News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Sponsored Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Here’s your health checklist before the move
Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Thailand is a popular choice for retirees because of its beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and affordable living. Cities like Chiang Mai and coastal areas offer a relaxed lifestyle with friendly communities. The country also...
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Koh Pha Ngan terror threat claims Is-rael-y nothing, says police
Security chiefs have stepped up to quash swirling rumours of a supposed terror plot targeting Israeli visitors on Thailand’s dazzling isle of Koh Pha Ngan. These whispers, dismissed outright by local officials, had sparked unwarranted concern among holidaymakers. The reassurance comes hot on the heels of advisories from Israeli authorities urging their nationals to stay alert amid murmurings about the…
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Tourism and gambling: The influence of Thai and Australian casinos on global travel
Tourism plays a major role in countries like Thailand and Australia. Admittedly, it’s more significant for the former, but the latter has been able to benefit in the past from the amount of foreign travel to the country that has been experienced. According to a report by Reuters, Thailand broke its record for tourism numbers and revenues in 2019. That…
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Shocking cruelty: Child abuse claims haunt Chiang Mai orphanage
The Social Development and Human Security Ministry (MSDHS) is set to revoke the licence of an orphanage foundation in Chiang Mai following allegations of child abuse. Minister Varawut Silpa-archa announced the decision after a former caregiver reported that employees at the orphanage had been physically punishing children aged three to six for several years. Varawut confirmed that the Human Security…
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Foreign vendors in Pattaya exploit kids to tug at tourist heartstrings
Pattaya’s bustling tourist spots have taken a darker turn as foreign vendors, believed to be predominantly Vietnamese, are using children to drive aggressive street sales. Concerned reporters documented these vendors in action along Walking Street and Petchtrakool Road, North Pattaya, at around 4am yesterday, November 12, showcasing a worrying new trend that has locals and tourists alike on edge. These…
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Model Phu Khao arrested in Bangkok for child exploitation charges
Police arrested a renowned model known online as Phu Khao for allegedly exploiting young boys to create explicit content for a private online group. The arrest took place after a fan meeting at a restaurant in Bangkok’s Ari neighbourhood. The police acted on a warrant issued on November 6, following an investigation into his activities. Phuchit, a 20 year old…
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Trump’s win sparks PM Paetongtarn’s bold investor push
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is seizing the momentum after Donald Trump’s election victory by calling for an ambitious strategy to attract foreign investors to Thailand. Speaking in Los Angeles yesterday, November 12, to Thai ambassadors, consul-generals, and key representatives of Team Thailand from across the Americas, the Thai premier urged diplomats to become a front-line force, promoting Thailand as…
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Thailand launches digital durian initiative to boost productivity
The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) has launched the One Tambon, One Digital (OTOD) Digital Durian initiative, aiming to enhance the productivity of 8.8 million Thai durian farmers through digital platforms and innovative technologies. This project seeks to standardise Thai durian production, leveraging applications for improved recording, storage, and tracking of crop data. This strategic move is designed to tackle…
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Thai Airways joins backlash against Rolls-Royce delays
Thai Airways (THAI) is fed up with Rolls-Royce, joining a growing backlash over delays in jet engine maintenance that’s forcing its fleet into prolonged downtime. CEO Chai Eamsiri has revealed that the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners are now waiting up to 120 days for engine maintenance, a stark increase from the previous 90-day standard—a time frame he already considered frustrating.…
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Experts demand green vision for Thailand’s smart cities
Smart cities must do more than shine with technology, they need to be green, open, and truly life-enhancing, experts emphasised at the Thailand Smart City Expo 2025 seminar, hosted by the Nation Group’s PostToday and Springnews. The event, held yesterday, November 12, gathered experts, public officials, and private sector leaders to shape Thailand’s future through sustainable urban development. Chula Sukmanop,…
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Holiday bonus: Thailand ‘calendars’ in extra days for a longer 2025
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved additional public holidays for 2025, offering an opportunity for extended breaks throughout the year. The new holidays will enhance the annual total to 21 public holidays for 2025, with three additional special holiday days providing longer periods off. The government has set Monday, June 2, 2025, as a special holiday to link with the weekend and…
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DHL Thailand’s new multimodal hub to revolutionise logistics
DHL Global Forwarding Thailand is upping the ante in the logistics game with the launch of its brand-new International Multimodal Hub in Bangkok, a 480-square-metre facility at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Free Zone 3. This cutting-edge hub not only positions Thailand as a logistics powerhouse in Southeast Asia but also offers seamless connections across road, air, and sea, streamlining the entire supply…
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Bone-chilling discovery: Thai couple ‘dig up’ mystery in old freezer at abandoned farm
A Thai scrap-buying couple unearthed some mysterious bones in an old freezer they were about to purchase from an abandoned pig farm in the central province of Prachin Buri. The bones are under investigation to determine whether they belong to humans or animals. The couple shared their shocking discovery on a Facebook group for locals in Prachin Buri. They explained…
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Thai hoteliers worry foreign businesses could harm tourism image
Concerns have risen among Thai hoteliers over the increasing use of Thai nominees by foreign businesses, which they fear may tarnish Thailand’s tourism reputation. The Thai Hotels Association’s (THA) monthly sentiment index highlights this growing unease, especially as the high season begins. THA President Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun revealed that nearly half of Thailand’s hotels express apprehension about illegal foreign investments, particularly…
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Chiang Mai ‘grounds’ Yi Peng Festival lanterns to keep skies safe
Chiang Mai reinforced strict measures against the release of sky lanterns during the Yi Peng Festival to protect air traffic, particularly in six districts identified as high-risk areas. The release of lanterns outside these zones is permitted for only two days, with heavy penalties for violators. The Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai, Siwa Thamikanont, along with the Chiang Mai Provincial…
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2 children rescued after brutal abuse by their drug-addicted mother
Thai social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaibunwet rescued two children, aged five and three, from their abusive drug-addicted mother in the central province of Kanchanaburi. Gun, and officers from the Nongprue Police Station, visited a house in a sugar cane field in the Nong Prue district of Kanchanaburi province on November 12, after locals in the area sought help for…
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Thailand plans 14 new floating solar farms to boost renewable energy
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is pushing forward with the development of 14 new floating solar farm projects as part of its strategic efforts to increase renewable energy production. These projects, with a combined capacity of 2,656 megawatts, are set to be constructed on the reservoirs of seven hydroelectric dams under the latest national power development plan (PDP) for…
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Grain expectations: Thailand ‘rices’ to occasion with export boost
Thailand is on track to bolster its rice exports to 9 million tonnes this year, potentially generating 230 billion baht (US$6.4 billion), according to the Commerce Ministry. This optimistic projection follows the country’s successful export of 7.45 million tonnes in the first nine months, already yielding 172 billion baht (US$4.95 billion) in revenue. This marks a notable year-on-year increase of…
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Pathom to enlightenment: Locals ‘chedi’ up for festival of worship
The annual festival of worship at the revered Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom kicked off yesterday, November 12, providing a cherished opportunity for locals to venerate sacred Buddhist relics. The event spans nine days and nights, aiming to uphold ancient traditions and cultural heritage. Set in the town of Nakhon Pathom, this festival is a significant annual event, drawing…
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Chill seekers: Tourists flock to Doi Inthanon for a ‘cool’ getaway
A cold morning greeted visitors at Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, as temperatures dipped to a chilly 8 degrees Celsius. Tourists flocked to experience the cold weather, with Kew Mae Pan recording 9 degrees Celsius and the park headquarters at 13 degrees Celsius. Chiang Mai City saw morning temperatures ranging between 21 and 22 degrees Celsius, prompting locals to don warm…
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Foreign affair: Police ‘Thai’ up 18 Chinese men in illegal residency bust
Police in Kanchanaburi have detained a group of 20 foreigners for illegally residing in Thailand. The group, composed of 18 Chinese men and two Lao women, was apprehended in the Sangkhla Buri district, according to local police reports. Police Colonel Paitoon Sriwilai from the Sangkhla Buri Police Station revealed that the arrests followed an investigation into a Chinese gang’s unlawful…
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Anchoring history: Amerigo Vespucci makes waves in Phuket
The prestigious Italian Navy ship Amerigo Vespucci made a historic stop in Phuket as part of its ongoing 22-month World Tour, visiting 31 countries across five continents. Docked at Phuket Deep Sea Port from November 6 to 10, the vessel represented a significant naval diplomacy initiative by the Italian Ministry of Defense and the Italian Navy. The tour aims to…
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Phuket residents alarmed by sudden worm invasion
Residents of the Phuket Villa 3 housing estate in Wichit found themselves in disarray yesterday when a staggering swarm of “norn pradu” worms descended upon their community. The unexpected invasion left the public park and its surroundings teeming with these small creatures, causing significant distress among the locals. These worms, measuring roughly 2 to 3 centimetres in length, quickly spread…
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Motorcyclist dies in crash with truck on dark Bangkok road
A tragic accident occurred on Jaturathit Road in Din Daeng, Bangkok, when a 26 year old motorcyclist collided with the rear of a 10-wheel truck. The accident, which happened in the early hours of today, November 13, resulted in the motorcyclist’s death as he became trapped in the back of the vehicle. Police Lieutenant Colonel Jirapha Channara from the Din…
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Falling from grace: Thai woman injured in Phuket hotel plunge
A Thai woman suffered severe injuries after falling from the fifth floor of a prominent hotel in Phuket. Police investigations revealed the room was locked from the inside, with no one else present at the time of the incident. Chanant Mekchai, an investigation officer from Patong Police Station in Kathu district, Phuket, was alerted to a person falling from a…
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High stakes at work: Thai man’s meth ‘ods for productivity boost
A Thai man found with methamphetamine (meth) in his possession claimed he bought the drug for personal use to increase his work productivity. He expressed that his sole intention was to support his family and 74 year old mother, not to sell the substance. Police Colonel Phetkla Thaweekarn from the Amphawa Police Station in Samut Songkhram received complaints about meth…
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Fishing for heroes: Trang fisherman saves boys from drowning
A heroic act unfolded recently when Witit Yanglang, a 26 year old fisherman from Trang province, courageously leapt into the sea to save two 11 year old boys from drowning. The boys, who had been playing near a pier, were rescued just in time, earning Witit widespread admiration as a hero. On the day following the incident, officials, including the…
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Monks escape Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima temple fire
A dramatic fire outbreak at a renowned temple in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, prompted monks and novices to flee for their lives in the dead of night yesterday. Firefighters deployed four fire engines to combat the blaze, which was finally subdued after over an hour. The extent of the damage remains unassessed. The incident occurred at 10.30pm yesterday,…
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Bangkok air quality goes up in smoke as pm2.5 levels spike
Air quality in Bangkok has deteriorated significantly, with hazardous PM2.5 levels recorded across 49 districts. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) warned citizens about the pollution levels, which were found to be above the standard threshold for health safety. The alarming situation was reported at 7am today, November 13, when GISTDA, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science,…
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Thai police rescue 5 Chinese nationals trafficked for call centre scam
Thai police officers rescued five Chinese nationals who were taken to the Thai-Myanmar border instead of their intended destination in Pattaya, where they were reportedly about to be trafficked to work for a call centre scam gang. The Director of the Department of Child and Women Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking, Prachuap Wongsook, announced the successful rescue mission at a press…
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Body of unidentified man found under Narathiwat bridge
A harrowing discovery unfolded yesterday in Narathiwat, where police found the body of an unidentified man under a bridge, believed to be a victim of a personal conflict. The man had his hands bound and was shot twice in the head. Police officials, led by Apakorn Wirupakarak, were alerted to the grim scene beneath the Batu Salo Re Bridge in…
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