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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Pattaya to become Southeast Asia’s premier destination
Pattaya, known for its bustling nightlife, is apparently trying to shed its old skin and emerge as a beacon of transformation in Southeast Asia. Recent years have witnessed a remarkable overhaul aimed at elevating visitor experiences and community living standards. Key infrastructure upgrades are at the heart of this makeover. Underground installations of electrical and communication cables, revamped road surfaces,…
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Thai women lose over 1 million baht in lottery ticket scam
Two women from Phichit province are grappling with severe financial distress after falling victim to a scam involving the purchase of lottery tickets at a discounted price of 7,500 baht per book. They never received the tickets, resulting in a total loss exceeding 1 million baht. Despite filing a police report, no progress has been made in the investigation. Molchanok,…
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Monkey mayhem: Lopburi runaways turns cop shop into a jungle
Following last week’s move to intensify the capture of monkeys in Lopburi, a troop of monkeys escaped from their enclosure, causing chaos in a local police station and residential areas, prompting authorities to take immediate action. The escape took place yesterday evening, and by 8am this morning, more than 30 monkeys were reported roaming freely on the streets and climbing…
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Pattaya deputy mayor slams contractors with record fines
In response to mounting frustration over delays at the North Pattaya intersection, Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai has taken decisive action, confirming hefty penalties for the responsible contractor. The construction setbacks have caused major disruptions to residents and the local tourism scene, prompting swift measures from city officials. Manot outlined the scope of the project, which includes resurfacing key intersections across…
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Caught in crossfire: Thai man nabbed for peddling homemade guns
Police arrested 22 year old Thai man for selling homemade firearms on social media. The operation aimed to curb crimes involving illegal weapons, a rising concern given recent violent incidents. Police launched this sting operation under the directive of Police General Kitirat Phanphet, acting Commissioner-General, and Police General Thana Chuwong, Deputy Commissioner-General. The plan was executed to address the escalating…
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Rain or shine: Thailand’s secondary cities steal the travel spotlight
Travellers in Thailand are increasingly shifting their focus to the country’s secondary cities, especially during the rainy season. Digital travel platform Agoda reported a significant rise in accommodation searches for these often-overlooked locales, reflecting a growing trend among domestic and international tourists eager to explore Thailand’s diverse regions. Topping the list as the most-searched secondary city is Chanthaburi, followed by…
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Political risks threaten foreign investment in Thailand
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) EIC Research Centre warns that heightened political risks are casting a shadow over foreign investment in Thailand’s financial, capital, and long-term direct investment markets EIC Chief Economist Somprawin Manprasert warned that various political risks and uncertainties could significantly impact foreign investor confidence and lead to substantial capital outflows from offshore investors in the Thai equity market.…
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Motorised cart crash in Chaiyaphum kills elderly woman
A tragic accident involving a motorised cart resulted in the death of a 68 year old woman and injuries to another passenger. The incident occurred yesterday in Chaiyaphum province when the cart, loaded with firewood, failed to ascend a hill and overturned. Kaeng Khro Police Station officers responded promptly to the scene, finding a motorised cart tipped on its side…
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Police arrest fuel theft suspect after dramatic high-speed chase
A dramatic police chase on foot culminated in the arrest of a suspect who had been on a spree of fuel thefts across three provinces, filling up massive containers with fuel before making a quick getaway in his modified pickup truck. The suspect, identified as 32 year old Natthawut, was finally apprehended in a rental room after a failed attempt…
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Deadly dish: Mushroom curry poisoning in Yasothon kills one
A group of contractors in Yasothon province experienced severe food poisoning after consuming a mushroom curry, resulting in the death of one person. The incident occurred after the mushrooms, later identified as toxic, were mistakenly included in their meal. Residents of Moo 4 and Moo 5 in Dong Khaen Yai Subdistrict, Kham Khuean Kaeo District, were affected when several people…
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Thailand boat shows merge for a splash-tacular Phuket event
The Thailand International Boat Show and Thailand Boat Festival are set to merge, creating the largest and most extravagant boat show Phuket has ever seen. This landmark event will take place at Phuket Yacht Haven from January 9 to 12 next year, promising a spectacular display of luxury yachts and lifestyle brands. The organisers of both prestigious events have announced…
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Thai couple jailed for 25 years for acid attack on student
A Thai court sentenced a couple to 25 years in prison for attacking an 18 year old female student with acid, causing severe disfigurement. The husband received an additional 10 years and they were ordered to pay over 2 million baht in damages. Chased by law enforcement, 21 year old Jesdaporn, and 25 year old Angkana, were apprehended hiding in…
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SCAT Airlines operates new routes from Kazakhstan to U-Tapao
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced new flight connections at U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport (UTP), courtesy of SCAT Airlines and AirAsia. This move underscores Thailand’s strategic push to enhance accessibility for international business travellers and tourists. SCAT Airlines is operating a charter service using Boeing 737 Max-9 with 213 seats from Almaty, Kazakhstan via flight number VSV5357 every seven to…
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Cycling rage: 71 year old amputee stabs harasser in Bang Pakong
A 71 year old amputee, driven by frustration over persistent harassment, fatally stabbed a younger man before cycling home, only to be arrested hours later by police. Police officers, forensic experts, a duty doctor from Bang Pakong Hospital, and rescue volunteers from Chachoengsao arrived at the scene after midnight. The incident occurred at a roadside pavilion near the entrance to…
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Truck tyre bursting on Chon Buri road kills one, injures five
A six-wheeled truck suffered a frightening malfunction at 6.30pm yesterday, when its tyre burst while returning from marking traffic lines, resulting in one death and five injuries. The incident occurred on Route 344 in Chon Buri. The accident took place on the Ban Bueng-Klaeng Road, in Nong Yai District. Police and rescue units from the Sila Dharma Association in Nong…
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DES Ministry snags Starlink sets in cosmic online crime crackdown
Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry officials confiscated 58 sets of Starlink satellite equipment allegedly intended for use by fraudsters to send and receive high-speed Internet signals via satellite, as part of a broader campaign to combat online crime. DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong highlighted that efforts to curb online crimes, such as removing unauthorised cell signal towers and cross-border cables, have…
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Thailand’s cybersecurity spend critical as cybercrime costs surge
Thailand’s current expenditure on cybersecurity stands starkly low at just 0.2% of corporate revenue, despite the looming surge in cybercrime-related costs projected to reach US$10.5 trillion globally by 2025, according to cybersecurity firm Fortinet. Krungthai Compass, the research division of Krungthai Bank, anticipates that Thailand’s cybersecurity investment will climb to 18 billion baht (US$490 million) by 2025. This growth, averaging…
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Black sea menace: Jomtien Beach’s water quality
Sanitation engineering officials descended on Jomtien Beach amid alarming reports of black contaminants in the water. An in-depth inspection was carried out on Monday, June 17, at three key locations: Jomtien Beach at Soi 7, in front of The Now Hotel, and in front of Marine Beach Hotel Pattaya. Initial observations of the seawater revealed a green hue and a…
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Climbing new heights: Chiang Mai tourism to scale rock enthusiasts
Chiang Mai tourism operators are eager to market the province’s mountainous allure to tap into the global rock climbing community of 44.5 million enthusiasts, while also advocating for government support to promote this sport across various provinces to boost the tourism sector. The acting president of the Tourism Council of Chiang Mai, Punlop Saejew, recently highlighted the rock climbing market’s…
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Gold prices in Thailand rise to 40,950 baht per baht weight
Gold prices in Thailand saw a significant rise today, prompting many to check the latest rates. Compared to the closing price from yesterday, June 18, gold ornaments are now being sold at 40,950 baht per baht weight. According to the Gold Traders Association, the price increase today was 150 baht. As of 9.08am, the local gold bar buying price stands…
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Tourism troubles: Zero-dollar tours rock Thai industry
Zero-dollar tours, notorious for their rock-bottom prices, are once again plaguing Thailand’s tourism sector and posing unfair competition for Thai operations, particularly targeting visitors from China, Russia, and India. The President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, claims that this resurgence is severely impacting the industry due to the substandard quality of tours, leaving legitimate Thai…
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Court orders evidence in PM Srettha’s ethics case
The Constitutional Court has thrown the government into turmoil by demanding all parties in Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s ethics case submit evidence within 15 days. The court’s decision came yesterday, setting a new hearing date for July 10 but it remains uncertain whether a ruling will be issued then, leaving the government in a state of anxiety. The case revolves…
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High-speed songthaew accident injures student in Samut Prakan
A blue songthaew taxi travelling at high speed caused a female student to fall off the vehicle, resulting in injuries. The driver claimed that the student jumped off the vehicle herself, while a witness reported that the driver did not immediately assist the injured girl. A CCTV camera captured the incident on Rattanarat Road, near Bang Bo intersection in Samut…
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Residents protest over false advertising and dilapidated clubhouse
Residents of a housing estate are up in arms over false advertising that promised top-notch amenities, only to be shocked by the dilapidated state of the clubhouse. The celebrity Tuck Boriboon allegedly could not tolerate the situation and joined the protest. Dr Monchai Jongkairattanakul, also known as Lawyer Kaew, shared the plight of the residents yesterday through the Facebook page…
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Illegal spiritual retreat seized in Thai national forest reserve
The Forest Department, military, police, and local administrative bodies joined forces to seize an unauthorised spiritual retreat within a national forest reserve. The site included roads, buildings, and accommodations constructed illegally. Pongpetch Kasupha, head of the Operation Unit of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, and Chanchai Kijsakdapap, leader of the Forest Department’s Tiger Unit, accompanied by officers from…
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Seafood restaurant owner’s son opens fire on employees, kills one
The son of a renowned seafood restaurant owner, angered by his employees drinking beer after work, grabbed a gun and opened fire, killing one employee and severely injuring the other. The son quickly fled the scene of the restaurant in Bangkok and currently remains at large. At 3.30am today, the Deputy Inspector at Thian Talay Police Station, Thassani Kudsub received…
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Police officer sells grilled pork to supplement income in Phetchabun
A young police officer in Wichian Buri, Phetchabun province, has taken up selling grilled pork skewers as a side business before his regular duties. Officer Prasert Praphaso, stationed at Wichian Buri Police Station, has been seen operating a food stall named Siaw Ta Haek Moo Ping near Niyomsilp Anuson School. This initiative aims to supplement his income while providing convenience…
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Tourists spot black panthers at Kaeng Krachan National Park (video)
A black panther was spotted by tourists at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province, calmly walking along the road to Panoen Thung without showing signs of fear towards vehicles. Mongkol Chaiphakdee, head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, confirmed that a tourist named Amy captured the rare sighting near Kilometre 20 on the way to Panoen Thung. Amy managed to…
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Police escort eight oil tanker crew to Bangkok for questioning
Police escorted eight oil tanker crew members to Bangkok for further questioning after arresting them for allegedly stealing three confiscated vessels and smuggling oil. The suspects were apprehended and brought ashore in Songkhla, where initial investigations occurred. Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Jaroonkiat Pankaew, led the operation, which saw the crew members transported to Wing 56 in…
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Family suspects foul play in drowning of three year old daughter
A family is mourning the loss of their three year old daughter who drowned in a pond near a childcare centre in Sisaket Province. The family suspects foul play and believes the drowning to be a staged murder. Initial autopsy findings at Sisaket Hospital revealed that the child, Alice, died from asphyxiation while drowning, with water being aspirated into her lungs,…
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