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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Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
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New VC funds to boost startup growth in 2024
This year, the growth of startups is anticipated to see a significant boost as several new venture capital (VC) funds emerge, following a period of slowed activity during the pandemic and recent crypto winter. Among these is the Finno Efra Fund, valued at 1.3 billion baht, co-established by EfraStructure and Krungsri Finnovate, with operations set to commence in March. Pawoot…
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Shiva’s Golden Boy statue: A historical repatriation to Thailand
Two revered relics, the Golden Boy statue embodying the Hindu deity Shiva, and a graceful kneeling female figure with uplifted arms, are poised to make a triumphant return from the United States to Thailand. Set against the backdrop of a highly anticipated repatriation ceremony scheduled for May this year, these cherished artefacts are stirring a wave of national pride. Culture…
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2 gay Thai monks reportedly trick Mor Lam singer into threesome
A Mor Lam folk singer took to social media to accuse two gay monks in the Isaan province of Udon Thani of trying to trick him into a threesome. The Thai singer, 34 year old Trikawin Khamho, shared the story of the two monks on Facebook on January 16. His post was picked up by several news agencies making the story…
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Pattaya Mayor saves buffaloes from the slaughter for the blind
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngamphichet donated 30,000 baht to the Thai Association of the Blind to rescue two buffaloes from the brink of slaughter. In an initiative unveiled on Monday, Mayor Poramet’s collaborative effort with city officials aims to provide a lifeline for visually impaired individuals in Uthai Thani Province. The funds gathered through a charity event and contributions from dedicated…
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Pandemic alert: 8,197 Thailand dengue cases reported in January
The Disease Control Department (DCD) issued a stark warning amid a surging wave of dengue fever cases, urging the public to shield themselves from mosquito bites. With a staggering tally of over 8,000 infected individuals and a count of 13 fatalities so far, the situation demands immediate attention. Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn, the DCD Director-General, revealed alarming statistics, indicating a 91.25% surge…
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Thailand’s investment applications surge to five-year high in 2023
Thailand’s investment promotion applications in 2023 skyrocketed to a five-year high of 848 billion baht, marking a 43% increase from the adjusted figure of the previous year. The surge was powered by significant foreign investments in the five priority sectors identified in the Board of Investment’s (BoI) fresh Investment Promotion Strategy. Contributing to this colossal growth in Thailand’s foreign direct…
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Road tragedy: Boy’s stumble turns fatal in Isaan province (video)
A seven year old boy tripped while crossing the road near his school in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani resulting in a pickup driver accidentally running over and killing him. The tragic accident happened near Pathum Wittayakorn School in Ubon Ratchathani province at 4pm on February 5. At the time, the school was busy with vehicles and parents picking…
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Green sanctuaries: Exploring Suan Suk Jai Park in Bangkok
Suan Suk Jai Park is part of over 100 community green spaces established under the 15-minute Pocket Park campaign helmed by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The 15-Minute Pocket Park initiative, introduced in 2022, is among Chadchart’s strategies to address environmental issues by increasing green public spaces throughout the city. A 49 year old local, Kantika Kongglom, frequents Suan Suk Jai,…
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Thailand to merge ID and disability cards for streamlined support
Varawut Silpa-archa, the Minister of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), announced plans to merge identification (ID) and disability cards as part of an effort to streamline support for disabled individuals. The disability allowance includes those who are incarcerated. The minister’s declaration was in response to the story of Monthon Phetsang, a 48 year old disabled man who embarked on a…
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Reckless Thai driver’s wrong-way sedan smash-up leaves one dead (video)
A reckless Thai driver killed a man and injured others when he drove his sedan against the traffic flow in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, colliding with a pickup truck. Pak Kret Police Station officers and Poh Teck Tung Rescue Foundation rushed to the accident scene on the Khlong Prapa Overpass in the Pakkret district of Nonthaburi province at about 5.20am…
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Flight fright: Air Canada-Thailand flight detours to Hong Kong as passenger falls ill
An Air Canada flight destined for Bangkok was forced to make an emergency diversion to Hong Kong after a passenger fell ill onboard. The Air Canada Boeing 787, which operates flights between Vancouver and Bangkok, declared an emergency on February 4, prompting its redirection to Hong Kong. Flight AC65, a routine scheduled service, is typically operated between Vancouver and Bangkok…
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Corruption potential in the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme
Despite potential warnings from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the government has confirmed plans to proceed with the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat agreed to let the digital wallet policy committee begin work next week. The focus of the forthcoming meeting will be on the potential for corruption during the handout…
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Bristol backpacker in bar brawl bloodbath: Brit stabbed in neck in Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand
A horrifying incident unfolded at Bamboo Bar on Koh Pha Ngan, where a British backpacker from Bristol was attacked, leaving him gushing blood after being stabbed in the neck in a Thai bar brawl. Hugo Mooney found himself sprawled on the floor of Bamboo Bar on the infamous Full Moon Party island of Koh Pha Ngan, his life hanging by…
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Agoda reveals hotspots: Bangkok heats up rankings
Agoda unveiled the hottest must-visit destinations with the Big Mango, Bangkok sizzling in second place. Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam emerged as the unrivalled favourites, igniting a tourism frenzy in the first month alone. Moreover, Malaysia and South Korea are hot on their heels, rounding up the top five inbound markets. According to Agoda’s January 2024 booking rankings, Asian travel destinations have…
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Mentally ill Thai man punches medical worker in central Thailand
A mentally ill Thai man punched a medical worker in the face as he prepared an injection at the Bang Luang sub-district Health Promoting Centre in the central province of Pathum Thani. The incident, which occurred at around 11am on February 2, was captured on CCTV. The medical worker shared the footage on Facebook, revealing that the patient, with mental…
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Discover an enchanting evening with rising R&B stars in Bangkok
Get ready for a night of soul-stirring melodies as five rising R&B stars from California grace Bangkok with their enchanting tunes during The Modern Nostalgia Tour: Live In Bangkok at the BCC Hall of Central Ladprao, Phahon Yothin Road, on February 20 at 8pm. Presented by the Very Company, this special live performance promises to be a musical extravaganza, perfectly…
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Newly crowned Miss Japan dethroned over affair scandal
The glitz and glamour of Miss Japan turned into a whirlwind of controversy as the newly crowned beauty queen relinquished her throne amidst scandalous revelations. The recently crowned beauty queen, 26 year old naturalised Japanese citizen Karolina Shiino, clinched the prestigious Miss Japan title just a fortnight ago. Now she has abdicated her crown following a scandal linking her to…
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Update: Hong Kong disappointed over Lionel Messi’s no-show
Lionel Messi’s failure to grace the pitch in Hong Kong left droves of fans disheartened, but the football icon has hinted at a potential return, this time on the Tokyo turf. The star’s absence during the highly anticipated match at Hong Kong Stadium not only disappointed supporters but also sparked a PR crisis for his Major League Soccer side and…
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Chiang Mai tourism booms as Chinese New Year approaches
The northern city of Chiang Mai in Thailand is experiencing a tourism bonanza as hotel bookings surge to a staggering 90%, with Chinese New Year reservations already topping 60%. Paisan Sukcharoen, president of the Northern Upper Region Hotel Association of Thailand affirms that Chiang Mai’s tourism scene is on an upward trajectory. The cool embrace of Chiang Mai’s weather further…
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Malaysian businessman arrested, confesses to brutal murder
A Malaysian businessman was apprehended at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, after confessing to the brutal murder of an employee. The arrest took place yesterday evening around 10pm. The suspect, a 31 year old man of Chinese descent, was detained upon arrival from Malaysia. Thai authorities had been alerted by their Malaysian counterparts regarding the suspect’s involvement in the…
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World Songkran Festival to last from April 1 to 21
In an exciting announcement, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke yesterday revealed that plans were underway to organise World Songkran Festival activities nationwide. This decision comes hot on the heels of UNESCO’s recent recognition of the Songkran festival as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. “The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has formally acknowledged the significance of the Songkran…
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Luxury Porsche worth 5 million baht goes up in flames after crashing in Phitsanulok
A Porsche Panamera, estimated to be worth no less than 5 million baht, was found engulfed in flames after veering off the road and crashing into an electric pole at 1.40am this morning, in the Phlai Chumphon area of Phitsanulok. Police and rescue teams rushed to the accident scene only to find the driver missing. Upon arrival at the scene…
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Thai abbot allegedly rapes 7 year old girl, police ignore case
A Thai mother sought help from a social media influencer after her seven year old daughter was allegedly raped by a temple abbot in the central province of Ayutthaya. The mother added that the police ignored the complaint she filed nine months ago. Well-known social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet accompanied the mother to meet the Deputy Commissioner of the…
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Hazardous air pollution hits Bangkok and Thai provinces
Bangkok and 11 other provinces in Thailand are currently grappling with hazardous air quality levels, exacerbated by PM2.5 particulate matter exceeding standard thresholds. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, alongside the National Research Council of Thailand, the Pollution Control Department, Kasetsart University, and Chiang Mai University, are monitoring…
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Fatal wrong-way crash on Nonthaburi bridge claims life
A fatal crash occurred early today when a car, driven on the wrong side of the road, crashed into multiple vehicles on a bridge in Nonthaburi, resulting in one death and several injuries. The incident, which took place around 5.30am on February 6, prompted police to investigate the driver for potential substance impairment. At the scene on the bridge crossing…
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From hardship to billionaire: Rise of martial arts star Chatri Sityodtong
Chatri Sityodtong, a Thai-Japanese entrepreneur, became a global household name as the founder of ONE Championship, Asia’s largest sports media property in history. His journey to success, however, is filled with trials and triumphs that many are unaware of. At over 50 years old, Chatri’s past is a testament to his resilience, having overcome the economic crisis in Thailand during…
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Khon Kaen restaurant worker fatally crushed by malfunctioning lift
A freight elevator at a renowned restaurant in Khon Kaen malfunctioned and plummeted, fatally crushing a 46 year old female restaurant worker. The restaurant owner vowed to take full responsibility and provide compensation as police hasten their investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The calamity occurred at a well-known eatery situated along the Mittraphap Road in Khon Kaen’s…
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New year’s feast or fin-ite: WildAid uncovers Thai waters’ shark crisis
As Lunar New Year approaches, WildAid‘s latest findings expose a crisis in Thai waters, where shark fins on celebratory dining tables spell extinction for these majestic creatures, threatening the balance of the ocean’s ecosystem. WildAid sounded the alarm based on a comprehensive DNA analysis of shark fin products sold in Thailand. A staggering 62% of fins sampled come from species…
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PM Srettha pays unannounced visit to Suvarnabhumi Airport amidst biometric glitch
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin paid a surprise visit to Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday morning, amongst reports of a recent biometric system glitch that threw the airport into chaos during rush hours. The glitch, a repeat offender, wreaked havoc on automatic passport control channels, leaving departing jet-setters stranded and frustrated. Eyewitnesses claim the prime minister’s unannounced appearance was a direct response…
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Thai family demands answers after prisoner suicide
The family of a Thai prisoner who tragically committed suicide on February 4 condemned the lack of action by officers at Manchakhiri Police Station in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen and demanded an explanation from the police regarding their handling of the situation. The family of Mong, a 42 year old Thai man, sought police assistance on February 3…
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