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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Pattaya crackdown: Mayor checks on ‘soi sore’ after eviction deadline
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet led city officials on a site inspection of Photisan Soi 6 in North Pattaya yesterday, July 1. This followed the June 30 deadline for residents to vacate their illegally built homes on public land. For over 30 years, unauthorised structures have stood in Photisan Soi 6. Now, Pattaya City is reclaiming this land to restore it…
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Blue Line MRT fares to rise by up to 2 baht from tomorrow
The fares for the Blue Line MRT will increase by 1 to 2 baht, starting tomorrow, with a maximum fare of 45 baht. Discounts for children and seniors remain at 50%. Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) announced the new fare rates for the Blue Line MRT, known as the Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line. Starting tomorrow, July 3, the…
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Rare Begonias turn Phitsanulok forest into a fairytale wonderland
Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Phitsanulok province has transformed into a vibrant wonderland, thanks to the blooming heart-shaped leaves of Begonia Arenosaxa. These exquisite plants, typically flourishing in rainforests during the rainy season, are painting the forest floor in shades of red, creating a breathtaking contrast against the lush greenery. Visitors who embark on the Lan Hin Pum…
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Jet fuel tax relief losing altitude, says deputy finance minister
The Finance Ministry appears unlikely to extend the jet fuel excise tax reduction, which was initially introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, stated Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Julapun addressed a recent proposal by a group of budget airlines seeking further reductions in the jet fuel excise tax. He remarked that such requests are not of immediate importance. Julapun highlighted that…
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Thai man arrested for raping niece over 7-year period
A court in the northern province of Chiang Rai denied a bail request for a Thai man who repeatedly raped his niece from when she was eight until she was 15. He also threatened the girl to drop a complaint against him. The victim’s 44 year old mother contacted the Paveena Foundation for Children and Women because she was worried…
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Woman shot dead while serving dinner in Nakhon Sawan
A woman was shot dead while serving food at her dining table by a gunman suffering from alleged mental health issues. The incident took place in Nakhon Sawan, where the perpetrator was later apprehended by police. At approximately 9.30pm yesterday, July 1, officer Arthit Yaemklin from Takli Police Station received a report of a fatal shooting at a residence. Upon arrival,…
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Police seize one million meth pills in Chiang Mai operation
Police and paramilitary forces in Chiang Mai intercepted a drug trafficking operation, seizing one million methamphetamine pills and launching a manhunt for the suspects. The operation took place yesterday when officers from multiple agencies coordinated their efforts to target a notorious smuggling route. Officers from the Fang Drug Suppression Unit, in collaboration with the 3201st Paramilitary Ranger Company, the Phamuang…
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Deputy Thai PM orders plan to boost tapioca market in Korat
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai visited tapioca farmers in Korat, where he ordered the development of a comprehensive plan to manage prices and urged the expansion of new export markets in the Middle East. During the recent off-site Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima, Phumtham met with the Tapioca Association, farmer representatives, and the President of the…
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Indian PM to headline BIMSTECS summit in Thailand
Sources reveal that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the key figures at the upcoming Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTECS) summit. The summit, themed Towards Resilient Regions, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People, marks the 5th gathering of this crucial bloc. Leaders from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have already confirmed their…
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Thai man suspected of killing his wife and staging her suicide
A Thai mother urged police to investigate the death of her daughter, suspecting her son-in-law of killing his wife and staging her suicide in a wooden hut on a rubber plantation in the Isaan province of Loei. The 56 year old Thai woman, Hongruethai, told Mueang Loei Police Station and Channel 7 that her 26 year old daughter was found…
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Thai hotels seek tax breaks for renovations and EV charger installs
Operators of Thai hotels are advocating for tax deductions or subsidies to support renovation investments, especially those focused on green energy initiatives. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also urged hotels in second-tier cities to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers to cater to the increasing number of travellers using EVs. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) is set to meet with…
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AI reporter KATIE joins Bangkok Biz’s newsroom
In a move that cements its position as Thailand’s premier economic and business news channel, Krungthep Turakij, also known as Bangkok Biz News, introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) reporter named KATIE to its platforms. Following the lead of Nation TV, Post Today, and Thansettakij, this latest innovation marks a significant leap for the Nation Group media arm. KATIE, an AI-generated…
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Thailand partners with Labubu to attract 8 million Chinese tourists
A tourism campaign featuring art toy mascot Labubu aims to draw eight million Chinese visitors and attract art toy enthusiasts globally, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, stated that Labubu’s selection as a promoter for Thai tourism is expected to enhance Thailand’s recognition among international tourists, in addition to the Chinese market. The…
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School cleaner wins 1 million baht in national lottery
A school cleaner’s life took an unexpected turn when she won the first prize in yesterday’s national lottery, securing 1 million baht. In disbelief at her sudden fortune, she plans to build a new home and save the remaining money for her future. At 6pm yesterday, a report from the assistant village head of Moo 8, Khlong Khoi Subdistrict, Photharam…
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Isaan bar brawl hits sour note: DJ assaulted, girlfriend miscarries
A Thai bar owner in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom physically assaulted a DJ for leaving his desk to go to the bathroom. The victim claimed the fracas also caused his girlfriend to miscarry. The Thai DJ, Chinorrod Yoidoungchai, shared details of the physical assault and pictures of his injuries on his Facebook account on Sunday, June 30. The…
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Noodle shop heroes stir up town chatter with double life-saving feat
Noodle shop employees became the talk of the town after saving two lives in a single day. Security footage from the Prathong Noodle Shop on Prajak Road in Udon Thani captured these extraordinary events yesterday, July 1. A foreign male customer, while dining at the restaurant, began choking on his food. His Thai wife quickly attempted to help by administering…
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Bangkok police hunt motorcycle gang after fatal shooting
Bangkok Metropolitan Police mobilised a special investigation team to pursue and arrest a notorious motorcycle gang involved in a brutal shooting incident. The gang, comprising 12 motorcycles and 23 individuals, is accused of chasing and shooting at a black Toyota Fortuner, resulting in the death of a 39 year old passenger. The incident took place late at night when two…
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Nonthaburi restaurant uses gun target sheet to deter thieves
A small restaurant in Nonthaburi has taken an unusual step to deter thieves by placing a shooting range target sheet next to their display menu. This decision follows a recent theft that left the eatery unable to operate for a day. At 6pm yesterday, July 1, a made-to-order food restaurant in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, displayed a shooting range target…
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Finance Ministry to launch new 100 billion baht investment fund
Plans are underway at the Finance Ministry to establish a new investment fund similar to the previous state-controlled Vayupak Fund, aimed at bolstering Thai shares with strong fundamentals. This initiative is expected to be finalised within two weeks. Finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit announced that the new fund is projected to attract a minimum of 100 billion baht into the…
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Woman tragically mowed down by drunk driver in Samut Prakan
A tragic accident occurred when a drunk driver crashed into a pedestrian on a footpath, killing a woman instantly. The driver, who had been drinking at a birthday party, was apprehended by the police for an alcohol test yesterday, July 1, at 11.30pm. Police received a report of a fatal accident involving a van and a pedestrian on Sukhabhiban 6…
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ITA Airways launches direct flights from Rome to Bangkok
ITA Airways will launch a groundbreaking nonstop service between Rome (FCO) and Bangkok (BKK) starting November 16. This marks the airline’s inaugural route between Italy and Thailand, creating an exciting new travel option for leisure and business travellers. For the first time in years, passengers will enjoy direct flights connecting the Italian and Thai capitals, thanks to ITA’s state-of-the-art Airbus…
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Sour note: Hotelier faces hefty copyright fee for posting music clip
A well-known singer and hotel owner in Samut Prakan shared an alarming experience involving a hefty copyright fee after posting a live music performance clip online. This incident sparked a significant discussion on social media. Kittiphan Leesatruapai, also known as Nath Leatana, owns a hotel in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. He recently shared his story on TikTok to warn other…
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SEC bill to launch 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project by 2026
The draft of the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bill is on track to be submitted to the Cabinet by the end of September, aiming to kickstart the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject in 2026, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday. The blueprint for the project is currently being adjusted to align with the expectations of foreign investors and locals. These adjustments…
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Road-raging Bangkok taxi driver ready to serve a knuckle sandwich
A Bangkok taxi driver brandished brass knuckles and other weapons in an alarming road rage incident, leaving other drivers in fear. The incident was reported on social media by a prominent Facebook page which shared a video clip sent by a concerned follower. A public taxi driver, wearing a strikingly patterned shirt, reportedly displayed brass knuckles and an array of weapons…
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BMW driver hits motorcycle, causing fatal crash in central Thailand
A BMW driver rear-ended a motorcycle carrying three people, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The driver claimed the motorcycle abruptly stopped in front of him, leaving him with no time to brake. A collision occurred this morning, July 2, on the bridge returning from Phahonyothin Road to Phahonyothin Road in front of a bone factory in Khlong Luang,…
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Bangkok airport’s automatic passport control ready for check-in
The head of the Thai Immigration Bureau inspected the readiness of Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s new automatic passport control channels, which will start being used by Thai citizens tomorrow, July 3. He also took the time to dine with the immigration officers, expressing the need to uphold their welfare. The Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, visited the immigration checkpoint…
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Mae Hong Son police arrest illegal moneylender in sting operation
Police apprehended a 34 year old online gambler and illegal moneylender while he was collecting interest on loans. Police officers led by Phasawint Kaewtai, the Police Chief of Mae Hong Son, along with Isarapong Apichai, the Deputy Chief of Investigations, and Thawatchai Surinta, the Commander of the Border Patrol Police Company 336, conducted a sting operation at 7.10pm yesterday, July 1.…
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Noodle vendors stir up fortune with thai-rrific 6 million lottery win
Two noodle vendors struck gold by winning the top prize in the Thai government lottery, each receiving 6 million baht. The lucky pair attributed their win to a handsome lottery ticket seller who persuaded them to buy the last two tickets he had. The Thai government lottery results were announced for the draw held yesterday, July 1. The winning number…
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Thailand emerges as key hub for data centres and cloud services
Thailand continues to emerge as a strategic hub for investment in data centres and cloud services, driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital services in the region. The Board of Investment (BOI) Secretary General, Narit Therdsteerasukdi, highlighted that 37 projects worth 98.539 billion baht have already been approved for investment in data centres and cloud services.…
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Major street racing meetup thwarted by Bangkok police, 1 arrested
A group of approximately 50 motorcycle street racers gathered on Ram Inthra Road, Bangkok, around 3am last night, reportedly racing and revving their engines. The racers dispersed upon the arrival of officers, however, police managed to apprehend one unlucky individual. The Police Colonel of Bang Khen Police Station, Anan Vorasart, received reports of a group of approximately 50 motorcycles assembling…
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