Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Thai government to reveal details of contested 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme
The Thai government is set to disclose the specifics of its contentious 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme distribution today. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, in response to critics who argue the initiative could inflict more economic damage than benefit, will conduct a news conference at 2pm today to elucidate all aspects of the policy. The 61 year old Thai prime minister has…
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13 year old girl confesses to fabricating minibus driver rape story
The 13 year old girl who reportedly accused a minibus driver of drugging and sexually assaulting her, later confessed that she had fabricated the rape story. However, a medical examination revealed signs of sexual assault and her relatives are suspected. The grandmother of the victim revealed to the public that her 13 year old granddaughter lost control of herself and…
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Thailand military upgrade: Defense Ministry responds to emerging threats
Thailand’s Defence Ministry is gearing up to bolster the country’s armed forces, aiming for a technologically superior edge to counter emerging security threats. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang highlighted the Thailand military upgrade commitment during his address to the incoming batch of the National Defence Course at the National Defence College yesterday. Sutin conceded his previous misunderstanding regarding military expenditure, stressing…
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Prominent Thai officials arrested over alleged 2.3 million baht bribe
Samut Prakan‘s Bang Phli district saw the arrest of prominent figures within the Bang Pla subdistrict administrative organisation (TAO), including the chairman, 61 year old Chanin Ruenroeng, and his 44 year old personal secretary, Pornmanee (surname withheld). These arrests were initiated by the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) who acted on a complaint from a local firm alleging that the officials demanded…
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Content creator economy thrives in Thailand with Meta’s support
Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, is cultivating a thriving content creator economy in Thailand, offering local creative talent numerous avenues to monetise their output. This initiative allows creators to offer unique content and experiences to their subscribers, thereby establishing a new stream of revenue. According to Meta, these revenue-earning opportunities encompass branded content, partnership ads, and Instagram subscriptions.…
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Thais in Myanmar issued emergency documents for repatriation
Emergency travel documents are being issued to the majority of Thais awaiting repatriation in Myanmar, as most of them are without passports, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) yesterday. The MFA revealed that these individuals had their passports taken away by their employers. The information was disclosed by Ruj Thammamomgkol, director-general of the MFA Consular…
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Bangkok cracks down on corruption after road collapse incident
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called for a thorough crackdown on corruption following an incident where a section of road in Bangkok collapsed under the weight of an overloaded lorry. The lorry is suspected to have been allowed to operate due to illicit payments to officials. This incident caused two traffic accidents earlier this week on the busy Sukhumvit Road. The…
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Budget travel: Thai travelers choose affordability amid economic instability
In the wake of an unpredictable global economy, travellers are becoming increasingly cost-conscious. A recent survey by online travel agency Booking.com revealed that the majority of Thai citizens are apprehensive about the escalating cost of living and are thus curtailing their expenditure on travel, opting for budget travel instead. Michelle Gao, the regional manager for the Mekong region at Booking.com,…
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Cupid’s Arrow: Factory worker’s romantic gesture misses target, woman rejects overtures, sparks viral sympathy
A viral story from China has caught the attention of netizens after Cupid’s Arrow apparently missed its target. A factory worker’s bold declaration of love to a female colleague, complete with a bouquet, was met with rejection and disdain. The woman’s reason for the dismissal was simple – they didn’t know each other well enough for such a declaration of…
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Chilled vibes: Beat smelly fridge odours with toilet paper
A new social media trend is sweeping social media, with many people placing toilet paper in their refrigerators. This strange behaviour has puzzled many, leading to questions about the potential benefits of such an act. The answer, surprisingly, lies in combating unpleasant odours and excess moisture. Excessive moisture in a fridge often results in the growth of mould and undesirable…
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Two men arrested in major drug bust by MPB worth millions of baht
A recent crackdown by the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) led to a drug bust and the arrest of two 25 year old men. The duo, identified as Ton from Chiang Rai province, and Narongkiet from Suphanburi province, were apprehended today at their rental residence in Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom province, with an assortment of illegal drugs worth millions of baht. The…
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South Korean factory worker fatally injured by robot misidentification
Tragedy struck in South Korea as a robot misidentified a factory worker for a box of vegetables, causing fatal injuries. The incident, which took place on November 7, involved a 40 year old man who was inspecting the sensors of a machine at an agricultural distribution centre in South Korea’s Gyeongsang Province. The robot seemingly confused the man for a…
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Woman discovers husband’s cruel bet to be the first to take her virginity was the reason for marrying her
A woman was left heartbroken upon discovering that her husband had married her as part of a cruel bet to be the first man to take her virginity. The shocking truth was revealed to her during a party by a former coworker. She first met her husband while working at the age of 20. Coming from a religious family with…
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Heatwave history: European scientists declare 2023 hottest year in 125,000 years
European scientists confirmed that this year is the hottest in 125,000 years. This follows data released last month indicating that global temperatures have reached record-breaking highs. The European Union’s climate change watchdog, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), revealed that the temperature in October surpassed the previous record set in 2019 by 0.4 degrees Celsius. The weather anomalies observed in October…
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Manhole lorry accident: BMA orders review of 371 construction sites
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has ordered a review of 371 construction sites after a lorry incident revealed overloading up to 61 tonnes. The BMA is considering the use of a Bridge Weight Motion system to measure vehicle weight, with results expected within two months. Yesterday at the Bangkok City Hall, the Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, and Deputy Governor…
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Tiny trumpeter: Lost wild Thai elephant calf finds a voice and milk refuge
A one-month-old wild Thai elephant calf discovered alone and in a weakened state has begun making some noise and consuming milk regularly. Despite the absence of a wild elephant herd in the nearby vicinity, Thap Lan National Park and its veterinary team have been assisting the lost calf. The calf was found wandering near a cassava farm belonging to villagers in Talingshan…
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Frantic rescue operation as Bangkok police officer’s car plunges into Chao Phraya River
A police officer’s vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into the Chao Phraya River near Bangkok, resulting in a frantic rescue operation. The driver of the vehicle, a Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) police officer, was found in a state of distress, pleading for help for his wife, presumed to be trapped inside the submerged vehicle. The mysterious plot…
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Man detained for climbing ancient Buddhist stupa’s golden spire at Wat Phra Mahathat in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A young man was detained after climbing to the top of the golden spire of the ancient Buddhist stupa, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The spire, adorned with ancient gold artefacts and blue sapphires, is a revered site for Buddhists worldwide. At around 1am this morning, local law enforcement and passersby noticed a man scaling the…
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Bang Pla officials arrested in 2.3 million baht corruption scandal
A corruption scandal has surfaced in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province, where the 61 year old chairman of Bang Pla Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO), and his 44 year old secretary, were apprehended today. The duo was accused of demanding a 2.3 million-baht bribe from a local business. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by a business firm…
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Helmetless motorcycle rides in Thailand puts lives at risk (video)
Accidents involving motorcycle rides, especially those involving head injuries, are a common cause of work for neurosurgeons. This unfortunate reality is being addressed by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) which invited neurosurgeon, Pracha Panyaprakitti, to share his experiences and encourage preventative measures. One case involved a Chiang Mai resident who took a routine motorcycle ride to the market without…
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Government sets up command centre for visa-free Indian and Taiwanese tourists
A command centre has been established by the government in preparation for the influx of tourists from India and Taiwan. The visa-free entry policy, starting tomorrow, is expected to draw a significant number of visitors. The high season is around the corner, and to avoid overcrowding at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, several agencies have been asked to contribute to…
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Influencer arrested for sexual assault in Bangkok
A well-known influencer was arrested by police for sexually assaulting an 18 year old man after establishing a close relationship through a game. The accused admitted to the crime when arrested at his condominium in the Narathiwat-Chong Nonsi area today. The case began when Rattanamongkol Lerttavivit, a former candidate for the Din Daeng constituency from the Thai Create Thai Party,…
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Bangkok nightlife braces for extended hours with heightened safety protocols
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is implementing stricter safety protocols for nightlife establishments in preparation for the government’s proposed extension of their operating hours until 4am. The BMA’s Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, under the leadership of Director Teerayut Poomipak, is set to respond to potential issues that may arise from the extended operating hours. Collaborating with the Public Works…
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Internet idol’s follower fiasco: Baifern busted for 10 million-baht scam at Thai mall
Police officers today arrested 31 year old Internet idol with over 100,000 followers, in a famous Thai mall. The Internet idol Baifern, real name Monthira, was accused of defrauding more than 40 investors of over 10 million baht in a hair and nail salon business. Police Colonel Thiti Saengsawang ordered officials, together with the PCT5 police and investigators from the…
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Carabao-Red Sun hops into the ring to challenge Thai beer titans
The beer market in Thailand has been invigorated by the introduction of a new player, Carabao-Red Sun, which aims to challenge renowned beer brands, Singha and Chang. The new entrant comes from the Carabao Group, led by Sathien Setthasit, and has already been launched across Thailand via Modern Trade stores. This new contender to the 2.6 hundred billion baht beer…
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Motorcyclist tragically killed on Sukhumvit Road after hitting a dog
A tragic incident occurred on Sukhumvit Road, Chon Buri city, when a motorcyclist hit a dog, fell, and was successively run over by multiple vehicles. The unidentified male motorcyclist, around 30 years old, succumbed to his injuries, while one other individual was injured. The accident, which happened around 5.30am today, resulted in one fatality and one injury. The motorcycle involved,…
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Speaking cat goes viral: Over seven million views for hungry feline (video)
A viral clip, amassing over seven million views, shows a speaking cat fluent in full sentences. The clear voice, requesting food, has stunned netizens. The video was posted by TikTok user @daisyduchy, the owner of the cat named Duchy. In the video, Duchy is seen calling out to its owner, stating its hunger, and asking for food. When asked if…
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Love Destiny spices things up with Kuay Tiew Bok, a rare Thai dish worth slurping about
In the latest episode of the Thai drama series Phrom Likhit, or Love Destiny, a unique, ancient Thai dish, Kuay Tiew Bok, is prominently featured. The dish, more commonly known as Kuay Tiew Lui Suan, is a challenge to find in restaurants and has piqued the interest of many viewers. Kuay Tiew Bok, much like Kuay Tiew Lui Suan, is a…
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Unusual banana tree phenomenon sparks lottery frenzy in Thai village
A banana tree‘s unusual sprouting of a bud through its trunk has sparked a local phenomenon in the Mae Sai community, Phayao province, as villagers believe it to be a sign of good fortune. Today, residents flocked to Samrit Sameuchue’s house to pay respects and seek their lucky numbers from the banana tree. The 51 year old man has seen…
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Thai man abuses ex-girlfriend and sells her explicit footage
A Thai woman turned to social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet for help after her ex-boyfriend physically abused her and sold explicit footage of her online. Gun accompanied the victim, 29 year old Am, to Taling Chan Police Station to file a complaint against her 25 year old ex-boyfriend, who physically abused her throughout their three-month relationship and sold a…
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