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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Lightning strikes three farmers in eastern Thailand
Three farmers were struck by lightning while toiling on a farm in Huay Yai Phrom Community in Sri Racha district last Friday, February 9. According to the Sri Racha Police Station, the calamity unfolded around 5pm as an unexpected thunderstorm engulfed the area. The victims, identified as 45 year old Somchai, 40 year old Nongnuch and 18 year old Nattapong…
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CRC projects 9-11% revenue growth driven by tourism boost
Central Retail Corporation (CRC) is expecting revenue growth of 9-11% in 2024, with the primary drivers being a resurgence in tourism and increased consumption. However, concerns have been raised about a potential influx of inexpensive imported goods. Yol Phokasub, CRC’s chief executive, articulated that despite the sluggish economic growth, the overall spending confidence in Thailand remains above average for the…
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Leading the way to the next era with ‘CRC OMNI-Intelligence’
Yol Phokasub, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited or CRC, said “Central Retail continues to have strong growth amid various disruptions from technology disruption and the change in consumer behaviour to the arrival of generative AI and climate change. This is a result of Central Retail’s resilient ecosystem, which allows us to be able to adapt…
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Pickup truck collides with golf cart at luxury Jomtien hotel
A collision at the entrance road of a lavish beach resort in Jomtien between a pickup truck and a golf cart left several injured, with some impaled by metal objects. Preliminary investigations reveal that Htet Naing Lin, a 20 year old Myanmar national, was delivering goods to the hotel when he encountered the golf cart emerging from a side street.…
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Burmese woman stabs employer to steal cash and gold necklace
Police arrested a Burmese woman who stabbed her Thai employer to steal 30,000 baht in cash and a gold necklace in a house in the northern province of Chiang Mai. Officers from the Chang Puak Police Station were alerted to the attack and theft in the middle of the night on February 10. They rushed to the incident scene at…
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Ready for takeoff: Suvarnabhumi Airport set to soar with new runway
Transport Minister Suriya Jungroongreangkit announced a surge in Suvarnabhumi Airport’s operational prowess with the imminent completion of its third runway in July. Suriya forecasts a soaring increase, propelling the airport’s flight handling capability from 67 flights per hour to a whopping 94, a pivotal move in fortifying Thailand’s position as a pivotal aviation nucleus in the region. The forthcoming third…
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Thailand’s Q1 2024 government revenue exceeds target by 0.3%
The Fiscal Policy Office announced that government revenue collection for the initial quarter of fiscal 2024 surpassed its target by 0.3%, equating to 1.62 billion baht (US$45 million), according to the director-general, Pornchai Thiraveja. Pornchai, who also serves as a spokesperson for the Finance Ministry, disclosed that the government’s net revenue collection for the initial three-month period of fiscal 2024,…
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Secret cockfighting ring busted in Pattaya
Bang Lamung police led a crackdown on an illicit cockfighting gambling den nestled in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, resulting in the arrest of 45 individuals. Responding promptly to public grievances, Bang Lamung District Chief Veekit Manarotkit swiftly orchestrated a law enforcement sweep on Sunday, February 11, targeting the covert den ensconced within Soi Baan Kreak, Nong Pla Lai. Covert operatives…
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Pervert arrested in Bangkok after 2 decades of underwear theft
Police arrested a perverted Thai man at an apartment in the Bangkok Noi district of Bangkok yesterday after two decades of women’s underwear theft. Police seized nearly 600 items as evidence. A Thai woman filed a theft report at Bang Yi Khan Police Station officers at night on Sunday, February 11. The woman said she lived on the first floor…
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Miracle at sea: Rare albino whale resurfaces near Phang Nga
A rare albino Omura whale, previously sighted off the shores of Phuket, has once again graced the Andaman seas near Phang Nga province, stunning onlookers and marine experts alike. Banchar Sae-jo, manager of the New Tapana tourist boat, caused a stir online when he shared a mesmerising video clip of the ivory Omura whale on his Facebook page last Saturday,…
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NASA’s air pollution blitz: Ambitious mission to clear the skies
In a move to tackle the global scourge of air pollution, NASA launched a series of missions aimed at revolutionising the way we forecast and combat this deadly threat. With millions of lives hanging in the balance each year due to air pollution-related illnesses, the need for accurate identification and tracking of pollutants has never been more pressing. Kicking off…
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Thailand govt cuts informal debts by 670 million baht in two months
The Government of Thailand has slashed the nation’s informal debts by 670 million baht (US$18.69 million) in a span of two months, successfully resolving 102,000 out of the 140,000 reported cases. This significant reduction is part of an initiative to alleviate the household debt burden. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also holds the position of Finance Minister, attributed this progress…
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17 years cold: Japanese tourist’s murder mystery in Thailand haunts family as killer remains at large
In a heart-wrenching tale spanning over a decade, the unresolved murder of Japanese tourist Tamako Kawashita continues to cast a long shadow of sorrow and frustration over her family. Tamako’s father, Yasuaki, stood at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, his voice heavy with grief as he recounted the tragic events. “Her life ended tragically during the trip and, sadly, her killer is…
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Thailand to reassess recent reduction in meth penalties
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin affirmed yesterday that the government is open to reevaluating a recently announced policy which reduces penalties for individuals found with five or fewer methamphetamine pills. This statement follows the public disapproval that has arisen in response to the law, signed by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew on February 9, which determines that anyone found with…
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Reporter, photographer arrested for covering political activist news
Officers from Phrarachawang Police Station arrested a reporter and a freelance photographer from the Prachathai news agency for covering the story of the political activist who sprayed number 112 and an anarchy symbol on the wall of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace last year. The 24 year old political activist, Sutthawee Soikham, was arrested in March last year…
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Digital love: 80% of Thais to swipe right on online Valentine’s gifts
According to a recent study conducted by the YouGov analysis institute, sponsored by Visa, the go-to name in digital payments, 80% of Thais will be ordering their Valentine’s Day treats from the comfort of their screens. The research delved deep into the hearts and wallets of Thai consumers, uncovering fascinating insights into how lovebirds navigate the digital aisles in search…
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South Thailand: Volunteer killed, four injured in Thai insurgent ambush
In a tragic turn just days after peace negotiations resumed, a roadside explosion in the Janae district of Thailand’s Narathiwat province yesterday killed a defence volunteer and left four others with serious injuries. The volunteers, aboard an armoured pickup truck bound for the Chang Phuek Tambon Administrative Organisation, fell victim to insurgents’ treachery along Road 4217 in Ban Kumoong village.…
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Royal Thai Air Force to open facilities and golf courses to public
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) decided to open select facilities and golf courses to the public under certain conditions, according to the commander-in-chief, ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul. This decision follows a request from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to use the Kantarat Golf Course, situated between Don Mueang International Airport’s runways, and access other RTAF properties for state project development. The…
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5 immigration police face 15 years in prison for kidnapping Chinese man
Five Immigration Bureau police officers face 15 years in prison for kidnapping two Chinese men and a Thai interpreter in March last year for a ransom of 10 million baht. A Thai man who aided the corrupt police operation faces 10 years in prison. The Thai interpreter, 38 year old Namee Saelee, filed a complaint against five immigration police and a…
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Thai PM defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid criticism
The implementation of the controversial 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was defended yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This came following a statement by Move Forward Party Deputy Leader Sirikanya Tansakul, suggesting the government develop a backup plan due to the scheme’s uncertain future. Tansakul pointed out that the scheme’s success hinges on the decision of the government’s digital wallet policy…
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FTI urges protection for SMEs against cheap Chinese imports surge
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is advocating for enhanced protection of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) against the surge of inexpensive Chinese products. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, FTI chairman, revealed that the importation of these products has caused certain local manufacturers, predominantly SMEs, to cut their production by 50%. The FTI asserts that some imported goods require comprehensive inspection, as they…
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Thailand’s digital deficit weighs heavily on tech industry
The digital deficit in Thailand, estimated to be around 200 billion baht (US$5.56 billion) per year, is a major concern for tech industry leaders. The former president of the Thai e-Commerce Association, Pawoot Ponngvitayapanu, highlighted this issue to Parliament’s economic steering committee, urging them to address the deficit and informing the finance ministry. The deficit stems from Thailand consuming more…
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Thai economy needs more stimulus amidst global challenges
Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research) warned that the Thai economy requires additional government stimulus to boost domestic consumption amidst challenges such as global politics, China’s economic deceleration, and fluctuating currency rates. The centre’s managing director, Burin Adulwattana, emphasised that the decrease in headline inflation for the fourth consecutive month in January does not suggest deflation risks, but rather highlights consumers’ dwindling…
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Thailand’s DES ministry to propose cell broadcast emergency system plan
A plan to introduce a cell broadcast emergency warning system will be submitted to the Cabinet next month by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES). Major mobile operators are expected to invest approximately 300 million baht (US$8.3 million) each to establish their cell broadcast centres, while the ministry may need around 400 million baht (US$11 million) to set…
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Chon Buri construction site in chaos as 80-tonne crane overturns
The site of the Chon Buri Provincial Administration Organisation was the scene of a construction mishap yesterday, as an 80-tonne crane dramatically overturned, causing severe damage to a parked pickup truck. The unfortunate incident occurred within the confines of an ongoing five-storey office building project, marking yesterday as a day of unexpected peril. The initial sequence of events points towards…
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Tuk tuk tango: Phuket driver fined for tourist’s dance debacle
A tuk tuk driver in Phuket’s bustling Patong district found himself on the wrong side of the law recently when he was slapped with a fine. The tuk tuk driver’s offence? Allowing a tourist to dance atop his vehicle while it was caught in the snarl of traffic on Patong Beach Road. The incident, captured in a video which quickly…
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8 year old girl rescued after spending 2 days in Chon Buri cemetery (video)
A Thai cemetery caretaker rescued an eight year old girl who spent two days in a graveyard in Chon Buri province after she was allegedly abused by her mother, prompting her to run away from home. The 55 year old cemetery caretaker, Samai Kalaphan, sought help from the Tri Khunnatham Rescue Foundation after discovering the girl. Samai explained that he…
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Indonesia reassures no rice shortage despite retail restrictions
The Indonesian government affirmed today that there is no shortage in the country’s rice stocks, despite increasing restrictions on sales in mini markets and supermarkets that have been in place since the close of 2023. Arief Prasetyo Adi, the Head of the National Food Agency (NFA), made this assurance following a coordination meeting with the president. He also highlighted the…
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Technician finds stingless bee nest in air conditioner in Thailand
An air conditioning technician recently encountered a peculiar situation while servicing a unit in a customer’s bedroom. Seeking advice, the technician posted an inquiry online, asking for the identification of a mysterious creature found within the air conditioning system. The online community quickly responded, revealing that the creature was a stingless bee, known locally as “ชันโรง,” which also happens to…
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Mystical Isaan village issues 9 rules after a series of mysterious deaths
A mystical village, Ban Khop Klang Nuea, in the Isaan province of Kalasin established nine strict rules in response to a series of mysterious deaths, with 15 reported in January. Channel 7 reporters visited a village in the Huai Mek district of Kalasin province to interview locals in the area about the nine rules to avoid sudden deaths. The media…
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