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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 The hidden costs of ignoring pre-existing conditions in Thailand
The Thaiger key takeaways Not declaring pre-existing conditions can result in denied claims, high costs, or visa problems. Cigna provides coverage for common chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis with high limits and direct billing. Honest disclosure ensures proper coverage,...
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Surat Thani train tragedy claims life of mother and daughter
Tragedy struck in Surat Thani last night as a devastating railway accident claimed the lives of a mother and her young daughter, leaving a married couple fighting for their lives. The heart-wrenching incident unfolded at around 7pm, yesterday, September 29, at a railway crossing on the road to Ban Bang Por in tambon Tha Chang of Tha Chang district. Emergency…
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Thailand targets inflated mud removal fees in flood-hit areas
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has directed Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) to initiate legal actions against backhoe operators in flood-affected provinces for inflating mud removal fees. Following visits to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai over the weekend to assess the flood damage and expedite recovery efforts, Pichai received complaints about backhoe operators charging exorbitant fees for mud removals from…
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Finance ministry sees record revenue of 14.4 billion baht
The Ministry of Finance announced that the Treasury Department has achieved record-breaking revenue collection for the fiscal year 2024, amounting to 14.4 billion baht. This represents a 57.9% increase from the previous year and exceeds projections by 25.4%, marking the highest revenue since the department’s establishment on September 30, 1924. The Deputy Minister of Finance, Paophum Rojanasakul attributed this remarkable…
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Thai man kills wife’s ex-husband while drinking alcohol together
A Thai man killed his wife’s ex-husband after he sexually assaulted her while they were drinking together in the Isaan province of Bueng Kan. Officers from Seka Police Station were alerted to the death of the 62 year old Thai man, Lampong Sattaphon, at 3pm yesterday, September 28. Upon arrival, officers found Lampong lying lifeless in a small house in…
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Beetle mania: Thailand sago beetles set to crawl onto global menus
In a sensational twist of culinary trends, the humble sago beetle is poised to go global! Scientifically known as Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliver, these critters, dubbed pin-hole borers or true weevils, are a Southern Thai delicacy also referred to as lan beetles. Edible insects are the buzz in Thailand’s southern provinces, where sago beetles are farmed en masse. Packed with healthy…
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Fool’s gold: 2 Thai women caught in golden scam crackdown
Police arrested two Thai women for pawning fake gold accessories at various gold shops in Bangkok and other provinces in Thailand. The two denied the accusations, claiming that another man tricked them into committing the crime. The most recent scam, which took place at a pawn shop in Central Chaengwattana in the Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province, led to…
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Thai Airways partners with Gulf Air, adding six new destinations
Thai Airways International (THAI) anticipates a boost in revenue following the enhancement of its code-sharing agreement with Gulf Air. THAI announced the expansion of its partnership with Gulf Air yesterday, September 29, to include new destinations: Cairo, Kuwait City, Amman, Casablanca, Athens, and Manchester. This agreement took effect immediately. Previously, the collaboration between the two airlines was limited to routes…
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Man spends 10,000 baht on gifts for crush, ends up in knife fight
A man, desperate for a girlfriend, withdrew 10,000 baht to shower gifts on a woman, only to end up in a knife fight with her brother, leaving both injured. He lamented his desire for love at 39 years old and felt deceived. Police officers from Phan Thong Police Station were alerted to a violent altercation involving knives, resulting in two…
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Gunman of mistaken identity shooting captured after 13 years
The mistaken identity of a rival gang led to a tragic fatal shooting outside a grocery store, with the suspect evading capture for 13 years before finally being apprehended yesterday, September 29. The incident has left the local community reeling and reflects the severe consequences of violent misunderstandings. Police arrested 42 year old Sirichai Chok based on an arrest warrant…
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Wire we in the dark? Heist leaves Phuket underpass powerless
In a shocking turn of events, brazen thieves have plunged the bustling Darasamut Underpass into chaos, swiping electrical wires from the control room and causing a temporary power outage earlier today. The sneaky heist came to light when a worker from the Phuket Highways Office alerted Wichit Police to the power failure striking the tunnel around 7.40am, today, September 30.…
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Former Chula chairman jailed for embezzling 1.4 billion baht
Bancha Chalapirom, former chairman of the Chulalongkorn University Savings Cooperative (CU Savings Coop), has been sentenced to five years in prison for embezzling over 1.4 billion baht from the cooperative. The Criminal Court delivered the verdict yesterday, September 29, finding Bancha guilty under Sections 353 and 254 of the Criminal Code. Following the sentencing, Bancha requested bail to appeal the…
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EC dismisses complaints for party dissolution, insufficient evidence
The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed two of over ten complaints calling for the dissolution of certain political parties and the removal of the prime minister and some Cabinet members due to insufficient information. Sawaeng Boonmee, the EC Secretary-General, stated that the office received more than ten complaints since the new government was established but two have been rejected. He…
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6 year old boy stripped naked and assaulted by 2 girls in Phuket
A grandmother is seeking compensation after a six year old Thai boy in Phuket was stripped naked and physically assaulted by two 12 year old girls. The girls claimed they were only playing a game of ghost exorcism. The 41-second video when the six year old boy was abused was shared on Thai social media on Saturday, September 28. In…
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Waxing poetic: Ubon Ratchathani candle workshop goes up in smoke
A fire engulfed a renowned candle-carving workshop at Wat Jaeng in Ubon Ratchathani, causing over 2 million baht in damages. The blaze started when sparks from a metal grinder ignited foam, rapidly spreading through the building. The fire broke out at 3.40pm yesterday, September 29, at the candle-carving workshop of Wat Jaeng, located on Sappasit Road in Ubon Ratchathani city.…
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Shock drama in Phuket: Man rescued after electrocution
Emergency services in Phuket leapt into action yesterday after a man was electrocuted and left dangling from a power pole in Soi Nai Thon 3, Sakhu. The alarming incident was reported to the Phuket Provincial Police emergency call centre around 9.10am, yesterday, September 29 via the 191 hotline. Officers from the Sakhu Police quickly rushed to the scene, situated outside…
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Mother arrested after attacking daughter with knife in Pathum Thani
A 35 year old mother in Pathum Thani was arrested after locking her two children, a seven year old boy and an 11 year old girl, in their room and attacking the girl with a knife, causing a severe injury to her left ankle. Police received a call around 7pm yesterday, September 29, about a mother assaulting her children in…
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Foreign men vandalise Phuket restaurant, shatter windows and flee
Two foreign men vandalised a local restaurant in Phuket early this morning, September 30, shattering glass windows and causing distress among staff and nearby residents. The incidents occurred at the Birds Cafe Restaurant in Soi OrBorTor, Cherng Talay, and prompted a police investigation. The first act of vandalism took place at approximately 2.18am when a foreign man arrived on a…
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Thai man wanted for attempted murder commits suicide in Pattaya
A Thai man wanted for attempted murder, committed suicide in front of the police in Pattaya on Saturday, September 28, despite officers spending more than four hours trying to talk him out of it. The deceased, a 39 year old Thai man named Nirut Yaempuang, caused chaos on Saturday morning before taking his own life at about 10.30pm The incident began…
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Jellyfish invasion in Pattaya: Beachgoers left feeling stung
Jellyfish have recently swarmed Jomtien and Dongtan beaches in Pattaya, causing concerns among beachgoers. A large number of jellyfish were seen floating in the sea, particularly at these two popular beaches. This occurrence is common during the late rainy season and early winter or stormy weather. The jellyfish have been present for about three to four days. Wallop Boonchu, a…
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Car bomb blast rocks Tak Bai: Two soldiers injured in fiery attack
A car bomb exploded near the home of the Tak Bai district chief in Narathiwat late last night, leaving two soldiers injured and setting nearby houses ablaze. The explosion rocked Moo 3 village in Tambon Jeh Hay at 9.51pm, while district chief Jirat Siriwanlop was reportedly in Mueang district at the time. The blast severely injured Private Kantayot Binrim and…
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Solar power push: A bright idea to boost clean energy at home
The National Energy Policy Administration Committee are deliberating an increase in the purchase of solar power from households to bolster clean energy initiatives and promote the installation of rooftop solar panels, according to an energy official. The committee had previously sanctioned a plan to acquire 90 megawatts (MW) of solar power from homeowners, spanning from 2021 to 2030. Recent advocacy…
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10 questions to ask an insurance provider when purchasing an insurance policy
When you’re buying insurance coverage, it’s important to ask questions that can give you a better understanding of what the policy offers you regarding protection and benefits. Here are ten specific questions to think about so you can make a well-informed choice that fits your requirements: 1. What type of insurance plan is this? Knowing the kind of insurance is…
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Thai boy arrested for killing close friend over alleged insult
A 15 year old Thai boy arrested for the murder of his close friend in the southern province of Songkhla, claimed that the deceased insulted him with vulgar language. A resident in the Khlong Hoi Khong district of Songkhla discovered the body of 15 year old Konnawan “Fang” O-thong in a puddle in the forest at around 9.45am yesterday, September 29.…
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EEC housing market crashes: It’s a real estate shake-up
Sales of residential units in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) have taken a nosedive, particularly near industrial estates, following a wave of factory closures. Vichai Viratkapan, acting director-general of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), pointed the finger at the shuttering of large factories since last year, which has severely impacted housing demand in Chon Buri and Rayong. “New sales…
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Thailand’s local businesses get a global boost: It’s time to trade up
Strengthening Thailand’s local businesses to compete on the global stage could be a game-changing strategy for revitalising the national economy, according to Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput. Sethaput is advocating for the implementation of “globally competitive localism,” a concept that leverages the strengths of local entrepreneurs, such as cultural assets, to create value-added products and services. This, he believes,…
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Used car market in a jam as electric vehicles spark trouble
The used car market is in dire straits, with a shocking downturn blamed on the economic slump, soaring non-performing loans (NPLs), and the growing allure of electric vehicles (EVs), warns Tris Rating. In a jaw-dropping revelation, used car hire-purchase firms have reported a staggering 93% plunge in profits year-on-year for the first half of 2024. Motorcycle hire-purchase companies haven’t fared…
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Grandmother finds lucky number at Kham Chanod Island
A grandmother, hoping to rely on her grandchildren’s luck, found herself searching for numbers on a giant fig tree at Kham Chanod Island. She discovered a double number, marking yet another successful visit. This mystical site never fails to bring her fortune. Kham Chanod Island, a renowned spiritual site located in Ban Non Mueang, Ban Muang subdistrict, Ban Dung district,…
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Man arrested for brandishing knife and cannabis on Bangkok bus
A 19 year old man was arrested by traffic police for brandishing a knife and causing a disturbance on a bus, heading towards an expressway. Upon searching his bag, police found cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and additional knives. Traffic police apprehended the suspect at approximately 1pm yesterday near the Phahonyothin 1 expressway exit in Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok. The operation was…
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Elderly man kills rival after drunken dispute in Bueng Kan
A 74 year old man received 10,000 baht (US$310) and used the money to buy alcohol, which he drank with his 44 year old wife. As they drank, an old flame joined them and after getting drunk, began to harass the wife. The husband tried to stop him, to no avail, and ended up fatally attacking him with a hammer…
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Police intercepts street racers in Bang Khen
Police in Bang Khen intercepted a group of motorcyclists who had arranged a street race via Facebook, performing dangerous stunts on Ram Inthra Road. Early this morning, the police received a report about a group of teenagers gathering to race motorcycles on Ram Inthra Road. Around 2am, officers arrived at Soi Ram Inthra 14 and found the group engaging in…
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