Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Less than 40 million Thais expected to join digital wallet scheme
The Government of Thailand anticipates fewer than 40 million participants in its flagship digital wallet handout scheme, with the initial phase set to benefit 14.5 million vulnerable individuals starting yesterday, according to a Finance Ministry official. Under this stimulus programme, the government plans to distribute 450 billion baht to 45 million people, with each registered participant receiving 10,000 baht to…
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Two students drown in boat accident near Phichit temple
Two 15 year old male students drowned while playing in a boat near a temple in Phichit province after it capsized unexpectedly. They called for help but it was too late to save them. Deputy Inspector Pichai Nilsingh from Mueang Phichit Police Station was notified of the incident yesterday, September 16. The tragic event occurred in front of Klong Khu…
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Thai doctor faces probe over private practice while on state pay
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry launched an investigation into allegations concerning a doctor at a state-run hospital, who is reportedly practising at multiple private hospitals despite receiving extra pay for signing a non-competition clause in his contract. Dr Sawat Apiwachaneewong, the Public Health Ministry inspector at Participatory Health Region 12, confirmed that the Yala Provincial Public Health Office had set up…
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Senior judge suspended after molestation allegations on train
A senior judge has been suspended following allegations of molesting a female court worker during a journey in June. The Judicial Commission decided to suspend the judge with a 14-1 vote after an inquiry panel determined that he had committed a severe disciplinary violation. In July, a female court stenographer filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), accusing…
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Commerce minister plea: Time to cut the baht and boost the rates
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan called on the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to slash interest rates and stabilise the baht in a bid to boost exports and prop up GDP. In a policy statement issued today, Pichai slammed the current strength of the baht, which he claims is hitting exports hard. With export growth expected to be sluggish this year, he’s…
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Phuket on 24-hour alert as rainstorms, flash flood warnings issued
Phuket has been placed on 24-hour alert as heavy rainstorms drenched the island today. Officials urged residents to stay vigilant for potential flash floods, mudslides, and strong winds. On September 15, the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) issued a notice, authorised by Governor Sophon Suwannarat, advising the public to brace for severe weather conditions. The notice…
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Phatthalung unveils 71 billion baht airport plan to boost tourism
A plot of land spanning 1,496 rai near Songkhla Lake in Phatthalung has been earmarked for constructing a new airport, aimed at boosting tourism and transport in the southern province and its neighbours. Anticipated to become a central hub for Phatthalung, Songkhla, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, the land in Khuan Maphrao subdistrict, Mueang district is owned by the Department of…
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Thailand to revive 300-baht tourism tax to boost revenue
Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong reignited plans for a 300-baht tourism tax, which was put on ice by former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The move is set to help rake in a whopping 3 trillion baht in tourism revenue this year. Sorawong, who stepped into his role yesterday, September 16, believes the tax will be a game-changer for the industry. “This…
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Chef’s beef: Thai hotel cook fumes over boozy neighbour’s foul play
A renowned hotel chef in Phatthalung expressed his frustration over his neighbour’s disruptive behaviour. The neighbour, a physical education teacher and habitual drinker, frequently shouts insults, raises his middle finger at security cameras, and claims he can do whatever he wants in the area. The chef, 43 year old Weerapong, who works at a well-known hotel, shared his distress with…
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Deadly denial: No sick leave for employee leads to tragic end
Tragedy struck a major company in Samut Prakan’s Bang Pu industrial estate, leaving an employee dead after being denied sick leave. The worker, who had never taken a day off, was pressured to keep working despite being unwell, and the heartbreaking outcome sparked outrage and calls for justice. Yesterday, September 15, the shocking story was shared on the popular Facebook…
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Body of missing fisherman found after three days in Bueng Kan
The lifeless body of a middle-aged fisherman was discovered floating in a stream after being missing for three days in Bueng Kan. The last sighting of him was while he was casting a fishing net. Relatives found only his clothes and sandals left behind. At 10.30am today, September 15, Duangjai Putthaammat, the village head of Moo 10, Ban Saen Samran,…
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Raid on loan shark reveals unlicensed meatball factory in Saraburi
Police conducted a raid on an illegal loan shark operation, uncovering an unlicensed meatball factory in Saraburi. The suspect, Pim, denied all allegations and requested to defend herself in court. Police Colonel Kraison Sriampon and Police Lieutenant Colonel Krisanapong Temiyasuwan, alongside Saraburi’s investigative team and officers from Wang Muang Police Station, acted on a tip about a loan shark operation…
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Mysterious odour leads to discovery of decomposed body
A strong odour led neighbours to discover a decomposed body in a house after the occupant had been missing for over a week. The deceased, 60 year old Thanakrit, was found naked without any signs of struggle. At 10.30am yesterday, September 15, Police Lieutenant Nattawat Ladawan, an investigator at Udon Thani City Police Station, received a report about a body…
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Thai residents flooded with massive bills, demand monthly relief
Residents of Bua Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima are fuming over eye-watering water bills running into tens of thousands of baht, courtesy of a two-year billing cycle enforced by Bua Yai Municipality. Furious locals are demanding an immediate switch to monthly billing to ease their financial strain. Today, September 16, the story of 57 year old Busakorn Changkrian brought the issue…
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Thai business leaders grill PM Paetongtarn on economic rescue
Thai business leaders and economic gurus are turning up the heat on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, urging immediate and long-term strategies to avert an economic catastrophe. Top of their list? Comprehensive debt restructuring, help for the low-income earners, and bolstering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) against the foreign online trading juggernauts. In a dramatic parliamentary session yesterday, September 15, the…
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Woman in distress threatens rescuers after driving into ditch
A dramatic rescue unfolded at the weekend, as a woman, in a state of distress, drove her car into a roadside ditch and threatened rescuers with a knife. Emergency responders and police officers managed to subdue her, averting a potentially dangerous situation. Emergency services in Trat province were alerted to a car accident on Sukhumvit Road yesterday, September 15. Responders…
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Lice to meet you: TikTok clip of girl’s hair-raising ordeal bugs social media
A TikTok video has taken social media by storm after a hairdresser in Khon Kaen noticed a young girl lingering outside the shop, too embarrassed to step inside. The heartbreaking reason? An overwhelming infestation of lice covering her scalp. The viral clip, posted by user @rattanavichasr, showcases the shocking extent of the lice and eggs crawling through the girl’s hair,…
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Activist Mike Rayong leaves Thailand, citing safety and freedom
Mike Rayong, a Thai activist known formally as Panupong Jadnok, shared an emotional account of his decision to leave Thailand, primarily driven by a desire for safety and greater freedom. The activist expressed his pain at leaving behind his mother and homeland. Panupong took to Facebook to explain his heart-wrenching decision to leave his home country. He addressed his followers…
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K9 hero Singto death leaves pawprints on Thailand hearts
An outpouring of love flooded social media and animal-loving communities in Thailand as tributes poured in for Singto, a gallant K9 rescue dog who served his country with unwavering dedication for 11 years. The loyal hero, part of the National Rescue Dog Organisation, passed away just three days after completing his final mission, leaving many in mourning. The sad news…
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Urgent steps needed for mud removal in post-flood Chiang Rai
Combating post-flood mud in Chiang Rai requires urgency and efficiency, with recommendations to act before the mud hardens. Sombat Boonngamanong of the Mirror Foundation shared ten practical steps for cleaning homes after flooding, focusing on effective mud removal. Floodwaters have receded in Chiang Rai, leaving behind layers of mud that have even reached rooftops in some areas. The first task…
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Sneaky love: Japanese woman finds hubby behind harassment calls
A Japanese woman endured daily harassment through phone calls for several weeks before discovering the culprit was her husband, who claimed he acted out of love. A 31 year old woman living in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, began receiving numerous calls from an unknown number several weeks ago. The calls, which occurred daily, often exceeded 100 times a day. The mysterious…
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Samyan Smart City buries cables to enhance energy solutions
The Samyan Smart City project in central Bangkok is advancing, with significant efforts focused on relocating overhead power and communication cables underground, according to the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA). Last month, overhead cables along Chulalongkorn Soi 12 leading to Banthat Thong Road, and near the King Rama VI Monument close to Lumpini Park, were removed. This initiative aims to eliminate…
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Serpent surge: Thailand’s venomous vipers slither in flood season
Thailand’s deadly snake brigade is on the slide! Home to seven venomous species, these serpentine killers are a force to be reckoned with, especially during the treacherous flood season. With venom that packs a punch, sometimes fatal, these snakes are not to be trifled with. Venom from these slithering assassins delivers a double whammy: muscle weakness and paralysis. It starts…
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Cash splash: Truck crash with 4.2 million baht, money still missing
A vehicle accident involving a pickup truck carrying 4.2 million baht in cash has led to a dispute and ongoing investigation into the missing money in Uthai Thani. The truck, driven by a local car broker, veered off the road and plunged into a pond near Wat Huai Khanang, located in the first village of Uthai Thani province. Rescuers and…
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Hospital slip up swaps newborns, father demands 200,000 baht
A shocking incident of baby swapping at a hospital left a father devastated after discovering his newborn daughter had been switched with another baby. The hospital has admitted to the mistake, corrected its actions and has since scheduled a meeting to discuss compensation for the families involved. The father initially noticed the issue when his newborn daughter’s appearance seemed different…
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Drain expectations: Water woes in Thailand get fast-tracked fix
Government officials are pulling out all the stops to accelerate water drainage in the flood-stricken northeastern provinces of Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, and Bung Kan, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced. The 58 year old deputy PM emphasised that swift action in draining water into the Mekong River could dramatically lessen the flood impacts compared to the…
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Ex-Thai Farmers Association president dies after 15m baht scam
The former President of the Thai Farmers Association passed away after being duped into mortgaging and selling his home for 15 million baht, leaving him destitute. His son, Nattapong, was heartbroken as he arrived too late to see his father one last time and has now brought his father’s body back to Sai Noi, Nonthaburi for religious rites. Reports confirm…
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Phuket plans sustainable tourism overhaul to boost economy
Phuket’s sustainable tourism took centre stage yesterday, September 15, as the House of Representatives Tourism Committee held a seminar to explore new directions for the island’s tourism sector and delve into the creative economy. The event, Transforming Phuket’s Future, was held at Dara Hotel and saw participation from significant figures in government, the private sector, and civil society. Phuket Vice…
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Zoo sees 12,000 visitors daily for baby hippo Moo Deng
A surge of 12,000 visitors flocked to Khao Kheow Open Zoo yesterday, September 15, to see the increasingly popular baby pygmy hippopotamus known as Moo Deng. The zoo plans to introduce a new sloth family next month, urging tourists to avoid disturbing animals. The Director of the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand, Attaporn Srirang, reported that the popularity of Moo…
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Cluck’s up: Texas Chicken to fly the coop in Thailand after 9 years
In a shock announcement, Texas Chicken has revealed that it will be shuttering all its outlets in Thailand by the end of this month, ending a nine-year run that has left fans of the crispy treat crestfallen. The bombshell was dropped on their official Facebook page, and there was no explanation for the abrupt exit. “It’s time to say goodbye…
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