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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Chinese tourist tricked into purchasing 1.4 million baht counterfeit Hermes handbag in Bangkok
After being duped into purchasing a counterfeit Hermes crocodile leather handbag from a seller in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong district, a Chinese tourist expressed frustration over the lack of a government agency to protect tourists’ rights. The victim, 27 year old Deng, wife of a Singapore-based Chinese businessman, enlisted a lawyer to report the incident to the media yesterday, January 10. She…
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AirAsia: Bangkok to rival Dubai as aviation hub
In a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, AirAsia unveiled ambitious plans to transform Bangkok into the aviation hub of Southeast Asia, aiming to mirror the success of Dubai. The low-cost carrier is urging the Thai government to slash the excise tax on jet fuel, a move it believes will further propel the country’s tourism industry. AirAsia’s top brass, led…
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Tragic end for couple in Thai resort: Suspected suicide stirs shock
A chilling discovery unfolded in Phetchabun when a couple from Pathum Thani were found dead in their resort room. The suspected suicide of 62 year old Natcha and 61 year old Akrara has left authorities puzzled and seeking answers. The local authorities yesterday were alerted to the tragic scene at a resort in Lom Sak, Phetchabun. The resort, consisting of…
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Thai energy regulatory commission sets firm power tariff cap
The Thai Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) established a firm power tariff cap of 4.18 baht (US$ 0.12) per unit from January to April this year. This move comes despite the ongoing increase in gas prices. The rate for consumers using minimal power is fixed at 3.99 baht, as stated by the government. Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed…
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Two police officers hailed for assisting man in wheelchair in Nonthaburi
Two police officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, Nonthaburi province, received recognition from senior officials for assisting a disabled man in a wheelchair to reach the BTS. TikTok users posted a video of two police officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, in the Nonthaburi province, pushing a disabled man in a wheelchair to take him to the Khlong…
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PM Srettha’s official visit to Chiang Mai aims to boost Thai tourism and tackle PM2.5
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday embarked on an official visit to Chiang Mai with a delegation to inspect key government policy projects such as transportation network systems, measures to tackle PM2.5 dust particles, and tourism promotion initiatives. During the three-day scheduled trip from January 10-12, PM Srettha encountered the renowned Lieutenant Somboon Banchamek, also known as Buakaw, who was training…
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Underage pregnancies require community support, says Thai academic
Focusing on the issue of underage pregnancies, Sumate Noklang, a PhD Development Education Programme lecturer at the Graduate School of Srinakharinwirot University, insists that the government must prioritise the quality of life for children yet to be born. This comes as part of national initiatives aimed at tackling the country’s decreasing fertility rates. During 2021-2022, Sumate led a comprehensive research…
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Prison warden commits suicide at Nakhon Si Thammarat
A warden at Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison was found dead by senior officials. Police Colonel Sanpong Chansing, superintendent of Phra Phrom Police Station, Nakhon Si Thammarat province received a report from senior officials at Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison that a correctional officer committed suicide inside a room on the fourth floor of the building on the side wing of…
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Thai man cites inheritance arguments as motive for drowning family
A Thai man cited repeated arguments on inheritance with his father as a motive for drowning him and his younger sister in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon. He insisted the crime was committed without mental illness, alcohol or drug use. Officers from the Phang Khon Police Station arrested 35 year old Warut Datephumee for the premeditated murder of his father…
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Gold price takes a dip in Thailand, down 50 baht from previous close
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today revealed a further drop in today’s gold price when compared to the final price of yesterday. Today, a baht of gold ornament is selling for 34,150 baht, a 50 baht reduction from the closing price of yesterday. As per the GTA website, gold bars can be sold for 33,650 baht per baht and purchased…
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Investment scam: Thai man claiming to be marijuana consultant arrested in Bang Kaeo
A 52 year old Thai man was arrested for falsely claiming to be a marijuana investment consultant in Bang Kaeo Subdistrict, Bang Kaeo District, Samut Prakan province on January 9. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsaeng, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat, Deputy Commander of the Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thamsuthee, Pol. Col. Atchawasit…
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Pa Narae removed from emergency list, southern emergency decree to extend
A recent meeting of the Emergency Situation Management Committee at the National Security Council unveiled that one southern district has been struck off the severe emergency area list, while the emergency decree is predicted to prolong for an additional three months. The district in question, Pa Narae, located in Pattani province, was removed due to improvements in the local situation…
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Fuel tanker overturns in Surin causing potential explosion risk
A tanker truck carrying 40,000 litres of fuel overturned on Route 24 from Chokchai-Det Udom in Surin province. The incident took place yesterday around 10.50am and left the 36 year old driver, Tiwa, injured with back pain and vomiting. The accident was reported by Thanakorn Chaiharn, an investigation officer from Prasat Police Station. The truck, carrying 24,000 litres of diesel…
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Mother suspected after 3 year old boy falls from apartment and dies
A 3 year old boy died yesterday after falling from the fourth floor balcony of a apartment in Soi Rama II 50 in the Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok. Police suspect the mother was involved in the tragic death due to some suspicious evidence. The Ruam Katanyu Rescue Team and Tha Kham Police Station were alerted to the fall…
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Thai grandfather sexually assaults two young girls, arrested
The mother of two young girls reported their grandfather to authorities on January 9 for the alleged sexual abuse of her daughters. The girls’ mother, known by the alias May, brought the matter to Paveena Hongsakul, Thai Foundation for Children and Women President. May claimed that the girls’ 47 year old grandfather, Man (nickname) had sexually abused the two girls…
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From beauty queen to brave MP: Sirilapas Kongtrakarn’s inspiring battle against depression
In a plea for increased public funding for mental health services, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn, also known as Mew, spoke unreservedly during a passionate parliamentary debate on the budget bill last Friday, January 5. The 36 year old politician, who has been an advocate for mental health, shared her harrowing journey with depression, calling for attention and…
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Thailand’s government initiates inclusivity in education to curb student dropouts
Thailand’s government is planning on launching an inclusivity in education initiative. The aim is to provide equitable access to quality education and decrease student dropouts. This announcement aligns with Children’s Day, celebrated this coming Saturday, January 13. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced his advocacy for children’s rights to education in a recent social media post. His dedication to promoting educational…
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Brutal murder shocks Chumphon as mini-mart owner found dead
A heinous murder has shocked the community after a 36 year old mini-mart owner was brutally killed and his body dumped in remote woodland near Chonlprathan Canal, Bang Luek Subdistrict, Chumphon Province, on the evening of January 7. The 27 year old prime suspect, Jenarong Wongsuwan, also known as Em, was a close friend of the deceased. The intense manhunt…
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Midnight blaze turns golf course into ‘tee-rific’ inferno
A midnight explosion echoed through Chachoengsao province, leading to a massive fire that razed a golf course warehouse, destroying five vehicles in the process. The incident unfolded at 12am today. Deputy Inspector Pak Jambairat of San Pudas Police Station, upon receiving the fire report, immediately rushed to the scene with the Chachoengsao fire-fighting unit and the San Pudas municipal fire…
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Thai Cabinet reviews submarine procurement contract extension
A submarine procurement contract extension is under review by the Thai Cabinet, following advice from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This came as a response to the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) inquiries concerning the programme. The OAG highlighted the requirement for a 1,217-day contract extension to undergo a Cabinet review due to the government-to-government nature of the deal.…
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Thai man sets fire to wife’s house and orchestrates rape of mother-in-law
A Thai man is evading arrest after setting fire to his wife’s house and tricking his mother-in-law into meeting his friend, who raped her. Firefighters rushed to control the fire at a house in the Kaeng Krachan district in the southern province of Phetchaburi yesterday, January 9, and brought the blaze under control. Only the bathroom and cattle shed were…
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Visually impaired man accuses relatives of deceit over 20,000 baht loan in Thailand
A 36 year old visually impaired man, known as Likhit, accused his relatives of tricking him into signing off his land rights, under the misconception that he was signing a loan agreement. The incident took place today, at 12pm. Likhit explained that he once borrowed 20,000 baht from his relatives, with a 10% interest rate, for which he agreed to…
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Online bought solar cell causes devastating fire in Thai family home
A tragic incident occurred when a solar cell-induced short circuit resulted in a catastrophic fire that razed an entire house in Pathumthani Province’s Bang Khu Wat district. The unfortunate event happened on January 3, at house number 40, Moo 9, Bang Khu Wat, Mueang Pathumthani District, leaving the house and all its contents destroyed. The single-storey house, elevated and roofed…
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Thailand vows zero dropout rate as education overhaul unveiled
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared his government’s determined mission to tackle Thailand’s education inequality crisis. The premier revealed his commitment to eradicating the denial of educational opportunities for Thai children entirely. PM Srettha disclosed that one of his first actions upon assuming office last year was to direct key government agencies, including the Fund for Education Equality, the Ministry of Digital…
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Chiang Rai accident victims struggle with costs as drunk driver offers minimal compensation
A tragic accident involving a drunk driver in an Isuzu D-Max, who collided with a motorbike, has resulted in serious injuries and financial hardship for the victims. The incident occurred in Chiang Rai on July 30, around 10pm, when Jidapa, a local shopkeeper, and her sister-in-law were returning home. The collision caused both women to be thrown in different directions,…
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Pattaya: Women queue up for breast cancer screening in Nong Prue
Scores of female residents in Nong Prue, Pattaya, descended upon the Municipal Dome for a mobile breast cancer screening. A state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit, strategically designed to zero in on women in high-risk and underserved communities was unveiled in the district. Kitti Boonratananet, the Public Health Officer of Banglamung District, hailed the inaugural screening day as a triumph, drawing in…
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Charged down: Electric rates spark joy with 50-satang drop to 4.18 baht per unit
Electricity rates for January through April 2024 have been adjusted to 4.18 baht per unit, a decrease of 50 satangs per unit from the previous rate of 4.68 baht per unit. However, this is an increase of 19 satangs per unit from the September to December 2023 rate of 3.99 baht per unit. These changes were announced today by Khomkrit…
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Gold shop in Tha Sala district falls victim to armed robbery
An armed robbery occurred at a gold shop in the Tha Sala district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, where necklaces worth 500,000 baht were stolen. A 54 year old man, Chaiwut Wethayawong, has been identified as the prime suspect in the case, and the police have applied for a court arrest warrant. The robbery took place yesterday and the investigation…
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BMA accused of favouring capitalists with new city plan for Bangkok
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) outlined an ambitious new city plan for the capital, marking the first update in 11 years. However, the BMA is facing criticism from the public, who claim that the new plan primarily benefits large capitalists. The new city plan sparked a heated debate on social media, as many residents were unaware of the proposed changes, despite…
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Young mother in Thailand pleads for action against abusive husband
A case of domestic abuse that resulted in severe injuries came to light when a young mother filed a complaint against her drug-addicted husband. Watanya Inju had only given birth two weeks ago and had reported the abuse to the police ten times previously but was told it was a family matter. The 25 year old woman had been in a…
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