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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Pheu Thai dismisses calls to dissolve House over charter clash
The ruling Pheu Thai Party has dismissed the opposition People’s Party’s call to dissolve the House, with Pheu Thai MP Sutin Klungsang clarifying that differing views on a proposed charter amendment do not signify a rift serious enough to destabilise the coalition. “This will not affect the coalition’s stability. Business continues as usual despite the impasse.” Joint sittings to discuss…
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PM Paetongtarn’s plans for ASEAN growth
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has emphasised the importance of fostering regional economic integration, and fortifying supply chains among ASEAN nations to contribute to global economic progress. In an interview, the 38 year old PM highlighted the potential for ASEAN, under Malaysia’s chairmanship, to expedite the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to stimulate regional growth. The Thai premier…
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Pattaya’s Oman roadshow draws huge tourism interest
Pattaya is making waves in the Middle East. City officials and business leaders landed in Muscat, Oman, to showcase Pattaya’s tourism charm, drawing overwhelming interest from local tour operators. Pattaya City, in partnership with the Chon Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Pattaya Office, hosted the Pattaya Roadshow to Muscat at the Sheraton Oman Hotel on…
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Deputy PM denies family’s golf course encroaches on reform land
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has responded to allegations that a golf course owned by his family in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district might be encroaching on agricultural reform land. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives intends to examine the land title of the Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, owned by the Bhumjaithai Party leader and current interior minister.…
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PM hosts first mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla to boost southern development
The Government of Thailand is set to conduct its inaugural mobile Cabinet meeting of the year in Songkhla next Tuesday, with discussions centred on developing the southern east coast region and the Sadao border trade gateway with Malaysia. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub stated yesterday, February 12, that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, accompanied by the Cabinet, will travel to Phatthalung and…
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Urgent healthcare support needed in Thai refugee shelters
The Ministry of Public Health has been advised to enhance healthcare support in temporary shelters, incorporating permanent healthcare facilities and refugee health volunteers. Former chairperson of the subcommittee on ethnic human rights, Surapong Kongchantuk, emphasised the urgency of the situation following the US government’s withdrawal of support. Surapong, who has worked with stateless individuals, migrant workers, and displaced persons, advised…
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Ex-alcohol chief toasts potential gains from lifting drink sales ban
Former chairperson of the Alcohol Beverage Business Association recently discussed the potential economic benefits of lifting the ban on alcohol sales from 2pm to 5pm as well as on religious holidays. The move aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s directive to review regulations that hinder economic stimulation and contradict tourism promotion policies. Thanakorn Kuptajit highlighted that revisiting these restrictions, including the…
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Iran seeks to boost tourism ties with Thailand
Iran aims to enhance tourism exchanges with Thailand, as stated by its ambassador during an event celebrating Iran’s National Day in Bangkok on Tuesday, February 11. Nassereddin Heidari, the Iranian envoy in Bangkok, highlighted that over 50,000 Iranians visited Thailand as tourists last year, establishing it as a favoured destination. Iran hopes to see this figure rise. Tehran is eager…
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PM mulls lifting alcohol restrictions for tourists on Buddhist holidays
Thailand’s strict alcohol sales restrictions could soon be scrapped as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra orders a review of outdated laws limiting alcohol sales on Buddhist holidays and between 2pm and 5pm. The move aims to boost tourism, with concerns that foreign visitors are unaware of these restrictions and find them inconvenient. Following a Cabinet meeting, the 38 year old prime…
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Thailand govt eases spending rules for 10000 baht digital wallet
The Thai government plans to relax conditions for spending under the third phase of the 10,000 baht digital wallet programme, ensuring access for those without smartphones. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that the funds would be disbursed in the second quarter of this year. The Economic Stimulus Subcommittee has shown readiness and confidence in the blockchain system, with banks…
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Last call for change: Businesses push to end 2-5pm booze ban
Hotels and businesses selling alcohol have urged the government to abolish the restriction on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm. They argue that this regulation is outdated and no longer relevant. This request coincides with the progression of a bill amending the alcohol beverages control law, which is poised to advance to its second and third readings in the House…
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Naomi Campbell discusses Thai fashion industry boost with PM
Former supermodel Naomi Campbell engaged in discussions with Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday, February 10, aiming to elevate Thailand’s presence in the global fashion industry by fostering the development of supermodels and fashion. Campbell’s meeting with the prime minister at the Government House focused on strategies to position Thailand as a leading nation for supermodels and a hub for…
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Abhisit warns Thai casino legalisation risks social harm
Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva directed criticism towards the Thai government’s plan to legalise casinos and online gambling, warning that it could exacerbate existing social issues. During a seminar focused on the drive to legalise gambling in Thailand, Abhisit described gambling as a significant social concern that has inflicted damage not only on individuals but also on their families. He…
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Yingluck Shinawatra’s return to Thailand faces unresolved issues
Efforts to facilitate the return of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Thailand continue, as her brother, Thaksin, indicates that several considerations must still be addressed before her possible return. Thaksin initially committed to her return during an interview last November, suggesting it could occur around this year’s Songkran festival. The 75 year old former PM expressed optimism regarding the…
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Thaksin ready to tackle censure debate accusations
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his intention to address any inquiries or accusations made against him during the upcoming censure debate, anticipated to take place at the end of this month or early next month. Although he will not be physically present in the chamber to provide an immediate response, Thaksin assured reporters of his readiness to reply…
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Thailand’s capital relocation proposal faces opposition
A proposal by a lawmaker from the Pheu Thai Party for the relocation of Thailand’s capital to Nakhon Ratchasima has been met with opposition from a House study. The study suggests that such a move would require a significant budget and a referendum for decision-making. The Interior Ministry, tasked with forming a House committee to examine the proposal, indicated that the…
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Thailand unveils third phase of 10000 baht stimulus project
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed plans to proceed with the third phase of the 10,000 baht economic stimulus project yesterday, Feburary 7. The initiative, aimed at injecting approximately 150 billion baht into the economy, is expected to start in the second quarter of the year. Discussions took place during a subcommittee meeting on economic stimulation projects, with further meetings…
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Thai MP with history of sexual assaults accused of raping Taiwanese woman
Police issued an arrest warrant for a Thai Progress Party MP for allegedly raping a Taiwanese woman at a hotel in Chiang Mai province on January 9. The Taiwanese woman filed a complaint against MP Chaiyamphawan “Puaut” Munpianjit at Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station following the incident, which took place at 2am on January 9. The alleged assault occurred at…
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NBTC orders dismantling of antenna towers near Tak border
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has mandated mobile networks to dismantle 24 antenna towers located within 50 metres of the Tak province border by February 24. Antennas within 200 metres must reduce transmission power and height to a maximum of 15 metres. On February 6, the Facebook page of Sorayuth Suthassanachinda, a well-known news presenter, reported these measures.…
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Anti-corruption body probes Khao Kradong land dispute
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has reported ongoing progress in its investigation into the land dispute between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Department of Lands (DoL) involving approximately 5,000 rai in Buriram. However, the completion date for the investigation remains uncertain. Mongkol Srisawang, director of investigations for environment and natural resource-related cases at the NACC, stated that…
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Call centre scam victims rescued from Myanmar’s clutches
Sixty-one hapless victims, duped by call centre scammers and whisked away to Myanmar, yesterday made a triumphant return to Thailand. Courtesy of the Myanmar Border Guard Force, the rescued victims were handed over to Thai officials at the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Bridge in the Mae Sot district of Tak province. The rescue mission was graced by none other than Defence Minister…
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Thai constitutional rewrite may require multiple referendums
Chousak Sirinil, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, proposed yesterday that the government, opposition, and Senate whips collectively request a Constitutional Court decision regarding the number of referendums necessary for a constitutional rewrite. This proposal precedes Parliament’s first reading of multiple charter amendment bills, scheduled for February 13 to 14. Yesterday, the government, opposition, and Senate whips convened to…
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PM Paetongtarn strengthens ties with Xi in landmark China visit
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra kicked off a landmark visit to China, meeting President Xi Jinping in Beijing today, February 6, in a high-level diplomatic exchange at the Great Hall of the People. The visit comes as Thailand and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, marking what Xi described as a “golden year of friendship.” In a warm exchange, the…
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Thailand approves US$9.8 billion high-speed rail expansion
Thailand is racing ahead with its high-speed rail ambitions as the Cabinet greenlights the second phase of the Thailand-China High-Speed Rail Project, extending the line from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai. The colossal 341.35 billion baht (US$9.8 billion) project will span 357 kilometres and take eight years to complete, from 2025 to 2032. Once operational, it will provide a direct link between Bangkok and Nong…
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Call centre scams stay lit while Burmese locals suffer Thai power cut
Innocent Burmese nationals, affected by Thailand’s measures to combat call centre scams, visited petrol stations to stock up, causing the price to rise. As part of a solution to tackle the call centre scam issue, the Thai government cut off power in five key areas of Myanmar, which were believed to be the headquarters of the scam gangs. In addition…
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Activists demand Parliament clean house on old prostitution law
A groundswell for change surged through Parliament today, as Naiyana Suphaphueng of the Service Workers’ Friends Foundation, flanked by activists and supporters, submitted a bold draft bill to scrap the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539. With over 13,000 signatures in tow, the proposal was formally handed over to Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, Speaker of the House…
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NACC to decide on charges for 44 former MPs over lese-majeste
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is expected to decide in the next two months regarding potential charges against 44 former MPs of the defunct Move Forward Party, who supported a proposal to amend the lese-majeste law. Currently, 39 of the accused serve as MPs for the People’s Party, established in August last year after the Constitutional Court dissolved Move Forward…
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PPRP opposes casino legalisation, fears national harm
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) announced its opposition to the government’s proposed bill on entertainment complexes, which aims to legalise casino gambling. The party argues that the legalisation of casinos could negatively impact Thailand and its citizens, while the bill disproportionately empowers the prime minister. The party plans to address the casino issue during the no-confidence debate it intends to…
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Trump’s mad, mad, mad, mad world—now with extra madness
It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad, world, about to get a whole lot madder under newly elected United States President Donald Trump. The 78 year old alleged leader of the free world, not content with stirring a hornet’s nest by saying he plans to take over Greenland and make Canada a US state, yesterday, February 5, he announced plans to…
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Anutin: Thaksin still has political power despite election results
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul countered assertions that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has lost his political influence. Anutin maintains that Thaksin continues to wield significant political power. “Warriors are warriors. To underestimate Thaksin or say he is losing his magic can bring [the big mouth] an unprecedented disaster.” The statement follows analyses from political commentators questioning Thaksin’s influence after…
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