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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Submarine surprise: RTN dives into new era with Chinese-licensed German engine at 117th celebration
Royal Thai Navy (RTN) chief Admiral Adung Phan-iam revealed today at an event celebrating the 117th anniversary of the RTN that the Chinese-licensed version of a German submarine engine is already in use and it matches the one desired for the submarine being built for the RTN. He was referring to the CHD620 engine, a licensed Chinese-made version of the…
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Lottery winner dumps girlfriend over money dispute in Thailand
A lottery winner reportedly parted ways with his girlfriend after she demanded a hefty share of his winnings. The man, who won approximately 7 million baht (US$200,000) in the lottery, was under pressure from his partner who claimed she deserved a significant portion of the winnings because she had supported him throughout their relationship. The Canadian man shared his experience…
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Iguana import ban: Thailand takes action to curb environmental threat
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has brought into effect an iguana import ban amid fears of rapid proliferation and potential environmental damage. The invasive species, discovered in vast numbers in natural habitats in the Lopburi province, have been causing distress to local communities by feeding on agricultural produce. The green iguana is an alien species with…
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Brake down: Thai bus driver crashes coach in loei, leaves one dead, nine injured in crash (video)
A Thai bus driver crashed his coach, with a faulty brake system, into a procession, resulting in one death and injuries to nine others In the Isaan province of Loei. Officers from the Nong Hin Police Station were notified of the accident in the Baan Cham Thong community in the Nong Hin district of Loei province at about 3.30pm yesterday,…
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Hooked: Fishing accident leaves 14 year old boy with fishing dart in his head
Doctors at Manarat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima performed surgery to remove a fishing dart pierced in the head of a 14 year old Thai boy. Locals in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Chakkarat district called a rescue team after discovering a 14 year old boy, Chayathorn, with a serious head injury. A fishing dart, measuring about 30…
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Mountain mayhem: Chaowalit manhunt disrupts peace, prompting authorities to rethink tactics
The continued manhunt of the fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang on the Banthat Mountain Range in the provinces of Phatthalung, Trang, and Satun is affecting residents and wildlife, with authorities considering a change in strategy. The hunt for Chaowalit, also known as Sia Paeng, began on October 22 following his escape from hospital custody in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The search operations, involving…
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Bangkok kindergarten tragedy: Technical student fatally shot
A tragedy unfolded in front of a Bangkok kindergarten school today when a renowned technical student was fatally shot by four assailants. The incident took place at around 7.45am near the Kindergarten Krageaw, located on Ranong 2 Road in Dusit district, Bangkok. Superintendent of Dusit Police Station, Tripathi Rattan, along with his deputy and investigation officer, swiftly arrived at the scene…
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Sky’s the limit: Nine new airlines on board for Thailand aviation recovery
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced the registration of nine new airlines to bolster the aviation industry’s recovery. The authority remains confident that passenger traffic will reach 127 million this year, forecasting a significant recovery this year. The Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Suttipong Kongpool, stated that Thailand’s aviation industry is on a steady path…
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Thailand PM temps European tourists with longer visa incentive
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is making bold moves to boost the nation’s economy by unveiling plans to waive visa requirements for European tourists. Thailand also plans to attract more tourists to the Land of Smiles by lining up hundreds of cultural and sporting events, to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more. The Bangkok-born Thailand PM sees tourism…
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Khlong Toei shooting claims lives of student and teacher
A tragic event unfolded in the Khlong Toei district as two unidentified assailants opened fire on the roadside, ultimately leading to the death of a 19 year old student from Uthen Thawai Campus, Rajamangala University of Technology, known as Nong Yod. After an eight-day fight for life following the fatal Khlong Toei shooting, his mother confirmed his passing today. The…
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266 Thais rescued from Myanmar conflict zone, most charged for call centre scam
The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry rescued 266 Thai nationals trapped in the Myanmar conflict zone. Most of them will be charged with running a call centre scam upon their arrival in Thailand. Thai PBS reported that the Chinese authorities announced an operation to get rid of illegal businesses run by Chinese nationals in Laukkaing District, Shan State, Myanmar. To avoid the…
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Tragic accident in Samut Prakan claims life of delivery driver
A devastating accident occurred in Samut Prakan, where a 27 year old delivery driver tragically lost his life after colliding with a shrine. The incident took place within a large roundabout near the shrine yesterday, around 10pm. The police are currently investigating the cause of the accident, leaving no stone unturned. The delivery driver, Chokchai, a resident of Klong Lan, Kamphaeng…
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Chinese beggar nabbed in Bangkok, human trafficking suspected
Police arrested a Chinese beggar outside the Major Cineplex Pinklao in Bangkok yesterday. Suspicions of human trafficking were raised as there was more than one Chinese beggar and each earned more than 10,000 baht a day. Social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet yesterday reported a suspicious beggar to the Bang Phlat Police Station. Gun explained that he had been contacted…
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Debate over Thai government’s digital wallet handout impact on public debt
The Thai government’s proposed 10,000-baht digital wallet handout has sparked debate, with concerns regarding its potential impact on public debt. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that this economic stimulus is necessary as economic growth has averaged only 2% annually over the past decade, insufficient to support the country’s ageing population in the future. With low GDP growth, the government’s…
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Thai customs paws animal smuggling duo, 124 untamed treasures seized
Two men were apprehended by Thai customs officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday for alleged wildlife smuggling, according to Phanthong Loykulnanta, the spokesperson for the Customs Department. Over 124 wild, unregistered animals were seized in the operation. A 24 year old man from Korea was one of those detained. Airport officers found 44 wild animals, including tarantulas and iguanas, concealed…
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BAAC plans to boost export of high-value agricultural goods
Chatchai Sirilai, the president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), stated that the bank will augment its role as a facilitator for the export of high-value agricultural goods. This move is aimed at increasing income for farmers. The BAAC’s strategy is focused on nurturing a new generation of farmers who concentrate on producing quality products, rather than…
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Peruvian culture delights: Thailand’s Peru Embassy promotes food and coffee
In a recent series of events designed to strengthen bilateral ties between Peru and Thailand, the Embassy of Peru in Thailand organised three cultural programs centred around Peruvian food and coffee. The events showcased the richness of Peruvian culture and gastronomy, aiming to introduce the Thai public to the unique flavours and traditions of Peru. The series kicked off with…
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Generative AI takes center stage: Chinese tech giants intensify development to compete globally
Leading technology corporations in China are escalating their efforts in the development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to compete with their US counterparts. They are launching extensive language models (LLM) that will support a wide array of applications, from weather prediction and financial analysis to 3D e-commerce, with the primary objective of enhancing enterprise productivity and user experience. McKinsey,…
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Sugar cane farmers dispute government’s 2 baht price hike
Sugar cane farmers in Thailand are seeking clarification from the industry and commerce ministries regarding the Cabinet’s decision to allow a mere 2-baht increase per kilogramme in ex-factory sugar prices. The decision has been deemed unfair by sugar manufacturers as it falls short of the four-baht price hike requested by the Cane and Sugar Board. Citing escalating manufacturing costs due…
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Unexpected reunion at Siam Paragon leads to 350,000 baht repayment (video)
The world indeed goes round in unexpected ways, as discovered by a TikTok user @kanokyai2022 who chanced upon an old friend in Siam Paragon, Bangkok, after a separation of 22 years. Following this unexpected reunion, the friend promptly returned a long-overdue loan of 10,000 dollars, which converted to almost 500,000 baht yesterday. Once upon a time, the two were friends…
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Bangkok gold heist: 23 necklaces stolen in daring store robbery
A daring heist took place at a renowned gold store inside a Lotus’s mall branch in Nong Chok, Bangkok, where a lone masked robber wielding a gun swept away 23 gold necklaces. The aftermath saw the thief escaping in a parked orange taxi. The incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, and the police were promptly informed. As the officers from the…
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Customer testing a lighter triggers devastating fire in Thai supermarket
A shocking escape unfolded as a customer testing a lighter ignited a fire at a shop at the mouth of Lat Phrao-Wang Hin Soi 22. The entire store was engulfed in flames. Authorities were alerted to the fire at a supermarket today at 9am, Thai time. Assistant Inspector Chatri Khaosaat, Deputy Detective (Investigator) of Chok Chai Police Station, along with…
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Anntonia Porsild secures highest Miss Universe placement for Thailand since 1988
Anntonia Porsild, the 27 year old representative of Thailand in the Miss Universe 2023 beauty contest, garnered the first runner-up position, earning the nation’s highest placement since 1988. This achievement was announced at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, which took place at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke revealed Prime Minister Srettha…
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Long-hunted Thai vegetable vendor arrested for child molestation
A 63 year old vegetable vendor was arrested today in the bustling market of Rayong, after evading justice for six years. The man was apprehended by a police team led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phadet Ngam Lamom and Police Lieutenant Colonel Burin Kapitta. The arrest was executed under a warrant issued by the Loei Provincial Court in 2017, on charges…
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2 foreigners arrested for murder of Taiwanese man, 1 foreigner still at large
Thai police arrested two foreigners, a Burmese and a Cameronian, in connection with the murder of a Taiwanese man. Another foreigner, reportedly a European man, remains at large. A Thai woman was accused of planning the entire murder. Officers from Bangna Police Station gave an update to the media this afternoon on the investigation into the death of 47 year old…
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Struggling family with ill father seeks roadside aid in Sattahip
A three month old baby girl from Nakhon Phanom was taken by her mother to seek help for her husband suffering from a facial tumour, which caused blindness in his right eye. The family, living by the roadside, found themselves in dire straits with the father’s pain intensifying, prompting an emergency call to rescue services around 12.30am today. Sa-wang Rojanathammasathan…
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Temperature plummets to 11 degrees in Huai Nam Dang National Park
Huai Nam Dang National Park in Mae Hong Son Province is experiencing a rapid drop in temperature, reaching as low as 11 degrees Celsius. The park’s head anticipates the temperature may soon dip into single digits, possibly leading to frost. Buncha Ramsiri, the head of Huai Nam Dang National Park, disclosed that the lowest temperature recorded this morning was 11…
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Jatuporn criticises government’s proposed digital wallet scheme
The digital wallet initiative proposed by the government has come under fire from Jatuporn Prompan, a former red-shirt leader and co-leader of the Melting Pot Group. In a livestream on Facebook, Jatuporn voiced his concerns about the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s repeated withdrawal from pledges, including their initial vow not to form a government with ex-coalition parties from the previous…
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Thai PM sees hope in Land Bridge megaproject to lure overseas Thais back
Acknowledging the lack of attractive job opportunities in Thailand, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed hope that the Land Bridge megaproject would allure high-calibre Thais working abroad to return home. The prime minister made this remark during a meeting with the Thai community members in the US at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke provided a summary…
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Tragic car plunge in Udon Thani canal claims three lives
A tragic accident unfolded when a car, en route to a relative’s ordination ceremony, plunged into a canal between bridges, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. A one month old girl miraculously survived, ejected from her mother’s lap outside the vehicle. The incident occurred at 1.30pm yesterday. Deputy Inspector Kittikawin Umathitipong of Nong Han Police Station, Udon Thani province,…
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