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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Taiwanese employer implicated in death of Thai migrant worker
A Taiwanese employer finds himself in the hot seat as suspicions swirl around the death of an illegal Thai migrant worker in Yilan County, northeast Taiwan. The tale begins with the Thai man, initially arriving on a tourist visa, swiftly descending into the murky world of illegal employment in Yilan. As whispers of his disappearance reached his homeland, the Thai…
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Thai private sector seals 40 million baht meal deal with Dubai
Thai private sector, led by Phumtham Wechayachai, signed a significant food export agreement with Dubai, kicking off with an immediate order worth 40 million baht and aiming to exceed 100 million baht by year-end. Efforts to expand into the Middle Eastern market are now underway. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai revealed that he witnessed the signing…
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Over 2,000 applicants disqualified in senatorial election
The Election Commission (EC) has thrown over 2,000 hopefuls out of the senatorial race, leaving just over 46,000 contenders to vie for seats across the nation. The EC’s announcement of qualified candidates yesterday sent shockwaves through the political arena, with disqualified applicants given until Saturday to plead their case before the Supreme Court or provincial courts. Reasons for disqualification range…
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Drug traffickers honk their way into police custody (video)
A malfunctioning car horn exposed three Thai drug traffickers at a police checkpoint in the central province of Kanchanaburi, leading to their immediate arrest and the seizure of 21 kilogrammes of hidden drugs. Thong Pha Phum Police Station officers and Border Patrol Police arrested three Thai drug traffickers at a police checkpoint near the Thong Pha Phum Intersection in the…
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Bug surprise in dumpling sparks online frenzy among foodies
A viral post on social media has caused quite a stir among food lovers after a woman discovered a live insect inside a dumpling she bought from a street vendor. The incident was shared in the Facebook group พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค (We Are Consumers), aiming to caution others to thoroughly check their food before eating. The post included the caption, “Jittery dumplings,…
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Thailand targets a position of Asia’s leading data centre giant
In a bid to position itself as a regional data centre powerhouse, public and private organisations attended the NextGen Data Centre Conference 2024 yesterday, drawing upon inspiration from Singapore and Malaysia to extend Thailand’s presence in the industry. The event, hosted by Siemens and Krungthep Turakij brought together key players from both public and private sectors within the industry. The…
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Giant Mekong stingray sets new record as largest freshwater fish
A giant Mekong stingray has shattered the record for the world’s largest freshwater fish, overtaking the previous titleholder, the Thai giant catfish, which held the record for nearly two decades. A wildlife and nature documentary page recently released images of this colossal stingray, confirming its new status. The wildlife documentary page reported that the Mekong stingray now holds the record…
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Municipal official caught with methamphetamine in Samut Prakan
Police apprehended a municipal official after discovering methamphetamine in his vehicle in Samut Prakan, the official admitted ownership of the drugs following a police search. This incident occurred yesterday around 12.30am in Khlong Dan following a public disturbance complaint of street racers in the area. Officers patrolled the area and encountered a traffic accident. The motorcycle in the accident, driven…
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Minor earthquake hits Koh Samui amid severe weather warnings
A 2.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Koh Samui in Surat Thani, with a depth of 4 kilometres, according to the Earthquake Surveillance Division of the Meteorological Department of Thailand. The event occurred at 8.24am, today, May 30, causing noticeable tremors in the area. The earthquake’s epicentre was located in Ang Thong subdistrict, Koh Samui district. Although the quake was relatively…
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Thai thief takes risky Chao Phraya dip to see girlfriend & escape cops (video)
Fearing he would never see his girlfriend again, a Thai thief ignored the danger and swam across the treacherous Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan province to escape arrest by chasing police officers. An officer from Phra Pradaeng Police Station was called to a convenience store near Phra Pradaeng Pier to arrest the 32 year old thief, Pichitchai, after staff…
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King names MRT Yellow Line Nakkhara Phiphat for prosperity
The King of Thailand has graciously bestowed the name Nakkhara Phiphat, meaning prosperity of the city, on the Yellow Line of the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT). The announcement was made today, following the Ministry of Transport’s efforts through the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to implement the Yellow Line project. This line, running from Lat Phrao to Samrong, is…
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Thai police seize 19 million meth pills in major drug bust
Thai police seized over 19 million methamphetamine pills and launched an operation against the K2 Network, confiscating assets worth more than 18 million baht. This significant drug bust resulted from coordinated efforts between various law enforcement agencies. At 10am today, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, led by Nirandorn Leamsri, Assistant Commissioner-General, and Keereesak Tantinwachai, Commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, along…
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Toddler’s tumble into uncovered drainage hole shocks residents
A three year old boy, affectionately known as Big, fell into an uncovered drainage hole while playing in front of his house in Samut Sakhon. The incident, captured by a CCTV camera, occurred yesterday in Moo 3, in the Bang Ya Phraek Subdistrict of Mueang District. Big was enjoying his time outside, running and playing with his bicycle, when he…
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Monk in scandalous video leaves Kalasin locals in disbelief (video)
A controversial video featuring a bald man engaging in a sexual act sparked widespread criticism due to the resemblance to a well-known monk, the abbot of a forest temple in Kalasin province. Recent reports confirm the monk’s absence from the temple. Malai Khotsri, the village head of Ban Khok Klang, Kuchinarai District, Kalasin, today confirmed seeing the viral clip of…
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Overtourism may put Koh Larn’s future in jeopardy
A Pattaya City Council member issued a warning about the urgent need for tourist number controls and construction regulations on Koh Larn, an island now teetering on the brink due to its popularity. Phasakorn Yusoomboon, representing Pattaya District 1, voiced his concerns at the council meeting yesterday. He highlighted the island’s daily influx of over 10,000 tourists, with numbers soaring…
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Thai man’s fake drug ‘drama’ on TikTok sparks online backlash
A Thai man in the Isaan province of Buriram is facing a backlash after faking drug addiction and posting a video of his staged rampage on TikTok in search of online attention. A Facebook page, Esor News 3, shared a video of a drug-addicted Thai man yesterday, May 29, with a caption read, “It will be better if you consume…
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Indian guests find a ‘Thai’-light in Airbnb bookings surge
New data from Airbnb reveals a significant rise in bookings by Indian guests in Thailand between 2022 and 2023. The statistics show an impressive increase of over 60% year-on-year, with notable peaks during the recent long holiday weekends. During these periods, searches by Indian guests for stays in Thailand surged by more than 200%. According to Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism…
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Srettha unveils plans for Thailand’s economy at UBS conference
At the UBS Asian Investment Conference 2024 in Hong Kong, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin showcased a visionary blueprint for Thailand’s economic revolution. Addressing over 2,000 participants and 300 companies from the Asia-Pacific region, he laid out a series of strategic initiatives designed to attract global investment and drive innovation and sustainability. The 62 year old PM emphasised the nation’s readiness…
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Circumcision significantly reduces HIV risk in men
A recent randomised clinical trial has brought forward compelling evidence that circumcision can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Conducted across eight cities in China and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, this study included 247 uncircumcised, HIV-negative men aged 18 to 49 who predominantly practised…
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Former lawyer found dead at home in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A former lawyer tragically died in his luxurious home in the heart of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The police are intensively investigating the cause and conducting a thorough autopsy to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. Police Major Thanatorn Phanchoo, investigator at the Nakhon Si Thammarat City Police Station, received a report of a death at a residence in Khlang Subdistrict,…
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Court sentences ex-police officer to death for fatal Trang shooting
Initially acquitted, an ex-police gunman faces the death penalty for the fatal shooting of a couple in Trang. The couple were buying materials for their rubber latex business at the time, before being violently gunned down. The tragic event occurred on September 9, 2021, in front of the Khuan Mao Cockfighting Stadium in Trang Province. The victims, 39 year old…
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American man with depression commits suicide at Phuket hotel
A Thai maid discovered the dead body of a 63 year old American man in his Phuket hotel room after he committed suicide yesterday, May 29. His Thai ex-girlfriend reported that the foreign man suffered from depression but did not seek treatment. Hotel staff reported the death of the 63 year old foreign man, Michael Thomas, to Thalang Police Station…
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Ex-con Brit arrested for fatal punch to Russian in Thailand
The British man who punched a Russian businessman, resulting in his death, over sexual advances on his teenage daughter had been previously imprisoned for drug offences. He has recently been arrested for the fatal assault. The businessman allegedly propositioned the Welshman’s 15 year old daughter during a pool party in Pattaya. The 34 year old Welshman, known locally as Flash…
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DSI shifts gears, catches Thai man for swerving luxury car taxes
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers arrested a Thai man yesterday for evading 42 million baht in taxes on the import of nine luxury cars. The DSI arrested the suspect, Chettha, at his accommodation, Uthong Mansion, in the Wang Thonglang district of Bangkok yesterday, May 29. Chettha is charged under Section 243 of the Customs Act for importing goods to…
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Thailand’s smartphone market set to grow 3% to 5% in 2024
Thailand’s smartphone market contracted by 2% in the first quarter due to slow economic recovery, a research paper revealed. However, the government’s digital wallet scheme is projected to stimulate industry growth by 3% to 5% in 2024, according to Counterpoint Technology Market Research’s Thailand Smartphone Tracker report. 5G smartphone shipments accounted for 52% of total smartphone sales in the first…
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TikTok user’s burn mark sparks lottery speculation (video)
A TikTok user sparked significant online interest after sharing a clip showing mysterious numbers appearing on her leg following an accidental burn from a gas stove. The incident, which was posted by TikTok user @papatsornthaweechot, has led many netizens to speculate about its implications for upcoming lottery draws. In the video, the user reveals a burn mark on her leg…
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Chiang Mai lottery predictions spark excitement ahead of draw
Chiang Mai‘s latest lottery predictions are out, with Kraisorn offering his insights ahead of an important date. Fans of the late singer Phumphuang Duangchan are eagerly hoping for a big win. Several significant numbers have been revealed by the lottery expert, promising hopefuls a chance at substantial financial gains. Yesterday at 8.40am, reports emerged about the bustling atmosphere in Chiang…
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Drunk driver crashes into streetlight and overturns in Pattaya
A drunk driver lost control of his pickup truck, causing it to veer off the road and crash into a streetlight before overturning into a median ditch. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to assist. At approximately 2.20am today, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Radio Centre in Pattaya received a report of an overturned pickup truck near a wood…
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Bullying brother stabbed 11 times in Chon Buri family altercation
A violent altercation between siblings in Chon Buri erupted when a brother stabbed his older sibling 11 times, leaving the latter severely injured. The younger brother claims his brother, in an intoxicated state had instigated the incident, bearing his own weapons. Police Colonel Komsan Kamtunkaew received a report of a stabbing in Sattahip. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities found…
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Exotic pet trainer attacks South Korean in Pattaya ‘coin-troversy’
An exotic pet trainer attacked a South Korean man at a night market in Pattaya, accusing the victim of insulting him by throwing money at him during a performance. The South Korean victim, 38 year old Munsu Park, along with his Thai girlfriend and older brother, filed a complaint at Mueang Pattaya Police Station at 2am today, May 30. The…
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