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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Thai women rescued from Cambodian scamming operation
Three Thai women have confessed to being forced into making hundreds of daily calls for a Cambodian-based, Chinese-run scamming operation, under the threat of violence or prostitution. The women shared their experiences after being safely returned to Thailand. The chairman of the Northeast’s Social Development and Human Security Volunteers (SDHSV), Khamphong Teerat, commended Thai and Cambodian authorities on the rescue…
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Family caught faking issue for discount at Bangkok shabu eatery
The manager of a renowned shabu restaurant in Bangkok revealed that a deceptive family was caught on camera sneaking tissue paper into a hotpot, causing a scene that led to a discounted bill and damaged the restaurant’s reputation. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, prompted customers to leave, nearly emptying the establishment. The latest update revealed details of the incident…
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Major online gambling operation in Chiang Rai shut down, 3 arrests
Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DE) officers arrested two Thai men and one Thai woman in the northern province of Chiang Rai for an online gambling operation which had a monthly circulation of over 600 million baht. The arrests took place during raids at various locations in Chiang Rai on April 4. These raids followed the execution of nine search…
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Thailand and China join forces for lunar and space research
Thailand and China have taken a significant leap towards space exploration, establishing initial agreements for collaboration on the peaceful use of outer space and international lunar research stations. These pacts were announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The intent behind these Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) is the formation of a joint working group, focused on space exploration and…
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Rayong police investigate Facebook gold scam
Victims of a fraudulent gold instalment scheme reported their case to the police, claiming to have been deceived by a scammer posing as a renowned gold shop in Rayong. Police Lieutenant Anuphong Phuangpee from the Klaeng District Police Station in Rayong Province received complaints from three victims, including 46 year old Suladda, Pornpawee, and Sasithorn. They were duped into making…
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Trang hospital sees revival in Thai traditional eye therapy
Patients seeking traditional Thai eye treatments are flocking to the health-promoting hospital in Ban Pru Jood, Trang, creating a buzz for the ancient practice known as Bong Tor Duay Namwai or needle splinting with rattan spines. This surge in demand reflects an increasing interest in the efficacy of traditional medicine, highlighting a blend of heritage and healing that is drawing…
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Thai woman fakes kidnapping to extort money from folks to pay gambling debts
A Thai woman in the central province of Pathum Thani faked a kidnapping in order to extort 100,000 baht from her parents to repay her online gambling debts. A Thai mother, 51 year old Noi, reported her daughter’s kidnapping at Bang Sri Mueang Police Station on April 3. She recounted that an alleged criminal sent videos of her 30 year…
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Game, set, match: International beach tennis served in Pattaya
The sands of Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, right in front of the Dvaree Hotel near Soi 12, have been transformed into an international sports arena as the Pattaya International Beach Tennis IFBT World Cup Tour 2024 is underway. This global beach tennis tournament is a spectacle that sports enthusiasts should not miss. Last night, the beach courts were buzzing with…
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Political inferno: Move Forward Party risks dissolution
In a fiery political clash spanning over 36 hours, the fate of Thailand’s Move Forward Party (MFP) hangs by a thread, as the government mulls over dissolution. Amidst gripping revelations and bold declarations, former leader Pita Limjaroenrat takes a stand, challenging the very essence of democracy. Former MFP chief Pita Limjaroenrat delivered a resounding message, affirming his unwavering stance against…
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Mysterious death: Naked body of Thai man found hanging from tree
Friends and family suspect foul play after discovering the naked body of a Thai man hanging outside his home in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet. A 35 year old Thai man, Somkid Saokaew, discovered the dead body of his manager, Rapin, outside the deceased’s home in the Mueang district of Kampaengphet yesterday, April 4, and reported the death to…
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Thai government launches 300,000 baht loans for self-employed
In a significant move to support the workforce, the Thai government has unveiled a loan programme aimed at self-employed individuals, providing funds up to 300,000 baht for those in need of financial assistance. This initiative, which offers zero-interest loans for a two-year period, is available until April 30, as announced by Deputy Government spokesperson Karam Phonprakong. The policy, orchestrated under…
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Thai government’s 500 billion baht digital wallet under scrutiny
The funding sources for the government’s flagship 500 billion baht handout scheme, better known as the digital wallet, will undergo careful consideration, ensuring that public debt remains manageable, a senior government official stated today. This scheme is a crucial campaign pledge of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, intending to distribute 10,000 baht to 50 million Thai citizens to stimulate local…
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Man’s fiery folly: Smoking while filling petrol bottles leads to fire
An absentminded Thai man inadvertently triggered a catastrophic blaze by smoking while filling up petrol bottles leading to a catastrophic blaze that engulfed his house and caused moderate injuries in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. On Wednesday, April 3, a man inadvertently triggered a catastrophic blaze by smoking while filling up petrol bottles. The resulting fire engulfed his house and…
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Thai man nabbed for taking drugs and showing gun on livestream
Police yesterday arrested a Thai man at his home in the central province of Chachoengsao after he posted a livestream on Facebook showing him taking drugs and brandishing a gun. The livestreams of the Thai man, later identified as Pornthep, were reposted by a local news Facebook page, Khaoded Paet Rio. The caption read… “#ShareToPolice. A Thai man from Mueang…
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‘Land of Smiles’ fast becoming ‘Land of Russian Crime’
Maybe Thailand should rebrand its Land of Smiles moniker to the Land of Russian Crime after yet another Russian man was nabbed for criminal activity. Yesterday, a 36 year old Russian national added his name to a catalogue of former Soviet block criminals arrested for reportedly operating illegal activities. Russian Ibragim Gaitukiev was arrested for allegedly running an unauthorised cryptocurrency…
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Thai airports expecting a surge in arrivals during Songkran
During the Songkran festival, around 2.61 million passengers are expected to be welcomed across six Thai airports, as reported by the Transport Ministry. This forecast was made by Transport Minister Suriya Juengrungreangkit following a recent meeting. Suriya highlighted that the ministry had issued directives to the Airports of Thailand (AoT), as well as all other transport-related agencies, to prioritise passenger…
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Russian man arrested in Pattaya for illegal trade linked to a suicide
Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) officers arrested a Russian man at a luxury penthouse in Pattaya yesterday for allegedly running an illegal trade, which led to the suicide of a Thai woman. ECD officers arrested the 40 year old Russian man, Alexey Vegman, at his penthouse yesterday, April 4 on an accusation of illegally trading. Vegman reportedly denied all allegations…
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Government’s debt hike prompts caution from agencies
Ratings agencies issued cautionary statements following the surprise decision this week by the government to increase its debt in a bid to stimulate the economy. The move, which may compromise the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts, is likely to stimulate short-term growth. The medium-term budget plan was revised by the Cabinet on Tuesday, causing a rise in the deficit next fiscal…
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Thai government accused of ignoring call centre gangs problem
The Thai government came under fire from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), who accused them of reneging on their commitment to eradicate call centre gangs. These criminal outfits, operating from across the Thai-Myanmar border, are becoming an escalating menace to Thailand and beyond. List-MP of the MFP, Rangsiman Rome, suggested that the government’s seeming indifference to the widespread issue…
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Gold rush: Bullion prices hit record high, further increase forecast
Bullion prices have hit a new record high of over US$2,300 an ounce with sustained demand from central banks and rising geopolitical conflict. This led local traders to raise their forecasts for both global and domestic prices of gold to US$2,350 and 40,500 baht respectively. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) updated the domestic price by 400 baht per baht-weight before…
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Krungsri Bank targets 2-3% growth in SME loans in 2024
Krungsri, Thailand’s fifth-largest lender, is optimistic about achieving a 2-3% growth in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) loans in 2024, following a surge in the first quarter of the year. The bank’s SME loans increased by over 2% by the end of March, in line with the gradual economic recovery of the country. This follows a robust 11% growth in…
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15,000 tonnes of cadmium found in Samur Sakhon, no health scares yet
Acting on a tip-off, the Thai authorities yesterday discovered 15,000 tonnes of cadmium in a warehouse in the Mueang district in the central province of Samut Sakhon. No adverse health effects have been reported by residents thus far. The Industrial Commission of the Secretariat of The House of Representatives received a complaint alleging that a company in the northern province…
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Thai bond defaults to stay below 1% in Q2, predicts ThaiBMA
The Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA) forecasted a low probability of bond defaults in the forthcoming second quarter, with the total default value expected to fall below 1% of the entire outstanding market value. Ariya Tiranaprakit, Executive Vice President of ThaiBMA, revealed that the trend of deferring bond payments gained traction in the aftermath of the pandemic, largely induced by…
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Bolt driver in Pattaya attacked by passenger’s ex-boyfriend
A Bolt driver in Pattaya found himself in an unexpected and dangerous situation when an unidentified man attacked him, mistakenly believing him to be the new boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend. The incident took place yesterday when 40 year old Pairat Songsod was waiting in his parked car for his passenger, 24 year old Kulrat who had booked a ride through…
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AWC set to scoop jackpot from Thailand’s casino legalisation
Tisco Securities indicated that Asset World Corporation (AWC), a luxury hotel and retail centre operator, stands to gain significantly from the government’s plan to legitimise casinos within entertainment complexes. This move is part of the government’s strategy to attract high-spending tourists and curb revenue losses from illicit gambling. The government is contemplating the establishment of the first entertainment-casino complex in…
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Thailand Video News | Ferry fire rescue in Koh Tao, Governor warns of fuel station scams this Songkran
In this video, Alex and Jay cover the news from across Thailand. The Governor has initiated a rigorous crackdown on fuel station scams, just in time for the approaching Songkran festivities. Swift and decisive action by Thai authorities recently averted a potential tragedy, rescuing all passengers from a ferry fire en route to Koh Tao. Meanwhile, the monkhood bid of…
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Armed man shot by police at hospital in Phetchaburi after standoff
A man armed with a gun and a knife caused havoc at Cha-am Hospital in Phetchaburi, resulting in a confrontation with the police that led to him being shot and injured. The incident occurred yesterday evening when local police were alerted to a disturbance in the hospital’s in-patient building. On arrival, they discovered the man, identified as 34 year old…
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Bangkok repays 2.3 billion baht in debt owed to BTS Skytrain
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had repaid its 2.3 billion baht in debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS. It is hoped that this debt repayment will give the private sector confidence to invest in future projects with the BMA. The debt owed by BMA to the BTS…
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Thai Tourists undeterred by Taiwan earthquakes for Songkran
Despite Taiwan experiencing its most significant earthquake in a quarter of a century and a series of tremors in Japan, Thai tourists are undeterred and continue with their planned holidays during the Songkran period. Charoen Wangananont, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), revealed that the majority of Thai tourists had already secured their tour packages, flight tickets, and…
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Thai student arrested for using AI to create explicit celebrity images
Police in Chon Buri Province arrested a 25 year old man for allegedly creating and distributing explicit images of celebrities using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The student, Suphanat, has been previously apprehended for similar offences and was found with over 1,000 doctored images. The arrest on April 5, 2024, by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) led by Police Major…
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