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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Rising crypto prices invite hackers, Thai Digital Asset Association warns
The Thai Digital Asset Association (TDAA) warned of an increased threat from hackers targeting cryptocurrencies, as soaring prices are attracting both investors and fraudsters to the market. The alarm comes after digital assets in Thailand suffered a staggering US$24.2 billion loss to hackers in the previous year. Suppakrit Boonsat, a founder of Bitcast, a digital asset education firm, and the…
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New Zealanders in hot water after assaulting Thai officer in Phuket
Two New Zealanders, who physically assaulted a Thai police officer on Chao Fah East Road in Phuket on Saturday were charged with five offences and face a lifetime ban from entering Thailand. The incident occurred when a traffic officer from the Chalong Police Station, Somsak Noo-iad, asked two foreign men, later identified as 36 year old Hamish Day and 38…
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Bangkok uses AI weather forecasts to accurately notify citizens 3 hours in advance
Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, discussed with Chihito Kusabiraki, CEO of Weathernews Inc., Japan, on activating the AI Nowcast system for forecasting rain in advance in the Bangkok area. The Governor of Bangkok said that flooding is a major problem in Bangkok. If the area that will experience heavy rain can be predicted in advance, we will be able to…
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Violence erupts as group attacks volunteer at Bangkok gas station
Violence erupted at a Sai Mai district gas station in Bangkok when a group of over 30 people assaulted a volunteer from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation. The incident, which occurred just past midnight today, March 18, left the victim with serious head injuries after being knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked. In the dead of night, the Sai Mai neighbourhood…
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House Committee’s Myanmar crisis plan for stability
The Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House has proposed a strategic four-point plan aimed at mitigating the crisis in Myanmar. The chairman of the committee and representative of the Pheu Thai Party, Noppadon Pattama, revealed that the committee supports all initiatives to bring an end to the Myanmar crisis, and has been closely observing the developments there. A special…
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Thai berry seekers left hanging: Labour Ministry plans visa harvest solution
The Labour Ministry of Thailand plans to solve the suspension of visa applications for Thais seeking wild-berry picking jobs in Finland by the 2025 harvest season, as disclosed by Somchai Morakotsriwan, the director-general of the Department of Employment. The ministry, in collaboration with other state agencies including those from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, is working towards a solution following Finland’s…
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Big Joke faces money-laundering charge linked to online gambling
Deputy National Police Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn faces a money-laundering charge linked to alleged online gambling, leading to a police summons. Today, March 17, Thung Song Hong Police Station officers delivered the notice from Metropolitan Police Division 2 to Big Joke’s residence on Soi Vibhavadi 60 Road, located in Bangkok’s Laksi district. Big Joke must acknowledge the charge at…
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Thai military officer’s road rage prompts armed forces investigation
A road rage incident involving armed military personnel has prompted an investigation by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters. The episode, captured on video, featured a uniformed military man, armed with a pistol, confronting a pickup truck driver at a toll plaza over his driving behaviour. The incident came to light when the truck driver filmed the confrontation on…
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Patong prepares for Songkran Music Festival on the Beach 2024
Patong is gearing up for the annual Songkran Festival celebrations, with a press conference in place on March 15. The conference was held at Bangla Plaza, Patong Beach, at 5pm, to discuss the upcoming Songkran Music Festival On The Beach 2024, scheduled for April 12 to April 14. The Phuket Governor, Sophon Suwannarat, led the press conference and was accompanied…
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Fatal crash in Udon Thani as driver fatigue leads to tragedy
A tragic road accident occurred yesterday at 7.50am when a pickup truck veered off course and collided with a streetlight before plunging into the central ditch of Mittraphap Road in Udon Thani, Thailand. The driver, a 56 year old man from Udon Thani, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his wife, in her 50s, sustained injuries. Witthaya Panlao, Chief…
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Bangkok governor defends handling of Klong Ong Ang amid criticism
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stood firm on Saturday against criticism aimed at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and its handling of Klong Ong Ang in the Samphanthawong district. The BMA found itself on the receiving end of accusations of abandonment, with critics arguing that the area had been left to deteriorate. Chadchart staunchly refuted these claims, reinforcing that the district…
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Air force serviceman opens fire in Samut Prakan, injures one
A 26 year old man was injured when a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) soldier opened fire in a residential area in Samut Prakan province yesterday, following disputes over noise from a group of teenagers. The gunman, identified as an RTAF serviceman, later surrendered to the police. The incident, which took place in the Bang Phli housing estate, has shaken…
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Government considers corn import ban to combat PM2.5 dust pollution
A potential ban on corn imports from neighbouring countries next year is being considered by the government to tackle the escalating issue of PM2.5 fine dust pollution in the northern regions. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently visited Chiang Mai to assess the preventive actions and updates provided by government agencies regarding wildfire and haze prevention measures. The prime minister has…
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Thai government tackles rise in nationals overstaying Japan visas
The Thai government pledged to tackle the increasing number of Thai nationals overstaying their 15-day visas in Japan, following a sharp rise in such incidents over recent years. This commitment was confirmed by Jakkapong Sangmanee, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who recently held discussions with a senior official from the Japanese embassy. The public expressed concerns over the potential…
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McDonald’s mayhem: Global online services grind to a halt
McDonald’s, the global fast food titan, has been left reeling after a major technical glitch sent shockwaves across its chain, leaving customers hungry and frustrated. The culprit? A third-party provider’s blunder, not cyber-criminals as feared. The chaos unfolded during a routine configuration change, causing a system-wide outage that crippled operations in the fast food giant’s key markets like the UK,…
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Krungsri Research predicts growth for Thai construction
Krungsri Research unveiled the dynamic trajectory of Thailand’s construction sector for the next two years. According to the report, the construction industry is poised for a meteoric rise, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 3% to 4%. This surge aligns seamlessly with the overall investment value in construction, heralding a golden era of development on the horizon. The state…
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Srettha pledges to address Thai civil servant debt issue
Addressing the debt crisis affecting nearly three million Thai civil servants, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to address the issue accordingly. The government’s focus is on reducing interest rates to alleviate the financial burden. PM Srettha spoke of the positive progress made in the last two months following a meeting with 11 state agency chiefs who are working towards solving…
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Thailand consumer council pushes for AI regulation
The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) is pushing for the modernisation of the Consumer Protection Act 1979, in order to accommodate the emerging trends in technology, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). This call for change comes in tandem with the TCC’s latest campaign, Responsible and Fair AI for Consumers, which was launched on World Consumer Rights Day. The campaign…
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Thai Business Department warns against online scammers
The Department of Business Development (DBD) in Thailand issued a warning to businesses, uncovering a new ploy by online scammers that could leave unsuspecting victims in legal jeopardy. DBD Director-General Oramon Sapthaveetham sounded the alarm today, urging businesses to stay vigilant or face the consequences. According to Oramon, the DBD has been inundated with complaints from businesses targeted by fraudulent phone…
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Thai teacher arrested after blackmailing student with her explicit videos
A Thai mother sought help from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) after her 18 year old daughter attempted to commit suicide, saying her teacher was blackmailing her by posting her explicit videos on several online platforms. The mother told the IDMB that her 18 year old daughter had undergone a change. She appeared distressed and expressed…
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Thai entrepreneurs make record-breaking sales at Japan food expo
Fifty Thai entrepreneurs showcased their culinary prowess at the Foodex Japan 2024 exhibition held in Tokyo from March 5 to 8. The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) revealed that the response from Japanese buyers was so overwhelming that sales soared to nearly 2.5 billion baht. Chanthapat Panjamanond, Thailand’s commercial attaché in Tokyo revealed that orders for Thai food products…
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Car crash fire claims driver’s life near Pattaya
A car careened into a street barrier on the Bangkok-Map Ta Phut Motorway near Pattaya before erupting into fire, leaving the driver trapped and ultimately perishing in the blaze. The incident took place around 5.40am yesterday close to kilometre marker 120+700 in the Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Swift responses from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya…
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Thai Drinks targets Gen Z in Asia for est Cola expansion
Keen on broadening its reach in Asia, Thai Drinks, the company managing est Cola, is targeting the Gen Z market for expansion. Forecasting a growth of 25% in the Thai carbonated soft drink market due to warmer weather and intensive marketing campaigns, Suporn Denpaisarn, the non-alcoholic beverages division head at Thai Drinks, reveals their growth plans. According to Nielsen IQ…
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Microsoft CEO halts Southeast Asia trip including Bangkok
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella delayed his visit to Thailand and neighbouring Southeast Asian nations, as announced yesterday. The eagerly awaited Microsoft Build: AI Day event slated for March 21 in Bangkok now hangs in limbo indefinitely, Microsoft revealed on Friday. “We are doing our utmost in preparing to reschedule the event and will inform you of the details as soon as…
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Nanny-napped: Israeli woman detained in Thailand for unauthorised nursery
An Israeli woman was detained in Surat Thani on accusations of running an unauthorised nursery facility for foreign children on Koh Pha Ngan. Four other international individuals were also apprehended for unlawful employment and associated transgressions. Noppadol Khaomali, the Koh Pha Ngan district leader, guided local authorities, police, immigration officials, and representatives from pertinent agencies to a house inspection in the…
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Bangkok’s children gasp for air amidst pollution nightmare
Children in Bangkok suffer daily from heavy air pollution, battling constant coughs and other possible respiratory illnesses. Pupils at Suan Lumphini School confront the harsh reality of their environment each morning as they assemble under coloured flags denoting the day’s air quality: a distressing routine with red signalling the worst and blue the best. Thailand grapples annually with dire air…
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Jetstar flight fiasco: Passengers grounded as 24 hour delays soar
Jetstar Airways faced criticism from passengers when a flight from Bangkok to Singapore was delayed by more than 24 hours. The low-budget airline came under fire after 161 passengers found themselves stranded at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Wednesday, March 13. Passengers were scheduled to board Jetstar Asia flight 3K516 for a 1.35pm departure, Singapore time, with an arrival at Changi…
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US asks TikTok to cut ties with China or face ban
In a landmark decision, the US House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that could force TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to cut all ties with its Chinese parent company or face a ban in the United States. With United States President Joe Biden signalling his readiness to sign off on the legislation pending Senate approval, fears over Beijing’s sway on…
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Third Russian woman nabbed in Patong for illegal sex services
Phuket Immigration arrested a third Russian woman at a Patong hotel for providing sex services illegally. The operation unfolded following a tip-off about illegal activities involving Russian prostitutes in the area. The undercover sting operation orchestrated by the police targeted the woman, who had been discreetly advertised on an undisclosed website. Going by the moniker Linda Agency on WhatsApp, the Russian…
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Heartbreak heist: Thai man accuses lover swindling 38 million baht, stealing data
A Thai businessman filed a complaint against his lover, accusing her of stealing confidential data from a hospital and swindling him out of 38 million baht. The 63 year old Wasit visited Pak Kret Police Station in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok yesterday, March 14, to file a complaint against his lover, Teeranan, who used to work as a nurse at…
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