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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Engineer arrested for selling firearms and explosives online
Police arrested a young engineer for manufacturing and selling firearms online, uncovering a cache of weapons and explosives at his residence. The operation has been ongoing for two years, with the suspect producing firearms using various metal parts. Police officers apprehended the engineer, Prasit, at a well-known logistics company in Banphot Phisai district, Nakhon Sawan province. He faces charges of…
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Indian PM to headline BIMSTECS summit in Thailand
Sources reveal that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the key figures at the upcoming Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTECS) summit. The summit, themed Towards Resilient Regions, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People, marks the 5th gathering of this crucial bloc. Leaders from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have already confirmed their…
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Thai man suspected of killing his wife and staging her suicide
A Thai mother urged police to investigate the death of her daughter, suspecting her son-in-law of killing his wife and staging her suicide in a wooden hut on a rubber plantation in the Isaan province of Loei. The 56 year old Thai woman, Hongruethai, told Mueang Loei Police Station and Channel 7 that her 26 year old daughter was found…
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Thai hotels seek tax breaks for renovations and EV charger installs
Operators of Thai hotels are advocating for tax deductions or subsidies to support renovation investments, especially those focused on green energy initiatives. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also urged hotels in second-tier cities to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers to cater to the increasing number of travellers using EVs. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) is set to meet with…
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Monk’s coffin inscription matches winning lottery numbers
A monk who has been sleeping in a coffin for 30 years finds himself at the centre of a local lottery coincidence, as the winning numbers match the ones written on his coffin. The story revolves around Phra Kru Wikoram Wachirisan, the abbot of Ban Rai Mai Temple in Thepnakhon, in Mueang District, Kamphaeng Phet province. He has been sleeping…
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Thailand partners with Labubu to attract 8 million Chinese tourists
A tourism campaign featuring art toy mascot Labubu aims to draw eight million Chinese visitors and attract art toy enthusiasts globally, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, stated that Labubu’s selection as a promoter for Thai tourism is expected to enhance Thailand’s recognition among international tourists, in addition to the Chinese market. The…
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School cleaner wins 1 million baht in national lottery
A school cleaner’s life took an unexpected turn when she won the first prize in yesterday’s national lottery, securing 1 million baht. In disbelief at her sudden fortune, she plans to build a new home and save the remaining money for her future. At 6pm yesterday, a report from the assistant village head of Moo 8, Khlong Khoi Subdistrict, Photharam…
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Isaan bar brawl hits sour note: DJ assaulted, girlfriend miscarries
A Thai bar owner in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom physically assaulted a DJ for leaving his desk to go to the bathroom. The victim claimed the fracas also caused his girlfriend to miscarry. The Thai DJ, Chinorrod Yoidoungchai, shared details of the physical assault and pictures of his injuries on his Facebook account on Sunday, June 30. The…
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Tourist rescued from tree after parasailing mishap on Phuket beach
A foreign tourist found himself in a precarious situation when a parasailing adventure went awry, leaving him stranded atop a 5-metre pine tree on Kamala Beach in Phuket. Police were called to the scene to rescue him using a crane truck. Surasit Wandee, a deputy investigator at Kamala Police Station in Phuket, received a report of a foreign tourist stuck…
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Bangkok police hunt motorcycle gang after fatal shooting
Bangkok Metropolitan Police mobilised a special investigation team to pursue and arrest a notorious motorcycle gang involved in a brutal shooting incident. The gang, comprising 12 motorcycles and 23 individuals, is accused of chasing and shooting at a black Toyota Fortuner, resulting in the death of a 39 year old passenger. The incident took place late at night when two…
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Nonthaburi restaurant uses gun target sheet to deter thieves
A small restaurant in Nonthaburi has taken an unusual step to deter thieves by placing a shooting range target sheet next to their display menu. This decision follows a recent theft that left the eatery unable to operate for a day. At 6pm yesterday, July 1, a made-to-order food restaurant in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, displayed a shooting range target…
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Finance Ministry to launch new 100 billion baht investment fund
Plans are underway at the Finance Ministry to establish a new investment fund similar to the previous state-controlled Vayupak Fund, aimed at bolstering Thai shares with strong fundamentals. This initiative is expected to be finalised within two weeks. Finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit announced that the new fund is projected to attract a minimum of 100 billion baht into the…
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Thai man in Isaan attempts suicide again after 21st heartbreak
Another heartbreak, his 21st, forced a Thai man to attempt suicide by jumping off a bridge in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. This wasn’t the man’s first try, he had made multiple attempts to take his life in the past. The story of Natthawut Sanphakarn previously made headlines in Thai and international news in September last year. At that…
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ITA Airways launches direct flights from Rome to Bangkok
ITA Airways will launch a groundbreaking nonstop service between Rome (FCO) and Bangkok (BKK) starting November 16. This marks the airline’s inaugural route between Italy and Thailand, creating an exciting new travel option for leisure and business travellers. For the first time in years, passengers will enjoy direct flights connecting the Italian and Thai capitals, thanks to ITA’s state-of-the-art Airbus…
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Sour note: Hotelier faces hefty copyright fee for posting music clip
A well-known singer and hotel owner in Samut Prakan shared an alarming experience involving a hefty copyright fee after posting a live music performance clip online. This incident sparked a significant discussion on social media. Kittiphan Leesatruapai, also known as Nath Leatana, owns a hotel in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. He recently shared his story on TikTok to warn other…
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SEC bill to launch 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project by 2026
The draft of the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bill is on track to be submitted to the Cabinet by the end of September, aiming to kickstart the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject in 2026, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday. The blueprint for the project is currently being adjusted to align with the expectations of foreign investors and locals. These adjustments…
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Thai woman demands justice after finding Phuket Bolt driver in bed
A Thai woman filed a complaint with the police after a Bolt driver in Phuket entered her condominium room in the Patong sub-district and slept with her in her bed. The 25 year old woman, Nan, shared her story with the Phuket Times to warn other women and urge the app-based driver not to repeat his actions. According to Nan,…
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BMW driver hits motorcycle, causing fatal crash in central Thailand
A BMW driver rear-ended a motorcycle carrying three people, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The driver claimed the motorcycle abruptly stopped in front of him, leaving him with no time to brake. A collision occurred this morning, July 2, on the bridge returning from Phahonyothin Road to Phahonyothin Road in front of a bone factory in Khlong Luang,…
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Bangkok airport’s automatic passport control ready for check-in
The head of the Thai Immigration Bureau inspected the readiness of Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s new automatic passport control channels, which will start being used by Thai citizens tomorrow, July 3. He also took the time to dine with the immigration officers, expressing the need to uphold their welfare. The Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, visited the immigration checkpoint…
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Mae Hong Son police arrest illegal moneylender in sting operation
Police apprehended a 34 year old online gambler and illegal moneylender while he was collecting interest on loans. Police officers led by Phasawint Kaewtai, the Police Chief of Mae Hong Son, along with Isarapong Apichai, the Deputy Chief of Investigations, and Thawatchai Surinta, the Commander of the Border Patrol Police Company 336, conducted a sting operation at 7.10pm yesterday, July 1.…
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Car and school van collision in Nakhon Si Thammarat injures three
A severe collision in Nakhon Si Thammarat between a car and a school van narrowly avoided a mass tragedy, leaving three students injured. The accident occurred today, July 1, when a yellow Honda hatchback lost control and crashed into a silver school van near a shop in the Phrom Khiri district. The head of Phrom Khiri Police Station, Police Colonel…
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Thailand emerges as key hub for data centres and cloud services
Thailand continues to emerge as a strategic hub for investment in data centres and cloud services, driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital services in the region. The Board of Investment (BOI) Secretary General, Narit Therdsteerasukdi, highlighted that 37 projects worth 98.539 billion baht have already been approved for investment in data centres and cloud services.…
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Major street racing meetup thwarted by Bangkok police, 1 arrested
A group of approximately 50 motorcycle street racers gathered on Ram Inthra Road, Bangkok, around 3am last night, reportedly racing and revving their engines. The racers dispersed upon the arrival of officers, however, police managed to apprehend one unlucky individual. The Police Colonel of Bang Khen Police Station, Anan Vorasart, received reports of a group of approximately 50 motorcycles assembling…
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Thai Airways launches new routes to Milan and Oslo
Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. announced the inauguration of two new flight routes to Milan, Italy, and Oslo, Norway, starting tomorrow. The launch ceremony took place at Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s departure hall. Chairman of the Rehabilitation Plan Executive Committee of Thai Airways, Piyasawat Amranand, revealed that the airline resumed flights to these European destinations, aiming to accommodate increasing passenger…
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Philippines ranks in top 10 for coal power reliance
The Philippines has emerged among the world’s top ten economies most reliant on coal-fired power, surpassing Indonesia and China. Data from energy think tank Ember highlights the country’s growing challenges in achieving its green energy objectives. In 2023, the Philippines saw its coal share in electricity generation increase for the 15th consecutive year. This rise comes despite the nation’s goal…
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Japan Airlines joins Love Pride Parade 2024 in Thailand
Japan Airlines (JAL) made a significant statement in support of gender equality in Thailand by participating in the inaugural Love Pride Parade 2024. The airline’s vibrant Color Your Skies parade float, featuring actor Luke Ishikawa, underscored JAL’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The parade marked a milestone for Japan Airlines as it showcased its values of equality and non-discrimination on…
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Phuket’s Walking Street market leads new street food initiative
Phuket’s Chartered Walking Street market has been selected by the Department of Health as the premier venue for the Street Food Good Health from Local to Global initiative. This programme aims to bolster tourist confidence and attract visitors throughout the year. Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, Dr Atthaphon Kaewsamrit, and Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon, Chief of the Phuket Provincial…
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Thai police dismantle Chinese-led Euro football betting network
Thai cyber police have dismantled a Chinese-led Euro football betting network, arresting six Thai people and seizing assets worth over 282 million baht. This operation follows the previous crackdown on a similar network in late June. Police General Worawat Watnakhonbancha ordered the arrests on July 1, leading to an operation which resulted in the arrest of 47 year old Narawut,…
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Police bust Bangkok karaoke bar for running prostitution ring
Police raided a well-known karaoke and traditional massage parlour in Bangkok today, uncovering an illicit prostitution ring involving Thai and Laotian women. The establishment had over ten rooms converted for illegal activities, and the owner confessed to the charges. Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD), today, July 1, led by Saruti Kwangsopa, instructed officers from the Nong Chok…
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Thai woman allegedly orchestrates attack and robbery of ex (video)
A Thai woman allegedly hired three Thai men to rob and attack her ex-lover yesterday after he allegedly swindled her out of 200,000 baht during their relationship. The 29 year old victim sought help from an officer at Trat Bus Terminal in the eastern province of Thailand at around 3am, yesterday, June 30, stating that he had been attacked and…
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