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.
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Sponsored New in July: Save 10% for life on family health plans in Thailand
Cigna has a special offer this July for families in Thailand. When you sign up three or more people on a family health plan, you will save 10% on your premiums for life. This deal helps you get affordable, high-quality...
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Targeting rubber encroachments in our forests
Amid the plunging price of rubber latex to below 50 baht per kilogram, concerned officials are now eyeing the potential for eliminating the encroachment of rubber trees in forests. As well as returning forests back to nature, the move would help reduce the volume of latex and thus push up prices. The Rubber Authority of Thailand recently contacted Natural Resources…
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New bar-coded traffic tickets start today around Thailand
If you get caught without a driving licence, infringing road rules or not wearing a helmet from today, you might be getting one of these. Thailand’s traffic police are now issuing E-traffic tickets for traffic violations from today. You’ll be able to pay the fines online two days after the issue of the ticket. Commander of the Special Branch Police…
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“Army has distorted the truth” – Phakhapong’s mother
The mother of Phakhapong “Meay” Tanyakan yesterday raised suspicions about the military investigation committee’s report into the 18 year old cadet’s death, saying it distorted the truth. Sukanya Tanyakan also pointed out in a Facebook post that the committee had slandered her son by saying that he did not respect seniority. Her comments came after the results of a military…
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SUNDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Sunday, Sunday. Rain, sunshine, clouds. Will the weather please make up its mind! The forecast is for some early rain clearing as the day goes. Mostly cloudy and a top of 30. Let’s check today’s main local headlines… Trang school gangs extorting students The director of a well-known private school in the southern province of Trang has admitted some students…
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‘Open to all suggestions’ – Thai PM
The Thai PM says that he’s listened to all suggestions but would not be able to carry out all of them, reacting to a proposal by political heavyweight Somsak Thepsuthin of Matchimathipataya Party to free MPs from parties and make a charter amendment to that effect. “I listen to what people say about politics and think them through. But I…
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Vietjet kicks offs new direct route, Phuket – Ho Chi Minh City
At Phuket International Airport yesterday (December 15), Phuket authorities hosted the welcoming ceremony of a new direct flight, Phuket – Ho Chi Minh City by Vietjet Air. The flight VJ 809 was the first ever flying the route. Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Phuket Office, Kanokkrittika Kritwuttikorn, says that Vietnam is an excellent potential market. There are more…
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A word from the cockpit – end of year report
In a bit of a break from the usual news, here’s a quick update about what we’ve been doing in the past 12 months and what we’re up to in the next few months. For those of you that have returned from the moon, a joint venture company and The Thaiger Co. Ltd., acquired the digital assets of Phuket Gazette…
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SATURDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Welcome to your Saturday. A clear, cloudless sunrise this morning across the island but the forecast is for some rain. High-season weather is really trying to breakthrough. Let’s enjoy it! Here’s your Saturday news briefing… Mekong River projects gather steam A meeting of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation has brought together senior diplomats from China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The…
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Toon ramps it up, stepping up the pace as he starts heading for the hills
Charity run hero Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai left Kamphaeng Phet and reached Tak today – Day 45 of his 2,191km fundraising run. For the first lap of 19 kilometres, Toon ran from Saeng Tawan village in Kamphaeng Phet’s Kosumphi Nakhon district to Wang Chao Hospital in Tak. A roadside crowd waited for his appearance, cheered him on, and handed him their…
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Phuket Marine Office reminds operators about safety for festive season
The Phuket Marine Office Chief, Surat Sirisaiy, said that there will be a large number of tourists, both local and foreigners, travelling by boat around Phuket’s waters over the high season, creating a higher volume of marine traffic. “Some days, the water levels are high, making the water current flow swiftly with differences in the tides and can possibly cause…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, December 15
Parents of dead Army cadet say they’ll sue the Army | Two Thai athletes stripped of their SEA gold medals | New points system for traffic infringements being started next year | Myanmar Reuters journalists arrested | Toon stepping up the pace.
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FRIDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your news in 3 minutes
Promises of some rain from the Meteorological Department but it’s looking fine so far for the final day of the working week. Main story this morning is the Army handing down its findings into an investigation into the death of Phakhapong Tanyakan. The full story on the website but it leads our briefs for this morning… Tanyakan family says they…
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Reporters arrested in Myanmar information suppression
Myanmar police have charged two Reuters reporters covering the Rohingya crisis with violating the Official Secrets Act, Yangon-based Eleven Media reports. 31 year old Wa Lone and 27 year old Kyaw Soe Oo are accused of sending classified information they gleaned from security officials in Yangon who had just returned from Rakhine state, where a military crackdown has sent more…
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mu Space is awarded 15 year satellite license to assist rural Thailand
mu Space becomes Thailand’s first space technology startup to operate a satellite service after the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission awarded a license for the company. The 15-year license covers the operation of a satellite and provision of satellite-based services until 2032. Speaking on behalf of mu Space, Chief Technical Officer Samathorn Teankingkaeo said his team plans to differentiate mu…
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It’s time for “Upcycling the Oceans”
On January 27 and 28 2018, the PHA and TAT, in association with resources giant PTT and environmental design studio Ecoalf, will launch a new campaign aimed at collecting ocean waste and transforming it into stylish clothing and accessories. Taking place at Patong Beach, the associations will work together with the local community to collect waste and litter from the…
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Deputy PM now has to explain seven multi-million baht watches
It never rains but it pours for Deputy PM and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. While he has yet to clarify his possession of a seemingly multimillion-baht watch, social media users have raised questions about seven other watches he is seen wearing at recent events. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which is investigating the premier’s respected senior aide, yesterday said…
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4th Supersports 10 Mile International Run set for March 24 & 25, 2018
For the fourth consecutive year, Thailand’s leading sports retailer, Supersports, is organising the country’s only mile-distance race, the Supersports 10 Mile International Run 2018 Phuket Presented by Thanyapura on March 24 and 25, 2018 at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort. Organisers expect 4,000 people to take part. The Supersports 10 Mile International Run 2018 Phuket attracts runners from around Thailand…
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THURSDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
Thursday. Star Wars day. Well, it’s the premiere of the latest in the Star Wars franchise and there will be a few queues at Central and Jungceylon today. There’s also a war between our embattled Deputy PM and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and social media with more photos and more watches appearing. Let’s go to all the main stories from…
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Royal Crematorium exhibition continues to draw huge crowds
More than 3 million visitors have attended the exhibition at the Royal Crematorium of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej since it opened on November 2, Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said on Wednesday. A total of 3,005,206 visitors reportedly visited the site from its opening until Tuesday. Visitors to the site, which will remain open for public viewing until the…
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Are the 10% beach zones becoming 20% zones?
Despite appearances that the 10% beach zones seem to be magically growing into the remaining 90% of Patong Beach, Patong Mayor, Chalermluck Kebsup has assured the Phuket Gazette that the rule remains the same and the operators are still following the rules for the placement of sun lounges and umbrellas. “The 10% zoning remains the same and there are signs…
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THAIGER TODAY Wednesday, December 13
Underground cabling works start April 2018 | Schools remain closed in Songkhla | Hells Angel Aussie and his Thai wife in custody | Couple trying to smuggle 98 million baht over Thai-Laos border | Missing Ukranian swimmer found – alive and well. Brought to you by The Thaiger 102.75 FM.
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Patong underground cabling works start next April
Phuket’s Governor has received an update on the Patong underground cabling works during the morning meeting today (December 13). Representatives from PEA (Phuket Electrical Authority), Patong PEA Office Manager, Watcharin Prapa, and Director of Undergrounding Project of PEA, Wachira Pitaktansakul, reported the progress on the targeted area, Taweewong Road (Beach Road), where a budget of 224 million Baht has been…
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Phuket Brand, Phuket Best Festival 2017 – Starts December 29
FILE PHOTO ‘Phuket Brand, Phuket Best Festival’ starts on December 29 for 11 days until January 8, 2018. It will feature famous food brands and entertainment at Saphan Hin Park. The City of Gastronomy will offer local street food for tourists while also providing food from luxury restaurants and hotels to locals at the same place, reflecting the diverse range…
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WEDNESDAY MORNING BRIEFING – All your local news in 3 minutes
PHOTO: That’s a LOT of cash to take over the border. Mum & Dad have a currency exchange business. Really?! Welcome to Wednesday. Here’s our daily 3 minute news read to bring you up to date with some of the major local news stories…. Taking a bit of cash over the border. 89 million baht! Customs officials have discovered more than…
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Thailand ranks #1 for road deaths on World Atlas website. Dash-cams proposed as solution.
With Thailand unofficially acknowledged as having the highest fatality rate in road accidents worldwide, road safety advocates and police are backing a proposal that would see as many as 80 per cent of cars equipped with dashboard cameras and carrying “Photo in Car” stickers to discourage violations. Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation secretary-general Dr Taejing Siripanich said Thailand last month ranked…
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Chalong villagers being expelled from land
Villagers from Satonpoh Community in Chalong gathered at the Provincial Hall today (December 12) to file a letter to the Governor, calling for help for re-location after getting expelled from privately owned land. Somjin Chuchuay, the representative of the community, explained that the land was initially a tin mine. According to Phuket Provincial Industry Office, the land belongs to the…
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The can of worms makes its way to Damrongtham Centre
Sarantip Chaeton, who earlier found worms in a can of fish, has visited the Damrongtham Centre at the Provincial Hall today (December 12) asking for some answers from the manufacturer. Read the original story HERE. She told staff at the Damrongtham Centre that the Office of Consumer Protection Board in Phuket informed her that there would be a staff from…
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Missing Ukranian swimmer turns up – alive and well
Happy ending for our missing Ukranian man. Original story HERE. The missing Ukrainian man, 27 year old Mykhailo Ryboichuk who went missing on December 10 has been found safe today (December 12). It ends up that he was just going for a swim, got out of the water when he had finished, didn’t tell others that he’d returned and went…
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There’s room for three boat shows in Thailand, but not like it is now…
PHOTO: Marine Scene Asia Opinion by Paul Poole An article in the Phuket Gazette on 30 November 2017 welcomed the annual boat show season in Thailand. It raises the question, “is there room for three boat shows each year?” Original story HERE. The question is worth considering as boat show season kicks off for 2017/2018, with a steady stream of…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, December 12
Thailand hits the World Number One spot for road deaths | Change.org calls for Prawit to ‘step down’ | The world’s tallest pagoda burns down | Toon, down with a cold, is back on track today | EU resumes political relations with Thailand | ‘Butt boys’ back home in San Diego.
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