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 12Go introduces Japan Rail Passes to enhance travel accessibility for international travellers
For those who have travelled throughout Thailand, 12Go is a well-known provider of various trips, though the platform itself has a much wider reach. Ranging from buses to planes, 12Go is undoubtedly a leading booking platform for travel throughout the...
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Giant albino buffalo stuns PM Srettha in historic encounter
Ko Muang Phet, a majestic albino buffalo, towering at an impressive 180 centimetres and tipping the scales at a hefty 1.5 tonnes, made a grand entrance at the Government House yesterday. The nearly five-year-old stud, a symbol of rarity and grace, was escorted to meet Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in remarkable advocacy for the promotion of Thai buffaloes as a…
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Police chiefs suspended over alleged gambling links
The Prime Minister of Thailand suspended two top police chiefs of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) from their positions due to alleged internal conflict and connections to online gambling. PM Srettha Thavisin, yesterday, March 20, transferred the RTP Commissioner Torsak “Big Tor” Sukvimol and Deputy Commissioner Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, to temporary roles at the Prime Minister’s Office for 60 days.…
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Thailand Video News | Hundreds arrested in Thailand’s largest casino raid in history, 10,000 THB for every Thai citizen in digital wallet plan
In this video, Alex and Jay cover a series of recent developments, the government has given the green light to a contentious digital wallet initiative. Meanwhile, Thai authorities conducted one of the largest illegal casino busts in the nation’s history earlier this week, marking a significant crackdown on illicit gambling activities. Additionally, Thai officials successfully dismantled an illicit oil smuggling…
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Singapore tops Asia in World Happiness Report 2024 rankings
Singapore has retained its position as the happiest country in Asia for the second consecutive year, according to the recently released World Happiness Report 2024. The city-state ranked 30th out of 143 surveyed countries globally but stood at the pinnacle in Asia, outshining its regional peers including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. Thailand came in seventh…
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Chinese woman exposed in 50 million baht grey market scam
A young Chinese woman who rose to social media fame with her tale of rural hardship, amassing over 3.86 million followers, has been revealed to be part of a deceptive grey business that profited over 50 million baht. The young woman, 20 year old Liang San Mingyang captivated millions with her stories of poverty and struggle. However, suspicions arose as discrepancies…
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Decade-old rice prompts questions about health risks
In an urgent call to the authorities, a rice specialist has sounded the alarm over the government’s plans to distribute a decade-old rice stockpile to the public, highlighting serious health risks. This comes in the wake of Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s inspection of two Surin province warehouses on March 14, where he declared the 10 year…
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MFP MP’s former assistant commits suicide in military camp
A former assistant to a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP reportedly committed suicide in a military camp. The MP has called for the abolishment of military conscription, citing the intense pressure and toxic environment within military facilities as contributing factors to the individual’s decision to end their life. The MFP MP, Tisana Choonhavan, took to Twitter to share the distressing…
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NASA and GISTDA team up to clear the air with ASIA-AQ project
In a groundbreaking initiative, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has joined forces with Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) to tackle the pervasive issue of air pollution through the Airborne and Satellite Investigation of the Asian Air Quality (ASIA-AQ) project, writes Zohaib “Zo” Sikander and Sasinaphat Aussavaratchatanakin. This collaboration marks a significant stride in using cutting-edge…
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Bangkok blaze claims gold investor’s life in Wang Thonglang district
A tragic fire engulfed a luxurious residence in the Wang Thonglang district of Bangkok, claiming the life of a gold stock investor, the house owner, in his bedroom. The incident occurred early in the morning, and by the time the emergency services arrived, the fire had rapidly spread throughout the property, leaving little to salvage. In the early hours of…
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Village head detained in Phatthalung for police home intrusion
Police in Phatthalung apprehended a village head and several individuals following a bold and unauthorised incursion into a police officer’s residence. The group, armed and without just cause, now faces serious legal repercussions. Yesterday, March 20, at around 6.30pm, a suspicious congregation of vehicles and individuals near the home of Surat Ramnoo triggered a chain of events leading to an…
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Bangkok enveloped in smog as PM2.5 levels hit new highs
Bangkok citizens awoke yesterday to a pervasive burning smell as PM2.5 pollution levels soared across the city. Officials have identified three primary causes for the incident, which left many areas shrouded in a smoky haze and sparked widespread concern among residents. The unexpected spike in air pollution was primarily attributed to a shift in wind direction yesterday, March 20, as…
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Lopburi man kills 3 in family feud, including wife’s uncle
In a harrowing family tragedy in Lopburi, a man brutally shot and killed his wife’s uncle and two friends in a fit of rage. The incident, fueled by a deep-seated grudge, occurred today, March 21. Police Colonel Jessada Promsuwan, Chief Inspector of the Ma Now Wan Police Station, led an investigation team to the scene after being notified of the…
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Fourth Russian woman nabbed for illicit sexual services in Phuket
A fourth Russian woman has been arrested in Wichit, Phuket for providing illicit sexual services. The suspect, only identified as 22 year old Marina, a Russian national, was nabbed on Monday, March 18, during a clandestine operation at a local hotel. According to reports from Wichit Police, as relayed to the Phuket Express, the arrest was prompted by concerned citizens…
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Thailand celebrates UN’s International Day of Happiness
Thailand is basking in the glow of happiness as it marks the International Day of Happiness, a celebration initiated by the United Nations on March 20 (today). This year, the nation has every reason to rejoice as it ascends two places in the global happiness index, landing at an impressive 58th spot, though trailing behind regional counterparts like Singapore, the…
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Thai health ministry assures data security amid breach rumours
The Public Health Ministry of Thailand, under the leadership of Cholnan Srikaew, assured the public of the safety and security of patient data in their system. This response was prompted by a rumour suggesting a breach that exposed the personal information of more than 2.2 million Thai citizens. The rumour originated from the Rural Doctors Society (RDS), which alleged that…
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Thai govt’s cash splash: 500 billion baht digital wallet green light
With a budget proposal of 3.48 trillion baht (US$96.5 billion) for the fiscal year under discussion, the Government of Thailand is determined to proceed with a significant 500-billion-baht (US$13.8 billion) digital wallet handout scheme, according to Deputy Finance Minister, Julapun Amornvivat. During the parliamentary debate, Julapun stated the possible necessity of securing a loan via a bill to finance the…
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Russian woman blames period for assault on pregnant Thai shopkeeper
A Russian woman accused of assaulting a pregnant Thai shopkeeper on the island of Koh Pha Ngan, located in the province of Surat Thani, claimed that she did it because she was on her period. The woman, identified as Alena, was escorted to court today, March 20, by local Thai police. The authorities are considering requesting the immigration bureau to revoke…
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Brewing partnership blends for anti-ageing coffee, health innovation
To revolutionise healthcare, Revomed Group and Mahidol University have joined in a partnership aimed at crafting cutting-edge health products including anti-ageing coffee and advancing research. Associate Professor Dr Sarawut Thepanondh, Dean of the Public Health Faculty at Mahidol University, unveiled the ambitious five-year collaboration, highlighting its focus on product development, knowledge enhancement, and brand elevation. Under this dynamic project, Mahidol…
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Hotels drop room checks, boost guest trust and speed up check-out
The hotel industry‘s shift away from pre-departure room inspections offers a glimpse into evolving customer service and security protocols. In the past, hotel check-ins involved a deposit, which was returned post-verification of the room’s condition at check-out. Today, however, most establishments have abandoned this practice, streamlining the departure process. The foundational shift in hotel policies is largely due to more…
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Thailand government warns against lottery ticket scams
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) issued a warning about the risks associated with purchasing lottery tickets from unauthorised platforms and automated vending machines. The concern arises from incidents where buyers have not received the physical lottery tickets, potentially compromising their ability to claim prizes. With the rise of various online platforms and vending machines claiming to sell lottery tickets without…
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Thai surgeon scammed out of 12 million baht in stock trading ruse
A prominent Thai cosmetic surgeon fell victim to an elaborate stock trading scam, losing over 12 million baht (US$333,000) in just a fortnight, with the false promise of a 44 million baht (US$ 1.2 million) profit. The scam, known as a Hybrid scam, involved a woman who purportedly managed an investment system within the CLC GROUP app. The 70 year…
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Thailand grapples with hazardous air quality in 30 provinces
Air pollution has escalated to crisis levels in 30 provinces across Thailand, with PM2.5 readings exceeding the safety threshold, particularly affecting the health of residents in 11 areas. The highest recorded level of these harmful particulates in the country, at 146.0 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), was in Mae Hong Son today, March 20. The Air Pollution Solution and Communication…
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Facebook Thailand launches ‘Take It Down’ to combat sextortion
To combat online exploitation, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, unveils the Take It Down programme in Thailand. Aimed at empowering teens to reclaim their digital privacy, the initiative marks a pivotal step in the fight against sextortion. In a press conference held at Meta’s Thailand office, Malina Enlund, Meta’s APAC Safety Policy Manager, highlighted the significance of the programme.…
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Thai woman targeted by ex’s crew at Pattaya pub
A 34 year old Thai woman recounted a horrifying assault outside a Pattaya pub, leaving her battered and bruised. Apasara Sritampawa, speaking to reporters, detailed the horrifying ordeal she endured at the hands of a group of tomboys and boys in the early hours of March 16. She shared how a seemingly innocent night turned into a nightmare, with her…
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Rare spoon-billed sandpipers sighted in Phetchaburi
Some of the world’s rarest migratory shorebirds, the spoon-billed sandpipers, have been sighted in the coastal haven of Phetchaburi. Phak Tale, nestled in Phetchaburi’s embrace, has become the temporary sanctuary for the illustrious spoon-billed sandpipers, captivating both local admirers and global enthusiasts alike. These elegant birds, distinguished by their distinctive spoon-shaped bills, are battling critical threats to their existence, magnifying…
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Phuket cops raid gambling den, 4 Russians and Ukrainian arrested
A gambling den in Ratsada, north of Phuket Town, was raided by the Phuket Provincial Police and Phuket City Police in the early hours of today, resulting in the arrest of four Russian nationals and a Ukrainian. The operation, which was executed following an insider tip-off, occurred at a site on Thepkrasattri Road in Moo 6, Ratsada, in the vicinity…
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Chinese financier faces 50 years for illegal transnational surrogacy
The Criminal Court handed down a 50-year prison sentence to a Chinese financier and his Thai cohorts for orchestrating a transnational surrogacy syndicate. A Chinese financier, Ran Zhao, along with his three Thai partners known as Thamnoon, Nopporn, and Nikhom, received a hefty sentence after being found guilty of spearheading a notorious transnational criminal enterprise and running commercial surrogacy operations…
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Thai workers anticipate 41% pay rise due to AI skills acquisition
A recent report reveals that Thai workers anticipate a significant salary increase of over 41% through the acquisition of artificial intelligence (AI) skills. This surge also promises to catalyse career advancement. The report reveals that by 2028, AI will be embedded in approximately 98% of Thai organisations. These statistics underscore the growing importance of AI-skilled employees, with 94% of employers…
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Thaksin Shinawatra meets probation officials ahead of schedule
Thaksin Shinawatra reported to the Department of Probation officials in Bangkok Noi district at the Bangkok Probation Office 1 on Monday, one day ahead of his scheduled visit. This step is a part of 74 year old’s parole conditions, having been convicted and now serving his sentence in a more lenient form. During his visit, the area around Bangkok Probation…
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Minivan crash on Sukhumvit Road injures 10, dog to blame
A minivan swerved to avoid a dog, lost control, and crashed into a tree on Sukhumvit Road, leaving 10 passengers injured, five critically. The incident occurred today, March 20, as confirmed by Deputy Inspector Santi Pakkaratho of Pak Nam Prasae Police Station, who rushed to the scene with medical personnel and rescue workers from the Buddhasadsongkroh Rescue Foundation. At the…
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