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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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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Thai woman lures men into buying motorcycles and steals them
Police arrested a Thai woman who lured more than 20 victims, especially men, into making down payments for motorcycles for her and vanished with the stolen motorcycles. A 32 year old Thai man named Thawee filed a complaint with the officers from Pluak Daeng Police Station in the eastern province of Rayong that his girlfriend, Tippawan Homduang, stole his motorcycle.…
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Tourists beware of cannabis scam at Phuket’s Freedom Beach as couple falls victim
A couple visiting Freedom Beach in Phuket, Thailand, fell for a cannabis scam while enjoying their holiday. The scammers manipulated them into trying cannabis, causing them to lose control and become disorientated – they were rescued by a good samaritan before any harm was done. According to today’s report by Khaosod, the incident occurred when the Thai couple was visiting…
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Three arrest warrants issued in Thai 140 million baht online gambling extortion case
Arrest warrants have been issued for three individuals believed to be involved in the extortion of six suspects connected to an online gambling case. Deputy national police chief, Surachate Hakparn, confirmed the issuance of the warrants for Veera Nasab, his spouse, and Phisit Nakhisornpanee, on charges of bribery and theft. Veera and Phisit are suspected to have fled to a…
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Mae Sot officials probed for 30m baht bribes in migrant ID scandal
In Mae Sot district, Tak province, three Registration Department officials have come under scrutiny for allegedly accepting 30 million baht in bribes to issue identification cards to 700 Myanmar migrants over the last three months. Mae Sot’s mayor, Prasert Puanglakorn, has signed an order temporarily reassigning the implicated officials to non-active posts in other departments while the municipality conducts an…
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Thai recycled clothing fashion to reach 1.3 billion baht by 2032
As environmental concerns rise globally, consumer demand for clothing made from recycled materials continues to grow. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) director-general, highlighted the environmental impacts of the textile industry, which consumes 93 billion cubic metres of water annually, releases 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, and accounts for 20% of worldwide wastewater discharge. Major fashion…
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Denied education despite paid fees, Thai teen ignites debate on school system reform
In a determined effort to continue her education, 15 year old Yok Thanalop made her fourth visit to Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn School. Despite paying the term fees and having the support of the Committee for the Rights of the Child, the school refused to accept her as a student, sparking intense debates on both sides. At 7am today, Yok…
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Household debt in Thailand soars to 86.9% of GDP, dampening consumer spending
Thailand’s mounting household debt is raising concerns, as it continues to hinder consumer spending, affecting various industries and impeding economic growth. The latest data from the National Economic and Social Development Council shows debt in the nation reached 15.1 trillion baht in the fourth quarter of 2022, a 3.5% increase year on year, and accounting for 86.9% of GDP. Debt…
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Thai school aids 11 year old’s return amid pandemic-driven dropout crisis
An 11-year-old Thai boy, Anirut Thongdech, also known as Saming, has been given the opportunity to return to school after being forced to leave when his family could no longer afford his education. Saming’s family struggled financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused his parents to become unemployed and resort to collecting recyclables for a living. Wat Trangkhapum Putthawat…
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Chiang Mai temple abbot investigated for 200 million baht mismanagement and illegal shrine construction
A high-profile Chiang Mai temple abbot is under investigation after allegations of mismanagement of 200 million baht (US$ 5,762,028) worth of donations and unauthorised construction of a shrine, following a recent incident in which he caused damage to multiple vehicles. The Chiang Mai Ecclesiastical Office is now examining the financial and land issues related to Phra Phutthabat Si Roi temple,…
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Notorious cat burglar arrested in Thailand after six-year spree across provinces
Police arrest notorious cat burglar responsible for multiple break-ins since 2017 in various areas such as Lampang and Bangkok, with most incidents occurring in Chon Buri. The suspect, 32 years old, named as Bunyawat or In (surname withheld), was apprehended today while attempting to sell stolen goods at a shopping mall in Lat Phrao. Bunyawat, the cat burglar, was arrested…
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Man’s costly error sees pick-up truck and jet ski plunge into Mae Klong River
A 41 year old man experienced a costly mistake when he parked his pick-up truck without properly engaging the handbrake, causing the vehicle and a jet ski worth nearly a million baht to plunge into the Mae Klong River. The accident occurred as he was unloading the watercraft near Wat Bang Phrom in Samut Songkhram province. Onlookers eagerly lent their…
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Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms persist in Thailand: Caution advised for monsoon-affected areas
Heavy rain and thunderstorms continue to affect parts of Thailand, with the Thai Meteorological Department warning of further downpours. Most areas exposed to the southwesterly monsoon are advised to be cautious due to potential danger from the heavy rainfall. Today’s Thai weather forecast includes a 24-hour warning for Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. This is due to the southwesterly…
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Prof. Thasnai defies odds to become university lecturer after overcoming challenges and prejudice
A former non-formal education student, who faced numerous challenges during his academic journey, has become a university lecturer. Thasnai Sethaseree, now a media arts and design instructor at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, shared his harrowing past experiences on Facebook, revealing that he was frequently insulted by authority figures and forced out of multiple schools during his childhood…
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Thai police seize 1,000 million baht assets in embezzlement case linked to ‘Boy’
Thai police have seized assets worth over 1,000 million baht (US$28,800,000) from a suspect known as “Boy” in connection to an alleged 140 million baht (US$4,036,000) embezzlement case. Speaking yesterday, police deputy commander Surachet Hakpal detailed that nine out of ten men facing accusations had reported to authorities, including Chonburi’s provincial governor. The investigation continues, with financial examinations expected to…
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Funeral attendees win cows, receive rice gifts in unique 200,000 baht Thai almsgiving
In Buriram province, a funeral for a 92 year old woman, Wun Chongchaingam, has drawn a large crowd due to the unusual almsgiving of 1.5 tonnes of rice and a raffle for five cows, worth a total of 200,000 baht (US$ 5,758), for needy villagers and attendees. The event took place at Wat Pa Non-Somboon temple. Many villagers attended the…
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Southwest monsoon brings heavy rain, high waves to 42 Thai provinces; caution advised
A southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea and Thailand has led to heavy rain and high waves in 42 provinces, while Bangkok‘s rainy season is expected to bring downpours in some areas. The Thai Meteorological Department warns this weather pattern is expected to continue, with flash floods and high waves occurring, particularly in the east. “The southern westerly wind is…
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Bangkok group urges MRTA to protect historic shophouses in station plan
A Bangkok civil group has urged the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) to move the proposed entry point for the Phan Fa Purple Line station in a bid to protect historic shophouses located on Phra Sumen Road. Rosana Tositrakul, an ex-senator of Bangkok and president of the Rattanakosin Heritage Conservation Group (RHCG), expressed concern that the century-old shophouses could be…
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Chon Buri police officers exposed in online gambling, extorting 140m baht from victims
A gang of nine police officers from Chon Buri province have been exposed for being involved in online gambling and extorting over 140 million baht (US$ 4,051,500) from victims. The disclosure came after a victim reported the crime due to the excessive extortion demands that became unmanageable. Police Lieutenant General Surachet Hakpal, Deputy Commissioner of Police, confirmed the truth behind…
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Surin school criticised for inviting controversial figure to teach morality at student camp
A school in Surin province has faced criticism for inviting a controversial figure with a history of mental health issues and social threats to teach morality to over 900 students participating in a camp. Netizens and students alike have expressed concern over the school’s decision, questioning the background checks conducted on the individual. The incident came to light after the…
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Violent attacks in southern Thailand leave one dead, two injured
Separate incidents of violent attacks occurred yesterday in Thailand’s southern provinces of Pattani and Narathiwat, resulting in one death and two injuries. Armed gunmen targeted a police operations base in Muang district, Pattani province, while a pickup truck carrying villagers was ambushed in Narathiwat province. The attack on the police base in Pattani took place at around 7am in Ban…
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Romantic accident twist leads Thai friends to embrace identities during Pride Month
A twist in the tale of a romantic accident involving multiple individuals suggests that the involved parties are now close friends. Initially, fear masked the true nature of their relationship, which came to light after spending more time together, talking and bonding over shared experiences. Tharinya Klamthung, also known as Kru Tetae, admitted to an online news outlet that at…
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Phased withdrawal of Thai soldiers from southern border planned for 2027
A phased withdrawal of soldiers on a special security mission is planned for 2027 in the conflict-ridden southern border regions of Thailand, as reported by the 4th Region Army. The special mission involves troops deployed to counter insurgents, who will continuously reduce in number until none remain, leaving only soldiers in routine operations stationed at permanent locations. In the meantime,…
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Bird collision delays Thai Vietjet flight, 159 passengers affected at Khon Kaen Airport
A Thai Vietjet flight at Khon Kaen International Airport was disrupted after a bird collided with the aircraft’s engine, causing delays for 159 passengers. The incident occurred while the plane was parked, awaiting passengers for the VZ215 service from Khon Kaen to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The bird, reportedly an owl, struck the right engine of the parked aircraft at around 7.35pm,…
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Telegram group admin arrested for alleged child exploitation content
Cyber police recently arrested the administrator of a Telegram group called “Maha Vet Returns” for allegedly posting an invitation to watch a live stream of child exploitation. The suspect is identified as Kittiphat Busayamanan, 24 years old, who is facing charges of possessing and distributing child pornography for commercial or public display purposes. Further investigations also linked Kittiphat to 15…
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Father shields child from vicious dog attack caught on camera
A viral video on social media shows a father bravely protecting his one year old child from a vicious dog attack in a store in Zhaokua, Hunan Province, China. The incident occurred during lunchtime, and the courageous father’s quick reaction saved his child from potential harm. The footage from a closed-circuit camera captured the events on a recent lunchtime. A…
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Man falls to death from Nonthaburi condo’s 9th floor
A man tragically fell to his death from the ninth floor of a well-known condominium in Nonthaburi province, shocking nearby homeowners in the early hours of the morning. The 34 year old’s body crashed through the roof of a neighbouring townhouse, prompting authorities to urgently investigate the cause. At around 6am on June 17th, 2023, a homeowner awoke to a…
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Chanthaburi student assaulted in barbecue restaurant over minor misunderstanding
A secondary school student in Chanthaburi was assaulted in a barbecue restaurant by an angry customer due to a misunderstanding. The assailant struck the student’s face forcefully, while the student admitted that his choice of words was not the best, but the use of violence was uncalled for. The incident caught the attention of the ‘I Want to Be Famous,…
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Yamaha worker dies weaving between racing trucks
Today, a tragic accident occurred as a 48 years old Yamaha factory employee, Anuwat Thawadee, attempted to weave his motorcycle between two trucks on Theparat Road, Samut Prakan. The man lost control, fell under the wheels of one truck, and was crushed to death, despite wearing a helmet. The incident is under investigation by the Bang Phli police. At the…
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Notorious Thai thief Khaitlek arrested, 2 million baht haul seized
Notorious thief Sarawut, 46 years old, also known as “Khai Lek”, with historical ties to the infamous “Thai Siam Gang” and a criminal record including three previous imprisonments, was recently arrested for multiple burglaries amassing over 2 million baht. Sarawut was apprehended in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya after investigators discovered his wrongdoings and managed to seize his single-lock picking tool…
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