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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Thailand’s BRICS dreams: Up in the air but not grounded yet
Thailand’s bid for membership in the influential BRICS international organisation remains up in the air, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The Government of Thailand is currently weighing the economic implications of joining this powerful bloc, with a decision pending in the House. BRICS, which boasts heavyweights like Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the UAE, Iran, Egypt,…
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Thailand’s cultural treasures shine bright: No.8 in global rankings
Thailand has secured a top spot in cultural heritage, ranking eighth out of 89 countries, according to a recent US News & World report. This prestigious ranking catapults Thailand into the elite league of culturally rich nations, celebrated for its vibrant traditions and historical significance. The American media powerhouse determined the rankings based on five crucial attributes: cultural accessibility, rich…
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Thai schoolboy stabs classmate over school bus seat dispute
A Thai schoolboy from a school in the northern province of Sukhothai today stabbed his classmate on a school bus, reportedly following an argument over seats. Officers from Sri Satchanalai Police Station were called to investigate the stabbing on a school bus parked along a road in the Sri Satchanalai district of Sukhothai at around 7.30am, today, October 31. The…
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Reservoir of worry: Nakhon Ratchasima braces for 2025 dry spell
Nakhon Ratchasima is currently facing a severe water crisis, with alarmingly low water levels in its reservoirs. Concerns are growing about potential water shortages for consumption and use in the dry season of 2025. The provincial governor urged residents to conserve water and may consider halting off-season rice farming. A meeting was held yesterday, October 30, at the new building…
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‘Fries’ for change: Waste Not, Want Not turns grease into green efforts
Surat Thani Municipality launched a notable initiative titled Waste Not, Want Not, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by recycling used cooking oil. The project, in collaboration with the New Biodiesel Company, encourages residents to exchange used cooking oil for fresh Rin Tip brand oil. The agreement was signed yesterday, October 30, at Surat Thani Municipality’s conference room by Prachert…
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Thai gold sparkles up: Price hike ignites buyer frenzy
Thailand’s gold market is glittering even brighter today, as prices soar once again, lighting a fire under eager buyers. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) reported a shiny new high, with gold jewellery prices jumping by 100 baht since yesterday, October 30, now shimmering at 45,000 baht per baht weight. Today’s morning memo from the GTA at 9.10am set the domestic…
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Teenagers’ trouble brews: Duo ‘crashes’ party, sparks punch-up
Two teenagers forcibly entered a home where four men were drinking and instigated a confrontation, resulting in a physical altercation. The incident, which took place yesterday, October 30, at 10.30pm, led to the police from Non Sung Police Station in Udon Thani being summoned to a village in the Non Sung sub-district. Upon arrival, the police found the two teenagers,…
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Gogolook ‘whoscalls’ the shots: Thai HQ set to scamper into anti-scam market
In a move set to shake up Southeast Asia, Gogolook, the brains behind the Whoscall app, unveiled a brand-new headquarters in Thailand. This bold step is part of the tech giant’s grand plan to dominate the burgeoning global anti-scam arena, expected to skyrocket to a whopping US$129 billion by 2029. Jeff Kuo, Gogolook’s co-founder and CEO, spilt the beans on…
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School scandal: Education official in hot water for midday snooze
The Office of the Basic Education Commission is investigating an educational official in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan who was allegedly sleeping at work and finishing her duties early after lunch. The Facebook pages ปฏิบัติการหมาเฝ้าบ้าน (Watchdog Anti-corruption Organisation of Thailand) and ร้ายกาจ (Wicked!) shared pictures and videos of the official, identified only as “Aunty Fon,” sleeping on duty…
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Murder suspect captured after 17 years on the run
Royal Thai Police apprehended a man who evaded capture for 17 years after being accused of murder. The incident, sparked by a workplace altercation, resulted in the suspect fatally attacking a colleague with a cleaver. The suspect confessed to being haunted by the victim’s ghost post-crime, prompting sleepless nights. The capture of 49 year old Jamlong took place yesterday, October…
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Thailand opens new border crossing with Cambodia to boost trade
The Thai government announced the opening of a new permanent border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia, alongside extending the operating hours of an existing checkpoint. These measures aim to bolster trade and tourism relations between the two nations. The Royal Gazette published two announcements from the Ministry of Interior, which were signed by Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra, and Anutin Charnvirakul,…
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Man dies in tragic cassava farm accident in Nakhon Ratchasima
A tragic incident unfolded at a cassava farm in Nakhon Ratchasima, where a 68 year old man, identified as Roem, lost his life after being caught in a fertiliser-spreading machine. The accident occurred yesterday, October 30, when Roem attempted to manually dislodge chicken manure from the machine without turning it off, resulting in his tragic demise. The report of this…
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Thai Oil Plc demands resolution of unpaid wages at Chon Buri project
Thai Oil Plc (TOP) is urging the resolution of unpaid wage issues that have led to protests at its Clean Fuel Project (CFP) in Chon Buri, Thailand. The country’s largest oil refinery by capacity has called upon the parent companies of the construction firms involved to address the payment delays affecting workers on site. TOP engaged the Unincorporated Joint Venture…
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AOT profits soar sky-high, eight-month bonus approved for staff
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has seen a significant profit surge, prompting the board to approve an eight-month bonus for employees, an increase from last year. This decision comes as a result of the government’s free visa policy, which has significantly boosted tourism. AOT, which manages six airports across the country, experienced a notable increase in air traffic…
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Thailand’s MPI drops 3.5% amid auto, construction slowdown
Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) experienced a decline of 3.5% year-on-year, reaching 92.4 points in September. The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) attributes this drop primarily to a slowdown in both the automotive and construction sectors. As the final quarter of the year approaches, the uncertainty surrounding the US presidential election might add further challenges. The third quarter saw the…
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BoT inflates hopes: Targets snug 1-3% to turbo-charge economy
In a bold move to turbo-charge Thailand’s economic engine, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) pegged its hopes on keeping inflation between a snug 1% and 3%. The aim is to shift the economy into top gear, with deputy governor Piti Disyatat revealing at the Monetary Policy Forum that they’re targeting headline inflation of 1.2% by 2025. That’s a noticeable bump…
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Thai mother pimped out autistic daughter to dealer for drugs
Police arrested a Thai mother at her home in the Khlong Sam Wa district of Bangkok on Tuesday, after she pimped out her 16 year old autistic daughter to a dealer to obtain free drugs. A Thai grandmother filed a complaint with Nimitmai Police Station, yesterday, October 30 that her autistic granddaughter went missing from their home in the Khlong Sam…
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DSI bets big: Raids hit jackpot on illegal online gambling networks
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) spearheaded a series of raids targeting illegal online gambling networks on October 29. The coordinated efforts, conducted alongside the Immigration Bureau and other relevant agencies, spanned 11 locations across Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Pattaya. The operation was prompted by the discovery of gambling networks infiltrating and manipulating data pathways on government websites, effectively redirecting…
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HSBC Thailand is the big cheese, claims No.1 bank title again
HSBC Thailand once again has proven itself the big cheese of banking, clinching the Best International Bank in Thailand award for the fourth year running from both Euromoney and FinanceAsia. This coveted accolade reflects the bank’s top-notch financial prowess and its solid standing in the Thai market. The accolades don’t stop at Thailand’s borders! HSBC’s domination extends throughout the ASEAN…
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Former Thai police officer-turned-imam killed in Yala shooting
Police recovered over 50 spent bullet casings from the scene of a fatal shooting involving a 54 year old former police officer and current imam, suggesting insurgent groups are behind this attack in Yala province. Phuad Raseming, known as the imam of the Muhayirin Mosque in Ban Nam Yen, was ambushed and killed by three assailants wielding military-grade firearms and…
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Cha-Am police investigate delivery rider’s mysterious pond death
Police in Cha-Am, Phetchaburi province, are investigating the mysterious death of a young delivery rider whose body was discovered in a pond, leading his family to suspect robbery and murder. The discovery was made yesterday, October 30, prompting an urgent police response. Police were alerted at 3.15pm to the presence of a man’s body floating in a pond within the…
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Thai-phoon trouble: Flights grounded as Kong-rey storms Taiwan (video)
Chaos reigned in the skies as Thai Airways International grounded several flights with typhoon Kong-rey barrelling towards Taiwan. The airline pulled the plug on three Bangkok-Taipei routes yesterday, October 30 (TG634, TG636, and TG635) and grounded TG637 today, leaving travellers in a tailspin. Announcing the shutdown on Facebook, the national carrier urged affected passengers to dial their hotline at 662-356-1111…
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Phimai residents flock to lucky turtle for lottery numbers
Residents of Phimai district in Nakhon Ratchasima are abuzz with excitement as they continue to seek good fortune from a local turtle named Chao Chao Kuay. This turtle has reportedly brought luck for three consecutive lottery draws, prompting locals to offer flowers, incense, and candles in gratitude. Chao Chao Kuay resides at house number 127, Moo 1, in the Nai…
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Thai monk gives 40 baht bribe to silence 5 year old sex abuse victim
A Thai monk attempted to cover up sexually abusing a five year old girl at a temple in the central province of Nakhon Pathom by giving the young victim 40 baht in cash. The victim’s 62 year old grandmother requested Channel 3 to help bring justice to her young granddaughter. The woman explained that the sexual assault took place on October…
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Pickup lines crossed: Truck crashes into Chon Buri home decor store
A dramatic incident unfolded in East Thailand yesterday when a pickup truck crashed into a home decor store, causing significant damage. The driver, appearing intoxicated, claimed he swerved to avoid an oncoming motorcycle. Police are investigating the event, which occurred yesterday, October 30, in Chon Buri. Police in Pattaya, specifically the Bang Lamung district, responded promptly after receiving reports of…
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Thai citizenship granted to 483,000 immigrants to boost economy
The Thai Cabinet approved Thai citizenship to 483,000 immigrants in a move aimed at boosting the economy. The decision met with disagreement from many Thai residents. The spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Jirayu Huangsub, announced on Tuesday, October 29, that the Thai Cabinet and the Office of National Security Council agreed in their meeting to grant citizenship to 483,000 immigrants.…
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Turbocharged cops shift gears to bust Thai luxury car scam (video)
In a story more fitting for a Jason Statham heist movie, police finally cracked a high-rolling car scam, seizing a £6.5 million (285 million baht) stash of stolen luxury motors, including a jaw-dropping £220,000 (9.65 million baht) Lamborghini Huracan Spyder. These wheels were fraudulently whisked away from Britain and shipped to Thailand eight years ago but now they’re coming home,…
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Thailand targets 3.5% GDP growth amid economic challenges
The Finance Ministry of Thailand has ambitiously set the stage for GDP growth by targeting a 3.5% annual increase. This announcement was made at the CEO Econmass Awards 2024, where Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira delivered a keynote address. The minister expressed optimism that next year’s growth rate could reach 3%, marking a 10% increase from this year’s forecasted 2.7%. “This…
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Monk on the run: Abbott crashes and dashes after bail (video)
A Thai abbot crashed his pickup into a prison guard’s car on a road in Chiang Mai, seriously injuring the guard. The monk later disappeared after being granted bail. The public raised suspicions of corruption in the road accident case involving the abbot and the prison guard in Chiang Mai. The accident occurred on October 24 but the suspect, the abbot…
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Thailand seeks OECD membership for global economic standing
Thailand aims to elevate its global standing by seeking membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as announced by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. This move highlights the country’s strategic alignment with the OECD’s objectives, further underscored by the formal launch of Thailand’s OECD Accession Process. Maris shared these developments yesterday, October 30, during an event organised by…
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