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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Phuket and the Netherlands strengthen ties over tourism and traffic
H.E. Remco van Wijngaarden, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Thailand, met with Phuket Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai at Phuket Provincial Hall, alongside Sven Smolders, Honorary Consul for the Netherlands in southern Thailand. The gathering highlighted a shared commitment to bolstering ties through tourism, infrastructure development, and citizen welfare. With 500 Dutch nationals residing in Phuket and over 250,000 Dutch tourists…
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Thailand proposes VAT hike, cuts income tax to boost economy
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has proposed a shift in Thailand’s tax strategy to bolster state revenue and enhance the nation’s economic standing. The plan includes raising the value-added tax (VAT) while reducing corporate and personal income tax rates. This approach aims to drive national development, increase competitiveness, and address domestic disparities. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development recently set…
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Phuket Red Cross urges blood donations as tourist season begins
The Phuket branch of the Red Cross Society and Vachira Phuket Hospital have made an urgent appeal for blood donations, particularly as the tourist High Season begins. With the approach of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday, which is also observed as Thailand National Day and Father’s Day, special blood donation events are planned for tomorrow, December 5. This date holds significant…
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Man in Bang Bua Thong accused of sexually assaulting young girl
A deeply disturbing incident unfolded in Bang Bua Thong where a 50 year old man allegedly lured a 13 year old girl into his home under the pretext of playing with his cats before attempting to sexually assault her. The distressing event came to light when the girl’s blind grandmother, along with a neighbour, reported the matter to the local police.…
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Man arrested for naked stroll in Samut Prakan village
A 25 year old man from Pathum Thani was apprehended for wandering around a village in Samut Prakan late at night without any clothes on. Footage from CCTV cameras captured his actions. He confessed to doing so out of excitement and recklessness. The incident occurred in a village in Bang Kaeo, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, where residents reported seeing a…
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Airbus partnership aims to turn Thailand into aviation powerhouse
Thailand is gearing up to soar as the region’s top aviation hub, thanks to a high-flying partnership with European aerospace giant Airbus. In a bid to revolutionise the nation’s aviation infrastructure and safety standards, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit met Airbus Asia-Pacific president Anand Stanley in Bangkok yesterday, December 3, to map out ambitious plans. The partnership focuses on transforming Thailand…
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Foreign driver at large after hit-and-run and chase in Bangkok (video)
A foreign driver managed to flee following a hit-and-run in the On Nut area of Bangkok and a high-speed chase with Thai motorcycle taxi riders. An app-based motorcycle taxi rider shared a video of the incident on his TikTok account, tukgii3, on Monday, 2 December, with the caption: “On Nut is very thrilling. #HitAndRun #OutsideBigCOnNut.” The video showed a red…
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Chinese man arrested in Bangkok for alleged rape of Thai student
A 33 year old Chinese man has been apprehended by police in Bangkok following allegations of rape involving an 18 year old university student. The incident, which was reportedly filmed by the suspect, raised significant concerns about the safety of young women in the capital city. The victim recounted to police that she encountered the suspect, identified as Su Xing…
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Thai man arrested for driving into wife outside police station (video)
Police in the southern province of Krabi yesterday arrested a Thai man after he drove his pickup into his wife and her family outside a police station in Nakhon Si Thammarat on November 20. The domestic violence case initially went largely unnoticed despite occurring over two weeks ago. However, it gained public attention after officers apprehended the suspect yesterday, December…
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Four Thai nationals safe after Myanmar sea detainment
Four Thai nationals detained in Myanmar are reportedly safe after their boat allegedly entered Myanmar waters in the Andaman Sea over the weekend. The government reported this information yesterday, December 3, following an incident where Myanmar navy vessels reportedly opened fire on some of the 15 Thai fishing boats that strayed 6 to 7 kilometres into Myanmar waters on November…
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Thai social security wage ceiling set to increase by 2026
The Thai Social Security Office (SSO) is set to revise its wage ceiling, planning an increase to between 17,500 and 23,000 baht. This change aims to enhance pensions and compensation benefits for insured individuals under Section 33, with implementation expected by January 2026. The SSO of the Ministry of Labour opened a public consultation recently to gather opinions on a…
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Thai Cabinet approves 5 billion baht flood aid for 16 provinces
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned a budget of 5 billion baht to aid households in 16 more provinces beset by recent flooding, expanding the scope of assistance previously extended to other affected areas. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that every flood-impacted household within these 16 provinces, including several in the southern region, will receive a uniform payout of 9,000 baht…
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Nakhon Phanom lottery scam leaves woman 4000 baht short
A woman from the Nakhon Phanom province found herself in a distressing situation when she discovered that her lottery tickets were past their valid date, just as she was preparing to celebrate her supposed win with a grand meal. This incident has raised concerns about fraudulent sellers in the area. Nang Maew Thai, a 53 year old resident of Saen…
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Eight arrested in 2 billion baht digital wallet scam bust
A major crackdown on a digital wallet scam involving 2 billion baht resulted in the arrest of eight people accused of orchestrating an online stock trading fraud. Law enforcement seized assets worth 80 million baht, including luxurious properties and vehicles. Police at the Central Investigation Bureau, led by Jiraphop Phuridej, held a press conference detailing the arrests of 36 year…
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Machete-wielding thieves strike twice in chilling Pattaya heist
A shocking burglary in South Pattaya has left residents on edge after security footage revealed two masked intruders brazenly breaking into a home, one wielding a 50-centimetre machete during their second raid. The terrifying saga unfolded on September 21 but came to light yesterday, December 3 when the homeowner, fashion retailer Sunthorn, shared the harrowing details. While Sunthorn was away,…
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Ancient human remains discovered in Nakhon Ratchasima
Villagers in Nakhon Ratchasima stumbled upon human skulls and bone fragments believed to be centuries old, alongside broken pottery shards. Police have been notified and archaeological experts are being consulted. The discovery occurred near the Sap Pradu Reservoir in Sikhiu district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, when 60 year old local Somkhuan Phangkaewkam, was tending to his cattle. He noticed what initially…
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Investigation launched into police over extrajudicial killing of gunman
The Khon Kaen Provincial Police commander ordered an investigation into officers involved in the extrajudicial killing of a gunman following the fatal shooting of the chairman of the Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO). The 49 year old gunman, Yutthaphon “Yuth” Morktaisai, shot dead the PAO chairman, 56 year old Vinai Maneerat, at the victim’s home in the Isaan province of Nakhon…
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Shock treatment: Blind electrician left reeling after brutal assault
A 33 year old partially blind electrician reported a harrowing assault that left him with severe injuries, including a double jaw fracture. The incident occurred after the electrician, named Jakraphan, was lured by a group claiming to be influential figures to discuss a missing battery issue, only to be brutally attacked. Jakraphan and his father, 61 year old Jinda, have…
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Man tragically killed in Surat Thani hit-and-run accident
A tragic hit-and-run incident has claimed the life of a man in Surat Thani, leaving his body dismembered at the scene. Police are urgently seeking the driver responsible for this fatal accident, which occurred late yesterday, December 3. At approximately 9.58pm yesterday, the police received a report of a deadly hit-and-run on the southbound lane of Road 41, near Kuan…
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Elderly man loses 120k baht cash and gold in Udon Thani
An elderly man is in distress after losing a substantial sum of money while tending to his cattle in a field. The incident occurred yesterday, December 3 in a village in Udon Thani, where the 85 year old man misplaced 80,000 baht in cash along with a gold ring worth 41,000 baht, totalling 121,000 baht. The elderly man, identified as…
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Rain check: Southern Thailand braced for monsoon-soaked splash
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for 10 provinces in southern Thailand, alerting residents of potentially heavy to very heavy rainfall due to a low-pressure system and monsoon conditions affecting the region today and tomorrow. Sukanyanee Yawincharn, TMD Director General, released the sixth announcement concerning the heavy rainfall expected in southern Thailand. The warning, which is effective from…
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Kalasin warns of rising ‘farmer’s fever’ cases with 120 infections
Kalasin’s public health sector is on high alert as they warn residents about the rising tide of melioidosis cases, with 120 reported infections and three fatalities. Known locally as “soil fever,” this bacterial infection poses a significant risk to farmers, and currently, no vaccine exists for prevention. Melioidosis, often referred to as “farmer’s fever,” is emerging as a serious public…
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Bangkok’s 2024 Baturu Cultural Festival: what you need to know
The 2024 Baturu Cultural Festival started this weekend in Bangkok — but what is it? This one-of-a-kind festival is more than just an event; it’s a movement that uses art as a tool for tackling big issues like gender inequality, mental health, and social justice. Whether you’re here to catch a heart-stirring film, join a fascinating panel discussion, or just…
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Rainmaking flights reduce air pollution in Bangkok
The air quality index (AQI) in Bangkok, neighbouring provinces, and certain northern regions has shown improvement following the initial efforts of rainmaking flights conducted by the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA). The initiative aimed to address the high levels of PM2.5 fine particulate matter affecting the region. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Itthi Sirilathayakorn, announced that…
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Illegal Myanmar migrants caught in Thailand with 2,750 bullets
Nine illegal migrants from Myanmar were apprehended in Kanchanaburi, leading to a significant find of nearly 3,000 bullets in a residence where the group had taken shelter. Law enforcement disclosed this information yesterday, December 3, as they detailed the sequence of events. Police officers on routine patrol noticed a group of men, suspected of being illegal migrants, attempting to conceal…
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UNESCO honours Thailand’s Tom Yum Kung as intangible cultural heritage
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) today, December 4, approved the renowned Thai dish Tom Yum Kung (hot and sour shrimp soup) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Thailand proposed the country’s iconic dish, Tom Yum Kung, for UNESCO’s consideration, and the proposal was officially approved today. The announcement was made during the 19th Session of…
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Severe floods persist in Narathiwat after Kolok River overflows
Floods in Narathiwat remain severe, with the districts of Tak Bai and Sungai Kolok in critical condition as the Kolok River overflows. Long-distance water pumps have been requested from Prachinburi’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation due to concerns about further rainfall. The recent weather in Narathiwat has shown signs of improvement with sunshine covering all 13 districts, and rainfall…
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UNESCO experts to assess Ayutthaya rail project impact
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee will send experts to review the high-speed rail track construction project in Ayutthaya next month. The visit aims to discuss the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and provide technical recommendations for preserving the integrity of the world heritage site. These experts, while offering guidance, do not have the power to…
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Thailand video news | Thai PM expects fishermen’s return from Myanmar, South Korea declares and reverses martial law in an hour
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover key stories from Thailand and Asia. Highlights include a fire engulfing Koh Chang’s ship hotel, Thailand legalising same-sex marriage, and a Phuket woman exposing an underwear thief. Other stories touch on cannabis extortion allegations, detained Thai fishermen in Myanmar, and a monk’s clever welfare payment fix. Regional updates feature Indonesia’s $1…
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Cobra causes hiss-teria at Kata Beach in Phuket (video)
Tourists at Kata Beach in Phuket were startled when a cobra was spotted swimming near the shore, leading to a chaotic yet successful capture. The incident, which occurred yesterday, December 3, was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, causing quite a stir. The video shows tourists at Kata Beach, located on the western side of Phuket Island,…
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