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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Mortgage growth in Thailand hits 23-year low at 1.2%
Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research) projects a mere 1.2% growth in mortgages within the commercial banking sector this year, marking the lowest expansion rate in 23 years. This subdued growth is largely due to the weakened purchasing power of potential homebuyers. According to Kanjana Chockpisansin, head of banking and financial sector research at K-Research, the second quarter of 2024 saw commercial…
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Elderly man drowns while crossing broken bridge in Udon Thani
Two elderly men attempting to cross a broken bridge to reach their rice fields faced a tragic incident when they fell into the fast-flowing stream, resulting in one drowning while the other managed to survive. Yesterday, September 26, local news from Udon Thani reported that the head of the Udon Thani Highway Police Rescue Centre, Witaya Phanla, received an urgent…
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NHRC urges Thailand to rethink Southern Land Bridge project
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to reconsider the Southern Land Bridge megaproject, highlighting concerns about its environmental impact and implications for local communities. The NHRC supports its call with findings from various studies conducted by state agencies. Council member Sayamol Kaiyoorawongs stated that the prime minister should direct the Office of Transport and…
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Heavy rain and flash floods expected across Bangkok and regions
Heavy rain is expected in Bangkok and several other regions warns the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Residents are advised to prepare for potential flash floods, especially in hilly and low-lying areas, due to intense rainfall and accumulated precipitation. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that an easterly wind wave will cover the lower northern region, lower northeastern…
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Flight fright: Polish woman grounded after bomb threat in Bangkok
Police arrested a Polish woman at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok yesterday after sparking chaos mid-flight by making a bomb threat aboard a Thai Vietjet flight from Vietnam. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Security Centre received a notification at 2.18pm, yesterday, September 26, from the Air Traffic Control Centre that the Polish woman, later identified as Myrcik Malgoezata Ewelina, claimed she was carrying…
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400-baht minimum wage confirmed for October 1 despite delay
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed that the 400-baht daily minimum wage will take effect on October 1 as planned, despite the national wage committee’s failure to endorse it yet. Opposition People’s Party MP Sia Champhathong questioned the minister in the House yesterday, asking if the adjournments of two recent committee meetings were a governmental tactic to avoid addressing the issue.…
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Roadside bomb injures eight soldiers in Narathiwat
Eight soldiers sustained injuries in a roadside explosion in Rangae district, Narathiwat, believed to be orchestrated by insurgents. The incident took place when an improvised bomb, tied to a power pole along a local road in Ban Hulu Pare, tambon Tanyongmat, was detonated as a military pickup truck carrying the soldiers drove past. The blast’s impact toppled the power pole…
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Thailand aims to eradicate poverty in two years
Thailand aims to eradicate poverty and build a prosperous economy within the remainder of its term, an adviser to PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra revealed. With just over two years left in office, the 38 year old prime minister is determined to ensure that Thais can rise above poverty, stated Surapong Suebwonglee, deputy chairman of the five-member advisory panel appointed by PM Paetongtarn.…
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Ex-mayor of Kathu embroiled in corruption scandal
The former Mayor of Kathu Subdistrict Municipality has been indicted on corruption charges, with accusations of paying a road contractor before work was completed. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 8 dropped the bombshell at a press conference yesterday, September 25 in Krabi, revealing widespread corruption across southern Thailand. Suchart Kruaykittanon, Assistant Secretary-General of the NACC, confirmed the charges. “The…
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Laem Chabang: Thai customs seize 1.4 tonnes of cannabis
Laem Chabang customs officials have dealt a massive blow to an international drug smuggling operation, seizing over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis valued at a staggering 25 million baht before it could be illegally shipped to the UK. The bust comes as part of Thailand’s heightened crackdown on smuggling to safeguard its global trade reputation. Direk Kacharak, Director of Laem Chabang…
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Residents demand mayor fix Pattaya’s crumbling dirt road
Fed-up locals in East Pattaya are demanding action as a deteriorating dirt road behind Maryvit School left them stranded in the rainy season. The road, which serves as the main access route for 20 households in Moo 8, Nong Pla Lai, turns into a mudslide during heavy rains, prompting residents to call for an upgrade to a concrete road with…
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Sticky situation: Glue-sniffing drifter wreaks havoc in Pattaya
A glue-sniffing drifter caused a chaotic scene for stunned residents of Soi Nern Plub Wan in Pattaya on Tuesday, September 24. The man, identified as 44 year old Prasit, was detained by locals after his erratic behaviour spiralled into what witnesses described as a full-blown hallucination. “He was talking nonsense, claiming ghosts were ordering him around,” said one resident. “He…
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Thailand’s top hotels get the Michelin treatment
The Michelin Guide has just upped the ante in Thailand’s luxury hotel game, unveiling the first-ever “Key” ratings for 58 of the country’s most outstanding hotels. If you thought Michelin was all about fine dining, think again. Now, the world-renowned guide is here to tell you where to stay too. After four years of revamping its hotel selection process, Michelin…
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Chinese man calls Thai women prostitutes sparking online outrage
Two Thai women shared their experience of being insulted by a Chinese national who called them prostitutes on TikTok. A well-known American teacher and many netizens condemned the incident. One of the victims, Pinyada Nantakhamee, posted a video on her TikTok account, @made_moji, on Monday, September 23, in which she tearfully recounted the unpleasant experience during her trip to China. In the…
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Chiang Mai woman’s flood photo goes viral after 19 years
A photo of a young woman from Chiang Mai pushing her motorcycle through floodwaters 19 years ago has resurfaced and gone viral, as the province experiences severe flooding once again. The image, originally posted on the Facebook page เชียงใหม่ที่คุณไม่เคยเห็น (Chiang Mai unseen), dates back to 2005. It shows a woman in a white top and red shorts wading through waist-deep…
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Japan urged to boost Thai investments, focus on semiconductors
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan called on Japanese businesses to boost their investments in Thailand, particularly in the semiconductor and high-tech sectors. This appeal comes as the Thai government aims to recover from a significant drop in Japanese investments following the 2014 coup. Investment from Japan plummeted by up to 90% after the coup and has yet to return to previous…
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Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS to dazzle the night sky next month
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth next month, visible to the naked eye, before its return in 80,660 years. Suphareuk Karuehanon, the manager of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), revealed that comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is currently a celestial body of significant interest. Discovered in early 2023 by astronomers from the Tsuchinshan…
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Thai man confesses prank to teacher after 30 years (video)
A Thai man recently confessed to a prank he played on his teacher 30 years ago, revealing that he still feels guilty about it. The confession took place when the man, who posted under the TikTok handle @tor_1855, visited his old science teacher’s shop. Yesterday, September 25, TikTok user @tor_1855 posted a video after encountering his former science teacher, who…
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Adventure trip turns perilous as ATV overturns in fast stream
A group of employees narrowly escaped a life-threatening incident when their ATV overturned in a fast-flowing stream, leading to a rescue operation with no help from staff. The event has raised questions about the safety and licensing of adventure activity providers. On Tuesday, September 24, at a vehicle rental company in Sai Noi, Nonthaburi, Athiwat Sirikarnwanwong, the founder of the…
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Bangkok police catch man with handmade gun at bus terminal
Police swiftly apprehended a young man carrying a handmade gun and .38 calibre bullets at a Bangkok bus terminal. The suspect, who admitted purchasing the weapon from a friend, was immediately taken into custody. At around 4pm yesterday, September 25, Phuwadol Unphon, the Superintendent of Bang Sue Police Station, along with Deputy Superintendent Woraphat Sukthai and Inspector Wuttidet Phokha, led…
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Thai gold prices poised to break past record amid global surge
Gold prices in Thailand are poised to break past the previous high of 42,150 baht per baht-weight (15.2 grams) as international gold prices hover near record levels, nearing US$2,700 per ounce, according to local traders. Yesterday, September 25, domestic gold prices rose by 200 baht, reaching 41,100 baht for gold bars, as the price of bullion increased by 0.3% to…
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PM Paetongtarn tops the polls whilst Thaksin falls to 7th
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has surged to the top of the charts in a LINE Today poll, placed first among Thailand’s political elite. The poll, conducted from September 10 to 20, revealed that the country’s 31st Prime Minister and second female leader outpaced her rivals by a wide margin. Leading the pack with an impressive 4,764 points, PM Paetongtarn…
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Mum’s the word: Thai mother slaps pregnant teacher in bullying row
A furious Thai mother accused a pregnant teacher of bullying and humiliating her daughter before slapping the teacher at a school in Nonthaburi province. Both parties are now pursuing legal action against each other. A video showing the Thai woman, 41 year old Phakaporn, physically assaulting the pregnant teacher was shared by several news agencies and on Facebook. In the…
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Drug-fuelled family clash in Phatthalung leads to police intervention
A drug-addicted son clashed with his mother over a broken motorcycle and locked his father in a chokehold, leading to police intervention in Phatthalung yesterday. He was not under the influence of drugs but was merely enraged. Thawatchai, a 24 year old man, residing in Village 11, Mae Khri subdistrict, Tamot district, Phatthalung province, had a heated argument with his mother…
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Golden weak: Chinese tourists to Thailand dip as baht bites
Chinese tourist numbers during the upcoming Golden Week holiday are anticipated to be lower than expected, influenced by a strong baht and China’s sluggish economy, which are limiting tourist spending. This trend is also prompting other international visitors to negotiate lower service prices. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, the Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation President, highlighted concerns about the appreciating baht’s adverse…
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Khon Kaen man spends over 10 hours at buffet restaurant
A man from Khon Kaen has broken his eating record three times by dining at a buffet restaurant for over 10 hours, thanks to the restaurant’s unlimited time promotion. He even managed this feat without having slept. Social media in Khon Kaen buzzed with images from the Oshinei Khon Kaen Facebook page at 6pm yesterday, September 25. The post showed…
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Thai teacher denies stealing 15,000 baht from senior official’s wife
A Thai teacher in the Isaan province of Buriram surrendered to the police today after being accused of stealing 15,000 baht in cash from the wife of the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Tuesday, September 24. The wife of the Deputy Permanent Secretary, 56 year old Nipha Darasaen, filed a complaint with Phutthaisong Police…
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Second body found in Lampang’s Wang River amid strong currents
Police in Lampang discovered a second body floating in the Wang River yesterday, September 25. Despite efforts to retrieve the body, strong currents carried it away. The deceased is believed to be a 60 year old woman who went missing on September 20. Police in Ko Kha were alerted to the discovery of a body in the Wang River near…
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Weight loss campaign in Thailand fails to pay 100,000 baht reward (video)
A Thai woman, disappointed after participating in a weight loss campaign in Thailand by well-known online seller Tak Kornkanok, has revealed that she successfully lost the required weight but received no reward. The campaign, promising 100,000 baht for losing 10 kilogrammes in one month, failed to deliver on its promise. The Thai woman, 32 year old Krintorn Phakdeewittayakul, shared her…
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Thai exports up 7% in August, hitting US$26.2 billion
Thai exports saw a significant rise in August, expanding by 7% to reach US$26.2 billion (940 billion baht), fuelled by a surge in demand for agricultural and food products. This growth was attributed to the increased purchasing power of trading partners, alongside support from global climate fluctuations and the recovery of the service sector in key markets, said Poonpong Naiyanapakorn,…
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