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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Thai road safety groups challenge extended bar hours over drink-driving fears
Alcohol temperance and road safety groups are challenging the new government decision to allow late-night bars and clubs in major Thai cities to extend opening hours until 4am. The critics argue that the authorities failed to make necessary arrangements to avert potential alcohol-related mishaps. This protest follows an announcement made by the Interior Ministry nearly a week ago, permitting bars…
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Brave police officer thwarts attempted assault in broad daylight
A Bang Phli Noi Police Station officer, Yuttakorn Kao Kaeo, was heading to work on his motorcycle today when he spotted two teenagers signalling for help. The officer discovered a man, 38 year old Anek, attacking a 23 year old woman called A, in a nearby forest. Initially, the officer suspected a domestic dispute, but A, who was in a state…
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Easy e-receipt programme set to kick off next year in Thailand
A newly approved tax refund scheme, aimed at stimulating domestic spending and promoting the use of electronic invoices, is set to kick off early next year, the Finance Ministry confirmed on Monday. The so-called Easy E-Receipt programme allows individuals to claim a tax deduction of up to 50,000 baht on goods and services purchases from businesses backed by the e-tax…
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Kanchanaburi police hunt for murderer who taunts cops with Facebook riddle
Police in Kanchanaburi are racing against time to apprehend a brutal murderer who allegedly shot a transgender woman dead in an apparent robbery. The suspect, obviously a fan of serial killer movies, then audaciously taunted authorities and friends of the victim by using her stolen phone to post a chilling riddle on her Facebook account asking, “Do you know who…
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Major drug bust in Thailand seizes 2 tonnes of meth bound for Philippines and Australia
In a major drug bust, authorities last night apprehended 13 suspects and confiscated 2 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine from a large tugboat in Chachoengsao’s Bang Pakong district. The narcotics, believed to be headed for the Philippines and Australia, were discovered during a late-night search operation by marine and narcotics suppression police. As law enforcement officers arrived, several individuals attempted to…
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Wild elephant herd of 100 ‘tramples’ sugarcane dreams in Prachin Buri, sanctuary scrambles to restore order
Over 100 wild elephants caused chaos and distress to villagers in Khao Maikaew, Kabin Buri in Prachin Buri province after rampaging through a sugarcane plantation, forcing officials from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary to push the elephants back. However, the limited number of staff, combined with the difficulty and danger of the task, has made the task challenging.…
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Amnesty angst: Deputy PM dishes on MFP’s controversial bill, lese majeste sparks political fireworks
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reported that the proposed amnesty bill by the Move Forward Party (MFP), the main opposition, sparked controversy among various political parties due to its provision for lese majeste offences. Phumtham, also the Commerce Minister and a senior member of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, indicated that while many parties agree with the amnesty bill’s objectives,…
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Impending storm to hit 25 provinces in Thailand, TMD warns
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning today for heavy rainfall in 25 provinces, with a looming storm set to inundate the southern region. The sudden flash floods are expected to be followed by another cold weather spell from tomorrow, December 6 to Friday, December 8. The TMD’s 24-hour forecast indicates that a high-pressure system or cold air mass…
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Prominent Thai scientist faces backlash for threatening behaviour
A prominent figure in the world of science in Thailand came under fire for his threatening behaviour. The renowned Thai scientist Ajarn Pong Pang, however, denied any sexual misconduct, admitting to offensive language usage that caused the harm. The controversy began when a woman posted about an idol-level scientist’s threatening behaviour, both physically and mentally, affecting several individuals. Following this,…
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Thai Princess inspires naming of newly discovered trilobite species in Thailand (video)
In a groundbreaking revelation, British researchers have unearthed a captivating new species of trilobites in the coastal realms of Thailand, unravelling profound insights into Earth’s evolutionary tapestry and primordial geographic transformations. Trilobites, erstwhile denizens of the ancient seas distinguished by their distinctive half-moon-shaped craniums and the extraordinary ability to respire through their legs, walked the oceanic realms approximately 490 million…
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Funding halt stalls Phu Kradueng cable car project over environmental concerns
The Phu Kradueng cable car project, a long-anticipated tourist attraction in Thailand’s Loei province, is currently stalled as concerns over the environmental impact have led to a halt in funding approval by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Patcharawat Wongsuwan. Following a mobile Cabinet gathering in Nong Bua Lamphu, Patcharawat revealed that the Cabinet refrained from greenlighting the necessary budget…
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Drunk police officer kills motorcyclist in Kanchanaburi
A fatal drink driving accident unfolded in Kanchanaburi, when an inebriated police officer struck a motorcycle, instantly killing the rider. The officer, who was behind the wheel of his pick-up truck, was found with a blood alcohol level of 300 milligrammes per decilitre (mg/dL), six times over the legal limit of 50 mg/dL. Tha Muang police were alerted to the…
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Parliament to consult on charter amendment referendum
Upon the resumption of the Parliament session on December 12, MPs and senators will be consulted on the method of conducting a referendum on a charter amendment, revealed the head of a referendum hearing sub-panel, Nikorn Chamnong. He plans to forward a questionnaire to Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the House Speaker, and Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who will request their…
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Thai PM plans revision of 5.1 billion baht for national art and culture
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday announced plans to revise the substantial sum of 5.1 billion baht (US$145 million), originally designated for the promotion initiatives of national art and culture by the National Soft Power Development Committee (NSPDC). The Thai prime minister expressed the need for judicious use of the funds to maximise efficacy. PM Srettha’s statements followed the NSPDC’s second…
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Bangkok bus crash causes 18-vehicle pile-up on Phaya Thai Road
In the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city of Bangkok, a startling multi-vehicle collision occurred on Phaya Thai Road, right in front of the esteemed Chulalongkorn University. On this day, at 6:35pm, the Pathumwan Police Station was inundated with calls reporting a significant collision involving no fewer than 18 vehicles, which resulted in four individuals sustaining injuries. The scene…
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Thailand poised to become regional hub for electric vehicle production
Thailand is stepping into the spotlight as a potential regional centre for Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing, bolstered by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s confidence and support. This sentiment was shared with the public on December 1 by the Government Spokesperson, Chai Watcharong. PM Srettha has reportedly been working closely with various agencies to encourage and aid international private entities, particularly those…
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Sex-reassignment surgeries covered by national health insurance, says NHSO Secretary-General
After a social media debate on whether the gold card benefits can cover sex-reassignment surgeries, Dr Jadet Thammathacharee, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), clarified on December 2, that these surgeries have been part of the national health insurance benefits since 2018, with no exclusion clause. Dr Jadet explained that the announcement by the National Health Security Committee…
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Transgender woman brutally murdered in Kanchanaburi: Robbery suspected
A brutal murder has shocked the local community in Kanchanaburi province, where a 38-year-old transgender woman was found dead in her bedroom, shot through the head. Her missing assets suggest a robbery, with the victim’s father pleading for assistance to find the ruthless murderer, who is believed to be an acquaintance. Police captain Mana Samranwong, along with investigation officers from…
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University sues former lecturer for 16 million baht over scholarship dispute
The case involving a former lecturer with mental health issues, being sued for a whopping 16 million baht by the university that granted her a Ph.D. scholarship, has drawn the attention of the Higher Education Ministry and a House committee. Both bodies have declared their intent to investigate the matter thoroughly. Takorn Tantasith, the chair of the House Committee on…
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Thailand’s weekly Covid-19 cases surge over 500 with three fatalities
The Department of Disease Control in Thailand (DDC) reported a sudden surge in weekly Covid-19 cases with over 500 new patients and three fatalities. The DDC revealed 88 cases of pneumonia among Covid patients. The report, which covers the period from November 26 to December 2, confirms an average of 76 hospital admissions and one death per day. Since the…
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Thailand considering month-long Songkran Festival to boost economy
The National Soft Power Development Committee in Thailand is proposing to extend the Songkran Festival for the entire month of April. Traditionally held from April 13-15, the water-splashing festivities are a cornerstone of the celebration. The committee hopes that by extending the festival and incorporating a range of other cultural events across the country, the festival could be promoted to…
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Coin-tastic: Teenager breaks the ‘piggy bank’ to bag a gaming smartphone
A young man carrying a bag filled with coins and banknotes weighing at least 5 kilogrammes, left smartphone shop owners and social media users in awe when he used the contents of his piggy bank to purchase a gaming smartphone. The incident was shared by a TikTok user @lovemobile999, a mobile phone store in Samut Sakhon province, which revealed a…
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Thai backstage artist fakes kidnapping over 90,000 baht debt in Bangkok
A woman known as Premika, who works as a backstage artist, was allegedly kidnapped from her workplace by a group of creditors due to her inability to repay a debt of 90,000 baht. Her husband, using the pseudonym “Ek,” reported the incident to Huai Khwang Police Station. It was revealed that the couple had been together for over a decade…
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Winter wanderlust: Doi Inthanon sees tourism spike as holiday-goers chase the chill in Chiang Mai
The holiday season has brought a surge of tourists to Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, as they flock to experience the chill of the winter months. Tourism numbers have hit a record high for this winter season, nearing 10,000 visitors. Kriangkrai Chaiyaphiset, head of Doi Inthanon National Park, revealed that the upcoming holiday tomorrow, December 5, resulted in a continuous stream…
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Bang Rak arrest: Mysterious man nabbed near old house, Bangkok police crack down on disturbance
An unidentified man was arrested last night in the vicinity of an old house in the Bang Rak district by Bangkok police following reports of a disturbance. The man, who was causing a commotion and brandishing an axe, was taken into custody without incident. Despite the unsettling scene, no illegal items were found on the man’s person. On December 3,…
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AI accelerates: Dell’s 2024 forecast unveils tech integration triumph for business evolution
Dell Technologies predicts that by 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) will be the driving force behind the integration of other emerging technologies, including advanced hardware, edge devices and cybersecurity, all aimed at enhancing business transformation. The tech firm foresees a convergence of quantum computing and generative AI within the next five years. John Roese, Dell Technologies’ Global Chief Technology Officer, shared…
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Devastating road accident claims life in Chon Buri: Drunk driving suspected
A devastating road accident in Chon Buri province claimed the life of a factory worker and severely injured her colleague, riding on a motorbike. The incident occurred when a pickup truck veered off the road and collided with the two-wheeler. The driver of the pickup truck, who appeared intoxicated, also suffered injuries. Around 5am today, Deputy Inspector Sravut Sribundit of…
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Veterinary scientist turned political spokesperson finds success in new role
A 64 year old veterinary scientist turned political spokesperson is thriving in his new role leveraging his years of experience in sales and marketing to effectively communicate the government’s message. Having transitioned from working in pet companies to politics, Chai Wacharonke’s ability to simplify complex issues has proven to be a critical asset. “When they wanted to convey important messages…
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Renowned fortune-teller predicts potential misfortunes before new year 2024
A recent prediction by the renowned fortune-teller Mor Plai Prai Krasib hints at potential misfortunes in the three days before the new year of 2024. The seer further points to significant changes post-January, with a focus on health issues linked to flying creatures. In an interview published by the Facebook page At Ten Day, Mor Plai unveiled his predictions for…
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Thailand’s transport ministry commits to 100% public electric vehicles
A bold step towards a greener future was taken by Thailand’s Transport Ministry as it committed to transforming its entire fleet of public transport vehicles into a 100% electric. The initiative, as announced by the Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, begins with the electric conversion of the limousine service of the Airports of Thailand (AoT). This development was shared during Suriya’s…
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