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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US woman detained for Thai restaurant fatal shooting and robbery
A woman was apprehended and slapped with a staggering US$100,000 (approximately 3.6 million baht) cash bail by the Department of Corrections in the US for her involvement in a fatal shooting and robbery outside a local Thai restaurant. Jenna Manibusan’s alleged shooting and robbery of Sumittra Lairopi triggered a cascade of legal proceedings, escalating into a gripping courtroom drama. A…
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Thailand’s digital wellness revolution boosts revenue
Thailand’s Industry Ministry is spearheading a digital revolution aimed at boosting revenue for the nation’s wellness and medical business entrepreneurs. With the ambitious target of surpassing 30 million baht in revenue, this initiative promises to reshape the landscape of Thailand’s tourism and economy. Under this visionary scheme, the ministry is equipping businesses with cutting-edge digital equipment and technologies, propelling them…
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Chinese woman hails Thai police for speedy thief arrest
A Chinese woman hailed the swift action of Thai police officers who successfully arrested a thief just three hours after he stole her bag containing 25,000 baht in cash in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. Bang Phli Police Station officers arrested the thief, a 41 year old Thai man named Nikorn Maiwong, at a resort in the Bang Bor district…
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Bali’s new tourist tax: Will it save paradise or sow chaos?
In the latest move to combat over-tourism and preserve its landscapes, Bali introduced a controversial levy for international visitors. Since Valentine’s Day this year, tourists entering Bali have been greeted not only by the island’s breathtaking scenery but also by a new fee of 150,000 rupiah (approximately 340 baht) per person. This move aims to safeguard Bali’s rich cultural heritage…
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Royal return: King’s son makes emotional homecoming
In a recent social media post, His Majesty the King’s second-eldest son, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, stirred emotions as he shared a photo from Suvarnabhumi Airport, declaring, “I have returned home, as promised.” The post, which garnered over 25,000 likes and a flood of welcoming comments from netizens, marks Vacharaesorn’s third journey to his homeland in less than a year. Having spent…
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Thai cop blackmails ex for sex, blackmails her with explicit videos
An officer from the Special Service Division (SSD), also known as the Commando Police, is under investigation for allegedly demanding sex from his ex-girlfriend and blackmailing her by posting explicit videos of her on social media when she refused to comply with his request. In February of this year, the victim was sent explicit video links by her relatives and…
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Thai credit card holders hit with new 1% fee
In a recent development, holders of credit cards issued in Thailand are set to face a 1% fee for foreign currency conversion starting May 1, as revealed in a notice on the Bangkok Bank website. Local credit card issuers, including Visa and Mastercard, will enforce this fee, also known as dynamic currency conversion (DCC), for transactions made in baht with…
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Woman’s body found floating in Rayong pond prompts police probe
A grim discovery was made at dawn today when a woman’s body was found floating in a durian orchard pond in Rayong province, triggering a police investigation. The unidentified victim, estimated to be between 35 and 40 years old, was found naked and bound, with her head covered by a pair of black and white striped trousers and encased in…
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Motorcycle repairman fatally crashes into parked truck in Samut Prakan
A tragic road accident claimed the life of a motorcycle repairman as he collided with a parked 18-wheeler truck in the early hours on Samut Prakan province’s Suk Sawat Road. The accident occurred near the Prasamut Chedi Police Station, around 100 metres away from the scene. Police Officer Worachet Dechadesho responded to the incident, which took place at 3.30am today,…
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LGBTQ+ couples flock to homophobic countries for honeymoons
A recent survey unveiled that LGBTQ+ couples are setting their sights on honeymoon destinations where homosexuality remains illegal, defying conventional norms. Dubai, the Maldives, East Africa, and the Caribbean are just some of the places identified by LGBTQ+ couples as dream honeymoon spots, according to Kuoni’s latest LGBTQ+ Honeymoon report. While 44% of respondents prioritise the overall destination experience over…
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Summer storm alert for 38 Thai provinces including Bangkok
A summer storm warning has been issued for 38 provinces across northern, northeastern, and central Thailand, and Bangkok, as the country braces for possible severe weather conditions expected to hit from March 8 to March 10. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), in conjunction with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, has been closely monitoring atmospheric conditions and has advised…
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15 year old schoolboy opens fire, injuring 2 rival students in Buriram
A 15 year old schoolboy opened fire at a temple near his school in the Isaan province of Buriram, injuring two rival students. The victims are in a stable condition. Officers from Nongki Police Station were alerted to the temple shooting at Wat Mai Chai Mongkhon at about 12.30pm yesterday, March 6. Police arrived at the scene with the Nongki…
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Teen finds grandmother’s body in car in central Thailand
In a tragic turn of events in Ang Thong Province, a 17 year old girl discovered the body of her grandmother in a car outside their home. The incident, which unfolded early this morning, is believed to have been driven by family-related stress. Authorities were alerted at 6.30am today, March 7, and an investigation into the cause of death is…
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Thai reporter acquitted of defamation charges in landmark case
In a landmark verdict, a reporter has been cleared of three counts of defamation, marking a victory against the backdrop of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) cases. The Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court’s decision yesterday to clear Chutima Sidasathian serves as a beacon of hope for free speech advocates in the country, who have long battled against such oppressive legal…
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American woman charged for unlicensed nursery in Koh Pha Ngan
Police charged an American woman for running an unlicensed nursery on Koh Phra Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Seven foreigners were found working at the site without permits. Officers from the Immigration Bureau, Tourist Police, Koh Phra Ngan Police Station, and district office raided a rented house on a coconut plantation on the island which…
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Chiang Mai now world’s third most polluted city
Chiang Mai ranks as the third most polluted city globally amid a severe air quality crisis in northern Thailand, with particulate matter (PM)2.5 levels surging due to widespread forest fires. The situation, which peaked today, March 7, has triggered health concerns and advisories. Northern Thailand is grappling with a significant air pollution crisis. Today, the Air Pollution Crisis Resolution Centre…
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Chinese tourists flock to Pattaya amidst new free visa policy
Pattaya‘s hospitality sector is witnessing a notable influx of Chinese visitors, a development credited to the newly introduced Thai-China free visa policy. This detail was shared by Boonkerd Suksrikan, Vice President of the Eastern Thai Hotels Association. Boonkerd noted a significant increase in hotel reservations made by Chinese tourists, particularly those planning to stay until April, which is when Thailand’s…
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Trang locals vexed by PEA’s abrupt power cuts over minimal dues
Residents in Trang province are experiencing a wave of frustration following a stringent new policy by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) that has led to the abrupt disconnection of electricity services and the removal of metres for overdue payments as low as 100 baht. Without warning, many are caught off guard by the aggressive enforcement that has seen meters removed…
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CISW medical cannabis festival comes to Pattaya
In a groundbreaking announcement, Dr Kampon Sriwatanakul, chairman of the Thailand National Charter of Health and other industry bigwigs, unveiled plans for the much-anticipated CISW MedCann Festival International (CMCF) 2024 for medical cannabis. This year’s CMCF pledges to dazzle attendees with an array of innovative products, exclusive items, and exhilarating activities, all centred around the burgeoning medical cannabis sector. Acting…
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2 foreigners in Phuket caught running businesses without licences
Phuket Provincial Tourist Police arrested two foreigners for running their businesses, a money exchange shop and a travel agency, without licences. The arrests stem from a crackdown on illegal foreigners and their businesses following the Swiss man scandal. Prompted by the conflict between the Swiss man and the Thai doctor, as well as complaints from locals, all Phuket police departments…
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Bangkok governor inspects Soi Nana post-transgender fracas
In a recent inspection sweep in Watthana, Bangkok’s Soi Nana Nuea neighbourhood, the city’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, alongside several agencies, carried out a comprehensive check for illegal activities. The activities under the microscope included the so-called taxi mafia, supposed prostitution, and unauthorised tour guides operating in the area. This operation was carried out on March 5 and attracted national media…
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Drug mule busted with 30 kg of cannabis at Manchester Airport
Manchester Crown Court witnessed a case where a 27 year old man was exposed as a drug mule caught with a staggering 30 kilogrammes of cannabis at Manchester Airport. Mohammad Arif’s involvement in the smuggling saga began when a dispute emerged following a charity boxing event. In a bid to settle the feud, Arif embarked on a trip to Thailand…
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Swiss man’s visa revoked after physical assault on Thai doctor
The Immigration Bureau revoked the visa of the Swiss man involved in the physical assault on a female Thai doctor near Yamu Cape in Phuket last week. The Thai doctor, 26 year old Tarndao Chandam, filed a complaint against Urs Fehr after the Swiss man attacked her on Saturday, February 24 when she and her friend sat on the steps…
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Thailand to build local pharmaceutical facilities to reduce import reliance
The National Committee on Drug System Development has greenlit the construction of local pharmaceutical production facilities, a notable stride towards decreasing the nation’s dependence on foreign-made medicines. This ambitious initiative comes with a budget exceeding 10 billion baht (US$280 million), as revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, who presided over the recent committee meeting. Beyond the borders, another significant…
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Thai opposition parties call for debate over govt’s slow policy fulfilment
The six opposition parties in Thailand have decided to demand a general debate, alleging that the government has been slow to fulfil its core policies declared when it assumed office six months ago. The decision, reached in a meeting yesterday, involves the Move Forward Party (MFP), Democrat Party, Thai Sang Thai Party (TSTP), Fair Party, Thai Teachers for People Party…
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Raids in Sam Phran uncover non-certified diesel engines
Police raided a warehouse in Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom, and seized many non-standard industrial products yesterday, March 6. The operation was led by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in collaboration with the Thai Industrial Standards Institute and local law enforcement. Yesterday, a coordinated force spearheaded by Yuthana Praedam, the acting director-general of the DSI, along with Theva Jularee, director…
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Conservation factions call for review into Land Bridge initiative
A call for a thorough investigation of the government’s Land Bridge initiative has been made by Chumphon and Ranong conservation factions, citing concerns about potential corruption and negative societal impacts. This large-scale project, which has already encountered significant opposition, could lead to locals losing their homes and livelihoods, according to the conservationists. Yesterday, representatives from the Rak Phato Network and…
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Thailand proposes four Songkhla town clusters for UNESCO list
A proposal for the inclusion of four historic town clusters located in the southern province of Songkhla in UNESCO’s tentative list of potential new world heritage sites has been forwarded by Thailand’s national committee on the World Heritage Convention. The recommendation was made yesterday, with the old town clusters representing communities and sites linked to Songkhla Lake. The committee meeting,…
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Over 400 Thai firms suspected of foreign nominee operations
An inspection by the Business Development Department has revealed that over 400 firms across Thailand’s major tourist hotspots may be operating under foreign nominees. The firms under scrutiny are located in bustling provinces including Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, and Chon Buri. The businesses investigated span various sectors, such as tour guides, restaurants, car rentals, hotels, and real estate.…
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Thai PM to visit Europe, aiming to bolster trade and investment
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand is set to travel to Germany and France in an official capacity. The visit, scheduled for March 7 to March 14, aims to bolster trade and investment between Thailand and these European nations. Accelerating the completion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and advocating for visa exemptions for Thai passport holders are top priorities.…
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