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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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Coffee vendor banned for 30 days after altercation with tourist (video)
A coffee shop owner at Talad Rom Hub train market in Mae Klong district has been ordered to close his shop for 30 days following a vulgar gesture towards a Spanish tourist. Captured on video, the vendor was seen pushing and yelling at the tourist, a clip that swiftly spread across social media, inciting a public outcry. The Maeklong railway…
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Thai officer’s suicide linked to wife’s 100 million baht fraud scheme
A woman involved in a controversial rotating savings scheme in Buri Ram is now suspected to be linked to the apparent suicide of her police officer husband, investigators report. Police found the officer, 42 year old Nattaphon, dead in his Ford Ranger with a bullet wound to the right side of his head and a 9-millimetre pistol nearby. The vehicle…
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Factory worker finds body with stab wounds in Ayutthaya canal
A factory worker was shocked to find a partially naked body floating in a canal, riddled with stab wounds, initially mistaking it for a doll. Police Lieutenant Nathakorn Damrongthanawan received a report yesterday, September 27 at 6.30pm of a male body found floating in a canal within the Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya province. Upon arrival at the scene…
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Flooding from Doi Suthep damages temple in Chiang Mai
A torrent of muddy water from Doi Suthep wreaked havoc at Wat Phala, located at the base of the mountain in Chiang Mai, severely damaging the temple’s roof and walls. This sudden flood followed continuous heavy rains in the region. Reporters highlighted the aftermath of the relentless downpour that drenched Chiang Mai city and Doi Suthep yesterday, September 27. The…
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Flood kills 300 pigs at Lampang farm, causes 21 million baht loss
Over 300 pigs have died after being submerged for three days due to a sudden flood at a farm in the northern province of Lampang, causing significant damage estimated at 21 million baht. The owner of the farm expressed the devastating impact of this year’s flood. The incident occurred at Krissana Farm in Ban Watthana, Sobprab subdistrict, Sobprab district, Lampang…
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Asphalt removal on Nakhon Pathom road leaves 100 cars damaged
Asphalt removal on the Ngiu Rai-Salaya road in Nakhon Pathom province has left numerous vehicles damaged, causing significant inconvenience to drivers. The incident, which saw over 100 cars affected, has sparked calls for responsible authorities to address the issue. A driver named Mee, residing in Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom, was travelling on the Ngiu Rai-Salaya road yesterday, September 27…
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Man bitten by snake on Phatthalung mountain shares survival story (video)
A Thai man shared a TikTok video about his last trip where he was bitten by a snake at night on a mountain. He used survival skills passed down through generations to handle the situation, but netizens advised against his methods, calling them dangerous. On TikTok, user @arunsrisuwan512 posted a video describing his experience of being bitten by a green…
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Elderly man loses 10,000 baht from Thai govt handout
An elderly man who recently withdrew 10,000 baht in cash from the Thai government’s handout initiative found his wallet missing, prompting a heartfelt community response. A woman’s Facebook post detailed the incident and led to numerous offers of assistance from across the country. The government recently issued 10,000 baht to vulnerable groups, distributed based on the last digits of their…
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Pattaya police detains illegal immigrant beggars
Police in Pattaya detained several illegal immigrant beggars yesterday, September 27, to preserve the city’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination. Beginning at 6pm, Chon Buri Immigration, Pattaya City officials, and the Chon Buri Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office launched a coordinated crackdown targeting illegal immigrants begging in high-traffic tourist areas. Officials inspected locations around Wat Chaimongkol on…
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Thai king’s son meets famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the second-eldest son of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, visited Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Pattaya yesterday, September 27. His visit aimed to snap a selfie with the world-famous pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, and explore various sections of the zoo. Narongwit Chotchoy, Director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, stated that the atmosphere was very pleasant, with…
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Thai woman faces complex murder case over son’s death in UK
A Thai woman, accused of murdering her seven year old son in the UK, made an appearance at Swansea Crown Court this week. The defence team described the case as “extremely complicated.” The Thai woman, 42 year old Papaipit Linse, who remains in custody, appeared in court but did not enter a plea. John Hipkin KC, representing Papaipit , requested…
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Thai police arrest five in Korat for Facebook scam
Thai police have apprehended five individuals involved in a scam that involved creating fake Facebook pages to deceive people into transferring money for sacred objects. The arrests were made following a detailed investigation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang, Police Major General Nopasin Poolsawas, and other senior officers from the bureau directed their team to conduct…
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Chiang Mai launches cleanup after floods ease in commercial areas
Workers have launched a campaign to clean roads and remove debris in downtown Chiang Mai following the easing of floods in some commercial areas. Chiang Mai Municipality initiated the operation at 5pm yesterday, September 27 to revive economic activity in the bustling northern tourism hub. The effort is divided into five zones, including areas near the Naowarat Bridge and the…
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Sustainability expo 2024 opens in Bangkok, urgent action needed
Immediate action is necessary for sustainability, warns Sumet Tantivejkul, secretary-general of the Chaipattana Foundation. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX2024) yesterday in Bangkok, he highlighted the urgency of change as emphasised by the sufficiency economy theory of King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great King Rama IX. Sumet elaborated on the theory, noting that while it originally seemed…
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Chinese woman saved from 8 million baht scam in Thailand
A Chinese woman lured into transferring over 8 million baht to a ruthless call centre scam gang has been found safe in Samut Prakan after weeks of torment. The 42 year old Chinese woman, Song Xiuhua, was discovered in a Bang Phli district apartment by officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), after a frantic search sparked by her family’s…
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Kathu: Thai man shoots himself after affair argument
A 31 year old Thai man is fighting for his life in hospital after a shocking self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head during a heated argument with his wife over an affair at their Kathu condo last night, September 26. The late-night drama unfolded around 11pm, with police and rescue workers rushing to a condo on Phra Phuket Kaew Road…
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Pizza the action: Foreign man wreaks havoc at Phuket pizzeria
An unidentified foreign man went on a rampage in the Thalang district of Phuket in the early hours of this morning and physically assaulted the Thai owner of a pizza shop near Phuket International Airport. The Phuket Times reported on the incident today. The report included pictures of the injured Thai pizza shop owner, a damaged car and restaurant, as well…
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Anti-spanking bill scrapped: Thai MPs rethink on child discipline
The controversial anti-spanking bill has been withdrawn for further review after a backlash from MPs during the recent parliamentary session. The proposed amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code aimed to prohibit corporal punishment of children but faced fierce opposition on Wednesday, September 25, highlighting serious concerns regarding its vagueness and alignment with fundamental principles. Nipon Khonkhayan, an MP from…
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Doggone floods: Soi Dog races to feed Chiang Rai’s stranded paws
In a race against time, the Soi Dog Foundation dispatched a dedicated team to Chiang Rai to evaluate and address the urgent food needs of pets devastated by recent floods. Partnering with local officials, they aim to provide vital assistance to animals caught in the crisis, including the astonishing figure of 7,650 dogs and cats. Soi Dog’s staff, in collaboration with…
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Reel deal: Thai man is squids in with government digital wallet
Among the many recipients of the government’s digital wallet handout is a 66 year old Thai man who transformed his share into a thriving small business selling grilled squid. State welfare cardholder Suwit Inrat, also known as Uncle Ood, received the handout money via his Krungthai Bank account around 2am today, September 27, prompting Suwit to spring into action. With…
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Thai teen sexually assaulted by drug dealer at Chon Buri temple
A 17 year old Thai girl is seeking justice after being repeatedly sexually assaulted by a drug dealer at a temple in Chon Buri province. Officers from Mueang Chon Buri Police Station were called to a restaurant in the Mueang district of Chon Buri province to question the teenage victim, named Dao. She claimed that the drug dealer named Noi…
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Thailand’s 20-billion-baht airport expressway takes off in 2030
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is gearing up to launch public-private partnerships (PPPs) next year for the ambitious 20-billion-baht Srinakarin-Suvarnabhumi Airport expressway project. With an anticipated opening in 2030, this project is poised to streamline access to the bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport, enhancing the travel experience for both locals and tourists alike. EXAT Deputy Governor Katpachon Udomthampakdee, recently led the…
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Sweet tragedy: Woman chokes on Thai dessert
A tragic incident occurred when a woman choked on a traditional Thai dessert and died in front of a neighbour’s house. Medical professionals suspect the cause was a blockage in her airway. Yesterday, September 26, Natthawut Chantarasamut, an investigator from Ron Phibun Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, received a report of a death in front of a house…
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New centre in Thailand aims for tier 1 status in trafficking fight
In a high-stakes move to bolster its international standing, Thailand has opened a new centre aimed at tackling human trafficking, with eyes set on earning the coveted Tier 1 spot in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) ranking. The Thailand Victim Identification and Referral Centre, located in Don Mueang district, is part of a nationwide effort to curb…
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Monorail mishap sends metal crashing onto car in Nonthaburi
A Nonthaburi motorist got the shock of his life on Tuesday night, September 24, when a steel rod fell from the Pink Monorail, damaging his vehicle. The motorist, Wari Thanatornnawanrat was driving along Chaengwattana Road at around 10pm when the rod plunged from the sky, striking his car’s bonnet before smashing into his windscreen and side mirror. “I couldn’t believe…
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Catfished by catfish: Gay Thai man nets 120 suckers in fake fishing scam
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a gay Thai man for using a fake social media profile, posing as a beautiful woman, to trick 120 victims into sending masturbation videos of themselves before selling the videos online. CIB police discovered a secret group called “Gril grop” on the Telegram app, where explicit videos of male university students from the…
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Off-key: Ex-folk singer politician hits sour note in corruption scandal
A former Thai folk singer-turned-politician has been booted from his position as mayor of Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani province after being entangled in a major corruption scandal. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ruled that a case involving shady dealings during the Covid-19 pandemic had enough weight to warrant his immediate removal. The axe fell swiftly, with Interior Minister…
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Thai rice export prices hit 14-month low amid weak demand
Thai rice export prices have hit a 14-month low due to subdued demand and competition from more affordable suppliers, while Indian rice prices increased slightly owing to a stronger rupee, despite weak demand from Asian and African markets. Thailand‘s benchmark 5% broken rice is now quoted at US$560 per tonne, marking its lowest price since July 20, 2023, and a…
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Drug-fuelled biker blames exhaustion from work for injuring 2 cops
A drug-fuelled Thai biker tried to blame work fatigue, not his drug habit, after ploughing into two cops on Phahonyothin Road in Bangkok. Despite his claims, police found nine Yaba pills stashed on him at the scene. Bang Khen Police Station arrested the 25 year old Thai man, Sudkhet, yesterday, September 26, at around 6.30pm near Soi Phahonyothin 48 in…
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Thailand to introduce carbon tax to curb emissions this year
Thailand is set to implement a carbon tax this year, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul announced at the Road to Net Zero 2024: The Extraordinary Green event. The Finance Ministry plans to propose the carbon tax measure to the Cabinet for approval soon, with the goal of rolling it out in the coming months. Paopoom explained that this measure aims to…
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