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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Taxi driver arrested after fleeing petrol station in Chaiyaphum
A dramatic chase unfolded in Chaiyaphum when a Bangkok-registered taxi collided with both a truck and a police vehicle after its driver fled from a petrol station without settling the fuel bill. The incident, which took place on Chaiyaphum-Bua Yai Road in Mueang district, resulted in the arrest of the 36 year old taxi driver, yesterday morning. The sequence of…
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Don Mueang Airport expects 13% flight rise over new year
Anticipating a significant upswing in travel activity, Airports of Thailand (AoT) forecasts a 13.32% increase in flights at Don Mueang Airport during the new year period, with approximately 717,002 passengers expected to pass through its gates. This surge signifies an 88.62% recovery in flight numbers compared to pre-Covid-19 figures, according to AoT president Kerati Kijmanawat. The passenger count reflects a…
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Chiang Mai soldiers seize 300,000 meth pills after shootout
Soldiers in Chiang Mai‘s Fang district intercepted a significant drug smuggling operation early yesterday morning, December 21, confiscating 300,000 methamphetamine pills left behind by fleeing suspects. The incident unfolded when two military patrols from the Chaiyanuparb special unit encountered three or four men carrying rucksacks near an orange grove in tambon Monpin at approximately 3am. Upon being signalled to stop…
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Shirtless tourist swallows traffic ticket in Pattaya police standoff
A peculiar scene unfolded in Pattaya when a foreign visitor was apprehended after an unusual attempt to dispose of a traffic ticket. This muscular traveller, who was riding a motorcycle shirtless and without a helmet, was stopped by police at a checkpoint situated in front of the Pattaya police station. Upon being asked to present his driving licence, the visitor…
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Transwoman arrested for explicit online content in Korat
Police have apprehended a transwoman involved in producing and distributing explicit content online, following a discovery of over 120 illicit clips. The operation, led by high-ranking officials, targeted a transgender individual identified as 37 year old Natthakan, accused of creating and circulating pornographic material and uploading it to a computer system. The arrest took place at a residence in the…
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Hong Kong man arrested in Pattaya for illegal e-cigarette trade
A Hong Kong man has been apprehended in a luxury hotel in Central Pattaya for producing and selling electronic cigarettes. A significant haul of e-cigarette components was seized, including empty e-cigarette pods and e-liquid. The arrest took place yesterday when police officers, led by Navin Teerawit, Pattaya City Police Station Superintendent, and his team, detained 28 year old Hing Ping…
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Motorcyclist killed in Pattaya crash with minivan and pickup truck
A tragic accident occurred in Pattaya yesterday, December 20, resulting in the death of a motorcyclist following a collision involving a minivan and a pickup truck. Bang Lamung police, accompanied by rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation, arrived at the scene of a fatal road accident at 11.30am yesterday on Sukhumvit Road near the Ban Suan U-turn in Naklua.…
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Girl killed in Chon Buri hit-and-run sparks search for dark vehicle
A tragic accident in Chon Buri has spurred an online search for a dark vehicle involved in a hit-and-run that claimed the life of a young girl and left her mother severely injured. The accident occurred when a motorcycle sidecar was struck, causing the child to be thrown from the vehicle. The event unfolded yesterday on Route 344, near kilometre…
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Thailand eyes Phuket for bitcoin sandbox experiment
Thailand is edging closer to cryptocurrency adoption, with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira dropping hints about extending the bitcoin sandbox experiment in Phuket. This bold move could position Thailand as a regional leader in digital currency innovation. “We are not suggesting replacing existing currencies with bitcoin.” Pichai emphasised the controlled nature of the trial. Under the sandbox model, bitcoin would be…
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Udon Thani: Sports shoes blunder leaves seller with 80k baht loss
An incident involving a misunderstanding over second-hand shoes seemingly abandoned in a park in Udon Thani province has left a resident of Ang Thong distraught after a social media post led to the unintended distribution of her merchandise. A Facebook user shared an image of locals selecting second-hand shoes, mistakenly suggesting they were free for the taking. This post resulted…
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Girls abandoned by drug-addicted parents in Chachoengsao
A silent cry for help emerged from Bang Nam Priao district in Chachoengsao province when two young girls, aged five and seven, were found abandoned with their impoverished grandfather. The girls’ parents, both battling drug addiction, had consistently subjected them to abuse. The Be Nueng Foundation received a report about the mistreatment yesterday, December 20, prompting immediate action. Chalida Palamat,…
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Three sentenced to death for German’s murder in Pattaya
The Pattaya Provincial Court has delivered a verdict in a high-profile murder case, sentencing three people to death for the murder and dismemberment of Hans Peter Ralter Mack, a 62 year old German real estate businessman. The crime, which took place in Pattaya on July 5 last year, shocked the local and international communities due to its gruesome nature. Police…
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Residents challenge SRT’s ownership claims to Khao Kradong
A land dispute in Khao Kradong, Buriram, has sparked controversy, with Songsak Thongsri, Deputy Minister of Interior, stating that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) seems to be at fault. The conflict involves over 400 residents who claim rightful ownership of the land, asserting their families have occupied it long before the railway’s construction. During a visit to the contested…
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Thai government to choose sites for casino complexes
The Thai government is set to centrally determine the locations for proposed casino-entertainment complexes, a move aimed at ensuring fair competition among prospective investors, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The initiative hinges on the passage of a bill legalising gambling, which is currently under consideration. “If the locations are chosen by the government, this will allow investors to…
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Thai court orders DLT to issue vehicle tax sticker to driver
A driver has triumphed in a legal battle against the Department of Land Transport (DLT) over their refusal to issue a vehicle tax sticker due to unpaid traffic fines. The Central Administrative Court instructed the department to provide the sticker to the driver, who had filed a lawsuit against the DLT, its director-general, the Bangkok Land Transport office, and the…
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Thailand braces for cold spell with mountain lows of 5 degrees
Thailand is experiencing a cold spell today, with mountain peak temperatures dropping to a minimum of 5 degrees Celsius (°C). Fog blankets Bangkok this morning, while the south faces thunderstorms due to moderate monsoon winds. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a chilling climate for the next 24 hours as a moderate cold air mass settles over northern and upper…
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Phuket to host Thailand’s first legal same-sex marriages
Phuket is set to make history on January 22 next year, as the island hosts a dazzling event to mark the first day of legal same-sex marriages in Thailand. Held at Jungceylon shopping mall in Patong, the celebration promises to be a landmark moment for equality and love in the country. Dubbed DOPA Day One: Equality Rings in 878 Districts,…
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PM Paetongtarn crowned Politician of the Year in Bangkok poll
Move over, rivals! Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stormed ahead in the political popularity race, clinching the top spot in a nationwide survey that crowned her Politician of the Year 2024. The North Bangkok Poll, conducted by North Bangkok University between December 10 and 15, asked 1,500 respondents from across Thailand a simple but telling question: “Who do you think…
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Elvis of Thailand reveals duct tape secret for younger look at 78
A 78 year old Thai man from Chon Buri, popularly known as the “Elvis of Thailand,” shared his unconventional tips for looking younger in a TikTok video showing him using duct tape to lift his face. The TikTok channel, @elvisthailand, was created by Somsak’s granddaughter to share his story and showcase how he remains fit and firm at his age.…
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Banana leaf caterpillars bring flavour to Phayao province
The rural community of Pa Fang, located in Huai Kaeo, Phu Kham Yao, Phayao province, has a unique culinary tradition involving banana leaf caterpillars. Residents often venture into the banana groves at the edge of the village to gather these caterpillars, known for their high protein content and distinctive taste. The caterpillars, which are the larvae of banana leaf-rolling moths,…
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Grab sees 400% growth in Thailand’s ride-hailing-delivery services
Leading super-app Grab released its year-end statistics for on-demand transport and delivery services in Thailand, revealing significant growth and trends in 2024. The company reported an impressive increase in its ride-hailing and delivery services, driven by both local and international demand. Grab’s ride-hailing services have remained a favourite among users, with the GrabCar Saver option experiencing a remarkable growth of…
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3 arrested in Kalasin businessman kidnapping, 2 on the run
Police have detained three young men following a violent assault and kidnapping for ransom involving a local businessman in Kalasin province. The incident occurred after he had attended a retro dance event in Kalasin province. Police are actively pursuing two additional suspects, one identified as the group’s ringleader. Police in Kalasin yesterday, December 19, arrested three individuals connected to the…
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Thailand’s credit card industry faces toughest challenge in 20 years
The credit card industry in Thailand is bracing for its most formidable challenge in two decades, a situation attributed to an anticipated weak economy next year, as highlighted by the Thai Bankers’ Association’s credit card club. Atis Ruchirawat, chair of the club, emphasised that the unsecured loan sector, encompassing credit cards and personal loans, has already felt the tremors of…
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Sole searching: Locals sprint to grab second-hand shoes left in park
Thousands of second-hand running shoes were left in a public park, leading locals to flock and collect them eagerly. This surprising occurrence took place at the Thung Nong Naman public park in Ban Huakhu, Muang Phia subdistrict, Kut Chap district, Udon Thani province. The event was initially shared by a Facebook user, Charoon Boonjuang, who posted images of the shoes…
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Pheu Thai members defend card photo as fortune telling, not gambling
A group of Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) members from the Pheu Thai Party denied allegations of gambling after a photograph of them playing cards was circulated on social media. One of the BMC members claimed they were reading cards for fortune telling, not gambling. The Facebook page ชมรมSTRONGต้านทุจริต ประเทศไทย (translated as “Strong Anti-Corruption Club Thailand”) shared an image on Tuesday,…
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Thailand airports gear up for 18,000 flights this new year
Thailand’s airports are preparing for a bustling new year holiday season with over 18,000 flights expected to operate nationwide, marking a significant boost for the country’s aviation industry. This increase, as per the Transport Ministry, reflects the sector’s ongoing recovery and anticipated growth in the coming year. During the holiday period from today through January 2, airports across the country…
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Thailand rolls out the red carpet for Polish tourists
Thailand has turned on the charm for Polish holidaymakers, welcoming 294 tourists on a landmark charter flight from Warsaw to Krabi. LOT Polish Airlines‘ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner touched down at Krabi International Airport yesterday, December 19, marking a high-flying milestone in Thai-Polish tourism. This inaugural seasonal service, organised by leading tour operator ITAKA, is set to run until March 19,…
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Severe air pollution impacts 21 Thai provinces, Mahachai worst hit
Severe air pollution continues to affect 21 provinces across Thailand, with Mahachai in Samut Sakhon facing the most significant challenges due to high levels of PM2.5. Officials have warned residents in Bangkok and its surrounding areas to brace for worsening air quality over the next few days. The Pollution Control Department’s Air Pollution Resolution Communication Centre reported today, December 20,…
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Thai baht to fall to 35.50 against US dollar by 2025
Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research) forecasts that the Thai baht will depreciate, reaching 34.50 to the US dollar by the end of this year and sliding further to 35.50 in 2025. This prediction comes as new US government policies are expected to exert pressure on the Chinese yuan next year. The baht recently hit a three-month low of 34.61 against the…
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Paws and reflect: Workers celebrate well-done Udon Thani dog rescue
Rescue workers in Udon Thani were filled with joy after successfully rescuing a stranded dog from a well near a fishpond on Tham Chedi Road in Mueang district. The heartwarming scene unfolded yesterday, December 19, when the team from Udon Thani’s Songserm Tham Foundation received a call for assistance from locals, who reported hearing a dog trapped in a well for…
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