Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
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Sponsored Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
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Chinese luxury property pitch in Bangkok angers Thai netizens (video)
Thai netizens raised concerns and legal questions following the release of an advertising video featuring Chinese nationals selling luxury houses in the Rama 9 area of Bangkok, despite Thai law prohibiting land ownership by foreigners. A TikTok user, @thaiarya.party, shared the advertising video of the Chinese-owned residential project on Monday, August 26, with a caption that read, “We (Thai people)…
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Thaksin visits flood-hit Chiang Rai in sensational homecoming
Thaksin Shinawatra, the once-exiled former Prime Minister of Thailand and father of current PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, made a sensational return to his homeland on Tuesday, August 27. Touching down at Mae Fah Luang Airport in Chiang Rai, he immediately set out to assess the devastation caused by severe flooding in the region—a crisis that has left hundreds struggling. Greeted warmly…
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Thaksin’s taxing plan to tackle poverty in Thailand
Thaksin Shinawatra is making more waves to shake up Thailand’s social, economic and political scene. His latest pitch? A negative income tax (NIT) to shake up Thailand’s tax system. This isn’t the first time NIT has been floated in Thailand. Over a decade ago, the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) proposed something similar, and it was included in the…
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Former police chief and others arraigned in Red Bull hit-and-run
Former National Police Chief Police General Somyot Poompanmoung, former Deputy Attorney-General Nate Naksuk, and six others have been arraigned by public prosecutors in connection with the Red Bull heir hit-and-run case. The defendants face severe charges, including dereliction of duty. Prosecutor Suvej Chompong represented the Office of the Attorney-General at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, submitting…
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Thai bike bandit claims he steals to stop angry wife leaving him
A Thai motorcycle thief cracked under police questioning and confessed he stole the vehicles to prevent his alleged temperamental wife from leaving him in Chon Buri. Bang Lamung Police Station officers suspected the 31 year old man, Watcharapong, of stealing motorcycles from locals in the area after they found him selling a motorcycle in perfect condition for only 5,000 baht. Officers…
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Democratic Party member slams leadership for joining rivals
In a scathing critique that’s sent shockwaves through Thailand’s political landscape, Watanya Bunnag, a high-profile member of the Democrat Party, condemned her party’s decision to align with the Pheu Thai-led coalition government. Watanya, also known as Madame Dear, labelled the move as a betrayal of the party’s faithful supporters. Taking to Facebook, Watanya accused the party’s leadership of shattering the…
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Thai farmers set to grow demand for chemical fertilisers next year
The demand for chemical fertilisers and agricultural chemicals among Thai farmers is expected to rise between October and December next year. This increased need is crucial for crops such as oil palm, rubber, fruit trees, and ornamental plants, which require year-round agricultural inputs. Udom Srisomrong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, highlighted that the current fertiliser prices in…
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Burmese victim confirmed dead in collapsed tunnel, 2 still missing
A rescue team confirmed the death of a Burmese victim trapped in the collapsed railway tunnel in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Meanwhile, the search for the other two victims, reported to be Chinese nationals, is still underway. Rescuers from multiple organisations were deployed to the Thailand-China high-speed railway tunnel in the Chan Thuek sub-district of Nakhon Ratchasima to…
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Tourists flying high from Thailand, face cannabis crackdown in UK
Tourists jetting into the United Kingdom from Thailand, Canada, and the United States are being slapped with stern warnings from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) about the severe penalties for smuggling cannabis. The heightened vigilance at UK airports sparked a massive surge in arrests and drug seizures, laying bare the zero-tolerance stance taken by the UK police. According to…
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Spanish star’s son sentenced to life for murder on Koh Pha Ngan
In a chilling case that shocked both Spain and Thailand, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, son of prominent Spanish actors Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre and Silvia Bronchalo, has been sentenced to life in prison for the premeditated murder of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga. The gruesome crime took place last August on the idyllic Thai island of Koh Pha Ngan. Originally handed…
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Thai escort extorted by 4 fake cops over unfulfilled climax
A Thai escort reached out for help after four customers, claiming to be police officers, threatened her to return a service fee of 1,500 baht before extorting a further 20,000 baht, saying she could not make them climax. Non-profit organisation Saimai Survive accompanied the victim to Mueang Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station to file a complaint against the four customers…
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Kiwi becomes another unfortunate ‘Pattaya Flying Club’ victim
A holiday in Pattaya turned into a nightmare for the family of a 36 year old Kiwi man who plunged to his death from a hotel balcony in the early hours this morning. Pattaya police were alerted at approximately 6am today, August 29, to a shocking incident at a hotel near Beach Road in the Nong Prue subdistrict. Upon arriving at…
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Trouble brewing: Chinese tourists’ bike crashes into Pattaya café
Two Chinese tourists had a close call in Pattaya after their big bike crashed into a coffee shop fence, leaving onlookers stunned but, fortunately, unscathed. Pattaya police were alerted to a motorbike accident on Monday, August 26, at a coffee shop near the Dolphin Roundabout in North Pattaya. Responding swiftly, officers and rescue volunteers arrived at the chaotic scene to…
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Thailand’s trade deficit with China rises 15.7% to US$20 billion
Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) raised alarms about the expanding trade deficit with China. Imports from China surged by 7.12% year-on-year in the first half of 2024, reaching US$37.6 billion (approximately 1.33 trillion baht). This spike resulted in a trade deficit of US$20 billion (around 720 billion baht), marking a 15.7% increase compared to the previous year. Smartphones,…
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Burmese worker’s grief sparks axe rampage at Phuket camp
A Burmese worker’s grief over a friend’s death led to a chaotic rampage at a worker’s camp in Phuket, where he damaged a journalist’s car with an axe. The incident followed a fatal stabbing involving a Thai man and another Burmese worker. Yesterday, August 28, police in Thalang, Phuket, received reports of a man running amok and attacking a journalist’s…
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Leap of irony: Cheating Thai husband attempts suicide after scam
A cheating Thai husband tried to end his life by leaping from a pedestrian bridge on Pattanakarn Road in Bangkok after his online affairs took a dramatic turn. Ironically, he was scammed out of less than 1,000 baht by the very women he was cheating with. A Facebook page shared a video of the man’s suicide attempt and a subsequent…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport to handle 80 million passengers yearly by 2031
Airports of Thailand (AoT) announced ambitious plans to upgrade Suvarnabhumi International Airport in a bid to accommodate 80 million passengers annually by 2031. AoT President Kerati Kijmanawat stated yesterday, August 28, that the agency is revising its master plan to expand the airport’s capacity over the next decade. This move aligns with the government’s goal to see Suvarnabhumi Airport rank…
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Myanmar man confesses to killing Khon Kaen taxi driver
A Myanmar man has confessed to killing a 63 year old taxi driver in a dispute over a 2,000-baht fare, claiming self-defence after being threatened with a knife. He expressed remorse and a desire to apologise to the victim’s family. Officers convened at the Bang Phli Police Station at 8.30pm yesterday, August 28, to announce the arrest of Maung Soe…
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Driver severely injured in crash with truck in Chachoengsao
A 49 year old man driving a black Mazda sedan crashed into a stationary 22-wheel truck at a red light, sustaining severe injuries. The accident occurred around 2am today, August 29, in Chachoengsao province and was promptly attended by local police and rescue teams. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wanchai Prathom, who happened to be on patrol, coordinated with Lieutenant Rattanachai Niamkoaphet…
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Retired Thai teacher tries to buy silence after sexually abusing girl
A Thai woman accepted a 5,000 baht bribe from a 68 year old retired Thai teacher in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani to allow him to evade legal action after he sexually abused her 10 year old granddaughter. The victim’s 29 year old mother asked local social media influencer Charnwit Yodsingha to share the sexual assault story on social…
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Thai cyber police bust fraud gang posing as Citibank
Thai cyber police dismantled a fraud network posing as a well-known bank, luring victims with promises of high returns on minimal investments. A victim lost over 1.1 million baht after being deceived by the scam. A stranger contacted the victim via the LINE messaging app yesterday, sending a link that led to an advertisement claiming to be from Citibank. The…
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Thailand Video News | Phuket Landslide Buries Nine Houses, No Injuries Reported, AirAsia Cabin Crew Entertain Passengers with In-flight Concert
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers the stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia countries. The news stories include a landslide in Phuket that buried nine homes, prompting a rapid evacuation but fortunately resulting in no injuries. Meanwhile, flash floods in Chiang Mai have led to the temporary closure of Mae Sa Waterfall for safety reasons. Controversial incidents have…
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Elderly Thai man killed in roadside collision with pickup truck
A tragic accident occurred involving an 82 year old man who was parked on the side of the road with his motorcycle when a pickup truck crashed into him, resulting in his death. The collision happened when the truck driver momentarily glanced at his side mirror. At 4pm yesterday, August 28, Nonthiwakorn Sangkaew, a deputy inspector at Mueang Chanthaburi Police…
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Six arrested at unlicenced beauty clinics in Rayong and Phuket
Police officers raided four clinics, arresting six individuals for employing unlicensed doctors in beauty treatments. In another case, an unlicenced Chinese medicine practitioner was detained for claiming ancestral knowledge. Police and health officials announced the results of two significant cases yesterday, August 28, at the Central Investigation Bureau. The first case involved searches of medical facilities, residences, and spa massage…
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Thai Customs seize drugs headed for Australia and Germany
Thai Customs officials intercepted shipments containing illegal drugs concealed within everyday items destined for Australia and Germany, with a combined estimated value of over 14.74 million baht. Customs Advisor Phanthong Loikulnunt, acting as spokesperson for the Customs Department, announced the seizure. The first incident occurred when officials at Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s customs office scrutinised an express cargo shipment marked for…
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DSI uncovers 20,000 counterfeit items in Bangkok mall raid
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided 11 shops and warehouses in a prominent Bangkok shopping mall, uncovering over 20,000 counterfeit items with an estimated damage of 20 million baht. The operation, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Pheyao Thongsen, Deputy Director-General of the DSI, took place on Tuesday, August 26, following reports of shops allegedly selling and storing counterfeit goods.…
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Young dugong dies despite rescue efforts near Krabi
A young dugong found swimming alone near Krabi’s Koh Poda has died from respiratory failure despite veterinary efforts to save it. Researchers from the Andaman Coastal Research Station received a report from Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park officials on August 10. Tourists had spotted the solitary juvenile male dugong struggling to stay afloat. The animal, estimated to…
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Pit bull attack in Bangkok market sparks safety concerns
A pit bull in the Charoen Phon market in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, caused alarm yesterday after attacking a resident. A resident reported being bitten by a pit bull yesterday, August 28, near the Charoen Phon market in Bangkok. The event gained significant attention after a popular Facebook page, known for highlighting community issues, posted images and comments about the…
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Durian vendor clashes with customer over spoiled fruit
A heated confrontation between a durian vendor and a customer ignited a firestorm on social media. The vendor went live to harshly criticise a customer from Surin province who complained about receiving spoiled, sour-smelling durians. The incident began when the customer posted about purchasing a durian for 150 baht from a well-known shop opposite the courthouse. Despite its appealing exterior, the…
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SET unveils sustainable growth strategies amid global challenges
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has unveiled three core strategies to foster sustainable growth within the Thai capital market amid challenging global financial conditions and political uncertainties. This initiative aims to enhance inclusivity within the market. SET chairman Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, addressing the Thailand Focus 2024: Adapting to a Changing World seminar, highlighted the strategic pillars: bolstering reliability and trust,…
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