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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Teen stabbed on Pattaya Beach during altercation
A violent altercation erupted in Pattaya when a local teenager, angered by a perceived slight, stabbed an outsider. The victim was attempting to help a friend when he was attacked. The police are actively pursuing the suspects. At 3.06am today, June 26, Chaowalit Suwanmanee, Deputy Inspector of Pattaya City Police, received a report of a stabbing incident at Pattaya Beach,…
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Thailand needs to step up its fight against human trafficking
Thailand remains in Tier 2 on the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, indicating a determined effort to combat human trafficking. The US authority remarked that although Thailand has not met the minimum standards for eradicating trafficking, the government is making significant strides. “The [Thai] government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period. These…
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Fire at Hat Yai hotel sparks chaos, guests evacuated
A fire erupted in the ventilation shaft of a prominent hotel in downtown Hat Yai, leading to chaotic scenes as staff and guests scrambled to evacuate. Officials are investigating the incident, initially suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit. At 7.30pm yesterday, emergency services were alerted to a fire at a well-known hotel on Sanehanusorn Road, within the…
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PM dismisses concerns over foreign condo ownership plan
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin dismissed allegations that a government proposal to increase the foreign ownership quota in condominiums and extend land leases is akin to “selling off the nation.” “It is about long-term leases, not selling land. It has nothing to do with selling the nation.” Last week, the Cabinet ordered a study into raising the proportion of foreign ownership…
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Teen becomes officer to hunt grandfather’s killer of 16 years
A 15 year old boy, determined to become a police officer after his grandfather was murdered, spent the next 16 years hunting down the killer until he finally succeeded. This real-life story surpasses any drama. On October 26, 2008, 81 year old farmer Phrom Krodkaew was brutally murdered in Phanom, Surat Thani. That day, Phrom and his wife went to…
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Singaporean man drugged, robbed by Thai girlfriend in Bangkok
A Singaporean man filed a complaint against his Thai girlfriend after she allegedly drugged him at a hotel in Bangkok and stole cash and valuables worth over 1 million baht. The Singaporean victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, complained to Huay Kwang Police Station yesterday, June 25. He explained that he met the Thai woman, aged about 30, online and had…
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Government to accelerate Sino-Thai HSR project
The Sino-Thai high-speed rail (HSR) link construction will be a major item on the agenda at next week’s mobile Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima, with the government eager to accelerate the project, according to Digital Economy and Society (MDES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. The 250.77-kilometre high-speed rail link between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima is projected to be completed by 2028. Currently,…
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Rising travel costs hinder Asia-Pacific corporate travel, Visa reports
Rising travel costs and economic uncertainties are impacting business travel across the Asia-Pacific region, according to Visa. Companies are increasingly investing in digitalisation to manage their travel budgets more effectively. Chavi Jafa, Head of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions for Asia-Pacific at Visa, noted that while business travel may increase in the coming years, current high travel costs and economic…
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Weak economy and loan restrictions further plummets pickup sales
Domestic car sales are facing significant challenges as pure pickup sales dropped by 40.8% in the first five months of 2024, primarily due to a weak economy and difficulties in accessing loans, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). From January to May, sales of pickup trucks fell by 40.8% year-on-year to 75,510 units. While sales of pickup passenger…
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Minor earthquake in Phang Nga prompts safety inspections
An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.2 struck the Bang Toei area in Phang Nga Province, prompting officials to inspect for potential damage. It was confirmed that an earthquake occurred in Bang Toei, Mueang District, Phang Nga Province. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, June 26, as reported by the Earthquake Surveillance Division of the Thai Meteorological…
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Thai teacher arrested for sexually assaulting schoolboy for 2 years
Police yesterday arrested a male Thai teacher who sexually assaulted a 14 year old schoolboy for almost two years at a school in the Klong Toey neighbourhood of Bangkok. The boy’s mother only found out about the abuse on June 20 after the young victim, Nat, could no longer stand his teacher’s behaviour. According to Nat, his 38 year old…
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Lao man dies after 12th floor fall in Pattaya amid partner argument
A Lao man tragically died after falling from the 12th floor of a condominium in Pattaya following an argument with his partner. The incident occurred at 3.36am yesterday, June 25, at a condominium on Thappraya Road in the Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. Pattaya police, along with rescue workers, promptly arrived at the scene after being notified. Police…
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DLT proposes four new electric bus routes for Rangsit station
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) proposes four new electric bus routes to improve connectivity to the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Red Line Rangsit Station in Pathum Thani province. The plan aims to address the inadequacies in the current feeder system, which were highlighted by a recent Transport Ministry survey. Transport Ministry spokesperson Krichanont Iyapunya stated that the DLT’s…
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Sleep-deprived driver crashes car in torrential rain, injuring two
A sleep-deprived young man driving a car through the rain lost control and crashed into a utility pole at 6am yesterday, resulting in injuries to two women passengers on Suwinthawong Road, Mueang District, Chachoengsao Province. Rescue workers and local police quickly arrived at the scene to assist. The vehicle involved, a Toyota hatchback, was found with significant front-end damage. The…
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Groundbreaking Thai sci-fi flick ‘Uranus2324’ to release in July
In a historic milestone for Thai cinema, Uranus2324, the nation’s first space science fiction film, is set to premiere on July 4. This highly anticipated film has already garnered significant attention, being one of only four films to receive funding under Thailand’s Soft Power initiative and securing global distribution deals. Produced by Velcurve Studio in collaboration with GM Generators Co.,…
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Sukhothai temple warns against releasing catfish
A temple in Sukhothai has gained widespread online attention for its warning sign against releasing catfish into local waters, highlighting the ecological damage caused by this practice. The sign at Wat Traphang Thong in Mueang District has sparked a viral discussion on social media. “Warning to those making merit: Do not release catfish as it destroys the ecosystem. “Avoid releasing…
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Warning issued for venomous jellyfish at Phuket’s Racha Yai Island
A warning has been issued about the presence of the highly venomous Portuguese Man o’ War jellyfish in the waters of Lah Bay and Tue Bay at Racha Yai Island, Phuket. Tourists and those engaging in marine activities in the area are advised to exercise extreme caution to avoid contact with these dangerous creatures. The Department of Marine and Coastal…
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Thai couple arrested after woman flees cops with boyfriend’s help
A Thai woman arrested for theft escaped from Sattahip Police Station on Sunday thanks to help from her boyfriend. The couple was later arrested last night, June 24. Sattahip Police Station officers arrested the 20 year old woman, Naranya Areepong, at a shopping centre after she attempted to steal two bottles of imported alcohol at about 10.30am on Sunday, June 23.…
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Bangkok bust: Metal detector detects Thai man’s homemade gun
Police apprehended a suspicious man at Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal after a metal detector revealed he was carrying a homemade gun. The suspect, identified as 43 year old Thanet from Samut Prakan, was found with a .38 calibre gun and six bullets. The incident occurred yesterday when the Superintendent of Bang Sue Police Station, Phuwadon Unphon, along with Deputy Superintendent…
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Thailand imports shrimp from Ecuador amid local production crisis
Thailand, once the world’s leading shrimp exporter, now finds itself importing shrimp from Ecuador. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Department of Fisheries to investigate and report back in the next Cabinet meeting. The nation, which used to produce and export 600,000 tonnes of shrimp annually, now produces only 200,000 tonnes. This significant decline has necessitated the importation of shrimp,…
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Singapore foreign minister visits Thailand to discuss bilateral issues
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan kicked off his official visit to Thailand today, answering the call of his Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa. Today’s packed agenda includes a working luncheon with Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and a formal welcome dinner hosted by Maris. According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, the two leaders are set to discuss key bilateral issues, fortifying…
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Chilling tragedy: Ice delivery truck crash in Ratchaburi kills three
An ice delivery truck overturned and collided with a streetlight in Ratchaburi province, resulting in the deaths of three people. Police suspect that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Surveillance footage confirmed that no other vehicles were involved. Ritthipol Phonsen, an investigative officer at Thung Luang Police Station in Ratchaburi province, received a report of a six-wheeled…
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Durian festival returns to Pak Chong for 2024 celebration
The third annual Durian GI Festival Pakchong Khao Yai is set to place at the Nong Nam Daeng Subdistrict Administrative Organisation Office in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. Nakhon Ratchasima Commerce Officer Jirasak Sriphet announced that the province, in collaboration with the Agricultural District Officer of Pak Chong, Bandit Koetmongkol, and the local durian farmers’ community, will host the festival. The…
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8 Thai women and transwoman arrested in Taiwan for prostitution
Taiwanese police arrested eight Thai women and a Thai transwoman at a hotel in the Zhongshan district of Taipei City last week for illegal prostitution. Radio Taiwan International (RTI) news agency reported that police officers in Taipei continued to crack down on illegal prostitution in the city after the arrest of 24 Thai women on May 20 at a bar…
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Buriram woman faces home seizure after co-signing a car loan
A woman in Buriram has pleaded for help after receiving a home seizure court order due to unpaid car loan instalments by a close friend she’d been a guarantor for. A general labourer, 32 year old Pacharinporn co-signed for her friend Pu (a pseudonym) to buy a new pickup truck in 2019. Pu’s now-deceased ex-husband was the primary guarantor, with…
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Former prosecutor indicted for smuggling rhino horns
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) indicted that a former deputy prosecutor was involved in the illegal importation of rhinoceros horns valued at 179 million baht through Suvarnabhumi Airport. The case has been sent to the attorney general for prosecution. Secretary-General of the NACC, and spokesperson, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol announced that the commission had found sufficient grounds to proceed with charges against…
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Pothole politics: Khon Kaen villagers pave the way to safer travels
Villagers of Ban Rak Chat in Khon Kaen, have taken matters into their own hands to repair their deteriorating village road, which has become riddled with potholes and hazards, making travel perilous and causing frequent accidents. Several dozen locals banded together to break and drill through the sunken concrete road, which had been eroded over time, impeding safe passage, especially…
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Shop owner fatally stabbed chasing thief in Nakhon Ratchasima
A 27 year old shop owner in Nakhon Ratchasima tragically lost his life after being stabbed seven times while trying to catch a thief. The shop owner’s girlfriend saw the suspect, who had frequently visited the shop, and provided crucial information to the police. Police received a report at around 4am today of a fatal stabbing at a general store…
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Thailand’s tourist boom: Portuguese visitors surge by 44% this year
Thailand is basking in a mini tourist boom, with a staggering 44% increase in visitors from Portugal recorded between January and April. Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Director for Southern Europe, is on a mission to shatter pre-pandemic records by luring over 52,000 Portuguese tourists this year. Ronnasiri shared her ambitions at the Thailand Festival in Lisbon. “We…
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Police raid drug party in Bangkok, arrest 29 and seize narcotics
Police raided a drug party, arresting 29 individuals and seizing a substantial amount of narcotics. The raid also revealed 22 individuals testing positive for drugs, further investigations ultimately led to the arrest of the drug supplier. Police conducted the raid at a building in Wang Thonglang District, Bangkok yesterday morning, uncovering a variety of drugs, including 1.1 kilogrammes of crystal…
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