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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British man’s flight home to recovery after horror crash in Thailand
A British man who suffered life-changing injuries while working in Thailand has returned home after an appeal raised nearly £20,000 (880,000 baht) for a medical repatriation flight. Andy Davis from Stone, Staffordshire, had his left leg amputated and was hospitalised with a shattered pelvis and torn bladder, following a car crash on an island off Krabi last month. The 33 year…
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Northern Thailand warms as southern provinces face heavy rain
A weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department today highlights drastic changes across the country. The northern regions face rising temperatures, while the south prepares for heavy downpours affecting nine provinces, with sea waves exceeding 2 metres. The current weather patterns indicate that a moderate high-pressure system or cool air mass covering upper Thailand and the South China Sea is…
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Thai parties unite to block anti-coup legislation
A political debate is brewing in Thailand as the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) and the opposition Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) firmly rejected a proposed legislative amendment to prevent future military coups. The bill, drafted by Prayut Siripanich, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, seeks to alter the Defence Ministry Administration Act. Akradet Wongpitakroj, a spokesperson…
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Busted in Bangkok: Undie-cover cops quash gay shindig rumours
In an eyebrow-raising update from Bangkok’s bustling Sukhumvit 31 stretch, police quashed rumours of a cover-up in an outrageous gay underwear bash that involved drugs but no glittering celebrity attendees. Police Major General Wittawat Chinkam, Metropolitan Police Bureau 5 chief, yesterday, December 10, convened a nearly two-hour session to dissect the scandal involving a group of gay men who threw…
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Man attacks neighbour with machete in Ang Thong Province
A shocking incident unfolded yesterday as a 50 year old man went on a rampage, attacking a neighbour with a machete in Ang Thong Province. The attack by the man, Jerd, resulted in an injury to the legs and arms of the woman, Nongnuch. Thankfully, a passerby heard her cries for help and intervened just in time, allowing authorities to apprehend…
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Construction firm accused of 30 million baht fraud
A group of disgruntled individuals, led by Thammanun Tangtim, known as King of Saphan Mai, filed a complaint against a construction company owner for allegedly abandoning projects and withholding employee salaries, resulting in damages exceeding 30 million baht. The incident took place yesterday, December 9, at the Crime Suppression Division on Phahonyothin Road. Phrae, a former employee whose full name…
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Police in Bangkok arrest suspect, seize firearms in gambling case
Police in Nonthaburi apprehended a suspect linked to a notorious gambling website, seizing a cache of firearms and ammunition in the process. The arrest underscores ongoing efforts to bring the site’s elusive owner to justice, following a violent incident involving the website’s admin. Police moved swiftly to arrest 22 year old Natthaphong Kosasaeng, at a car park in Royal Mansion,…
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Thailand aims for 3.4 trillion baht tourism revenue by 2025
Thailand is setting its sights on a tourism boom with a newly launched strategy aimed at bolstering both international and domestic travel. With the tourism sector generating a substantial 1.892 trillion baht (US$56 billion) in 2023, the government is now targeting an impressive 3.4 trillion baht (US$100 billion) in revenues by 2025, aspiring to welcome over 40 million international visitors.…
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Phuket crackdown: Unlicensed jet skis lead to 10,000 baht fines
Officials in Phuket conducted a thorough inspection at Laem Sai Pier in Tambon Thepkrasattri yesterday, December 9, uncovering 10 unlicensed jet skis being rented out to tourists. This action was part of a broader initiative to ensure adherence to maritime regulations. The operation was spearheaded by Prawet Suphachai, Director of the Marine Department Region 5 branch, with the support of…
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Temperatures rise in Thailand, heavy rain persists in the south
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a forecast indicating a rise in temperatures across Thailand today, with increases of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius expected. However, the southern region will continue to experience heavy rainfall in some areas. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours reveals that the moderate high-pressure system or cold air mass currently covering the…
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Finnish man falls to death from 11th floor in Pattaya
A tragic incident unfolded at a condominium in Pattaya, when a 52 year old Finnish national fell from the 11th floor, dying from the impact. The shocking incident, known and insensitively named throughout Thailand as The Pattaya Flying Club, occurred shortly after midnight today, December 10, leaving witnesses and responders stunned. Police Lieutenant Manasak Polyeam of Pattaya City Police Station…
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Chon Buri MP’s father shot at rice porridge shop, suspect sought
A gunman targeted Sakda Nopsit, the father of a Chon Buri MP, leaving him seriously injured. The police have launched an investigation to track down the suspect. The incident occurred yesterday, December 9, at a rice porridge shop in Samet, Mueang Chon Buri. The police, led by Thanaphong Photi and accompanied by a team of investigators and Tri Khunnatham rescue…
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Elderly Thai man walks 14 days to find missing son
An elderly Thai man, partially blind and determined to find his long-lost son, embarked on a remarkable 14-day journey on foot from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chon Buri. This poignant tale of parental love and perseverance unfolds as 85 year old Lung Lek Wongjaiya made the arduous trek with a cane, driven by the hope of reuniting with his eldest son,…
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Thai crew’s fate uncertain as Myanmar delays release decision
The fate of the Thai crewmembers detained in Myanmar remains uncertain as the government awaits a decision from Nay Pyi Taw. Local officials are currently not empowered to authorise their release, following an incident near Ranong last week. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed yesterday, December 9, that negotiations for their release continue, with Thai officials having formally requested permission to…
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Southern Thailand train services to resume after severe flooding
Train services in southern Thailand are set to return to full operation on December 12 following severe flooding that disrupted the rail network and caused significant damage to the tracks. The floods had forced all trains to terminate at Hat Yai station, impacting travel and logistics in the region. The State Railway of Thailand‘s Governor, Veeris Ammarapala, confirmed that services…
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Thailand to finalise 400 baht minimum wage proposal on December 12
The anticipation surrounding the upcoming tripartite wage committee meeting is palpable, as it seeks to finalise the government’s proposal for a nationwide minimum wage increase to 400 baht per day. Scheduled for Thursday, December 12, this meeting aims to implement the wage hike as a new year’s offering to workers, a key initiative the ruling Pheu Thai Party promised. The…
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Thai woman seeks justice after attack by unidentified man in Bangkok
A Thai woman is seeking assistance after she and her male colleague were attacked by an unidentified man on Soi Charan Sanitwong 35 in the Bangkok Noi district of Bangkok on Friday, December 6. The 31 year old victim, identified only as A, reached out to the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive and shared her story publicly, hoping to identify the…
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Thailand throws ‘baht’ at impact study of 10,000-baht handouts
In a bid to decipher the ripple effects of Thailand’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme, the Finance Ministry launched an exhaustive survey. This deep dive, spanning 40,000 participants, aims to unravel the true impact of this financial initiative on the economy and society as a whole. Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit promises findings by the month’s end. “This survey uses a…
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Dirty business: Pattaya car wash scam leaves victims high and dry
A group of victims has filed complaints at Bang Lamung Police Station after falling prey to a scam orchestrated by a car wash shop called BB, located in East Pattaya, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The victims reported losing vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, which were handed over for cleaning and repainting services. A local near the shop entrusted their…
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2 Thai boys arrested for shooting girl, mistaking her for an enemy
Police arrested two Thai boys who mistakenly shot a 15 year old girl in the head on a road in the Phra Phrom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province last night, December 9, believing her to be their rival. Officers from Phra Phrom Police Station launched an investigation into the attempted murder, which took place around midnight on Jang Hoon-Na Pru…
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Deadly New Guinea flatworm crawls into Thailand (video)
In a digital age where the bizarre often grabs attention, one Facebook user has set social media ablaze with a video of a sinister black worm. The eight-second clip, accompanied by chilling photos, captures the creatures squirming in unsettling clusters, prompting users to ask, “What on earth is this?” This eerie display has left viewers equally fascinated and alarmed, with…
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Thailand and UK discuss trade, explore FTA possibilities
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan met with British Ambassador Mark Gooding last week at the ambassador’s official residence in Bangkok to discuss strengthening economic ties between Thailand and the United Kingdom. Central to their discussions was the feasibility of a Thailand-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade and…
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Bangkok braces for current affairs as power outages hit home
In a move that’s set to ignite frustration, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) announced a slew of planned power outages sweeping across Bangkok and its neighbouring areas over the next two days. These interruptions, part of an essential maintenance blitz, are designed to bolster the city’s electricity network with greater efficiency and reliability. The disruptive energy cuts crackled into action…
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Grain of truth: Thailand trails Asia in rice yield race
Thailand’s rice yields are significantly lower than other major Asian rice producers, according to Anon Nonsee, Deputy Director General of the Department of Rice. The average rice yield in Thailand is about 400 to 500 kilogrammes per rai (0.16 hectares), far below Vietnam’s 1,000 kilogrammes per rai and China’s 1,000 to 1,200 kilogrammes per rai. While some Thai rice varieties…
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Ex-husband sets Chon Buri home on fire over lost military ID card
A heated domestic dispute in Chon Buri turned fiery when a former military husband allegedly set his ex-wife’s house on fire after a disagreement over a lost military ID card. The incident took place in Bang Saray, Sattahip district, leaving the single-storey home severely damaged. Police were alerted to the fire at 8pm yesterday, December 8. Chaiwat Nemmee, a police…
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Thailand’s birth rate drops 81% over 74 years, surpasses Japan
Thailand is now ranked among the top three countries globally experiencing the most significant decline in birth rates, with an 81% drop over the past 74 years. This dramatic decrease has seen Thailand surpass Japan in this regard, highlighting a widespread global issue of shrinking populations. Various factors such as economic conditions, environmental pollution, and living conditions are making people…
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Gold fever: Price ‘baht-tles’ higher with investors eyeing gains
In a move that’s caught the attention of savers and spenders alike, gold prices have shot up, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) reporting a 100 baht rise overnight. Today, December 9, those looking to splash out on gold jewellery will find it priced at a sparkling 43,100 baht per baht weight, thanks to the latest updates confirmed by the…
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Thai man flees petrol station bill with fuel hose attached to car (video)
A Thai man evaded paying a 500-baht bill at a petrol station by fleeing in his black sedan, dragging the fuel nozzle and hose along Hathairat Road in Bangkok. A motorcyclist who witnessed the theft recorded a video of the black sedan pulling the fuel nozzle and hose along Hathairat Road and shared it on his TikTok account, rosphutnaned, on…
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Thailand’s business community urges govt for festive financial jolt
As the new year approaches, Thailand’s business community is pulling no punches in calling for urgent government intervention to jump-start the economy. With suggestions ranging from tax breaks to debt relief, industry leaders are clamouring for robust stimulus measures to invigorate growth. Nath Vongphanich, President of the Thai Retailers Association, is at the forefront of this push, advocating for a…
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Teacher’s misconduct with female students fall on deaf ears
Reports have emerged from Buriram province, involving allegations against a male teacher accused of inappropriate behaviour towards multiple fourth-grade female students. Parents lodged a complaint, alleging that the teacher engaged in misconduct when students made mistakes in their homework. The series of incidents came to light after a social media post highlighted the situation, stating that the matter had been…
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