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 with family? Here’s how to cut health costs in Thailand
Relocating to Thailand with your family brings exciting new opportunities, but it also comes with the challenge of managing healthcare costs in a new system. Thailand has both public and private healthcare options, each offering different prices and quality of...
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5 year old autistic boy drowns at school in Isaan province
The Deputy Provincial Governor stated that a school in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen must take responsibility after a five year old autistic boy drowned at a swimming pool inside the school. The name of the school has not yet been disclosed. Baan Phai Hospital reported the death of a five year old boy named Peach to Baan Phai…
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Ethics probe: Thai Deputy House Speaker under fire for beer post
“With which candidate would you rather have a beer?” That question has become a standard litmus test for likeability and authenticity in American politics. But in Thai politics, having a beer can land you in a massive political scandal. Padipat Suntiphada, the Deputy House speaker, was recently shown on video on social media indulging in a craft beer, stirring a…
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Aussie mum’s brave battle ends in poignant farewell (video)
An Aussie mum who showed tremendous courage to emerge from a coma and fight against a brain injury yesterday finally succumbed to her injuries. The Aussie mum of three, Kylee Enwright, accidentally slipped and fell and hit her head after enjoying a few drinks with her husband in Khao Lak, southern Thailand in May. As a consequence, the 48 year old…
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Alcohol advertising: Tightened restrictions urged amidst youth risk concerns
Further restrictions against alcohol advertising are being urged by the Alcohol Watch Network. Concerns centre around young people and new drinkers who are at risk due to various impacts on health, economy and society. Teera Watcharapranee, director of the office of the Alcohol Watch Network, stated yesterday, that despite the responsibility of enforcing the law falling on the Ministry of…
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Shell-shocked: Peculiar red-mouthed turtle shells out lottery luck in Prachin Buri
Villagers in the Prachin Buri province dashed to a local temple to seek good fortune for today’s lottery following the appearance of a peculiar red-mouthed turtle. Having never seen such a creature before, residents believe its unique features, mirroring the revered Buddha, imply promising future luck. In the tranquil setting of Nong Mak Monastery located in Ban Dong Khwang, Yan…
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Highway collision leaves a lorry driver critically injured in Bangkok
A grave accident occurred on the Thapratan Highway (Bangna-Trat Road), Kilometre 43, inbound lane, Bangkok, in which a lorry driver was severely injured. His 22-wheeler truck crashed into another stationary lorry of similar dimensions. Responding immediately, officials, along with paramedics from Bang Pakong Hospital and Chachoengsao rescue units equipped with vehicle-extraction tools, arrived at the scene at 3am today. The…
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Thai it up: Weather officials forecast downpour throughout Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department reveals today that across Thailand, intense rain is anticipated for 60% to 80% of the country, with some regions expected to experience heavy downpours. Particularly for Bangkok’s capital, afternoon to evening rain showers are expected. This weather prediction points towards an acute southwesterly monsoon, currently strong over the Andaman Sea and Thailand, and the Gulf of…
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Map Ta Phut port to see third phase by 2027, IEAT confident
Reports from Thailand indicate that the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) remains optimistic about presenting the third phase of development of the Map Ta Phut deep-sea port in Rayong by the year 2027. The port, a notable part of ongoing development in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), is seen as an essential addition to Thailand’s infrastructure. Map Ta Phut…
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Elderly allowance scheme raises financial accessibility concerns in Thailand
In a bid to ease the strain on government finances, a transition from universal welfare payments to a stringent elderly allowance scheme has been initiated. This shift has been met with substantiated criticism, although the authorities maintain the necessity of the move, justifying it as a responsive adaptation to cope with Thailand’s rapidly ageing populace. In yesterday’s internal meeting of…
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El Nino lowers Chao Phraya levels, predicted rain in 16 Thai provinces
Thailand’s National Water Command Centre (NWCC) issued warnings regarding severe rainfalls predicted in 16 provinces, even as water levels around the Chao Phraya River are seen to decrease due to the El Nino weather conditions. Surasri Kidtimonton, the deputy of the NWCC and the Secretary-General of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), warned of the heavy showers expected…
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Thai crackdown on fake pharmacists reveals illicit cough syrup sales
In an effort to curb drug abuse in the nation, Thai authorities have apprehended 13 individuals posing as pharmacists during a series of synchronised raids across Bangkok. The arrests were made in connection with the illicit sale of cough syrup, a crucial component in the well-known and highly addictive cocktail drug 4×100. These operations were ordered by the Food and…
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Traffic police uniform revamp addresses efficiency, nationwide rollout set for mid-September
A new uniform for the traffic police is set to be rolled out nationally from September 15, with all 19,662 officers expected to be wearing the revised attire. Netizens queried the changes, claiming they could hardly discern any difference in the new design. Police Lieutenant Colonel Kittipraphat, Commissioner of Police, under the directives of Police Lieutenant General Prachuap Wongsuk, yesterday…
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Call centre scam crackdown: Thai cyber police nab nine, seize 300 million baht in evidence
A significant blow has been struck against the fraudulent operations of a call centre gang, masterminding scams worth over 300 million baht, as the cyber police arrested nine individuals and seize numerous items of incriminating evidence. Officers from the Crime Technology Investigation Department at Thong Thanee today were successful in their crackdown against this notorious gang in Mae Sai, Chiang…
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Should you name your baby Hitler? Nazi? The N-word?
Naming a child is an important decision that parents-to-be spend days or weeks pouring over. But a trend in Thailand is drawing harsh condemnation and has critics imploring Thai people to reconsider the names they choose for their offspring. The contentious trend of giving children names like Nong Hitler, Nong Nazi, and Nong Ni**a, ignited an intense debate. The crazy…
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Mysterious death: Unsettling discovery of local man found dead in East Thailand
An unsettling report has emerged from Chanthaburi in eastern Thailand regarding a local man found dead under distressing circumstances five days ago. The 46 year old, Thanpong, lived alone, and it is believed that his body was in the room for five days before it was discovered. Police officer Phuriphat last night received a distress notification from the emergency rescue…
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Thailand’s baht leads Asian currency downturn amid China’s economic worry
Asian currencies experienced a downturn yesterday, led by Thailand‘s baht, as concerns heighten surrounding the recovery status of the global economy’s second-largest player, China. The baht plunged by a substantial 0.8%, marking it as the largest depreciation against the US dollar in half a dozen weeks. Across the waters of offshore markets yesterday afternoon, it was changing hands at approximately…
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Tomorrow’s treasure hunt: Thailand’s lottery craze tracks stars and signs
The lottery frenzy continues in Thailand with hopefuls keenly following several notable figures and events to predict the winning numbers for the draw tomorrow, August 16. The hot picks taking social media by storm include homages to celebrities, supernatural hints and unusual happenings. Noting the ambulance number at a medical facility, some punters are betting their cash on number 5387…
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Monk’s plea: Thai woman scams 78 year old monk of 800,000 baht
A 78 year old Thai monk from Rat Samakkhi Temple in Chon Buri urged police to track down a woman who swindled over 800,000 baht from him. The monk added that he will forgive her and stop the legal process if she presents herself to the police and take responsibility for her actions. The community leader, Yotsadhammo Puangsisang, accompanied the…
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Heatwarming gesture: Thai father dresses up as woman for adopted daughter on Mother’s Day (video)
A devoted Thai father dressed up as a woman in order to participate in a Mother’s Day activity at the school of his adopted daughter in the central province of Kampaeng Phet. Netizens praised him for his love and dedication to the girl. The 48 year old man, Pratchaya “Joe” Tadeebu, shared a video and picture of himself dressed as…
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Covid-19 survivors have 24% higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes
In an announcement made yesterday, research revealed that people who test positive for Covid-19 are at an increased risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. The disclosure came from Dr Thira Woratanarat of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, who referred to a study recently unveiled on the MedRxiv.org portal. This research incorporated a sample size of 15 million people from the United…
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Twerk video outrage: teacher posts kindergarteners dancing inappropriately
The internet was set ablaze with controversy following a video of a kindergarten teacher instructing children to perform the raunchy twerk dance move during a school event. Critical voices arose, expressing their concern about the inappropriateness of such instruction. The now-infamous footage was initially posted by a teacher on her social media account. It captured some young students practising for…
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Deadly jealousy: Thai man’s jealousy leads to murder of employee’s spouse
A tragic incident unfolded as a Thai man’s jealousy led to a fatal outcome, resulting in the murder of his female employee’s husband. The horrifying incident occurred after the deceased Thai man accused the perpetrator of having an affair with his wife and attempted to assault him with a knife. Upon receiving notification of the murder, officers from Takhli Police…
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Factory explosion near Bangkok leaves two workers injured due to faulty cutting tool
An explosion at a factory has left two workers injured in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The incident occurred yesterday when a newly bought cutting tool malfunctioned. The device had been in use for only a few hours when it exploded, severely injuring the employees. The factory specialises in recycling old car air conditioners. The explosion happened around 5.30pm yesterday…
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Kuwaiti rider’s downhill dash leads to street spectacle in Pattaya
A Kuwaiti motorcycle rider’s recklessness turned into a dramatic scene on the streets of Pattaya, Thailand, as he lost control of his bike while speeding down a slope, resulting in an accident and injuries. The incident unfolded as the Sawang Borriboon Meaung Pattaya Rescue team was summoned to the scene after receiving a distress call from a concerned local. Upon…
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Tragic twist: CCTV captures Russian man throwing girlfriend off balcony, arrest follows
Thai police arrested a Russian man after he was caught on CCTV throwing his Russian girlfriend off a seventh-floor condominium balcony in Chon Buri province resulting in her death. Na Jomtien Police Station officers were notified about the death of the 32 year old Russian woman at the condo in Soi Na Jomtien 4 in the Sattahip district of Chon…
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Blazing a claim: Thai woman’s fiery bid ties her to former Premier League star Steven Gerrard
A drug-taking 27 year old woman embarked on an attention-seeking mission that culminated in her setting fire to a rental room and announcing former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard is her biological father in northeast Thailand. The woman, known as A, reportedly desired fame and the spotlight, showed a photograph of the former Premier League star Gerrard to reporters…
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Trunk of sorrow: Thailand’s orphaned elephant Tula crosses the rainbow bridge (video)
In heart-wrenching wildlife news from Thailand, Tula, a 10 month old orphaned elephant succumbed to illness despite diligent care from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The devastating news came to light after the department released a statement via its official Facebook page this Sunday evening. Tula had been under the radar of public attention since…
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Thailand’s first Monkeypox-related death highlights rising infectious disease threat
A severe case of Monkeypox in Thailand, infecting a 34 year old man with HIV and syphilis, culminated in the country’s first fatal mishap related to this viral scourge. The unfortunate news dropped yesterday, courtesy of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC). Explicating the unfolding of events, the DDC’s Director-General Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong took note of the initial discomforts plaguing…
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Thailand’s railway safety upgrade: 693 unauthorised crossings to be rerouted
In the aftermath of a tragic accident last week in Chachoengsao, where a freight train collided with a pickup truck at an unrecognised railway crossing, taking eight lives and injuring three, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) resolved to close 693 unauthorised railway crossings across Thailand. The accident took place on an unauthorised crossing, lacking official signalling mechanisms. Of the…
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Gambling addiction fuels debt crisis among Thai manual labourers
The escalating gambling addiction among manual labourers is primarily fuelled by socio-economic challenges rather than personal enthusiasm for betting, according to social workers. Government agencies and NGOs alike are endeavouring to counteract this trend by offering rehabilitative intervention programmes. Pattamaporn Sooksomsod, an associate professor from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University, identified the root factor of such gambling addiction as…
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