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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MP investigates Thaksin’s alleged 2 million baht treatment at Police Hospital
A delegation from the Police Committee of the House of Representatives, led by its chairman Chaichana Dejdecho, an MP from Nakhon Si Thammarat and a Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, visited the Police Hospital to check on the health of former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The delegation was guided by Police Lieutenant Colonel Samart Muangsiri, a doctor at the…
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2 former ministers accused of demanding bribes from Thai workers in Finland
Former Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin is seeking justice after accusing the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of damaging his reputation by calling out two former labour ministers for demanding bribes from Thai workers in Finland. ThaiRath reported that Thailand considers workers to be victims of human trafficking if employers detain, abuse or illegally exploit them. However, the law in Finland…
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Thai PM approves Clean Air bill: A milestone for environmental protection
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday penned his approval of the Clean Air bill. The signing ceremony took place at 9.30am on January 11 in Chiang Mai during the PM’s scheduled visit to review the city’s public transportation systems and ongoing air pollution issues. This move was a significant stride towards addressing Thailand’s air pollution predicament, a subject that has…
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PM Srettha visits Chiang Mai street food market in soft power move
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin set the stage for Thailand’s unique foray into soft power, blending strategic attractions such as pigeon racing and Muay Thai. PM Srettha, on a visit to Chiang Mai, didn’t just stick to the official script but delved into progressive discussions that could reshape the nation’s global influence. Taking a casual stroll through Chiang Mai’s famed street…
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Three ex-Bhumjaithai MPs banned by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court delivered a harsh blow to three former Bhumjaithai MPs, slamming them with a 10-year ban from contesting elections. Chalong Thirdweerapong, Phumisak Kongmee, and Natee Ratchakitprakarn were all found guilty of a severe breach of parliamentary ethics. The court’s ruling, based on a parallel case in the Criminal Court, unveils a scandalous scheme. On May 18 last year, the…
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Thai MP proposes revision of strict alcohol control bill
Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Thaophiphob Limchitrakorn proposed a revision of a stringent Alcohol Control bill concerning alcohol product advertising during a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, January 10. Three versions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act were under scrutiny, including two public sector drafts and Thaophiphob’s draft. The first draft, supported by numerous anti-alcohol groups and labelled as Article 32…
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Thai PM sparks a brighter future: Electric mass transit pledge to zap pollution in Chiang Mai
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to foster the development of electric mass transit systems as a solution to the persistent air pollution issues plaguing the northern province. 61 year old Thai prime minister noted that the fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) levels had considerably decreased since his last visit on November 28 of the previous year. The…
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Thaksin’s extended hospital stay approved by Thailand’s Corrections Department
Thailand’s Department of Corrections released an official statement today, January 11, concerning the prolonged medical treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra at Police General Hospital, which has exceeded the standard 120-day limit. Thaksin has been receiving medical attention at an external hospital since August 23 last year, as he was diagnosed with several pre-existing health conditions that required specialised care. The medical…
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PM Srettha’s official visit to Chiang Mai aims to boost Thai tourism and tackle PM2.5
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday embarked on an official visit to Chiang Mai with a delegation to inspect key government policy projects such as transportation network systems, measures to tackle PM2.5 dust particles, and tourism promotion initiatives. During the three-day scheduled trip from January 10-12, PM Srettha encountered the renowned Lieutenant Somboon Banchamek, also known as Buakaw, who was training…
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Pa Narae removed from emergency list, southern emergency decree to extend
A recent meeting of the Emergency Situation Management Committee at the National Security Council unveiled that one southern district has been struck off the severe emergency area list, while the emergency decree is predicted to prolong for an additional three months. The district in question, Pa Narae, located in Pattani province, was removed due to improvements in the local situation…
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Bangkok Governor Chadchart coordinates campaigns to combat PM2.5 with draft bill
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stipulated guidelines for preventing and solving the PM2.5 dust problem in the Thai capital, yesterday, January 10, at Bangkok City Hall, Din Daeng. A campaign has been implemented to change engine oil and air filters according to the usage cycle accordingly to reduce dust caused by dark smoke and exhaust emissions from the combustion engine (diesel). Both…
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From beauty queen to brave MP: Sirilapas Kongtrakarn’s inspiring battle against depression
In a plea for increased public funding for mental health services, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn, also known as Mew, spoke unreservedly during a passionate parliamentary debate on the budget bill last Friday, January 5. The 36 year old politician, who has been an advocate for mental health, shared her harrowing journey with depression, calling for attention and…
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Governor’s bold move against toxic haze: Chiang Mai’s war on farm fires heats up
Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn is leading the charge against the annual curse of PM2.5 pollution caused by the burning of agricultural residue. In a teleconference with the province’s 25 district chiefs, he laid down strict instructions to tackle the issue head-on. The provincial administration has already taken a decisive step by banning unauthorised burning of farm waste from January…
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Pattaya: Women queue up for breast cancer screening in Nong Prue
Scores of female residents in Nong Prue, Pattaya, descended upon the Municipal Dome for a mobile breast cancer screening. A state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit, strategically designed to zero in on women in high-risk and underserved communities was unveiled in the district. Kitti Boonratananet, the Public Health Officer of Banglamung District, hailed the inaugural screening day as a triumph, drawing in…
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Panida Siriyuthayothin sheds light on leaked photo with assistant Chang
Panida Sirayuthayothin addressed the recent controversy surrounding a leaked photograph of her with a personal assistant, known as Chang. The incident occurred at 12.30pm today. In the image, Chang appears to be kissing her on the cheek. Panida denied any romantic involvement with Chang, stating the unfounded accusations likely stemmed from jealousy. She pointed out Chaiwat Lomakul, her former legal…
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Switzerland criticised: Thai electric buses would have been introduced without carbon offsets
Switzerland‘s purchase of carbon offsets from Thailand under the Paris Agreement‘s Article 6.2 mechanism has been criticised as the legitimacy of the emission reductions claimed comes under fire. Switzerland has sealed the first-ever transaction under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.2, acquiring carbon offsets from Thailand linked to the introduction of electric buses in Bangkok. Despite parties celebrating it as a…
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PM Srettha seeks extension to visa-free countries list for Thai passport
Currently boasting entry to 34 nations without a visa, the Thai government is seeking to extend this list for Thai passport holders. In a recent Cabinet meeting, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavasin announced his pursuit of a much more powerful Thai passport that will extend the list of visa-free countries. Applauding recent expansions, including visa-free access to China, Russia, and…
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Thai prisons chief promises answers for Thaksin’s prolonged hospital stay by next week
Prisons Chief Sahakarn Phetnarin promises to provide long-awaited answers for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s extended residency at the Police General Hospital. Director-General Phetnarin cited the need for a few more days to gather information meticulously from both the prison hospital and the Police General Hospital regarding Thaksin’s health conditions. He assured the public that all lingering questions would be…
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Thai PM denies hold up with digital wallet plan
The government remains undeterred as it stands firm on its 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, scheduled for a May launch, despite legal challenges. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin promised a consensus after seeking opinions from key players. “We stand by the original timeframe.” The Council of State recently weighed in on the legality of the government’s plan to borrow a hefty 500…
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Thailand to boost trade with India
The Commerce Ministry is joining forces with the government’s Team Thailand to boost economic growth by tapping into the vast potential of India. The aim is to boost exports to India by an impressive 4% this year. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang highlighted the allure of the Indian market, citing its robust economic growth, resilient domestic consumption, and active industrial activity.…
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Cambodian PM’s Thai-ties tour set for February 7
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet is gearing up for a visit to Bangkok on February 7 to bolster bilateral ties between Cambodia and Thailand, as revealed by a well-placed diplomatic source. The diplomatic meeting will focus on an array of crucial topics to elevate the partnership between the two nations. Topping the discussion agenda is the cross-border trade, a joint crackdown…
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Election disinformation: Threat on integrity and democracy
A staggering 87% of 8,000 respondents across 16 countries, bracing for elections in 2024, are deeply concerned about the impact of disinformation on the integrity of their democratic process. A shocking 47% are very concerned, unveiling a digital battlefield that poses a grave threat to the core of democracy. According to UNESCO-IPSOS, their Global Survey of Online Disinformation and Hate…
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Activists challenge Thaksin’s hospital treatment, demand transparency
A recent post by former Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn on January 3 questioned the alleged preferential treatment for Thaksin Shinawatra, former Thai PM, a high-profile prisoner receiving medical care at the Police General Hospital. In response, the Thai Department of Corrections addressed the matter on January 6, clarifying their stance and procedures concerning long-term treatments exceeding 120 days for inmates…
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German President Steinmeier’s visit to Thailand to boost bilateral ties
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, is set to embark on a three-day visit to Thailand, starting on January 24. The visit is at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin. This announcement marks the first international state leader visit since PM Srettha’s government came into power and the first by a German President since Johannes Rau’s visit in…
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Government plans to transform military bases into drug rehab centres
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed a strategic initiative to repurpose military facilities as sanctuaries for treating and stabilising drug addicts. The visionary plan, aimed at curbing the societal fallout from illicit drugs, comes after discussions with Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and army chief General Charoenchai Hinthao. The Thai PM made an announcement on social media. “Drug problems have negative impacts…
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Srettha promises to save Thailand from fiscal chaos
In a parliamentary revelation yesterday, January 5, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin admitted that his government had inherited the controversial fiscal 2024 budget and was scrambling to make necessary improvements. Opposition MPs, particularly from the Democrat Party, unleashed a barrage of complaints, alleging unfair budget allocations that left southern provinces in the lurch. PM Srettha found himself in the hot seat…
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New Bangkok bus terminal set for Bang Sue area
The Transport Ministry is working on a project to construct a new Bangkok Bus Terminal in the Bang Sue vicinity, close to the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. This decision came to light during a House debate over the 2024 fiscal budget, where Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit addressed concerns raised by Suphanat Minchaiynunt, the Move Forward Party MP for the Chatuchak,…
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Thailand’s headline CPI sees unanticipated drop in December
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry announced today that the country’s headline consumer price index (CPI) experienced a 0.83% decrease in December compared to the same period a year earlier. This figure is a steeper drop than the 0.44% year-on-year decrease seen in the preceding month. Contrasting with the anticipated 0.30% fall for December as per a Reuters poll, the actual result was…
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Pub-goers sound off: Uproar over 4am curfew storms Thai nightlife in major hotspots
A storm of complaints has erupted following the controversial 4am curfew for pubs, bars, and entertainment hubs kicked in across Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province. Some 5,785 grievances have been filed since December 15. Amidst the cacophony, a Government House insider revealed that the Cabinet has urgently directed the Interior Ministry to…
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Thai Health: Free telemedicine for citizens abroad
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to roll out a revolutionary Telemedicine service catering to Thai citizens across the globe through the widely acclaimed gold card scheme. Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke revealed the details of this game-changing initiative aimed at providing quality medical and public health services at zero cost. “Our goal is simple: seamless healthcare access for…
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