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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Tuk tuk theft: driver steals American tourist’s money and valuables
Police arrested a tuk tuk driver who stole money and belongings from an American tourist last month. The thief sped away from the scene with the victim’s possessions, worth over 40,000 baht. The American victim, James Anthony Viafore, filed a complaint at Chakkrawat Police Station on August 30, reporting that he lost all his money and belongings to the Thai…
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New 3.5 kilometres runway at U-Tapao airport to begin construction
U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is set to commence construction of its second runway this year. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is currently seeking a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to fund the project. Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has been chosen as the contractor for the runway, according to Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EEC. The project is being…
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Red Lobster Thailand’s endless shrimp deal led to bankruptcy woes
Red Lobster’s Ultimate Endless Shrimp promotion, offering unlimited shrimp for US$20 (around 670 baht), became a permanent menu item last year, leading to a surge in customer traffic at the chain’s nearly 700 restaurants. Diners flocked to Red Lobster, indulging in various shrimp dishes like Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, Walt’s Favorite, Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, and Grilled…
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Thailand plans 20-baht flat fee for electric rail, 8 billion baht budget
The Transport Ministry has announced plans to allocate an annual budget of 8 billion baht to support a 20-baht flat fee policy for all electric rail services in Bangkok. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that a dedicated team will be formed to expedite the policy’s implementation, aiming to cap the maximum fare for all electric rail services in Bangkok and…
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Thief steals aluminium ladder in second Pattaya apartment heist
A thief has struck again at an apartment in Pattaya, stealing an aluminium ladder in what marks the second incident at the location this year. The theft occurred yesterday, and the victim, 26 year old Pimnapa Yamsantia, provided CCTV footage to local news reporters to aid in identifying the culprit. The footage shows a man, estimated to be between 30…
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Thailand’s 400-baht wage hike alarms small hotel owners
Hoteliers in Thailand express concern that raising the daily minimum wage to 400 baht exclusively for large employers could disrupt the job market in the hotel sector. This pay disparity may attract workers to larger hotels, leaving smaller establishments struggling to retain staff. With Thailand’s tourism industry yet to fully rebound, industry leaders urge the government to focus on reducing…
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Red Bull heir hit-and-run trial set to last seven months
The trial concerning the alleged mishandling of the 2012 fatal hit-and-run case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya has been set for a seven-month duration by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. Eight defendants, including former national police chief Police General Somyot Poompanmoung and former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk, appeared in court yesterday to enter not guilty…
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Rakesh Saxena to be deported to India after Thai prison release
Rakesh Saxena, the central figure in the collapse of Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC), has been detained by police following his release from prison and will be deported to India. The collapse of the bank in 1995, due to the mismanagement of large undercollateralized loans, marked the beginning of the Asian financial crisis known as the Tom Yam Kung crisis.…
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Intoxicated man attacks hospital guard with knife in Chaiyaphum
A middle-aged man, angry and intoxicated, attacked a security guard at Phu Khiao Chaloem Phra Kiat Hospital in Chaiyaphum, leading to a dramatic confrontation involving a knife. Police quickly apprehended the suspect and charged him with multiple offences. The incident occurred at the hospital’s exit, where a man in an orange shirt and jeans engaged in a heated argument with…
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Thamanat Prompow sues for defamation over ministry interference
Former Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow is suing three public figures for defamation, accusing them of alleging his interference in his successor’s duties. Thamanat has engaged lawyer Thanadon Suwannarit to file these defamation lawsuits against legal scholar Jade Donavanik, former Bangkok MP Boonyod Sukthinthai, and Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom. The complaints were lodged with the Nang Loeng police in…
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Landslide in Chiang Mai leaves 2 dead, and many stranded
Heavy rain and a subsequent landslide struck Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand yesterday, September 10, resulting in the deaths of two residents, including a young child. Many residents in the area were left stranded by the floods. Following continuous heavy rain from September 8 until yesterday, two landslides occurred in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai. The first…
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Transport Co revives Thailand-Laos bus service in early November
The state-run Transport Co is set to revive the Udon Thani–Nong Khai-Vang Vieng bus service in early November, aiming to enhance connectivity between Thailand and Laos. Vang Vieng, located in the Lao province of Vientiane, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, limestone cliffs, and caves. Transport Co’s Acting General Manager Atthawit Rakchamroon confirmed that the decision to restart the bus…
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Chiang Rai market shut due to severe flooding
Sai Lom Joi Market, typically lively and bustling, found itself submerged and closed yesterday due to flooding from the overflowing Sai River. The market, located on the border with Myanmar in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, faced the deluge after the river burst its banks late Monday night. Heavy rainfall had been battering the border region since Sunday night, causing…
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Man trapped on rooftop tent in Mae Sai amid strong currents
A man has been trapped on a rooftop tent in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai for nine hours due to strong water currents. Efforts to rescue him with a jet ski were unsuccessful, prompting ongoing attempts to save him. Yesterday, September 10, a Facebook page named แอน แม่สายมหานคร broadcasted live footage of a man stuck on the roof…
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Bangkok opens 50th food bank, delivering 2 million meals to needy
Bangkok’s 50th food bank centre opened on Monday, September 9, in Saphan Sung district, marking a significant milestone for the Bangkok Food Bank initiative, which has already delivered over 2 million meals to those in need. City governor Chadchart Sittipunt led the inauguration at the Saphan Sung district office, fulfilling the project’s objective of establishing a food bank in each…
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Heavy rain forecast in Thailand with potential flooding risks
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted heavy rain for the next 10 days, cautioning that a fairly strong monsoon will hit from September 13 to September 20. The TMD identified areas likely to experience severe rainfall, flooding, and forest water overflow. TMD updated its daily accumulated rain forecast, which is recorded every 24 hours from 7am to 7am the next…
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Thailand targets 4,000 LINE accounts in illegal gambling crackdown
Thai police are cracking down on illegal online gambling, targeting over 4,000 official LINE accounts linked to such activities. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) announced that users of these accounts face criminal punishment. The ministry requested the operator of Thailand’s most popular chat app, LINE, with its 54 million users, to shut down these accounts. This move…
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Century-old parkia speciosa tree generates 40,000 baht annually
A century-old parkia speciosa tree in Trang province has captivated the market due to its large, long pods and superior taste, generating up to 40,000 baht annually from a single tree. At Suan Ta Chan Tonmai Panpi in Trang’s Na Yong district, 53 year old Satit Ramna hired locals to climb and harvest the pods from his four 100-year-old parkia…
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Rescue worker makes Thai girl’s KFC dream come true
A rescue worker fulfilled an eight year old girl’s dream of eating KFC after she was found walking to school in the middle of the night. The young girl, excited about a school field trip and eager to see elephants, set off on foot to ensure she wouldn’t miss the bus. The young girl was found walking along the Buriram-Nang…
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World champ smashes record in meatball eating contest in Buriram
In a jaw-dropping display of sheer eating prowess, world champion Worachai Wijitwongjaroen set a new record at the seventh annual deep-fried meatball eating contest in Buriram. The event, designed to showcase one of the province’s signature dishes, saw Worachai devour an astounding 65 sticks of meatballs in just five minutes, beating the previous record by two sticks. Held over two…
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Thai kid sensation dominates international kiteboarding
A Thai kid rising star in the world of kiteboarding has made waves by securing an impressive 4th place at the prestigious International Super Cup Kiteboarding Championship on Jeju Island, South Korea. At just 9 years old, Thanawat Promwaen, also known as Shane, the youngest competitor in the professional men’s category, is already being hailed as a future Olympic hopeful. But…
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Police nab three with meth and motorbikes on Bangla Road
In the early hours of this morning, Patong Police swooped to arrest three suspects on Bangla Road with a stash of 55 methamphetamine pills (Yaba) and nearly 5 grammes of crystal meth (Ice). The drug bust took place at around 3am today, September 10, as officers patrolling the area noticed the suspects acting suspiciously near a group of foreign tourists.…
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Nude awakening: Foreigner filmed naked on Phuket hotel balcony
A foreign man caught the attention of locals in Phuket after he was seen talking on the phone as naked as the day he was born on a hotel balcony. He continued to stand naked even after realising he was being filmed by a Thai man. A Facebook user, เบส ซาโจ้ (Best Sajo), shared a video of the foreign man…
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Trunk show: Elephant Parade fever strikes Hua Hin
The Elephant Parade is stampeding its way to the beachside town of Hua Hin, and it’s going to be one colourful spectacle you won’t want to miss. From October 12 to November 22, 35 dazzlingly decorated elephants will be popping up at top landmarks like Pineapple Valley Golf Club, Blúport, and some of the city’s swankiest hotels, including The Standard…
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Dog rescued and freed from tight collar in Chai Nat
A brown dog, found with a severely tight collar causing a necrotic wound, was rescued by volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation yesterday in Sapphaya district, Chai Nat province. The dog, malnourished and struggling to breathe, was discovered in an abandoned garage near Sakae Temple. Volunteers responded to a Good Samaritan’s report about the dog’s condition. The dog was lying weakly…
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IT technician loses job, vision after Bangkok hospital misdiagnosis
An IT technician has lost her job and suffered partial blindness following an alleged misdiagnosis at a private hospital in Bangkok. Sasinan (surname withheld) turned to the Sai Mai Tong Rot relief and emergency Facebook page to seek support. On June 18, Sasinan developed a red eye and sore throat. The following day, she took over-the-counter medication, which failed to…
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Finnair boosts flights to the Middle East and Asia, including Phuket
Finnair is giving winter travellers more ways to escape the cold, with a major expansion of its flight schedule to the Middle East and Asia. Starting this November, Finland’s flagship airline will increase its flights to popular warm-weather hotspots like Phuket and Dubai, responding to growing demand from European sun-seekers. From November 2, Finnair will operate daily flights from Helsinki…
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Thai newlywed woman left in debt after dowry promise broken
A 21 year old Thai woman from the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet accused her former father-in-law of failing to honour a promise to pay a 280,000 baht dowry, leaving her and her family in debt. The heartbroken woman, 21 year old Maengpor, urged Channel 7 to bring her case to the renowned lawyer Paisarn Ruengrit, as she wanted a…
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Thai man shares lottery win with mentally unstable man (video)
A Thai man who bought a lottery ticket from a mentally unstable man and promised to share the winnings if he won, kept his word after winning. The incident, shared on TikTok, has garnered widespread admiration for his honesty. TikTok user @monrudeeyensabai posted a clip yesterday of her husband who decided to buy a lottery ticket from a mentally unstable…
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Family pleads for justice after Pattaya hit-and-run tragedy
A tragic hit-and-run incident in Pattaya left a family grieving and seeking justice after a 56 year old woman was fatally struck by a pickup truck. The driver fled the scene, leaving the victim in critical condition, leading to her eventual death. On the morning of September 4, 56 year old Somphat Saensainet, was severely injured after being struck by…
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