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 Where to travel in Thailand in April [2025]
Travelling in Thailand is peak during April if you are looking for a real taste of summer. With high temperatures, amazing beaches, and exciting events, April is an amazing time to visit the country as a whole. Due to the...
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Nakhon Si Thammarat emerges as tranquil tourism haven amidst chaos in hotspots like Phuket
As Phuket, Pattaya, and Hua Hin battle with over-tourism, Nakhon Si Thammarat emerges as a tranquil one of Thailand’s favourite getaways. In the throes of over-tourism, Phuket, Pattaya, and Hua Hin are becoming synonymous with congestion, noise, and chaos. The serenity seekers are abandoning the ship, flocking towards the promise of silent travel, as revealed by Condé Nast Traveler. Amidst…
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Fatal motorbike and truck collision in Chachoengsao City centre
A fatal collision between a motorbike and an 18-wheel truck took place around 10am today in the heart of Chachoengsao City. The incident resulted in one death and serious injuries. The accident occurred near the city’s central intersection. The deceased, 49 year old Nikom, from Bang Samak sub-district in Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao, was found with major facial injuries. Nearby…
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Kiwi couple demands refund from Qantas after 10-hour flight in urine
In a stomach-churning revelation, a New Zealand couple successfully secured a refund from Qantas Airways, alleging they unwittingly spent a 10-hour flight submerged in a fellow passenger’s urine. The revolting journey unfolded during a flight from Bangkok to Sydney, leaving the couple fuming and the airline scrambling for damage control. A Qantas spokesperson provided a statement, acknowledging the disturbing incident…
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Delayed launch of Thailand’s 500 billion baht digital wallet rattles government
The much-anticipated 500-billion-baht (US$14.3-billion) digital wallet initiative, a flagship policy of the Pheu Thai-led government, has hit a snag. The planned rollout for May has been deferred, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, delivering a blow to Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin’s coalition government, which has been promoting the scheme as a lifeline for the faltering economy.…
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Thai Cabinet ratifies 3.6 trillion baht budget for fiscal year 2025
The Thai Cabinet ratified a 3.6 trillion baht budget for the fiscal year 2025. This sees an expansion of the budget deficit to 713 billion baht, a 2.89% increase from the previous year. The new budget was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday, following its presentation by the Budget Bureau. It was announced by the Deputy Government Spokesperson, Rudklao Suwankiri.…
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Bangkok residents call for 20 baht fare amid uproar over 100 baht BTS cost
The fare for a journey on the BTS Skytrain from Asoke to Minburi station has been set at 100 baht, causing uproar among Bangkok residents. They argue that it is nearly a third of the daily minimum wage and have started calling for the implementation of the 20 baht fare policy across all routes, previously promised by the government during…
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Tiny tusker in a mud muddle: Brave Thai park rangers rescue baby elephant in perilous plight
A group of intrepid park rangers in Thailand stumbled upon a lone baby elephant at Tat Mok National Park, trapped in mud up to its tiny ears, faced a perilous fate until the rangers stepped in. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) revealed that on January 11, vigilant park rangers discovered a baby elephant ensnared in…
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Russian tourist’s wild rampage damages Phuket Town Hall
A Russian tourist’s reckless rampage through Phuket Town Hall, leading to significant damage to the governor’s office, ended with his arrest and subsequent hospitalisation. The 24 year old man stole a local’s motorbike and fled the scene before being apprehended by police. The incident, which occurred at 7.27am today, was reported to the police by the town hall’s security staff…
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Thailand’s industrial sentiment index drops in December amid economic challenges
A recent announcement by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) revealed that industrial sentiment in Thailand took a downturn in December, recording a decline from 90.9 to 88.8. This significant drop was attributed to a combination of factors, namely the weakening spending power of consumers and prevailing export concerns. The FTI, which is responsible for tracking fluctuations in various business…
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Thai court clears postal worker accused of drug trafficking
A Thai court today dismissed a case against a postal worker accused of being involved in a drug trafficking incident. The case pertained to the seizure of a parcel containing 6,000 ecstasy pills, intercepted at the Bangkok Post Centre in Hua Lamphong, Bangkok, on October 17, 2022. The parcel was traced back to Germany. An Airport Interdiction Task Force comprising…
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Sky’s the limit: Royal Thai Air Force gears up with plans for 12 sleek new fighter jets
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) announced plans for significant advancement, including the procurement of 12 new fighter jets. The development plan will be presented in detail at the RTAF Symposium 2024 next month. Phanpakdee Pattanakul, the Commander-in-chief, laid out RTAF plans, which involve not only the acquisition of new weapons and equipment but also the improvement of existing maintenance…
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New year fortune seekers flock to Kamchanod for lucky numbers
The island of Kamchanod in the Non Mueang District, Ban Dung, Udon Thani Province, continues to attract visitors, hoping for good luck. Today, many came to request blessings and participate in the late-night ceremony conducted by Por Jum Chawakarn, Kam Wan Sa, the resident fortune teller of Kamchanod. People seeking fortune at Kamchanod cannot miss PorJum. Last night’s ceremony took…
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Democrat Party leader refutes ties to pork smuggling scandal
Democrat Party leader Chalermchai Sri-on yesterday refuted claims implicating his former secretary in a controversial pork smuggling case. The allegations stirred a media storm, prompting the need for an official press conference. The former secretary embroiled in the scandal, lawyer Somkiat Korpaisarn, has been accused by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of a host of crimes, not least of…
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Phuket: Chinese street beggar arrested for deceitful collection of donations
A Chinese man has been arrested by police for collecting donations that he falsely claimed would go towards funds to help a disabled child. Phuket police arrested the Chinese national on January 15 for fraud by posing as a deaf-mute person collecting funds for an allegedly sick child with leukaemia who required a bone marrow transplant. The Chinese man had…
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Tragic domestic dispute ends in triple fatality in Khon Kaen
A gruesome incident unfolded in a house in Khon Kaen province when a man shot his wife and mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself. The incident, which occurred at midnight today, left three people dead. The victims were identified as 52 year old Manee, 35 year old Chanutda, and 39 year old Kraipop. A 9mm gun and six bullet…
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Liver cancer claims life of healthy 37 year old: The silent killer no one’s safe from
The tragic tale of a 37 year old patient, who despite regular exercise and abstaining from alcohol, was diagnosed with liver cancer and succumbed to the disease within just two months, stresses the importance of early detection and treatment. The patient’s story was shared by a hospital page to raise awareness about the silent killer that is liver cancer. The…
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Cabbages cash in: Korat farmers cultivate green gold for speedy harvest and sweet profits
Farmers in Korat are turning to the cultivation of cabbages due to their short life cycle, quick harvest, and attractive returns. This shift has been motivated by a departure from traditional crops like potatoes and sugarcane. Farmers are attracted to cabbage farming because it guarantees quick cash flow compared to other crops that take longer to mature and sell. In…
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Buzzing tragedy unfolds as Thai man found dead after bee attack in Chon Buri
A landscaper from Si Sa Ket was discovered lifeless under a tree along Highway 331 in Chon Buri, where authorities suspect involved in a fatal encounter with a beehive. Nong Prue Police Station received an alert about the grim discovery on January 15, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement and rescue teams. Upon arrival, they found a blue Isuzu…
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Police inspector transferred to inactive post following son’s murder involvement in Sa Kaeo
A deputy inspector at Aranyaprathet Police Station has been temporarily transferred to an inactive post at Sa Kaeo police headquarters. Sa Kaeo Police Chief Police Major General Omsin Boonyanuson confirmed the move which aimed to prevent any interference in the murder investigation involving the officer’s teenage son and four other suspects. Speaking to reporters, Omsin assured the public of a…
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Thai CEO donates 1 million baht at singer Kong Huai Rai’s concert
A donation of 1 million baht was bestowed upon the popular singer Kong Huai Rai by Ninew-Niphanrat Salika, the young, wealthy CEO of a world-renowned brand. The generous contribution, made during one of Kong’s concerts, has been deemed the largest garland he has ever received. Kong Huai Rai shared the news with his Facebook followers, posting a picture of the…
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‘Snakes on a Plane’ moment on a Bangkok to Phuket flight sparks online frenzy (video)
A shocking “Snakes on a Plane” incident unfolded on a domestic flight when a slithery serpent was discovered slithering over the head of a passenger. A TikTok user, @wannabnailssalon, uploaded a series of three clips detailing the event, causing a stir among netizens. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 13, when the TikTok user was returning from Bangkok to Phuket. As…
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Thai government’s 500 billion baht Digital Wallet Scheme hangs in the balance
The eagerly anticipated meeting of the Digital Wallet Committee has been abruptly postponed. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai revealed that the delay hinges on the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) awaited verdict. Council of State’s Secretary General, Pakorn Nilprapunt advocated for the committee to seek input not just from the Council of State but also from the NACC. Last week, the Council of…
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Sports car driver caught drifting at Sukhumvit Road intersection
In a daring public display of automotive bravado, a sports car driver was caught on CCTV performing multiple drifts at a busy traffic light intersection on Sukhumvit Road, in the Bang Saen district of Chon Buri. The reckless act occurred around 12.30am on January 8, inciting disapproval from locals. According to surveillance footage, the driver performed several laps of drifting…
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Sa Kaeo murder sparks debate over police transparency and leniency on teenage murderers
The murder of a Thai woman in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo sparked a debate about the lenient punishment handed out to teenage murderers and raised concerns about the transparency of the Thai police. The dead body of a 47 year old Thai woman named Buaphan Thansu was found in a pond near an abandoned petrol station in the…
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Police confirm model Prawrawee Sahatthatphong’s death as suicide
Unveiling a fresh timeline, police authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the evidence gathered backs the assumption that Prawrawee Sahatthatphong, also known as Yoko, the 28 year old motor show model, took her own life on November 1. The recently surfaced data reveals that Prawrawee, who was found lifeless in her Ekkamai condominium, had procured a bottle of cyanide online in…
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Thai government resists Israeli embassy’s call for hostage release in Gaza
A call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, initiated by the Israeli embassy, met with opposition from the Thai government. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara expressed his disapproval of the move on Tuesday. He has requested a meeting with the Israeli ambassador for a discussion on the issue.…
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Royal Thai Air Force to battle surging fine dust pollution crisis
With fine dust pollution surging to alarming levels in Thailand, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin tasked the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) with spearheading the nation’s countermeasures. RTAF chief ACM Phanpakdee Pattanakul yesterday confirmed the directive. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) revealed that the provinces of Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon are presently grappling with high levels of…
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Motorcycle and pickup collision causes fatal accident in Mueang Chachoengsao
A fatal collision occurred between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Suk Prayun Road near the Ju Chareon intersection in Mueang Chachoengsao. The incident took place close to a U-turn point in the city centre, and resulted in the death of the 31 year old motorcycle rider, Waranyu Worasing, also known as Kru Gai. Authorities were alerted to the…
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Thai justice minister supports DSI in bribery, human trafficking probe
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong stepped forward to support the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) as it investigates accusations of bribery and human trafficking levelled against two previous Cabinet ministers and two high-ranking officials involved in the supply of Thai labour to Finland. Tawee, who spoke before the regular Tuesday Cabinet meeting, denied any form of victimisation in the joint inquiry…
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Tourist traps or traffic tricks? Pattaya’s road signs under scrutiny
The Machanu Roundabout, where Jomtien Second Road meets the path to Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, has turned into a perilous zone, prompting residents to demand swift intervention. The pedestrian crossing signs, seemingly innocuous, are placed at a precarious height of only 160 centimetres. Tourists, oblivious to the looming hazard, find themselves colliding with these signs, resulting in a string of…
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