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 300-baht travel tax takes off with air passengers first
Collection of the 300-baht travel tax could initially target air passengers, with the system needing at least six months to become operational, as stated by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced that the ministry is currently revising the details of the programme and plans to submit it for Cabinet approval in January. Despite the…
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Bond voyage: Political risks drive foreign exodus from Thai bonds
Increased political risks and the central bank’s reluctance to further cut interest rates are prompting the selling of Thai government bonds. Foreign investors have withdrawn over US$850 million from baht bonds this month, marking the largest monthly outflow since August last year, according to the Thai Bond Market Association. This trend is expected to continue, with investment firm Abrdn plc…
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Stuck in neutral: Loan rejections stall Thailand’s used car market
Thailand’s used car market is set to experience continued sluggish sales due to frequent loan rejections faced by prospective buyers, according to the Association of Used Cars. Earlier forecasts by the association anticipated an improvement in used car sales in the latter half of 2024, driven by expectations that financial service providers would relax their lending criteria. Nonetheless, financial institutions…
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Lands scam: Woman shocked by 6 million baht ‘official’ con job
A woman was left in shock after losing over 6 million baht to a scam involving people impersonating officials from the Department of Lands. Despite her initial scepticism, the fraudsters managed to deceive her into installing a fake application, leading to the theft. Police recently apprehended 25 year old Waranuch under a warrant issued by the Pathum Thani Provincial Court…
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Thailand casino draft law ready to hit the jackpot in Cabinet review
The draft law on entertainment complexes and casinos in Thailand is anticipated to reach the Cabinet for consideration later this year, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Upon receiving Cabinet approval, the administration plans to forward the draft law to Parliament for further deliberation. The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene for a regular session from mid-December…
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Grain wreck: Rice spills in 3-truck collision causing major roadblock
A collision involving three trucks caused major disruption on a road in Nonthaburi, with one truck overturning and spilling rice across the road. The incident resulted in injuries and took over three hours to clear the scene. The accident occurred yesterday, October 23, at 9.30pm on the inbound Kanchanaphisek Road from Bang Bua Thong to Bang Yai, near the Phra…
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Gold-digging: Ex-cop’s wife accused of affair, burglary in Bangkok
A Thai woman accused the wife of a former police chief of having an adulterous affair with her husband and stealing approximately 5.7 million baht worth of cash and gold accessories from her condominium in Bangkok. The 50 year old woman, Thanattha, filed a complaint at Phra Khanong Police Station on October 20, alleging that the wife of the former…
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Thai deep tech startups generate over 965 million baht
The Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry’s Programme Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) has successfully fostered over 90 Thai deep tech startups, generating an economic value exceeding 965 million baht. PMUC Director Thongchai Suwansichon highlighted the unit’s role in leveraging university research to commercialise products that benefit the national economy. “The PMUC sees the potential of research work in…
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MRT 20-baht bonanza: MRT hits the jackpot for commuters
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has hit the jackpot with its new 20-baht maximum fare policy, hailed as a major triumph in public transport. Launched as part of the Ministry of Transport’s Quick Win programme, Transportation for Public Prosperity, the initiative aims to lighten the commuting costs for everyone. Starting with the MRT Purple Line last week,…
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Thailand video news | Tragic drownings in Phuket claim lives of boy and British tourist & Bangkok drug gang suspect at large after shooting at police
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex highlights pressing stories from Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Key updates include the tragic drownings in Phuket, claiming the lives of a young boy and a British tourist, and the hunt for a Bangkok drug gang suspect who remains at large after a confrontation with police. In Pattaya, an intoxicated woman flipped her car…
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Grave concerns: Skull thief puts a new spin on black magic
Police are searching for a thief responsible for stealing 27 skulls from a cemetery in Chon Buri. Locals suspect the theft is connected to black magic rituals and the creation of amulets. Prawate Swatsri, a 39 year old rescuer from the Sawang Tung Huiang Foundation, was the first person to discover the shocking theft at a cemetery on Panat Nikhom-Nong…
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Jumping to conclusions: Thai man takes a dive to dodge the law
A Thai man on the run from the law took a reckless plunge from the fifth floor of a building, crashing onto a pickup truck and suffering serious injuries. The audacious escape came just hours after he had stolen a motorcycle and sought refuge in a nearby dormitory. Yesterday, October 23, officers from Khlong Luang Police Station in Pathum Thani…
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Follower fallout: Thai influencer caught cashing in on gamble posts
Cyber police arrested a popular female influencer with over two million followers for promoting online gambling. The influencer admitted to receiving 2,500 baht per post for sharing gambling links. Police Major General Athip Phongsiwapai, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, directed Police Colonel Chitsanupong Waidee, the Superintendent of Division 3, to take the 26 year old woman, identified only…
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Transport, industrial stocks may gain if Trump wins US election
Transport and industrial estate stocks are poised for gains if Donald Trump secures victory in the US presidential election, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). Conversely, manufacturers of petrochemicals, electrical equipment, steel products, and auto parts may face stiffer competition from Chinese exports. With the US presidential election just weeks away, the race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Trump…
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Explosion outside Panare District Office sparks urgent probe
An explosion occurred outside the Panare District Office in Pattani, igniting a horrifying fire and prompting an urgent investigation by police. Yesterday, October 23, the อาสาสมัครกู้ชีพสันติ ปัตตานี Facebook page reported a dramatic incident outside the Panare district office in Pattani province. The post detailed that an explosion had taken place just after midnight, causing a fire to break out at…
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High stakes: Phuket shop owner rolls up on thieves for a taste of revenge
One of the cannabis shop owners in Phuket, who fell victim to two foreign thieves, yesterday tracked down the suspects and physically assaulted them at their accommodation. Several cannabis shop owners in Phuket reached out to other vendors to warn them after losing products to the two foreign thieves, whose identities remain undisclosed. CCTV footage from some of the ganja…
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Ex-boxer arrested for fatal punch of colleague while drinking
A former boxer has been arrested for fatally punching his colleague during a drinking session due to a long-standing grudge. The ex-boxer confessed to the crime while reconstructing the event with the police. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sirichai Jaroensiri from Prakhon Chai Police Station in Buriram province, along with the investigation team, escorted 32 year old Krittana for a reenactment of…
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Woman critically injured after car hits utility pole in Buriram
A high-speed collision involving a car and a high-voltage utility pole left a woman critically injured after she was ejected from the vehicle, landing on a nearby shop’s roof before falling to the ground. The incident occurred last night on Route 226 in Buriram. Police Lieutenant Nuntikarn Ampawan from the Buriram City Police Station reported that the accident took place…
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Dessert storm: British man gets burned for smoking at sweet stall (video)
Two Thai dessert vendors in Chiang Mai clashed with an ignorant British man after he smoked outside their stall, despite a no-smoking sign and warnings from the vendors. The altercation between the Thai vendors and the Brit garnered public attention after a witness shared a video of the incident on her TikTok account, @ketar_nk, on October 23. In the caption,…
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Motorcycle repairman fatally shot in Samut Sakhon
A motorcycle repairman was fatally shot in front of his girlfriend in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. The attacker unmasked, fired three shots before fleeing the scene. Police are investigating the incident. At around 12.30am today, October 23, Police Colonel Sor Suetrongpanich, the superintendent of Krathum Baen Police Station, was alerted to a shooting on Phetkasem 97 Road, intersecting with the road…
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Bangkok launches new measures to combat PM2.5 pollution
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to implement new measures aimed at reducing air pollution, specifically targeting PM2.5 fine dust pollution. BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala revealed that Bangkok’s PM2.5 dust levels often surpass the safe threshold of 50µg/m³ from November to March due to stagnant air conditions. To combat this, the BMA has directed all district offices to start…
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Thailand braces for tropical storm and cool winds in 24 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning today, October 24, highlighting heavy rain in 24 provinces and urging vigilance regarding the powerful tropical storm Trami. Northern Thailand will experience cool weather and strong winds, while the southern seas will see high waves. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that upper Thailand will have minimal rainfall,…
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Bangkok drug gang suspect at large after shooting at police
A suspect from a drug gang in Bangkok remains at large after firing five shots at police to facilitate his escape. His accomplice, who was apprehended, was found with 160,000 methamphetamine pills and 1 kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine hidden in the car’s boot. Yesterday, October 22, around 10.30pm, police officers led by Rangsang Sonsingh, along with Sanchai Keerirat and Wutthichai…
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Tragic drownings in Phuket claim lives of boy and British tourist
Two tragic incidents in Phuket resulted in the drowning deaths of a five year old Chinese boy and a 43 year old British tourist, police confirmed yesterday. Karon Police were notified by Chalong Hospital at 6.32pm, yesterday, October 22, about the drowning death of five year old Chinese tourist Zhang Zhiqjanna. Zhang had been swimming with his mother in the…
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Holy scam! Monk and mate nabbed for fake charity con in Rayong
Police apprehended a monk and his accomplice for fraudulently collecting donations under the guise of a religious charity in Rayong, Thailand. The offenders placed donation bins at various shops, falsely claiming to represent a defunct temple. Today, October 23, law enforcement officials responded to reports of fraudulent activity involving donation bins placed in multiple shops along the roads in Rai-Tamnanpa,…
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Private island in Trat listed for sale at 1.8 billion baht
A private island on Koh Kham in Trat Province has been listed for sale at 1.8 billion baht. The island, spanning approximately 10 rai (about 4 acres), is one of the top 10 most beautiful islands in Thailand. A Facebook user recently posted in a luxury home sale group that Koh Kham, the most beautiful island in Trat, is available…
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Intoxicated woman flips car on Pattaya overpass, claims heartache
A young woman, heavily intoxicated, lost control of her car, causing it to flip over and sustain significant damage. When confronted by police, she confidently stated, “It hurts in my heart,” while expressing confusion about how the accident occurred. At 1.16am today, October 23, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Radio Centre in Pattaya received a report of a car accident…
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Woman accuses Kamphaeng Phet headman of sexual abuse
A 21 year old woman has come forward to accuse a village headman in Kamphaeng Phet province of sexually assaulting her over a year, resulting in a sexually transmitted disease (STD). She claims the assailant threatened to kill her if she revealed the abuse. The victim, identified as A, reported the incidents to the police with the assistance of Prakakrit…
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Koh Chang businessman fights illegal jetties causing coastal erosion
A business operator in Koh Chang appealed to the Interior Ministry’s Damrongdharma Centre to assist in the demolition of two large, unlawfully constructed concrete jetties that he claims are worsening coastal erosion. Kitti Yimrewat, the businessman, argues that these jetties, which he describes as comparable to buildings due to their massive size, have detrimental effects on nearby coastal areas. He…
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Thailand to open first CI centre for migrant workers in Samut Sakhon
Thailand’s Labour Ministry is set to open its first Certificate of Identity (CI) centre in Samut Sakhon next month, targeting support for migrant workers needing proof-of-status documents and aiming to maintain economic stability. The initiative, announced after a meeting of the National Committee on Migrant Workers Management, will assist labourers from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The CI centre will…
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