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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SAT-1: Suvarnabhumi Airport lounge launch hits a delay
The newly opened satellite terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, known as SAT-1, has seen limited activity in its lounges and day rooms due to a lack of international flights, according to Miracle Group, an operator of airport lounges and hotels. The chairman of Miracle Group, Aswin Ingkakul, noted that large international airlines have not utilised the SAT-1 terminal as expected.…
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Lost Buddha statue found in Sakhon Nakhon dam after 20 years
A Buddha statue lost for years was miraculously found in the middle of Nam Oun Dam by a fisherman during the Buddhist Lent. The statue, now safely returned to Wat Doi Thep Nimit, had been missing for over 20 years. A Facebook user named Wut Sut posted images of the Buddha statue in the water, showing its transportation on a…
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Newborn pygmy hippo charms visitors at Khao Kheow Open Zoo
Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Sri Racha announced the arrival of a newborn female pygmy hippo. Born on July 10, the baby hippo was introduced to the public yesterday, July 25. The zoo’s director, Narongwit Chotchoy, confirmed the birth at 10.30am, noting that both the mother, 25 year old Jona, and father, 24 year old Tony are in good health, along…
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2 Pakistani men arrested in Phuket after scamming Thai vendors
Police have arrested two Pakistani men at a residence in Phuket after they repeatedly defrauded several Thai vendors. The men claimed that their criminal actions were unintentional and resulted from being under the influence of alcohol. The owner of a drugstore in the Kamala sub-district of Phuket filed a scam complaint with Kamala Police Station after a foreign customer, later…
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CPF no show slammed as blackchin tilapia talk goes fishy
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) faced criticism from a House committee for failing to attend a meeting to address questions regarding the importation of blackchin tilapia for research purposes back in 2010. The Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, who also serves as the deputy chairman of the subcommittee investigating the spread of the invasive species, stated that CPF…
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Strategist shares HIV journey from Thailand at AIDS 2024
A 39 year old strategist working with Hiv-Sverige/HIV-Sweden, a national organisation dedicated to the welfare of people living with HIV, revealed he contracted the virus in Thailand in 2012. Emanuel Karlstrom expressed gratitude to the Thai Red Cross Society’s Anonymous Clinic for providing him with HIV medication and essential guidance on maintaining a healthy life while living with the virus.…
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High hopes: Anutin’s green light for cannabis bill in Thailand
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed confidence yesterday that the cannabis control bill will be enacted within the tenure of the current coalition government. Meanwhile, a health advocacy group has pushed for a complete ban on recreational cannabis use. The Bhumjaithai Party submitted an initial version of the bill to the House last September. The Ministry of…
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Thailand eases visa rules to attract long-term visitors
New visa regulations issued by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have made it significantly easier to visit and stay in the country long-term. The number of countries eligible for visa-free entry has increased from 57 to 93, now including India and China. Visitors from these countries will receive a 60-day entry stamp, which can be extended for another 30 days…
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Thai teens to make Olympic history at Paris 2024
A 12 year old skateboarder and an 18 year old sprinter will lead Thailand as flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Get ready for a wave of national pride as these young athletes lead the charge at the world’s grandest sporting stage tomorrow, July 26. Thana Chaiprasit, head of the Thai Olympic delegation, broke the news today amid a…
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Thailand joins forces with Cambodia to tackle call centre gangs
Top police officials from Thailand and Cambodia have declared war on call centre gangs, vowing to put an end to their reign of terror. The two nations agreed to collaborate during a high-stakes teleconference held today, sparking hope for millions affected by these scams. The critical agreement was struck between the Royal Thai Police, led by Commissioner-General Police General Torsak…
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Hong Kong policeman’s fatal fall from baht bus sparks safety outcry
Pattaya Tourist Police are offering comprehensive support to the widow of a Hong Kong policeman who tragically lost his life after falling off a baht bus on Pattaya Second Road on July 22. The shocking incident has catapulted road safety in Pattaya into the national spotlight. The grieving widow is receiving assistance from police to navigate the investigation and manage claims…
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Thaksin’s birthday bash: Alms, lunch, and A-list guests
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to mark his 75th birthday with a private yet lavish celebration at his Chan Song Lar mansion in Bangkok. According to his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin will offer alms to Buddhist monks and host a lunch for a select group of close friends tomorrow. Paetongtarn revealed that her father plans to make…
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Thai woman killed, girl injured in rampage in Surat Thani
Phrasaeng Police Station officers have surrounded a palm plantation in the southern province of Surat Thani after a Thai man went on a rampage, killing one woman and injuring a young girl. Police were notified about the rampage at approximately 2pm today, July 25, and rushed to the scene along with a rescue team. Officers reported to KhaoSod that the…
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Ex-police officer foiled in Phatthalung gold shop robbery attempt
A former police officer, dismissed from service, attempted to rob a gold shop in Phatthalung’s central market. Armed with a gun and a hammer, the suspect was thwarted by the shop owner who noticed the gun was fake and managed to apprehend him. Phatthalung City Police Station received a report at around 11.30am from a concerned citizen about a robbery…
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SCG Décor forecasts 10% rise to 30 billion baht in ASEAN market
SCG Décor (SCGD), a key player in the decor surface and bathroom business, projects a 10% year-on-year revenue increase to 30 billion baht, largely fuelled by heightened sales in the ASEAN market, including a significant push for green products. The company anticipates its revenue will double by 2030. Numpol Malichai, Chief Executive and Managing Director of SCGD, revealed the company’s intention…
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Thai police crack down on ecstasy disguised as cartoon figurines
An alarming rise in a new form of ecstasy, resembling cartoon figurines, has been reported on social media, particularly in Chiang Rai. This new trend makes the drug more appealing and accessible to youth, prompting immediate police action. Police General Kittirat Phanpet, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, addressed the issue of ecstasy disguised as cartoon characters. He acknowledged…
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Former Thai official arrested for 2011 corruption in Sakon Nakhon
Officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) arrested a former public works official involved in corruption related to three projects from the 2011 fiscal year. The official was taken into custody for legal proceedings yesterday, July 24. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Secretary-General of the NACC, and Prateep Jutasorn, Deputy Secretary-General of NACC Region 4, directed the Region 4 anti-corruption investigation team to…
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Thai woman accuses ex-husband’s wife of killing him for fortune
A Thai woman in the southern province of Krabi accused her ex-husband’s wife of killing him for his 10 million baht fortune. The wife admitted to killing her husband but did not mention her husband’s assets. Officers from Khao Phanom Police Station were alerted to the death of 52 year old Thai man Preecha at 9pm on July 22. He…
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Elderly man killed by pit bull in Khon Kaen
A 70 year old Thai man was attacked and killed by an American Pit Bull Terrier in Khon Kaen province. The man’s 33 year old son, Prasert collected his father’s body from the Srinagarind Hospital morgue. The attack occurred at Kho village, Kud Khon Kaen subdistrict, Phuwiang district yesterday, July 24. Prasert, deeply saddened, urged the dog’s owner to take…
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Sudden bus route changes spark chaos for Bangkok commuters
Chaos ensued for bus commuters in Greater Bangkok, as route changes implemented this morning left many passengers bewildered and stranded. The unannounced alterations disrupted the usual morning commute, resulting in longer wait times and confusion over the new routes. Passengers overwhelmed the Facebook pages of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the Transport Ministry, and Bangkokbusclub.com with complaints. The sudden…
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Thai motorcycle taxi rider survives stabbing, robbery in Pattaya
A 60 year old motorcycle taxi rider managed to escape from an armed robber who posed as a passenger before stabbing him in the neck and an attempt to steal from him on Soi Thung Klom Tanman 13 in Pattaya. The motorcycle taxi rider, Sakchai, sought help from a rescue team in the early hours of yesterday, July 24, after…
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Highways Department’s tree-mendous tribute for king’s birthday
The Department of Highways, District 16, recently launched a tree-planting initiative in honour of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday. The event took place at Highway 44, between the kilometre markers 132+700, in Kanchanadit district, Surat Thani. The event saw the participation of over 700 individuals, including executives, highway department officials, employees, and contractors. Led by Paijit Saengthong, Director…
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Thailand car production hits brakes amid finance woes
Thailand’s car production has skidded to a 20.11% drop in June compared to last year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). This decline accelerates from May’s 16.19% downturn, driven by stricter financing rules and soaring consumer debt levels. In the first half of this year, car production tumbled by 17.39%, totalling 761,240 units. The FTI attributes this slump…
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Chao Phraya bridges to shine for King’s 72nd birthday celebrations
Three iconic bridges over the Chao Phraya River will be illuminated starting tomorrow as part of the nationwide celebrations for the 72nd birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. The Rural Roads Department announced this festive display, which will continue until next Tuesday, July 30. Decorative lights will adorn the Bhumibol 1 and 2 Bridges, which connect Bangkok…
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Paetongtarn kicks Chalerm Yubamrung out of Party’s chat group
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has removed veteran politician Chalerm Yubamrung from the party’s LINE application group. However, she has stopped short of expelling him from the party itself. Paetongtarn revealed her decision today, July 25, just one day after Chalerm held a press conference at his home in Bangkok’s Bang Bon district, daring the party to…
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Thai man arrested for arson at Pak Kret Police Station, Bangkok
Police arrested a Thai man for setting fire to Pak Kret Police Station in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok on July 16. The cause of the fire was initially thought to be a short circuit before CCTV footage revealed it as arson. The fire broke out on the second floor of Pak Kret Police Station, which was used to store case…
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New runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport sparks emergency drill
Suvarnabhumi International Airport conducted a high-stakes emergency exercise under the codename SENOP-24 on Tuesday, July 23. This drill, aimed at preparing for the grand opening of the airport’s third runway set for mid-September, was designed to ensure every team is battle-ready for any potential crisis. Kittipong Kittikachorn, the Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport and a key figure in Airports of Thailand…
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Indonesia launches golden visa with 10-year residency for investors
Indonesia has introduced a long-term visa scheme aimed at attracting rich, “good-quality” foreign investors, President Joko Widodo announced. The new Golden Visa offers a 10-year residency permit to those rich enough to invest up to US$10 million in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The scheme includes a five-year visa option, requiring an individual to set up a company worth US$2.5 million,…
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3 year old Thai boy rescued from drug-addict mother
A neighbour urged a social media influencer to save a three year old Thai boy from his party-loving, drug-addicted mother at their home in the central province of Pathum Thani. The mother confessed to leaving her son alone at home while she enjoyed some fun and frolics at a drug party with friends. The neighbour called the social media influencer,…
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Lottery enthusiasts visit Phayao temple for lucky numbers
Residents and lottery enthusiasts flocked to the ancient Suan Dok temple, over 1,000 years old, to seek blessings from the revered Phor Suan Dok statue. The temple is located in Ban Huai Luk, T. Tun, Mueang district, Phayao province. Locals brought offerings of flowers, incense, and candles to pay respects to the Buddha statue within the temple. They also sought…
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