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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Srettha joins meeting at Thaksin’s mansion for Thai goverment talk
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to host a critical meeting at his lavish Chan Song La Mansion in Bangkok’s Bang Phlat district today. The gathering, featuring political heavyweights and key family members, promises to tackle pressing issues that could reshape the Thai political landscape. The high-stakes meeting will see the attendance of the Shinawatra clan and Potjaman Na…
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MFP’s bold stance amid PM Srettha scandal
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Chaithawat Tulathon quashed rumours that his party may align with the Pheu Thai party to form a new government if Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is ousted by the Constitutional Court for gross ethical misconduct. The scandal centres around the 62 year old Thai prime minister’s appointment of convicted Phichit Chuenban as PM Office minister. “The…
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Thai leaders dodge meeting with UN human rights commissioner
Thailand’s leaders, including the prime minister and foreign minister, sidestepped a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, during his Bangkok visit on June 5 and 6. Instead of rolling out the red carpet, Thailand’s leaders turned a blind eye, reducing Türk’s visit to a mere stopover, unlike his official engagements in Malaysia where he…
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Thailand addresses labour shortage and illegal workers
Thailand’s National Committee on Migrant Workers Management approved three strategic guidelines to address the country’s labour shortage and tackle the issue of illegal workers. A proposal for these new guidelines is expected to be forwarded to the cabinet for approval soon. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced after a committee meeting this Wednesday, commenting that the ongoing political conflict in Myanmar…
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EC to clarify court ruling impact before Sunday Senate elections
The Election Commission (EC) is set to clarify the implications of a Constitutional Court ruling, which agreed to examine a petition challenging four contentious provisions in the Senate election law. This comes just before district-level voting is scheduled nationwide for Sunday. The court declined to issue an injunction, indicating no severe consequences were anticipated if the Senate election proceeded. The…
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Royal birthday bash amidst political firestorm
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsaeng has directed the military to orchestrate grand celebrations for His Majesty the King’s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary next month, even as tensions escalate over a controversial political amnesty bill. Preparations for the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28 are underway while Parliament debates whether to include Article 112 in the amnesty bill, which imposes up to…
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SET unveils plan to boost foreign and family business investments
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) unveiled a strategic business plan targeting foreign industries operating in Thailand and family businesses, aiming to boost market capitalisation. SET executives highlighted the shift in investment trends, particularly post-pandemic, with technology stocks rising as traditional businesses adapt to the digital age. SET officials noted that the Thai market has faced trust and confidence issues…
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Thailand proposes retirement savings lottery to combat poverty
Thailand faces a growing issue of an ageing population entering retirement without sufficient savings. This problem is exacerbated by the country’s rapid transition into an aged society, and cannot be resolved merely through increased budget allocations for elderly allowances. Deputy Finance Minister Paophum Rojanasakul announced that the Ministry of Finance is considering a new policy called the Retirement Savings Lottery.…
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PM Srettha sees a revenue-boosting recipe for Q4
Thailand’s government is exploring strategies to enhance state revenue, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressing optimism about economic improvement in the fourth quarter. The Bangkok-born PM convened a meeting yesterday with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, and representatives from key revenue collection agencies, including the Excise Department, the Customs Department, and the Revenue Department, to discuss…
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Thailand predicts 2.7% growth amid slow export recovery, high debt
Thailand’s economy is experiencing a gradual recovery, with projected growth of between 2.2% and 2.7% this year, according to a recent announcement by a prominent joint business consortium. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), which includes key stakeholders from these sectors, has maintained its previous growth forecast. Exports, a crucial component of Thailand’s economic engine, are…
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Political uncertainty may drag SET index lower, say analysts
Political uncertainty is poised to weigh heavily on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) throughout June, with three legal proceedings involving Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) expected to push the index lower than anticipated, analysts report. CGS International (Thailand), a subsidiary of China Galaxy Securities, revised its year-end SET index…
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VAT on all imports over 1 baht gets Cabinet approval
A proposal by the Ministry of Finance to impose value-added tax (VAT) on all imported goods valued at over 1 baht has received approval in principle from the Cabinet. This measure aims to curb the influx of inexpensive imported goods, particularly from China, that are saturating the domestic market. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke announced that the new threshold will be…
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Thailand to tax residents’ foreign income irrespective of remittance
The Revenue Department of Thailand will amend a law to tax individuals with foreign income, even if that income is not brought into Thailand. Director-General of the Revenue Department, Kulaya Tantitemit stated that the current tax law mandates individuals residing in Thailand for over 180 days per year to pay taxes on foreign income if it is brought into the…
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MFP submits defence to court in dissolution case
The Move Forward Party (MFP) submitted its written defence to the Constitutional Court regarding the dissolution case initiated by the Election Commission (EC), according to a source. The EC called for the dissolution of the MFP following a Constitutional Court ruling on January 31, which stated that the party’s efforts to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as…
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Wissanu returns to review PM’s defence in Pichit appointment case
Prime Minister Srettha Thaivisin’s newly appointed advisor Wissanu Krea-ngam faces the first challenge of scrutinising the PM’s defence in the contentious case of appointing Pichit Chuenban as a PM’s Office minister. This role marks Wissanu’s return to Government House, where he has over three decades of experience. Wissanu attended the Cabinet meeting yesterday, confirming his task to review the PM’s…
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Thai govt unveils tax measures to spark tourism surge
The Thai Cabinet today approved a series of tax measures aimed at boosting domestic tourism during the low season, announced the deputy finance minister. These measures will be in effect from May to November and include tax deductions for companies organising conventions and seminars, according to Paopoom Rojanasakul. Further initiatives target increased domestic travel to secondary cities by allowing income…
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Srettha seeks legal counsel from Wissanu amid Pichit controversy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has sought legal advice from his newly-appointed adviser, Wissanu Krea-ngam, to prepare his defence in court over the contentious appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a PM’s Office minister. Srettha disclosed yesterday that a defence has already been drafted but requires further refinement before its submission to the Constitutional Court by June 10. “He is one of…
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Over 50% of Bangkok residents give Chadchart a thumbs up
Bangkok’s bustling streets are abuzz with approval for Governor Chadchart Sittipunt’s performance, as a recent NIDA Poll reveals. After two years at the helm of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Chadchart has garnered widespread satisfaction among residents. In an extensive survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), 2,000 Bangkok residents aged 18 and over shared their views…
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Chadchart signs MOU on renewable energy projects in Bangkok
Bangkok has taken a significant step towards becoming a smart city, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) Governor Wilas Chaloeysat. The agreement, formalised yesterday, aims to advance smart city development and renewable energy projects in Thailand’s bustling capital. Chadchart stressed the importance of sustainable energy and efficiency,…
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Ex-MP Vatana to return to Samut Prakan after 15 years on the run
Former Samut Prakan MP and Deputy Interior Minister Vatana Asavahame has announced his intention to return to Samut Prakan in two months to visit locals after evading corruption charges for 15 years. A housewarming ceremony took place yesterday at the new residence of Soontorn Pansangtong, the former deputy minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the former deputy chief of Samut…
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Would you eat 10 year old rice? Activist demands court intervention
Prominent solo activist Srisuwan Janya approached the Central Administrative Court, seeking an urgent suspension of the Commerce Ministry’s plan to auction off approximately 15,000 tonnes of rice from the scandal-tainted rice pledging scheme of the Yingluck Shinawatra government. In his court petition, Srisuwan highlighted the concerns of numerous rice experts who oppose the auction. They argue that rice stored for…
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BMA gives out the signature font ‘Swing Pole’ to the public for free download
Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, BMA spokesperson and Assistant Secretary to the Governor of Bangkok has revealed the origin of the font used in new message stickers posted on the rail beams. In the middle of the Pathumwan intersection, “กรุงเทพฯ – Bangkok” is said to be a new font that was created under the BMA CI (Corporate Identity) and the font Swing Pole…
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Thailand strikes new submarine deal with China
Thailand and China finally wrapped up negotiations on the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) much-anticipated purchase of a Chinese-made S26T Yuan-class submarine. RTN Commander-in-Chief Admiral Adoong Pan-iam announced today that the agreement is now awaiting the final nod from the Thai Cabinet. “If approved, we will promptly amend the deal with the Chinese manufacturer.” Admiral Adoong expects the submarine to be…
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Thailand and China forge stronger ties ahead of anniversary
In a high-profile meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing the Thai prime minister, engaged in crucial talks with Shohrat Zakir, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. The discussions focused on reinforcing the robust relationship between Thailand and China as the two nations approach the 50th…
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Thailand hosts key ASEAN-Canada trade talks in Bangkok
Thailand has taken significant steps forward in trade relations by hosting the eighth round of ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) negotiations in Bangkok between yesterday and today. The meeting aimed to expedite various aspects of the agreement, to conclude discussions by 2025. Chotima Iamsawatigul, Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, appointed Ratchawit Piyapramote, Deputy Director-General of the same department,…
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Over 2,000 applicants disqualified in senatorial election
The Election Commission (EC) has thrown over 2,000 hopefuls out of the senatorial race, leaving just over 46,000 contenders to vie for seats across the nation. The EC’s announcement of qualified candidates yesterday sent shockwaves through the political arena, with disqualified applicants given until Saturday to plead their case before the Supreme Court or provincial courts. Reasons for disqualification range…
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Foreign affairs minister sails to settle seas of dispute in Koh Kood
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa is set to visit Cambodia to negotiate an overlapping claims area (OCA) in Koh Kood, situated in Trat, a border province. This visit aims to bolster bilateral relations and address pressing issues, including the controversial Cambodian construction of a breakwater near the 73rd border demarcation post adjacent to the Klong Yai border checkpoint. The breakwater,…
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Malaysia offers gene-ius solution for displaced Thais in Kota Bharu
The Foreign Affairs Ministry and Justice Ministry in Malaysia have collaborated to provide genetic testing for displaced Thai nationals in Kota Bharu. Supported by the Royal Thai Consulate-General of Kota Bharu, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), and Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS), the project aims to confirm Thai nationality for those whose citizenship status was previously…
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PM Srettha to announce huge tech investment at AWS Summit
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will grace the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Summit in Bangkok tomorrow. The highly anticipated event at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre will see AWS, Amazon’s cloud computing powerhouse, unveil its grand vision for Thailand. “Thailand is poised for a digital transformation.” Prime Minister Srettha will co-chair the summit’s opening ceremony, according to government spokesman…
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Myanmar couple makes history at Thai Pride parade
Denied the chance to celebrate their union in their homeland, where LGBTQ individuals face persecution and imprisonment, a Burmese same-sex couple sought peace and happiness in the more tolerant kingdom next door. The couple, Nyan and Mae, tied the knot in front of thousands at the annual Pride parade in Chiang Mai. The late-night ceremony on Sunday was only symbolic…
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