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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Thai social security office vows check-ups on clinics for better care
The Social Security Office clarified its commitment to stringent checks on medical facilities under the Social Security system, aiming to enhance the insured’s quality of life. Niyada Saneemanomai, a government spokesperson, yesterday, March 4, addressed a case where an insured person died of heart failure after receiving treatment at a hospital under the social security system. The patient was initially…
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Qatar aids Thailand in locating last Thai hostage in Gaza
Qatar has committed to locating the last remaining Thai hostage held by Hamas in Gaza and assisting with the repatriation of two dead Thai workers, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa is currently visiting Qatar, where he met with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani on Monday, March 3. Maris thanked Qatar…
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Prawit to lead no-confidence debate against PM Paetongtarn
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwan is set to lead party members of Parliament in a no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on March 24, according to PPRP Secretary-General Paiboon Nititawan. Paiboon stated that the PPRP will have a two-hour slot to scrutinise the prime minister, with General Prawit actively participating in the proceedings. The debate will address several…
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Thailand forms task force to combat border crime
Thailand is ramping up its fight against border crime, drug trafficking, and call centre scams with a newly established security task force, granting the military greater control over cross-border threats. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra signed an executive order on February 28, forming the Committee for the Prevention and Resolution of Security Threats in Border Areas with Neighbouring Countries. The initiative…
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Pattaya cracks down on shady grabs and sinking streets
Pattaya officials are cracking down on illegal land grabs and worsening flood woes, with urgent measures underway to reclaim public property and overhaul drainage systems. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet and Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharaphat Sritanyanon chaired an emergency meeting to address these pressing concerns, focusing on two major crises: illegal encroachment at Sukhawadee House and persistent flooding in the city’s…
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Thailand upholds alcohol ban on Buddhist holidays with exceptions
Thailand’s Alcoholic Beverage Board has upheld the ban on alcohol sales during five major Buddhist holy days, with limited exceptions for specific locations. The decision, aimed at balancing religious observance with tourism promotion, is expected to take effect before Visakha Bucha Day on May 11. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Prasert Chantararuangthong, chaired the National…
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Thai man blames social security delay for brother’s death
A Thai man blamed delayed treatment under the Social Security Office (SSO) for his brother’s death while others came forward to express their disappointment over the poor quality of medical care provided under the SSO. Facebook user Chatpat Chuthichok shared the story of his brother yesterday, March 2. His brother died in hospital on February 28 after a lengthy wait…
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Thai MotoGP bid runs out of track as Thailand hits the brakes
Chang International Circuit chairman Newin Chidchob expressed his disappointment on Facebook that the Thai government has decided not to extend the MotoGP contract in 2027. Newin took to his Facebook account, ลุงเนวิน (meaning Uncle Newin), to inform Thai MotoGP fans that the event would be held at Chang International Circuit for the last time in 2026 unless the Ministry of Tourism…
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Tiktok to invest 300bn baht in Thai tech hub development
TikTok plans to invest approximately 300 billion baht in Thailand over the next five years to transform the country into an ASEAN technology hub. The decision emerged from discussions yesterday, February 28, between Helena Lersch, TikTok’s vice-president of public policy, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok, as reported by Government Spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. Lersch expressed appreciation for the Thai…
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Deputy PM calls for fair censure debate, no Thaksin targeting
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai called for the opposition to engage in a constructive debate without involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is not part of the Cabinet. The no-confidence motion is directed at Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, raising speculation that the opposition may criticise Thaksin, her politically active father. Paetongtarn faces accusations of lacking leadership skills, knowledge, and…
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Thai minister refutes 92 billion baht foreign healthcare cost claim
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin addressed public concerns after the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported that healthcare costs for foreign workers reached 92 billion baht last year. He clarified that the actual figure was closer to 2 billion baht. Somsak acknowledged that healthcare spending increased during 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that the…
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Opposition demands probe into NACC’s Prawit asset case
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has requested that House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha initiate an investigation into the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) handling of several prominent malfeasance cases. The opposition is particularly concerned about the decision by five NACC members to terminate a fact-finding mission into the actions of former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. Prawit was accused of failing…
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Labour Ministry backs export of Muay Thai coaches to Hong Kong
The Labour Ministry has committed to fully supporting the export of Muay Thai boxing coaches to Hong Kong, where there is a significant demand for their expertise. This commitment was highlighted during Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn’s recent visit to the territory. During his visit, Phiphat, accompanied by senior ministry officials, toured a fitness centre on Fa Yuen Street in Mong…
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Senate votes to ban small mesh nets for night fishing
The Senate has voted to prohibit the use of purse seine nets with mesh sizes smaller than 2.5cm for night fishing, leading to the return of the Lower House’s fisheries bill to MPs for further discussion. The Upper House reviewed the amendment bill for the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries 2015 on Tuesday, following the Senate committee’s evaluation. The bill comprises…
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New entertainment complex law to shake up Thailand’s nightlife
A controversial new law that could revolutionise Thailand’s entertainment industry is set to be reviewed by the Cabinet on March 11, sparking curiosity and speculation about the future of nightlife in the country. The Entertainment Complex Business Act aims to regulate entertainment venues more strictly, impacting nightclubs, bars, and other entertainment establishments nationwide. The Council of State recently returned the…
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Thailand deports 40 Uyghurs to China despite UNHCR warnings
Thailand has deported 40 Uyghurs to China after holding them for over a decade, drawing condemnation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The agency expressed its deepest condolences and labelled the deportation a violation of international law. UNHCR reported that it repeatedly requested access to the detained Uyghurs, who feared persecution if returned to China. Thai officials…
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Thailand to introduce 300-baht tourism tax
Thailand is set to introduce a 300-baht tourism tax for foreign visitors by the end of this year, sparking debate over its potential impact on the travel industry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong confirmed that the fee is expected to take effect during Thailand’s High Season, provided it is approved and published in the Royal Gazette by March. The…
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No-confidence motion targets PM Paetongtarn
Opposition Leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has launched a political firestorm by filing a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, accusing her of incompetence and corruption. The motion, submitted under Section 151 of the Constitution at Parliament today, February 27, aims to unseat Paetongtarn amid claims of poor governance and political manipulation. Natthaphong, head of the People’s Party, announced that while…
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DSI investigates potential rigging in last year’s Senate election
The Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) special cases board will address complaints related to the Senate election held last year with transparency, according to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. Yesterday, February 26, the minister met with unsuccessful candidates and those on the reserve list of senators who supported him amid rising tensions between the DSI and the Senate. Some senators have…
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Thaksin vows to end Thai unrest, sparking strategy concerns
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s commitment to ending the unrest in southern Thailand by next year has sparked concerns and led to inquiries regarding the government’s actual strategies to address the situation, according to a political scholar from Thammasat University. As an informal adviser to the ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thaksin made a significant visit to the…
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U-Tapao Airport expansion cut as high-speed rail delays continue
The ambitious U-Tapao Airport expansion is being drastically scaled back as the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed rail project faces ongoing delays and uncertainty. The airport, a key component of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development, was initially designed to handle 12 million passengers annually. However, with the high-speed rail link stalled for nearly five years, those plans are being significantly downsized. U-Tapao…
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Social Security Fund board rejects pension formula
The Social Security Fund (SSF) Board recently declined a proposed pension formula, citing its complexity as the reason for rejection. Board member Associate Professor Sustarum Thammaboosadee, who coordinates the Progressive Social Security Team, expressed regret over his inability to persuade the SSF Board to adopt the proposal. Despite this setback, he plans to continue advocating for the formula at the…
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Free Internet for disabled Thais under new government initiative
In a groundbreaking move to bridge the digital divide, a new initiative will provide free Internet access to over 1.1 million disabled people across Thailand. The programme, launched through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), and Bangkok Tellink, aims to empower disabled people by giving…
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People’s Party targets Bangkok 2026 election with pollution policies
The main opposition, the People’s Party (PP), is ambitiously aiming for a comprehensive victory in Bangkok’s gubernatorial election next year, with plans to address the city’s numerous challenges through targeted policies. Bangkok MP Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, responsible for the party’s election strategy, highlighted an early focus on combating air pollution during the launch of the Hackable Bangkok 2026 campaign yesterday, February…
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Kothon and 8 charged in murder of PAO member
In a chilling conclusion to a high-profile murder case, the Crime Suppression Division has officially indicted Sunthon Wilawan, known as Kothon, and eight accomplices for the brutal killing of Chaimes Sitthisanitphong, also known as S.J. Tong, a member of the Provincial Administrative Organisation in Prachin Buri. The case files were submitted to prosecutors today, February 25, marking a major development…
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Thaksin skips rumoured meeting with Newin amid political tensions
Political drama unfolded at the Pullman King Power Hotel on Rangnam Road as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra failed to appear for a highly anticipated meeting with Newin Chidchob, the influential figure of the Bhumjaithai Party yesterday, February 24. Despite rumours of a secret dinner to resolve political rifts between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai, Thaksin was a no-show, leaving reporters…
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Who qualifies for 2025 Thailand welfare cards?
Thailand will open registration for a new round of state welfare cards next month, aimed at supporting low-income people and vulnerable groups. It has been two years since the last registration round, from September 5 to October 31, 2022. This time, the government is gearing up to help even more people in need, with a financial aid package of 1,545…
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Former Thai PM Thanin Kraivichien passes away at 97
Thanin Kraivichien, the 14th Prime Minister of Thailand and former President of the Privy Council during the reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, passed away yesterday, February 23, at the age of 97. His family has announced that the schedule for his royal cremation and religious ceremonies will be shared in due course. Born in Bangkok on April…
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Progressive Party MP faces rape charges, awaits court’s decision
The Thai Progressive Party has not yet expelled Bangkok MP Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, who faces charges for allegedly raping a Taiwanese tourist in Chiang Mai. The party awaits the prosecutors’ decision on whether the case will proceed to court. Yesterday, February 23, the party released a statement expressing serious concern over the allegations involving Chaiyamparwaan. “We are well aware that this…
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Thaksin unfazed by bombings, sees hope in the Deep South
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his lack of concern over recent bombings in the Deep South during his visit to the area, noting that past assassination attempts have failed to intimidate him. This comment followed bombings in Yala province on Saturday, February 22, and at Narathiwat Airport yesterday morning, where his plane was scheduled to land. In…
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