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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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  • Teen’s truckin’ troubles: Migrant worker smuggling ends in pickup predicament in central Thailand

    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.…

  • Thailand boosts tourism with free SIM cards and digital privileges for visitors

    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…

  • Toll-free treat: Thailand waives toll charges on major expressways for King Bhumibol Memorial Day

    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…

  • Bacon battle: Factory owner shoots director during illegal pork import raid, leaving one official injured

    Bacon battle: Factory owner shoots director during illegal pork import raid, leaving one official injured

    The owner of a pork storage factory shot and killed the director of the Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre in the central province of Phetchabun today when the deceased and other officers raided an illegal pork import operation. Another official was also injured in the melee. Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre officers raided a cold storage warehouse and a house in…

  • Middle East tensions cause gold rush, prices poised to strike US,875

    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…

  • Luxury van and parked truck collision results in tragic fatal crash in central Thailand

    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…

  • Mane change: Thai police let their hair down with 5cm rule revision

    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…

  • Policeman accused of assaulting wife and luring her into gang rape

    Policeman accused of assaulting wife and luring her into gang rape

    A Thai woman reached out to a social media influencer to seek help after her police officer husband physically assaulted her and lured her into a gang rape scene. Thai social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet accompanied the victim, 30 year old A, to the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division to start legal processes against the woman’s husband. The woman…

  • El Niño could trigger three-year rice shortage, warns Thailand’s Commerce Minister

    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…

  • Thai government defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid economic criticism

    Thai government defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid economic criticism

    Economic experts’ criticism of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was rebuffed yesterday by its supporters, who asserted that the cash handout would alleviate disparity and provide a crucial financial boost to the disadvantaged. Jutipong Phummul headed the faction, which handed a plea to the government, encouraging the implementation of the digital wallet initiative. Presented in Parliament as an economic strategy…

  • Storm warnings issued for 35 Thai provinces with Bangkok facing major impact

    Storm warnings issued for 35 Thai provinces with Bangkok facing major impact

    The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued storm warnings for 35 provinces across Thailand, with Bangkok expecting to bear the brunt with 80% of the area predicted to be hit hard. The public is urged to remain vigilant as the heavy rains may cause sudden flash floods. The 24-hour weather forecast starting today, October 12, indicates a high-pressure system or cool…

  • Tour firm directors arrested for misleading Thai workers about overseas job opportunities

    Tour firm directors arrested for misleading Thai workers about overseas job opportunities

    A Thai police force led by senior officer Eakasit Pansita arrested two tour company directors today, for allegedly deceiving over 80 individuals with promises of overseas job opportunities. Thirty year old Warintorn and 27 year old Pattanachai were taken into custody at separate locations. Warintorn was detained at a hotel in Mu Si, Nakhon Ratchasima, while Pattanachai was arrested inside a…

  • Qatari man nabbed for allegedly raping Thai man at Bangkok hospital (video)

    Qatari man nabbed for allegedly raping Thai man at Bangkok hospital (video)

    Police arrested a Qatari man for allegedly raping an 18 year old Thai man in a bathroom of a private hospital in Bangkok. The suspect denied the charges. An officer from Lumpini Police Station conducted an investigation into the sexual assault case and managed to identify the suspect as a 23 year old Qatari man named Saoud Hussain Ma Alyafel.…

  • Legal action demanded over former police chief’s alleged 200 million baht bid-rigging scandal

    Legal action demanded over former police chief’s alleged 200 million baht bid-rigging scandal

    The president of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, demanded legal action against a former national police chief for alleged bid-rigging in the construction of ammunition factories. The former police chief is accused of transferring over 200 million baht intended for the purchase of stun guns. Atchariya lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Commission today, alleging that…

  • Phichit flooding: Eight districts hit, 885 households submerged

    Phichit flooding: Eight districts hit, 885 households submerged

    The province of Phichit is currently grappling with severe flooding that has affected eight districts, with as many as 885 households submerged and damage to the local infrastructure. The situation has been worsened by the overflowing of the Nan and Yom rivers, leading officials to raise red flags, signalling the start of a flood crisis. The water level in the…

  • Chinese tourists drop by 75,093 following shooting in Bangkok

    Chinese tourists drop by 75,093 following shooting in Bangkok

    The Economic Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that the number of Chinese tourists in Thailand last week fell by 75,093 compared to the previous week. The ministry said Thailand received 497,966 foreign tourists last week. This was 54,453 or 9.86% less than the previous week. The number of foreign tourists in the country decreased, especially Chinese…

  • Mun River’s unstoppable rise breaches barriers, submerging Thai communities, forcing mass evacuations

    Mun River’s unstoppable rise breaches barriers, submerging Thai communities, forcing mass evacuations

    The Mun River broke through its sandbag barriers, causing a massive flood that submerged several communities up to 2 metres deep. The river’s relentless rise forced the evacuation of 195 families, while over 400 others continue to live in their flooded homes. The Mun River’s powerful flow eroded its sandbag barriers today, previously installed by the army, the Department of…

  • Torrential rains cause major disruption with flooded roads and railway lines in southern Thailand

    Torrential rains cause major disruption with flooded roads and railway lines in southern Thailand

    The southern region of Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, home to Suranaree University of Technology and the 80th Anniversary Stadium, has been severely affected by the torrential rains over the past two days, causing the accumulated rainwater to total 26 centimetres. The torrential rains led to natural canals overflowing and flooding major roads and railway lines, causing significant inconvenience to the…

  • Phuket stabbing: Restaurant worker claims self-defence in fatal incident

    Phuket stabbing: Restaurant worker claims self-defence in fatal incident

    A fatal stabbing incident unfolded in Phuket yesterday morning, resulting in the death of a 33 year old man. The 28 year old man, Arnon Thepsong, a restaurant staffer, has been arrested under charges of assault causing death and carrying a weapon in a public place without reasonable cause. However, he asserts that the act was committed in self-defence. The…

  • Debt debacle: Thai man attacked, forced to settle loan shark score for ex-employee (video)

    Debt debacle: Thai man attacked, forced to settle loan shark score for ex-employee (video)

    A Thai man sought justice for himself after he was attacked and forced to pay an 8,000 baht debt to the loan sharks on behalf of his former employee. A video of the victim, 50 year old Kan, subjected to a brutal assault by a group of 20 loan sharks was shared on Thai social media. The video shows a…

  • SEC considers compensation fund for victims of investment fraud

    SEC considers compensation fund for victims of investment fraud

    The newly appointed secretary-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosed that the regulatory body is examining the possibility of setting up a compensation fund for victims of investment fraud. This announcement was made during her inaugural press briefing since assuming office the previous month. Pornanong Budsaratragoon emphasised the regulator’s commitment to restoring public trust in the capital market.…

  • Stolen gun leads to death of 14 year old boy in southern Thailand

    Stolen gun leads to death of 14 year old boy in southern Thailand

    A 14 year old boy stole a gun from his retired police officer grandfather yesterday, leading to the accidental shooting and tragic death of his friend at his residence in the southern Trang province. Rescue officers from the Ruam Jai Yan Ta Khao team received a distress call yesterday, October 10, reporting what was believed to be a fireworks explosion…

  • Maha Sarakham chairman arrested over allegations of contract renewal bribes

    Maha Sarakham chairman arrested over allegations of contract renewal bribes

    The Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) in Maha Sarakham collaborated with the police to arrest the chairman of the Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) who was accused of contract renewal bribes. The arrest operation today took place in the office of the chairman of the SAO in Nong Muang, Borrabue District, Maha Sarakham. The police, led by Seksan Sommat, the director of…

  • Dam-burst drama: Rising water levels have northern Thailand residents on the brink

    Dam-burst drama: Rising water levels have northern Thailand residents on the brink

    The residents of Non Sawan, located in the area above the Ubonrat Dam in Khon Kaen Province, are preparing for rising water levels, as a deluge has filled the dam to capacity. The resulting flood is rapidly encroaching upon rice fields and homes, with predictions of imminent submersion. The current state of Non Sawan village, located in Ubonrat district, Khon…

  • Daring daylight theft in Chon Buri: Over 50,000 baht worth of goods and motorbike stolen

    Daring daylight theft in Chon Buri: Over 50,000 baht worth of goods and motorbike stolen

    A daring theft was carried out by an unidentified man in Chon Buri province, who seized an opportunity to steal a motorbike with the key left in the ignition by a delivery rider. The incident, which took place next to Pattaya Park Night Market yesterday, resulted in the loss of the Honda Wave 125 motorbike and 107 customer packages worth…

  • Temple tears: Police bust child-begging gang, investigate trafficking ties in Thailand

    Temple tears: Police bust child-begging gang, investigate trafficking ties in Thailand

    A sweep operation led by the Satthahip police force has resulted in the apprehension of an alleged gang exploiting children for begging activities during a temple event. The police are investigating potential human trafficking links, focusing on the relationship between the adults claiming to be parents and the children involved. At 10.30pm yesterday, Panya Damlek, the head of Satthahip Police…

  • Thailand and Brunei forge deeper ties to boost bilateral trade

    Thailand and Brunei forge deeper ties to boost bilateral trade

    Thailand and Brunei have embraced greater bilateral cooperation, expanding into new sectors of trade and investment. The move comes as part of their collective commitment towards achieving economic integration within the ASEAN region. While on an official visit to Brunei, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, ASEAN’s most senior leader. The two…

  • Heavy rainfall warning: TMD predicts showers in 45 provinces, wet surprise for Bangkok

    Heavy rainfall warning: TMD predicts showers in 45 provinces, wet surprise for Bangkok

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning of continuous heavy rainfall in 45 provinces today. This includes Bangkok and surrounding areas, where it was reported that 80% of the area is expected to be heavily affected. The sudden flooding could cause potential hazards for residents in these areas. The people are urged to prepare for such possibilities, especially…

  • Danish danger on Thai island: Illegal firearms arrest on Koh Samui

    Danish danger on Thai island: Illegal firearms arrest on Koh Samui

    Thai police apprehended a Danish man in Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani yesterday, for his illegal possession of firearms. Following the strict measures implemented after the shooting at Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok, Thai police yesterday, October 10, conducted an investigation into owners of firearms both legal and illegal across the country and discovered…

  • Tourism turmoil: Troubles in Israel & Bangkok’s bullet blues spell trouble for Thai tourism

    Tourism turmoil: Troubles in Israel & Bangkok’s bullet blues spell trouble for Thai tourism

    The ongoing conflict in Israel and the recent shooting incident at Siam Paragon in Bangkok last week are anticipated to result in a decline in foreign arrivals for the upcoming week, which will have a substantial impact on the Thai tourism industry. Nevertheless, the private sector remains optimistic that the visa exemption scheme will play a crucial role in rejuvenating…