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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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Thai energy firms deny Cambodia fuel exports after unusual surge detected
The 2nd Army Area yesterday, December 15, ordered tighter controls on the export of all types of fuel at the Chong Mek Border Checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani province to prevent supplies from being transported to Cambodia. The order resulted in more than 100 fuel tanker trucks being stranded at the checkpoint yesterday. Drivers were instructed to stop and wait while…
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Thai NGO accuses Cambodia of hiring US firm to wage information warfare
A Thai non-government organisation accused Cambodia of hiring an American consulting firm to carry out information warfare against Thailand on the international stage. The accusation was made by the Facebook page of STRONG Thailand Anti-Corruption Organisation on Sunday, December 14. The organisation shared documents obtained from efile.fara.gov, a website operated under the United States’ Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), as evidence to…
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Pheu Thai unveils prime minister candidates, including Thaksin’s nephew
Pheu Thai is set to reveal its candidates for the position of prime minister on Tuesday. The list includes Yodchanan Wongsawat, who is the nephew of Thaksin Shinawatra. At 46 years old, Associate Professor Yodchanan is the eldest son of former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and Yaowapha Wongsawat, Thaksin’s sister. He holds a PhD from the University of Texas at…
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EC prepares for nationwide election following House dissolution
Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) has confirmed it is fully prepared to conduct the next general election, with all systems in place following the dissolution of the House of Representatives. A February 8, 2026, poll date is under consideration. Newly appointed EC Chairman Narong Klunwarin, a former judge endorsed earlier this month, is leading preparations as the agency gears up for…
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Cambodia honours pregnant soldier killed in border clash
Yesterday, December 11, Cambodian authorities paid tribute to a pregnant female soldier who was reportedly killed during a frontline clash with Thai forces. The Phnom Penh Post reported that Cambodia’s Minister of Women’s Affairs posted a message mourning the loss of 43 year old Mut Saveun, a member of the 67th Tank Battalion. Saveun, who was four months pregnant, was…
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Embassy intervenes after Thais barred from crossing back from Cambodia
The Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh sent an urgent letter to Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior after Thai nationals in Cambodia were reportedly barred from returning home through the Ban Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province. Officials from the Thai-Cambodian Border Coordination Office told Thai PBS on Wednesday, December 11, that Cambodian authorities at the Ban Khlong Luek…
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Trump to intervene in renewed Thailand-Cambodia conflict
Following a successful brokering of a ceasefire in July, which ended a five-day conflict between the two countries, US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to intervene by phone call after fighting between Thailand and Cambodia continued into its third day today, December 10. In an interview yesterday, December 9, Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said he doubts…
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Cambodia withdraws from SEA Games over safety concerns amid border clashes
Cambodia announced its withdrawal from the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand today, December 10, citing safety concerns from parents and guardians of athletes following the escalating clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. A small group of Cambodian athletes attended the opening ceremony at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok yesterday, December 9. Cambodia had earlier confirmed it would send athletes to…
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Cambodian rockets fall near Surin hospital, forcing evacuation
Cambodian troops allegedly targeted Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin this morning, December 10, firing BM-21 rockets into the surrounding area and forcing medical staff and patients to evacuate for safety. According to an update from the 2nd Army Area, a total of six BM-21 rockets were launched into Thai territory at around 8.40am. Several rockets landed near the hospital…
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5 Thai soldiers killed amid escalating clashes with Cambodia
Five Thai soldiers have been killed in ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, with fresh confrontations reported this morning, December 10, the fourth consecutive day of fighting since hostilities resumed. The clashes reignited on Sunday, December 7, despite both countries signing a peace declaration in October, witnessed by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim.…
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Photo of Thai PM with Cambodian governor resurfaces
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen has posted a video and photos showing Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his wife together with the Cambodian governor, accusing Anutin of betraying former ties to gain political advantage. In the post, viewers can see Anutin and his wife, Thananon Niramit, in the same frame as Pailin Governor Ban Sreymom. Hun Sen claimed that…
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Rocket fire and armed exchanges continue along Thai–Cambodian border
Clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have continued for a third consecutive day since December 7, with further exchanges taking place this morning, December 9. No new casualties have been confirmed. ThaiRath reported yesterday, December 8, that Cambodian military activity was detected across several provinces bordering Cambodia, including Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, Si Saket, and Sa Kaeo. In Buriram’s Ban Kruad district,…
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PM rules out negotiations with Cambodia, gives reassurance on the Trump Tax Deal
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared that Thailand will end diplomatic negotiations with Cambodia and reassured that the conflict will not derail the Trump tax agreement. Anutin explained that the Thai armed forces already activated full defensive measures, though he declined to disclose operational details. He emphasised that the military will confront any invasion with force if necessary. When asked whether…
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Opposition leader slams flood response committee as headline-making move
Opposition leader and People’s Party MP Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has criticised the government’s decision to establish a flood response review committee, calling the move unnecessary and performative. In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and released on December 4, Natthaphong questioned the rationale behind forming yet another committee, arguing that Thailand has already endured numerous disasters and accumulated…
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Minister denies hiring designer amid SEA Games ceremony controversy
The Sports and Tourism Minister responded to the controversy over the cancelled SEA Games ceremony design, insisting that no hiring contract was ever made with the designer or his team. The drama began after Thai visual and lighting designer Rueangrith “Ton” Suntisuk shared on December 2 that he and his team had been working on the opening and closing ceremony…
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Thailand and UAE mark 50 years of diplomatic relations
Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) marked 50 years of diplomatic relations this week during a ceremony held at the UAE Embassy in Bangkok. The celebration coincided with the UAE’s 54th Union Day. UAE Ambassador to Thailand, Obaid Saeed Obaid Bintaresh Aldhaheri, addressed the attendees on Monday, praising the steady growth of bilateral ties. He remarked that the long-standing…
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