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 How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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Phimai residents flock to lucky turtle for lottery numbers
Residents of Phimai district in Nakhon Ratchasima are abuzz with excitement as they continue to seek good fortune from a local turtle named Chao Chao Kuay. This turtle has reportedly brought luck for three consecutive lottery draws, prompting locals to offer flowers, incense, and candles in gratitude. Chao Chao Kuay resides at house number 127, Moo 1, in the Nai…
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Thai monk gives 40 baht bribe to silence 5 year old sex abuse victim
A Thai monk attempted to cover up sexually abusing a five year old girl at a temple in the central province of Nakhon Pathom by giving the young victim 40 baht in cash. The victim’s 62 year old grandmother requested Channel 3 to help bring justice to her young granddaughter. The woman explained that the sexual assault took place on October…
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Thailand sows seeds of change at World Food Security meeting
Thailand’s commitment to advancing global food security took centre stage as officials participated in the 52nd Committee on World Food Security meeting in Rome, highlighting efforts to enhance agricultural policy and women’s roles. Discussions focused on food security and nutrition, aiming to address global hunger challenges. The meeting, held at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) headquarters, saw participation from…
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Pickup lines crossed: Truck crashes into Chon Buri home decor store
A dramatic incident unfolded in East Thailand yesterday when a pickup truck crashed into a home decor store, causing significant damage. The driver, appearing intoxicated, claimed he swerved to avoid an oncoming motorcycle. Police are investigating the event, which occurred yesterday, October 30, in Chon Buri. Police in Pattaya, specifically the Bang Lamung district, responded promptly after receiving reports of…
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Turbocharged cops shift gears to bust Thai luxury car scam (video)
In a story more fitting for a Jason Statham heist movie, police finally cracked a high-rolling car scam, seizing a £6.5 million (285 million baht) stash of stolen luxury motors, including a jaw-dropping £220,000 (9.65 million baht) Lamborghini Huracan Spyder. These wheels were fraudulently whisked away from Britain and shipped to Thailand eight years ago but now they’re coming home,…
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Thailand targets 3.5% GDP growth amid economic challenges
The Finance Ministry of Thailand has ambitiously set the stage for GDP growth by targeting a 3.5% annual increase. This announcement was made at the CEO Econmass Awards 2024, where Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira delivered a keynote address. The minister expressed optimism that next year’s growth rate could reach 3%, marking a 10% increase from this year’s forecasted 2.7%. “This…
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Young woman stabbed in Bang Lamung after relationship breakup
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, when a young man, angered by a breakup, stabbed a young woman before fatally wounding himself to escape the consequences. Police rushed the injured woman to the hospital for immediate treatment. Around 12.36am today, October 31, Apinan Sritongrungrup, a duty officer at Bang Lamung Police Station, received a report of…
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Monk on the run: Abbott crashes and dashes after bail (video)
A Thai abbot crashed his pickup into a prison guard’s car on a road in Chiang Mai, seriously injuring the guard. The monk later disappeared after being granted bail. The public raised suspicions of corruption in the road accident case involving the abbot and the prison guard in Chiang Mai. The accident occurred on October 24 but the suspect, the abbot…
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Thailand airports see passenger surge with 19% increase
Thailand’s air travel sector is experiencing a significant upswing, with the nation’s six principal airports reporting a surge in passenger numbers. In the fiscal year ending yesterday, these airports welcomed 119.2 million passengers, marking a 19% increase from the previous year, as reported by the Airports of Thailand (AoT). The AoT oversees operations at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket,…
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Thailand braces for cooler temperatures and heavy rain
Thailand is experiencing fluctuating weather patterns, leading to temperatures dropping by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius (°C) in the northern and northeastern regions. Meanwhile, heavy rain is expected in parts of the central, eastern, and southern areas, with high waves in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a forecast for the next 24…
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Thailand denies Koh Kut territorial loss to Cambodia amid MoU dispute
Thailand Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai firmly denied any governmental action regarding Koh Kut in Trat province amid growing concerns about losing territory to Cambodia. The statement came in response to the Palang Pracharath Party’s (PPRP) objections to the 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia. This MoU pertains to joint marine resource development in the Gulf of Thailand—a move the…
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Thai man regains consciousness hours after murder-suicide (video)
A Thai man murdered his wife before attempting to commit suicide at a house in the central province of Prachin Buri. A rescue team found the couple unresponsive after the tragic act. However, in a bewildering twist, the man regained consciousness three hours later, leaving the rescue team in disbelief at his unexpected revival. Officers from Si Maha Pho Police…
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Phuket’s courtroom prescription: Legal drama escalates in Swiss assault dismissal
A gripping legal battle is heating up in Phuket as the lawyer representing a woman doctor challenges the court’s shocking decision to dismiss her assault case against a Swiss man. Dr Thandao Chandam claims she was kicked in the back by 45 year old Urs Fehr, also known as David, while she sat outside his villa on Yamu Beach in…
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Dead body found on beach sends shockwaves through Pattaya
A shocking discovery has sent shockwaves through the Pattaya community after a body was washed up on Dongtan Beach in Jomtien. At precisely 9.46am yesterday, October 30, police received a distress call that would lead to a grim scene. Pattaya police wasted no time responding, and they were joined by rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Thamasathan Foundation. Upon arrival,…
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iCon Group CEO to sue former members and presenter over negative statements
The lawyer representing iCon Group CEO Waratphol “Paul” Waratworakul, declared intentions to sue seven former members and a former presenter. They are accused of causing harm to the company by making negative statements across various media platforms. A total of 18 leading members of the iCon Group are currently in detention for alleged public fraud and the importation of false information…
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Central Pattana unwraps festive cheer with finn-tastic partnership
Central Pattana Plc (CPN), Thailand’s retail powerhouse, is teaming up with a host of partners including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Embassy of Finland, Sculptra by Galderma, and Finnair to launch the extravagant The World’s Great Celebration 2025. With a whopping 700 million baht investment, this initiative aims to give Thailand’s economy a festive boost and reinforce its…
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Gold rush fever: Prices surge, Thai buyers told to act fast
In a dazzling turn of events, gold prices shot up today, leaving potential buyers scrambling to make their move as the Gold Traders Association (GTA) reveals hefty increases. Gold ornaments are now flaunting a price tag of 44,800 baht per baht weight, leaping up by a solid 350 baht overnight. According to the GTA, bullion gold with a 96.5% purity…
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Thailand cash splash: Foreign tourists send Visa spending soaring
Thailand is basking in a financial boom, with foreign tourists spending a staggering 90% more on Visa credit cards this year compared to the pre-pandemic high of 2019. While Thai travellers are tightening their purse strings amid a sluggish economy, foreigners can’t seem to get enough of the Land of Smiles. Visa Thailand’s country manager, Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, revealed that Thailand…
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Thai millionaire reveals lawyer’s 71 million baht fraud, political links
A Thai millionaire returned to Thailand from France to take legal action against a well-known lawyer, who allegedly swindled 71 million baht from her. She also disclosed a secret meeting in Hong Kong involving high-ranking Thai politicians. The millionaire, Jatuporn “Madam Oi” Ubonlert, attended an interview with former political activist Sondhi Limthongkul to publicly reveal the details of the issues with…
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Cloud nine: Equinix boost set to reign over Thailand’s data skies
American tech giant and cloud extraordinaire Equinix is making waves in Thailand with a colossal 16 billion baht investment. This financial injection over the next decade is set to supercharge Thailand’s data centre infrastructure, targeting the surging demand from the bustling CLMVT region, according to Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI). For those not in the know, the CLMVT region comprises…
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Starbucks stirs up Thai market with a ‘latte’ new stores brewing
Hold onto your coffee cups, folks! Starbucks Thailand is brewing up a storm with plans to roll out 30 new stores annually, even as the country’s coffee market bubbles with fierce competition. This caffeine-fuelled expansion underscores the coffee giant’s faith in Thailand’s untapped potential in Southeast Asia. Spearheading this bold venture is Starbucks Thailand’s Managing Director, Nednapa Srisamai, who’s unfazed…
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Panda-monium: Giant pandas to strengthen Thailand-China ties
Another pair of giant pandas is set to arrive in Thailand as part of a diplomatic gesture to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai relations next year. The announcement follows a meeting of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Zoological Park Organisation, Chiang Mai Zoo, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Department of East Asian Affairs,…
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Thailand, Laos, Myanmar launch Clear Sky to combat pollution
In a bid to blow away the blanket of smog smothering Southeast Asia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar joined forces with a sparkling new initiative: the Clear Sky Strategy 2024-2030. The grand unveiling took place at Bangkok’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, with VIPs Maris Sangiampongsa, Thailand’s top minister, and Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, leading the…
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Bangkok’s grey gamble: Elderly caught playing their cards wrong
Police in Bangkok arrested a group of elderly people for illegal gambling, seizing 200 baht in cash and other gambling paraphernalia. The raid, prompted by complaints about parked vehicles blocking traffic, saw an 80 year old among the detainees engaging in a friendly game of chance with peers. Police in Bangkok, led by high-ranking officials, launched a raid on a…
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Baht appreciation leads to 4 to 5 billion baht revenue shortfall
Revenue collection for the 2024 fiscal year fell short of government expectations by 4 to 5 billion baht due to the appreciation of the baht. This shortfall occurred as the fiscal year concluded in September, impacting the value-added tax (VAT) revenue from imports, particularly affecting oil imports. Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit explained that the rapid strengthening of the baht…
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Phuket at the helm of Asia’s Urban Act initiative
Phuket has been handpicked as the focal point for the Urban Act initiative, an ambitious drive set to spearhead low-carbon, resilient urban growth across the Asia-Pacific. The announcement was unveiled at a meeting in Phuket Provincial Hall with Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Vice Governor Ronnarong Tipsiri among the key players present. The Urban Act Project, which kicked off in April…
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Australian man dies of suspected drug overdose in Pattaya hotel
An Australian man died today of an alleged drug overdose in a Pattaya hotel, according to a heavily intoxicated friend. Officers from the Mueang Pattaya Police Station and rescuers from the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Foundation were called today, October 30, to investigate the death at a hotel on Pattaya Sai Sam Road in the Bang Lamung district. The dead Australian…
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Lightning strike causes house fire in Samut Prakan, no injuries
A lightning strike led to a house fire in Samut Prakan, Thailand, early this morning, causing severe damage but no injuries. The blaze erupted in a two-storey home, with the downstairs made of concrete and the upstairs of wood. Firefighters were able to control the fire after an hour of battling the intense flames. The incident occurred at 2.10am, today,…
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Thai influencer arrested with drugs and firearms in Bangkok
Thai social media influencer Phor Ban Khlong Toei, renowned for his presence on TikTok and participation in Fight Club Thailand, was apprehended by police at his residence yesterday. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Division 5 seized a quantity of crystal methamphetamine and firearms during the arrest. The arrest sent ripples through the online community, as many followers of Phor…
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Phuket road rebels: Law takes a backseat as foreign bikers run wild
Police have yet to take legal action against two foreign motorcyclists who were caught on video riding dangerously down a main road in Phuket. A Thai motorist who witnessed the reckless actions of the two foreign riders yesterday, October 29, recorded a video of their traffic violations and shared it with Phuket Times, today, October 30. The news page shared…
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