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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Thai man turns himself in after woman found dead in Khon Kaen
A man connected to the last moments of a woman found dead by a pond has come forward to the police, shedding light on the incident. The 51 year old woman, referred to as Somchok, was discovered dead near a pond in Khuean Ubolratana, Ubolratana, Khon Kaen. Medical professionals attributed her death to pre-existing health conditions. The last person reportedly…
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Police arrest contract killer after 33 year manhunt in Lopburi
Police in Lopburi province yesterday apprehended a contract killer who escaped a 33 year prison sentence after a failed assassination attempt at a hotel. Chief of Police Supakorn Chantabut, along with Deputy Chief Siwawong Damrongsatchasi, alongside other officers successfully arrested the 56 year old contract killer, Paisan, yesterday, August 24. The arrest took place in Chaibadan district, Lopburi province. The…
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Armed robber targets gold shop in Nakhon Si Thammarat
An armed robber struck again at a gold shop in Nakhon Si Thammarat, following the exact pattern of a previous heist. The incident took place close to the store’s closing time, causing panic among employees and shoppers. The robbery occurred at Yaowarat Gold Shop inside Lotus Department Store in Thung Song, Nakhon Si Thammarat. The assailant, dressed in black and…
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Illegal Bitcoin mine in Ratchaburi causing power shortages raided
Police raided a hidden Bitcoin mining operation in Ratchaburi, uncovering over 900 mining rigs and revealing illegal electricity use that caused power shortages in the community. The raid was led by Deputy Superintendent Chumphon Sukphakdi of Ratchaburi City Police Station, along with Jumnong Chanwong, Chief District Officer for Security, Yotsaphon Chaibulwat, District Officer, and officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority…
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Oil stains littered across Jomtien Beach prompts cleanup efforts
Tourists at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya were met with an unfortunate sight as oil stains marred the sandy shores, clinging to their bodies and clothes. Numerous complaints from tourists regarding stubborn oil stains that couldn’t be washed off at Yinyom Beach prompted a cleanup effort by officials. The investigation revealed oil stains scattered across the beach and floating in the…
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Patong leaders back legalising sex work for safety and health
Patong’s key figures unanimously support the legalisation of sex work, asserting that it will enhance safety and health protection for sex workers and their clients. President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) Weerawit Kreuasombat highlighted the current paradox of Thailand’s stance on its renowned sex industry. “Thailand is known for its sex industry, yet maintains a hypocritical stance towards…
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Bangkok airports high-speed rail project hits the brakes
The high-speed rail project set to connect Bangkok’s three major airports has been thrown into limbo, as contract amendments grind to a halt. The delay is blamed on the lack of a new chairman for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee, a role that must be filled by the incoming Cabinet—still nowhere in sight. The ambitious 276.5-billion-baht project promises…
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Teen killed in Lopburi over jealousy-fueled shooting
A 16 year old boy was shot and killed by a 14 year old in Lopburi after the younger boy became jealous over romantic attention towards his girlfriend. The incident occurred yesterday evening. Police received a report at 7.05pm about a shooting at a three-way junction in Ban Nong Krathum, Maha Phot subdistrict, Sa Bot district, Lopburi province. Upon arrival, authorities…
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Chiang Mai temple halts 19-metre statue plan after public outcry
Wat Phra That Doi Kham in Chiang Mai has decided to halt its plan to build the world’s tallest Taowesuwan statue, standing at 19 metres, after facing significant opposition from locals and social media users. The revered temple, located in Mae Hia, Mueang district, had initiated a ceremony to install the giant statue’s feet, intending to provide devotees with a…
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Thai government destroys counterfeit goods worth 325 million baht
Thai officials recently conducted a significant destruction of counterfeit and pirated goods in an effort to combat intellectual property rights violations. The ceremony took place at the Air Defence Command headquarters in Don Mueang, Bangkok, and was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham, alongside Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisangpang, Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Wuttikrai Leeviraphan,…
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Bangkok: Thai man arrested for exploiting schoolgirl via dating app
Police apprehended a man exploiting a 16 year old schoolgirl through a dating app, producing and distributing explicit videos for profit, earning up to 30,000 baht monthly. Bangkok police, led by Police Major General Saruti Kwangsopa, arrested 25 year old Naphadol, also known as Ohmmy Aklok, under charges of human trafficking and the production or distribution of child pornography. The arrest…
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Thai mascot Butterbear mocked with overpriced satirical product
A recent online controversy erupted after a Facebook page mocked the beloved mascot Butterbear by selling a satirical product. The item, made from shredded pork floss, was labeled in a disrespectful manner and priced exorbitantly at several hundred baht. Butterbear, a mascot from the Butterbear shop, has become a national favourite, akin to a celebrity. The mascot has appeared on…
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Flood aid dispute in Nan province over meal box distribution
Drama unfolded over the distribution of donated meal boxes to flood victims in Nan province yesterday. A heated debate arose after a member of the Facebook group, Original Nan Community Market posted about their frustrating experience trying to obtain food aid. “I braved the floodwaters to request two meal boxes from the Suan Tan Temple foundation. The response I got…
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Food Republic to close last Thai branch on November 22
Food Republic’s final branch in Thailand, located at Central Plaza Grand Rama IX, will close its doors on November 22. The company expressed gratitude to its loyal customers in a Facebook post, marking the end of an era for the popular food court chain. Food Republic has been a well-known name in the food court industry, originally hailing from Singapore.…
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Intoxicated Thai man berates MRT rescue team after escalator fall
A Thai man, reportedly intoxicated, fell down the escalator at Phahon Yothin MRT station, only to berate rescue personnel who came to his aid, claiming to be a high-profile journalist. The incident was reported by a Facebook page, where MRT Phahon Yothin station staff detailed the events. According to the post, the incident occurred around 2pm yesterday when the intoxicated…
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Truck overturns in Chon Buri, injures four due to brake failure
A six-wheel truck overturned on the road leading down Pratumnak Hill in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province on Thursday, August 22, causing moderate injuries to four individuals. The driver attributed the accident to brake failure. The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Center received the report of the overturned truck at 3.46pm. The incident took place near the Bali Hai Pier intersection…
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Frenchman robbed by transgender individual on Pattaya songthaew
A Frenchman in Pattaya reported being robbed by a transgender individual who slashed his bag and stole his mobile phone before fleeing. Pascat Gaston Pair Francais, a 71 year old French national, filed a complaint with Pattaya police yesterday at 2am. He recounted that while riding a songthaew from Soi Buakhao to Soi 6, someone had secretly slashed his bag…
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Death toll in Phuket landslide rises to 9, including 2 Russians
The death toll from the flash flood and landslide in Phuket rose to nine, with two of the deceased being Russian nationals. Ten people were injured while dozens remain missing. The heavy rain from 1am today, August 23, led to a flash flood and landslide in the community near Kitti Sangkatam Temple in the Mueang district of Phuket. The residential area located…
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Thailand drafts new law to restructure oil prices
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy announced the completion of a draft law aimed at restructuring oil prices. This law is currently under review by a team of legal and energy experts before being presented to the Cabinet and later to the House of Representatives for consideration. Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga emphasised his commitment to ongoing projects despite the…
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Thaksin-era furniture returns as Paetongtarn takes office
The iconic furniture from Thaksin Shinawatra’s administration has been reinstated in the Prime Minister’s office, just in time for his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to take the reins as Thailand’s youngest premier. The sofa set and wooden desk, once the centrepieces of the PM’s office during Thaksin’s tenure (2001-2006), were returned today to their original spots in the Thai Khu Fah…
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Thai police seize crystal meth stash hidden in cement ware
Thai police scored a major win against international drug traffickers after uncovering a massive stash of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) hidden in decorative cement items at Bangkok Port. The drug bust was carried out by the Seaport Interdiction Task Force (SITF) on Wednesday, August 21. During a routine inspection at the Khlong Toei district, officers stumbled upon two suspicious boxes in…
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Police hunt 3 Thai thieves for Bangkok apartment robbery
Police are reviewing CCTV footage in a bid to identify and track down three Thai thieves who stole 50,000 baht in cash, three mobile phones, and a gold bracelet from three victims at an apartment in the Bangkok Yai district today. Officers from the Bangkok Yai Police Station swooped on an apartment room in Soi Charan Sanitwong 12 after the…
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Thai SMEs eye US e-commerce payday after major Amazon deal
Thailand’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to cash in on the lucrative US e-commerce market following a groundbreaking deal inked between the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and Amazon Global Selling (AGS). The partnership, formalised during the TOPTHAI Cross-Border e-Commerce Day 2024, aims to turbocharge the e-commerce export capabilities of Thai businesses, opening doors to the US$1.1…
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Commerce Ministry promotes Thai SELECT restaurants
The Commerce Ministry launched prototype Thai SELECT restaurants to boost Thailand’s soft power on a global scale. Celebrating its 104th anniversary, the ministry hosted the Driving the Thai Economy with Soft Power exhibition, led by caretaker Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, on the forecourt of its building. Phumtham emphasised the ministry’s dedication to enacting policies aimed at accelerating economic recovery. These…
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Thailand opens first semiconductor R&D centre
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) has inaugurated Thailand’s first comprehensive semiconductor technology research and development centre, setting the stage for the nation’s enhanced role in the global supply chain. The KMITL Academy of Innovative Semiconductor Manufacturing (KAISEM) will function as a central laboratory, uniting experts from diverse fields to collaborate on semiconductor research, innovation, and electronic manufacturing processes.…
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Thai teacher suspected of creating explicit images of schoolgirls
Thai schoolgirls in the southern province of Pattalung suspected their male teacher of creating explicit images of them and sharing them on the Instagram application. A schoolgirl and her parents filed a complaint at Khok Cha-ngai Police Station today, August 23, after she came across nude images of herself on Instagram. She brought the matter to teachers but the school…
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Thai Art Toy Fest comes to Bangkok this weekend
The IconSiam shopping complex is the place to be this weekend as the Thai Art Toy Fest kicks off tomorrow. The exhibition showcases Thailand’s rich heritage, all through the lens of art toys. Brought to you by a powerhouse collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), IconSiam, and DDD Collectible Art Toys, the event will feature over 80 art…
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Thailand on track to invest 77 billion baht in new light rail systems
Plans are underway for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to introduce a light rail system in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok, with an overall budget of 77 billion baht. MRTA Deputy Governor Wittaya Phanmongkol revealed that the estimated costs of the projects are 35 billion baht for Phuket, 30 billion baht for Chiang Mai, 7…
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Thai man accuses cop of assault after he honked truck horn (video)
A Thai man accused a police officer in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, of physically assaulting him, even though he did not violate any laws and only honked his truck horn to greet a passing friend. The Thai truck driver shared a video on Facebook, where he and his girlfriend were seen arguing with a traffic police officer from the…
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Thaksin drops bombshell on fallout with Prawit
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has finally broken his silence on the real reason behind his dramatic fallout with General Prawit Wongsuwan, the ex-military strongman and current leader of the embattled Palang Pracharath Party. During a question-and-answer session following his keynote speech on Thailand’s future at an event hosted by The Nation media group last night, Thaksin spilled the…
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