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 Commerce Minister defends recent sugar price increase
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce defended the recent sugar price hike following discussions with all parties involved. The minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, maintains the decision was made based on appropriate cost considerations, not a failure to control prices. Today, at Government House, Phumtham addressed concerns that the government couldn’t control sugar prices after a Cabinet meeting yesterday decided…
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High controversy: Thai police in pot predicament as video of bong-smoking officer goes viral (video)
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is under fire after a viral video showed a police officer in uniform smoking ganja from a bong. It was later revealed the RTP officer suffers from mental health problems. The drama erupted on Thai social media after the popular Facebook page, Eight-pointed Star (ดาวแปดแฉก), shared a video of the police officer behaving inappropriately by…
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PM Srettha encourages Thai students in Stanford to return and work in Thailand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with Thai students at Stanford University, encouraging them to return and work in Thailand. The Thai PM believes that the future will see leading companies investing in the nation, and providing employment opportunities. PM Srettha, who also serves as the Finance Minister, held discussions with the administration of Stanford University and interacted with Thai students…
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Thammasat University greenlights leave for menstruating students
Thammasat University has granted permission for menstruating students to take leave without affecting their studies. This move has been greatly welcomed by the students, following a post on the Thammasat University Student Organisation’s Facebook page stating that menstruating students can now take leave without it affecting their academic progress. “Thammasat University recognises everyone’s rights and has approved leaves for menstruating…
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Knockdown house scam: Elusive Thai builder arrested for defrauding clients
A high-end knockdown house builder, known in the community as Tiger Craftsman, was apprehended by the police and highway patrol today, after absconding with deposit money from clients. The 30 year old suspect responsible for orchestrating this knockdown house scam, identified only as Watthit, was detained by the authorities on Sirisothon Road, Lat Khwang, Ban Pho, Chachoengsao province. Watthit allegedly…
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Phimai Festival alert: Homemade bomb found near Nakhon Ratchasima school
A suspicious object resembling a homemade bomb was discovered today in front of a school in the Nakhon Ratchasima province. Authorities quickly intervened to inspect and safely dispose of the object, suspecting it was created by teenagers planning to use it during the Phimai Festival. The police station in Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima, received a notification from a member of the…
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Teen accuses spiritual medium of sexually abusing her and a friend
A 17 year old Thai girl accused a spiritual medium in the Isaan province of Buriram of raping her and sexually harassing her friend while performing rituals to wash away bad luck and evil spirits. The teenager, 17 year old Bee, revealed to the public that she and another friend were victims of sexual abuse by a 60 year old…
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Thai CIB crackdown reveals 500 million baht online loan scam
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has launched the CIB Anti Online Scam, a crackdown operation against a ruthless online loan scheme that has been running through various mobile applications. The operation, which took place at 11am today, led to the arrest of two key suspects and the discovery of more than 500 million baht in circulation. CIB’s operation took place…
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12 year old Irish girl’s secret vaping journey turns lungs into an 80 year old’s
A 12 year old girl from Northern Ireland secretly started vaping at the tender age of nine, leading to severe illness and a near death experience. Her lungs’ ability to function was comparable to an 80 year old’s due to the extensive damage. In recent years, e-cigarettes have gained popularity, initially advertised as a safer alternative to traditional smoking and a…
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Burglary at roadside restaurant in Ban Bueng shocks community
An incident of burglary at a roadside restaurant in Ban Bueng, Chon Buri, shocked the community today at 9am. The local police, led by Police Captain Suradet Imjai, swiftly responded to the scene. Their investigation revealed that the suspect, identified as 37 year old Sanchai, also known as Ton, was a familiar face who had been previously helped by the…
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Thai celeb Baitoey granted bail in Forex-3D Ponzi scheme case for 5 million baht
Renowned singer and actress Suteewan Thaweesin, better known as Baitoey, burst into tears as the court granted her bail in the aftermath of the Forex-3D Ponzi scheme scandal. She was instructed to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, report to court as scheduled, and is prohibited from leaving the country. The bail was set following the submission of a 5 million…
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River ruckus: Barge bash at Bang Pakong Bridge sends locals into a rescue race
A significant barge crash into the Bang Pakong River bridge sparked panic among locals, leading to a hasty rescue operation. The incident, which occurred at 8am today, threatened to damage 50 residential houses and restaurants, prompting a swift response from the Chachoengsao City Police. The large barge, loaded with cement and stones, was suspected to have drifted from a construction…
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Loan sharks heartlessly kill Thai fruit vendor over 400 baht debt near Pattaya
In a shocking event, a 45 year old fruit vendor tragically lost his life after a gang of loan sharks terrorised and shot him right outside a convenience store. The victim’s girlfriend, 41 year old Saengduen revealed the heartbreaking moments leading up to the event, which happened on the evening of November 14. The storefront of Itthiphol (surname withheld), is…
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Ham handed: 2 Thai men arrested on illegal pork imports, over 10 officials found involved
Two Thai men surrendered to police over illegal pork imports after fleeing Thailand to evade the arrest. More than 10 government officials were found to be involved in the illegal operation. Recently, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for the delay in investigating and arresting suspects in the illegal…
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Northern Thailand: Tourists flock to Doi Mae U-Kor for stunning blooming Mexican sunflowers
The Doi Mae U-Kor mountain is currently attracting a throng of tourists eager to admire the sprawling fields of blooming Mexican sunflowers. These golden blooms, stretching across 500 acres of hillside, have become a significant draw for visitors, both Thai and international. It is expected that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will receive no less than 100,000 visitors this…
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Birthday celebration turns tragic: Man stabbed by jealous wife in Pattaya
A birthday celebration turned tragic for a 34 year old Cambodian man when his jealous wife stabbed him in the chest after he glanced at another woman at a bar in Pattaya’s Bang Lamung District. The incident occurred in their rented room today, around 2.30am. The police, led by Police Captain Itthikorn Saiyatok of Pattaya City Police Station, received a…
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Doi Inthanon’s chilly spell boosts tourism in Chiang Mai
Tourist activity is bustling in Chiang Mai as visitors flock to experience the chilly weather of Doi Inthanon, witness the sunrise, and admire the beautiful sea of mist. Doi Inthanon National Park, located in Jomthong, Chiang Mai, reported the cool morning atmosphere at 7am, with temperatures plunging to a low of 9 degrees Celsius at the peak of the mountain. Temperatures…
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Lop Buri residents bite back, seek authority action as iguanas wreaks havoc on farms
Residents in the central province of Lop Buri are urging authorities to intervene as the population of iguanas in the region has surged dramatically. The animals have reportedly bitten a resident and caused significant damage to plantations and agricultural produce. Channel 3 reported that a master’s degree student conducted a study in the Khao Phaya Doen Dong community in Lob…
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Southern Thailand: 30K meth pills found in car wreck after fatal crash
A high-speed car crash in the rainy weather led to the discovery of a large stash of meth pills. The driver of a white Honda sedan collided with an electric pole around 10.30pm last night, in Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The severe impact left the car in ruins and the driver, identified as 41 year old Phatthrawatee from…
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Unusual banana tree stirs lottery frenzy in central Thailand
An unusual banana tree in Prachin Buri province has become a source of fascination for locals and lottery enthusiasts. The tree’s peculiar flower, resembling a pointing skyward lotus, has led to a rush of locals seeking to tap into its assumed good fortune. People flocked to the site, carrying five flowers, incense, and candles to pay homage and request good…
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Digital wallet and e-refund schemes in Thailand face legal and funding challenges
The proposed digital wallet and e-refund schemes considered significant growth drivers for Thailand’s GDP next year, are potentially at risk due to legal and funding obstacles. Analysts have indicated that these challenges could lead to a substantial reduction in the implementation of these costly digital schemes in Thailand, which are scheduled for rollout next year. Maybank Securities notes that legal…
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Sobering reminder: Entertainment venues to open until 4am, but no alcohol sale to drunks
The Thailand Health Minister yesterday stressed that entertainment venues must not serve alcohol to customers who are already drunk, even if establishments are allowed to stay open until 4am. Partygoers have been advised to carry breathalysers. Public Health Minister Cholnan Sikaew said that the policy allowing nightclubs to stay open until 4am had not yet been implemented. Cholnan made known…
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Thailand’s digital wallet initiative raises concerns among tourism sector
The forthcoming 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative has raised concerns among tourism operators in Thailand. The scheme is viewed as primarily beneficial to the retail sector, leaving the tourism sector behind, which could have potential economic repercussions leading to a potential decline in domestic travel. Sanga Ruangwattanakul, the head of the Khao San Road Business Association, suggests the scheme offers limited…
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Illegal botox operation uncovered in Chumphon beauty clinic
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau officers raided a renowned beauty clinic, arresting a 31 year old medical assistant, identified as Urairat. Today, she was caught operating an illegal Botox and skin whitening injection operation on the premises located in Sukkasem Road, Tha Taphao, Chumphon. The suspect revealed that she had learnt the injection procedure from a doctor and initially practised on…
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Woman from Kalasin province tragically killed in high-speed collision with pickup truck
A tragic accident occurred when a woman from Kalasin Province rode her motorbike onto the road and was hit by a speeding pickup truck. The force of the collision propelled her into a forest across the road where she tragically lost her life. The incident took place yesterday. The local police in Ban Pho, Chachoengsao Province, were notified about the…
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Family feud: Dirty plates row boils over into violent clash in central Thailand
A heated dispute over unwashed dishes escalated into a violent encounter in a residence in Bang Pakong, Chachoengsao, on the night of yesterday. The family feud resulted in severe injuries and a police investigation, as revealed by Deputy Inspector Pataweekarn Prakobkaew. A 37 year old man, Montri, sought help from neighbours, bloodied and beaten, claiming he was attacked by his…
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Teen almost loses penis after being forced to get beeswax injection
A 15 year old Thai boy almost lost his penis after his school friends forced him to have a beeswax injection and recorded a video of the procedure to blackmail him. The victim’s mother claimed the incident happened at her son’s school in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat on August 1 but the case has not progressed because…
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Thailand extends visa deadline for migrant workers from four nations
The Ministry of Interior in Thailand declared an extension for migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The extension allows them to remain in the country while applying for fresh visas and work permits. This decision, announced yesterday, is the Ministry’s response to two new regulations that were disclosed in the Royal Gazette on Monday. According to Traisuree Taisaranakul,…
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New ESG fund could boost Thai stocks by up to 70 billion baht
Analysts predict that a forthcoming environmental, social and governance (ESG) fund could draw investments of between 20 and 70 billion baht into 114 stocks listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s (SET) ESG index this year. The long-term savings fund, which is set to be established later this year, will be focused on investing in domestic ESG stocks and bonds.…
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Psychic power healing innovator plans registration in Thailand
Keerati Somkid, also known as Ajarn Aek, clarified that he did not challenge Chonnan Srikaew, the Minister of Public Health, but invited him to validate the existence and benefits of his self-invented psychic power healing method. He expressed his intentions to register this method yesterday, as he believes it should be supported and recognised officially, despite having no formal certification…
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