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 10 biggest challenges retirees face in Thailand (and how to overcome them)
Retiring in Thailand comes with many benefits, like warm weather, affordable living, and a rich culture. However, it also brings challenges. Retirees must deal with visa rules, healthcare costs, language barriers, and cultural differences. Rising medical expenses, required insurance, and...
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Thai PM announces 10,000 baht digital wallet registration date
Registration for the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout starts on August 1, as announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This initiative aims to stimulate the economy through significant government spending. The Bangkok-born PM shared the date on X (Twitter) yesterday, July 15, coinciding with the Digital Wallet Policy Committee’s meeting to finalise preparations for registering eligible recipients and vendors. He emphasised…
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Thailand weather: Heavy rainfall and storms in 57 provinces
Thailand faces severe weather, with heavy rain and thunderstorms across 57 provinces, particularly in the northeast and east regions, with rainfall expected in up to 80% of these areas. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasts severe weather conditions due to a strong monsoon trough. The TMD predicted that Thailand will experience heavy rain and thunderstorms today, July 16. A…
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Thailand govt debunks reports of deserted tourist spots
Reports of tourist spots Cha-am Beach and Amphawa Floating Market being deserted have been debunked by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. Contrary to a viral video showing a quiet Cha-am Beach in Phetchaburi on a Sunday and social media claims about a lack of visitors at Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram, tourists continue to frequent both destinations. A video depicting an…
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TikTok trend: ‘Jackpot’ with dead jackfruit trees worth millions
A TikTok user shared a video revealing the surprising value of dead jackfruit trees, also known as jackfruit standing dead. The clip quickly gained attention when she mentioned that such trees could sell for millions of baht. The woman, under the account, kate_tell_story, explained that she had come across content on TikTok suggesting that dead jackfruit trees could fetch prices…
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Thai teacher allegedly forces student to take faeces home
A Thai mother took to social media to complain about a kindergarten teacher in the Isaan province of Phichit who allegedly forced her daughter to take her faeces home from school. She also accused the teacher of beating the girl as a punishment. The mother, Rungnapa, shared her daughter’s story in a Facebook group of locals in the Bang Phai…
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Opal-Suchata Chuangsri wins Miss Universe Thailand 2024
Opal-Suchata Chuangsri has been crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2024, following an evening of intense competition and dazzling performances. The final event, held yesterday, showcased the talents and poise of 40 contestants who vied for the prestigious title. The evening began with a spectacular opening performance by all the contestants, each introduced sequentially, setting the stage for what would become a…
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Govenor enforces stricter tourism rules after indecency incident
Mae Hong Son Governor Chucheep Phongchai announced immediate measures to regulate tourism activities following an incident involving a foreign tourist couple engaging in indecent behaviour after tubing and consuming alcohol at a resort in Pai District, northern Thailand. Concerned about the potential negative impact on Pai’s tourism image, the governor emphasised the need for stringent guidelines and enhanced tourism management.…
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Man kills wife in drunken rage after finding out she hadn’t bathed
A man in a drunken rage killed his wife with a wooden stick in Roi Et, after becoming angry that she hadn’t taken a bath. He then moved her body to a chair, claiming he didn’t realise she was dead. Police have detained him. Police Lieutenant Phayung Kulkhamsaeng, an investigator from Mueang Roi Et Police Station, yesterday, July 14, reported…
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Thailand excludes groups from digital wallet project
The Government of Thailand decided to exclude two specific groups from participating in the 10,000-baht digital wallet project. This announcement comes as they prepare to release the registration timeline for the project tomorrow. The Deputy Minister of Finance, Chulaphan Amornvivat, disclosed the decision following a meeting at the Government House. The meeting also addressed the sources of funding for the…
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Party pooper: Drunk Thai man poops pants as cops make arrest
A drunk Thai man poops pants during an arrest after he sneaked into the home of a Thai woman in the Isaan province of Udon Thani and stripped naked. Police officer’s hands were reportedly soiled with the suspect’s poop. Officers from the Nonghan Police Station rushed to the incident scene, a house in the Nonghan district, after receiving a trespassing…
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Energy Absolute’s chairman steps up as CEO amid allegations
Energy Absolute’s board promoted chairman Somchainuk Engtrakul to the roles of director and acting chief executive following allegations of fraud against the former CEO by the stock exchange regulator. The decision by the EA board took effect immediately on Sunday. This move came after former CEO Somphote Ahunai and his deputy Amorn Sapthaweekul resigned on Friday. The resignations followed accusations…
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Cooler catastrophe: Roi Et fridge explosion leaves 4 houses chilling in ruins
A refrigerator explosion in Roi Et left four houses significantly damaged, with a family narrowly escaping harm. The incident occurred early this morning, July 15, prompting police and rescue teams to investigate the cause. Police in Roi Et received a report of a refrigerator explosion at a home in Dong Lan subdistrict, Mueang district. Upon arrival, they found a single-storey…
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Thai border patrol seizes illegal online gambling equipment
The Thai police intercepted a significant haul of computer equipment allegedly intended for an online gambling operation, marking a crucial step in curbing illegal activities along the Thai border. Border patrol soldiers and police seized the equipment near the Myanmar border in Tak province. The cargo was reportedly en route to Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province, a known hub for…
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Wild elephant in Ang Rue Nai sanctuary dies from severe injuries
A wild elephant from the Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary in Chachoengsao has succumbed to severe injuries and infections. The elephant, found immobilised with significant wounds, will undergo a detailed autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. The Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary‘s mobile rapid response team discovered the wild elephant lying in a ditch at Ban Nayao, Tha…
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Thai mum’s advice on handling bullying praised by parents online
A three year old girl returned from school in tears, asking her mother if she could fight back when being hit. Her mother’s response was praised online and encouraged her to seek help from teachers instead of retaliation. The story, shared by the girl’s family, detailed an incident involving Li (a pseudonym) and her daughter, who recently started kindergarten. One…
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Mooo-ving violation: RTA stops cattle smugglers’ herd scheme
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) intercepted five individuals attempting to smuggle 20 cattle into the country. The suspects, all Myanmar nationals, were caught receiving 250 baht per cow for their efforts from an unnamed middleman. The 35th Ranger Forces Regiment, today, July 15, conducted a patrol in Ban Mae Salid Luang, Mae Song subdistrict, Tha Song Yang district, Tak province.…
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Thai residents plant rice on pothole-ridden road to protest neglect
Residents in Wichian Buri district, Phetchabun, have taken an unconventional approach to protest the deplorable state of a main road by planting rice on it. The damaged road, riddled with countless potholes, has caused numerous accidents and has been a persistent source of frustration. After a local Facebook user highlighted the issue, the post quickly garnered attention and widespread criticism…
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Thai woman seeks justice over hermit’s naked massage cancer cure claim
A Thai woman is seeking help after a hermit in the southern province of Surat Thani sexually assaulted her by tricking her parents into taking her to his compound for a naked massage, claiming she had breast and cervical cancer. The 20 year old victim, identified only as Or, told a Thai news agency yesterday, July 14, that she had…
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Mount Fuji reopens for six days, four climbers dead
Japan recently reopened Mount Fuji to climbers for only six days, and already four lives have been lost. The unpredictable weather conditions on Mount Fuji have been cited as a significant factor in these unfortunate incidents. The latest update came from the social media page Everything About Japan, which reported on the tragic events involving tourists and climbers on Mount…
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Thai factory closures, a victim of Chinese imports surge
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD recently opened its inaugural Southeast Asian factory in Thailand, garnering considerable attention and praise for the country’s industrial foresight. However, this development also adversely affected long-established Japanese automakers, leading to a ripple effect across numerous Thai factories. A crucial development went relatively unnoticed as Suzuki Motor announced the closure of its Thai factory, with…
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Thailand disburses 3.48 trillion baht budget to boost economy
An injection of 3.48 trillion baht from the 2024 fiscal budget has finally been disbursed in the second quarter of this year, following delays that began on October 1 last year due to political setbacks after the General Election in May 2023. With economic growth stagnating, public expenditure is seen as a crucial factor to revive subdued private spending and…
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Thailand’s PM and health minister unveils digital health stations to honour His Majesty The King
In a significant leap towards enhancing healthcare access, Sa Kaeo Hospital in Thailand has established digital health stations across 340 communities in the province. This initiative, part of the Royal Celebration Project, aims to honour His Majesty the King and marks a milestone in the country’s primary healthcare system. Celebrating His Majesty the King’s 60th birthday Over the weekend, Thailand’s…
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Thailand energy, finance, tourism to boost revenue in fiscal 2024
Energy businesses, financial institutions, and tourism are expected to be the primary revenue contributors for the Revenue Department this year, according to its chief. These sectors have shown strong performance and are anticipated to generate significant tax revenues during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 (October 2023 to June 2024). Revenue Department Director-General Kulaya Tantitemit highlighted that while these…
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Detached blade from rice-cutting machine tragically kills farmer
A tragic accident occurred when a farmer was fatally injured by a detached blade from a rice-cutting machine while harvesting rice in the fields. The blade severed his left leg, causing significant blood loss and ultimately leading to his death in the middle of the field yesterday, July 14. The incident happened at 1.20pm in a rice field in Phrom…
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Prachinburi temple draws crowds with seashell art and lottery luck
The bustling Prachinburi temple has become a hub for visitors seeking lottery numbers and blessings from Thao Wessuwan. Following a recent win of over 2 million baht, people are flocking to the temple for good luck. The Wat Rattananetaram (also known as Wat Lan Hoi) in Samphantaam, Nadi district, Prachinburi province, yesterday, July 14, was teeming with tourists. They were…
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Thailand travel woes: Cops’ highway robbery sparks outcry
A Thai travel agency took to social media to seek justice after a group of alleged police officers extorted 700,000 baht from Chinese tourists on a motorway heading to Pattaya. The Thai woman, who claimed to be a representative of a travel agency, shared a dashcam video in which a group of men, claiming to be police officers, asked the…
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Police raid luxury village restaurant busting ketamine party
Pattaya police raided a prominent restaurant within a luxurious village, busting a drug party and apprehending several individuals. The operation led to the seizure of a significant amount of ketamine and the detainment of ten party-goers, all of whom were subjected to drug testing. At 1.06am today, July 15, Superintendent of Nong Prue Police Station, Police Colonel Tawee Kutklang, along…
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Thailand denies endorsing California University FCE degrees
The Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) firmly denied endorsing the equivalency assessments provided by the California University Foreign Credentials Evaluation (FCE) Institution. This revelation follows recent claims by senator-elect Keskamol Pleansamai, who cited a PhD in business administration from the university. Keskamol, who garnered the most votes in the national Senate voting on June 26, faced scrutiny after…
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Thaksin to be officially released with innocence certificate in August
The Department of Corrections is preparing to issue a certificate of innocence to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, marking the official and legal release of the former politician after the completion of his sentences. The legal proceedings began after the 74 year old ex-PM arrived in Thailand in August of last year. He initially faced eight years in prison…
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King Vajiralongkorn supports sustainable farming and welfare
King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the agricultural sector, recognising its vital role in the national economy since his days as Crown Prince. His Majesty has undertaken numerous initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers throughout the country. These initiatives have not only strengthened the bond between farmers and the monarch but also frequently…
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