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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More rain and flood warnings for the north and north-east
The north-east regions have just been mopping up over the last week and now the TMD (Thai Meteorological Department) are warning that there’s more on the way. Residents in the North and North-east are bracing for more rain with isolated torrential downpours on Wednesday and Thursday (August 15-16) that could trigger flash floods in the region. TMD chief Wanchai Sakudomchai,…
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Speedboat explodes into fire in Phang Nga
A parked speedboat which originated in Phuket has caught fire in Phang Nga today (August 13). One injury has been reported. The Takua Thung Police in Phang Nga were notified of the incident at 10.30am on Ao Man in Takua Thung. The speedboat captain told police that they were travelling with 20 middle eastern tourists and departed from Laem Sai…
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Storm damaged houses and shops in Krabi
Storms arrived with heavy rain in Krabi over the weekend, damaging local houses. Heavy rains and strong winds hit Lam Thap in Krabi. Many local have reported that their houses have been damaged with roofs ripped off and trees falling. 51 year old Sopapohn Chormanee, owner of a fertiliser shop says… “heavy rains and strong winds started on Saturday in…
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Don’t ride elephants in Thailand – warning to Kiwi tourists
by Alex Baird Elephant rides in Thailand are coming under increasing international pressure as stories of abusive training practices reach mainstream news and travel sites. NewsHub reports that New Zealand travellers are being told to steer clear of elephant riding due to the severe abuse the animals face. Intrepid Travel co-founder Geoff Manchester released shocking footage on Sunday – which happens to…
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Thaiger Radio News – Monday
Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere.
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Chiang Rai venue chosen to move the buildings for judges on Doi Suthep
PHOTO: Thai PBS Thai PBS is reporting that judicial administrators have agreed to ask the Agricultural Techniqe Department in Chiang Rai for the use of a 40-rai plot of their plants research centre to construct new offices and housing tor the Region 5 Appeals Court. The request follows a protracted protest from Chiang Mai residents about the special housing for…
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Big surf and high tides pound Phuket’s west coast beaches
Phuket’s west coast was being pounded by big waves along the island’s beaches this morning. A mid-morning high tide, compounded with the 30 kilometre winds and south-west monsoonal waves, are washing away parts of some of the island’s most popular beaches. The International Surf Life Saving Association says today’s conditions are very hazardous for beachgoers and swimmers. At Surin Beach…
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Indonesia all set for the Asian Games
Having taken on the responsibility for hosting this year’s Asian Games after Vietnam pulled out, Indonesia says it’s ready for the sporting expo starting next week. Jakarta and Palembang in Sumatra will be host to over 11,000 athletes and 5,000 officials from 45 Asian countries for the Asian Games, the world’s largest multi-sport event behind the Olympics. Indonesia has set…
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Damage toll continues to rise on Lombok
Whilst the death toll continues to rise – and will rise as rescuers scramble through the rubble – the toll mounts on those that remain to try and rebuild their lives. It’s now nearly a week after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island. Damages and loss caused by last week’s earthquake in Lombok and Bali are estimated to…
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More delays for next February’s election?
PHOTO: On the lookout for next year’s election – The Nation February 2019 is just six months away, the deadline for the long-awaited, and must postponed, Thai general election. Although the junta have ‘promised’ that THIS will be the date for Thailand’s return to democracy, an increasing amount of politicians are starting to wonder if the deadline will be met.…
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Phuket’s bank robber surrenders to police
Thursday’s Thalang bank robber has surrendered himself to police this morning (August 11). Police found that the suspect is also a known gold snatcher. Read about the armed bank robbery on Thursday HERE. Yesterday police tracked down the 27 year old suspect’s home in a housing estate which is not far from the bank. Police continued the search at his…
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Goodbye e-commerce, hello ‘new retail’
PHOTOS: Alibaba Group Our lifestyles are quickly evolving as the digital age kills off the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ inexorably creeps in to our daily life. Goodby Kodak and Polaroid – hello smartphone cameras and Facebook. Goodbye newspapers – hello instant news websites, blogs and live-streaming. The same is happening to retail as the shopfront moves to websites and screens…
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“Phuket, a little piece of paradise” – US News & World Report
PHOTO: thailandtravel.agency Whilst the annual south-west monsoon continues to kick up dangerous surf along its west coast, the southern island of Thailand has picked up another award. The island has been named the ‘Second Best Beach in the World’ by business publication US News & World Report. Phuket beat Maui, Kauai and Costa Rica in the world standings, according to the…
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UNHCR praises decision to issue Thai citizenship to four Mu Pa boys
Through all the drama and an international team of rescuers to recover them, some good has come from the Mu Pa football team story. Thai PBS reports that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has welcomed the Thai Government’s decision to grant Thai citizenship to three stateless Wild Boars boys and their football coach this week. “By providing…
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Eight Thai dams on ‘floodwatch’
The Mekong River is steadily dropping, but a ‘flood watch’ is on for some central north-eastern dams as well as two dams south of Bangkok. The Office of National Water Resources secretary-general Somkiat Prajumwong says the department is keeping a close watch on eight large-sized dams which are holding water at alarming levels. The eight dams are Nam Phung dam…
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BMA backs down to allow Khaosan traders, sort of…
by Kornrawee Panyasuppakun “From around 9pm to 3am, backpackers use Khaosan as “party central”, rather than a shopping fair. Electronic dance beats can be heard blaring from clubs and bars.” There’s been a back down in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration yesterday after vendors from Khaosan Road convinced a committee that their stalls, whilst illegal in the past, were a huge…
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More rain = more Dengue fever
The wet season has provided a spike in new Dengue cases around the Kingdom. The Disease Control Department chief says a total of 3,301 new cases of dengue fever have been reported nationwide during the past week. Dr Suwannachai Watanayingcharoenchai says the number of people infected with dengue was an average of 10,000 patients a month during the rainy season…
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Body found on the roadside in Krabi
The body of a man has been found dead on the roadside in Krabi yesterday (August 9). Krabi City Police were notified at 3am yesterday that a body of a man was found on the roadside in Muang Krabi. Police and rescue workers arrived to find a body of a man who was later identified as 25 year old Subin…
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Boracay closure dents Philippine’s economic numbers
PHOTO: Wikipedia The Philippine’s economy has slowed in Q2 2018, this year’s second quarter, and fell well short of predictions. Some are blaming policy decisions including the shutdown of tourist magnet Boracay Island. The quarter’s 6% expansion was the weakest in three years and ends a run of 10 consecutive quarters where growth was at least 6.5%. AFP reports that…
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The mystery of Myanmar’s missing airlines
PHOTO: Asian Wings Airways Any trip on a local airline usually means planes either full or mostly full. But some of Myanmar’s smaller local airlines have been struggling through this year’s wet season along with a drop in tourism to the country of around 6% for the past 12 months. At least three airlines appear to have thrown in the…
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11 year old Thai child bride sent back to Thailand
The 11 year old Thai girl, caught up in the middle of a ‘child marriage’ storm, has been sent back across the border to Thailand. The girl’s ‘marriage’ to a 41 year old Malaysian man caused a social media meltdown and strong negative response from human trafficking groups, human rights groups and the Malaysian government. A Malaysian social activist claims…
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Electricity glitches for Samui and Koh Phangan
PHOTO COMPILATION: Thai Rath The Thai media are claiming there’s an electricity crisis on the holiday islands – Samui and Koh Phangan. Thai Rath reports that electricity authorities in the south of Thailand are residing to the recent articles and complaints. There have been so many power cuts recently that things are desperate, according to Thai Rath. Authorities say that the problem…
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Who is this week’s Champion of Overstayers? – Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner
PHOTOS: Thai Tourist Police Bureau The Thai Tourist Police have executed the 20th raid in their “X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner” campaign. Again, they’ve turned up dozens of foreigners on overstay and people entering the Kingdom illegally. Eighteen schools were raided for illegals including three international schools and 2 language institutes. Pol Maj Gen Surachete Hakpal – aka ‘Big Joke’ in the…
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Parts of Krabi flooded as heavy rains continue
The Than Bok Khorani National Park in Krabi has been temporarily closed due to strong water flows. More than 50 families are suffering from flooding around the area. Yesterday afternoon (August 9) soldiers went to Khao Panom district in Krabi after water level in canals were rising fast. Water is overflowing and flooding many areas. A palm plantation has also been…
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Storms raise flood threats in 37 provinces
Whilst the flood situation in the far north of the country, bordering the Mekong River, has abated over the past week, the situation is still dire for many other communities around the Kingdom today. Disaster warnings have now been issued as heavy downpours threaten to bring flash floods and landslides to 37 provinces across Thailand. A monsoon storm is predicted…
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Man charged after 21 month old stepson’s death
A 21 month old child has died after being repeatedly hit by his stepfather with a broom. The man has been charged with bodily harm causing death. Thalang Police were notified by Thalang Hospital medical staff at 5.30am yesterday (August 9) that the child was at the hospital and doctors suspected the child had been beaten to death. Police arrived…
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Ban for jet-skis and parasail rides continues until August 14
If you were planning to head down to the west coast today for a quick jet-ski dash and parasail ride, forget about it, they won’t be operating. The Acting chief of the Phuket Marine Office yesterday announced a ban for jet-skis and parasail ride operators using Phuket’s west coast beaches until August 14. The Phuket Marine Office Acting Chief, Wiwat…
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Thaiger Radio News – Friday
Listen to the daily news from The Thaiger, anytime, anywhere.
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Flash mobs staged to protest the buildings on Doi Suthep
By Nisanart Kangwanwong The Doi Suthep protesters in Chiang Mai had their campaign to remove the Thai judges housing development interrupted by the rescue mission at the Tham Luang Caves in nearby Chiang Rai. Now the “Rak Chiang Mai” community network has organised four flash mobs at four key locations of Chiang Mai’s Muang district to highlight what they says…
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Songkhla hospital saves 78 year old British man
The Prince of Songkhla University Hospital has performed special surgery valued around 1 million baht to save the life of a retired Briitish naval officer for humanitarian reasons and is organising donations to send him back to the UK. 78 year old Kenneth George Smith told reporters from his hospital bed that he appreciated the help from the Songklanagarind Hospital,…
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