Thai media digest Nov. 2, 2026

Politics

• Prime minister to hold off-site cabinet meeting in Udon Thani. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will take ministers to Udon Thani and Nong Khai on Nov. 2–3, with a formal cabinet meeting in Udon Thani on Nov. 3, according to Thai Rath and PPTV. The agenda covers farming, drug control, public health, water management and living costs, and he is due to open a heart center at Nong Khai Hospital and the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026. Thai Rath and PPTV.
• Pheu Thai leader denies secret deal tied to no-confidence vote. Labor Minister Julapun Amornvivat, who leads Pheu Thai, said on Nov. 1 that there is no arrangement trading an amnesty for Thaksin Shinawatra for coalition votes, according to Thai PBS. He said Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai remain firmly in the coalition and that the cabinet can answer all points in a no-confidence debate he expects in early December. Thai PBS.
• Suan Dusit poll puts political index at 3.52 out of 10. The university’s October survey of 2,036 people, conducted Oct. 27–30, found the index slipping from 3.56 in September, with every indicator lower. According to Thai PBS, the opposition’s performance scored highest at 4.30, handling of drugs and influential figures scored lowest at 2.88, and 33.18% said no government figure impressed them. Thai PBS.
• NIDA poll finds public-media independence ranked above spending efficiency. The survey of 1,310 adults on Oct. 28–30 found 69.92% said the independence of public media matters more than efficient spending, according to Thai PBS. Among regular Thai PBS viewers, 33.03% opposed replacing its sin-tax funding with an annual House-approved budget and 22.14% supported the change. Thai PBS.
• Democrats question future of high-speed rail linking three airports. A Democrat Party deputy spokesperson said the Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao project may be stalled, pointing to the EEC Office’s acknowledged difficulties and a private-sector contract cancellation, according to Thai Rath. The party asked the government to say who would be accountable for delays and spending if the project is dropped. Thai Rath.
• Truck convoy planned for Government House on Nov. 5. Sondhi Limthongkul pledged 100,000 baht toward fuel for a convoy led by a Krabi subdistrict headman to press the government on fuel prices and living costs, according to Thai PBS. At a Phuket rally on Oct. 31, a local group also urged authorities to act against what it called illegal foreign-linked businesses; the report presents these as the groups’ demands and not as established findings. Thai PBS.

Border and security

• Myanmar airstrikes near Mae Hong Son send shrapnel into Thailand. According to Thai PBS, Myanmar air force strikes on a Karen National Union base opposite Mae Sam Laep damaged a health station, a subdistrict office, a church and 17 homes on the Thai side. Thai military officials provisionally estimated the fragments came from a bomb of 500 pounds or more, and the KNU alleged the strikes aim to cut its supply and trade routes. Thai PBS.
• People’s Party MP urges firm diplomatic response to Myanmar military. The MP alleged that Myanmar’s military warned Thai officials and traders against dealing with the KNU, and that Myanmar requires migrant workers to remit at least 25% of income through state-controlled banks. According to Thai Rath, he called for diplomatic protests and a review of cooperation mechanisms, not war; the claims were not independently confirmed in the report. Thai Rath.

Economy and cost of living

• Former energy minister says E20 tax cut helps few drivers. Pheeraphan Salirathavibhaga said in a Facebook post that he does not oppose E20 but that it accounts for only about 5–6 million of roughly 31–32 million liters of gasoline used daily, according to Thai Rath. He said many older cars may need modification and noted that the tax cut runs for three months. Thai Rath.
• Biofuel adviser proposes Brazil-style carbon-credit model for fuels. Alongkorn Ploypetch, chair of an alternative-energy foundation, said the E20 and B20 tax cuts of roughly 5.50–5.60 baht per liter ease short-term costs but do not fix energy structure, according to Thansettakij. He proposes a scheme requiring fossil-fuel sellers to buy credits from biofuel producers, with at least 60% of the income returned to farmers. Thansettakij.
• Pump prices on Nov. 1: diesel 42.54 baht, B20 33.50 baht. At PTT stations, gasohol 95 was listed at 41.54 baht per liter and gasohol 91 at 41.17 baht, according to Bangkok Biz News. Prices vary by brand and station. Bangkok Biz News.

Environment and weather

• Prachinburi fish-cage farmers report mass die-off after dark water flowed in. Pheu Thai MP Chaturon Chaisang visited Si Maha Phot district on Nov. 1 and urged authorities to identify the source quickly, according to Thai Rath. One farmer reported about 8 million baht in losses, and the report says experts have linked the water to low oxygen while the MP asked for checks on possible industrial discharge. Thai Rath.
• Weather office warns of storms Nov. 5–7 and heavy rain in the South Nov. 7–9. According to PPTV, the Thai Meteorological Department’s first announcement forecasts thunderstorms and strong gusts across upper Thailand, including Bangkok, followed by heavy to very heavy rain in the South with a risk of flash floods. Waves in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand may exceed 2 meters in storm areas. PPTV.

Law and order

• Police raid alleged unlicensed yuan-exchange service in Bangkok. Economic Crime Suppression Division officers arrested a 38-year-old company director in Bang Khen on Nov. 1 on alleged charges of running payment and foreign-exchange services without a license, according to Thai Rath. Police allege about 170 million baht passed through five linked accounts over a year, and urged the public to use only licensed providers. Thai Rath.
• Cannabis jellies seized in Bangkok after family reportedly fell ill. Consumer protection police and the FDA seized 90 unregistered jellies from a shop in Pathum Wan and charged a 26-year-old employee with selling a controlled herb without a license and improper labeling, according to Thai Rath and MGR Online. Social media reports linking the product to a Chanthaburi family’s illness were unverified, and lab tests for THC and CBD are pending. Thai Rath and MGR Online.
• Former MP says he will disclose “behind the scenes” of UFABET gambling site. Sirichok Sopha said on Facebook he will reveal details next week and claimed the site is worth tens of billions of baht and tied to powerful figures in Cambodia and Thailand, according to Matichon. The report gives no evidence, so the claims are unverified allegations. Matichon.

Society

• Chiang Mai hospital assistant dies helping injured in street brawl. The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University posted a tribute to a Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital nursing assistant who died in an accident on Nov. 1 while helping people hurt in a fight near Don Chan Bridge, according to Daily News. She was not on duty, and the post was widely shared online. Daily News.