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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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German woman bitten by suspected shark at Phang Nga beach
A German woman underwent surgery at a hospital in Phuket yesterday after being bitten by an unidentified fish, suspected to be a shark while swimming in the sea off Khao Lak Beach in the southern province of Phang Nga. The 57 year old woman, Elke Maier, was swimming with her four family members near Khaolak Laguna Resort on November 29 when…
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Thailand Post to overhaul framework in modernisation efforts
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Ministry tasked Thailand Post with overhauling the outdated Postal Act of 1934. The initiative aims to enhance the regulation of postal and logistics services, aligning them with the current business environment. The Postal Act of 1934 was the first comprehensive piece of legislation governing postal services in Thailand. It established the framework for the operation…
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Phuket parade: Carnival rolls out beach carpet for tourists (video)
Phuket is gearing up to roll out the red carpet for tourists worldwide with the eagerly anticipated Phuket Carnival at Patong 2024. This annual spectacle, a hallmark of the island’s high tourist season, promises to be bigger and better than ever with its theme, Phuket Memories of a Lifetime. Taking place from December 8 to 10 at the bustling Bang…
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Ferry capsizes on Chao Phraya River after on-board altercation
A dramatic incident unfolded yesterday on the Chao Phraya River when a ferry capsized following a confrontation on board between a group of ten teenagers and a single passenger. The chaotic scenes saw passengers jumping overboard to escape the sinking vessel. At approximately 11.30pm, yesterday, December 1, rescue volunteers received a distress call about a ferry sinking near the pier…
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Death toll rises to 6 in Rama II bridge collapse near Bangkok
The death toll from the bridge collapse on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon province near Bangkok rose from three to six with the final body recovered on Saturday, November 30. The steel launching truss collapsed while a concrete segment was being installed on the bridge over Rama II Road on November 29. Initially, three construction workers out of 39…
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Heavy rainfall warning for nine Thai provinces
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall impacting nine provinces, with sea waves expected to rise over 2 metres. The upper regions of Thailand are experiencing cooler temperatures, with the northern part witnessing lows of 16 degrees Celsius (°C). The weather forecast for the next 24 hours highlights a weakening high-pressure…
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Pattaya horror: Young Thai woman killed in early morning crash
In the early hours of this morning, a devastating collision in Pattaya claimed the life of a young Thai woman, leaving the community reeling in shock. At precisely 3.20am, today, December 12, Bang Lamung police received a distress call alerting them to a catastrophic crash on the railway road within Soi Nongprue. Responding with urgency, the police, along with the…
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Thai truck driver walks away unscathed from Sukumvit smash
A Thai truck driver miraculously emerged unscathed from a jaw-dropping accident on Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip, in a scene straight out of a disaster film. The jaw-dropping incident occurred yesterday, December 1, at the stroke of 10.25am, prompting a swift response from the intrepid team at the Sawang Rojonthammasathit Foundation. Chaos descended as rescue squads raced to the scene, discovering…
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Phuket governor proposes monorail to fix island’s traffic
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has proposed constructing a monorail system as a strategic solution to combat the increasingly challenging traffic conditions across the island. During an official press conference held yesterday, November 29, at Provincial Hall, which focused on promoting tourism and associated policies, Gov. Sophon discussed the potential monorail project with several private sector organisations. The proposal comes as…
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Thai fisherman drowns, 31 detained and shot at by Myanmar navy
A Myanmar navy patrol boat recently engaged with Thai fishing vessels off the coast of Ranong province, resulting in the tragic drowning of one fisherman and the detainment of 31 crew members. The Thai Ministry of Defence reported that the altercation occurred when two out of 15 Thai fishing boats were found operating between four and 5.7 nautical miles inside…
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Thief poses as courier, steals Rolex watches worth 615,000 baht
A seller of vintage goods experienced a distressing incident when a thief impersonated a courier to retrieve a package containing two Rolex watches valued at 615,000 baht. Despite reporting the crime to the police three times, they were less than helpful and the case was dismissed as a civil matter, leaving the victim without recourse. The victim, 36 year old…
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Oh, cock! Police arrest nearly 50 major cockfighting raid
Police in Nakhon Phanom arrested nearly 50 people involved in illegal cockfighting, following a tip-off about a large gathering of gamblers in a rural area. The operation, carried out by a team of over 30 officers, highlighted ongoing illegal gambling activities in the region. Officers swiftly moved to take action after receiving a complaint via the Damrongdhama Centre regarding an…
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Legal action pursued over shooting at elephants in Thailand
Kaeng Krachan National Park officials are actively pursuing legal action against people involved in a shooting incident aimed at intimidating wild elephants. The unsettling event, caught in a TikTok video, occurred yesterday evening, November 30, showing a black sedan from which four gunshots were fired as elephants roamed nearby. The car was travelling on the Nong Phlap-Huai Sat Yai road,…
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M81 motorway opens free for new year travel in Thailand
Bang Yai district in Nonthaburi and Kanchanaburi province will soon be connected by a new motorway, offering motorists a cost-free travel experience over the new year holiday period. This initiative comes as a gesture from the Department of Highways, which announced that the 96-kilometre route, designated as M81, will be open for free from December 26 to January 2. Since…
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Four million young Thais hooked on online gambling, experts warn
More than four million young Thais have been lured into the world of online gambling, a growing concern that experts warn could evolve into addiction, affecting their mental and physical health. This pressing issue was brought to light by Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, director of the ThaiHealth Promotion Foundation, during the annual conference of the Centre for Gambling Studies (CGS) held recently…
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Thai Airways secures 44 billion baht in share rights offering
The Government of Thailand announced plans to increase its investment in Thai Airways International (THAI) without reinstating the airline as a state enterprise. This decision was confirmed during a Cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai, where Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira provided updates on the airline’s debt restructuring efforts. During the meeting, it was revealed that THAI anticipates raising approximately 44 billion…
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Up in flames: Bangkok house fire claims life of 50 year old man
A devastating house fire claimed the life of a 50 year old man in Bangkok when flames engulfed his home and spread to neighboring properties. The incident occurred yesterday, November 29 at 3.28pm, sparking panic and a swift response from local fire services. The blaze broke out in a two-story, semi-concrete and wooden house located in Soi Bang Waek 104,…
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Villagers in Uthai Thani flock to banyan tree for lucky numbers
Excitement builds as villagers gather around the near century-old banyan tree near a crematorium in Uthai Thani, hoping for a lucky lottery number. Reports indicate that on the evening before a lottery draw, people flock to this tree at Wat Hadsainngam in Village 8, Rabam subdistrict, Lan Sak district. The locals are drawn by the belief that a long-haired woman…
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Towering wave sweeps Russian woman into sea on Koh Samui
A towering wave measuring 5 to 6 metres swept a Russian woman off the rocks at a Koh Samui viewpoint and into the sea, where she vanished. Efforts to rescue her proved futile due to the intense sea conditions. The Bo Phut Police Station communication centre in Surat Thani province received an urgent report about a tourist being pulled into…
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Thai woman stabbed in Pattaya, foreign suspect still at large
A Thai woman, between 30 and 40 years old, was reportedly stabbed in the neck by a foreign man in Jomtien, Pattaya. The incident occurred on Thursday, November 28, on the fourth floor of a building located in Soi Welcome. Police are actively pursuing the suspect, who managed to flee the scene before their arrival. Pattaya police were informed of…
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Sedan-motorbike hit-and-run in Nonthaburi leaves contractor dead
A hit-and-run occurred when a black sedan struck a motorcycle, resulting in the death of a 68 year old contractor. The sedan driver fled the scene without checking on the victim. The event was captured on a dashboard camera on a bridge over the Mueang Thong Thani intersection in Nonthaburi. Officers from Pak Kret Police Station, along with rescue personnel…
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Body of missing five year old boy found in Chiang Mai canal
Thai police have confirmed the tragic discovery of a five year old boy who had been missing for three days. His lifeless body was found in a canal near his school yesterday, November 29 at 5pm. The search had been ongoing since his disappearance on Wednesday, November 27 from Tri Mit Witthaya School, a special education centre in Thung Ruang…
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Belgian motorcyclist dies in Pattaya crash near village gate
A Belgian national tragically died following a motorcycle collision in Pattaya. Nong Prue police were alerted to an accident involving a motorcycle at the entrance gate of a village on Khao Talo Road yesterday, November 29 at approximately 5.36am. Police, along with rescue personnel and local reporters, promptly arrived at the scene. Upon arrival, a yellow-black Yamaha Aerox motorcycle was…
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Thai Cabinet extends 20-baht train fare with 400m baht budget
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned a budget of 400 million baht to extend the 20-baht flat fare for the Red and Purple electric train lines for an additional year. This decision aims to provide continued financial relief to commuters using these lines. The extension pertains to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Red lines, which include the Nakhon Withi Line…
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Australian ambassador visits Phuket to discuss tourist safety
Australian Ambassador to Thailand Angela McDonald visited Phuket on Thursday, November 28, to engage in discussions with Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri. The meeting focused on strengthening economic, political, and safety ties between Australia and Phuket, underscoring the importance of maintaining robust bilateral relations. During the meeting, held at the Phuket Provincial Governor’s Reception Room, McDonald, along with key officials, explored…
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Thai Cabinet approves civil service salary increase proposal
The Thai Cabinet has acknowledged a proposal to adjust the starting salaries for new civil service recruits, with a bachelor’s degree holder earning no less than 18,000 baht and a vocational certificate holder receiving a minimum of 11,000 baht. This adjustment is expected to utilise a budget of 2.67 billion baht. A meeting took place at Chiang Mai Rajabhat University,…
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Taxi driver brandishes knife in Siam Square altercation (video)
A heated altercation between an elderly taxi driver and a motorcycle rider nearly turned violent in the bustling area of Siam Square, Bangkok, as captured and shared on TikTok by user @lianhua_.7u. The confrontation, which took place in the early hours of the morning, involved the taxi driver brandishing a knife, reportedly following a dispute that escalated after the taxi…
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‘Wife for hire’: Inside Thailand’s shocking rental marriage trend
Thailand’s notorious “rental wife” trend is turning heads and sparking heated debates. Dubbed the “black pearl” phenomenon, this controversial practice is thriving in Pattaya’s red-light districts, offering foreign tourists a temporary taste of companionship for a fee. The practice, often called “temporary marriage,” sees women from impoverished rural areas become companions to tourists, offering services ranging from casual companionship to…
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Rabies scare in Bangkok: Residents warned to avoid Soi Onnut 86
Bangkokians have been put on high alert after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) confirmed a rabies outbreak near a garbage treatment centre in Soi Onnut 86, Prawet district. Stray dogs in the area have tested positive for the deadly virus, sparking swift action from health officials. In a Facebook post today, November 29, the BMA Health Department revealed it had…
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Thaksin hits the road to boost Pheu Thai’s PAO hopes
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the political spotlight, gearing up to help Pheu Thai candidates in key Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) races. After a triumphant showing in Udon Thani, the party is looking to capitalise on its momentum with Thaksin as its secret weapon. A party insider revealed the 74 year old former PM will visit…
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