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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Thailand Video News | Swiss man’s visa revoked in assault aftermath, Thai reporter acquitted of defamation charges in win for free speech
In this video, Alex and Jay dive into the latest headlines from across Thailand, offering insightful commentary and analysis on a range of pressing issues. Tune in as they discuss Swiss Man’s Visa Revoked Following Assault, Crackdown on E-cigarette and Vape Sales, Investigation Unveils Fake Diamond Scheme, and Thai Reporter Acquitted in Defamation Case. A Thai reporter has been acquitted in…
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Swiss national opts for jail after assaulting Thai woman in mall
A 62 year old Swiss national who physically assaulted a local Thai woman in a mall, chose to remain in custody despite an offer of bail from his former Thai spouse. The Trang Provincial Court had set his bail at 50,000 baht (US$1,406), which his ex-wife was willing to pay. However, the Swiss man, Dieter Matthias Straumann, rejected her assistance and…
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Chiang Mai flower festival blooms success with record visitors
Chiang Mai is basking in the success of its 47th Flower Festival, which attracted a staggering 668,000 visitors, both Thai and international, generating over 80 million baht (US$2.25 million) in revenue. As a result, the province is preparing to enhance the event’s float parade, focusing on innovation and interest for future festivals. On March 8, the deputy governor of Chiang…
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Leopard in the room: Indian boy’s purr-fect phone escape
A young boy in India encountered a leopard in his room while playing on his phone, managing to quietly exit and lock the animal inside. The 12 year old boy, Mohit Ahir, displayed remarkable composure and bravery during the incident. Ahir, the son of a security official at a wedding event, was waiting for his father in the office room…
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Teenager fatally shot in Hua Hin after Facebook feud turns deadly
A teenager was fatally shot in Hua Hin following an altercation through Facebook that escalated into a deadly confrontation. Another individual sustained severe injuries in the incident that unfolded on Naresdamri Road in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The shooting occurred yesterday evening when an argument over social media between the 16 year old boy, identified as Din, and…
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Thai man flees after assaulting girlfriend and killing her lover
A Thai man remains at large after brutally assaulting his girlfriend and killing her lover outside a rented room in the Doi Saket district of the northern province of Chiang Mai. Officers from the Doi Saket Police Station and rescuers from the Sawang Samret Chiang Mai Foundation investigated the physical assaults that took place around midnight on March 5. Officers…
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Thai House rejects labour bill fearing 30% cost surge
A labour welfare bill proposed by the Move Forward Party (MFP) has been rejected by the House of Representatives, sparking concerns about a potential 30% increase in labour costs across Thailand. Despite this setback, the MFP had some success as the House consented to two additional draft bills, one from the Bhumjaithai Party and another from the MFP. List-MP Sia…
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Thai-Cambodian joint operation successfully combats PM 2.5 crisis
A collaborative operation between the Thai and Cambodian governments was launched on March 6, to combat the PM 2.5 problem. This joint initiative was in line with the Thai government’s policy to proactively deal with PM 2.5 dust and hotspots in both nations. The Thai government has recognised the issue of PM 2.5 as a national crisis that requires immediate…
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Bangkok launches Vape Operation crackdown on e-cigarette sales
A comprehensive Vape Operation was launched at 2.30pm on Wednesday, March 6, resulting in a crackdown on major e-cigarette sales sources in various areas of Bangkok. The operation was coordinated by Dr Puangpetch Chunlaid, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, alongside relevant agencies. The targeted e-cigarette sales were estimated to be worth over 3 million baht. Following a detailed…
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Thai government questions credibility of UK’s airport ranking
Thailand’s government spokesperson recently took to social media to question the legitimacy of a ranking released by Business Financing, a UK publisher. The ranking, published in 2023, listed Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports as among the worst in Asia, placing them at the seventh and tenth positions respectively. The ranking also hailed Noi Bai International Airport in Vietnam as the…
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Wheelchair-bound British beautician launches accessible salon
In a remarkable display of resilience, the British beautician, who was paralysed following a balcony fall in Thailand, has launched a pioneering new salon where accessibility is not merely a feature but a guiding principle. Struggling to access conventional beauty treatments after her life-altering accident, Maddi Neale-Shankster envisioned a haven where wheelchair users and the able-bodied could share the same space…
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Thai Night Hong Kong 2024 returns with global partnerships
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), under Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, is abuzz with excitement as Thai Night Hong Kong 2024 approaches. Themed Inspiring Thailand, the event, scheduled for next Monday, March 11 at FILMART, aims to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of the Thai entertainment industry. Presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi,…
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Beware the bill dodger: Thai rescue warns Bangkok eateries of Thai man’s seizure scam
A Thai rescue foundation issued a scam warning to restaurants and bars in Bangkok, urging them to remain vigilant for a Thai man who has been repeatedly feigning seizures after meals to avoid paying his bills. The rescue team, stationed in the Phattanakarn, On Nut, Srinagarindra, and Suan Luang neighborhoods of Bangkok urged the media to highlight the Thai man’s…
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Drunk taxi driver’s wild ride ends in bar smash in Pattaya
A female taxi driver admitted to being intoxicated after causing chaos on Khao Talo Road, East Pattaya in the early hours of this morning. Arriving at the accident scene at the entrance of Soi 10, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, officers from the Nong Prue Police Station discovered a yellow-and-blue taxi from the Pattaya Taxi Cooperative…
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Scoot to fly to Krabi and Hat Yai with new state-of-the-art jets
Scoot, the budget carrier under Singapore Airlines, is about to revolutionise travel with its cutting-edge E190-E2 jets, set to take flight in May. With the delivery of the first and second of nine E2s scheduled for April, Scoot has unleashed its grand plan, unveiling the initial destinations for these state-of-the-art aircraft. The E2s will pave the way for Scoot to…
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US woman detained for Thai restaurant fatal shooting and robbery
A woman was apprehended and slapped with a staggering US$100,000 (approximately 3.6 million baht) cash bail by the Department of Corrections in the US for her involvement in a fatal shooting and robbery outside a local Thai restaurant. Jenna Manibusan’s alleged shooting and robbery of Sumittra Lairopi triggered a cascade of legal proceedings, escalating into a gripping courtroom drama. A…
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Chinese woman hails Thai police for speedy thief arrest
A Chinese woman hailed the swift action of Thai police officers who successfully arrested a thief just three hours after he stole her bag containing 25,000 baht in cash in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. Bang Phli Police Station officers arrested the thief, a 41 year old Thai man named Nikorn Maiwong, at a resort in the Bang Bor district…
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Bali’s new tourist tax: Will it save paradise or sow chaos?
In the latest move to combat over-tourism and preserve its landscapes, Bali introduced a controversial levy for international visitors. Since Valentine’s Day this year, tourists entering Bali have been greeted not only by the island’s breathtaking scenery but also by a new fee of 150,000 rupiah (approximately 340 baht) per person. This move aims to safeguard Bali’s rich cultural heritage…
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Vaping crackdown: 10,000 devices seized in Bangkok market raid
Authorities in Bangkok have apprehended eight suspects and confiscated a staggering haul of over 10,000 e-cigarettes and vaping gadgets in a targeted operation near Ramkhamhaeng University. In a joint effort between the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Royal Thai Police, dubbed the Vape Operation, the crackdown aims to stem the tide of illegal vaping sales flourishing…
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Royal return: King’s son makes emotional homecoming
In a recent social media post, His Majesty the King’s second-eldest son, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, stirred emotions as he shared a photo from Suvarnabhumi Airport, declaring, “I have returned home, as promised.” The post, which garnered over 25,000 likes and a flood of welcoming comments from netizens, marks Vacharaesorn’s third journey to his homeland in less than a year. Having spent…
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Thai credit card holders hit with new 1% fee
In a recent development, holders of credit cards issued in Thailand are set to face a 1% fee for foreign currency conversion starting May 1, as revealed in a notice on the Bangkok Bank website. Local credit card issuers, including Visa and Mastercard, will enforce this fee, also known as dynamic currency conversion (DCC), for transactions made in baht with…
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Woman’s body found floating in Rayong pond prompts police probe
A grim discovery was made at dawn today when a woman’s body was found floating in a durian orchard pond in Rayong province, triggering a police investigation. The unidentified victim, estimated to be between 35 and 40 years old, was found naked and bound, with her head covered by a pair of black and white striped trousers and encased in…
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Investigations reveal fake diamonds and counterfeit jewellery
Authorities in Bangkok have launched a crackdown on jewellery businesses, manufacturers, and distributors following a surge in complaints from unsuspecting tourists. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), alongside key agencies including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Tourist Police, took decisive action to address concerns raised by visitors who felt deceived into purchasing fake diamonds and counterfeit jewellery.…
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Motorcycle repairman fatally crashes into parked truck in Samut Prakan
A tragic road accident claimed the life of a motorcycle repairman as he collided with a parked 18-wheeler truck in the early hours on Samut Prakan province’s Suk Sawat Road. The accident occurred near the Prasamut Chedi Police Station, around 100 metres away from the scene. Police Officer Worachet Dechadesho responded to the incident, which took place at 3.30am today,…
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Summer storm alert for 38 Thai provinces including Bangkok
A summer storm warning has been issued for 38 provinces across northern, northeastern, and central Thailand, and Bangkok, as the country braces for possible severe weather conditions expected to hit from March 8 to March 10. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), in conjunction with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, has been closely monitoring atmospheric conditions and has advised…
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15 year old schoolboy opens fire, injuring 2 rival students in Buriram
A 15 year old schoolboy opened fire at a temple near his school in the Isaan province of Buriram, injuring two rival students. The victims are in a stable condition. Officers from Nongki Police Station were alerted to the temple shooting at Wat Mai Chai Mongkhon at about 12.30pm yesterday, March 6. Police arrived at the scene with the Nongki…
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Thai government urged to prepare for Myanmar refugee influx
In anticipation of a potential surge in refugees from Myanmar, a security expert called on the Thai government to take immediate action by establishing a safety zone or humanitarian corridor near the Thai-Myanmar border. Associate Professor Panitan Wattanayagorn, speaking to Thai PBS, warned of intensified fighting between government troops and rebel forces during the upcoming dry season, fuelled by Myanmar’s…
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Teen finds grandmother’s body in car in central Thailand
In a tragic turn of events in Ang Thong Province, a 17 year old girl discovered the body of her grandmother in a car outside their home. The incident, which unfolded early this morning, is believed to have been driven by family-related stress. Authorities were alerted at 6.30am today, March 7, and an investigation into the cause of death is…
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American woman charged for unlicensed nursery in Koh Pha Ngan
Police charged an American woman for running an unlicensed nursery on Koh Phra Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Seven foreigners were found working at the site without permits. Officers from the Immigration Bureau, Tourist Police, Koh Phra Ngan Police Station, and district office raided a rented house on a coconut plantation on the island which…
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Chiang Mai now world’s third most polluted city
Chiang Mai ranks as the third most polluted city globally amid a severe air quality crisis in northern Thailand, with particulate matter (PM)2.5 levels surging due to widespread forest fires. The situation, which peaked today, March 7, has triggered health concerns and advisories. Northern Thailand is grappling with a significant air pollution crisis. Today, the Air Pollution Crisis Resolution Centre…
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