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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Pheu Thai to announce new Cabinet in three weeks
The ruling Pheu Thai Party has announced that the new Cabinet will be introduced within three weeks. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed this yesterday, following parliament’s vote for the new premier. Newly installed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will have the legal right and duty to make political decisions and hold discussions. Phumtham emphasised that the allocation of ministerial positions will…
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Thai female passenger shuns motorcycle taxi ride fare (video)
A female passenger ordered a motorcycle taxi driver to drive against the traffic on the pavement, refused to pay the fare, and left him with wasted time and a 15% app fee deduction. A 36-second video shared by the Facebook page อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว3 shows the rider filming the woman while explaining the situation. “She called for a ride, then asked me…
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Foundation urges more funds to aid Thai debtors’ repayments
The Supha Wongsena Foundation For Debtors’ Rights Reform has called on the government to allocate more funds to the Land Bank Administration Institute to assist individuals in repaying their debts. This appeal was made during a seminar aimed at finding solutions to household debt, organised by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) at the DSI Academy in Nong Chok district…
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Bangkok City Hall transforms 315 tonnes of surplus food into meals (video)
Bangkok City Hall’s food bank initiative has successfully transformed 315 tonnes of surplus food into over 1.3 million meals for the city’s impoverished and vulnerable residents. Since the launch of BKK Food Bank on August 8, individuals and businesses across Bangkok have donated approximately 315,741 kilogrammes of surplus food. This surplus has been redistributed to 67,449 residents in need, according…
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Prawit under fire for alleged reporter intimidation (video)
Palang Pracharath party leader General Prawit Wongsuwan finds himself in hot water after allegedly intimidating a Thai PBS reporter. The incident, which has sparked outrage, is now being condemned by both Thai PBS and the Thai Journalists’ Association (TJA). General Prawit, who harboured ambitions of becoming Thailand’s prime minister, was visibly agitated when the reporter questioned him about the live…
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Visitors flock to Khamchanod for sacred water bowl ritual
Visitors flocked to Khamchanod Island yesterday to catch a glimpse of the sacred water bowl ritual and seek lucky numbers. The ceremony, led by Chawakan Khamwansa, drew a large crowd hoping for good fortune and blessings from Father Pu Sri Sutho and Mother Ya Sri Pratumma. Tourists from across Thailand journeyed to the island, navigating the bridge to pay their…
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Giant turtle brings excitement and fortune to Phetchabun home
A giant turtle recently wandered into a home in Phetchabun, bringing excitement and a sense of good fortune to locals. The unusual visitor, believed to be an auspicious creature, prompted the villagers to rub powder on its shell in search of lucky numbers before planning to release it at a temple. Kanyanat Yodma, a 58 year old resident, from house…
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Future of 10,000-baht digital wallet in doubt after PM dismissal
Srettha Thavisin’s dismissal as prime minister cast significant doubt over the future of the much-publicised digital wallet scheme, with the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the Cabinet providing conflicting messages about the flagship policy’s direction. Concerns are also mounting among the public regarding the potential misuse of personal information collected for the 10,000-baht handout. A constitutional court order on Wednesday…
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Thailand’s food exports to rise by 8.8%, hitting 1.6 trillion baht
Thailand’s food exports are set to rise by 8.8% year-on-year, reaching 1.6 trillion baht this year, according to the National Food Institute (NFI). This growth is largely attributed to increasing global demand and a decline in raw material prices, said the President of the NFI, Supawan Teerarat. “Raw materials such as tuna, sugar, soybeans, and wheat have seen a price…
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Police intercept convoy with illegal Chinese imports in Kalasin
Police intercepted a convoy of three 10-wheel trucks transporting illegal Chinese imports worth 20 million baht. Over 800 items lacking proper certification were confiscated. The drivers claimed they were hired to deliver the goods. Highway police intercepted three ten-wheel trucks loaded with illegal Chinese imports yesterday, August 15. The operation took place on Highway 299, kilometres 19-20, in Phai subdistrict,…
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Astrologer warns of intense month during Chinese Ghost Festival
Astrologer Chang Tosaporn warned that this month is particularly intense, coinciding with the Chinese Ghost Festival on Sunday, August 18, when the gates of heaven and hell are believed to open. He advises people to chant, pray, and make merit during this period. Chang recently posted a reminder stating that this month is intense. “I recommend chanting, praying, and making…
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Delays loom for Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project
In a major transport initiative between Thailand and China, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reported that the first phase of the high-speed railway linking Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima is around 71% complete. However, it’s trailing behind its scheduled opening in 2028 by around 36%. This ambitious 873-kilometre rail project, pegged at a whopping 341 billion baht, has faced significant…
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Thailand aims to become global financial hub
Thailand is making strides towards becoming a global financial hub by focusing on five key industries: banking, securities, derivatives, digital assets, and insurance. This move comes in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, as the nation aims to build a resilient financial infrastructure and elevate its status on the global stage. Caretaker Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira highlighted the…
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Teen dies in tragic motorcycle crash with truck in Bangkok
A teenage boy tragically lost his life in a motorcycle crash just four days after celebrating his birthday. The collision with a six-wheeled truck occurred on Phahonyothin Road in front of the Koksamrong Transport Office yesterday. Police Lieutenant Veerapat Khwanseephat from Koksamrong Police Station received the report of the fatal accident involving a motorcycle and a six-wheeled truck. The incident…
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Thailand boosts cloud budget to 1 billion baht amid political shifts
Thailand’s cloud-first policy will remain intact, despite the recent political changes, according to the caretaker Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry. The appointment of new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has led to only minor adjustments in government policies. A significant increase in the fiscal 2025 budget for state agencies’ procurement of cloud services has been announced, rising to 1 billion baht…
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Singaporean tourists assault hotel guard at Patong hotel
A confrontation between two Singaporean tourists and a hotel security guard in Patong yesterday led to all three individuals being hospitalised. The incident took place at the Patong Bay Residence Hotel, where the tourists reportedly tried to leave without completing the mandatory check-out procedure. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongpipat Khamchumphu, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Patong Police Station, was alerted to the…
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Chanthaburi: Van smuggling Cambodians across border stopped
Immigration officers in Chanthaburi intercepted a suspicious van attempting to smuggle illegal immigrants into the country. The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 14. The officers, led by Veerayos Karunyathorn, Deputy Commander of Immigration Division 2, and Sawat Chotiranaphas, Deputy Commander of Chanthaburi Immigration, were conducting routine checks on main and secondary roads to curb illegal immigration activities. While patrolling Sukhumvit…
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Thai Lion Air expands fleet, aims for 7 million passengers
Thai Lion Air is expanding its fleet and reinstating routes in response to rising tourism demand, aiming for 6-7 million passengers and achieving its first post-pandemic profit. Thai Lion Air chief Nuntaporn Komonsittivate made known that domestic and international routes have recovered by 60%, supported by an increase in operational jets to 20 from 11 in recent years. The average…
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Factory worker killed in 18-wheel lorry accident in Chon Buri
A tragic accident occurred today when a 28 year old factory worker was struck and run over by an 18-wheel lorry, resulting in her immediate death. The driver claimed not to have seen the motorcycle and was confused about when the collision occurred. Police Lieutenant Chinawat Thisala from the Mueang Chon Buri Police Station received a report at 7am today,…
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Gang posing as electricity officials steals 228,700 baht via app
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) Officers apprehended a gang posing as electricity officials, tricking victims into installing an app that drained their bank accounts. Victims were deceived into scanning their faces, resulting in a loss of over 200,000 baht. The cunning method highlights the growing sophistication of online scams. Police Lieutenant General Worawat Wattanakornbancha, CCIB Commissioner, Directed Police Major General…
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Thailand’s unemployment drops, but Bangkok sees increase
Thailand has experienced a notable decline in its overall unemployment rate from May to June, except Bangkok, as revealed by a recent survey conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO). The NSO reported that the number of unemployed individuals decreased to 379,000 in June, down from approximately 482,000 in May. This survey encompassed the working-age population of 59.19 million people…
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Elderly man found dragging injured dog along Thai village road
An elderly man was seen dragging a dog along a village road in Thailand, prompting a quick response from rescue teams. The man claimed he was taking the injured dog to the vet but couldn’t carry it, so he used a rope to drag it. The Siam Ruamjai Poo-In Rescue Unit received a report from a concerned citizen who witnessed…
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Russian dad’s Phuket heartbreak: Wife bolts, leaves him penniless
A Russian man and his five year old son living in Phuket appealed for help after his Thai wife left him penniless and took his belongings. A Thai man, Ekkawit Suratwadee, shared the story of 57 year old Russian man Oleg Magdeev and his five year old son on social media, hoping to seek assistance for the foreigner. Magdeev wanted…
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Thai engineers to join UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan
The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) will deploy 273 engineers to support the United Nations in South Sudan (UNMISS) starting Sunday. The RTAF Commander-In-Chief, General Songwit Noonphakdi, presided over a send-off ceremony for the fifth group of military personnel yesterday, August 15. The contingent includes 256 RTAF soldiers, among them 28 female military personnel, along with 17 other military staff.…
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NHSO denies additional funds for advanced Thai treatments
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) firmly rejected a proposal from a national network of hospitals to allow patients under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme to pay extra for enhanced treatments. A coalition of hospitals, including the university hospital network, approached Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin last month, seeking the ministry’s intervention to address the budgetary constraints of the universal healthcare…
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Thai man admits ordering poison from Hat Yai in suicide pact
A Thai man confessed to ordering the toxic substance known as potassium gold cyanide from Hat Yai and having it delivered to a dormitory in Nonthaburi. He claimed that he intended to consume it in a suicide pact. However, he vomited it all out. Yu’s confession comes amidst the mysterious death of Udomsak Thongmuan, also known as Dr Keng, a…
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August 16 lottery prizes up for grabs: 6 million baht top prize
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) in Nonthaburi will announce the results of today’s lottery draw at 2.30pm, revealing the amounts available for various prize categories. The winning ticket numbers for the top prize, valued at 6 million baht, were eagerly anticipated by many hopeful participants. The first prize holds 6 million baht while two adjacent numbers to the first prize are…
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Paetongtarn makes history to become youngest PM of Thailand
In a stunning political shake-up, Paetongtarn “Aung Aing” Shinawatra is the new Prime Minister of Thailand, following in the illustrious footsteps of her father, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Making waves as both the youngest and second female prime minister in Thai history, Paetongtarn is already grabbing headlines and stirring excitement across the nation. The House of Representatives held a special…
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Heavy rainfall forecast for 45 Thai provinces, flash flood alert
Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for 45 provinces in Thailand, with potential hazards including flash floods and runoff. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) advises caution, particularly in hilly areas and near waterways, and urges sailors to avoid stormy seas. The TMD forecasted the weather for the next 24 hours, predicting heavy rainfall in the northern, northeastern, and eastern…
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PEA launches first sustainability bond worth 1 billion baht
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) announced the successful launch of its first sustainability bond, marking a significant step towards its green finance goals and that of Thailand. PEA Governor Supachai Ek-Un, along with representatives from the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Bangkok Bank, DNV (Thailand), and Thai Bond Market Association, held a press conference yesterday, August…
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