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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Gaza violence escalates as Israel and militants trade heavy fire
Overnight, Israel’s army and Gaza militants exchanged heavy cross-border fire, resulting in at least 22 Palestinians killed over two days. This marks the worst escalation of violence to impact the coastal territory in months. In response to incoming rocket attacks, sirens blared in the Tel Aviv area and Israel’s south. There were reports of launches from Gaza, while Israeli officials…
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Imran Khan’s duel with Pakistan military and its impact on nation’s democracy
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has become a controversial figure in Pakistan, causing tension with the country’s military, long considered the primary power broker in the nation. His arrest this week comes after a series of critical statements against a senior intelligence officer, escalating the conflict between Khan’s popularity and the military’s significant influence. According to US-based Stimson Center analyst…
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Iran’s traditional wooden lenj boats face extinction as modern vessels take over
Hassan Rostam, a 62 years old Iranian captain, has navigated the Strait of Hormuz aboard his traditional wooden lenj for four decades. However, he sadly witnesses these hand-built vessels being replaced by more economical, faster boats. Lenjes have sailed Gulf waters for centuries, their unique form reflecting regional maritime customs similar to the dhows of the Arabian Peninsula. Rostam, who…
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Record number of internally displaced people due to overlapping crises
An unprecedented “perfect storm” of overlapping crises forced tens of millions to flee within their own countries last year, sending the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) soaring to an all-time high. In 2022, a record 71.1 million IDPs were registered, up 20% from the previous year. This staggering increase was a result of mass displacement due to Russia’s war…
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Streaming platforms battle for anime market dominance
As anime’s popularity continues to reach new heights, major streaming platforms are vying for dominance in the lucrative market. Fuelled partly by the pandemic, this animated genre has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry, with the global market valued at US$28.6 billion in 2022, according to Grand View Research, and expected to double by 2030. Aya Umezu, CEO of Tokyo-based entertainment…
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Netizens stunned by sudden death of 76 year old deaf, mute woman saved from train accident
Netizens yesterday were shocked to learn about the sudden death of a 76 year old deaf and mute woman, who was previously saved from being struck by a train. Her funeral took place recently. A TikTok user named aphit_surat6 posted a clip informing followers of the sad news. The old woman, who had become the subject of a heartwarming story…
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Nigerian drug dealer and romance scammer arrested in Phuket
A Nigerian man, previously arrested for drug-related offences and deported from Thailand, was arrested yesterday by officers from the Phuket Provincial Immigration Office and Chalong Police Station for his drug dealing and romance scam activities in Phuket. According to the police report, the 40 year old Nigerian, Harrison Shinonzo Onyema, was deported in 2018 for overstaying his visa and selling…
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Bank of Thailand to relax rules on Chinese yuan use for trade this year
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) plans to ease regulations on the use of China’s yuan for trade this year, aiming to mitigate the effects of currency volatility, according to BoT Deputy Governor Mathee Supapongse. Ongoing discussions between the central bank and its Chinese counterpart are focused on promoting the usage of the Chinese currency. China is a significant trade partner…
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Thai consumer confidence reaches 38-month high in April
Consumer confidence in Thailand experienced an 11th consecutive month of growth in April, hitting a 38-month high, according to a recent survey. It revealed that the continued recovery in the tourism sector, combined with increased activities in anticipation of the May 14 election, were major contributors to this boost. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) reported that…
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Former airline pilot arrested for secretly filming women and selling clips in private group
Police arrested a former pilot of a prominent airline for deceiving young women and secretly recording them in compromising situations, then selling the videos in a private group online. Nearly 30 victims have been discovered, prompting further investigation into the case. Authorities reported raiding two locations in Bangkok and Chanthaburi province yesterday. The first location was the residence of Phatrawit,…
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China increasingly uses yuan for trade with Russia, sidelining the dollar
China has significantly raised its use of the yuan for purchasing Russian commodities in the past year, with almost all its procurement of oil, coal, and some metals from the neighbouring country now settled in the Chinese currency instead of US dollars, multiple trading executives with direct knowledge of the situation have revealed. The shift towards using the yuan to…
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South African cracks head open in fight over 9,000 baht go-go bar bill in Pattaya
A South African tourist cracked his head open during a fight about a 9,000 baht drinks bill outside a go-go bar on Pattaya’s Walking Street in Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand, last night. Police took him to the station where he agreed to pay. In the middle of the night, officers at Mueang Pattaya Police Station were informed that a foreign tourist…
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RTN officer’s crooked web of deception: Evicts pregnant wife for pregnant mistress
A Royal Thai Navy (RTN) officer’s crooked web of deception, cheating, and abuse has resulted in his wife becoming homeless and leaving both his wife and mistress pregnant. The homeless, six-month pregnant wife, Aey, sought the help of a lawyer to file a complaint and seek justice from the RTN after her RTN officer husband evicted and replaced her with…
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China’s consumer price index sees slowest growth in two years
China’s consumer prices experienced a slow increase over the past two years in April, with factory gate deflation becoming more pronounced, according to recent data. This outcome has prompted conjecture that additional stimulus activities may be necessary to enhance the uneven post-pandemic economic recovery. In April, the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.1% year-on-year, making it the lowest level…
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Disney reduces streaming losses but sheds subscribers as earnings meet expectations
Walt Disney has reported a reduction in streaming losses by US$400 million from the previous quarter; however, the company also experienced a drop in subscribers. The entertainment giant shared this information on Wednesday as part of its recent quarterly earnings release, which fell in line with Wall Street expectations. Following the report, shares of Disney declined by 4.4% during after-hours…
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Extreme rainfall impacts China’s rice yields, study reveals
Extreme rainfall has reduced China’s rice yields by 8% over the past two decades, according to a study led by researchers from the country. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Food, discovered that the effects of extreme rainfall on rice yields were similar to those of extreme heat. Projections show that by the end of this century, extreme…
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China’s shrinking birth rate impacts baby product manufacturers
A decline in China’s population is creating a challenging environment for the country’s baby and children’s product manufacturers, as domestic sales plummet and companies grapple with finding alternative revenue streams. As the world’s largest market for baby food and diapers, valued at US$37.9 billion annually, prepares to contract for the first time, firms are turning their attention to products for…
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Indian airline Go First granted bankruptcy protection amid repossession concerns
An Indian tribunal granted bankruptcy protection to Go Airlines (India) Ltd yesterday, a decision that may aid the country’s fourth-largest airline in its revival efforts but could also hinder foreign lessors’ attempts to reclaim their aircraft. The low-cost carrier recently rebranded as Go First, claimed that its financial crisis originated from “faulty” Pratt & Whitney engines, which grounded approximately half…
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Gecko caught on camera stealing Covid medication from homeowner’s wall, leading to lottery number inquiries
A homeowner in Rayong, Thailand, was recently surprised to find a large tokay gecko clinging to the wall and swinging a green medicine pouch, stirring up laughter and concern in the local community. This unusual incident was caught on video and was posted on social media by Nayika Silalarat, who then received numerous questions about the house number, as some…
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Scammer couple sentenced to 12,000 years in prison each in Thailand
Thailand’s Criminal Court sentenced a Thai couple to 12,640 years in prison each yesterday after finding them guilty of operating a Ponzi scheme with damages amounting to billions of baht. The court ruled that Wantanee Tippaveth and her boyfriend Metee Chinpa committed 2,528 acts of fraud between March 9, 2019, and October 30, 2020. Wantanee and Metee convinced hundreds of…
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Deep concern over Myanmar violence dominates Asean Summit
Southeast Asian nations expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Myanmar, condemning a recent attack on a convoy of diplomats delivering humanitarian aid in the country. The crisis in Myanmar, which is under junta rule, has been a dominant topic of discussion at this week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia, as the regional bloc has…
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Move Forward Party leader faces scrutiny over media company shares ownership
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), is facing increased scrutiny over claims that he owns shares in a now-defunct media company. Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) list-MP candidate, recently petitioned the Election Commission (EC) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate Pita, who is also the party’s prime ministerial candidate. This follows Pita’s…
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Phuket motorcycle taxi rider fined for overcharging and threatening passenger
A motorcycle taxi rider in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket has been fined 2,500 baht after trying to overcharge and threaten a passenger. The incident was reported by 32 year old Wilaiwan Khormobklang to officers at Patong Police Station yesterday, May 10. The rider, identified as Prasertchai, operates on Rat Uthit 200 Years Road in Patong sub-district, Kathu district, Phuket.…
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Myanmar peace plan progress lacking, says Indonesia’s president
Despite having agreed to implement a peace plan with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) two years ago, Myanmar’s ruling military has made no significant progress, according to Indonesia’s president. Speaking on the second day of the ASEAN leaders’ meeting in Labuan Bajo, President Joko Widodo stressed the need for the bloc’s unity in deciding the next steps to…
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Stranded in paradise: Viral video shows 85 tourists trapped in water near Thai Cave
A video clip of 85 tourists waiting in the water near a cave in South Thailand after an issue with their boat has gone viral on social media. The video shows the tourists, who are all wearing life jackets, holding on to each other as they wait for their boat to return. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, May 6,…
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Election commission sets up cyber threat surveillance centre to ensure transparency
The Election Commission (EC) has established a Cyber Threat Surveillance and Response Operations Centre to ensure transparency in elections, according to EC Secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee. This development comes in partnership with the National Cyber Security Agency, Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission, Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, the Bureau of Registration Administration, and National Telecom Public Co Ltd. Sawaeng, aged…
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Growing global demand for gold amid banking sector turmoil and geopolitical tensions
The global demand for gold from investors is witnessing an increase due to instability in the banking sector, geopolitical tensions, and a challenging economic environment, prompting individuals to turn to the precious metal as a safe-haven asset, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). The WGC’s most recent Gold Demand Trend report revealed that demand for gold bars and coins…
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Swarm of giant honey bees cause chaos at Thailand airport
A swarm of giant honey bees caused quite the buzz at Khon Kaen Airport in northeast Thailand yesterday, causing delays to two flights and stinging six members of ground staff who all required hospitalisation. As soon as Thai AirAsia flight FD3260 from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport landed on the runway at Khon Kaen Airport yesterday, a colony of giant honey…
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Mixed responses to calls for ending compulsory military service in Thailand
Academics and human rights defenders have provided mixed responses to the increasing calls to end compulsory military service in Thailand, intensifying as the May 14 polls approach. The Move Forward Party and the Pheu Thai Party have both pledged they will terminate compulsory service in favor of voluntary enlistment if they win the elections and form the next government. These…
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Woman seeks help from restaurant owner as man threatens her with violence and gun
A woman in distress sought help from a food vendor, who drove away a threatening man, earning praise from social media users. The incident took place in Hat Yai city’s food court when a terrified woman entered a restaurant to ask for help, followed by a man on a motorcycle. The man verbally abused the woman and threatened to hit…
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