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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Changan Automobile targets selling 20,000 EVs in Thailand this year
With positive optimism about the electric vehicle (EV) market in Thailand, Changan Automobile, a renowned manufacturer based in Chongqing, China, has set an ambitious plan. The company aims to sell 20,000 EVs in Thailand within this year and has designated the nation as its strategic export hub. Shen Xinghua, who chairs Changan Auto Sales (Thailand), revealed that the Thai government’s…
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Muay Thai aims for Olympic recognition as part of Thailand’s soft power strategy
National Soft Power Strategy Committee Deputy Chairperson Paetongtarn Shinawatra is championing the cause for the integral Thai martial art, Muay Thai, to be recognised as an Olympic sport. Paetongtarn sees the inclusion of Muay Thai in the Olympics as part of a broader strategy to elevate the martial art as a key tool of Thailand’s soft power. “We will get…
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Chiang Rai man charged for assaulting teacher and young woman
Two teenage women lodged a complaint concerning a 38 year old man, who had allegedly assaulted a female teacher in a school in Chiang Rai. The incident occurred at around 3pm yesterday (January 22), in a school at the Ban Pong Klua village in the Doi Lan sub-district of Chiang Rai province. According to the 18 year old complainant, the…
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Thai police intensify crackdown on juvenile delinquency following brutal murder
In response to a brutal murder committed by five teenagers in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district, Thai police are intensifying efforts to combat juvenile delinquency across the country. The murder of a middle-aged woman earlier this month has sparked a nationwide crackdown on criminal acts perpetrated by young offenders, an operation ordered by National Police Chief Torsak Sukvimol. Torsak has given…
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Protesters intensify demonstrations over Thaksin Shinawatra’s preferential treatment
The Students and People’s Network for Thailand Reform (STR) are intensifying their demonstrations over the alleged preferential treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra, the convicted former prime minister. The protesters are set to stage a sit-in outside the Government House starting February 2. According to Pichit Chaimongkol, the STR leader, there are plans to protest indefinitely alongside other groups that are targeting…
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Elderly woman rescued from drug-addict grandson’s threat
An elderly woman, bedridden due to a leg amputation, was rescued in Udon Thani after her drug-addicted grandson threatened to burn her alive. Yesterday local villagers intervened when, 25 years old Prakasit, prepared to set his grandmother, 61 years old Pitya Dok Bua, on fire in their home. The police arrested Prakasit, who showed signs of recent drug use and…
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Boys aged 14 apprehended for throwing stones at vehicles in Phatthalung
A group of four boys, all aged 14 years old, were apprehended today, for causing mischief by throwing stones at passing vehicles, causing damage and distress. The main victim was a 27 year old motorist called Natthaphong, who was transporting young boxers from Trang province for a competition. The incident occurred on the Manohra bypass road, heading towards the city…
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Potential sale of Miss Universe Organisation sparks speculation
Rumours have been swirling around that Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, the owner of the Miss Universe Organisation, is set to sell her entire beauty pageant enterprise to a Mexican entrepreneur. The speculation has been fuelled by the forthcoming major announcement, MISS UNIVERSE: NEW ERA, which is set to take place in New York, USA tomorrow However, today, Anne, who is the…
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Malaysian woman mistaken for cat creates social media frenzy
A social media storm has been stirred in Malaysia where a supposed cat on a car turned out to be a woman, much to the surprise of onlookers. The humorous incident, a testament to the saying Don’t judge a book by its cover, has elicited laughter across social media platforms. A Malaysian couple were out for a walk in Johor…
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Thai market flooded with counterfeit TYESO thermal cups causing 10 million baht loss
The popular thermal cup brand TYESO suffered a significant blow as counterfeit products, orchestrated by Chinese counterfeiters and sold by Thai live sellers, flooded the Thai market. The brand and its official Thai distributor, Eco Chang Intertrade Co., Ltd, face an estimated loss of 10 million baht. The situation poses potential harm to the consumer’s health and the reputation of…
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Narendra Modi to inaugurate Ram Temple in Ayodhya amid looming elections
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a place of birth believed by Hindus to be associated with Lord Rama. The construction of this temple represents a key fulfilment of a promise by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the Hindu population, taking place just months before India’s upcoming elections, where Modi aims…
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SEC enhances high-yield bond oversight amid Thai market instabilities
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is enhancing oversight measures for high-yield bonds to fortify payment protections and investor assurance, according to remarks made by SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon. This move comes in response to recent market instabilities caused by numerous defaults and a significant accounting scandal in the speculative debt sector. As part of this heightened vigilance, the SEC…
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Thai man returns temple toy after son sees ghosts
News emerged that a 31 year old man returned a toy to a temple in Nakhon Nayok province after his son began to see ghosts. The boy’s father, Phonchai, and his family had visited the temple to pay respects and inadvertently took home a Hulk action figure which they believe triggered unusual happenings. The temple, Lam Bua Loi Temple in…
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Love as ripe as durian: Thai man weds Burmese woman, claiming a 300 year old destiny
A 49 year old Thai man and a 19 year old Burmese woman tied the knot in a ceremony in Tha Sae District, Chumphon Province, Thailand. The couple, who met while selling durian at a market, believe they were destined to be together, tracing their bond back to a past life 300 years ago. The groom, a Thai durian trader,…
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Russian man rescued after jumping into Pattaya sea near Bali Hai Pier
Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers and rescuers rescued a Russian man who jumped into the sea near Bali Hai Pier on Saturday. Cannabis was blamed for his careless actions. Police officers and rescuers rushed to the Bali Hai Pier to help the Russian man, aged between 30 and 40 years old. The foreign man reportedly jumped into the sea at…
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Making waves: Thai marine police chief boosts efforts against maritime crime
The newly appointed chief of the Marine Police Division has quickly made a name for himself and the often-understated unit, highlighting its significant role in curbing criminal activities and maritime threats in Thai waters. Since taking office in October last year, Police Major General Phruttiphong Nuchanart has been at the helm of operations that led to the seizure of over…
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Drug addict attacks Thai teacher after school hours (video)
A drug addict surrendered to police after attacking a Thai teacher at a school in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The suspect claimed the victim hurt him first, so he acted in self-defence. Mueang Chiang Rai Police Station and Dhammanan Chiang Rai Rescue Team were alerted to the physical assault at Baan Pong Kluea School at about 1.40pm on…
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Phuket grocery owner busted for illicit kratom water trade
A sweeping police operation in Phuket culminated in the arrest of a man found in possession of an astonishing 315 bottles of the outlawed beverage known as kratom water. Somsak Kiattikhan, a 44 year old grocery store owner, was apprehended on Saturday, January 20, following an intelligence tip-off regarding the sale of the illicit drink to local youths. The swoop took…
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PM Srettha reassures public on Land Bridge megaproject amid concerns
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin voiced his administration’s commitment to addressing the concerns of groups opposing the Land Bridge megaproject. Today, PM Srettha is visiting the proposed construction site in Ranong, where a mobile cabinet meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. The 61 year old Thai prime minister acknowledged the government’s shortcomings in effectively communicating the project’s economic advantages to international investors.…
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Mysterious red envelope in Tokyo sparks Ghost Wedding fears
A cryptic red envelope found on a Tokyo street sparked intrigue online. The envelope was found near a train station and was picked up and photographed by a passerby who posted the image on Twitter, unaware of the chilling revelation that would follow. The individual stumbled upon the mysterious red envelope near Ueno Okachimachi subway station in Tokyo, Japan. The…
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Rawai rescue team saves lost tourists at Laem Krating
Two female tourists, who had lost their way as darkness fell near Laem Krating, were located and ushered to safety by the Rawai Municipality rescue team last night (January 21). The women had gone for a walk on the popular trail along the cape, well-known for its Black Rock Viewpoint. The trail, which measures just 1.8 kilometres, became a labyrinth…
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Pervert arrested for masturbating in front of women in Bangkok (video)
Police arrested a perverted Thai man for masturbating in front of women in public places in Bangkok. The suspect said he was unable to control himself. A female university student shared a video on Facebook of a Thai man parking his motorcycle in front of her and masturbating, with the caption that said… “Warning! A pervert in the Charan Sanit…
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Thailand investigates potential tiger migration between Thai and Myanmar forests
The Department of National Parks (DNP), Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Thailand is investigating the movements of tigers, potentially traversing between Thai and Myanmar forests. This follows the discovery of tiger footprints in Chumphon, reported by a local wildlife sanctuary. Athapol Charoenshunsa, DNP director-general, confirmed the discovery of the footprints in the forest of Tambon Song Phi Nong, in Tha…
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Discover Phayao’s revered 500 year old Thong Samrit Buddha image
A revered ancient Buddha image, known as Phra Chao Thong Samrit or the Phra Singh Sam, aged over 500 years and the only one of its kind in the Lanna region, is believed to grant successful exams and work good fortune. Located in Wat Sri Bun Chum, Sri Thoi sub-district, Mae Chai district, Phayao province, the statue is crafted from…
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Pandemic sparks faith tourism pilgrimage as seekers find peace in Thailand’s temples
Following the pandemic, a rise in faith tourism as a search for peace and tranquillity has been observed. Temples and sacred spots across Thailand have seen an increase in visitors, and the donation boxes are filling rapidly. Future Markets Insight reported that worldwide, faith-based tourism was worth US$13.7 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$40.9 billion in 2033.…
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Global economy to grow in 2024, Thai leaders face new challenges
The global economy is projected to grow in 2024, according to forecasts by leading business groups and the World Bank. However, Thai leaders are expected to navigate new challenges such as bridging generational gaps in conversations and encouraging younger workers to mentor older employees on new technologies. Meanwhile, the stress levels among all employees are at an all-time high, triggering…
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2 armed robbers remain at large after stealing 1.2 million baht gold in Surat Thani (video)
Two armed robbers remain at large after stealing gold bracelets worth at least 1.2 million baht from a gold shop in a Lotus’s supermarket on Number 41 Road in the Chaiya district of the southern province of Surat Thani. Chaiya Police Station officers were alerted to the gold robbery at the Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop in the Lotus’s at around…
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Chinese tourist drowns during Similan Islands tour
A tragic incident unfolded on the picturesque Similan Islands, just north of Phuket, at the weekend. A 44 year old Chinese tourist lost his life to drowning while immersed in the island tour on Saturday, January 20. The incident was reported to the Thai Maritime Enforcement Centre Region 3 (Thai-MECC 3) branch situated in Phang Nga. The report came in…
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Thai student paralysed in shocking mall car park plunge: Police probe underway
A Thai high school student, in her third year at a prominent school, was paralysed after she plunged from the fourth floor of a shopping mall car park. The shocking moment was captured by a passing vendor’s dashcam. Police are now urgently investigating the cause. At 9am today, Police Lieutenant Kaweewut Bunruang, the duty officer of Rayong City Police, was…
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Thailand expects major rise in EV imports under new four-year plan
The director-general of the Excise Department projected a significant increase in electric vehicle (EV) imports, with an estimated 175,000 units expected to reach Thailand within two years. This comes as part of a four-year plan, EV3.5 (2024-27), which requires importers to establish a production base in the country from 2024-25 onwards, to replace imports with domestically produced EVs. The plan…
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