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 Why traders in Thailand are choosing EC Markets for gold and forex trading
Gold and forex trading have long been favourites among investors in Thailand, but why are so many traders now turning to EC Markets? The answer lies in a combination of tight spreads, ultra-fast execution, Thai baht (THB) deposit support, and...
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Drunk officer leaves 12 year old boy in critical condition after hit-and-run (video)
A reckless police officer under the influence of alcohol crashed his pickup into a motorcycle and dragged a 12 year old boy along the road in the Isaan province of Roi Et, leaving the victim hospitalised and in critical condition. The crash between the two vehicles on Prem Pracharath Road was reported to Mueang Roi Et Police Station at 9.50am…
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Thailand’s NSM Foundation uncovers five unique insect and one plant species
The National Science Museum (NSM) Foundation in Thailand recently uncovered five unique insect species and a novel plant species, bolstering the nation’s strides in the arena of scientific discovery. The revelation was made public by NSM President, Assistant Professor Rawin Raviwongse, last Wednesday. The insect species discovered encompass three distinct earwig species, namely Mongolabis chiangmaiensis Nishikawa & Jaitrong, 2023; Mongolabis…
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Move Forward Party faces potential dissolution over royal insult laws
The Move Forward Party (MFP), Thailand’s main opposition, is on the brink of dissolution, following a petition submitted to the Election Commission (EC) by leading activists. The objection was lodged on account of the party’s position on royal insult laws. Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a political activist, took his petition to the EC on Thursday, requesting the dissolution of the MFP. This…
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Eerie shadow on Phetchabun road sparks ghostly buzz online
A chilling story has emerged from a seemingly innocuous post about a broken branch blocking a road in Phetchabun province. The shadow of the branch, upon closer inspection, appeared to bear an eerie resemblance to a person who had died three months earlier, sparking a flurry of comments and supernatural speculation online. The original post, made by 41 year old…
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Thai parties unite to amend Referendum Act for easier constitution change
Thailand’s leading political parties, Pheu Thai and Move Forward, are joining forces to amend the country’s Referendum Act. The act’s existing flaws are viewed as hurdles to modifying the constitution, a critical move supported by many parties who see the current charter as a legacy of the National Council for Peace and Order, the orchestrator of the last coup. Both…
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Health alert: Your favourite grilled pork buffet could be killing you
The Ministry of Public Health (MPH) issued a dire warning to all Moo Kratha enthusiasts, exposing the perilous health risks lurking behind the seemingly innocent Thai barbeque-style grilled pork. Moo Kratha has been a Thai culinary delight but the MPH’s latest survey unveiled a dark side to this all-you-can-eat extravaganza, putting the health of many Thais at risk. A comprehensive…
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Central Group grabs Ploenchit Road for record-breaking 16 million baht per square metre
The land price per square wah in the heart of Bangkok is set to smash records, with Central Group snatching up a plot on Ploenchit Road from the Sukosol family at 4 million baht per square wa (16 million baht per square metre). This coveted three-rai plot, formerly the Morakot parking lot nestled between Central Chidlom and Soi Somkid, has…
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Cultural crown: Nakhon Pathom’s signature Khao Moo Daeng dish hailed as heritage hero
The Cultural Promotion Department bestowed the coveted title of cultural wisdom heritage upon Nakhon Pathom’s signature dish, Khao Moo Daeng, or red pork rice. A sumptuous symphony of pork, rice, and secret spices that has set taste buds ablaze across Thailand, this culinary coronation is part of the 18 gastronomic treasures honoured in 2023, as published in the prestigious Royal…
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Swine surprise: Task force uncovers pork smuggling scheme in Thailand
A recent expose by the Phaya Naga Special Task Force revealed a significant new piece of evidence linking a smuggling operation importing illicit pork into Thailand. The discovery was announced by Thanadol Suwannarat, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and deputy commander and spokesperson of the Phaya Naga task force. At 1.30pm today, the task force prepared to…
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Pattaya motorcycle taxi rider dodges death with IED discovery on Beach Road
A motorcycle taxi rider narrowly escaped death after discovering two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on a Beach Road in Pattaya. Fortunately, he escaped without a scratch when one of the bombs exploded. The 57 year old motorcycle taxi rider, Suwit Srijantuek, told Channel 7 that he stumbled upon the IEDs hidden in a traffic cone he routinely uses daily to safeguard his…
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Hong Kong introduces diagonal crossings in Sha Tin
The Hong Kong government rolled out a measure allowing diagonal pedestrian crossings at selected intersections. The first pilot project, initiated yesterday, January 31, can be found at the bustling junction of Sha Kok Road and Yat Tai Street in Sha Tin. This move, aimed at streamlining foot traffic, has garnered applause from citizens eager to slash their waiting time at…
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High speed train and dual tracks to transform travel experience in Hua Hin
The newly inaugurated dual-track train line on December 15 promises faster travel times and increased efficiency for Hua Hin’s commuters. Yet, confusion reigns among the public as they grapple with the distinction between this groundbreaking initiative and the upcoming high-speed train project. The dual track line, complete with the gleaming new elevated train station in Hua Hin, stands as a…
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Brief encounter: Thai man in underwear dodges death after sick leave refusal sparks murder attempt
A Thai man narrowly escaped death and urgently sought help from a neighbour while clad only in his underwear, after a subordinate tried to kill him for rejecting a sick leave request. The suspect was arrested yesterday, January 31. Deputy District Chief Rojanin Borwonthitichairat filed a complaint against his subordinate, 39 year old Adul, at Nonsuwan Police Station at about…
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Update: Russian band Bi-2 leaves Thailand for Israel escaping potential Moscow punishment
The Russian rock band Bi-2, known for their criticism of the nation’s conflict with Ukraine, last night departed Thailand for Israel. This decision came after Thai authorities threatened to deport them to Moscow due to their work for working on the island of Phuket without a valid permit, according to both the band and the Royal Thai Police. Human rights…
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Police crackdown on kidnapping for crypto ransom in Phuket, Thailand
Authorities in Phuket detained four foreign suspects in a brazen kidnapping that targeted a Russian couple in the island’s bustling streets. The assailants forced their victims to transfer cryptocurrency worth an estimated 30 million baht but upon interrogation the suspects maintained their innocence, claiming no acquaintance with the victims and identifying themselves as tourists. The incident, which unfolded yesterday, January…
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Whale of a time: Thai tourist’s video reels in awe with rare shark sighting near Koh Samet (video)
A fin-tastic encounter unfolded yesterday as a Thai tourist shared a video capturing the rare moment when a whale shark made a splash near Koh Samet beach in the eastern province of Rayong. A Facebook account, Tanakorn Boontaram, shared a video of a whale shark making a surprise appearance near Koh Samet beach in the eastern province of Rayong, yesterday,…
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British couple’s near fatal motorbike crash in Thailand leads to a romantic hospital proposal
In a tale of love, resilience, and an unexpected proposal, a British couple from Durham, in the northeast of England, found themselves thrust into the spotlight after a near-fatal motorbike crash during what was supposed to be a dreamy 28-day Thai vacation. As their love story unfolds amidst the wreckage, a community rallies to support the engaged couple, fighting against…
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Samui Airport sees remarkable surge in tourist arrivals in 2023
The year 2023 witnessed an outstanding surge in tourist arrivals at Samui Airport, in Thailand, with 2.2 million holidaymakers marking their footprints on the east coast island. The figure indicates a significant 66.65% increase compared to the previous year’s numbers. Located in the Surat Thani province, the Koh Samui district is home to Samui Airport. The district’s director, Jirawat Wutthiwatworakun,…
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Stretching for change: Foreign yogi beggar sought near Bangkok’s Mor Chit BTS station
Human Security Emergency Management Center (HuSEC) officers are searching for a foreign beggar who showed off his yoga skills for money near Mor Chit BTS Station in Bangkok . Pictures of a foreign beggar seeking money to travel back to his home country went viral on Thai social media this week. The foreign man in the pictures was seen wearing…
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Entertainment guard gunned down at traffic light in Pattaya
An entertainment guard was shot multiple times while waiting at a traffic light at the intersection at Na Kluea sub-district, North Pattaya, at 6.16am yesterday. The 39 year old guard, Panya Khayanngan, succumbed to his wounds despite a swift rush to the hospital. The crime scene painted a gruesome picture, with Panya’s overturned motorcycle and his body riddled with bullet…
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Visa applications in Thailand surge, overtaking pre-Covid figures
Visa applications from Thailand have surged, surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Visa application volumes from Thailand, after a turbulent spell, are on the brink of eclipsing pre-pandemic levels, signalling a remarkable recovery in global travel confidence. A 35% increase in applications last year compared to 2022 promises a boost to international tourism. Key points: Visa applications rebounded with a 35% surge…
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Chulalongkorn University’s CU Radio on air hours change triggers debate
Chulalongkorn University‘s iconic CU Radio station, a beacon of knowledge for over six decades, triggered a storm of criticism by chopping its broadcasting hours from 6am to midnight to 6am to 6pm. Starting today, the airwaves on FM101.5 will fall silent post-6pm, heralding the advent of Chula Radio Plus. Established in 1958, the station, synonymous with quality education, faces a…
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Suspected arson leads to wildfire in Trat, Thailand’s Samet Forest
A wildfire ravaged nearly 100 acres of the Samet Forest in Trat province, Thailand, with suspicions that locals secretly set the fire to forage for forest products. Despite the efforts of firefighting teams, the blaze remains uncontained and there are concerns it could spread to an adjacent 2,000-acre forest. The Thai authorities are closely monitoring the situation, including the safety…
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Sightseers sans stamps: Syrian, Egyptian guests nabbed for visa overstay in Bangkok hotel
Immigration police arrested a Syrian man and an Egyptian woman at a hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 4 in Bangkok for overstaying their visas. The Syrian man was discovered to have committed several prior offences. Immigration Bureau officers announced news of three successful operations at a press conference yesterday, January 31. The three cases included the arrest of a British man…
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Rare Pokémon Oreo fetches up to 200,000 baht
A recent online sensation has emerged as a Facebook page announced it is willing to pay up to 200,000 baht (US$5,637) for a special edition Oreo cookie featuring the rare Mew Pokémon design. This limited-edition cookie has caused a stir among collectors and raised questions about the authenticity of the buying offers, with some speculating it might be a price…
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Palang Pracharath Party member calls for dissolution of Move Forward Party
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP Rueangkrai Leekitwattana plans to submit a letter to the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) seeking the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) following the recent decision by the Constitution Court. Thai lawyer Teerayut Suwannakaesorn accused the MFP and former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat of trying to overthrow the monarchy and the…
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Burmese magnate Tun Min Latt walks free from drug trafficking trial
The Criminal Court acquitted Myanmar magnate Tun Min Latt and Senator Upakit Pacharirangkun’s son-in-law, Dean Young Gultula, of drug trafficking charges. The ruling cited insufficient evidence, leaving jaws dropping in disbelief. The charges were filed against Tun Min Latt, the Myanmar businessman, and Gultula, along with two others and the Allure Group (P&E) Co., Ltd., an electricity supply business. The…
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Teenager detained for premeditated murder in Suan Luang school
A 14 year old schoolboy, recently detained at a juvenile detention centre, stands accused of premeditated murder and public possession of a weapon. This follows a tragic incident that occurred on Monday at a school in the Suan Luang district, where he allegedly stabbed and killed another student. Awaiting judgment, the teenager remains under the jurisdiction of the Central Juvenile…
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Heroic bus driver’s honesty wins hearts: Returns lost wallets to French couple
A Thai bus driver is breaking the Internet with his virtuous act after returning the wallets of a French couple. Kanta Sridara, the 59 year old driver of Mini Bus No. 44 on the Kanchanaburi-Bangkok route, not only discovered misplaced wallets belonging to French tourists but also promptly returned their lifetime savings, earning praise and admiration across social media. According to…
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Thailand weather forecast: Cool morning, fog, warming, light rain
A sharp temperature drop and sporadic rain are expected in parts of Thailand today, according to the Thai weather forecast by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD). In Bangkok, light showers are anticipated, while the south faces stormy conditions due to the prevailing monsoon, with waves exceeding 1 metre in some areas. The country’s northern region is bracing for a…
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