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.
-
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...
-
Red yeast rice scare: Thai FDA ensures public protection
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reassured the public that red yeast rice supplements linked to a shocking number of deaths in Japan have not entered the Thai market. This announcement follows Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co’s revelation that it is investigating an additional 76 deaths potentially connected to its benikoji (red rice tablets). The health scare began in March when…
-
Foreign minister: China’s banking giant to boost tech investment
Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa met with Ge Haijiao, Chairman of the Bank of China, on Wednesday, July 10, during his official visit to China. The meeting, held to bolster Thai-Chinese economic ties, saw the presence of Pongsarun Assawachaisophon, Deputy Secretary-General to the prime minister. In a strategic pitch, Maris extended an invitation to the Bank of China to…
-
Thailand’s 30 baht healthcare policy gets public approval
Thailand’s 30 Baht Treatment Anywhere policy has received widespread approval from the public, providing accessible health services for minor illnesses through community pharmacies in 45 provinces. The 30 Baht Treatment Anywhere policy, which allows citizens to receive healthcare services for minor ailments at designated quality pharmacies, has been warmly received by the public. This initiative, part of the National Health…
-
Tourists from 93 countries can now come to Thailand visa-free
Thailand is set to become the ultimate tourist hotspot as the Ministry of Interior rolls out a sweeping visa waiver, allowing travellers from 93 countries to enter visa-free starting next Monday, July 15. This move, designed to boost tourism and simplify travel, marks a significant increase from the current 57 visa-exempt nations. Traisulee Traisoranakul, secretary to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul,…
-
Digital wallet woes: PM Srettha quizzed in Parliament by MFP
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin faced intense scrutiny in Parliament yesterday over the government’s digital wallet handout scheme, marking his first significant confrontation with the opposition since taking office. Deputy leader of the main opposition Move Forward Party, Sirikanya Tansakul, challenged the 62 year old PM on the digital wallet programme and the government’s economic strategy. She acknowledged the PM’s presence…
-
Public health vice minister’s sudden exit from Pheu Thai Party
Wan Yubamrung, the vice minister attached to the public health minister, announced his resignation today. He is set to leave the Pheu Thai Party next week. Wan, the son of outspoken veteran Pheu Thai Party member Chalerm Yubamrung, revealed his decision in an emotional Facebook Live post. “I had never thought about leaving the Pheu Thai Party, as long as…
-
Public Health Minister ramps up mental health hotline services
To combat the intertwined issues of mental health and narcotics abuse, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has directed agencies to ramp up hotline services for greater efficiency. During his visit to the Department of Mental Health today, Somsak emphasised the urgent need for improvement. “Around 40% of psychiatric patients suffer due to narcotics.” The health minister highlighted the critical overlap…
-
Bangkok launches major drug prevention initiative with urine tests
Bangkok is set to launch a significant drug prevention and control initiative tomorrow, July 12, with the capitol’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, directing district offices to coordinate with local police stations for urine testing in 88 communities identified as high-risk for drug abuse, aiming to bring users into treatment programs. During an online Zoom meeting at the Bangkok City Hall, Chadchart…
-
Chinese foreign minister calls for ASEAN regional cooperation
During a meeting between the Thai and Chinese foreign ministers to discuss the consultation mechanisms between the two nations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised the importance of upholding the ASEAN-centered East Asian regional cooperation framework and rejecting exclusive small circles. Wang and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa co-chaired the second meeting between the foreign ministers. This two-day visit marked…
-
New senate sworn in: Election results ‘seal’ the deal on fresh faces
The new Senate was inaugurated yesterday, July 10, following the Election Commission’s certification of the 2024 Senate election results. The ceremony saw 200 elected senators and a reserve list of 100 approved, though controversy struck early when Senator-elect Kordiyah Song-ngam was temporarily suspended due to her advisory role to the president of the Ang Thong Provincial Administration Organisation. The newly…
-
Thailand slashes digital wallet budget amid corruption fears
The Thai government has decided to slash the budget for its digital wallet scheme from 500 billion baht to 450 billion, scrapping plans to borrow 170 billion baht from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced the decision yesterday, July 10, citing corruption concerns raised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Julapun revealed…
-
Thailand’s new senators report as EC probes election irregularities
Thailand’s newly appointed 200 senators have been summoned to report to Parliament today, July 11, while the Election Commission (EC) continues to scrutinise numerous allegations of collusion and other election irregularities. The senators are expected to collect their certificates tomorrow and on Friday, according to the poll body’s announcement after finalising the results of the three-stage vote that concluded on…
-
Election Commission seals deal: Senatorial results get green light
The Election Commission (EC) finally endorsed the results of the senatorial election. Despite initial delays and mounting complaints, the EC confirmed the election’s integrity and backed all 200 winners. The EC convened today, July 10, meeting from 9am to 2.30pm, to resolve the matter. Initially slated for an announcement on July 3, the endorsement was repeatedly postponed due to a…
-
Early retirement scheme slashes Thai Defence senior ranks
The Cabinet approved an early retirement scheme for senior Defence Ministry officials, effective this October. According to insider sources, the initiative is set to revolutionise the armed forces by offering retirement packages to over 700 top brass. The ambitious three-year campaign aims to retire 732 high-ranking officials, approximately 244 each year, slashing the defence budget by an impressive 4.47 billion…
-
Thailand govt defends Buriram graduates amid cheating claims
The Thai government fiercely defended 40 Buriram Rajabhat University graduates against allegations of cheating in their competitive exams for assistant teaching positions. Rumours have been swirling that the graduates were aided by leaked exam papers, a suspicion magnified by the fact that the Minister of Education, Permpoon Chidchob, is from Buriram province. Addressing the controversy, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime…
-
PM Srettha highlights key achievements in first year of office
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin asserted yesterday that his administration has made significant progress in its first year, countering criticisms from opposition parties and some dissatisfied members of the Pheu Thai Party. The Thai premier yesterday, July 9, emphasised that more accomplishments will become evident over time. Addressing claims that the government had yet to deliver tangible results, the Bangkok-born PM…
-
PM Srettha to meet Malaysian PM for peace talks
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced a high-stakes meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a southern border province on August 3, though the exact location remains undecided. The Thai premier hinted that Yala, Pattani, or Narathiwat could be the chosen venue. “My team is making arrangements.” While the specifics of the agenda are under wraps, the Bangkok-born PM…
-
Thailand delays legal advice on digital wallet funding
The Thailand government has not yet sought legal advice from the Council of State regarding the use of funds from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to partially finance the digital wallet scheme, confirmed Pakorn Nilprapunt, Secretary-General of the Council. Pakorn clarified that the government does not need to consult the council if it plans to use money…
-
Thai PM Srettha honoured with President’s Award of Service
The Claremont Graduate University in California, USA, honoured Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with the President’s Award of Service. This award recognises his significant contributions to the public, the promotion of human development, and the advocacy of human rights. The Thai premier is the first alumnus of Claremont Graduate University to receive this award. The university’s executive team and representatives…
-
Pol-ishing Thais: Thailand, Poland to boost medical technology ties
Thailand and Poland, despite their close trade ties, are urged to enhance their business cooperation, particularly in the medical technology sector, according to Polish Ambassador Artur Dmochowski. During a seminar in Bangkok yesterday, July 9, Dmochowski highlighted Poland‘s desire to strengthen economic, commercial, and technological exchanges with Thailand. The event aimed to showcase advancements in Polish medical technology. The Polish…
-
Submerged in controversy: Sutin to meet PM over submarine deal
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced today that he will meet Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin next week to discuss the controversial submarine procurement project. Sutin revealed that if the prime minister approves, the proposal will be swiftly submitted to the Cabinet for final approval. “Once China answers this key question, I will compile all the information for the prime minister to…
-
New Malaysian mediator appointed for Thai peace talks
The Malaysian government has appointed a new mediator for the peace process in southern Thailand. This comes amid urgent calls for a reassessment of the peace roadmap following a surge in violence that has shattered public confidence. A devastating car bomb exploded outside a police flat in Yala on June 30, claiming the life of a school teacher and injuring…
-
Pheu Thai tries to regain public confidence after unfulfilled promises
Pheu Thai faces significant challenges as it struggles to regain public confidence amid unfulfilled economic promises. Just a year ago, many Thais were optimistic that Pheu Thai’s return to power would alleviate the nation’s economic difficulties by boosting consumer purchasing power, reducing household debt, and reversing slowing economic growth. Pheu Thai’s election campaign emphasised economic policies, promising to achieve an…
-
Thailand’s Half-Half fertiliser project aims to grow rice prices
The Thai government has launched the Half-Half Fertiliser project, aiming to improve rice prices for farmers while continuing the 1,000 baht per rai support scheme. The initiative is intended to help farmers in times of crisis and enhance rice quality. Thammanat Prompao, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, addressed criticisms of the Half-Half Fertiliser project at the Government House today.…
-
Former red-shirt leader plans protest against new govt initiatives
Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan announced plans for a protest next month against several government initiatives, citing concerns that these measures would primarily benefit the country’s elite. Jatuporn specifically pointed to proposals to increase the cap on foreign ownership in condominiums to 75% and extend land leases for foreigners to 99 years. In a Facebook post made yesterday, July 8,…
-
Cash in the cloud: Thailand gears up for digital wallet launch
Thailand’s deputy finance minister recently disclosed that the prime minister will announce details about the digital wallet project, including registration and identity verification steps, on Wednesday, July 24. The project aims to distribute 10,000 baht through digital wallets, pending approval from various authorities. Deputy Finance Minister Paopum Rojanasakul addressed concerns raised by Deputy Leader of the Move Forward Party, Sirikanya…
-
Outgoing Senate to fulfil duties until new members endorsed by EC
Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai affirmed that the outgoing Senate will continue its duties until the Election Commission (EC) officially endorses the 200 new senators. This statement comes amid questions from political analysts and senators-elect regarding the outgoing Senate’s role in reviewing the budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Concerns have been raised about why the outgoing senators, whose terms…
-
Pathum Thani PAO chairman suspended amid corruption trial
The recently elected Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) Chairman in Pathum Thani, Charn Phuangphet, faces suspension from duty due to malfeasance, pending a court decision, according to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Anutin confirmed that the provincial officers will adhere to the legal advice provided by the Council of State (CoS), which recommends suspension due to Charn’s ongoing trial for malfeasance. While…
-
NSC to review permanent border checkpoint with Cambodia
The National Security Council (NSC) will thoroughly examine the trade benefits and security concerns surrounding a proposed new permanent border checkpoint with Cambodia, according to a senior official. Police in Trat province are advocating for Ban Tha Sen in Mueang district to be established as a permanent checkpoint following Cabinet approval, pending NSC support. Ban Tha Sen borders Phothisat province…
-
Prachuap Khiri Khan holds water ceremony for king’s birthday
The governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan led a sacred water collection ceremony at Wat Khao Tham Ma Rong, Bang Saphan, in honour of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s upcoming 72nd birthday celebration. Somkid Chantamorn, the Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, presided over a sacred water collection ceremony yesterday, July 4, at Wat Khao Tham Ma Rong in Pong Prasat subdistrict, Bang Saphan…
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.