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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Internal strife and political interference hinder Thai police reform
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are in the throes of internal conflict and political interference, making police reform a distant goal, say observers. A recent high-profile disagreement between National Police Chief, Police General Torsak Sukvimol, and his deputy, Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, has fuelled this perception. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who presides over the Police Commission, allocated the…
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Thailand in talks with China to swap submarine for naval vessels
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang is near finalising discussions with China to acquire alternative naval vessels instead of a submarine, aiming to conclude the talks by the end of this month. The negotiations began following Klungsang’s recent trip to China, where he introduced the proposal. China has shown openness to Thailand’s request to purchase two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) or a…
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Thai monk allegedly rapes woman, demands she divorces husband
A Thai man sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after a monk demanded he end his relationship with his wife so he could have her. The monk had previously raped the woman making her pregnant. The 36 year old Thai man, Warut, revealed in the press conference yesterday, March 31, that he married his wife, 31 year old…
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Thai rice redemption price drops ahead of farming season
The upcoming farming season in Thailand, set to start this month, is witnessing a significant drop in the rice redemption price. This sharp decline, according to the Thai Agriculturist Association, is primarily due to market mechanisms and an oversupply of rice, particularly a Vietnamese variety. Agriculturist Association President Pramote Charoensilp noted that during the first crop season of the year,…
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Boy, 11, declines HIV test knowing partner’s positive status
An 11 year old boy stunned medical professionals with his response to a suggestion for an HIV test after a genital discharge complaint. The boy confidently declined the test, indicating that he was already aware of his status through his partner, an 18 year old girl. The alarming case emerged on the popular Facebook page ไม่ใช่หมà¸à¸šà¹ˆà¸™-aggressivenotdoctor, where it was revealed…
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Gold soars to unprecedented heights amid geopolitical tensions
As the second quarter of the year commences, gold has reached unprecedented heights, thanks to geopolitical tensions and the Federal Reserve’s impending rate cuts. The precious metal’s price soared to as high as US$2,259.69 per ounce, marking an increase of 1.3% from its value at the end of last week. The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of core inflation, the core…
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Thai woman’s fake robbery covers ex-marital money matters
A Thai woman faked a robbery to hide from her new husband that she was previously married and was still sending money to her ex-husband and their child. The 30 year old woman, Walisa, filed a theft complaint at Pak Chong Police Station at 11.30pm yesterday, March 31. She reported that a thief stole 2,200 from her, the amount she…
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World Bank predicts 2.8% economic growth for Thailand
The World Bank predicted a modest economic growth of 2.8% for Thailand in 2024, with an acceleration of 3.0% in 2025. This forecast announced today, April 1, is underpinned by the nation’s struggling exports and a postponed budget. This projection for 2024 and 2025 marks a decrease from the previously estimated figures of 3.2% and 3.1%, respectively, set in December.…
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Thailand grapples with intense heatwave, temperatures hit 40°C
Thailand is grappling with an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring past 40 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for intense heat across the country, along with thunderstorms expected in ten provinces. As the high-pressure system caused by intense heat envelops the upper region of Thailand, the entire country faces generally hot weather, accompanied by scattered…
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Isaan residents urged to avoid risky sex after 9 new Mpox cases
The Office of 9th Disease Prevention and Control Nakhon Ratchasima (ODPC 9) urged residents in the southern Isaan region to avoid engaging in any risky monkey business after nine new Mpox cases were reported between January 1 and February 13. The director of the ODPC 9, Thaweechai Wissanuyothin, said the number of Mpox cases (formerly monkeypox) in Thailand was decreasing…
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Thai woman narrowly escapes injury as demolition goes wrong
A near-miss incident involving a building demolition and a woman in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand, took centre stage yesterday afternoon. The woman, employed at an eatery, narrowly escaped injury when a building under demolition collapsed unexpectedly, part of it crashing into the eatery. The incident occurred around 2pm, yesterday, March 31, on Charoen Mueang Road in the Mueang district of the…
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Italian national arrested for drunk driving in Phuket, Thailand
A drink driving incident yesterday led to the arrest of an Italian national in Phuket, Thailand. The man’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was found to be 95mg/dL, which is significantly above the legal limit. This 50 year old Italian man was apprehended by Patong Police around 4am in the vicinity of Loma Circle at the northern end of Patong Beach.…
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Taking off: Passenger charges soar at six major Thai airports
Passenger service charges (PSC) at six major Thai airports have seen an increase, as announced by the Airports of Thailand Plc. The charges, applicable on both domestic and international departing flights, have been raised at Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Don Mueang, Hat Yai, Phuket and Suvarnabhumi airports. For international flights, the fees have been increased from 700 to 730 baht,…
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Thailand emerges as billionaire hotspot, ranked 12th in rich list
Hurun Research Institute released its prestigious 2024 Hurun Global Rich List, revealing that Thailand ranks 12th worldwide for having the highest number of billionaires. Hurun Research Institute is a leading research, luxury publishing and events group based in Shanghai, China, that focuses on the wealth of people around the world. The Hurun Global Rich List has made the institute famous,…
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Lorry smuggling Myanmar migrants crashes in Thailand, 14 hurt
Fourteen people were injured when a lorry, smuggling Myanmar migrants illegally into Thailand, lost control and tipped over in the western province of Kanchanaburi. The incident, which occurred on Road 323 in Sangkhla Buri district shortly after midnight, saw the vehicle’s driver lose control while speeding down a hill and veer off a curve, subsequently fleeing the scene. The lorry…
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Teen gang violence escalates into shootout in Bangkok
Violence erupted on the streets of Bangkok when two rival teen gangs clashed, resulting in a dramatic shootout and the hurling of grenades along the Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. An 18 year old man was shot five times and fled to a local police station for safety in the early hours at around 3.40am on April 1. The intense confrontation was…
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German and Canadian charged for illegal kung fu course (video)
Police arrested a German and a Canadian man for illegally conducting a Shaolin kung fu training course on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Pha Ngan Tourist Police and Immigration Police arrested 37 year old German man Somphet Daoheuang and a 34 year old Canadian man Arbely Natalie Rubalcava Rojo at a yoga training…
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Thai government stakes its future on casino complex amid pressure
The Government of Thailand is under pressure to review the specifics of the proposed casino and entertainment complex, aimed at boosting economic growth. According to Senator Sangsit Piriyarangsan, who has been investigating casino legalisation, the current plan requires adjustments. Sangsit argues that the bidding process for the casino complex project should not be exclusive to Thai companies. By enabling foreign…
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Thai government bets big on crackdown against online gambling
The Thai government took assertive action against online gambling websites, recognising them as significant economic crimes. Deputy Government spokesperson Kanika Aunjit announced the policy yesterday, March 31, revealing the government’s commitment to investigating, suspending, restricting, and blocking such websites nationwide. Kanika conveyed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had a keen acknowledgement of the issues linked with online gambling. The 62…
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Russian couple’s dine and dash attempt exposed in Phuket restaurant
A shameless cheating Russian couple insisted they had settled their bill at a Phuket restaurant after being accused of attempting to dine and dash. They later falsely incriminated a Thai waitress of theft but their deception was exposed by CCTV footage, forcing them to apologise and settle the bill. The restaurant shared security footage of the incident on a Facebook…
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Thailand Video News | Rising risk of Dengue Fever and Influenza, PM Srettha Thaivisin believes in a more democratic Thailand
In this video, Alex and Jay unfold the latest news in Thailand. Beginning with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin champions democratic values while the Department of Disease Control (DDC) warns of heightened influenza and dengue risks amid COVID-19 worries. Recent incidents, including gas cylinder explosions and a crackdown on child exploitation, underscore the need for swift action. However, moments of heroism, like…
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Sony sparks economic surge with billion-baht investment in Thailand
Sony Semiconductor Solutions today declared a billion-baht investment in Thailand to boost the nation’s stuttering economy. The announcement, which came to light on Saturday, March 30, revealed an investment surpassing 2.57 billion baht for the construction of a manufacturing factory. The manufacturing site is slated for completion by March 2025. According to reports, it will be tasked with the production…
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3 year old Thai girl injured in Pink Line MRT liquid cement incident
A family of three narrowly avoided tragedy when liquid cement from a Pink Line MRT construction site spilt onto their sedan on Saturday. The incident damaged the car and caused injuries to a three-year-old girl. A Thai mother Saichol Charawatchala, shared the distressing account of her and her children’s experience on Facebook on Saturday, March 30. Saichol recalled that she…
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ATPD uncovers prostitution ring in Bangkok, 16 arrested
The Thai Anti Trafficking In Persons Division (ATPD) made a significant breakthrough in their mission to combat illegal activities, apprehending 15 undocumented male workers from Myanmar and a Thai massage shop owner in the bustling district of Wang Thonglang, Bangkok. This incident took place within the confines of the bustling Lat Phrao shopping complex on March 30. A tip-off from…
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Thai smog crisis prompts call for global shift to plant-based diets
Northern Thailand is grappling with a persistent smog problem, typically attributed to crop waste burning, deforestation for mushroom harvesting and vehicle emissions, prompting calls for a global shift to plant-based diets. However, an emerging consensus among scientists and environmental activists suggests a deeper, global solution is required to avert a climate disaster. The crux of the issue, they argue, lies…
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Lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd to deliver data on alleged police bribery
A prominent Thai lawyer is set to deliver critical data regarding alleged bribery allegations, which involve online gambling networks and the national police chief, Torsak Sukvimol, along with his spouse, to the Move Forward Party (MFP) today. The secretary-general of the Foundation of People’s Lawyers, Sittra Biabungkerd, had previously submitted similar documents related to the case to the national police’s…
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Nonthaburi police bust counterfeit shampoo ring selling for 100 baht
Police recently cracked down on a counterfeit shampoo operation in Nonthaburi, leading to the arrest of a 58 year old woman and her 30 year old nephew. Engaging in a deceptive practice, they were caught refilling used branded shampoo bottles with their concoction and passing them off as genuine products at local markets, with a startling two bottles being sold…
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Elderly Bangkok vendor robbed at knifepoint for gold and cash
A 72 year old woman was threatened and robbed at knifepoint at her street vendor stall by a male and a female assailant. The incident occurred at approximately 5.31am today in the Bang Khae district of Bangkok, leaving the septuagenarian victim, Srirat (last name withheld), without two gold necklaces weighing a combined five baht and an unspecified amount of cash.…
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Prachuap Khiri Khan prison manages Covid-19 with emergency operations centre
The Covid-19 situation at Prachuap Khiri Khan prison in Thailand is set to be managed by an imminent emergency operations centre (EOC), following the identification of infection clusters. This development comes as the public health permanent secretary, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, reported intensified surveillance in the wake of 79 confirmed Covid cases at the prison. The first infection was detected on…
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Online prayer nets over 100,000 baht windfall and 200 Thai treats offered in thanks
A fortunate individual’s online prayer for luck turned into a windfall of over 100,000 baht (US$ 2,700), leading to a generous offering of 100 sets of traditional Thai boat noodles and 100 sets of coconut milk desserts as a gesture of gratitude. The offerings were made at the revered hermitage of the hermit in Ayutthaya, which has recently gained popularity…
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