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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Pheu Thai’s Chai Watcharong set to become new government spokesperson
Chai Watcharong, a 64 year old veterinarian and party-list member of Pheu Thai is set to take up the mantle as the new government spokesperson. Positioned 91st on the party list, Chai has confirmed he is prepared to face the challenges of the role. The cabinet is set to officially instate Chai as the government spokesperson this Wednesday. Previously, Chai…
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New refugee screening system stirs fear among asylum seekers
Bangkok is home to a church where Vietnamese refugees find a temporary haven from lives fraught with fear of arrest or deportation. This is because Thailand, having not signed up for the UN Refugee Convention, does not have a system in place to differentiate between refugees and other migrants, resulting in thousands of individuals living under the radar. Soon, a…
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Digital wallet initiative and anti-corruption boosted by Thai deputy PM
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, hosted a meeting with the governors of the country’s provinces. The discussion revolved around the ministry’s key objectives, including loyalty to the highest institution, the implementation of anti-corruption measures, and the support for Pheu Thai’s 10,000 baht digital wallet initiative. The meeting took place at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Lat…
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Parliament to curb food waste and costs after social media row
Parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has vowed to investigate and address the issue of food waste in the parliamentary canteen, following a social media debacle involving a member of parliament and left-over meals. The debate over gratuitous meals and beverages offered to parliamentary members caught public attention following a social media incident involving a Move Forward MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn,…
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Thai taxi drivers seek incentives to shift to electric vehicles
Taxi drivers across Thailand, represented by the Thai Public Taxi Association, are petitioning the country’s transport minister for a financial incentive package to facilitate their switch to electric vehicles (EVs). Association Chairman, Sadit Jaitiang, plans to bring up this key concern during a vital meeting slated for next Friday with Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The meeting is expected to address…
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Pattaya floating market in hot water: Fire disaster causes millions in losses
Pattaya’s Four Regions Floating Market succumbed to a fierce inferno, causing extensive damage and leaving a financial toll of at least 50 million baht. The fire, said to have ignited at a wooden restroom building, was reported at 8.30pm yesterday, with no significant injuries or fatalities reported as of yet. Located on Sukhumvit Road, the Four Regions Floating Market was…
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Thailand makes headlines: Top 30 ranking in US News & World Report’s Best Countries List
Thailand secured a place in the top 30 of the American media company US News & World Report’s 2023 Best Countries list. The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC spread the good news on Facebook today drawing attention from Thai netizens and news agencies. The list was created considering each nation’s global performance in various aspects. For example, daily life…
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Thai satellite’s stellar journey: THEOS-2 ready to reach for the stars
Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) confirmed that the Thailand Earth Observation Satellite 2 (THEOS-2) is set to soar into space next month. The satellite reached Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, South America, after a safe journey from Toulouse, France. This news came to light when GISTDA announced the upcoming launch on their official Facebook page, adding that THEOS-2,…
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Golden gun drama: Russian tourist’s Phuket fright
A Russian woman filed a complaint to the police after a Thai man threatened her with his golden gun while hanging out at a hotel in Phuket. The Patong Police Station officers dashed to the scene and arrested the gun toting Thai man, 37 year old Kittiphum Mamark, at the hotel and seized his 9mm Beretta golden handgun and 14…
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Tuk-tuk tiff takes a toll: Driver’s wallet lighter after spat with Indian tourists
An incident in Patong involving an altercation between a tuk tuk taxi driver and his Indian passengers concluded with the driver being fined 500 baht. This news comes from the Patong Police, who shared with the Phuket Express that a dashcam video capturing the disagreement had circulated on social media platforms earlier this week. The video seemingly depicts a group…
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Road rage ruckus: Foreign man’s Kung fu chaos takes a painful turn in Chon Buri (video)
A foreign man lost control of his senses and went on a rampage after crashing his car on Phraya Satcha Road in Chon Buri province. He attempted to kung fu one motorcycle rider, after crashing his SUV into four vehicles, and ended up being trapped inside his overturned car, suffering severe injuries. A Thai motorist took a video of the…
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Thai government’s rainy day plan: Combating drought and El Nino
Confronted with the detrimental impacts of the El Nino weather phenomenon, the Thai government is mobilising to tackle the decreasing rainfall and drought plaguing the nation’s agricultural sector, according to Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Following a special Cabinet meeting yesterday, PM Srettha highlighted the government’s commitment to the welfare of the agricultural community and the nation at large. The…
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Jet-setting overseas scandal: Permanent secretary’s globetrotting sparks opposition outcry
A complaint has been filed against Dr Sirirurg Songsivilai, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), over allegations of taking 32 overseas trips between March of last year and September of this year. The opposition has raised these concerns, calling for transparency and accountability regarding these travels. In response to a request for…
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Two-year run ends: Swedish drug trafficker captured in Koh Samui
A 60 year old Swedish man on the run for two years to evade drug trafficking accusations and a visa overstay in Koh Samui, was apprehended and taken into custody by the Surat Thani Immigration Police. The Swedish man, Reno Penti Olavi Martin, was arrested yesterday at approximately 7pm, on the orders of the Chief of the Immigration Police, and the…
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Thai Parliament’s policy showdown: Two-day debate unveiled
Parliament President and House speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced a rigorous two-day debate on the government’s policy statement, scheduled to kick off on Monday. This decision came about following a meeting with the government, Senate and opposition whips, where the debate’s timeline was discussed. Wan stated that the debate would kick off on Monday, running from 9am to midnight. The…
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Thai man accused of sexually harassing 10 year old boys
A Thai man apologised to the mother of a 10 year old boy for reportedly sexually harassing him and a friend and sending lewd messages via Facebook Messenger during their novicehood. A 33 year old woman named A accompanied her 10 year old son B and her son’s friend C to file a complaint against a 31 year old Thai…
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TikTok user unjustly tangled in theft web seeks legal aid in Thailand
A young Thai TikTok user is seeking legal assistance after finding himself implicated in a theft case. Despite clear evidence of his innocence, he was wrongfully accused due to false claims made by the real culprit. The TikTok user @tle_swrs yesterday posted a plea for help after being accused of theft in the middle of the night, completely unaware of…
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Bangkok’s condo market: Buyers rush for ‘ready-to-move’ amid sales slump
The second quarter of this year witnessed a significant slump in sales for newly launched condominiums in Bangkok. Buyers, gripped by mortgage rejection fears, exhibited a strong preference for ready-to-transfer units. Tritecha Tangmatitham, Managing Director at Supalai, highlighted that a staggering 70% of condo sales in the current year have been for completed units, underscoring a marked shift in consumer…
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Thailand and Cambodia unite to combat transnational crime and bolster security
Sweeping strides have been made in the fight against transnational crime, and Thailand and Cambodia recently pledged to enhance their joint efforts in this area. The collaboration aims to bolster the stability and security of both nations through increased cooperation. This commitment was solidified during a meeting between the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn,…
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Recruitment adventures: When job hunting in Thailand feels like a blind date
Navigating the waters of a job interview can often feel akin to treading the unpredictable path of a blind date. The entire process can be punctuated by uncertainty, ambiguity, and occasionally, a lack of respect and courtesy from the hiring party. An interviewee’s experience can be marred by a lack of information about the interview process: from the number of…
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On the right track: Thailand’s new transport minister charts course for infrastructure upgrade
Newly appointed Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit yesterday committed to enhancing Thailand’s logistics network, focusing primarily on the country’s railway and maritime transport infrastructure. In his first press briefing, Suriya stated that strategic plans are underway and will be made public in the coming week. Highlighting the importance of the logistics sector, which contributes nearly 15% to Thailand’s gross domestic product…
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Thai MP’s ‘carry-out’ leftovers kindness goes viral among netizens
An online discussion among netizens was prompted by an act of kindness by a member of Parliament for the Pheu Thai Party who hails from the province of Phrae. Following a session in the legislature, it was reported that MP Thossaporn Sereerak was spotted carrying bags stuffed with leftovers that he intended to give to people living on the streets.…
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Gunman shot dead in fatal cross-province catastrophe in Thailand
In a tragic turn of events that unfolded across two provinces, a fatal shooting in Nakhon Pathom province led to the death of a police officer, Siwakorn Saibua, and sparked a dramatic confrontation in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The incident involved a prominent community leader, Prawin Chaiklai, commonly known as Nok, who enjoys considerable influence in the area due…
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Shock and recharge: Thailand’s EV sector hopes for spark
The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) expects greater manufacturer interest in Thailand’s EV sector. The latest incentive package might be less appealing than earlier ones. Current incentives consist of tax reductions and subsidies for car producers and importers. These incentives aim to boost EV production and consumption from 2022 to 2023. The incentives range from 70,000 to 150,000 baht…
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Thai PM’s night market escapade in Khon Kaen stirs up lotto luck frenzy
Thailand Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin last night visited a bustling night market in Khon Kaen, sparking interest among superstitious locals looking for lottery numbers. The visit was filled with interactions with local traders enjoying their evening meals. PM Srettha and his entourage, including Sermsak Pongpanich, Minister of Culture, Precha Phonphanich, son of Sermsak, and Suriya Chuengrungrueangkit, Minister of Transport,…
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Thai love triangle: Husband denies ‘gay love,’ embraces divorce
A 64 year old Thai woman accused her 65 year old husband of cheating on her with a young man, adding that her husband refused to divorce her. The husband denied the allegation of a sexual relationship with the man and added he was happy to divorce his wife. The Thai wife, Prattana, urged Channel 3 to report her story…
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Sub-merging optimism: Thai’s submarine engine deal with Germany and China
The Thai government is hopeful of a renewed agreement with Germany and China, centring around the engine for a new submarine under construction in China. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang conveyed his confidence in a mutually beneficial deal between the three nations. The discourse involves the potential installation of a German-made engine in the Chinese manufactured submarine, as initially stipulated by…
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Sad serenade: Thai man’s bridge suicide plunge echoes old tune
“What becomes of the brokenhearted” sang Jimmy Ruffin in the summer of 1966, in the case of a crestfallen 33 year old Thai man from Udon Thani province, that would mean an attempt to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. Natthawut Sanphakarn threatened to end his life by jumping off a bridge after experiencing heartbreak a staggering 20 times.…
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Thai weather forecast: Heavy rain, storms, trouble brewing – stay vigilant
The Thai Meteorological Department warned today there will be heavy rain and thunderstorms, affecting 60% to 80% of areas in Thailand. The public is urged to stay vigilant due to the potential dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall that may lead to flash floods and forest run-off, particularly in hillside areas near waterways and low-lying areas. In the northern region,…
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Fiery family feud: Drunk daughter sets fire to Mother in Isaan after sobriety plea
A drunk woman set fire to her 73 year old mother at a house in the Nong Hong district in Isaan province of Buriram after her mum urged her and her husband to stop drinking. The victim, 73 year old Preeda, revealed to Nong Hong District Office authorities that her 40 year old daughter, La, was the perpetrator. La poured…
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