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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Deputy Thai PM orders plan to boost tapioca market in Korat
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai visited tapioca farmers in Korat, where he ordered the development of a comprehensive plan to manage prices and urged the expansion of new export markets in the Middle East. During the recent off-site Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima, Phumtham met with the Tapioca Association, farmer representatives, and the President of the…
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Indian PM to headline BIMSTECS summit in Thailand
Sources reveal that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the key figures at the upcoming Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTECS) summit. The summit, themed Towards Resilient Regions, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People, marks the 5th gathering of this crucial bloc. Leaders from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have already confirmed their…
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Finance Ministry to launch new 100 billion baht investment fund
Plans are underway at the Finance Ministry to establish a new investment fund similar to the previous state-controlled Vayupak Fund, aimed at bolstering Thai shares with strong fundamentals. This initiative is expected to be finalised within two weeks. Finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit announced that the new fund is projected to attract a minimum of 100 billion baht into the…
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SEC bill to launch 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project by 2026
The draft of the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bill is on track to be submitted to the Cabinet by the end of September, aiming to kickstart the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject in 2026, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday. The blueprint for the project is currently being adjusted to align with the expectations of foreign investors and locals. These adjustments…
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PM urged to rescue Moroccans trapped by human trafficking gang
An anti-human trafficking organisation urgently called upon Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to assist 21 Moroccan citizens trapped by a scammer gang on the Thai-Myanmar border. This plea comes after months of inaction from various agencies. A prominent anti-trafficking group, Exodus Road, revealed the Moroccan Embassy in Bangkok had reached out for help on behalf of the victims. The embassy contacted…
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BJT defends senators-elect from criticism over backgrounds
The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) is calling for an end to the criticism targeting senators-elect over their backgrounds, asserting that the election process was designed to give candidates from all walks of life an equal opportunity to join the Upper House. BJT party member and former MP, Somsak Prissananantakul released a statement on Facebook today. “Some senators-elect come from ordinary backgrounds.…
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MFP’s Pita accuses EC of double standards in dissolution bid
The chief adviser of the Move Forward Party (MFP) accused the Election Commission (EC) of employing double standards in its petition to the Constitutional Court to disband the party. Pita Limjaroenrat, yesterday, June 30, updated the public on the MFP’s efforts to avoid a fate similar to its predecessor, the Future Forward Party, which was dissolved in 2020. He criticised…
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Srettha vows better governance amid sliding popularity in new poll
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to enhance the government’s performance following a recent opinion poll indicating a decline in his popularity and that of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, now trailing behind their main political rivals. The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) conducted a quarterly poll revealing that the popularity of the Thai premier and Pheu Thai has decreased,…
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EC clarifies Senate candidacy rules amid fraud allegations
The Election Commission (EC) has clarified that registering in incorrect professional groups is not necessarily an offence unless there is an intent to deceive officials and the public during the Senate election. This statement was made by EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee on Facebook yesterday. The EC has faced significant scrutiny following the conclusion of the national Senate contest in Bangkok…
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Thai beautician tops senator votes with 79 votes
A 45 year old beautician emerged as one of the 200 newly elected senators, achieving the highest vote count with 79 votes. Her victory highlights a notable career in preventive medicine, skin and beauty expertise, and extensive advisory roles. Chinnachot Saengsang secured 77 votes, Police Lieutenant General Yutthana Thaiphakdi received 76 votes, General Kriangkrai Srirak garnered 74 votes, and Sopon…
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ASEAN NOW launches ‘Political Soapbox’: The ultimate forum for expats to discuss world politics
Thailand’s leading expat forum, ASEAN NOW, has been a space for expatriates to seek advice, community, and insightful discussions about living in Southeast Asia. With that, ASEAN NOW has been listening to the increasing interest among expats to engage in world politics and has launched a new forum for it. The new forum, named Political Soapbox, has quickly become the go-to…
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Fare cut: Bangkok train rides slashed to just 20 baht
The Transport Ministry announced that commuters on Bangkok’s Blue, Yellow, and Pink electric train lines will pay a maximum fare of 20 baht by June 2025. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, revealed the progress of the government’s initiative to implement this fare cap on all electric train routes in the capital by September next…
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Weight watching: Minister targets overloaded lorries and bribery
Thailand’s transport ministry pledged stricter enforcement against overloaded lorries and aims to eliminate highway-related bribery in a move to enhance road safety. The minister directed the Department of Highways (DoH) and the Department of Rural Roads (DRR) to utilise new technologies to enhance the detection of overloaded vehicles and to take serious legal action against violators. Overloaded lorries contribute significantly…
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Calls to include lese majeste offences in new amnesty bill
Two political organisations urged the special House committee to include violations of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, in the new amnesty bill proposals. They urged that parties are opposed to the coup orchestrators, rather than the monarchy itself. The Peace and Harmony Organisation and June 24 Democracy groups jointly submitted their petition to…
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Thailand’s digital wallet budget faces review
A portion of Thailand’s 2025 national budget designated for the government’s digital wallet scheme is likely to be reconsidered by the special House Committee vetting the budget bill within the next couple of weeks, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Julapun, who serves as vice chairman of the 72-member committee, commented on the panel’s decision to suspend scrutiny over…
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Senate election fraud claims spark call for investigation
Election manipulation allegations have surfaced in the recent Senate race, with claims that some candidates were favoured through collusion. Senator-elect Nanthana Nanthawarophas, representing a media professional group, stated that over 100 losing candidates intend to file a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), urging an investigation into suspected vote rigging. Nanthana highlighted that the top seven candidates with the highest…
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SCB denies UN claims of aiding Myanmar military transactions
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) firmly denied any involvement in irregular transactions with Myanmar, challenging claims made in a recent United Nations report concerning the bank’s alleged role in financing military procurement. Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, released a report this week detailing how Myanmar’s military regime continues to acquire weapons used against civilians. The…
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Human rights activist narrowly clinches Senate election
Renowned human rights activist and widow of kidnapped lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, Angkhana Neelapaijit secured a seat in the Senate as a representative of the civil sector and NGOs. However, she has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the election process, alleging widespread fraud and vote manipulation in favour of certain candidates. In an impassioned statement, Angkhana claimed that the…
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Defence Ministry: 44 advisers axed over bribery allegations
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang axed 44 of his advisers following bribery allegations. The move came after reports surfaced suggesting that some of his advisers were taking bribes from military units and related agencies. Sutin, who signed the dismissal order on Monday, explained that he was “streamlining his team and optimising the work process.” “Reports of bribery among some defence advisers…
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Thai banks fuel Myanmar’s bloodshed: UN
Thai banks have become the main financial lifeline for Myanmar’s military government, enabling it to buy goods and equipment for its brutal campaign against pro-democracy resistance and ethnic minority groups. This revelation comes from a UN report released yesterday, June 26, by Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. The report details how…
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Army general tops polls in national Senate election
The Election Commission (EC)’s vote counting began at 9.40pm yesterday and concluded around 5am today, revealing the biggest political surprise of the year. With 2,989 candidates vying for seats, the new Senate will comprise 200 members from 20 professions, replacing the 250 junta-appointed senators whose term expired on May 10. Former 4th Army Region Commander General Kriangkrai Srirak, a classmate…
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Thailand and Singapore bolster regional stability through civil ties
Singapore and Thailand’s foreign ministers affirmed that enhanced civil service collaboration will deepen bilateral ties and contribute to regional development. Speaking at the 14th Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP), co-hosted by the Thai and Singaporean foreign affairs ministries, officials highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and best practices among civil service officers from both nations. The ministers emphasised that such…
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Big Joke dismissed over alleged gambling ties
Police Commission members voted unanimously yesterday to support the acting national police chief’s order to dismiss Police General Surachate Hakparn, better known as Big Joke, as deputy chief over alleged ties to an online gambling network. The 12-member panel, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, spent three hours deliberating before reaching their decision. Big Joke, a prominent figure known for…
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Former PM Niwatthamrong faces Senate election defeat
Former Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan faced an early exit in the first round of the national Senate elections yesterday, June 26. Despite his loss, Niwatthamrong, who served as caretaker prime minister following Yingluck Shinawatra’s removal by the Constitutional Court in 2013, remains unbowed and resolute. Niwatthamrong admitted that, like his fellow candidates, he had cast a vote for himself…
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Ministry of Commerce turns local crafts into economic powerhouses
Tasked with transforming traditional crafts into a potent form of soft power, the Ministry of Commerce has charged the Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (SACIT) with the mission of preserving the nation’s unique artistic heritage while making it appealing to both the younger generation and international audiences. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai laid out…
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Thailand mobilises 400 agencies to combat fake news and scams
The Government of Thailand mobilised 400 agencies to combat fake news and online scams. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) aims to address the growing problem of misinformation. Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn presided over the opening of a workshop on the use of systems for coordinating news verification. This event…
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Thailand government slashes hotel fees in tourism boost gamble
The Thai Cabinet made a bold move to bolster its tourism sector by extending a waiver on operating fees for hoteliers for another two years. This strategic decision, made yesterday, June 25, aims to support the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee exemption, which spares hoteliers from the annual charge of 40…
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Bali Hai Pier and Koh Larn to undergo major makeover
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has mandated a comprehensive overhaul of the Bali Hai Pier and Koh Larn. The ambitious project aims to revitalise the pier’s landscape, streamline electrical and communication cables, and boost overall tidiness. This initiative underscores the Thai premier’s commitment to elevating visitor experiences and enhancing local amenities. Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai, alongside Deputy Mayor Kritsana Boonsawat and…
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Senate bid: Ex-PM Somchai reveals the secret to his success
Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat revealed the key to his success in reaching the final round of the Senate election: His wife’s unwavering support. Upon arriving at Impact Arena in Mueang Thong Thani today to participate in the election, Somchai dispelled rumours that he had been chosen to lead the next Senate. He clarified that he was competing in the…
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Arrest warrant issued for political activist Parit Chiwarak
The Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Parit Chiwarak, better known as Penguin, after the political activist failed to appear for a ruling in a high-profile lese majeste case. Parit, facing approximately 24 charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, remains free on bail, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). The ruling, originally scheduled for yesterday,…
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