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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Wedding day drama: Bride’s hidden career as porn star leaves groom in a reel shocker
A 32 year old Japanese woman suffered a shocking revelation on her wedding day when a close friend exposed her past as a porn star, a secret she had never divulged to her husband. The surprising disclosure left her husband taken aback during their wedding celebrations. The alleged former porn star, known by the pseudonym, Mizuki, met her boyfriend and…
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Chilli reception: Thai senators to spice things up with complaint after Icelandic restaurant row
Thai senators are preparing to lodge a complaint with the Icelandic government following an incident where Doctor Porntip Rojanasunan was thrown out of a Thai restaurant in Iceland by its Thai proprietor. Last week, a video went viral on Thai social media depicting a Thai man, who identified himself as the owner of a restaurant in Iceland, expelling Porntip from…
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Banking on change: Thai banks raise policy rates to woo depositors with digital deals
Following the Bank of Thailand‘s decision to hike its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points, banks are now increasing both their loan and deposit rates. In a bid to attract depositors, special rates are being offered on digital savings products. Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), the country’s fourth-largest lender by total assets, has acted promptly to the central bank’s policy rate…
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Phuket’s unlucky 13: Immigration crackdown reveals rule-breaking escapades
Immigration authorities in Phuket apprehended 13 individuals and charged them with violations of the Immigration Act. This information was disclosed yesterday in the Phuket Overstay Report, issued by the local Immigration department. Of the 13 arrested, seven were detained for overstaying their visas from September 1-30. Also noted in the report was the charging of one individual for failing to…
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Noodle shop’s slippery surprise: Giant python crashes lunchtime in Yala, Thailand
A giant python, almost 5 metres long and weighing 7 kilogrammes, caused a stir today when it slithered into a noodle shop in Yala, Thailand. The reptile was discovered by the shop owner, Suhayna Beeing, who immediately alerted residents of the Gunung Janoang community, sparking panic and attracting a crowd of onlookers. Suhayna noticed the giant python hiding under a…
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British man recounts shocking encounter with racist Russians in Phuket
A British man recounted an unsettling encounter with some racist Russians in Phuket, southern Thailand. His unfortunate experience has led him to declare that he will never return to the island. The British man, who shared his story on the Reddit platform under the username Wanderlust3r0, started his narrative by stating he is a black British man with a Thai…
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Unidentified Thai man found dead in possible hit-and-run in central Thailand
An unidentified Thai man aged between 45 and 50 was found lifeless today on the side of the Saraburi-Lomsak Road in Phatthana Nikhom district, Lopburi province after he was reportedly struck by a large lorry in a potential hit-and-run. According to local rescue personnel, the man, who was heavily intoxicated, had been awakened at a nearby petrol station hours earlier…
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Laid to rest: Thai authorities bury 4.5 million kg of illicit pork in Chon Buri
The Department of Livestock Development, along with other key agencies, has begun the process of burying over 4.5 million kilogrammes of illicit pork, seized at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri. This gargantuan task, involving 161 shipping containers of illicit pork, is set to be completed within eight days at the Animal Feed Research and Development Centre in Sa Kaeo.…
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Stock slide stalls: Thai stock market slump set to stabilise as analysts predict limited decreases
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index has been subjected to a downward revision this year, dipping to a three-month low of roughly 1,470 points. This has led market analysts to believe that further decreases are now limited. Kasikorn Securities (KSEC) consequently altered its SET index target to 1,544 points by the close of 2023, a significant drop from the…
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Price plunge extravaganza: Nationwide cuts on products and services to boost Thailand economy
A nationwide price reduction on over 150,000 products and services, ranging up to an 87% discount, has been declared with immediate effect in Thailand until the end of December. This is part of the government’s Quick Win policy initiative, aimed at reducing costs, boosting the economy, and expanding business opportunities, stated Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The agreement, reached yesterday, involves…
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Taxi turmoil: Thai woman cries foul as Bolt taxi charges 1,350 baht for 30 minute trip in Bangkok
Another day in Big Mango, another story of a bad boy Bangkok taxi driver ripping off a customer, this time a Thai woman was ripped off by Bolt Thailand. The Thai woman condemned the rail-hailing application for overcharging her after a Bolt taxi driver demanded 1,350 baht for a 30-minute ride, about 50 kilometres, from the Bangkok International Trade &…
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Thyroid-stricken Thai police officer gifted renovated home by superior amidst financial struggle
A 53 year old Thai police officer Boonhiang, from the Samut Songkhram Police Station, who is currently suffering from an enlarged thyroid, was found living in a dilapidated home, leading his superior to help him find a new place to live and support him financially. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sayam Inthrasuwan, Station Chief of Samut Songkhram’s City Police, was informed yesterday…
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Thai high-flyer: PM Srettha aims to lift Thailand to upper-income status in four-year soar
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced ambitious plans to elevate Thailand to an upper-income nation within the next four years. The 61 year old prime minister unveiled the government’s fiscal strategy for 2024, targeting an average economic growth of 5% per annum and a minimum daily wage of 600 baht by 2027. The initial proposal includes a raise of the minimum…
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Heavy rain warning: Thailand braces for flash floods as 44 provinces drenched, eastern region bears brunt
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a heavy rain warning and flash floods in 44 provinces. The eastern region is expected to be the hardest hit, with 80% of the area likely to face heavy downpours. Bangkok is also expected to experience significant heavy rain, with a risk of sudden flash floods and forest water run-off. The 24-hour weather…
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Hyde Park Garden blooms early: Koon Estate & AISL accelerate luxury living
In response to overwhelming demand, Koon Estate, a property developer, and Asia International School Limited (AISL), which operates Harrow International Schools in Asia, have decided to expedite the second phase of their luxury housing project, Hyde Park Garden. Nuttawat Kuvijitsuwan, Koon Estate’s executive director, revealed that planning for the new phase has commenced earlier than initially planned, driven by the…
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Thai PM’s purse power play: Srettha urges military to trade arms for aid in 2024
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin urged the military to postpone their plans to procure weapons for 2024 in a bid to divert funds towards aiding the nation’s needy, according to insiders. Defence Minister Sutin Klunsang and Prommin Lertsuridej, the Prime Minister’s Secretary-General, have been tasked with negotiating the delay with the military leaders. The prime minister wishes to utilise the budget…
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Thao Wessuwan draws devotees to temple for lottery luck and land sales success
The revered Noen Sukh temple in Rayong was abuzz with activity as devotees queued up to pay homage to the Thao Wessuwan statue, believed to bring luck in lottery and successful land sales. A popular retro music band was also hired to perform, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. A couple revealed that they had experienced good fortune after praying at…
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Warning issued over popular Boppy Lounger Pillows following infant deaths
A warning has been issued about the danger of baby nursing pillows, following more than 25 reported infant deaths. Veerachai Jaruschaiyaseree, a legal medicine expert at Srinakharinwirot University, highlighted the two main risks associated with these pillows. Today, October 2, he posted a warning alerting parents to the peril of using Boppy Lounger Pillows, products frequently purchased online. The Boppy…
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Saw X film editor’s realistic horror sounds draw police to his home
In an unexpected turn of events, a film editor working on the horror movie franchise Saw X found himself the subject of a police visit after neighbours mistook the realistic sound effects for actual torture. The unconventional incident, involving Steve Forn, occurred as he was designing the chilling sound effects for a particularly gruesome scene in the upcoming 2023 sequel.…
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Unmasking drama: Upset spectator disrupts Ultraman in Chinese theatre
An unexpected disturbance unfolded during an Ultraman performance at the Zhangxing Theatre in the city of Huozhou, Jiangxi province, China, on September 28. A visibly upset man interrupted the show, expressing his discontent and confusion over a Japanese character being featured on a Chinese stage. The incident, captured on video, depicts the disgruntled individual not only shouting but also physically…
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Royal Thai Police chief unveils merit-based appointment plans in bid for unity
The National Police Chief recently addressed the issues within the Royal Thai Police in an interview on Inside Thailand. Police chief Torasak Sukwimon revealed plans for a merit-based system for appointing and transferring police generals, aiming to foster unity within the force. Torasak expressed his desire to establish the Royal Thai Police (RTP) as a home, a place of unity…
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Yom River surges: Phichit takes swift action to stay afloat
The swift ascent of water levels in the Yom River in Phichit has compelled the Phichit Irrigation Department to expedite the discharge of water from the Sam Ngam Dam. These proactive measures are designed to brace for the anticipated influx of water from the northern region. In light of this development, residents have received counsel to relocate their possessions to…
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Thailand hikes interest rate amid economic uncertainty, shifts focus to soft power
The Bank of Thailand unexpectedly hiked its interest rate to a decade-high of 2.5% in an effort to combat inflation and prepare for global economic fluctuations. This move has cast uncertainty over the nation’s economic outlook. The government has set an ambitious GDP target of 4.4% for the following year, a significant increase from this year’s projection of 2.5-3.0%. Despite…
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Chiang Mai school cancels controversial 2000 baht fine for exam failures
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between a teacher and students in a Chiang Mai secondary school, which required students to pay a fine of 2,000 baht per credit if they failed or scored zero in exams, has been scrapped. The MOU, which attracted criticism on social media, was not mandated by the school’s administrators but was the initiative of the…
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Heavy rainfall fills Phimai Dam to capacity, floodgates opened for irrigation
Relentless downpours in Nakhon Ratchasima have caused the water levels upstream of the Phimai Dam to surge dramatically. In response to this watery predicament, the authorities overseeing the Phimai Dam have taken proactive measures. They’ve opened two floodgates, strategically directing the excess water into local irrigation canals. This vital intervention has brought much-needed relief to farmers in the Tha Luang,…
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World Bank’s growth forecast dips in East Asia: A downward spiral
The World Bank‘s most recent semi-annual report reveals a downward revision in growth predictions for developing economies across East Asia and the Pacific for the years 2023 and 2024. This downward adjustment can be attributed to various factors, including the constraints imposed by tighter financial conditions and the ongoing challenges within the global economic environment. According to the report, the…
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Evergrande chairman in troubled waters: Offshore asset investigation makes waves
China Evergrande Group‘s Chairman is currently under investigation, suspected of moving assets offshore amidst the property developer’s ongoing struggle to complete unfinished projects, according to The Wall Street Journal’s report on Monday. Evergrande, burdened with liabilities exceeding US$300 billion (11 trillion baht), has been endeavouring to secure approval from creditors to restructure its offshore debt. However, the situation became more…
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Lucky ‘aunts’ scoop Thailand lottery jackpot: 6 million baht windfall, pledge donation to local pagoda project
Two elderly Thai women hailing from Huay Sai Khao village in Huay Kaew, Phu Kam Yao district, Phayao province, clinched the first prize in the government lottery, each receiving a whopping 6 million baht from the draw held yesterday. The winning ticket bore the number 727202. Following this unexpected windfall, a stream of relatives, friends, and neighbours flocked to offer…
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Two burnt murder victims found in Philippines-originated container at Lat Krabang warehouse
In a grisly discovery, the lifeless remains of a man and a woman were unearthed inside a container in Lat Krabang, Bangkok. This horrific crime involved the victims being brutally murdered and their bodies set ablaze within the container. The container, which originated from the Philippines, had been under storage at the ICD warehouse in Lat Krabang since September 24.…
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Thai students shoot for the stars, clinch triple gold at Astronomy Olympiad in Greece
Thai students shone brightly at the second International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics Juniors (IOAA-Jr) 2023, bringing home three coveted gold medals. The event, which ran from September 24 to 30, took place in Volos, Greece, and saw high school students from around the globe vie for honours in these challenging scientific disciplines. Apiwit Channarong and Chayapol Nontasut, both studying…
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