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 What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?
The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...
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German man reportedly sets fire to house after Thai wife vanishes
A German man reportedly set fire to his house in the northern province of Phayao after his Thai wife disappeared for a few days. A team of firefighters managed to rescue the man who suffered burns across his body. Chun Police Station officers, in coordination with both rescue and firefighter teams, swiftly made their way to the house in the…
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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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Grab Thailand partners with Alipay, Kakao Pay to appeal to Chinese, Korean tourists
Grab Thailand is entering a strategic alliance with Alipay and Kakao Pay to expand the payment alternatives available to Chinese and South Korean tourists who visit the country, an announcement from the company relayed. As the Thai tourism sector remains buoyant, Grab has identified Chinese tourists as pivotal to its strategy for this year. Worachat Luxkanalode, Country Head of Grab…
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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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Rolls of redemption: Chinese woman forgives Thai driver after Rolls-Royce collision
A Chinese woman’s remarkable display of forgiveness illuminated an incident involving a Thai pickup driver colliding with her 32 million baht Rolls-Royce on a motorway bridge near Bangkok. The accident, captured by a dashcam from a passing vehicle, was shared on the Twitter account Red Skull. In the video, a bronze pickup forcefully collided with the rear of the black…
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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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Thai university student arrested for selling child pornography
Department Of Special Investigation (DSI) officers yesterday arrested a 19 year old Thai university student for selling child pornography online at a condominium in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. The Director of the DSI’s Technology and Information Litigation Division, Khemmachart Prakuyhongmanee, reported the successful operation to the media today. Khemmachart stated that officers received a tip-off about the online sale…
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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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Fuelling the future: Thailand’s gas giant gears up production to avert power crisis
Efforts to prevent a second power crisis in Thailand are underway as the nation’s primary gas producer, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) Public Company Limited, looks to increase its output substantially. With plans to double gas production in the Erawan field, Thailand’s largest, Montri Rawanchaikul, the Chief Executive Officer, confirmed plans to scale up production to as high as 800…
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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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Snake charms monks: Unusual temple encounter in northern Thailand
In an unusual incident, over 500 monks peacefully gave way to a green snake that slithered into their temple meeting, ultimately cohabiting the space until the gathering’s conclusion in northern Thailand. The intriguing episode unfolded in a shared clip on social media at the Wat Jampa Temple in the Prakhon Chai district of Buriram province. The monks were convening for…
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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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How Blue Tree Phuket is helping businesses build better teams
Transforming the way businesses build their teams, Blue Tree Phuket now offers team-building services to B2B business groups. The initiative utilises their spacious environment and their expertise in fostering individual growth in organisations. More than just an entertainment centre Blue Tree Phuket is an all-encompassing entertainment complex. It boasts more than 55.35 acres of green area and state-of-the-art facilities. And…
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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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Traffic violations rampant in Phetchabun exposed in viral video
The terrible driving habits of motorists in Phetchabun were thrust into the public spotlight following a Facebook video going viral. In a startling traffic violations revelation, the video displayed rampant disregard for traffic rules in the city. The ten-minute clip, comprised of footage from a car’s dashboard camera, exhibited numerous motorists, including bicyclists, openly flouting laws such as cutting through…
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Alcohol tax overhaul by Excise Dept planned to close loopholes
The head of the Excise Department announced plans to overhaul the excise tax structure on alcohol and beer, aiming to eliminate existing tax loopholes. Ekniti Nitithanprapas said a formal conversation is ongoing with the private sector to secure an equitable and suitable tax framework. Furthermore, many new beverage entries on the market are technically slipping through the cracks of taxation,…
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Travel industry girds for weak low season amid cost and weather challenges
The travel industry is bracing itself for an exceptionally weak low season, with predictions of stagnant demand, escalating operational costs at popular destinations, and the impacts of tropical storms. The president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, Charoen Wangananont highlighted that the season’s sale rate for outbound packages significantly lags behind the comparison period recorded before the pandemic. He cited hesitancy…
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