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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Thai woman turns to Gun for help with polygamist cop husband
A Thai woman turned to social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet for help after her alleged polygamist husband, a Cyber Police officer, allegedly assaulted her and refused to support their five children. The police officer reportedly has five wives and 16 children. Well-known Thai influencer Gun, today, May 8, accompanied the 37 year old Thai woman to the Royal Thai…
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Microsoft’s digital dynamo: Thailand tech scene ignited by AI blitz
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, unveiled ambitious plans to supercharge Thailand’s digital landscape with a surge in Data and AI initiatives. The tech giant’s commitment extends to fostering a robust AI ecosystem, offering over 100,000 individuals the chance to upskill and dive into the world of artificial intelligence. “This marks a pivotal moment for Thailand, propelling us into…
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Thai protest leader gets 3-year sentence for lese majeste violation
The Criminal Court has sentenced a key protest leader to four years in prison for lese-majeste law violation. The verdict was delivered in absentia after the defendant, 28 year old Panupong, also known as Mike Jadnok, failed to appear for the second time in today’s hearing at 10am, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road. Panupong, charged with making defamatory statements…
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Scoot unveils next-gen jet Embraer in Krabi and Hat Yai flights
Scoot, the budget airline subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), has soared into a new era of aviation with the inauguration of its first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. The momentous occasion unfolded amidst much fanfare at Singapore Changi Airport, with esteemed guests including Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Chee Hong Tat, alongside aviation partners and media from across…
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Daughter finds father after tragic suicide in Samut Songkhram
A tragic incident unfolded this morning when a daughter, returning from a hospital visit with medication for her ailing father, discovered his lifeless body at their home in Samut Songkhram province. Authorities identified the cause of death as suicide, noting the deceased had a history of mental health issues and previous suicide attempts. Police Lieutenant Chutima Banjongbur, Deputy Investigator at…
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Police seize over 1,000 Yaba pills in Phetchaburi drug sting
A drug sting in Phetcha Buri by Thai police earlier today saw the apprehension of a 28 year old man and his unsuspecting 24 year old girlfriend. The police had been tipped off about a planned drug transaction, with delivery in an Isuzu pickup truck near the Nong Buay Agricultural Market in Tha Yang. Upon receiving the intelligence, Police Colonel…
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Thai soldier and 12 friends accused of assaulting teenage boy
A Thai woman accused a soldier and 12 of his friends in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat of severely assaulting her 15 year old son, causing severe injuries to the teenage boy. The victim, identified as A, told Channel 3 that the soldier, Raphephat, repeatedly accused him of stealing a shirt despite his denials. Raphephat allegedly continued to…
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Sausage scandal sizzles: Firm’s funds filched, couple cuffed
A prominent fermented pork sausage firm has been hit by an enormous embezzlement case, leading to the arrest of a couple believed to be the prime culprits. A 41 year old man and his 39 year old wife are under investigation for the alleged theft of a staggering 396 million baht. Today, around 6.30am, teams from the Crime Suppression Division…
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Thai drug addict throws 1 year old boy into pond, killing victim
A Thai drug addict yesterday murdered his one year old employer’s son by throwing him into a pond in the eastern province of Rayong. The killer then enjoyed swimming in the pond after his horrific action as if nothing serious had happened. Officers from Klaeng Police Station responded to a murder report at a house in the Neunkho sub-district of…
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Prachuap Khiri Khan bar owner arrested for trafficking minors
Police in Prachuap Khiri Khan province arrested a karaoke bar owner for allegedly trafficking minors for sexual exploitation. A 15 year old victim was discovered among the individuals being forced to provide sexual services during the school holiday period. The operation, led by the Crime Suppression Division’s deputy commander, was initiated following a tip-off from an international anti-trafficking organisation. The…
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Uzbekistan tourist dies after ignoring rip current warning in Phuket
A strong rip current at Kata Noi Beach in Phuket claimed the life of a 41 year old Uzbekistan tourist. He was declared dead at Chalong Hospital yesterday afternoon following his encounter with the deadly current. His death was reported to Karon Police around 3.30pm. An investigation into Sadullo Tashtemirovich Saidov’s unfortunate demise revealed that he, along with a group…
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Jealous Thai man’s death threats to massage mistress and client
A jealous Thai man allegedly issued death threats to a client of his mistress at a massage shop in the eastern province of Trat, mistaking the client for his mistress’ lover. A 47 year old woman named Meow yesterday, May 7, sought assistance from Mueang Trat Police Station officers after her lover, 62 year old Komin, threatened to kill her…
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Stepson stabbed stepmother over inheritance fears in Prachinburi
In a harrowing case of domestic violence, a 35 year old woman was critically injured after being stabbed by her stepson early this morning in Prachin Buri Province. He allegedly attacked his stepmother because he feared she might claim his inheritance. The assailant carried the injured woman on a motorcycle sidecar and left her outside a relative’s house before fleeing…
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Visa-free travel for Indian & Taiwanese visitors extended 6 months
Thai Cabinet extended visa-free travel for Indian and Taiwanese visitors by six months after the former period expires on May 10. The scheme is aimed at boosting Thai tourism and the economy. The Thai government initially introduced the visa-free policy for Indian and Taiwanese tourists in October last year. The measure was active from November 10 last year until this…
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Krabi’s cool facade cracks: Paradise threatened by water crisis
Krabi, a paradise of pristine beaches and azure waters, faces a chilling reality: a water crisis that could dry up its tourism fortunes. As demands for long-term solutions surge, local operators urge action to avert disaster. Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, acting president of the Krabi Tourism Association stated that the government pledged to make Thailand a tourism hub, and Krabi generates significant…
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Summer storm in Hua Hin causes serious durian crop damages
A sudden summer storm wreaked havoc in Hua Hin where over 1 tonne of ripe durians toppled over at a local orchard causing damages estimated at 300,000 baht. The storm lashed through Huay Sat Yai Subdistrict on Monday, May 6, tearing roofs off homes and destroying property. Among the affected was Khajonphat Ngamkhamkan’s 3-acre durian orchard, where the approaching harvest…
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Manhole mayhem: Thefts lead to deadly consequences in Bangkok
The theft of manhole covers in Bangkok has resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to convene a meeting yesterday with all related agencies. The meeting aimed to devise strategies to prevent future thefts and enhance pedestrian safety on city pavements. The meeting led by BMA Deputy Permanent Secretary Narong Ruangsri included representatives…
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Truck’s roof tears off in tunnel, hits motorcyclist in Chon Buri
A high-roofed, enclosed pickup truck caused a chaotic scene yesterday when the driver attempted to pass through a tunnel, resulting in its roof being torn off and crashing into a following motorcycle, injuring the rider. The incident occurred at approximately 10pm yesterday, May 7, at the Chak Samo tunnel in the Don Hua Lo sub-district, Mueang district, Chon Buri province.…
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Thai shippers forecast modest growth amid wage increase concern
The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) projects a 1% to 2% growth in exports for the current year and urges a thoughtful approach to the proposed increase in the daily minimum wage, supplemented by government support via the wage committee mechanism. TNSC chairman Chaichan Chareonsuk anticipates a 1 to 2% increase in the nation’s exports by March this year. Chaichan…
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Early morning motorcycle crash in Chon Buri kills young man
A tragic motorcycle crash claimed the life of a 26 year old man when he collided with a high-voltage power pole in Chon Buri province. The incident occurred early this morning, May 8, at around 3am on the road connecting Suansue-Nongleng near Suansue Fitness in Nong Kham subdistrict, Si Racha district. The victim, identified only by his first name Pakorn,…
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Mobile service market to grow 3 to 5% amid tourism surge
The annual growth rate for the mobile service market is forecasted to sit between 3 and 5% this year due to cost-cutting efforts by operators and an increase in mobile traffic and international roaming calls brought on by a surge in foreign tourists. Pisut Ngamvijitvong, a senior equity research analyst at Kasikorn Securities, asserts that these growth factors, along with…
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Teen dies after brutal assault at Nakhon Phanom temple
A 16 year old boy fell victim to a brutal assault by a group of eight teenagers after helping out at a temple in Phon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom. The culprits, aged between 16 and 18, were later apprehended by the police. The victim and a friend were returning from their temple duties at Wat Phra That Phon Sawan when they encountered…
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Bank of Thailand’s independence crucial for economic stability
Economists emphasise the importance of the Bank of Thailand’s independence in its mission to maintain economic stability. They note that while interest rates have a negligible effect on bolstering economic growth, they could influence the stability of the baht and trigger an increase in household debt. Despite persistent appeals from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for a collaborative effort between monetary…
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Woman found dead in Samut Prakan canal after disappearance
A tragic sequence of events culminated in the discovery of a woman’s body in the Bang Chalong canal, near Wat Bang Chalong Nok, in Samut Prakan province. The 32 year old woman had been missing for four days following an argument with her boyfriend over her heavy drinking. Her body was found floating in the canal yesterday at 6pm. The…
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Bangkok weather: Heavy rain, strong winds and flood expected
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued another severe weather warning today, cautioning against flash floods and forest runoffs due to heavy rains, particularly in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, where there is a 70% chance of thunderstorms. The TMD forecast for the next 24 hours predicts that the upper parts of the country will be affected by the southeastern and southern…
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New Finance Minister Pichai pledges to boost Thailand’s economy
Newly appointed Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira pledged to accelerate initiatives aimed at addressing household debt, stimulating the economy, and raising personal income. Pichai, who previously held the chairman position at the Stock Exchange of Thailand and served as the prime minister’s advisor, observed a consistent decline in the country’s economic growth rate over the past two decades during his inaugural…
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Community leaders killed in Pattani shooting at local football field
A brazen shooting at a football field in the Pattani Province has resulted in the tragic loss of two community leaders. At around 6.30pm yesterday, gunmen opened fire, killing a subdistrict administrative organisation clerk and a village headman. Two bystanders, including a government official and a meatball vendor, were also injured in the incident. The attack occurred at a football…
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Thai government greenlights energy subsidies and price caps
Subsidies on electricity bills for vulnerable groups and caps on cooking gas and diesel prices have received the green light from the Thai government. The move aimed to alleviate the burden of burgeoning energy costs on the population. Deputy government spokesperson Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri disclosed that diesel prices will now be fixed at 33 baht per litre, from April 20…
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Thai government sets plans for King Rama X’s upcoming birthday
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin issued a directive to all government departments to come up with proposals for events to mark the forthcoming sixth-cycle birthday of His Majesty King Rama X, scheduled for July 28. The announcement came in the wake of a Cabinet meeting yesterday. The 62 year old Thai prime minister requested that the plans be presented to the…
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Homeless woman with HIV brutally attacked in Bangkok
A brutal attack in the early hours of yesterday left a 43 year old homeless woman with severe injuries and a subsequent HIV infection diagnosis. The assault occurred in the Soi Inthamara 1 community in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district. Police apprehended a 39 year old suspect near the community following a report from the victim’s relative, who witnessed the suspect…
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