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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Thai military officer’s road rage prompts armed forces investigation
A road rage incident involving armed military personnel has prompted an investigation by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters. The episode, captured on video, featured a uniformed military man, armed with a pistol, confronting a pickup truck driver at a toll plaza over his driving behaviour. The incident came to light when the truck driver filmed the confrontation on…
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Thailand’s cannabis sector faces threat from recreational use ban
The future of recreational cannabis use in Thailand is under siege, with the government set to roll out a ban by year-end while still permitting its medical use. Thodsapol Hongtong, a 31 year old influencer with his own cannabis shop and online platform, Channel Weed Thailand, enjoys the camaraderie and economic benefits of the booming cannabis sector, estimated to be…
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Family calls for accountability after tragic crash takes mother’s life
A tragic road accident claimed the life of a beloved mother when a truck collided with her vehicle on March 11. The bereaved family, heartbroken and seeking solace, calls for the trucking company owner, who is also a secretary to a government minister, to demonstrate responsibility by paying respects to the deceased. On the day following the accident, March 12,…
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Bangkok taxi driver returns bag containing US$3,310 and passports
A 51 years old taxi driver from Bangkok found himself in the spotlight after returning a passenger’s forgotten handbag, which contained a considerable sum of US$ 3,310 and two Myanmar passports. The incident took place on March 7, and it was reported to the public by FM91 Trafficpro yesterday. Songchai Chaiiam has a long-standing reputation for honesty, cultivated over his…
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Fatal crash in Udon Thani as driver fatigue leads to tragedy
A tragic road accident occurred yesterday at 7.50am when a pickup truck veered off course and collided with a streetlight before plunging into the central ditch of Mittraphap Road in Udon Thani, Thailand. The driver, a 56 year old man from Udon Thani, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his wife, in her 50s, sustained injuries. Witthaya Panlao, Chief…
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Bangkok governor defends handling of Klong Ong Ang amid criticism
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stood firm on Saturday against criticism aimed at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and its handling of Klong Ong Ang in the Samphanthawong district. The BMA found itself on the receiving end of accusations of abandonment, with critics arguing that the area had been left to deteriorate. Chadchart staunchly refuted these claims, reinforcing that the district…
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Air force serviceman opens fire in Samut Prakan, injures one
A 26 year old man was injured when a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) soldier opened fire in a residential area in Samut Prakan province yesterday, following disputes over noise from a group of teenagers. The gunman, identified as an RTAF serviceman, later surrendered to the police. The incident, which took place in the Bang Phli housing estate, has shaken…
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Thailand gears up for severe summer storms with hail risk
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning about the impending summer storms, marked by thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible hail in some areas, followed by a drop in temperatures. Residents are advised to brace for the turbulent weather slated to strike from March 19 to March 20. As Thailand braces for a spell of severe weather, the TMD alerted…
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The state of casino gambling in Thailand: laws and reality
Millions of people are drawn to the excitement of gambling and bright lights in casinos in today’s world. The issue of casino gambling in Thailand is characterised by a difficult combination of legislation and cultural practices. In a country famous for tourism, why aren’t the gamblers being cater to, like Singapore, Macau or even Vegas? What lies beyond the law…
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McDonald’s mayhem: Global online services grind to a halt
McDonald’s, the global fast food titan, has been left reeling after a major technical glitch sent shockwaves across its chain, leaving customers hungry and frustrated. The culprit? A third-party provider’s blunder, not cyber-criminals as feared. The chaos unfolded during a routine configuration change, causing a system-wide outage that crippled operations in the fast food giant’s key markets like the UK,…
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Indonesia: Taiwanese found dead after boat accident
A Taiwanese citizen has been discovered lifeless following a boat accident near Jakarta, Indonesia. In the waters off Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, tragedy struck when a passenger boat, carrying 35 individuals, capsized near the Kepulauan Seribu area. Amidst the chaos, all but one were swiftly rescued, leaving authorities scrambling to locate the missing Taiwanese passport holder. The Taiwanese man was identified…
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Fashion brands linked to brutal slaughter of reptiles in Thailand (video)
Undercover investigators have leaked a video and shocking images that uncover the horrifying truth behind Thailand’s reptile farms, which supply major fashion brands like Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton. The footage reveals a grim reality of snakes being mercilessly slaughtered by farm workers wielding hammers, questioning the ethics of fashion brands. In a disturbing sequence, workers are seen…
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Lopburi temple’s lucky charms spark lottery ticket frenzy
A temple in Lopburi province recently became a hub of excitement and hope for lottery enthusiasts. People from all corners flocked to the Thung Pong Charoen Tham temple, seeking blessings and lucky numbers from the revered Luang Phor Samret, widely regarded as a bringer of fortune. The temple, located in the Wang Pling subdistrict of Koksamrong district, has a reputation…
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Five dead in pickup crash near Sing Buri
A collision in Sing Buri Province resulted in five fatalities, including a child, when a pickup truck crashed into a sedan, sending the vehicle plunging into a nearby waterway. The incident occurred near the 86-kilometre marker on the road heading towards Nakhon Sawan Province today. Emergency services, upon receiving the distress call, coordinated with local rescue teams to investigate the…
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Srettha pledges to address Thai civil servant debt issue
Addressing the debt crisis affecting nearly three million Thai civil servants, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to address the issue accordingly. The government’s focus is on reducing interest rates to alleviate the financial burden. PM Srettha spoke of the positive progress made in the last two months following a meeting with 11 state agency chiefs who are working towards solving…
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Thailand consumer council pushes for AI regulation
The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) is pushing for the modernisation of the Consumer Protection Act 1979, in order to accommodate the emerging trends in technology, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). This call for change comes in tandem with the TCC’s latest campaign, Responsible and Fair AI for Consumers, which was launched on World Consumer Rights Day. The campaign…
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Thai Business Department warns against online scammers
The Department of Business Development (DBD) in Thailand issued a warning to businesses, uncovering a new ploy by online scammers that could leave unsuspecting victims in legal jeopardy. DBD Director-General Oramon Sapthaveetham sounded the alarm today, urging businesses to stay vigilant or face the consequences. According to Oramon, the DBD has been inundated with complaints from businesses targeted by fraudulent phone…
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Thai teacher arrested after blackmailing student with her explicit videos
A Thai mother sought help from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) after her 18 year old daughter attempted to commit suicide, saying her teacher was blackmailing her by posting her explicit videos on several online platforms. The mother told the IDMB that her 18 year old daughter had undergone a change. She appeared distressed and expressed…
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PM Srettha joins dinner with Thaksin and Somchai in Chiang Mai
In an extraordinary meeting, Srettha Thavisin, Thaksin Shinawatra and Somchai Wongsawat gathered for dinner last night in Chiang Mai. The trio, led by current PM Srettha, are set to gather as Thaksin, on parole, returns to his hometown for various engagements, including paying homage to his late parents. Thailand’s 23rd prime minister, Thaksin, despite a corruption conviction, barely tasted prison…
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Thai entrepreneurs make record-breaking sales at Japan food expo
Fifty Thai entrepreneurs showcased their culinary prowess at the Foodex Japan 2024 exhibition held in Tokyo from March 5 to 8. The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) revealed that the response from Japanese buyers was so overwhelming that sales soared to nearly 2.5 billion baht. Chanthapat Panjamanond, Thailand’s commercial attaché in Tokyo revealed that orders for Thai food products…
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Thai Drinks targets Gen Z in Asia for est Cola expansion
Keen on broadening its reach in Asia, Thai Drinks, the company managing est Cola, is targeting the Gen Z market for expansion. Forecasting a growth of 25% in the Thai carbonated soft drink market due to warmer weather and intensive marketing campaigns, Suporn Denpaisarn, the non-alcoholic beverages division head at Thai Drinks, reveals their growth plans. According to Nielsen IQ…
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Microsoft CEO halts Southeast Asia trip including Bangkok
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella delayed his visit to Thailand and neighbouring Southeast Asian nations, as announced yesterday. The eagerly awaited Microsoft Build: AI Day event slated for March 21 in Bangkok now hangs in limbo indefinitely, Microsoft revealed on Friday. “We are doing our utmost in preparing to reschedule the event and will inform you of the details as soon as…
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Concerns over readiness of Thailand’s secondary cities for tourism
The private sector has expressed concerns over the readiness of Thailand’s secondary cities for a major tourism boost, despite Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s declaration that 2024 will be “the greatest year for Thai tourism in history.” These concerns were voiced during a recent tourism workshop at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where the 62 year old Thai PM outlined…
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Nanny-napped: Israeli woman detained in Thailand for unauthorised nursery
An Israeli woman was detained in Surat Thani on accusations of running an unauthorised nursery facility for foreign children on Koh Pha Ngan. Four other international individuals were also apprehended for unlawful employment and associated transgressions. Noppadol Khaomali, the Koh Pha Ngan district leader, guided local authorities, police, immigration officials, and representatives from pertinent agencies to a house inspection in the…
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Bangkok’s children gasp for air amidst pollution nightmare
Children in Bangkok suffer daily from heavy air pollution, battling constant coughs and other possible respiratory illnesses. Pupils at Suan Lumphini School confront the harsh reality of their environment each morning as they assemble under coloured flags denoting the day’s air quality: a distressing routine with red signalling the worst and blue the best. Thailand grapples annually with dire air…
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Borrowed money turns to ashes: Thai man loses 100,000 baht in van fire (video)
A Thai man’s fortunes went up in smoke when he borrowed 100,000 baht from a bank to settle an informal debt, only to lose the entire sum in a van fire accident in the central province of Prachin Buri. Firefighters from Prahantakam District Office in Prachin Buri rushed to extinguish the fire that broke out in the van owned by 34…
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Lufthansa execs partner with Thai child welfare centre
A high-profile delegation from the Lufthansa Group embarked on a special mission to the Child Protection and Welfare Centre in Huay Yai, near Pattaya, on Tuesday, March 12. Led by Frank Naeve, Senior Vice President of Global Markets & Stations, the assembly of over 200 top-tier executives from various countries across the Asia Pacific region, including Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, Taiwan, and…
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Jetstar flight fiasco: Passengers grounded as 24 hour delays soar
Jetstar Airways faced criticism from passengers when a flight from Bangkok to Singapore was delayed by more than 24 hours. The low-budget airline came under fire after 161 passengers found themselves stranded at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Wednesday, March 13. Passengers were scheduled to board Jetstar Asia flight 3K516 for a 1.35pm departure, Singapore time, with an arrival at Changi…
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Man physically assaulted by teens after Korat festival
A 55 year old man was physically assaulted by a group of teenagers in Nakhon Ratchasima, sparking outrage from his daughter who demanded justice and called for witnesses. The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 13 at approximately 3.30am, during the final night of the Thao Suranari victory celebration in the Korat region. The man fell victim to a brutal attack…
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Third Russian woman nabbed in Patong for illegal sex services
Phuket Immigration arrested a third Russian woman at a Patong hotel for providing sex services illegally. The operation unfolded following a tip-off about illegal activities involving Russian prostitutes in the area. The undercover sting operation orchestrated by the police targeted the woman, who had been discreetly advertised on an undisclosed website. Going by the moniker Linda Agency on WhatsApp, the Russian…
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