18 baht per unit for the billing period from September to December this year. For consumers using no more than 300 units per month, the tariff remains at 3.99 baht per unit. Poonpat Leesombatpaiboon, Secretary-General of the ERC, revealed on July 1 that the commission resolved to…
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Thai Oil denies 567 million baht payment for overdue wages
Thai Oil Public Company Ltd firmly denied agreeing to issue a payment of 567 million baht to settle outstanding wages owed to workers by subcontractors. The unpaid wages are linked to the Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV) consortium, a subcontractor hired by Thai Oil. The consortium consists of Petrofac South East Asia Pte Ltd, Saipem Singapore Pte Ltd, and Samsung E&A…
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Thailand’s digital wallet scheme registration starts today
Registration for the digital wallet scheme started today, August 1 at 8am and will be available 24 hours a day until September 15. The Thai government arranged for a call centre at 1111 to answer any questions around the clock. The digital wallet initiative, offering a digital currency worth 10,000 baht, has eight conditions and restrictions that citizens must meet…
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Thai defence minister demands US offset details for F-16 jets
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang urged the United States to provide comprehensive details on the offset policy related to acquiring F-16 fighter jets by today. The Thai government remains undecided on whether to opt for the Swedish-made Gripen by Saab AB or the US-made F-16 Block 70/72 by Lockheed Martin for its air force. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) aims…
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Thai workers in Israel urged to shelter amid Hezbollah threat
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) alerted approximately 2,000 Thai nationals working in northern Israel to the potential threat of an attack from Hezbollah, a group allied with the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. These individuals have been urged to seek shelter in bunkers for their safety. Nikorndej Balankura, the MFA spokesperson, issued this warning yesterday in response to rising tensions…
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Tang Rat app crashes amid rush for 10,000 baht digital wallet
The Tang Rat application crashed as numerous people rushed to download and verify their identities ahead of the registration for the 10,000 baht digital wallet set to begin tomorrow, August 1. It was reported today that the government, through the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) and the Ministry of Finance, will open the registration for the 10,000 baht…
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Ex-PM Thaksin’s Dubai dreams dashed: Medical treatment declined
The Criminal Court dashed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hopes of jetting off to Dubai for medical treatment. The embattled ex-leader requested to travel to the UAE from August 1 to 16, citing a slew of health issues, including chronic pneumonia, respiratory and coronary symptoms, a torn right rotator cuff, and spinal disc herniation. Thaksin, who celebrated his 75th birthday last…
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Thailand warns travellers as Oropouche fever spreads in Brazil
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is closely monitoring the spread of Oropouche fever in Brazil, where two fatalities have already been reported. The disease, transmitted by midges, has not yet been detected in Asia, prompting vigilance and travel advisories for those heading to Central and South America. The Brazilian Ministry of Health reported on July 25 that two women under…
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Activist Parit Chiwarak sentenced to two years for lese majeste
The criminal court of Thailand sentenced political activist Parit Chiwarak, also known as Penguin, to three years in prison for lese majeste, later reduced to two years without suspension. An arrest warrant has been issued for him to serve the sentence within a 10-year statute of limitations. The verdict was delivered today, July 31, at 10am at Criminal Court Room…
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MFP faces potential dissolution amid court ruling
Move Forward Party (MFP) remains resolute in its mission to promote progressive policies, regardless of the impending Constitutional Court ruling that could lead to its dissolution next week, according to spokesperson Parit Wacharasindhu. Parit announced that party leader Chaithawat Tulathon and chief adviser Pita Limjaroenrat will present statements on Friday summarising the legal arguments submitted to the court. The court…
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US urges Thailand to release Vietnamese activist facing extradition
US Congress members have formally requested that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin release Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap and assist in his resettlement to a third country rather than deporting him. This appeal was based on a letter signed by Michelle Steel, Luis Correa, John Moolenaar, and Chris Smith dated Friday, July 26. Activist 32 year old Bdap, who founded Montagnards…
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Senators call for PM Srettha’s exit after ex-con Cabinet pick
Forty former senators are pushing for the dismissal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin over his decision to appoint Pichit Chuenban, an ex-convict, as a Cabinet minister. They announced plans to submit their closing statement to the Constitutional Court by the end of the month. Somchai Swangkarn, a former Senator, revealed that the group is finalising a written closing statement for…
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Neighbours come together for peace in Myanmar conflict
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa called on Myanmar’s neighbouring countries to strengthen their cooperation in encouraging all parties involved in Myanmar’s civil war to halt the ongoing conflict since the 2021 military coup. Maris spoke to Kyodo News and Thai media in Vientiane yesterday, July 29, noting that he had informal discussions with his counterparts from Myanmar and India concerning the…
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Pheu Thai confident digital wallet bill will pass final House readings
Pheu Thai Party expresses confidence that its supplementary bill, designed to fund the flagship digital wallet handout scheme, will pass the House’s second and third readings tomorrow. A Pheu Thai MP-list and chief government whip, Wisut Chainaroon, asserted that the bill will pass due to the digital wallet scheme igniting new hope among the public. The final deliberation of the…
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Energy Ministry’s new bill targets stable oil and LPG prices
The Energy Ministry’s new bill aiming to control domestic oil and cooking gas prices requires a public hearing to assess its impact on oil traders and government revenue, according to an energy expert. Currently under review by the Council of State, the bill proposes the establishment of a new commission, akin to the Energy Regulatory Commission, to regulate retail prices…
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Thailand PM faces ousting over controversial appointment
Debate is intensifying over whether Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin should be ousted from office following his controversial decision to appoint Pichit Chuenban, a former convict, as a PM’s Office Minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle. Former senator Wanchai Sornsiri expressed confidence that the Constitutional Court will likely dismiss the case against PM Srettha, pointing out that no court ruling has…
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Thai Senate to cut standing committees amid reduced membership
The Senate is poised to reduce the number of its standing committees to align with the decreased number of senators in the Upper House. Concerns have been raised that this reduction could affect the chamber’s functionality in government. The Senate will debate this issue in its second meeting tomorrow, July 30. Mongkol Surasajja, recently elected as Senate speaker, confirmed that…
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Bhumjaithai Party allies dominate new Thai Senate
The new Senate is poised to play a crucial role in the forthcoming political power dynamics and efforts to amend the Thai constitution. Observers note that the Upper House is now heavily influenced by senators with connections to the Bhumjaithai Party, the third-largest political faction in Thailand. The newly elected Senate Speaker and one of his deputies are perceived to…
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Pattaya: Major electrical system overhaul on Walking Street
To modernise Pattaya’s infrastructure, plans are underway for a significant electrical system upgrade in the bustling Walking Street area. The ambitious project, spearheaded by Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, aims to revitalise the city’s electrical grid and enhance public safety. At a recent City Hall meeting on Wednesday, July 24, Mayor Poramet and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) finalised the project details.…
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Amnesty bill committee divided on Thailand’s lese majeste inclusion
The House Committee tasked with studying an amnesty bill has concluded its work but has not reached a decision on whether offences under Section 112, the lese majeste law, and Section 110 of the Criminal Code should be included. Pheu Thai MP and Committee Chairperson Chusak Sirinil announced that the panel has endorsed a report for submission to the House.…
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New bill to combat corruption in Thailand’s public sector
A new bill designed to streamline licencing and establish standards for government services is in the works, promising to be a significant tool in combating bribery and corruption in the public sector, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, the prime minister’s legal adviser. Wissanu, during a lecture on preventing corruption in the public sector amid digital disruption, highlighted that this bill is…
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Thailand court ruling to impact PM and Move Forward Party
The Constitutional Court is set to rule next month on two pivotal cases that could significantly impact Thailand’s political landscape, determining the future of the Move Forward Party (MFP) and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan expressed doubts about the MFP’s chances, stating that I believe the prospects of the MFP surviving the dissolution case are slim.…
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MFP introduces bills to reduce military power, prevent coups
The Move Forward Party (MFP) introduced three significant charter amendment bills aimed at mitigating the impact of the military regime’s orders, preventing future coups, and abolishing the junta-supported 20-year national strategy. An MFP list-MP, Parit Wacharasindhu, emphasised that although the Pheu Thai-led government has committed to rewriting a new charter, this process could take up to two years. The MFP…
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Thaksin’s birthday bash: Alms, lunch, and A-list guests
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to mark his 75th birthday with a private yet lavish celebration at his Chan Song Lar mansion in Bangkok. According to his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin will offer alms to Buddhist monks and host a lunch for a select group of close friends tomorrow. Paetongtarn revealed that her father plans to make…
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Paetongtarn kicks Chalerm Yubamrung out of Party’s chat group
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has removed veteran politician Chalerm Yubamrung from the party’s LINE application group. However, she has stopped short of expelling him from the party itself. Paetongtarn revealed her decision today, July 25, just one day after Chalerm held a press conference at his home in Bangkok’s Bang Bon district, daring the party to…
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Thailand freezes electricity prices to save consumers
To alleviate financial pressure on its citizens, the Thai government confirmed it will maintain the current cap on electricity prices at 4.18 baht per unit and diesel prices at 33 baht per litre until the end of the year. This announcement came from Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga following a recent Cabinet meeting. Minister Pirapan assured the public that a special…
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Thailand launches 10,000 baht digital wallet registration tomorrow
The Thai government will launch a new digital wallet initiative, allowing citizens to receive 10,000 baht through a simple registration process starting tomorrow, July 25. This initiative, managed by the Ministry of Finance, aims to stimulate the economy in the fourth quarter of the year. Between tomorrow and mid-September, citizens can register for the digital wallet via the Tang Rat…
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Politics in play: Golf outing sparks denials of secret deals by Thai parties
Pheu Thai Party and coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party have refuted claims of any secret agreements after former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul were seen playing golf together at a resort in Nakhon Ratchasima over the weekend. Anutin, who holds the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, clarified that Thaksin and his family stayed at…
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Wan Yubamrung joins Palang Pracharath after Pheu Thai fallout
Wan Yubamrung, who resigned from the Pheu Thai party last week, officially joined the Palang Pracharath Party today and was warmly received by its leader, Prawit Wongsuwan. “I was invited by several members from other political parties but I chose Prawit’s party.” Wan, the son of outspoken Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yubamrung, made headlines when he left Pheu Thai following…
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