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 The real cost of being a digital nomad in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for digital nomads, known for its affordable living, lively culture, and modern facilities. With its warm climate, great food, and friendly communities, it's an ideal place for remote workers to balance work and travel. However,...
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Bangkok’s Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 kicks off
Bangkok witnessed the grand opening of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 on Thursday. The event, which is a highlight of Thai cultural celebrations, was inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, alongside other notable agencies. The festival, lasting until Monday, April 15, showcased 20 vibrant parades that marched through Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and Sanam Luang,…
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Chanthaburi ignites night-time Songkran with spirited water fights
Chanthaburi’s Khao Thip Road was awash with festivities as the first night-time Songkran celebration in Thailand commenced at 8pm yesterday. Tens of thousands of tourists flocked to engage in the water-splashing merriments, marking the start of the country’s traditional New Year. The event, taking place along the Tha Chalaeb Road and encircling the public park lake of Somdet Phra Chao…
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Pattaya mystery substance confirmed as harmless scrap metal
In Pattaya, local authorities recently allayed fears by announcing that the mysterious black substance discovered in bags near an excavation pit was harmless scrap metal, not the feared carcinogenic cadmium waste. Previously reported concerns revolved around multiple white bags found discarded near a pit in Moo 7, Pattaya. Locals grew anxious, suspecting that the bags could be harbouring the lost…
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Army private drowns in reservoir during Songkran festivities
Tragedy struck a family during the joyous period of Songkran, as a 22 year old army private who was returning home for the festivities drowned in a reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima. The incident occurred yesterday at approximately 3.50pm, when Anuchit, visiting his girlfriend’s family, decided to cool off from the heat by swimming across the Huay Yang reservoir in Pak…
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Thai party quashes Cabinet reshuffle rumours
A wave of rumours surrounding a potential Cabinet reshuffle in Thailand was quashed yesterday by the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party. The party’s Deputy Leader and list MP, Wittaya Kaewparadai, stated that despite talks circulating for over a month, no indications of an imminent reshuffle have been communicated by the prime minister. Wittaya, referring to UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, pointed…
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Interactive map guides revelers through Songkran festivities
The joyous Songkran festival is in full swing across Thailand, with both locals and visitors eagerly participating in the celebrations. As the traditional Thai New Year, Songkran is synonymous with vibrant water fights, and this year’s festivities began on April 11, with the merriment set to continue in many areas. Bangkok, the nation’s capital, is no exception to the excitement.…
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Bangkok harnesses AI to tackle illegal sidewalk use
Bangkok authorities are ramping up the enforcement of sidewalk regulations, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and fine lawbreakers. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Suphakrit Bunkhan, announced progress in the sidewalk management campaign, emphasizing the use of technology to improve the efficiency of law enforcement. From June 12, 2022, to April 1, 2024, a pilot programme…
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Man found dead in Khon Kaen, police chase killer
Police are urgently pursuing a suspect in the brutal slaying of a 41 year old man, who was found with his throat slit while returning to his shack in the middle of a field. The murder incident occurred today, April 12, when police from the Ubonrat Police Station in Khon Kaen Province were dispatched to investigate the crime scene in…
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Myanmar residents flee fearing air strikes after rebels seize town
An influx of people, notably anxious about potential air strikes, queued at a border crossing to escape Myanmar early this morning. This follows the seizure of the strategic town of Myawaddy near Thailand by the anti-junta resistance, which continues to gather momentum. Analysts suggest that the loss of Myawaddy, a vital source of revenue from border trade, adds further pressure…
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Fat farang strips naked and poops in Bangkok shrine (video)
Thailand’s tourism drive suffered another setback this week when Bangkok bore witness to yet another repulsive, badly-behaved fat farang who saw it fit to strip naked, bathe and poop in a Buddhist shrine. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has been playing catch up for the past four years, after the Covid-19 epidemic, to attract more tourists to the Land of…
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Chinese teenager escapes suspected smuggling operation in Thailand
A 16 year old Chinese teenager made a daring escape from a moving vehicle in Prakhon Chai district, Buriram, Thailand, in the early hours of this morning. The teenager, known as Sukai, ran towards the local police station seeking help, alleging that he and his friends had been tricked into smuggling by another Chinese national under the pretext of working in…
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Bangkok police shut down secret e-cigarette Line group
A female administrator was arrested for operating a secret Line group used for selling e-cigarettes for over two years. The police charged her with various offences, including facilitating the concealment and distribution of goods known to have entered the kingdom without proper customs clearance. The arrest took place today, April 12, following a raid authorised by a search warrant from…
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Thai netizens in uproar over celebrity social media feud
The Thai entertainment industry was recently shaken by a heated online dispute. The controversy escalated when a fiery video message was posted in response to a clip featuring a young individual, who made strong references to the respected television host, Noom Kanchai. The exchange has sparked a frenzy of comments and reactions across social media platforms. Prairie Phairwan’s video did…
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Gold prices hit new record in Thailand amid market volatility
Gold prices in Thailand skyrocketed, setting a new all-time high record, reflecting a sharp increase of 750 baht from the previous day’s closing rate. The surge occurred amidst volatile market conditions, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) announcing five price changes within the first 35 minutes of the trading day, starting with an initial hike of 700 baht at 9am.…
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Interior Ministry official disrupts police at Songkran checkpoint
A high-ranking government official from the Ministry of Interior caused a stir when he confronted and attempted to obstruct police officers at a traffic checkpoint during the Songkran Festival celebrations. The incident, which took place yesterday, April 11 at around 5pm, occurred in the district of Yang Chum Noi, Sisaket Province. The man, identified as a district chief, reacted aggressively…
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Man dies in sand slide at Nakhon Sawan meditation park
A tragic accident occurred yesterday at 3.30pm when a sand slide at a well-known meditation park in Nakhon Sawan province claimed the life of a 53 year old. As he was excavating sand donated by villagers with his tractor, the mound collapsed, burying him beneath and cutting off his air supply, resulting in his immediate death. An investigative officer from…
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Myanmar national attacks Belgian partner with hammer in Hat Yai
A 32 year old Myanmar national was apprehended in Hat Yai, Songkhla after a violent episode in which he attacked his Belgian partner using a hammer. The incident, incited by jealousy, according to the apprehended, took place in their shared apartment, leaving the 56 year old Belgian man with severe head injuries and the apartment splattered with blood. Upon arriving at…
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Thailand and Vietnam strategic partnership for mutual growth
Thailand and Vietnam have forged a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a relationship focusing on meeting bilateral trade objectives, implementing sustainable development plans, strengthening political-diplomatic and defence security collaboration, and enhancing benefits in people-to-people areas. The announcement was made during the 5th Joint Commission on Thailand-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation held in Bangkok, co-chaired by Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Parnpree Bahiddhanukara, and Vietnam’s Foreign Minister,…
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Thai property stimulus measures to boost SET and lower costs
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is set to benefit from the newly sanctioned Thai property stimulus measures, which are expected to significantly lower costs for homebuyers. The reductions in transfer and mortgage fees apply to up to 70% of units available in the property market. The Cabinet this week approved measures for homes priced up to 7 million baht.…
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Bangkok port’s move stalled pending government clarity
Bangkok Port’s transformation into a mixed-use development has been put on hold by the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), as it awaits further instructions from the Transport Ministry. The decision follows an order to relocate the port to Chon Buri, which was proposed to mitigate pollution and congestion in the city. However, it is presently unclear whether the entire port…
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Thai government’s digital wallet scheme faces legality verification
The Government of Thailand‘s plan to partially finance its 500-billion-baht digital wallet handout scheme through a 172.3 billion baht loan from the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative is set to undergo legality verification by the Council of State. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also stated that the government will seek advice from its legal…
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Thai PM says legal casinos will prevent illegal gambling
Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has come out in support of legalising casinos in the country, stating that the move would allow the government to properly control gambling and allow them to “collect taxes properly”. Under current law, gambling in the country is prohibited, except on state lotteries and government-backed horse races. Although online gambling is not explicitly covered by…
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PM Srettha’s blessings for Songkran festival at Government House
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin graced a religious ceremony at Government House in Bangkok, marking Thailand’s Songkran Festival, the nation’s traditional new year. As dawn broke over the capital, the PM led the observance, honouring customs deeply rooted in Thai culture. The ceremony commenced with the Thai PM paying homage to the Brahma shrine at 8.30am, nestled before the majestic Thai…
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Poh Teck Tung Foundation distributes 3,000 fans during Songkran
The Poh Teck Tung Foundation initiated a heartwarming gesture by distributing 3,000 hand-held fans to the public during the scorching Songkran festival. The foundation, under the leadership of Vichai Techapaibul, has taken this step to alleviate the discomfort of citizens travelling back to their hometowns or embarking on holiday trips during one of the hottest times of the year. The…
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Chinese influencer’s food poisoning sparks Thai food hygiene row
Chinese netizens criticised Thai food as “unclean” after a Chinese influencer suffered food poisoning after eating at a night market in Thailand and issued a warning to his followers on Weibo. The Chinese food blogger, Liu Yu Xin, also known as Jason, posted a video of himself enjoying food at a night market in Thailand on his Weibo account. Most…
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Phuket house fire leaves residents reeling: Investigation heats up
A destructive house fire yesterday ravaged a residence in Srisoonthorn, Phuket, leaving devastation in its wake. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. An electrical short circuit is believed to have ignited a fire that caused extensive damage to a house in Srisoonthorn last night around 9.30pm. Firefighters from Srisoonthorn Fire Station rushed to the scene, located in…
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Brothers arrested for illegal online gun trade in Chachoengsao
The Thai authorities arrested a 23 year old man and his 17 year old brother for the alleged manufacture of illegal online guns. The operation was carried out in the Mueang district of Chachoengsao province, leading to the confiscation of 28 home-crafted guns, over 1,500 rounds of ammunition, and additional related items. The arrest occurred during a police operation at…
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Lisa from BLACKPINK hits right note with RCA Records
BLACKPINK’s Lisa hits the right note, striking a harmonious chord with RCA Records, an American record label giant. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the K-pop star’s career, as it will allow her to release new solo music with RCA Records and gain full ownership of her song rights. The collaboration between Lisa, whose full name is Lalisa Manobal,…
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Page turners: Survey reveals shift in Thai reading habits
A recent survey by the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) and Chulalongkorn University revealed that Thai people spend nearly two hours per day reading, contradicting the long-held belief that Thais read less than eight lines of text a year. Despite widespread belief, there is no solid evidence to support the notion that Thai residents rarely read books and even…
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Crypto crackdown: Regulatory bodies unite to reel in P2P fraud
Regulatory bodies are rallying together to develop stringent rules to monitor the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies via peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions. These authorities have observed that fraudsters, seeking to cover their tracks after illicit activities, tend to use cryptocurrencies purchased P2P. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is being urged to revise or create regulations related to digital assets, to…
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