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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The unmasking of Jodi-Levonne Griffin: a scammer’s deception exposed
In a world where trust and integrity are paramount, the story of Jodi-Levonne Griffin serves as a cautionary tale for businesses and consumers alike. Griffin, a 47-year-old American national born in New Zealand, has been exposed as a scammer who committed chargeback fraud after undergoing extensive plastic surgery in Istanbul, Turkey. In March 2023, Griffin, of Jacksonville, FL, traveled to…
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Police detain 2 men over RCA Songkran shooting in Bangkok
UPDATE Two men have been arrested for allegedly committing the shooting at the busy RCA entertainment venue in Bangkok during a Songkran celebration on Sunday. Four people were injured by gunfire and four others were injured trying to flee the scene. Today at 3pm, police escorted the two suspects – 41 year old Natthanon and 19 year old Natthaphon –…
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G7 ministers issue urgent warning of ‘severe costs’ for supporting Russia
In a recent meeting at Karuizawa, Japan, G7 foreign ministers warned of “severe costs” for those aiding Russia in its war with Ukraine. The discussions primarily focused on China, with a united front addressing its increasing military and economic power. Although the G7 did not announce any new sanctions against Moscow over its invasion, they promised to crack down on…
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Top 5 Phuket restaurants for a luxurious afternoon break
Phuket restaurant scene offers a plethora of elegant spots for a luxurious afternoon break, catering to those who seek a truly indulgent experience. The beautiful island of Phuket is not only renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife but also boasts an impressive array of upscale dining establishments. From beachfront lounges to opulent hotel restaurants, the island has something…
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China’s economy reaches new highs after zero-Covid restrictions
Official data released today revealed that China’s economy grew by 4.5% year-on-year in the first quarter, recovering after the conclusion of zero-Covid restrictions in late 2021. This is the first indication since 2019 of the world’s second-largest economy making progress without the strict health measures that effectively controlled the coronavirus but heavily impacted businesses and supply chains. Retail figures, which…
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Castaway farang rescued from Thailand’s waters (video)
In a TikTok clip that looks like a sequel to the movie Castaway, a group of Thai tourists on a fishing trip found a foreigner floating on a makeshift wooden raft in the middle of the sea off the coast of Koh Kood in Trat province, southern Thailand, yesterday. The woman who filmed the clip chartered a boat to go…
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BTS’ J-Hope answers call of duty, enlists in South Korean military amid fanfare
BTS sensation J-Hope is set to commence his obligatory South Korean military service today, according to local media, becoming the second member of the immensely popular K-pop group to enlist, leading to an overwhelming show of support from fans. The spectacularly successful septet has generated a global cultural impact, selling out stadiums internationally and topping major US charts while contributing…
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Finnish man accused by neighbours of insulting Thai people
A Thai woman in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum claims that her Finnish husband was attacked by more than 10 neighbours on April 14. The neighbours admitted to attacking the foreign man but insisted that they did so because he insulted them and the Thai people first. A 40 year old Thai woman named Aoy took to social media to…
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Kidnapper claims he abducted Chinese man to help Thai nation
UPDATE One of six suspects accused of kidnapping a Chinese man for a ransom of nearly 4 million baht in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday says his motive behind the crime was “to help the nation” since the victim is a wanted Chinese criminal. He said the victim’s ex-girlfriend had nothing to do with the kidnapping. At 12.30pm today, police detained…
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Greg Norman’s LIV rebel tour breaks barriers, sells out in Australia
Despite facing opposition from traditionalists and sparking a civil war within the sport, the rebel LIV Golf tour has been embraced by many in Australia, evidenced by tickets selling out for the nation’s inaugural event this week. Greg Norman, the tour boss, has long desired to see top-level golf become a regular feature in his home country. Australia has experienced…
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Man murders ex-girlfriend, friend plays dead to survive in Pattaya
A man murdered his ex-girlfriend in front of Mantra Pura Resort in Pattaya in the early hours of this morning. The victim’s friend pretended to be dead to save her own life. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station and a rescue team were informed of the shooting incident and rushed to the resort at 4.30am. Upon reaching the site, officers…
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Driver falls asleep at the wheel in Thailand, 27 pigs dead
A driver fell asleep at the wheel while driving a 10-wheel truck carrying pigs through Suphan Buri province in central Thailand yesterday. He drove into a canal and 27 of the pigs died. Officers at Nang Buat Police Station were notified that a lorry carrying pigs had fallen into the canal on the Chainat – Suphan Buri Road in Khao…
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Daring heist as Thai man steals four necklaces from gold shop
Local police reported that a man, posing as a customer, entered a gold shop located in a department store in the Bang Sao Thong district. The man showed interest in multiple necklaces before stealing four of them in a daring heist. The stolen necklaces have an estimated value of around 230,000 baht. Security camera footage revealed a man aged between…
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Security guard stomps on American tourist’s head in Phuket (video)
An American tourist is seeking justice after being stomped on by a security guard at a pub in Phuket, southern Thailand, at 4am on April 9. The injured tourist decided to take the case to Thai media after the police failed to take action more than a week after he reported the crime. Police deny delaying the investigation and say…
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Chartpattanakla Party reveals bold economic development plan for northeast Thailand
The Chartpattanakla Party recently unveiled an economic development policy aimed at boosting the economy and fostering growth in Nakhon Ratchasima and the northeastern region of Thailand. Tewan Liptapanlop, the party’s secretary-general and an MP candidate for Nakhon Ratchasima’s Constituency 1, stated that the policy, dubbed “Korat-nomics,” would assist in transforming the region into a new economic corridor. Liptapanlop emphasised that…
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Endocube: a greener way to save millions of baht in electricity bills
Press Release The Patented Endocube offers huge savings (up to 33%) on monthly Commercial and Industrial refrigeration energy bills. What is an Endocube? An endocube is a revolutionary energy-saving product from the UK that has been specifically designed as food safe and to reduce the long-term running costs for hotels, resorts, large frozen-food warehouses, convenience stores, refrigerated display units,…
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Kenyan woman arrested for smuggling cocaine into Thailand
The Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF) apprehended a Kenyan woman at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday for smuggling cocaine into Thailand. The Secretary of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Wichai Chaimongkon, disclosed details of the drug bust in a press conference yesterday. The AITF officers discovered 1,250 grammes of cocaine hidden in the luggage of the 45 year…
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Thailand braces for scorching summer as El Nino brings climate change to forefront
Climate experts are warning that Thailand will experience hotter and drier conditions in the upcoming months as a result of El Nino weather patterns, and they caution that this is just the start of the impact of climate change. While hot and humid weather is expected at this time of year, recent heatwaves have been more extreme than anticipated. A…
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Overcharging, drugs and weapons: Police arrest 30 motorbike taxi ‘Win’ drivers in Bangkok
Thai police cracked down on naughty ‘Win’ motorbike taxi drivers in Bangkok, Thailand, at the weekend and found no shortage of criminal activity. During April 15-17, police arrested 30 ‘Win’ drivers for a wide range of offences, mostly for overcharging passengers, but also for carrying weapons, drugs, and other traffic violations. Bangkok residents and tourists alike depend on the orange…
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Former Kiwi PM commends Thailand for cannabis decriminalisation
Helen Clark, former New Zealand Prime Minister and a current member of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, applauded Thailand for decriminalising cannabis. However, she also urged the country to put an end to capital punishment, particularly for drug-related offences. During the Harm Reduction International Conference 2023 (HR23), Clark commended Thailand as one of the countries that has managed…
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Chinese man kidnapped and stuffed in a box for ransom in Thailand
A wealthy Chinese man was kidnapped from his condo in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday. He was stuffed into a plastic box and transported to Hua Hin for the night and held for a ransom of nearly 4 million baht by a gang of Thai kidnappers, including his ex-girlfriend who is a beauty pageant contestant. It turns out the victim is wanted…
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ACT report exposes a decade of corruption involving politicians in Thailand
The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) recently published a report detailing graft cases involving politicians over the past decade. The most significant financial loss, amounting to 130 billion baht, was caused by the rice-pledging scheme. The report studied 61 cases involving a total of 68 politicians, analysing media coverage, investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and rulings by the Supreme…
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Summer storms ravage Thailand, destroying 1,800 homes in 10 provinces
Over the weekend, summer storms caused extensive damage in the northeast and south of Thailand, damaging approximately 1,800 homes in ten provinces. As a result, authorities continue to search for crew members from stricken trawlers off the coast of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The storms affected 235 villages across Amnat Charoen, Surin, Chaiyaphum, Sakon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Roi Et,…
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Teenage mum finds lifeless body of one year old baby daughter dead in Bangkok
A heartbroken 17 year old mother yesterday contacted the police after discovering her one year old baby daughter dead on the bed in their rented room in the Tung Khru district of Bangkok. The circumstances surrounding the child’s untimely death remains a mystery, and a thorough investigation is currently underway. The family of the girl reported the baby’s death to…
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10 fishing vessels sink in violent storms off southern Thailand coast
Violent storms in the coastal region led to the sinking of 10 out of 60 fishing vessels that embarked from ports in five coastal districts in the southern province of Thailand yesterday morning. Tragically, three crew members have been confirmed dead. Out of the 60 boats that set sail, 48 were from the Pak Phanang district, with 121 crew members…
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Endangered bright orange langur monkey rescued in Thailand
A baby bright orange langur monkey is now safe at a Thai wildlife rescue centre after being found abandoned by his family in the wild in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, southern Thailand. Estimated to be less than one month old, the infant was found lost and all alone in a rubber plantation. He was abandoned after his family were scared…
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Thai man loses 10,000 baht in lottery after being conned into buying old tickets
A Thai man filed a complaint with the police after he was conned into buying old lottery tickets by a vendor in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok and lost a 10,000 baht lottery prize. The 66 year old lottery winner, or loser, Thanapon Thongchaiya, filed a complaint at Phra Pradaeng Police Station yesterday. Thanapon told police that he bought seven…
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Cambodia bestows citizenship to Brazilian boxer and Polish wife
The King of Cambodia bestowed citizenship to Brazilian kickboxer Thiago Teixeira for sticking up for the Khmers in the recent origins of Muay Thai dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. His Polish wife was also granted citizenship. The royal ceremony follows the World Muaythai Organisation’s (WMO) decision to ban the 30 year old mixed martiaul arts fighter Thiago Teixeira from competing.…
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Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort wins MICE Friendly Design Award
Press Release Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort is delighted to announce that the resort has been awarded the MICE Friendly Design Award by the Foundation of Civilization during the Thailand Friendly Design Expo 2022, which was held at Bitec Bangna from 18-22 December 2022. The MICE Friendly Design Award is an award rooted in equal access for…
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Over 25,000 Thai men from diverse backgrounds volunteer for RTA enlistment
A total of 25,100 Thai men, from diverse backgrounds such as monks and those holding Master’s degrees, applied for voluntary enlistment in the Royal Thai Army yesterday, according to deputy army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Sirichan Ngathong. The annual military conscription took a short break during the Songkran Festival and resumed yesterday. The draft is set to continue until Thursday in…
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