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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Chiang Mai lottery enthusiasts speculate on singer’s lucky numbers
The excitement around the upcoming lottery draw on Sunday has reached a fever pitch in Chiang Mai, with many eagerly hunting for tickets featuring the most sought-after numbers, particularly those associated with the late singer Phumphuang Duangchan. Lottery stalls across various key locations, including Chiang Mai Gate, Arcade Bus Station, the railway station, Mahidol Road in Mueang District, and Chiang…
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Search efforts grow for missing lecturer at Srinakarin Dam
The search for the missing 41 year old former university lecturer Jaturaphut, known as “Ajarn Toey,” has intensified with foundations from across the country rallying together. Efforts to locate him will span three days, from today to Sunday, with generous support ensuring three meals a day for the search teams. Jaturaphut mysteriously disappeared while on a rafting trip with friends…
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Thaksin’s political comeback: A masterstroke or misfire?
Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, despite facing charges under the lese-majeste law, is plotting a grand comeback. Engaging with influential political figures and major families, the 74 year old former prime minister plays the long game with a cunning new strategy. Thaksin is abandoning the 100-party list MP seat strategy, focusing instead on the 400 constituency MP seats, a tactic…
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Police seize 1.1 million meth pills abandoned in Chiang Rai
Police intercepted a major drug haul when two motorcyclists abandoned 1.1 million meth pills by the roadside in Chiang Rai. The suspects fled after encountering a checkpoint, leaving behind the drugs branded with a luxury car logo. The incident occurred around 6.30pm yesterday. Officers from the 191 Patrol Unit of Mae Chan Police Station and the Tha Khao Pluak checkpoint…
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Woman robbed of newly purchased 548,000 baht Toyota Fortuner
A bold heist occurred yesterday as a woman was robbed at gunpoint for her newly purchased Toyota Fortuner, moments after she transferred 548,000 baht for the vehicle. The victim, 41 year old Cass recounted the ordeal to an investigating officer, explaining that she and an acquaintance, 25 year old Bow, were introduced to a woman known as Jae Aeh, who…
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PM Srettha blasts army over unapproved salary deductions
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has been caught in a controversy following revelations about questionable salary deductions from conscripts, including a 500 baht fee for cleaning a septic tank. However, the RTA claims these documents were never approved or implemented. Colonel Richa Suksuwanon, Deputy Spokesperson for the RTA, addressed the uproar yesterday. He clarified that the leaked document detailing the deductions…
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Forget about erectile issues, viagra can also possibly help prevent dementia
Viagra, commonly known for treating erectile dysfunction, may also help prevent dementia by boosting blood flow to the brain. A recent study suggests that this well-known medication might reduce the risk of developing vascular dementia, providing hope for those at risk of this debilitating condition. The unexpected benefits of viagra Originally designed to treat angina, Viagra gained fame in the…
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Heart attack victim in Bangkok Chit saved in the nick of time
Police officers successfully performed CPR on a heart attack patient, after the automated external defibrillator (AED) had failed, saving his life just in time. The incident occurred across the Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, Bangkok yesterday after authorities received an emergency call at 5pm. Upon arrival, authorities found the man unresponsive with symptoms indicating a possible heart attack. Fortunately, a…
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Majority oppose Thai amnesty bill in online survey
A significant majority of people surveyed by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives expressed opposition to a bill sponsored by civil society groups that seeks amnesty in political and lese majeste cases dating back to September 2006. The month-long online survey concluded with 64.66% of participants rejecting the bill, while 35.34% were in favour. Some 90,503 respondents took part…
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Twinning triumph: Thailand to launch second border bridge to Malaysia
Thailand is set to break ground on a monumental project that will transform the region. The Twin Bridge, a massive construction project in Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok, is expected to begin in April 2025. Narathiwat Province Governor Trakul Thotham announced that before construction starts, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) must be conducted. The EIA survey is scheduled to kick off next…
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Bangkok to launch raids on illegal pet markets after tragic fire
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced it will launch raids on unauthorised pet markets across the city following a devastating blaze at a Chatuchak district pet market that resulted in the death of over 5,000 animals. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, alongside BMA representatives and an animal protection organisation network, addressed the media on Wednesday regarding the fire at Sri Somrat Market.…
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Septic shock: Colonel reassigned amid conscripts fee fuss
Following an online controversy, the colonel of the 22nd Logistic and Services Battalion has been reassigned to the 2nd Army Region. The issue arose when conscripts were charged a 500 baht fee for septic tank maintenance and other unjustified expenses. The Facebook page Esor News 3 shared a conscript’s salary slip on June 12, reporting that the conscript had asked…
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Bill leaves bad poll taste: Over 60% oppose controversial amnesty bill
An online poll revealed that more than 60% of respondents are against a contentious draft amnesty bill, proposed by Poonsuk Poonsukcharoen of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights and seconded by a staggering 36,723 people. The bill, currently under parliamentary consideration, sparked a fierce public debate. Conducted between May 13 and June 12 in accordance with Article 77 of the Constitution,…
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Chon Buri cannabis store vandalism turns into a blaze of gunfire
A cannabis store in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province fell victim to vandalism twice, with the second attack escalating to gunfire, perpetrated by masked youths. Sakda Niempai, the proprietor, revealed that his shop, situated opposite the Bang Saray Night Market, was the target of two assaults by a group of teenagers. CCTV footage documented both incidents, prompting the…
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Thailand to send 1,200 farm workers to Israel despite conflict
In an effort to boost collaborative efforts between the two nations, Thailand’s Department of Employment will send 1,200 workers to Israel, following an agreement with the nation to accommodate 5,000 Thai workers between June and December. Department of Employment Director-General Somchai Morakotsriwan announced the decision yesterday, June 13, lifting the moratorium on sending Thai workers to Israel despite the ongoing…
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New SRT Royal Blossom train to boost Kanchanaburi tourism
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to launch the new SRT Royal Blossom tourist train, refurbished by Thai craftsmen, on the Kanchanaburi route by mid-August. The announcement came from Akranun Kannakitinan, a Kanchanaburi MP from the Pheu Thai Party. Akranun revealed that the refurbished train, featuring air-conditioned Hamanasu carriages from Japan, will soon commence operations. The train has…
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Election Commission defends move to dissolve MFP
The Election Commission (EC) defended its move to seek the dissolution of the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) due to its support for revising the lese majeste law, asserting that the move adhered to proper legal procedures under the organic law on political parties. EC member Pakorn Mahannop clarified that the commission’s action was based on Section 92, not Section…
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Police raid karaoke bar uncovering child prostitution ring
The Thai police conducted a raid on a karaoke bar in the Lat Pla Khao area, revealing a child prostitution ring exploiting minors to pay off exorbitant debts. The operation rescued teenage victims aged between 15 and 16 years old. Special Operations from the Department of Provincial Administration carried out the raid yesterday to rescue the teenage victims of human…
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Victims condemn news agency for airing monk sex scandal videos
The Thai victims of a sex scandal involving a former monk condemned a news agency for publishing their explicit videos, causing embarrassment and making other victims scared to provide information to the police. A Thai couple, A and B, and their friend, C, sought help from Saimai Survive after the former monk, Phra Ajarn O, allegedly manipulated them into having…
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Singaporean tourist and locals injured in Pattaya traffic accident
A traffic accident involving a Singaporean tourist and a local pickup truck left over 12 people injured in Pattaya. The collision occurred on Jomtien Beach Road at 12.36am, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Upon arrival, responders discovered a modified Nissan Frontier pickup truck and a white Honda Civic sedan involved in the crash. The pickup truck was transporting…
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Data breach of over 20,000 Senate applicants investigated
A major data breach involving personal information from over 20,000 applicants for the Senate election is under investigation by the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand. The leak occurred soon after the district-level voting on June 9. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee confirmed that the data was compromised through file formats integrated into the system by an unidentified agency. The EC is…
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Bangkok rail fares capped at 20 baht by March 2026
The government is set to implement a 20-baht fare cap across all of Greater Bangkok’s rail network by March 2026, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday. Suriya confirmed the decision following a meeting with the Common Ticketing System Policy Committee. The committee approved the plan to impose a 20-baht limit on ticket prices throughout Bangkok’s rail network and has instructed…
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Pooling trouble: Udon Thani cops dive in, net 31 in drug raid splash
Police in Udon Thani conducted a significant raid on a pool villa, resulting in the arrest of 31 individuals involved in a drug party. The operation took place after authorities received a tip-off from the Damrongdhama Center. The raid uncovered a new type of illicit substance disguised within 13 packs of collagen, along with two ecstasy pills and 2.48 grammes…
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Web of fortune: Phaya Bung locals spin hopes on spider for lottery luck
Residents of Village 4 in Yan Re Subdistrict, Kabin Buri District, Prachin Buri Province, performed a ritual today seeking lucky lottery numbers from the revered Phaya Bung spider. They offered flowers, incense, and betel leaves, requesting blessings and fortune from the guardian spirits. The villagers then prepared two sets of paper slips numbered from zero to nine, which they dropped…
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Baht’s the password? Thai gran’s costly slip leads to 105k bank loss
A 65 year old Thai woman lost 105,000 baht from her bank account after writing her ATM password on the back of the card and subsequently losing it on March 13, resulting in the loss of 105,000 baht in her bank account. The 65 year old victim, Janpen, accompanied by her 44 year old daughter, Somporn, sought help from Move…
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Thai court to review 2001 Thai-Cambodian MoU’s constitutionality
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) Deputy Leader Paiboon Nititawan has taken his concerns about the 2001 Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand to the Constitutional Court, questioning its alignment with the Thai constitution. Paiboon had initially requested the Ombudsman to petition the court on April 10 but, after the Ombudsman failed to act within…
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Weakening monsoon reduces rainfall across Thailand
Weather conditions today show a weakening monsoon, resulting in reduced rainfall across Thailand, though heavy rain persists in the northern regions. Bangkok experiences a 20% chance of rain. The Meteorological Department (TMD) forecast highlights these changes over the next 24 hours. The TMD forecasts that the southwestern monsoon covering the upper Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand is…
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Man dies after pickup veers off Samut Songkhram road
A 34 year old man tragically lost his life after his pickup truck veered off the road and crashed into a barricade, ejecting him through the rear window. The accident happened at around 2.30am today, June 14, on Samut Songkhram-Bang Phae Road, heading towards Mae Klong. Police Lieutenant Pongporn Taowarod, Deputy Inspector at Amphawa Police Station, was alerted to the…
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Thai govt warns of monsoon mayhem, brace for floods, heavy rain
The Thai government issued a warning for heavy rain and potential flash floods from June 15 to June 19, due to monsoons and increased weather activity. The Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand are expected to experience high waves, urging fishermen to avoid navigating stormy areas. Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Karom Polpornklang, alerted the public to the…
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Trunk call: Monk leads project to build elephant shelter in Chiang Mai
Renowned monk Phra Kru Odd called upon elephant enthusiasts to join a significant initiative to construct a shelter for elephants of the Saen family in Chiang Mai. The project aims to protect the elephants from harsh weather conditions and is estimated to cost 1 million baht, taking one full year to complete. Phra Kru Odd, associated with Wat Chedi Luang…
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