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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Foreign man found hanged at Phuket resort
In a chilling discovery on Sunday morning, the body of a foreign man was found hanged outside a resort in Koh Kaeo, Phuket province, leaving police scrambling to uncover his identity. The grim scene was uncovered by a hotel staff member at around 7.50am, on September 22, who immediately alerted the police. Arriving at the scene, officers were joined by…
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Thai PM’s Office hits back at ethics amendment critics
Political storms are brewing over Thailand’s controversial charter amendment proposal but the Prime Minister’s Office is pushing back, insisting the revisions won’t weaken the fight against corruption. Yesterday, September 23, PM Office Minister Chousak Sirinil dismissed concerns surrounding the Pheu Thai Party’s charter amendment plan, which includes revising ethical standards for political officeholders. Critics claim it could undermine the constitution’s core…
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Man injured in Phatthalung domestic dispute involving wooden plank
A domestic dispute in Phatthalung ended violently when a man was struck on the head with a wooden plank by his partner. The injured man fled to seek help from neighbours and the assailant later escaped on a motorcycle. Yesterday, September 23, Phatthalung City Police received a report of an assault at a residence in the Khuan Maprao sub-district. Lieutenant…
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Thai government to tighten grip on online scammers
The Government of Thailand is set to unleash new laws in its war against online scams, with a toughened stance on cyber criminals. Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy (MDES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, vowed to not only protect consumers but also tackle the soaring number of fraud cases that threaten the nation’s economic security. Responding to concerns raised by Senator…
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Thai man killed in boating accident near pier in Nonthaburi
A boating accident occurred last night near Wat Som Kliang Pier in Nonthaburi, resulting in the death of a 58 year old man. The incident involved a collision between a paddle boat and a motorboat. The deceased, Weerawong, was paddling to pick up his mother from the pier when the motorboat, driven by 63 year old Manit, suddenly collided with…
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Thai baht hits 19-month high as US dollar weakens
The Thai baht has soared to its highest level in 19 months against the US dollar, driven by a weaker American currency and profit-taking in gold markets. Opening at 32.92 per dollar today, the baht marked a significant rise from September 20’s closing rate of 33.60 baht. This appreciation follows the dollar’s depreciation, which was triggered by the US Federal…
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Commerce Ministry says pork prices are ‘bringing home the bacon’
The Thai Ministry of Commerce has addressed concerns raised by Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan regarding the high cost of pork in Thailand compared to imported pork. This issue has led to significant expenses for consumers. Consequently, the ministry has instructed the Internal Trade Department to collaborate with relevant agencies to find solutions that balance and make the entire pricing chain fairer.…
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Domestic tourism makes tracks but misses 1 trillion baht mark
Domestic tourism is on track to achieve 200 million trips this year, though revenue is anticipated to fall short of the 1 trillion baht (US$30 billion) target, reaching only 965 billion baht (US$29.3 billion). The private sector is urging for the promotion of second-tier cities through a loyalty programme to bolster local tourism. From January to July, domestic tourism receipts…
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Thailand promotes products with Piccadilly Circus campaign
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has launched the Think Thailand Next Level branding campaign to promote Thai products and services. The event, led by Pichai Naripthaphan, took place at Piccadilly Circus in London, aiming to elevate Thailand’s image globally. The campaign’s launch featured a gigantic digital billboard at Piccadilly Circus, a prominent public space and a central hub in London. This…
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Thailand delays minimum wage hike to 400 baht by two weeks
Thailand’s decision to delay the planned increase in the minimum wage to 400 baht per day will extend the wait by about two weeks, according to a senior labour official. This postponement, initially set for October 1, is due to the committee responsible for the hike not meeting quorum requirements in its recent sessions. The committee, comprising representatives from employers,…
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Young man robbed at gunpoint near Chatuchak Park MRT station
A young man from Chiang Mai was robbed at gunpoint near the Mo Chit BTS station near Chatuchak Market after arriving at the Mo Chit bus terminal. Officers from Prachachuen Police Station are actively pursuing the suspect involved in this brazen robbery that occurred around 6.23am yesterday, September 23. Police Colonel Sanya Ubonviratana, the chief of Prachachuen Police Station, directed…
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Drunk Belgian man dances naked and defecates in police station
A Belgian man faces deportation after dancing naked and defecating during his detention at a police station in Nonthaburi near Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. Officers from Pak Kret Police Station were notified by a security guard at around 5am today, September 24, that a foreign man was walking along the expressway, raising concerns for both the…
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Tragic tale: Heroic son drowns saving mother in Buriram river
In a heart-wrenching tale of bravery, a mother narrowly avoided drowning when her son leapt into the water to rescue her, tragically losing his own life in the process. Devastated and heartbroken, the grieving mother expressed her anguish, saying that, as the older one, she felt she should have been the one to perish instead of her beloved son. Police…
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New land slug species discovered in Thailand
Two newly discovered species of land slugs have been identified in Thailand, prompting further research on their conservation. The Animal Systematics Research Unit at Chulalongkorn University revealed these findings yesterday, September 23. Land slugs, also known as banana slugs in central Thailand, belong to the same group as snails but have lost their shells completely. Locally, they are known by…
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Durian dispute turns deadly: Vendor kills couple over prime location
A 62 year old durian vendor killed a couple on a roadside in the Chana district of the southern province of Songkhla following a dispute over a prime location for their fruit stalls. Officers from Chana Police Station were called to arrest the suspect, 62 year old durian vendor named Huan Saetan on Ratsarat Road yesterday, September 23. Upon arrival,…
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Chiang Mai: Flash floods hit more than 200 homes in Mae Rim
Flash floods have severely impacted the Mae Rim district in Chiang Mai, with over 200 homes affected and Mae Sa Elephant Camp preparing to relocate elephants due to landslides and damaged infrastructure. Heavy rains caused flash floods in Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai. The flooding, which began early yesterday, has affected over 200 homes, catching many residents off guard. The…
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Man arrested for selling kratom drinks to students in Sisaket
Police in Sisaket arrested a man for illegally selling kratom-infused drinks to students, seizing numerous items as evidence and pressing serious charges against him. District Chief Thanadet Phra-arak of Benchalak ordered the crackdown, directing Deputy District Chief Supoj Chaikuchin and members of the 18th Benchalak Volunteer Defense Corps to collaborate with local police. The operation, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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Monsoon leaves Patong Beach littered with trash and plastic waste
Patong Beach has become heavily littered with trash and plastic waste as the southwestern monsoon continues to batter Phuket’s west coast. A large section of the beach was found covered in debris on Sunday afternoon, September 22, highlighting an ongoing environmental issue. A local expatriate, having lived in Phuket for approximately five years, described the situation along the northern part…
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Thai man arrested for murder of his wife shows no remorse
A Thai man arrested for the murder of his wife in the central province of Samut Prakan confessed he felt no remorse for his actions after deliberately stabbing the woman out of jealousy. The murder occurred in a rented room in the Bang Sao Thong district of Samut Prakan province on Sunday, September 22. A witness reported to officers at…
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Thai MP’s car catches fire after inspecting Lampang floods
People’s Party MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn experienced a frightening moment when the car transporting him caught fire after returning from inspecting flood conditions in Lampang, en route to Chiang Mai Airport. A Good Samaritan helped extinguish the fire, revealing they suddenly smelled something burning and saw smoke before flames erupted. Wiroj, a list MP from the People’s Party, shared his alarming…
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East Pattaya residents fear sinkhole could swallow up their homes
Residents of Soi Wat Boon Samphan in East Pattaya are living in fear as a massive sinkhole threatens to swallow their homes. Locals of Soi Wat Boon Samphan 11, which connects to Soi Wat Boon Samphan 9, raised the alarm over severe erosion that has ravaged the road behind their village, fearing the worst is yet to come. A visit…
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Teenage Thai girl stabs grandmother to death after repeated insults
A 14 year old Thai girl stabbed her grandmother to death in a rented room in the Bang Bon district of Bangkok, following repeated insults from the victim. Officers from Samae Dam Police Station, along with a rescue team, were called to the rented room near Bang Bon Temple in the Bang Bon district to investigate the death of 48…
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Activist questions Paetongtarn’s resignation from family firms
Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has pressed the Election Commission (EC) to investigate whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra properly resigned from executive positions in 20 family-owned companies before her election. Ruangkrai questioned if Paetongtarn adhered to the Department of Business Development’s procedures when stepping down from roles in firms associated with her family. Failure to resign appropriately would violate Section 187…
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Truck driver dies after falling asleep and crashing into trees
An 18-wheel truck driver lost control, veered into a ditch, and crashed into trees, resulting in a fatal accident. The truck’s front was destroyed, and the 64 year old driver died at the scene, suspected of falling asleep at the wheel during a long solo journey. Yesterday, September 23, Major Thandol Chorchun, an investigator from Cha-uat Police Station, received a…
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Two waterfalls closed in Chiang Mai due to severe flooding
Heavy overnight rain has led to the temporary closure of two popular waterfalls in Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai province. Flooding has affected multiple areas across the northern province. Doi Suthep-Pui National Park announced that Mae Sa and Tat Mok waterfalls, located in Mae Rim, are closed until further notice. This decision aims to ensure public safety following flash floods…
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Australian man gets dose of justice for repeated vitamin C theft
A pharmacy worker in Chon Buri province caught an Australian man attempting to steal vitamin C tablets yesterday and forced him to pay 10 times the original price of the stolen item. The worker reported the theft to Nongprue Police Station at around 10am yesterday, September 23. Officers later arrived at the scene and found the shop worker and a…
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Nemo’s profit party: Clownfish breeding makes 1 million baht splash
The Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Trang has successfully bred over 20 species of clownfish, commonly known as Nemo fish, this year, resulting in sales surpassing those of the previous year and generating nearly 1 million baht in revenue. Trang Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Centre director Patcharee Soonsan announced yesterday, September 23, the achievement of breeding 20…
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Gold rush gone wrong: Buyer & seller clash over counterfeit claims
A heated dispute erupted between a seller and a buyer over allegations of selling fake gold online. The seller insists the gold is genuine, while the buyer claims a loss of faith and calls for legal action. Yesterday, September 23, at Maleenont Tower on Rama IV Road, Khlong Toei District, Bangkok, Mae Tuck, Kornkanok Suwannabut, along with her husband Beer,…
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Phuket flea market feud turns fiery: Shooting leaves two injured
The owner of the Koh Beng Ban Pon Flea Market in the Thalang district of Phuket engaged in a fierce argument with his former business partner, resulting in a shooting that left two people injured. Officers from Thalang Police Station investigated the shooting at Koh Beng Ban Pon Flea Market at approximately 7.30pm yesterday, September 23. The two injured individuals…
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Brace for a downpour: 42 provinces in for a wet and wild ride
Weather forecasts indicate heavy rain in 42 provinces tomorrow, with the northern region facing the most intense downpours, reaching up to 80%. Residents are advised to be cautious of flash floods and forest runoffs. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a 24-hour weather forecast, predicting heavy rainfall in the northern and upper northeastern regions. Some areas in the central upper,…
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