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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Thai-llywood lights, camera, baht! 2023 sees record of 6.6 billion baht roll in from film shoots in Thailand
A record-breaking 6.6 billion baht was generated by over 466 film shoots in Thailand in 2023, marking an impressive 40% increase in revenue from the previous year. This remarkable upturn was largely credited to the production of high-budget films, including a blockbuster with a budget of 3 billion baht. Jaturon Phakdeewanit, the head of the Tourism Department, noted the significant…
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Thai PM approves Clean Air bill: A milestone for environmental protection
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday penned his approval of the Clean Air bill. The signing ceremony took place at 9.30am on January 11 in Chiang Mai during the PM’s scheduled visit to review the city’s public transportation systems and ongoing air pollution issues. This move was a significant stride towards addressing Thailand’s air pollution predicament, a subject that has…
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Thai Airways soars back to Milan and Oslo after a four-year break
Thai Airways (THAI) is ready to conquer the European skies, reviving services to Milan Malpensa Airport and Oslo Gardermoen Airport after a four-year hiatus. The Bangkok – Milan route will be graced by the sleek Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, flaunting 298 seats across two classes. Meanwhile, the Bangkok – Oslo journey will witness the grandeur of the Boeing 777-300ER, a majestic…
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Shanghai’s Juneyao Air to operate flights to Chiang Mai
Juneyao Air is set to reignite the battle for the Shanghai-Chiang Mai route, challenging fierce rivals China Eastern Airlines and Spring Airlines. Juneyao’s A320neo will operate daily flights from Shanghai to the northern Thai capital, starting from January 20. The airline’s flight schedule is as follows: HO1325 PVG 1835 – CNX 2235 32N Daily HO1326 CNX 2335 – PVG 0425+1…
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Thailand to boost tourism to drive economic growth
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is on a mission to stimulate tourism, focusing on boosting revenue in 55 secondary provinces by a staggering 20%, aiming for a grand total of 91 million trips this year. This ambitious goal, however, falls short of the mark for key provinces. For the first nine months of the previous year, the 55 secondary tourism…
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Motorcycle stunt goes awry at Chiang Mai fair, stuntman hospitalised
An unfortunate accident occurred yesterday during a daring motorcycle stunt at the winter fair and the Chiang Mai Good OTOP fair. The stuntman, known only as Tae, was injured when his motorcycle lost control during a barrel-climbing show and fell, hitting the floor hard. This incident happened behind the provincial government centre, where the event was taking place. Emergency services…
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PM Srettha visits Chiang Mai street food market in soft power move
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin set the stage for Thailand’s unique foray into soft power, blending strategic attractions such as pigeon racing and Muay Thai. PM Srettha, on a visit to Chiang Mai, didn’t just stick to the official script but delved into progressive discussions that could reshape the nation’s global influence. Taking a casual stroll through Chiang Mai’s famed street…
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Bangkok governor defends city’s fourth plan revision amid public criticism
Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, stood firm in defence of the city’s fourth plan revision amid public censure for its perceived favouritism towards developers. The 57 year old city chief yesterday, January 11, responded to the criticism by affirming City Hall’s receptiveness to constructive feedback while cautioning against potentially divisive comments. Chadchart explained via a Facebook post that the…
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How to travel and work in Thailand
Thailand is a beautiful Southeast Asian country renowned for its ancient ruins, ornate temples, and gorgeous tropical beaches. It’s also an affordable country to live and travel in, making it a desirable location for travellers. Given these factors, it’s only natural to consider long-term travel in Thailand. If you’re wondering how you can travel and work in Thailand to make…
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Double-down drama: DOPA crackdown sees 200 gamblers dealt a losing hand in southern Thailand
Officers from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) yesterday swooped on a gambling den in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat and arrested 200 gamblers. Residents in Nakhon Si Thammarat submitted a complaint about the gambling house to the Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiseth. They reported that the gambling den was open 24 hours a day. More than 200…
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Phuket: Motorcycle taxi rider fatally stabbed during brawl, another injured
Two motorcycle taxi riders got embroiled in a brawl in Patong, Phuket, yesterday, leading to one fatality at the scene, while the other sustained serious injuries. The deceased taxi rider, 61 year old Samanmart Ueanoth, was found with three stab wounds to his chest and was transported to the local hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries and lost his…
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2 Indian men arrested near Bangkok for offering high-interest loans
Immigration Bureau (IB) officers announced a successful operation to arrest two Indian men illegally offering high-interest loans to Thai people in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The IB launched the operation to crack down on foreigners running illegal businesses or posing as powerful and influential people in the communities. The operation led officers to a 39 year old Indian man, identified…
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Thai PM sparks a brighter future: Electric mass transit pledge to zap pollution in Chiang Mai
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to foster the development of electric mass transit systems as a solution to the persistent air pollution issues plaguing the northern province. 61 year old Thai prime minister noted that the fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) levels had considerably decreased since his last visit on November 28 of the previous year. The…
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Thai Vietjet flight lands on wrong taxiway at Fukuoka International Airport
Thai Vietjet Air‘s flight VZ810 from Bangkok‘s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Fukuoka International Airport experienced a mishap when the pilot landed on the wrong taxiway. The said flight landed at 8.38am local time with a total of 157 passengers. Upon landing, the flight taxied to the assigned gate as instructed. However due to weather conditions and poor visibility, the aircraft…
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Russian man crosses borders without essential documents
An intriguing incident left many baffled, as a Russian man managed to cross international borders without any essential travel documents. Sergei Ochikawa flew from Denmark to the United States, claiming he had discarded his passport aboard the plane. The case has triggered a wave of confusion among immigration officers, who were presented with an extraordinary situation. Ochikawa, without any of the…
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Indonesian bride marries brother-in-law, their love story goes viral
A 21 year old Cinta bride from East Kalimantan, Indonesia, recently made waves online when she revealed that her groom was none other than her former brother-in-law. This intriguing story began eight years ago when Cinta attended her sister’s wedding. In 2015, Cinta was present at the wedding ceremony of her sister, which took place with a man named Rangga…
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Pattaya: Pathway hazard caused by parked cars, potholes, and uneven tiles
Locals and tourists found themselves grappling with perilous pathways along Pattaya‘s Second Road, turning the once-bustling path into a hazardous route. Haphazardly parked cars, potholes, and uneven blocks create a challenging terrain for pedestrians, but that’s not all – advertising signs and encroaching vehicles add to the chaos, further squeezing the already tight walkway. The epicentre of this safety crisis…
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Thai woman harassed over 20 year old missing car debt
A Thai woman found herself under severe intimidation after receiving a threatening call demanding payment for a car debt for a vehicle that disappeared nearly 20 years ago. The caller, using harsh language, even threatened to seize her assets if she failed to make the payment. The case came to light when a TikTok user named khoeilao99 posted her ordeal…
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Buddhist monk Phra Phayom weighs in on ‘year brewing’ social media storm
Renowned Buddhist monk Phra Phayom discusses the recent social media controversy over the Chinese astrological belief of year brewing. He urges people to maintain a good state of mind and to believe in karma and perseverance, citing the example of the heated debate on social media initiated by Prairie Praiwan Wannabutr. Today, reporters asked Phra, the abbot of Wat Suan…
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State Railway of Thailand introduces advance booking service for Songkran
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) rolled out a game-changing 90-day advance booking service for CNR express trains on key routes, just in time for the upcoming Songkran festivities. This initiative, set to kick off tomorrow, January 12, aims to alleviate the surge in travel demand during the Thai New Year celebrations. Kicking off with Songkran, the service allows eager…
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Thai man shoots friend dead after mistaking him for a rat
A Thai man shot and killed his friend in a sugar cane field in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum, claiming he thought his friend was a rat. Kasetsombun Police Station officers swooped on the sugar cane field in the Kasetsombun district at 12.45am, January 10, following a report of the shooting. Officers found a Thai man, 31 year old Adisak,…
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Disabled man falls from wheelchair on uneven EEC project road, sparks outrage
A disabled man selling lottery tickets was spotted tumbling from his wheelchair onto the road due to an uneven surface. The incident, captured on CCTV, sparked outrage on social media. The man was attempting to navigate the bumpy road in an area earmarked for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, specifically designed to be accessible for disabled people. The incident…
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Thai man survives third floor suicide attempt after argument with wife
A Thai man survived a suicide attempt after jumping from the third floor balcony of his apartment in Chon Buri province following a heated argument with his wife. Sriracha Police Station officers were alerted to the suicide attempt at the three-storey apartment in Sriracha district of Chon Buri province yesterday, January 10. Upon investigating the scene, officers found the 21…
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National Children’s Day: Thai police takes opportunity to raise awareness of child abduction
Statistics show that the number of missing children has increased in the past five years. Child abduction is still a large concern in Thailand with the perpetrator often being a repeat offender. The mother of a missing girl, nicknamed Cartoon, opened up for the first time in 10 years to stop any more children getting kidnapped. The Mirror Foundation is…
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Thai teacher allegedly demands 200 baht for grades: School investigates
A shocking revelation has come to light ahead of Teachers’ Day as reports of a teacher allegedly accepting money from students in return for grades surfaced online. The teacher reportedly demanded 200 baht (US$6) from each student who wanted to pass without having to take the exam. The school’s director has since suspended the accused teacher and has set up…
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Mixed reactions to Thailand’s new cannabis law from tourism industry
The recent draft law on cannabis and hemp, targeting to limit recreational use, is garnering mixed reactions from Thailand’s tourism industry. While it could potentially lead to the closure of several dispensaries, industry insiders feel it wouldn’t have a significant impact on the overall tourism landscape as cannabis and hemp aren’t primary attractions for international visitors. The bill, endorsed by…
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Thai man arrested for house burning, orchestrating rape of mother-in-law
Police today arrested a Thai man responsible for a house burning and the architect behind the rape of his mother-in-law in the southern province of Phetchaburi. The accomplice involved in the crime is still at large. Kaeng Krachan Police Station officers yesterday, January 10, embarked on a search for two suspects, Yuranan Pranprai and Chaiwat Auambut, also known as Pae,…
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British scientist’s findings suggest new cave virus in Thailand
In the heart of Thailand, a cave harbours a virus with an eerie connection to Covid-19, and Dr Peter Daszak, a renowned expert in zoonosis, is sounding the alarm. Previously dismissed lab leak theories resurface as this cave virus, linked to both SARS-CoV-2 and RATG13, raises questions about its potential to infect humans. Hailing from Dukinfield, near Manchester, Dr Daszak,…
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Armed men spark terror in Yala, two officers seriously wounded (video)
A group of armed men sparked terror in Yala‘s Bannang Sata district when they targeted a pickup truck carrying border patrol police officers. The terrifying incident, which occurred yesterday afternoon, resulted in two officers being seriously wounded and caused locals to flee the scene in panic. The assault took place in broad daylight outside a local grocery store in Buesu…
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Rayong police criticised for imposing 10pm curfew on kids under 18 years old
Mueang Rayong Police Station in the eastern province of Rayong is facing criticism for imposing a 10pm curfew on residents aged under 18 years old. The official Facebook page of Mueang Rayong Police Station shared the curfew announcement yesterday, January 10. “From today, people under the age of 18 are not allowed to leave their homes after 10pm without a…
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