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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Bangkok police block Thaksin’s house amid tension with activist’s sister
Bangkok witnessed a tense standoff yesterday as police cordoned off the area around the residence of Thaksin Shinawatra, preventing Sitanan Satsaksit from approaching the house. Sitanan, the sister of missing democracy activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, sought to question Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen over her brother’s alleged abduction in Cambodia in 2020. Sitanan was barred from reaching Soi Charan Sanitwong 69,…
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Phuket Airport seeks public input on expansion plan
A call to action echoes across Phuket as the Airports of Thailand invite the public to the final hearing on the second phase of Phuket International Airport’s expansion. Slated to be conducted at the prestigious Proud Phuket Hotel in Sakhu, the hearing is scheduled from 9am to 12pm on March 8. The primary objective of this public hearing revolves around…
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Cholnan Srikaew proposes new meth limit for small drug dealers
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew unveils a groundbreaking limit on methamphetamine possession, aimed at crippling small-time drug dealers once and for all. “I insist the law will be effective right after it’s issued.” Under the new policy, individuals found in possession of more than five methamphetamine pills will face criminal charges, while those with lesser quantities will be treated as…
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Cambodia’s ex-PM Hun Sen visits Thaksin at home in Bangkok
The former Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Hun Sen, arrived at Chan Song La in Bangkok at 10.50am today to meet his friend, the former PM of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. The 74 year old former PM had been at his Chan Song La residence for the fourth consecutive day since his release on parole on February 18. Several Thai politicians…
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Thailand invests 37 billion baht for 62,000 new family medicine practitioners
The Thai government approved a significant investment of 37 billion baht into the country’s healthcare sector, aimed at producing an additional 62,000 family medicine practitioners over the next decade. This initiative, approved during a Cabinet meeting yesterday, February 20, is designed to enhance the nation’s primary care services. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke explained that the objective of this investment is…
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Malaysian arrested for rape, theft of 1.2 million baht from Thai ex-wife
Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police arrested a Malaysian man at his Bangkok condominium for raping his Thai ex-wife, stealing 1.2 million baht from her, and stabbing her dog at a house in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat last year. The 53 year old Malaysian man, Lee Woon Earnx, was subject to an arrest warrant following his break-in at…
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Prime Minister of Thailand proposes pollution mitigation fund
The Prime Minister of Thailand proposed the establishment of a pollution mitigation fund with the United Nations (UN). The proposal by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was made during a recent meeting with Amina J Mohammed, the UN’s Deputy Secretary-General, centred around the discussion of sustainable development. Post Tuesday’s Cabinet briefing, the 62 year old prime minister revealed how he had…
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Pickup plunges 10 metres into water pit in Chon Buri
A white Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck plunged more than 10 metres into a water-filled pit in Chon Buri on Monday, February 19, after reportedly nodding off behind the wheel. Responding swiftly to the emergency call, police and local rescue teams found the submerged pickup, but to their relief, the 51 year old driver, Thaweesap Kulbutr, had already been rescued by quick-thinking bystanders.…
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Hong Kong woman strips naked on street during breakup argument
Footage surfaced showing a woman running naked across a Hong Kong street late at night on Monday, followed by a man picking up clothes she discarded along the way. The video, which swiftly went viral, captures a couple’s argument that escalated into a shocking public display on the streets of Tuen Mun in Hong Kong. It begins with the man…
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Thailand sets new meth possession limit to curb drug trade
Thailand Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew expressed confidence in a recently enacted limit on methamphetamine possession, aimed at crippling the operations of small-scale drug dealers. “I insist the law will be effective right after it’s issued.” The freshly minted regulation declares that an individual may possess no more than five methamphetamine pills without attracting criminal charges. Instead of prosecution, such individuals…
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Thai man admits attempted rape of Chinese woman
Police arrested a Thai man for attempting to rape and murder a Chinese woman in Pattaya. The suspect confessed to the attempted rape charge but denied setting her on fire to kill her. The 29 year old Chinese victim, Meilin, filed a complaint at Nong Prue Police Station on February 18 that a Thai motorcycle rider offered her a ride…
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Coconut jelly waste transformed into billion-baht bonanza
Professor Hathaikarn Manuspiya and her team from Chulalongkorn University have turned coconut jelly waste into a goldmine of valuable food ingredients worth billions. In a bid to tackle food waste and revolutionise the circular economy, the team’s creation, dubbed Cello-Gum, promises to reshape industries and economies alike. Professor Hathaikarn, the mastermind behind the ingenious creation, hails from Chulalongkorn University’s Petroleum…
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Thai widow swindled in romance scam by fake college director
A 52 year old woman from Udon Thani has been swindled out of nearly 50,000 baht (US$1,386) in a romance scam by a man who claimed to be the director of a well-known vocational college. The man, who made first contact over Facebook, charmed and deceived her into a romantic entanglement before borrowing money and vanishing without a trace. The…
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Satellite imagery to resolve Khao Yai National Park land dispute
In a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute over Sor Por Kor rights for land located inside Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima, the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment ministries convened yesterday, February 20. They agreed to employ satellite imagery data from the Royal Thai Survey Department to determine the lawful owners of the contentious lands. Agriculture Minister Captain…
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Krabi rampage: Chinese woman blocks road, tries undress, bites cop
A Chinese woman went on a rampage in the southern province of Krabi after breaking up with her boyfriend. She blocked the road, attempted to undress, and bit a police officer on the arm. Mueang Krabi Police Station and Tourist Police officers tried to calm the 34 year old Chinese woman, Zhang Yanxin, after she startled motorists. Witnesses reported that…
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Thai man murders wife, hides her body in rubber plantation
A Thai man in Chachoengsao admitted to the brutal murder of his wife after her remains were found in a rubber plantation. Initially reporting her missing, the 33 year old man named Sirichai later disclosed the violent altercation that led to him taking 27 year old Chollada’s life yesterday, February 20, and attempting to conceal the crime by burning her…
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Prohibition lifted on controversial Shakespeare Must Die film
The long-standing prohibition on the screening of the contentious film, Shakespeare Tong Tai (Shakespeare Must Die), was lifted by the Supreme Administrative Court yesterday, bringing an end to an 11-year ban. The court’s ruling also mandated the Film Screening Committee, informally known as the Censorship Department and operating under the preceding Culture Ministry, to provide financial compensation to the individuals…
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Burned human remains found linked to missing Prachinburi woman
Authorities in Prachinburi province are conducting a meticulous investigation after the discovery of human skeletal remains that had been burned in a rubber plantation. Nearby, a wrist with a bracelet resembling gold was found, which has led to speculation about the identity of the deceased. The coordinates of the last known location of Chollada Muthuras, commonly known as Nunn, aged…
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Thailand extends visa exemption for Kazakhstani tourists
The Thai Cabinet recently extended the visa exemption for Kazakhstani tourists by another six months. The exemption, which is now valid until August 31, is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to stimulate Thailand’s tourism sector. This move comes in the wake of an impressive surge in the number of Kazakhstani visitors, a trend that began after the government waived…
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Dutchman fined 14,000 baht by AI for scratching head whilst driving
A routine act of scratching his head while driving led to an unexpected fine for a Dutchman after an AI-powered traffic camera misinterpreted the gesture for using a mobile phone. Tim Hansen received a fine of 380 euros (14,000 baht) last November, sparking a debate on the efficacy of AI in law enforcement. Hansen was stunned to receive a traffic fine…
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10 year old boy drowns in Mekong River whirlpool
A tragic incident on the banks of the Mekong River claimed the life of a 10 year old boy whose body was discovered last Saturday, February 17, after being drawn into a whirlpool three days prior. Veerawat’s grandfather managed to rescue the boy’s sister but could not reach Veerawat in time. The local authorities in Ubon Ratchathani’s Khemarat district have…
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Ex-Man United and Liverpool stars swap stadiums for fairways
Former Manchester United and Liverpool football icons traded their legendary kits for golfing attire, hitting the lush greens of the prestigious Royal Hua Hin Golf Course in a star-studded get-together. The illustrious gathering, uniting luminaries from two of England’s footballing powerhouses, marked a delightful sojourn for the retired sports heroes, who basked not only in the challenges of Thailand’s oldest…
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Thailand extends visas to Kazakh tourists for six more months
Kazakh tourists will continue to enjoy a visa-free scheme in Thailand for an additional six months, following an extension by the Thai Cabinet. The exemption, applicable to those carrying Kazakhstani passports or equivalent documents, is now due to run from March 1 to August 31, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. “As per our records, each Kazakh tourist spends roughly…
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Cumbria couple relocates to Thailand, goes off-grid
In a tale of resilience and determination, a couple from Cumbria, in the United Kingdom made their dream of relocating to Thailand come true sooner than planned. Formerly entrenched in the bustling food and beverage scene of Cumbria, Ben and Anna battled through the pandemic’s harsh realities, fighting tooth and nail to keep their businesses afloat. “We were both working…
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Edinburgh Thai eatery’s 20-year business comes to an end
Phuket Pavilion, a renowned Thai eatery nestled across from the Playhouse Theatre on Union Street, Edinburgh, UK, closes its doors after over 20 years of operation. The announcement of the eatery’s permanent closure came via a sombre social media post, with a staff member expressing gratitude for 15-plus years of serving food. The once vibrant eatery now stands vacant, marked by…
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Transwoman injures two women in Pattaya Beach attack
A transwoman reportedly attacked two women on Pattaya Beach at 4.36am on Saturday, February 17. The Sawang Boriboon Dhamma Sathan Rescue Foundation Radio Centre in Pattaya received distress calls on February 17, alerting authorities to a harrowing physical assault. Rushing to Soi 13, Pattaya Beach, Bang Lamuand ng, Chon Buri, rescue teams and local police uncovered a scene of horror. Two…
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Man nabbed for illegal otter trade in wildlife bust in Chachoengsao
Authorities in Chachoengsao province apprehended a 26 year old suspect for harbouring protected wildlife, including otters, in his possession. During the raid in Plaeng Yao district, law enforcement officers seized not only the carcasses of three soft-shelled turtles but also those of two pangolins from the suspect’s residence. The identity of the individual, however, remains undisclosed. The suspect is set…
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Thai man loses 10,000 baht after sex with woman met on roadside
A Thai man accused a woman he met on the roadside of stealing 10,000 baht in cash from him after they had sex. The woman insisted the money was her hard-earned cash. Several motorists on the Friendship Highway in the Isaan province of Udon Thani filed a complaint with Nonsung Police Station stating that they witnessed a Thai man chasing…
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The holistic approach of Thai medicine and western medicine
Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM) has evolved over the centuries into a holistic health system that encompasses five diverse approaches: Internal Medicine, External Medicine, Spirit Medicine, Divination, and Buddhism. This natural and comprehensive approach to healthcare mirrors the development of Western medicine. Internal Medicine in TTM involves the use of herbs and diet, a practice that predates Western medicine’s shift to…
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Thai woman disappears after argument with her husband
A Thai woman went missing after an argument with her husband in their car at 3am on Sunday. The husband claimed that his wife jumped out of the car and ran away from him, with the GPS indicating her last known location in Chachoengsao province. A friend of the missing 27 year old Thai woman, Chonlada Muthurong, took to social…
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