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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Truemoney partners with Mastercard and Google for contactless payment expansion
TrueMoney, a prominent e-payment and financial service provider, has collaborated with Mastercard and Google to facilitate the integration of TrueMoney Mastercard virtual prepaid cards, formerly referred to as WeCard, into Google Wallet. This development enables Google Wallet users to utilise TrueMoney Mastercard for contactless payment through the Google Pay platform. Apinand Dabpetch, head of TrueMoney’s growth and wallet platform, explained…
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Marriott upbeat about Thailand’s labour crunch in tourism sector
Marriott International remains optimistic about Thailand’s labour situation in the tourism sector, as employment at its properties across the country has nearly returned to its 2019 levels. The company hopes that the incoming government will prioritise the development of connectivity to secondary cities in order to enhance the country’s competitive edge. Jakob Helgen, Area Vice-President for Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and…
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Thai political fault line: Divided opinions on royal defamation law ahead of election
As Thailand’s general election approaches this Sunday, a series of TikTok videos featuring prime ministerial candidates answering questions about controversial topics has gone viral. The topics raised during the electoral campaign include the legalization of e-cigarettes, local alcohol industry deregulation, sex work decriminalization, and amending the country’s strict royal defamation law. The royal defamation law, known as Section 112 of…
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Bangchak Group monitors energy prices amid global recession concerns
Energy giant Bangchak Group of Thailand is keeping a close eye on energy prices for the second quarter of this year, amid concerns of an impending global recession. The company reported a 16% increase in revenue in the first quarter. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, the group CEO and president of Bangchak Corporation Plc, expressed that crude oil prices are likely to remain…
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CIMB Thai Bank targets 500 million baht in digital personal loans focusing on upper-income segment
CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT) has announced intentions to expand its digital personal loan offerings in the current year, aiming for a total of 500 million baht whilst primarily focusing on the upper-income segment. Recently, CIMBT introduced two digital personal loan products – the “Personal Cash” instalment loan and the “Extra Cash” credit line. These products have a combined value of…
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Food vendors rescue abandoned 8 month old baby boy in Chon Buri province
In a heartwarming act of kindness, a group of food vendors in Chon Buri province rescued an abandoned eight month old baby boy near a police booth. The baby is now under the care of the Department of Children and Youth. According to a report by Channel 7, the vendors bathed and fed the infant before contacting the police. One…
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Inspecting Toyota factory in Chachoengsao to assure car buyers of safety standards
Inspectors are set to visit the Toyota factory in Chachoengsao this week to ensure vehicle safety standards are met by the leading Japanese car manufacturer. This decision follows discussions on May 9 between the permanent secretary for industry, Nattapol Rangsitpol, and Akio Toyoda, the board chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, concerning the safety test results for the eco-car Yaris Ativ.…
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Saha Group unit invests 6 billion baht in KingBridge Tower project
KingBridge Tower Co, a subsidiary of Saha Group, has invested six billion baht in the construction of KingBridge Tower, with a focus on offering office space rentals. Situated alongside Bhumibol Bridge and Rama III Road, the tower has been chosen as a demonstration project for energy and environmental conservation by the Circular Economy in Construction Industry group. The project utilises…
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Inter Milan triumph in Champions League last-four derby against AC Milan
Inter Milan is well on their way to the Champions League final after a superb 2-0 victory against AC Milan in last night’s pulsating last-four derby at the San Siro. Ahead of Tuesday’s second leg, Inter has taken control of the most significant Milan derby in years, thanks to goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the opening 11…
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Taiwan’s offshore wind farms amid China tensions and geopolitical risks
In the port city of Taichung on Taiwan‘s west coast, a crane hoists into place the final section of a white wind turbine tower that stands almost a hundred metres tall. This turbine will be one of 111 spinning at a multi-billion US dollar offshore wind project up to 60km into the Taiwan Strait. Constructed by Denmark’s Orsted, this project…
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Ukrainian journalist’s hedgehog rescue offers light amidst the devastation of war
Amid the devastation in Ukraine covered by AFP journalist Arman Soldin, 32 years old, one moment stands out as a touching act of kindness in the face of war—the rescue of a wounded hedgehog. Unfortunately, Soldin lost his life to rocket fire just days after sharing the heartwarming story on Twitter. The thread documents the journey of nursing the hedgehog…
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French PM Elisabeth Borne seeks removal of biography passages on her private life
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, aged 62, has filed a lawsuit demanding the removal of certain sections of a recently published biography, claiming that they breached her privacy. The biography was written by journalist Berengere Bonte and released by the Archipel publishing house. The legal complaint, brought before a court in Nanterre near Paris, identifies passages concerning Borne’s health, sexual…
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Tributes pour in for AFP journalist killed in Ukraine
Grief and condolences have been flooding in following the tragic death of AFP journalist Arman Soldin, who was killed while covering the conflict in Ukraine – Europe’s deadliest since World War II. Soldin’s death occurred when the AFP team he was with came under fire by Grad rockets while accompanying a group of Ukrainian soldiers near Bakhmut, which has remained…
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Activists throw cake at Volkswagen bosses during annual shareholder meeting in Berlin
Berlin was the setting for protests at Volkswagen’s annual shareholders’ meeting yesterday, as demonstrators voiced their concerns over human rights and climate change issues. Europe’s largest car manufacturer faced pressure from climate protesters gathered outside the event venue, urging the company to take steps to reduce its carbon footprint. Activists from the group Scientist Rebellion displayed a message stating… “The…
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Exploring the possibility of a new departure tax in Thailand
As the general election approaches, the introduction of a new tax is considered an extremely sensitive issue and a rare political tactic. Despite this, the Revenue Department moved forward last week to address concerns regarding a potential new departure tax on outbound travellers, based on a 40-year-old “emergency decree”. The department confirmed it has no plans to introduce a departure…
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Life with HIV: Long-term survivors share their experiences
Over three decades ago, receiving an HIV diagnosis was akin to being handed a death sentence. Many endured discrimination, devastating personal losses, and gruelling drug side effects. However, advances in treatment have enabled millions of individuals to live with this virus. To mark the 40th anniversary of the discovery of the virus responsible for AIDS, four long-term survivors shared their…
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UK prime minister defends police after anti-monarchist arrests during coronation
LONDON – UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended the country’s police forces on Tuesday, emphasizing their operational independence after facing criticism for arresting anti-monarchists prior to a protest at King Charles III’s coronation. Sunak expressed his support for London’s Metropolitan Police, which had been condemned for detaining six members of the advocacy group Republic just hours before Saturday’s event. “They…
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Former PM Imran Khan arrested amidst political crisis and protests in Pakistan
Protests have broken out across Pakistan following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan during a court appearance in Islamabad. Khan is facing a multitude of charges since being ousted from power last year in what analysts believe is a tactic used by Pakistani governments to quieten their opponents. If convicted, Khan could be prohibited from holding public office,…
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US jury deliberates on Donald Trump’s liability in rape allegation lawsuit
New York – A US jury began deliberations on Tuesday to determine whether former president Donald Trump is liable for the alleged rape of an American former magazine columnist in the mid-1990s. If the nine jurors rule in favour of accuser E. Jean Carroll, it would mark the first time Trump has faced legal consequences over claims of sexual misconduct.…
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Biden holds crucial meeting with Republicans on US debt limit impasse
President Joe Biden recently held a crucial meeting with Republican leaders to address the impasse over the US debt limit, which has far-reaching consequences on the world’s largest economy as well as the upcoming presidential election. The meeting at 4pm included Biden, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. As the national debt ceiling, currently standing at…
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Thai PM candidate Pitha clears air over ITV shares controversy
Pitha Limcharoenrat, head of Thailand’s progressive party, Move Forward Party, and candidate for prime minister, has refuted allegations surrounding his ownership of shares in ITV Plc. Ruangkrai Leekijwattana recently claimed to have discovered that Pitha holds 42,000 shares in ITV Plc, and has called for the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) to investigate the matter. The situation is significant as…
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Court denies bail for DJ Man, actress Baiteoy, and other suspects in Forex 3D share fraud case
Earlier today, the Special Case Division of the Office of the Attorney General summoned defendants, including Panlapat Phum-on, also known as DJ Man, and Sutivan Suwannaphoom, more famously known as Bai-toey, alongside several others involved in case no. 273/2565. They were summoned to listen to the charges filed against the six defendants in connection with the Forex 3D (foreign exchange)…
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Pheu Thai candidate Dr Silp champions cultural diversity for economic revival
Dr Silp – Silpwichai Noisyamitr, a candidate for the constituency 24 of Khlong San, Thonburi, and Ratchaburana, Bang Pakok, under the Pheu Thai Party, aims to revive the economy with the diverse local culture. Growing up, he was a keen reader of Bangkok’s column in the newspaper, which made him an “active citizen” with a great knowledge of urban development.…
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Thai cyanide serial killer claims 15th victim, confirms RTP deputy commissioner
The Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, today confirmed that the number of victims of the Thai cyanide serial killer increased from 14 to 15. Big Joke added that officers are now investigating 78 million baht found in the bank accounts of the cyanide serial killer, Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, and 12 other people. The…
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Suspected murderer of Thai-British teen attacked during re-enactment
UPDATE A relative of the 17 year old Thai-British teenager Woramet “Ben” Taota – who was murdered in Lampang in northern Thailand on Saturday – attacked the suspected murderer with a wooden stick during a re-enactment of the crime this morning. At 11am, officers from Mae Tha Police Station and Lampang Provincial Police escorted the accused, 44 year old Chaiwat…
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German tourists injured in Pattaya-Naklua road accident
Two German tourists sustained injuries after being struck by a car while leaving a bar on Pattaya-Naklua Road. The accident took place around 2am on Saturday, May 6 on the Naklua Pattaya Road. Jakob Bauler, 68 years old, and, 58 year old, Klaus Werner were walking back to their hotel after enjoying a night out at one of the bars…
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Thai stock market rebounds with net inflows as investors absorb negative US news
The Thai stock market has begun experiencing net inflows this week after significant capital outflows during the first four months of the year, according to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Investors have seemingly absorbed negative news regarding the US banking crisis and the possibility of a recession. Soraphol Tulayasathien, a senior executive vice president, expressed hope that May would…
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ITV closes its operations since 2007 and files lawsuits against the Prime Minister’s Office
Anupong Chayrith, the Deputy Director of the Public Relations Department of Thailand (PRD/Thai PBS), confirmed on Wednesday that ITV Co., Ltd. has ceased operations since 2007, and likewise, its subsidiary, which provided filming equipment rentals, has also closed down. However, they are maintaining their legal status as they take legal action against the Office of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. This…
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Japan works towards opening NATO liaison office in Tokyo
Japan is progressing with plans to establish a NATO liaison office in Tokyo, according to Japan’s ambassador to the US, Koji Tomita. Speaking at an event held by the National Press Club in Washington, Tomita referred to a report by Nikkei Asia earlier this month, which stated that the US-led alliance intends to open the office – it’s first in…
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Couple condemned for having sex on a public beach in southern Thailand
A viral video of a couple having sex on Chang Lang Beach in Trang province, southern Thailand, has caused outrage among Thai authorities and netizens. The video, which shows a Thai man and woman having sex inside a camping tent on the beach, was widely circulated on the Facebook groups of Trang residents. The man was said to have repeatedly…
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