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Thai politics

Family affair: Thailand’s waning Shinawatra dynasty still election kingmaker

A Thai woman rides a bicycle past an election campaign poster of Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat.
A Thai woman rides a bicycle past an election campaign poster of Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat.

Who are the contenders to be Thailand's next prime minister?

Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, gestures during a general election campaign rally ahead of the February 8 election in Bangkok, Thailand, January 30, 2026. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, gestures during a general election campaign rally ahead of the February 8 election in Bangkok, Thailand, January 30, 2026. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Power in Thailand now runs through a football-mad rural strongman

Mr Newin Chidchob (in blue shoes) hamming it up with footballers of Buriram United during a training session.
Mr Newin Chidchob (in blue shoes) hamming it up with footballers of Buriram United during a training session.

Winning not enough for Thailand’s most popular People’s Party

People’s Party MP Rukchanok Srinork takes photographs with supporters at a campaign rally in Bangkok.
People’s Party MP Rukchanok Srinork takes photographs with supporters at a campaign rally in Bangkok.

Which are the main parties in Thailand’s election and what are their policies?

Supporters of Thailand's Bhumjaithai Party at a general election campaign rally on Jan 30.
Supporters of Thailand's Bhumjaithai Party at a general election campaign rally on Jan 30.

Rural Thai voters shift old loyalties, testing Pheu Thai’s populist machine

People hold up election campaign brochures of Sudarat Pitakpornpunlop, a parliamentary candidate for the Bhumjaithai Party, during her election campaign rally in Woen Buek village, Khong Chiam district, Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand, January 24, 2026. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
People hold up election campaign brochures of Sudarat Pitakpornpunlop, a parliamentary candidate for the Bhumjaithai Party, during her election campaign rally in Woen Buek village, Khong Chiam district, Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand, January 24, 2026. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Over 7,000 cannabis shops in Thailand close due to stricter regulations and new law

Out of over 8,600 cannabis shops with licences that expired in 2025, only about 1,300 opted for renewal.
Out of over 8,600 cannabis shops with licences that expired in 2025, only about 1,300 opted for renewal.

Thailand’s ruling party runs on nationalist, establishment vote pitch

In his first big rally in Bangkok on Jan 30, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to protect the monarchy.
In his first big rally in Bangkok on Jan 30, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to protect the monarchy.

Thailand’s liberals face a difficult election

Former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat with supporters during a general election campaign rally of the People's Party in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan 25.
Former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat with supporters during a general election campaign rally of the People's Party in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan 25.

Surging in polls, Thailand’s reformist opposition People’s Party tests new election playbook

FILE PHOTO: Chair of the House Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy and National Reform and a member of the opposition People's Party, Rangsiman Rome, speaks during an interview with Reuters amid a mounting crackdown on scam centres operating along a porous border in Bangkok, Thailand February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Suen/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Chair of the House Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy and National Reform and a member of the opposition People's Party, Rangsiman Rome, speaks during an interview with Reuters amid a mounting crackdown on scam centres operating along a porous border in Bangkok, Thailand February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Suen/File Photo

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.