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 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 weather warning for 34 Thai provinces
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) today issued a severe weather warning for 34 provinces, including Bangkok, alerting residents to the possibility of thunderstorms and strong gusty winds. Amidst the sweltering heat peaking at a high of 42 degrees Celsius at 6am today, April 19, the country’s upper regions are covered by a low-pressure area caused by intense heat. Residents…
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French national apprehended in Bangkok on kidnap charge
Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Bureau apprehended a 45 year old French national at a hotel in the Silom area of Bang Rak district. The arrest, which took place around 10pm yesterday concerned allegations of a planned kidnapping of the young daughter of a renowned businesswoman, with a demand for a 200 million baht ransom. The arrest warrant for Sandra Christina Marie Diersten,…
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BYD electric bus charges Thong Lo roads in Bangkok
In a move towards eco-friendly commuting, BYD, the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer from China, has unleashed its electric bus onto the bustling streets of Bangkok. Offering complimentary rides to commuters in the vibrant Thong Lo area until April 30, this trial run marks a pivotal moment in Thailand’s transportation landscape. Under the auspices of Rever Commercial Vehicles Ltd, the…
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Thai man allegedly fakes adultery story to extort money from couple
A Thai man allegedly faked an adultery story to extort 5,000 baht from a couple in the central province of Ayutthaya. He even pretended to be a death threat victim and sought help from a Thai news agency. A 42 year old Thai man named New told Channel 7 that he worked at a rice harvester garage in the central…
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Chiang Mai duo nabbed for 76 million baht home theft
Chiang Mai police apprehended two suspects in a brazen theft that saw 76 million baht stolen from a home. Police recovered nearly 40 million baht in cash, revealing that the culprits were known associates of the victim, motivated by a dispute over incomplete payment for work done. Other stolen assets were discarded in black bags. The incident, which occurred on…
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Dead Burmese man found in water tank of Bangkok condo
The change in colour and odour of the tap water at a condominium in the Min Buri district of Bangkok led to the discovery of a dead Burmese man in a rooftop water tank early this morning. Residents alerted the condo’s owner about the slow flow of tap water, noting an unpleasant odour and a shift in its colour. The…
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Phuket man escapes major harm as car collides with electricity pole
A Thai man narrowly avoided significant harm when his car collided with an electricity pole and subsequently caught fire in the early hours of this morning in Phuket Town. Phuket City Police received notification of the accident, which occurred close to the juncture of Phang Nga Road and Surin Road, at 1.55am today, April 19. On arrival at the scene,…
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Brewing herbal revolution: Thai herbs poised to spice up global markets
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke unveiled Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s master plan to transform Thai herbs into a formidable soft power product, captivating domestic and international markets. “Prime Minister Thavisin’s vision is crystal clear: to propel Thailand’s herbal industry to unprecedented heights, elevating the status of Thai herbs worldwide.” Harnessing the innate medicinal prowess, rich biodiversity, and indigenous knowledge embedded within…
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TAT to launch Nihao Festival in October to woo Chinese tourists
To captivate the hearts of Chinese tourists, the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) has unveiled a month-long extravaganza, the Nihao Festival, set to take place for the entire month of October. Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced the grand scheme yesterday, aiming to entice holidaymakers during China’s National Day Golden Week, renowned for its bustling travel fervour. The festivity will unfurl across Bangkok’s…
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10 year old girl shot dead over land concession conflict in Krabi
Police are searching for the gunman who shot dead a 10 year old girl on a palm plantation in the southern province of Krabi. The girl’s family believes the shooting was motivated by a dispute over land concessions. The fatal shooting took place in a palm plantation in the Khao Panom district of Krabi at about 8pm on Wednesday, April…
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Klook and TAT join forces to revolutionise Thailand tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Klook, Asia’s premier platform for travel experiences, have inked a deal to supercharge the kingdom’s allure. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool expressed the perfect timing for this collaboration, highlighting their shared goals of promoting Thailand as a top tourist destination. “We have set our goals to collaborate and create comprehensive joint marketing with Klook…
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Phuket launches free electric bus to drive sustainable tourism
Phuket is gearing up for a greener future with the launch of a free air-conditioned electric bus service in the heart of the city. Scheduled to accelerate on May 9, this eco-friendly initiative is driven by a collaboration between local companies under the banner of PKCD and the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation. The announcement for the 22-seat Smart Bus EV…
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Transgender village head and boyfriend found dead in car
A transgender village head and her boyfriend allegedly yesterday committed suicide in a car parked outside a 7-Eleven convenience store in the central province of Ratchaburi. A 7-Eleven member of staff, Thatsaya Saetang, contacted Ban Pong Police Station officers at about 4pm yesterday, April 18 after she found the people unconscious in the car. Thatsaya explained that she noticed a…
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Thai PM’s power play: Srettha hints at defence portfolio addition
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin drops hints of an unprecedented power move, hinting at the possibility of adding the defence portfolio to his already hefty workload. This bombshell revelation comes amidst swirling speculations about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle that could reshape Thailand’s political landscape. Addressing a curious press pool after the delayed Cabinet meeting, the 62 year old PM, wearing a…
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Phuket Airport rescue department tackles local fires
Phuket International Airport’s Fire and Rescue Department was summoned to tackle two challenging fires in the nearby areas yesterday. The areas affected included an abandoned section opposite Thalang Technical College and Baan Mak Prok locality in Mai Khao. Both fires had rapidly spread across extensive plots of land, posing a considerable challenge to the firefighters. However, the airport rescue personnel,…
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Thailand Video News | Phuket autonomy proposed amidst tourism crisis, British man arrested for using beggar earnings for drugs
In this video, Alex and Jay delve into the news across Thailand. Phuket’s Mayor proposes Special Administrative Status to rejuvenate tourism and infrastructure, while the nation seeks OECD membership to bolster economic growth. Tragedy strikes in Pathum Thani as a fatigue-induced crash claims a monk’s life. Meanwhile, in Koh Pha Ngan, a British man’s arrest for begging highlights ongoing challenges.…
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Thai Ministry to reimburse victims of call centre scams
The Thai Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) announced plans to reimburse victims with more than 10 billion baht worth of money and assets, previously seized from call centre scam operations. The assets, including 6 billion baht in cash, were retrieved by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) in 2021, according to Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. He iterated that AMLO is…
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Pheu Thai Party eyes House Speaker position
The Pheu Thai Party is reportedly planning to reclaim the House Speaker position from the Prachachat Party, according to a source yesterday. This move is part of the ruling party’s strategy to restructure its parliamentary operations, and it is predicted that the position might be given to a prominent member of the party, possibly a minister who may be removed…
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Don Mueang Airport flies high in world rankings
Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok secured a top ten spot in the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline Terminals ranking, as announced by Skytrax. Suvarnabhumi International Airport also improved, climbing ten places to secure 58th position in the World’s Best Airport ranking. Skytrax, a renowned website for reviewing and ranking airports and airlines worldwide, conducted the rankings based on surveys and user…
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Acting police chief suspends Big Joke over gambling links
The acting national police chief has signed a suspension order for Deputy Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn and four other subordinates over their alleged involvement with an online gambling network, as per a source close to the matter. The directive, which was enforced immediately yesterday, April 18, was signed by Pol. Gen. Kitrat Panphet. In addition to Big Joke, the…
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MFP bill to penalise officials ignoring Parliament summons
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has tabled a bill in the Parliament penalising ministers and state officials who disregard summons to testify before House committees. The bill, proposed by Rangsiman Rome, an MFP list-MP and the head of a House committee on state security, was formally presented to Parliament yesterday, April 18. Under the proposed legislation, MPs who ignore their…
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Thai and Taiwanese firms join to build medical products plant
Aiming to capitalise on the government’s initiative to make Thailand a medical hub in Southeast Asia, Thai firm Namwiwat Medical Corporation (Nam) and Taiwanese company Somnics Inc have joined forces to construct a new manufacturing plant. The facility, intended to serve as an export base, will produce a wide range of medical products, including sleep-enhancing devices. Nam, a local sterilised…
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RTP seize 7.9 million baht assets from hybid-scam network
In a sweeping operation dubbed “The Purge,” Royal Thai Police (RTP) officers from Mueang Thong Thani, in collaboration with relevant agencies, made significant strides in the battle against transnational crime on April 17. RTP officers seized assets worth over 250 million baht (US$7.9 million) from hybid-scam networks, a substantial blow to these criminal operations. The hybid-scam network involved tricking unsuspecting…
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Fire lights up Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep Forest blaze sparks alarm
The night skies over Chiang Mai were illuminated after a fire erupted in Doi Suthep Forest. The incident, reported by local media on Wednesday, April 17, was first sighted at a temple nestled within the forest. Phuping Forest fire officers from Doi Suthep-Pui National Park were the first ones to spot the blaze and were promptly dispatched to the site…
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Venturing into the fast-paced world of online casinos in Thailand
Exploring online casinos can feel confusing. Thailand’s online gambling scene is growing fast and the country’s potentially looking at legalising casinos altogether. Quite the contrast to the rest of SE Asia, excluding Singapore! We’ll take a quick look at the popular games, laws, and safety tips currently in place in Thailand Popular Online Casino Games in Thailand Despite being mostly…
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Can a radical proposal save Phuket’s tourism crisis?
In a bid for autonomy, Phuket Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas is leading a daring move to transform the city into a special administrative organisation to save it from a tourism crisis. The current system, he claims, is holding back progress, leaving the island paradise struggling to keep pace with global rivals. “Tourist cities in many countries are far ahead in their…
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Major creditors to rescue distressed Italian-Thai Development
Italian-Thai Development (ITD) Plc, currently facing financial distress, is set to receive an infusion of funds from its major creditors. The provision of fresh capital is aimed at bolstering the company’s operations without necessitating any rehabilitation plan. Bangkok Bank (BBL) President Chartsiri Sophonpanich, who is also a key ITD creditor, underlined the strong long-term business prospects of ITD, despite the…
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Thailand scraps visa requirements for Kazakhstan tourists
The Thai Cabinet gave its nod for the permanent removal of visa requirements for tourists from Kazakhstan, a government spokesperson announced. This move aims to increase the influx of tourists from Kazakhstan, one of the rapidly evolving markets for Thailand’s tourism sector and a significant contributor to the nation’s economic development. Data released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand indicates…
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Truck brake failure leads to fatal crash in Chiang Mai
A tragic accident occurred yesterday at 2.45pm in the Hod district of Chiang Mai when a six-wheeled truck’s brakes reportedly failed, causing it to crash into a procession of revellers. The incident resulted in the death of two individuals and serious injuries to two others. The procession was part of a traditional ceremony in which participants were enjoying themselves in…
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Bangkok aims to reduce plastic use with more water refill stations
To combat plastic pollution, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Bottle Free Seas project has proven to be a roaring success, with plans now underway to expand its reach by installing an additional 200 drinking water refill points across the city. Launched last August, this eco-initiative has already made a significant dent in plastic bottle consumption, slashing the usage of a…
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