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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Off-key: Ex-folk singer politician hits sour note in corruption scandal
A former Thai folk singer-turned-politician has been booted from his position as mayor of Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani province after being entangled in a major corruption scandal. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ruled that a case involving shady dealings during the Covid-19 pandemic had enough weight to warrant his immediate removal. The axe fell swiftly, with Interior Minister…
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Thai rice export prices hit 14-month low amid weak demand
Thai rice export prices have hit a 14-month low due to subdued demand and competition from more affordable suppliers, while Indian rice prices increased slightly owing to a stronger rupee, despite weak demand from Asian and African markets. Thailand‘s benchmark 5% broken rice is now quoted at US$560 per tonne, marking its lowest price since July 20, 2023, and a…
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Gen Z goes wild for Thailand’s ‘Mutelu’ faith economy
A new survey by Zanroo, a social media data expert, revealed that young Thais are leading the charge in an occult frenzy, racking up billions of engagements online. Zanroo’s study found that Gen Z, those aged 12 to 27, show the highest interest in Mutelu – a term derived from the Indonesian horror film Mutelu: Occult War. The word now…
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Flooding devastates Chiang Mai tourism, occupancy drops to 50%
Flooding in northern Thailand has severely impacted tourism in Chiang Mai, with many visitors cancelling their plans, according to the Tourism Council of Chiang Mai. The Ping River recently reached its highest levels since 2011, causing significant flooding in Mueang Chiang Mai, including its key business and tourism districts. Outer districts, such as Mae Rim, known for its natural parks…
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Thailand to introduce carbon tax to curb emissions this year
Thailand is set to implement a carbon tax this year, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced at the Road to Net Zero 2024: The Extraordinary Green event. The Finance Ministry plans to propose the carbon tax measure to the Cabinet for approval soon, with the goal of rolling it out in the coming months. Paopoom explained that this measure aims to…
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Phuket police cracks down on noisy bikes and rowdy teens
Phuket Provincial Police have ramped up efforts to tackle the nuisance of roaring motorbikes and unruly teens as the island gears up for the famous Vegetarian Festival and the peak tourist season. At a press conference held at Phuket City Police Station, Region 8 Police Commander Police Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomchit announced the ongoing campaign, spearheaded by Phuket Provincial Police…
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Thailand’s manufacturing index set to drop 1% due to floods
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) is projected to decline by 1% this year, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The contraction is attributed to various economic issues and the severe flooding experienced in recent months. OIE Director-General Warawan Chitaroon indicated that the best possible outcome for MPI growth is to remain flat. The office had previously adjusted its…
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Thai woman held hostage, sexually assaulted by ex in Bangkok
A Thai woman made a daring escape after being held hostage and sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend for four days in his Bangkok condo. The victim, 31 year old Am, is still receiving chilling death threats and has turned to a top Thai government official for help. Am sought out the Public Health Minister’s advisor, Thanakrit Jitaree, after her ex-boyfriend…
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Thailand video news | Polish Woman Threatens to Bomb Thai VietJet Flight, South Korea Prepares to Ban Dog Meat with Incentives for Farmers
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a Polish woman who threatened to bomb a Thai VietJet flight mid-air, triggering emergency protocols. Thai customs seized over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis, preventing its smuggling to the UK. In Pattaya, a glue-sniffing drifter caused chaos, while in China, a Thai woman was insulted…
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Thailand video news | Polish woman threatens to bomb Thai VietJet flight, South Korea prepares to ban dog meat with incentives for farmers
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a Polish woman who threatened to bomb a Thai VietJet flight mid-air, triggering emergency protocols. Thai customs seized over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis, preventing its smuggling to the UK. In Pattaya, a glue-sniffing drifter caused chaos, while in China, a Thai woman was insulted…
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Gypsy cash dash: Phuket locals swarm ATMs for 10k baht handout
Hundreds of sea gypsies in Phuket flocked to ATMs at Laem Tukkae, Koh Sirey, Ratsada subdistrict on Wednesday, September 25, as part of the Thai government’s 10,000 baht handout scheme for vulnerable citizens. The scheme, aimed at state welfare cardholders and disabled individuals, is part of a broader economic stimulus programme. A national report noted that the sea gypsies, still…
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Woman robbed of car, cash and mobile phone in Chon Buri
A woman reportedly fell victim to a robbery involving her car, cash, and mobile phone in a deserted area before the suspect fled on a motorcycle. The police are investigating the case but remain sceptical about its authenticity. Around 1.36am today, September 27, Prakasit Paladech, an investigator from Huay Yai Police Station in Chon Buri, received a report of a…
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Truck crashes into canal after driver struck by unidentified object
Thai police are on the hunt to find out what mysterious object struck a lorry driver on the head as he sped along the Chon Buri bypass. The driver was knocked out cold, sending his truck careering into a crash, and leaving him with serious injuries. Officers from Mueang Chon Buri Police Station rushed to the scene of the six-wheel…
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Thai teen kidnapped for 500,000 baht ransom
A young Thai man has allegedly been taken hostage by a call centre scam gang, demanding a ransom of 500,000 baht from his family. If the ransom is not paid within one to two days, the teenager’s life may be in danger. The incident was brought to light on social media yesterday, September 26, when Jenny Jenjura posted a plea…
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Thai officials seize 1.6 million meth pills near Phamee border
Thai police recently arrested six hill tribe individuals for transporting 1.6 million methamphetamine pills along the Phamee border. This crackdown followed the restoration of roads previously disrupted by a landslide earlier in the month. Yesterday, September 26, Major General Praphat Pobsuwan, commander of the Phamueang Task Force, assigned Colonel Maitri Srisantia, the task force’s chief of staff, and Colonel Natee…
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Na Jomtien officials deliver relief bags to 126 households in need
Na Jomtien officials delivered essential relief bags to 126 households in need yesterday, September 26. Rapeephan Rattanaliem, Mayor of Na Jomtien Subdistrict Municipality, accompanied by the deputy mayor, the mayor’s secretary, the mayor’s advisors, department heads, and municipal officials, conducted a field visit at 9am to distribute the relief packages. The relief bags contained drinking water, rice, cooking oil, fish…
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Thailand trains diverted due to severe flooding in northern region
The Northern train route in Thailand is undergoing temporary changes due to severe flooding in the region. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, announced yesterday, September 26, that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has adjusted the starting and ending stations from Chiang Mai to Lampang until the situation improves. Heavy rain and rising water levels in…
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Vietnamese gang arrested in 1.7m baht Bangkok extortion racket
Officers from the Investigation Division of the Immigration Bureau arrested nine Vietnamese nationals at a house in Bangkok for brutally assaulting and extorting 1.7 million baht from a Thai-Taiwanese couple. The two victims were rescued safely. The brutal assault and extortion came to light after a Taiwanese man filed a complaint with Zhongping Police Station in New Taipei City, Taiwan,…
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Lightning strike kills one, injures another in Chon Buri cassava field
A lightning strike at a cassava plantation in Huai Yai, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province yesterday claimed one life and left another individual seriously injured. The incident, occurring around 1pm yesterday, September 26, took place near the Huai Yai Municipality Fire Station. Ruangsak Siribut, Deputy Chief of Investigation at Huai Yai Police Station, received the emergency call and arrived…
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Bus accident kills two bank employees at Prachanukul Intersection
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) expressed deep regret over a tragic accident where a bus ran over two bank employees, resulting in their deaths at the Prachanukul Intersection. The BMTA has pledged compensation to the victims’ families and will host the funeral ceremony tomorrow. The incident occurred yesterday, September 26, at 8.25am when an air-conditioned bus on route 49 (2-43),…
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Elderly man drowns while crossing broken bridge in Udon Thani
Two elderly men attempting to cross a broken bridge to reach their rice fields faced a tragic incident when they fell into the fast-flowing stream, resulting in one drowning while the other managed to survive. Yesterday, September 26, local news from Udon Thani reported that the head of the Udon Thani Highway Police Rescue Centre, Witaya Phanla, received an urgent…
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NHRC urges Thailand to rethink Southern Land Bridge project
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to reconsider the Southern Land Bridge megaproject, highlighting concerns about its environmental impact and implications for local communities. The NHRC supports its call with findings from various studies conducted by state agencies. Council member Sayamol Kaiyoorawongs stated that the prime minister should direct the Office of Transport and…
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Heavy rain and flash floods expected across Bangkok and regions
Heavy rain is expected in Bangkok and several other regions warns the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Residents are advised to prepare for potential flash floods, especially in hilly and low-lying areas, due to intense rainfall and accumulated precipitation. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that an easterly wind wave will cover the lower northern region, lower northeastern…
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Recipients can use 10,000-baht handout to clear debts: Deputy PM
Recipients of the 10,000-baht handout are free to use the money as they see fit, including paying off debts, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham addressed reports that many eligible individuals in the first phase of the scheme, which began yesterday, September 26, plan to use the funds to clear their debts. “They can use the money [to…
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400-baht minimum wage confirmed for October 1 despite delay
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed that the 400-baht daily minimum wage will take effect on October 1 as planned, despite the national wage committee’s failure to endorse it yet. Opposition People’s Party MP Sia Champhathong questioned the minister in the House yesterday, asking if the adjournments of two recent committee meetings were a governmental tactic to avoid addressing the issue.…
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Roadside bomb injures eight soldiers in Narathiwat
Eight soldiers sustained injuries in a roadside explosion in Rangae district, Narathiwat, believed to be orchestrated by insurgents. The incident took place when an improvised bomb, tied to a power pole along a local road in Ban Hulu Pare, tambon Tanyongmat, was detonated as a military pickup truck carrying the soldiers drove past. The blast’s impact toppled the power pole…
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Thailand aims to eradicate poverty in two years
Thailand aims to eradicate poverty and build a prosperous economy within the remainder of its term, an adviser to PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra revealed. With just over two years left in office, the 38 year old prime minister is determined to ensure that Thais can rise above poverty, stated Surapong Suebwonglee, deputy chairman of the five-member advisory panel appointed by PM Paetongtarn.…
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Sky’s the limit: CIB nabs Starlink scammer in Bangkok condo bust
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a Chinese man at a condominium in Bangkok. They seized 10 Starlink satellite Internet devices, allegedly intended for a call centre scam gang operating from the condo. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are actively investigating and monitoring the import and export of equipment used by call centre scam gangs, such as Starlink…
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Laem Chabang: Thai customs seize 1.4 tonnes of cannabis
Laem Chabang customs officials have dealt a massive blow to an international drug smuggling operation, seizing over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis valued at a staggering 25 million baht before it could be illegally shipped to the UK. The bust comes as part of Thailand’s heightened crackdown on smuggling to safeguard its global trade reputation. Direk Kacharak, Director of Laem Chabang…
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Residents demand mayor fix Pattaya’s crumbling dirt road
Fed-up locals in East Pattaya are demanding action as a deteriorating dirt road behind Maryvit School left them stranded in the rainy season. The road, which serves as the main access route for 20 households in Moo 8, Nong Pla Lai, turns into a mudslide during heavy rains, prompting residents to call for an upgrade to a concrete road with…
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