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 Moving to Thailand? Here are the health documents you should prepare before you go
The Thaiger key takeaways Valid passport, visa documents, health certificate, and vaccination records are essential for immigration and medical care in Thailand. Health insurance that meets visa requirements, like Cigna, provides protection, direct billing, and access to a wide hospital...
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Russian ransom: Gang grabs Belarusian couple in Phuket crypto con
Five members of a Russian gang have been apprehended for the kidnapping and extortion of a Belarusian couple in Phuket, forcing them to transfer 30 million baht (US$848,296) in cryptocurrency before abandoning them. The incident occurred on January 31, at a prominent hotel in the Talad Yai area of Mueang Phuket district. A tourist witnessed the couple being forcefully pushed…
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Water pistol standoff and UFO jellyfish take top honours in wildlife photo competition
A young girl pointing a water pistol at a monkey and a celestial squadron of jellyfish saucers have clinched top prizes at the 50th European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The captivating collection, featuring mischievous animals and breathtaking landscapes, drew over 1,000 entries from professionals spanning 36 countries, overwhelming judges with a staggering 19,000 submissions. Organised by the German Society for…
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Thailand PM2.5 air pollution discussed at global summit
In a historic first for the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO), Thailand played host to the Role and Fate of Forest Ecosystems in a Changing World conference, where the PM2.5 situation was discussed. Over 80 experts from across the globe converged at King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) to unpack the dire implications of air pollution and…
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Bangkok air pollution levels exceed safety standards
Air pollution in Bangkok and 30 provinces have been reported to exceed safe levels of PM2.5, according to the latest air quality monitoring. Despite some improvements forecasted for the coming week, public health warnings remain in place, advising residents in affected areas to minimise outdoor activities. As of 7am yesterday, the Air Pollution Control Department of the Ministry of Natural…
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West Thailand: Newly discovered black-and-white striped snake lurks in Khao Krachom
On the treacherous slopes of Khao Krachom in Thailand, a slithering menace lurked in the shadows, its brightly coloured stripes tempting fate. Unbeknownst to the fearless adventurers, this 3-foot-long creature turned out to be a sinister surprise: a newly unearthed species, now named Bungarus sagittatus, the barbed arrow krait. Scientists, daring the dangers of the elusive creature, uncovered the venomous…
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Parcel predicament: Thai delivery rider dodges drug charge in watch swap scam
A Thai delivery rider dodged a drug charge after a dealer tricked him into transporting crystal meth and ecstasy by claiming the parcel was a watch. The 38 year old delivery rider, identified as A, reported the discovery of the drugs to Hua Mark Police Station on January 31 at about 10.45pm. He reported to officers that he was hired…
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Thailand to launch roadshow in China promoting 1 trillion baht Land Bridge project
Thailand’s Transport Ministry, headed by Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, announced yesterday that it would be launching a roadshow in China next month to promote the Land Bridge project. This announcement followed a recent visit by Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, who expressed China’s interest in the project. As a response, the Thai government is preparing to submit a project report…
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Bang Lamung: Truck driver’s daring manoeuvre results in collision
A truck driver’s daring manoeuvre left a trailer truck mangled and the driver with multiple injuries on Bang Lamung‘s No. 36 Road, Chon Buri. The Huay Yai Police received distress signals yesterday from the Pong sub-district, where the unfolding drama had taken a perilous turn. As the dust settled, the wreckage revealed the aftermath of a gruesome impact: a container…
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Taking flight: Nok Air’s Boeing 737 max 8 plans hit turbulence
Thai airline Nok Air’s plans to introduce Boeing 737 Max 8 jets are facing unexpected headwinds. Safety anxieties soar amid recent incidents within the 737 Max family, casting shadows over Nok Air’s ambitious fleet expansion. Amidst the clouds of uncertainty, Nok Air, having already committed to lease eight Boeing 737 Max 8s, is grappling with safety concerns that have grounded the…
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Dagger drama: Thai woman stabs herself, spins murder tale to evade debt payments
A Thai woman stabbed herself in the stomach and fabricated an attempted murder scenario in an attempt to escape her debt repayments in the Isaan province of Buriram. Srinapa Srisopha, a 63 year old retired teacher, hurried 38 year old Wassana Srisanga to Satuek Hospital after she sustained a stab wound to the stomach. Srinapa clarified that Wassana had been…
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Demonstrators in Bangkok mark third year anniversary of Myanmar coup
In a display of resistance, hundreds took to the streets in Bangkok to protest on the third anniversary of Myanmar’s coup. Tears, slogans, and a powerful call for change echoed outside the United Nations headquarters as protesters, both young and old, demanded justice for the shattered dreams of democracy. Bangkok’s United Nations headquarters became a poignant stage yesterday as protesters,…
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Three companies with snouts in trough face pork smuggling and forgery charges
Charges have been levelled against three additional companies by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, over allegations of pork smuggling and document falsification. The Deputy Chief of the ministry’s Nakaraja Task Force, Thanadol Suwannaritr, revealed yesterday that his team discovered three more firms connected to the illegal activity. This brings the total number of companies under investigation by the Department…
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Thailand set to sign free trade agreement with Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka during his upcoming visit to the island nation this week, according to spokesperson Chai Watcharonke. This marks the 15th FTA for Thailand and the first since PM Srettha assumed office the previous year. PM Srettha’s visit comes at the invitation of Sri Lanka’s Premier,…
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TripAdvisor ranks Pattaya as 7th Best of the Best Destinations in 2024
Popular online travel platform Tripadvisor ranked Pattaya in Thailand 7th in the Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destination for 2024, suggesting the beach city is the perfect choice for great resorts, outdoor activities, cabaret and cultural tours. Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award Best of the Best for 2024, is divided into five categories including destinations, restaurants, beaches, hotels and…
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Government and military suffer nearly 2,000 cyber attacks weekly
Thailand is grappling with an alarming surge of cyber attacks, facing an unprecedented 1,892 assaults per week, far surpassing the global average. Check Point Software Technologies unveils shocking statistics in their latest Threat Intelligence Report, exposing the kingdom’s vulnerability to Cryptominer and Botnet malware, paving the way for phishing attacks and resource hijacking. The primary targets in the past six…
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Scientists at Mahidol University link PM2.5 exposure to onset of osteoporosis
A team of scientists from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Science, focusing on osteoporosis, recently discovered a potential link between fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and the onset of osteoporosis. They observed that lab rats exposed to PM2.5 developed bone inflammation, leading to an increase in bone-degrading cells called osteoclasts. The research, carried out by the Centre of…
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Thailand warns students about ‘rub hew’ courier service amid drug trafficking concerns
Authorities in Nonthaburi, Thailand, intercepted a suspicious package containing 7.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, concealed inside 15 seat cushions, on January 2. The package, which was addressed to the homeowner’s daughter studying in Australia, was discovered after the homeowner reported the package. In Thailand, a trend called rub hew, which translates to help carry, is common among young people studying abroad.…
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From brooms to boom: Street sweeper sweeps up 12-million-baht lottery jackpot
A street sweeper’s life transformed overnight when luck smiled upon her with a 12-million-baht government lottery win. Somsong Singsa, a 56 year old municipal worker from Si Sa Ket province, revealed that a vendor’s persuasion made her purchase two winning tickets. After four decades of toil, she now plans to resign and provide for her family, who are overjoyed at…
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Drunk officer leaves 12 year old boy in critical condition after hit-and-run (video)
A reckless police officer under the influence of alcohol crashed his pickup into a motorcycle and dragged a 12 year old boy along the road in the Isaan province of Roi Et, leaving the victim hospitalised and in critical condition. The crash between the two vehicles on Prem Pracharath Road was reported to Mueang Roi Et Police Station at 9.50am…
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Thailand’s NSM Foundation uncovers five unique insect and one plant species
The National Science Museum (NSM) Foundation in Thailand recently uncovered five unique insect species and a novel plant species, bolstering the nation’s strides in the arena of scientific discovery. The revelation was made public by NSM President, Assistant Professor Rawin Raviwongse, last Wednesday. The insect species discovered encompass three distinct earwig species, namely Mongolabis chiangmaiensis Nishikawa & Jaitrong, 2023; Mongolabis…
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Eerie shadow on Phetchabun road sparks ghostly buzz online
A chilling story has emerged from a seemingly innocuous post about a broken branch blocking a road in Phetchabun province. The shadow of the branch, upon closer inspection, appeared to bear an eerie resemblance to a person who had died three months earlier, sparking a flurry of comments and supernatural speculation online. The original post, made by 41 year old…
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Thai Airways sues over passenger’s flight diversion criticism
Thai Airways has taken legal action against a passenger who criticised the airline’s decision to divert a Bangkok-Melbourne flight to Sydney due to adverse weather conditions. The airline asserts that the crew followed international safety and security standards and seeks to protect its reputation and that of its personnel. Thai Airways addressed the uproar caused by a passenger’s complaints about…
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Thai parties unite to amend Referendum Act for easier constitution change
Thailand’s leading political parties, Pheu Thai and Move Forward, are joining forces to amend the country’s Referendum Act. The act’s existing flaws are viewed as hurdles to modifying the constitution, a critical move supported by many parties who see the current charter as a legacy of the National Council for Peace and Order, the orchestrator of the last coup. Both…
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Health alert: Your favourite grilled pork buffet could be killing you
The Ministry of Public Health (MPH) issued a dire warning to all Moo Kratha enthusiasts, exposing the perilous health risks lurking behind the seemingly innocent Thai barbeque-style grilled pork. Moo Kratha has been a Thai culinary delight but the MPH’s latest survey unveiled a dark side to this all-you-can-eat extravaganza, putting the health of many Thais at risk. A comprehensive…
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Cultural crown: Nakhon Pathom’s signature Khao Moo Daeng dish hailed as heritage hero
The Cultural Promotion Department bestowed the coveted title of cultural wisdom heritage upon Nakhon Pathom’s signature dish, Khao Moo Daeng, or red pork rice. A sumptuous symphony of pork, rice, and secret spices that has set taste buds ablaze across Thailand, this culinary coronation is part of the 18 gastronomic treasures honoured in 2023, as published in the prestigious Royal…
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Unidentified tourist found lifeless off Pattaya coast
A male tourist, believed to be of Indian nationality, was discovered lifeless, floating off the coast of Pattaya’s vibrant Walking Street this morning. The grim find unfolded around 10.30am near Soi 14, sparking concern through the area and prompting a rapid response from local authorities. Pattaya police, in collaboration with Tourist Police, immigration officers, and rescue personnel, swiftly arrived at…
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Swine surprise: Task force uncovers pork smuggling scheme in Thailand
A recent expose by the Phaya Naga Special Task Force revealed a significant new piece of evidence linking a smuggling operation importing illicit pork into Thailand. The discovery was announced by Thanadol Suwannarat, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and deputy commander and spokesperson of the Phaya Naga task force. At 1.30pm today, the task force prepared to…
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Pattaya motorcycle taxi rider dodges death with IED discovery on Beach Road
A motorcycle taxi rider narrowly escaped death after discovering two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on a Beach Road in Pattaya. Fortunately, he escaped without a scratch when one of the bombs exploded. The 57 year old motorcycle taxi rider, Suwit Srijantuek, told Channel 7 that he stumbled upon the IEDs hidden in a traffic cone he routinely uses daily to safeguard his…
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High speed train and dual tracks to transform travel experience in Hua Hin
The newly inaugurated dual-track train line on December 15 promises faster travel times and increased efficiency for Hua Hin’s commuters. Yet, confusion reigns among the public as they grapple with the distinction between this groundbreaking initiative and the upcoming high-speed train project. The dual track line, complete with the gleaming new elevated train station in Hua Hin, stands as a…
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Young man crushed by car in Buriram roadside mishap
Tragedy struck yesterday when a young man suffered severe injuries after being crushed by a car while trying to change a flat tyre. His wife, standing by with their four month old son, recounted the harrowing moments she heard his cries for help. On the rural road between Nang Rong and Non-Din Daeng in the Buriram province, an otherwise ordinary…
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