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 How to travel around Thailand for under US$30 a day
The Thaiger key takeaways Staying in budget hostels or guesthouses and eating street food keeps daily expenses low. Mixing buses, trains, and budget flights allows affordable travel between cities and islands. Free or cheap activities, such as temples, markets, parks,...
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Chinese foreign minister begins four-day visit to Thailand
Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will sign a Thailand-China visa exemption agreement during his much-anticipated four-day official visit to Thailand. Wang Yi and his Thai counterpart, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, are prepared to co-sign the Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption. This deal will reshape the travel landscape for ordinary passport holders and passport-wielding public figures starting March 1. Starting…
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Astrologer warns Leos and Geminis of end-of-month financial strain
Toward the month’s end, financial caution is the word on everyone’s lips, especially for those born under two particular zodiac signs. Thosaporn Sritula, a renowned astrologer, issued a stark warning for those under the signs of Leo and Gemini, advising a temporary halt to travel plans and discretionary spending due to financial instability. Even though incomes are steady and not…
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American tourist found with magic mushrooms at police checkpoint in Kamala
An American tourist has been arrested for the possession of magic mushrooms in Kamala, Patong, Phuket. At a traffic checkpoint, officers stopped a Honda Click motorcycle at around 5.30pm on January 23, with 27 year old Egyptian Khaled Mohamed Abobakr and an American woman named Karima Salah Mohamed onboard. A shoulder bag was searched and dried buffalo dung mushrooms were…
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Lithuanian man fined 12,000 baht for drifting BMW in Chon Buri
Chon Buri Provincial Court fined a Lithuanian man 12,000 baht for dangerous driving and getting behind the wheel without a licence after a video of him drifting his luxury BMW Z4 went viral on Thai social media earlier this month. The footage captures a black BMW Z4 drifting through the centre of an intersection, surrounded by stationary vehicles waiting at…
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Indonesian pickpocket gang nabbed at Bangkok mall after stealing 310,000 baht
An Indonesian gang specialising in pickpocketing was apprehended at a well-known shopping centre in Bangkok and swiftly brought to justice by police following a report from a Japanese victim. The culprits were caught yesterday (January 25) at around 8am, shortly after their ill-fated heist. The swift police action led to the recovery of a cache of items and the confession…
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DSI probes Aranyaprathet police for alleged torture and false confession
The 56 year old man, who was allegedly tortured into a false confession by Aranyaprathet police, is now under the spotlight of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). The contentious case revolves around the murder of Panya Khongsaenkham’s mentally unstable wife, 47 year old Buaphan Tansu, where he was initially made a scapegoat. Aranyaprathet police have been accused of coercing Panya…
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Monkey mayhem: Phuket officials tackle trespass trouble and rampaging macaques in Khao Toh Sae
The Phuket vice governor chaired a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue of trespassing on Khao Toh Sae, Phuket, and the increasing cases of macaques attacking tourists and locals alike. Held at the offices of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO), government officials including those from the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office and Phuket Forestry were in attendance. Complaints have…
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Thai star Kong Huayrai becomes ‘rich father’ to boy in need
In 2022, the Thai singer Kong Huayrai encountered a fourth-grade boy, Tle, selling garlands barefoot at an intersection in Khon Kaen province to support his sick grandmother and younger sister after their mother’s sudden departure. Recognising Kong as a celebrity, Tle was thrilled when the singer bought all his garlands and told him to go home and rest. Later, Kong…
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Bear necessity: Swiss man sacrifices arm in bear attack
A Swiss man cut off his right arm as a bear locked his teeth onto his arm and stubbornly refused to release its grip while he was volunteering at a wildlife foundation in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The 32 year old Swiss man is in a private hospital in Chiang Mai province after being attacked by the Asian black…
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Tourism boom in Thailand: Hottest trends and bold predictions for 2024
The Thailand Tourism Forum 2024 (TTF 2024) recently revealed that the tourism industry will be revived despite the shadows of the pandemic, igniting hope among industry leaders. Jesper Palmqvist, Managing Director of STR Global, predicts a surge in Thailand’s hospitality sector with the addition of 10,000 new hotel rooms this year. These establishments, primarily upper-midscale and luxurious, signify a robust…
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Tourists survive speedboat crash in Trat
A tourist speedboat crashed into a reef 16 miles off the Laem Thian area on Koh Kut, Trat on January 24. The Trat Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Center (CARDC) dispatched three marine rescue speedboats at 2.30pm to the island with the aid of 12 tourists and three crew members who were stranded. However, at one point the rescue teams…
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2 suspects arrested for murder of millionaire give conflicting stories
Police arrested a Thai man and woman for the murder of a 77 year old millionaire in the central province of Chantaburi. Each suspect blamed the other. The lifeless body of the millionaire, Panithi Kosalanan, was discovered in a pond on her plantation in Chantaburi province on January 22. The autopsy and suspicious signs in her home suggested murder, prompting…
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Thai man arrested for attempted murder in Pattaya
Pattaya police collared a 19 year old Thai man for an attempted murder incident that unfolded on January 24. The Thai man, Yanarot Suthi, was apprehended under an arrest warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court on January 17. The list of charges against him includes attempted murder, possession of explosives, illegal possession of firearms, and causing an explosion that…
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Monks reveal details on vicious elephant attack in West Thailand
Details have emerged regarding a fatal elephant attack that occurred on January 23 in the Sri Sawat district of Kanchanaburi. Reports flooded in when a village head received alarming news from locals that the lifeless body of 50 year old Phra Maha Bancha, a monk on a spiritual journey, had fallen victim to a brutal elephant attack. The gruesome scene unfolded…
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Bueng Kan family mourns as man with kidney issues found dead
A family in Bueng Kan province faced a tragic loss when a 47 year old man unexpectedly died at home. The man, who held a Master’s degree, was found unresponsive in his bathroom yesterday, January 25. The local police, led by Deputy Inspector Kritphak Muakswai, were alerted to the incident and arrived at the scene alongside medical personnel from Bueng…
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Thailand anticipates scorching summer with temperatures up to 44.5°C
Thailand is bracing for an intense summer this year, with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasting that temperatures could soar to a sweltering 44.5 degrees Celsius. The summer season, which is expected to start towards the end of February and last until the end of May, is predicted to be unusually severe, with temperatures rising 1-1.5 degrees above the average.…
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Spice heist: Thai raid uncovers fake seasoning factory, Chinese investor behind RosDee racket
The Thai authorities swooped on a fake seasoning powder factory, arresting five suspects and revealing a Chinese investor behind the operation. The counterfeit goods, bearing the brand name RosDee, were seized across three provinces. A significant counterfeit seasoning operation has been dismantled by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Thailand, following coordinated raids across Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Ayutthaya provinces. The…
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Man steals running Thailand Post truck, caught by police
A 31 year old man was apprehended in Kanchanaburi after stealing a Thailand Post delivery truck that was left running by the driver. Yesterday, January 25, at approximately 12.30pm, the man, identified only by his first name, Wiroj, seized the opportunity to hijack the vehicle in Ratchaburi province. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred when the delivery driver stepped away…
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Chester’s Thailand serves fried chicken with Thai tea sauce and whipped cream
Fast food joint Chester’s Thailand launched a unique menu item in an exclusive collaboration with popular Thai tea brand ChaTraMue to serve fried chicken and fries with Thai tea sauce and, wait for it, whipped cream. We’re not joking! Chester’s Thailand’s official Facebook page unveiled the new promotion four days ago, encouraging followers to guess about the latest addition to…
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Thai Supreme Court dismisses 2.8 billion baht iTV lawsuit
The Supreme Administrative Court delivered a final blow, dismissing the Prime Minister’s Office secretariat‘s hefty 2.8 billion baht lawsuit against iTV Public Company. The lawsuit, stemming from a joint agreement with Shin Corp to operate a TV station using the UHF spectrum, has been a thorn in the side since 2007, persisting through numerous administrations. The Supreme Administrative Court’s resolute…
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British man with asthma dies on holiday in Koh Chang
A British man with asthma from Newmarket, Suffolk, passed away in hospital in Koh Chang after being admitted for an unknown illness. The 44 year old British man, James Moore, embarked on his Thai adventure just a fortnight prior, with plans to return home on February 7. His sister, Rachel Tate, revealed the details surrounding the tragedy. “My parents, Boots…
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Cross-border connections revolution: Visa free travel for Chinese and Singaporeans
Starting from February 9, Chinese and Singaporean travellers can jet off visa-free in a new move to waive the requirement. In an exclusive bilateral agreement unveiled today, January 25, the world’s second-largest economy, China, and the vibrant city-state of Singapore have torn down the bureaucratic barriers, allowing their citizens a visa-free stay of up to 30 days on either side. This…
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Baffled car owner captures garbage man trying to open vehicle on CCTV in Thailand
A car owner was left baffled after discovering unsightly marks on her vehicle’s door handle, only to check her CCTV footage and witness a garbage collector attempting to open her car door. The incident has raised concerns among residents who are compelled to park their cars on the street due to limited space at home, highlighting the vulnerability of their…
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Clean sweep: German president and Thai PM forge ties
In a diplomatic meeting, German President Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today, with promises for a cleaner, more empowered Thailand. Amidst discussions held at the Santi Maitree Building within the Government House compound, President Steinmeier pledged unwavering support for Thailand’s green ambitions. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke revealed that the German president committed to projects aimed at…
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Roaring surprise: Lions on the loose startle Chon Buri residents
Locals were shocked today after witnessing two lions roaming the streets of the Bang Lamueng district of Chon Buri in broad daylight. Residents of Soi Khao Makok 13 in Chon Buri reported the shocking discovery of two lions to the DailyNews today, January 25. The lions came out of the home in the area without a caretaker. They wandered around…
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Violent attack on Cambodian man in Chon Buri’s Jomtien Complex
In a harrowing incident that unfolded near the Jomtien Complex condominium, a 21 year old Cambodian man became the victim of a brutal assault outside a local bar. Pattaya police and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation volunteers rushed to the scene on the night of January 23. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the Cambodian national, Thep Song, with a swollen and bruised…
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University lecturers fired for plagiarism and fake papers
Two university lecturers have been booted from their positions amidst a sprawling scandal involving 109 academics from 33 universities regarding stolen research papers and plagiarism. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) made the revelation yesterday, January 24. Supachai Pathumnakul, the MHESI Deputy Permanent Secretary, revealed that a comprehensive investigation into the academic wrongdoings had been undertaken.…
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Tiny feline duo rescued: Leopard kittens find new home in wildlife sanctuary
In a heartwarming rescue mission, two pint-sized leopard cats, abandoned in a sugarcane plot in Phichit‘s Sam Ngam district, have been saved by officials from Protected Areas Regional Office 12, Nakhon Sawan. The fluffy feline siblings, just a month old, were discovered by wildlife guardians, unharmed and thriving on their specially crafted milk diet. Playful and already bonding with their…
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Chinese man searches for missing friend, only to find her on trip to Koh Pha Ngan
A Chinese man filed a missing person’s report with the Thai police to find a missing friend, only for her to turn up in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. The 32 year old Chinese man, Sui Mingyang, filed a missing person’s report with Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat…
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Breakthrough in Chanthaburi murder case as key suspect detained
The arrest of a key suspect known only as Ja Pui marked a significant breakthrough in the murder investigation of 77 year old Panithi Kosalanun, whose body was found in a fruit orchard pond about 100 metres from her home in the Markham district of Chanthaburi province. Following intense questioning, a 40 year old man, Krit, confessed to the crime…
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