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 How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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Thai investor confidence sinks as government formation uncertainty looms
Investor confidence in the nation’s stock market has dropped to an eight-month low due to uncertainty over the formation of a new government, according to the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations (Fetco). The overall investor confidence index has dipped to 77.70 from 110.09 in May, entering the “bearish zone” for the first time in eight months. Foreign investor confidence…
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OECD raises global growth outlook as inflation eases, warns of long road
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has marginally increased its global economic growth forecast to 2.7%, up from 2.6% in its previous report. This revision is attributed to easing inflation, China lifting Covid restrictions, falling energy prices, and supply chain improvements. However, the recovery remains below the 3.3% growth recorded in 2022, and the organisation warns of a…
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Frustrated man welds car park entrance after dispute with stubborn driver
A Chinese man, frustrated by a stranger repeatedly parking in his rented parking space, resorted to welding an iron barrier around the vehicle, demanding an apology before allowing it to be moved. The incident took place in Chaosheng in China’s Chaozhou province when the man, known as “Zasu”, found his space obstructed. Despite numerous requests to relocate the car, the…
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Thai tourism campaign targets secondary cities for foreign visitors boost
Thailand‘s Tourism Authority (TAT) has revealed a significant increase in international travellers visiting the country in the first five months of 2023, with a total of 10,568,485 visitors. In collaboration with Central Pattana Plc., TAT aims to promote local and alternative tourism destinations, targeting a shift in the proportion of travellers from major to secondary cities. During the first five…
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Thai mother suspected in mysterious canal death of 2 month old son
Police suspect a Thai woman is responsible for the murder of her two month old son after the baby mysteriously drowned in a canal. The dead body was found floating in a canal nearby the family’s house. During the initial investigation, officers also uncovered traces of blood on the baby’s bed, adding to the complexity of the case. Yesterday at…
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SET and AIMC to use class action law to protect investors amid Stark fraud probe
The Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) are set to utilise class action law to safeguard investors’ interests as the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) examines potential fraud involving former executives of Stark Corporation. Stark’s shares plummeted by approximately 90% after the SET allowed trading to resume on June 1, causing significant harm…
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Phuket bar raided for illegal operation, underage drinking and restricted hours
A crackdown on illegal entertainment venues in Phuket Town continued as a bar was raided by authorities in the early hours of yesterday. Muang Phuket District Chief Pairote Srilamoon led a team of officers from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) in the raid on the ‘At Five’ bar at 1.30am. They were joined by Danai Jaikaeng, Deputy District Chief from…
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India’s new parliament map angers neighbours, Bangladesh demands explanation
Tensions have risen among South Asian nations, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan, after the unveiling of a map in India’s new parliament building. The Akhand Bharat, or Undivided India, map includes parts of Afghanistan, as well as the entirety of Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry has sought clarification from New Delhi on the matter. Shahriar…
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Sunak to discuss Biden’s green investment and subsidy concerns in US visit
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak anticipates discussing President Joe Biden’s flagship green investment package during his visit to the United States. En route to Washington DC, Sunak remarked that “subsidy races” are not the solution to achieving climate goals. Some UK ministers have criticised Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes US$370bn (£297bn) for green technology advancement in the US, as…
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Virginia graduation shooting kills two, injures five in chaotic attack
A graduation ceremony in Virginia turned tragic as two individuals were killed and five others injured in a shooting incident. The attack occurred outside the Altria Theater in Richmond, causing panic among the attendees, many of whom were dressed in graduation gowns. The police chief described the scene as chaotic, with people scattering in all directions. A 19-year-old suspect attempted…
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Pope Francis to undergo abdominal surgery at Rome hospital
Pope Francis is set to undergo abdominal surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday afternoon. The Vatican stated that the 86-year-old pontiff will remain in the hospital for several days to recover from the hernia operation. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni noted that the hernia has been causing “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms for the Pope. “In the early afternoon he…
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Air India flight diverted to Russia due to engine issue, passengers stranded
An Air India flight en route from New Delhi to San Francisco was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Russia’s Far East port town of Magadan due to engine issues. The airline has stated that a reserve plane will be dispatched from Mumbai to transport the affected passengers. The Boeing 777 aircraft, carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members,…
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Drought hits Singburi: Turbo-charged pump aids fish, supports local agriculture
As drought continues in Thailand’s central Singburi province the a temple’s fish pond is experiencing a severe reduction in water levels, causing a shortage of oxygen for the fish. Consequently, the Pak Than Sub-district Administration Organisation (SAO) has urgently installed a turbo-charged pump to transfer water from a nearby canal into the pond, simultaneously supporting the aquatic life and allowing locals…
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Phuket shooting: Russian restauranteur targeted in daylight attack
The idyllic streets of Phuket were rocked today by a brutal act of violence as a man, believed to be a Russian restaurant owner, was shot inside his car outside a cafe. The incident unfolded in broad daylight, sending shockwaves through the peaceful neighbourhood. Police rushed to the scene on Boat Avenue in Cherng Talay, where they discovered a blue…
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Sam Altman dismisses public listing, discusses AI’s future and regulation
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the company, backed by Microsoft and known for its ChatGPT technology, has no intentions of going public in the near future. Speaking at a conference in Abu Dhabi, Altman expressed concerns about potential conflicts with investors’ expectations and the need for a unique structure to maintain OpenAI’s capped-profit model. OpenAI has raised US$10…
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Election Commission to recommend vote recounts amid integrity concerns
In a new development on the Thai election, the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand is taking necessary measures to ensure the fairness of the recent general election. The EC plans to recommend vote recounts in certain party list constituencies after finding unused distributed voting cards. Furthermore, the EC is working to resolve over 280 disputes that question the validity of…
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Alcoholic sets fire to his bedridden wife resulting in her death
In a horrifying incident that has left a community in shock, a Thai man set fire to his bedridden wife, resulting in her tragic demise. The disturbing crime unfolded in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. At 8am today, Banyat and Phatcharapha Ritthanusorn were startled by an argument they overheard. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, they promptly reported it…
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Superheroes gather at homemade pizza-burger joint for vibrant grand opening
Worldwide superheroes gathered to launch a pizza and burger restaurant offering homemade delicacies and colourful entertainment at The Box Homemade Pizza & Burger today, located in front of CJ Supermarket near the Sam Liam community market in Khon Kaen City Municipality. With a special buy one, get one free promotion on small-sized pizzas, the grand opening attracted a large crowd,…
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Teen dies in isolated incident at West Lothian’s St Kentigern’s Academy
A tragic event unfolded at St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn, West Lothian, when a 14-year-old boy lost his life following an isolated incident on Tuesday afternoon. Police arrived at the scene around 1.20pm, and the young student was rushed to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Police Scotland is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.…
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MFP leader vows to tackle Bangkok’s traffic, flooding, and air pollution
In a meeting yesterday with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Move Forward Party (MFP) leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat pledged to address 21 major issues plaguing the capital city. These problems include traffic congestion, flooding, and PM 2.5 air pollution. The meeting was also attended by several MFP MPs-elect for Bangkok and Bangkok councillors, signalling a strong collaboration between…
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Jackpot seekers get a ‘lotto’ think about: Ten-year analysis reveals Thai lottery trends for June 16 draw
Lottery enthusiasts looking for tips for this month’s lottery may want to ponder over a ten-year retrospective analysis of Thai jackpot results for the upcoming June 16 draw, including the most common winning numbers. Looking back at the lottery results for June 16 from the Government Lottery Office in the past ten years, a pattern of frequently occurring numbers has been…
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Beach vendor apologises for misunderstanding over lounge chair slogan confusion
A recent misunderstanding between a beach chair vendor and a tourist in Cha-am Beach, Phetchaburi, resulted in the vendor being suspended from work for 15 days. The tourist had rented a chair for 400 baht and asked about the duration allowed. The vendor responded with the phrase “Sit for as long as you like, even for days,” which led to…
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Motorbike taxi driver helps nab gold thief in Pattaya
In Pattaya, a courageous motorbike taxi driver, known as a Win, assisted in apprehending an 18 year old gold thief yesterday. The young offender claimed that the high cost of living in the city drove him to commit the crime. The incident occurred at 3pm at the Yaowarat Gold Shop on South Pattaya Road, situated in the Nong Prue sub-district…
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Thailand among 13 countries eligible for Canada eTA, bypassing visa requirements
Canada now allows Thai tourists to enter without a visa, provided they have previously had a Canadian visa or hold a valid US visa. The Canadian government announced this change yesterday, extending its Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) programme to 13 countries, including Thailand. The Canadian government has revised its relocation and services programme to ensure greater efficiency and equality for…
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Thailand’s Big Data Institute to shape policies and boost economy
In a bid to harness the power of big data for social and economic progress, the Thai government has announced the creation of the Big Data Institute (BDI). This new public agency will focus on managing the vast amounts of data generated by the public and state agencies, and will be operational within 180 days. The BDI will replace the…
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Medical glove exports decline amid allergy concerns and easing Covid-19 cases
The export of medical gloves made from rubber latex is expected to continue its decline this year, as Covid-19 infections ease and some countries impose bans on natural rubber gloves due to allergy concerns, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The decline in glove exports has been significant since last year, impacting Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, said Warawan…
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OpenAI CEO dismisses public listing, discusses AI’s future and regulation
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the company, backed by Microsoft and known for its ChatGPT technology, has no intentions of going public in the near future. Speaking at a conference in Abu Dhabi, Altman expressed concerns about potential conflicts with investors’ expectations and the need for a unique structure to maintain OpenAI’s capped-profit model. OpenAI has received US$10…
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Customs Chief orders probe into high-ranking official clearing illegal fuel truck
The Director of Thailand’s Excise Department ordered an urgent investigation into allegations of a high-ranking official calling to clear an illegal fuel transport operation. If found guilty, the official will be suspended or dismissed from service immediately. The operation led by a provincial excise officer resulted in the arrest of a 47 year old man accused of illegally possessing untaxed…
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Two killed in Patong motorcycle crash near De Coze Hotel
A tragic road accident near De Coze Hotel in Patong claimed the lives of a foreign man and an unidentified woman yesterday evening. Patong Police are currently investigating the case. The collision between a car and a motorcycle occurred on Phra Metta Rd, also known as Phang Muang Sai Kor Rd. Upon arriving at the scene, Lt Col Chayakorn Tangsakul…
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Thai coalition parties propose zero-based budgeting for efficiency
The implementation of zero-based budgeting (ZBB) has been proposed by the Move Forward Party (MFP) as part of a 23-point memorandum of understanding signed by eight political parties seeking to form a new coalition government. The MFP argues that the current budgeting system fails to address the public’s needs due to bureaucratic hurdles. ZBB requires state officials to justify expenses…
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