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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High stakes eats: BBQ restaurant on hunt for sharp-dressed dine & dashers
A renowned barbecue pork restaurant is seeking ten well-dressed customers who dined and dashed, leaving a bill worth over 4,000 baht unpaid. The establishment has given a three-day deadline for the culprits to come forward before legal action is taken. This incident occurred at the famed Warehouse Seafood Grill Buffet in Ubon Ratchathani on October 30. The barbecue pork restaurant…
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Thai rescuer celebrates Halloween by working in devil costume
A Thai rescuer celebrated Halloween yesterday by donning a devil costume representing the Thai-style messenger of death called Yom-ma-thut. The 53 year old rescuer, Narongsak Noppasit, from the Jaturatham Pratheep Foundation in the Panthong district of Chon Buri province, shared a picture of himself in a fancy dress costume on the foundation’s official Facebook page yesterday with the caption “Ready…
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Oil palm fruit theft surges in southern Thailand as prices hit 6 baht per kilogramme
Farmers across Trang province, in southern Thailand, are facing serious problems due to the widespread theft of oil palm fruits. This situation has arisen following an increase in the price of these fruits, making them a lucrative target for thieves. This has led to the farmers calling upon the district chief and police to urgently tackle the problem, urging them…
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Thai MPI faces contraction amid global conflicts and tourism slump
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) anticipates a contraction between 4% to 4.5% in the Thai Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) this year due to less-than-projected tourism growth and geopolitical conflicts impacting the global economy. In contrast, the MPI was projected to shrink by 2.8% to 3.8% in July. The OIE further predicts a contraction of 2.5% to 3% in the…
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Cosmetics industry goes global: Thai NSTDA’s empowering touch
The Thai National Science and Technology Development (NSTDA) initiated a comprehensive service to aid cosmetics industry entrepreneurs in their global market expansion. The NSTDA director, Chukit Limpijamnong, indicated that the cosmetics industry is a key sector for the agency and possesses significant expansion potential, both domestically and internationally. Therefore, firms in this sector require robust support in innovation and technological…
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Monk’s mobile mission: Chasing down the talkative foreign scammer
A Thai monk and his older brother successfully tracked down a foreign man who tricked the monk into buying a fake mobile phone. The scammer claimed he needed help after going bankrupt over a Thai woman. The victim monk, Surasit, filed a complaint at Nong Kham Police Station in Chon Buri province on October 30 that an unidentified foreigner, believed…
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Mid-movie capture: Bangkok burglar busted on Halloween date night
A 32 year old Bangkok burglar was nabbed by police on Halloween in a cinema at a well-known shopping centre in Rama 3 district. The arrest occurred while he was taking his girlfriend to see a movie titled Death Whispering: Tee Yod. The Bangkok burglar was served with a warrant issued by the South Bangkok Criminal Court under the charge…
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Recruitment scams exposed: Protecting job seekers and employers
The recruitment industry is riddled with a number of deceptive practices and scams. Attracting a wide range of individuals due to its low setup costs, the sector is increasingly becoming a hotbed for unscrupulous activities. There are five prevalent recruitment scams that job seekers and employers should be aware of. Scam one involves recruiters pretending to represent a non-existent client.…
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Thai economy’s Q3 bounce-back: Warming up after a cool Q2
The Thai economy’s growth rate for the third quarter of this year is anticipated to surpass that of the second, according to the Bank of Thailand. This forecast comes after the nation’s economic expansion fell short of the central bank’s estimations for the preceding quarter. Chayawadee Chai-anant, the assistant governor for the corporate relations group at the central bank, reported…
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Thai and Israeli officials repatriate bodies of Thai workers lost in conflict
Today, a joint Thai and Israeli ceremony was held at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, to repatriate the bodies of 11 Thai workers who lost their lives in the Israel conflict. The solemn event, attended by diplomatic officials from both nations, underscored the close ties between Thailand and Israel as they mourned the loss together. Thai officials present at the…
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Government offers loans to Thai workers returning from Israel
The Thai government pledged to extend low-interest loans of up to 150,000 baht to each Thai worker who has been forced to return from Israel due to the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestine. The loans aim to help Thai workers settle any outstanding debts with job brokers or to fund alternative career paths. Paopoom Rojanasakul, the finance minister’s secretary, revealed…
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Fireballs face-off: Biologist Jesada dares to unravel Naga mystery
Renowned biologist Jesada Denduangboripant from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, has been challenged by Boonma Punduang, the mayor of Bueng Kan, to prove the phenomenon of Naga Fireballs. In response to the challenge, Jesada has proposed an alternative method of scientific examination, dismissing the need for a 1 million baht wager. Jesada Denduangboripant, a respected figure…
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PM Srettha forms team to clarify digital wallet scheme amidst confusion
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin agreed to establish a dedicated team to effectively communicate details about the government’s flagship digital wallet scheme. This move yesterday, October 31, comes in response to a wave of suggestions from various sources, aiming to avoid any public confusion regarding the scheme. PM Srettha acknowledged the circulation of differing information about the wallet scheme. He urged…
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Thailand’s drug policy shift: Possession of 10 or fewer meth pills no longer means jail time
A significant shift in Thailand’s approach to drug possession is underway, as the Justice Ministry and the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) are supporting an initiative by the Public Health Ministry. This initiative aims to reclassify individuals found with 10 or fewer methamphetamine pills as users rather than dealers. Somsak Thepsutin, Deputy Prime Minister and ONCB president, addressed the…
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4 Chinese and 22 Thai scammers arrested for operating gold scam
Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) arrested 26 suspects, four Chinese and 22 Thai, for running a fake gold shop and luring victims to invest in counterfeit stock trading. The ECD, yesterday, October 31, launched an operation called CIB Anti-Online Scam to arrest 50 suspects involved in the investment scam run by Chinese nationals. Officers raided 21 suspicious…
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Chiang Mai club raided in Pa Cha Tek operation for serving underage drinkers
In the early hours of today, a popular club in Chang Phueak, Chiang Mai, was raided as part of the Pa Cha Tek operation. Led by Atsathit Sampantarat, Director of the Department of Provincial Administration, the operation was launched after the club was discovered to be allowing underage patrons, as young as 18, to enter and buy alcohol. The operation…
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Thai EV stocks to soar with renewed government support measures
Electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing-related stocks are predicted to gain from the upcoming renewal of EV support measures by the government next year, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). The EV Policy Committee will convene today, with new support measures for electric cars and pickups being anticipated. These measures are expected to adjust the subsidy to fall between 50,000…
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Paws for concern: Unlicensed vet accused in Nonthaburi pet death scandal
A dog owner complained to a veterinary clinic in Nonthaburi, alleging that an unlicensed vet performed a sterilisation operation on his pet, which subsequently died. The 36 year old owner, Songwut Sammawutikun, has sought an investigation into whether the individual who conducted the operation was, in fact, a qualified veterinarian. Songwut Sammawutikun disclosed that his three year old Thai-breed female dog, named…
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Trade negotiations with EFTA set to boost Thai GDP
The Trade Negotiations Department of the Commerce Ministry gears up for the seventh round of trade negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), to seal the deal by mid-2024. The announcement was made by Auramon Supthaweethum, the director-general of the department, who confirmed that the negotiations will take place from November 6 to November 9 in Geneva, Switzerland. The…
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Sugar prices clampdown: Thai Government enforces caps amid production cost hike
The Thai government yesterday resolved to regulate sugar prices to lessen the burden on the public. The Minister of Commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai, expressed confidence that the move will not cause controversy with Brazil. Following the weekly cabinet session, Phumtham disclosed that the government had decided to set a limit on the ex-factory prices for granulated sugar at 19 baht per…
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Thunderstorm warning: TMD issues alert for 30 provinces, including Bangkok
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a thunderstorm warning in 30 provinces including Bangkok, with South Thailand being the hardest hit. Citizens are advised to be alert for potential flash floods and forest runoff. At 5am today, a 24 hour forecast reveals that high atmospheric pressure or a mass of cool air from China has spread to cover northern Thailand.…
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Nakhon Ratchasima battles major flooding after day-long downpour
The urban area of Nakhon Ratchasima was hit by a significant downpour that lasted from 2am until late in the evening yesterday. The persistent rain resulted in severe flooding that engulfed the city’s streets, public areas, and residential properties. The deluge posed considerable challenges to local inhabitants, motorists, and pedestrians alike. Inundated roads caused trouble for drivers, many of whom…
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Thai-Ghanaian football player condemns racist Thai referee
A half-Thai, half-Ghanaian Prachin Buri City football player condemned a racist Thai referee who allegedly called him a “ni**a!” The drama erupted after the match between Prachin Buri City FC and Pluakdaeng United FC on October 29. Prachin Buri City FC player Abdulkordiri Hamit, also known as Abdul, posted on his Pog Dul Facebook account what happened. “I can understand…
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Sirens sour the silence: Silom hotel’s plea ignites global social media symphony
An escalating drama unfolded as a hotel in the Silom area penned a letter to a foundation requesting the discontinuation of ambulance siren noise. The hotel cites the disturbance and nuisance caused by the loud sirens, thereby interrupting the leisure time of the guests. The revelation of this issue by the Thai press stirred up a global social media storm. The…
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Dragon dance drama: Actor’s fall leaves crowd in shock and awe in Kamphaeng Phet
A shocking incident transpired during a dragon dance performance when an actor fell from a pole and hit the ground, causing immediate unconsciousness. The event occurred today, in the Nakhon Chum district of Kamphaeng Phet. The incident was captured and shared by a TikTok user, @suparatthepparos, who happened to be attending the performance. In the shared clip, an actor is…
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Thailand’s fitness deficit: Running endorsed to get the nation moving
Recent statistics from this year reveal that only 62% of the Thai population engage in sufficient physical activities, while over 38% don’t. To encourage an active lifestyle, Social Marketing Thaihealth (SMT) and its network have endorsed running as an affordable and accessible form of exercise. SMT and the Thai Health Day Run believe that running can pave the way for…
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Vanishing act: Thai man’s disappearance sparks monk’s mystical ceremony
A 49 year old Thai man mysteriously vanished from his home in the early hours of October 26 leading to a monk’s mystical ceremony to find him. Residents from Mo 9, Nern Phayom, Thung Pho, Nong Chang, Uthai Thani, and neighbouring villages were joined by over 30 officials in a desperate search that lasted four days. Their journey led them…
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Prescription for drama: Accused mistress denies love affair, claims she is a nurse
A Thai woman accused her husband of cheating and conspiring with his mistress to file a lawsuit against her. The accused woman denies being her husband’s lover, insisting that she is only his nurse. The 52 year old wife, Naruecha “Sida” Kamutyothin, gave an interview to Channel 3 yesterday, October 30, explaining that she married her husband, Jade, and have…
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Seoul-searching: South Korean authorities accused of discriminating against Thais (video)
Outraged Thai netizens called for a ban on travel to South Korea, accusing authorities of discriminating against Thai nationals, pushing the hashtag #BanTravelToSouthKorea (#แบนเที่ยวเกาหลี) to the top of Twitter (X). The Southeast Asian nation is a popular destination for Thais due to the influence of K-pop artists, fashion and South Korean drama. Thais do not need a visa to enter…
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Artistic intrigue: Thai national artist’s chilly encounter with graffiti mysteries
A compelling story about Chalermchai Kositpipat, a Thai national artist, has been shared on the Facebook page Little Mouse on the Cold Mountain Peak. The narrative unfolds in the chilly Chiang Rai province, near Wat Rong Khun, where an anonymous group painted graffiti on a wall. One night, a group covertly began to create street art on a wall opposite…
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