News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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Hong Kong man arrested with drugs at Songkran event in Bangkok
Police arrested a man from Hong Kong at the S2O Songkran Music Festival 2024 water fight in the Ratchada area of Bangkok on April 16 for possession of ketamine and happy water. More than 200 officers from Wang Thong Lang Police Station, along with K-9 dogs, screened participants for weapons and drugs at the festival entrance during the three-day event.…
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Thailand Video News | Songkran festival ends with 243 road deaths, Female police save woman from drunk foreigner during Songkran
In their video, Alex and Jay cover the conclusion of Thailand’s Songkran Festival, which was marked by troubling incidents. Nationwide traffic accidents resulted in 243 deaths, overshadowing the celebrations. Reports of violence in Phitsanulok added to the somber atmosphere. In Bangkok, two foreigners faced legal action for public indecency, while a petrol station water splash dispute sparked social media controversy.…
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Phuket’s reservoirs promise adequate water supply until rains
Phuket‘s three primary reservoirs are sufficiently water-filled to ensure the island’s inhabitants have enough water until the annual rains due next month, confirmed Krirksak Leenanon, the Chief of Phuket Irrigation Office. Currently, Bang Wad Reservoir, located in Kathu, holds 2.12 million cubic metres of water, indicating it is 20% full. Meanwhile, Bang Neow Dum Reservoir, situated in Srisoonthorn, is 45%…
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Sanam Luang Songkran bash smashes records
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) declared the recent Songkran celebrations at Sanam Luang in Bangkok a resounding success, drawing in a staggering 784,000 participants. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool shared the triumphant news at a press conference, unveiling the splashing success of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024. The vibrant celebrations, spanning from April 11 to 15 on Rajdamnoen Klang…
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Bangkok chef discovers newborn remains in suitcase
A shocking discovery was made early yesterday morning when a chef found the remains of a newborn in his luggage, leading police to launch an investigation into the tragic incident. The 41 year old chef, Chusak, was unaware that his 30 year old wife, Panadda, was pregnant. The couple had recently separated, and the police are now seeking Panadda to…
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6 Thai men arrested for attacking 2 foreigners during Songkran
Police arrested six Thai men for beating and stabbing two foreign men during the Songkran festival in the Isaan province of Roi Et on April 15. Officers from Mueang Roi Et Police Station investigated the water fight event on Thewa Phiban Road at about 10.30pm on April 15 after receiving reports of a physical altercation. Two injured foreigners were rushed…
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Thailand forges ‘Strategic Partnership’ with New Zealand
Thailand and New Zealand have vowed to embark on a historic “Strategic Partnership” journey by 2026, commemorating seven decades of diplomatic camaraderie, revealed government spokesman Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin rolled out the red carpet for New Zealand’s Premier Christopher Luxon at Government House, overseeing the signing of two game-changing Memorandums of Understanding. The first pact is a…
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Thailand’s revenue department ups tax amid economic slowdown
The Revenue Department faces a challenging year in meeting its tax collection targets, owing to a slowdown in economic activities. Despite this, five sectors have been identified as promising. The department, led by director-general Kulaya Tantitemit, has increased its revenue collection target to 2.27 trillion baht (US$61.7 billion) for the fiscal year 2024, up from 2.02 trillion baht (US$55 billion)…
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Thailand’s PTT Plc sees future in hydrogen fuel for vehicles
PTT Plc, Thailand’s national oil and gas conglomerate, is forecasting a future where hydrogen could potentially replace oil-powered vehicles, contributing to the reduction of air pollutants. This year, the company’s subsidiary Arun Plus, in collaboration with Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., is planning to domestically produce electric vehicles (EVs). Additionally, PTT is partnering with various companies to advance the…
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Security volunteer shot dead at father’s grave in Yala
A fatal shooting incident took a grim turn in Yala when a security volunteer was brutally assassinated while he was reading the Quran at his father’s grave. The 43 year old victim, Ruslee Daleng, was a ranger volunteer who received a fatal headshot at a Muslim graveyard situated in Tambon Than To of Yala’s Than To district. The Than To…
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Songkran festivities turn tragic with fatal shooting in Sattahip
A joyous Songkran celebration took a tragic turn in Sattahip, Chon Buri when four young individuals were caught in a hail of gunfire on April 16. The incident has left one person dead and has the police on a manhunt for the suspected gunman. The alarming event unfolded at 6pm during the Songkran festivities taking place on Soi Bon Kai…
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Thai man found dead in Sattahip residence, heatstroke suspected
A tragic event unfolded in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri when a 52 year old man was found lifeless in a village residence on Tuesday, April 16. The local authorities have proposed the possibility of a heatstroke being the cause of the man’s untimely demise. The scene of the incident was Eua Athon Village, located in the Na Jomtien…
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Chemical explosion at Banglamung ice factory affects over 60
A chemical explosion disrupted the peaceful night in Nongprue, near Pattaya, at the Banglamung Ice Factory last night, April 17. The explosion, taking place around 11.36pm, unleashed a cloud of chemicals into the sky, prompting swift action from local authorities. By 4am today, the situation was under control, with no deaths or severe injuries reported. The District Chief of Bang…
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Revving up: Rever Leasing to drive BYD EV financing in Thailand
Rever Leasing, a vehicle finance subsidiary of Rever Automotive Co, the exclusive distributor for BYD electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand, is set to launch operations next month. The firm has set a high target to become the top electric vehicle loan provider in Thailand within the next few years. Isara Wongrung, the CEO of Rever Leasing, expressed confidence in the…
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Thai IT service demand surges due to digital transformation and AI
Global managed service provider Kyndryl believes the demand for information technology (IT) services in Thailand is being driven by factors such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), smart cloud, and the modernisation of IT infrastructure. Kyndryl was born out of the spin-off of IBM’s infrastructure service business in 2021. Kittipong Asawapichayon, the managing director of Kyndryl Thailand and Vietnam spoke…
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Thai man and foreigner clash over water splash dispute (video)
A water splash dispute between a foreign man and a Thai man became more than a storm in a coffee cup at a petrol station in the eastern province of Rayong sparking controversy on Thai social media. The argument reportedly began when the Thai man splashed water into the foreign man’s coffee cup. The Thai man, identified only as Sorn,…
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Updated trends in Phuket’s rental property market
Given the backdrop of a booming Phuket real estate sector, one area that is often overlooked is the rental market. Despite a vibrant vacation short-stay segment, there remains a strong demand for extended and long-stay rentals across the island. Rental demand coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced a sustained uplift and has continued to perform well. Despite a return…
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Thai trial shows railway’s agricultural haul potential
A recent trial by Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) has demonstrated the vast potential of railway logistics for long-distance transportation of agricultural products. The experiment resulted in a 13-fold reduction of carbon emissions compared to air freight, as well as significant cost savings. Running the trial with high-efficiency mobile refrigerated container trains, TSRI transported the Royal Project’s fresh produce…
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Thai man suspected of beheading his father at home in Songkhla
Police suspected a Thai man of beheading his father at their home in a rubber plantation in the southern province of Songkhla. Sadao Police Station officers in Sadao district of Songkhla investigated a one-story house in the rubber plantation, yesterday, April 16, after being notified of the discovery of a dead body. The deceased was identified as 56 year old…
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Female police save woman from drunk foreigner during Songkran
A group of female police officers heroically intervened to save a Thai woman from a drunken foreigner who was attempting to drag her away on Khao San Road during the final days of the Songkran festival. The officers, identified as Suphannan Shinphatthachitchai, Nitiya Chanamin, Narinthon Saengchai, and Apirinya Jaksaran, were on duty supporting the Chanasongkram Police Station when they were alerted…
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2 foreign men caught performing oral sex at Bangkok Songkran
Two foreign men face up to 10 years in prison after engaging in oral sex in public during the Songkran festival in the Ratchada neighbourhood in Bangkok. A video showing one man performing oral sex on another under a yellow tent circulated on Twitter and Facebook. The two men were reported to be South Korean participants at the Songkran event…
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Search underway for man after fall from Bangkok bridge
A man remains unaccounted for after plunging from the Krung Thon Bridge into the Chao Phraya River, sparking an urgent search operation. At 1.22pm today, April 17, authorities were alerted to the incident, prompting rescue teams to rush to the site. The calm flow of the Chao Phraya River was disrupted yesterday when a man leapt from the Krung Thon…
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Man’s ear nearly cut off during Songkran celebration in Chon Buri
A man’s ear was nearly cut off during a violent altercation that took place yesterday evening in Chon Buri province, resulting in an emergency response from local rescuers. The incident, which occurred during the Songkran festivities, reportedly began over a disagreement about the man’s singing abilities. At approximately 7pm, yesterday April 16, the emergency services of Thammarat Manee Rat Rescue…
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Bangchak expands petroleum business in Norway
Bangchak Corporation, a prominent energy conglomerate listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), is advancing its petroleum business in Norway. The corporation, via its subsidiary Okea ASA, is set to develop an additional production facility at the offshore Brasse petroleum field in the North Sea. This move aligns with Bangchak’s 2022 announcement to bolster its investments in oil and…
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Songkran festival ends with 243 deaths in traffic accidents
The six-day Songkran festival holiday in Thailand ended in tragedy as road accidents claimed the lives of 243 people and left 1,837 others injured. As announced by Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob on Wednesday, some 1,811 traffic accidents were recorded from April 11 to 16, coinciding with the period when many individuals travel back to their home provinces to join in…
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CMU study finds 15-minute dog interaction a bark above the rest
Chiang Mai University (CMU) researchers have discovered that a mere 15-minute interaction with a dog can serve as a significant stress reliever for students amidst the intensity of pre-examination studies. Assistant Professor Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, a member of the research team, explained the reasoning. “Being social creatures, humans often find mood and mental enhancement through frequent interactions. Thus, the therapeutic impact…
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Intoxicated man causes uproar in Udon Thani village
A seemingly intoxicated man on a big bike caused a stir in a village in Udon Thani province when he insisted on sleeping in front of some houses, claiming that they belonged to his girlfriend. Despite being asked to leave, he refused, creating a tense atmosphere among the residents. Late into the night, residents of Ban Chiang, Udon Thani, were…
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Russian tourist dies in Phuket motorbike crash near Big Buddha
A Russian tourist tragically lost his life in a motorbike accident near Kata School on Patak Road in Karon, Phuket. The incident occurred at 5.50am today, April 17, when the tourist, Pavel, lost control of his Honda PCX and plunged into a ditch. His wife, who was riding a pillion, sustained minor injuries. They were en route to visit the…
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Thailand likely to house major EV battery factory within two years
The Board of Investment (BoI) anticipates the establishment of a substantial facility for the manufacturing of battery cells for electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand within a two-year timeframe. This projection follows a promotional roadshow conducted by the BoI in China just last week. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, the BoI Secretary-General, explained that this roadshow emphasised the benefits and incentives being offered to…
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Gold ornament prices soar to 41,900 baht in Thailand
Gold prices in Thailand witnessed a notable increase, as reported by the Gold Traders Association (GTA) today. The cost of gold ornaments surged to 41,900 baht, marking a significant rise from the previous day’s closing figures. The GTA, the authoritative body on gold pricing in Thailand, announced an uptick of 200 baht in the price of gold ornaments compared to…
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