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 to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Chilly air mass blankets northern Thailand with heavy rainfall warnings for the south
Today’s weather forecast in Thailand saw a chilly air mass sprawling across the upper part of the country, with temperatures dipping to a frigid 7 degrees Celsius at the peak of the mountain ranges. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for heavy rainfall in some areas of the southern region. A high-pressure system or cold air mass…
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Thai army chief refutes claims of cultural persecution in southern provinces
The Chief of the Fourth Army Region, Santi Sakuntanak, refuted accusations that the Thai army has been legally pursuing youths from the provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat for merely donning traditional Malay attire at a fair celebrating Malay culture. The 54 year old clarified that those summoned to court were implicated in separatist activities and prominently exhibited the emblem…
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Chiang Rai drug traffickers clash with officials: Two fatalities reported
A violent confrontation erupted in Chiang Rai when a drug trafficking caravan refused to halt at the command of officials. The traffickers, armed and dangerous, fired shots at the officers. The clash ended with two traffickers dead, following the officials’ retaliatory gunfire. The incident occurred around 8.30pm yesterday. Manop Senakul, the Police Lieutenant Colonel and head of Chiang Rai Provincial…
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Thailand tightens cannabis regulation for medical use only
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew enacted a proposed bill concerning the use of cannabis, underlining its restriction to medical applications only. After signing the bill, Cholnan clarified the bill on Saturday. “The newly proposed law will explicitly outline that cannabis can only be utilised for medical reasons. It will further promote the health benefits that cannabis can provide.” Addressing the…
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Body of two year old found in fridge in Nonthaburi province
The body of a two year old boy was found concealed and stuffed into a refrigerator in Nonthaburi province today, January 6. Police initially arrested a 25 year old woman who was the caretaker and friend of the child’s mother for questioning after seeing the child for the last time. Officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, Ruamkatanyu Foundation officials,…
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Pattaya: Pothole excavations cause frustration for locals
Since the start of roadworks at the Chaiyapruek intersection on January 4, bewildered Pattaya residents have been scratching their heads over the necessity and planning behind this disruptive project. City authorities claim the construction work is an attempt to rectify uneven road surfaces, but the public is not buying it and many are taking to social media to air their…
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10,000 flock to Chiang Rai for monk’s 60th anniversary
The grand celebration of the 60th birthday of the revered Buddhist monk, Phra Khuva Boonchum, which takes place today, January 6, also commemorates his four remarkable decades in monkhood. Worshippers gather for a religious celebration in Wat Phra That Doi Wiang Kaew, Chiang Rai province, marking the 60th birthday of the esteemed Buddhist monk, Phra Khuba Boonchum, also known as…
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Phuket: British and South African tourists clash in street brawl on Bangla Road
A brawl between a group of British and South African tourists on Bangla Road, Patong, Phuket, was reported to local police yesterday morning, January 5. Injuries were sustained by both parties and the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation was mobilised to send the injured individuals for treatment at Patong Hospital. Photos of the scene of the incident have been released, however, the…
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West Thailand: Teenage Myanmar girl dies in pickup crash near factory
A road accident took place in the early hours of today, January 6, near the Tipco Pineapple Factory on Phetkasem road, in the Mueang district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. A Burmese teenager lost her life when the pickup she was travelling in lost control and crashed into a tree. The Prachuap Khiri Khan City Police Station received a distress…
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Thailand’s bid to become ASEAN halal haven
Thailand‘s Industry Ministry, under the dynamic leadership of Minister Pimpattra Wichaikul, is set to revolutionise the nation into an ASEAN Halal hub. The minister is gearing up for a high-stakes meeting with Saudi Arabian officials, the powerhouse behind the world’s colossal halal markets. Scheduled to confer with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), Pimpattra is on a mission…
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Government plans to transform military bases into drug rehab centres
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed a strategic initiative to repurpose military facilities as sanctuaries for treating and stabilising drug addicts. The visionary plan, aimed at curbing the societal fallout from illicit drugs, comes after discussions with Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and army chief General Charoenchai Hinthao. The Thai PM made an announcement on social media. “Drug problems have negative impacts…
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Srettha promises to save Thailand from fiscal chaos
In a parliamentary revelation yesterday, January 5, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin admitted that his government had inherited the controversial fiscal 2024 budget and was scrambling to make necessary improvements. Opposition MPs, particularly from the Democrat Party, unleashed a barrage of complaints, alleging unfair budget allocations that left southern provinces in the lurch. PM Srettha found himself in the hot seat…
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Thai mother-in-law fatally stabs abusive daughter-in-law in Pathum Thani
A mother-in-law fatally stabbed her daughter-in-law after allegedly enduring verbal abuse on a daily basis. The incident occurred at an unnamed apartment building in the Soi Nakhon Chai 1, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani province at 6pm yesterday, January 5. At the crime scene – a five-storey apartment building – authorities discovered the body of 30 year old woman named…
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Pattaya taxi operator finds and returns 64,800 Thai baht left on street
A taxi service operator in Pattaya found a bag containing a substantial amount of money at around 8.30pm yesterday, January 5. The operator, 58 year old Wilailak Pimnoy discovered a clear plastic bag filled with US$1,500 (approximately 54,000 Thai baht) and an additional 10,800 Thai baht. The found money, totalling 64,800 Thai baht, was on the street in front of…
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Nakhon Pathom: Special Forces seize 69 tonnes of illegal pork
The Special Forces unit of Phraya Nakhon Ratchasima seized 69 tonnes of illegal pork yesterday, January 5, and more than half of the transportation permits were found to be counterfeit. Thanadol Suwannarath, the deputy commander of the unit, disclosed that the raid took place in a cold storage facility in Nakhon Pathom province following a tip-off. The Ministry of Agriculture…
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New Bangkok bus terminal set for Bang Sue area
The Transport Ministry is working on a project to construct a new Bangkok Bus Terminal in the Bang Sue vicinity, close to the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. This decision came to light during a House debate over the 2024 fiscal budget, where Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit addressed concerns raised by Suphanat Minchaiynunt, the Move Forward Party MP for the Chatuchak,…
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Thai influencer Sebow faces charges for promoting online gambling
The Thai Police Technology Crime Suppression Division 2 (TCSD), based in Thong Thani, questioned a popular 24 year old social media influencer, who confessed to promoting online gambling sites. Today the influencer, Sebow, who has more than 400,000 followers on her Facebook page, reported to Lieutenant Colonel Nipon Boonkeert, the head of TCSD 2, to provide testimony and acknowledge the…
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Thai university deputy dean found innocent in man’s death in Khon Kaen
Police confirmed that Khon Kaen University’s deputy dean was not involved in the death of a Thai man at a hotel in the province. The deceased, named Fluke, reportedly died from an excessive overdose of crystal meth. The Thai man’s death at a hotel in the Khon Kaen province became a topic of discussion on social media after the news Facebook…
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Today’s weather: Northern Thailand cools down
Weather conditions across the northern region of Thailand today experienced a dip in temperatures by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius. The peaks of the mountains were particularly cold, with temperatures dropping to 4 degrees. The lowest temperature in Bangkok was 22 degrees. This weather change is due to a high-pressure system and another wave of cold air mass from China…
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Hong Kong Kowloon City to host Songkran festivities and more to boost tourism
Hong Kong’s District Councils are on a mission to rejuvenate the city’s allure, unveiling a host of creative proposals to entice locals and tourists alike. Kowloon City District Council is taking the lead with an electrifying idea – the Kowloon City Thai Vibes with food and water-splashing carnival. Aimed at celebrating the Thai New Year, Songkran, the festivities promise an…
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Thailand hopes to launch NARIT Cube-1 satellite into space by 2024
Dr Saran Posayajinda, Director of the National Astronomical Research Institute (NARIT), revealed that this year Thailand will build a world-class astronomical infrastructure, the NARIT Cube-1 satellite. A new radio telescope for research in radio astronomy, the Vigos model (VGOS), with a diameter of 13 metres, in Chiang Mai and Songkhla provinces, will connect to networks with other countries. The launch…
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Unusual hobby of young woman cleaning public restrooms captivates millions
Madison, an unusual young woman with a fascination for bathrooms and cleaning, has been freely cleaning public restrooms in supermarkets. Her hobby, contrary to the usual distaste for cleaning dirty bathrooms, especially in public places frequented by many people, has led to her volunteering her time to clean bathrooms, shelves, and walkways in public areas without expecting any remuneration. The…
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Samut Prakan state of emergency after pesticide fire incident
A leak from a 200-litre drum of pesticides in a pickup truck sparked a state of emergency in Samrong Nuea, Samut Prakan. The incident occurred as the clock struck 7pm yesterday, drawing in firefighter teams and corresponding authorities to the scene. In response to the incident, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin intervened at 10.20pm, instructing the Governor of Samut Prakan…
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Thailand’s Central Retail eyes potential investment in Selfridges
Central Retail Corp., a leading retailer in Thailand, indicated potential interest in investing in Selfridges, the renowned department store, given the right circumstances. The company outlined their investment criteria in a recent statement to the Thai stock exchange, stating that any new venture must align with its strategic business plan, be reasonably priced, and have optimal timing. The company made…
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Thailand’s headline CPI sees unanticipated drop in December
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry announced today that the country’s headline consumer price index (CPI) experienced a 0.83% decrease in December compared to the same period a year earlier. This figure is a steeper drop than the 0.44% year-on-year decrease seen in the preceding month. Contrasting with the anticipated 0.30% fall for December as per a Reuters poll, the actual result was…
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Khon Kaen: Closure of two pubs ordered by governor
A pub in the Mueang district of Khon Kaen has been ordered to close for five years by Governor Kraison Thongchalart. The closure is to take effect from next Monday, January 8. The command came after the pub, named Suksant Khon Kaen, granted entry to a female minor. Somrak Kamsing, a former Olympian was allegedly found guilty of engaging in a…
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Bangkok on alert as dust season brings severe air pollution
The Pollution Control Department issued a statement signalling the advent of the dust season in Bangkok and its vicinity, cautioning residents about heightened air pollution levels expected from January 5 to 12. The announcement, made by the Communication Centre for Solving Air Pollution Problems and spearheaded by Director-General Preeyaporn Suwannakes, comes in response to a concerning uptick in air pollution.…
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Fuelling the flames: Viral video of Thai driver at Malaysian petrol pump ignites subsidy debate
A video capturing a Thai woman refuelling her sedan at a petrol station in Malaysia went viral, triggering a controversial debate between netizens on the Malay government’s subsidised gasoline 95. The Twitter account, Malaysia Most Viral, posted a video showcasing a petrol station attendant assisting a Thai woman to fill her sedan at the Petronas petrol station in the Selangor…
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Harassment allegations against deputy director shake renowned Tak school
Social media users have exposed a deputy director of a renowned school in Tak province for allegedly sexually harassing female students. The school, primarily for underprivileged children and tribal communities, has seen a surge of students leaving due to the ongoing harassment. Red Skull, a user on social media, brought the issue to light with a post detailing the experience…
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Pattaya police arrest local vendor for selling kratom drinks laced with cough syrup
A recent Pattaya police operation led to the arrest of a local stall owner who was accused of peddling Kratom drinks mixed with cough syrup to the youth in the area. The suspect, a 44 year old man known as Nakarin, was apprehended by Nongprue Police officers and now faces charges related to the sale of these illicit beverages. The…
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