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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Bangkok bust: Thai woman’s hotel hustle unravels fake bills, triggers hunt for mysterious foreign accomplice
The arrest of a Thai woman on fraud charges at a Bangkok hotel yesterday led to an investigation into the production of fake dollar bills and the search for a foreign man involved. Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) yesterday, November 23, tracked down suspects in the fraud case in Nonthaburi and Samut Prakarn provinces until they found…
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Street parking woes: Costly reminder as Thai condo car ignites
A car was set ablaze after being parked on the street due to a lack of parking spaces at a condominium in Pluak Daeng district, Rayong. The street parking incident serves as a costly reminder of the risks associated with street parking. A member of the We Are Consumers group shared the cautionary tale, stating that she had recently moved…
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Northern Thailand: Passing of revered monk Luang Phor Phat of Wat Huay Duan at the age of 101
Revered monk Luang Phor Phat of Wat Huai Duan, famously known in Nakhon Sawan, has passed away at the age of 101, having served as a monk for 77 years. The news was announced today, November 24, by the Facebook page of the Office of the Royal Monk of Vajirajarn, stating that Luang Phor Phat, the former advisor to the…
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Thai weather warning: Northeast bracing for strong winds
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a Thai weather warning today, indicating a drop in temperatures and strong winds, particularly in the northeastern region. The southern part of Thailand is bracing for heavy rainfalls and high sea waves, posing potential risks of sudden flooding and forest runoffs. An incoming mass of cold air from China is expected to cover…
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Pak Kret sinkhole causes traffic disruption, urgent repairs underway
A giant sinkhole disrupted traffic at the mouth of the Pak Kret tunnel on Tiwanon Road when a precast concrete slab, covering an electrical conduit, collapsed due to heavy traffic. Authorities quickly cleared the area and temporarily halted traffic to urgently repair the damage, aiming to finish before the morning rush hour. The incident occurred at 8pm yesterday. The Pak…
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Cannabis shop raid in Lampang: Teenagers found consuming marijuana
A cannabis shop raid resulted in the discovery of about ten students, including a 14 year old, consuming marijuana within the premises. Residents, distressed by the situation, reported the establishment, leading to an investigation and legal action against the shop owner. Yesterday, at 5.20pm, a special operations team from the Lampang administrative department conducted a raid on the cannabis shop, led…
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Chinese tourists still prefer Thailand despite visa exemptions
Despite increasing competition from countries offering visa exemptions to Chinese tourists, Thailand’s tourism industry remains secure due to its dominant market share and increased expenditure per trip, according to the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Maldives and Sri Lanka have started offering visa exemptions for Chinese tourists, yet Thailand continues to be the preferred destination, said…
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Uncertainty over Thai hostages release in Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange
A prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas sparked questions about the fate of Thai hostages, yet the Foreign Affairs Ministry remains uncertain about their release. The ministry has been unable to ascertain whether any of the Thai workers detained by Hamas will be among the initial 50 hostages set free. Kanchana Patarachoke, the ministry’s spokeswoman, revealed that information about…
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Visa villains vamoosed: Thailand’s Immigration Police pounce on six suspects for fraud, overstays, and shady transactions
Thailand’s Immigration Police recently nabbed six foreign suspects in three distinct cases of visa fraud, overstaying, and illegal money transactions. According to the Immigration Bureau (IB) commissioner, Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Itthisaranachai, some of the culprits are now awaiting deportation to their home countries for prosecution. Highlighting the first instance, Itthipol drew attention to a group of four Pakistani individuals…
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Bangchak to launch Thailand’s first sustainable aviation fuel factory
Bangchak Corporation Plc, a leading energy conglomerate in Thailand, is set to launch the country’s first factory to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from used cooking oil. The operation of the factory will start in early 2025, with the aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the aviation industry. The venture is being propelled as the Department of Airports and…
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Bank account freeze scam strikes fear: Fraudsters use shocking new tactics in Thailand (video)
Fraudsters have mastered the art of freezing bank accounts and fabricating account screenshots, leaving victims vulnerable to a financial nightmare. A TikTok user, @tawanviewsomboons, has exposed a cutting-edge scam that could leave anyone’s finances in tatters. @tawanviewsomboons posted today a cautionary video, shedding light on the elaborate tactics employed by these scammers. In the video, @tawanviewsomboons recounts a distressing incident…
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Rise in intentional female murder reveals home is not safe, says UN report
A recent United Nations (UN) study has unmasked a staggering surge in female murders, reaching a grim milestone with almost 89,000 women and girls worldwide meeting tragic ends last year. This unsettling figure marks the highest annual toll in two decades, sending shockwaves through global communities. The alarming findings, disclosed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)…
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Begging for change: Bangkok business plea as Middle Eastern beggars disrupt Soi 4 harmony
Business operators urged the Thai police to arrest nearly 30 foreign beggars from Middle Eastern countries who have been begging and causing a public nuisance in Soi 4 near Nana Plaza in Bangkok for the past two months. Bangkok is home to not only rich Chinese beggars but also scroungers and vagrants from the Middle East region. Business owners near…
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Thai finance company’s handwritten debt recovery note sparks online debate
A finance company‘s unconventional method of debt recovery has sparked an online debate. A handwritten demand letter for a car instalment of 27,850 baht was left in a woman’s mailbox, causing her to question the legality and normalcy of this approach. The woman took to the consumer group on Facebook, sharing her experience and seeking clarification. She expressed her bewilderment…
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Bogus baht bills bankrupt shopkeeper in costly counterfeit conundrum in northern Thailand
A significant financial loss was experienced by a 61 year old shopkeeper from Udon Thani, due to counterfeit banknotes. Buaphan Somsud filed a complaint with the local police station today after discovering someone had used 50 baht counterfeit notes in her shop’s top-up machine. Buaphan, who owns a grocery store in the Ban Lao community, reported the incident to the…
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Thai hospital chief issues warning on risky neck cracking habits for fatigue relief
The head of the New Accident Disease Health Science Centre at Chulalongkorn Hospital issued a public warning about the dangers of the common habit of neck cracking to alleviate tiredness. This seemingly harmless practice could lead to critical conditions such as stroke and ruptured blood vessels, especially when coupled with medication, said Teerawat Hemajutha, Twisting, tilting, and shaking the neck could lead…
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Thai Srivijaya Party leader gets one-month prison sentence and 20000 baht fine for intimidation
The Phra Nakhon North District Court sentenced Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, also known as Tae, the leader of the Thai Srivijaya Party, to a month in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht for intimidation. The intimidation charges relate to threats made against Decha Kittiwittayanan, with sentencing to be deferred for a year and a probationary period of one year, during which…
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Loy Krathong chaos at Chiang Mai Airport: 160 flights shuffled, travellers beware!
With the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival in sight, Chiang Mai Airport is set to experience a whirlwind of changes, with a staggering 160 flights facing disruptions from November 27 to 28, post 7pm. Chiang Mai Airport Deputy Director Wisut Khamyod revealed today a jaw-dropping 101 cancellations and 59 rescheduled flights, creating a turbulence level hitting 47% of regular air traffic.…
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Thai prime minister faces backlash over alleged police favouritism
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is facing a backlash over alleged favouritism in police selection assignments. During a meeting with Pheu Thai MPs on Tuesday, November 21, the PM mentioned that some Pheu Thai MPs had requested police colonel positions for their preferred officers. While addressing the debt issue in the meeting, PM Srettha proposed a solution involving district chiefs…
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Tofu turmoil: Viral furry recipe from China divides opinions on safety and health
A unique recipe for furry tofu, a trending dish from China, sparked a global debate over its safety and health benefits. The recipe, which involves fermentation, was shared by a user on the social media platform Twitter and quickly went viral. The video showcases a woman instructing viewers on how to prepare furry tofu. The ingredients required include tofu, tempeh…
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Tragedy strikes famous dragon troupe pickup truck: Explosive tyre leaves 3 dead and 15 injured
The pickup truck of a renowned dragon troupe who were on their way to a Khon Kaen performance suffered a tyre blowout, resulting in a devastating accident. The calamity occurred 70 kilometres before the troupe’s destination, turning Mittraphap Road into a scene of chaos. Police Colonel Peerachat, Superintendent’s Branch, Phon Police Station, and his team rushed to the area, responding…
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14 year old girl raped by two men in hotel in northern Thailand
A Thai man and his 14 year old daughter sought help from a Move Forward Party (MFP) member of Parliament after police failed to arrest and charge two men who allegedly raped the girl at a hotel in July in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. The 40 year old father, Phanu, told MFP MP Wisarut Sawatworn that the sexual assault…
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GCNT chairman urges Thailand to boost human resources for Society 5.0
The chairman of Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) called on the government to increase its investment in human resources development in preparation for Society 5.0. This new era will be marked by the prominent role of innovative technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in driving the global economy. Suphachai Chearavanont made these remarks while addressing the GCNT Forum 2023 on the…
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Arun Boonchom elected as new Sheikhul Islam in Thailand
Bangkok‘s Islamic Affairs Committee President, Arun Boonchom, made his mark as the newly elected 19th Sheikhul Islam, or Chularajmontri, in Thailand. Arun’s appointment as the spiritual leader of the nation’s Muslim community follows the passing of Aziz Phitakkumpon in the previous month. The decisive vote took place at the National Administration Centre for Islamic Affairs, located in the Nong Chok…
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Cyber police arrest two for purchasing guns online in Thai sting
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers arrested two customers who bought guns online from a factory in Phichit province. The arrest followed an undercover operation where police pretended to buy through a popular YouTube channel after allegations of threats to a family were made today. Colonel Worawat Watnakorbuncha, Commander of the Special Operations Division (SOD), ordered Police Lieutenant Colonel Nipon Boonkeut,…
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Heroic Thai teacher thwarts armed intruder: Calls for improved school safety measures in Thailand
A heroic teacher, who defended students and faculty from an armed intruder, has drawn praise from the government. Thawatchai Duangtham, a teaching assistant at Ban Nam Phu Hin Lat School in Chaiyaphum in northeast Thailand, bravely fought off an armed intruder, sustaining injuries to his hand and arm in the process. Deputy government spokesperson, Kaenika Unjit, commended his courage and…
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Bangkok ranked 9th in 2023 best cities for expats, down from 6th last year
One of the globe’s leading expat networking and guide websites ranked the Big Mango, Bangkok, as the 9th best city to live and visit for expats in 2023. The ranking is down from last year when Bangkok was ranked 6th. InterNations said it conducted an online survey from February 1 to 28 this year, with 12,065 expats from 172 countries…
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Thailand’s bold leap: Marriage equality legislation set to light up Parliament
Thailand‘s Cabinet greenlighted a historic draft legislation on marriage equality, sparking hopes for a significant stride towards inclusivity. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the pivotal decision on November 21, marking a potential turning point for the nation’s LGBTQ+ community. In a nation renowned for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, the legislation aims to bridge the gap between societal shifts and traditional…
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BLACKPINK receives MBE honour from British monarchy in historic first for K-pop
The British monarchy has recognised the influential K-pop group BLACKPINK, awarding members Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé with the prestigious Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) honour. The ceremony, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace, was in honour of South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook, marking…
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Teenage love rivalry ends in brutal murder in southern Thailand
The brutal murder of a 16 year old boy has been traced back to a love rivalry over a 14 year old girl. The victim was reportedly beaten by a gang of youths around his age in a shocking incident that took place in the Thung Song district of Nakhon Si Thammarat. On November 19, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jittinan Suwanchatree…
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