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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Trolley folly: Tipsy tourists’ wild hotel ride in Koh Phi Phi (video)
In the latest wild escapade from the sun-soaked shores of Thailand, two young female tourists were given a ride of shame as local police were forced to wheel them back to their hotel on a shop trolley. In a scene right out of a holiday nightmare, 19 year old Australian Tahli Benson and 23 year old German Sina Baumann found…
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Songkhla flood relief scare debunked amid robbery claims
The chief of Songkhla’s Thepha district has swiftly denied shocking allegations that villagers from the Tha Muang district robbed a team of volunteers delivering flood relief on Sunday, December 1. The accusations, made in a now-deleted social media post, caused widespread panic but officials insisted it was a misunderstanding. Traisulee Taisaranakul, the spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, revealed today that…
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Thailand grants citizenship to 72 stateless individuals in Chiang Rai
A historic moment unfolded in Chiang Rai as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presented Thai citizenship cards to 72 individuals from ethnic minority groups, marking a monumental step towards addressing statelessness in the country. The ceremony, held at the GMS International Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, December 1, highlighted Thailand’s commitment to inclusivity and human rights, with key officials and…
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Phuket rolls out electric buses in bold push for greener island
Phuket has just taken a major leap towards modernising its public transport with the launch of electric buses, marking the beginning of a cleaner, more sustainable future for the island. The historic moment occurred yesterday, December 2 at the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), where a ceremony was held to unveil the first trial buses. Governor Sophon Suwannarat and PPAO…
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Paetongtarn faces backlash over flood crisis management failures
The recent devastating floods in southern Thailand have intensified pressure on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government, pushing the leader into the eye of a storm of criticism. With severe flooding wreaking havoc in the south, many are questioning her ability to manage a national crisis effectively. The prime minister, who initially struggled to establish her footing in the north, eventually…
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Thailand’s PM champions disability rights on International Day
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered a heartfelt message on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reaffirming her government’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities for all. Celebrated annually on December 3, the day marks a significant call to action for societies to dismantle barriers and ensure the dignity and rights of individuals with disabilities are respected. Equal opportunities was…
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Nonthaburi shop owners seek driver after 50,000 baht accident
Two shop owners are seeking the whereabouts of a driver who caused extensive damage to their businesses in a late-night car crash, promising to compensate before becoming unreachable after one day of contact. The incident occurred at approximately 3.40am on December 1, when a Toyota Wish sedan, driven by a 38 year old man identified as Charnwut (surname withheld), lost…
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House dissolution: Phumtham shoots down charter row rumours
A fiery political debate over Thailand’s charter referendum sparked speculation about a potential House dissolution but Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai isn’t buying it. Brushing off claims from Pheu Thai list-MP Cherdchai Tantisirin, Phumtham insisted that tensions between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party wouldn’t boil over. “Dr Cherdchai is entitled to his opinion.” Phumtham stressed that…
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7-Eleven joins road safety battle for tourists in Thailand
In a groundbreaking move to tackle tourist road accidents in Thailand, 7-Eleven is stepping up its game. Yesterday, December 2, CP All CEO Yuthasak Poomsurakul announced a partnership between 7-Eleven, the Tourist Police Bureau, and the British Embassy to launch a road safety campaign aimed at international visitors. Tourists, often unaware of Thailand’s traffic laws and risky road conditions, face…
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Rail-y slow progress: U-Tapao shifts gears on airport expansion
The delayed construction of the high-speed railway linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports has prompted U-Tapao International Aviation Company (UTA) to seek adjustments in the requirements for expanding U-Tapao Airport. The absence of a mass transit link could impact passenger numbers and airport revenue, according to UTA President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth. UTA is drafting a revised proposal to present to…
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Royal spectacle: Thai king’s first trooping the colour parade
In a dazzling display of tradition and grandeur, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua will oversee his first Trooping the Colour parade this afternoon, December 3, joined by Her Majesty the Queen consort Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. This historic event marks a pivotal moment in royal ceremonial history, with the announcement made official…
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Fire engulfs iconic, haunted boat hotel on Koh Chang (video)
A fire broke out today at the iconic, and reportedly haunted boat hotel, Koh Chang Grand Laguna, located on an island in the southeastern province of Trat. Firefighters are still struggling to control the blaze. The official Facebook page of Fire & Rescue Thailand reported that the fire began on the second floor of the landmark of Koh Chang at…
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Chalong cops collar suspect in oil tanker heist
A high-stakes manhunt came to a dramatic end in Chalong as officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a 48 year old man wanted for a string of audacious crimes, including a daring nighttime raid on an oil tanker and evidence tampering. Identified only as Nirut, the suspect was apprehended at Chalong Police Station following an intense investigation into…
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Thai trade rises 6.18% to 1.51 trillion baht in 10 months
Thailand’s border and cross-border trade surged by 6.18% in the first 10 months of 2024, reaching a total value of 1.51 trillion baht (US$43.43 billion), according to Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan. The government has set an ambitious goal of expanding this trade to 2 trillion baht (US$58 billion) annually by 2027. The export value during the period rose by 5.64%…
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Thai victims lose over 100 million baht to ‘blue elephant’ flight booking scam
Nearly 100 victims collectively lost over 100 million baht to a flight booking platform featuring a blue elephant logo. The victims neither received their tickets nor were refunded their money. Ten representatives of the victims visited the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) yesterday, December 2, after their complaints were ignored for a prolonged period despite the substantial financial losses. They gathered a…
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Holy brows: Monk’s DIY eyebrow hack sends Internet into frenzy
A monk’s innovative eyebrow solution left the Internet in stitches after photos of his welfare card verification saga went viral yesterday. The Buddhist monk, whose name was not disclosed, encountered a modern-day dilemma at a blue-flag store. The state welfare payment app couldn’t match his face to the photo on his welfare card, thanks to his bare brow: a hallmark…
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Borderline busted: Thai police smash Tak Internet scam network
Police in Thailand’s Tak province have uncovered a sprawling illegal Internet and telephone cable network believed to fuel cross-border call centre scams in Myanmar. The operation, hailed as the largest bust of its kind, has exposed the scale of high-tech fraud haunting the region. In a joint announcement yesterday, December 2, Police General Nathathorn Prousoontorn of the National Broadcasting and…
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Thailand ranks 9th in global instant noodle consumption
The World Instant Noodles Association (WINA) ranked Thailand as the ninth highest consumer of instant noodles globally. WINA released its rankings of the countries with the highest instant noodle consumption yesterday, December 2. The list, which includes 15 countries, placed Thailand in ninth position. Thai people reportedly consume 4 billion packets of instant noodles annually. The top spot was awarded…
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Tragic accident: Man drowns as truck slides into Thai pond
A tragic incident unfolded last night when a man, who had been resting in his truck by a pond, was found dead after the vehicle rolled into the water. The victim, who had been guarding machinery inside the truck, struggled to escape but could not survive. At around 10pm, yesterday, December 2, emergency rescue teams from Ruenchit Volunteers, located in…
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3D-printed corals spark underwater hope at Koh Racha Yai
In a cutting-edge bid to revive the coral reefs around Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) is making waves with its annual reef restoration campaign. The initiative unveiled its latest eco-marvel: 3D-printed coral larvae islands on Saturday, November 30, designed to breathe life back into the battered seabeds. The high-profile launch event…
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Homeless Pattaya woman’s rings locked on swollen fingers
A homeless woman in Thailand found herself in excruciating pain after rings became locked on her swollen fingers, leading to infected wounds. The ordeal, which had rendered her unable to communicate effectively, unfolded in Pattaya on Sunday, December 1. The woman, identified only as 45 year old A, showed up at the Pattaya Police Station desperately seeking assistance. Officers quickly…
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Thailand urges swift release of citizens detained by Myanmar
Thailand urged Myanmar’s ambassador to urgently work for the release of four Thai citizens who are currently detained in Myanmar, following an incident in which their fishing boat was fired upon by Myanmar naval ships off the coast of Ranong last week. Piyapak Sricharoen, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs, met with Myanmar’s ambassador to Thailand, U Chit…
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Woman arrested at husband’s hospital bedside over fraud charges
A 39 year old woman wanted on two arrest warrants for fraud and computer crimes was arrested by police while visiting her husband, who is currently recovering in a hospital after being shot during a standoff with police. At around 4pm yesterday, December 2, Police Lieutenant Colonel Kornpong Sukwisit, Deputy Commander of the Investigation Division, along with the investigative team…
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Russian woman falls to death from Bangkok condo
A tragic incident unfolded in the Phaya Thai district of Bangkok when a 24 year old Russian woman, Maria, fell to her death from the 37th floor of a condominium. The heartbreaking event occurred around 3.07pm yesterday, December 2, prompting an immediate response from local police. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found the lifeless body of the Russian woman,…
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Drink driver crashes car after offering lift to intoxicated woman
A drunk Thai man offered a lift to an equally intoxicated woman he met on a roadside in the central province of Chachoengsao but failed to get her home because he crashed his car into a traffic barrier. Three people in the vehicle suffered mild injuries. Bang Pakong Police Station officers and rescuers dashed to the accident scene at the…
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Boy dies after fall from shopping mall in Ayutthaya
A 12 year old boy tragically fell to his death from the rooftop of a shopping mall located along Rojana Road in Uthai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. His death has left his family devastated, particularly his mother, who was with him just hours before the tragic incident. At around 6.30pm, yesterday, December 2, local police received a report of…
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Former village headman arrested for fatal shooting in Thailand
Police arrested Prasith (surname withheld), a 52 year old former assistant village head in Ban Non Rawiang, following the fatal shooting of Thanaphon (surname withheld), a 43 year old man found dead in a sugarcane field in Ban Non Rawiang, Bung Phalai subdistrict, Kaeng Sanamnang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The victim, who had 20 methamphetamine pills and some cannabis by his side,…
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Daring theft: Italian tourist nabs cash from Pattaya hotel desk
A brazen early-morning theft has left a Pattaya hotel owner furious after an Italian guest was caught on CCTV swiping 4,000 baht from the front desk before making a hasty exit. The suspect, identified as Andrea (surname withheld), checked into the small hotel on Soi Bua Khao on Friday, November 29 and checked out under suspicious circumstances early on Sunday…
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Thai national football player loses 2.7 million baht to call centre scam
Police in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok arrested one of six mule account holders linked to a call centre scam gang that defrauded 2.7 million baht from a Thai national football player. The 33 year old Thai football player, Pokklaw Anan, filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau yesterday, December 2, reporting that he lost 2.7 million baht to…
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Thailand’s big love leap: Same-sex couples to wed starting January
Thailand is rolling out the rainbow carpet as the Marriage Equality Bill is set to become law on January 22, making the nation a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia. Following its royal endorsement by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and publication in the Royal Gazette on September 24, the countdown to this historic milestone has officially begun.…
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