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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Thief’s shocking end: Young Thai man electrocuted in foiled heist
A 24 year old Thai man was found dead after being electrocuted during an attempted theft in Nong Khai’s Pho Chai district. Police Captain Sittisat Moolmanas, Police Lieutenant Yutthana Ngamchad, a doctor from Nong Khai Hospital, and the Chaba 191 rescue team, were dispatched to the scene on Monday, September 4. Aphitsak, a resident of the Pho Chai district, was…
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Love con job: Thai romance scammer busted for netting 2.6 million baht
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) arrested a Thai man operating a romance scam using a fake social media profile of a woman to dupe nearly 2.6 million baht from a victim. The arrest was made following a complaint filed by a victim last year. The victim revealed that the scammer used the profile of an attractive woman to approach…
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Principled leadership: MFP chief Pita stresses substance over style for new Thai Cabinet
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party, shared his views on the newly formed Thai Cabinet, asserting that his judgment of individuals will be based on principles rather than appearances. He extended his well wishes to the new Cabinet, expressing hope that they would successfully fulfil the promises made during the election campaign. Pita noted that during the…
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Thai sticky rice steamers turned sun hats by tourists spark online laughter
We’ve all been there – when the summer weather just gets so hot that you’ll use whatever means necessary to cool down and get out of the sun. Using cardboard as a fan, standing in front of the coolers at 7-Eleven, dunking your head in the fountain in the park, anything to beat the heat. Two foreigners went viral yesterday on…
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Dodgy deals and duds: Online trader busted in Buriram for tax evasion on kids’ clothes
An online trader was left shocked when he was busted for tax evasion after the Intellectual Property Rights Police raided a prominent company located in Buriram province. The raid uncovered imported children’s clothing being sold online, deliberately avoiding import tax. The tax evasion resulted in a fine four times the evaded amount, totalling more than 16 million baht. Deputy Chief…
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Cash con-tractor: Bangkok engineer arrested for alleged extortion
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested a senior engineer at Lat Krabang District Office in Bangkok on a corruption accusation. The official was reportedly accused of extorting 50,000 baht from a construction contractor. The Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) received a complaint about corruption from a construction contractor. According to the complainant, the senior engineer in question,…
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Russian the stakes: Phuket locals furious over illegal job grabs and shady businesses
Residents and business owners in Phuket are furious over the increasing number of Russians who have settled on the island, taking jobs, operating businesses illegally, and introducing prostitution exclusively for Eurasians. The surge in Russian arrivals, estimated at around 400,000 between January and July of this year, has stirred resentment among the Thai community, leading to calls for action against…
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Online loan scam drags young Thai woman into 2.6 million baht debt
A 26 year old vendor found herself entangled in an online loan scam after losing her job and seeking funds for investment. Bee, from Nakhon Phanom’s Pla Pak district, expressed her ordeal through media outlets, warning society about the risks of falling prey to online loan scams. She initially borrowed 30,000 baht via an online application but was left with…
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Pedophile abbot accused of comitting indecent, sadistic acts against young girl
A 70 year old abbot of a temple in the Isaan province of Udon Thani fled the place of worship after being accused of committing indecent, sadistic acts against an 11 year old girl. The young victim’s mother revealed to Channel 3 that her daughter had met the alleged pedophile abbot through his granddaughter. The victim’s friends told her that…
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Bridge of sorrow: Fatal collision claims life in Bangkok
A fatal collision involving a car and a motorbike occurred on the Phra Ruang Bridge on Sukhaphiban 5 Road, Sai Mai, Bangkok, in the early hours of this morning. The accident resulted in one fatality and another person severely injured. Upon arrival at the scene, officers from Kannayao Police Station found a severely damaged Toyota Vios with a registration number of…
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Pouring woe: Thailand braces for heavy rain and rising tides
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a heavy to very heavy rain warning for most parts of Thailand. The announcement identified areas likely to be affected by sudden floods and flash floods. The southern region faces high sea waves, and citizens are urged to stay vigilant. The weather front, identified as a trough of low pressure, is moving north…
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K9 heroes: Police dogs rescue missing toddler in Chiang Mai
Two K9 dogs successfully located and rescued a two year old boy who had gone missing from his distraught family’s residence in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The family of the child, named Copter, sought help from the Mae Fak Polie Station yesterday, September 5, at 1.30pm, after he disappeared from the family house. The house is located on…
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Terminal shock: Passenger stumbles upon dead Australian at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok
In a chilling and unexpected twist at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport last night, a passenger stumbled upon the lifeless body of an 82 year old Australian man, seated in eerie solitude within the airport’s bustling passenger terminal. The mystery surrounding his untimely demise is currently under investigation. Officers from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station were alerted to the foreign man’s…
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Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort offers stage spectacular seafront events
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort is not only a dream destination for tropical escapes and family vacations – it has redefined the island’s MICE sector by providing a spectacular setting for beachside business meetings, stylish social gatherings and one-of-a-kind weddings. Situated just steps from the soft sands of Patong Beach on Phuket’s sunset coast, this stylish seafront…
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Tourism safety concerns: Thai Government urged to reassure China
The Thai administration is being prodded to collaborate with Beijing before implementing a visa-exemption scheme for Chinese tourists, as the country’s image suffers due to its portrayal as a transit hub for fraudulent activities in recent Chinese media, hindering tourism safety. A Chinese film titled No More Bets, which revolves around scammer networks in Southeast Asia, grossed a whopping US$505…
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Chinese ambassador backs visa perks to boost tourism
Han Zhiqiang, the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, expressed support for the impending visa privileges aimed towards Chinese tourists. These measures are being considered by both governments, to bolster Chinese tourism and investment in their respective countries ahead of the approaching peak season. Han voiced his endorsement during an orientation for the 18th Mandarin for Government Officers Workshop. This event was…
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Thai Police bust call centre gang linked to triple-murder case
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) yesterday made significant progress in cracking down on an infamous call centre gang, implicated in a shocking triple-murder case that sent shockwaves through the community of Pak Nam. The call centre gang is accused of defrauding a Thai man, leading him to murder his family and himself. Twenty-two warrants have been issued, with ten arrests…
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Palm oil factory fire in Patthalung causes over 3 million baht in damages
A palm oil factory in Patthalung was engulfed in flames, resulting in losses exceeding 3 million baht. The blaze required assistance from several water trucks to bring it under control. Police Lieutenant Colonel Paradanan Meeboon, the duty inspector of Patthalung’s City Police Station, received a report of a fire at the palm oil factory along the Patthalung-Hat Yai Road in…
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Thai thief’s pale for love: Beauty heist and boozy escapade
Police arrested a Thai man who stole 120 packs of skin-whitening products from a 7-Eleven convenience store in the Isaan province of Surin so his girlfriend would have radiant beauty like a superstar. He also stole vodka from a Lotus’s supermarket to throw parties with friends. The saga began when an eagle-eyed staff member at Lotus’s store caught the 38…
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Cyanide murder mastermind loses defamation case
The Criminal Court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Sararat Rangsivuthaphan, known as Am, the alleged mastermind behind several murder cases involving cyanide, against Rapee Chumnanruen, who coordinated on behalf of the victims. The court’s decision came after evidence was presented proving Rapee’s statements made during a television interview about Am’s deception of authorities were true. Am’s lawyer, Thanicha…
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Jealous wife takes knife in the back for unfaithful husband in karaoke bar brawl
A jealous wife tried to drag her husband from a local karaoke bar in the northern province of Chaing Mai but ended up being stabbed in the back as a brawl broke out in the establishment. The woman’s 30 year old husband, Jakkrit, told Channel 7 that the stabbing incident occurred at about 1.40am in front of a karaoke bar…
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Thailand’s DES minister vows to combat online scams, roll out digital wallet
The new Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert stated that he is prioritising combating online fraud and call centre scams, as well as launching the much-discussed digital wallet plan. The ministry, aligned with Pheu Thai Party goals, plans a digital wallet scheme by 2024, starting next year, offering 10,000 baht to all Thai individuals aged 16 and above via…
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Thai taxi talk tiff: Dialect debate drives social media stir
The Thai Taxi Association ignited a heated debate on the nation’s social media platforms after they advised the capital’s taxi drivers to avoid talking to passengers in the Isaan dialect in order to level up the service standard of Thai taxis. Bangkok is considered to have the most taxis in Thailand due to the bustling demand for their services making…
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ThaiBMA warns investors about corporate bonds as firms struggle amidst pandemic
The Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA) is urging caution among investors considering corporate bonds due to ongoing challenges faced by several companies in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ariya Tiranaprakit, ThaiBMA’s executive vice president, highlighted that three companies failed to meet debenture payments totalling 12.1 billion baht this year. Additionally, some firms struggled to adhere to corporate bond payment…
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Thai man arrested for production of pornography livestream on Chinese app
Police swooped to arrest a Thai interpreter working on a porn set in Thailand that was livestreamed via a Chinese application. The police received a tip-off that a Chinese woman had turned Bangkok condominium into a porn set for her production team. The team produced explicit pornographic content and livestreamed it through an application. Viewers had to purchase a membership…
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Thai weather update: Heavy rain and storms expected across multiple regions
The Thai Meteorological Department warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand and the potential for strong storms until September 6. The announcement further warns of flash floods and forest runoff, with high waves expected at sea on September 5. A strong monsoon trough is currently sweeping through the northern, northeastern, and upper central regions of Thailand, combined with a…
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Climate change hits Thai economy, calls for smart agriculture surge
The economy has been negatively impacted due to the challenges presented by climate change, leading to a decrease in farmers’ income because of reduced production, and affecting foreign investment. This has subsequently resulted in higher inflation and cost of living and impacted the export of agricultural products and food. This insight is according to a recent study conducted by the…
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Turkish investment scammer arrested for deceiving Thai woman
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested a Turkish man for operating an investment scam in Thailand after being tipped off by a Thai woman victim. Police discovered the foreigner has been operating the scam in Thailand for more than 10 years. A Thai woman yesterday filed a complaint against the Turkish man, 43 year old Onur Gungor, also known as…
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Heroic Thai husband’s defence of pregnant wife ends in fatal stabbing
A Thai man defending his pregnant wife from an attack from a man with mental health issues wielding a knife was fatally stabbed in the chest. Bang Sao Thong Police Station officers were called to the stabbing scene in the Keha Muaeng Mai Bang Phi Village in the Bang Sao Thong district of Samut Prakarn at 12.30am today. On arrival,…
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Line Man Wongnai and Line Thailand tap into booming Thai e-payment market
Tech giants Line Man Wongnai and Line Thailand recently revealed plans to expand their businesses by capitalising on the rising e-payment market within their business ecosystem. They officially announced last month their successful joint acquisition of shares in Rabbit Line Pay Co (RLP) from previous shareholders, RabbitPay System Co and Advanced mPAY Co. This crucial transaction has allowed Line Man…
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