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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Debate over Thai government’s digital wallet handout impact on public debt
The Thai government’s proposed 10,000-baht digital wallet handout has sparked debate, with concerns regarding its potential impact on public debt. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that this economic stimulus is necessary as economic growth has averaged only 2% annually over the past decade, insufficient to support the country’s ageing population in the future. With low GDP growth, the government’s…
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Thai customs paws animal smuggling duo, 124 untamed treasures seized
Two men were apprehended by Thai customs officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday for alleged wildlife smuggling, according to Phanthong Loykulnanta, the spokesperson for the Customs Department. Over 124 wild, unregistered animals were seized in the operation. A 24 year old man from Korea was one of those detained. Airport officers found 44 wild animals, including tarantulas and iguanas, concealed…
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BAAC plans to boost export of high-value agricultural goods
Chatchai Sirilai, the president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), stated that the bank will augment its role as a facilitator for the export of high-value agricultural goods. This move is aimed at increasing income for farmers. The BAAC’s strategy is focused on nurturing a new generation of farmers who concentrate on producing quality products, rather than…
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Call centre scam alert: Thai DES ministry urges probe after Myanmar repatriation
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) in Thailand has urged the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to probe a call centre scam following the repatriation of victims from Myanmar, a country currently in the throes of conflict. DES Minister, Prasert Jantararuangtong, disclosed that 41 Thai citizens were repatriated from the embattled town of Laukkaing in the Shan State over…
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Generative AI takes center stage: Chinese tech giants intensify development to compete globally
Leading technology corporations in China are escalating their efforts in the development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to compete with their US counterparts. They are launching extensive language models (LLM) that will support a wide array of applications, from weather prediction and financial analysis to 3D e-commerce, with the primary objective of enhancing enterprise productivity and user experience. McKinsey,…
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Sugar cane farmers dispute government’s 2 baht price hike
Sugar cane farmers in Thailand are seeking clarification from the industry and commerce ministries regarding the Cabinet’s decision to allow a mere 2-baht increase per kilogramme in ex-factory sugar prices. The decision has been deemed unfair by sugar manufacturers as it falls short of the four-baht price hike requested by the Cane and Sugar Board. Citing escalating manufacturing costs due…
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Unexpected reunion at Siam Paragon leads to 350,000 baht repayment (video)
The world indeed goes round in unexpected ways, as discovered by a TikTok user @kanokyai2022 who chanced upon an old friend in Siam Paragon, Bangkok, after a separation of 22 years. Following this unexpected reunion, the friend promptly returned a long-overdue loan of 10,000 dollars, which converted to almost 500,000 baht yesterday. Once upon a time, the two were friends…
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Economic ties in focus: Thai PM extends invitation to Biden
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently extended an invitation for an official visit to US President, Joe Biden. This invitation was extended during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit that took place in San Francisco. The Thai PM used this platform to assure President Biden of Thailand’s readiness to serve as a base for major American companies’ production, boosting their…
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Customer testing a lighter triggers devastating fire in Thai supermarket
A shocking escape unfolded as a customer testing a lighter ignited a fire at a shop at the mouth of Lat Phrao-Wang Hin Soi 22. The entire store was engulfed in flames. Authorities were alerted to the fire at a supermarket today at 9am, Thai time. Assistant Inspector Chatri Khaosaat, Deputy Detective (Investigator) of Chok Chai Police Station, along with…
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Anntonia Porsild secures highest Miss Universe placement for Thailand since 1988
Anntonia Porsild, the 27 year old representative of Thailand in the Miss Universe 2023 beauty contest, garnered the first runner-up position, earning the nation’s highest placement since 1988. This achievement was announced at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, which took place at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke revealed Prime Minister Srettha…
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Long-hunted Thai vegetable vendor arrested for child molestation
A 63 year old vegetable vendor was arrested today in the bustling market of Rayong, after evading justice for six years. The man was apprehended by a police team led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phadet Ngam Lamom and Police Lieutenant Colonel Burin Kapitta. The arrest was executed under a warrant issued by the Loei Provincial Court in 2017, on charges…
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Cyber police nab call centre gang for 1.5 million baht scam
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) led an operation to apprehend a call centre gang, that swindled a doctor’s wife out of 1.5 million baht through account manipulation. The behaviour of the gang was exposed, and a key arrest warrant was issued today. Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakornbuncha, Chief of the Special Operations Division, directed Police Lieutenant Colonel Satra Sukhanusas,…
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Struggling family with ill father seeks roadside aid in Sattahip
A three month old baby girl from Nakhon Phanom was taken by her mother to seek help for her husband suffering from a facial tumour, which caused blindness in his right eye. The family, living by the roadside, found themselves in dire straits with the father’s pain intensifying, prompting an emergency call to rescue services around 12.30am today. Sa-wang Rojanathammasathan…
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Temperature plummets to 11 degrees in Huai Nam Dang National Park
Huai Nam Dang National Park in Mae Hong Son Province is experiencing a rapid drop in temperature, reaching as low as 11 degrees Celsius. The park’s head anticipates the temperature may soon dip into single digits, possibly leading to frost. Buncha Ramsiri, the head of Huai Nam Dang National Park, disclosed that the lowest temperature recorded this morning was 11…
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Jatuporn criticises government’s proposed digital wallet scheme
The digital wallet initiative proposed by the government has come under fire from Jatuporn Prompan, a former red-shirt leader and co-leader of the Melting Pot Group. In a livestream on Facebook, Jatuporn voiced his concerns about the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s repeated withdrawal from pledges, including their initial vow not to form a government with ex-coalition parties from the previous…
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Tragic accident at Thai religious procession: One dead and several injured
A tragic accident transpired during a festive religious procession in Thailand, resulting in one death and numerous injuries. A modified bus, driven by a novice 31 year old driver, lost control and ploughed into the crowd of merry villagers, resulting in the death of a 52 year old woman and injuring dozens more. The incident took place yesterday, in the…
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Tragic car plunge in Udon Thani canal claims three lives
A tragic accident unfolded when a car, en route to a relative’s ordination ceremony, plunged into a canal between bridges, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. A one month old girl miraculously survived, ejected from her mother’s lap outside the vehicle. The incident occurred at 1.30pm yesterday. Deputy Inspector Kittikawin Umathitipong of Nong Han Police Station, Udon Thani province,…
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Bangkok police hunt for Thai woman behind Taiwanese man’s murder
Bangkok police are pursuing an arrest warrant for a Thai woman alleged to have orchestrated the killing of a 48 year old Taiwanese man, Chu Chiang Shen, in the city. Additionally, they are liaising with Interpol in an attempt to apprehend another suspect hailing from Vanuatu who is believed to have left the country. Following the detention of two male suspects,…
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Tragic motorbike crash: Young Thai man dragged 500 metres by lorry
A 26 year old man died tragically after his motorbike crashed into the back of a 10-wheel lorry and was dragged for more than 500 metres. The incident occurred in Chachoengsao and was reported to police at 4.20am yesterday. The deceased, identified as Tawiwan, was found in a shocking state, with broken arms and legs. His helmet was discovered in…
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Early morning 4.0 magnitude earthquake shakes Sangkhla Buri district
Sangkhla Buri district witnessed an earthquake of 4.0 magnitude in the early hours of today. The tremors were felt across Kanchanaburi, a province in the west of Thailand. Kanrawee Sitthicheewapak, the director-general of the department, affirmed that the quake’s epicentre lay 6 kilometres beneath tambon Nong Lu and occurred at approximately 3.07am. The department’s Earthquake Observation Division attributed the quake…
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Suspected suicide: Famed Thai radio personality DJ Ko found dead in Khlong Toei hotel
The Thai broadcasting scene was met with shock and grief as 36 year old famed radio personality, Trin Ruangkitratanakul, better known as DJ Ko, plunged to his death in a Bangkok hotel yesterday afternoon (November 17). The incident, which took place in the bustling district of Khlong Toei, is currently being investigated as a suspected suicide. Local law enforcement received…
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Former insurance employee arrested for selling client data illegally
A former insurance employee has been apprehended by the cyber police for selling client data illegally from a bank-affiliated insurance company. The arrest made on November 16 followed the issuance of a warrant by the Thon Buri Criminal Court. The suspect was seized at the entrance of a posh residential community in Phasi Charoen district, with two mobile phones confiscated…
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Chon Buri: Unlawful doctor arrested for practising medicine from home
Authorities have apprehended an unlawful doctor, known colloquially as Doctor Gee, who was running an unauthorised medical practice from his residence. Despite only having completed his secondary education, Doctor Gee trained in bone-setting and provided treatment to patients. The activities of the unlawful doctor were discovered today (November 18), when the police, along with Health Support Department and the Chon…
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Thailand’s digital wallet loan bill yet to reach Council of State
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced yesterday that a proposed bill, which aims to secure a loan of 500 billion baht for the digital wallet scheme, has not been presented to the Council of State yet. The revelation came after the digital wallet policy committee meeting, where numerous issues were discussed. Despite the Council of State’s readiness to scrutinise the…
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Seismic upheaval in Myanmar prompts call for earthquake-resistant structures in Thailand
A seismic upheaval of 6.4 magnitude rattled Myanmar and was perceptible in various regions of Thailand yesterday, prompting engineers and academics to urge the implementation of stringent regulations to ensure the resilience of structures against future earthquakes. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.4, originated in Myanmar at 8.37am yesterday. The Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department reported the…
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Thailand’s Public Health Ministry finalises Cannabis-Hemp Act draft
The Cannabis-Hemp Act‘s first draft has been completed by the Public Health Ministry, and despite public speculation, cannabis will not be reclassified as a narcotic. According to Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew, the new legislation is a refined version of the initial draft, now streamlined from 94 to approximately 70 sections. The updated version addresses public concerns and closes loopholes…
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Anti scam centre freezes 2,500 bank accounts in fight against fraud
In a significant move against call-centre scams, the Anti Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC) froze 2,671 bank accounts in its initial two weeks of operation. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke shared these statistics, highlighting the effectiveness of the centre, which was launched on November 1 to combat such fraudulent activities. The centre received a staggering 38,564 distress calls from victims within…
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TikTok user introduces followers to Thai dish of golden orb spider (video)
A TikTok personality, known as @tdploy, recently introduced her followers to an unusual dish, Golden Orb Spider from her native region. The dish, Golden Orb Spider (แมงย่างซี้น), prepared from a large spider indigenous to Thailand, sparked curiosity amongst her online community yesterday (November 17). Despite the creepy appearance, @tdploy assures that its taste is surprisingly delicious. Nestled within the forest,…
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Noodle shop owner’s touching tale of caring for ailing old man goes viral (video)
A TikTok user named @doodee_jau, posted a video clip while watching a sick old man that she cared for lying in bed. The accompanying message read: “Grandpa, you are at peace now. I don’t think it will be the last time. I will love and miss you always. This life is nothing like this. But merit brought us together.” At 1.30pm…
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Fateful flight: French tourist becomes another statistic of the ‘Pattaya Flying Club’
A 43 year old French tourist became yet another statistic of the insensitively named “Pattaya Flying Club” when he jumped from a hotel building in Pattaya and died at the scene. Police Lieutenant Anirut Jeroh, Deputy Inspector of Investigation, Pattaya City Police Station, received a report at 4.20am this morning of a French tourist who fell to his death from…
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