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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Angkor Wat bans Thai-influenced costumes under new rules
Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority has ordered costume rental operators at Angkor Wat to phase out Thai-influenced costumes and replace Thai-made materials with Khmer-made alternatives under new dress rules at the UNESCO World Heritage site. The order aims to ensure tourists wear historically accurate Khmer attire while supporting local artisans and preserving Cambodia’s cultural heritage, officials said. Chan Sophorn, a specialist in…
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Thailand warns nationals as Middle East conflict intensifies
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Thai nationals living in the Middle East and those planning to travel to the region to remain vigilant following renewed armed attacks across several areas. In a Facebook post yesterday, July 14, the Department of Consular Affairs said the conflict in the Middle East was continuing, with a new wave of armed attacks…
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Thailand Malaysia cooperation advances during Anutin visit
Thailand and Malaysia agreed to strengthen cooperation on border security, transport connectivity, trade and economic development during Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s official visit to Malaysia today, July 9. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow attended a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Anutin and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the visit. Sihasak joined a small-group…
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China responds to Mekong pollution protests in Thailand
China yesterday, July 8, responded to protests outside its diplomatic missions in Thailand over heavy metal contamination in tributaries of the Mekong River, saying it recognises public concern and supports a joint investigation by Thailand and Myanmar. The response came after protests outside the Chinese embassy in Bangkok and the Chinese consulate in Chiang Mai over heavy metal contamination in…
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Thailand, Malaysia plan September southern peace talks
A new round of peace talks on Thailand’s southern border is expected to take place in Malaysia this September, with a joint signing possible if the main committee reaches a consensus, Prime Minister’s adviser Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said today, July 1. Wan Muhamad Noor said two more internal subcommittee meetings remain before the main committee meets in Malaysia. If…
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Princess Sirivannavari showcases Thai dress at France State Dinner
Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya wore a traditional Thai dress, the Chud Thai Dusit, made from naturally dyed indigo silk, while attending an official State Dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris yesterday, June 29. The images and details were shared today, June 30, on the official Facebook page HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. The State Dinner was held at the…
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Chadchart secures second term of Bangkok governor, landslide win
Former Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt leads the Bangkok governor election after unofficial results from voting held yesterday, June 28, setting a record for the highest amount of votes received in the capital’s history. The final certification from the Election Commission of Thailand is pending within 30 days. Polling for both the Bangkok governor and Bangkok Metropolitan Council members took place…
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Cambodia lodges protest accusing Thailand of border encroachment
Cambodia lodged a formal protest against Thailand today, June 28, accusing Thai troops of encroaching on its territory by clearing forest and installing barbed wire in Oddar Meanchey province, claiming the activities violated bilateral border agreements. In a statement, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the alleged encroachment took place in the Ampil community, Banteay Ampil district, between…
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Officials probe large-scale government recruitment exam corruption
Officers launched a crackdown on a cheating of local administrative organisation (LAO) recruitment examination, arresting a key suspect in Nonthaburi province and uncovered over 3,000 examination papers being altered illegally The operation was carried out by officers from the Central Investigation Bureau’s Anti-Corruption Division and the National Anti-Corruption Commission following a complaint supported by evidence of corruption in recruitment exams…
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Thap Lan National Park land adjustment leads to controversy
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) issued a clarification following public criticism over plans to adjust the boundaries of Thap Lan National Park. The controversy follows a resolution by the National Parks Committee under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to review a 2023 Cabinet resolution concerning the park’s boundaries. After discussions, the committee approved…
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Minister confirms Thais paid billions yearly in hidden electricity charges
Thailand’s Energy Minister acknowledged that households have been paying part of the public electricity expense through their electricity bills for more than a decade and pledged to reduce the burden starting next month. The issue gained public attention after Ekkawin Chokprasobruay, a People’s Party candidate for Bangkok City Council in Ratchathewi district, shared concerns on social media about public electricity…
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‘TH-AI Passport’ project accused of favouring large companies
Thailand’s TH-AI Passport project, valued at 1.62 billion baht, drew scrutiny over its cost, procurement process, and expected benefits. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), led by Minister Chaichanok Chidchob, recently presented the TH-AI Passport project to the Cabinet and the public as one of the ministry’s flagship digital initiatives. According to the ministry, the programme is designed…
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Princess Anne to make first Thailand visit since 1987
The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, and her husband Sir Tim Laurence, are scheduled to make an official visit to Thailand on July 16 and 17, 2026, the British Embassy in Bangkok has confirmed. It will be her fourth visit to the country, and the first in nearly four decades. During the two-day programme, the Princess Royal will attend an audience…
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UNHCR praises Thailand’s Myanmar refugee ID card initiative
Thailand and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reviewed preparations yesterday, June 8, to issue identity cards for Myanmar refugees in controlled areas, as part of a system allowing approved refugees to leave shelters for legal work. The visit took place at the Bureau of Registration Administration in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province. Suphon Sayaboonnan, director…
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Thirty seven years on: What happened at Tiananmen Square?
June 4, 2026, marks the anniversary of one of the most significant and heavily suppressed events of the 20th century. For those who have never heard of it, this is the story.To understand Tiananmen, you have to understand China in the 1980s. After the chaos of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, which devastated the country’s economy and social fabric, paramount leader…
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Thaksin to receive full release under royal pardon on Queen’s birthday
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to receive a full release under a royal pardon granted on the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s birthday. Royal pardons are traditionally granted to eligible inmates during significant national occasions, including royal birthdays and other important commemorative events. This recent pardon coincides with Queen Suthida’s birthday today, June 3, and applies…
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Thai delivery riders protest social security inclusion plan
More than 100 Thai delivery riders gathered outside the Ministry of Labour yesterday to oppose proposals to place platform workers under the social security system, citing concerns over reduced work flexibility and lower income. The protest followed a meeting last week between members of the Platform Workers Federation and Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat regarding labour rights and protections for delivery…
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Vietnam president makes first ASEAN visit to Thailand
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul welcomed Vietnamese President To Lam to Thailand today, May 28, for an official visit aimed at strengthening Thailand-Vietnam relations across trade, investment, security, and regional cooperation. Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, received To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam, and his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, at Government…
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Macron hosts Anutin as Thailand courts French investment
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for a dinner meeting at the Élysée Palace in Paris yesterday, May 25, where both sides discussed trade, cybersecurity, and regional security issues. The meeting took place at 8.30pm local time in France. Both leaders agreed to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries, particularly in high-value industries including…
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Thai soft power push marks 170 years of Thailand-France ties
Thailand is looking to France for lessons in turning culture into global influence, as Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised led talks on May 22 to mark 170 years of Thailand-France diplomatic ties and push Thai soft power through five areas of cooperation. At 5.30pm local time, Sabeeda and senior Ministry of Culture executives met French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard during an…
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Thai Cabinet officially ends 60-day visa-free scheme
Thailand’s Cabinet officially approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free scheme following a proposal from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, with revised visa categories for each country expected to be announced later. The visa-free programme previously allowed travellers from more than 90 countries to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa. The policy expanded an…
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Iran agrees to help Thai cargo ships pass Strait of Hormuz
Two Thai cargo ships waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz are expected to receive assistance from Iran after a meeting at Government House yesterday, May 18. Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, chief adviser to the prime minister, met Mehdi Zare, cultural counsellor at the Embassy of Iran in Thailand, to discuss bilateral ties and the regional situation. After the…
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Thailand, Bahrain mark closer ties ahead of 50th anniversary
Thailand and Bahrain agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, medical tourism, and food security following talks between Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Bahrain’s ambassador to Thailand today, May 14. Bahraini Ambassador Khalil Yaqoob AlKhayat met Anutin at the Government House during an official courtesy visit following his appointment. Anutin congratulated AlKhayat on his appointment and said Thailand values Bahrain…
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Anutin clarifies ‘miscommunication’, insisting foreign businesses still require permits
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul apologised after confusion surrounding a Cabinet policy that led many people to believe that foreign investors would be allowed to operate businesses in Thailand without permits. The controversy emerged after Deputy Government Spokesperson Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn announced yesterday, May 13, that the Cabinet had approved changes affecting eight categories of businesses operated by foreign investors. Patdarasm assured…
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Hong Kong activist Zhang Xinyan arrested in Thailand
Hong Kong activist Zhang Xinyan, a wanted member of the overseas group Hong Kong Parliament, has been arrested in Thailand for overstaying her visa and is reportedly set to be deported to mainland China. According to the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Parliament is an overseas pro-democracy activist group mainly founded and run by self-exiled Hong Kong activists. Sunai…
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Bangkok MP questions AOT fee hike despite billion-baht profits
Bangkok MP Suphanat Minchaiynunt has questioned the government over AOT’s planned airport fee increase from 730 baht to 1,120 baht per international departure passenger from June 20, 2026. The increase of more than 50% has drawn public debate amid rising living costs and higher travel expenses. AOT cited the need to fund airport improvements to meet ICAO standards. Suphanat Minchaiynunt…
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Philippines hosts talks as Thailand, Cambodia seek renewed trust
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to rebuild trust and open a new chapter in bilateral relations after three-way talks initiated by the Philippines during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu yesterday, May 7. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the Shangri-La Mactan hotel in Cebu to discuss the Thailand-Cambodia situation,…
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Several figures enter race ahead of Bangkok governor election in June
Several candidates began presenting their campaigns ahead of the Bangkok governor election 2026, while the current governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, announced that he would start his campaign after his term ends this month. The terms of Chadchart and members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council are scheduled to expire on May 21. Elections for the Bangkok governor and 50 council members representing…
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Thaksin to return home under probation after parole set for May 11
Former Prime Minister (PM) Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be released on parole on May 11, with authorities requiring him to complete a four-month probation period before his full release in September. The 23rd PM of Thailand, Thaksin, entered Khlong Prem Central Prison on September 9 last year to serve a one-year sentence linked to his stay at Police General…
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Thailand to save energy by cutting or reducing street lights on rural roads
Thailand’s Department of Rural Roads announced it will shut down or reduce street lighting on selected rural highways nationwide from May 1 as part of an energy-saving measure linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The Director-General of the Rural Roads Department, Pichit Hoonsiri, confirmed on April 25 that the Thailand street light reduction plan aims to manage national…
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