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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Thai government greenlights energy subsidies and price caps
Subsidies on electricity bills for vulnerable groups and caps on cooking gas and diesel prices have received the green light from the Thai government. The move aimed to alleviate the burden of burgeoning energy costs on the population. Deputy government spokesperson Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri disclosed that diesel prices will now be fixed at 33 baht per litre, from April 20…
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Thai government sets plans for King Rama X’s upcoming birthday
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin issued a directive to all government departments to come up with proposals for events to mark the forthcoming sixth-cycle birthday of His Majesty King Rama X, scheduled for July 28. The announcement came in the wake of a Cabinet meeting yesterday. The 62 year old Thai prime minister requested that the plans be presented to the…
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Thai Finance Minister set to discuss policies with BOT
The freshly appointed Finance Minister today expressed his readiness to engage in discussions with the governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to align fiscal and monetary policies. Pichai Chunhavajira, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, stated to journalists that collaborating with the BoT on policy coordination is part of his job responsibilities. Pichai expressed confidence that he…
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Grain gamble: Decade-old rice from Surin warehouses still fresh
Stored for over a decade, rice from the warehouses in Surin, dating back to Yingluck Shinawatra‘s term in office, has been confirmed to be in good condition. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, gave an assurance of the rice’s quality and announced that a bidding process for it is scheduled for next week. Phumtham, along with representatives from the private and public…
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Thai PM denies plans to limit Bank of Thailand governor’s powers
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin dismissed any intention of modifying the law to restrict the authority of the Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) governor amidst a disagreement over the central bank’s interest rate policy. Responding to queries about potential amendments to the Bank of Thailand Act to limit the governor’s powers, the 62 year old Thai prime minister assured that such…
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Thai government boosts welfare benefits for workers
Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke indicated that the Thai government is committed to improving welfare benefits to enhance the quality of life for all workers in the country. This commitment follows a recent roll-out of new regulations aimed at supporting the needs of the informal workforce, a significant demographic in Thailand. “The government is determined to push for regulations that will…
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Thaksin Shinawatra’s leisure trip to Phuket sparks controversy
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra stirred controversy following his recent visit to Phuket, which was initially presented as a casual leisure trip. The trip has come under scrutiny as Thaksin was observed mingling with various business figures and local administrative authorities on the island. Local reports stated that this incident prompted speculation about the actual intention behind Thaksin’s trip…
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Thailand’s Move Forward Party faces possible dissolution
The Move Forward Party (MFP), one of Thailand’s major opposition parties, is currently battling a case against its dissolution in court. The case was triggered by the Election Commission’s (EC) proposal, based on Section 92 of the Political Parties Act, after the MFP was found to be advocating for amendments to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese…
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Bangkok Council signs MOU with Kunming City Council to enhance cooperation in various fields
Wirat Meenchainunt, Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, Chayada Vipattipumiprates, The First Vice-Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, along with members of the Bangkok Council and relevant government officials paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Kunming City People’s Council and attended the signing ceremony of the revised Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation and Friendly Relations (MOU)…
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South Africa and Thailand boosts agricultural ties
The agricultural sector has become a significant beneficiary of the thriving bilateral relationship between Thailand and South Africa, revealed South Africa’s Ambassador to Thailand, Darkey Africa in a recent interview. This conversation was held to commemorate three decades of South African democracy and the bilateral relationship between the two nations including a strengthening of agricultural ties. Africa underscored the positive…
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SET extends deadline due to few presidential applicants
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has delayed the application deadline for its presidential role until May 15, following a lack of applicants. The present president, Pakorn Peetathawatchai, is due to step down in September. The SET chairman role also remains unfilled after Pichai Chunhavajira’s recent resignation. The exchange is seeking candidates who can support its vision of making the…
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Salary surge: Thai civil servants set for pay raise starting May 1
The Thai government announced a significant salary increase for civil servants, effective from tomorrow, May 1, this year. This adjustment aims to ensure that those with a bachelor’s degree will earn no less than 18,000 baht per month, and those with a vocational certificate will receive no less than 11,000 baht per month within two years. This recent decision, made…
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RTN ready to evacuate Thais in escalating Myanmar conflict
The escalating civil conflict in Myanmar prompted the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) to keep four ships on standby in the Andaman Sea, prepared to evacuate Thai citizens if required. Admiral Adung Pan-Iam, the RTN chief, has commanded the Region 3 commander, who oversees the Andaman coast, to ready two frigates, HTMS Saiburi and HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan, along with two landing…
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Seasoned diplomat poised to replace Thai foreign minister
Seasoned diplomat Maris Sangiampongsa is reportedly the primary candidate to replace Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara as Thailand’s foreign minister following the latter’s sudden resignation. Maris, having served as a diplomatic advisor to Parnpree and ambassador to various nations, including Australia, Nepal, and Canada, is widely anticipated to take up the mantle. Maris’ diplomatic career spans over two decades, during which he worked…
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Pheu Thai Party highlights achievements, outlines future vision
The Pheu Thai Party organised a significant event on Friday to shed light on the party’s accomplishments over the past 10 months and to share the vision of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The event is aptly named 10 Months Without Waiting, Moving Forward to Achieve 10 out of 10, as revealed by Pheu Thai’s secretary-general,…
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Pichai Chunhavajira announced as new Thai Finance Minister
The former Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) chairman has been appointed as the new finance minister, a move that has garnered a positive reception from stock market analysts. They believe Pichai Chunhavajira will play an active role in managing the capital market and advancing economic stimulus, now that the 2024 fiscal budget is prepared for allocation. Expressing his view on…
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SEC warns digital asset exchanges on special privileges
The Deputy Secretary-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a stern warning to digital asset exchange operators. The caution comes in light of recent findings by the SEC, which reveal that these exchanges often entice the public to invest by offering special privileges, thereby encouraging trades on their platforms. Anek Yooyuen emphasised that the operations of digital asset…
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Thai PM’s frozen durian order: A fruitful venture worth millions
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday publicised the country’s recent acquisition of a 300-million-baht (US$8.1 million) frozen durian order on social media. The announcement came in the aftermath of his trip to Chanthaburi, which further emphasised the global appetite for Thai durians. “Post my visit, an order was placed. Business tycoons have expressed interest in placing an annual order worth 300…
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Laos considers Thailand’s proposal for ASEAN troika meetings
The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura, confirmed that Laos has received and is considering Thailand’s proposal for ASEAN Troika and Troika plus meetings, which aim to alleviate the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. The proposal is Thailand’s attempt to engage with Myanmar’s military junta to resolve the situation while simultaneously advocating for humanitarian aid and peace. Thailand put forth this…
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Pheu Thai people’s charter still unfulfilled seven months in
The Pheu Thai Party’s promise to craft a people’s charter that would engage an elected assembly and a public referendum while honouring Thailand’s constitutional monarchy remains unfulfilled after seven months in power. The 2017 charter, considered by some as a leftover from the 2014 coup, has yet to see any amendments. The initial months of the Pheu Thai government were…
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Thailand and Bangladesh pursue free trade agreement
PM Srettha confirmed that Thailand and Bangladesh are keen on pursuing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The two nations signed a letter of intent last week to speed up the negotiation process, marking a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts. Speaking at a press conference following his meeting with Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the 62 year old Thai PM…
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Thai-Lao friendship bridge to open in November
The fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, connecting Thailand’s Bueng Kan province and Laos’ Pakxan town, has been scheduled to open in November. The announcement was made by Deputy Transport Minister, Manaporn Charoensri. The bridge will span from Bueng Kan, Khai Si and Wisit subdistricts in the Mueang Bueng Kan district, situated across the river from Pakxan. The construction project features a…
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Elderly Thai man’s x-ray reveals 42 bullets from Vietnam War (video)
An elderly Thai man’s chest x-ray displaying 42 bullets lodged in his lung for 40 years dramatically reveals his survival from a near-fatal error during the Vietnam War. The x-ray, uploaded to TikTok by user @chanakan355 showcases the shrapnel-filled lungs of a man who was mistakenly shot and has lived with the remnants of the war inside him for four…
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Thailand’s EC investigates potential senator election manipulation
The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand is currently probing into claims of potential manipulation in the upcoming senator election process. The EC has cautioned potential candidates about registering with a questionable website. The EC indicated that the act of encouraging individuals to form groups for the Senate election competition could be a breach of election laws. Consequently, they have initiated…
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Phuket governor endorses special administrative status transition
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat openly endorsed the move for Phuket to acquire special administrative status. Governor Sophon conveyed his support during a speech at the 2024 Phuket Chamber of Commerce (PCC) Annual General Meeting, held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel. Sophon’s vision for the province’s future governance entails transitioning to a special administrative status, akin to those currently in place…
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Thai government delays wage hike: Minimum muddle continues
The Thai government has postponed the anticipated increase in minimum daily wage to 400 baht. The rise was initially set to take effect on Labour Day but the government will now await the outcome of a tripartite committee meeting on May 14. Karom Polpornklang, the deputy government spokesperson, confirmed yesterday that the wage increase would not start on May 1.…
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Supachai Phosu found guilty of serious ethical misconduct
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) of Thailand declared former Deputy Agriculture Minister Supachai Phosu, culpable of serious ethical misconduct. The charges stem from his unlawful occupation of a forest reserve in Nakhon Phanom province. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, the NACC spokesman, declared that the case will be forwarded to the Supreme Court for political office holders to determine the final verdict. Investigations…
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Myanmar junta’s secret deal with China
Myanmar’s junta is stirring up a storm yet again, as their home minister jets off to China for clandestine security discussions with Beijing’s top brass. Myanmar’s Lieutenant-General Yar Pyae slipped under the radar, embarking on a covert voyage to China for what’s touted as a working visit with China’s Minister for Public Security, Wang Xiaohong. The rendezvous, scheduled from April…
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Thai MPs set to jump ship as PM Srettha prepares major reshuffle
Two Members of Parliament from the ruling Pheu Thai Party are on the brink of securing seats in the Cabinet, according to insider sources. Paopoom Rojanasakul, a party-list MP, and Jiraporn Sindhuprai, representing Roi Et, were reportedly spotted at Government House on Tuesday, fuelling speculation of their imminent ascent. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, despite dismissing rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle…
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Transport minister sets off for China for high-speed rail talks
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit will jet off to China next month for a meeting to discuss Thailand’s ambitious high-speed railway project and ignite the engines on the Land Bridge megaproject, worth a staggering 1 trillion baht. Suriya declared yesterday his forthcoming leadership at the 31st Thailand-China joint ministerial committee meeting scheduled for May 7 to 9. Topics on the agender…
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