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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Chiang Mai shuts flood centre, locals claim aid unmet
Chiang Mai has shut down its flood relief centre, sparking discontent among locals who claim they have not received the promised aid. Deputy Governor Tosapol Phuanudom announced the closure yesterday, October 16, stating that the centre had completed its mission. The centre was established in response to the severe flooding that hit Chiang Mai between October 5 and 14. Despite…
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Chaiyaphum man wins 12 million baht in lottery
A Chaiyaphum man has won first prize in the latest lottery draw, taking home a staggering 12 million baht. Relatives, overwhelmed with joy, rushed to the local police station to officially record the win. Atisak, a 58 year old man, along with his family, visited the Khon Sawan Police Station in Chaiyaphum province to register his win with Police Lieutenant…
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Leopard spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi
A leopard made a rare daytime appearance in Kaeng Krachan National Park, located in the Kaeng Krachan district of Phetchaburi. Mongkol Chaipakdee, head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, confirmed that a tourist captured detailed photos of the leopard lounging on a road inside the park on Tuesday, October 15. Mongkol noted that leopard sightings have become more frequent recently, indicating…
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Monsoon brings heavy rain to central, eastern, southern Thailand
Weather conditions for today see a monsoon trough passing through central, eastern, and southern regions, including Bangkok, bringing rain to 60% of the area with heavy showers in some places. Mariners are advised to navigate cautiously due to high waves. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts that for the next 24 hours, the monsoon trough will move across the upper…
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Fourth wife fatally shoots husband’s fifth wife over jealousy
A Thai woman yesterday admitted to fatally shooting her husband’s fifth wife near her home in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Officers from Ron Phibun Police Station and rescuers rushed to a house in a plantation in the Ron Phibun district of Nakhon Si Thammarat on Monday, October 15, after receiving a report of the shooting. Upon arrival,…
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Bank of Thailand slashes interest rates after four-year freeze
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has stunned financial markets by slashing its key interest rate for the first time in four years, buckling under mounting pressure from the government to revive the sluggish economy. The unexpected move saw the one-day repurchase rate trimmed by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 2.25% from its 10-year high of 2.50%. This decision…
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Don Mueang Tollway projects revenue boost amid rising traffic
Don Mueang Tollway Public Company Limited (DMT) forecasts a bright performance for the third quarter of this year heading into the High Season of Q4. The surge in tourism, both foreign and domestic, is expected to boost passenger numbers and traffic on the elevated tollway. Sakda Phanwai, the Managing Director, expressed optimism as Thai AirAsia X relocated its flights back…
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Nok Air takes off again: Ready to ‘baht’ back in business
Nok Air is plotting a major comeback, with a 5 billion baht cash injection on the cards for 2025. The Thai low-cost airline, which entered business rehabilitation in 2021, is now eyeing an exit in 2026, as CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool outlines a path to financial recovery. In an interview with Bangkok Business, Wutthiphum revealed the funds will be used to…
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Foreign man’s tattoo blunder: ‘Love, peace, and curry’
A foreign man sparked a social media frenzy after showing off his new Thai tattoo, only for eagle-eyed netizens to point out a major mix-up. The man shared the inked message on the Reddit platform last week, using the handle thirstyfridays, claiming it said “love, peace, and harmony.” But, in a twist of culinary confusion, the Thai words “แกงเขียวหวานเผ็ดไก่” (Kaeng Khiao Wan…
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Mae Ya Krathong Shrine draws crowds for lucky lottery numbers
Residents flocked to the Mae Ya Krathong Shrine, a century-old sacred site, to seek lucky lottery numbers using the innocent touch of children to draw numbers from an urn. This time, the numbers drawn coincidentally matched popular ones, sparking hope for big wins. The Mae Ya Krathong Shrine, located under the shade of an ancient Krathong tree at the foot…
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Sedan driver trapped after high-speed horror in Pattaya
Chaos erupted on Siam Country Club Road in East Pattaya on Monday, October 14, when a sedan lost control, smashing into an electric pole and careening into the wall of a substation. Pattaya’s Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Center swiftly responded to the alarming report of the accident, dispatching teams armed with cutting tools to the scene. Upon arrival, rescuers discovered…
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Vocational student brawl disrupts Bangkok train commuters (video)
Panic erupted on a crowded train this morning when a group of young vocational students were involved in a wild brawl, sending Bangkok commuters scrambling for safety at Siam BTS. The chaotic scene unfolded around 8.30am, today, October 16, with Police swooping in to detain the troublemakers. Videos circulating online show more than ten boys, believed to be vocational students,…
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Thailand Cabinet hits the right note with concert campaign
In a major bid to turn up the volume on tourism, the Thai Cabinet has launched a sensational music campaign aimed at luring world-famous artists to rock out in Thailand! With the goal of boosting both tourism and investment, it’s time for the Kingdom of Thailand to take centre stage. At a press conference yesterday, October 15, Prime Minister’s Office…
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Feline fire fiasco: More than 20 injured in Samut Prakan blaze
A late-night fire in a crowded apartment building in Samut Prakan’s Mueang district left more than 20 residents nursing minor injuries from smoke inhalation. The chaos erupted around midnight yesterday, October 15, as hundreds of tenants made a frantic escape from the five-storey building on Samrong Soi 20. The fire reportedly ignited in a second-floor room, where the tenant had…
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Man robbed at knifepoint while selling iPhone 16 in Bangkok
A man was robbed at knifepoint after attempting to sell an iPhone 16 via Facebook. The incident took place early yesterday, October 15, near the entrance of Soi Phahonyothin 49 in Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok. Police are currently investigating the case to apprehend the suspect. Around 12.03am today, Bang Khen police officers were alerted to the robbery involving a weapon…
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Climate activists rally in Bangkok: No more ‘carbon’ copies of injustice
More than 200 climate activists descended on the United Nations Headquarters in Bangkok yesterday passionately demanding an end to climate change laws and carbon credit systems that favour corporate giants. The rally, titled “System Change Not Climate Crisis,” aimed to pressure the Thai government ahead of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), taking place in Azerbaijan from November…
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Nigerian returning from Thailand nabbed with massive heroin haul
In a dramatic crackdown on drug smuggling, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a Thailand returnee at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Nigeria, unmasking a heroin haul worth over 3.2 billion Nigerian nairas (approximately 65 million baht). The suspect, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, a 29 year old mechanical engineering graduate, was caught red-handed attempting to…
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Motorcyclist dies in collision with 18-wheeler on Sukhumvit Road
A tragic accident occurred when a motorcyclist collided with the rear of an 18-wheeler, resulting in the motorcyclist’s death. The incident took place on Sukhumvit Road, heading towards Bangkok, opposite the entrance of Thung Krad Temple in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. At 12.06am today, October 16, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Rescue Radio Centre received a report of a serious…
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German man found dead in Patong hotel after fever and dizziness
A German man was found dead in his hotel room in Patong today after experiencing fever and dizziness. The incident prompted police to request a medical examination to determine the cause of death. Patong police were alerted to the situation at approximately 6am, today, October 16, and arrived at the hotel on Phra Mettha Road. Upon investigation, officers found no…
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Thailand’s stock market sees a ‘baht’ of foreign interest
Foreign investors have increased their holdings of Thai shares by 1.37% in the first eight months of 2024, reaching a total of 5.18 trillion baht, based on data from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). This rise highlights the growing interest in the technology, financial, and services sectors. By August 2024, foreign investors held over 5.18 trillion baht (US$155 billion)…
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Phuket taxi driver hits foreign man on airport zebra crossing
A Thai taxi driver hit a foreign man on a zebra crossing at Phuket International Airport yesterday leaving the man with serious injuries. The Phuket Times reported the accident yesterday, October 15. “An airport taxi with a green registration plate hit a foreign tourist on a zebra crossing at Phuket Airport. The foreigner lost consciousness and had a bloody wound…
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Lottery hopefuls rush to Udon Thani as lucky numbers sell out
Crowds of lottery enthusiasts flocked to Kham Chanod in Udon Thani to buy the lucky numbers 451 and 154, derived from incense sticks at the sacrificial table of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s son, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, completely selling out the lottery stalls. Today, October 16, reports from Kham Chanod Island, located in the Naga King’s realm of Wang…
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Highways reopen after Chiang Rai flood chaos
Flood-ravaged Chiang Rai is getting back on its feet, with crucial roadways reopened after devastating landslides. The Department of Highways (DOH) has fast-tracked repairs to reconnect communities isolated by torrential rains, particularly along the vital Highway 1150, linking Wiang Pa Pao in Chiang Rai to Phrao in Chiang Mai. This key route, blocked by multiple landslides, had halted travel and…
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Barefaced bandit: Naked thief strips Rayong office of 200,000 baht
An owner of an office building in the eastern province of Rayong urged swift police action after a naked thief robbed his office twice, resulting in damages and losses exceeding 200,000 baht. The victim, Paisit Jiam-anukunkit, filed a theft complaint at Mueang Rayong Police Station and shared his story with news agencies, hoping to frighten the thief and hasten an…
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Thailand’s SMEs to receive 1.9 billion baht support fund
Industry Minister Akanat Promphan is advancing initiatives to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in mitigating financial pressures and enhancing their technological capabilities to remain competitive. The Industry Ministry’s broader objective is to reform Thailand’s manufacturing sector, according to Akanat. To this end, the ministry plans to provide financial aid through its SME development fund, aiming to alleviate the financial…
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Thailand extends TM6 form suspension to boost tourism
Thailand has extended the suspension of its TM6 immigration forms until April 30 next year, a move that promises to ease cross-border tourism while a new electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system is being developed. Officials say the ETA could also streamline the collection of tourism fees. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong revealed that the Cabinet approved the decision, which…
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Thai man allegedly fakes wife’s suicide after adultery lawsuit
Police arrested a Thai man for allegedly killing his wife and faking her suicide after she sued him for adultery and gained ownership of all assets earned during their relationship. A Thai woman was rushed to a hospital in the northern province of Nan in August. Her husband, 45 year old Somchai, told the medical team that his wife committed…
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Tax exemption for corporate insurance payouts amid flood recovery
The Cabinet has sanctioned a tax exemption for corporate income derived from insurance payouts for policyholders impacted by this year’s floods. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub announced after the Cabinet meeting that companies in flood-affected areas with insurance coverage against floods will have their insurance payouts exempted from income tax, as per the Finance Ministry’s directive. For business operators needing loans…
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Commerce Ministry launches economic recovery plan to aid SMEs
The Commerce Ministry is collaborating with government agencies in Thailand to roll out a nationwide economic recovery initiative over five months, aimed at assisting small businesses, easing expenses, and reducing the cost of living. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan convened with over 150 representatives from private sector organisations to jointly launch the project. The discussions incorporated cooperation from both public and…
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Labour crisis in Chon Buri as 20,000 workers face unemployment
A significant labour crisis looms in Chon Buri as 20,000 workers face potential unemployment due to financial strain on 16 subcontractor companies. This situation has put 60,000 family members at risk, with unpaid wages persisting for six months. The Federation of Refinery Contractors TOP Clean Fuel Project (CFP) gathered yesterday, October 15, at the Holiday Inn & Suites Si Racha…
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