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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Pattaya: Pathway hazard caused by parked cars, potholes, and uneven tiles
Locals and tourists found themselves grappling with perilous pathways along Pattaya‘s Second Road, turning the once-bustling path into a hazardous route. Haphazardly parked cars, potholes, and uneven blocks create a challenging terrain for pedestrians, but that’s not all – advertising signs and encroaching vehicles add to the chaos, further squeezing the already tight walkway. The epicentre of this safety crisis…
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Thai woman harassed over 20 year old missing car debt
A Thai woman found herself under severe intimidation after receiving a threatening call demanding payment for a car debt for a vehicle that disappeared nearly 20 years ago. The caller, using harsh language, even threatened to seize her assets if she failed to make the payment. The case came to light when a TikTok user named khoeilao99 posted her ordeal…
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Buddhist monk Phra Phayom weighs in on ‘year brewing’ social media storm
Renowned Buddhist monk Phra Phayom discusses the recent social media controversy over the Chinese astrological belief of year brewing. He urges people to maintain a good state of mind and to believe in karma and perseverance, citing the example of the heated debate on social media initiated by Prairie Praiwan Wannabutr. Today, reporters asked Phra, the abbot of Wat Suan…
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State Railway of Thailand introduces advance booking service for Songkran
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) rolled out a game-changing 90-day advance booking service for CNR express trains on key routes, just in time for the upcoming Songkran festivities. This initiative, set to kick off tomorrow, January 12, aims to alleviate the surge in travel demand during the Thai New Year celebrations. Kicking off with Songkran, the service allows eager…
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Thai man shoots friend dead after mistaking him for a rat
A Thai man shot and killed his friend in a sugar cane field in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum, claiming he thought his friend was a rat. Kasetsombun Police Station officers swooped on the sugar cane field in the Kasetsombun district at 12.45am, January 10, following a report of the shooting. Officers found a Thai man, 31 year old Adisak,…
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Disabled man falls from wheelchair on uneven EEC project road, sparks outrage
A disabled man selling lottery tickets was spotted tumbling from his wheelchair onto the road due to an uneven surface. The incident, captured on CCTV, sparked outrage on social media. The man was attempting to navigate the bumpy road in an area earmarked for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, specifically designed to be accessible for disabled people. The incident…
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Thai man survives third floor suicide attempt after argument with wife
A Thai man survived a suicide attempt after jumping from the third floor balcony of his apartment in Chon Buri province following a heated argument with his wife. Sriracha Police Station officers were alerted to the suicide attempt at the three-storey apartment in Sriracha district of Chon Buri province yesterday, January 10. Upon investigating the scene, officers found the 21…
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National Children’s Day: Thai police takes opportunity to raise awareness of child abduction
Statistics show that the number of missing children has increased in the past five years. Child abduction is still a large concern in Thailand with the perpetrator often being a repeat offender. The mother of a missing girl, nicknamed Cartoon, opened up for the first time in 10 years to stop any more children getting kidnapped. The Mirror Foundation is…
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Thai teacher allegedly demands 200 baht for grades: School investigates
A shocking revelation has come to light ahead of Teachers’ Day as reports of a teacher allegedly accepting money from students in return for grades surfaced online. The teacher reportedly demanded 200 baht (US$6) from each student who wanted to pass without having to take the exam. The school’s director has since suspended the accused teacher and has set up…
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Mixed reactions to Thailand’s new cannabis law from tourism industry
The recent draft law on cannabis and hemp, targeting to limit recreational use, is garnering mixed reactions from Thailand’s tourism industry. While it could potentially lead to the closure of several dispensaries, industry insiders feel it wouldn’t have a significant impact on the overall tourism landscape as cannabis and hemp aren’t primary attractions for international visitors. The bill, endorsed by…
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Thai man arrested for house burning, orchestrating rape of mother-in-law
Police today arrested a Thai man responsible for a house burning and the architect behind the rape of his mother-in-law in the southern province of Phetchaburi. The accomplice involved in the crime is still at large. Kaeng Krachan Police Station officers yesterday, January 10, embarked on a search for two suspects, Yuranan Pranprai and Chaiwat Auambut, also known as Pae,…
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British scientist’s findings suggest new cave virus in Thailand
In the heart of Thailand, a cave harbours a virus with an eerie connection to Covid-19, and Dr Peter Daszak, a renowned expert in zoonosis, is sounding the alarm. Previously dismissed lab leak theories resurface as this cave virus, linked to both SARS-CoV-2 and RATG13, raises questions about its potential to infect humans. Hailing from Dukinfield, near Manchester, Dr Daszak,…
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Armed men spark terror in Yala, two officers seriously wounded (video)
A group of armed men sparked terror in Yala‘s Bannang Sata district when they targeted a pickup truck carrying border patrol police officers. The terrifying incident, which occurred yesterday afternoon, resulted in two officers being seriously wounded and caused locals to flee the scene in panic. The assault took place in broad daylight outside a local grocery store in Buesu…
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Rayong police criticised for imposing 10pm curfew on kids under 18 years old
Mueang Rayong Police Station in the eastern province of Rayong is facing criticism for imposing a 10pm curfew on residents aged under 18 years old. The official Facebook page of Mueang Rayong Police Station shared the curfew announcement yesterday, January 10. “From today, people under the age of 18 are not allowed to leave their homes after 10pm without a…
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Chinese tourist tricked into purchasing 1.4 million baht counterfeit Hermes handbag in Bangkok
After being duped into purchasing a counterfeit Hermes crocodile leather handbag from a seller in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong district, a Chinese tourist expressed frustration over the lack of a government agency to protect tourists’ rights. The victim, 27 year old Deng, wife of a Singapore-based Chinese businessman, enlisted a lawyer to report the incident to the media yesterday, January 10. She…
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AirAsia: Bangkok to rival Dubai as aviation hub
In a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, AirAsia unveiled ambitious plans to transform Bangkok into the aviation hub of Southeast Asia, aiming to mirror the success of Dubai. The low-cost carrier is urging the Thai government to slash the excise tax on jet fuel, a move it believes will further propel the country’s tourism industry. AirAsia’s top brass, led…
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Thai energy regulatory commission sets firm power tariff cap
The Thai Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) established a firm power tariff cap of 4.18 baht (US$ 0.12) per unit from January to April this year. This move comes despite the ongoing increase in gas prices. The rate for consumers using minimal power is fixed at 3.99 baht, as stated by the government. Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed…
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Thai cult leader condemned for performing oral sex on followers
Thai netizens condemned a cult leader for performing an explicit ritual by laying gold leaves on the private parts of his followers and kissing and performing oral sex on them to improve their fortunes. A video of a Thai man performing the strange gold leaf ritual went viral and received a lot of attention from netizens on social media. Some…
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Two police officers hailed for assisting man in wheelchair in Nonthaburi
Two police officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, Nonthaburi province, received recognition from senior officials for assisting a disabled man in a wheelchair to reach the BTS. TikTok users posted a video of two police officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, in the Nonthaburi province, pushing a disabled man in a wheelchair to take him to the Khlong…
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PM Srettha’s official visit to Chiang Mai aims to boost Thai tourism and tackle PM2.5
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday embarked on an official visit to Chiang Mai with a delegation to inspect key government policy projects such as transportation network systems, measures to tackle PM2.5 dust particles, and tourism promotion initiatives. During the three-day scheduled trip from January 10-12, PM Srettha encountered the renowned Lieutenant Somboon Banchamek, also known as Buakaw, who was training…
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Prison warden commits suicide at Nakhon Si Thammarat
A warden at Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison was found dead by senior officials. Police Colonel Sanpong Chansing, superintendent of Phra Phrom Police Station, Nakhon Si Thammarat province received a report from senior officials at Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Prison that a correctional officer committed suicide inside a room on the fourth floor of the building on the side wing of…
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Thai woman escapes burning car after dog-related collision
A woman escaped unscathed after her car was engulfed in flames following a dog unexpectedly crossing her path while she was driving home. The incident, which took place today in Buriram, saw the woman manage to flee her burning vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, which was completely damaged. Aphinya Phantaprateeb, a detective from Mueang Buriram Police Station in Buriram province, last…
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Thai man cites inheritance arguments as motive for drowning family
A Thai man cited repeated arguments on inheritance with his father as a motive for drowning him and his younger sister in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon. He insisted the crime was committed without mental illness, alcohol or drug use. Officers from the Phang Khon Police Station arrested 35 year old Warut Datephumee for the premeditated murder of his father…
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Gold price takes a dip in Thailand, down 50 baht from previous close
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today revealed a further drop in today’s gold price when compared to the final price of yesterday. Today, a baht of gold ornament is selling for 34,150 baht, a 50 baht reduction from the closing price of yesterday. As per the GTA website, gold bars can be sold for 33,650 baht per baht and purchased…
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Pa Narae removed from emergency list, southern emergency decree to extend
A recent meeting of the Emergency Situation Management Committee at the National Security Council unveiled that one southern district has been struck off the severe emergency area list, while the emergency decree is predicted to prolong for an additional three months. The district in question, Pa Narae, located in Pattani province, was removed due to improvements in the local situation…
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Bangkok Governor Chadchart coordinates campaigns to combat PM2.5 with draft bill
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stipulated guidelines for preventing and solving the PM2.5 dust problem in the Thai capital, yesterday, January 10, at Bangkok City Hall, Din Daeng. A campaign has been implemented to change engine oil and air filters according to the usage cycle accordingly to reduce dust caused by dark smoke and exhaust emissions from the combustion engine (diesel). Both…
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Fuel tanker overturns in Surin causing potential explosion risk
A tanker truck carrying 40,000 litres of fuel overturned on Route 24 from Chokchai-Det Udom in Surin province. The incident took place yesterday around 10.50am and left the 36 year old driver, Tiwa, injured with back pain and vomiting. The accident was reported by Thanakorn Chaiharn, an investigation officer from Prasat Police Station. The truck, carrying 24,000 litres of diesel…
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Mother suspected after 3 year old boy falls from apartment and dies
A 3 year old boy died yesterday after falling from the fourth floor balcony of a apartment in Soi Rama II 50 in the Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok. Police suspect the mother was involved in the tragic death due to some suspicious evidence. The Ruam Katanyu Rescue Team and Tha Kham Police Station were alerted to the fall…
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From beauty queen to brave MP: Sirilapas Kongtrakarn’s inspiring battle against depression
In a plea for increased public funding for mental health services, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn, also known as Mew, spoke unreservedly during a passionate parliamentary debate on the budget bill last Friday, January 5. The 36 year old politician, who has been an advocate for mental health, shared her harrowing journey with depression, calling for attention and…
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TMD warns of impending cold front in northern Thailand
A new cold front is expected to grip the northern region of the country, bringing thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail, warns the Meteorological Department of Thailand today. The temperature will drop by 3 degrees Celsius starting today. The high-pressure system, or cold air mass, is currently covering the northeastern region and the South China Sea. The department advises residents in…
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