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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Japanese tourism numbers in Thailand threatened by weak yen and slow Japan flight reintroduction
In light of Japan’s hesitant return to tourism and a faltering yen, Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) admitted there may be difficulty in meeting the year’s target of 850,000 Japanese arrivals. The figure reflects 50% of the Japanese tourism figures reported in 2019, considered an optimistic scenario by the Tokyo office director of TAT, Kajorndet Apichartrakul. As enclosed by Kajorndet, the…
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Thai submarine to be powered by Chinese engine following German withdrawal
In a recent development, an American naval source revealed that a panel is expected to recommend a Chinese-designed engine for the Thai submarine as a replacement for the original German one intended for the under-construction S26T Yuan-class submarine in China. This comes on the heels of a committee chaired by the navy’s chief-of-staff, Adm Chonlathis Navanugraha, unofficially proposing the use…
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Dengue outbreak: Triple surge in cases challenges Thai healthcare system in first half year
A shocking surge in dengue patients has been recorded in the first half of this year, with numbers almost triple that of the same period last year, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC). The dengue outbreak continues to challenge the healthcare system, as the number of infected individuals soars. From January 1 to June 28, 27,377 dengue cases…
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Serial rapist posing as transgender model recruiter arrested in Bangkok
Police in Bangkok apprehended a 60 year old man who allegedly impersonated a transgender to lure young women into fake modelling opportunities, where he would sexually assault them. He allegedly confessed to raping around 100 women. The Metropolitan Police Bureau’s investigative head, Theeradet Thumsuthee, yesterday confirmed the arrest of Sonthichai Yusuparp in a room within a slum community located in Bangkok’s…
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Triumphant strides: Thai mother amputee defies odds, on road to recovery (video)
The son of the Thai mother who lost her leg in a faulty airport escalator believes she will be running faster than him in no time as she took her first steps on the road to recovery. Suphannee Kittirattana yesterday took her first tentative steps since her leg was amputated after it got tangled in a dodgy travelator at Don…
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Real estate tycoon disappears in Pattaya under mysterious circumstances
Police in Pattaya were called to examine a vehicle suspected to belong to missing real estate tycoon Hans Peter Mack, who has been reported missing. The German businessman’s family is offering a generous reward of 3 million baht for any information leading to his safe return, as well as a 100,000-baht reward for locating his car. The car, a bronze/grey…
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Severe flooding hits Phuket prompting widespread road closures
Substantial flooding due to heavy rain last night and early this morning swamped the holiday resort of Phuket, prompting police to shut down several of its main roads. Streets across the town became untraversable, leading to police-imposed road closures. The water levels in Bang Yai Canal, the canal that transits through the city providing a key drainage channel into the…
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Thailand aims to boost economy with health tourism campaign
The Thai government has launched an ambitious campaign, “Discover the New You” to entice international visitors to spend upwards of 18 million baht (US$510,000) by September of this year. This initiative is a concerted effort by the government, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and over 130 healthcare, wellness businesses and service providers including hotels, spas, health resorts, hospitals, and clinics.…
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Thai police ban book critiquing monarchy, citing national security threat
Royal Thai Police have prohibited the circulation of an upcoming book that scrutinises the nation’s monarchy. The prohibition was issued in response to the book’s perceived slander towards the royal institution, according to a police statement in the Royal Gazette. The contentious publication, ‘Rama X: The Thai Monarchy under King Vajiralongkorn,’ both in its content and cover, is considered to express…
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TTB to tackle household debt and promote ESG standards
Piti Tantakasem, Chief Executive of TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), insists that tackling high levels of household debt should be a priority on the national agenda. Piti made known that he is poised to tackle the issue, given his leading role within the household debt resolution team set up by the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA). Alongside the central bank and other pertinent…
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Thai royal family honours Sri Lankan caretaker of elephant Sak Surin
The King and Queen of Thailand have bestowed an honour upon Don Upul Jayarathna Denelpitiyage, a Sri Lankan mahout, in recognition of his unyielding care for the recuperating Thai elephant, Sak Surin. The elephant is currently in a 30-day quarantine in Lampang province, following his flight from Sri Lanka on the second day of July. Air Marshal Pakdee Saengchuto, serving…
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Russian tourist dies in tragic fall from a pagoda in Phuket
Phuket, an exhilarating hub of Thai culture and heritage, yesterday turned into a scene of panic and concern. An unidentified Russian male tourist tragically lost his life after falling from the roof of a pagoda at the notable Wat Chaithararam, commonly known as Wat Chalong, situated in the Mueang district of the island. The police were alerted around 5.30pm when…
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Only one firm bids for Central Terminal transformation project
Contrary to the anticipation of a competitive bidding process for the commercial development of Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has revealed that only one company has stepped forward with a bid. Three firms, reportedly interested, had initially procured invitations to tender. The disclosure surfaced yesterday after the bidding process culminated earlier this week. Ekkarat…
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Phuket governor takes action to solve out of school children crisis
In a decisive step towards ensuring all children in Phuket receive a formal education, Narong Woonciew, the Governor of Phuket, convened a meeting at the Phuket Provincial Hall. The gathering focused squarely on the thousands of children on the island who are not currently registered at any educational institution. Also in attendance were Vice Governor, Amnuay Pinsuwan, MP Thitikan Thitipruethikul,…
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Thai SEC seizes Stark Corporation’s assets amidst false accounting claims
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand seized the assets of Stark Corporation and some of its key personnel due to accusations of false accounting. Excessive damages have ensued following this misconduct with Stark’s debts rising above 38 billion baht as believed by the regulators. The SEC has also frozen the assets of Vonnarat Tangkaravakoon, formerly the acting chief executive…
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GAC Aion to invest 6 billion baht in Thai EV market expansion
China‘s third-largest electric vehicle (EV) producer, GAC Aion, is gearing up to expand its operations in the Thai market. In an ambitious plan, the automaker pledged to pour over 6 billion baht into the establishment of manufacturing and sales facilities in Thailand. This noteworthy market penetration comes as the result of the Board of Investment’s (BoI) careful arrangement involving seven…
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Beachside serenity shattered: Police probe possible foul play in Jomtien Beach death
The tranquillity of Jomtien Beach in Sattahip, Pattaya was disrupted abruptly this morning when police discovered a dead body, suspected to be a victim of possible foul play. The alarm was promptly raised, sending Na Jomtien officers and Sattahip rescue workers rushing to the scene, in response to the chilling report of a body. Wearing a pink T-shirt and brown…
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From jailbird to jailbreaker: Former inmate’s knife attack shocks Chiang Mai district
Thai police arrested a former jailbird after he attacked a 66 year old neighbour with a knife in the Mea Pong district in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The habitual criminal’s younger sister expressed pride in her brother before he left for jail. In the early hours of Saturday, July 1, the 66 year old victim, Prachan Khameye, was…
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Temple of temptations: Youths’ indecent escapades raise concerns in Buriram province
Highlighting a growing issue for one temple in Buriram province, youths have been discovered engaging in indecent activities, including consuming alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and having sex on the premises. The issue raised concerns about the sanctity of religious sites and ignited a call for the police to take action. Buddhist monks of the respected Pa Rerai temple in Nang Rong…
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Khon Kaen shop owners targeted by clever thief employing overpayment scam
Disturbing incidents have been reported in Khon Kaen, where several local shop owners fell victim to a scam by a short-haired woman masquerading as a male shopper. She would claim she had no cash, ask to transfer more than the purchase price, and then request the difference in cash. The woman disappeared without confirming the transfer, leaving the shopkeepers at a…
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School minibus crash: Vehicle flips in horror on Thai highway, multiple injuries
A school minibus crashed today into the back of a pickup truck, resulting in the vehicle flipping over onto its side and injuring several male and female students. The school minibus crash occurred on Jarod Withi Thong Road, National Highway 12, between Tak-Sukhothai markers 102 and 101, in the Num Reum sub-district of Tak province. Officers from Tak Municipal Police…
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Thai teacher’s social media post divides opinion: Humour or grossly inappropriate?
The social media community is reeling following the discovery of a Thai schoolteacher who posted a photo of a kindergarten student with a teasing caption stating… “Why was my soulmate born so late?” After the post was shared yesterday, the incident sparked a significant online response and raised eyebrows about the type of people allowed to teach. The now-viral photo…
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Leg lost in transit: Thai professor reveals investigation into escalator accident at Bangkok airport
A professor from Kasetsart University in Thailand provided a media update on the investigation into an escalator accident that resulted in a woman losing half of her leg at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. Weerachai Phutdhawong held a meeting yesterday with the airport authorities and other specialists to discuss the escalator accident that occurred on June 29, resulting in…
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Miracle on wheels: Pregnant nurse escapes motorbike collision with car at Thai petrol station
A pregnant nurse riding a pillion on a motorbike narrowly survived with her life after a collision with a car at a petrol station in south central Thailand. Two people were injured as the motorbike reportedly counter-flowed and subsequently could not avoid the car turning into the station. Deputy Inspector Warayuth Jenwichumet of Chachoengsao‘s rescue unit today investigated the incident…
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Starbucks Thailand advances expansion, eyes 800 outlets by 2030
Starbucks Thailand unveiled a bold expansion plan for the 2023 to 2030 period. The plan aims to increase the current number of Starbucks outlets in the country from 465 to a whopping total of 800 by the end of 2030. As per this agenda, the addition of 335 stores is projected across Thailand over the specified span. Nednapa Srisamai, the…
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Golf dreams dashed: Thailand’s rising star disqualified from US Women’s Open after 5-hole fiasco
Thailand‘s Natthakritta Vongtaveelap endured a brief appearance at the US Women’s Open after the precocious golf star was disqualified after completing just five holes. The disqualification yesterday came as a result of her caddie using a rangefinder, which violated the local golf rule implemented for the championship, prohibiting the use of distance-measuring devices. While a single breach would have incurred…
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Future PM Pita invites Taylor Swift to Thailand, stating full democracy is back
The future Prime Minister of Thailand and leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), Pita Limjaroenrat, took to Twitter yesterday to reach out to American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, inviting her to return to Thailand now that the country has restored full democracy. Taylor Swift shows are among the most eagerly anticipated concerts among Thai fans. The latest queen of pop…
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Spiritual medium scams four Thais out of 600,000 baht
In a tale of deception, four residents reported to police their loss of 600,000 baht (US$17,015) due to a scam involving a woman claiming to be a spiritual medium. The culprit convinced her victims to perform an expensive ritual, warning that without it, their lives could be at risk. To add to the losses, the fraudster promised to provide cheap…
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Foreign felons fall: Immigration Bureau’s busts net 25 international suspects in Thailand’s crime crackdown
Immigration Bureau officers yesterday announced a number of successful operations against foreign criminals in Thailand. The Immigration Bureau managed to arrest 25 foreign suspects in five major cases. The first case was the arrest of a 31 year old Swiss man named Jonathan who managed to evade a drug charge in Switzerland and sought refuge in Thailand. The authorities apprehended…
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Chon Buri van collision leaves 5 injured in early morning accident
In the early hours of this morning, a collision between two vans in Chon Buri province led to five people being injured. Police and emergency services from Samed Police Station were alerted to the crash at a red light intersection in Samed, Mueang Chon Buri, at around 5am. En route to pick up employees, the driver of a Toyota van…
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