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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Mentally unstable Thai woman causes stir at Sisaket university
A mentally unstable woman caused a commotion at a university sports field, claiming she needed to catch a flight to assist with flood relief in Chiang Rai. Police were called to the scene, and she was taken to a hospital for further care. Police in Mueang Sisaket received a report on Sunday, September 15 about a woman, believed to be…
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Satun province faces severe flooding amid heavy rainfall
Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in four districts of Satun province, affecting eight subdistricts and 26 villages. The continuous downpour led officials to establish boats in flood-prone areas and mobilise resources for 24-hour monitoring and assistance. Heavy rain has been battering Satun province since yesterday, September 16, resulting in significant flooding in the districts of Khuan Don, Mueang Satun, Tha…
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Wired up: Jobless man arrested for stealing 208 metres of copper in Bangkok
Police arrested a man suspected of stealing copper wire totalling over 208 metres from the Ong Ang canal in Bangkok, valued at more than 180,000 baht. The suspect claimed he resorted to theft after losing his job. Police Major General Samart Promchat, Deputy Police Major General Narit Pratthanaporn, and Police Colonel Pawat Watsupattra from the Phra Ratchawang Police Station yesterday,…
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Jet fuel boom: Thailand’s aviation set for sky-high growth
Thailand’s aviation sector is ready to soar, fuelled by a surge in air travel and jet fuel demand, according to Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc (BAFS). The refuelling giant, which serves Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, is seeing a bright future as the aviation industry bounces back from the pandemic slump. BAFS President ML Nathasit Diskul revealed the company’s expected…
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Thai woman caught lying on baggage conveyor at Krabi Airport
A video of a Thai woman lying on a baggage conveyor belt at Krabi Airport has gone viral, drawing heavy criticism on social media. The incident, which occurred yesterday, September 16, was shared by the account @RedSkullxxx with the caption, “Can you lie down like this? I saw it on Instagram, it seems to be a Thai at Krabi Airport.”…
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Gold rush: Fed’s policy shift sparks record-breaking prices
Gold prices soared to an all-time high today as traders anticipate the Federal Reserve’s first shift towards easing monetary policy in over four years. The price of bullion jumped by up to 0.4%, hitting a peak of US$2,589.03 per ounce during Asian trading hours, today, September 17. This comes after a 3.2% increase last week, with eyes now on the…
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Chiang Rai man offers free filtered water amid flood crisis
A generous man in Chiang Rai is offering free, high-quality filtered water 24 hours a day to anyone in need due to the recent floods. Those without access to tap water can contact him directly, and a hose over 50 metres long ensures easy access to their vehicles. Widespread flooding in Chiang Rai caused significant damage yesterday, disrupting daily life…
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Minimum wage decision delayed after employer reps’ no-show
The Wage Committee’s scheduled meeting was abruptly cancelled due to the absence of employer representatives, postponing the decision to raise the minimum wage to 400 baht set to take effect on October 1. Government and employee committee members were left waiting at the Ministry of Labour yesterday. Pairote Chotikasathien, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Chairman of the…
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Thailand and Myanmar to expand catchment areas amid flood crisis
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa is negotiating with Myanmar officials to find collaborative solutions to the regional flood crisis. Discussions focus on expanding catchment areas to alleviate the flooding impact. Myanmar faces severe flooding due to storms and water flowing from the highlands into the Salween River. The Thai embassy in Myanmar is facilitating discussions between agencies from both nations…
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Ex-British PM Tony Blair joins Bangkok’s AI revolution
In a high-stakes meeting at Bangkok City Hall, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair sat down with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionise public management. The duo’s discussions centred on one burning question: Can AI make Bangkok a more liveable city? Blair, executive chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), shared…
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Police quickly nab suspects in Bang Phli market burglary
Police in Bang Phli swiftly arrested two suspects less than 24 hours after a late-night burglary at a local market office. The suspects, 18 year old Anuwat, and 42 year old Natthapimon, were apprehended with stolen gold and cash worth nearly 1 million baht. Today, September 17, Police Colonel Pairoj Phetploy and Investigation Chief Santirat Ngernmun, along with a team…
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Muay Thai instructor dies after Si Racha canal motorcycle plunge
A Muay Thai instructor from Pattaya met a tragic end after his motorcycle accidentally plunged into a canal in the Si Racha district. Nong Kham police were alerted yesterday, September 16, to the discovery of a body in a public canal along Highway 331, in front of the Caltex gas station in the Nong Kham subdistrict of Si Racha, Chon…
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Police raid Jomtien bar for illegal laughing gas balloon sales
Pattaya police executed a raid on a Jomtien bar yesterday for the illegal sale of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) balloons. Officers targeted See You Beach Bar on Jomtien Soi 11, Nong Prue subdistrict in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province at 3.36am yesterday, September 16. During the operation, police confiscated two nitrous oxide tanks, three balloons filled with nitrous oxide…
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Suphan Buri bar raided for selling alcohol to underage patrons
Police in Suphan Buri swooped on a bar illegally selling alcohol to underage patrons, causing a group of teenagers to flee the scene in panic. The operation was conducted yesterday, September 16, by Chatchatch Jesadapakorn, Deputy District Chief of Mueang Suphan Buri, and Narong Krueyoo, Police Captain of Mueang Suphan Buri Police Station, along with over 20 officers from the…
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Anti-money laundering complaint filed against Prawit Wongsuwon
A fresh anti-money laundering complaint has been lodged against former Thailand Deputy Prime Minister, and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader, Prawit Wongsuwon, following the release of one of four controversial audio recordings. The complaint was submitted by Prompong Nopparit, former spokesman of the Pheu Thai Party, to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) yesterday, September 16. The audio recordings were aired…
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Lopburi police conduct drug tests on public transport drivers
Lopburi’s Tourist Police, along with other relevant agencies, conducted drug tests on public transport drivers yesterday. The operation, led by Saksila Phueak-am and other senior officers, aimed to ensure road safety for tourists and commuters. Police and health officials from Lopburi, along with transport and municipal officers, collaborated to test the physical fitness of public transport drivers in the area.…
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Digital wallet scheme falls short of 45 million target, saves 100 billion baht
Online registrations for the government’s digital wallet handout scheme have recently closed, with only 36 million people signing up, falling short of the 45 million target. The Finance Ministry reported that this shortfall has resulted in a saving of 100 billion baht (US$3 billion) from the project’s budget. When asked whether the lower registration numbers indicated a lack of public…
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Thai nationals arrested for smuggling wildlife from Indonesia
Thai police apprehended two men yesterday for smuggling wildlife from Indonesia into Thailand. The Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED), working with various agencies, detained the two suspects in Lam Thap district, Krabi. The suspects, 28 year old Thosaphon and 30 year old Somporn were found with 10 yellow tortoises, 11 Moluccan cockatoos, and other wildlife species. A…
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Village celebrates as woman wins 12 million baht lottery
A village erupted in celebration as an unnamed local woman became a millionaire after winning the first prize in the latest lottery draw. The lucky winner received a total of 12 million baht (US$360,650), sparking widespread joy and congratulations from the community. The Government Lottery Office announced the results of the draw for today, revealing that the first prize-winning number…
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Squid fishing boat sinks near Koh Chun near Pattaya, two rescued
Two men survived a perilous experience at sea after their boat sank during a squid fishing trip near Koh Chun in Na Kluea, Pattaya. The incident unfolded in the evening, with a distress call received at 10.06pm on Sunday, September 15, reporting tourists adrift. Marine rescue teams, including the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Rescue Team and Pattaya Special Affairs Officers,…
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Dogs cause motorcycle crash, owner denies responsibility
Two dogs chasing each other caused a motorcycle accident, leading to injuries and damage to a pickup truck. The owner of the dogs denies responsibility, despite CCTV footage showing the dogs leaving and returning to the house. On September 16, 38 year old Kritsanapon Sukcharoen, who works at a law office in Nang Rong district, Buriram province, and 43 year…
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Chon Buri police crack down on illegal workers on fishing boats
Police in Na Kluea, Pattaya undertook a comprehensive inspection of foreign workers on fishing boats yesterday, responding to concerns about illegal labour in local waters. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wirachai Thinkamut, Chief of the Immigration Bureau in Chon Buri, led the operation involving over 50 officers. Officers dispersed throughout the area, from Saphan Yao Na Kluea to Soi Sam Yaek Thammada,…
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Local man drowns while clearing debris from Ranong drainage pipe
A local man tragically lost his life yesterday while attempting to clear debris from a drainage pipe in Ranong, Thailand. A 52 year old man saw the blockage and selflessly decided to help but was pulled into the pipe by the strong water current. The incident occurred, yesterday, September 16, at 10.10am near Wang Matcha, Wat Pathum Thararam, Moo 3,…
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Ruling party loyalist set to chair Bank of Thailand amid rate dispute
A ruling party loyalist and critic of the central bank governor is set to be nominated as the chair of the Bank of Thailand (BoT), as the government seeks to assert influence over the institution amid ongoing disputes over interest rates. The Pheu Thai Party-led government plans to back 66 year old former deputy premier and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na…
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Phichit Hospital seeks blood donors for injured rescue volunteers
Phichit Hospital has urgently appealed for blood donations to aid four rescue volunteers injured in a road accident while returning to Nonthaburi after assisting flood victims in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand. The hospital reported receiving three bags of donor blood delivered by helicopter from Chiang Rai yesterday, September 16. Two of the bags were used immediately, and the third was…
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Police raid underground lotteries in Chiang Mai and Lamphun
Police recently conducted a raid on underground lottery operations in Chiang Mai and Lamphun, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of illegal lottery tickets and other evidence. Yesterday, September 16, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 5, Kritthaphon Yisakhon, directed the regional investigation team to crack down on underground lotteries. Led by Vorapong Khamlue, the Deputy Commander of Provincial…
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Less than 40 million Thais expected to join digital wallet scheme
The Government of Thailand anticipates fewer than 40 million participants in its flagship digital wallet handout scheme, with the initial phase set to benefit 14.5 million vulnerable individuals starting yesterday, according to a Finance Ministry official. Under this stimulus programme, the government plans to distribute 450 billion baht to 45 million people, with each registered participant receiving 10,000 baht to…
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Two students drown in boat accident near Phichit temple
Two 15 year old male students drowned while playing in a boat near a temple in Phichit province after it capsized unexpectedly. They called for help but it was too late to save them. Deputy Inspector Pichai Nilsingh from Mueang Phichit Police Station was notified of the incident yesterday, September 16. The tragic event occurred in front of Klong Khu…
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Senior judge suspended after molestation allegations on train
A senior judge has been suspended following allegations of molesting a female court worker during a journey in June. The Judicial Commission decided to suspend the judge with a 14-1 vote after an inquiry panel determined that he had committed a severe disciplinary violation. In July, a female court stenographer filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), accusing…
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Thailand raises alarm on online child sexual harassment surge
Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) raised alarms about the severe impact of sexual harassment on social media on children and young people. A recent social outlook report from the NESDC, released yesterday, indicates that victims of such harassment risk developing a range of social, emotional, and mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. In some cases, these…
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