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 Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Rare Dumbo octopus flaps into livestream recording in North Pacific expedition (video)
An elusive Dumbo octopus, a rare marine creature with side flippers resembling the ears of the Walt Disney character Dumbo, was accidentally discovered during a livestream by the research vessel EVNautilus in the deep waters of the North Pacific Ocean. The sighting was made at a depth of 2,665 meters by a remotely operated vehicle controlled by the Ocean Exploration…
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Navigating online gaming regulations in Thailand
Online gaming in the Land of Smiles is a complex landscape, marked by stringent regulations stemming from laws that have been in place for nearly a century. As the country grapples with a robust underground gambling ecosystem, legal adjustments are anticipated, potentially signaling a shift toward legalisation and regulation. In this intricate legal landscape, platforms like Captain Rizk find ways…
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Monitor lizards’ amorous display in hospital car park sparks lottery number frenzy
A video clip of two large monitor lizards embracing each other in a hospital parking lot, before scurrying under a hospital bed, has been shared on Facebook by Bunthanya Wachirawongsarak. The clip was filmed while Bunthanya was waiting for her car insurance to be processed. The sight of the lizards in a loving embrace seemed so unusual and cute that…
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Police in hot water: 8 officers nabbed in online gambling network crackdown
An investigation into an online gambling network has led to the issuance of arrest warrants for eight police officers suspected of managing gambling websites and profiting from them. The search, which took place today, spanned over 30 locations in six provinces nationwide. The operation aimed to dismantle the extensive online gambling network connected to Betflixroyal.com and additional online gambling websites.…
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Thailand rescue team’s deep dive: 73 year old Thai man saved from water tank peril
Satja Phutta Dham Thailand Rescue Team, in the central province of Prachin Buri, saved the life of a 73 year old Thai man who fell into a 3-metre deep water tank and was stuck there for over two hours. The incident happened yesterday, September 24, at Khao Luk Chang Temple in the Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri province. The…
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Thai ministry’s water woes: Bueng Boraphet faces aquatic crisis with levels plummeting tenfold
The Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment yesterday investigated the water situation at Bueng Boraphet, revealing that the water level is ten times lower than the previous year, creating a water crisis that could impact the ecosystem. The secretary, Jatuporn Burusphat, ordered continuous water replenishment from today. Accompanied by Pichit Sombatmak, Deputy Secretary, and other concerned officials,…
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92 year old granny’s electric rice cooker mishap: A side-splitting dinner delight
A humorous incident recently unfolded in a Chinese household, involving a 92 year old grandmother’s attempt to cook rice using a modern electric rice cooker. The result: a burnt cooker with the rice still uncooked left the entire family in fits of laughter, making for an unusual culinary experience. The incident was documented and shared on a TikTok account. The…
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Thailand’s FDA conducts seafood safety tests on Japanese seafood for radiation amid nuclear water discharge concerns
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Thailand revealed the results of their analysis of seafood imported from Japan following the discharge of treated water from a nuclear power plant. Out of 75 samples, all were quarantined for inspection and seafood safety. If any were found to be contaminated, they would be destroyed and imports immediately suspended, stated Lerschai Lertsirivorakul,…
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Lottery enthusiasts roll the numbers: October 1 draw sparks decade-long data dive
Lottery buffs are eagerly preparing for the upcoming October 1 lottery draw, delving into the historical data of the past decade to aid in their number analysis. For the lottery draw held on October 1, 2022, the first prize number was 484669. This winning combination featured three-digit prefix numbers 206 and 996, three-digit suffix numbers 278 and 194, and a…
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Hospital director’s out-of-this-world sighting: Four UFOS hover over Khon Kaen province (video)
The director of Baan Taen District Hospital claims he experienced a close encounter of the first kind after spotting four unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in the sky over Khon Kaen province in Isaan on Friday. Speaking to ThaiRath, hospital director, Suppachok Kusonlawat, revealed that he managed to capture the UFOs in the Chonnabot district of Khon Kaen province on September…
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Tragedy strikes as factory owner’s car takes a watery plunge in Nonthaburi canal
A fatal accident occurred when a factory owner’s vehicle plunged into a canal, in Nonthaburi. The incident took place last night, near the canal on Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi. The unfortunate car plunge was reported to Prut Jamsanson, Bang Bua Thong police station’s commander, and Apisit Momnitykul, an investigating officer. The vehicle, owned by the factory owner, had skidded off…
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Thailand secures 10th spot in Asia Pacific in 2023 World Talent Ranking
Thailand proudly claims the 10th position in the Asia Pacific region, according to the 2023 World Talent Ranking (WTR) conducted by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). The latest 2023 WTR report reveals Thailand’s respectable standing at 45th place among the 64 countries assessed. This accomplishment, coupled with a global ranking of 29th in the appeal category, solidifies Thailand’s…
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Online storm brews as suspect grilled in Beer The Voice explicit content case
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau Division 1 (CCID1) officers questioned a Thai man who was accused of posting explicit content of renowned Thai singer, Passaranan “Beer” Ussadamongkol, also known as Beer The Voice. Last week, the explicit content, images and videos of Beer were shared on several social media platforms in Thailand. It appears from the content that the videos and…
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Stormy skies ahead: TMD warns of widespread rain havoc
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a storm warning today, with torrential rain predicted across 41 provinces, including Bangkok. Some 60% of these regions are expected to be significantly affected. The public is urged to remain vigilant for possible flash floods and forest runoffs. The weather warning for the next 24 hours indicates the remnants of a storm sweeping across…
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Big Joke accused of being involved in online gambling operation
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers raided the home of Royal Thai Police (RTP) Deputy Commissioner Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn this morning over allegations of his involvement in an online gambling operation. Big Joke denied the allegation and refused to allow officers to enter his home. CCIB officers attempted to raid five houses owned by Big Joke in Soi Vibhawadee 60 near…
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Thailand’s Ghost Tower: A haunting legacy of opulence left in ruins (video)
Sathorn Unique Tower, eerily dubbed the Ghost Tower, remains an unfinished, forsaken, and unloved edifice, 33 years after its inception in the heart of Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok. Construction of the opulent 49-storey skyscraper kicked off in 1990 with the grand vision of accommodating Thailand’s most affluent families, yet it languishes in a state of perpetual emptiness. The towering structure…
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Federal Reserve statements impact gold prices, Thai domestic rates soar
Gold prices have been impacted by recent statements from the Federal Reserve, indicating possible rate increases this year and a likelihood of high rates throughout next year. This information, released on Wednesday, elevated the US dollar and bond yields, putting pressure on gold as investors revised their future price expectations for the precious metal. Consequently, Thursday saw a retreat in…
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Wage increase: Thai businesses wary of proposed 400 baht hike
The business sector expressed concerns over the possible negative effects of the proposed daily minimum wage increase to 400 baht. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, could lead to higher costs for consumers. Industries that rely heavily on labour, such as agriculture, food export, retail trade, and construction, would be most affected by the wage increase, according to…
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Fiscal incentives may reward farmers bypassing Thai government’s debt suspension plan
An anonymous source from the Finance Ministry revealed that farmers who opt out of the government’s planned debt suspension programme may be rewarded with incentives. This policy is reminiscent of one enacted during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration and is designed to encourage fiscal discipline among farmers. Previously, in the period between 2001 and 2004, the Thaksin regime introduced a three-year…
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Thaicom to launch Thailand’s first tracking service via LEO satellite
Thaicom, the satellite operator listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, is set to launch the country’s first tracking service via a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, Spot Gen 4. The launch, planned for the fourth quarter of this year, will primarily target Thailand’s tourism and maritime industries. The launch comes on the heels of a commercial partnership inked last…
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Thailand’s fisheries law amendment to ease fishermen’s concerns
A proposed amendment to the fisheries law by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is underway, designed to alleviate the economic issues plaguing fishermen who assert that their livelihoods are compromised by stringent regulations. Thammanat Prompow, the Minister, acknowledges the concerns raised by fishing communities, who claim to be adversely impacted by the Fisheries Act. This fisheries law, originally instituted…
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Move Forward Party welcomes new spokesperson: Prisath Wasinsathu
The ex-president of the advisory board of the Move Forward Party (MFP) congratulated Parit Wacharasindhu on his appointment as the new spokesperson for the party. Supporting him in the role are two deputy spokespersons, Krunphon Tiansuwan and Phakamon Hunnanan. Former MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat shared his enthusiasm for the new spokesperson in a lively post. He expressed his joy for Prisath, referring…
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Thai health minister backs cannabis ban, citing surge in teen usage
Cannabis and its high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) variants should be entirely prohibited for leisure use and return to the narcotics list, says Dr Rasmon Kalayasiri, the Centre of Addiction Studies director. This statement was a show of support for Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew’s proposed changes to the Cannabis and Hemp bill, initially proposed by former minister Anutin Charnvirakul and rejected…
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Army investigates mysterious disappearance of 200,000 litres of diesel in Saraburi
An ongoing probe is being conducted by the army headquarters into the mysterious disappearance of over 200,000 litres of diesel from the Ordnance Materiel Rebuild Center situated in Saraburi province last year, as disclosed by a representative of the army. Deputy spokesperson of the army, Major General Sirichan Ngathong, stated that an internal army audit team noted potential irregularities in…
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Thai PM denies plans to appoint Thaksin Shinawatra as adviser post-prison
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin denied reports that he plans to appoint former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his adviser upon his release from prison. PM Srettha addressed these reports while attending the 78 Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The 61 year old PM clarified that he was asked by a journalist if he…
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Three killed in Nang Rong district motorcycle accident, including child
A tragic accident in Nang Rong district, Buriram, claimed the lives of three individuals, including a four year old girl, her mother and stepfather, when the family was travelling by motorcycle and it collided with a pickup truck leading to an immediate fire. The unfortunate event unfolded on the Sa Pradu-Thung Saeng Thong rural road in Tambon Thung Saeng Thong,…
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Thai government employees struggle with debt, support higher graduate pay
A recent survey by the National Institute for Development Administration (NIDA) revealed that a significant number of government officials and state enterprise employees are burdened with debt. Moreover, the same group of respondents expressed their support for the government’s policy to set the starting monthly salary for bachelor’s degree graduates at 25,000 baht. The NIDA Poll, carried out from September…
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Woman saved from suicide leap into Chao Phraya River by quick-thinking volunteers
A 30 year old woman was rescued from the brink of jumping off the Rama 7 Bridge into the Chao Phraya River yesterday. A team of volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were alerted by passersby to the distressed woman sitting on the bridge, facing the river. Despite their attempts to console her and convince her to step down from the…
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Phuket hotels collaborate with ONWR to tackle water crisis and boost sustainable tourism
Facing a critical water shortage, the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) devised a strategy to collaborate with Phuket hotels, launching an initiative to decrease water utilisation in the tourism industry. Surasee Kittimonthon, the ONWR secretary-general, highlighted the escalating water crisis in the popular Thai resort island, marked by inadequate water supply and treatment issues. With the tourist count…
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Thailand signals reopening for foreign investment at UNGA78, says PM Srettha
Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, declared his attendance at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) session in New York a triumph, as it signalled that Thailand is reopening its doors to foreign investment. PM Srettha, who also holds the position of finance minister, shared this positive outlook with the press following his address at the UNGA78 general…
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