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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Body found in Thailand forest wearing someone else’s school uniform
A man searching for wild mushrooms discovered a corpse wearing a high schooler’s gym shirt in a forest in Chanthaburi province in central Thailand today. Officers at Mueang Chanthaburi Police Station were informed that a local man found the body of a man wearing a gym shirt from a famous high school in a ditch in the forest in Moo…
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South Thailand bus crash leaves 10 wounded
A bus crash in South Thailand‘s Songkhla province left 10 people wounded yesterday morning. The bus was carrying 30 passengers from Bangkok to Hat Yai. Rattaphum Police were alerted to the incident on Asia Road in the Kamphaengphet sub-district of Rattaphum district. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and found the bus on the side of the road. Ten injured…
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Young daughter marries man who cares for her to silence mum’s constant complaints
A young daughter recently shared a story about her mother’s constant complaints about her laziness and late waking habits. Her mother would question who would care for her if she got married and didn’t have her mother around anymore. However, a few years later, the woman’s response to her mother’s concerns became evident through the photographs she shared on social…
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Teenager arrested for selling ghost SIM cards online
Police arrested a 17 year old boy who sold ghost SIM cards online at his house in Ranong province in southern Thailand. The teenager used information from his previous customers to repeatedly register SIM cards for sale. Narudom managed to make over 500 transactions. Officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau raided a house in the Khao Niwet sub-district, Mueng…
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France bans short-haul flights with train alternatives to cut emissions
In an effort to reduce carbon emissions, France has implemented a ban on domestic short-haul flights where train alternatives are available. The legislation comes into effect two years after it was initially approved by lawmakers, targeting routes where train journeys can be completed in under two-and-a-half hours. This restriction essentially eliminates air travel between Paris and cities such as Nantes,…
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DeSantis announces presidential bid with Musk in live Twitter event
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to announce his challenge for the Republican party’s 2024 presidential nomination, presenting his ultra-conservative record as a potential blueprint for the nation. The announcement will be made during a live Twitter event with the platform’s owner, Elon Musk. “I will be interviewing Ron DeSantis and he has quite an announcement to make,” Musk confirmed,…
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Speeding pickup truck flips on Si Rat expressway – driver dies in collision
A high-speed collision involving a pickup truck on the Si Rat Expressway in Bangkok resulted in the vehicle flipping over and the driver tragically losing his life. The incident occurred at the expressway’s entrance near Ngamwongwan Road, where the pickup truck was found completely wrecked. The accident involved an Isuzu D-Max, which collided with a cement barrier due to excessive…
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Trump barred from posting sensitive case evidence on social media
In a recent court appearance via video link, former US President Donald Trump was informed by Judge Juan Merchan that he is prohibited from posting sensitive evidence related to his criminal case on social media platforms. Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with alleged hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016.…
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31% of Thais eye battery electric vehicles as next car choice
A recent survey by Deloitte Thailand revealed that 31% of Thai consumers are likely to opt for a battery electric vehicle (BEV) as their next car, the highest percentage in Southeast Asia. Despite this, internal combustion engine vehicles continue to be the preferred choice in the region. The survey, conducted between September and October last year, focused on consumer behaviour…
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Thailand’s state grid to ink 5.2GW renewable deals in Q3
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) anticipates that power purchase agreements (PPAs) will be signed with companies chosen to participate in the 5.2-gigawatt renewable energy scheme during this year’s third quarter. The Office of the Attorney General is currently reviewing the legal aspects of the scheme, which includes power plant construction projects proposed by 175 selected companies. Following the completion of…
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Hundreds of porn DVDs discovered in ex-temple abbot’s quarters spark outrage
Villagers in Nakhon Ratchasima province were shocked when they discovered hundreds of porn DVDs hidden in a former abbot’s residence at a local temple. The 73 year old former abbot had been expelled from the temple by the villagers on February 19, due to inappropriate behaviour, financial mismanagement, and alleged misconduct with female devotees in a washroom. The villagers demanded…
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Prime suspect in Pattaya woman’s brutal murder arrested in rural Thai village
In a rural village in Sakon Nakhon, northeastern Thailand, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of a young Pattaya woman was apprehended and is now being transported to Pattaya for further investigation. The murder of Rattana Thammarak sent shockwaves through the Pattaya community and law enforcement. The 32 year old suffered at least ten stab wounds to her face,…
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‘Last push’ to get injured English tourist stuck in Thailand hospital back home
UPDATE The 25 year old English tourist who crashed his motorbike into a shopfront in Phuket on May 1 remains in a hospital in Thailand over three weeks later. Doctors say he is almost ready to be transferred to a hospital in the UK, once his hospital bill is paid in full. After suffering significant blood loss and falling into…
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Thai food exports target 10% growth amid rising demand, quality standards
The Thai Commerce Ministry aims to boost food exports by 10% in 2023, driven by growing demand and enhanced Thai standards for quality, safety, and sustainable production processes. Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit announced the target during the opening of THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA 2023, expecting food exports to reach 1.55 trillion baht this year, up from 1.36 trillion in 2022. The food…
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Thailand flight sales soar, searches for outbound trips up 200% in Q1
The first quarter of this year saw international flight sales to Thailand surpass 2019 figures, while searches for outbound Thai flights and overseas accommodation rose by 200%, according to online travel agency Traveloka. Iko Putera, the company’s chief executive of transport, anticipates a positive travel trend for Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia this year. This is driven by…
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Lawyer of cyanide serial killer accused of hiding and damaging evidence
Thannicha “Patch” Ek-suwannawat, the lawyer representing the Thai cyanide serial killer, is facing allegations of hiding and damaging crucial evidence. Despite being summoned, Patch has not responded and instead intends to file a complaint against the police. Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, the cyanide serial killer, has yet to confess to her alleged crimes, despite compelling evidence against her. Investigators have uncovered…
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Knife rampage: Man terrorises shoppers, vandalises cars outside mall after losing job
A man wielding knives went on a rampage near a busy shopping centre in Nonthaburi, Thailand, allegedly due to stress from being unemployed. Officers from the Bang Bua Thong Police Station were alerted to the frenzied incident at around 8pm yesterday, which saw the man brandishing sharp weapons and attacking cars amongst nearby pedestrians. At the scene, officials discovered a…
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Priceless piece of history: Last Emperor of China’s watch fetches record-breaking US$5.1 million at Hong Kong auction
A rare Patek Philippe watch once owned by Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of China‘s Qing Dynasty, has been sold at auction in Hong Kong for a record-breaking HK$40 million (US$5.1 million). An anonymous buyer purchased the timepiece, which had been gifted by Puyi to his Russian interpreter during his imprisonment by the Soviet Union. The sale price, which did…
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3 DSI officers and ex-consul of Nauru accused of swindling 10 million baht
Three officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the former consul of the Nauru Consulate in Thailand reportedly swindled 10 million baht from Chinese nationals suspected of operating illegal businesses in Thailand. The accused DSI officers surrendered yesterday. On December 22 of last year, DSI officers conducted a raid on a residence in Bangkok that served as the…
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‘Personally, I love dogs,’ says Thai man who killed girlfriend’s dogs, forced her to eat dog poo
UPDATE Watchdog Thailand seized a Beagle, a Shih Tzu, and a rabbit from the man who confessed to beating his Thai-British girlfriend, forcing her to eat dog poo, and buying and killing many of her pet dogs yesterday. During interrogation at Bang Bo Police Station in Samut Prakan yesterday, 24 year old “Fin” confessed to killing and burying “more than…
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Phuket motorbike crash injures elderly expat
A Phuket motorbike crash injured an elderly expat yesterday morning. Chalong Police arrived at the scene on Wiset Road in Rawai to find a foreign motorbike rider, 73 year old Georgi Simeonov Georgiev with minor injuries. The other rider involved in the accident was a 31 Thai man named Kittisak Buayai. Georgiev’s nationality was not provided by police. After reviewing…
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Thailand weather forecast: Heavy rain and strong winds, health and safety vigilance urged
The Thai Meteorological Department‘s latest weather forecast for the next 24 hours, predicts heavy rainfall and strong winds in several regions due to the influence of the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a low-pressure system covering parts of upper Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin. The public is advised to remain…
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Cannabis shop near top school suspended amid licence scrutiny
A cannabis shop near the prestigious St Joseph Convent School on Silom Road has had its licence suspended for one month by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM). The dispensary had been operating for six months before receiving criticism due to its proximity to the all-girls school. DTAM’s director-general, Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, revealed that the suspension was a…
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Thai MP-elect aims to break £11bn alcohol duopoly with progressive bill
A member of parliament-elect with a passion for beer is seeking to challenge the 470-billion-baht alcohol duopoly held by two of Thailand’s wealthiest families, following the Move Forward Party’s recent election victory. Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a 34 year old brewer turned politician, has long fought against stringent regulations that benefit Boon Rawd Brewery and ThaiBev, the two companies dominating the country’s…
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Thai government revenue exceeds target by 112 billion baht amid economic recovery
The Ministry of Finance announced that government revenue collection for the first seven months of fiscal 2023 (October to April) surpassed the target by 112 billion baht, primarily due to contributions from agencies other than the Revenue Department. This information was shared by Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office. The government collected a net revenue of 1.38 trillion baht…
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White House reports progress in talks to avert US debt default
The White House has reported some progress in the ongoing discussions with Republican negotiators to prevent a catastrophic US debt default before the June 1 deadline. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that both sides must understand that they won’t get everything they want. The talks between US President Joe Biden and Republicans in Congress are set to continue,…
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Black panther and cub spotted strolling through Thailand national park
Photos of a “black panther,” or Indochinese leopard, and its cub strolling through Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand emerged today, capturing the hearts of wildlife enthusiasts around the nation. Kaeng Krachan National Park posted photos of the big cat and its baby on Facebook with the caption… “We meet again in the past two to three months. But this…
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AI weapon scanner fails in school knife attack, raising security concerns
A security company that provides schools with artificial intelligence (AI) powered weapon scanners is under scrutiny after a student was attacked with a knife that the US$3.7 million system failed to detect. Last Halloween, 18 year old Ehni Ler Htoo was stabbed multiple times by a fellow student at Proctor High School in Utica, New York, despite the school having…
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Man confesses to beating Thai-British girlfriend, forcing her to eat dog poo, and killing her pets
A Thai man confessed to physically abusing his Thai-British girlfriend, forcing her to eat dog poo and killing her dogs today at a police station in Samut Prakan in central Thailand. Lawyer Kanthas “Gun Jompalang” Phongphaibookvej accompanied 25 year old “A” (pseudonym) to Bang Bo Police Station this morning to file three charges against her 24 year old boyfriend “Fin,”…
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Rising interest rates boost mortgage NPLs, Bank of Thailand urges debt restructuring
In the first quarter of this year, non-performing mortgage loans (NPLs) experienced an increase due to rising interest rates, prompting the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to encourage banks to assist borrowers through debt restructuring. The central bank recently revealed a housing loan NPL ratio of 3.16% in the commercial banking system, up from 3.01% in the previous quarter. The primary…
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