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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Muang Thai Life partners with Line BK for low-income targeted insurance
Muang Thai Life Assurance (MTL) is partnering with Line BK, a provider of social banking services, to introduce an insurance brokerage service that primarily caters to those with lower incomes and freelancers. Sara Lamsam, the CEO and president of MTL, stated that partnering with Line BK will provide the public with easier access to health and life insurance policies that…
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THAI’S high-flying ambition: Soaring to new heights in tourist traffic
Thai Airways International (THAI) unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its international flight offerings in the forthcoming high season. The airline’s primary focus is to draw in a higher number of tourists. A notable feature of this expansion is the airline’s decision to recommence flights to Istanbul, Turkey, which is a significant aviation hub for Asia, Europe, and Africa. This…
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Thai govt greenlights 500 billion baht boost for state-owned enterprises in 2024 budget bonanza
The Thai government yesterday approved a massive investment budget of 500 billion baht dedicated to 46 state-owned enterprises for the fiscal year 2024, commencing this October. The substantial budget aims to stimulate the national economy and bolster fiscal growth. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke detailed the budget allocation, stating that the funding includes 209 billion baht earmarked for ongoing and routine…
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Thai exports spring back to life: A global manufacturing and clean energy surge
After 11 months in decline, Thai exports have made a surprising return to growth, largely due to a resurgence in global manufacturing, consumer spending and a thriving service sector among trading partners. This upturn has been further fuelled by the promotion of clean energy policies, increased demand for technological products and the relative depreciation of the baht, according to the…
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Deadly duel: Teenager accidentally stabs friend to death while playing with knife
A 17 year old man accidentally stabbed his friend to death while they were playing with their brand-new knives in a public park in the northeastern province of Nong Bua Lamphu. Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital reported the teenager’s death to Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu Police Station at 7.30pm on Sunday, September 24. The hospital reported that the teen, named Ton,…
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Hefty heartbreak: Thai chubby chaser’s twisted dating tactics in motorcycle theft
Police arrested a chubby-chasing Thai man who confessed he used a dating app to lure fat-bottomed girls into going out with him so he could steal their motorcycles. The thief confessed that chubby girls were his main target as he believed they were low on self-esteem and easier to impress in person. Police Cyber Taskforce Division 5 (PCT5) conducted a…
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Social media stress sparks ‘rash’ decisions: Medical mystery solved for overworked Thai man
A young man shared a distressing experience on social media about overworking, which led to an unusual rash all over his body within just three days. Despite multiple medical tests, all the results came back normal. The doctor’s advice was simple yet crucial: Get some quality sleep for two days. This incident serves as a warning about the potential harm…
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Climbing restrictions loom for tourists at sacred Khao Klang Nok
Phetchabun’s Si Thep Historical Park may soon restrict tourists from climbing Khao Klang Nok, a ruin considered sacred by locals. The move comes in response to the increasing number of visitors following the park’s declaration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19. Locals expressed concerns about the influx of tourists, many of whom have been climbing Khao…
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Unseeded Thai triumphs, but sportsmanship takes a dive in Asian Games tennis showdown
A recent Asian Games tennis match delivered an enthralling contest between an unheralded Thai player and a highly-ranked South Korean opponent but ultimately concluded with a display of poor sportsmanship. Thai tennis player, Boom Kasidit, emerged as the surprising victor, causing an upset given that Kwon Soon-woo is 112th in the world and was favourite for overall victory. The 25…
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Royal rumble: Four years behind bars for outspoken lawyer and Thai activist
A prominent Thai activist and lawyer, known for his brazen calls for reforms in Thailand’s monarchy, received a four-year prison sentence today over charges of royal insults, a verdict confirmed by both the judge and his legal counsel. Arnon Nampa emerged as a notable figure during the pro-democracy demonstrations in 2020, where the Thai activist publicly advocated for a discourse…
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4 fake police officers kidnap woman for 300,000 baht ransom
A Thai woman filed a complaint alleging that four men posing as police officers kidnapped her for a 300,000 baht ransom. One of the suspects involved was the ex-boyfriend of the victim’s daughter. He was arrested by police while the other three suspects remain at large. The 48 year old victim, Patcharee, told officers at Mueang Prachuap Kiri Khan Police Station…
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UNESCO’s recognition triggers visitor surge at Si Thep Historical Park in northern Thailand
Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun experienced an unexpected surge in visitor numbers over the weekend, following its announcement as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19. The ensuing tourism influx prompted local agencies to call on the government for increased accommodation and facilities for the increasing number of tourists. Sittichai Poodee, the director of Si Thep Historical…
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Faulty brakes lead to 14 vehicle pile up on Rama II Road, Bangkok
A bus with faulty brakes caused a massive pile-up involving 14 vehicles on Rama II Road, resulting in numerous injuries. The crash occurred at 8am today. The incident led to severe traffic congestion as the damaged vehicles blocked all four lanes of the road. Upon arriving at the accident scene, officers from Bang Mod Police Station observed several damaged vehicles…
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FDA confirms Japanese seafood imports safe from Fukushima radioactivity
Seafood imported from Japan is free of harmful radioactivity levels, as confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This comes in response to global worries about the potential contamination of marine life following the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant that was devastated by a tsunami. Lertchai Lertvut, the FDA’s deputy secretary-general, detailed yesterday that rigorous…
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Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to be eligible for parole next year
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra will be eligible for parole in February next year, 2024. The ex-PM will not have to wear the Electronic Monitoring (EM) bracelet and will be able to express his views on Thai politics. The Committee on Human Rights, Freedom and Consumer Protection of the Thai Senate invited the Department of Corrections and Police…
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Thailand’s DoPA cracks down on ‘influential figures’ in nationwide crime hunt
The Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) in Thailand is vigorously working to identify individuals linked to criminal activities across the nation, revealed Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset. These individuals, referred to as “influential figures,” are purportedly involved in 16 distinct criminal offences. These include predatory lending, bid collusion, bribery from public transport vehicles, smuggling of untaxed goods, both online and…
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Thailand’s DES ministry intensifies fight against rising online fraud
Damages in Thailand by online fraud have seen a surge, despite a decrease in the victim count to an average of 580 daily complaints, a drop from the earlier 800, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry reports. This is attributed to the implementation of a new law targeted at curbing cybercrime. Prasert Jantararuangthong, DES Minister, observed that scammers are…
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Thai woman found dead in Chon Buri sea, Russian boyfriend disappears
A restaurant worker found the dead body of a Thai woman floating in the sea near Koh Larn, an island in Chon Buri province, while her Russian boyfriend was missing. A worker at the Haad Thian restaurant on Koh Larn reported the discovery to Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang Borriboon Dhammasatan rescue team. He explained that the Thai…
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Weather forecast: Storm to bring heavy rain across Thailand
Today’s weather shows a fading yet still potent storm set to pass through northern Thailand with heavy rains anticipated between September 26 and 29. The Department of Meteorology announced the weakening of the pressure system at 1am today. The storm, formerly known as “Depression,” has diminished into a strong low-pressure system near the city of Danang in Vietnam. This system…
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Big Joke caught partying with leading online gambling operator
Further suspicion has been cast on the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, after a video recorded by a renowned Thai lawyer showed Big Joke singing with a leading online gambling operator at a party. The former president of the Lamphun Warrior Football Club, Pongsiri “Tarn” Ratchawongsuek, and a Thai woman named Suchanan, also…
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Consumer finds unidentifiable object in FDA-approved seaweed soup
The end of a comforting seaweed soup meal turned into a shock when a consumer discovered an unidentifiable dark string mixed in with the seaweed. The incident, which occurred yesterday, sparked concern among members of the consumer group ‘We Are Consumers’ on social media. Amidst the worry, questions arose about the nature of the foreign object and whether the seaweed…
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Motorcycle accident in Na Yong district claims construction worker’s life
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 52 year old construction worker in Na Yong district, Trang province. The incident took place yesterday around 1am, near his home. The construction worker, Seree, lost control of his motorcycle, which then veered off the road and plunged into a canal. His body was discovered a day later after a 30…
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Deputy PM’s passport plea: Thai tourists seek visa-free voyage to Germany, EU
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara is calling for visa-free travel privileges for Thai tourists travelling to Germany and other European Union (EU) countries. During his stay in the United States to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78), the 66 year old MP seized the opportunity to meet with German Foreign…
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Hotel worker accused of attacking female guest due to late payment
A Thai woman accused a hotel worker in Parum Thani province, near Bangkok, of attacking her for a late payment. The victim, 26 year old Nattarika, sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after the physical altercation at the hotel on Soi Rungsit-Nakhon Nayok 20 in Thanya Buri district of Prahum Thani province. Nattarika recounted that her home was…
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Navigating online gaming regulations in Thailand
Online gaming in the Land of Smiles is a complex landscape, marked by stringent regulations stemming from laws that have been in place for nearly a century. As the country grapples with a robust underground gambling ecosystem, legal adjustments are anticipated, potentially signaling a shift toward legalisation and regulation. In this intricate legal landscape, platforms like Captain Rizk find ways…
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Monitor lizards’ amorous display in hospital car park sparks lottery number frenzy
A video clip of two large monitor lizards embracing each other in a hospital parking lot, before scurrying under a hospital bed, has been shared on Facebook by Bunthanya Wachirawongsarak. The clip was filmed while Bunthanya was waiting for her car insurance to be processed. The sight of the lizards in a loving embrace seemed so unusual and cute that…
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Police in hot water: 8 officers nabbed in online gambling network crackdown
An investigation into an online gambling network has led to the issuance of arrest warrants for eight police officers suspected of managing gambling websites and profiting from them. The search, which took place today, spanned over 30 locations in six provinces nationwide. The operation aimed to dismantle the extensive online gambling network connected to Betflixroyal.com and additional online gambling websites.…
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Female petrol station attendance sexually harassed by client
A petrol station attendant has sought justice by publicly sharing her disturbing experience of being sexually harassed by a male customer. The 30 year old victim, Mallika, sent CCTV footage of the sexual harassment to several news agencies in a bid to expose the perpetrator. In an interview with Channel 3, Mallika disclosed the incident happened at a petrol station…
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Thai ministry’s water woes: Bueng Boraphet faces aquatic crisis with levels plummeting tenfold
The Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment yesterday investigated the water situation at Bueng Boraphet, revealing that the water level is ten times lower than the previous year, creating a water crisis that could impact the ecosystem. The secretary, Jatuporn Burusphat, ordered continuous water replenishment from today. Accompanied by Pichit Sombatmak, Deputy Secretary, and other concerned officials,…
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92 year old granny’s electric rice cooker mishap: A side-splitting dinner delight
A humorous incident recently unfolded in a Chinese household, involving a 92 year old grandmother’s attempt to cook rice using a modern electric rice cooker. The result: a burnt cooker with the rice still uncooked left the entire family in fits of laughter, making for an unusual culinary experience. The incident was documented and shared on a TikTok account. The…
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