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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German documentary reignites sex tourism concerns for Thailand’s Pattaya
Concerns are being raised about the potential damage to Thailand’s overall tourism market due to a documentary by German media organisation Deutsche Welle (DW), which highlights Pattaya as a sex tourism destination. This documentary is currently blocked in Thailand. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), recalls a similar report about sex tourism in Pattaya from…
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Parliament to consult on charter amendment referendum
Upon the resumption of the Parliament session on December 12, MPs and senators will be consulted on the method of conducting a referendum on a charter amendment, revealed the head of a referendum hearing sub-panel, Nikorn Chamnong. He plans to forward a questionnaire to Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the House Speaker, and Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who will request their…
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Thai PM plans revision of 5.1 billion baht for national art and culture
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday announced plans to revise the substantial sum of 5.1 billion baht (US$145 million), originally designated for the promotion initiatives of national art and culture by the National Soft Power Development Committee (NSPDC). The Thai prime minister expressed the need for judicious use of the funds to maximise efficacy. PM Srettha’s statements followed the NSPDC’s second…
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Bangkok bus crash causes 18-vehicle pile-up on Phaya Thai Road
In the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city of Bangkok, a startling multi-vehicle collision occurred on Phaya Thai Road, right in front of the esteemed Chulalongkorn University. On this day, at 6:35pm, the Pathumwan Police Station was inundated with calls reporting a significant collision involving no fewer than 18 vehicles, which resulted in four individuals sustaining injuries. The scene…
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Drug traffickers encounter with military patrol in Chiang Mai
A skirmish erupted between the members of the Pha Mueang military patrol squad and a group of alleged drug smugglers in the Ban Muang Chum area of Fang, Chiang Mai. This encounter occurred in the early hours of December 2, around 2 am. The altercation, which lasted for over five minutes, led to the discovery of a substantial amount of…
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Sex-reassignment surgeries covered by national health insurance, says NHSO Secretary-General
After a social media debate on whether the gold card benefits can cover sex-reassignment surgeries, Dr Jadet Thammathacharee, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), clarified on December 2, that these surgeries have been part of the national health insurance benefits since 2018, with no exclusion clause. Dr Jadet explained that the announcement by the National Health Security Committee…
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Transgender woman brutally murdered in Kanchanaburi: Robbery suspected
A brutal murder has shocked the local community in Kanchanaburi province, where a 38-year-old transgender woman was found dead in her bedroom, shot through the head. Her missing assets suggest a robbery, with the victim’s father pleading for assistance to find the ruthless murderer, who is believed to be an acquaintance. Police captain Mana Samranwong, along with investigation officers from…
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University sues former lecturer for 16 million baht over scholarship dispute
The case involving a former lecturer with mental health issues, being sued for a whopping 16 million baht by the university that granted her a Ph.D. scholarship, has drawn the attention of the Higher Education Ministry and a House committee. Both bodies have declared their intent to investigate the matter thoroughly. Takorn Tantasith, the chair of the House Committee on…
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Phu Kradueng cable car project set for debate at mobile Cabinet meeting
The mobile Cabinet meeting in Nong Bua Lamphu province today is set to deliberate on the long-awaited cable car project at the Phu Kradueng mountain resort in Loei province, according to Phuangphet Chunla-iad, the Prime Minister’s Office Minister. The local authorities of Loei province are requesting a 28 million baht budget to carry out a survey and draft the design…
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Thailand considering month-long Songkran Festival to boost economy
The National Soft Power Development Committee in Thailand is proposing to extend the Songkran Festival for the entire month of April. Traditionally held from April 13-15, the water-splashing festivities are a cornerstone of the celebration. The committee hopes that by extending the festival and incorporating a range of other cultural events across the country, the festival could be promoted to…
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Coin-tastic: Teenager breaks the ‘piggy bank’ to bag a gaming smartphone
A young man carrying a bag filled with coins and banknotes weighing at least 5 kilogrammes, left smartphone shop owners and social media users in awe when he used the contents of his piggy bank to purchase a gaming smartphone. The incident was shared by a TikTok user @lovemobile999, a mobile phone store in Samut Sakhon province, which revealed a…
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Thai backstage artist fakes kidnapping over 90,000 baht debt in Bangkok
A woman known as Premika, who works as a backstage artist, was allegedly kidnapped from her workplace by a group of creditors due to her inability to repay a debt of 90,000 baht. Her husband, using the pseudonym “Ek,” reported the incident to Huai Khwang Police Station. It was revealed that the couple had been together for over a decade…
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Lesson learned: Thailand issues recruitment scam alert for assistant teacher gigs
Education officials in Thailand urged people to be wary of potential scams linked to the recruitment of assistant teacher positions. This warning comes after the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) received complaints about attempts to extract benefits from the special selection process for assistant teachers. The OCSC is currently refining the selection criteria, aiming for transparency, fairness, and…
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Bang Rak arrest: Mysterious man nabbed near old house, Bangkok police crack down on disturbance
An unidentified man was arrested last night in the vicinity of an old house in the Bang Rak district by Bangkok police following reports of a disturbance. The man, who was causing a commotion and brandishing an axe, was taken into custody without incident. Despite the unsettling scene, no illegal items were found on the man’s person. On December 3,…
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AI accelerates: Dell’s 2024 forecast unveils tech integration triumph for business evolution
Dell Technologies predicts that by 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) will be the driving force behind the integration of other emerging technologies, including advanced hardware, edge devices and cybersecurity, all aimed at enhancing business transformation. The tech firm foresees a convergence of quantum computing and generative AI within the next five years. John Roese, Dell Technologies’ Global Chief Technology Officer, shared…
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Devastating road accident claims life in Chon Buri: Drunk driving suspected
A devastating road accident in Chon Buri province claimed the life of a factory worker and severely injured her colleague, riding on a motorbike. The incident occurred when a pickup truck veered off the road and collided with the two-wheeler. The driver of the pickup truck, who appeared intoxicated, also suffered injuries. Around 5am today, Deputy Inspector Sravut Sribundit of…
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German national alleges bribe for release on pedophilia charge in Thailand
Provincial Police Region 2 launched investigations into allegations against a 55-year-old German national accused of paying a bribe of 1 million baht to secure his release on charges related to pedophilia. The police announcement follows a documentary by Deutsche Welle titled Sex Tourists in Thailand, which highlighted the account of the accused, Jens Kirch. It is worth noting that the…
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Renowned fortune-teller predicts potential misfortunes before new year 2024
A recent prediction by the renowned fortune-teller Mor Plai Prai Krasib hints at potential misfortunes in the three days before the new year of 2024. The seer further points to significant changes post-January, with a focus on health issues linked to flying creatures. In an interview published by the Facebook page At Ten Day, Mor Plai unveiled his predictions for…
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Thailand’s transport ministry commits to 100% public electric vehicles
A bold step towards a greener future was taken by Thailand’s Transport Ministry as it committed to transforming its entire fleet of public transport vehicles into a 100% electric. The initiative, as announced by the Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, begins with the electric conversion of the limousine service of the Airports of Thailand (AoT). This development was shared during Suriya’s…
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Thai lecturer’s 10 million baht lawsuit after mental health dismissal
Sombat Boongamanong, also known as Polka Dot, has shed light on the life journey of Dr Keng, a scholarship student who, after completing her PhD in England, returned to work as a Thai university lecturer. However, she fell ill and was asked to resign by the university management, leading to a lawsuit seeking over 10 million baht. Sombat arrived this…
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Concerns over rising HIV infections among teenagers in Thailand
The Aids Health Care Foundation (AHF) Thailand raised concerns over the rising prevalence of HIV infection among teenagers due to unprotected sex. The foundation’s Thailand Country Programme Director, Kritsiam Arayawongchai, disclosed this during a recent forum aimed at encouraging safe sex practices among high school students. In a broad-scale study conducted by AHF Thailand in collaboration with 25 healthcare centres,…
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Golden delight: GTA unveils gold rush with prices soaring to new heights
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today announced a strong surge in today’s gold prices. Compared to yesterday’s closing price, gold ornaments are selling at 34,800 baht per baht, up by 200 baht. This information was released on their website at 9.08am. Gold bars of 96.5% purity are currently being bought at 34,200 baht per baht and sold at 34,300 baht…
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Rain reigns: TMD warns 27 provinces, including Bangkok, to brace for heavy rainfall
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a heavy rainfall warning for 27 provinces, including Bangkok. The southern region is expected to receive significant rainfall, covering 80% of the area, which may lead to sudden flooding and runoff. A high-pressure system from China is covering the northern region, the northeastern region, and the South China Sea. This system is bringing…
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Steve Galster roars: Let’s trade wildlife for a pandemic-free world
Steve Galster, the founder and CEO of the anti-trafficking organisation Freeland, has advocated for the complete eradication of illegal and legal wildlife trade to avert the possibility of the next pandemic. He highlighted that Thailand, with its superior infrastructure, has been a longstanding hub for such activities, facilitating the movement of wildlife trade from source countries like Africa and Indonesia…
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Thai group stranded in China after Chiang Mai company deception
A group of Thai nationals, duped by a company in Chiang Mai into selling goods in China, is desperate for help after running into legal and financial trouble. The group, consisting of over 80 individuals, is now stranded in China, facing dwindling funds, visa expiry, and the risk of becoming illegal immigrants. The group was lured to China by a…
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Thai Red Cross clarifies blood donation charges are for service not sale
The Thai Red Cross Society’s National Blood Centre clarified that the blood donated and subsequently delivered across the nation’s hospitals is not up for sale. However, recipients are required to cover a service fee. This clarification came to light via the National Blood Centre’s website in response to a Facebook post claiming the Thai Red Cross Society was profiting from blood…
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Philippines: Mindanao University Sunday mass terror attack
A peaceful Sunday mass at Mindanao State University, Marawi, Philippines, turned into a nightmare as a bomb ripped through the congregation, leaving at least three dead and seven injured. As worshippers gathered for their regular Sunday mass service at Mindanao State University’s gymnasium in Marawi, the tranquillity was shattered by a bomb blast. Regional police Chief Allan Nobleza disclosed that…
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Flash floods claim one life and leave 11 missing at Indonesia’s Jewel, Lake Toba
Flash floods in Lake Toba, Indonesia wreaked havoc, claiming one life and leaving 11 missing on December 1. Lake Toba experienced a heavy downpour, triggering devastating flash floods. The heavy rain caused widespread destruction that extended beyond homes to include a church, a school, and even a hotel. The aftermath resembled a nightmare, as large stones, trees, and mud cascaded…
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Thailand’s plan to extend Songkran raises eyebrows and 5.1 billion baht in soft power bid
Thailand‘s iconic Songkran Festival might be turning into a month-long water extravaganza in a bid to boost the country’s soft power, or a potential disaster waiting to happen? Thailand’s political arena is buzzing with controversy as the Pheu Thai Party, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, unveils an audacious plan to extend the beloved Songkran Festival. The goal? To solidify the nation’s soft…
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Are bread krathongs harming Bangkok’s public park ponds?
Environmental advisor to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Pornporm Wikitsate, exposed the negative impacts of biodegradable Krathongs on public park ponds after the recent Loy Krathong Festival. The public, in a bid to reduce waste and protect the environment, had opted to float Krathongs made from bread. However, the aftermath was not as environmentally friendly as anticipated. Pornporm questioned whether bread…
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