Thai media digest Oct. 29, 2026

Politics

• Opposition files no-confidence motion against prime minister and 17 ministers; debate set for Dec. 7-11. The motion accuses Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and 17 other Bhumjaithai ministers of corruption, conflicts of interest, abuse of power and mismanaging the economy, according to Thai PBS; these are the opposition’s allegations. House whips provisionally agreed on four days of debate and a vote on the final day, with 51 of 72 hours for the opposition. Thai PBS.
• People’s Party weighs a general debate in November. According to Thai Rath, the opposition party is considering a general debate, which carries no vote, ahead of the December no-confidence debate to avoid a month-long gap before the House session closes on Dec. 22. The idea was still under discussion among a small group of party leaders, the paper reported. Thai Rath.

Citizenship and immigration

• Interior Ministry revokes Thai citizenship of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor. According to TNews, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the announcement, dated Oct. 29, citing a Department of Special Investigation report that Kantor, an American who was naturalized in 2013, continued to use his U.S. nationality to enter and leave Australia 16 times, most recently on Jan. 26. The ministry said this breached the conditions of his naturalization and cited Section 19(2) of the Nationality Act. The reports do not say which passport he used at Thai immigration; they describe his use of U.S. nationality only in connection with travel to and from Australia. TNews.

Floods and disaster relief

• Opposition urges stepped flood payments for areas under water for over a month. The People’s Party called on the government on Oct. 28 to release central reserve funds, saying current compensation treats short and long floods alike. According to Thai Rath, the party cited more than 100,000 affected households and estimated about 500 million baht for initial payments. Thai Rath.
• Government says Phuket floods and landslides qualify for disaster insurance. A government deputy spokesperson said Phuket residents can file claims, and an initial 10,000 baht emergency payment has been ordered, according to Thai PBS. Nationwide, about 20 million baht in claims has been approved and about 354 million baht is under review, the report said. Thai PBS.

Economy and cost of living

• Shopee, TikTok Shop and Lazada to return commission fees to January rates for six months. Commerce Minister Supajee Suthumpun said the three platforms agreed to roll back mandatory fees from Dec. 1 to May 31, 2027, which the ministry estimates will save merchants about 1.93 billion baht. According to Thai Rath, officials will use the period to gather input for a draft digital platform economy law. Thai Rath.
• Government defends three-month excise tax cut on E20 and B20 fuels. Jut Krairerk, chair of a House finance committee, responded to opposition criticism that the cut leaves out most drivers, saying Thailand imports about 90% of its oil, according to Thai Rath. He said the cut also supports farmers who grow crops used for biofuel. Thai Rath.
• Energy minister restructures fuel pricing from Oct. 29. Energy Minister Ekkarat Phromphan signed an order removing freight and insurance costs based on a hypothetical shipping route and trimming the oil reserve charge, Thai PBS reported. The ministry estimates refinery prices will fall by 0.09 to 0.35 baht per liter, with savings of about 10.8 billion baht a year. Thai PBS.
• Survey: 69.9% of Thais worry about cost of living. Kiatnakin Phatra Bank presented figures that Thai PBS attributes to National Statistical Office data, adding that 63.8% say income does not match spending. Separate Commerce Ministry data cited in the report showed 62.44% of a February sample had debt, up from 50.99% a year earlier. Thai PBS.
• Rooftop solar loans offered at 2.5% fixed interest for households. Under the program approved by the cabinet on Oct. 27, households receive a 50,000-baht subsidy and can borrow up to 140,000 baht from three state banks over seven years, according to Thai PBS. Applicants must be at least 20 and have an eligible residential meter. Thai PBS.

Tourism, visas and foreigners

• World Horticultural Expo in Udon Thani to run Nov. 1 to March 14. Organizers have installed about 1,625 CCTV cameras across the city linked to the local police station, and entrances will use AI face-recognition cameras to scan for people with arrest warrants, according to Thai Rath. Thai Rath.
• Myanmar man arrested at Mae Sai crossing with about 3.57 million baht in cash. Thai Rath reported that customs officers detained the 21-year-old on Oct. 27, alleging he carried the cash from Tachileik on a motorcycle. He told investigators his sister asked him to buy construction materials; police plan to bring charges under customs and currency control laws, which are allegations not yet tested in court. Thai Rath.

Law and order

• Police detain suspected administrator of “Godd Dam” Facebook page. According to Thai PBS, cyber police searched a Bang Khen room on Oct. 28 and seized bank books and documents. Preliminary allegations include violating the Computer Crime Act and forgery-related provisions of the Criminal Code. The man denies owning the page, and police plan to ask a court on Oct. 29 to hold him in custody. Thai PBS.
• Police confirm allowances for southern border officers were cut. A Royal Thai Police spokesperson said the reduction was real but not large, and police may seek central government reserve funds, according to Thai Rath. National Police Chief Samran Nuanma has asked commanders to manage budgets so morale is not affected. Thai Rath.