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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Thailand’s unique flower symbol for World No Tobacco Day
Every year on May 31, World No Tobacco Day is marked with ashtrays and fresh flowers symbolising the fight against tobacco. But in Thailand, a unique flower takes centre stage – the leelawadee, also known as plumeria or frangipani. Leelawadee, a delicate flowering tree often seen adorning gardens, carries profound symbolism in Thai culture. Historically known as lan thom, the…
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Rayong beach’s dark waters leave a foul odor but no fishy business
The Thai police investigated the appearance of black water at a beach in Rayong, finding a foul odour but no dead marine life. It is suspected that wastewater flowed into the sea following heavy rain over the past week. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, along with the Eastern Gulf of Thailand Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center and…
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Factory owner donates 10 million baht to Chachoengsao hospital
A factory owner has garnered significant online attention by donating 10 million baht to a temple, meticulously folding the money into floral arrangements. This generous contribution aims to support the construction of a hospital and acquire medical equipment for Wat Saman Rattanaram Hospital in Chachoengsao Province. The donation, amounting to 10 million baht, was made by Wanthanee Saeseng, the owner…
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Thai man stabbed by girlfriend’s ex, attacker flees with woman
A Thai man is seeking justice after being stabbed by his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend at a condominium in Bangkok. The attacker escaped arrest and fled to the central province of Chainart with the victim’s girlfriend. The victim, 21 year old Thanawat Phontaecha, urged non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to follow up on the complaint of the physical assault for him. Thanawat claimed…
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Lottery enthusiasts turn to Chinese lunar calendars for June 1 draw
Lottery enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the upcoming draw tomorrow, June 1, with the spotlight on numbers from Chinese lunar calendars. The excitement revolves around four versions of the Chinese calendar that are believed to hold lucky numbers for this draw. As the lottery draw date nears, fans and seasoned players alike are on the lookout for the next set of…
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Temple abbot redeems motorcycle to help struggling family (video)
A temple abbot used his personal funds to redeem a motorcycle that a woman had pawned to pay for three months of overdue electricity bills. The act was a gesture of gratitude for the family’s daily almsgiving. The abbot posted the story on his personal Facebook page, recounting the heartwarming story. “Today, I have a good story to share with…
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Golden pumpkin vine in Phayao draws villagers seeking luck
A unique golden-hued pumpkin vine has captured the attention of villagers in Phayao, prompting them to seek luck and fortune. The vine, located in the vegetable garden of Amphorn Chaithong’s home, has drawn a crowd eager to witness and worship the unusual plant. The golden pumpkin vine, planted near the fence of Amphorn Chaithong’s residence in Cham Pa Wai, Mueang…
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Taxing times: Tourism Minister stands firm with 300 baht tourist tax
In a recent press conference, Thailand’s new Tourism and Sports Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, hinted at the impending introduction of a tourist tax, known as the Kha Yeap Pan Din, translating to a landing fee. Although no specific timeline was provided for its implementation, the newly-appointed minister emphasised the unlikelihood of abandoning the proposed tax. Sermsak, formerly the Culture Minister, assumed…
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Homeless Khon Kaen couple fined for having sex in public
Police summoned a homeless couple to pay a fine after a viral video showed them having sex in public in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen on Tuesday, May 28. The video, widely shared on Thai social media, depicted the man and woman engaging in sexual activity on a roadside wooden bench. The incident reportedly occurred around 9pm on May…
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SRT demolishes buildings in Nakhon Ratchasima for high-speed rail
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has begun demolishing buildings in a disputed area in Nakhon Ratchasima to expedite the construction of a high-speed rail project. Only one commercial unit awaits demolition due to a pending compensation claim. Demolition work started today, with machinery moving in to clear the area in the Mueang district. The SRT aims to clear this…
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LGBTQ+ community migrating Bangkok for freedom & fun’s sake
A Chinese real estate agent revealed the LGBTQ+ community is flocking to Bangkok to escape persecution and seek a new life that offers them more freedom. In 2019, 40 year old Owen Zhu’s real estate career was flourishing, with Chinese investors eagerly buying Bangkok properties, but the pandemic struck, halting travel and spending. Although Chinese buyers were slow to return, one…
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London couple ‘blown away’ by resort-like Thai airport (video)
A couple from London were utterly blown away by the stunning design of an airport in Thailand. Their video clip on TikTok via the account @dcandkd took viewers around the airport, amassing an impressive 146,900 views since its debut on March 26. Daniel, a 32 year old content creator and songwriter, and Nakita, a 27 year old content creator and…
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Toll fees waived on three expressways to honour Queen’s birthday
Toll fees will be waived on three expressways to commemorate the Queen’s birthday. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), along with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) and Northern Bangkok Expressway Company Limited (NECL), have announced this special exemption. The announcement, made yesterday, specifies that the toll-free access is in honour of the Queen’s birthday on June 3.…
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Northeast Thailand: Mentally ill man’s attacks leave villagers in fear
A young man suffering from mental illness has left a community in Nong Khai living in fear with his erratic and violent behaviour, after attacking several individuals. A local woman, 37 year old Jirawan Srinok, who was among the people attacked by the mentally ill man, recounted the harrowing event that occurred when she took her mother to the local…
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Thai abbot denies rape allegation by transwoman and plans lawsuit
A Thai abbot at Phra Phutthabat Pha Nam Temple in the northern province of Lamphun denied raping a transwoman and accused her of fabricating the story after a conflict over flower decoration costs. A complaint warrant was circulated on social media, detailing the alleged sexual assault of a 38 year old transgender victim by the abbot, Phra Kru Sunthorn Auttakarn,…
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Thailand leads in fresh durian exports to China, 121 tonnes by April
Thailand firmly established itself as the top exporter of fresh durians to China, with over 121,398 tonnes shipped in 2024, according to Global Trade Atlas (GTA) data. Additionally, mango exports to South Korea have surged, influenced by favourable trade agreements. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharong announced that Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce revealed new data showing the country exported fresh durians to…
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Two million meth pills seized in Chiang Rai raid, driver escapes
The authorities in Chiang Rai intensified border security in the northern region, collaborating with multiple agencies to intercept drug trafficking operations, culminating in a seizure of two million meth pills today in Ban Mae Salong Nai. Commander of the Northern Border Drug Suppression Command Unit (NBDU 35), General Narit Thawornwong announced that the government has approved expanding urgent operational areas in…
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Buddhist teacher kills neighbour over grass cutting noise
A man teaching Buddhist principles through livestreams attacked and killed his neighbour over noise complaints during a grass-cutting session. The incident occurred yesterday in the Chai Wan district of Udon Thani at 11.30am, after police received a report about a fatal assault. Police Lieutenant Phaitoon Uipako, alongside investigators and medical staff from Chai Wan Hospital, arrived at the scene, a…
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Thailand Video News | Drunken Scotsman hit by car after brawl in Pattaya, Bangkok residents seek help for man performing spooky rituals
In this Thailand video news, Alex and Jay delve into the diverse stories from across Thailand. Beginning with, a man’s nightly rituals involving chanting and lighting candles have raised community concerns over safety and mental health in Bangkok. In Pattaya, a drunken Scotsman sustains a serious head injury after being hit by a car, with authorities investigating the incident. In…
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Murder suspect poses as foreigner and flees to Hua Hin
A Thai man posing as a Hong Kong tourist fled from Pattaya to Hua Hin after allegedly murdering his boyfriend at a condominium in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The Thai authorities believe the suspect is heading towards Surat Thani. The unidentified man is the prime suspect in the murder of a 54 year old Thai man named Paisaen Thong-on. He…
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Pattani volunteer shot dead after local football match
A government volunteer in Pattani was shot dead in an ambush by a group of gunmen while returning home on his motorcycle after a football match at 5.45pm yesterday. The District Chief of Sai Buri was informed by the village head of Moo 6, Kadunong subdistrict, Sai Buri district, Pattani, about the tragic event. Athar Hama, a member of the…
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Mother mourns British woman found dead in Bangkok hotel
The heartbroken mother of a 36 year old British woman from Bexhill, East Sussex, southeast England has paid an emotional tribute to her daughter, who was recently found dead in a Bangkok hotel room. Rebecca Turner was on an adventure in Southeast Asia with friends when tragedy struck. Her mother, Anita Turner, described her as a vivacious and outgoing woman…
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British man arrested on Koh Pha Ngan for illegal tour operations
Police arrested a British man in Koh Pha Ngan yesterday for illegally working as a tour guide, charging foreign tourists 70,000 baht each and enjoying free accommodations in Thailand. Reports received today detail that Deputy Superintendent of the Tourist Police Division 5, Sak Sirah Phueak-am, Commissioner of the Tourist Police, in collaboration with the district chief of Koh Phangan, had…
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Pickup truck crashes into streetlight in Pattaya, driver injured
A pickup truck crashed into a streetlight in Pattaya early yesterday morning, leaving the driver seriously injured. The accident took place at 2.20am on Sukhumvit Road in the Banglamung district of Chon Buri province. Emergency responders and local news teams quickly arrived at the scene following reports of the incident. Upon arrival, rescue workers discovered a white Nissan Navara pickup…
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Thailand strikes new submarine deal with China
Thailand and China finally wrapped up negotiations on the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) much-anticipated purchase of a Chinese-made S26T Yuan-class submarine. RTN Commander-in-Chief Admiral Adoong Pan-iam announced today that the agreement is now awaiting the final nod from the Thai Cabinet. “If approved, we will promptly amend the deal with the Chinese manufacturer.” Admiral Adoong expects the submarine to be…
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Thailand urged to adopt nuclear power for carbon-zero goals
Nuclear power and artificial intelligence (AI) are suggested as viable public policies to assist Thailand in achieving carbon-zero and sustainable development goals. This solution is suggested by the Chief Executive Officer of the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, Suphachai Chearavanont. Speaking at the Bangkok Post Conference 2024, Suphachai emphasised the significance of these measures in Thailand’s sustainability efforts. He highlighted the…
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Thailand and China forge stronger ties ahead of anniversary
In a high-profile meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing the Thai prime minister, engaged in crucial talks with Shohrat Zakir, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. The discussions focused on reinforcing the robust relationship between Thailand and China as the two nations approach the 50th…
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Major Thai fugitive arrested in Bali after 7 months on the run
The Thai Ministry of Justice, in coordination with Indonesian authorities, successfully arrested a major fugitive in Bali, Indonesia, after he had been on the run since October of last year. The fugitive, Chaowalit “Paeng” Thongduang, faced a sentence of 20 years and six months for aiding the escape of a gang member arrested on drug charges. He was also implicated in…
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Thai man found dead in Sattahip pond
The Royal Thai Police discovered the body of a Thai man in a pond in Sattahip district, Chon Buri on Wednesday. Sattahip police, along with rescue workers from the Sawang Rojanatham Sathan Foundation, responded to the report around noon, on May 29. At the scene, officials identified the deceased as 48 year old Pongthep Thongho, who was found lying face…
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Thailand to amend VAT laws for imported goods under 1,500 baht
A proposal to amend laws regarding the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on imported goods valued at less than 1,500 baht was announced today by Chulaphan Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance. The proposed amendment, approved by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, aims to establish a fairer system for public and private sector importers, international manufacturers, and small and medium-sized enterprises…
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