Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Teeing off with the Amazing Thailand Golf Classics 2024 at Royal Lakeside
The Amazing Thailand Travel and Hospitality Golf Classics 2024 teed off in spectacular fashion on September 11 at the Royal Lakeside Golf Course in Chon Buri. The premier golfing event, which blends top-tier sport with world-class hospitality, attracted a stellar line-up of participants, from seasoned golfers to leaders in travel and tourism. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Royal…
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Digital wallet to the rescue: PM bets on cashing in for Thailand’s economy
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly believes that the government’s policy, particularly the digital wallet handout programme, will act as a significant catalyst to regenerate the flailing economy of Thailand. This policy will be officially presented to Parliament over two days, starting tomorrow, as mandated by the constitution, before the government can begin its work. The 38 year old Paetongtarn plans…
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Senior flight attendant sues United Airlines for calling her a snitch
A senior United Airlines flight attendant filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging harassment and retaliation after reporting safety violations. The 52 year old flight attendant, Ingrid Raganova, claims she was labelled a snitch and subjected to online abuse after reporting breaches of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airline regulations by her colleagues. Raganova, who has been with United for…
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New commerce minister vows to tackle high living costs, Chinese imports
New Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan pledged immediate action to tackle high living costs, hasten free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, and tighten control over the influx of Chinese imports. Pichai, after his first day in office, expressed readiness to collaborate with deputy commerce ministers Napintorn Srisanphang and Suchat Chomklin to address the pressing need to drive Thailand’s economy during a crisis.…
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Langham’s latest hotel to transform Bangkok’s Customs House
Langham Hospitality Group is set to turn heads in Bangkok with its latest luxury venture, The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok. Set in the vibrant Bang Rak district, this glamorous new hotel will breathe new life into the city’s iconic Customs House, perched along the Chao Phraya River. At the heart of this project is the magnificent 1888-built Customs House, a…
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Monk’s misdeed: Arrested for hiring a ‘poo’-litical hit on Thai abbot
Police arrested a Thai monk for hiring a man to carry out an acid attack on the abbot of a temple in the central province of Samut Prakan. The suspect admitted to paying for the crime but insisted poop, not acid, was thrown at the abbot. The abbot of Iam Pracha Mitr Temple in Samut Prakan, Phrakru Winaithornbancha Punyatharo, filed…
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Mid-priced hotels in Thailand struggle amid price-sensitive tourists
Hotels in the mid-priced and budget segments in Thailand faced significant challenges in maintaining room and occupancy rates in August, as tourists remained sensitive to prices. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that while the average occupancy rate for hotels nationwide improved to 61.8% from 58.4% year-on-year, it still fell short of the pre-pandemic rate of…
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Thai woman nabbed in 90 million cannabis haul in Taiwan
In a dramatic drug bust at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, a 24 year old Hong Kong Airlines worker and a 62 year old Thai woman were caught with over 45 kilogrammes of cannabis, worth an eye-watering 90 million Taiwanese dollars (approximately 94 million baht). The joint operation by Taiwan’s customs officials and the Aviation Police on April 18 uncovered the…
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Massage parlour scandal sparks Thai Highways Department probe
The Thai Highways Department is scrambling to investigate claims that Wirtgen Thailand Ltd, a subsidiary of John Deere’s parent company, made improper payments to its officials and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The shocking allegations suggest that massage parlours, cash, and luxury trips were used to sweeten government deals. Director-General Sarawut Songsivilai announced yesterday, September 11, that he has…
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Nongprue police bust motorcycle theft gang, recover stolen bikes
Nongprue police officers successfully apprehended a gang involved in the theft of motorcycles for illegal sales last night. The operation, spearheaded by Superintendent Tawi Kutthaeng, along with Lieutenant Colonel Chumphon Saenwichai and Lieutenant Colonel Somchanok Fakphairot, culminated in the recovery of several stolen motorcycles. The arrests occurred in a cassava forest a few kilometres from the theft scene. Multiple public…
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Lotto Plus donates 500,000 baht for Chiang Rai flood relief
Lotto Plus announced an initial donation of 500,000 baht to aid flood relief efforts in Chiang Rai, with plans to visit the area tomorrow, September 13. Residents are encouraged to share posts to raise more funds. Severe flooding continues to affect Chiang Rai, with persistent heavy rain causing water levels to rise, reaching heights of 1 to 2 metres in…
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Doggone heroine: Sierra the rescue dog leaves Thailand in mourning
Thai netizens are mourning the death of Sierra, the bitch who gained fame for her role in the rescue mission following last year’s earthquake in Turkey. Two golden retrievers, a female named Sierra and a male named Sahara, were sent to assist in one of the biggest earthquakes at the border of Turkey and Syria in February last year. The…
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Thailand to regulate foreign e-commerce, new rules for COD services
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) is set to collaborate with various agencies to regulate foreign e-commerce platforms, according to minister Prasert Jantararuangthong. These platforms are leveraging local infrastructure and the domestic market without contributing back to the country, Prasert stated yesterday, September 11. Prasert, who also serves as a Deputy Prime Minister in the new Cabinet, mentioned…
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Pheu Thai MP urged to face trial over 2004 Tak Bai massacre
A list MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party is under pressure to relinquish his parliamentary immunity and face trial over the 2004 Tak Bai massacre, with the statute of limitations set to expire in 44 days. Parliament convened yesterday, September 11, to discuss whether to allow General Pisal Wattanawongkiri, former Army Region 4 Commander and Pheu Thai Party list…
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Sleepy truck driver injured after crashing into 7 parked cars
A sleepy truck driver dozed off and crashed into seven cars parked in the left lane of a road in the central province of Chachoengsao yesterday, September 11. The driver sustained only a minor injury. Officers from Saen Phu Dart Police Station in the Ban Pho district of Chachoengsao province investigated the accident on Prawet-Thepparat Road at about 1pm, along…
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Thailand launches 20 billion baht fund to support struggling SMEs
Industry Minister Akanat Prompan announced plans to establish an Industrial Reform Fund worth at least 20 billion baht (US$593 million). This initiative aims to support manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in addressing liquidity challenges and enhancing their competitiveness. SMEs are currently facing significant liquidity issues and difficulties in accessing financial resources amidst intensifying competition and rapid technological advancements,…
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Japan sees record tourist arrivals, Thai visitors surge
Tourist arrivals to Japan have surged to record levels, with over three million visitors per month from March to July this year. Despite the sweltering heat in July, Japan attracted 3.29 million tourists, marking a 41.9% year-on-year increase, as reported by the Japan National Tourism Organisation. Among these visitors, Thai tourists ranked fifth, with 671,810 arrivals. Japan has been a…
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Thai Transport ministry to upgrade 29 piers with billion-baht budget
The Thai Ministry of Transport has initiated a comprehensive plan to upgrade 29 piers across the nation into Smart Piers with a budget of 1.214 billion baht. This initiative aims to enhance tourism and support the efficient transport of goods and passengers. Under the directive of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Ministry of Transport is…
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Foreign pickup driver flees after crashing into Thai woman in Phuket
A Thai woman took to social media in a bid to search for a reckless foreign man who crashed his pickup into her in Phuket and fled the scene. The Thai victim, whose name remains undisclosed, shared details of the accident with the Phuket Times today, September 12. She stated that the incident occurred a few days ago, but the…
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Thailand video news | Floods in northern Thailand leave two dead, hundreds stranded, Typhoon Yagi leaves over 140 dead in Vietnam
In Thailand video news, Alex covers the news stories in the Good Morning program. The latest news from Thailand and Southeast Asia brings a range of critical stories, from severe flooding in northern Thailand that has left two dead and hundreds stranded, to new developments in the mishandling case of Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya. A Thai woman seeks…
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Fugitive with military style weapons nabbed in Phuket
A dramatic chase in Phuket ended with the arrest of a 37 year old man wanted for a violent home invasion, armed with military-style weapons. Thanongsak Jennari, from Koh Yao Yai, was apprehended by police on Tuesday, September 10, near Bang Rong Pier, Phuket, after trying to flee from justice by hiding in a mangrove forest. Police had been on…
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Tree falls on roti shop during thunderstorm, killing 9 year old boy
A heavy thunderstorm caused a tree to fall on a roti shop in the central province of Ayutthaya yesterday, September 11, leading to the death of a nine year old Thai boy. His four year old cousin and their grandparents narrowly survived the incident. Officers from Lad Bua Luang Police Station and rescuers from the Ayutthaya Ruamjai Foundation rushed to…
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Fire at Prachinburi factory forces 600 workers to flee
A major fire broke out at a Chinese-owned factory under construction in Prachinburi, causing 600 workers to flee for their lives. The blaze began on the fourth floor, prompting the deployment of 15 fire engines to control the flames. The incident occurred at 2pm yesterday, September 11, at the Dynamic Technology Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. factory, located in Si Maha…
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Big Buddha boss charged with illegal land grab in landslide scandal
Suporn Wanichkul, the chairperson of the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongol Sattha 45 Foundation, which oversees Phuket’s iconic Big Buddha, has landed in hot water. Accused of illegal forest encroachment, Suporn now faces serious charges connected to the deadly landslide that rocked the region last month. Suporn was formally charged yesterday, September 11, at Karon Police Station by Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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Motorcycle accident claims teen student’s life on Sukhumvit Road
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a teenage vocational student on Sukhumvit Road, near Soi Bang Lamung 16, in the early hours of yesterday, September 11. The incident occurred at approximately 5.16am. Police Lieutenant Wongthon Makkanan, Deputy Chief of Investigation at Bang Lamung Police Station, responded to the report and coordinated with rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan,…
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10 common mistakes to avoid while buying health insurance
Understanding health insurance can be tricky with all the options and terms. It’s essential to get it right to ensure both your health and financial security. With so many options and details, it’s easy to make mistakes that could affect you later. In this article, we’ll explore the ten common mistakes people make when buying health insurance. We’ll help you…
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Chiang Rai Airport remains open amid flooding, flights from Bangkok cancelled
Mae Fah Luang International Airport in the northern province of Chiang Rai remains open despite heavy flooding in the area. However, some airlines cancelled flights for safety reasons. The official Facebook page of Mae Fah Luang Airport issued an announcement this morning, September 12, stating that the airport is open as usual, although the entrance is flooded. The water level…
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Bang Lamung police arrest drug suspect claiming to be 100
Police officers at Bang Lamung Police Station faced an unusual situation after arresting a suspect who claimed to be over 100 years old, despite his identification card stating he was 33 and his appearance suggesting he was much younger. Police Colonel Nawin Sinthurat, Superintendent of Bang Lamung Police Station, directed officers to crack down on illegal activities in the area…
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Over 34% of Thai children miss out on vital support grant
A recent study by UNICEF and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) revealed that over 34% of children from impoverished households do not receive the monthly allowance they are entitled to under the Child Support Grant scheme. This finding highlights the urgency of addressing the high exclusion error and expanding the grant to all children under six years old, especially…
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Chiang Mai landslide death toll rises to 6, 2 more missing (video)
The death toll from the landslide in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province, has risen to six, with two more residents reported missing. Rescuers from across the country have converged on northern Thailand to assist locals stranded by the floods. Two landslides were reported in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai on Tuesday, September 10. Six people were initially…
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