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 The real cost of being a digital nomad in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for digital nomads, known for its affordable living, lively culture, and modern facilities. With its warm climate, great food, and friendly communities, it's an ideal place for remote workers to balance work and travel. However,...
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Splashy Songkran: Thai restaurant sales set to surge despite economic lull
Looking ahead to the upcoming Songkran festival, a trade group predicts a boost in restaurant sales during the second quarter, which could potentially surpass pre-pandemic levels, despite the current stagnant economy. Thaniwan Kulmongkol, President of the Thai Restaurant Association, noted that although the second quarter is typically a slow season for the Thai restaurant industry, the Songkran festival is expected…
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Tourist’s car wheel trapped in poorly covered sewer hole in Sattahip
A peculiar incident unfolded on Monday when an unsuspecting tourist found his car wheel ensnared in an inadequately covered sewer hole on Bang Saray Beach Road, in Sattahip, Chon Buri province. Local media outlets reported this event as it happened under the veil of the previous night. On arrival at the scene of the incident, emergency responders came across a…
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Dusit International urges government to boost quality tourism in Thailand
Dusit International Vice Chairman Chanin Donavanik urged the government to focus on enhancing the quality of tourism and encouraging exploration of lesser-known destinations to boost the industry. Chanin believes the government’s existing tourism promotion policies, including visa-free schemes and luxury tax reductions, are effective. Chanin, who also serves as the executive committee’s chairman, highlighted several areas for the authorities to…
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Stormy forecast: Thailand braces for thunder, wind, and hail
Thailand’s northern region is bracing for severe summer storms, as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues a warning for thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible hail in some areas. The warning, which took effect from 5am today, April 10, and is expected to continue until tomorrow, April 11, is a result of high-pressure systems from China extending over the northeast of…
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British man fined 5,000 baht for naked stroll on Krabi beach
A British man faces a fine of 5,000 baht after a viral video, filmed by a Thai local, showed him walking naked with his friends along Ao Nang Beach in the southern province of Krabi. A resident of Krabi province witnessed the naked British man, later identified as 23 year old Joseph William Kershaw, and filmed him. The video was…
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Thai govt explores legalisation of casino entertainment complexes
The Thai Cabinet yesterday endorsed a House committee report, greenlighting the prospect of legalising entertainment complexes featuring casinos within the country. The Ministry of Finance received orders to conduct a further feasibility study concerning this potential investment within a 30-day timeframe. Kenika Ounjit, the deputy government spokeswoman, highlighted that the entertainment complex initiative constitutes a vital component in the government’s…
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s opulent family holiday in Phuket
Ever wondered how Hollywood’s elite enjoy their family vacations? Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie show us how it’s done with their opulent getaway in Thailand. The power couple, along with their brood of six, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne are basking in luxury at the Amanpuri beach resort in Phuket, where they’re shelling out a jaw-dropping £18,000 (approximately…
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Street vendor’s fried wonton pricing sparks social media uproar
A recent social media post sparked a debate about the fairness of food pricing after a woman paid 50 baht for less than ten pieces of fried wontons from a street vendor. The post, which quickly went viral, led to a flurry of comments from netizens astonished by what they deemed an exorbitant cost for such a meagre serving. On…
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Bangkok Port shipping scene sets sail for relocation
The Bangkok Port, located in the bustling Klong Toey district, is earmarked for a potential relocation, the Transport Ministry announced. Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri revealed plans for a feasibility study into the port’s relocation yesterday, to transform parts of the 32-rai site into a public park. Manaporn, responsible for overseeing the operations of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), shared…
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Thai man flees on stolen motorbike after attempted rape at hospital
A Thai man fled on a stolen motorcycle after he attempted to rape a female doctor at a hospital in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham on Sunday. Fortunately, the victim survived while the suspect reportedly hid himself in Khon Kaen province. The 31 year old doctor, Nantida, recounted the incident to Matichon, saying she was alone at the one-stop…
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Phrae authorities foil Songkran festival illegal timber smuggling
Authorities in the province of Phrae intercepted a major illegal timber operation, thwarting an attempt to smuggle wood past checkpoints in a bid to supply factories ahead of the busy Songkran festival. The bust, which took place today, April 9, is part of an intensified crackdown on illegal logging activities in the region. The operation, led by the director of…
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Wildlife trafficker nabbed with protected macaques in Narathiwat
The Thai authorities recently apprehended a wildlife trafficker in a sting operation today, seizing two protected macaque monkeys confined in fertiliser bags. The suspect, 32 year old Haisu Salaere, was caught red-handed in Narathiwat province while attempting to sell the animals, which he admitted to capturing and training for obedience and tasks. Narathiwat police, in collaboration with the Provincial Police…
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Mentally ill Thai man stabs victim in Chon Buri mall
A mentally ill Thai man hit a fellow citizen in the head with a glass bottle and later stabbed the victim with the broken bottle at a shopping mall in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri on April 7. Plutaluang Police Station officers received a report on the stabbing incident at about 3.30pm on Sunday, April 7 and quickly responded…
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Chinese automaker Hozon aims to double its EV sales in Thailand
Hozon New Energy Automobile Co, a Chinese manufacturer operating as Neta Auto, has set a target to double its electric vehicle (EV) sales in Thailand to 30,000 units this year. The announcement was made during last month’s Bangkok International Motor Show. The company’s swift rise in popularity in Thailand, a market previously dominated by legacy automakers, is a testament to…
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Fun drought: Songkran water festivities scaled back, says tourism minister
Despite earlier announcements, the traditional water-splashing activities during the Songkran festival in Thailand will not run throughout the entire month-long celebration, according to Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Tourism and Sports Minister. The minister clarified that although the festival activities were scheduled from April 1 and set to end by the month’s close, water-splashing was not part of the whole duration. Sudawan…
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PTT assures adequate LNG reserves to beat heat in Thailand
With summer temperatures expected to soar, PTT Plc, Thailand’s national oil and gas conglomerate, has assured that its liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserves are up to the task of meeting the country’s increased electricity demand. In Thailand, 60% of the fuel used for electricity generation is gas. As a result, PTT is prepared, with gas reserves of 6 billion cubic…
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Nutritionists tout pork tail and crescent moon bone as superfoods
Two underappreciated cuts of pork, the tail and the crescent moon bone, are hailed for their nutritional value, equating to beneficial foods like ginseng and bird’s nest, yet remain largely ignored by consumers. Nutrition experts advocate for the inclusion of these pork parts in diets, emphasising their rich composition of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that rival the aforementioned health foods.…
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Singkhon border crossing to become permanent checkpoint for agriculture trade
Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Singkhon border crossing, a vital point of trade between Thailand and Myanmar, is set to become a permanent checkpoint, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The move is anticipated to enhance the transportation and trading of agricultural goods, including fisheries products. Minister Thamanat Prompow highlighted the need for the Singkhon border crossing, currently only accessible…
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Thai woman sparks backlash for vaping on Chiang Rai flight (video)
A Thai woman is facing criticism after a video of her smoking an e-cigarette during a flight from Mae Fah Luang International Airport in the northern province of Chiang Rai went viral on Thai social media. A passenger took a sneaky video of the woman vaping on the plane and shared the content with the Red Skull Twitter account. The account…
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AI poised to propel global productivity, says Microsoft CEO
Microsoft Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella has identified a pressing global need for a new artificial intelligence (AI) growth engine to unlock potential. According to Nadella, AI has emerged as the most potent technology since the inception of the Internet era and is capable of propelling worldwide productivity growth. The 56 year old CEO stated that the previous…
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New Zealand PM to make official visit to Thailand
Christopher Luxon, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, is set for an official visit to Thailand between April 16 and 18, hosted by Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Luxon’s delegation includes Simon Watts, Minister for Climate Change, Paulo Garcia, Member of Parliament, and a host of officials from various New Zealand government departments, along with influential business leaders. PM Luxon…
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Boom boom: Thai people ranked No.1 in Asia’s list of top shaggers
The World Population Review website released its ranking for the Average Number of Sexual Partners by Country in 2024, revealing that Thai people are Asia’s top shaggers. The World Population Review website published its 2024 ranking for the Average Number of Sexual Partners by Country, unveiling that Thai individuals have the highest number of sexual partners in Asia. The World Population…
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Golden stability: Thai prices hold steady after dazzling surge
Gold prices in Thailand remained unchanged today, following a record surge that saw the selling price for gold ornaments breach the 41,150 baht mark. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) reported that the price of gold on April 9, 2024, was consistent with the closing figures from the previous day. The latest data from the GTA website, recorded at 9.39am, indicated…
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Smog shock: Chiang Mai claims ‘top’ spot in global pollution woes
Chiang Mai today topped the smog charts as the world’s most polluted city. The northern region of Thailand continues to be ensnared by a thick smog, causing serious health concerns for residents and visitors. The monitoring website IQAir highlighted Chiang Mai as the city with the worst air pollution levels at 9.20am. The fine dust levels were recorded at an…
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China’s economic recovery revs up with Ching Ming Festival
China’s economic recovery is gaining momentum, driven by a boost in domestic travel and spending during the recent Ching Ming Festival. The three-day holiday saw a surge of over 10% in domestic travel and spending from pre-pandemic levels. The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism confirmed that over 119 million domestic trips were recorded, exhibiting an increase of 11.5% compared…
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Thailand braces for influx of 100,000 Myanmar refugees
The escalating conflict in Myanmar has prompted Thailand to prepare for the potential influx of 100,000 displaced individuals, as stated by Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara. The announcement came before a Thai Cabinet meeting aimed at discussing the intensifying situation in their neighbouring country. Parnpree urged all parties involved in the conflict to pursue peace negotiations. Currently, Myanmar is grappling…
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2 foreign women caught stealing from souvenir shop in Krabi
A Thai vendor issued a warning to others after two foreign women stole souvenirs from his shop on Railay Beach in the southern province of Krabi on April 7. The owner of the souvenir shop, 45 year old Paithun shared CCTV footage of the theft on TikTok to alert other vendors in the area about the two foreign thieves. In…
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Phuket RBC’s urgent call for blood donations ahead of Songkran
Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) issued an urgent call for blood donors of all types to help increase the blood supply during the Songkran holidays. To incentivise donors, the centre is offering free Give Blood Save Life T-shirts to those who donate blood at their Phuket Town offices between April 9-11, from 8.30am to 7.30pm, or between April 12-16,…
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Thai staff seek justice after German attack in Farang Bar, Pattaya
Another day in Thailand and yet another day where a foreigner behaves badly, ironically, this time in Pattaya’s Farang Bar. Two Thai female employees are seeking justice after a German man attacked them at a bar where they worked on Sunday, April 7. The German accused the bar of overcharging him. The two victims, 55 year old Anchisa Thongphuek and 39…
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Local health director fatally stabbed at charity concert in Loei
Tragedy struck at a charity concert hosted by a renowned school when the director of a local health promotion hospital was fatally stabbed. The incident occurred today, April 9, when 54 year old Boonkua (surname withheld) was seen walking behind the stage to urinate in the bushes at around 4.30am, only to emerge running before collapsing. Lieutenant Wasant Saengthotophoth, Deputy…
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