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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South Korean man arrested for smuggling endangered tortoises in Bangkok
Officers at the Wildlife Checkpoint at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok arrested a South Korean man on December 25, for attempting to smuggle seven radiated tortoises, an endangered species, out of Thailand. The chief of the checkpoint, Narongrit Sukprakarn, were checking passengers’ baggage at the international departures terminal on the third floor of the airport and spotted the suspicious…
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Thai elderly seek help from ThaiHealth for palliative care
Speaking at a pivotal seminar on palliative care, Dr Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, the director of ThaiHealth’s healthcare development division, laid bare the heartbreaking reality. “The statistics for 2021 are staggering – 12.5 million elderly people in Thailand, with nearly 47,000 bedridden and suffering. We need your assistance to provide the specialised care they deserve.” These vulnerable patients are at risk of…
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Srettha Thavisin confident to complete term, dismisses coalition expansion
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed intentions to complete his four-year term, reiterating the stability of the current coalition government. He dismissed any plans of incorporating the opposition Democrat Party into the government coalition at this time. When questioned about the government’s ability to fulfil its four-year term, Thavisin confidently spoke about the collective effort of the cabinet ministers in serving…
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PTT helps Thai government lower power tariffs using contract breach fine
PTT Plc, Thailand’s national oil and gas conglomerate, is slated to assist the government in lowering the power tariff in the early part of next year. This is to be achieved through the utilisation of 4.3 billion baht (US$124) from a fine imposed on its gas supplier for a breach of contract, according to an energy official. An inside source…
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Thailand considers humanitarian centre for Myanmar refugees
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering the establishment of a humanitarian assistance centre along the Thai-Myanmar border. The proposed centre aims to aid Myanmar refugees fleeing the internal conflict between junta forces and rebel minority groups. Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara confirmed ongoing discussions with Myanmar officials yesterday about this initiative, prompted by the dire circumstances within Myanmar and…
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Bangkok safety centre being set up for secure New Year celebrations
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initiated a safety centre to enhance security measures for the upcoming New Year festivities, strongly urging the public to adhere to the established safety protocols throughout the celebration period. This move was announced by Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt this Tuesday, who shed light on the specifics of a safety regulation that has been issued in…
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Thailand’s cabinet approves one-year import permits for animal feed raw materials
The cabinet has greenlit policies for next year’s import of raw materials required in animal feed production, such as animal feed corn, soybean meal, and fish meal. The intention behind this move is to back local production. A significant change in this year’s policy is the annual approval of import permits, a reduction from the previous term of three years.…
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Resilient vendor endures Thai floods, sells food amid waist-deep waters in Narathiwat
The sudden Thai floods in the southern border provinces of Thailand, namely Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla, have severely impacted locals. Unexpectedly, many areas were flooded, leaving residents unprepared and badly affected. A video posted by TikTok user @userp422ac68zn displayed an inspiring sight of a determined vendor in the town of Waeng, Narathiwat, selling food while standing waist-deep in floodwaters.…
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Pope’s plea for peace amidst global turmoil: Christmas celebrations overshadowed by war
In a world marred by conflict, Pope Francis ushered in Christmas with a heartfelt call for peace, acknowledging the grim shadows cast by Israel’s clash with Hamas and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The festive spirit, however, found a haven in the hearts of children globally, who tracked Santa and his reindeer on a 3-D interactive website. Revellers worldwide embraced holiday…
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Government confirms plans to increase daily minimum wage in January
The government has confirmed plans to raise the daily minimum wage in January, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This is in line with an earlier agreement made by the tripartite wage committee, composed of government, employer and employee representatives. However, the Prime Minister, who also serves as the finance minister, has considered the agreed 2.37% increase insufficient. Prime Minister…
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Unusual TikTok incident: Tooth breaks into three pieces after hit by donation coin (Video)
A viral video on the internet, shared by TikTok user @beewarunee749, recounts an unusual incident that doctors claim has a one-in-a-million chance of occurrence. The user’s tooth was chipped into three pieces when hit by a donation coin during a religious ceremony. The incident sparked a flood of empathetic and humorous comments from netizens, some of whom shared similar experiences.…
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Thai man demands responsibility for explosion after fridge repair
A Thai man demanded a home appliance manufacturer take responsibility for an explosion at his home after a technician came to repair a fridge. The Thai man, Rattapol Yotinupamai, shared the details of the explosion to his followers on Facebook on December 3. Rarrapol explained that he contracted a technician from the appliance company to fix a refrigerator at his…
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Thai Airways reveals deal details with Nepal Airlines
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and Thai Airways have sealed a deal that’s set to rewrite the rules of the sky. The dramatic agreement sees Thai Airways handing over the keys—well, make that 80 vital ground handling materials—to NAC, sparking whispers of a new era in their collaboration. The official signing ceremony, orchestrated by NAC’s Executive Chairman Ubaraj Adhikari and Thai…
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How Java Yachting’s training programmes align with the Duke of Edinburgh Award
Have you ever dreamt of sailing the high seas and achieving something spectacular, like the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE)? If yes, then Java Yachting, a specialist marine company, can help you reach your goals. Located in Phuket and Krabi, they’re not just your average specialist marine company; they’re offering an opportunity to undertake challenging sailing expeditions and achieve globally…
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New Year gift baskets examined to ensure safety
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), alongside the Consumer Protection Board and other state agencies, was on a mission to expose potential dangers lurking in New Year gift baskets. Their crackdown involved a meticulous inspection of major shopping hubs, supermarkets, online retailers, and even alms-giving sets to ensure compliance with stringent Thai food safety regulations. BMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Wantanee Wattana,…
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Delayed flights cause passenger surge and extended queues at Suvarnabhumi airport
A sudden influx of passengers, resulting from the landing of delayed flights, led to extended queues at Suvarnabhumi airport in the early hours of Monday, as reported by the Immigration Bureau. The Chief of Immigration Division 2, Choengron Rimpadee, noted that between midnight and 2am, the airport witnessed a 33% surge in inbound traffic as 5,563 passengers arrived on 22…
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Party entertainer seeks justice after unpaid fee and death threat
A female party entertainer sought justice after a Thai man refused to pay 2,000 baht for her services and made a death threat against her. The man’s father stepped forward to pay the price. The 23 year old party entertainer named Mo asked news agencies to spread her story and help her seek justice. Mo explained that a male client,…
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Thailand’s 2024 inflation target approved: 1% to 3% range maintained
The Bank of Thailand’s (BoT) headline inflation target range for the year 2024 has been given the green light by the cabinet. The approved target, set between 1% and 3%, remains unaltered from the current year, as reported by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat yesterday. This target, which serves as a guiding beacon for monetary policy, is subjected to an…
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Durian Lablae trousers: Uttradit’s new sensation at just 199 Thai baht
Uttradit’s latest hit, the Soft Power Collection, has unveiled its new product, the Durian Lablae trousers. The trousers, which feature the distinctive characteristics of the Lablae area, are gaining attention for their use of high-quality silk, providing lightweight comfort without heat or tightness. Today (December 26), a report at the Tawan Chai Pha Pha Cotton Shop in Mae Phul, Lablae,…
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Toshiba Corporation gets booted from Tokyo Exchange but Toshiba Thailand stays
After a staggering 74-year run, Toshiba Corporation on the Tokyo Stock Exchange faces delisting and a subsequent takeover. However, Toshiba Thailand Ltd emerges unscathed, asserting its independence and vowing to power on. “Unfazed by the storm in Japan, Toshiba Thailand is business as usual.” Having severed ties with its Japanese parent years ago, the company stands resilient in the face of…
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Thai man arrested for tricking more than 20 young boys into sex for porn
Police arrested a 28 year old Thai man for tricking more than 20 young boys aged between 12 to 15 years old into having sex for porn and selling child porn online. A Thai mother, identified only as A, filed a complaint with Wang Sapung Police Station in the northeastern province of Loei on December 29 that her 12 year…
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Thai Vietjet’s festive fares drop to 24 baht
Thai Vietjet has unwrapped a festive treat for travel enthusiasts – the Season’s Greetings promotion. This airline extravaganza is gifting travellers with special fares starting from just THB 24 (excluding taxes and fees) for a sleigh-full of domestic and international routes. But this offer is only available for booking from December 21 to 25. Pack your bags for a holiday…
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From shy nerd to top bar host: Tokyo graduate earns up to 4 million baht monthly
The transformation of a shy nerd to a top bar host earning up to 4 million baht per month (US$115,540) is the story of Esuke, an engineering graduate from Tokyo University, Japan. Esuke’s journey from a reserved bookworm to a charismatic host in Shinjuku, Japan, within a year has taken many by surprise. Esuke, during his high school years, was…
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Thai health officials urge pertussis vaccination amid whooping cough outbreak
Following a severe outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, Thai health officials are urging parents to get their children vaccinated. The announcement was made today (December 26) by Chalermphol Osothpromma, the director of the Disease Control Office 12 in Songkhla. He revealed that there have been 45 confirmed cases in the health district 12, with one death in…
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Waves ban on Pattaya boats after tourist catamaran capsizes
The Marine Department, Pattaya Office, imposed a ban on small boats venturing into the Pattaya sea. With a red flag fluttering halfway up the mast yesterday, December 25, the Department issued a stern warning to fishing boats, jet skis, speedboats, and towing boats, urging them to stay ashore amid the turbulent waters. Large fishing vessels escaped a categorical ban but…
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Myanmar’s central bank extends deadline for exporters’ foreign earnings deposit
A mandate issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar demands exporters shipping goods beyond Asian territory to deposit their foreign earnings in domestic banks within 90 days, a significant increase from the previous 60-day requirement. The central bank, in a statement released on Monday, also directed companies exporting within Asia to deposit their earnings within 45 days, rather than the…
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Thai woman searches for lost winning lottery tickets to claim 24 million baht
A Thai woman is looking for her four lost lottery tickets that won the 24 million baht jackpot in October two months ago. She asked the Government Lottery Office (GLO) to investigate because she wrote her name and phone number on the back of the tickets. The 59 year old woman, Monta Ekwittayopart, sought help from a non-profit organisation Reclaim…
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Frangipani tree blooms after five years sparking luck beliefs in Phimai district
In the first blossoming in five years, a Frangipani tree has caused excitement in the community of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Phimai district. The residents fervently believe that a blooming Frangipani brings luck and prosperity, especially around the New Year. This particular tree is planted in front of the house numbered 127/1, owned by Sawang Suwongsombat, 62 years old. The locals have…
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Thailand’s NSTDA building AI ecosystem for ethical standardisation
The artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem is under construction by Thailand‘s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). The move is part of an effort to establish ethical and standardisation measures to prevent AI misuse, as confirmed by the agency’s director, Chukit Limpijamnong. The NSTDA has been working on setting up the ecosystem, recognising AI’s role in bolstering economic and social…
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Tragic demise of Nakhon Ratchasima man blamed on heavy drinking
A sudden cardiac arrest tragically claimed the life of a 50 year old man, Komin, suspected to be caused by heavy alcohol consumption and existing health conditions. The incident occurred behind his residence in the Chong Kho community, in the large province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Initial reports suggested that the deceased had been dead for at least an hour before…
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