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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Health riders revolutionise medication delivery
To transform healthcare accessibility, volunteers dubbed “health riders” are poised to bring medicines directly to patients’ doorsteps, following a successful trial period. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, unveiling the service on Monday, March 18, announced its rollout to cater initially to 30-baht plus universal healthcare beneficiaries across 32 provinces. This innovative initiative, part of the 30-baht plus healthcare scheme, ensures…
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Thai Cabinet grants 300 million baht for northern provinces
A significant financial boost of 300 million baht (US$8.3 million) has been granted by the Thai Cabinet for the development of 13 projects aimed at tourism growth across four northern provinces; Phayao, Chiang Rai, Phrae, and Nan. The decision was made during a mobile meeting in Phayao, overseen by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his two-day visit to the region.…
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House Committee’s Myanmar crisis plan for stability
The Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House has proposed a strategic four-point plan aimed at mitigating the crisis in Myanmar. The chairman of the committee and representative of the Pheu Thai Party, Noppadon Pattama, revealed that the committee supports all initiatives to bring an end to the Myanmar crisis, and has been closely observing the developments there. A special…
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Thai berry seekers left hanging: Labour Ministry plans visa harvest solution
The Labour Ministry of Thailand plans to solve the suspension of visa applications for Thais seeking wild-berry picking jobs in Finland by the 2025 harvest season, as disclosed by Somchai Morakotsriwan, the director-general of the Department of Employment. The ministry, in collaboration with other state agencies including those from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, is working towards a solution following Finland’s…
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Srettha pledges to address Thai civil servant debt issue
Addressing the debt crisis affecting nearly three million Thai civil servants, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to address the issue accordingly. The government’s focus is on reducing interest rates to alleviate the financial burden. PM Srettha spoke of the positive progress made in the last two months following a meeting with 11 state agency chiefs who are working towards solving…
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PM Srettha joins dinner with Thaksin and Somchai in Chiang Mai
In an extraordinary meeting, Srettha Thavisin, Thaksin Shinawatra and Somchai Wongsawat gathered for dinner last night in Chiang Mai. The trio, led by current PM Srettha, are set to gather as Thaksin, on parole, returns to his hometown for various engagements, including paying homage to his late parents. Thailand’s 23rd prime minister, Thaksin, despite a corruption conviction, barely tasted prison…
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US asks TikTok to cut ties with China or face ban
In a landmark decision, the US House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that could force TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to cut all ties with its Chinese parent company or face a ban in the United States. With United States President Joe Biden signalling his readiness to sign off on the legislation pending Senate approval, fears over Beijing’s sway on…
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Decade-old Thai rice from controversial scheme found fresh
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai conducted a rice inspection following an invitation from the Association of Thai Agricultural Product Surveyors. The association, keen to dispel allegations regarding the quality of rice held under the contentious rice-pledging scheme, orchestrated an eventful visit to warehouses owned by Poonpon Trading Ltd and Kittichai Ltd in different districts of the northeastern…
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MSDHS holds workshop to find solutions for family stability
In a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), Chulalongkorn University’s Institute for Population and Social Research, the Chula Art Project, and the World Bank, the workshop produced a white paper titled Family Stability on Top, Stop Demographic Crises. Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, spearheading the initiative, declared that the comprehensive white paper encapsulates pivotal solutions derived…
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UN official urges stronger action for sustainable development goals
The Chief of Outreach & Engagement at the UN Global Compact highlighted a pressing need for stronger collective action from all stakeholders to reach the United Nation’s sustainable development goals by 2030. During a media interaction in Thailand, Sue Allchurch expressed concerns about the sluggish progress towards these goals, despite global recognition of their importance. Allchurch outlined various obstacles that…
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US pledges boost in semiconductor investment for Thailand
To ramp up global semiconductor production, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo promised investment in Thailand’s manufacturing sector. Raimondo, speaking at an event in Bangkok hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, asserted that Thailand stood to benefit significantly from increased US investment in semiconductor production, stating that American firms were poised to supercharge their investments in the nation. Highlighting the…
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Thailand seeks OECD membership with Germany’s support
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the country’s ambition to gain membership in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He sought Germany’s support for this endeavour during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Berlin. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke outlined the meeting’s details, indicating that Chancellor Scholz expressed Germany’s interest in bolstering relations, especially…
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Illegal workers in South Korea: Amnesty for Thai nationals
The Labour Ministry of Thailand has approached the South Korean government to consider granting amnesty to around 150,000 Thai workers currently residing and working unlawfully in South Korea. The plea was made yesterday by Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Phiphat met with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jeong-sik, in Seoul on Wednesday, March 13, to examine the predicament. According to Phiphat,…
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Former Thai PM Thaksin returns to Chiang Mai after 17 years
A remarkable event unfolded in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai when former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to his hometown. Accompanied by his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who also leads the Pheu Thai party, and other family members, Thaksin arrived via private jet at precisely 9.28am on March 14. On his arrival, the Deputy National Police Chief, Surachet Hakparn,…
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Transgender woman faces 25 years behind bars for lese majeste
A transgender woman has been slammed with a hefty 25-year prison sentence for lese majeste and computer crimes. In a swift ruling from the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court, the 26 year old defendant, Maggie, faced the grim reality of her fate today. Lawyers from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) disclosed details of the verdict, shedding light on a case fraught…
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‘Wai Khru’ ceremony proposed as cultural heritage
To celebrate Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob today announced plans to propose the inclusion of the Wai Khru ceremony in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Taking approximately six months to meticulously craft the proposal, the ministry aims to showcase the profound tradition of students expressing gratitude and reverence towards their teachers, a practice deeply rooted in…
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Thai workers set to transform South Korea’s shipbuilding industry
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn secured an agreement during his recent visit to Seoul as 3,000 Thai workers are set to revolutionise South Korea’s shipbuilding sector. The minister, in a high-stakes meeting at Lotte Hotel Seoul, clinched a deal with representatives from five top South Korean shipbuilders: HD Hyundai Heavy Industry, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha…
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Bite back: Call for Thai Parliament to ban shark fin consumption
To safeguard marine ecosystems, WildAid and Love Wildlife Foundation penned an open letter to Thailand’s Parliament, urging an immediate halt to the serving and consumption of shark fin. This call to action follows shocking revelations of shark fin soup being dished out at Parliament House, sparking outrage among conservationists and environmentalists alike. In a detailed plea to the President of…
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Thai school exam paper sparks debate on academic freedom
A seemingly routine social science exam paper ignited a firestorm of controversy across Thailand, leaving citizens and educators alike questioning the boundaries of academic freedom. The exam, which tasks students with discussing contentious issues ranging from Thai society and the monarchy to the commercialisation of Buddhism, thrust Wat That Thong High School into the spotlight. But it’s not just the…
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Update: Thaksin sets off for Chiang Mai with Paetongtarn
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra emerged from Chan Song La residence, alongside his youngest daughter and Pheu Thai party leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra ready to take off for his hometown, Chiang Mai. At the crack of dawn, precisely at 5.19am, the duo paid their respects at the revered Bangkok City Pillar shrine, before departing on a jet plane bound for Chiang…
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Thailand eyes visa-free agreement with EU countries
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently announced the country’s ambitions to boost its tourism industry and international relationships, following a promising discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron. Held at the prestigious Élysée Palace in Paris, the meeting centred around a visa-free agreement with Schengen area countries, a strategic move that France has expressed support for. The Thai prime minister’s announcement…
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Stocking up: SET chairman tipped for Finance Minister role
The chairman of the Stock of Thailand (SET) is reportedly poised to ascend to the position of Finance Minister, according to insider sources. The anticipated transition is slated to occur at the culmination of the ongoing parliamentary session on April 9, disclosed the informants. This strategic move aims to relieve Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of his dual role, allowing him to…
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Power cables on Bangkok’s Sarasin Road go underground
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), under the leadership of Khajon Srichawanothai, reported a triumph in the endeavour to relocate power cables underground along Sarasin Road. Amidst the verdant expanse of Lumpini Park, Pathumwan District, Bangkok, a historic announcement ceremony unfolded last Friday, March 8. Joined by Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok Governor, Vilas Chalaysat, MEA Governor, and a cadre of network executives,…
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Thailand and France forge future partnerships
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and France President Emmanuel Macron united in Paris, pledging to fortify relations spanning diverse domains and to invigorate a symbiotic alliance between their nations. During a joint press conference, Macron accentuated the importance of economic collaboration and trade synergies, emphasising proactive preparation for forthcoming challenges in Southeast Asia. He articulated the pivotal role of robust bilateral…
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Thai prime minister graces TIME cover, signaling business revival
In an assertive move to announce Thailand’s readiness for business, TIME magazine featured Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Srettha Thavisin, on its March cover The issue hit the newsstands yesterday, capturing the attention of the international community. In a poignant declaration to the world, the 62 year old former real estate tycoon, graced TIME’s cover under the title…
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MFP could be dissolved over lese majeste law reformation plan
The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) requested the Constitution Court to consider dissolving the Move Forward Party (MFP). This request comes as a response to the MFP’s efforts to reform the lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Law. Thai lawyer Teerayut Suwannakaesorn previously asked the Constitution Court to take action on the MFP and its…
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Thai Pakdee Party leader acquitted in defamation suit
Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, the leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, emerged triumphant today as the Criminal Court acquitted him in a high-stakes defamation suit brought forth by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the former leader of the now-defunct Future Forward Party. Amidst the legal theatrics, Thanathorn, now at the helm of the Progressive Movement, was conspicuously absent as the verdict echoed through the…
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HTMS Sukhothai search mission closes with five still missing
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN), in collaboration with their US counterparts, embarked on a salvage mission to untangle the mystery surrounding the sunken corvette, HTMS Sukhothai. Despite their efforts, five missing crew members are still yet to be found. Admiral Chatchai Thongsaard, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Fleet, disclosed the harrowing details of the operation. “Our joint endeavour,…
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Health Ministry warns against dengue fever crisis: 25 fatalities
Dengue fever looms large over Thailand as the Public Health Ministry urges citizens to arm themselves with mosquito repellents to stave off the relentless onslaught of the deadly virus. With reported cases skyrocketing to a staggering 17,783, surpassing last year’s figures for the same period, the situation has become dire. Public Health Minister Dr Cholnan Srikaew underscored the gravity of…
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PM Srettha’s international trips sparks questions
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been travelling the world at an unprecedented pace, with trips clocking up significant air miles. Since assuming office in September last year, PM Srettha has been on more overseas trips than the average travel blogger. In a whirlwind 176 days in office, the Bangkok-born PM has been constantly hopping between continents. His itinerary reads…
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