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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AI scandal: PPRP slams fake Prawit leadership ambition audio clip
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) vehemently denied the authenticity of an explosive audio clip, which allegedly features its leader, General Prawit Wongsuwan expressing his desire to lead the country. The party insists the clip is an AI-generated fake. The controversial recording was aired on the popular programme Inside Thailand, alongside three other voice clips supposedly involving Prawit. In the first…
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Tanzanian conman busted in Thai Immigration sting
A Tanzanian national who posed as an influential figure in Thailand has been caught red-handed in an illegal business operation by immigration officers after attempting to boost his image by snapping photos with VIPs and foreign dignitaries. Thai Immigration Police led by Police Colonel Kajaphon Pathamang and the Thonburi Task Force arrested Mohamed, a 41 year old Tanzanian national, along…
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World’s best hotel: Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental steals the show
Bangkok’s iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel has officially snagged the prestigious title of the Best Hotel in Asia and the World, according to The Telegraph’s Hotel Awards. The British media giant, known for its high standards, placed the luxurious Thai retreat at the top of its 2024 list, beating fierce global competition. This award comes after The Telegraph’s hotel and destination…
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High speed: Foreign man hits stolen taxi into power pole in Pattaya
Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station detained a foreign man high on cannabis after he stole a taxi and crashed the vehicle into an electric pole. Police were alerted to the car accident on Thappraya Road, connected to Jomtien Sai Song Road, at around 4am today, September 12. Officers arrived to find a blue and yellow taxi, with the registration plate…
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Bangkok’s 14 billion baht bailout for BTS debt moves forward
Bangkok is scrambling to settle a colossal 14-billion-baht debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). The Bangkok Council has taken a crucial step, setting up a special committee to scrutinise a draft ordinance allowing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to access emergency funds. Council president Surajit Pongsingwitthaya convened an extraordinary meeting today, putting the spotlight on the hefty repayment…
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Buriram farmer’s name wrongly listed in social security system
A farmer from Buriram province discovered that his name appeared in Thailand’s social security system despite never having registered for it or working outside his family’s farm. This alarming revelation surfaced when he used the 30-baht health scheme. Panuwat Hadprakorn, a 25 year old resident of Khok Yang subdistrict in the Prakhon Chai district, Buriram province, along with his family,…
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Chiang Rai hotel offers free rooms to flood victims
Silamanee Resort & Spa Hotel in Chiang Rai is offering free accommodation to flood victims. The ongoing flood situation in Mae Sai and Mueang districts has worsened, with continuous water inflow causing severe hardship for many residents, who are desperately awaiting assistance. Hotel Silamanee’s Facebook page recently posted an update. “Due to the flood situation in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai,…
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BLACKPINK’s Lisa wins music video award again in New York
K-pop group BLACKPINK’s Lisa (Lalisa Manoban) took home her second MTV Video Music Award in a jaw-dropping moment that had fans buzzing worldwide. The 2024 VMAs, held at UBS Arena in New York yesterday, September 11, saw Lisa win Best K-pop song for her chart-topping single Rockstar—her first release under her own label, LLOUD. The 27 year old Thai K-pop…
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Phuket takes the lead in fight against corruption
Phuket’s anti-corruption champions are making waves across Thailand. The Phuket Provincial Governance Committee and the Phuket Chamber of Commerce bagged the prestigious White Space Network Model Award for the fiscal year 2024, in recognition of their tireless work to combat corruption. The award ceremony, hosted yesterday, September 11, at the Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel in Nonthaburi, saw key…
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Teeing off with the Amazing Thailand Golf Classics 2024 at Royal Lakeside
The Amazing Thailand Travel and Hospitality Golf Classics 2024 teed off in spectacular fashion on September 11 at the Royal Lakeside Golf Course in Chon Buri. The premier golfing event, which blends top-tier sport with world-class hospitality, attracted a stellar line-up of participants, from seasoned golfers to leaders in travel and tourism. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Royal…
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Digital wallet to the rescue: PM bets on cashing in for Thailand’s economy
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly believes that the government’s policy, particularly the digital wallet handout programme, will act as a significant catalyst to regenerate the flailing economy of Thailand. This policy will be officially presented to Parliament over two days, starting tomorrow, as mandated by the constitution, before the government can begin its work. The 38 year old Paetongtarn plans…
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Senior flight attendant sues United Airlines for calling her a snitch
A senior United Airlines flight attendant filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging harassment and retaliation after reporting safety violations. The 52 year old flight attendant, Ingrid Raganova, claims she was labelled a snitch and subjected to online abuse after reporting breaches of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airline regulations by her colleagues. Raganova, who has been with United for…
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9 tips to reduce the risk of illness during the rainy season in Thailand
The rainy season in Thailand definitely has a vibe, but it also increases your risk of getting sick. As the rainy season approaches, it’s important to take proactive steps to maintain your health and well-being. The cooler and humid weather can bring mosquitoes and diseases like dengue fever. To help you stay healthy during this season, we have provided nine…
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Langham’s latest hotel to transform Bangkok’s Customs House
Langham Hospitality Group is set to turn heads in Bangkok with its latest luxury venture, The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok. Set in the vibrant Bang Rak district, this glamorous new hotel will breathe new life into the city’s iconic Customs House, perched along the Chao Phraya River. At the heart of this project is the magnificent 1888-built Customs House, a…
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Monk’s misdeed: Arrested for hiring a ‘poo’-litical hit on Thai abbot
Police arrested a Thai monk for hiring a man to carry out an acid attack on the abbot of a temple in the central province of Samut Prakan. The suspect admitted to paying for the crime but insisted poop, not acid, was thrown at the abbot. The abbot of Iam Pracha Mitr Temple in Samut Prakan, Phrakru Winaithornbancha Punyatharo, filed…
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Mid-priced hotels in Thailand struggle amid price-sensitive tourists
Hotels in the mid-priced and budget segments in Thailand faced significant challenges in maintaining room and occupancy rates in August, as tourists remained sensitive to prices. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that while the average occupancy rate for hotels nationwide improved to 61.8% from 58.4% year-on-year, it still fell short of the pre-pandemic rate of…
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Boy stranded in Chiang Rai floodwaters prompts urgent rescue plea
A plea for urgent help emerged as an eight year old boy found himself stranded behind an apartment building in rising floodwaters in Chiang Rai. His aunt posted a distress call on social media, requesting immediate assistance as they had lost contact with the boy and feared for his safety. Yesterday, September 11, a reporter highlighted the severe flooding situation…
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Massage parlour scandal sparks Thai Highways Department probe
The Thai Highways Department is scrambling to investigate claims that Wirtgen Thailand Ltd, a subsidiary of John Deere’s parent company, made improper payments to its officials and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The shocking allegations suggest that massage parlours, cash, and luxury trips were used to sweeten government deals. Director-General Sarawut Songsivilai announced yesterday, September 11, that he has…
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Nongprue police bust motorcycle theft gang, recover stolen bikes
Nongprue police officers successfully apprehended a gang involved in the theft of motorcycles for illegal sales last night. The operation, spearheaded by Superintendent Tawi Kutthaeng, along with Lieutenant Colonel Chumphon Saenwichai and Lieutenant Colonel Somchanok Fakphairot, culminated in the recovery of several stolen motorcycles. The arrests occurred in a cassava forest a few kilometres from the theft scene. Multiple public…
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Lotto Plus donates 500,000 baht for Chiang Rai flood relief
Lotto Plus announced an initial donation of 500,000 baht to aid flood relief efforts in Chiang Rai, with plans to visit the area tomorrow, September 13. Residents are encouraged to share posts to raise more funds. Severe flooding continues to affect Chiang Rai, with persistent heavy rain causing water levels to rise, reaching heights of 1 to 2 metres in…
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New law to regulate Thailand oil and gas prices nears approval
A draft law aimed at empowering energy officials to regulate domestic oil and cooking gas prices is advancing towards parliamentary approval. This legislation could become a significant energy policy under the emerging Paetongtarn Shinawatra government. Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga highlighted yesterday, September 11, that the bill should be reviewed by legislators before the year’s end. Pirapan championed this policy since…
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Thailand to regulate foreign e-commerce, new rules for COD services
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) is set to collaborate with various agencies to regulate foreign e-commerce platforms, according to minister Prasert Jantararuangthong. These platforms are leveraging local infrastructure and the domestic market without contributing back to the country, Prasert stated yesterday, September 11. Prasert, who also serves as a Deputy Prime Minister in the new Cabinet, mentioned…
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Pheu Thai MP urged to face trial over 2004 Tak Bai massacre
A list MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party is under pressure to relinquish his parliamentary immunity and face trial over the 2004 Tak Bai massacre, with the statute of limitations set to expire in 44 days. Parliament convened yesterday, September 11, to discuss whether to allow General Pisal Wattanawongkiri, former Army Region 4 Commander and Pheu Thai Party list…
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Sleepy truck driver injured after crashing into 7 parked cars
A sleepy truck driver dozed off and crashed into seven cars parked in the left lane of a road in the central province of Chachoengsao yesterday, September 11. The driver sustained only a minor injury. Officers from Saen Phu Dart Police Station in the Ban Pho district of Chachoengsao province investigated the accident on Prawet-Thepparat Road at about 1pm, along…
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Cambodian fatally stabbed in Bangkok during teen altercation
A violent altercation between two groups of teenagers led to a tragic fatality when a young man was fatally stabbed and later succumbed to his injuries. The incident occurred in the Bang Khen district of Bangkok. Police received a report at 9.30pm yesterday, September 11, about a fatal stabbing near Phahonyothin 48 Alley, specifically in front of the U4 building…
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Japan sees record tourist arrivals, Thai visitors surge
Tourist arrivals to Japan have surged to record levels, with over three million visitors per month from March to July this year. Despite the sweltering heat in July, Japan attracted 3.29 million tourists, marking a 41.9% year-on-year increase, as reported by the Japan National Tourism Organisation. Among these visitors, Thai tourists ranked fifth, with 671,810 arrivals. Japan has been a…
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Thai Transport ministry to upgrade 29 piers with billion-baht budget
The Thai Ministry of Transport has initiated a comprehensive plan to upgrade 29 piers across the nation into Smart Piers with a budget of 1.214 billion baht. This initiative aims to enhance tourism and support the efficient transport of goods and passengers. Under the directive of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Ministry of Transport is…
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Foreign pickup driver flees after crashing into Thai woman in Phuket
A Thai woman took to social media in a bid to search for a reckless foreign man who crashed his pickup into her in Phuket and fled the scene. The Thai victim, whose name remains undisclosed, shared details of the accident with the Phuket Times today, September 12. She stated that the incident occurred a few days ago, but the…
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Village headman dies saving girl in Chiang Mai landslide
A landslide in Mae Ai, Chiang Mai, claimed the life of a village headman who died while saving a young girl. His body was found 10 kilometres away from the scene, amid widespread mourning from the community. A devastating landslide occurred in Ban Doi Laem, Moo 13, Doi Laem subdistrict, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province, resulting in six fatalities and…
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Fugitive with military style weapons nabbed in Phuket
A dramatic chase in Phuket ended with the arrest of a 37 year old man wanted for a violent home invasion, armed with military-style weapons. Thanongsak Jennari, from Koh Yao Yai, was apprehended by police on Tuesday, September 10, near Bang Rong Pier, Phuket, after trying to flee from justice by hiding in a mangrove forest. Police had been on…
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