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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Climbing restrictions loom for tourists at sacred Khao Klang Nok
Phetchabun’s Si Thep Historical Park may soon restrict tourists from climbing Khao Klang Nok, a ruin considered sacred by locals. The move comes in response to the increasing number of visitors following the park’s declaration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19. Locals expressed concerns about the influx of tourists, many of whom have been climbing Khao…
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Phallic Phantasm: Thai man erects 3 penis statues for good luck in central Thailand
A retired senior police sergeant major, in the central province of Kampaeng Phet, raised a few titters after he completed an unusual erection on his land, three penis statues. He believes the phallic erections will bring him good luck in selling his land, which is worth 60 million baht. Three penis statues stand prominently on the land of the 86…
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Unseeded Thai triumphs, but sportsmanship takes a dive in Asian Games tennis showdown
A recent Asian Games tennis match delivered an enthralling contest between an unheralded Thai player and a highly-ranked South Korean opponent but ultimately concluded with a display of poor sportsmanship. Thai tennis player, Boom Kasidit, emerged as the surprising victor, causing an upset given that Kwon Soon-woo is 112th in the world and was favourite for overall victory. The 25…
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Royal rumble: Four years behind bars for outspoken lawyer and Thai activist
A prominent Thai activist and lawyer, known for his brazen calls for reforms in Thailand’s monarchy, received a four-year prison sentence today over charges of royal insults, a verdict confirmed by both the judge and his legal counsel. Arnon Nampa emerged as a notable figure during the pro-democracy demonstrations in 2020, where the Thai activist publicly advocated for a discourse…
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UNESCO’s recognition triggers visitor surge at Si Thep Historical Park in northern Thailand
Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun experienced an unexpected surge in visitor numbers over the weekend, following its announcement as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19. The ensuing tourism influx prompted local agencies to call on the government for increased accommodation and facilities for the increasing number of tourists. Sittichai Poodee, the director of Si Thep Historical…
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Rain reigns in Khon Kaen: Pumps pump out the flood
Heavy rains in Khon Kaen triggered a swift response from emergency services, with seven water pumps set up in flood-prone areas to efficiently drain the excess water. The local authorities are confident in their ability to manage the high water volumes in Bueng Kaen Nakhon and Bueng Thung Sang. Essential manpower and equipment are on standby to aid those affected around…
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Faulty brakes lead to 14 vehicle pile up on Rama II Road, Bangkok
A bus with faulty brakes caused a massive pile-up involving 14 vehicles on Rama II Road, resulting in numerous injuries. The crash occurred at 8am today. The incident led to severe traffic congestion as the damaged vehicles blocked all four lanes of the road. Upon arriving at the accident scene, officers from Bang Mod Police Station observed several damaged vehicles…
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FDA confirms Japanese seafood imports safe from Fukushima radioactivity
Seafood imported from Japan is free of harmful radioactivity levels, as confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This comes in response to global worries about the potential contamination of marine life following the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant that was devastated by a tsunami. Lertchai Lertvut, the FDA’s deputy secretary-general, detailed yesterday that rigorous…
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Thailand’s DoPA cracks down on ‘influential figures’ in nationwide crime hunt
The Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) in Thailand is vigorously working to identify individuals linked to criminal activities across the nation, revealed Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset. These individuals, referred to as “influential figures,” are purportedly involved in 16 distinct criminal offences. These include predatory lending, bid collusion, bribery from public transport vehicles, smuggling of untaxed goods, both online and…
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Tragic early morning crash claims life of young man on rain-soaked Thailand highway
A 26 year old man lost his life in a tragic crash when a pickup truck he was driving plunged into a ditch after hitting an electricity pole on the Asia Highway, Route 32, in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province today at 3am. The tragedy, which unfolded in the early hours of the morning, also resulted in injuries to two other…
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Thailand’s DES ministry intensifies fight against rising online fraud
Damages in Thailand by online fraud have seen a surge, despite a decrease in the victim count to an average of 580 daily complaints, a drop from the earlier 800, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry reports. This is attributed to the implementation of a new law targeted at curbing cybercrime. Prasert Jantararuangthong, DES Minister, observed that scammers are…
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Thai woman found dead in Chon Buri sea, Russian boyfriend disappears
A restaurant worker found the dead body of a Thai woman floating in the sea near Koh Larn, an island in Chon Buri province, while her Russian boyfriend was missing. A worker at the Haad Thian restaurant on Koh Larn reported the discovery to Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang Borriboon Dhammasatan rescue team. He explained that the Thai…
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Big Joke caught partying with leading online gambling operator
Further suspicion has been cast on the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, after a video recorded by a renowned Thai lawyer showed Big Joke singing with a leading online gambling operator at a party. The former president of the Lamphun Warrior Football Club, Pongsiri “Tarn” Ratchawongsuek, and a Thai woman named Suchanan, also…
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Thailand’s State Railway seeks 50 billion baht for expansions
Thailand’s State Railway (SRT) is planning to request Cabinet approval for a funding amount exceeding 50 billion baht. This hefty sum is aimed at financing the construction of a double-track railway stretch from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai and the expansion of Red Line electric train routes. The announcement follows a directive from Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who instructed the…
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Consumer finds unidentifiable object in FDA-approved seaweed soup
The end of a comforting seaweed soup meal turned into a shock when a consumer discovered an unidentifiable dark string mixed in with the seaweed. The incident, which occurred yesterday, sparked concern among members of the consumer group ‘We Are Consumers’ on social media. Amidst the worry, questions arose about the nature of the foreign object and whether the seaweed…
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Motorcycle accident in Na Yong district claims construction worker’s life
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 52 year old construction worker in Na Yong district, Trang province. The incident took place yesterday around 1am, near his home. The construction worker, Seree, lost control of his motorcycle, which then veered off the road and plunged into a canal. His body was discovered a day later after a 30…
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Hotel worker accused of attacking female guest due to late payment
A Thai woman accused a hotel worker in Parum Thani province, near Bangkok, of attacking her for a late payment. The victim, 26 year old Nattarika, sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after the physical altercation at the hotel on Soi Rungsit-Nakhon Nayok 20 in Thanya Buri district of Prahum Thani province. Nattarika recounted that her home was…
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Rare Dumbo octopus flaps into livestream recording in North Pacific expedition (video)
An elusive Dumbo octopus, a rare marine creature with side flippers resembling the ears of the Walt Disney character Dumbo, was accidentally discovered during a livestream by the research vessel EVNautilus in the deep waters of the North Pacific Ocean. The sighting was made at a depth of 2,665 meters by a remotely operated vehicle controlled by the Ocean Exploration…
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Navigating online gaming regulations in Thailand
Online gaming in the Land of Smiles is a complex landscape, marked by stringent regulations stemming from laws that have been in place for nearly a century. As the country grapples with a robust underground gambling ecosystem, legal adjustments are anticipated, potentially signaling a shift toward legalisation and regulation. In this intricate legal landscape, platforms like Captain Rizk find ways…
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Monitor lizards’ amorous display in hospital car park sparks lottery number frenzy
A video clip of two large monitor lizards embracing each other in a hospital parking lot, before scurrying under a hospital bed, has been shared on Facebook by Bunthanya Wachirawongsarak. The clip was filmed while Bunthanya was waiting for her car insurance to be processed. The sight of the lizards in a loving embrace seemed so unusual and cute that…
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Female petrol station attendance sexually harassed by client
A petrol station attendant has sought justice by publicly sharing her disturbing experience of being sexually harassed by a male customer. The 30 year old victim, Mallika, sent CCTV footage of the sexual harassment to several news agencies in a bid to expose the perpetrator. In an interview with Channel 3, Mallika disclosed the incident happened at a petrol station…
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Thailand rescue team’s deep dive: 73 year old Thai man saved from water tank peril
Satja Phutta Dham Thailand Rescue Team, in the central province of Prachin Buri, saved the life of a 73 year old Thai man who fell into a 3-metre deep water tank and was stuck there for over two hours. The incident happened yesterday, September 24, at Khao Luk Chang Temple in the Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri province. The…
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Thai ministry’s water woes: Bueng Boraphet faces aquatic crisis with levels plummeting tenfold
The Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment yesterday investigated the water situation at Bueng Boraphet, revealing that the water level is ten times lower than the previous year, creating a water crisis that could impact the ecosystem. The secretary, Jatuporn Burusphat, ordered continuous water replenishment from today. Accompanied by Pichit Sombatmak, Deputy Secretary, and other concerned officials,…
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92 year old granny’s electric rice cooker mishap: A side-splitting dinner delight
A humorous incident recently unfolded in a Chinese household, involving a 92 year old grandmother’s attempt to cook rice using a modern electric rice cooker. The result: a burnt cooker with the rice still uncooked left the entire family in fits of laughter, making for an unusual culinary experience. The incident was documented and shared on a TikTok account. The…
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Teenage boy abandoned on roadside after he faints on Bangkok public bus
A Thai bus driver and a ticket collector on the number 75 public bus have been fined for abandoning a sick teenager on the side of the road in Bangkok. The teenager had fainted on the bus. A Thai woman who witnessed the incident urged a news platform on Facebook to spread the story to the public so the staff…
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Lottery enthusiasts roll the numbers: October 1 draw sparks decade-long data dive
Lottery buffs are eagerly preparing for the upcoming October 1 lottery draw, delving into the historical data of the past decade to aid in their number analysis. For the lottery draw held on October 1, 2022, the first prize number was 484669. This winning combination featured three-digit prefix numbers 206 and 996, three-digit suffix numbers 278 and 194, and a…
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Hospital director’s out-of-this-world sighting: Four UFOS hover over Khon Kaen province (video)
The director of Baan Taen District Hospital claims he experienced a close encounter of the first kind after spotting four unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in the sky over Khon Kaen province in Isaan on Friday. Speaking to ThaiRath, hospital director, Suppachok Kusonlawat, revealed that he managed to capture the UFOs in the Chonnabot district of Khon Kaen province on September…
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Tragedy strikes as factory owner’s car takes a watery plunge in Nonthaburi canal
A fatal accident occurred when a factory owner’s vehicle plunged into a canal, in Nonthaburi. The incident took place last night, near the canal on Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi. The unfortunate car plunge was reported to Prut Jamsanson, Bang Bua Thong police station’s commander, and Apisit Momnitykul, an investigating officer. The vehicle, owned by the factory owner, had skidded off…
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Hit and run in Samut Prakan leaves young man dead
A tragic car accident took the life of a 20 year old man while crossing a road in Samut Prakan province today, around 2.30am. The hit-and-run incident, reported by police captain Somai Charoenraj, an inquiry officer at Bang Pu Police Station, occurred on Praeksa Road near The Moon restaurant in Praeksa Subdistrict, Mueang District. On arrival at the scene, the…
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Online storm brews as suspect grilled in Beer The Voice explicit content case
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau Division 1 (CCID1) officers questioned a Thai man who was accused of posting explicit content of renowned Thai singer, Passaranan “Beer” Ussadamongkol, also known as Beer The Voice. Last week, the explicit content, images and videos of Beer were shared on several social media platforms in Thailand. It appears from the content that the videos and…
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