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 Boost your business in Thailand: 5 powerful benefits of using BoostedByPeople
As a business owner in Thailand, you know how tough it is to stand out online. Ads get skipped, scrolled past, or flat-out ignored. People are more sceptical than ever about what they see on their feeds. And even when...
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Thai govt’s digital wallet project: A cash splash on the horizon
The Government of Thailand is still finalising its digital wallet project, a financial aid initiative which promises a 10,000 baht disbursement to eligible citizens. The specific criteria for eligibility include an age threshold, and a deposit cap to ensure the aid reaches those intended. Citizens who are 16 years old as of September 30 of this year, or born before…
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Liverpool dad and army veteran dies suddenly during Thai getaway
A dream holiday abroad quickly turned into a nightmare for a British man from Liverpool as the former army veteran passed away unexpectedly while enjoying the Songkran festivities in Thailand. In a twist of fate, 69 year old Roy Mitchell met his untimely end during the Songkran festival in Pattaya, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and service. Known for…
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Truck’s mishap sends shockwaves at Phaya Thai intersection
A high-impact collision occurred at Phaya Thai intersection, sending shockwaves through the area as a truck crashed into a height restriction barrier on Sri Ayutthaya Road inbound from the Mor Leng intersection to the Sri Ayutthaya intersection, around the ramp to the overpass at Phaya Thai intersection. The incident, which took place at 7.18am today, May 9, caused severe damage…
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Severe weather alert for 48 Thai provinces, thunderstorm risks
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for today, forecasting thunderstorms across 48 provinces, affecting 60% of the area, including Bangkok. The agency cautions of potential dangers, including strong winds and flash floods. As southeast monsoon and southern winds cover north and upper central Thailand, thunderstorms, strong gusts, and heavy downpours are expected in these regions.…
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Asphalt truck flip on Rama VII Bridge snarls Bangkok traffic
A sudden swerve and flip of an asphalt truck on the Rama VII Bridge caused severe Bangkok traffic disruption in the early hours of this morning. The incident occurring at 4am, resulted in the complete blockage of all lanes on Charansanitwong Road, extending from Bang Phlat junction towards the Pracha Chuen Road and Wong Sawang areas. Bang Kruai police were…
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Doncaster Rovers fan’s Wembley tribute after Thailand crash
A lifelong Doncaster Rovers devotee met a devastating end in Thailand, but his family is rallying for a heartfelt homage – with Wembley dreams in their sights. The family of Wayne Parkin, a die-hard fan who tragically perished in a bike crash horror abroad, is now fervently hoping for a Wembley win as the ultimate tribute to their beloved Wayne. A…
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‘Shameless’ Thai woman sues monk over lottery dispute
A Thai woman filed a lawsuit against a monk in Chon Buri province, accusing him of cheating and insulting her by saying she was “shameless” when she asked for her donation back because the monk’s lottery numbers did not win any prizes. The Thai monk, whose identity remains undisclosed, is seeking justice saying the woman named Chompoo repeatedly harassed him and…
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Thailand’s economic growth forecast revised down
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB) has revised Thailand’s economic growth forecast downward from a range of 2.8 to 3.3% to 2.2 to 2.7% for the year. The revised outlook is due to a slowdown in exports, which is negatively affecting the manufacturing sector. The panel also flagged a decrease in export expansion from 2% to…
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Thai govt’s minimum wage hike to 400 baht faces opposition
The government’s recent announcement of an impending nationwide minimum wage hike to 400 baht per day in October has provoked strong opposition from a member of the tripartite wage committee. The committee member in question, Atthayuth Leeyavanich, who represents employers, criticised the premature disclosure of the wage increase, asserting that it had not yet been discussed or approved by the…
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Thailand and China to continue submarine purchase negotiations
Negotiations are set to resume next Wednesday between Thailand and China, as they seek to resolve the protracted issue surrounding a submarine purchase agreement. A 13-person delegation from China, encompassing military officials and representatives of the S26T Yuan-class submarine manufacturers, is due to meet their Thai counterparts. The submarine was part of a procurement deal agreed upon by the Royal…
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Thailand’s health minister proposes change to amphetamine law
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has announced a significant shift in Thailand’s drug policy. He expressed his intention to reduce the minimum amount of amphetamine tablets that would classify possession as a criminal act. Currently, the law considers possession of five or more tablets as a crime, a reduction from the previous threshold of 15, implemented last year. Speaking to…
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Concerns rise over Thai ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice
Concerns are escalating over the Thai Commerce Ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice from the former government’s rice-pledging scheme. Consumer safety watchdogs, including the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have been urged to investigate potential aflatoxin and chemical contamination in the grain. This appeal comes in the wake of Commerce Minister…
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Thai technician’s no-drill aircon install in Trat goes viral
A Thai air conditioning technician from Trat has ingeniously circumvented a landlord’s strict no-drilling policy by innovatively installing an air conditioning unit without altering the property’s walls. The landlord’s uncompromising stance on wall modifications led to the resourceful solution, which was shared on ช่างแอร์ พัทยา Facebook group. The Facebook post, by แอร์ด่วน พัทยา, showcased a creative workaround to the typical…
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Kuwait Airways flight descends into chaos as passengers clash
A routine flight from Thailand to Kuwait turned into a mid-air battleground when a group of Kuwaiti women erupted into a violent altercation, leaving chaos and fear in their wake. Amidst the turbulence, the situation escalated to the point where even the plane’s security officer fell victim to assault. With safety paramount, the pilot made a crucial decision, rerouting the…
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Thai woman’s nostrils infested by hundreds of maggots
A Thai woman got more than she bargained for during a routine nasal examination when doctors unearthed a horrifying secret lurking inside her nose. A 59 year old Thai woman received a chilling diagnosis during what she thought was a routine visit to address her stuffy nose. Doctors at Nakornping Hospital, nestled in Thailand’s Chiang Mai Province, made a startling discovery,…
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Thai man seized for laundering 5 million baht from online gambling
In a striking cyber raid, the Thai authorities arrested a 29 year old man in Nonthaburi for his involvement in an online gambling ring and for laundering over 5 million baht through multiple transactions. The arrest was part of a larger crackdown on illegal online gambling activities facilitated by the website wtf55, which offered games such as Baccarat and Dragon Tiger.…
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Traffic violation leads to serious bike crash in South Pattaya
A tragic accident occurred in South Pattaya yesterday, resulting in a sports bike rider sustaining serious injuries following a collision with a sedan. The 52 year old driver of the sedan, who allegedly disregarded a red light, was involved in the accident at 2.46am on Sukhumvit Road. Upon arriving at the scene, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation found a heavily…
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Ricegate scandal: 10 year old rice stockpile unsafe for consumption
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) demanded rigorous quality and safety checks for a colossal 15,000 tonnes of jasmine rice, stockpiled since 2014 under the controversial rice-pledging scheme. The council, joined by an academic from Chiang Mai University, fears the rice may be laced with harmful chemicals, rendering it unfit for human or animal consumption. Deputy Chief of the TCC’s policies…
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Pattaya pandemonium: Residents clash with illegal migrant influx
In the bustling streets of Pattaya, a storm brews as residents raise their voices against the encroaching presence of illegal migrant workers. They decry the theft of Thai people’s livelihoods and the nuisance inflicted upon tourists by these unauthorised labourers. Voicing their grievances to the local press, residents unveil a troubling narrative. Foreign women, predominantly hailing from Laos, Cambodia, and…
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School van driver confesses to murder of woman in Roi Et
Investigations concluded yesterday as police made a definitive arrest of a school van driver for the murder of a 23 year old woman whose body was found handcuffed, abandoned in a scrubland by the Chi River in Roi Et province. After a meticulous search, authorities apprehended a 67 year old school van driver, named Ken, from the same village as…
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Bangkok building crumbles unexpectedly, no injuries reported (video)
A demolition task spiralled into chaos as a building unexpectedly collapsed along Charan Sanitwong Road in Bangkok this morning. The incident, reported around 10.30am, May 8, by Tee Nee Bang Phlat Facebook, unfolded in the Bang Phlat district, leaving a trail of debris. The aftermath of the collapse saw portions of the wreckage spilling onto Charan Sanitwong Road, in the…
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Thai king appoints new Deputy Supreme Patriarch
The Thai monarch has elevated a senior monk to the high ecclesiastical title of Phra Dhammarajanuwatra at Wat Moleelokayaram Raja Woravihara, appointing him as the Deputy Supreme Patriarch, or the second-highest position in the Thai monastic hierarchy. This royal command was issued today and subsequently announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette. The monk in question, Phra Phrom Vajirunhis, previously…
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Phuket’s Ko Phai Ling closes to protect coral from bleaching
Thailand’s beloved Ko Phai Ling, along with its surrounding coral reefs within Sirinat National Park in Phuket, stands temporarily closed to tourists from today until the situation improves, with the closure slated to remain until further notice. Park Chief Watchara Songsi-awn, made the announcement following the discovery of widespread coral bleaching across the area. With the Andaman Sea temperatures soaring…
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Phuket police search for woman’s ex-girlfriend after acid attack
A manhunt is underway in Phuket, as police are fervently looking for a woman accused of committing a horrifying acid attack on her former partner. This violent incident unfolded yesterday evening on Soi Ta-iad, in the district of Chalong. The distressing call to authorities was made from outside a pharmacy situated opposite the popular Ali’s BBQ restaurant. The report came…
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Microsoft’s digital dynamo: Thailand tech scene ignited by AI blitz
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, unveiled ambitious plans to supercharge Thailand’s digital landscape with a surge in Data and AI initiatives. The tech giant’s commitment extends to fostering a robust AI ecosystem, offering over 100,000 individuals the chance to upskill and dive into the world of artificial intelligence. “This marks a pivotal moment for Thailand, propelling us into…
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Thai protest leader gets 3-year sentence for lese majeste violation
The Criminal Court has sentenced a key protest leader to four years in prison for lese-majeste law violation. The verdict was delivered in absentia after the defendant, 28 year old Panupong, also known as Mike Jadnok, failed to appear for the second time in today’s hearing at 10am, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road. Panupong, charged with making defamatory statements…
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Scoot unveils next-gen jet Embraer in Krabi and Hat Yai flights
Scoot, the budget airline subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), has soared into a new era of aviation with the inauguration of its first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. The momentous occasion unfolded amidst much fanfare at Singapore Changi Airport, with esteemed guests including Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Chee Hong Tat, alongside aviation partners and media from across…
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Thailand’s spectacular showcase at Arabian Travel Market 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unleashes its latest concept Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, captivating audiences with tales of wonder and adventure. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool declared that the event marks Thailand’s 24th year at the ATM, showcasing TAT’s commitment to endless innovation in tourism. “Collaborating with the Phuket Tourist Association, we’ve…
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Police seize over 1,000 Yaba pills in Phetchaburi drug sting
A drug sting in Phetcha Buri by Thai police earlier today saw the apprehension of a 28 year old man and his unsuspecting 24 year old girlfriend. The police had been tipped off about a planned drug transaction, with delivery in an Isuzu pickup truck near the Nong Buay Agricultural Market in Tha Yang. Upon receiving the intelligence, Police Colonel…
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Thai soldier and 12 friends accused of assaulting teenage boy
A Thai woman accused a soldier and 12 of his friends in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat of severely assaulting her 15 year old son, causing severe injuries to the teenage boy. The victim, identified as A, told Channel 3 that the soldier, Raphephat, repeatedly accused him of stealing a shirt despite his denials. Raphephat allegedly continued to…
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