Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Thailand approves genome editing to boost agricultural yields
Thailand officially sanctioned Genome Editing (GEd) technology for advanced plant breeding, aiming to boost yields while reducing chemical use in agriculture, according to the Department of Agriculture (DoA). DoA Chief Rapeepat Chansriwong announced the approval of the GEd technique under a ministerial regulation. This decision was endorsed by the agriculture minister and subsequently published in the Royal Gazette. Typically, new…
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Chicken crisis averted: Dentist wings it to save choking man (video)
A quick-thinking dentist saved a man’s life when he choked on food at a chicken rice restaurant in Saraburi. The incident yesterday, July 15, was captured by CCTV footage and shared on TikTok. The chicken rice restaurant, located in Mueang district, Saraburi was the scene of the dramatic rescue. The owner, 34 year old Kriangkrai Apibarnthamakit, who is seen in…
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Thai Education Ministry advances tablet initiative despite budget cut
Thailand’s Education Ministry continues to advance its tablet distribution initiative, despite a budget reduction from 16 billion to 13 billion baht. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, an assistant to the Education Minister, confirmed the ministry’s commitment to the project yesterday. Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob is spearheading the One District, One Quality School project. This initiative aims to consolidate educational resources, both…
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Thai YouTuber shoots man in leg over football betting dispute
A Thai YouTuber, with over one million subscribers, shot a former boxer in the leg at a restaurant in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok over a football bet and financial dispute. The victim, 38 year old Atikhun “Oat” Nueangpim, sought help from Porramate Chaipatcharakunpong, the President of the Advisory Committee of the Nonthaburi Provincial Prosecutor, fearing he would never receive justice…
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Fishing boat nets 4 tonnes of shrimp off Phang Nga coast
A fishing boat’s single catch netted an astonishing 4 tonnes of shrimp, worth nearly 1 million baht, off the coast of Phang Nga. The catch highlights the rich marine life in the area, following a recent conservation period. Officers from the Krabi Provincial Fisheries Office inspected the commercial fishing vessel, S. Phet Samut 11, upon its return to the Sai…
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Former Bangkok MP exits Pheu Thai after election controversy
A former Bangkok MP resigned from the ruling Pheu Thai Party following criticism for showing sympathy to a party opponent during a recent local election in Pathum Thani. Wan Ubumrung submitted his resignation at the Election Commission (EC) and announced it was effective immediately. Wan explained that his decision came after being summoned by the party to clarify his presence…
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Man seeks lottery numbers from tarantula burrow in Phetchabun
A man travelled from Korat to Phetchabun to perform a ritual seeking lottery numbers from a tarantula’s burrow, a practice based on ancient beliefs. His efforts were rewarded with a three-digit number that he hopes will bring him luck. A man from Korat, along with locals and lottery enthusiasts, gathered at a farm owned by 63 year old Bua Charoentha…
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Lucky winner bags 6,000,000 baht prize in today’s lottery draw
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) announced the results of the Thai national lottery for the draw held today at the prize announcement building in Nonthaburi. Enthusiastic participants across the country eagerly awaited the numbers, hoping for a life-changing win. The first prize, worth 6,000,000 baht, sparked joy for one lucky winner. Alongside this, two adjacent numbers to the 1st prize…
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Former UVF terrorist engaged to Thai bride 50 years his junior
An infamous Irish terrorist revealed his engagement to a Thai bride half a century younger. Gormy McMullan, a prime suspect in the Loughinisland massacre, announced his upcoming nuptials to Thai national Bannapon Nuch Jathasan on social media, igniting a storm of reactions. “I have decided she is my main one now.” The 71 year old murder suspect proudly declared in…
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Man surrenders after fatal shooting over SIM card in Uthai Thani
A man has turned himself in after allegedly fatally shooting his uncle in a dispute over a mobile phone SIM card. The gunman, who was previously an assistant village headman, resigned following a positive drug test. Today, July 16, 36 year old Kritsana surrendered to police investigator Wasawat Sittirach at Sawang Arom Police Station in the Uthai Thani province. Kritsana…
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Dengue infections in Thailand reach record 44,387 cases in first six months of 2024
The latest epidemiological surveillance report from Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DCD) has revealed an alarming surge in dengue fever cases in 2024. As of July 10, the number of reported cases has reached a staggering 44,387, representing a 1.06-fold increase from the same period in 2023. This marks a significant public health concern, as the first six months of…
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Lottery frenzy hits Chai Nat market ahead of July 16 draw
Hopeful lottery enthusiasts flocked to buy tickets for today’s draw at Pasi Sung Market in Chai Nat. The atmosphere at Pasi Sung Market was abuzz yesterday with eager lottery buyers looking for their favourite numbers for the government lottery draw today, July 16. With people hoping to become the next millionaire, many were out early, scouring the stalls for their…
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Bangkok to speed up removal of illegal canal structures
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) pledged to accelerate the removal of illegal structures built over the city’s extensive network of canals. Bangkok hosts over 1,980 canals and other waterways, with 233 under the Department of Drainage’s jurisdiction, while local district offices under the BMA manage the remainder. A 2021 survey by the Department of Drainage and Sewerage identified approximately 11,035 illegal…
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Escort scam: Thai man assaulted & robbed in Chiang Mai hotel trap
A Thai man filed a complaint against a male escort and his four friends after they lured him to a hotel in the northern province of Chiang Mai before physically assaulting and robbing him. The victim, 31 year old Korn, told officers at Doi Saket Police Station that he lost cash, a mobile phone valued at about 20,000 baht, and…
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Thai AirAsia seeks govt aid amid demand slump and tax cuts
Thai AirAsia, experiencing a downturn in demand during the second and third quarters of 2023, now seeks government intervention to boost the stagnant local purchasing power. Chief Executive Santisuk Klongchaiya noted that the seasonal nature of tourism has resumed, with the average load factor for the domestic market in the second quarter decreasing to 90% from 94% year-on-year. Despite the…
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Mobile SIM card dispute leads to fatal shooting in Uthai Thani
A heated argument over a mobile phone SIM card ended tragically when a man shot his uncle dead at the front door of their home. The gunman, a former village assistant headman, had resigned after testing positive for drugs. Wasawat Siphipob, an investigator at Sawang Arom Police Station in Uthai Thani province, received a report yesterday, July 15, at around…
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US offers lower interest rates on F-16s jets to sway Thailand
The United States proposed lowering the interest rates for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to purchase F-16 fighter jets in a bid to persuade the Thai government to choose American-made aircraft over Sweden’s Gripen jets. According to a Defence Ministry source, this offer follows the RTAF’s recent announcement that it is considering the Gripen jets, following a procurement committee…
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Nakhon Ratchasima man orders toolset, gets water bottles instead
A man from Nakhon Ratchasima was left disheartened after spending 499 baht on what he believed to be a set of tools but instead received three bottles of water. Nirat Sukboon, a 46 year old resident of Nai Mueang subdistrict, Phimai district, took his complaint to the Phimai Police Station, presenting the evidence of the water bottles. Nirat shared that…
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Court confiscates vehicles after reckless driving caught on camera
Ratchaburi court ordered the confiscation of two vehicles, captured on a dash cam footage, driving recklessly, as both drivers were dangerously cutting each other off in a heated road rage exchange. The drivers have been fined, narrowly escaping prison times. The incident occurred yesterday, July 15, on Phetkasem Road, heading towards Bangkok. A dashboard camera from a trailing vehicle captured…
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State officials implicated in bid-rigging scheme for rubber latex firms
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) uncovered the involvement of state officials in bid-rigging for rubber latex companies in 10 provinces, leading to significant financial losses for the country. The investigation has been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further action. Last year, a group of rubber latex traders submitted a letter to the prime minister, requesting an…
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Man arrested for stealing embassy car mirrors in Bangkok
Thung Maha Mek Police Station officers in Bangkok arrested a man for breaking into a car care shop and stealing side mirrors from several vehicles belonging to an embassy. The theft was captured on CCTV, and the suspect confessed to selling the stolen items for money. The Superintendent of Thung Maha Mek Police Station, Panom Chueathong, yesterday, July 15, reported…
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Thai couple arrested for illegal wildlife trade in Surin province
Police arrested a Thai couple involved in the illegal wildlife trade, confiscating two tiger cubs, two pairs of Thai elephant tusks, and 26 pieces of African elephant tusks worth millions of baht. Efforts are underway to rescue an additional four tiger cubs. The operation, led by Director of the National Parks Office Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn and officers from Dom Police Station…
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Monk kills mentally ill homeless man with hammer over laptop theft
A monk in Nong Khai killed a mentally ill homeless man with a hammer, suspecting him of attempting to steal his laptop. The incident occurred at Wat Phothisomphon Temple, leaving locals and officials in shock. Officers from Nong Khai City Police Station yesterday, July 15, received a report of a fatal assault at Phothisomphon Temple. Arriving at the scene, they…
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Udon Thani hotel calls for delay in electricity rate hike
A prominent hotel in Udon Thani urged the government to delay the planned electricity rate hike, citing concerns about the current purchasing power of consumers. They argue that customers are only spending on necessities, and an increase in electricity costs could further impact the number of patrons using their services. Apicha Veerachatiyanukul, the managing director of Udon Plaza Co., Ltd.,…
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Students report being misled into bizarre camp in Thailand
Several students from a renowned university in northeastern Thailand have reported being misled by senior students into attending a peculiar camp that deviated from Buddhist teachings. The camp involved strange rituals, including chanting hundreds of times and creating heavenly passports. Students from a well-known university in northeastern Thailand raised concerns about a camp they were taken to by senior students,…
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Bangkok SWAT team captures notorious gunman hiding in ceiling
A raid by the SWAT team from Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Division 3 led to the capture of a notorious gunman, who attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the ceiling. The incident took place yesterday, July 15, during a targeted operation aimed at cracking down on firearm and drug-related offences. The raid was part of the Save Khu Khwa campaign,…
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DNA results expected in missing Chinese TikTok star case
DNA test results on human remains believed to belong to a missing Chinese TikTok star are anticipated tomorrow, according to the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) at Police General Hospital. Identification of the body has been challenging due to significant decomposition and difficulties in obtaining DNA samples, noted IFM commander Supichai Limsiwawong. Chinese national 38 year old Yan Ruimin was…
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Thai PM announces 10,000 baht digital wallet registration date
Registration for the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout starts on August 1, as announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This initiative aims to stimulate the economy through significant government spending. The Bangkok-born PM shared the date on X (Twitter) yesterday, July 15, coinciding with the Digital Wallet Policy Committee’s meeting to finalise preparations for registering eligible recipients and vendors. He emphasised…
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Thailand govt debunks reports of deserted tourist spots
Reports of tourist spots Cha-am Beach and Amphawa Floating Market being deserted have been debunked by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. Contrary to a viral video showing a quiet Cha-am Beach in Phetchaburi on a Sunday and social media claims about a lack of visitors at Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram, tourists continue to frequent both destinations. A video depicting an…
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TikTok trend: ‘Jackpot’ with dead jackfruit trees worth millions
A TikTok user shared a video revealing the surprising value of dead jackfruit trees, also known as jackfruit standing dead. The clip quickly gained attention when she mentioned that such trees could sell for millions of baht. The woman, under the account, kate_tell_story, explained that she had come across content on TikTok suggesting that dead jackfruit trees could fetch prices…
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