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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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DSI bets big: Raids hit jackpot on illegal online gambling networks
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) spearheaded a series of raids targeting illegal online gambling networks on October 29. The coordinated efforts, conducted alongside the Immigration Bureau and other relevant agencies, spanned 11 locations across Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Pattaya. The operation was prompted by the discovery of gambling networks infiltrating and manipulating data pathways on government websites, effectively redirecting…
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HSBC Thailand is the big cheese, claims No.1 bank title again
HSBC Thailand once again has proven itself the big cheese of banking, clinching the Best International Bank in Thailand award for the fourth year running from both Euromoney and FinanceAsia. This coveted accolade reflects the bank’s top-notch financial prowess and its solid standing in the Thai market. The accolades don’t stop at Thailand’s borders! HSBC’s domination extends throughout the ASEAN…
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Former Thai police officer-turned-imam killed in Yala shooting
Police recovered over 50 spent bullet casings from the scene of a fatal shooting involving a 54 year old former police officer and current imam, suggesting insurgent groups are behind this attack in Yala province. Phuad Raseming, known as the imam of the Muhayirin Mosque in Ban Nam Yen, was ambushed and killed by three assailants wielding military-grade firearms and…
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Bangkok hospital manager criticised following pharmacist’s suicide
Opinions among Thai netizens are divided after viewing a conversation between a manager at Rama 9 Hospital in Bangkok and a pharmacist who recently committed suicide, leaving a note claiming that pressure from his manager led to his tragic decision. Esor News yesterday, October 30, shared screenshots of the conversation between the hospital manager named Aof and the pharmacist named…
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Thai-phoon trouble: Flights grounded as Kong-rey storms Taiwan (video)
Chaos reigned in the skies as Thai Airways International grounded several flights with typhoon Kong-rey barrelling towards Taiwan. The airline pulled the plug on three Bangkok-Taipei routes yesterday, October 30 (TG634, TG636, and TG635) and grounded TG637 today, leaving travellers in a tailspin. Announcing the shutdown on Facebook, the national carrier urged affected passengers to dial their hotline at 662-356-1111…
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Trang Airport terminal’s delay spikes airfares, tourism at risk
Rath Pooklang, head of the Trang People’s Voice Network, met with Deputy Minister of Transport, Manop Charoensri, urging immediate action on the stalled construction of the new passenger terminal at Trang International Airport, alongside addressing exorbitant airfares affecting tourism. Rath and his civic team travelled to Bangkok to present a letter to the deputy minister, highlighting the need for an…
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Phimai residents flock to lucky turtle for lottery numbers
Residents of Phimai district in Nakhon Ratchasima are abuzz with excitement as they continue to seek good fortune from a local turtle named Chao Chao Kuay. This turtle has reportedly brought luck for three consecutive lottery draws, prompting locals to offer flowers, incense, and candles in gratitude. Chao Chao Kuay resides at house number 127, Moo 1, in the Nai…
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Thai monk gives 40 baht bribe to silence 5 year old sex abuse victim
A Thai monk attempted to cover up sexually abusing a five year old girl at a temple in the central province of Nakhon Pathom by giving the young victim 40 baht in cash. The victim’s 62 year old grandmother requested Channel 3 to help bring justice to her young granddaughter. The woman explained that the sexual assault took place on October…
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Pickup lines crossed: Truck crashes into Chon Buri home decor store
A dramatic incident unfolded in East Thailand yesterday when a pickup truck crashed into a home decor store, causing significant damage. The driver, appearing intoxicated, claimed he swerved to avoid an oncoming motorcycle. Police are investigating the event, which occurred yesterday, October 30, in Chon Buri. Police in Pattaya, specifically the Bang Lamung district, responded promptly after receiving reports of…
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Thai citizenship granted to 483,000 immigrants to boost economy
The Thai Cabinet approved Thai citizenship to 483,000 immigrants in a move aimed at boosting the economy. The decision met with disagreement from many Thai residents. The spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Jirayu Huangsub, announced on Tuesday, October 29, that the Thai Cabinet and the Office of National Security Council agreed in their meeting to grant citizenship to 483,000 immigrants.…
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Turbocharged cops shift gears to bust Thai luxury car scam (video)
In a story more fitting for a Jason Statham heist movie, police finally cracked a high-rolling car scam, seizing a £6.5 million (285 million baht) stash of stolen luxury motors, including a jaw-dropping £220,000 (9.65 million baht) Lamborghini Huracan Spyder. These wheels were fraudulently whisked away from Britain and shipped to Thailand eight years ago but now they’re coming home,…
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Thailand targets 3.5% GDP growth amid economic challenges
The Finance Ministry of Thailand has ambitiously set the stage for GDP growth by targeting a 3.5% annual increase. This announcement was made at the CEO Econmass Awards 2024, where Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira delivered a keynote address. The minister expressed optimism that next year’s growth rate could reach 3%, marking a 10% increase from this year’s forecasted 2.7%. “This…
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Monk on the run: Abbott crashes and dashes after bail (video)
A Thai abbot crashed his pickup into a prison guard’s car on a road in Chiang Mai, seriously injuring the guard. The monk later disappeared after being granted bail. The public raised suspicions of corruption in the road accident case involving the abbot and the prison guard in Chiang Mai. The accident occurred on October 24 but the suspect, the abbot…
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Thailand seeks OECD membership for global economic standing
Thailand aims to elevate its global standing by seeking membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as announced by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. This move highlights the country’s strategic alignment with the OECD’s objectives, further underscored by the formal launch of Thailand’s OECD Accession Process. Maris shared these developments yesterday, October 30, during an event organised by…
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Thailand airports see passenger surge with 19% increase
Thailand’s air travel sector is experiencing a significant upswing, with the nation’s six principal airports reporting a surge in passenger numbers. In the fiscal year ending yesterday, these airports welcomed 119.2 million passengers, marking a 19% increase from the previous year, as reported by the Airports of Thailand (AoT). The AoT oversees operations at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket,…
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Thailand braces for cooler temperatures and heavy rain
Thailand is experiencing fluctuating weather patterns, leading to temperatures dropping by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius (°C) in the northern and northeastern regions. Meanwhile, heavy rain is expected in parts of the central, eastern, and southern areas, with high waves in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a forecast for the next 24…
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Thai man regains consciousness hours after murder-suicide (video)
A Thai man murdered his wife before attempting to commit suicide at a house in the central province of Prachin Buri. A rescue team found the couple unresponsive after the tragic act. However, in a bewildering twist, the man regained consciousness three hours later, leaving the rescue team in disbelief at his unexpected revival. Officers from Si Maha Pho Police…
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Thailand-Korea Soft Power Festival 2024 boosts cultural ties
Korea and Thailand’s cultural ties are set to be celebrated with the Thailand-Korea Soft Power Festival 2024, scheduled to occur tomorrow at Suralai Hall in ICONSIAM, Bangkok. This vibrant event, orchestrated by the Korean Culture Centre in Thailand (KCC) alongside the Korea Thailand Communication Centre (KTCC), is an expansion of last year’s K-Soft Power Festival and aims to enhance economic…
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Phuket’s courtroom prescription: Legal drama escalates in Swiss assault dismissal
A gripping legal battle is heating up in Phuket as the lawyer representing a woman doctor challenges the court’s shocking decision to dismiss her assault case against a Swiss man. Dr Thandao Chandam claims she was kicked in the back by 45 year old Urs Fehr, also known as David, while she sat outside his villa on Yamu Beach in…
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Dead body found on beach sends shockwaves through Pattaya
A shocking discovery has sent shockwaves through the Pattaya community after a body was washed up on Dongtan Beach in Jomtien. At precisely 9.46am yesterday, October 30, police received a distress call that would lead to a grim scene. Pattaya police wasted no time responding, and they were joined by rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Thamasathan Foundation. Upon arrival,…
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Central Pattana unwraps festive cheer with finn-tastic partnership
Central Pattana Plc (CPN), Thailand’s retail powerhouse, is teaming up with a host of partners including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Embassy of Finland, Sculptra by Galderma, and Finnair to launch the extravagant The World’s Great Celebration 2025. With a whopping 700 million baht investment, this initiative aims to give Thailand’s economy a festive boost and reinforce its…
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Crime coins: SEC cracks down on crypto laundering in Thailand
In a bold move, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding digital asset operators report suspicious transactions as part of a crackdown on crypto money-laundering scams. This action follows hot on the heels of accusations against iCon Group, a direct sales outfit allegedly involved in laundering dirty money through the stablecoin USDT. The Department of…
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Gold rush fever: Prices surge, Thai buyers told to act fast
In a dazzling turn of events, gold prices shot up today, leaving potential buyers scrambling to make their move as the Gold Traders Association (GTA) reveals hefty increases. Gold ornaments are now flaunting a price tag of 44,800 baht per baht weight, leaping up by a solid 350 baht overnight. According to the GTA, bullion gold with a 96.5% purity…
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Thailand cash splash: Foreign tourists send Visa spending soaring
Thailand is basking in a financial boom, with foreign tourists spending a staggering 90% more on Visa credit cards this year compared to the pre-pandemic high of 2019. While Thai travellers are tightening their purse strings amid a sluggish economy, foreigners can’t seem to get enough of the Land of Smiles. Visa Thailand’s country manager, Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, revealed that Thailand…
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Cloud nine: Equinix boost set to reign over Thailand’s data skies
American tech giant and cloud extraordinaire Equinix is making waves in Thailand with a colossal 16 billion baht investment. This financial injection over the next decade is set to supercharge Thailand’s data centre infrastructure, targeting the surging demand from the bustling CLMVT region, according to Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI). For those not in the know, the CLMVT region comprises…
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Thailand cuts interest rate to boost economic recovery
Thailand’s central bank has strategically positioned its policy interest rate to counter economic challenges as financial conditions tighten and recovery remains uneven. Minutes from the October 16 meeting of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) revealed that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) made an unexpected decision to lower the one-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%, marking the first…
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Starbucks stirs up Thai market with a ‘latte’ new stores brewing
Hold onto your coffee cups, folks! Starbucks Thailand is brewing up a storm with plans to roll out 30 new stores annually, even as the country’s coffee market bubbles with fierce competition. This caffeine-fuelled expansion underscores the coffee giant’s faith in Thailand’s untapped potential in Southeast Asia. Spearheading this bold venture is Starbucks Thailand’s Managing Director, Nednapa Srisamai, who’s unfazed…
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Panda-monium: Giant pandas to strengthen Thailand-China ties
Another pair of giant pandas is set to arrive in Thailand as part of a diplomatic gesture to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai relations next year. The announcement follows a meeting of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Zoological Park Organisation, Chiang Mai Zoo, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Department of East Asian Affairs,…
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Bangkok’s grey gamble: Elderly caught playing their cards wrong
Police in Bangkok arrested a group of elderly people for illegal gambling, seizing 200 baht in cash and other gambling paraphernalia. The raid, prompted by complaints about parked vehicles blocking traffic, saw an 80 year old among the detainees engaging in a friendly game of chance with peers. Police in Bangkok, led by high-ranking officials, launched a raid on a…
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Police flush out Thai teen’s mall bathroom masturbating video call
Police issued a warning to a perverted 19 year old Thai teen who engaged in a video sex phone call and masturbated in a bathroom of a shopping mall in the central province of Chai Nat. A shocked shopping mall visitor alerted staff members today, October 30, after witnessing the teenager, identified only as P, masturbating in one of the…
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