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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Thailand’s PM plans secondary city airport revitalisation to boost tourism
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent plan to revitalise airports in secondary cities has been warmly received by tourism operators in Nakhon Ratchasima. The airport revitalisation proposal, aimed at driving up tourist arrivals and stimulating the economy, was announced yesterday. Local tourism promotion association’s leader, Pongthep Malachasing, sees this as a golden opportunity to invigorate Nakhon Ratchasima Airport. The airport, despite…
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Endangered marine species in Thailand: Governer’s plea for protection
A call to action for the protection of endangered marine species has been made by Surat Thani Governor Wichawut Jinto. The plea came in response to a recent marine survey, carried out over a nine-day period in the Gulf of Thailand, which revealed a worrying decline in the population of certain species. The endangered marine species survey, conducted by the…
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CKP and BEM partner for Thailand’s first solar-powered mass transit rail
CK Power Plc (CKP) Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) have forged a partnership to bring the first solar-powered mass transit rail systems to Thailand. The collaboration aims to utilise solar energy to power the MRT Chalerm Ratchamonkol Line (MRT Blue Line) and the MRT Chalong Ratchadham Line (MRT Purple Line) which, combined, span over 71 kilometres and have 54…
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Thai tourism faces strain from sluggish Chinese, Japanese economies
Tourism operators in Thailand are facing significant challenges due to the sluggish economies of China and Japan and an uneven recovery in Thai tourism that benefits larger operators. A recent survey by the Thai Hotels Association (THA) and the Bank of Thailand revealed that 29% of three-star or lower-rated hotels have been severely impacted by interest rate hikes and may…
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Blood sample tubes sold as sweets by Thai school kids, sparking outcry
A startling revelation has come to light regarding mysterious tubes filled with pink liquid being sold to primary school children as sweets at a shop near their school. The tubes are used for collecting blood samples in hospitals. This alarming situation was brought to attention by parents on the Facebook group Don Chedi. Following this, a renowned medical technician, Parkphum…
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Miracle escape as officer survives Yala-Bangkok train collision unharmed
A collision occurred between a Yala to Bangkok express train and a pickup truck, resulting in the vehicle being seriously damaged but the driver, a corrections officer, miraculously survived unscathed. The collision involved train number 170, the rapid service from Yala to Bangkok, originating from three border provinces in the south. The train collided with a Toyota pickup truck, license…
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United voices: Education associations list criteria for next Thai minister
Thailand’s National Association of Secondary School Administrators, along with the National Parents and Teachers Association and the Basic Education Committee of Thailand, released a joint statement outlining six desired traits for the country’s next Minister of Education and its deputy. The groups stressed that the roles require individuals with solid educational experience, capable of addressing the current challenges faced by…
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Severe storms to hit Kanchanaburi: flash floods, forest runoff risks
Kanchanaburi is on high alert for severe storms, with the local authorities warning of the risk of flash floods and forest runoff in two districts. The announcement, made by acting governor, Ronnapop Wiangsima, comes after the Thai Meteorological Department issued a strong storm warning. This warning is in effect from today until September 3, affecting Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhla…
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Fishy business busted: Thai woman nabbed selling sanctuary-seized aquatic treasures
A 49 year old woman was caught red–handed selling aquatic animals captured from a sanctuary area in Rayong province. The incident took place at around 3pm yesterday at Wat Khod Thim Tharam, in the city of Rayong. The woman, named Aun, was spotted by Suwat, a local temple boy, while she was capturing aquatic animals from the sanctuary. Despite being…
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Thailand’s September sizzle: Festivals, art, sports, and much more
A vibrant array of festivals and events await visitors in Thailand this September. The calendar is packed with religious festivities, art and craft exhibitions, and a variety of sports events. Among these, the Tenth Lunar Month Festival, Ko Lae Boat Racing, Long-boat Racing, Cross-Region Travel Fair, and several marathons and half marathons stand out as key events, promising an exciting…
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Gold prices see slight lift, gold ornaments trading at 32,500 baht
Gold prices surged today as the Gold Traders Association revised rates upwards. This comparison is made to the end prices of August 28, when gold ornaments were selling at 32,500 baht per baht weight. Today, the price was revised upwards by 100 baht, compared to the closing price of August 28. The price of gold ornaments moved to 32,500 baht…
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Crypto scam impersonates news anchor, swindles 20 million baht
An online scammer impersonated well-known news anchor, Arakar Jiwagit, also known as Kwang, and defrauded Thanasak, a former Bangkok Water Supply director, of nearly 20 million baht via an investment in cryptocurrency. Thanasak yesterday, accompanied by his lawyer Chidchonok Laminai, and news anchor Kwang, visited Police Colonel Chatchapund Klaikleung, Commander of Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau 1, at the Government Complex…
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Rain reign: TMD’s fifth warning signals monsoon mayhem
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its fifth warning due to a strong monsoon bringing heavy rain across various regions. Flash floods and forest runoffs are anticipated, especially in mountainous and low-lying areas. People are urged to be cautious, particularly in thunderstorm-prone zones. The warning comes as a robust monsoon trough is currently passing through northern, northeastern, and upper central…
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Siam Cement delays SCGC IPO citing adverse economic climate
The initial public offering (IPO) of Siam Cement Group‘s subsidiary, SCG Chemicals Plc (SCGC), has been delayed. Citing the company’s large size and the current adverse economic and investment climate, the parent company, Siam Cement Group (SCG), did not provide a new timeline for the IPO. This announcement was made by Roongrote Rangsiyopash, the President and Chief Executive of SCG.…
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Dine, dash, and deceive: Crafty customer feasts and flees without paying the bill at Pattaya eatery
A deceitful customer dined and dashed from a local Pattaya restaurant without paying after ordering an abundance of food and three bottles of beer. The man left behind a mobile phone and cigarette, claiming he needed to pick up a friend. It was later revealed that the phone was a decoy, and the same individual had previously impersonated an assistant…
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Shaken, not stirred: Thai elephant Play Pepsi survives brutal training with no serious injuries
A Thai elephant named Play Pepsi, which was recently subjected to brutal training methods is not seriously injured said examining veterinarians. The owner, who paid 1.5 million baht for the elephant, is willing to sell it to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for a fair price. The case came to light when the Watchdog Thailand Foundation…
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Thai NHSO considers expanding 30-baht healthcare to include cancer treatments
The Thai National Health Security Office (NHSO) is contemplating an expansion of its benefits under the 30-baht healthcare universal package, known as the “gold card” scheme. The addition could include cancer treatment and free screenings for non-cardholders. Jadet Thammathat-Aree, secretary-general of the NHSO, made the announcement recently for the proposed expansion to include cancer treatment and screening. In the pursuit…
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Lottery frenzy: Seekers decode signs from pythons to prayers for winning numbers
Lottery enthusiasts are eagerly deciphering potential winning numbers from various events and rumours for the latest draw on Friday, September 1. Townsfolk have been seen praying and performing rituals by a Bodhi tree, hoping to get lucky numbers. An unexpected appearance of a python in a garage and the registration number of a car has also been interpreted as potential…
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Thailand’s Q2 economic recovery slows, full-year 2023 growth forecast revised
Thailand’s second quarter of 2023 saw a slowdown in economic recovery, with GDP growth falling from 2.6% year-on-year in the first quarter to 1.8%, as reported by the National Economic and Social Development Council on August 21. The figures fell significantly short of consensus estimates of 3.1% and growth projections of 2.9%. The economy’s quarter-on-quarter growth was a mere 0.2%,…
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Love turns lethal: Intoxicated man’s jealous rage ends in tragic murder of girlfriend
A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning when a Thai man, intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, murdered his girlfriend in a fit of jealous rage. The fatal event transpired at approximately 3.45am today, in a residential house located in the Bang Kho Laem district of Bangkok. The victim, a 24 year old woman named Minthira…
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Elderly man caught stealing from Nonthaburi temple sparks online debate
A dramatic video has emerged, showing an elderly man surreptitiously stealing money from a temple donation tree. The clip, shared by a Facebook user, has sparked a fierce debate among netizens, with some sympathising with the thief, suggesting his actions were driven by necessity. However, others condemned the act as a violation of religious sanctity, regardless of the amount stolen.…
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Thailand’s transit twist: Electric plans spark train fare cap talks in Bangkok
The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) in Thailand is currently considering plans to deliver on the Pheu Thai-led coalition’s promise of introducing a cap on Bangkok’s electric train fares at 20 baht per trip. This was announced by a department source on Monday, who also revealed that the findings from this investigation will be presented to the new administration once…
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Thunderstorm warning for 45 Thai provinces, including 60% of Bangkok: Heavy rain expected
The Thai Meteorological Department today issued a thunderstorm warning for 45 provinces, including 60% of Bangkok. The weather system is sweeping across the northern and northeastern regions, heading towards a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, while a moderately strong southwestern monsoon is blowing across the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. This is causing thunderstorms and…
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Banking on change: Kasikornbank unveils shakeup with fresh faces and spin-off plans
Kasikornbank (KBank), Thailand’s second-largest lender by total assets, revealed a significant restructuring of its business operations. This includes the introduction of a new president, co-president, and a spin-off strategy. KBank notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) yesterday about the appointment of Chongrak Rattanapian to the position of president and executive director, effective from August 29. Chongrak, with over 20…
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Dot Property Thailand Awards 2023 recognizes the developers, projects and agencies supporting the Kingdom’s real estate market recovery
The Dot Property Thailand Awards recognized a record 44 winners from across the Kingdom with leading developers AssetWise, Central Pattana Residence and Property Perfect among those to be honored. Celebrations took place at the Park Hyatt Bangkok on August 24 as real estate industry leaders came together to commend the best of the best for another year. The Thailand real…
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Junkie escapes arrest after filming neighbour take a shower, also confesses to selling porn videos of wife
A junkie with a porn habit managed to escape arrest after secretly filming a neighbour in her bathroom. It was later discovered that the sex and drug addict secretly sold pornographic videos of his wife on social media for only 20 baht per video. A 52 year old woman named Sumalee filed a complaint at Kabin Buri Police Station in…
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Mysterious Mother Wrapped in Fig statue draws lottery hopefuls to Kamphaeng Phet
A century-old fig tree has become a sensation as villagers discovered a female statue, referred to as Mother Wrapped in Fig, entwined in its roots in Wat Charoen Suk, Klong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet. The statue, which appears to be dressed in silk-like clothing and adorned with a crown, attracted over 60 villagers, who arrive daily to pay respects and…
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Highway havoc: Mercedes-Benz driver’s taxi riders gun threat and drug use lead to charges
Police charged a Thai Mercedes-Benz driver after he threatened motorcycle taxi riders in the Thong Lor area of Bangkok with a gun and used crystal methamphetamine. His five friends were charged with using the drug. The Thai man charged, 44 year old Chawin Chanintarawanich, crashed his Mercedes-Benz into a motorcycle taxi rider, 39 year old Kwanchai Tadee at 8.40am on Friday,…
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Zika outbreak: Warning for pregnant women as cases spike and concerns grow in Thailand
A surge in Zika virus cases sparked a warning from the Department of Disease Control (DDC). In the last month, 266 cases were reported. Pregnant women are at risk, as the virus can cause babies to be born with microcephaly, a result of underdeveloped brains. The DDC made the announcement yesterday, August 27. The monsoon season, with its frequent rain,…
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Thai Taxi Association’s controversial tips for satisfactory rides spark debate
The Thai Taxi Association stirred debate by posting six tips to ensure a satisfactory taxi ride. The recommendations include asking before getting in, not forgetting to tip, and calling for a Grab taxi during peak hours or if the location is difficult for a regular taxi to reach. The Thai Taxi Association’s Facebook page recently shared these suggestions, aiming to…
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