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 PM announces feasibility study for Samui Airport expansion
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday that a feasibility study for the expansion of Samui Airport is currently being conducted. The proposed expansion aims to accommodate larger aircraft and an increasing number of visitors. PM Srettha, accompanied by Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol and Deputy Agriculture Minister Chaiya Promma, conducted an official visit to the airport as part of…
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Thai staff seek justice after German attack in Farang Bar, Pattaya
Another day in Thailand and yet another day where a foreigner behaves badly, ironically, this time in Pattaya’s Farang Bar. Two Thai female employees are seeking justice after a German man attacked them at a bar where they worked on Sunday, April 7. The German accused the bar of overcharging him. The two victims, 55 year old Anchisa Thongphuek and 39…
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Local health director fatally stabbed at charity concert in Loei
Tragedy struck at a charity concert hosted by a renowned school when the director of a local health promotion hospital was fatally stabbed. The incident occurred today, April 9, when 54 year old Boonkua (surname withheld) was seen walking behind the stage to urinate in the bushes at around 4.30am, only to emerge running before collapsing. Lieutenant Wasant Saengthotophoth, Deputy…
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Maybank’s bet: Thailand casinos could hit jackpot, boosting GDP
Maybank Securities, a unit of Malaysia-based Maybank, forecasts that the potential introduction of casinos in Thailand with gambling facilities could yield an annual revenue of 187 billion baht, equivalent to about 1% of Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP). The forecast, based on an assessment carried out by Maybank’s gaming analyst and tourist arrivals in Thailand in 2019, anticipates the first complex to…
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Fraud frenzy: Thai police reveal Internet scam’s billion-baht blow
Online consumer fraud, the leading Internet scam, has resulted in damages exceeding 1 billion baht in the initial quarter of the year, as disclosed by the Royal Thai Police (RTP). Karom Polpornklang, the deputy government spokesperson, stated that on the RTP website, some 26,507 online fraud instances were reported. The total damage was calculated to be 4.65 billion baht, averaging…
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Acidic anxiety: Lorry leak near Mekong raises contamination fears
A lorry incident in Laos, which resulted in a sulphuric acid leak into a tributary of the Mekong River, has sparked concerns about potential water contamination along the Thailand-Laos border. However, the water quality in this stretch of the river was deemed safe yesterday, April 8, with continuous monitoring set to persist until the end of the week. Somsak Thepsutin,…
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Tourist turmoil: DoT’s legal action unfolds in online saga #คัลแลนพี่จอง
The Department of Tourism (DoT) is set to take legal action against a tour company and an unlicensed guide involved in a recent online drama that escalated under the hashtag #คัลแลนพี่จอง. The incident, which spurred widespread criticism on social media, involved a tour guide taking two YouTubers, known as Kallan and Pi Jhong, on a trip that was featured in…
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Bank of Thailand likely to cut policy rate, predicts CIMB Thai Bank
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is predicted to lower its policy rate tomorrow, providing a short-term stimulus to the nation’s economy, which has been hampered by budget disbursement delays. Amonthep Chawla, lead economist at CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT), believes the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will favour a reduction in the policy rate at the upcoming meeting, with a…
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Bangkok Port relocation set to combat pollution and congestion
The Bangkok Port, a 32-rai facility located next to the Chao Phraya River in the Klong Toey district, is slated for relocation as per government orders. The decision aims to repurpose the area for public advantage. The directive was communicated through a letter issued by Thawatchai Chanpaisansil, adviser to the Cabinet Secretariat, on April 4 to the Ministry of Transport,…
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Bangkok prepares for Songkran with 1,600 safety officers
The Songkran festivities in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, are set to have more than 1,600 officials and volunteers on guard. This safety measure is particularly aimed at tourist hotspots like Khao San and Silom roads. The Phra Nakhon District Director, Kosol Singhanat, anticipates a substantial influx of tourists in three key areas during the holiday, namely Khao San Road, Sanam…
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Chiang Mai declares more districts as disaster zones amid wildfires
Wildfires continue to blaze through Chiang Mai, leading the local authority yesterday to declare three additional districts as disaster zones. These districts, Chiang Dao, Mae Taeng, and Chai Prakarn, have joined Fang and Phrao districts, which were declared disaster areas on April 4. The provincial governor has cited the fatigue of initial firefighters and soldiers as a significant obstacle in…
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Taiwanese man’s extreme nasal sensitivity shocks doctors
A shocking medical case from Taiwan has revealed the harrowing story of a 50 year old restaurant owner whose nasal complaints led to a gruesome discovery. The director of an ear, nose, and throat clinic in Taiwan, shared the unforgettable case on a medical talk show, Doctor Is So Hot, describing it as one of the most memorable in his…
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Myanmar requests Thai clearance for evacuation flights
The Government of Myanmar recently filed a request with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking clearance for evacuation flights to land in the Mae Sot district of Tak. The motive behind this request is the evacuation of 617 military officers and their dependents, who are expected to flee Myawaddy, a city now under the control of rebel ethnic forces.…
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Young woman in China diagnosed with rare vampire disease
A 20 year old woman from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in China, experienced a dramatic health scare when her menstrual cramps, which had been a discomfort since adolescence, suddenly took a turn for the worse over the past year. Her family, concerned by the increasing severity of her symptoms, sought medical help but to no avail, as no health issues were…
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Man seriously injured in Phuket after argument over dog
An argument over a dog in Phuket escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in one man being seriously injured by a makeshift machete. The incident took place at the CSAL workers’ camp in Tha Sai, Moo 1, Srisoonthorn, on a Friday night. Police captain Thitiwat Asasingh, with the Thalang Police, was informed of the incident at approximately 8.30pm. Teams of…
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Explicit surfboard sex video off Karon beach sparks heated debate
A widely shared video of two foreigners engaging in sexual activity on a surfboard off Karon Beach in Phuket has sparked intense debate online. The footage, which was shared on the Facebook page of Hot Jung Phuket, has already received over 13,000 reactions and almost 2,000 comments since it was posted yesterday evening. The video elicited a variety of responses…
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Military lieutenant held in Nonthaburi woman’s murder case
A woman’s life was abruptly ended in her condominium in Nonthaburi’s Mueang district, with a military lieutenant now under arrest, facing accusations of her murder. The shocking event transpired yesterday, April 7, forcing the calm neighbourhood into an alarming situation. Responding to a distress call, law enforcement officials arrived promptly at the condo located in Tambon Bang Kraso in Mueang…
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Fatal collision in Sri Racha: Motorcyclist dead, two injured
A tragic car accident occurred yesterday in the Sri Racha district of Chon Buri province, claiming the life of a motorcyclist and leaving two others severely injured. The incident took place at the Nong Yai Bu intersection when a car, running a red light, collided forcefully with two motorcycles. The deceased, Anurak, whose last name has been withheld for privacy,…
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Bangkok police raid notorious Don Mueang gambling den again
Bangkok’s Don Mueang district was the scene of a police raid on Saturday as an old futsal stadium, notorious for its continued operation as a gambling den, was targeted yet again. The site, known for its resilience in the face of repeated shutdowns, has seen at least ten raids over several years. Leading a 30-officer team was the Superintendent of…
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Healthy alliance: Thai-US partnership to inject vitality into EEC healthcare
A joint venture is underway between Thailand and the United States, aimed at boosting investments within the healthcare and medical sectors in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). This initiative is designed to support healthcare services for both ageing and young populations while promoting targeted industries. Forecasts from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation indicate a rapid growth trajectory for the medical…
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Thai-Lao QR payment system launched to boost border tourism
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) and the Bank of Lao (BoL) have initiated a QR payment system to facilitate electronic transactions, a move that promises to increase tourist spending at the Thai-Laos border. The system was launched on the fringes of the 11th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in the Luang Prabang on April 3. Khemchat Somjaiwong,…
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Thailand braces for summer storm in 60 provinces
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a warning for a summer storm expected to affect 60 provinces across the northern, northeastern, and central regions and Bangkok from April 8 to April 11. The DDPM Director-General, Chaiwat Junthirapong, has urged citizens to stay vigilant and closely monitor updates to stay safe during this period. Today, Chaiwat announced…
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British man critically injured after impaling himself on iron fence in Pattaya
A 65 year old British man critically injured himself after he was impaled on a sharp iron fence at his residence in the Bang La Bang district of Chon Buri. The incident occurred in the wee hours of today at Choke Chai Garden Home 2 in Tambon Nong Pru. Emergency services arrived at the scene and discovered Michael Girling pierced through…
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Speeding car crashes into Nonthaburi noodle shop; driver suspected of DUI
Chaos erupted at a roadside noodle shop when a speeding sedan crashed into the establishment, leaving customers and the shop owner in shock. The 46 year old driver, identified as Mongkol, refused to take a breathalyzer test, citing a mouth injury as the reason. This incident took place in the late hours of yesterday on Highway 345 in Pak Kret…
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Thailand sees remarkable tourism boom in Q1 2024
Thailand experienced a remarkable tourism boom in the first quarter of 2024, with the arrival of 9.37 million international tourists, a hefty 44% surge compared to the same period in 2023. The Tourism and Sports Ministry‘s announcement in April, revealed this significant increase, attributing it to the influx of visitors from various parts of the globe. Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol…
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Thai NCB seizes 30 million baht in assets from biker drug gang
On April 5, the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) of Thailand revealed a successful operation that resulted in the seizure of assets worth 30 million baht linked to a notorious biker drug gang. This gang, previously apprehended in Chiang Rai province on March 4, was allegedly smuggling 1,890,000 methamphetamine pills concealed in their bike sidecars across the country. The leader of…
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Chinese government awards US$4.1m for local projects in Thailand
A robust financial boost of US$4.1 million, equivalent to 151 million baht, is being awarded by the Chinese government to 18 local projects in Thailand. This generous funding is being dispensed under the 2021 Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund (MLCSF), as revealed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). A total of 106 projects were put forth for consideration by government…
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135 Myanmar nationals arrested for illegal entry in Kanchanaburi
Police in Kanchanaburi province have apprehended a total of 135 Myanmar nationals, including four juveniles, on charges of illegal entry into the country. The arrests were made in two separate operations. Deputy commander of the provincial police, Pattarachai Korsanan, along with investigative superintendent Mana Samrarnwong, received a tip-off on Friday around 5pm from a local about a suspicious pickup truck…
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Thai government alert over Mekong River sulphuric acid spill from Laos
Thailand’s government is on high alert following a sulphuric acid spill in the Mekong River on the Lao border. The contamination, which took place in Laos’s Luang Prabang town, occurred when a lorry carrying over 30 tonnes of the acid toppled over, causing the hazardous substance to leak into the Nam Khan River, which flows into the Mekong. Residents in…
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Rising lung cancer deaths in northern Thailand linked to PM2.5 pollution
A surge in lung cancer mortality rates has been observed in the northern regions of Thailand, specifically in Chiang Mai and Lampang. The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University has linked this increase to the high levels of PM2.5 particles polluting the air. Chalerm Liewsisakul, an Associate Professor at the university, revealed that PM2.5 pollution has significantly worsened in…
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