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 Answers to the most common questions about international health insurance
If you’ve been thinking of staying in Thailand long-term, you’ve probably already asked the big question, “Do I actually need international health insurance?” It’s a question that often comes up among expats, digital nomads, retirees, and even frequent travellers. Sure,...
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31% of Thais eye battery electric vehicles as next car choice
A recent survey by Deloitte Thailand revealed that 31% of Thai consumers are likely to opt for a battery electric vehicle (BEV) as their next car, the highest percentage in Southeast Asia. Despite this, internal combustion engine vehicles continue to be the preferred choice in the region. The survey, conducted between September and October last year, focused on consumer behaviour…
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Thailand’s state grid to ink 5.2GW renewable deals in Q3
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) anticipates that power purchase agreements (PPAs) will be signed with companies chosen to participate in the 5.2-gigawatt renewable energy scheme during this year’s third quarter. The Office of the Attorney General is currently reviewing the legal aspects of the scheme, which includes power plant construction projects proposed by 175 selected companies. Following the completion of…
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Hundreds of porn DVDs discovered in ex-temple abbot’s quarters spark outrage
Villagers in Nakhon Ratchasima province were shocked when they discovered hundreds of porn DVDs hidden in a former abbot’s residence at a local temple. The 73 year old former abbot had been expelled from the temple by the villagers on February 19, due to inappropriate behaviour, financial mismanagement, and alleged misconduct with female devotees in a washroom. The villagers demanded…
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Prime suspect in Pattaya woman’s brutal murder arrested in rural Thai village
In a rural village in Sakon Nakhon, northeastern Thailand, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of a young Pattaya woman was apprehended and is now being transported to Pattaya for further investigation. The murder of Rattana Thammarak sent shockwaves through the Pattaya community and law enforcement. The 32 year old suffered at least ten stab wounds to her face,…
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‘Last push’ to get injured English tourist stuck in Thailand hospital back home
UPDATE The 25 year old English tourist who crashed his motorbike into a shopfront in Phuket on May 1 remains in a hospital in Thailand over three weeks later. Doctors say he is almost ready to be transferred to a hospital in the UK, once his hospital bill is paid in full. After suffering significant blood loss and falling into…
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Thai food exports target 10% growth amid rising demand, quality standards
The Thai Commerce Ministry aims to boost food exports by 10% in 2023, driven by growing demand and enhanced Thai standards for quality, safety, and sustainable production processes. Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit announced the target during the opening of THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA 2023, expecting food exports to reach 1.55 trillion baht this year, up from 1.36 trillion in 2022. The food…
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Thailand flight sales soar, searches for outbound trips up 200% in Q1
The first quarter of this year saw international flight sales to Thailand surpass 2019 figures, while searches for outbound Thai flights and overseas accommodation rose by 200%, according to online travel agency Traveloka. Iko Putera, the company’s chief executive of transport, anticipates a positive travel trend for Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia this year. This is driven by…
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Lawyer of cyanide serial killer accused of hiding and damaging evidence
Thannicha “Patch” Ek-suwannawat, the lawyer representing the Thai cyanide serial killer, is facing allegations of hiding and damaging crucial evidence. Despite being summoned, Patch has not responded and instead intends to file a complaint against the police. Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, the cyanide serial killer, has yet to confess to her alleged crimes, despite compelling evidence against her. Investigators have uncovered…
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Man’s body found floating in sea off Thailand’s Chon Buri province
A man’s body was found floating in the sea off Thailand‘s eastern Chon Buri province yesterday. The body of the man, believed to be a missing Cambodian boat worker, was discovered near a mangrove swamp in Sattahip district. An unidentified citizen reported the body to Sattahip Police at around 11.30am. The body is suspected to be that of Yook Thienia…
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Knife rampage: Man terrorises shoppers, vandalises cars outside mall after losing job
A man wielding knives went on a rampage near a busy shopping centre in Nonthaburi, Thailand, allegedly due to stress from being unemployed. Officers from the Bang Bua Thong Police Station were alerted to the frenzied incident at around 8pm yesterday, which saw the man brandishing sharp weapons and attacking cars amongst nearby pedestrians. At the scene, officials discovered a…
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Priceless piece of history: Last Emperor of China’s watch fetches record-breaking US$5.1 million at Hong Kong auction
A rare Patek Philippe watch once owned by Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of China‘s Qing Dynasty, has been sold at auction in Hong Kong for a record-breaking HK$40 million (US$5.1 million). An anonymous buyer purchased the timepiece, which had been gifted by Puyi to his Russian interpreter during his imprisonment by the Soviet Union. The sale price, which did…
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3 DSI officers and ex-consul of Nauru accused of swindling 10 million baht
Three officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the former consul of the Nauru Consulate in Thailand reportedly swindled 10 million baht from Chinese nationals suspected of operating illegal businesses in Thailand. The accused DSI officers surrendered yesterday. On December 22 of last year, DSI officers conducted a raid on a residence in Bangkok that served as the…
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Bangkok blaze devastates 44 homes in rapid inferno
A massive fire engulfed over 44 wooden houses in Bangkok’s Talat Phlu district, near Soi Wutthakat 18-20, leaving local officials battling the flames for more than 45 minutes. There were no reported injuries or deaths. The authorities received the emergency report at approximately 5.45am and coordinated with the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, as well as volunteers from the charity…
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Phuket motorbike crash injures elderly expat
A Phuket motorbike crash injured an elderly expat yesterday morning. Chalong Police arrived at the scene on Wiset Road in Rawai to find a foreign motorbike rider, 73 year old Georgi Simeonov Georgiev with minor injuries. The other rider involved in the accident was a 31 Thai man named Kittisak Buayai. Georgiev’s nationality was not provided by police. After reviewing…
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Thailand weather forecast: Heavy rain and strong winds, health and safety vigilance urged
The Thai Meteorological Department‘s latest weather forecast for the next 24 hours, predicts heavy rainfall and strong winds in several regions due to the influence of the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a low-pressure system covering parts of upper Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin. The public is advised to remain…
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Cannabis shop near top school suspended amid licence scrutiny
A cannabis shop near the prestigious St Joseph Convent School on Silom Road has had its licence suspended for one month by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM). The dispensary had been operating for six months before receiving criticism due to its proximity to the all-girls school. DTAM’s director-general, Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, revealed that the suspension was a…
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Key Chinese Ponzi scheme member arrested in Bangkok over cybercrime
A key member of a Chinese Ponzi scheme network wanted in China for cybercrime, fraud, and investment scams, has been apprehended by immigration police. The 35 year old individual, known only as Zhao, was arrested following coordination between the Chinese embassy in Bangkok and the Immigration Bureau (IB). Zhao and his associates operated an investment firm that lured people into a…
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Thai government revenue exceeds target by 112 billion baht amid economic recovery
The Ministry of Finance announced that government revenue collection for the first seven months of fiscal 2023 (October to April) surpassed the target by 112 billion baht, primarily due to contributions from agencies other than the Revenue Department. This information was shared by Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office. The government collected a net revenue of 1.38 trillion baht…
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White House reports progress in talks to avert US debt default
The White House has reported some progress in the ongoing discussions with Republican negotiators to prevent a catastrophic US debt default before the June 1 deadline. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that both sides must understand that they won’t get everything they want. The talks between US President Joe Biden and Republicans in Congress are set to continue,…
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Black panther and cub spotted strolling through Thailand national park
Photos of a “black panther,” or Indochinese leopard, and its cub strolling through Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand emerged today, capturing the hearts of wildlife enthusiasts around the nation. Kaeng Krachan National Park posted photos of the big cat and its baby on Facebook with the caption… “We meet again in the past two to three months. But this…
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Cathay Pacific apologises for staff mocking non-English speakers on flight
Cathay Pacific Airways issued an apology following allegations of discrimination against non-English speakers by its flight attendants. The accusations surfaced in a viral post on Chinese social media, causing widespread concern and prompting the airline to take action. The incident occurred on flight CX987, travelling from Chengdu in southwestern China to Hong Kong. In response, Cathay Pacific suspended the flight attendants…
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Man confesses to beating Thai-British girlfriend, forcing her to eat dog poo, and killing her pets
A Thai man confessed to physically abusing his Thai-British girlfriend, forcing her to eat dog poo and killing her dogs today at a police station in Samut Prakan in central Thailand. Lawyer Kanthas “Gun Jompalang” Phongphaibookvej accompanied 25 year old “A” (pseudonym) to Bang Bo Police Station this morning to file three charges against her 24 year old boyfriend “Fin,”…
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Rising interest rates boost mortgage NPLs, Bank of Thailand urges debt restructuring
In the first quarter of this year, non-performing mortgage loans (NPLs) experienced an increase due to rising interest rates, prompting the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to encourage banks to assist borrowers through debt restructuring. The central bank recently revealed a housing loan NPL ratio of 3.16% in the commercial banking system, up from 3.01% in the previous quarter. The primary…
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Asia-Pacific countries need US$362 billion annually for climate action, says UN
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) highlighted the urgent need for significant funding to support climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in the Asia-Pacific region. ESCAP’s Accelerating Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific report reveals that most countries in the area are inadequately prepared for extreme weather events and natural disasters, which…
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NBTC scraps 3.8bn baht telehealth project over budget concerns
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board members have voted against the development of a 3.8 billion baht telehealth project, citing misalignment with the objectives of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) project budget. The majority of board members argued that the USO project’s focus should be on supporting telecom network installation and expansion to bridge the digital divide, while…
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Contaminated water supply leaves residents in Buriram with painful rashes and sores
Residents are pleading for urgent assistance to address their contaminated water supply, which has caused rashes and sores all over their bodies in the Mueang district, Buriram province. The village head says he is aware of the issue and is preparing a budget to address the problem. Residents from Nong Bon and Khok Phet villages in the Khlanta sub-district, Mueang…
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Tragic twilight collision: Man defies wife’s warning, loses life in motorcycle accident
A fatal accident occurred when a man defied his wife’s warning and drove his motorcycle during twilight hours, resulting in a collision with a pickup truck. The incident took place on the Nato Hming-Kok Yang road in Trang Province, Thailand. The crash left the motorcycle rider, a 44 year old rubberwood processing factory security officer named Natthaphong, dead at the…
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‘Blue Lagoon’ promoted as tourist attraction in Khon Kaen, Thailand
An abandoned limestone quarry-turned-reservoir dubbed the “Blue Lagoon” is being promoted as a tourist attraction in Khon Kaen, northeast Thailand. Locals said that water seeped into the abandoned old quarry site until it turned into a beautiful reservoir, attracting tourists wanting to catch a glimpse of the emerald water glistening under the sun. INN News describes the Blue Lagoon as…
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Thepprasit Road upgrade aims to reduce accidents, accommodate underground cables
In Pattaya, the construction of traffic islands on Thepprasit Road has sparked concerns among residents and business owners. Pattaya City Mayor Poramese Ngampiches reported he addressed these concerns, explaining that the traffic islands are part of a project to upgrade the road and its surrounding areas to accommodate future underground electrical cables, thus avoiding the need for re-excavation. Mayor Poramese…
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Thailand boosts safety measures to attract 5 million Chinese tourists
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Tourist Police Bureau are focusing on enhancing safety measures for travellers as the number of Chinese tourists to the country reaches 1 million. TAT aims to attract five million Chinese tourists this year, with around 70% expected to be independent travellers with high purchasing power. However, there are challenges, such as a…
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