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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Working in Thailand: How expat health insurance protects your career and lifestyle
Starting a career in Thailand can be an exciting chapter, but it also brings unique challenges, especially when it comes to health and wellness. For expats, navigating Thailand’s healthcare system and meeting work permit requirements can be difficult. And while...
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Severe storms hammer Uttaradit and Phrae medical facilities
Unexpected severe storms hammered medical facilities in Uttaradit and neighbouring Phrae on May 3, signalling the imminent arrival of the rainy season, according to the Public Health Ministry. Uttaradit Hospital, located in Mueang district’s city centre, bore the brunt of the storm, with intense wind gusts causing extensive damage, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin reported yesterday. Four surgery and internal…
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Chinese interpreter linked to notorious gang arrested in Thailand
A 36 year old Chinese-language interpreter was apprehended on May 3 due to his ties with a criminal gang notorious for kidnapping Chinese nationals. The arrest took place in the Din Daeng district following an abduction incident on April 25, as reported by Deputy Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Noppasin Poonsawat. Theerachai Chaloemwanpen was apprehended by the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) alongside…
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Tourist boat capsizes in Trang Sea, one dead and several injured
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday at 4.30pm when a longtail tourist boat capsized near the Pak Meng Bridge in the Trang Sea, leaving 14 individuals adrift, including a 68 year old woman who sadly drowned. The accident took place approximately 2 kilometres from the pier at Pom Jatukham area, Mai Fat Subdistrict, Sikao District, Trang Province. The boat, carrying 11…
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Thai hailstorm causes 3 million baht damage, kills 21,000 chickens
A devastating hailstorm, with stones as large as chicken eggs, wreaked havoc in Chaiyaphum, causing widespread damage, including significant losses for a local poultry farm where power outages led to a tragic number of chicken deaths. The storm, which occurred yesterday, May 4, also resulted in damaged homes and infrastructure, with preliminary estimates placing the cost at over 3 million…
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Government employee found dead in rural Uthai Thani
A local government employee tragically lost his life in a harrowing nighttime incident in Uthai Thani Province, which has left the community in shock. The 57 year old man was found dead beside an electric pole on a concrete road connecting the villages of Nong Yang and Nong Chang last night. Notably, the incident occurred at 10.30pm, when the area’s deputy…
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Saraburi explosion prompts health checks for chemical risks
The health implications of a fireworks factory explosion in Saraburi province are under rigorous scrutiny following orders from the Public Health Minister. The incident, which resulted in one fatality, has prompted immediate investigations to ensure the safety of the local environment and public health. Today, May 4, the Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsuthin, addressed the fireworks factory explosion in Saraburi…
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Chiang Mai sting seizes 5.6 million meth pills with teen involved
A drug bust in Chiang Mai province led to the shocking discovery that a 14 year old boy was among two individuals apprehended with a massive haul of 5.6 million methamphetamine pills. The early morning operation conducted by the police successfully intercepted the drug transport before it could pass through a checkpoint. Chiang Mai police, in an orchestrated sting operation,…
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Thailand’s dominance in durian exports to China under threat
Thailand‘s reign as the leading exporter of fresh durians to China is teetering, as reported by an industry insider to Xinhua News Agency. The news has emerged in the wake of a report that China’s major land border checkpoint, Youyiguan, has received 48,000 tonnes of durian shipments in this year’s first quarter. The shipment detailed 35,000 tonnes of durians from…
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Deadly motorcycle race on Kanjanapisek Motorway claims teen lives
A tragic event unfolded early this morning on the Kanjanapisek Motorway, where a high-speed motorcycle race turned deadly, claiming the lives of two teenagers and leaving another injured. The incident occurred near the 46+600 kilometre marker, heading towards Bang Pa-In. Two young lives were cut short when a motorcycle race went horribly wrong on the Kanjanapisek Motorway. At approximately 2.40am…
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Woman kills attacker in self-defense during home invasion in Ban Non Samakkhi
A woman‘s desperate struggle for survival turned fatal when she inadvertently killed a man trying to assault her in her own home. The incident took place in the small community of Ban Non Samakkhi, Bueng Kan, where a 42 year old homeowner, faced an intruder with violent intentions. On the night of the attack, the tranquillity of Ban Non Samakkhi…
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Two dead, three injured in Kamphaeng Phet road crash
A tragic accident on Phaholyothin Road in Kamphaeng Phet province claimed the lives of two individuals and left three others injured when a pickup truck swerved to avoid a taxi that was making an illegal U-turn and crashed into a tree. The incident occurred yesterday at 6.20pm and involved a white Isuzu pickup with a Bangkok registration. Police Lieutenant Ek…
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Thai government’s digital wallet scheme under scrutiny
The Thai government’s digital wallet policy, specifically the planned usage of funds from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to support the initiative, will continue to be scrutinised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The agency has previously raised concerns about potential corruption and legal risks linked to the 10,000 baht distribution scheme and will observe the government’s…
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Thai Chamber of Commerce highlights 10 top tourist provinces
The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) set in motion plans to promote 10 provinces within the country as first-tier tourist destinations. The selected provinces of Phrae, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom, Sisaket, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Trang, and Nakhon Si Thammarat will soon be under the international spotlight as they prepare to welcome an influx of tourists. This initiative is part…
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Thai PM scores with legendary Liverpool stars in tourism boost
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin welcomed three legendary Liverpool players to the Government House of Thailand as part of a campaign to promote Thai tourism. It is well known among Thai football fans that PM Srettha is a big Liverpool fan and is obsessed with football, even inspiring him to write a book called Srettha and Sports. The 62 year…
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Thai energy business reports 2.6% decline in Q1 fuel consumption
The Department of Energy Business (DOEB) reported a 2.6% decline in fuel consumption in the first quarter of the year, amounting to 156.7 million litres per day. This decrease is attributed to the expiration of the capped price policy. The Director General of DOEB, Sarawut Kaewtathip, noted a rise in the daily average volume of jet fuel and liquefied petroleum…
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Chinese student rescued from scam gang kidnapping attempt
A young Chinese student was deceived by a call centre scam gang in a kidnapping attempt, demanding a ransom of 7 million baht, has been rescued in Chiang Mai. Initially lured from Australia, she faced threats of visa revocation for non-compliance. Thai police successfully located her today at 11am, following coordination with Samut Prakan police. The rescue operation led by…
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Bangkok taxi meter scam outcry after 1,800 baht airport fare
A recent social media post sparked an outcry over alleged taxi meter fraud in Bangkok. A passenger complaint was highlighted, claiming an overcharge for a ride from Bang Khae to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, where the fare meter read an exorbitant 1,800 baht. The incident has raised concerns about overcharging and exploitation of foreigners by taxi drivers in the city. Bangkok’s…
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Purrilous pickle: AOT warns pet owners after airport cat caper
Airports of Thailand (AOT) issued a stern warning to pet owners not to let their cats roam free in airport areas to prevent potential damage and ensure the safety of travellers. This announcement follows an incident at Suvarnabhumi International Airport where a cat was filmed wandering the premises without supervision. The feline in question, an orange cat named Nuarang became…
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Udon Thani land dispute ends in brother fatally shooting sibling
A family dispute in Udon Thani this morning ended tragically, resulting in a 62 year old man being fatally shot by his brother, who then calmly waited for the police with a bottle of alcohol. The tranquillity of a small village in Udon Thani was shattered when a 62 year old man was shot dead by his younger brother over a…
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Saudi Arabian man reunites with Thai nanny after 20 years (video)
A 33 year old Saudi Arabian man reunited with his former Thai babysitter after searching for her for over 20 years. He wished to express gratitude for her care during his childhood. Several Thai media outlets shared the story of the 33 year old Saudi Arabian man, Ali Bokhari, and his Thai babysitter, 77 year old Banyen Thongchaitanawut, after they…
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GIF expedites Covid-19 payouts amid financial strain
The General Insurance Fund (GIF) proposed an expedited payment option for Covid-19 policyholders, where they can avail of an immediate reduced payout rather than wait for a decade for the full claim. This could mean receiving 60 baht now instead of 100 baht in the future, according to Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit. Governmental body GIF was formed to safeguard…
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Bangkok man falls to death as utility shaft lid collapses
A tragic accident occurred today in the heart of Bangkok when a man estimated to be between 55 and 60 years old, fell to his death down a deep manhole utility shaft at the mouth of Soi Lat Phrao 49. Rescuers have retrieved his body from the shaft measuring over 20 metres deep, prompting an urgent investigation by the authorities.…
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Finance ministry secures deals for 250 billion baht investments
Following the passing of the fiscal 2024 Budget Expenditure Act, the Finance Ministry has confirmed that new financial agreements for investment projects totalling 250 billion baht have been finalised. Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana revealed that during the delay in the act’s signing, governmental bodies with pending investment projects initiated their procurement processes. These processes included creating terms of reference…
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Magical mishap: Parents sue Monk after amulet test injures children
The parents of five children filed a lawsuit against a monk from Khao Rae Temple in the northern province of Sukhothai, after the monk injured the children while testing the magical powers of his amulets. The father of one of the children took to Facebook to share his 13 year old son’s story and pressured the monk, later identified as…
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Crafty diamond thief nabbed after swindling 2.2 million baht gem
A deceptive gem heist in Bangkok has come to an end with the arrest of the 57 year old perpetrator, who had been posing as a jewellery broker. The cunning thief managed to swindle a 3-carat diamond worth 2.2 million baht from an unsuspecting seller by replacing it with a counterfeit stone before making his escape. The Royal Thai Police…
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Bitcoin price falls due to Fed’s interest rate decision
The price of Bitcoin plummeted to a two-month low, coming in at approximately US$57,000. This followed comments by the Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome Powell, suggesting that interest rates would remain high for an extended period to combat persistent inflation. This popular cryptocurrency has seen a decrease of more than 4% over the past two days. This comes after a near…
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Thai man attacked by girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend in hotel encounter
A Thai man suffered an attack by his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend after they unexpectedly stayed next door to each other at a hotel in the Isaan province of Buriram. The victim, 22 year old Suriya “Boy” Matiyaphak and his 17 year old girlfriend, named Bee, visited Satuek Police Station in Buriram to file a complaint against Bee’s ex-boyfriend and his friends…
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Thai scientists find fossil-fuel pollution in Antarctica’s soil
Thai scientists have uncovered evidence of fossil-fuel pollution in the soil of Antarctica, prompting calls for stricter measures to protect the world’s most pristine environment. A research team, utilising the cutting-edge SR-FTIR microspectroscopy technique at the Thai Synchrotron National Lab in Nakhon Ratchasima, made the discovery in sediment samples collected from five sites across King George Island. Siwatt Pongpiachan, who…
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Prominent Thai business figure found dead in luxury car
The prominent business figure known as Sa-gna was found dead in his luxury vehicle yesterday at 9.30pm in Soi Pattanakarn 54, Suan Luang district of Bangkok. Police and forensic teams rushed to investigate. A black Lexus SUV, with Bangkok license plates, was discovered with its engine still running. Inside, the 47 year old man was found having taken his own life…
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Thai woman demands justice after taxi takes her to wrong airport
A Thai woman is seeking justice after an app-based taxi driver took her to the wrong airport in Bangkok, causing her to miss her flight. The woman, whose identity was not revealed, shared her story on Facebook, expressing frustration that both the driver and the ride-hailing app refuse to take responsibility for her losses. The driver blamed her for not…
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