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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New PM office spokesperson announced at Government House
In a whirlwind Cabinet reshuffle, the Government of Thailand is shaking up key roles, including naming a new spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office and promoting the deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC) to council chief. It’s all part of the latest wave of power moves under PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Announcing the changes at a press briefing today,…
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Floods wreak havoc on Chiang Mai hotels occupancy rates
Severe floods in Chiang Mai from October 4 to 6 have devastated the local hotel industry, plunging occupancy rates by a staggering 30% and impacting 1,500 to 2,000 rooms across the province. La-iad Bungsrithong, a board advisor for the Thai Hotels Association (THA), revealed that conditions are gradually improving. “Since Monday, many hotels in the affected areas have begun cleaning…
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Thai couple seeks answers after newborn dies in Rayong hospital
A Thai couple is demanding an explanation from a hospital in the eastern province of Rayong following the death of their newborn child. They believe that mistakes during the delivery led to the baby’s death. The couple brought the coffin containing their child’s lifeless body to the Ministry of Public Health yesterday, October 7, to seek answers regarding the cause…
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All aboard: Bangkok’s scenic train adventures are ready to roll
To boost domestic tourism, the Transport Ministry has revealed a schedule of enchanting train journeys departing from Bangkok, running from October through February. These special services, which include steam locomotives, promise to generate income for local communities while providing unforgettable experiences for travellers. Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday, October 7, that three train options would be available over the next…
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Scammers posing as repair technicians target homes in Buriram
Scammers posing as repair technicians have been targeting residents by forcibly entering homes and demanding payment for unnecessary repairs. This unsettling incident has left the community of Samrong, Plapplachai district, Buriram province in a state of alert. On October 6, around 1pm, 59 year old Jamnien, was looking after her four month old granddaughter in front of her house when…
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Thailand targets 36.7 million tourists in 2024 despite challenges
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts a steady growth in international tourists for the fourth quarter of 2024, despite recent flooding in the country. The initial concern was that such natural disasters might deter visitors. However, the influx, particularly from Chinese tourists during China’s National Day holiday, has surpassed expectations. To achieve the target of 36.7 million international tourists…
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Pattaya sweeps streets of homeless to ‘clean’ up its act for tourists
Pattaya City officials took to the streets yesterday, October 7, in a bid to clear homeless hotspots and maintain the city’s pristine image for tourists. The sweep targeted key areas, including the Bali Hai overpass, the Thappraya junction on Pattaya Third Road, and Pattaya Second Road, where they encountered 10 homeless individuals. The initiative, designed to keep Pattaya attractive to…
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3 Thai men seek justice after assault by bar security guards and DJ
Three Thai men are seeking justice after they were physically assaulted by a group of security guards and a DJ at a bar in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet on October 1. The video of the chaotic altercation inside the entertainment venue in Kamphaeng Phet was shared by various Thai news agencies. In the footage, the bar’s security guards,…
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Thailand assures 60-day oil reserve amid Middle East conflict
The Ministry of Energy assured the public that Thailand’s oil reserves are sufficient to last over 60 days amidst the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Measures are being taken to ensure stable oil prices despite the volatile situation. Weerapat Kiatfuengfu, Deputy Permanent Secretary and spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, stated that the ministry and relevant agencies are closely…
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Over 28% of Thais hit by fraud as AI scams soar
Thailand is facing a scam epidemic, with more than a quarter of its citizens falling victim to fraudsters in just the past year, a bombshell report has revealed. A staggering 28% of Thais have lost money, according to new data from Whoscall developer Gogolook, in collaboration with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and ScamAdviser. The survey of over 9,000 Thais…
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Scooting trouble: Luxembourg man ‘wheeled’ in for illegal Bangkok tour guide gig
Tourist Police officers arrested a man from Luxembourg for illegally working as a tour guide after he was found leading clients around Bangkok on electric scooters. The arrest followed a tip-off from Yongyos Samransook, head of the Inspection and Supervision of Travel Agency and Tour Guide Registration Division under the Department of Tourism. Yongyos reported that the foreign man was unlawfully…
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New chairman could spell economic disaster, warns ex-bank boss
The race to appoint the next Bank of Thailand (BoT) board chairman has taken a dramatic turn as former governor Tarisa Watanagase warns that a bad choice could plunge the economy into chaos. In a fiery Facebook post, Tarisa urged the panel selecting the new BoT chair to exercise extreme caution, stressing that appointing the wrong person could open the…
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Shinawatras open kitchens to feed flood victims in Chiang Mai
The Shinawatras are back in action, and this time it’s all about giving back. Former Thai premiers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra have stepped up in a big way, sponsoring two relief kitchens in their hometown of Chiang Mai, ensuring flood victims don’t go hungry. Thaksin, who recently returned to Thailand after years in exile, has funded a kitchen at Paed Kao…
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Fishing for owner: Chiang Mai rescue reels in 300kg catfish
A rescue team that operated during the floods in Chiang Mai discovered a 300-kilogramme giant catfish in the floodwaters and is now searching for its owner, believing the fish to be a pet. One of the rescuers, who found the giant catfish, Wi Sang, took to his Facebook account to post pictures of the animal, both to record the shocking…
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Electric car catches fire at flooded Chiang Mai home
A fire broke out in an electric car submerged in floodwaters at a residence in Chiang Mai, subsequently spreading to a nearby pickup truck and causing significant damage. Police are currently investigating the cause of the blaze, which also led to damage to two additional vehicles. Rescue officials from the Chiang Mai Philanthropic Association received a report of a fire…
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Elderly man dies after falling from ladder in Chanthaburi orchard
An 85 year old man tragically died after falling from a ladder while tending to durian flowers in Chanthaburi. Emergency medical teams performed CPR and used a defibrillator but the man was found unresponsive under a durian tree, and could not be revived. Police Lieutenant Pacharapol Tanjing of the Chanthaburi City Police Station received a report of a serious accident…
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Smogged in: Bangkok wakes up to a PM2.5 breath of fresh despair
Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces awoke today to find themselves enveloped in a thick blanket of smog, as pollution levels reached dangerously high levels. The stagnant air trapped hazardous levels of PM2.5, leaving the city gasping for breath. According to the Pollution Control Department, PM2.5 (tiny particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter) breached the safe threshold of 35 microgrammes per…
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Thai man receives death threats from cheating, bed-hopping wife
A Thai man pleaded for help after receiving death threats after seeking a divorce from his unfaithful bed-hopping wife, who cheated on him five times to his knowledge. The non-profit organisation Saimai Survive assisted the desperate Thai man, identified only as 45 year old A, and held a press conference today, October 8, for him to share his story with the…
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No more slack: Thailand tightens the noose on illegal workers
The Government of Thailand is tightening the noose on illegal foreign workers in a sweeping crackdown, with over 2,000 arrests in recent weeks. While the bulk of those detained are undocumented migrants from neighbouring Myanmar, the hunt is expanding to include Western foreigners working illegally in jobs reserved for Thai nationals. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director General of the Department of Employment…
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Thailand eyes higher inflation target to push for rate cut
Sources familiar with the discussions have revealed that Thailand’s Finance Ministry plans to propose an increased inflation target of 1.5% to 3.5% for the coming year. This move is likely to exert additional pressure on the central bank to lower its key interest rate. Talks between the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to finalise this new price…
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Thai national returns from Lebanon amid Israeli airstrikes
A Thai national has safely returned from Lebanon to Thailand, while five others await evacuation amidst Israeli airstrikes, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Nikorndej Balankura, the MFA spokesperson, noted that approximately 100 Thais residing in Lebanon prefer to stay and monitor the situation. The spokesperson held an online press conference on October 6 addressing Israel’s attack…
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Vaping a chance: Thailand aims to clear the air for 20,000 youths
The Public Health Ministry plans to rehabilitate 20,000 young e-cigarette users as part of its efforts to curb the spread of e-cigarettes, according to Minister Somsak Thepsutin. vaping a chance: health ministry aims to clear the air for 20,000 youths! Somsak’s announcement came in response to concerns raised by Senator Premsak Piayura during a Senate meeting about the increasing use…
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Thai pervert leaves woman shaken after knicker-sniffing antics
A woman is living in fear after a Thai pervert grabbed her underwear hung outside her rented room in Chon Buri and sniffed it right in front of her on Sunday night. The 25 year old victim filed a complaint with Bang Lamung Police Station yesterday, October 7, and later recounted the shocking experience on Sunday, October 6, to Channel…
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Phatthalung villagers scammed out of 5 million baht by neighbour
Nearly 30 villagers in Phatthalung province filed police reports after being scammed out of 5 million baht by a neighbour they had trusted. The incident involved daily savings schemes, gold savings plans, and land brokerage deals. The chief of Khao Krasai subdistrict in Pa Bon district, Komjak Saengsio, led the villagers in reporting the case. The accused, Sattaya Boonladee, a…
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Teen fatally shot in Pathum Thani after Facebook watch deal
A tragic incident unfolded in Pathum Thani province where a teenager was shot dead after arranging to buy a watch via Facebook. The young man met with the sellers in a secluded alley, only to be ambushed and fatally shot. Police are now in a race to apprehend the culprits. Police Lieutenant Waranchai Sookying of Khlong Luang Police Station received…
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Thai man rapes woman, thinking she’s wealthy
A Thai man attempted to rape a woman in Udon Thani’s Isaan province, allegedly targeting her for money, believing she was wealthy thanks to her foreign husband. The 62 year old mother of the victim took to social media, seeking help from influencer Phanumart “Piak” Jitwasinkul after the 46 year old attacker denied the accusations and evaded arrest. Now, the…
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Rayong councillor arrested for siphoning diesel from fishing boats
Police in Rayong, Thailand, arrested a prominent municipal councillor and his workers for allegedly siphoning diesel fuel from fishing boats at a local port. The councillor denied all charges and requested bail to fight the case. Special operations units in Rayong, in collaboration with local police, took action following complaints about illegal fuel sales to fishing boats. The incident happened…
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Ladyboy arrested in Bangkok for phone theft and drug use
Police apprehended a 39 year old ladyboy at a shop in Kriangkrai Market, Lat Krabang, Bangkok, on charges of theft and drug use. She was found in possession of a stolen Samsung A73 5G phone and methamphetamine (meth). A victim reported the theft of their Samsung A73 5G phone from a restaurant inside a mall to Romklao Police Station on…
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Thailand video news | Thai family prays for son’s release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, Johor state to revert to Saturday-Sunday weekend in 2025
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex brings you the latest news from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. The stories include a Thai family’s emotional plea for the safe return of their son held captive by Hamas in Gaza, a defence of Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s use of an iPad for speeches at international forums, and an investigation into a luxury…
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Food delivery rider braves Chiang Mai floods for customer’s order (video)
A determined food delivery rider braved floodwaters nearly 1 metre deep in central Chiang Mai to deliver an order, sparking widespread discussion on social media about the worth of his efforts compared to potential repair costs for his motorcycle. A video widely shared online captures the moment a food delivery rider navigated through floodwaters almost 1 metre deep to deliver…
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