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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Lamduan drug gang apprehended in high-speed chase by operation unit 238
Operation Unit 238, tasked with protecting the city of Lamduan, successfully apprehended a drug gang following a high-speed car chase. The operation ended with two young men in custody and almost 70,000 methamphetamine pills confiscated. Another suspect managed to escape during the pursuit yesterday. Anupong Suksomnit, the Provincial Police Region of Sisaket, revealed the details of the drug bust, which…
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Thai pubs and restaurants to extend hours and implement sobering-up areas
The National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee recently decreed that pubs and restaurants, which will extend their operating hours until 4am starting from December 15, must establish sobering-up areas and take measures to prevent intoxicated customers from driving. This announcement was made by Santi Promphat, the Deputy Minister of Public Health. The committee’s meeting, led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai,…
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Tragic discovery as government official found hanged in Samut Songkhram
The body of a 43 year old government official was discovered hanging from a bridge over the Mae Klong River in Samut Songkhram province at 3am today. The deceased, was an employee of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Samut Songkhram. Her body was found by a group of shrimp fishers, who alerted the authorities. The incident took place…
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Thailand pushes for violence reduction and public involvement in southern peace talks
Two urgent matters were put forward by Thailand for discussion in endeavours to resolve the southern conflict, as revealed by a source close to the Peace Dialogue Panel. These topics include the reduction of violence and public involvement in the peace negotiation process. Chatchai Bangchuad, the head of the government’s peace panel, is set to advocate for these issues once…
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Surat Thani man shoots brother-in-law over land dispute
A brutal domestic dispute escalated to homicide when a man fatally shot his brother-in-law multiple times in front of their family home. The incident, sparked by an argument over inherited land rights, occurred in the Chaiya district of Surat Thani Province. The gunman is now in police custody awaiting prosecution. On the evening of yesterday, at around 10pm, police officers…
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Thai prime minister criticises marginal increase in minimum wage
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand has voiced his disagreement with the decision of the tripartite wage committee to marginally increase the daily minimum wage rate by 2 to 16 baht across the country. Expressing this during a government project inspection in Kanchanaburi, he criticised the low raise and promised to seek a revision. Srettha pointed out that the government…
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Bangkok nightclub raided for illegal operation and drug use
A prominent nightclub was raided by a team led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, today for violating the law by operating beyond the legal hours and allowing drug use on premises. The operation carried out at 2.20am, was also joined by Ansit Samphantharat, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Ronnarong Thipsiri, Inspector-General of…
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Bank car operator trapped inside vehicle during cash delivery at Shell petrol station
A tense scenario unfolded on December 8, when a bank car operator found himself trapped inside his vehicle amidst a routine cash delivery at a Shell petrol station in Khlong Rang, Si Maha Phot, Prachinburi. The Rabao Phai police and rescue teams were alerted to the incident at approximately 1.30pm. Armed with specialist equipment, they hurried to the scene due…
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Update: Thap Sakae bus accident death toll rises to 15 as woman succumbs to injuries
The bus accident in Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, claimed one more life, raising the death toll to 15. The latest victim was a 29 year old woman, Mantira Deema, who passed away after battling for her life since the accident occurred on December 5. The incident involved a Sri Siam Tour bus (Bangkok-Na Thawi) that veered off the…
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Thai Airways resolves seating dispute following passenger complaint
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) convened with Thai Airways International Public Co. Ltd. yesterday, December 8 following a passenger’s complaint that surfaced on social media. The disgruntled passenger had purchased a business-class ticket but was seated in the economy class. An ensuing investigation revealed that Thai Airways had restructured its business model, replacing Thai Smile flights with continuous flights…
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Popular Thai meatball franchise accused of unfair practices
A well-known meatball franchise is in the midst of a drama, as a customer accuses the franchise owner of unfair practices and taking advantage of buyers. The complainant shared her experience on Facebook, sparking a wave of controversy. Numerous other individuals have allegedly suffered similar mishaps and are considering legal action. The Facebook user detailed her experience with the popular…
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South Thailand: Fatal crash in Chumphon kills two Indian tourists
A collision in Tha Sae district of Chumphon led to the deaths of two Indian tourists and severe injuries to five others, including four Indian nationals and a Thai driver, today, December 9. The ill-fated van they were travelling in crashed into the back of a truck, leading to this catastrophic event. The crash took place near the kilometre marker…
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Private hospitals under fire as government cracks down on skyrocketing costs
The Internal Trade Department tightens control on private hospitals, urging them to play ball in the battle against soaring medical expenses. The government demands transparency and cooperation from over 300 private medical institutions. Wattanasak Sur-iam, the director-general of the Internal Trade Department, has thrown down the gauntlet in a bid to bring down the cost of living for citizens. In a…
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Thai PM blames past governments for Thai students’ poor PISA test results
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin places blame on previous governments for the lacklustre performance of Thai students in recent international assessments. PM Srettha, whose government assumed power a mere three months ago, pledged to tackle the issue head-on and place a renewed focus on enhancing the country’s educational standards. The Thai PM’s comments were motivated by the latest results from the…
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Thai PM unleashes secret weapon: Muay Thai to conquer the world
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled a bold plan to transform Muay Thai into Thailand‘s ultimate soft power. The Thai PM declared Muay Thai as Thailand’s top soft power, highlighting its vast economic potential. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke conveyed the PM’s vision, stating that the administration is keen on integrating Muay Thai into school curricula to foster a new generation of…
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Chao Phraya cruise operators slash prices as tourism battles slowdown
Chao Phraya cruise operators are keeping prices level due to sluggish tourism and high competition. While tourism is taking its time to recover, business-oriented charters are sailing towards a stronger comeback. Poowadee Kunpalin, Vice-President of the Chao Phraya River Tourism Association, talks about the resurgence. “Business travellers, especially from South Korea and European countries, are leading the charge. These high…
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Thai-Myanmar task force takes on border crisis
Thailand and Myanmar have joined forces to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding along the Thai-Myanmar border. The initiative aims to provide much-needed assistance to the thousands affected by the ongoing conflict, with both nations committed to fostering peace in Myanmar. During a bilateral meeting at the 8th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) in Beijing, Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara underscored Thailand’s dedication…
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Thai government launches aggressive campaign against illegal lending
The Thai government has prioritised an aggressive campaign against illegal lending and loan sharks, in an attempt to curb what Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin refers to as modern-day slavery. The move emphasises the urgency to dismantle such activities to restore social stability and security. The 61 year old Thai PM stated the issue of illegal loans has escalated to a…
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Health department halts bottled water factory production in Roi Et (video)
The Department of Health has ordered an immediate halt to production at a bottled water factory in Roi Et province. The decision was made following the release of a shocking video showing water being manually filled into bottles. The factory, which is a licensed water production facility, was inspected and found to be non-compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.…
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Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang park kicks off nesting season with 118 turtle eggs
The latest nesting season in Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park, Thai Mueang district, kicked off with the discovery of 118 leatherback turtle eggs. The eggs were spotted yesterday, December 8, by park officials during their patrol on the beach for signs of a leatherback turtle, locally known as Tao Mafueng, breeding site. Prarop Plaengngan, the park’s chief, recounted the…
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Shocking stop: Thai Smile Buses Co., face backlash as passengers left stranded
The Thai Smile Bus Company faced a barrage of criticism as their electric buses ground to a halt, leaving passengers stranded and services disrupted. The uproar prompted an investigation into the sudden cessation of operations, revealing a deep-seated issue affecting the company’s ability to provide a reliable service. The Corporate Communications Department of Thai Smile Bus Company Limited officially addressed…
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Thailand’s 2 billion baht electricity subsidy for 17.7 million households
The Thai Cabinet has allocated 2 billion baht to subsidise electricity costs for 17.7 million vulnerable households. The scheme, set to be a new year’s gift, will apply to those using no more than 300 units of electricity per month, maintaining a cost of 3.99 baht per unit. Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Peeraphan Salirathaviphak, stated today, December 8,…
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Neigh-saying no more: Horse racing chief urges PM to reopen track after four-year hiatus
Sunthorn Paengpairi, head of the Horse Racing Association in Nakhon Ratchasima, appealed to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to reopen a local horse racing track which has been closed for four years. This long-term closure has significantly impacted the livelihood of around 400,000 individuals involved in the industry, leaving them in severe hardship and without means to support their families. On…
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Counterfeit gold ornaments worth 3 million baht found on Chaeng Watthana Road
Expressway Traffic Police officers yesterday reported a large black bag found on the outbound lane of Chaeng Watthana Road to Pak Kret Police Station, Nonthaburi. The bag, discovered on the expressway, contained a camouflaged backpack filled with various types of ornamental gold, weighing no less than 100 baht. Officers could not immediately identify whether the jewellery was real or fake.…
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Global carbon countdown: Is the world doomed? Shocking revelations from climate talk
At the Thai-German conference Climate Talk in Bangkok, Germany’s Ambassador to Thailand, Dr Ernst Reichel, warns that the world is perilously behind in achieving net-zero carbon emissions. As countries grapple with the devastating consequences of climate change, a fossil fuel ban emerges as a contentious issue during Climate Talk, creating challenges for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)…
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Party on: Health Ministry debunks new year cancellation over XBC Covid variant scare as fake news
The Ministry of Public Health dismissed the cancellation of new year celebrations in Thailand due to the purported spread of a new Covid-19 variant, XBC, as fake news. No unusual outbreaks or dangerous variants have been reported. A Thai Facebook user recently reported that the government was planning to cancel all new year holiday events due to the spread of…
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Loan sharks circle in: 65 year old business owner seeks refuge in Chon Buri
A 65 year old business owner in Chon Buri approached the Saaih Mai Tong Rod coordination centre at 10.40am today, seeking assistance after being ruthlessly pursued by loan sharks. The business owner, Chai, borrowed just 30,000 baht but has ended up paying over 3 million baht in interest. His lenders, a total of 29, have forced him to become a…
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Thai national thought held hostage in Gaza found safe in Israel
A Thai national believed to be among the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza has been found safe in Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reveals this miraculous twist as talks for the release of remaining Thai hostages continue. The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed that a missing Thai national, initially feared to be among the hostages, recently…
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EconThai: Thailand’s job market faces limited growth in key sectors predicted for 2024
The Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai) painted a gloomy picture of Thailand‘s job market in 2024. The Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai) is sounding the alarm, predicting a continued slump in Thailand’s job market in the coming year. According to Tanit Sorat, Vice-Chairman of EconThai, the country’s employment landscape remains bleak in the aftermath…
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Five children left with 40 baht daily rescued from shopping centre life
Five children found living in a shopping centre, left by their parents with only 40 baht per day, have been rescued by Kan Jom Puan, also known as Kanthasat Pongphaiboonvech, along with officers from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Bang Khen Police Station. The children aged between one and 12 years old were discovered living in…
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