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 Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Here’s your health checklist before the move
Thinking of retiring in Thailand long-term? Thailand is a popular choice for retirees because of its beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and affordable living. Cities like Chiang Mai and coastal areas offer a relaxed lifestyle with friendly communities. The country also...
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Phuket power outage announced for airport area on May 18
A power outage is set to affect homes and businesses south of Phuket International Airport on Thursday, as announced by the Thalang branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA Thalang). The power cut, scheduled from 9am to 4.30pm, is necessary to allow workers to safely conduct improvements to high-voltage cables in the area, as part of an apartment expansion project.…
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Khon Kaen Chamber urges rapid election endorsement for timely fiscal boost
The Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce urged a swift endorsement of General Election results to ensure the timely allocation of the fiscal 2024 budget for the Thai economy. Channarong Buristrakul, the chamber’s president, stressed the importance of forming a new government without delay and removing any hindrances to effective governance. The chamber emphasized the need for a new government to…
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Phuket tourism seeks elected governor for tailored policies and mafia crackdown
Tourism operators in Phuket are optimistic that electing their provincial governor could help address the island’s long-standing issues, such as the taxi mafia. The Move Forward Party (MFP), which secured the majority of Parliamentary seats recently, has proposed administrative reform that would allow provinces outside Bangkok and Pattaya to elect their governors. Suksit Suvunditkul, president of the southern chapter of…
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Centel Q1 net profit soars as tourist arrivals boost hotel recovery
Central Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel) has reported a significant increase in net profit for the first quarter of this year, reaching its highest level since the beginning of the pandemic. This improvement is attributed to a substantial rise in tourist arrivals. In comparison to a net loss of 44 million baht in the first quarter of last year, Centel recorded…
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Business sector urges swift government formation for economic stability
The business community in Thailand is urging the formation of a new government and the agreement of policies by coalition parties, as this will significantly impact the nation’s confidence. Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the importance of a stable government that can govern without interruption. He also noted the high level of public engagement in…
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Cyclone Mocha death toll rises in Myanmar as storm spares Rohingya camps
Cyclone Mocha, which swept through the Bay of Bengal, has left 29 people dead as communication is slowly restored to western Myanmar. The cyclone, carrying winds of up to 195 kilometres per hour, is the largest storm to hit the Bay of Bengal in over a decade. While the storm had mostly passed by late Sunday, sparing the refugee camps…
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SET index drops after MFP election win spooks investors
Despite the Move Forward Party (MFP) election victory on Sunday, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) experienced a downturn yesterday. Investors sold shares related to politics and large-cap stocks that could be negatively impacted by the MFP’s policies, according to analysts. The SET index closed 1.28% lower yesterday, with shares of Gulf Energy Development Plc (GULF), Thailand’s largest power producer,…
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China’s Afghan position paper reveals reluctance to invest in political solutions
China‘s recent release of an 11-point position paper on Afghanistan demonstrates its growing involvement in international diplomacy. The document, which follows a 12-point position paper on Ukraine, outlines China’s interests in the region with a focus on counterterrorism and combating the Uyghur separatist East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). However, the paper also highlights China’s reluctance to invest significant political capital…
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Social media pivotal in Moving Forward Party’s election victory, experts say
The 2023 election results have highlighted the significant role social media played in the Moving Forward Party‘s victory, as digital agencies and communication experts emphasise the importance of appealing content and social media engagement. It has become evident that social media is not just an alternative channel for election campaigns, but a mainstream media channel, reaching 85% of the population,…
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New government urged to tackle living costs, support steel industry
The incoming government, led by the Move Forward Party, has been urged to address the high cost of living and expensive electricity bills while continuing to support the domestic steel industry, according to Somsak Leeswadtrakul, a prominent steel magnate and philanthropist. Tackling the rising cost of living, particularly for low-income earners, should be among the top priorities for the new…
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Court dismisses gambling, money laundering charge against Long Joo Somchai
The Criminal Court has dismissed a third gambling and money laundering charge against Somchai Jutikitdecha, also known as “Long Joo” Somchai, due to insufficient evidence. The case also involved his company and five other defendants, including Somchai’s son. Somchai was arrested in February 2021 at his home in tambon Mueang Phra, Rayong’s Muang district, following police raids on 10 locations…
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Inspector Sua’s gambling network busted
A three-day operation targeting a criminal network allegedly connected to a former officer known as “Inspector Sua” has resulted in the arrest of 30 individuals. Law enforcement agencies conducted raids on 39 locations throughout Thailand, detaining suspects on charges of operating a secret organisation, gambling operations, and money laundering collusion. National Police Chief, Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapas revealed that significant…
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Fake football package tour swindles 30m baht from 10 devastated victims
An estimated 30 million baht has reportedly been swindled from ten individuals who booked a fraudulent package tour to watch a football match in England, according to authorities. Deputy National Police Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn revealed that several victims faced severe financial difficulties after using their life savings to pay for the trip. Surachate stated that the tour organiser…
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Covid-19 cases surge 39% in a week, public urged to take precautions
The Department of Disease Control issued a public warning yesterday, alerting citizens to the resurgence of Covid-19 and urging them to take necessary precautions to protect themselves. The director-general, Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, revealed that there were 2,356 Covid inpatients last week, marking a 39% increase from the previous week. Additionally, the number of patients suffering from lung inflammation and requiring…
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FBI’s flawed Trump-Russia probe lacked evidence, says independent prosecutor
The long-awaited report on the origins of the FBI’s investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and Donald Trump‘s 2016 presidential campaign has been released, revealing serious flaws and a lack of substantial evidence. Independent US prosecutor John Durham, who was appointed in 2019, conducted the investigation and produced a more than 300-page report that criticised the FBI’s “Crossfire Hurricane” probe.…
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Wanted Cambodian sex offender arrested in Thailand
A man who fled to Thailand after allegedly committing sex crimes in Cambodia was arrested in Chanthaburi province yesterday. Chanthaburi Immigration officers arrested 23 year old Samnang I-eng of Cambodian nationality under an arrest warrant issued by Chon Buri Provincial Court on November 24, 2020, after he allegedly fled an arrest warrant in his home country. Samnang is accused of,…
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Thai-Finnish couple suspected of running prostitution ring in Finland
A Thai-Finnish couple aged around 60 years old is suspected of running a prostitution ring spanning six cities in Finland operating since 2014. The Helsinki police department wrapped up its investigation and handed the case over to Western Finland’s prosecutor’s office. The woman allegedly sub-letted Thai massage shops in the six cities of Joensuu, Kuopio, Mikkeli, Jyvaskyla, Kokkola, and Seinajoki…
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Japan’s boyband agency apologises for late founder’s sexual assault allegations
Japan’s leading boyband agency has issued a public apology in response to sexual assault allegations against its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Fans are now urging the company, Johnny and Associates, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. In a recent statement, Kauan Okamoto, a Japanese-Brazilian singer, claimed that he was repeatedly molested by Kitagawa during his four-year tenure with…
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Cyclone Mocha wreaks havoc on Myanmar, disrupts Rakhine state communications
Severe disruption of communications has occurred in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, as Cyclone Mocha, one of the strongest storms to hit the region in recent years, made landfall between Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and Myanmar’s port city of Sittwe. The cyclone has affected the ability to assess the scale of its impact, with phone lines and internet connections down in the…
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Married woman’s plan to make husband jealous backfires, he commits suicide
A married woman’s plan to make her jealous husband a better person backfired and ended in tragedy when he committed suicide. The man killed himself in Chon Buri Forest after learning that his wife talked with a Korean man on the phone. The wife later revealed that she just pretended to talk with another man to make her husband a…
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Thai baht soars as voters back pro-democracy parties
The Thai baht hit a five-week high this morning after pro-democracy parties came out as the biggest winners in yesterday’s General Election after nearly a decade of military-backed rule in Thailand. The baht rallied 0.9% this morning to 33.70 against the greenback for the first time since April 5 after opposition parties Move Forward Pary (MFP) and Phue Thai won the…
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Mystic temple draws crowds seeking fortune ahead of Thai lottery results
Today, it was observed that a large number of people visited the revered site of Arsom Ruesi Thep in the Ayutthaya province, Thailand. There, hopeful individuals paid their respects to the sacred Ruesi statue, seeking good luck and blessings. They were particularly drawn to the charity pavilion, where many gathered in the days leading up to the lottery draw. As…
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Indian bride murdered by groom on wedding day shocks nation
A shocking case has emerged of an Indian bride being murdered on her wedding day, with the appalling revelation that the culprit was the groom. This horrifying incident has left the public in disbelief and distraught. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the incident took place on Thursday, May 4, coinciding with the wedding day of the 21…
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Become a Thailand trivia master and dive into Thaiger Talk’s quiz forum
Are you an expat living in Thailand or a frequent visitor to the Land of Smiles? If so, Thaiger Talk’s quiz forum, brought to you by BigHewer, is the perfect place for you to test your knowledge and learn more about your favourite country. With a wide range of topics covering everything from beaches and temples to food and wildlife,…
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Thai woman escapes abusive mafia ex-boyfriend
A Thai woman managed to file a complaint at Mueng Pattaya Police Station after escaping from her mafia ex-boyfriend who allegedly kidnapped, imprisoned, and abused her at a resort in the central province of Lob Buri. The victim, 29 year old Thai woman Bee, filed a complaint with the police after escaping from her abusive ex-boyfriend, Golf, who allegedly kidnapped,…
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Is Leo Prinsloo the bravest person you know?
There’s something about those white South African guys that seems to make them much thicker-skinned than the rest of us. Perhaps it’s the fact that they live in a much more violent country than most, with South Africa’s crime rate being one of the highest in the world. Or maybe it’s because so many of them seem to work as…
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Thai businessman KengLai Prang charged with promoting illegal online gambling
In a joint operation by the Thai Royal Police and the Department of Special Investigations (DSI), prominent Thai businessman KengLai Prang, who rose to fame after starring in the award-winning movie titled ‘A Prayer before Dawn’, has been arrested and charged with promoting illegal online gambling activities. The arrest comes after an extensive investigation into the illicit gambling operations in…
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‘Monk’ at polling station didn’t violate Thailand’s election rules
The Governor of Lampang ordered the Chae Hom District Chief to investigate a potential election violation yesterday after photos circulated of a monk standing at a polling station in Lampang province in northern Thailand. In Thailand, ordained Buddhist monks are not eligible to meddle in politics or vote in any election. Photos of the monk sparked panic that this rule had…
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Little girl asks her aunt to sleep with her father, leaving family speechless
An endearing conversation between a young girl and her aunt caused a stir on social media due to the child’s candid and unexpected request. The incident took place in Hubei Province, China, in a primary school-aged girl’s home when the family welcomed the girl’s mother’s older sister for a visit. The youngster and her aunt had been enjoying each other’s…
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Police report 38 election violations across Thailand
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) reported 38 violations of election regulations across Thailand yesterday with a record high of 75% of the eligible population, or over 39 million people, exercising their right to vote. Pol. Lt. Gen. Nitthitorn Jintakanon – Director of the Security and Public Order of Election Management Centre – reported that violations included 26 cases of people…
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