Hot News
Thailand hot news, breaking stories, crime, politics, tourism, and business—stay updated with in-depth reports and exclusive interviews on the latest events across the country. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Thailand news source.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Thai economy caught in global crossfire as Israel-Hamas tensions fuel price hike fears
The Thai economy, already tested by geopolitical conflicts over the past few years, is facing potential consequences from the hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, as governments and corporations all over the world look for excuses and justifications to hike prices to obscene heights. It’s a well-worn tactic last seen in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine…
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Ubon Ratchathani residents face health risks as stagnant floodwaters turn toxic
The residents of Ubon Ratchathani continue to struggle with rising water levels as the Ubonrat and Lampao dams contribute to the increasing floodwaters in northeast Thailand. They are grappling with stagnant water that has begun to spoil, leading to requests for medication to treat water-borne diseases and fever, intensifying the impact of Ubon Ratchathani flooding. Banjong Wongvien, a resident of…
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Clean getaway foiled: Man ‘purifies’ methamphetamine pills smuggling attempt into Thailand
Customs officials in Nong Khai apprehended a man who was smuggling nearly 60,000 methamphetamine pills into Thailand, cleverly hidden inside an air purifier. The suspect claimed to be unaware of the illicit contents, stating he was merely hired to transport the goods from Laos to Udon Thani province in Thailand. The arrest took place at the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge…
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Thai democracy forum echoes concerns over capitalism in politics
The struggle for democracy in Thailand remains a long and arduous one, as highlighted by a recent public forum. Held in memory of the brave students and pro-democracy protesters who perished during the military dictatorship five decades ago, the forum emphasised how little progress has been achieved since the historic October 14, 1973 uprising. The commemorative event, organised by the…
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Traveloka reports surge in Thailand travel bookings amid slow aviation recovery
Travel bookings to Thailand have seen a significant surge, according to online travel agent Traveloka. The company’s president, Caesar Indra, highlighted that despite the slow recovery of the aviation sector, Thais have predominantly utilised their platform for air ticket bookings, veering towards less frequented destinations. This trend has been mirrored across numerous Asian markets. Indra reported a fivefold increase in…
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Thai weather forecast predicts heavy rain and thunderstorms
A high-pressure system is presently sweeping across northern and eastern Thailand, resulting in rainfall across the country. Weather warnings have been issued for 38 provinces, with Bangkok experiencing a 30% drop in rainfall. Unpredictable winds and sea waves higher than 2 metres were reported today. The Thai weather forecast predicts that a monsoon trough is approaching the eastern and upper…
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Thailand’s digital economy ministry sparks ‘byte’-sized revolution for national growth
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry, led by Prasert Chantararuangthong, is turning to digital technology in a bid to propel the nation’s development. As outlined in an interview with the Bangkok Post, Prasert revealed the DES Ministry has a policy to position digital technology as the fifth driver of the country’s growth. “I underlined ‘the Growth Engine of Thailand’…
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Late-night accident results in tragic death of elderly couple in Ratchaburi
A tragic accident claimed the lives of an elderly couple when a pickup truck collided with their sidecar motorcycle in Ratchaburi. The incident occurred today, around 2am, on Petchkasem Road, Ang Thong subdistrict in Ratchaburi province. The couple, who were returning home from a local market where they had been selling vegetables, collided with a black Isuzu pickup truck. The…
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Murder-suicide suspected as couple found dead in Thai rental home
A chilling murder-suicide discovery was made in the Phana district of Amnat Charoen when a foreign couple, found dead in their rented house, sparked a police investigation. The 47 year old Swiss man and 40 year old Moldovan woman were identified by Police Colonel Chotnarin Sathupawarat, the superintendent of Phana station. Found in their shared bedroom on Saturday, both individuals…
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Cement truck ignores warning and crashes into canal after wooden bridge collapse
A cement truck plunged into a canal after its driver ignored warnings and drove onto a wooden bridge, causing it to collapse. The 55 year old driver, from Amnat Charoen, revealed that he thought the bridge was supported by concrete pillars, and thus decided to cross it. The incident occurred at 12.30pm today. The 10-wheel truck, registered in Samut Prakan,…
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Flash flood destroys bridge in Phayao, disrupting districts and leaving locals missing
Last night’s severe rainfall in Phayao province resulted in a flash flood that destroyed a bridge, disrupting connectivity between the districts of Chiang Muan and Dok Khamtai. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, swept away two vehicles and left several individuals missing. Authorities are currently mobilising efforts to locate the missing persons from the Nong…
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The EU and ASEAN marked the start of Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023 through a fun run, walk, and cycling event in Jakarta
Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community H.E. Ekkaphab Phanthavong and the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN, H.E. Hjayceelyn Mancenido Quintana, officially launched the start of the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023 today in Jakarta, Indonesia. Over 300 people, representing officials from ASEAN,…
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Tropical depression triggers heavy rain warnings for 47 Thai provinces, including Bangkok
Today, 47 provinces of Thailand, including Bangkok, brace for heavy rainfall due to a tropical depression covering the Gulf of Thailand. The public has been warned to be cautious of flash floods and forest runoff, especially in hillside areas and low-lying regions. The sea waves are expected to reach a height of 2 metres in areas affected by thunderstorms. The…
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Two killed in fiery road accident involving multiple motorcycles and pickup truck
A horrific road accident claimed two lives and injured others in the early hours of today on Asia Highway No. 32 in Ayutthaya province. The accident involved multiple motorcycles and a pickup truck, leading to a fiery aftermath. At around 12.30am, the police in Bang Pa-in district of Ayutthaya received a report of a serious road accident involving several motorcycles…
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MFP MP clarifies sexual harassment accusation, second MP faces same claim
After a Move Forward Party (MFP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Prachin Buri province was accused of sexual harassment, another MP faced the same allegation. Details of his identity have not yet been released. The Facebook page What MFP Lying About Today (วันนี้ก้าวไกลโกหกอะไร) recently accused Prachin Buri MP, Wuttipong “Jae” Thonglao, of sexually harassing a member of the MFP’s volunteer…
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Suphanburi shooting: Mechanic critically injured in shock attack
A motorcycle mechanic was shot in a surprising attack in Suphanburi, leaving him critically injured. The brutal Suphanburi shooting incident occurred near a grocery store and a grilled chicken shop in the Sam Chuk district. The police are urgently on the search for the gunman, reviewing CCTV footage to trace the escape route and apprehend the perpetrator. Upon reaching the scene,…
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Domestic violence shock: Thai celebrity’s assault on girlfriend
A brutal domestic violence incident involving a minor celebrity and his girlfriend has become the talk of the town in Thailand. The couple’s dispute, revealed in CCTV footage, was ignited when the 43 year old woman discovered that her 38 year old boyfriend, a supporting actor in various TV shows, had been unfaithful to her with five other women. The…
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Bank of Thailand maintains 4.4% GDP growth forecast amid stimulus measures
A 4.4% GDP growth forecast for the coming year has been maintained by the Bank of Thailand, factoring in the government’s proposed economic stimulus measures. Assistant Governor Piti Disyatat confirmed this projection following the Monetary Policy Committee’s vote on September 27 to hike the benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point, making it a decade-high 2.5%. The committee, however, reduced its…
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Thai official gets 52 years sentence for misuse of government vehicle
Rungrak Lookbua, the Director of the Department of Religious and Cultural Education under the Provincial Administration Organization of Yasothon, has been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission for misuse of a government vehicle for personal gain. The Director, along with his team, was accused of using a government vehicle for commuting and golfing. The charges were brought by the Office of…
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75 year old Thai woman loses over 18 million baht to romance scam
A 75 year old Thai woman lost over 18 million baht to a romance scam within just a few months of making contact with the scammer. The scammer tricked her into investing in a deceitful company called Gold Future. The victim’s son told Channel 7 that his mother invited him to invest in the Gold Future business in early July.…
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One-legged Thai dine-and-dasher ‘hops’ it, leaves 5,700 baht bill in central Thailand
A one-legged Thai man hopped out of a restaurant and a petrol station in the central province of Ayutthaya in a daring dine-and-dash manoeuvre, resulting in a 5,700 baht loss. A female staff member who accompanied the legless man was also abandoned in the midst of it all. The restaurant’s manager, speaking to Channel 3, revealed that the 60 year…
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Teen’s truckin’ troubles: Migrant worker smuggling ends in pickup predicament in central Thailand
A 19 year old man was apprehended for smuggling 13 illegal migrant workers in a pickup truck that he claimed to have borrowed from his father under the pretence of visiting his girlfriend. Phinwit Udomphon, an officer from the Ayutthaya Provincial Police, stated that efforts to curb the smuggling of illegal workers into Bangkok and its surrounding provinces continue unabated.…
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Thailand boosts tourism with free SIM cards and digital privileges for visitors
The Welcome Back to Thailand campaign, a collaborative endeavour by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Advanced Info Service (AIS), is ready to roll out. The initiative is designed to attract international tourists by offering them Amazing Thailand SIM cards, bundled with an array of digital privileges and services. As part of the campaign strategy, TAT plans to distribute…
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Toll-free treat: Thailand waives toll charges on major expressways for King Bhumibol Memorial Day
The upcoming holiday tomorrow, October 13, has led the Thailand Expressway Authority (TEA), under the Ministry of Transport, to waive toll charges on three major expressways, covering a total of 60 toll gates. The decision was made to facilitate travel on the anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, a public holiday as declared by…
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World Bank identifies growth potential in Thailand’s secondary cities
The World Bank has highlighted the potential for growth in Thailand’s secondary cities such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Rayong in a recent study. The report, Thailand Urban Infrastructure Finance Assessment, suggests that these cities could boost Thailand’s economy if they invest in urban infrastructure improvements, such as mass transit systems and renewable energy sources. However, the study points…
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Middle East tensions cause gold rush, prices poised to strike US$1,875
The escalating conflict in the Middle East could drive global gold prices to US$1,875 (67,950 baht) per ounce, as predicted by the Gold Traders Association (GTA). The association’s president, Jitti Tangsithpakdi, pointed out that prices have risen by US$20-30 per ounce since the onset of hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants. Gold prices reached a one-week high of US$1,860 yesterday…
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Luxury van and parked truck collision results in tragic fatal crash in central Thailand
A luxury van collided with a parked 18-wheeler truck late last night, resulting in the van driver’s death in central Thailand. The truck driver admitted that he had not activated any warning or hazard lights when parked. The fatal truck crash accident took place at 11.30pm yesterday, according to Police Lieutenant Damrong Sukchoosi, the investigative officer at Bang Kaew Police…
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Mane change: Thai police let their hair down with 5cm rule revision
Thailand’s national police chief has instituted a revision in police regulations, permitting male officers to sport hair up to 5 centimetres long. This move is a marked difference from the 2018 uniform practice code which mandated that male officers maintain a closely cropped hairstyle with the back and sides of their heads completely shaven. In the new 2023 uniform practice…
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Influenza cases rise fivefold in Thailand amid illegal antiviral drug concerns
A startling surge in influenza cases has been observed in Thailand this year, with a fivefold increase compared to last year’s monthly averages. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to the public about illegal antiviral medications labelled as oseltamivir being smuggled into the country. Doctor Thira Woratanarat from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University revealed, on…
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El Niño could trigger three-year rice shortage, warns Thailand’s Commerce Minister
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed worries over a potential three-year-long impact of the El Niño-induced drought. This prolonged effect could potentially harm rice production and create a shortage in domestic consumption. Phumtham commissioned the Internal Trade Department and Foreign Trade Department to jointly monitor and alleviate the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and the ensuing drought. He voiced…
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