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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Chiang Mai launches cleanup after floods ease in commercial areas
Workers have launched a campaign to clean roads and remove debris in downtown Chiang Mai following the easing of floods in some commercial areas. Chiang Mai Municipality initiated the operation at 5pm yesterday, September 27 to revive economic activity in the bustling northern tourism hub. The effort is divided into five zones, including areas near the Naowarat Bridge and the…
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Sustainability expo 2024 opens in Bangkok, urgent action needed
Immediate action is necessary for sustainability, warns Sumet Tantivejkul, secretary-general of the Chaipattana Foundation. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX2024) yesterday in Bangkok, he highlighted the urgency of change as emphasised by the sufficiency economy theory of King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great King Rama IX. Sumet elaborated on the theory, noting that while it originally seemed…
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Chinese woman saved from 8 million baht scam in Thailand
A Chinese woman lured into transferring over 8 million baht to a ruthless call centre scam gang has been found safe in Samut Prakan after weeks of torment. The 42 year old Chinese woman, Song Xiuhua, was discovered in a Bang Phli district apartment by officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), after a frantic search sparked by her family’s…
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Kathu: Thai man shoots himself after affair argument
A 31 year old Thai man is fighting for his life in hospital after a shocking self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head during a heated argument with his wife over an affair at their Kathu condo last night, September 26. The late-night drama unfolded around 11pm, with police and rescue workers rushing to a condo on Phra Phuket Kaew Road…
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Pizza the action: Foreign man wreaks havoc at Phuket pizzeria
An unidentified foreign man went on a rampage in the Thalang district of Phuket in the early hours of this morning and physically assaulted the Thai owner of a pizza shop near Phuket International Airport. The Phuket Times reported on the incident today. The report included pictures of the injured Thai pizza shop owner, a damaged car and restaurant, as well…
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Anti-spanking bill scrapped: Thai MPs rethink on child discipline
The controversial anti-spanking bill has been withdrawn for further review after a backlash from MPs during the recent parliamentary session. The proposed amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code aimed to prohibit corporal punishment of children but faced fierce opposition on Wednesday, September 25, highlighting serious concerns regarding its vagueness and alignment with fundamental principles. Nipon Khonkhayan, an MP from…
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Doggone floods: Soi Dog races to feed Chiang Rai’s stranded paws
In a race against time, the Soi Dog Foundation dispatched a dedicated team to Chiang Rai to evaluate and address the urgent food needs of pets devastated by recent floods. Partnering with local officials, they aim to provide vital assistance to animals caught in the crisis, including the astonishing figure of 7,650 dogs and cats. Soi Dog’s staff, in collaboration with…
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Reel deal: Thai man is squids in with government digital wallet
Among the many recipients of the government’s digital wallet handout is a 66 year old Thai man who transformed his share into a thriving small business selling grilled squid. State welfare cardholder Suwit Inrat, also known as Uncle Ood, received the handout money via his Krungthai Bank account around 2am today, September 27, prompting Suwit to spring into action. With…
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Thai teen sexually assaulted by drug dealer at Chon Buri temple
A 17 year old Thai girl is seeking justice after being repeatedly sexually assaulted by a drug dealer at a temple in Chon Buri province. Officers from Mueang Chon Buri Police Station were called to a restaurant in the Mueang district of Chon Buri province to question the teenage victim, named Dao. She claimed that the drug dealer named Noi…
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Thailand’s 20-billion-baht airport expressway takes off in 2030
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is gearing up to launch public-private partnerships (PPPs) next year for the ambitious 20-billion-baht Srinakarin-Suvarnabhumi Airport expressway project. With an anticipated opening in 2030, this project is poised to streamline access to the bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport, enhancing the travel experience for both locals and tourists alike. EXAT Deputy Governor Katpachon Udomthampakdee, recently led the…
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Sweet tragedy: Woman chokes on Thai dessert
A tragic incident occurred when a woman choked on a traditional Thai dessert and died in front of a neighbour’s house. Medical professionals suspect the cause was a blockage in her airway. Yesterday, September 26, Natthawut Chantarasamut, an investigator from Ron Phibun Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, received a report of a death in front of a house…
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New centre in Thailand aims for tier 1 status in trafficking fight
In a high-stakes move to bolster its international standing, Thailand has opened a new centre aimed at tackling human trafficking, with eyes set on earning the coveted Tier 1 spot in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) ranking. The Thailand Victim Identification and Referral Centre, located in Don Mueang district, is part of a nationwide effort to curb…
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Monorail mishap sends metal crashing onto car in Nonthaburi
A Nonthaburi motorist got the shock of his life on Tuesday night, September 24, when a steel rod fell from the Pink Monorail, damaging his vehicle. The motorist, Wari Thanatornnawanrat was driving along Chaengwattana Road at around 10pm when the rod plunged from the sky, striking his car’s bonnet before smashing into his windscreen and side mirror. “I couldn’t believe…
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Catfished by catfish: Gay Thai man nets 120 suckers in fake fishing scam
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a gay Thai man for using a fake social media profile, posing as a beautiful woman, to trick 120 victims into sending masturbation videos of themselves before selling the videos online. CIB police discovered a secret group called “Gril grop” on the Telegram app, where explicit videos of male university students from the…
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Off-key: Ex-folk singer politician hits sour note in corruption scandal
A former Thai folk singer-turned-politician has been booted from his position as mayor of Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani province after being entangled in a major corruption scandal. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ruled that a case involving shady dealings during the Covid-19 pandemic had enough weight to warrant his immediate removal. The axe fell swiftly, with Interior Minister…
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Thai rice export prices hit 14-month low amid weak demand
Thai rice export prices have hit a 14-month low due to subdued demand and competition from more affordable suppliers, while Indian rice prices increased slightly owing to a stronger rupee, despite weak demand from Asian and African markets. Thailand‘s benchmark 5% broken rice is now quoted at US$560 per tonne, marking its lowest price since July 20, 2023, and a…
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Drug-fuelled biker blames exhaustion from work for injuring 2 cops
A drug-fuelled Thai biker tried to blame work fatigue, not his drug habit, after ploughing into two cops on Phahonyothin Road in Bangkok. Despite his claims, police found nine Yaba pills stashed on him at the scene. Bang Khen Police Station arrested the 25 year old Thai man, Sudkhet, yesterday, September 26, at around 6.30pm near Soi Phahonyothin 48 in…
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Thailand to introduce carbon tax to curb emissions this year
Thailand is set to implement a carbon tax this year, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced at the Road to Net Zero 2024: The Extraordinary Green event. The Finance Ministry plans to propose the carbon tax measure to the Cabinet for approval soon, with the goal of rolling it out in the coming months. Paopoom explained that this measure aims to…
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Phuket police cracks down on noisy bikes and rowdy teens
Phuket Provincial Police have ramped up efforts to tackle the nuisance of roaring motorbikes and unruly teens as the island gears up for the famous Vegetarian Festival and the peak tourist season. At a press conference held at Phuket City Police Station, Region 8 Police Commander Police Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomchit announced the ongoing campaign, spearheaded by Phuket Provincial Police…
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Thailand’s manufacturing index set to drop 1% due to floods
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) is projected to decline by 1% this year, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The contraction is attributed to various economic issues and the severe flooding experienced in recent months. OIE Director-General Warawan Chitaroon indicated that the best possible outcome for MPI growth is to remain flat. The office had previously adjusted its…
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Two women arrested with 120,920 meth pills from Laos in Loei
Two women were arrested after being caught with 120,920 methamphetamine pills in their vehicle. They confessed to having received the drugs from Laos and have been charged with possession of a Category 1 controlled substance. Today, September 27, in an operation aimed at tackling drug trafficking along the border, Yuttana Chokchai, Deputy Commander of the Loei Provincial Police, along with…
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Thailand video news | Polish Woman Threatens to Bomb Thai VietJet Flight, South Korea Prepares to Ban Dog Meat with Incentives for Farmers
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a Polish woman who threatened to bomb a Thai VietJet flight mid-air, triggering emergency protocols. Thai customs seized over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis, preventing its smuggling to the UK. In Pattaya, a glue-sniffing drifter caused chaos, while in China, a Thai woman was insulted…
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Thailand video news | Polish woman threatens to bomb Thai VietJet flight, South Korea prepares to ban dog meat with incentives for farmers
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a Polish woman who threatened to bomb a Thai VietJet flight mid-air, triggering emergency protocols. Thai customs seized over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis, preventing its smuggling to the UK. In Pattaya, a glue-sniffing drifter caused chaos, while in China, a Thai woman was insulted…
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Gypsy cash dash: Phuket locals swarm ATMs for 10k baht handout
Hundreds of sea gypsies in Phuket flocked to ATMs at Laem Tukkae, Koh Sirey, Ratsada subdistrict on Wednesday, September 25, as part of the Thai government’s 10,000 baht handout scheme for vulnerable citizens. The scheme, aimed at state welfare cardholders and disabled individuals, is part of a broader economic stimulus programme. A national report noted that the sea gypsies, still…
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Landowner battles coach company over unpaid rent in Bangkok (video)
A landowner is embroiled in a dispute with a coach company that has not paid its rent for years and refused to vacate the premises. Despite a court order to leave, the company’s owners remain defiant, citing legal technicalities. The conflict began when a TikTok user, @yokeie, posted about a coach company failing to pay rent for its parking and…
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Truck crashes into canal after driver struck by unidentified object
Thai police are on the hunt to find out what mysterious object struck a lorry driver on the head as he sped along the Chon Buri bypass. The driver was knocked out cold, sending his truck careering into a crash, and leaving him with serious injuries. Officers from Mueang Chon Buri Police Station rushed to the scene of the six-wheel…
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Thai teen kidnapped for 500,000 baht ransom
A young Thai man has allegedly been taken hostage by a call centre scam gang, demanding a ransom of 500,000 baht from his family. If the ransom is not paid within one to two days, the teenager’s life may be in danger. The incident was brought to light on social media yesterday, September 26, when Jenny Jenjura posted a plea…
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Thai officials seize 1.6 million meth pills near Phamee border
Thai police recently arrested six hill tribe individuals for transporting 1.6 million methamphetamine pills along the Phamee border. This crackdown followed the restoration of roads previously disrupted by a landslide earlier in the month. Yesterday, September 26, Major General Praphat Pobsuwan, commander of the Phamueang Task Force, assigned Colonel Maitri Srisantia, the task force’s chief of staff, and Colonel Natee…
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Clinic con: Unlicensed medics in Chon Buri busted with fake docs
Police raided a prominent clinic in Bang Sare, Chon Buri, arresting three individuals for operating without a license and using a fake medical certificate. The suspects have confessed to various charges. Yesterday, September 26, police and public health officials conducted a raid at 5.30pm at a medical clinic in Bang Sare, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Reports had been received…
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Thailand trains diverted due to severe flooding in northern region
The Northern train route in Thailand is undergoing temporary changes due to severe flooding in the region. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, announced yesterday, September 26, that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has adjusted the starting and ending stations from Chiang Mai to Lampang until the situation improves. Heavy rain and rising water levels in…
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