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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Central Thailand gas plant blast claims one life, injures another
An explosion at a gas filling plant this afternoon, in the Doem Bang Nang Buat district of the central province of Suphan Buri, reportedly claimed the life of one worker and injured at least one other. The Thai News Agency reported, at around 2pm today, July 11, that several workers at the gas filling plant were trapped inside after the…
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Chinese foreign minister calls for ASEAN regional cooperation
During a meeting between the Thai and Chinese foreign ministers to discuss the consultation mechanisms between the two nations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised the importance of upholding the ASEAN-centered East Asian regional cooperation framework and rejecting exclusive small circles. Wang and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa co-chaired the second meeting between the foreign ministers. This two-day visit marked…
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Phuket vies to host 2025 InterPride World Conference
Phuket is gearing up to compete for the opportunity to host the 2025 InterPride World Conference, with local officials affirming the island province’s readiness. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a ceremony for the Pride & Equality Phuket memorandum of understanding alongside representatives from both public and private sectors. The agreement, aimed at promoting gender equality, includes raising awareness about gender inclusivity,…
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Thailand’s EV 3.0 policy faces major oversupply challenges
The Thai Electric Vehicle Association (EVAT) issued a cautionary note to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in Thailand, alerting them to the potential for a significant oversupply of EVs in the coming years. This warning arises from the production requirements stipulated under the EV 3.0 policy. This policy, which has been previously lauded for encouraging domestic EV production, offers import tax…
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Uproar over motorcycle accidents at Phuket’s rainbow crosswalk
A series of motorcycle accidents at the Rainbow Crosswalk at the Charter intersection in the Mueang Phuket district sparked widespread debate on social media. The vibrant crosswalk, a popular spot for tourists to take photos, became slippery during periods of rainfall, causing three to four motorcyclists to fall yesterday, July 10. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. In response to the…
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Cannabis crusaders’ hunger strike: High stakes classification protest
Cannabis supporters began a hunger strike yesterday in reaction to the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) agreeing to reclassify cannabis as a Narcotics Category 5 drug. Marijuana was removed from Narcotics Category 5 on June 9, 2022, allowing people to use cannabis products containing no more than 2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for health-related purposes only, not recreation. While there were…
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Nine arrested in Songkhla drug raid, crystal meth seized
A police raid on a house in Songkhla’s Mueang district led to the arrest of nine people for alleged drug use, along with the seizure of crystal methamphetamine (Ice). Border Patrol Police executed the raid in Thung Wang subdistrict yesterday, July 10, discovering six men and three women partaking in a drug-fuelled party. The suspects attempted to escape upon seeing…
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Teen reports assault by intruder in her bedroom
A 17 year old girl reported to the police that a 27 year old man entered her bedroom and assaulted her while she was sleeping. The suspect, who initially claimed he entered the house to commit theft, denied the accusation of assault. The incident took place yesterday, July 10, when the girl, referred to as A, woke up at 5am…
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Elderly woman with dementia found dead near Chai Nat home
An 87 year old woman with dementia was tragically found dead after wandering away from her home in Mueang Chai Nat District. Despite the family’s two-day search, her body was discovered only 100 metres from her residence. Phan Niamprayoon, who suffered from memory loss, went missing around noon yesterday, July 10, from her home in Hat Tha Sao Subdistrict. Her family…
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Japanese tourists to flock to Thailand despite economic woes
To revive tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled dynamic strategies to draw Japanese tourists back to the Land of Smiles. Despite the yen’s depreciation, TAT Tokyo Office Director Kajorndet Apichartrakul remains optimistic about reversing the deficit in tourist numbers with Japan. Last year, 995,000 Thai tourists visited Japan, while only 804,000 Japanese tourists came to Thailand, resulting in…
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Soldier kills girlfriend with samurai sword in chilling Bangkok murder
A chilling murder took place when a soldier brutally killed his girlfriend, a former housekeeper at the Thai Parliament, using a samurai sword. Officers from Sam Sen Police Station arrived at 9.20am yesterday to take custody of 24 year old Sunai, who is the main suspect in the murder of 30 year old Khemruthai. Khemruthai was found dead with a…
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Vietnam Airlines surges 179%, top-performing airline stock in 2024
Vietnam Airlines made a remarkable return to profit, emerging as the world’s best-performing airline stock this year. The state-owned carrier soared to 179% in 2024, buoyed by a resurgence in travel demand. This surge in performance has allowed the airline to post a significant first-quarter profit, breaking a streak of over four years of consecutive losses. This turnaround is particularly…
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Senior officer arrested for aiding fraud and fake ID issuance
Police apprehended Lieutenant Colonel M. at the Central Investigation Bureau headquarters for aiding state officials in committing fraud and facilitating the issuance of fake identification cards to foreign nationals. Today, July 11, Phumwisal Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), directed Manatsanan Charancharoenpong, Director of PACC Region 3, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Sarawut Kamlueng, Director of the…
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Bangkok taxi rider’s suspicion leads to discovery of passenger’s body
A Thai motorcycle taxi rider tragically discovered the lifeless body of a regular customer on a camp bed in his apartment room after the man had been missing in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The body of 53 year old Thaweechai was found on a camp bed in his apartment in Soi Suksawat 70, Phrapradaeng district, Samut Prakan province, on…
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Thailand slashes digital wallet budget amid corruption fears
The Thai government has decided to slash the budget for its digital wallet scheme from 500 billion baht to 450 billion, scrapping plans to borrow 170 billion baht from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced the decision yesterday, July 10, citing corruption concerns raised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Julapun revealed…
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Thailand’s new senators report as EC probes election irregularities
Thailand’s newly appointed 200 senators have been summoned to report to Parliament today, July 11, while the Election Commission (EC) continues to scrutinise numerous allegations of collusion and other election irregularities. The senators are expected to collect their certificates tomorrow and on Friday, according to the poll body’s announcement after finalising the results of the three-stage vote that concluded on…
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Missing hiker found safe after seven days in Phu Soi Dao
A tourist who went missing for seven days after hiking Phu Soi Dao has been found in good health. The 27 year old missing tourist reunited with his family, who embraced him in tears of joy. He is currently under medical observation. Thanwarit Matima was reported missing after he registered with Phu Soi Dao National Park officials on July 4…
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27 young Thai girls sexually assaulted by school director in Lopburi
The Thai parents and guardians of 27 girls accompanied them to file a complaint against the director of Wat Phongam School in the central province of Lopburi for allegedly sexually assaulting them. The victims and their parents and guardians visited Chai Badan Police Station to take legal action against the school director, whose identity has not been revealed. The issue…
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Toddler dies after sexual abuse by drug-addict neighbour
A one year and nine month old infant died after being sexually abused and beaten by a 50 year old man in Ongkharak district, Nakhon Nayok. The horrifying event came to light when the girl’s aunt, Sukanya (surname withheld), was informed by a neighbour that the child had been unconscious since falling down some stairs on Saturday night, July 6.…
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King Vajiralongkorn champions equal education for Thai youth
King Maha Vajiralongkorn is steadfast in his mission to provide equal education opportunities for Thai youth, viewing education as pivotal for the country’s progress. In 2009, then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn initiated the Crown Prince Scholarship, which has since evolved into a foundation dedicated to offering scholarships to underprivileged youth. The King personally chairs this foundation. Privy Councillor General Dapong Ratanasuwan highlighted…
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Man kidnaps wife at gunpoint, police rescue ends in fatal shootout
A man kidnapped his wife at gunpoint, fleeing across districts to hide at a friend’s hut. Police surrounded the location, leading to a shootout that resulted in one fatality. Police officers in Chiang Rai collaborated to rescue a hostage yesterday, July 10. Under the command of Manop Senakul, Santi Kongsamak, and Pipat Naradet, the operation was executed with precision. The…
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Thai prisoner demands justice after fellow inmates raped him in jail
A Thai prisoner urged the Lawyers Council of Thailand Under the Royal Patronage to help him seek justice after two fellow inmates tricked him into taking a sleeping pill and raped him. The incident led the victim to repeatedly attempt suicide. The story gained public interest after a Thai lawyer, Nitithorn Kaewto, shared it on Facebook yesterday, July 10. According to…
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Japanese tourist rampage leaves trail of destruction in Pattaya
A Japanese tourist, in a fit of rage from an argument, drove his car into a popular Pattaya restaurant, crashing into numerous cars and motorcycles before finally colliding with a tour bus. This incident yesterday, July 10, left him injured and in police custody. Police Lieutenant Colonel Itthiporn Tangchuthaweesap of Pattaya City Police Station reported that they received a distress…
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Thailand woos Saudi investors with EV sector opportunities
Thai officials are set to attract Saudi Arabian entrepreneurs to invest in Thailand’s S-curve industries, particularly following their interest in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Efforts to promote Thailand to potential investors will take place during a roadshow in Saudi Arabia, while also supporting Thai businesses aiming to expand into the Middle East, according to Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the…
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Thailand plans 50 billion baht tunnel expressway in Bangkok
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announced plans to construct a 50 billion baht tunnel expressway connecting Kaset and Ngamwongwan. Public opinion on the project will be gathered and considered on July 13. EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk revealed that the third public hearing will finalise the feasibility study for the northern section of the Third Stage Expressway System, specifically the…
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New tree species unearthed in Thai Geopark
Researchers from Chiang Mai University have uncovered a brand-new species of Ylang Ylang, or cananga tree, at the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark. Dubbed “Chalermprakiat” in honour of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, this discovery is set to shake the botanical world. Ylang Ylang, a tropical tree known for its fragrant flowers, is typically found in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia,…
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Man brings mother to confront security guard who called him fat
A man and a security guard resolved their dispute amicably after a heated after-school exchange in Nonthaburi yesterday, July 10, when the security guard called the man fat after he drove fast by her on a motorcycle in a school zone. As a response, the man brought along his mother to confront the guard. Head of the security guard unit,…
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Teenager violently attacked by rivals in rental room near Pattaya
A teenager was violently attacked by rivals and left with serious injuries in his rental room near Pattaya. The incident was reported to the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation around 4.06pm on Wednesday, July 9. Rescue workers promptly arrived at the scene in a rental room in the Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Upon arrival,…
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Tourism Ministry reinstates guarantee for outbound tour operators
Thai travellers faced significant setbacks after some licenced outbound tour operators left them stranded despite purchasing premium packages. In response, the Tourism and Sports Ministry is now seeking enhanced consumer protection measures. The Tourism Department, under the ministry’s supervision, plans to reinstate the guarantee amount for licenced outbound tour companies to 200,000 baht next year. This comes after a pandemic-era…
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Siriraj Hospital unveils AI-powered 3D printing for titanium implants
Siriraj Hospital, in collaboration with Meticuly, has introduced a revolutionary titanium 3D printing system powered by artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to negate logistical and time constraints by creating regulatory-compliant implants directly within healthcare facilities. The partnership has led to the installation of an innovative 3D printing system that can design, manufacture, and deliver patient-specific implants within one to seven days,…
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