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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Export of Thai fruit faces competition from China
Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang reveals a bumpy road ahead, with China’s market becoming a fierce battleground for Thai fruit exporters. In the opening 10 months of last year, Thailand exported 1.74 million tons of fruits, pocketing 174.27 billion baht. Thailand’s fruit royalty, including durians, longans, mangosteens, mangoes, and pineapples, dazzled the export scene. However, trouble lurks in the dragon’s…
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Red skirt revelation: Chinese man unravels wife’s mysterious attire, unlocking life-altering secret
A Chinese man named Zhang Yu, noticed his wife, Li Ting, consistently donning a red skirt each time he returned from a business trip. This peculiar behaviour became an enigma that Zhang decided to investigate, only to discover a hidden secret that would change their lives forever. Zhang and Li had a harmonious marriage since they tied the knot after…
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Golden blunder: Granny’s 2 million baht treasure trashed by unwitting grandkid
A 60 year old woman lost over 2 million baht in gold after it was mistakenly thrown out with the rubbish by her unaware grandchild. The fortune was later discovered by a waste collector, who initially believed it to be counterfeit. The police were involved in the recovery of the gold, and it was returned to its rightful owner. Wandee today…
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Thai industries foresee slow growth, tourism still below 2019 levels
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) anticipates sluggish growth for the steel and internal combustion engine (ICE) industries this year, whilst the tourism sector remains unlikely to reach 2019 levels. FTI chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul emphasised the need for economic measures to support certain industries due to these projected declines. The steel and iron industry faces a slowdown as state construction…
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Former Thammasat University rector Nongyao Chaiseri passes away at 90
The esteemed former rector of Thammasat University, Khunying Nongyao Chaiseri, yesterday passed away. He was 90 years old. Charnvit Kasetsiri, another former rector of the University, confirmed her demise in a personal Facebook post. Nongyao, born in 1935, had a remarkable career in academia and public service. Her tenure as rector from February 25, 1982, until May 31, 1988, was marked…
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Ko Mai Thon speedboat accident: Captain found drug positive
A speedboat collision off Mai Thon Island near Phuket on New Year’s Eve claimed the life of a five year old Russian girl, with others facing life-threatening injuries. The tragedy took a bizarre turn as reports surfaced, revealing that the 41 year old captain, currently on life support, tested positive for an amphetamine-related substance. Phuket authorities are now under scrutiny,…
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Pattaya’s tourism tide: Aims to lure 27 million visitors, making waves under local authority’s watch
The coastal city of Pattaya, under the auspices of the local tourism authority, sets its sights on drawing an impressive 27 million visitors this year. Urai Mukpradapthong, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s Pattaya office, revealed this target, noting that it isn’t ambitious given the predicted number of tourists last year, which is expected to have hit the…
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EEC policy committee sanctions business centre and smart city
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee yesterday sanctioned the creation of the EEC Business Centre and Livable Smart City. The new ventures are projected to yield over 200,000 employment opportunities. The establishment of the EEC Business Centre and Livable Smart City aligns with the broader vision of transforming the EEC into a major business and finance hub in the…
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Thai Smile Bus to decommission gas vehicles, focuses on electric fleet
Thai Smile Bus (TSB) company announced its commitment to clean air and environmental sustainability with plans to decommission its entire fleet of 350 natural gas-fuelled vehicles (NGV) buses by the end of the month. Kulpornpath Wongmajarapinya, TSB Chief Executive Officer, revealed that over 95% of the NGV buses have been already phased out, including the latest batch of 58 buses…
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Thailand’s new reserves to boost tiger population
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation set plans in motion to create new wildlife reserves in Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi. This move is part of a broader initiative to bolster the tiger population across the western forest complex. The reserves are anticipated to serve as a link between Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Uthai Thani, and…
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Bangkok City Pillar Shrine flooded with devotees with new year wishes
Believers swarmed the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine on the occasion of welcoming another new year, seeking celestial blessings for a triumphant start to 2024. The usually tranquil shrine, nestled on Lak Mung Road in the Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang sub-district of Phra Nakhon district, witnessed an unprecedented surge of faithful on New Year’s Eve, extending their spiritual quests well into…
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Taiwanese woman discovers husband’s four-year affair after wedding
A woman from Taiwan, recently married, was left in shock after discovering a four-year-long affair her husband had been concealing in his mobile phone. The couple had been in a relationship for eight years and had just celebrated their wedding when she stumbled upon the heartbreaking secret. This story may likely end in a divorce. The woman shared her shocking…
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Fatal accident in Ayutthaya as tyre burst leads to van crash
A tragic incident struck a passenger van when one of its tyres unexpectedly burst, leading to the vehicle colliding with a tree. This unfortunate event resulted in one fatality and several injuries. The accident transpired at 5am today on Rojana Road, en route to Ayutthaya, near both a school and a PTT petrol station. The van had been commissioned by…
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UTCC lowers Thailand’s 2023 economic growth forecast to 2.5%
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) lowered its economic growth forecast for 2023 to 2.5%, a dip from the previous prediction of 3% made in October of the previous year. The UTCC also anticipates a growth rate of 3.2% for the current year. The UTCC’s president, Thanavath Phonvichai, linked this downgrade to the third quarter’s lower-than-expected 1.9%…
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SF Holding’s acquisition to boost Thailand’s delivery services sector
The delivery services sector in Thailand is set to experience a surge in competition following SF Holding’s acquisition of shares in Kerry Express (Thailand). The move is poised to equip Kerry Express with a wider range of services and the potential for greater application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, thereby boosting its competitive position. Shippop, a logistics aggregator, anticipates a…
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Thailand and China to implement mutual visa-free travel from March
Beginning in March, Thailand and China will roll out a mutual visa-free agreement. This arrangement means that citizens from both countries will not need to apply for visas when travelling to the other country. The scheme was announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin after a Cabinet meeting, and it will take effect from the first day of March. The initiative…
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Thailand tourism soars with 28 million visitors in 2023, dominated by Malaysia and China
A surge in international tourism has been witnessed in Thailand, with the Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, disclosing that over 28 million foreign tourists graced the country in 2023. This massive inflow of tourists contributed to an impressive income of over 1.2 trillion baht (US$35 billion). The leading countries, from where these tourists hailed, were Malaysia, with…
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Thailand mulls tax-free local alcohol to boost economy and tourism
A breaking development unfolded at 10.10am yesterday, January 2, with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin making a significant announcement after a Cabinet meeting centred on boosting international tourism and the national economy. The Thai government is contemplating overhauling the excise taxes and duties structures, with an eye on making Thai local alcoholic beverages tax-free and prompting a review of related…
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Horrifying domestic incident in Udon Thani village leaves woman with multiple wounds
A horrifying domestic incident unfolded yesterday in the village of Ban Na Chum Saeng, Udon Thani province of Thailand. The victim 53 year old Nongyao, was assaulted by her husband, 55 year old Boonruang, resulting in nine wounds on her neck and three on the back of her head. The incident was reported by Veeraphon Raksa Meruang, an admin of a…
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EXAT officer under fire for offensive new year Facebook post
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) punished an officer for insulting drivers who use expressways for free during the new year holiday by calling them “dogs.” The Facebook post of the officer, whose identity was not revealed, went viral on Thai social media on December 31. In the post, the female officer included a picture of a new year party…
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Eight new Thai airlines set to launch amid anticipated travel recovery
This year, eight new Thai airlines are set for take off, anticipating a continued recovery in leisure travel and anticipating around 35 million foreign tourists. Among them is Cool Airlines, which intends to provide scheduled services on medium to long-haul international routes. This comes following approval from the Ministry of Transport for operating licenses, as stated by the Civil Aviation…
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Thai criminal responsibility age may lower from 15 to 12 years
The Thai justice system is gearing up for profound changes to the legal age of criminal responsibility, potentially lowering it from 15 to 12 years old. This comes amidst growing concerns over an increasing trend of violent offences committed by younger individuals. The discussion was brought to light today at the National Police Office, by Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukwimol,…
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BYD challenges Tesla’s supremacy with record EV sales in Q4
Leading Chinese car manufacturer BYD reported selling 526,409 fully electric vehicles (EVs) in the fourth quarter, challenging Tesla’s global market leadership. According to a stock exchange filing, BYD’s sales, boosted by end-of-year discounting, hit 340,178 EV and hybrid units in December, including 190,754 all-electric models. Overall, BYD reported a 62% year-on-year increase in 2023, selling 3.01 million units. The Shenzhen-based…
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Thai woman and Lao man shot dead at Isaan petrol station
Police are searching for a ruthless gunman who shot dead a Thai woman and Lao man at a petrol station in the Isaan province of Nakhon Panom. Security cameras at the scene where the two victims worked were out of order. The deaths of the 33 year old Lao man, Prommajak Sisupha, and 50 year old Thai woman, Witchuda Sisuming,…
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Gunfire incident shocks Maya Bay as national park officials dispute turns violent
A shocking incident took place among national park officials in the tranquil, serene region of Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island, leading to a heated dispute and subsequent gunfire. The injured individuals have been transported to the hospital, and no fatalities have been reported from this event, which occurred today, January 2. The dispute started during a meal at the…
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Tragic discovery of mother and daughter’s death in East Thailand, 100,000 baht found
A shocking incident occurred in the Ban Chang district of Rayong province, where a 41 year old veterinarian and her 12 year old daughter were discovered dead in their home. Authorities from Ban Chang Police Station and local medical personnel were alerted to the situation at 10am today and were soon on their way to the residence. The house, a private,…
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Man swallows beer bottle cap during New Year’s Day celebration in Thailand
A man almost died when he inadvertently swallowed a beer bottle cap during the New Year’s Day celebrations, causing it to lodge in his oesophagus. He was promptly taken to Nakornping Hospital where doctors safely removed the cap. This incident occurred yesterday according to a post on the hospital’s Facebook page. On New Year’s Day, the unnamed 40 year old…
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Stranded fisherman accuses Pattaya maritime office of negligence
Pattaya was abuzz on New Year’s Eve when a Facebook user going by the name of Louis San aired his grievances about the Pattaya Maritime Disaster Prevention Office. His complaint centred around the office’s alleged lackadaisical attitude and the difficulty he faced in trying to reach them. Louis and his group of friends had taken a trip to Koh Phai…
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Thai government delays decision on electricity price reduction
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed that the Cabinet has not yet agreed to reduce electricity charges. Pointing out that Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga is not ready to present the numbers to reduce electricity charges by no more than 4.20 baht (US$0.12). He requested more time at 10.10am today, at the Government House. Before the Cabinet meeting,…
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Thailand’s new year road toll: 190 deaths and 1,574 injuries
Thailand witnessed 1,570 traffic mishaps from December 29 till yesterday, January 1, claiming 190 lives and injuring 1,574 individuals. Kanchanaburi province recorded the highest number of accidents and casualties during this period. The Department of Medical Services’ director-general, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, revealed the unsettling new year road toll figures. He stated that Kanchanaburi had 57 traffic accidents, resulting in 56 injuries.…
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