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 12Go introduces Japan Rail Passes to enhance travel accessibility for international travellers
For those who have travelled throughout Thailand, 12Go is a well-known provider of various trips, though the platform itself has a much wider reach. Ranging from buses to planes, 12Go is undoubtedly a leading booking platform for travel throughout the...
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Thailand’s Islamic council bans children under 17 from marrying
by Kornrawee Panyasuppakun The Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT)’s has passed a new regulation banning children under the age of 17 from marriage. But there is a loophole in the new regulation. Thailand’s Islamic council has, for the first time, issued a ban on child marriage nationwide. This follows public anger sparked by the marriage back in July of…
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Finance Minister foreshadows slowing economy in 2019
“We expect the GDP growth for 2019 to be at least 4 per cent. However, the economic growth for 2019 is expected to be slower than 2018,” Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong predicts Thailand will encounter slower economic growth in 2019,. The Minister cites uncertainty from the trade war between China and the US, the upcoming Thai election and a slump…
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Thaiger Radio News – Thursday
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New WHO world road death report – Thailand drops to number 8 but still high
Thailand’s roads remain some of the deadliest in the world. But the Kingdom has dropped from its previous number two position to number eight, behind a collection of backwater African states and other undeveloped countries. A new report by the World Health Organisation shows that the road safety situation in Thailand hasn’t improved. The shocking news is outlined in a…
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Thaiger Radio News – Wednesday
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Testimony continues during poaching trial of Premchai Karnasutra
PHOTOS: The Nation The provincial court in Kanchanaburi’s Thong Pha Phum district heard testimony from three policemen yesterday. This was the seventh prosecution-witness session in the “black leopard” trial for alleged poaching against Italian-Thai construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta and three associates. With the court having set aside 10 sessions for the prosecution witnesses to take the stand, 15 witnesses had…
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Forest officials defend refusing trucks entry to wildlife sanctuary
PHOTOS: The Nation Various off-road truck enthusiasts haven’t been allowed to enter Kanchanaburi’s Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary during December 8-9 because they failed to adhere to the rules and conditions for gaining access. This revelation from sanctuary chief Wichien Chinnawong. Wichien has explained to the media by way of explanation about a recent Facebook post by Thi Lai Pa…
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Political ban lifted ahead of February 24 election
The Thai Junta, aka NCPO, has today lifted restrictions on political activities that have been in effect since the May 2014 military coup. The Nation reports the the lifts a previous prohibition on political parties holding meetings or organising political activities. The cancelled restrictions include the ban on political gatherings of five or more people. The Royal Gazette has published…
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Wealthy Thai woman boasts online about her welfare card
PHOTOS: Sanook Thais have take to social media slamming an apparently woman boasting about using a Thai welfare card intended for the poor. The woman was wearing a gold necklace and other expensive looking jewelry, was showing money to the camera and sitting in the driver’s seat of a car. Netizens say she was ripping off the state and depriving the needy. But some are…
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HM King provides funerals for two Un Ai Rak cyclists
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has agreed to sponsor the funerals for of two cyclists who collapsed while participating in the Bike Un Ai Rak bicycle ride on Sunday. One in Surat Thani and another in Ratchaburi the province rides. The two died following emergency medical attention. HM the King had a royal wreath sent to Wat Don Kathin, Poonpin…
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“Post-poll government will lack legitimacy”
“…the junta government was now trying to buy votes using populist schemes, such as handing out cash as New Year gifts to low-income earners.” A former student activist and renowned scholar Thirayuth Boonmee has predicted that though junta leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha will be able to form the next government, it will lack legitimacy and this will only lead to…
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Thaiger Radio News – Monday
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Thaiger Radio News – Sunday
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Tobacco giant survey says Thais want smoke-free alternatives
Thai people prefer less harmful products to cigarettes, due mainly to health concerns. These are some the results from a new survey on the tobacco industry and providing smoke-free alternatives. The study, by Philip Morris (Thailand) part of the largest transnational tobacco company in the world, found that 64 per cent of 1,200 smokers and non-smokers nationwide said they would…
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Luxury watch probe to be wrapped up this month
The long-running investigation into the scandal surrounding the luxurious wristwatches worn by Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan is to be wrapped up and the findings announced at the end of this month. NACC (National Anti-Corruption Commission) secretary-general Worawit Sukboon says the panel conducting the investigation had already received information from the watch manufacturers about the expensive wristwatches and their serial numbers.…
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“Lift all human rights restrictions” – Amnesty International
Amnesty International is calling on the NCPO to end all its restrictions on human rights in Thailand before the next election which has now been confirmed as February 24 following yesterday’s meeting between the Junta and political parties. Amnesty says the Thai authorities must drop all, what it describes as, arbitrary restrictions on human rights and peaceful political activities before the…
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Thaiger Radio News – Saturday
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Truck ploughs into a Phitsanulok market killing one person
PHOTOS: The Nation One person is dead and another hospitalised after a trailer truck ploughed into stalls at a market in Phitsanulok this morning. The 64 year old river Thavorn Noppawan remained at the market in Bang Krathum district until police arrived, but it remains unclear how or why he lost control and swerved into the crowd of shoppers. Police…
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The rich do get richer, at least in Thailand
A study released by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Databook 2018 has shed light on some disturbing trends looming for Thailand. Now, taking first place from Russia and India, Thailand has been ranked as the most unequal country by the study. To put things into perspective, here are a few of the statistics you can find in the report. Thailand…
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Dystopian Thai film approved by censor board
A new Thai movie ’10 Years Thailand’ will screen nation wide next week after having finally been approved by the censor board last Monday. The film is a dystopian anthology made by four Thai film makers and is based on the 2015 Hong Kong film ‘Ten Years’. The film is directed by Aditya Assarat, Wisit Sasanatieng, Chulayarnon Siriphol and Apichatpong…
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Thailand meets its emissions target as richer nations fail
by Pratch Rukivanarom “Emissions in Thailand have also been higher this year, with the energy sector having released 196.5 tonnes of CO2 in the first nine months of this year, marking a 0.98 per cent increase compared to the same period last year,.” The emissions of greenhouse gases has been rising for two years in a row, reversing efforts based…
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Thaiger Radio News – Friday
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Political parties boycotting todays meeting are ‘trouble makers’
Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also defence minister and luxury watch enthusiast, says that parties boycotting today’s meeting were troublemakers. Meanwhile, the Thai PM claims the missing political parties were like boxers who refused to abide by the rules of the fight and would not listen to the referee’s explanations. But political scientist says this only points to the…
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Rolling out the e-visas – cutting time in immigration queues
Thailand has officially launched its new e-Visa on Arrival (E-VOA) application system. This way foreigners from approved countries will be able to apply for their visa before their travel date, online, and avoid paperwork and approval when they arrive. The new system is expected to cut processing times to little more than one minute when passengers arrive and is seen…
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Thaiger Radio News – Thursday
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Political parties give the NCPO a cold shoulder
PHOTO: Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjaajiva – The Nation Thank you… next. Thai political parties are saying thanks, but no thanks, to an invitation to meet with the NCPO tomorrow for a ‘briefing’ about the forthcoming election. The number of parties boycotting tomorrow’s meeting with the junta is growing with Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjaajiva announcing his party also will not be attending. The…
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Thai PM foreshadows coming Royal coronation
The Thai PM has announced that His Majesty’s coronation will take place after the next general election, slated for February 24 next year. Gen Prayut says the government is waiting for the King to issue a royal command which would announce the date and set in motion the schedule for the coronation ceremonies. As part of the traditional ceremony, water…
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Living with elephants – avoiding problems in Khao Yai national park
Khao Yai National Park, north of Bangkok, is instructing tourists how not to anger the park’s wild elephants as they walk on or besides the roads. Tourists travelling to the national park from Prachin Buri Province at the Noen Hom entrance are likely to meet wild elephants in the morning and evening, according to national park officials. They are likely…
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Thaiger Radio News – Wednesday
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Government poised to cast tax net over online transactions
As the world continues its relentless move online, and away from traditional retail, governments are having to find new ways to track and tax online transactions. The Thai Revenue Department is poised to cast a wider net over online vendors and other businesses that have been evading taxes. The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is soon to approve amendments to the…
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