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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Over 31,000 apply for Thai Senate as 5-year term ends
Over 31,000 people have sought applications to become senators in the Thai Senate as the five-year term of 250 senators, installed by the defunct National Council for Peace and Order, concluded yesterday. The Election Commission (EC) anticipates approximately 100,000 applications for the 200 available senate positions. Thai nationals born in Thailand, who are at least 40 years old and possess…
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Thailand hosts first-ever ‘Cops Combat’ martial arts contest
Thailand is set to host its first-ever mixed martial arts event for police officers only, targetted for May 28 at Rajadamnern Stadium, the appropriately titles Cops Combat event will see police officers from various parts of the country competing in a combat sports tournament. The competition is open to both male and female officers of all ranks and ages, divided…
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Policewoman arrested for role in kidnapping of Indonesian man
Police arrested a policewoman on May 19 for her alleged involvement in the kidnapping and ransom of an Indonesian man in the southern province of Phatthalung on May 11. The 29 year old Indonesian victim, Syawana, was rescued from a house in Phatthalung province on May 15 by officers from the Mueang Phatthalung Police Station after he was kidnapped and…
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Brief bandit: thief strips down to underwear, swipes stash of briefs
An underwear thief, dressed only in his undies, drove to a house and stole a collection of underwear, later claiming it was the result of a dare. The incident took place on the morning of May 18 in Ban Pa Tueng Ngam, Pa O Don Chai sub-district, Mueng district, Chiang Rai. The homeowner, 44 year old Somphop shared CCTV footage…
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15-metre Tao Wirupaksa statue consecrated at Wat Nong Tabak
A grand ceremony was held at Wat Nong Tabak in Rayong Province to consecrate the only 15-metre-tall statue of Tao Wirupaksa in the area. The event took place yesterday at 5pm, drawing monks from various temples in Rayong and a large number of devotees. The ceremonial ground was adorned with beautifully arranged fruit trays, garlands, and offerings. Devotees lit incense…
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Bangkok cops uncover ketamine and cocaine in drug bust
Police officers from Thonglor Police Station uncovered a stash of illicit drugs, including ketamine and cocaine-laced e-cigarette pods, at a condominium in Khlong Toei in a drug bust following a loud argument between a couple. Police officers from Thonglor Police Station responded to a disturbance report in the late hours of yesterday at a condominium in Khlong Toei. Upon arrival,…
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Thailand bans alcohol sales for Visakha Bucha Day on May 22
Visakha Bucha Day, also known as Vesak, will be observed on May 22, marking a public holiday in Thailand. On this significant Buddhist day, the sale of all types of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in convenience stores and entertainment venues, as per Thai law. Vesak Day is a cornerstone of Buddhist religious observance in Thailand, commemorating three pivotal events in…
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Police arrest man for selling psilocybin mushrooms in Bangkok
Police apprehended a 27 year old man in the Bang Chan Subdistrict, Khlong Sam Wa District, Bangkok, on charges of illegal possession and attempted distribution of psilocybin mushrooms, a Category 5 narcotic. Police seized 11 items as evidence. The arrest followed a tip-off from an informant who reported that Chitsanupong was cultivating and selling psilocybin mushrooms online and delivering them…
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Phuket cracks down on illegal jet-ski operations in Yamu Bay
Phuket police cracked down on illegal jet-ski operations in Yamu Bay and the neighbouring areas of Ao Por, Koh Rang, Koh Rang Noi, and Naka Island, all situated off the east coast of the island. Natchapong Pranit, Director of the Marine Department Region 5 office (Phuket Marine Office), revealed that the operation was initiated following numerous complaints from locals. They…
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British tourist stabbed in gang assault on Bangla Road, Patong
Patong police are currently pursuing a group of men responsible for a gang assault on Bangla Road that left a British tourist injured early yesterday morning. The incident took place near a 7-Eleven close to Soi Sea Dragon at 4.40am. Charlie Faulkner, a British tourist, was found with a stab wound on his lower left side when officers arrived at…
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Woman’s year-long ordeal with recycled SIM card number
A woman experienced a year-long ordeal with strange phone calls after purchasing a SIM card from a shopping mall, leading her to ultimately cancel the number. The calls were traced back to a number written on a school desk. A story shared by the Facebook fan page ผู้บริโภค recounts the troubles faced by a woman who received numerous nuisance calls…
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Thailand to ratify enforced disappearance convention by June 13
Thailand is set to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) by June 13, as announced by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The ratification marks a significant step in the country’s commitment to human rights. Thailand deposited an Instrument of Ratification for the ICPPED on May 14. The convention will come into effect thirty days…
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PM backs Phu Kradueng cable car project to boost tourism
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his support for the long-awaited cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei. During his official visit to Italy, he met with Leitner, an Italian-based ropeway company, to discuss plans for building electric cable cars. Leitner, which had already contracted with the Thai government for the cable car and ropeway sales, received praise…
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Voluntary exodus leaves 1% of workforce jobless in first quarter
Over 400,000 individuals, representing approximately 1% of the working-age population, were unemployed during the first quarter of the year, with the primary reason being voluntary resignation. Piyanuch Wuttisornon, the Director-General of the National Statistical Office (NSO), announced the findings from a survey on the working-age population. The results indicated a decrease in unemployment numbers for the first quarter compared to…
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Thai PM introduces indigo fabric to top Italian fashion houses
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has introduced Thai indigenous indigo-dyed fabric to leading Italian fashion ateliers as part of the government’s initiative to boost fashion commerce and trade exchanges with Italy. Currently on an official visit to Italy until May 21, the 62 year old prime minister met with fashion heavyweights Zegna and Loro Piana, and engaged in discussions with the…
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Tiger cub sighting triggers arrest of animal farm owner
A tiger cub spotted roaming a community in Bang Pakong district has led to the arrest of an animal farm owner in Chachoengsao for allegedly possessing an endangered animal. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, directed the DNP’s Yiew Dong task force and 1362 special task force to investigate the incident further. The…
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Disgraced Khon Kaen school director nabbed for buying sex from student, 12
Authorities in Khon Kaen have launched an investigation into allegations of child sex abuse after the arrest of a school director and a retired teacher accused of purchasing sex from a 12-year-old student. The school director has been reassigned to the local educational services office and will face disciplinary action, according to Thee Pawangkhanan, deputy secretary-general of the Office of…
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Durian: Can The King of Fruits kill you when you drink alcohol?
Durian, the notorious “king of fruits,” is a culinary adventure synonymous with Thailand. Its spiky exterior hides a creamy, custard-like flesh with a flavor that’s been described as anything from sweet caramel to pungent onion. Durian has a devoted following throughout Thailand, where it’s enjoyed in everything from ice cream to savory curries. But what happens when this tropical king…
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Thailand aims for 270 million passengers by 2037
To solidify its position as the aviation powerhouse of the Asia Pacific, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) unveiled a comprehensive three-stage strategy yesterday. This ambitious plan aims to skyrocket the nation’s air traveller capacity to an astounding 270 million passengers annually by 2037, propelling Thailand into the region’s top five countries for air logistics. The initiative, part of…
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House committee debates amnesty for lese majeste law violators
A special House committee is urging the government to decide whether to include those who violated the lese majeste law in an amnesty bill following the death of Netiporn Saneysangkhom. Nikorn Jamnong, chairman of the House sub-committee focusing on politically motivated cases, announced that the meeting addressed several key topics. Among these was the demand from Thalufah, a political group,…
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Pattaya raid busts South Korean gambling in coffee shop
Authorities in Pattaya arrested 10 South Korean nationals during a raid on a coffee shop that doubled as a gambling den. The police operation took place yesterday evening on the second floor of Sand Coffee in Bang Lamung district. Bang Lamung district chief Veekit Manarojkiit and Pattaya Police Colonel Navin Thirawit led the raid at 9.26pm. Upon entering, they discovered…
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British family leaves UK for Thailand for cheaper living costs
A young British family has swapped the grey skies of Cheshire for the sunny shores of Thailand, seeking refuge from the UK’s crippling cost of living crisis. Jess, her partner Harry (surnames withheld), and their two year old daughter Cece uprooted their lives in Congleton to start afresh in Southeast Asia. Their decision was driven by surging energy bills that…
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Bangkok beats the heat: A top summer destination
Bangkok clinched a spot among the world’s top 10 summer destinations, according to the latest Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report. The MEI’s Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries reveals that Bangkok is set to see a surge in tourist demand over the next three months, ranking 7th globally. David Mann, Mastercard’s chief economist for Asia Pacific (APAC), highlighted that Thailand’s tourism…
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SpiceJet launches daily flights from Delhi to Phuket
Indian low-cost airline SpiceJet unveiled its latest venture: daily non-stop flights connecting Delhi to Phuket, commencing on May 31. Ajay Singh, SpiceJet’s Chairman and Managing Director, expressed his enthusiasm for the new route. “We are incredibly excited to launch our first-ever service to Phuket, a world-renowned destination. We are confident that our new daily non-stop flights will be a popular choice…
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Patong: Intoxicated tourist causes chaos on Thaweewong Road
Authorities in Patong had to intervene when a foreign tourist, heavily intoxicated, caused a disturbance on Thaweewong Road early Tuesday morning, May 14. Despite the incident occurring four days prior, details were released today, underscoring that officers adhered to standard police protocols. At approximately 2.30am on Tuesday, Patong Police Station received multiple alerts from concerned citizens and tourists about a…
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E-cigarette drug ring busted in Bangkok: Meth-infused vapes
Thai authorities announced the capture of an international drug ring after a dramatic raid on several Bangkok condominiums on Thursday. The Thai Special Service Division (SSD) and other agencies revealed their findings in a high-profile press conference. According to the SSD, the operation targeted a criminal network distributing modified e-cigarettes laced with methamphetamine and other dangerous substances. The investigation began…
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Southern Thailand: Locals unite to halt Land Bridge project
People’s networks from Ranong and Chumphon provinces rallied yesterday in front of the Lang Suan district office, vehemently opposing the controversial multi-billion baht Land Bridge project planned for their region. Protesters issued a powerful statement demanding the immediate cancellation of the project, arguing it would deplete vital resources better preserved for future generations. “Our children and grandchildren deserve a sustainable…
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Black May deceased protesters honoured: Demand for democracy
In a poignant gathering to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the Black May protests, politicians, academics, activists, and relatives of those killed in the 1992 crackdown honoured the fallen democracy heroes. The Black May 1992 Memorial on Ratchadamnoen Avenue was the site of a solemn ceremony and merit-making rituals for the deceased yesterday. Officially, 44 lives were lost, though the…
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Flash flood warning issued for 26 provinces due to heavy rain
Residents in 26 provinces have been alerted to the risk of flash floods starting today until May 25 as heavy rainfall is anticipated across various regions, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to intensify efforts to clear the city’s drainage system and install water pumps. Deputy government spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang announced that heavy rain is forecasted for 26 provinces, including…
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Thailand and Italy to strengthen ties in renewable energy
Thailand and Italy will intensify cooperation in renewable energy, sports tourism, medical science, pharmaceuticals, and defence, according to Deputy Government Spokeswoman Radklao Intawong Suwankiri. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni will discuss these topics to bolster bilateral ties during the premier’s official five-day visit to Italy which started yesterday. Celebrating the 156th anniversary of diplomatic relations,…
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