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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Nakhon Ratchasima hosts 11-day grand Vesak celebration with renowned Thai monks
Nakhon Ratchasima province in northeast Thailand is set to hold an 11-day grand event to celebrate Vesak Week, featuring the veneration of holy relics from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. The celebration, starting today, coincides with the 555th anniversary of Nakhon Ratchasima City and will take place at MCC Hall on the third floor of The Mall. Attendees will have…
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Free rides on Bangkok’s Yellow Line monorail during June trial
The (MRTA) announced that a one-month trial run of the Yellow Line monorail will start on Saturday, June 3, offering free rides for commuters during this period. The decision was made during a meeting between the Department of Rail Transport and Eastern Bangkok Monorail (EBM), the company responsible for the line’s concession. Staff members working on the Yellow Line will…
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Myanmar migrant killed, 10 arrested after pickup truck overturns in Kanchanaburi
A tragic incident occurred in Kanchanaburi’s Sangkhla Buri district when a pickup truck smuggling illegal migrants from Myanmar overturned, resulting in one fatality and ten arrests. A police officer was also injured during the operation as he was struck by one of the three pickup trucks involved in the smuggling. Late Wednesday night, a joint team of soldiers, police, and…
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Nurse vanishes after 7-day marriage: Thai soldier plans to file lawsuit
A young Thai lieutenant found his newlywed life turn sour after only seven days of marriage to a nurse he met through a dating app. Having shared their story online, it is now suspected that the man was duped into paying a sizeable dowry. The 28 year old lieutenant, Sutha (surname withheld), has opened up about his short-lived marriage to…
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Ownership nightmare: British buyer’s 15 million baht condo purchase in Koh Samui hits legal roadblock
A British man filed a complaint with the Thai authorities after he bought a 15 million baht condominium in Koh Samui from a real estate company in the southern province of Surat Thani but could not obtain legal ownership. Many foreigners fell victim to this company, resulting in estimated damages of 100 million baht. A representative of the Thailand Consumers Council,…
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Thailand intensifies efforts to end childhood statelessness
In a seminar held in Bangkok, officials from the Thai Government, civil society organisations, and UN agencies gathered to reinforce their efforts towards ending childhood statelessness in Thailand. The seminar was part of the UNHCR-UNICEF Joint Strategy for Addressing Childhood Statelessness and aimed to evaluate the progress made in the country, identify challenges, and explore solutions for improved collaboration among…
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Thailand targets 3 trillion baht tourism revenue in 2023 with sustainability focus
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is optimistic that the country’s tourism industry will achieve a revenue of 3 trillion baht in 2023, equal to the revenue generated in 2019. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT’s deputy governor for Asia and the South Pacific, revealed that the agency is developing new promotional strategies for the next fiscal year and anticipates finalising its proposal…
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Government confirms 4-month electricity discount for users below 300 units
The Thai government confirmed a four-month electricity discount from May to August this year. This relief measure aims to alleviate energy price hardship for users who consume no more than 300 units per month, with an additional 150 baht rebate per household in May for those using no more than 500 units. Anucha Burapachaisr, deputy presidential secretary on political affairs,…
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Tragedy strikes as cement truck fatally runs over 2 year old boy near Bangkok
A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok, where a two year old boy lost his life after being run over by a cement truck. The driver of the truck blamed a broken brake system. The devastating event took place at the TPI Concrete Company in Pathum Thani. Officers from Mueang Pathum Thani Police Station swiftly arrived at…
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Phuket nightclubs raided for late trading, serving alcohol to minors
Two Phuket nightclubs in the Kathu district have been raided by officials from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) and the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor). The clubs, the Ratree Club and Mahanakorn Phuket were accused of late trading, public disturbance, serving alcohol to minors, and operating without proper permits. The raids were carried out early this morning after a plain-clothes officer confirmed…
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Van carrying migrants crashes and catches fire, leaving 4 dead
A van carrying migrant workers fled from police before crashing and catching fire in Thailand’s central Ayutthaya province, resulting in four deaths. Authorities are currently investigating the accident and searching for any additional injuries or casualties. The accident occurred at around 1am this morning on Highway 3543 near Chiang Rak Noi School in Bang Pa-in district. A van transporting migrant…
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Asia’s factory demand eases amid China’s faltering recovery and global trade slump
Factories across Asia experienced a further decline in demand during May, as China‘s sluggish recovery impacted a region already grappling with a global trade downturn. Taiwan’s purchasing managers indexes (PMI) dropped to 44.3 from 47.1 in April, while Vietnam recorded its lowest reading since September 2021, according to S&P Global. South Korea’s factory gauge saw a slight increase in May,…
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Undercover payments: Lottery vendors reveal ‘protection fees’ to local police in Kamphaeng Phet
A sticker coined “lottery protection fees” has emerged in Kamphaeng Phet province, with lottery vendors revealing they pay a monthly fee of 500 baht per booth to local police. The fee allegedly allows them to sell lottery tickets above the set prices within their territory only, but it doesn’t guarantee they won’t be fined. According to a lottery vendor in…
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Thai armed forces plan to halve generals, save billions by 2027
Thailand‘s Defence Council has recently given the green light to a reform plan that aims to reduce the number of generals in the armed forces by 50% by 2027, as stated yesterday by Deputy Defence Ministry Spokesperson, Colonel Jittanat Punnotok. Currently, there are approximately 1,200 generals in the military, a military source told Bangkok Post. Between 2017 and 2021, the…
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Krungsri bank expects Thai government to boost Japanese investment
Krungsri, also known as the Bank of Ayudhya, believes that the new Thai government will continue to encourage Japanese investment in the country. Japan is currently Thailand’s largest foreign investor, contributing 28.6% of total investment, or 23.3 billion baht. As political parties form a coalition government, Japanese investors are closely monitoring the situation. Bunsei Okubo, the head of Japanese corporate and…
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2 Vietnamese con men swindles 65,000 baht from phone shop in Thailand
Two Vietnamese men allegedly swindled 65,000 baht from a phone shop in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima by selling two counterfeit iPhones. The owner of the phone shop, 46 year old Ratchaphat Thoenmongkhon, filed a complaint at Mueng Nakhon Ratchasima Police Station on May 19 after learning that the two mobile phones she bought from the Vietnamese men were…
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Man from Uthai Thani shot himself after dispute led to divorce
A 34 year old man from Uthai Thani province shot himself after an argument with his wife led to their divorce. The incident occurred just a day after his 34th birthday and followed a long line of heated disputes between the couple. Pattanapong Pomthong was found lifeless with an 11mm handgun by his side at his rental home in Nong…
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Thai textile factory ordered to pay 19 million baht in overdue wages to workers
Textile factory workers in Thailand’s central Samut Prakan province are set to receive 19.33 million baht in unpaid wages, plus 15% interest, after labour authorities intervened on their behalf. The factory operator has been ordered to expedite the payment process for approximately 109 workers who had not received their full wages between July 2020 and April this year. These workers…
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Daring cannabis vendor chases fleeing client, gets shot while leaping from speeding pickup (video)
A cannabis vendor in the central province of Nakhon Pathom jumped onto the back of a speeding pickup to demand payment from his fleeing client. The ganja thief then shot the vendor in the leg after he leapt from the moving vehicle. Officers from Pho Kaew Police Station rushed to investigate the shooting scene in front of Soi Tessaban in…
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Thailand’s DDC warns of monkeypox in LGBTQ community
News about monkeypox is circling in Thailand once more. Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued a warning regarding the potential rise in monkeypox cases, particularly within the LGBTQ community. The DDC has advised reducing close skin contact and limiting the number of sexual partners to prevent the disease from spreading, Bangkok Post reported. Jakkarat Pittayawong-anont, the director of…
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Lottery expert Uncle Pong deciphers cultural image on ticket for June 1 draw
Lottery enthusiasts eagerly follow “Uncle Pong” for his analysis of six-digit numbers derived from the Thai Government Lottery’s cover image for today’s June 1 draw, depicting Mahasarakham Province‘s cultural festival featuring rice-stuffed puppets. One popular trend for lottery aficionados is the interpretation of winning numbers based on the images found on the covers of Thai government lottery tickets. Recently, TikTok…
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10 Thai provinces at risk as strong monsoon rains bring threat of flash floods and landslides
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) released an advisory today warning about strong monsoon rains impacting 10 provinces, urging caution against potential flash floods and landslides. The advisory will remain in effect until June 6 and impacts the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. According to the announcement, the south-westerly monsoon rains are growing stronger, causing waves of 2-3…
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Thai monk seeks justice for reputation damage after accusations cleared
A revered Thai monk and his supporters are hitting back after accusations of inappropriate behaviour and misconduct have been cleared. The monk, 73 year old Luang Por Wang of Wat Ban Kluey in Nakhon Ratchasima province, along with his nephew, 38 year old Thanawat Saeveekul, filed a complaint with the police after an investigation showed no evidence of misconduct. The…
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Drunken Chinese man causes chaos at Pattaya hotel, threatens to jump from balcony
A chaotic scene unfolded at the First Pacific Hotel in Pattaya as a drunken Chinese man brought the establishment to a standstill. Perched precariously on the third-floor balcony, it seemed as though he might leap to his death. The 22 year old man was in a state of distress, alleging that a taxi driver had stolen his mobile phone. However,…
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Thailand’s MPI growth faces stagnation amid export slowdown and high costs
The Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) in Thailand is predicted to experience subdued growth of 0-1% this year, owing to a combination of domestic and international business challenges. The April MPI reading was the lowest in 34 months, with an 8.14% year-on-year drop to 83.5 points, marking the seventh consecutive decline since October last year, according to the Office of Industrial…
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Thai school conducts mass drug testing: Is it a violation of student rights?
A Thai school recently conducted a mass urine drug testing initiative for its entire student body, causing online debate as netizens clashed over whether this practice constituted a violation of the students’ rights. The school, local authorities, and health officials collaborated on the project to ensure a drug-free environment. The school is located in the town of Tha Rong in…
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Saha Group urges Thai govt to prioritise agriculture over wage hikes
The Saha Group, a prominent consumer product conglomerate in Thailand, advised the new Thai government to prioritise the promotion of the agricultural sector instead of significantly raising the daily minimum wage. The group’s chairman, Boonsithi Chokwatana, believes this approach would contribute to sustainable economic growth. Boonsithi also suggested that the government should concentrate on enhancing the economy through educational initiatives…
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Pattaya drug bust: Thai police nab South Korean dealer, seize 17 million baht worth of drugs
Thai police arrested a South Korean drug dealer in Pattaya following the rounding up of 70 drug suspects and the seizure of drugs worth about 17 million baht. The Thai Immigration Bureau (TIMB) held a press conference at the Brighton Grand Hotel in Pattaya today, where they shared the details of the arrest. Officers emphasised that the successful capture of…
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Pheu Thai leader denies backroom deals: High-ranking Parliamentary roles still up for grabs
The Pheu Thai leader denies allocating high-ranking Parliamentary roles for his party, asserting that discussions are still ongoing to fill key positions. Despite rumours of potential nominees, Pheu Thai chief Chonlanan Srikaew maintains that no final decision has been made. Chonlanan addressed the ongoing negotiations concerning the appointment of the President of the House of Representatives, stating that talks between his…
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Shining Surge: Gold prices soar in Thailand, hitting 32,650 baht per baht
The Gold Traders Association reported an increase in gold prices in Thailand today, with gold bullion trading at 32,650 baht per baht, up 50 baht compared to the closing price of yesterday. Gold bars are being bought at 32,050 baht and sold at 32,150 baht. Recording a rise in gold prices today, the Gold Traders Association stated that gold ornaments…
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