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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Thai man commits murder-suicide, kills 4 family members of ex-wife
A Thai man committed murder-suicide in the Isaan province of Sisaket, killing four family members of his ex-wife before taking his own life in his car. Only a 10 year old boy survived the incident. Officers from Mueang Sisaket Police Station were alerted to a shooting at a house in Nong Phai sub-district, Mueang district, Sisaket province, at approximately 9.30pm…
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Shocking slump: Thailand’s premium EV sales plunge 35%
Thailand has experienced a significant decline in the sales of premium electric vehicles (EVs), dropping 35% year-on-year in the first half of the year. Despite this downturn, BMW remains optimistic about its EV sales, banking on the appeal of its newly launched models in the Mini family in Bangkok. Sales of premium EVs fell to 3,844 units between January and…
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Hong Kong sergeant dies falling from truck in South Pattaya
A Hong Kong police sergeant tragically died after falling from a songthaew open-air truck in South Pattaya, Chon Buri, yesterday morning. Surveillance footage showed the man tumbling from the back of the taxi van onto the road at 8:36am, July 22. The 48 year old man from Hong Kong suffered severe injuries and was quickly taken to a nearby hospital,…
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Bangkok hostage crisis ends with two dead, four injured
A tragic incident unfolded in Bangkok yesterday when Tha Kham Police Station received a report at 9.45pm about an armed man holding his family hostage at a residence in Rama 2, Bang Khun Thian. The man, identified as Bunma, a 49 year old printing shop owner, had a domestic dispute that escalated into violence. Bunma fatally shot Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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Senate factions prepare for speaker and deputy elections
Senate factions are gearing up for the election of the Senate Speaker and deputy roles, with three main groups emerging as contenders. The New Breed, the Blue group, and a faction representing independent Senate votes are all preparing their nominations. Each group is rallying behind its preferred candidates, though discussions about compromise candidates are also on the table. The New…
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Pheu Thai Party retains Chalerm Ubumrung
Pheu Thai Party will not expel list MP Chalerm Ubumrung, according to the party’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong. Chalerm had expressed a desire to be expelled to freely join the Palang Prarachrath Party (PPRP), following his son Wan’s recent resignation from Pheu Thai. Wan’s departure came after he caused discontent within the party by interacting with a rival during an election…
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MFP remains resolute ahead of key court ruling
The Move Forward Party (MFP) remains steadfast in its mission, regardless of the Constitutional Court’s impending decision on whether to dissolve the party, according to leader Chaithawat Tulathon. Chaithawat assured that the MFP has not only grown stronger but its members are now more equipped and prepared to ensure victory in the next General Election. Confident that the court ruling…
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Man found dead after argument with wife in Phuket rental home
A tragic incident occurred in Phuket when a 40 year old man was found dead in an apparent suicide following an argument with his wife on their first day at a rented house in Baan Manik. Thalang Police Station was alerted to the scene in Moo 7, Srisoonthorn, at 2am yesterday, July, 2024. Upon arrival, police officers and rescue workers…
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Patong tuk tuk driver fined after aggressive road confrontation
Patong tuk tuk drivers are again under scrutiny after an alarming confrontation between a driver and a resident in traffic. The incident, captured in a 51-second video, ignited a wave of criticism and concern among Phuket residents. A resident, who has been living in Phuket for eight years, documented the encounter and posted the video on the Facebook page Driving…
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Bangkok plans 130 new parks, doubles tree goal by 2026
Bangkok is taking a bold step towards sustainability under the leadership of Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Moving past the Green Bangkok 2030 initiative, the governor has set his sights on an ambitious environmental agenda. Chadchart’s vision includes creating a 15-minute city with accessible green spaces. The plan involves adding 130 parks and doubling the tree-planting goal to two million by 2026,…
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King donates 300-rai for new sustainable zoo in Pathum Thani
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has donated a 300-rai plot in the Rangsit Khlong Hok area of Pathum Thani’s Thanya Buri district for a new zoo. This new facility will replace the 80 year old Dusit Zoo in Bangkok, which closed in 2018. Attapon Srihayrun, Director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, highlighted that the new zoo…
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MICE industry must prioritise people management to sustain growth
Game-changing People Management was the focus of a recent presentation at the TMX conference, one of the largest fairs dedicated to the meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) industry. The discussion highlighted significant opportunities for growth and transformation within this expanding sector. The MICE industry is on a remarkable growth trajectory, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of…
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Thai SME bank sees non-performing loans surge to 13%
Rising non-performing loans (NPLs) in the first seven months of this year have predominantly emerged from wholesale and retail sectors, as reported by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME D Bank). The Managing Director of SME D Bank, Phichit Mitrawong, attributed the increase to sluggish economic conditions, which have led to a contraction in consumer purchasing…
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Stark Corporation scandal costs 14.7 billion baht
Shareholders and stock investors of Stark Corporation are reeling from an accounting and embezzlement scandal that has incurred damages estimated at a staggering 14.7 billion baht. This debacle has impacted 4,704 shareholders and led to the prosecution of the former chairman and several top executives in what is deemed one of Thailand’s largest corporate frauds in recent years. Adding to…
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Charged up: GAC Aion plugs into Thailand’s booming EV market
GAC Aion New Energy Automobile, an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer under Guangzhou Automobile Corporation (GAC), anticipates substantial benefits from the ongoing expansion of Thailand’s EV market. This comes after the recent inauguration of a 2.3-billion-baht EV assembly plant in Rayong. The company aims to produce up to 70,000 EVs annually for both domestic sales and export, according to Ma Haiyang,…
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Thailand faces investment challenge post-1997 financial crisis
Thailand faces investment challenges post-1997 financial crisis despite natural gas discovered in the Gulf of Thailand around 40 years ago sparked nationwide excitement, marking the beginning of a golden era. This period saw the launch of the Eastern Seaboard Development Project aimed at developing the eastern coastal region. Foreign investment surged, propelling the economy to expand at double-digit rates, and…
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Tak Bai tragedy court case to be decided next month
A lawsuit against nine former top officials implicated in the Tak Bai tragedy is set for consideration by the Narathiwat Provincial Court next month. The lawsuit, filed on April 26 by a group of 48 plaintiffs, seeks justice for the victims and their families who have seen no action taken by police or prosecutors beyond financial compensation. The plaintiffs, consisting…
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Thai proposal to legalise adult entertainment industry sparks debate
The Move Forward Party (MFP) is advocating for a significant change to Thailand’s Criminal Code to legalise the adult entertainment industry, including pornographic materials and sex toys. This initiative aims to dismantle the existing taboos and establish better regulation. MFP MP for Bangkok, Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, submitted the proposal to Parliament last week, with discussions expected to commence within the next…
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Srettha Thavisin tops poll as Thailand’s favourite politician
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has emerged as the country’s favourite politician, surpassing Move Forward Party (MFP) adviser Pita Limjaroenrat, according to a recent survey. The survey, conducted by LINE TODAY from July 1 to July 20, saw participation from about 21,000 individuals who were asked to choose their preferred politician. The results, released yesterday, revealed that the Thai premier received…
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Wildlife tragedy: Thailand mourns as serow and tiger bite the dust
A serow was discovered shot dead in Phetchabun province, while an injured tiger succumbed to its wounds in Buriram, according to reports from Thai officials yesterday. Chanyaphak Thanachatakkarakun, the chief of Phupha Daeng Wildlife Sanctuary, revealed yesterday, July 21, that a worker from the Silarat Lom Sak stone crushing plant heard gunshots emanating from a mountaintop and subsequently witnessed a…
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Man drinks fabric softener mistaking it for water, hospitalised
A man in a highly intoxicated state mistook a bottle of fabric softener for water and consumed it entirely, causing severe convulsions. His friends promptly contacted the police for help. At 3.32am today, July 21, the Phra Khanong Police Station received an urgent call reporting that a man had ingested fabric softener in a rental room. Directed by Police Colonel…
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Thai official shares fake news about Spanish football star Lamine Yamal
Professor Charoen Watthanasin, Vice Chairman of the Thai Olympic Committee, recently made headlines for sharing fake news about Spain’s national football star Lamine Yamal. The online community is buzzing after Charoen posted a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) with an image of 17 year old Yamal, who recently played a crucial role in leading Spain to victory in the Euro…
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Heavy rains trigger flash floods and mudslides in Ubon Ratchathani
Heavy rains battered Ubon Ratchathani throughout the night, causing flash floods and mudslides that damaged over 100 homes and swept away personal belongings. Early today, July 21, officials reported that the situation had stabilised but left significant damage behind. Relentless rain pounded Ubon Ratchathani province overnight, leading to flash floods and mudslides from the mountain ranges. This natural disaster inundated…
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Ghost banquet in Rayong cemetery spooks attendees
A ghost banquet held at a cemetery in Rayong left attendees spooked after mysterious images appeared to show many seated figures, despite no one being physically present. These apparitions are believed to be spirits attending the feast by invitation. Siam Rayong Rescue Officers organised a Chinese banquet with 30 tables yesterday, July 20, at the Chag Phak Kud Temple cemetery,…
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Thailand cannabis group ends hunger strike over reclassification
Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network concluded a hunger strike and peaceful demonstration against the reclassification of cannabis as an illegal narcotic. The group made this announcement through a statement on social media, expressing their concern over the government’s approach to cannabis regulation. From July 8 to July 19, members of the network gathered in front of the Thai Government House,…
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Thailand to investigate blackchin tilapia surge within seven days
Thailand’s Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry tasked the Fisheries Department with a seven-day deadline to determine the cause behind the surge in the blackchin tilapia population. Prayoon Inskul, permanent secretary for the ministry, announced yesterday, July 20, that a comprehensive plan has been devised to address the outbreak affecting 16 provinces. The initial strategy involves a committee working to control the…
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Thai police arrest Nigerian man for cocaine and visa overstay
Thai police raided a luxury hotel in Koh Pha Ngan and arrested a 47 year old Nigerian national for possession of cocaine and overstaying his visa. The Nigerian, Kenneth, claimed to use magic to evade detection during his drug transactions. Tourist Police Chief Saksira Puek-am revealed that the operation was conducted as part of a broader crime suppression effort targeting…
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Woman caught stealing beer in Udon Thani after fight with husband
A woman was caught stealing five cans of beer from a shop in Udon Thani, sparking a confrontation with her husband. She claimed the theft was due to a lack of money after an argument with him. Police in Udon Thani received a report yesterday about a woman stealing five cans of beer from a small community shop in the…
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Man surrenders after BB gun road rage incident in Nonthaburi
A 44 year old man turned himself in after firing a BB gun at another driver in response to a close encounter on the road. The incident, captured on CCTV, led to his swift surrender to the police. The incident unfolded yesterday at 6pm when Anan Worasart, chief of Bang Khen Police Station, along with his deputies, received Puridet (surname…
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Father takes daughter hostage in Bangkok, police officer killed
A father wielding four firearms took his daughter hostage, leading to a dramatic rescue of four family members and a tragic police shooting. The incident occurred yesterday, July 20, at 11.30pm in the D.K. Village, Soi 2, Phraya Monthon Road, Bang Bon District, Bangkok. Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanyathon Rasamee of Tha Kham Police Station received a report of an armed…
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