Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
A recent public opinion poll, the results of which were released today, reveals that more than 40% of the respondents have lost all faith in political parties, while about half said they would not re-elect their current constituency MPs.
In its final reading, the House of Representatives voted 257:230 late last night to pass the 3.78 trillion baht budget bill for the 2026 fiscal year, after three days of lacklustre debate.
The Constitutional Court has set August 29 for the delivery of its ruling on suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s case involving her leaked phone conversation with Cambodia’s strongman Hun Sen.
Opposition party leader Natthapong Ruengpanyawut criticised the government for being both deaf and blind in its allocation of the 3.78 trillion baht budget for the 2026 fiscal year. Deaf for not being responsive to the recommendations and observations made by the budget scrutiny committee and blind for lacking transparency in budget allocation.
People’s party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul has advised the government to ensure that most, if not all their MPs are present in the Lower House at all times during the second and final readings of the 2029 fiscal budget bill on August 13th, 14th and 15th.
An attempt by a group of independent senators to ask the Constitutional Court to suspend the 136 senators alleged to have been involved in senate election collusion last year, was dashed when Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja dismissed their petition on the grounds that it lacked sufficient support.
Government and opposition whips have agreed to debate the 3.78 trillion baht budget bill for 2026, in its second and final readings, from August 13th to 15th and to hold three special House meetings between August and October.
Ubon Ratchathani Governor Adisak Noisuwan was abruptly transferred from the province, to an ‘inactive post’ at the Ministry of Interior, for allegedly being slow in making advance payments to help people in the province who have been affected by the recent fighting along Thai-Cambodian border.
The Cabinet agreed today to pay 10 million baht in compensation to the families of each of the Thai soldiers killed during the five days of fierce fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces along their common border.
The Thai Cabinet approved today a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) proposal to purchase four Gripen JAS 39 fighter jets from Sweden, at an estimated cost of 19.5 billion baht.
After years of delays and technical hurdles, the Cabinet decided today to proceed with the 13.5 billion baht submarine deal with China and the use of Chinese-made CHD620 engines, instead of originally specified German MTU diesel engines.
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, was taken to task today by a paediatric pulmonologist at Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani, over his accusation that the hospital has refused to treat Cambodian patients.
