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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Sponsored What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?
The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...
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Pattaya tourism bosses lobby for fixed visa-free policy with India
Pattaya tourism chiefs are lobbying for a permanent visa-free travel agreement with India in a move driven by the Asian giant’s projected ascension to the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. The conviction behind this push lies in the promising impacts of a temporary visa exemption for Indian tourists, which is due to conclude on May 10 but is proposed for…
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Thief nabs 127,000 baht worth of goods from tourists on Koh Samui
A brazen thief from Phuket got more than he bargained for when he attempted a hotel heist on Koh Samui, leaving two foreign tourists in dismay and authorities in hot pursuit. The Bo Phut Police, in a swift operation, apprehended 44 year old Prayat Lisem following reports from a distressed Polish couple, aged 32 and 30. The couple woke to…
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Early morning tremors jolt Thailand with no reported damages
A tremor registering 3.4 on the Richter scale jolted the inhabitants of the Pai district in Mae Hong Son province in the early hours of this morning. Originating from a depth of 3 kilometres within the Mae Na Toeng tambon of Pai district, the earthquake was followed by four aftershocks. The Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department reported the…
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Terrifying mishap leaves young boy’s foot impaled by metal rake
A chilling incident shook a quiet townhouse complex on Soi Chaiyapornwithi 14, East Pattaya, as a young boy faced a harrowing ordeal when his foot became impaled by a metal rake. Rushing to the scene near the forest’s edge, rescuers found the 10 year old boy, Heng, in agony, his right foot pierced through by the sharp implement. The rescue…
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Bangkok police nab alleged serial rapist targeting schoolgirls
Police in Bangkok apprehended a 40 year old man, known by the alias Toey Bang Pho, who is accused of being a serial rapist targeting young girls in school uniforms. Toy, recently released from prison, allegedly resumed his criminal activities, leading to his capture today, February 28, in a condominium elevator in the Tao Poon area. The arrest was a…
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Chinese tourist blasts parasail operators for profit-over-safety ethos
The Thai government’s plan to boost tourism faces another tough challenge after a Chinese woman, who suffered a broken leg while parasailing in Phuket, condemned Thai service providers for putting money before safety. She said, “Business operators in Thailand only saw a foreign tourist like me as a source of income.” The Chinese woman, identified as Nadahan on social media,…
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Myanmar millionaires’ property buying spree in Thailand skyrockets
Myanmar’s affluent elite have emerged as the unexpected champions of Thailand’s luxury property market, outspending even their Chinese and Russian counterparts. According to real-estate moguls Colliers, high-spending buyers from Myanmar have been swooping up lavish properties across Thailand’s bustling urban landscapes, becoming the new darlings of the country’s real estate realm. Karlo Pobre, the astute deputy managing director at Colliers,…
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School van crash in South Thailand injures 20
A catastrophic multi-vehicle collision involving a school transport van, a pickup truck, and a motorcycle in Nakhon Si Thammarat province resulted in nearly 20 injuries and severe vehicle damage. The crash occurred on the morning of today, February 28, at approximately 7.30am on the Nakhon-Thung Song Road, leading authorities to initiate a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.…
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PM Srettha urges action to ease traffic delays on Rama II highway
In response to mounting social media uproar over the Rama II highway’s perpetual construction nightmares, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin issued a directive to the Transport Ministry to solve traffic congestion before the impending Songkran holiday frenzy. Connecting nearby Hua Hin to the capital, the route is essential for those planning to travel to the seaside resort from Bangkok. The 62…
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Portuguese man-o-war prompts swim warning in Songkhla
Dangerous Portuguese man-of-war sightings have led the authorities to caution tourists against swimming at Songkhla’s Chala That Beach. These jellyfish-like creatures, known as one of the world’s deadliest marine species, have been spotted along the shoreline stretching from Singha Nakhon district to Mueang district. The ocean-dwelling creature is known to have caused harm to several tourists who encountered them. Songkhla…
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Party pooped: Police bust drug bash, nabbing 68 in Si Racha raid
Drug-fuelled revelry came to an abrupt end when police raided an illegal party in the early hours of this morning, apprehending 68 young men and women for substance abuse in Si Racha, Chon Buri. The raid, carried out at 4am today, February 28, netted a horde of narcotics and a firearm, signalling a crackdown on the rampant drug problem plaguing…
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Uthenthawai alumni march to oppose campus relocation
Over 1,500 alumni and current students of Uthenthawai School, along with their supporters, parents and teachers, gathered for a protest march against the proposed relocation of the historical school’s campus. The march began at the front of the Uthenthawai campus and proceeded to the Chulalongkorn University Property Management Office. The protestors aimed to submit a letter to the Property Management…
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Karma: Thai man killed by Buddha statue during temple rampage
A Thai man, who attacked a monk at a temple in Chon Buri province, later died after the sharp head of a Buddha statue pierced his chest during a rampage in the temple’s main hall. Locals suggested that his death appeared to be the swift result of karma. Residents in the Banbung district of Chon Buri province sought assistance from…
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Seafood surprise: Storm tosses diner 3 metres from Loei restaurant
A violent storm recently wreaked havoc in the province of Loei, with fierce winds throwing a person more than 3 metres away from a seafood restaurant owned by Kalayanee Chapitu. The intense weather event occurred yesterday, February 27, causing extensive damage to multiple areas in the Phu Ruea district. Security camera footage captured the moment the restaurant’s steel doors buckled…
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Street vendor’s phone stolen in Thailand, thwarting debt freedom dreams
A street vendor’s hopes of eradicating debt through her ice cream sales were dashed when a cunning thief took advantage of her momentary distraction to steal her mobile phone and escape on a motorcycle. Tevi Chaihongsa, a 60 year old vendor known for her Pai Thong Ice Cream, reported to the Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station in Pathum Thani Province to…
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German tourist sexually assaulted on Phuket motorcycle taxi ride
A 37 year old female German tourist was sexually assaulted while riding a motorcycle taxi in Phuket in the early hours of yesterday. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, reported the incident to authorities at Patong Police Station around 4.26am. Following a night of exploring Phuket City’s Old Town, she sought a ride back to her hotel at approximately 12.45am.…
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Pickup truck rampage leaves three injured and spills hot oil
A pickup truck, a motorcycle, and a sidecar motorbike were involved in a collision on Pattaya-Na Kluea Road, Chon Buri in the early hours of yesterday. Rescue workers rushed to the scene just past midnight on February 27, following reports of a chaotic traffic incident at Soi Naklua 14. Upon arrival, emergency responders were met with a tangled mess of…
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Centel posts impressive Q4 results with 9% revenue increase
Central Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel), known for operating Centara Hotels and Resorts, posted an impressive financial performance for the fourth quarter of 2023, with a total revenue of 6.02 billion baht marking a 9% increase year-on-year. The company’s yearly revenue for 2023 was also positive, amounting to 22.5 billion baht. This represented a significant growth of 24% or a revenue…
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Tenant finds unexplained stains in condo sparking online debate in Thailand
A recent social media post spurred widespread online discussion after a condo resident in Thailand shared images of mysterious stains found while cleaning a sofa. The post, uploaded by a popular Facebook page known for sharing curious and intriguing stories, depicted large blotches resembling bloodstains, prompting the tenant to question the origin of the marks and express concern over the…
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Fender bender escalates into Pattaya Police showdown (video)
A minor traffic mishap in Pattaya spiralled into a full-blown confrontation outside a local police station yesterday, with tempers flaring and fists flying. A BMW driver, 36 year old Watcharaphon Phonpakdee allegedly collided with the back of Theerapong Manisri’s Toyota Yaris near a gas station on Soi Phothisan in Pattaya. As the two parties failed to reach an agreement at…
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Thai woman arrested in Cambodia for murder of Taiwanese man
Thai police coordinated with the Cambodian authorities to arrest a Thai woman at a casino in Poipet City yesterday, for her involvement in the murder of a Taiwanese man. It is reported that three Taiwanese suspects are currently evading capture in Cambodia, while another has returned to Taiwan. An employee at Suvarnabhumi International Airport discovered the dead body of the…
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Young couple dies in Chon Buri motorcycle crash after eerie omen
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the lives of a young man and woman in Chon Buri province today at 5am. A couple encountered a grim omen in the form of a barn owl feasting on a dead dog by the roadside shortly before crashing into a garbage truck and succumbing to their injuries at the scene. Police Deputy Inspector Jaruek…
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Over 147,000 sign up for debt relief programme worth billions
Some 147,714 individuals have registered for the Interior Ministry’s debt relief programme within the past three months, an initiative aimed at combating a staggering debt value of 10.74 billion baht, confirmed Permanent Secretary Suttipong Juljarern on Monday. With the registration window, which started on December 1, set to close tomorrow, Suttipong urged those grappling with debt woes to expedite their…
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South Korean YouTuber sparks tuk tuk fare controversy in Thailand
South Korean rapper and YouTuber, Il Hong Min, commonly known as Phi Hong, recently aired his dissatisfaction with a tuk tuk service encountered during his visit to Ayutthaya, Thailand. In a video shared on his Oppa Hong channel, he revealed that he was charged 1,200 baht for a four-hour tour, a service he claimed was forcefully sold to him and…
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BMW to establish first SE Asian EV battery factory in Thailand
BMW Group Thailand revealed plans to establish an electric vehicle (EV) battery factory in the country this year. This move is in response to China’s escalating EV investment and supply chains in Thailand. The factory, to be positioned in Rayong, will bolster the firm’s sales of battery EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs. The company’s president and CEO, Alexander Baraka, revealed…
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Thailand aims to become SE Asia’s leading halal hub by 2028
The Thai government greenlit plans to transform Thailand into a leading halal hub in Southeast Asia by 2028, to elevate the nation’s GDP by 1.2%, or approximately 55 billion baht. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, speaking after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, disclosed the government’s intent to constitute a national halal industry committee and the Thai Halal Industry Centre. The aim…
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Thailand’s ex-police chief indicted for aiding Red Bull heir evade justice
The ex-National Police Chief of Thailand, Somyot Poompanmoung, alongside seven other individuals, has been indicted by the Attorney General for alleged involvement in aiding Vorayuth “Boss”‘ Yoovidhya dodge prosecution regarding a 2012 hit-and-run case. Vorayuth is a member of the family that owns the Red Bull empire. Prayut Phetcharakhun, the spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG), reported yesterday…
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Black panther spotted in Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park
A black panther sighting near Phanoen Thung in Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park has been reported by the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The department disseminated photographs of the elusive animal on its Facebook page, sparking interest among wildlife enthusiasts. The images, captured by a tourist named Sith Naowanirut on February 25, were confirmed by park…
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Bangkok’s eastern and central bus terminals set for relocation
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced plans yesterday to move the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) and the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) to the Krung Thep Abhiwat Central Terminal. The intention behind the move is to offer more convenience to travellers as the Central Terminal can be easily reached using the MRT electronic rail system. In the proposed new location,…
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Heatwave alert in Thailand with temperatures hitting 39 degrees Celsius
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning forecasting sweltering conditions across the country today, with peak temperatures expected to soar between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius. Despite the heat, there is a possibility of isolated thunderstorms during the afternoon, with some regions experiencing light rainfall. The TMD’s 24-hour forecast indicates that a low-pressure area resulting from intense heat is…
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