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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Thailand aims for 3.4 trillion baht tourism revenue by 2025
Thailand is setting its sights on a tourism boom with a newly launched strategy aimed at bolstering both international and domestic travel. With the tourism sector generating a substantial 1.892 trillion baht (US$56 billion) in 2023, the government is now targeting an impressive 3.4 trillion baht (US$100 billion) in revenues by 2025, aspiring to welcome over 40 million international visitors.…
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Beauty queen scammed out of 4 million baht by cyber criminals
Charlotte Austin, a beauty queen affiliated with Miss Grand Thailand, has reportedly fallen victim to a scam by a cybercriminal gang, resulting in a loss of 4 million baht. The perpetrators allegedly coerced her into a continuous 24-hour video call. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) is currently investigating the incident but has not yet been able to contact Charlotte…
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Temperatures rise in Thailand, heavy rain persists in the south
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a forecast indicating a rise in temperatures across Thailand today, with increases of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius expected. However, the southern region will continue to experience heavy rainfall in some areas. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours reveals that the moderate high-pressure system or cold air mass currently covering the…
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Finnish man falls to death from 11th floor in Pattaya
A tragic incident unfolded at a condominium in Pattaya, when a 52 year old Finnish national fell from the 11th floor, dying from the impact. The shocking incident, known and insensitively named throughout Thailand as The Pattaya Flying Club, occurred shortly after midnight today, December 10, leaving witnesses and responders stunned. Police Lieutenant Manasak Polyeam of Pattaya City Police Station…
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Elderly Thai man walks 14 days to find missing son
An elderly Thai man, partially blind and determined to find his long-lost son, embarked on a remarkable 14-day journey on foot from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chon Buri. This poignant tale of parental love and perseverance unfolds as 85 year old Lung Lek Wongjaiya made the arduous trek with a cane, driven by the hope of reuniting with his eldest son,…
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Thai crew’s fate uncertain as Myanmar delays release decision
The fate of the Thai crewmembers detained in Myanmar remains uncertain as the government awaits a decision from Nay Pyi Taw. Local officials are currently not empowered to authorise their release, following an incident near Ranong last week. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed yesterday, December 9, that negotiations for their release continue, with Thai officials having formally requested permission to…
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Southern Thailand train services to resume after severe flooding
Train services in southern Thailand are set to return to full operation on December 12 following severe flooding that disrupted the rail network and caused significant damage to the tracks. The floods had forced all trains to terminate at Hat Yai station, impacting travel and logistics in the region. The State Railway of Thailand‘s Governor, Veeris Ammarapala, confirmed that services…
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Thailand to finalise 400 baht minimum wage proposal on December 12
The anticipation surrounding the upcoming tripartite wage committee meeting is palpable, as it seeks to finalise the government’s proposal for a nationwide minimum wage increase to 400 baht per day. Scheduled for Thursday, December 12, this meeting aims to implement the wage hike as a new year’s offering to workers, a key initiative the ruling Pheu Thai Party promised. The…
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Thai woman seeks justice after attack by unidentified man in Bangkok
A Thai woman is seeking assistance after she and her male colleague were attacked by an unidentified man on Soi Charan Sanitwong 35 in the Bangkok Noi district of Bangkok on Friday, December 6. The 31 year old victim, identified only as A, reached out to the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive and shared her story publicly, hoping to identify the…
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Thailand throws ‘baht’ at impact study of 10,000-baht handouts
In a bid to decipher the ripple effects of Thailand’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme, the Finance Ministry launched an exhaustive survey. This deep dive, spanning 40,000 participants, aims to unravel the true impact of this financial initiative on the economy and society as a whole. Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit promises findings by the month’s end. “This survey uses a…
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2 Thai boys arrested for shooting girl, mistaking her for an enemy
Police arrested two Thai boys who mistakenly shot a 15 year old girl in the head on a road in the Phra Phrom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province last night, December 9, believing her to be their rival. Officers from Phra Phrom Police Station launched an investigation into the attempted murder, which took place around midnight on Jang Hoon-Na Pru…
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Trang Airport project abandoned, contractor loses millions
The Airports Department has terminated its contract with Port and Marine Corporation (PAM) and confiscated a 53 million baht security deposit after the company failed to complete the construction of a new passenger terminal at Trang Airport in southern Thailand. Director General Danai Ruangsorn announced that Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri instructed the department to end the agreement and expedite…
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Thailand and UK discuss trade, explore FTA possibilities
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan met with British Ambassador Mark Gooding last week at the ambassador’s official residence in Bangkok to discuss strengthening economic ties between Thailand and the United Kingdom. Central to their discussions was the feasibility of a Thailand-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade and…
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Bangkok braces for current affairs as power outages hit home
In a move that’s set to ignite frustration, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) announced a slew of planned power outages sweeping across Bangkok and its neighbouring areas over the next two days. These interruptions, part of an essential maintenance blitz, are designed to bolster the city’s electricity network with greater efficiency and reliability. The disruptive energy cuts crackled into action…
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Grain of truth: Thailand trails Asia in rice yield race
Thailand’s rice yields are significantly lower than other major Asian rice producers, according to Anon Nonsee, Deputy Director General of the Department of Rice. The average rice yield in Thailand is about 400 to 500 kilogrammes per rai (0.16 hectares), far below Vietnam’s 1,000 kilogrammes per rai and China’s 1,000 to 1,200 kilogrammes per rai. While some Thai rice varieties…
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Window w*nker: Barber’s indecent exposure leaves wife in a snip
A Thai woman expressed shock and fear after discovering that her husband had been masturbating in front of passersby through the clear window of his barber shop in the central province of Ang Thong. Victims of the man’s lewd behaviour sought justice by contacting a Thai news agency and sharing explicit videos of him with the media. Channel 8 broadcast…
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Thailand’s birth rate drops 81% over 74 years, surpasses Japan
Thailand is now ranked among the top three countries globally experiencing the most significant decline in birth rates, with an 81% drop over the past 74 years. This dramatic decrease has seen Thailand surpass Japan in this regard, highlighting a widespread global issue of shrinking populations. Various factors such as economic conditions, environmental pollution, and living conditions are making people…
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Gold fever: Price ‘baht-tles’ higher with investors eyeing gains
In a move that’s caught the attention of savers and spenders alike, gold prices have shot up, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) reporting a 100 baht rise overnight. Today, December 9, those looking to splash out on gold jewellery will find it priced at a sparkling 43,100 baht per baht weight, thanks to the latest updates confirmed by the…
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Thai man flees petrol station bill with fuel hose attached to car (video)
A Thai man evaded paying a 500-baht bill at a petrol station by fleeing in his black sedan, dragging the fuel nozzle and hose along Hathairat Road in Bangkok. A motorcyclist who witnessed the theft recorded a video of the black sedan pulling the fuel nozzle and hose along Hathairat Road and shared it on his TikTok account, rosphutnaned, on…
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Teacher’s misconduct with female students fall on deaf ears
Reports have emerged from Buriram province, involving allegations against a male teacher accused of inappropriate behaviour towards multiple fourth-grade female students. Parents lodged a complaint, alleging that the teacher engaged in misconduct when students made mistakes in their homework. The series of incidents came to light after a social media post highlighted the situation, stating that the matter had been…
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Thailand floods claim lives, deforestation and dams blamed
Flooding has wreaked havoc across Thailand this year, claiming more than 50 lives in the north and at least 25 in the south. While climate change plays a role, Pianporn Deetes, Southeast Asia Programme Director for the NGO International Rivers, attributes specific man-made causes to the disaster. Pianporn identified deforestation, dams, and river encroachment as three main factors exacerbating the…
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Hong Kong hotel bills pile up: Tourism takes a hit amid dollar drama
As Hong Kong’s hospitality sector braces for the new year, a perfect storm of challenges threatens to sour the city’s tourist appeal. With a new lodging tax set to dent visitors’ wallets and geopolitical tensions on the rise, thanks to Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency, the city’s once-thriving tourist industry could face an uphill battle. From January, a 3% hotel guest…
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Husband and wife arrested for brutal murder in Uthai Thani
A gruesome murder has come to light after the arrest of a husband and wife in Uthai Thani, Thailand, following the discovery of a deceased man’s body in a field. The suspects, identified as 58 year old Samrit and 32 year old Jirawan confessed to the murder of 60 year old Udom. The couple was apprehended after a public altercation…
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Fed on the brink: Rate cut looms as US plays interest-ing game
Anticipation is reaching fever pitch as the US Federal Reserve gears up for a crucial meeting, with punters betting on a 25 basis point interest rate cut. Slated for December 18, this decision could have ripple effects all the way to Thailand, where the Bank of Thailand might follow suit in the coming months. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)…
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Thai woman faced attempted lynching after attacking boy with knife
Police yesterday intervened to prevent a lynching of a Thai woman who brutally attacked an eight year old boy with knives in her rented room in Chon Buri. Officers from Mueang Chon Buri Police Station were alerted to the knife attack in the Nong Ri sub-district of Chon Buri province at approximately 5.20pm, yesterday, December 8. They rushed to the…
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Crypto hits new heights: Bitcoin Trumps US$100k amid election buzz
In a staggering leap that has set the crypto world ablaze, bitcoin shattered the US$100,000 mark for the first time, skyrocketing from around US$69,000 just a month ago. This meteoric rise comes hot on the heels of the US presidential elections, fuelling frenzied speculation among crypto investors about the impact of Donald Trump’s return to prominence. With crypto enthusiasts on…
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Thailand police crackdown on pornographic content production
Thai police launched a new operation dubbed Rabbit Slaughter: Suppressing Sex Creators, targeting both Thai and foreign nationals involved in producing and distributing pornographic content globally. The operation seeks to dismantle a network including pornographic content involving Thai women. Police, led by Saruti Kwangsopa, initiated the crackdown, resulting in the arrest of several individuals. These include 40 year old Benjamin…
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British man commits suicide, leaving sand messages for Thai wife
A British man left messages in the sand for his wife and children before taking his own life on Cha-am Beach in the southern province of Phetchaburi. He was reportedly distressed over two legal cases and a 400,000-baht loss to a friend. A Thai tourist discovered the lifeless body of the British man, later identified as 42 year old Antony…
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Family seeks justice after prison boxing match death in Rayong
The wife and family of a 27 year old boxer are seeking justice who unexpectedly died after participating in a prison boxing match in Rayong, Thailand. The boxer’s wife, 26 year old Suchada, raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his death, which occurred shortly after he competed in a sports day boxing event at Rayong Central Prison. The incident took…
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British man’s Thai-high trip goes up in smoke at Manchester customs
Another British man has been nabbed in a high-stakes arrest after being caught returning through Manchester Airport customs with two suitcases full of cannabis from Thailand. The alleged British drug mule, Ahmed Sohail, who claimed he went to Thailand to lose some weight, ended up losing much more than he bargained for. Stopped by eagle-eyed Border Force officials, the 26…
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