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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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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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TikTok video captures plight of homeless man in Chon Buri (video)
A TikTok video recently highlighted the plight of a homeless man in Chon Buri, sparking sympathy and curiosity among viewers. The clip, posted by user @its.allbackedup, captured the man wandering near a CJ convenience store in the Nong Ri area. His dishevelled appearance, covered in what seemed to be white powder, drew the attention of a young man who, intrigued…
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Loy Krathong tragedy: Pet dog dies from firework shock
A beloved pet dog tragically died due to shock from fireworks, prompting an important reminder for pet owners to keep their animals safe indoors during festive events. The Loy Krathong festival is marked by celebrations on November 15 (yesterday), and the tradition of setting off fireworks and firecrackers is widespread. This has led to many pets experiencing fear, with some…
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Restaurant owners in Pattaya warned of food poisoning scam
A cunning scam targeting restaurants in Pattaya City, Chon Buri, has been unravelled. Fraudsters have been falsely claiming food poisoning to extort money. Restaurant owner Singhanat Rulapak discovered the scam when cross-checking a customer’s claim, which led to the identification of a notorious fraudster operating in multiple locations. A renowned restaurant in Pattaya City received a call yesterday, November 15,…
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Girl rescued from water at Loy Krathong festival in West Thailand
A near-tragic incident unfolded during the Loy Krathong Festival in Prachuap Khiri Khan province when a young girl slipped into the water while attempting to collect coins from floating krathongs (lanterns). Fortunately, quick-thinking bystanders managed to prevent a disaster. The festival, held at Wat Khao Noi Lang in Pran Buri district, nearly turned tragic when a girl, under her mother’s…
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Leopard thrills visitors at Phetchaburi national park (video)
A leopard made a striking appearance at the Ban Krang Helipad in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi province, thrilling visitors. Captured in vivid detail by a tourist, this sighting underscores the park’s thriving ecosystem and effective conservation efforts. A clip and photographs of the leopard, shared by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), have drawn significant…
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Maldivian national arrested in Bangkok for drug trafficking
Police in Bangkok have announced a significant drug bust involving the seizure of nearly 3 kilogrammes of mephedrone, a Category 1 narcotic, which was hidden in a protein supplement container sent from the UK. A Maldivian national was apprehended at a courier facility in Bangkok while attempting to collect the illicit package. The Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics…
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Thailand launches QR system to track tobacco products
Thailand’s Finance Ministry has unveiled a new technology aimed at transforming the monitoring of tobacco products. The “QR Cigarette” system, announced by Deputy Finance Minister Paophum Rojanasakul, is a Track & Trace innovation designed to follow tobacco products throughout their lifecycle, from production to purchase. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance tax collection efficiency, boost transparency,…
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Pattaya floods halt traffic amid Loy Krathong Festival preparations
Heavy rainfall swept through Pattaya, causing significant disruptions as traffic came to a standstill due to widespread flooding. As the city prepared for the Loy Krathong Festival, a severe thunderstorm struck at 5.36pm yesterday, November 15, lasting for about an hour. This deluge led to waterlogged streets, particularly in areas notorious for flooding. Khao Talo Road along the railway, Soi…
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Thai elderly to soon receive 10,000 baht cash aid: Finance Ministry
The Ministry of Finance is poised to introduce a one-time cash payment initiative targeting the elderly, as confirmed by Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul. This proposal, amounting to 10,000 baht, will be presented during the upcoming economic stimulus policy committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 19. This new measure specifically excludes state welfare cardholders and disabled individuals who previously received…
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Gambling addict arrested for cash theft after disguising as monk
A young man addicted to gambling has been apprehended after stealing his relative’s ATM card and withdrawing nearly 500,000 baht until the account was empty. He used the money for gambling and later fled to become a monk, hoping for forgiveness. However, the relative reported the theft to the police, leading to his arrest yesterday, November 15. Phakphon Suchon, Head…
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Thief caught after stealing historic sword from Bangkok temple
A notorious thief was apprehended after stealing a revered sword belonging to King Taksin from a renowned temple in Thonburi, Bangkok. The suspect, claiming self-defence intentions, was not believed by police who suspected a different motive. The incident occurred at Wat Intharam Worawihan, situated in Bang Yi Ruea, Thonburi, where the sword went missing on Wednesday, November 13. CCTV footage…
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9 students and 2 teachers injured in Surat Thani van accident
A van carrying 11 passengers, including nine students and two teachers, overturned in Kanchanadit district, Surat Thani province, following a camping trip. The accident occurred yesterday afternoon, November 15, on Highway 44, along the Krabi-Surat Thani route in Thung Rang subdistrict. Police Captain Thaweewit Kaewroy of Khunthale Police Station detailed the incident, which was reported at 2.10pm. Upon arrival, police…
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Pathum Thani police officer with health issue dies in car crash
A car crash involving a police officer who lost control and collided with a shop and utility pole resulted in his death. The incident occurred yesterday, November 14, near a residential area in Pathum Thani province. The tragic accident unfolded when police officer Settapong Songkrod, who held the position of Deputy Inspector, experienced a sudden health issue while in his…
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Tourists in Trang thrilled by rare dugong sighting near Koh Libong
Tourists in Trang were thrilled to encounter a fully grown dugong grazing on seagrass, a sight not witnessed for several months. The boat operator quickly launched a drone to capture the memorable moment, creating a buzz among the visitors. At Ban Phrang Pier in the Koh Libong area of Kantang district, Trang province, Anon Kingkoyao, a tour operator on Koh…
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Thai police officer who died pursuing suspect in Phrae honoured
A 22 year old police officer with a promising future, tragically died in the line of duty. He has been posthumously promoted and awarded special recognition following his brave actions while pursuing a suspect. Yesterday, November 14, National Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet revealed details surrounding the death of Sittiphong Kanta, a police officer from Sa-iab Police Station in Song district,…
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Pattaya beach turns into unregulated booze and kratom market
Pattaya Beach, a once serene paradise for tourists and locals, is now teetering on the edge of chaos as unlicenced vendors run rampant. Once discreet, these sellers now brazenly set up stalls along the shoreline, peddling kratom-laced cocktails and alcoholic beverages, ignoring the law with apparent ease. Despite frequent police patrols, vendors openly resume business the moment officers leave, leaving…
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Dog ‘adopter’ linked to Chiang Rai slaughterhouse shock
In a shocking twist, an alleged animal welfare scandal has erupted in Chiang Rai province, where a man who posed as a compassionate dog adopter is now accused of sending his “rescued” pets to an illegal slaughterhouse. Local animal welfare advocates and the Livestock Department are calling for immediate police action to bring the man, from the Akha ethnic group,…
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‘Keep your krathongs on land,’ says Patong Mayor in eco-plea
As Loy Krathong celebrations light up Patong Beach tonight, Patong Municipality is urging revellers to keep their lanterns (krathongs) out of the sea. Every year, thousands descend on the beach, offering decorated krathongs to the water goddess to cast away bad luck and ask for blessings. Yet, while the gestures float away, the krathongs often come back, with the tide…
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Thai police capture fugitive ex-husband after fatal stabbing in Phang Nga
A 38 year old man has been apprehended by Thai police after a manhunt following the fatal stabbing of his ex-wife in Phang Nga’s Takua Pa district. Police discovered Ekkarat yesterday, hiding in a forest in Chana district, Songkhla province, after he had been on the run since early this month. Ekkarat Priappan’s arrest follows a concerted effort by the…
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Thailand’s Marriage Equality Bill to boost GDP and tourism
Thailand’s historic decision to legalise same-sex marriage, starting January 2025, is set to supercharge its tourism industry, drawing in millions of visitors and billions in revenue. According to a new study by digital travel platform Agoda, this legislative move is projected to bring in 4 million additional international visitors each year, driving up tourism revenues by an impressive US$2 billion…
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Feline faux-paw: Empress of Ayodhaya cat drugged by amateur
In a shocking twist worthy of its own drama, fresh revelations have emerged from the set of the Thai historical series, The Empress of Ayodhaya. It’s been discovered that the mysterious black cat, who was anaesthetised during filming, was knocked out by someone with zero veterinarian credentials. The Department of Livestock Development released a bombshell report today, November 15,revealing the…
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High ambitions: Suvarnabhumi aims to triple transit traffic by 2030
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s busiest international gateway, is gearing up for a major transformation to become Southeast Asia’s ultimate transit hub. Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to raise the airport’s transit flights from a mere 4% to a soaring 20% as part of an ambitious master plan to rank among the world’s top 20 airports by 2030. This bold goal is…
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Thailand celebrates return of ancient artefacts from US
Thailand welcomed back four ancient Ban Chiang artefacts yesterday, repatriated from the United States, in a gesture marking the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property. The return ceremony, held at the Issara Vinijchai Throne Hall within Bangkok’s National Museum, underscored the commitment to preserving cultural heritage. The US Ambassador, Robert Godec, revealed that these artefacts had been gifted…
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Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon draws tourists with frosty scenic views
Cold temperatures on Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai have attracted tourists eager to experience the chill and witness the stunning frost formations on grass and wildflowers. As of today, the temperature on the summit dropped to 9°C, creating a picturesque scene that drew many visitors to the national park. There is great anticipation for the occurrence of Maei Khap frost,…
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Thai singer’s fake goods hit a sour note with socialite
A prominent Thai country singer has been accused of running a fraudulent business scheme and selling counterfeit luxury goods, resulting in a loss of 8 million baht for a well-known socialite. The allegations have sparked widespread interest on social media, with many speculating about the singer’s identity and the extent of their activities. Ken Do, a public figure known for…
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Mitsubishi Pajero crash in Prachinburi leaves one dead, one injured
A tragic accident unfolded when a Mitsubishi Pajero lost control, hitting a utility pole before spinning across lanes and violently colliding with a pink taxi. The crash resulted in a fatality and a serious injury, leaving bystanders and those involved in shock. The incident occurred early today, November 15, at 12.30am, on the 304 Road near the U-turn at Ban…
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Bangkok braces for rising pollution as air quality worsens
Bangkok’s air quality has significantly deteriorated, with 28 areas submerged in PM2.5 dust particles. Officials issued warnings, anticipating a spike in pollution levels between this Sunday, November 17 and next Tuesday, November 19. Residents are advised to take precautions to protect their health. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported on the air quality status in Bangkok and its surrounding areas,…
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Cyber police arrest scammer who defrauded politician’s daughter of 650,000 baht
Cyber police apprehended a key player in a call centre scam that deceived the daughter of a Democrat Party deputy leader out of over 650,000 baht by impersonating officials from the Department of Special Investigation. Police from Technology Crime Suppression Division 5 reported the arrest of 55 year old Suthep near a house in Wang Sala, Tha Muang district, Kanchanaburi.…
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Cement mixer truck collision kills rider, injures passenger in Nonthaburi
A tragic accident occurred when a cement mixer truck collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the death of a 59 year old rider and injuries to a female student passenger. The truck driver claimed he did not see the motorcycle but CCTV footage captured the entire incident. Police officers from Bang Kruai Police Station and Ruamkatanyu Foundation personnel responded to…
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Udon Thani: Image of revered monk in the sky sparks lottery frenzy
A miraculous event unfolded yesterday, November 14, at Wat Mai Burapharam in Udon Thani, captivating locals during a religious ceremony. Clouds formed into the likeness of the seated monk, prompting a fervent rush for lottery tickets bearing the number 652. During the ceremony, led by the well-known monk Phra Achan Pornsak, the sky offered a mystical spectacle. As he chanted…
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