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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Phuket outcry after drunk foreigner drives SUV into Bangla Road
Thai netizens condemned a foreigner who, while drunk, drove an SUV into a crowd of Thai and international visitors on Bangla Walking Street in Phuket. Some netizens have suggested that the driver might not actually be of foreign nationality. The Phuket Times shared pictures of an MG light blue SUV parked on a zebra crossing in the middle of Bangla…
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Thai content creator market valued at 45 billion baht in 2024
Tellscore Co Ltd, a Thai influencer marketing platform, has valued the local content creator market at 45 billion baht (US$1.3 billion) for this year, marking a 25 to 30% increase compared to last year. This growth is driven by surges in news, science, education, and family content. Suvita Charanwong, Chief Executive and co-founder of Tellscore, highlighted that despite Thailand’s sluggish…
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Conveniently caught: Bangkok cops nab woman in multi-store heist
Bangkok Metropolitan Police, along with Investigation Team 115, apprehended a woman involved in a series of thefts at convenience stores across five branches. She confessed to the crimes, citing unemployment and a history of imprisonment while currently under probation. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang and other high-ranking officers yesterday, September 4, reported the arrest of 20 year old Montita. She…
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Thailand promotes quality products at Times Square
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce launched a campaign to elevate the image of Thai products at Times Square. The Ignite Thailand Festival: Think Thailand, Next Level took place at 46-47 Broadway Plaza & Duffy Square yesterday, September 4, aiming to showcase the quality and innovation of Thai goods to over 20 million consumers in the United States. Wuttikrai Leeweeraphan, Permanent Secretary…
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Harassed ex-reporter seeks police protection in Nakhon Sawan
A former reporter sought police protection, alleging harassment by a politician’s wife after testifying in a murder case in Nakhon Sawan. She now lives in fear with her elderly mother, seeking justice and safety. The ex-journalist of a well-known newspaper, Benjasirin, approached Police Lieutenant Panupon Somrak at the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to request an investigation into the harassment she…
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Single mother faces multiple theft accusations in Pathum Thani
A single mother of four has been accused of theft by the owner of her former rental apartment after her seven year old son inadvertently took a plastic bucket worth 45 baht while they were moving out. To attend the police summons, she had to sell her rice cooker for 300 baht. The CRSJ Foundation’s Facebook page received a complaint…
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Public health minister rejects 30-baht scheme co-payment review
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin dismissed a proposal from health experts to revisit the co-payment system of the universal healthcare policy, known as the 30-baht gold card scheme. Somsak stated emphatically that he had no intention of reopening discussions about the co-payment plan. “The ministry is doing its best to take care of people’s health. No changes have been made.”…
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US Navy’s MV Ocean Valor visit to boost economy in Pattaya
The US Navy is set to make a significant visit to Pattaya with the MV Ocean Valor scheduled to dock at Pattaya Port from September 16 to 19. Chon Buri Provincial Officials received a notification from the Ministry of the Interior, based on an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that the request for docking permission has been approved.…
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Court’s ruling: MoU-tain of evidence favours Thai-Cambodian deal
The Constitutional Court dismissed a petition challenging the legality of the 2001 Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand. The petition, submitted by Deputy Palang Pracharath Party leader Paiboon Nititawan, claimed that the MoU had not been approved by Parliament before its signing. Paiboon argued that the MoU, used by the Department of Treaties…
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Thailand’s oldest hippo Mae Mali to celebrate 59th birthday
Khao Kheow Open Zoo is preparing a special celebration for Mae Mali, Thailand’s oldest hippopotamus, as she turns 59 this weekend. Scheduled for September 7 to 8, the event will feature various activities dedicated to this cherished animal. Mae Mali has been a beloved figure at the zoo, drawing generations of children and visitors with her cheerful demeanour. Despite her…
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Cambodian connection: Police arrest man for brutal Lopburi murder
Police arrested a Cambodian man in connection with the murder of a Cambodian woman in a rented room in the central province of Lopburi. The suspect claimed that a conflict with her brother was the root cause. The lifeless body of the 30 year old Cambodian victim, Mab, was discovered in her unlocked rented room in the Phatthana Nikhom district…
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Bank of Thailand to appoint new chairman amid government push
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) board is set to appoint a new chairperson by early October, as announced by the head of the selection committee. This move comes as the government aims to exert more influence over the central bank following a prolonged public dispute over interest rates. Although the BoT chairperson does not have the authority to set interest…
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Defence minister announces new commanders in military reshuffle
A significant military reshuffle list is nearing completion, pending final adjustments from the new Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and his Deputy General Natthapol Nakpanich. The proposed list, which includes appointments for new leaders of the armed forces and other high-ranking positions, was discussed at a meeting on Tuesday. This meeting saw the participation of six top commanders and officials from…
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Truck driver attempts suicide after rampage kills taxi rider (video)
A six-wheel truck driver went on a rampage along Rama IV Road in Bangkok, crashing into several cars and killing a motorcycle taxi driver before attempting suicide. Motorists reported the chaos on Rama IV Road to Tha Rue Police Station at around 2pm, yesterday, September 4. The white Isuzu six-wheel truck was speeding from Maleenont Tower to Phra Khanong Intersection…
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Thailand boosts benefits, extends maternity leave to 98 days
The Ministry of Labour announced significant improvements to benefits for Social Security Fund (SSF) members, which will kick off next year. These enhancements include an increased allowance during maternity leave and extended periods for receiving various social security benefits. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed new guidelines for managing the SSF, including a legal amendment under the Social Security Act aimed…
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Elderly American expat assaulted in Pattaya, suspect at large
Pattaya City Police responded to an assault on an American expat last night near the Youth Sports Stadium on Soi Wat Boonkanchanaram. Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, Chief of the Pattaya City Police Station, coordinated with rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon to address the situation at around 10.06pm yesterday, September 4. Reporters were also present at the scene. Officers found Rad…
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Thailand government includes cash options in 10,000-baht handout
The Thailand government’s 10,000-baht handout programme is set for adjustments, with Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat acknowledging the need to include cash distributions for some recipients instead of digital money. Numerous petitions against the government’s flagship policy contributed to this decision, Julapun said yesterday. Additionally, feedback from various sectors has prompted changes to improve the programme’s effectiveness. Initially, the policy…
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Evidence found in Russian man’s death in Phuket suggests suicide
Police reported yesterday that they have gathered multiple pieces of evidence and information from the wife of a Russian man, whose body was discovered on Karon Beach in Phuket, suggesting that he may have committed suicide. The body of the Russian man, Ilia Orlov, was discovered near Karon Beach in Phuket on Tuesday, September 3. The 27 year old had…
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Man falls from tree into Wang River and dies in northern Thailand
A man who climbed a tree to rest tragically fell into the Wang River and died. His body was discovered by a Good Samaritan who was relaxing at a riverside park. At 4.40pm yesterday, September 4, rescue workers from Sawang Nakhon Lampang retrieved the body of 45 year old Ek, a construction worker who had fallen into the Wang River…
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Ayutthaya residents warned of flash floods amid rising water levels
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) alerted residents in parts of Ayutthaya to prepare for flash floods due to a continued surge in the Chao Phraya River. Monitoring is ongoing at two primary water stations, and the warning comes as water levels rise significantly. Residents near Khlong Phong Pheng in Ang Thong, as well as those living along the banks of…
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Thailand recovers first mpox clade Ib patient, no further cases
Thailand has successfully managed its first confirmed case of the mpox (formerly monkeypox) clade Ib variant, with the patient fully recovered, public health officials announced yesterday. The 66 year old European male arrived in Bangkok on August 14 after travelling from Africa. The following day, he was admitted to a hospital, where laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the clade…
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Jailhouse rock or just a comfy block? Police probe luxe prison stays
Provincial Police Region 7 launched an investigation into a hotel-style service provided to inmates at a prison in the central province of Samut Sakhon, following revelations from two former prisoners about their comfortable lives in jail. The 26 year old male inmate A, and the 30 year old female inmate B, from Mueang Samut Sakhon Police Station, reached out to…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and floods as Typhoon Yagi nears
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued its seventh warning about Typhoon Yagi. Northern and northeastern Thailand are expected to experience heavy rain and strong winds, with potential flash floods and landslides. Coastal areas face high waves, urging caution for all residents. Today, September 5, the TMD announced Typhoon Yagi’s seventh warning (166/2024). At 4am, the typhoon was positioned over…
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Chiang Rai vendor receives 54-year sentence for lese-majeste
A Chiang Rai clothing vendor has had his prison sentence extended to a record 54 years and 6 months for lese-majeste offences, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). The appeal court’s decision yesterday, September 4, upheld Mongkol Thirakot’s earlier conviction, adding to his existing sentences to make it the longest ever under Section 112 of the Criminal Code,…
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Swiss man walks free: Shocking gaps in prosecution exposed
In a sensational courtroom drama that gripped Phuket, Swiss businessman Urs Fehr aka David has been acquitted of assault charges after the Phuket Provincial Court found glaring inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. The owner of an elephant park, David, was accused of kicking Thai doctor Thandao Chandam on Yamu Beach in Thalang district on the night of February 24, but…
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Repairs underway for Cathay Pacific A350 faulty engines
Cathay Pacific Airways has been thrown into chaos after an in-flight engine failure on one of its Airbus A350 jets sparked urgent repairs across its fleet. The airline, which operates 48 of these aircraft, revealed that it had identified fuel line issues in 15 of its aircraft, leading to the cancellation of 45 return flights this week. The cancellations, mostly…
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Cambodian worker buried alive by Chon Buri landslide saved
A Cambodian worker was miraculously rescued after being buried alive by a landslide while fitting a drainage pipe. The terrifying ordeal unfolded this morning, September 4, in an alley on Soi Wat Boonsamphan, in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Rescuers from the Sawang Boribun Thammasathan Foundation rushed to the scene, where they battled against time and…
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Thai school bus driver accused of sexually assaulting teenage girl
A Thai mother accompanied her 13 year old daughter to file a complaint against a school bus driver who allegedly sexually assaulted her. The accused driver denies the accusation. The 41 year old mother, Ta, brought the sexual assault case to her lawyer, Kritsada Lohitdee, who took her to the Damrongdham Centre, under the Ministry of Interior, to file a…
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Body found floating near Koh Loy in Sri Racha
A man’s body was discovered floating near Koh Loy in Sri Racha district yesterday. Sri Racha Police Station received a report of a body found face down near the shoreline. Officers, along with rescue workers from the Sawang Prateep Sri Racha Foundation, promptly went to the scene to investigate. Police discovered the body floating approximately 50 metres offshore, near an…
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Aussies now need an ETA to enter Thailand
Australians planning a getaway to Thailand will soon have an extra step to complete before boarding their flight. The Thai government is introducing a mandatory electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which must be obtained ahead of travel. This new system, introduced by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is designed to enhance the screening and tracking of foreigners entering the country. “The…
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