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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Bail granted to Big Joke’s wife amidst theft and affair accusation
Phra Khanong Police Station officers granted bail to the wife of former police chief, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, after four hours of questioning regarding a theft accusation yesterday, October 24. The wife of a police officer, 50 year old Thanattha, filed a complaint against Big Joke’s wife, Sirinatda Hakparn, accusing her of stealing valuables worth approximately 5.7 million baht from…
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Thailand’s vehicle production hits the brakes in a sharp downturn
The automotive industry in Thailand has experienced a significant downturn in vehicle production, with September 2024 seeing a total of 122,277 units produced, marking a 25.48% decrease from the same period last year. This decline reflects a 15.78% reduction in vehicles manufactured for export, totalling 87,666 units, and a 42.31% drop in vehicles produced for domestic sales, amounting to 34,611…
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Rain check: Bangkok drizzles, South Thailand braces for downpour
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning, highlighting light rain in Bangkok and its vicinity, the central region, and the east, while the south braces for heavy rainfall affecting 60% of the area. The TMD forecasts the next 24 hours, noting that the high-pressure area or cold air mass covering the upper northern and northeastern regions has weakened.…
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Chinese tourist dies in tragic shooting at Thai range
A tragic incident occurred at a shooting range in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, where a 43 year old Chinese man committed suicide by shooting himself, shocking everyone present. Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Yesterday evening, October 24 at around 5pm, Veerawat Boonpaeng, an investigating officer at Khlong Ha Police Station in Pathum Thani, received a report…
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Architectural visionary Mario Kleff unveils new luxury villas in Pattaya
Mario Kleff, a celebrated figure in Pattaya’s architectural scene, has made a striking comeback with his latest project, Bamboo Luxury Villa. This exclusive development, set on over 4.5 rai of land in the tranquil suburb of Huai Yai, showcases Kleff’s distinctive approach to modern architecture, blending bold design with functionality and sustainability. Best known for his groundbreaking contributions to Pattaya’s…
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Finance Ministry unveils 2025 State Welfare Card for low-income boost
The Ministry of Finance has just rolled out brand-new registrations for the 2025 State Welfare Card, aiming to wrap up all the eligibility checks by March 31, next year. That’s right, a fresh round of financial lifelines is coming with 1,545 baht heading straight into the pockets of those who qualify. The buzz kick-started today, October 24, when it was…
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DSI criticised for seizing fake luxury watches from iCon Group CEO
Netizens and watch experts criticised the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for being deceived by the iCon Group CEO into seizing fake luxury watches from a rented room near the company office in the Bang Khen district of Bangkok. Following the arrest of iCon Group CEO Waratphol “Paul” Waratworakul and 17 other leading members, the DSI investigated each suspect’s assets…
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Budget-friendly noodle shop serves a 20-baht treat in Chon Buri
A budget-friendly noodle shop in Chon Buri, Jay Da Ta Tui, is back and serving up quite a treat. Famous for its wallet-friendly chicken noodles priced at just 20 baht a bowl, this local gem is helping city slickers beat the rising cost of living one delicious bowl at a time. Spearheaded by Thida Keskaew, affectionately known as “Jay Da,” and…
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Thai man kills former mother-in-law over financial help refusal
Police yesterday arrested a Thai man for the murder of his former mother-in-law at her home in the central province of Phetchaburi. The 69 year old woman, Pranee Wadprawate, was found lifeless in her home in Phetchaburi province at around 5am on October 17. She was only wearing underwear, with her sarong found near her body. A computer, gun, camera, and…
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Forging chaos: Blacksmith turns village night into tail of terror
A tranquil Thai village turned into a night of horror as a local blacksmith, identified as Adirek, unleashed mayhem in Cha-uat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, by poisoning three loyal dogs and savagely attacking a father and son duo. Police were alerted to the bloody clash late last night, rushing to a home in Moo 2, Tha Samet, only to find pools…
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Drunk motorcyclist crashes into Pattaya repair shop
An allegedly drunk motorcyclist lost control and crashed his motorcycle into a repair shop in Pattaya, resulting in serious injuries. This incident took place early today, October 24, on Pattaya Central Road near Soi 8/1. Pattaya police received reports of the accident at 1.30am. Following this, they coordinated with the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation and a medical team from Bangkok…
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Yaba-dabba do! Cops seize 100 kilos of crystal meth at Thai border
Police uncovered a substantial smuggling operation near the Thai-Malaysian border, seizing 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden in a tour van’s roof compartment in Songkhla province. Law enforcement arrested the van’s driver and two additional suspects involved in the operation. Officers from the Southern Border Provinces Investigation Division sub-division 2 and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board’s Region 9…
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Thai police arrest YouTuber for illegal firearm sales
Thai police arrested a young delivery rider who illegally manufactured and sold firearms through YouTube to earn extra income. Police detained 25 year old Wongsakorn in his fourth-floor apartment in Din Daeng, Bangkok, after discovering various homemade firearms and ammunition. The operation, led by Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem and his team, followed a tip-off from an informant about illegal gun…
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Stamp out the fraud: Uzbek man licked at Phuket Airport
Immigration officers at Phuket International Airport apprehended a 35 year old Uzbek man on allegations of using forged stamps. The arrest occurred at the international arrivals hall around 9pm yesterday, October 23. A team from the Phuket Immigration Bureau, acting on the orders of Police Major General Chengron Rimphidi, Commander of Immigration Bureau 2, carried out the operation, according to an…
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Man arrested for murder and robbery of former village head’s wife
Police in Phetchaburi Province arrested a 41 year old Thai man in connection with the murder and robbery of a former village head’s wife. The family suspected foul play, prompting them to exhume her body for a forensic examination. The tragic incident occurred earlier this month when the former village head’s wife, Pranee, was found dead in her home. Initially,…
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Thai families seek justice against rainbow cult for investment scam
Two Thai families are attempting to take legal action against the leader of a “rainbow cult” in the Isaan province of Sisaket for allegedly promoting explicit behaviour and operating an investment scam. Members of two families visited Prang Ku Police Station yesterday, October 23, to file a complaint against the cult leader, accusing him of tricking their mothers into an…
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Bond voyage: Political risks drive foreign exodus from Thai bonds
Increased political risks and the central bank’s reluctance to further cut interest rates are prompting the selling of Thai government bonds. Foreign investors have withdrawn over US$850 million from baht bonds this month, marking the largest monthly outflow since August last year, according to the Thai Bond Market Association. This trend is expected to continue, with investment firm Abrdn plc…
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Stuck in neutral: Loan rejections stall Thailand’s used car market
Thailand’s used car market is set to experience continued sluggish sales due to frequent loan rejections faced by prospective buyers, according to the Association of Used Cars. Earlier forecasts by the association anticipated an improvement in used car sales in the latter half of 2024, driven by expectations that financial service providers would relax their lending criteria. Nonetheless, financial institutions…
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Lands scam: Woman shocked by 6 million baht ‘official’ con job
A woman was left in shock after losing over 6 million baht to a scam involving people impersonating officials from the Department of Lands. Despite her initial scepticism, the fraudsters managed to deceive her into installing a fake application, leading to the theft. Police recently apprehended 25 year old Waranuch under a warrant issued by the Pathum Thani Provincial Court…
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Thai man denies rape attempt in Chon Buri, claims erectile dysfunction
A Thai man in Chon Buri admitted to physically assaulting a victim over a 100,000 baht debt but denied attempting to rape the victim’s wife, who is eight months pregnant, claiming he suffers from erectile dysfunction. The Thai victims sought help from news agencies following the brutal attack and alleged attempted rape by a 46 year old vintage shirt vendor…
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Grain wreck: Rice spills in 3-truck collision causing major roadblock
A collision involving three trucks caused major disruption on a road in Nonthaburi, with one truck overturning and spilling rice across the road. The incident resulted in injuries and took over three hours to clear the scene. The accident occurred yesterday, October 23, at 9.30pm on the inbound Kanchanaphisek Road from Bang Bua Thong to Bang Yai, near the Phra…
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Gold-digging: Ex-cop’s wife accused of affair, burglary in Bangkok
A Thai woman accused the wife of a former police chief of having an adulterous affair with her husband and stealing approximately 5.7 million baht worth of cash and gold accessories from her condominium in Bangkok. The 50 year old woman, Thanattha, filed a complaint at Phra Khanong Police Station on October 20, alleging that the wife of the former…
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Thai deep tech startups generate over 965 million baht
The Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry’s Programme Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) has successfully fostered over 90 Thai deep tech startups, generating an economic value exceeding 965 million baht. PMUC Director Thongchai Suwansichon highlighted the unit’s role in leveraging university research to commercialise products that benefit the national economy. “The PMUC sees the potential of research work in…
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Man ends life at shooting range after renting gun
A man tragically ended his life at a shooting range after renting a gun and firing 30 rounds. His friend revealed that he had inquired at multiple ranges before finding one willing to rent a gun, suspecting debt issues as the motive. Police in Chachoengsao responded to a report from the 191 radio centre about a man who had shot…
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Thailand video news | Tragic drownings in Phuket claim lives of boy and British tourist & Bangkok drug gang suspect at large after shooting at police
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex highlights pressing stories from Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Key updates include the tragic drownings in Phuket, claiming the lives of a young boy and a British tourist, and the hunt for a Bangkok drug gang suspect who remains at large after a confrontation with police. In Pattaya, an intoxicated woman flipped her car…
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Grave concerns: Skull thief puts a new spin on black magic
Police are searching for a thief responsible for stealing 27 skulls from a cemetery in Chon Buri. Locals suspect the theft is connected to black magic rituals and the creation of amulets. Prawate Swatsri, a 39 year old rescuer from the Sawang Tung Huiang Foundation, was the first person to discover the shocking theft at a cemetery on Panat Nikhom-Nong…
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Jumping to conclusions: Thai man takes a dive to dodge the law
A Thai man on the run from the law took a reckless plunge from the fifth floor of a building, crashing onto a pickup truck and suffering serious injuries. The audacious escape came just hours after he had stolen a motorcycle and sought refuge in a nearby dormitory. Yesterday, October 23, officers from Khlong Luang Police Station in Pathum Thani…
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Beach please: Pattaya tourists tide over by shocking litter crisis
Tourists at Pattaya Beach raised alarm bells over the shocking amount of litter strewn across the holiday resort’s shoreline, sparking questions about where it all came from. Visitors reported seeing a disturbing collection of rubbish both floating in the sea and littering the sands, including cigarette butts, plastic bags, water bottles, foam containers, and Styrofoam boxes. The unsightly mess extends…
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Transport, industrial stocks may gain if Trump wins US election
Transport and industrial estate stocks are poised for gains if Donald Trump secures victory in the US presidential election, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). Conversely, manufacturers of petrochemicals, electrical equipment, steel products, and auto parts may face stiffer competition from Chinese exports. With the US presidential election just weeks away, the race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Trump…
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Pill poppers: Pattaya pharmacy busted for herbal heist on tourists
Police raided a pharmacy in Pattaya on Tuesday for allegedly overcharging tourists for herbal products and operating without proper licenses. The operation, conducted by Tourist Police and Public Health officials at 7.06pm, Tuesday, October 22, in South Pattaya, targeted an unnamed pharmacy accused of making exaggerated claims about the benefits of its products and using aggressive tactics to pressure tourists…
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