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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Ex-beauty queen’s rapid Thai police promotion sparks patronage investigation call
A former beauty pageant contestant’s rapid ascent through the ranks of the Thai police force has sparked concerns over potential patronage and corruption. The individual in question reportedly rose from police lance corporal to police captain in under two years, prompting calls for an investigation into the matter. A post on the “Phuen Tamruat” Facebook page highlighted the issue, stating…
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Thailand’s DLT combats illegal driving license sales exposed by MP on Facebook
Thailand‘s Department of Land Transport (DLT) is taking action against individuals selling driver’s licenses illegally, following a Move Forward Party MP’s exposé on the matter. MP-elect Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn discovered several people advertising online services to provide driver’s licenses without requiring the driving test and posted screenshots of customers who had received valid DLT-certified licenses despite not taking the test. Wiroj expressed concerns…
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Lorry driver dozes off and crashes into car, female passenger killed
A lorry crashed into a passenger vehicle on Prasert Manukitch Road in Bangkok, resulting in the tragic death of a woman who was flung five metres from the car. The accident occurred in the early hours of the morning, with investigations revealing that both drivers experienced bouts of drowsiness. At around 5.45am this morning, Tai Sawangjit, Deputy Inspector at the…
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Teenager and his father plot murder of another teenager in northern Thailand
A teenager and his father conspired to murder a teenage rival on a road in the central province of Uthai Thani, northern Thailand on Wednesday night. The alleged murderers surrendered themselves to the police yesterday. A 16 year old friend of the victim alerted officers at Lan Sak Police Station at 11.50pm on Wednesday, June 7 after his 14 year…
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Jealous man fatally stabs girlfriend, attempts suicide, later found injured in sugarcane field
A jealous 30 year old Thai man, identified as Karun, fatally stabbed his 45 year old girlfriend Nantharat before driving their vehicle into a pond, and finally, attempting to end his own life. The incident, which took place amidst a sugarcane plantation, was later discovered by local villagers who reported it to the police. The victim and the assailant both…
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90% Thai employees seek new jobs despite bleak economy
A significant majority of Thai workers are open to exploring new job opportunities despite an uncertain global economic climate, a recent study by recruitment firm Michael Page has found. The Talent Trends report, which surveyed 942 individuals in Thailand, revealed that over half of the respondents are actively seeking or planning to find new employment within the next six months.…
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Nurse scams lovestruck man out of 100,000 baht, taunts him to sue for refunds
A heartbroken man from Sisaket in northeastern Thailand warned others to be vigilant after falling prey to a deceptive nurse he met on an online dating app. Despite his genuine love and financial support, he was duped, losing over 100,000 baht (US$2,888). Yesterday, Sek, a storekeeper, shared his heart-wrenching experience. In late October 2022, he met a nurse through a…
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Groom attends bride’s wedding twice, first as guest then as husband
In a twist of fate, a Vietnamese couple married after initially meeting at the bride’s first wedding when the groom attended as a guest. Seven years later, they found themselves tying the knot once more, but this time as bride and groom. No one can predict the future or determine whom they will marry or spend their life with. However,…
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Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim pushes for needs-based affirmative action
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised the necessity for reforms in the country, stating that Malaysia must change or it will not survive. In an in-depth interview with Al Jazeera’s 101 East programme, the 75-year-old leader expressed his commitment to transitioning Malaysia from race-based to needs-based affirmative action policies. Anwar’s journey to the top of Malaysian politics has been…
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Watchdog warns public trust in police at all-time low, urges neighbourhood policing
The police watchdog has issued a warning that public trust in the police has reached an all-time low, and urgent action is needed to restore it. Chief constables have been advised to focus on crimes that matter most to the public, ensure proper investigations, and reinstate the policy of neighbourhood policing. His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke, is…
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Umno deputy backs Youth’s demand for DAP apology in alliance row
Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has expressed support for Umno Youth’s demand that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) apologise for past criticisms of the party. This controversial stance appears to contradict that of Umno’s president. Hasan, also known as Tok Mat, believes that the proposal made by Umno Youth is a good one and that an apology would be a…
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Thai consumer confidence hits highest level since March 2020
Consumer confidence in Thailand reached its highest level since March 2020, with a 12th consecutive monthly increase in May. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) reported that the consumer confidence index rose to 55.07 in May, up from 55 in April. Factors contributing to this increase include a recovering economy, a resilient tourism sector, and political campaigns…
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Trump faces indictment over classified documents, claims innocence
In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump has claimed on his Truth Social platform that he is facing indictment for allegedly mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House. According to Trump, he has been summoned to appear at the Federal Courthouse in Miami on an unspecified Tuesday. “I have been summoned to appear at the…
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Annecy park stabbing: Four toddlers stable, Syrian knifeman arrested
A horrifying knife attack in a children’s playground in Annecy, southeast France, left four young children between the ages of one and three injured. The children, including a three-year-old British child and a Dutch toddler, are now in stable condition in hospital. Two adults were also injured, one critically. The police arrested a 31-year-old Syrian man with refugee status in…
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Umno members struggle with Anwar alliance ahead of crucial state elections
The 2023 Umno general assembly, taking place today, is anticipated to reveal the extent of internal friction within the party, as some grassroots members struggle to accept their new partnership with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s national unity government. Analysts suggest that despite being part of Anwar’s administration for over six months, Umno has not fully convinced its grassroots members about…
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Thailand boosts tourism budget to 5 billion baht
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced its plans for the fiscal year 2024, with a focus on growing off-peak customers, increasing spending per trip by 7%, and distributing income to a wider range of destinations. The budget for these initiatives is set at 5 billion baht, a significant increase from the 3.25 billion baht allocated for fiscal 2023. TAT Governor…
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Saudi wealth fund takes over clubs, lures football stars
Next season, Saudi Arabia’s football league will feature some of the sport’s top players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante. The Saudi Professional League (SPL) is set to commence in August, and more high-profile signings are anticipated. In addition to these transfers, the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin…
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Afghanistan mosque explosion kills 11 at Taliban deputy governor’s memorial
A deadly explosion occurred near Nabawi Mosque in northern Afghanistan, claiming the lives of at least 11 people who were attending a memorial service for the recently deceased Taliban provincial deputy governor, Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi. Over 30 individuals were wounded in the blast, and officials fear the death toll may rise. The memorial service took place on Thursday, honouring Ahmadi,…
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Pakistan crackdown targets PTI supporters’ businesses in Punjab
In Punjab province, Pakistan, supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have reported that authorities are targeting businesses of those sympathetic to the former prime minister. Hammad Azhar, a top PTI aide, said his family-owned business, AFCO Steel Industries, was closed by police for over a week without any documentary evidence or sealing warrants. “The authorities did not have…
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US-GCC joint statement backs two-state solution, omits Israel normalisation
The United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have issued a joint statement, highlighting shared priorities and finding common ground on various issues. This follows US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s attendance at a GCC meeting during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia. The statement emphasises the US’s “enduring commitment” to the Gulf region, despite concerns about its diminishing…
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Off-duty officer testifies in trial of deputy accused in Parkland shooting
An off-duty officer, Jeffrey Heinrich, who was present during the 2018 Parkland high school massacre in Florida, has given his testimony in the trial of the deputy accused of failing to stop the shooter. Heinrich described how he initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks before realising the situation and approaching unarmed. The trial focuses on what former Broward Deputy Scot…
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Biden and Sunak unveil Atlantic Declaration boosting defence, renewable energy ties
The United States and the United Kingdom have unveiled the Atlantic Declaration, a new economic agreement aimed at strengthening ties in defence and renewable energy. This announcement took place during UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s first visit to the White House. The agreement, however, does not encompass a full free trade deal that the UK has been seeking since its…
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US suspends $1.8bn Ethiopia food aid over diversion claims
The US Agency for International Aid (USAid) has halted food aid to Ethiopia after discovering that donations were being misdirected away from those in need. The suspension will affect approximately 20 million Ethiopians, who are currently experiencing severe food shortages due to war and drought. The United States remains the largest humanitarian donor to Ethiopia, having provided over US$1.8 billion…
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297 orphans evacuated amid deadly conflict in Sudan’s capital
In Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, nearly 300 orphans have been rescued from the heart of the conflict in a dangerous evacuation carried out by humanitarian workers. This follows the tragic deaths of 67 children at the Mygoma orphanage due to starvation, dehydration, and infections, as the fighting prevented staff from reaching the facility. Since April 15, the city has experienced daily…
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China targets AirDrop and Bluetooth in censorship crackdown proposal
China is looking to impose restrictions on mobile file-sharing services such as AirDrop and Bluetooth, in an effort to expand its censorship capabilities. The country’s national internet regulator has initiated a month-long public consultation on the proposals, which aim to prevent the spread of illegal and “undesirable” information. Activists are concerned that this move will further limit their ability to…
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Wildfires cause worst air quality in years for US cities
Intense wildfires in Canada have led to the worst air quality in years for cities such as Washington DC and Philadelphia, affecting millions of people across North America. The hazardous conditions have resulted in event cancellations and flight disruptions throughout the United States. Almost 100 million individuals are currently suffering from very poor air quality. US President Joe Biden referred…
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UK and US unveil Atlantic Declaration to counter China’s economic threat
Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden have established a new partnership aimed at enhancing economic security in response to the growing threat posed by China. Despite not achieving a comprehensive free trade deal with the US as promised in the Tory manifesto, the prime minister and US president announced the Atlantic Declaration during a meeting at the White House. This marked…
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CCTV reveals moments before fatal shooting of police officer in Croydon
Newly released CCTV and body-cam footage offers insight into the moments before and after the fatal shooting of Sergeant Matt Ratana in September 2020. Louis De Zoysa, now 25 years old, stands accused of killing Ratana with an antique revolver at a custody centre in Croydon, south London. The footage, shown during De Zoysa’s murder trial, captures the suspect being…
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Teenage e-bike rider dies in ambulance collision after Salford police chase
A tragic accident in Salford has left a 15-year-old boy dead after his electric bike collided with an ambulance. The incident occurred following a police pursuit which began on Fitzwarren Street at around 2pm. Officers were forced to abandon the chase due to bollards on Lower Seedley Road. However, shortly after, the collision took place on Langworthy Road, resulting in…
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MCA chief accused of power play in Johor Baru division nominations
A Johor Baru MCA division chief candidate has expressed disappointment with party president Wee Ka Siong, accusing him of being power-hungry and manipulating the nomination of the division’s top posts. Ang Boon Heng, the current deputy chief of the Johor Baru MCA division, claimed that irregularities occurred during the division’s nominations earlier this month, leading to predetermined results. Ang stated…
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