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 The 5 best luxury villa rentals in Koh Samui by The Luxury Signature
Koh Samui has long been known as one of the world’s finest luxury travel destinations. Its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and crystal-clear waters create an idyllic setting that attracts travellers seeking an escape from the everyday grind. And opting to...
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Thai government explores funding for digital wallet giveaway
The Thai government is currently exploring funding avenues for its digital wallet giveaway initiative, with final decisions on the funding source set to be determined next month. Lawaron Saengsanit, the permanent secretary for the Finance Ministry, revealed that the ministry and the Budget Bureau have been assigned by the digital wallet policy committee to assess possible funding sources for the…
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Koh Larn wind energy project under scrutiny for misuse of funds
The dream of harnessing wind energy to provide a sustainable power source for Koh Larn in Pattaya has sputtered to a halt, amidst allegations that the turbines stand broken and idle due to insufficient funds for repair. The wind turbine project, situated on Khao Nom Sao mountain near Samae Beach, was conceived back in 2006. With a hefty budget of…
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Thai tourism federation calls for urgent supply development
The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) has revealed its intention to present an urgent demand for supply development to the government. The appeal is due to a rising demand that is overburdening the existing infrastructure. This was disclosed by FETTA Secretary-General Adith Chairattananon. Adith explained that while the government has been keen on stimulating demand by granting visa exemptions…
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Fraudulent calls and messages surge by 18% in Thailand in 2023
Whoscall, the caller identification application, reported that fraudulent calls and messages plagued Thailand’s communication channels in 2023, with Thai citizens receiving an alarming 79 million dishonest messages and calls. This figure presents a notable 18% rise from the 66.7 million deceptive calls and messages recorded in 2022. The 2023 statistics were broken down into 20.8 million dubious calls and 58.3…
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Phichit couple investigated for assault of four year old girl
A couple in Phichit province is under investigation following severe injuries sustained by a four year old girl in their care. Authorities are gathering DNA evidence from the couple’s home to strengthen their case. The child, under the guardianship of Ratnaporn and her husband, Sappasin, remains comatose with a swollen brain and grievous injuries, including torn genitalia. Phichit Provincial Police,…
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Pattaya halts national ID card issuance due to card shortage
Pattaya City Registration Office has been forced to slam the brakes on issuing national ID cards to Thai citizens due to a shortage of blank cards. Bunchaya Charoenphot, the astute Manager of the Registration and ID Card Operations Office, revealed that the scarcity of cards from the Provincial Registration Center in Chon Buri province has thrown a wrench into their…
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British court’s ruling on Julian Assange extradition is life-threatening
Stella Assange, the wife of Julian Assange, vehemently condemned the British court’s decision to approve her husband’s extradition to the United States, describing it as “an attack on Julian’s life.” Alongside Amnesty International and a number of human rights activists, she criticised the judgement made by the British court, yesterday, March 26. The court announced that it would seek assurances…
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Thailand house of representatives approves same-sex marriage bill
Thailand has taken a monumental leap forward in the quest for marriage equality, with the House of Representatives approving a same-sex marriage bill on its final reading. The bill, backed by all significant political parties, secured a resounding victory with 400 of the 415 members present voting in favour. A mere 10 representatives opposed the motion. Danuphorn Punnakanta, a Pheu…
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Malaysia mulls expanding rail project towards Thai border
To outmanoeuvre economic rivalry with Thailand, Malaysia is contemplating extending its mammoth rail project closer to its northern neighbour, sparking debates over prosperity or peril. Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, disclosed that the government is receptive to the notion of linking the ongoing East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) with Thailand’s existing or planned rail infrastructure. The move comes amidst Thailand’s…
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Huai Yang Waterfall National Park to close from April 1
The Huai Yang Waterfall National Park in Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan province is set to lock its gates to tourists from April 1 onwards. Somjet Chantana, Director of the Administration Office for Conservation Area 3 (Phetchaburi Branch), stated that the decision was reached after extensive discussions with Rakpong Boonyoi, the Head of Huai Yang Waterfall National Park. The closure,…
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Luxury vans intentionally crash in Pattaya pub drama
Local police in Pattaya are unravelling a startling incident involving luxury vans carrying Chinese tourists intentionally crashing into each other outside a secretive pub early yesterday morning. Police Colonel Nawin Theerawit, Pattaya’s police chief, revealed that the perpetrators could face charges of physical assault causing serious injury and attempted murder. According to the police chief, drivers purposefully collided with each…
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Gay couple arrested in Bangkok for drug and extortion operations
Police yesterday arrested a gay couple at a condominium in Nonthaburi province for drug sales and money extortion operations, targeting medical workers and high-flyers in the educational field. A Thai doctor sought help from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Bureau (IDMB) after falling victim to a 37 year old gay man named Krittaphat, also known as Top. Top got…
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Brazen thieves swipe electrical wire in daring daylight raid
Two audacious thieves brazenly snatched electrical wire from a residence in Bo Win, Chon Buri, sparking concern among locals. The victim, Prasong Tankratok, a hardworking contractor who often spends long hours away from home, found himself at the mercy of the thieves’ calculated strike. Upon returning from work on Monday, Prasong was met with the disturbing scene of his ransacked…
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Phetchabun: Cannabis-induced hallucination triggers police chase
A 23 year old man experienced a hallucinatory episode after consuming cannabis, leading to a high-speed chase and subsequent arrest by local police. The incident began when the young man, identified only as Amorn, rode his motorcycle through a community area without a helmet, number plate, or necessary documentation. His erratic behaviour and modified vehicle caught the attention of police…
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Thai drama’s similarities with Korean series sparks controversy
A Thai drama’s debut has sparked buzz online as netizens compare its premiere shots to those of the Korean series Lovestruck in the City (2020). Titled Until We Love, the romantic comedy revolves around an unconventional relationship that develops between a stepson and his stepmother, portrayed by the popular duo Mark Prin and Yaya Urassaya. Directed by Nok Thanthaphon, the…
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Pathum Thani condo site fire swiftly doused, no injuries reported
A construction site fire at a condominium in the Khu Khot area of Pathum Thani province was swiftly contained, with no injuries reported, according to Noble Development Plc. The company confirmed the incident occurred yesterday in a temporary storage area and not in residential zones, reassuring that business operations would continue as usual today. Yesterday, a fire broke out at…
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Thai gambling queen arrested for 76 million baht tax evasion
Police arrested a Thai gambling queen in the southern province of Yala for tax evasion, causing the government to lose more than 76 million baht in revenue. Revenue Department (RD) officers recently filed a complaint against 67 year old Sirima with officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD). The RD reported that Sirima secretly ran a gambling operation and…
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Thailand braces for storms and record heatwave with 43C highs
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted 10 days of tumultuous weather, starting with thunderstorms from today, March 27 to Friday, March 29, followed by a severe heatwave that could see temperatures soar to a scorching 43 degrees Celsius. The predictions for this period, which extends to April 5, have been sourced from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).…
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Major drug network busted 5.6 million meth pills seized
A significant drug patrolling operation, conducted in Pathum Thani’s Lat Lum Kaeo district, resulted in the apprehension of six individuals linked to a major drug network. The operation also led to the confiscation of 5.6 million methamphetamine pills and 200 kilogrammes of ketamine. The individuals were arrested from a property within the Nattanun Home housing estate in Tambon Khu Kwang,…
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Young motorcyclist perishes in Samut Songkhram accident
A tragic collision in Samut Songkhram province claimed the life of a young motorcyclist after a pickup truck made a sudden turn in front of him, leading to a forceful impact. The incident occurred at 9.45am today, March 27. Police Lieutenant Chanathip Ongkleub, the deputy inspector at the Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station, received a report of a vehicular collision…
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Monkey mayhem: Lopburi locals go bananas over macaque move
Khao Phra subdistrict residents and community leaders in Nakhon Nayok province protest a scheme to temporarily accommodate a group of 50 macaques from Lopburi province. Fearing potential attacks and chaos, locals stand firm against the plan proposed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The DNP’s strategy aims to address the escalating aggression of Lopburi monkeys,…
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Bangkok scoops best city prize in travel magazine survey
Bangkok scooped the best city award in the Asia-Pacific region from the travel magazine DestinAsian, while Suvarnabhumi International Airport secured the second-best airport among 51 countries. Prime Minister Office spokesperson Chai Watcharong encouraged Thai people to celebrate the country’s recent successes following the acknowledgement by DestinAsian in its Readers’ Choice Awards. The rankings cover various aspects of travel including best islands,…
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Chiang Mai ranked among top budget-friendly retirement locations
The lively and diverse city of Chiang Mai in Thailand has been listed among 13 budget-friendly global locations where couples can retire and live comfortably on a modest sum of US$1,500 per month, according to a new survey from International Living. The city, an eclectic mix of Thai, Chinese, Indian, and foreign residents, is celebrated for its rich history, culture,…
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Bamboo barges battle plastic pollution in Bangkok
To tackle Thailand’s plastic pollution crisis, a pioneering project has been launched on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Black flies scattered as plastic waste cascaded from bamboo conveyor belts onto solar-powered barges, marking a significant step towards cleaner waters. Dubbed the “interceptor,” this innovative boat-like structure, trailing a floating barrier, utilises the river’s currents to guide plastic debris into…
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Thai economy struggles post-election, foreign investment declines
Thailand’s economy continues to struggle despite the first General Election since 2019, which was anticipated to stimulate growth and attract foreign investors. Instead, the nation has seen its benchmark stock index decline for the fifth quarter consecutively, foreign investment is waning, and the baht is showing the second-worst performance amongst Asian currencies. According to Narongsak Plodmechai, CEO of SCB Asset…
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Ptyas found on deity’s palanquin sparks Thai lottery frenzy
An unexpected visitor, a nearly 2-metre-long Ptyas snake, was discovered lounging atop a palanquin meant for the revered Mother Goddess at the Thapthim shrine in Chai Nat, central Thailand, spurring a wave of lottery number seekers at the site. The incident occurred on March 23, when firefighters from the Chai Nat Municipality were called to the shrine situated behind the…
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BAAC to back 50,000 tech-savvy farmers with 55 billion baht
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), a state-owned entity, outlined an ambitious plan to foster a new breed of technologically adept farmers. The bank intends to support 50,000 young, smart farmers over the next five years, offering low-interest loans that total 55 billion baht (US$1.5 billion). BAAC president, Chatchai Sirilai, announced the project’s key objective following a memorandum…
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Phuket villa manager caught faking robbery to hide lost deposits
A 21 year old luxury villa manager in Kamala Beach, Phuket, was apprehended for fabricating an assault and theft incident after failing to account for customers’ deposits. The manager, Chananchida Harnkamjorn, confessed to concocting a story about being attacked and robbed of 100,000 baht to cover up her misuse of the funds. The incident, initially reported to police on Monday…
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Thai police uncover British man’s decomposing body in Pattaya
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) on Monday discovered the deeply disturbing sight of a British man’s decomposing body inside a Pattaya condominium. Pattaya Police Station received notification of the body, prompting a swift response from officers and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue workers. Upon arrival, Pattaya police officers found the dead man, identified as Harold Jhon Milligan, a 63 year old…
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Thai government splurges 2.95 billion on free school lunches
The Cabinet has given the nod to a 2.95 billion baht free school lunch programme for nearly half a million students nationwide for the upcoming 2025 academic year. Karom Pholpornklang, the deputy government spokesperson, revealed the comprehensive scope of the initiative, stating that it will extend its benevolent reach across 7,344 schools throughout the country. This plan encompasses 6,855 schools…
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