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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Former PM Prayut Chan-o-cha appointed as Thailand Privy Council member
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun yesterday appointed the former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to the Privy Council of Thailand. The Royal Gazette yesterday, November 29, officially announced that His Majesty deemed it fitting to appoint an additional Privy Councillor at this time. The king has graciously chosen former Prime Minister Prayut for this appointment. The Privy Council is a body…
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Nationwide security guards training initiative kicks off with labour of love from ministry, police, and army
A nationwide training initiative targeting security guards is set to be launched, courtesy of the Labour Ministry, police force, and army. This initiative, aimed at improving the skill set of guards, was discussed yesterday in a meeting convened by Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Also in attendance were Watcharapol Bussamongkol, ex-president of the Security Services Association of Thailand (SSAT), and representatives…
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Bangkok MP’s challenge to Computer Crime Act dismissed by Constitutional Court
Bangkok MP Rukchanok Srinork, representing the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), faced a setback yesterday when the Constitutional Court dismissed her petition concerning the constitutionality of Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act. The court’s decision came via the Criminal Court, which is currently presiding over a case against Rukchanok. The charges against Rukchanok, stemming from a tweet she…
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Unforeseen transfer of DSI chief prompts investigation into pork smuggling
The abrupt transfer of Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Police Major Suriya Singhakamol has prompted the House Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives to seek answers from the government. Pol. Maj. Suriya’s reassignment came into the limelight immediately after he conducted a search related to the smuggling of pork at the CP Axtra Plc headquarters, previously known as Siam Makro.…
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Hamas releases two more Thai captives, 19 now freed
The release of two additional Thai captives from the Israel- Palestine conflict occurred on Tuesday night, bringing the total number of freed Thai citizens to 19, with a remaining 13 still in custody. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced via the Twitter social media platform that Pattanayut Tonsokree and Owat Suriya had been liberated at 11pm local time and were immediately…
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Southern Thailand battles surge in whooping cough cases
A surge in pertussis cases, commonly known as whooping cough, has prompted public health bodies to urge individuals, particularly in southern Thailand, to get vaccinated. So far this year, almost 100 Thai residents have been diagnosed with the infectious disease. The Disease Control Department disclosed yesterday that there have been 93 confirmed cases of pertussis between January 1 and November…
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Thailand’s shrimp exports forecasted to surge by 10% next year
A 10% surge in Thailand’s shrimp exports is on the horizon for the upcoming year, brought about by a minor uptick in local shrimp production and bolstered demand primarily from the United States. Thai Shrimp Association President Ekapoj Yodpinit disclosed that shrimp production in Thailand this year mirrored the previous year’s figure of 280,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, the country’s shrimp exports…
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Motorcyclist dies in accident, rider a suspected drug dealer
A fatal accident unfolded on Motorway 7 inbound to Chon Buri in the early hours of today, resulting in the death of a motorcyclist, suspected by Banglamung police to be a drug dealer. The incident occurred near the 4-kilometre marker in the Nong Pla Lai sub-district of Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The first team on the scene, led by…
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Revolutionising borders: Thai and Malaysian prime ministers unveil mega checkpoint for trade and tourism
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim orchestrated a historic agreement this week, with plans to improve border trade through the new Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla province. The leaders converged at the customs office of the newly minted Sadao border checkpoint on November 27 with both governments pledging to turbocharge road access to the Thai side…
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BLACKPINK’s Lisa spotted at PSG v Newcastle UCL match sparking relationship rumours
Social media is abuzz following the appearance last night of BLACKPINK’s Lisa at a UEFA Champions League football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle. This news comes after all four BLACKPINK members made history in the K-Pop scene by attending The Korean State Banquet and receiving the honour of the English royal decorations. While Jisoo, Jennie, and Rosé have returned…
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Thai woman sexually harassed by ride-hailing app driver
A Thai woman took to social media to plead for justice after a perverted driver from a ride-hailing application sexually harassed her via an online conversation. The 51 year old victim, A, revealed to Channel 3 that the incident took place on November 9 at 12.02am. She booked a ride from her workplace in the Bang Khun Tian district of…
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Thai police bust major drug ring, seize assets worth 100 million baht
A notorious drug ring operating in the provinces of Pathum Thani and Yala was disrupted by Thai police, leading to the confiscation of assets amounting to nearly 100 million baht. Eight individuals, including the 32 year old alleged ringleader, were arrested across seven locations. The arrests, executed yesterday, November 27, were the result of warrants issued by the Yala Provincial…
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Thai model’s husband and glamorous ring busted in love scam raid
Thai authorities apprehended suspects in a love scam, including the husband of a prominent Thai model, unravelling a web of deceit that has left hearts broken and assets frozen. Thai law enforcement cracked down on a syndicate orchestrating investment and love scams. In a series of dramatic raids across Bangkok and Samut Prakan, five suspects found themselves on the wrong…
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Bangkok MP Chaiyamphawan joins Thai Progress Party following MFP expulsion
Bangkok MP Chaiyamphawan Manpianjit faces expulsion from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) following accusations of sexual harassment. The MP has now found a new political home, joining another party, a move that ensures he retains his position in the House. The announcement about Chaiyamphawan’s shift to a new party was made late last night, November 28, by his spokesperson,…
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Female Bangkok teacher accused of sexually assaulting schoolgirl
A 12 year old schoolgirl from the Nong Chok district of Bangkok accused a female teacher of sexually assaulting her and luring her into sending explicit pictures and pornography. Thai social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet accompanied the 12 year old girl, known as A, and her family members to file a complaint against the teacher at Nong Chok Police…
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Fairytale fiasco: Thai wedding woe as caterer goes AWOL, bride’s big day ruined
A fairytale Thai wedding in Chaiyaphum turned into a nightmare when the hired caterer failed to show up, leaving the bride and her family to scramble for a last-minute solution. The bride, 24 year old Sukanya Chaiwongsa shared her distress on social media as she recounted the disastrous day on November 25, when she had to resort to serving hotpot…
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Chiang Mai: Explosion at longan plantation claims three lives
Tragedy struck a longan plantation in Ban Chai Ngam village of Mae Waen subdistrict, Phrao district, Chiang Mai yesterday when an explosion claimed the lives of three workers. The incident occurred as they were making a flowering stimulant mixture, resulting in an immediate fatality for two female workers – one Thai and one from Myanmar. Another worker, a man from…
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High-stakes hideaway busted: Thai police raid opulent gambling den in Nonthaburi
Thai police raided a large, luxurious gambling den operating in a renowned hotel in Ngam Wong Wan, Nonthaburi. The majority of the clientele were wealthy businesspeople with over 3.5 million baht in cash in the kitty and gaming equipment seized during the operation today. The investigation led by the Immigration Bureau’s detectives revealed that the eighth and ninth floors of…
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Thailand’s power play: Hosting mega IMF and World Bank meetings in 2026
The Chief of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) unveiled Thailand‘s ambitious proposal to host the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in 2026. On October 15, the Finance Ministry, Bank of Thailand, and IMF and World Bank reps threw ink on a memorandum of understanding, sealing the deal for Thailand to reclaim its throne as…
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Female party entertainer accuses police officer of rape and physical assault
A female party entertainer in the northern province of Lamphun accused a police officer of raping and physically assaulting her. The accused officer denied the allegations. The 25 year old party entertainer, identified as A, filed a complaint at Mueang Jee Police Station on November 22 that a Chiang Mai province police officer had raped and assaulted her in Nong…
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Taxi rider in Pattaya nabbed for overcharging 1,600 baht for 3-kilometre trip
Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers arrested a motorcycle taxi rider without a permit for overcharging two passengers 1,600 baht for a 3-kilometre trip to Pattaya International Fireworks Festival. The suspect shipped the blame onto another rider. Two passengers shared their money transfer receipt on social media and explained that a motorcycle taxi rider charged them 1,600 baht for a trip…
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Thai businesses may face wage pressure after state officials’ salary increase
The Thai Chamber of Commerce predicts a potential ripple effect on businesses, following the Cabinet’s decision to approve a 10% salary increase for state officials. The chairman of the chamber, Sanan Angubolkul, anticipates that this move may compel businesses to raise their wages to attract skilled employees. The salary increase for new state employees will result in a monthly income…
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A 23 year old man found shot dead in southern Thailand: Police launch manhunt
The tragic end of a 23 year old man suffering from panic and depression disorders was discovered in his employer’s house, where he was found shot dead in the bedroom. Police officers are actively hunting down the suspect as the investigation continues. Police officer Thanathorn Phanchu last night revealed that a murder victim was found in a two-storey house in…
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Thai PBS forum explores AI’s future role in newsrooms
The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS World) yesterday, in collaboration with Techsauce, the National Innovation Agency (NIA), the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) and MediaScope, held the Thai PBS World Forum. The forum, themed AI and the Future of Newsroom, was a platform for thought leadership and the exchange of perspectives with regional media organisations to drive the direction…
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Two more Thai hostages released from conflict in Gaza
Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara today celebrated the release of two more Thai hostages from the conflict in Gaza. Their release was facilitated by a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas. Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara conveyed his joy at the Thai hostages’ release via the social media platform Twitter (X). The 66 year old Bangkok-born politician expressed his delight…
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Rayong village chief fires gun during Loy Krathong Festival causing panic (video)
A village chief instigated fear and commotion today in Nikhom Patana, Rayong, by firing a gun during a Loy Krathong Festival at a prominent local temple. The incident was reported by 32 year old Chaiwat (no surname given) who claimed he was threatened by Chaiyaporn, the village chief. Chaiwat narrated that he went to the festival around 12.30am yesterday, November…
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Lone diner’s surprise birthday celebration at Mamaonom bar goes viral (video)
A touching scene unfolded at the Mamaonom Bar in Ratchaburi Province when staff members surprised a lone customer on her birthday. The young woman, dining alone on her special day, was moved to tears as the team gathered around her to sing birthday songs and present her with a cake. The bar shared the heartwarming video on its social media…
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Flight cancellations: Chinese airlines slash 40% of slots amid Thai tourism slowdown
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) witnessed a substantial number of flight slot cancellations by Chinese airlines, accounting for over 40% of total cancellations across Thailand’s airports. The CAAT director, Suttipong Kongpool, highlighted that such cancellations are not unusual and are often a result of fluctuating travel demand. Airline companies frequently resort to such measures in order to maintain…
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Thailand’s duty-free dream: Govt’s five-pronged plan to woo tourists and shoppers
In a move to transform Thailand into an irresistible haven for tourists and shoppers alike, the government has unleashed a five-pronged plan that could turn the Land of Smiles into a duty-free paradise. Say farewell to arrival duty-free shops as Thailand aims to redefine its status as the ultimate destination for globetrotters and shopaholics. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke revealed yesterday,…
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Debt dilemma: Households in a financial bind as debt soars, Thai PM pledges change
Thailand is in the grips of a financial crisis, with household debt skyrocketing to a staggering 16.07 trillion baht, a 3.6% surge compared to last year. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin vowed to address the problem of what he calls debt slavery. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) yesterday dropped a bombshell, revealing that Thailand’s household debt is…
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