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 Best weed shops in Chinatown, Bangkok [2025]
Bangkok's Chinatown isn't just for roast duck, gold shops, and neon-lit chaos anymore. Head over to Yaowarat Road and you'll find another kind of smoke drifting through the air. Yes, the weed scene had landed. Loud, proud, and surprisingly stylish....
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Thailand seeks OECD membership with Germany’s support
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the country’s ambition to gain membership in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He sought Germany’s support for this endeavour during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Berlin. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke outlined the meeting’s details, indicating that Chancellor Scholz expressed Germany’s interest in bolstering relations, especially…
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Chiang Mai crowned world’s most polluted as smog crisis worsens
Chiang Mai recently ascended to an undesirable top spot on the global stage as it experiences severe air pollution, making it the most polluted city in the world. The air quality in this northern Thai city has reached levels that pose significant health risks due to the pervasive spread of PM2.5 particles. At 3am today, March 15, the air quality…
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HTMS Chon Buri fires at another Thai vessel, 14 sailors hurt (video)
A near-catastrophe unfolded yesterday when the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) ship HTMS Chon Buri inadvertently discharged its weapon, firing at another naval ship, HTMS Khirirat, causing injuries to 14 sailors aboard HTMS Khirirat. HTMS Chon Buri docked at Laem Thian Pier within the Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri province, had just completed training on March 13. While the vessel…
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MFP warned of legal implications ahead of general debate
A general debate has been scheduled for April 3 and 4, with a cautionary note to the opposition that they may face legal consequences if issues related to the ex-premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, are raised. This debate doesn’t require a censure vote under Section 152 of the constitution and will span over two days, revealed Wisut Chainarun, the chief government whip.…
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Illegal workers in South Korea: Amnesty for Thai nationals
The Labour Ministry of Thailand has approached the South Korean government to consider granting amnesty to around 150,000 Thai workers currently residing and working unlawfully in South Korea. The plea was made yesterday by Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Phiphat met with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jeong-sik, in Seoul on Wednesday, March 13, to examine the predicament. According to Phiphat,…
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Visa-free policies boost international travel and economies
The international travel industry experienced a significant rebound last year, following the implementation of visa-free policies by various governments. These policies aimed to rejuvenate their ailing economies through the influx of spending by foreign tourists. Thailand, for instance, witnessed 28 million arrivals in 2023 largely due to the strong performance in the last quarter. This surge was precipitated by visa…
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Driving economic growth: Thailand’s quest for clean energy
The call to action resonates through Thailand’s corridors of power as demands surge for the nation to lead the clean energy revolution across the region, igniting economic growth. Burin Adulwattana, the managing director and chief economist at Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research), underscores the urgency of this endeavour, stressing its pivotal role in ensuring competitive pricing for clean energy within Thailand.…
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Thailand Video News | Bangkok Cops probe groping incident by foreigners on Khaosan Road, Authorities thwart terror plot
In this video, Alex and Jay capture the news across the nation. In southern Thailand, authorities thwarted a potential terrorist operation, while allegations of groping on Khaosan Road prompt investigations. Another significant sentence has been handed down under Thailand’s lese majesty laws. Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to Chiang Mai after 17 years marks a notable political event. Meanwhile, a…
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Update: Female police corporal gets 13-year sentence for torture
After a harrowing ordeal that lasted over two years, the court has sentenced a female police corporal to 13 years and five months imprisonment for the brutal treatment of a former female soldier who served under her. The close male friend of the corporal was also convicted, receiving a four-year and one-month jail term. The case came to light when…
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Thai woman defends husband for shooting her with harpoon
A Thai woman in the Isaan province of Buriram defended her husband, who shot her with a harpoon, to prevent him from being arrested, saying the shooting was an accident. Her husband said otherwise. Rescuers from the Siam Ruamjai Pu-in Foundation in the Nang Rong district of Buriram province hurried to assist a 46 year old woman named Phan who…
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DSI to probe Phuket businesses over potential labour law evasion
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has disclosed that a rigorous probe will be undertaken into nine Phuket-based businesses suspected of employing Thai nominees to evade labour laws limiting specific industries to Thai nationals only. Among these organisations is the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park, managed by Urs Fehr, a 45 year old Swiss national known for an incident last month…
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Young Indochina tiger undergoes eye surgery in Uthai Thani
A semi-blind male Indochina tiger, believed to be approximately two years old, underwent successful surgery this week to remove an intensely inflamed eye. The tiger, known as Balago, was discovered wandering around Kamphaeng Phet around a month ago and was brought to Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani. Senior veterinarian Pimchanok Songmongkol, along with a team of specialists…
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Illegal immigration spikes in Thong Pha Phum as Myanmar nationals seek refuge
A recent surge in illegal immigration was witnessed in Thong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi, as 22 Myanmar nationals attempted to cross the border into Thailand on March 13. The Thong Pha Phum police, along with other authorities, responded swiftly to a tip-off about the unlawful activity. Upon reaching the specified location, the officers discovered a vacant pickup truck parked close to…
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Horrific murder at Lampao Dam: Husband arrested for killing wife
The tranquillity of Lampao Dam in Kalasin was shattered on March 13, when at 11am, a horrific discovery was made. A female body was found, cruelly tied around the neck to a tree. The local police and emergency services were promptly notified and rushed to the scene. The body was quickly identified as that of Somphit Senakit, a 53 year…
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Pattani police thwart potential Ramadan terrorist attack
On a typical early morning, in Sai Buri, Pattani, over 50 members of the Southern Border Provinces Rangers encircled a rented property, following a tip-off about the presence of wanted criminals. The operation kicked off yesterday, March 14 at 5am, with officers taking position around the dwelling and cordoning off the Pattani-Narathiwat Road, to safeguard locals from potential harm during…
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Former Thai PM Thaksin returns to Chiang Mai after 17 years
A remarkable event unfolded in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai when former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to his hometown. Accompanied by his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who also leads the Pheu Thai party, and other family members, Thaksin arrived via private jet at precisely 9.28am on March 14. On his arrival, the Deputy National Police Chief, Surachet Hakparn,…
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Thailand tokes on new approach: CBD-infused Marijuana oil to fight drug addiction
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) has initiated a pioneering programme utilising marijuana oil infused with high levels of CBD to combat drug dependency. Dr Thewan Thanirat, DTAM’s deputy director-general, unveiled the innovative prescription, named Karun Osoth, a concoction of coconut oil and CBD meticulously balanced to 10 milligrammes of CBD per millilitre of coconut oil. This…
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‘Wai Khru’ ceremony proposed as cultural heritage
To celebrate Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob today announced plans to propose the inclusion of the Wai Khru ceremony in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Taking approximately six months to meticulously craft the proposal, the ministry aims to showcase the profound tradition of students expressing gratitude and reverence towards their teachers, a practice deeply rooted in…
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New tiny scorpion species discovered in Thai national park
A research team from Chulalongkorn University found a new species of tiny scorpions at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi. A team, spearheaded by Wasin Nawanetiwong from Chulalongkorn University, alongside Associate Professor Dr Nattapoj Vajarasathira, unearthed a new addition to the arachnid family. Dubbed Scorpiops (Euscorpiops) krachan, this diminutive creature, barely stretching over 1 inch (25 centimetres) in length, proudly…
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73 year old Thai man swindles friends to pay party entertainers
Police arrested a 73 year old Thai man at his house in the Huay Kwang district of Bangkok after he swindled millions of baht from his friends to pay for two female party entertainers. A Thai man filed a complaint against his 73 year old friend, Charnyut Saelok, accusing him of swindling about 300,000 baht. The victim explained that Charnyut…
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Thai workers set to transform South Korea’s shipbuilding industry
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn secured an agreement during his recent visit to Seoul as 3,000 Thai workers are set to revolutionise South Korea’s shipbuilding sector. The minister, in a high-stakes meeting at Lotte Hotel Seoul, clinched a deal with representatives from five top South Korean shipbuilders: HD Hyundai Heavy Industry, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha…
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Bite back: Call for Thai Parliament to ban shark fin consumption
To safeguard marine ecosystems, WildAid and Love Wildlife Foundation penned an open letter to Thailand’s Parliament, urging an immediate halt to the serving and consumption of shark fin. This call to action follows shocking revelations of shark fin soup being dished out at Parliament House, sparking outrage among conservationists and environmentalists alike. In a detailed plea to the President of…
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Lost in Translation: Foreign man’s tattoo trouble echoes Hangover II
In a scene that could have been shot in the Hangover II movie, a foreign man turned to social media for help after waking up with a Thai tattoo written across his chest. The meaning of the writing remained unclear to him until Thai netizens stepped in with the answer, which might prompt him to have the tattoo removed. The…
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Goat gala: Trang farmers flock for barnyard costume contest
A group of goat farmers gathered in Trang province for a barnyard bash like no other: a goat costume competition. Decked out in dapper cowboy attire and more, these hoofed contenders showcased not only their looks but also their smarts and health. At the Agricultural Productivity Enhancement Learning Center in Kantang District, Trang Province, the inaugural event unfolded with nine…
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Thai cops probe groping incident by foreign men in Bangkok
Thai police are investigating two foreign men who allegedly sexually assaulted some Thai women by groping their bottoms while the women were working on Khao San Road in Bangkok on Monday. A Thai woman shared pictures and videos of the two foreign men on her Twitter account on Monday, March 11 after the assaults. She urged netizens to help her…
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Italian-Thai development grapples with liquidity crisis amid scandals
Thailand’s leading construction firm, Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), is grappling with a liquidity crisis that has alarmed investors, regulators, and rating agencies. This scenario follows a series of local corporate scandals and debt defaults that have already unnerved the market. ITD confirmed yesterday, March 13, that it is seeking new loans from banks to alleviate the current cash crunch that…
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Beach umbrella operator sparks outrage on Jomtien Beach
Residents and tourists on Jomtien Beach were left fuming after a beach umbrella operator was accused of monopolising parking access to their designated area, despite being a public space. The conduct of the operator sparked concerns among the beachgoers, prompting Deputy Mayor Wuthisak Rermkijakarn to take swift action. Expressing dismay at the reported behaviour, Deputy Mayor Wuthisak personally visited the…
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Thai envoy unveils plan for Taiwanese investment boom
In an exclusive interview with CNA on Tuesday, the executive director of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office (TTEO), declared the nation’s readiness for an influx of Taiwanese investment, particularly in electronic manufacturing and construction projects. Narong Boonsatheanwong highlighted Thailand’s emergence as a Southeast Asian electronics manufacturing powerhouse, with a burgeoning global reputation for printed circuit board (PCB) production. Drawing…
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Thai school exam paper sparks debate on academic freedom
A seemingly routine social science exam paper ignited a firestorm of controversy across Thailand, leaving citizens and educators alike questioning the boundaries of academic freedom. The exam, which tasks students with discussing contentious issues ranging from Thai society and the monarchy to the commercialisation of Buddhism, thrust Wat That Thong High School into the spotlight. But it’s not just the…
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Notorious Bangkok fugitive Tum Pakdaeng nabbed in Rayong raid
An elusive drug dealer, who has a history of incarceration and expertise in evading capture, was arrested in the early hours of today, March 14, after a tip-off from an associate led police to his hideout. The arrest of Tum Pakdaeng was the culmination of an intensive investigation led by Police Colonel Monchai Arunsongsaengdee, the Chief of Taling Chan Police…
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