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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Thailand’s wildlife trafficking battle: A US$20 billion trade swinging into action
The fight against wildlife trafficking in Thailand, a trade valued at approximately US$20 billion, is in full swing. Police Colonel Wanpichit Wattanasakmonta, an officer dedicated to the wildlife trafficking cause, stresses the importance of not only preserving wildlife but also protecting the environment and natural resources for a sustainable world. Thailand, a country that houses 10% of the world’s animal…
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Thai students return home amid escalating Israel-Hamas conflict
Thirty-three Thai students, who had been in Israel amidst the escalating conflict with Hamas, safely arrived back in Thailand yesterday. They were part of a larger contingent of 244 Thai nationals who flew back on a special charter flight from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The students, including 30 from the Princess of Naradhiwas University and the rest from…
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Thai ‘super app’ set to launch with 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme
The completion of a multi-purpose mobile application, or super app, is on track for early next year, coinciding with the launch of the 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The mobile app is designed as a comprehensive solution, with developers assuring its readiness for the digital wallet scheme’s rollout, expected between February and March…
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Thai PM seeks Saudi aid for stranded workers in Israel
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed plans to negotiate with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince for assistance in facilitating the return of Thai workers stranded in Israel. The proposal involves granting the Royal Thai Air Force (RTFA) permission to traverse Saudi airspace, a currently prohibited action. This was disclosed at Suvarnabhumi Airport before PM Srettha’s trip to China to attend the 3rd…
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Nonthaburi hospital under scrutiny after TikTok video sparks debate about medical ethics
A heated confrontation between a patient and a doctor has led to an investigation by a hospital in Nonthaburi. The incident, which took place yesterday, was brought to light through a video shared on the social media platform TikTok by a user named Lamduanbah. The video, captioned Ethics is hard to find these days, has sparked a debate about professional ethics…
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Online beverage shop rouses uproar for negative quote on customer’s cup, sparking debate on social media
A viral post on social media sparked debate after a woman, who ordered a drink through an online application, was taken aback by the negative quote written on her cup. The beverage shop, known for its creativity, typically writes profound quotes on its products. However, the woman felt insulted by the negative quote. Despite the mixed reactions of netizens, many…
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Bangkok craftsman stabs younger colleague over work dispute
A violent altercation between two craftsmen over a broken water pipe in a dormitory ended in tragedy, with a Bangkok craftsman, 64 year old Chomphu, fatally stabbing the younger one, 37 year old Suradej. The incident took place in a dormitory located in Soi Charansanitwong 37, Bang Khun Sri, Bang Khun Non, Bangkok. Suradej, originally from Chai Nat province, had…
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Phuket Vegetarian Festival begins with traditional Go Teng pole raising
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival kicked off yesterday with the traditional ceremony of raising the Go Teng poles at each participating shrine. The act is a symbolic invitation to the Jade Emperor and the Nine Emperor Gods to descend from the heavens and spend the subsequent nine days on Earth. The golden Go Teng pole was hoisted at the Guan Yu…
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Thai gold prices dip: Gold Traders Association confirms morning fall
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced a decline in gold prices on this morning, with standard gold selling for 33,400 baht per baht weight, reflecting a decrease of 100 baht compared to the closing price last Friday. The latest value of gold bars in Thailand today, October 16, is 32,800 baht per baht weight for buying and 32,900 baht for…
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Woman struck and killed by train in South Thailand under investigation
A tragic incident unfolded in the Hat Yai district, Songkhla, when a 40 year old woman, was struck and killed by a local train near the Tha Sae railway bridge, about 2 kilometres from the Hat Yai railway junction. The incident occurred at around 8.25am. The Hat Yai police, led by Lieutenant Colonel Nimman Nikuno, reported that the woman was…
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Petrol prices to drop by 2.50 baht as new year gift, says Thailand’s Energy Minister
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy announced plans to reduce petrol prices by 2.50 baht per litre as a new year’s gift to the Thai people. The minister, Peeraphan Saleerathaviphak, also revealed the establishment of an official committee to investigate fuel pricing. Peeraphan revealed that the Ministry of Energy is considering ways to reduce petrol prices to help the…
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COTTO life room viewer app: Tile selection made easier for Thai households
The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly shifted consumer lifestyles over the past three to four years, with increased emphasis on home-based living and working. This shift has not only led to continuous purchasing of new homes but also renovations of existing ones. This is particularly true when it comes to choosing materials for home decoration, especially floor or wall tiles. The…
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Reckless driving causes 1.2 million baht BMW motorcycle crash (video)
A reckless driving manoeuvre atop Phu Thap Boek, a popular tourist spot in Phetchabun, resulted in a BMW motorcycle, worth 1.2 million baht, being sideswiped by a bronze Toyota pickup truck, causing it to topple over. The motorcyclist and a female pillion rider suffered minor injuries in the incident that took place today. The TikTok user, who posted a video…
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Thailand tightens ban on undeclared pork imports amid African Swine Fever fears
Thailand’s continual enforcement of the ban on unregulated pork imports, including for personal use, has been underscored by the detection and confiscation of illegal pork imports at major international airports. The canine unit, known as Inspector Beagle, plays a vital role in these inspections, seeking out any meat products potentially carrying viral strains of African Swine Fever (ASF). Friday, October…
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Thai health officials warn of high sodium consumption risk among youth, offer food advice
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) raised concerns about the high sodium consumption among Thais, especially young people who are at an increased risk of kidney disease. Assistant Manager, Dr Pairoj Saonuam, recommends four healthful food choices to reduce the risk. It has been found that most vegetarian food is sweet, fatty, and high in salt. The World Health Organization…
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Get lucky with TikTok-shared Chinese calendar numbers for upcoming lottery draw (video)
Lottery enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the draw today, with many turning to the Chinese calendar for good luck numbers. A TikTok user, nid8857, recently shared five numbers from the Chinese calendar, encouraging lottery fans to consider them when buying tickets. However, the final decision rests with the individual’s discretion. The Chinese calendar numbers have been a source of interest in…
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Thai prime minister zaps to police meeting in eco-style – EV-entful ride
The Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin, attended a National Police Office meeting today in an electric vehicle (EV) to reduce pollution. The meeting with Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukvimol, the National Police Chief, was held in a white Tesla with Bangkok licence plates 2KHP5171. The 61 year old Thai prime minister personally stated that he chose a Tesla…
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Diarrhoea could be heart attack warning, doctors in Thailand discover
A sudden case of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, presented in a 50 year old businessman with persistent diarrhoea, shocked the medical community. The individual, who had been suffering from diarrhoea for three consecutive days without seeing any improvement after medication, was diagnosed with the condition after a hospital visit for emergency treatment. Dr Xie Tunren,…
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FTI urges new regulatory body to curb cheap Chinese imports
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) urged the Industry Ministry to establish a novel regulatory body to supervise product standards. The move is intended to curb the influx of inexpensive Chinese imports, which the FTI claims are flooding the Thai market. The FTI did not clarify whether the proposed regulatory body would be governed by the state or the business…
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Thailand land tax act assessment: Fiscal policy office’s evaluation
The Thailand 2019 Land and Building Tax Act (LBTA) is receiving a thorough evaluation for its effectiveness and potential issues in enforcement, according to the Fiscal Policy Office director-general, Pornchai Thiraveja. The investigation is a collaboration between the Finance and Interior ministries and is aimed at understanding the effectiveness of the new land tax collection system, identifying any issues and…
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Fishy mix-up: Thai woman finds ‘salmon surprise’ in her salad, sparks online sensation
A woman was shocked to discover a four-legged creature, initially mistaken for fermented fish, in her ordered salmon salad. The incident shared on a Facebook group focused on consumers has since sparked widespread online concern. The woman purchased a salmon salad with a separate serving of fermented fish sauce. On pouring out the sauce, she found a creature that, at…
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Scrutinising October lottery trends: Top numbers and peculiar predictions unveiled
The lottery trends for today’s highly anticipated draw are under scrutiny as the top numbers and news highlights have been circulating. TikTok user nid8857, from Pattum Royal Technical Solar Salt, shared a video on their account revealing five lucky numbers from the Chinese calendar: 951, 4536, 3943, 942, 015. In other lottery news, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Settha Thavisin,…
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Thai worker abducted in Hamas raid on Israeli avocado farm
A Hmong woman from Chiang Rai made a desperate plea to the authorities, seeking assistance in the search for her husband who was taken captive during a Hamas raid in Israel. The 28 year old woman, Suntree Saelee, lost all communication with her 26 year old husband, Kong Saelao, amidst the chaos and violence which kicked off on October 7.…
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Thailand’s ‘fuelish’ plan: Expanding subsidy scheme to drive down costs for motorcycle taxi drivers
The Government of Thailand is envisaging the introduction of a further stage in the fuel cost subsidy scheme for motorcycle taxi drivers. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce operational expenses in public transportation. Prasert Sinsukprasert, the permanent secretary for energy, stated yesterday that a proposal for the new instalment of the energy cost subsidy initiative has…
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Ubon Ratchathani residents face health risks as stagnant floodwaters turn toxic
The residents of Ubon Ratchathani continue to struggle with rising water levels as the Ubonrat and Lampao dams contribute to the increasing floodwaters in northeast Thailand. They are grappling with stagnant water that has begun to spoil, leading to requests for medication to treat water-borne diseases and fever, intensifying the impact of Ubon Ratchathani flooding. Banjong Wongvien, a resident of…
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Thai casualties rise in Israel-Hamas conflict: Urgent repatriation underway
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in the death of four additional Thai nationals, escalating the total number of Thai fatalities to 28. Furthermore, 16 individuals are injured, and 17 are reportedly held captive, as declared by the prime minister. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared these details following the Rapid Response Centre (RRC) meeting at the Foreign Ministry. The rapidly…
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Clean getaway foiled: Man ‘purifies’ methamphetamine pills smuggling attempt into Thailand
Customs officials in Nong Khai apprehended a man who was smuggling nearly 60,000 methamphetamine pills into Thailand, cleverly hidden inside an air purifier. The suspect claimed to be unaware of the illicit contents, stating he was merely hired to transport the goods from Laos to Udon Thani province in Thailand. The arrest took place at the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge…
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Thai democracy forum echoes concerns over capitalism in politics
The struggle for democracy in Thailand remains a long and arduous one, as highlighted by a recent public forum. Held in memory of the brave students and pro-democracy protesters who perished during the military dictatorship five decades ago, the forum emphasised how little progress has been achieved since the historic October 14, 1973 uprising. The commemorative event, organised by the…
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Traveloka reports surge in Thailand travel bookings amid slow aviation recovery
Travel bookings to Thailand have seen a significant surge, according to online travel agent Traveloka. The company’s president, Caesar Indra, highlighted that despite the slow recovery of the aviation sector, Thais have predominantly utilised their platform for air ticket bookings, veering towards less frequented destinations. This trend has been mirrored across numerous Asian markets. Indra reported a fivefold increase in…
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Thai weather forecast predicts heavy rain and thunderstorms
A high-pressure system is presently sweeping across northern and eastern Thailand, resulting in rainfall across the country. Weather warnings have been issued for 38 provinces, with Bangkok experiencing a 30% drop in rainfall. Unpredictable winds and sea waves higher than 2 metres were reported today. The Thai weather forecast predicts that a monsoon trough is approaching the eastern and upper…
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