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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Thai Consulate Savannakhet: No more walk-in services
THAI CONSULATE SAVANNAKHET POLICY CHANGE The Royal Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos, will go to online appointment booking only effective June 1st (actually on Tuesday June 4th which is the first day they’re open after the holiday). The consulate will no longer allow walk up service, you have to book an appointment to get in the gate. At this time the…
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Massive positive changes to Thailand’s visa system from June 1
5-year visas available for digital nomads, boxers and chefs students The cabinet has approved a number of new visa initiatives aimed at attracting more tourists. This includes visa-free and visa-on-arrival schemes, extended stays for students, and a decrease in mandatory health insurance for retirees. The Foreign Ministry suggested these actions due to the country’s significant reliance on tourism, according to…
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Interest-ing development: Ministry slashes housing loan rates
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security announced a significant reduction in housing loan interest rates by 0.5% for one year, aiming to support citizens during challenging economic times. Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa revealed this decision at a press conference at Government House at 10am today, May 28. The Community Organisations Development Institute (CODI)…
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Tourism boom: Thailand clocks in 14.3 million visitors
Thailand welcomed 14.3 million international tourists in the first five months of this year, generating close to 683 billion baht (US$18.7 billion) in revenue. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, shared these figures, highlighting the significant contribution of foreign visitors to the country’s economy from January 1 to May 26. The top five countries with the highest number of…
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Record sea temperatures leave Thai corals feeling the heat
Sea surface temperatures on Thailand’s eastern gulf coast hit record highs during a regional heatwave, causing significant coral bleaching and threatening the local marine ecosystem. This poses severe risks to tourism and the livelihoods of local communities. Marine biologists and locals are alarmed by the impact of rising sea temperatures on marine life. The vibrant and colourful corals, typically found…
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Hooked: Foreigner makes waves, takes a dip in fish spa (video)
A foreign man captured the attention of Thai netizens after a viral video on the TikTok application showed him dipping his head into a fish tank foot spa to cool off on a hot day in the northern province of Chiang Mai. A Thai man shared the video on his TikTok account, @dai.yin.see.tatto, yesterday, May 27, with the caption, “When…
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Cracking news: Egg prices to soar due to extreme weather
As announced by the Thai Cooperative Network for Chicken Egg Producers, egg prices are set to rise by 20 satangs per egg tomorrow, citing the extreme weather as the reason for the increase. The farm price for eggs will be 4 baht each, marking an increase of 6 baht per tray. The members of the network include producers from Chachoengsao,…
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Chinese investors show strong interest in Thailand at RCEP-tion
Chinese investors eagerly engaged with Thailand’s business landscape at a recent matchmaking event held under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. Marking its debut in Thailand, the event seeks to draw interest towards emerging S-curve industries and facilitate the transfer of technology from China. At the helm of the 1st RCEP Business Opportunities Matchmaking Conference (China-Thailand) was Commerce Minister…
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Pool tragedy sinks holiday: 74 year old Austrian drowns in Pattaya
A 74 year old Austrian man tragically drowned at a condominium pool in Pattaya. The incident took place at an unidentified complex in the Naklua area of Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The Thai authorities received a report about the drowning around 9.30pm yesterday, May 27, prompting Banglamung police and rescue workers to rush to the scene. Upon arrival, officials…
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Agriculture minister denies knowledge of swinging amid scandal
A high-ranking Thai government official accused of having an affair with a married woman after joining a swingers’ club, was identified as a member of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The minister claimed he has no knowledge of this and even asked reporters to explain the meaning of “swinging” to him. A Thai man, identified only as A, sought…
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Immigration’s fruitful swoop on illegal vendors selling durians
Immigration Division 1 officers swooped on illegal seasonal fruit vendors, arresting several foreign nationals attempting to sell durians and other fruits on Nawamin Road in Bangkok. They were promptly apprehended despite efforts to flee on motorised tricycles. Commander of Immigration Division 1, Police Major General Prasart Khemaprasit, along with Deputy Commander, Police Colonel Keeratisak Kongkiatsiri, and Investigation Superintendent, Police Colonel Kachapon…
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Thailand Cabinet boosts 2024 fiscal budget by 122 billion baht
The Thai Cabinet approved a plan to increase the 2024 fiscal budget by 122 billion baht to support its delayed household stimulus scheme, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul today announced. This adjustment will raise the new budget to 3.6 trillion baht, representing a 13% increase from the previous year, with the deficit swelling to 805 billion baht. The government’s decision…
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Pattaya man calls for support to repatriate overstaying Russians
A Thai apartment owner reached out to the Thai authorities to help an overstaying Russian man and his two daughters in Pattaya as they faced financial constraints preventing a return to their home country. The Russian originally fled with his girls to escape the ongoing conflict between his home country and Ukraine. The apartment owner alerted the Chon Buri Provincial…
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Oral sex is driving increases in HPV-related head and neck cancers in men
In recent years, a concerning trend has emerged in the realm of public health: a significant rise in head and neck cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) among men. This increase is linked to changes in sexual behaviours, notably the rise in oral sex, which has facilitated the spread of HPV. Despite the availability of vaccines, the incidence of these…
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Shocking find: Police zap unsafe electronics sold at bargain prices
The Thai authorities successfully seized a large number of unsafe electronics, including substandard power banks and adapters, which were being sold at suspiciously low prices both in physical stores and online. This crackdown took place yesterday, with authorities aiming to prevent potential explosions and fires often associated with these unsafe products. Head of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), Police…
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Ezy Airlines ready for Hat Yai-Betong takeoff, expect turbulence
Ezy Airlines announced plans to take flight on the currently unserviced Hat Yai-Betong route by late next year, experiencing a slight delay from its original schedule. Chatchavee Sakornvisai, senior director of business development and international liaison, confirmed Ezy Airlines’ intention to establish Hat Yai Airport as its operational hub, with aspirations to start flights to Betong by the third quarter…
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Thai woman arrested for stealing from blind neighbour (video)
Police arrested a Thai woman caught on a security camera stealing money and a mobile phone from an elderly blind neighbour in the Isaan province of Nakhon Panom. Officers from the Laksila Police Station, yesterday, May 27, arrested the 36 year old woman, Jariya Puttawong, for allegedly stealing from the 80 year old blind victim, Thong, on May 3 and…
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Fungi folly: Couple arrested for selling hallucinogenic mushrooms
Police apprehended a couple involved in the illegal cultivation and sale of hallucinogenic mushrooms, claiming spiritual enlightenment and healing powers. Despite openly defying law enforcement to intervene, their bravado was shattered when they were ensnared by an undercover agent. The Metropolitan Police Bureau Chief, Thiti Saengsawang, yesterday, May 27, directed a team led by Napasin Poolsawat, along with Thiradet Thammasuteer and…
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Truck driver dozes off, killing two and injuring five in Chon Buri
A tragic crash occurred at 8.40 am yesterday on the inbound Pattaya side of Highway 7, near Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, when an 18-wheeler truck driver fell asleep at the wheel. The devastating accident led to the loss of two women’s lives and left five others injured, while also causing extensive property damage. Upon arrival at the scene, police and…
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Thai man’s cheeky defence: Bottom grab was just a bit of dusting
A Thai man defended himself after grabbing a woman’s bottom, claiming he was not sexually assaulting her but simply trying to brush dust off her skirt. The 17 year old female university student filed a complaint with the officers at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, stating that a food delivery rider had sexually assaulted her at a coffee shop on…
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Campaign to stub out e-cigarettes from schools gains momentum
The campaign to eliminate e-cigarettes from schools is rapidly gaining momentum, as recent studies indicate a more than fivefold increase in usage over the past seven years. Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob reaffirmed the government’s dedication to eradicating e-cigarette use in schools during a forum held yesterday, May 27. The event, organised by the Action on Smoking and Health…
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Young woman’s body found after motorcycle abandoned on bridge
The body of a young woman was found dead in a river after her motorcycle was discovered parked on a bridge. The tragic suspected suicide incident unfolded yesterday at 9am when the Sajja Phutthatham Kabinburi Rescue Unit received a report from locals noticing a girl on the municipal bridge in Kabinburi. Shortly after, only her motorcycle and a pair of…
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Drugged-up driver’s wild ride ends with 120km police chase
A dramatic police chase unfolded when a 25 year old man, high on drugs, stole a pickup truck and a minibus, fleeing across provinces for 120 kilometres before being apprehended in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, claiming he was escaping from people trying to kill him. The incident began last night, May 27, when police from Choknasan Police Station…
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Singapore PM thanks Thailand for help after emergency landing
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed gratitude to Thailand for its swift assistance following an emergency landing of a Singapore Airlines flight at Suvarnabhumi Airport last week. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared on his X account, formerly Twitter, yesterday that Wong had called him the previous day to extend his thanks to the Thai government and all those involved…
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Bangkok ranked 17th dream destination for expats to work
Bangkok secured a spot in the top 20 dream destinations for expat talent worldwide, as revealed in the 2024 Decoding Global Talent Report. The capital of Thailand claimed 17th position in the prestigious report. Published by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in conjunction with recruitment website The Network and digital recruitment platform The Stepstone Group, the report delves into workforce mobility,…
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EC to comply with court ruling on Senate candidate profiles
The Election Commission (EC) has opted not to challenge a Central Administrative Court decision regarding a regulation that prevents Senate election candidates from sharing their profiles publicly. Sawang Boonmee, EC Secretary-General, confirmed yesterday, May 27, that the commission will not use the 30-day window to appeal the court’s decision. The Senate election regulations have been updated to align with the…
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Police imposters abduct shop owner’s sister, demand ransom
A group of men allegedly posing as police officers raided a Narathiwat grocery store, drove out customers, and abducted the shop owner’s sister, demanding a 30,000 baht ransom. The incident occurred yesterday, sparking outrage and calls for an investigation. Four to five men claimed to be officers from a special task force, entering the store without a warrant. They intimidated customers…
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Red line review: SRT on track to prevent airport link hiccup
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board mandated a review of the Red Line electric train extension project due to concerns that design modifications might interfere with the high-speed rail link connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. Anan Phonimdang, SRT Deputy Governor, highlighted the board’s apprehensions regarding the relocation of a station on the 25.9-kilometre extension, which could potentially…
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Man fatally stabs friend to death over 20 baht in Chon Buri
A Thai man fatally stabbed his friend in Chon Buri after he refused to lend 20 baht. The tragic incident occurred earlier today, with police receiving a report of a stabbing at 12.30am in Mueang District. Upon arrival, officers found 43 year old Nirun critically injured with a stab wound to his left collarbone. Despite immediate CPR efforts, he was…
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Thai teenager with ADHD stabs uncle to death in Phuket
A 15 year old Thai boy stabbed his 60 year old uncle to death last night in a rented room in the Thalang district of Phuket. Officers from Thalang Police Station were alerted to the fatal stabbing incident at a rented room in the Thalang district of Phuket at about 7pm yesterday, May 27. The victim, 60 year old Somkiat…
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