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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Illegal pork pursuit: Thai investigators crack down on Makro for shady swine supplies
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided Makro, a popular cash and carry store warehouse in Thailand after discovering the store ordered illegal pork products from a company previously indicted for illicit imports. DSI director, Suriya Singhakamon, said officers conducted a raid on Wealthy & Healthy Foods, which illegally imported pork into Thailand, and discovered that the company supplied some…
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Lost in translation: Thailand struggles to climb global English proficiency ladder
Thailand, famed for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, is grappling with a linguistic challenge, its national English proficiency, which has caught the attention of educators and language enthusiasts worldwide. Despite recent strides in enhancing English proficiency through virtual classrooms in Bangkok, Thailand finds itself in the shadows of its ASEAN neighbours, ranking a modest eighth in the region and…
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Tailspin surprise: Man’s daylight drive in China halted by woman with a fox tail blocking the road
A man driving in the bright daylight in China was taken aback upon encountering a woman with a fox tail, strolling along and blocking the road. With her back towards him, he was intrigued to see her face. The bizarre incident unfolded when the Chinese man was driving along a road and found a young woman slowly strolling across the…
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Unprecedented tourist influx on full moon day at Wan Nakee Island’s shrine
Tourists flocked to Wat Kham Chanot Wang Nakee coinciding with the revered day of the full moon and the traditional Loy Krathong Festival on November 27. The shrine, located in Ban Muang, Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province, is dedicated to Nakee Island’s spiritual guardians, Grandfather Sri Sutho and Grandmother Ya Sri Pathum. The shrine’s spiritual significance attracted a vast…
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Democrat Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan embraces eco-friendly Loy Krathong tradition
Prawit Wongsuwan, leader of the Democrat Party (DP), along with key party executives, participated in an environmentally friendly version of the Thai tradition of Loy Krathong. Using biodegradable Krathongs (floating baskets), they wished for the good health and happiness of all Thai people and for illnesses to be swept away by the river current. Prawit, the DP leader, was joined…
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Fuelling frustration: Saraburi petrol station owner shuts shop after losing over 1 million baht to deceitful customers
The owner of a petrol station in the central province of Saraburi announced that she will soon close her business after losing over 1 million baht worth of fuel to dishonest customers. The station owner, 67 year old Sirikarn Rakwitham, shared a picture of a sign at her patrol station yesterday, November 27 broadcasting the news. “The station will be…
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Chinese airlines hit turbulence: Air China, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines pump the brakes on December and January flights
Major Chinese airlines such as Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines, slam the brakes on flights for December and January. Several Chinese airlines, notably Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines, sent shockwaves through the travel industry by cancelling flights to Thailand for December and January. The root cause? A plunge in bookings mirrors China’s economic downturn and a…
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Bangkok university student falls from building during Loy Krathong Festival
An 18 year old student fell from a well-known university building in central Bangkok on the night of the Loy Krathong Festival. The incident took place last night, November 27, as reported by Thanapat Suwannanak, Deputy Sheriff (Investigator) of the Thonglor Police Station. The university premises were examined by police, doctors and charity workers following the incident. The incident occurred on…
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Thai NBTC to investigate 40,000 numbers linked to SMS and phone scams
The Thai National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is poised to probe 40,000 numbers, suspected to be instrumental in SMS and phone scams, to apprehend the main culprits. A meeting was recently held by an NBTC subcommittee to discuss the data collected on these alleged scam phone numbers. Key representatives from law enforcement agencies, the central bank and mobile phone…
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Thai thrill-seekers turn heads with illegal jet ski scooters on public road in Bangkok (video)
Four Thai men admitted to engaging in an illegal activity by fabricating jet ski scooters and riding them on a road in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. They made known that they would visit a police station to pay fines for their indiscretion today, November 28. A video shared on a Facebook account captured the scene of the four Thai…
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Central Thailand: Family demands justice for unexplained death of 17 year old girl at welfare centre
The death of a 17 year old girl while under the care of a welfare centre in Ratchaburi, has left her grandfather and father seeking justice. The family only recently discovered the death of the girl, Nong Not, when contacted by officials last week, despite her passing in October last year. The family is now demanding a clear explanation regarding…
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Thailand and Malaysia enhance bilateral relations to boost border trade and tourism
A significant agreement was recently reached between the leaders of Thailand and Malaysia to bolster their bilateral relations, with a specific focus on enhancing border trade and tourism. The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, agreed upon this during their working visit at the newly inaugurated Sadao customs checkpoint in Songkhla. Their meeting, which took…
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Thai hostages freed: House Speaker’s gratitude shines in Hamas release
The release of three Thai hostages held by Hamas was greeted with relief and expressions of gratitude by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. This event, which happened Sunday night, brings the total number of liberated Thai hostages to 17, leaving 15-16 still in captivity. The House Speaker is optimistic about their liberation during the next ceasefire between Israel and…
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Phuket Crime Free scheme unveiled to ensure tourist safety during peak season
Phuket has launched the Phuket Crime Free scheme, an initiative aimed at safeguarding international tourists during the peak season. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Monday, bringing together both governmental and private sector entities. Among those involved are the provincial administration, provincial police, tourism police, immigration office, and provincial land department office. Private sector representatives include the Phuket Chamber…
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Child injured by firework debris during Ayutthaya’s Loy Krathong Festival
A four year old boy suffered a head injury during a Loy Krathong Festival in Ayutthaya when debris from a firework struck his head. His mother is demanding accountability as she recounted the terrifying moment at 8.30pm when her son cried out in pain from the unexpected injury. The incident occurred at Wat Boromwong Isararam’s riverfront in the Suan Phrik…
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Low Chinese tourist influx despite Thailand’s visa exemption policy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled an update on the nation’s tourism landscape following the introduction of a visa exemption policy, at a media briefing held at noon on November 25. Despite the waiver of visa fees, the daily influx of Chinese tourists has been unexpectedly low, averaging around ten thousand visitors. This surprising figure sparked questions from Thai journalists regarding…
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Thai soldier shot dead in car after honking horn at murderer
A murderer shot dead a Thai soldier on a road in the central province of Prachin Buri last night after the deceased honked his horn at the killer because he drove his pickup across the victim’s car, cutting them up. The 25 year old girlfriend of the victim, Monticha, sought help for her severely injured soldier boyfriend, 22 year old…
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Commerce carnival: Ministry’s mega discount campaign aims to slash living costs for Thai citizens
In a grand gesture to ease the cost of living for Thai citizens, the Ministry of Commerce is joining forces with over 300 manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and convenience stores to roll out a colossal discount campaign. Scheduled to kick off on December 15 and last until January 15, 2024, this initiative is considered a new year present to the public…
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Hazy highway: Foreign duo sparks backlash for road trip cannabis cruise in Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Two foreign men faced criticism from Thai netizens after a video of them smoking cannabis on a motorcycle on a road in the Sukhumvit neighbourhood of Bangkok went viral on social media. The Twitter account, Red Skull, shared a video of the two foreigners yesterday, November 26. They were reportedly riding in Soi Sukhumvit 23 near the popular entertainment venue,…
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Unravelling the mystery of Mona Lisa and Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, a name synonymous with the fusion of art and science, sought to understand the world around him, incorporating his scientific discoveries into his art and his enigmatic masterpiece the Mona Lisa. His passion for exploration and understanding was evident from his childhood. As a young boy, he would sit at the doorway, observing birds and cloud formations,…
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Chang’an automobile invests over 120 million baht in Thai EV parts research
Chang’an Automobile, China’s leading automotive company, received encouragement from the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, to invest in the research and development of electric vehicle (EV) parts in Thailand. This came about after a meeting between Phumtham and Churu Huarong, Chang’an Automobile’s Chairman today. As a prominent player in the automotive industry, Chang’an Automobile has a…
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Runaway love: Thai woman’s 20-kilometre vow at shrine unlocks divorce after five-year marathon
A Thai woman honoured a vow at the Kampaeng Phet City Pillar Shrine in the northern province of Kampaeng Phet after she successfully divorced her ex-husband after five years of trying by running 20 kilometres. Suphaporn Ninlabordee’s story became the talk of Kampaeng Phet province when yesterday, November 26, she ran 20 kilometres from the Kampaeng Phet City Pillar Shrine…
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Nakhon Ratchasima abuzz as lottery ticket prices reach 130 baht
Lottery enthusiasts in Nakhon Ratchasima are buzzing with anticipation as the Government Lottery Office is set to announce the draw on December 1. Hot numbers related to the provincial governor, Siam Sirimongkol, such as his age and vehicle registration number, are in high demand. The price per ticket has risen to 130 baht due to the increased interest. Nakhon Ratchasima,…
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Cosmic con: Fortune teller tricks Thai woman into sex and 14 million baht loss
A Thai woman issued a warning to others after a fortune teller tricked her into paying more than 14 million baht for rituals and lured her into having sex with him. The 30 year old victim, named only as A, shared her story with the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to warn other women and process a lawsuit against the fortune teller.…
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Thai government to construct new elevated tollways by 2028
The Thai Transport Ministry unveiled plans to construct two new elevated tollways to improve commuting in the country. These tollways will be built from Pathum Thani to Ayutthaya and from Nonthaburi to western Bangkok, with a combined estimated cost of 87 billion baht. The announcement was made by the Transport Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who laid out the details of the…
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Media neutrality questioned by Thai citizens, NIDA Poll reveals
A recent public opinion survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), shed light on the perceptions of Thai citizens regarding media neutrality. The survey carried out from November 21 to November 24 amongst individuals aged 18 years and older across various regions, education backgrounds, professions and income levels, gathered responses from a total of 1,310 participants. The…
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Man arrested for theft and fraudulent card use in Bang Phli, central Thailand
A 29 year old man was apprehended by authorities for multiple charges including theft and fraudulent use of another person’s electronic card in the Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. The arresting team consisted of officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau 2, who acted on an arrest warrant issued on November 17. The suspect was found driving a luxury Mercedes-Benz…
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Bangkok offers digital Krathong floating near Chinatown to reduce waste (video)
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is inviting locals and foreigners to celebrate the Loy Krathong Festival with an eco-friendly concept that allows visitors to float their digital Krathong into the Ong Ang Canal near Bangkok’s Chinatown. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and the BMA team announced on Twitter (X) today, November 27, that this is the first year that Bangkok will…
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Three more Thai hostages freed from Hamas captivity in Israel
The Foreign Ministry of Thailand today announced the release of three additional Thai nationals, Wichian Temthong, Surin Kesungnoen and Pornsawan Pinakalo, from Hamas’ captivity. This brings the total number of freed Thai hostages to 17. Upon their release, the trio were admitted to an Israeli hospital for medical check-ups. These individuals were among a group of 17 hostages released yesterday,…
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Belgian man found dead at house in Chiang Mai, murder suspected
The lifeless body of a Belgian man was discovered with a bag over his head after a Thai maid stumbled upon his suicide note in a Chiang Mai province residence. Thai police suspect murder rather than suicide. The Thai maid reached out to San Kampaeng Police Station after finding the suicide note of a 73 year old Belgian businessman, Vachaudez,…
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