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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Gas explosion injures woman and damages homes in Lat Krabang
A gas explosion in a residential area of Lat Krabang, Bangkok, left a 73 year old woman seriously injured and caused damage to five houses. Officials from the Lat Krabang District Office are assessing the damage and investigating the incident. Police from Chalong Krung Station were alerted to a gas cylinder explosion yesterday, September 24, in a house located in…
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Teenager drowns while playing in Chaiyaphum floodwaters
A 13 year old boy tragically drowned while playing in floodwaters with friends. His body was found the following morning under a weir. The search was conducted by various rescue teams, and the boy’s family was present, overwhelmed with grief. Yesterday, September 24, a 13 year old student drowned after being swept away by strong currents while playing in floodwaters…
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Bangkok’s Red Line to extend 20-baht fare after ridership surge
The Red Line operator aims to extend its popular 20-baht flat-rate fare for another year following a significant increase in ridership during the current trial period, which expires in November. Passenger numbers on the Red Line surged by approximately 50% since the 20-baht fare was implemented in October last year, according to Suthep Punthupeng, CEO of SRT Electrified Train Co,…
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Marriage equality approved, LGBTQA+ couples to wed in 120 days
King Rama X yesterday approved the Marriage Equality Bill allowing LGBTQA+ couples in Thailand to officially marry in 120 days after the approval. The movement to allow LGBTQA+ couples to legally register their marriages in Thailand began 23 years ago, in 2001, when former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in office. However, Thai society had not yet widely recognised the…
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Thailand starts 10,000-baht handout to 3 million needy individuals
Three million needy and disabled individuals in Thailand will receive the 10,000-baht handout under the government’s digital wallet programme today, announced Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. This initial rollout is part of a larger initiative aimed at aiding 14.5 million recipients in total. Due to limitations with the PromptPay payment system, only 3 million recipients can be processed initially. These funds…
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Thunderstorms forecast: Brace yourself for a wet and wild day
Heavy rainfall is expected across nearly all regions of Thailand today, with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issuing warnings for 60 provinces. Northern, northeastern, eastern, central, and southern areas, including Bangkok and its vicinity, are advised to be cautious of potential heavy rain and flash floods. The TMD forecasts that over the next 24 hours, a relatively strong monsoon trough…
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Thailand’s universal healthcare won’t ‘break the bank’ says minister
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health remains confident that the universal healthcare programme will not face financial difficulties, according to Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. The government has allocated a central budget of 5.9 billion baht for the scheme for the fiscal year ending September 30. Somsak provided this update following a National Health Security Board meeting, where participants discussed plans for…
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South Korean man wanted for Pattaya murder nabbed in Vietnam
A South Korean suspect of a brutal murder who had been on the run for months, has finally been captured in Vietnam after a dramatic chase across Southeast Asia. The murder suspect, 38 year old Kim HyeonggWon, wanted for a gruesome killing in Pattaya, has been extradited to South Korea, where justice awaits. Kim was arrested in Hanoi’s Dong Da…
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Panda mania hits Hong Kong: Two to arrive from China
Hong Kong is gearing up for panda fever as two giant pandas, gifted by China, are set to arrive in the city on Thursday, September 26. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced the exciting news, calling it a “major event” for the region. The entire city is buzzing with anticipation, with Lee revealing a citywide naming contest for the…
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Flash flood in Doi Khun Tan claims elderly woman’s life
A devastating flash flood in Doi Khun Tan National Park claimed the life of an elderly woman, whose body was swept away for 3 kilometres. The incident, described as the worst in 70 years, has left a community in mourning. Flash floods from Doi Khun Tan National Park swept away the home of Sameur Suksai, approximately 70 years old, in…
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93 countries including Singapore will require ETA for Thai entry
Soon, Singaporeans and travellers from 92 other visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before their trip to the Land of Smiles. Reports suggest a pilot programme might kick off in December, with full implementation expected by June 2025. However, The Straits Times has learned that the exact launch date is still up in the…
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Tragic accident claims man’s life in Buriram amid bank visit
A tragic accident in Buriram has claimed the life of a 38 year old man. The incident occurred as he was returning home from the bank, where he had spent the past three consecutive days trying to link his new bank book to the PromptPay system. Unfortunately, he collided with a tractor and sustained fatal injuries. Yesterday, September 23, Police…
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Boy returns lost gold necklace worth hundreds of thousands of baht
A nine year old student of Ban Khan Moo School in Phatthalung province, Thailand, returned a gold necklace with a sacred amulet worth hundreds of thousands of baht to its rightful owner after finding it in a market water gutter. Yesterday, September 23, teachers, students, and parents of Ban Khan Moo School in Phatthalung gathered to commend Kris, a Primary…
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New alert system to be rolled out for natural disasters in Thailand
The Government of Thailand is set to roll out SMS alerts for natural disasters, ensuring the public is warned of impending danger, Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong revealed today. Prasert, who also serves as deputy PM, announced that the decision was made during a high-stakes meeting yesterday, September 23, attended by key players such as the Disaster Prevention…
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Thailand’s virtual banking sector faces competition for licences
Thailand’s emerging virtual banking sector is seeing intense competition as the number of applications has surpassed the available licences. The Bank of Thailand (BoT) announced it received five applications for virtual banking licences before the deadline, with plans to grant a maximum of three licences. The successful bidders are expected to be announced by mid-2025. The BoT has not disclosed…
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Phetchaburi temple under fire for destroying cultural plaster art
A prominent temple in Phetchaburi province is facing criticism for destroying cultural plaster art by a national artist to make way for a coffee shop. Academic and renowned writer Niphatporn Pengkaew shared images and comments on Facebook yesterday, September 23, showcasing the plaster art, and local wisdom of Phetchaburi. The post revealed that the plaster art, created by national artist…
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Move over Moo Deng: Penguin Pesto steals the spotlight
Among the sea of monochrome penguins at Melbourne’s Sea Life Aquarium, one fluffy superstar is stealing the show – and the Internet can’t get enough of him. Meet Pesto, the penguin chick who’s gone from a 200-gramme hatchling to a massive 22.5 kilogrammes in just nine months! Affectionately dubbed an “absolute unit” and a “linebacker,” Pesto’s viral fame has eclipsed…
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Loan sharks attack victim faces charges after defending himself
A gang of loan sharks mistakenly attacked a 56 year old man at his home in Nonthaburi, leading him to defend himself. Ultimately, he is now at risk of facing legal action despite being the victim. Athiwat Sirikangwalwong, founder of the Dare to Step page, arrived to investigate the incident after receiving a complaint from Aran. The incident began when…
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Pattaya: Couple snatches motorbike while noodle shop owner naps
A chicken noodle vendor in Pattaya woke up to discover his motorbike had vanished – all because he left the key in the ignition while taking a nap. The 26 year old vendor, Thanapol Bingkhunthod, runs a small but busy chicken noodle shop on Soi Arunothai. His day took a turn for the worse yesterday, September 23, when a crafty…
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Bangkok bonanza: Chinese tourists ‘Agoda’ crazy for Golden Week
A popular travel booking platform, Agoda, reported that Bangkok is one of the top five destinations among Chinese tourists for the upcoming Golden Week from October 1 to 7. Agoda revealed the number of searches for overseas accommodations by Chinese nationals on September 23. The report showed that the number of searches increased by 137% compared to the same period…
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Thai PM’s Office hits back at ethics amendment critics
Political storms are brewing over Thailand’s controversial charter amendment proposal but the Prime Minister’s Office is pushing back, insisting the revisions won’t weaken the fight against corruption. Yesterday, September 23, PM Office Minister Chousak Sirinil dismissed concerns surrounding the Pheu Thai Party’s charter amendment plan, which includes revising ethical standards for political officeholders. Critics claim it could undermine the constitution’s core…
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Man injured in Phatthalung domestic dispute involving wooden plank
A domestic dispute in Phatthalung ended violently when a man was struck on the head with a wooden plank by his partner. The injured man fled to seek help from neighbours and the assailant later escaped on a motorcycle. Yesterday, September 23, Phatthalung City Police received a report of an assault at a residence in the Khuan Maprao sub-district. Lieutenant…
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Thai government to tighten grip on online scammers
The Government of Thailand is set to unleash new laws in its war against online scams, with a toughened stance on cyber criminals. Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy (MDES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, vowed to not only protect consumers but also tackle the soaring number of fraud cases that threaten the nation’s economic security. Responding to concerns raised by Senator…
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Phatthalung romance: Love-struck victim won’t ‘stick’ it to attacker
A love-struck Thai man in the southern province of Phatthalung has decided to forgive and forget, even after his boyfriend savagely attacked him with a wooden stick, leaving him unconscious. Remarkably, the victim has declared he still loves his assailant. Officers from Mueang Phatthalung Police Station were alerted to the assault at a house in the Mueang district of Phatthalung…
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Thai baht hits 19-month high as US dollar weakens
The Thai baht has soared to its highest level in 19 months against the US dollar, driven by a weaker American currency and profit-taking in gold markets. Opening at 32.92 per dollar today, the baht marked a significant rise from September 20’s closing rate of 33.60 baht. This appreciation follows the dollar’s depreciation, which was triggered by the US Federal…
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Commerce Ministry says pork prices are ‘bringing home the bacon’
The Thai Ministry of Commerce has addressed concerns raised by Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan regarding the high cost of pork in Thailand compared to imported pork. This issue has led to significant expenses for consumers. Consequently, the ministry has instructed the Internal Trade Department to collaborate with relevant agencies to find solutions that balance and make the entire pricing chain fairer.…
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Domestic tourism makes tracks but misses 1 trillion baht mark
Domestic tourism is on track to achieve 200 million trips this year, though revenue is anticipated to fall short of the 1 trillion baht (US$30 billion) target, reaching only 965 billion baht (US$29.3 billion). The private sector is urging for the promotion of second-tier cities through a loyalty programme to bolster local tourism. From January to July, domestic tourism receipts…
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Thai man alleges police officer assault over Laotian bar girl
A Thai man accused a police officer and his friends of physically assaulting him over a Laotian bar girl in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo on Saturday, September 21. The 40 year old Thai man, Sarawut, asked Channel 7 to help him seek justice, claiming he was assaulted by a police officer and his two friends at around 2am…
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Thailand delays minimum wage hike to 400 baht by two weeks
Thailand’s decision to delay the planned increase in the minimum wage to 400 baht per day will extend the wait by about two weeks, according to a senior labour official. This postponement, initially set for October 1, is due to the committee responsible for the hike not meeting quorum requirements in its recent sessions. The committee, comprising representatives from employers,…
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Young man robbed at gunpoint near Chatuchak Park MRT station
A young man from Chiang Mai was robbed at gunpoint near the Mo Chit BTS station near Chatuchak Market after arriving at the Mo Chit bus terminal. Officers from Prachachuen Police Station are actively pursuing the suspect involved in this brazen robbery that occurred around 6.23am yesterday, September 23. Police Colonel Sanya Ubonviratana, the chief of Prachachuen Police Station, directed…
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