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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Flash mob fiasco: MFP’s Pita disqualified as PM candidate
Move Forward Party (MFP)’s prime ministerial candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat has been barred from the premiership after receiving a suspended jail sentence for his involvement in a 2019 Bangkok flash mob protest, as confirmed by a renowned legal expert. Jade Donavanik, a lecturer at the College of Asian Scholars, clarified that the recent four-month suspended sentence handed down by the Pathumwan District…
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Pandemic alert: 8,197 Thailand dengue cases reported in January
The Disease Control Department (DCD) issued a stark warning amid a surging wave of dengue fever cases, urging the public to shield themselves from mosquito bites. With a staggering tally of over 8,000 infected individuals and a count of 13 fatalities so far, the situation demands immediate attention. Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn, the DCD Director-General, revealed alarming statistics, indicating a 91.25% surge…
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Thailand’s investment applications surge to five-year high in 2023
Thailand’s investment promotion applications in 2023 skyrocketed to a five-year high of 848 billion baht, marking a 43% increase from the adjusted figure of the previous year. The surge was powered by significant foreign investments in the five priority sectors identified in the Board of Investment’s (BoI) fresh Investment Promotion Strategy. Contributing to this colossal growth in Thailand’s foreign direct…
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Road tragedy: Boy’s stumble turns fatal in Isaan province (video)
A seven year old boy tripped while crossing the road near his school in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani resulting in a pickup driver accidentally running over and killing him. The tragic accident happened near Pathum Wittayakorn School in Ubon Ratchathani province at 4pm on February 5. At the time, the school was busy with vehicles and parents picking…
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Thailand’s defence ministry to take action over fraudulent Sor Dor 43 sales
The Defence Ministry of Thailand disclosed yesterday that it will take legal action against any military members, both former and present, who are found guilty of selling fraudulent Sor Dor 43 certificates. The announcement was made by Minister Sutin Klungsang, in response to allegations by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a party-list MP of the Move Forward Party (MFP) and chairman of the…
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Thailand to merge ID and disability cards for streamlined support
Varawut Silpa-archa, the Minister of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), announced plans to merge identification (ID) and disability cards as part of an effort to streamline support for disabled individuals. The disability allowance includes those who are incarcerated. The minister’s declaration was in response to the story of Monthon Phetsang, a 48 year old disabled man who embarked on a…
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Reckless Thai driver’s wrong-way sedan smash-up leaves one dead (video)
A reckless Thai driver killed a man and injured others when he drove his sedan against the traffic flow in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, colliding with a pickup truck. Pak Kret Police Station officers and Poh Teck Tung Rescue Foundation rushed to the accident scene on the Khlong Prapa Overpass in the Pakkret district of Nonthaburi province at about 5.20am…
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Flight fright: Air Canada-Thailand flight detours to Hong Kong as passenger falls ill
An Air Canada flight destined for Bangkok was forced to make an emergency diversion to Hong Kong after a passenger fell ill onboard. The Air Canada Boeing 787, which operates flights between Vancouver and Bangkok, declared an emergency on February 4, prompting its redirection to Hong Kong. Flight AC65, a routine scheduled service, is typically operated between Vancouver and Bangkok…
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Thai-m to go: Ex-PM Thaksin eyes special parole as prison sentence hits halfway mark
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, is eligible for special parole as he approaches the halfway point of his prison sentence on February 18, according to an insider from the Department of Corrections (DoC). The source confirmed that Thaksin is included in a list of inmates who qualify for parole and special parole. Special parole may be granted…
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Bristol backpacker in bar brawl bloodbath: Brit stabbed in neck in Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand
A horrifying incident unfolded at Bamboo Bar on Koh Pha Ngan, where a British backpacker from Bristol was attacked, leaving him gushing blood after being stabbed in the neck in a Thai bar brawl. Hugo Mooney found himself sprawled on the floor of Bamboo Bar on the infamous Full Moon Party island of Koh Pha Ngan, his life hanging by…
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Agoda reveals hotspots: Bangkok heats up rankings
Agoda unveiled the hottest must-visit destinations with the Big Mango, Bangkok sizzling in second place. Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam emerged as the unrivalled favourites, igniting a tourism frenzy in the first month alone. Moreover, Malaysia and South Korea are hot on their heels, rounding up the top five inbound markets. According to Agoda’s January 2024 booking rankings, Asian travel destinations have…
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Mentally ill Thai man punches medical worker in central Thailand
A mentally ill Thai man punched a medical worker in the face as he prepared an injection at the Bang Luang sub-district Health Promoting Centre in the central province of Pathum Thani. The incident, which occurred at around 11am on February 2, was captured on CCTV. The medical worker shared the footage on Facebook, revealing that the patient, with mental…
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Thailand’s iconic Maya Bay: From Hollywood glamour to environmental struggle
Maya Bay, nestled in Thailand’s Phang-Nga province, clinched third place in the world’s beaches, according to the Lonely Planet travel guide. Dubbed “a slip of a beach hidden by limestone cliffs,” Maya Bay skyrocketed to international fame when acclaimed director Danny Boyle handpicked it as the backdrop for his blockbuster hit The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Despite its cinematic allure,…
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Newly crowned Miss Japan dethroned over affair scandal
The glitz and glamour of Miss Japan turned into a whirlwind of controversy as the newly crowned beauty queen relinquished her throne amidst scandalous revelations. The recently crowned beauty queen, 26 year old naturalised Japanese citizen Karolina Shiino, clinched the prestigious Miss Japan title just a fortnight ago. Now she has abdicated her crown following a scandal linking her to…
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Update: Hong Kong disappointed over Lionel Messi’s no-show
Lionel Messi’s failure to grace the pitch in Hong Kong left droves of fans disheartened, but the football icon has hinted at a potential return, this time on the Tokyo turf. The star’s absence during the highly anticipated match at Hong Kong Stadium not only disappointed supporters but also sparked a PR crisis for his Major League Soccer side and…
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Chiang Mai tourism booms as Chinese New Year approaches
The northern city of Chiang Mai in Thailand is experiencing a tourism bonanza as hotel bookings surge to a staggering 90%, with Chinese New Year reservations already topping 60%. Paisan Sukcharoen, president of the Northern Upper Region Hotel Association of Thailand affirms that Chiang Mai’s tourism scene is on an upward trajectory. The cool embrace of Chiang Mai’s weather further…
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Thai father shoots dead daughter’s boyfriend
A Thai father shot dead his daughter’s boyfriend whom he disapproved of in the southern province of Krabi yesterday, February 6. Police believe the father objected to their love because the man had a history of drug use. Nua Klong Police Station officers in Krabi province were alerted to the fatal shooting at a house in the Khok Yang sub-district…
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World Songkran Festival to last from April 1 to 21
In an exciting announcement, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke yesterday revealed that plans were underway to organise World Songkran Festival activities nationwide. This decision comes hot on the heels of UNESCO’s recent recognition of the Songkran festival as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. “The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has formally acknowledged the significance of the Songkran…
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Luxury Porsche worth 5 million baht goes up in flames after crashing in Phitsanulok
A Porsche Panamera, estimated to be worth no less than 5 million baht, was found engulfed in flames after veering off the road and crashing into an electric pole at 1.40am this morning, in the Phlai Chumphon area of Phitsanulok. Police and rescue teams rushed to the accident scene only to find the driver missing. Upon arrival at the scene…
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Thai abbot allegedly rapes 7 year old girl, police ignore case
A Thai mother sought help from a social media influencer after her seven year old daughter was allegedly raped by a temple abbot in the central province of Ayutthaya. The mother added that the police ignored the complaint she filed nine months ago. Well-known social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet accompanied the mother to meet the Deputy Commissioner of the…
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Excavation work safety on Pattaya Third Road sparks concern
Residents and commuters traversing Pattaya Third Road are in a state of unease, particularly at Soi Chalermprakiat 25, where ongoing road excavation has plunged the area into darkness, raising alarming safety concerns. The absence of essential safety precautions such as warning signs and adequate lighting has turned the construction site into a breeding ground for accidents, endangering both drivers and…
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Fatal wrong-way crash on Nonthaburi bridge claims life
A fatal crash occurred early today when a car, driven on the wrong side of the road, crashed into multiple vehicles on a bridge in Nonthaburi, resulting in one death and several injuries. The incident, which took place around 5.30am on February 6, prompted police to investigate the driver for potential substance impairment. At the scene on the bridge crossing…
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From hardship to billionaire: Rise of martial arts star Chatri Sityodtong
Chatri Sityodtong, a Thai-Japanese entrepreneur, became a global household name as the founder of ONE Championship, Asia’s largest sports media property in history. His journey to success, however, is filled with trials and triumphs that many are unaware of. At over 50 years old, Chatri’s past is a testament to his resilience, having overcome the economic crisis in Thailand during…
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Khon Kaen restaurant worker fatally crushed by malfunctioning lift
A freight elevator at a renowned restaurant in Khon Kaen malfunctioned and plummeted, fatally crushing a 46 year old female restaurant worker. The restaurant owner vowed to take full responsibility and provide compensation as police hasten their investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The calamity occurred at a well-known eatery situated along the Mittraphap Road in Khon Kaen’s…
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Janitor still at large after sexually assaulting 6 year old schoolboy
The janitor of a school in the Isaan province of Nong Khai is currently on the run after multiple incidents of sexual assault against a 6 year old schoolboy, resulting in the victim developing a urinary tract infection. Shockingly, the school’s director and several teachers have taken the side of the janitor and pressured the victim to leave the school.…
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PM Srettha pays unannounced visit to Suvarnabhumi Airport amidst biometric glitch
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin paid a surprise visit to Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday morning, amongst reports of a recent biometric system glitch that threw the airport into chaos during rush hours. The glitch, a repeat offender, wreaked havoc on automatic passport control channels, leaving departing jet-setters stranded and frustrated. Eyewitnesses claim the prime minister’s unannounced appearance was a direct response…
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Thai family demands answers after prisoner suicide
The family of a Thai prisoner who tragically committed suicide on February 4 condemned the lack of action by officers at Manchakhiri Police Station in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen and demanded an explanation from the police regarding their handling of the situation. The family of Mong, a 42 year old Thai man, sought police assistance on February 3…
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Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines operates double daily flights to Bangkok
Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) is offering two daily flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok to cater for the growing demand over the Lunar New Year festivities and beyond. From Hong Kong’s bustling airport, GBA’s flight HB281 takes off at 8.30am, landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport near Bangkok by 10.30am. A second daytime flight jets off with HB283 departing at 3pm,…
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Pattaya police crackdown on underage entry at local club
Pattaya police cracked down on the city’s entertainment hotspots in an operation named Nightwatch, arriving at Area 39 on Pattaya Third Road at 1.30am on February 3. Amidst the sea of IDs, a 19 year old girl emerged, attempting to slyly slip past with a counterfeit identity. The venue management pointed fingers at the imposter, claiming she hoodwinked her way…
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Thai airports set to soar with billion-baht boost
The AOT, eagerly awaiting the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), is on the cusp of obtaining public airport certification for Udon Thani, Buriram, and Krabi airports. According to Police General Wisnu Prasatthong-osot, the visionary chairman of the board, the AOT will begin the development of its airports as planned once the certifications have been received.…
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