Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Double-down drama: DOPA crackdown sees 200 gamblers dealt a losing hand in southern Thailand
Officers from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) yesterday swooped on a gambling den in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat and arrested 200 gamblers. Residents in Nakhon Si Thammarat submitted a complaint about the gambling house to the Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiseth. They reported that the gambling den was open 24 hours a day. More than 200…
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Phuket: Motorcycle taxi rider fatally stabbed during brawl, another injured
Two motorcycle taxi riders got embroiled in a brawl in Patong, Phuket, yesterday, leading to one fatality at the scene, while the other sustained serious injuries. The deceased taxi rider, 61 year old Samanmart Ueanoth, was found with three stab wounds to his chest and was transported to the local hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries and lost his…
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2 Indian men arrested near Bangkok for offering high-interest loans
Immigration Bureau (IB) officers announced a successful operation to arrest two Indian men illegally offering high-interest loans to Thai people in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The IB launched the operation to crack down on foreigners running illegal businesses or posing as powerful and influential people in the communities. The operation led officers to a 39 year old Indian man, identified…
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Hot food trends: Healthy eating on a budget
In a world plagued by inflation, skyrocketing living costs, and the constant struggle to stay healthy, renowned nutrition expert Associate Professor Chalat Santivarangkna from Mahidol University reveals what our plates will look like in the coming year. This year is set to be the year of plant-powered living, with Professor Chalat predicting a surge in plant-based diets. He attributes this…
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Thai Vietjet flight lands on wrong taxiway at Fukuoka International Airport
Thai Vietjet Air‘s flight VZ810 from Bangkok‘s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Fukuoka International Airport experienced a mishap when the pilot landed on the wrong taxiway. The said flight landed at 8.38am local time with a total of 157 passengers. Upon landing, the flight taxied to the assigned gate as instructed. However due to weather conditions and poor visibility, the aircraft…
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Russian man crosses borders without essential documents
An intriguing incident left many baffled, as a Russian man managed to cross international borders without any essential travel documents. Sergei Ochikawa flew from Denmark to the United States, claiming he had discarded his passport aboard the plane. The case has triggered a wave of confusion among immigration officers, who were presented with an extraordinary situation. Ochikawa, without any of the…
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Indonesian bride marries brother-in-law, their love story goes viral
A 21 year old Cinta bride from East Kalimantan, Indonesia, recently made waves online when she revealed that her groom was none other than her former brother-in-law. This intriguing story began eight years ago when Cinta attended her sister’s wedding. In 2015, Cinta was present at the wedding ceremony of her sister, which took place with a man named Rangga…
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Thai Labour Ministry considers raising minimum wage as Songkran gift
The Labour Ministry, headed by Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, is considering raising the minimum wage for certain professions as a Songkran festival gift. The announcement is expected to take place within a year, covering the entire country. Additionally, the Cabinet is looking into providing a full monthly salary for maternity leave of 98 days. This was discussed at a meeting of the…
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Thai woman harassed over 20 year old missing car debt
A Thai woman found herself under severe intimidation after receiving a threatening call demanding payment for a car debt for a vehicle that disappeared nearly 20 years ago. The caller, using harsh language, even threatened to seize her assets if she failed to make the payment. The case came to light when a TikTok user named khoeilao99 posted her ordeal…
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Buddhist monk Phra Phayom weighs in on ‘year brewing’ social media storm
Renowned Buddhist monk Phra Phayom discusses the recent social media controversy over the Chinese astrological belief of year brewing. He urges people to maintain a good state of mind and to believe in karma and perseverance, citing the example of the heated debate on social media initiated by Prairie Praiwan Wannabutr. Today, reporters asked Phra, the abbot of Wat Suan…
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State Railway of Thailand introduces advance booking service for Songkran
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) rolled out a game-changing 90-day advance booking service for CNR express trains on key routes, just in time for the upcoming Songkran festivities. This initiative, set to kick off tomorrow, January 12, aims to alleviate the surge in travel demand during the Thai New Year celebrations. Kicking off with Songkran, the service allows eager…
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Thaksin’s extended hospital stay approved by Thailand’s Corrections Department
Thailand’s Department of Corrections released an official statement today, January 11, concerning the prolonged medical treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra at Police General Hospital, which has exceeded the standard 120-day limit. Thaksin has been receiving medical attention at an external hospital since August 23 last year, as he was diagnosed with several pre-existing health conditions that required specialised care. The medical…
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Disabled man falls from wheelchair on uneven EEC project road, sparks outrage
A disabled man selling lottery tickets was spotted tumbling from his wheelchair onto the road due to an uneven surface. The incident, captured on CCTV, sparked outrage on social media. The man was attempting to navigate the bumpy road in an area earmarked for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, specifically designed to be accessible for disabled people. The incident…
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Thai man survives third floor suicide attempt after argument with wife
A Thai man survived a suicide attempt after jumping from the third floor balcony of his apartment in Chon Buri province following a heated argument with his wife. Sriracha Police Station officers were alerted to the suicide attempt at the three-storey apartment in Sriracha district of Chon Buri province yesterday, January 10. Upon investigating the scene, officers found the 21…
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National Children’s Day: Thai police takes opportunity to raise awareness of child abduction
Statistics show that the number of missing children has increased in the past five years. Child abduction is still a large concern in Thailand with the perpetrator often being a repeat offender. The mother of a missing girl, nicknamed Cartoon, opened up for the first time in 10 years to stop any more children getting kidnapped. The Mirror Foundation is…
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Thai farmers to be granted 25,000 title deeds
Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow confirmed the distribution of 25,000 land title deeds to farmers across the nation. The spectacle kicks off on January 15, with a grand launch at the centre for the promotion and development of additional careers outside of agriculture in Ayutthaya’s Bang Sai district. Leading the ceremony is none other than Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. During the…
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Mixed reactions to Thailand’s new cannabis law from tourism industry
The recent draft law on cannabis and hemp, targeting to limit recreational use, is garnering mixed reactions from Thailand’s tourism industry. While it could potentially lead to the closure of several dispensaries, industry insiders feel it wouldn’t have a significant impact on the overall tourism landscape as cannabis and hemp aren’t primary attractions for international visitors. The bill, endorsed by…
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Thai man arrested for house burning, orchestrating rape of mother-in-law
Police today arrested a Thai man responsible for a house burning and the architect behind the rape of his mother-in-law in the southern province of Phetchaburi. The accomplice involved in the crime is still at large. Kaeng Krachan Police Station officers yesterday, January 10, embarked on a search for two suspects, Yuranan Pranprai and Chaiwat Auambut, also known as Pae,…
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British scientist’s findings suggest new cave virus in Thailand
In the heart of Thailand, a cave harbours a virus with an eerie connection to Covid-19, and Dr Peter Daszak, a renowned expert in zoonosis, is sounding the alarm. Previously dismissed lab leak theories resurface as this cave virus, linked to both SARS-CoV-2 and RATG13, raises questions about its potential to infect humans. Hailing from Dukinfield, near Manchester, Dr Daszak,…
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Former ministers charged over unlawful Thai worker fees in Finland
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Office of the Attorney General have jointly decided to charge four individuals, including two former ministers and two senior executives of the Ministry of Labour, in connection with the unlawful deduction of fees from Thai workers in Finland. The charges were laid under sections 149 and 157, along with sections 83 and…
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Rayong police criticised for imposing 10pm curfew on kids under 18 years old
Mueang Rayong Police Station in the eastern province of Rayong is facing criticism for imposing a 10pm curfew on residents aged under 18 years old. The official Facebook page of Mueang Rayong Police Station shared the curfew announcement yesterday, January 10. “From today, people under the age of 18 are not allowed to leave their homes after 10pm without a…
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Chinese tourist tricked into purchasing 1.4 million baht counterfeit Hermes handbag in Bangkok
After being duped into purchasing a counterfeit Hermes crocodile leather handbag from a seller in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong district, a Chinese tourist expressed frustration over the lack of a government agency to protect tourists’ rights. The victim, 27 year old Deng, wife of a Singapore-based Chinese businessman, enlisted a lawyer to report the incident to the media yesterday, January 10. She…
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AirAsia: Bangkok to rival Dubai as aviation hub
In a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, AirAsia unveiled ambitious plans to transform Bangkok into the aviation hub of Southeast Asia, aiming to mirror the success of Dubai. The low-cost carrier is urging the Thai government to slash the excise tax on jet fuel, a move it believes will further propel the country’s tourism industry. AirAsia’s top brass, led…
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Tragic end for couple in Thai resort: Suspected suicide stirs shock
A chilling discovery unfolded in Phetchabun when a couple from Pathum Thani were found dead in their resort room. The suspected suicide of 62 year old Natcha and 61 year old Akrara has left authorities puzzled and seeking answers. The local authorities yesterday were alerted to the tragic scene at a resort in Lom Sak, Phetchabun. The resort, consisting of…
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Thai cult leader condemned for performing oral sex on followers
Thai netizens condemned a cult leader for performing an explicit ritual by laying gold leaves on the private parts of his followers and kissing and performing oral sex on them to improve their fortunes. A video of a Thai man performing the strange gold leaf ritual went viral and received a lot of attention from netizens on social media. Some…
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Two police officers hailed for assisting man in wheelchair in Nonthaburi
Two police officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, Nonthaburi province, received recognition from senior officials for assisting a disabled man in a wheelchair to reach the BTS. TikTok users posted a video of two police officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station, in the Nonthaburi province, pushing a disabled man in a wheelchair to take him to the Khlong…
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PM Srettha’s official visit to Chiang Mai aims to boost Thai tourism and tackle PM2.5
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday embarked on an official visit to Chiang Mai with a delegation to inspect key government policy projects such as transportation network systems, measures to tackle PM2.5 dust particles, and tourism promotion initiatives. During the three-day scheduled trip from January 10-12, PM Srettha encountered the renowned Lieutenant Somboon Banchamek, also known as Buakaw, who was training…
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Underage pregnancies require community support, says Thai academic
Focusing on the issue of underage pregnancies, Sumate Noklang, a PhD Development Education Programme lecturer at the Graduate School of Srinakharinwirot University, insists that the government must prioritise the quality of life for children yet to be born. This comes as part of national initiatives aimed at tackling the country’s decreasing fertility rates. During 2021-2022, Sumate led a comprehensive research…
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Thai woman escapes burning car after dog-related collision
A woman escaped unscathed after her car was engulfed in flames following a dog unexpectedly crossing her path while she was driving home. The incident, which took place today in Buriram, saw the woman manage to flee her burning vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, which was completely damaged. Aphinya Phantaprateeb, a detective from Mueang Buriram Police Station in Buriram province, last…
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Thai man cites inheritance arguments as motive for drowning family
A Thai man cited repeated arguments on inheritance with his father as a motive for drowning him and his younger sister in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon. He insisted the crime was committed without mental illness, alcohol or drug use. Officers from the Phang Khon Police Station arrested 35 year old Warut Datephumee for the premeditated murder of his father…
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