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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AstraZeneca vaccine linked to blood clots in 7 Thai recipients
The Department of Disease Control announced that out of the 20 million Thai citizens who received the AstraZeneca vaccine, seven developed blood clots, with two resulting in fatalities. These adverse effects were confirmed to occur within 42 days post-inoculation. Today the Director-General of the Disease Control Department, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, spoke about the vaccine’s side effects, emphasising that the incidences of…
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28 year old Thai woman poses as child to avoid theft charges
A 28 year old Thai woman lied about her age, claiming she was 13 years old, in an attempt to avoid charges for repeated thefts in the central province of Nonthaburi. The victim, 43 year old Sakorn Ployphan, filed a complaint at Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station. His wife’s phone, car keys, amulets, wallet, and other belongings were stolen earlier that…
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Massive meth lab busted in Suphan Buri with 4 million pills seized
A clandestine methamphetamine production operation was dismantled in Suphan Buri, Thailand, after a joint police raid, resulting in the seizure of over four million methamphetamine pills and the arrest of two key suspects. Late yesterday, under the management of high-ranking officers including the Region 7 Chief of Police and his deputies, along with the Suphan Buri Provincial Police, a covert…
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Chon Buri eatery owner hires man overcharged for rice & eggs dish
A Chon Buri eatery owner offered a job to an unemployed man and his young son, who were the focus of a viral story involving an overpriced two-egg rice dish. The compassionate gesture won the hearts of netizens who came across the owner’s social media post searching for the struggling pair. Following a widely criticized incident where a jobless father…
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Gold ornament prices leap to 41,200 baht in surprise surge
Gold prices soared unexpectedly, prompting swift action from interested buyers, as the latest figures from the Gold Traders Association (GTA) showed a significant jump. Today, gold ornaments’ selling price broke through to 41,200 baht per baht-weight, an increase of 350 baht from the previous day’s closing price. The surge in gold prices is not just an isolated economic event but…
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Pet peeve: Thai man eats dog in rage after it bit nephew (video)
Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) filed a lawsuit against a Thai man in the northern province of Chiang Mai for brutally killing and eating his pet dog in a fit of rage after it bit his seven year old nephew. A WDT representative filed a complaint at Sankampaeng Police Station yesterday, May 1, that the Thai man, later identified as 42…
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Health concerns rise with high mitragynine kratom drinks
Public health officials issued a stern warning regarding the rising trend of kratom-infused drinks, highlighting that these beverages may contain dangerously high levels of mitragynine, a compound found in the kratom plant. The Department of Medical Sciences, after conducting safety tests across various regions in March, revealed that all 52 samples of kratom-mixed beverages contained mitragynine levels ranging from 22…
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Severe drought hits Uthai Thani, farms and buffalos at risk
Thailand’s Uthai Thani province is grappling with its most severe drought in decades, with temperatures soaring between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius and a prolonged absence of rain. The drought has reached a critical point, affecting several districts and causing a widespread scarcity of water for both consumption and agricultural use. The situation has escalated to the point where it…
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Thai-tanic surge: Thailand investment pledges make waves
According to data released by the Board of Investment (BOI) today, Thailand’s investment pledges surged 31% in the first quarter of 2024. This promising growth was recorded in comparison to the corresponding period of last year. The information revealed that the aggregate value of all investment applications in the first three months, leading up to March, soared to 228 billion baht…
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Laotian man loses gold necklaces while sleeping drunk in Pattaya (video)
A Laotian man is seeking public help after losing two gold necklaces worth about 80,000 baht while sleeping off the after-effects of drunkenness on a footpath in Pattaya. The 37 year old Laotian man urged Channel 3 to share his story to seek a clue leading to the apprehension of the gold necklace thief. The man also issued a warning to…
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Thai banks reduce loan rates to alleviate customer debt
The four biggest banks in the country have all declared a drop in their loan interest rates. This decision by Bangkok Bank (BBL), Krungthai Bank (KTB), Kasikornbank (KBank), and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is a response to the prime minister’s call to lessen loan rates to help ease the debt pressure on susceptible customers. An anonymous banking sector analyst opines…
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Pattani shootout ends with two suspects dead, one officer injured
A deadly confrontation unfolded in Thung Yang Daeng district, Pattani, southern Thailand, where a four-hour gunfight resulted in the deaths of two suspects and left one officer injured. This violent exchange occurred yesterday, May 1, at a rented house under surveillance for harbouring individuals wanted by the law. The incident concluded with the discovery of two deceased, identified as Masobree…
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Thai renewable energy industry urges govt to revise trade system
The Federation of Thai Industries’ Renewable Energy Industry Club urged the government to revise the country’s electricity trade system from the longstanding enhanced single buyer (ESB) model, arguing it hampers the growth of renewable energy. The ESB structure, which designates the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) as the sole entity that sells electricity to the public, is seen as…
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Thailand Video News | American YouTuber attacks girlfriend for ‘content’, Ex-executive kicks police in the face during traffic stop
In this Thailand video news, Alex and Jay delve into the various stories across Thailand. Beginning with Microsoft recently launching its first regional data center in Thailand, aiming to enhance cloud and AI capabilities. However, amid technological advancements, troubling incidents unfold across the country. An American YouTuber faces assault allegations, a Laotian tourist is robbed in Pattaya, and a former…
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Businesswoman gifts 100 million baht estate to Thai cleaner
A businesswoman in Thailand tragically ended her life using a firearm next to the pool of her luxurious villa on Koh Samui. Before her death, the 59 year old woman named Catherine, astonishingly bequeathed her entire estate, valued at 100 million baht, to her devoted housekeeper, following a cancer diagnosis. The circumstances surrounding her suicide remain a mystery, as CCTV…
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Jorakay to invest 300 million baht in Vietnam factory
Jorakay Corporation, a renowned producer of tile adhesive, grouting products, and various construction chemicals under the Crocodile brand, announced intentions to invest 300 million baht in a Vietnam factory in 2028. The investment is earmarked for the establishment of a factory in Vietnam, driven by robust demand and the company’s aspiration to expand its export reach to the Philippines and…
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Russian man found dead in Bangkok canal with multiple cuts
Locals discovered the dead body of a Russian man in the Hua Lamphong Canal in Bangkok yesterday. He bore more than 10 cut wounds on his wrists. Officers from the Bangrak Police Station investigated the body of the Russian man at around 8am yesterday. Locals in the area spotted the body in the Hua Lamphong Canal near Soi Santiphap in…
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Thai tourism industry supports reintroduction of 300 baht tourist fee
Tourism industry stakeholders in Thailand voiced their support for the reintroduction of a 300 baht fee for incoming tourists, viewing it as crucial for generating funds for tourism development. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) intends to discuss the project’s necessity with Sermsak Pongpanich, the incoming tourism minister. Surawat Akaraworamat, TCT’s Vice President, said that the Thai Chamber of Commerce…
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American YouTuber swings from fame to shame in Thailand
Police arrested an American YouTuber at his home in Pattaya yesterday after he physically assaulted his Thai girlfriend by hitting her with a golf club. The man claimed the attack was staged for a video on his YouTube channel. The Thai woman, 20 year old Kanittha, and her younger sister sought assistance from a 55 year old maid named Anchulee…
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South Africa and Thailand boosts agricultural ties
The agricultural sector has become a significant beneficiary of the thriving bilateral relationship between Thailand and South Africa, revealed South Africa’s Ambassador to Thailand, Darkey Africa in a recent interview. This conversation was held to commemorate three decades of South African democracy and the bilateral relationship between the two nations including a strengthening of agricultural ties. Africa underscored the positive…
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Thailand’s govt backs AI industry and boosts digital infrastructure
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the government is ready to support the AI industry and enhance the country’s digital infrastructure. The statement was made at the Microsoft Build: AI Day Event at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where he welcomed around 2,000 developers and business and technology leaders. “AI has changed many aspects of our lives, workplaces, and business…
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Influenza outbreak in Thailand prison infects over 3,000 inmates
A devastating influenza outbreak at Nakhon Si Thammarat prison in Thailand has infected almost 3,500 inmates, leading to two fatalities, as reported by public health officials. The prison in Phra Phom district was inspected by a team led by Dr Kittisak Aksornwong, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health, who confirmed the outbreak. From April 19 to April 28, 3,442…
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Phuket tourism industry hit by escalating water shortage
Phuket‘s tourism sector is grappling with an escalating water shortage crisis, as hotel operators face rising costs due to the scarcity. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, the Phuket Tourist Association President, yesterday, May 1, called on the government for a sustainable solution to the annual water deficits. He cited that the primary reservoirs, Bang Wad, Klong Kata, and Bang Neow Dum, are currently…
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Khon Kaen school deputy caught for soliciting mid-term bribes
A school deputy director in Khon Kaen has been apprehended by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on the grounds of soliciting tea money from parents for mid-term admissions. The arrest was a result of a parent’s complaint against the deputy director. The school director, according to the complaint, is associated with a school under the Khon Kaen Primary Educational Service…
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Ayutthaya chemical fire leads to Phachi Hospital shutdown
A chemical warehouse fire in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province caused widespread chaos, leading to the temporary closure of Phachi Hospital and the establishment of an emergency field hospital and evacuation centre. The fire, which was brought under control at 10pm yesterday, May 1, forced locals to flee their homes and seek temporary shelter. The fire broke out in a…
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Chon Buri manhunt for suspects in sexual assault of two sisters
Two men have been accused of a heinous crime involving a sexual assault on two underage sisters, aged 14 and 16, in Chon Buri province, as reported yesterday, May 1. The 35 year old mother of the victims, identified by the pseudonym A, has lodged a formal complaint with the police, alleging that her daughters were lured and subsequently assaulted…
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Ex-executive kicks police officer’s face during DUI arrest in Thailand
In a highly publicised incident, an intoxicated former female executive was arrested for driving under the influence and assaulting a deputy police commander during her apprehension. This confrontation, involving high-profile individuals and captured on video, has sparked a media frenzy and intense public debate over issues of conduct and law enforcement in Thailand. The former executive, known as Khun Meow,…
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Cabin crew reveals top three seats to avoid in economy class
In recent guidance, an airline cabin crew member has identified the three worst seats in the economy class and advised passengers to avoid them if possible. When booking flights, especially in economy class, passengers often seek the best available comfort within the constraints of their budget. The advice from the cabin crew member aims to enhance passenger comfort by steering…
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Tiny salmon bento box stirs big waves online, priced at 35 baht
Social media recently buzzed with a viral photo of a bento box from Japan, showcasing a minuscule piece of salmon on a bed of rice, reminiscent of a single bite of sushi. Capturing the attention of online communities worldwide, this image from a Japanese supermarket, priced at 150 yen (approximately 35 baht), sparked a wave of comments and shares across…
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Family seeks truth over Thai woman’s mysterious death in Malaysia
The tragic death of a 26 year old Thai woman in Malaysia has galvanised a family to seek justice amidst mysterious circumstances. The 25 year old deceased’s husband and her 49 year old mother have come forward with concerns over the unclear causes of her untimely demise. On a recent afternoon at the Paweena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women…
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