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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Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
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Journey of hope: Thai-American woman seeks long-lost Thai mother
A half Thai half American woman reached out to the Thai media in a bid to reunite her with her long-lost mum who is believed to live in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. The 53 year old Thai-American woman, identified only as Janny, told her story to The Isaan Record, in the hope that someone knows her Thai mother…
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Pickup truck plunges into Bangkok canal in shocking late-night incident
A shocking incident unfolded today when a pickup truck plunged into a drainage canal alongside Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. The driver managed to escape unharmed and reported that the accident occurred while he was swerving to avoid a municipal water truck. Late that night, Police Lieutenant Colonel Theerapoj Thonghet, an investigator at Vibhavadi Police Station, received a report of a pickup…
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Tokyo’s unique Mori Ouchi café caters to the pessimistic crowd
Tucked away in the Shimokitazawa district of Tokyo, Japan, a unique café, known as Mori Ouchi, offers a haven for those with a pessimistic outlook on life. Despite appearing as a conventional café from the outside, the establishment caters specifically to individuals who view the world negatively. The café, named Mori Ouchi, was conceptualised and launched three years ago amidst…
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Rare oarfish discovered near Adang Island, Thailand: Mythical sea creature or tsunami predictor
A rare deep-sea creature, known as the Oarfish or Ribbonfish, was recently discovered near Adang Island, in the region of Satun Province, Thailand. The Science of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources TSU page reported the sighting of this marine species, recognised scientifically as Regalecus glesne, yesterday, January 3, by the fishing vessel Thepcharoenporn 15. Belonging to the Regalecidae family, the Oarfish,…
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Discovering Ruki: The world’s darkest river
Ruki, a tributary of the Congo River, has been identified as the world’s darkest river due to its near-black colouration which makes it almost impossible to see anything, even one’s reflection. Scientific tests revealed that this extreme darkness is due to the high level of dissolved organic matter in the water, which originates from the surrounding dense forests. This dark…
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Thailand’s Kra Isthmus Land Bridge promises economic boom for Penang Port
Thailand is eyeing a colossal infrastructure project, a 90-kilometre land bridge across the Kra Isthmus, set to revolutionise maritime trade and shower economic benefits on ports in northern Peninsular Malaysia. Penang Port Sdn Bhd CEO V Sasedharan envisions this ambitious project as a potential game-changer, akin to the impact the Suez Canal had on Egyptian waterway-adjacent ports. The proposed land…
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Phuket authorities step up anti-drug operations, apprehend two suspects
As Phuket’s officials are making moves to address drug use among boat operators, Thalang Police have concurrently stepped up their anti-drug operations. The outcome of these intensified efforts is the recent apprehension of two individuals, confirmed to be in illegal possession of methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba, with intentions to distribute. The Thalang Police Force made public the results…
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Pattani police crack down on cross-border migrant smuggling
Authorities in Thailand detained a man from Pattani province on charges of orchestrating the illegal transport of migrant workers into the country, subsequently facilitating their clandestine journey into neighbouring Malaysia. The Immigration Police disclosed the arrest of a 56 year old man named Abdullah, in the district of Nongjik, following a concerted effort to dismantle a human smuggling network. The…
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LA orthodontist’s narrow escape from electrocution in Thailand
When a Los Angeles-based orthodontist‘s dream Thai vacation took a horrifying turn, it shocked social media with her Instagram and TikTok followers expressing their concern and support. Dr Cara Hodgson, boasting a considerable online following of 25,500 on Instagram and 97,000 on TikTok, usually shares glimpses of her jet-setting lifestyle and dental tips. However, her recent revelation about a life-threatening…
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Townhouse collapse in central Thailand raises safety concerns
A devastating incident occurred as a two-storey townhouse collapsed, causing damage to multiple properties in central Thailand. The calamity took place within the Teacher’s Village in Ban Khlong Suan, Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan last night. The authorities were alerted and emergency response teams were dispatched to assess the situation and provide assistance. The area, roughly 5 kilometres from…
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Foreign woman slips and collapses on breakwater wall at Pranburi Beach
The non-profit organisation Beach for Life Thailand called for enhanced safety measures following an incident in which a foreign woman slipped and fell on a breakwater wall at Pranburi Beach in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan. This infamous location has previously caused harm, resulting in a disability for a Thai man. The foreign woman reportedly lost consciousness after…
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Scheduled power cut in Layan Soi 1, Phuket for essential maintenance work
An announced power cut is set to disrupt numerous residences, condominiums, and villa estates along Layan Soi 1, Moo 6, Cherng Talay, Phuket. The Provincial Electricity Authority’s Thalang branch (PEA Thalang) has planned this interruption for tomorrow, The blackout, scheduled from 9am to 4.30pm, is required to facilitate maintenance work on the high-voltage electrical system in the said area. The…
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Government Savings Bank issues alert on fake news loan scam
The Government Savings Bank (GSB) issued a warning to the public regarding fake news circulating on Facebook. A page has been promoting that GSB offers emergency loans ranging from 10,000 baht (US$289) to 50,000 baht (US$1,448) with low interest and no guarantor needed. The Anti-Fake News Centre Thailand (AFNC) investigated the matter and GSB clarified that it was a case…
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Major international drug ring busted in Thailand: Over 15 million meth pills and 105 million baht assets seized
A significant international drug ring has been dismantled, leading to the arrest of the operation’s leader and the seizure of over 15 million methamphetamine pills, and more than one tonne each of heroin, ketamine, and ice. The operation also netted assets worth approximately 105 million baht. The announcement came today from the Anti-Narcotics Police Headquarters, spearheaded by Kittirat Phanphet, Deputy…
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Gold price dips to 33,900 baht per baht, says GTA
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) decreased the gold price consecutively today compared to the closing price yesterday. The bullion price shifted to 33,900 baht (US$981) per baht today. Reporters stated that the GTA announced a 100 baht (US$2.89) decrease in today’s gold price compared to yesterday’s closing price, with the bullion price now standing at 33,900 baht (US$981) per baht,…
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Wat Phra Dhammakaya denies association with Yore sect amid misleading media reports
Wat Phra Dhammakaya, a revered Thai temple, has officially announced its lack of association with the Yore sect, in response to misleading information presented by certain online media outlets today. The temple emphasised its position as a devout Buddhist institution under the Thai Sangha, adhering to the principles of Dhamma and Vinaya discipline. The temple’s clarification came after a news…
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Essential guide to alcohol regulations in Thailand for 2024 visitors
As we welcome the blossoming year of 2024, those planning to visit Thailand should have a grasp of the specific days when alcohol sales will face restrictions and bars and entertainment venues will close. These dates, referred to as “No Booze Days,” are critical as they prohibit all booze sales, including stores, restaurants, and hotels. To assist you in planning…
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Twins born in different years mark unique start to 2024 at New Jersey hospital
The birth of twin boys in the United States at Virtua Voorhees Hospital in New Jersey marked an extraordinary start to 2024. Despite being born only 40 minutes apart, their birth years differ by one. The first sibling, Ezra, arrived on December 31 last year at 11.48pm, weighing 2.72 kilogrammes, while the second, Ezekiel, was born in the early moments of…
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Zombie deer disease alert in Yellowstone sparks potential pandemic fears
The outbreak of the so-called Zombie Deer Disease has been reported in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, according to The Guardian website. This affliction, found in deer species, alarmed researchers and scientists due to its significant environmental impact and potential to infect humans. Prions, abnormal and infectious agents, cause Zombie Deer Disease. These prions induce changes in the brain and…
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Vietnamese mother expertly bathes newborn with her feet: Inspiring millions
A video of Phan Tường Vy, a young mother from Dalat, Vietnam, bathing her one month old baby with her feet has gone viral, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. Born in 1995, she shared the video on YouTube, where it initially received nearly 250,000 views and has since climbed to over 750,000 views. In the video, Vy revealed that…
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Thai man seeks justice after repeated thefts and 14 stitches to his penis
An 83 year old Thai man yesterday demanded police to take action after suffering repeated thefts and receiving 14 stitches to his penis following an attack by a thief in the Isaan province of Loei. The victim, Tanat, told Channel 3 that his home had been robbed five times. The latest incident took place at about 4am, yesterday, January 3.…
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Street shootout shakes Phuket: Teen hospitalised, passerby catches stray bullet drama
A teenager yesterday was hospitalised after a tumultuous shootout on a street near Saphan Hin, Phuket. A passerby suffered a shoulder wound whilst the teen had a head injury. Phuket Police received a report of a shootout near the Phuket Marine police chief’s residence on Phuket Road yesterday, January 3, at 3.10am. Police found a damaged glass louvre in one of…
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School bus collision in Pathum Thani leaves 25 injured
A shocking bus collision occurred in Pathum Thani while students were headed for a field trip. The accident was triggered by a pickup truck swerving in front of the bus, leading to a multi-vehicle crash. The aftermath left 25 individuals, including students and teachers, injured. The bus driver was trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated by emergency…
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Tee-time terror: Golf day takes a swing with surprise appearance of giant king cobra
In the Ban Bueng district of Chon Buri, a typical day of golfing transformed into a scene straight out of a wildlife documentary when an enormous king cobra raised its scary head. The beastly serpent, sprawled across the green, caused a stir among golfers, who promptly vacated the area in all directions. Upon receiving the distress signal, volunteer rescuers from…
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Teen’s Facebook fumble leads cops to school loot: Hapless 17 year old nabbed in Satun heist
Police successfully tracked down and arrested a hapless 17 year old boy for stealing from a private school in the southern province of Satun after the thief changed the school’s Facebook profile to his portrait image. Sri Aman Suksa School Director Sunthorn Wongmadthong filed a theft report at Mueang Satun Police Station after the teenage thief stole a mobile phone…
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City Hall city sweeps streets, leaves residents puzzled: 200 abandoned cars vanish
City Hall successfully wiped over 200 abandoned cars off the streets of Bangkok, leaving residents baffled. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) disclosed their battle against 1,399 derelict vehicles from 2019 to last year. However, the real jaw-dropper is the 203 abandoned cars that mysteriously disappeared after no owners claimed them. Bangkok Deputy Governor Chakkraphan Phiewngam took charge on January 2,…
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Government’s budget blunder: MFP MP slams 3.5 trillion baht bill
In a fiery critique that rocked the House of Representatives, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirikanya Tansakun aimed at the government‘s 3.48-trillion-baht budget for 2024, labelling it a masterpiece of unprofessional blunders. On the opening day of the budget bill’s inaugural reading, Sirikanya, the deputy leader of MFP, unleashed scathing criticism, claiming that the government had failed to craft a…
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Phuket continues promotion as timeless destination to boost tourism
Championed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s (TAT) local office, Phuket is set to continue its promotion as a timeless destination, void of an official low season. Director Lertchai Wangtrakuldee confirms this strategy following the significant triumph of last year when the resort province achieved its arrival and revenue targets ahead of schedule. By the end of November, the visitor…
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Pheu Thai Party’s Danuporn Punnakan leads Same-sex Marriage Committee in Thailand
A significant stride towards equality has been achieved with the appointment of Danuporn Punnakan, a representative of the Pheu Thai Party, as the chair of the Same-sex Marriage Committee. The committee includes representatives from various sectors, with a particular focus on individuals from the public and the LGBTQ+ community. This collective endeavour aims to review and revise the legislation related…
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Thai e-commerce faces shake-up due to new revenue department mandate
Thailand’s e-commerce industry is set for a shake-up following a recent decision by the Revenue Department to mandate digital platforms to report income earned from their online sellers. Analysts predict that this may result in a 10% reduction in the number of online shops on platforms, as some merchants may resist revealing their true earnings. The move is aimed at…
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