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 Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Fan tattoos ‘Lisa Rockstar’ on head after music video shoot
A man expressed admiration for the treasured K-pop star Lisa Manoban, a member of the world-famous music group, BLACKPINK, unconventionally, by tattooing ‘Lisa Rockstar’ on the side of his head. He cited his immense pride after participating in the music video shoot for Lisa’s hit release, Rockstar. Ratchakarn Nakphian explained that he joined the music video shoot without initially knowing…
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Thai investors flee Myanmar chaos, pulling out 253 billion baht
Thai companies are fleeing Myanmar amid escalating conflict and economic instability. The ongoing clash between Myanmar’s military government and opposition forces shows no signs of easing, prompting Thai firms to withdraw a staggering US$7 billion (around 253 billion baht) in investments. Once the third-largest investors in Myanmar, Thai companies are now ranked 5th, with investments plummeting from US$11.6 billion in…
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6 year old Thai girl rescued after being forced to deliver drugs
A Thai man in the central province of Suphan Buri organised the rescue of a six year old girl after witnessing her family members using drugs and forcing her to deliver narcotics throughout the community. Her home is only 500 metres from a police station but officers appeared to be unaware of the problem. The Thai man, identified only as…
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Yala ramps up security amid insurgent threat
Security measures have been intensified in Yala as police respond to intelligence reports about insurgent movements, prompting an increase in patrols and checkpoints to ensure safety, particularly in urban areas, to reassure both residents and tourists. The district chief of Betong, Amorn Chumchuay, directed relevant agencies to integrate their forces and enhance security protocols throughout the district. Rapid response teams…
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Job scam victims demand justice after losing 100,000 baht each
Victims of a job scam involving an overseas employment agency have reported being defrauded of over 100,000 baht each, with more than 100 individuals affected. Despite local police reports, the case has seen no progress. At 11am today, July 11, a group of victims, led by 40 year old Kesinee, met with Police Lieutenant Roi-et Tanlert at the Central Investigation…
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Thai rice enthusiasts in US could win a trip to Thailand
The Thai Trade Centre in New York launched a tantalising campaign, Love Thai Food, Eat Thai Rice, inviting food lovers across the United States to share their passion for Thai food on social media. The prize of a trip to Thailand worth up to US$5,000 (around 180,000 baht) is up for grabs. Ketsuree Vijaranakorn, Director of the Thai Trade Centre,…
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Monk gets ‘phoned’ in: Thief masquerades as benefactor in Buriram
Earlier today a monk reported a theft incident where a man posing as a benefactor stole his mobile phone at a temple in Buriram. A man aged between 50 and 60 years old approached Wat Ban Takong in Buriram province, claiming he wanted to sponsor a meal for the monks. A resident monk at the temple, 60 year old Suthep…
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Thai man arrested for Facebook phone scam in central Thailand
Police apprehended a young man at a railway station for allegedly selling mobile phones through a Facebook page, claiming his ex-girlfriend misused his bank account to deceive victims into transferring money without delivering the goods. The suspect, a 21 year old man named Denondai, was arrested by police at Nakhon Pathom Railway Station. The arrest was carried out by Pakapol…
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Chinese foreign minister calls for ASEAN regional cooperation
During a meeting between the Thai and Chinese foreign ministers to discuss the consultation mechanisms between the two nations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised the importance of upholding the ASEAN-centered East Asian regional cooperation framework and rejecting exclusive small circles. Wang and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa co-chaired the second meeting between the foreign ministers. This two-day visit marked…
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Phuket vies to host 2025 InterPride World Conference
Phuket is gearing up to compete for the opportunity to host the 2025 InterPride World Conference, with local officials affirming the island province’s readiness. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a ceremony for the Pride & Equality Phuket memorandum of understanding alongside representatives from both public and private sectors. The agreement, aimed at promoting gender equality, includes raising awareness about gender inclusivity,…
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Thailand’s EV 3.0 policy faces major oversupply challenges
The Thai Electric Vehicle Association (EVAT) issued a cautionary note to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in Thailand, alerting them to the potential for a significant oversupply of EVs in the coming years. This warning arises from the production requirements stipulated under the EV 3.0 policy. This policy, which has been previously lauded for encouraging domestic EV production, offers import tax…
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New senate sworn in: Election results ‘seal’ the deal on fresh faces
The new Senate was inaugurated yesterday, July 10, following the Election Commission’s certification of the 2024 Senate election results. The ceremony saw 200 elected senators and a reserve list of 100 approved, though controversy struck early when Senator-elect Kordiyah Song-ngam was temporarily suspended due to her advisory role to the president of the Ang Thong Provincial Administration Organisation. The newly…
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Cannabis crusaders’ hunger strike: High stakes classification protest
Cannabis supporters began a hunger strike yesterday in reaction to the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) agreeing to reclassify cannabis as a Narcotics Category 5 drug. Marijuana was removed from Narcotics Category 5 on June 9, 2022, allowing people to use cannabis products containing no more than 2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for health-related purposes only, not recreation. While there were…
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Nine arrested in Songkhla drug raid, crystal meth seized
A police raid on a house in Songkhla’s Mueang district led to the arrest of nine people for alleged drug use, along with the seizure of crystal methamphetamine (Ice). Border Patrol Police executed the raid in Thung Wang subdistrict yesterday, July 10, discovering six men and three women partaking in a drug-fuelled party. The suspects attempted to escape upon seeing…
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Teen reports assault by intruder in her bedroom
A 17 year old girl reported to the police that a 27 year old man entered her bedroom and assaulted her while she was sleeping. The suspect, who initially claimed he entered the house to commit theft, denied the accusation of assault. The incident took place yesterday, July 10, when the girl, referred to as A, woke up at 5am…
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Nation Group announces partial salary suspension
Nation Group announced a partial salary suspension for some employees due to a significant decline in advertising revenue across the media industry, driven by current economic conditions. Chairperson Chai Bunnag also opted to forego his salary. Nation Group released an announcement, numbered 015/2567, detailing the decision to partially suspend salaries. This measure comes in response to a sharp decrease in…
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Japanese tourists to flock to Thailand despite economic woes
To revive tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled dynamic strategies to draw Japanese tourists back to the Land of Smiles. Despite the yen’s depreciation, TAT Tokyo Office Director Kajorndet Apichartrakul remains optimistic about reversing the deficit in tourist numbers with Japan. Last year, 995,000 Thai tourists visited Japan, while only 804,000 Japanese tourists came to Thailand, resulting in…
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Soldier kills girlfriend with samurai sword in chilling Bangkok murder
A chilling murder took place when a soldier brutally killed his girlfriend, a former housekeeper at the Thai Parliament, using a samurai sword. Officers from Sam Sen Police Station arrived at 9.20am yesterday to take custody of 24 year old Sunai, who is the main suspect in the murder of 30 year old Khemruthai. Khemruthai was found dead with a…
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Vietnam Airlines surges 179%, top-performing airline stock in 2024
Vietnam Airlines made a remarkable return to profit, emerging as the world’s best-performing airline stock this year. The state-owned carrier soared to 179% in 2024, buoyed by a resurgence in travel demand. This surge in performance has allowed the airline to post a significant first-quarter profit, breaking a streak of over four years of consecutive losses. This turnaround is particularly…
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Kuwaiti love triangle turns into violent brawl in Pattaya
A dramatic street fight erupted outside a Pattaya hotel, leaving bystanders in shock and fear. The violent altercation, captured on video by onlookers, prompted a swift police search for the assailant. The incident began as bystanders, including 43 year old chicken rice vendor Sompong Ruangkham, recorded the chaotic scene. “At first, we thought it was some big shot showing off.”…
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Bangkok taxi rider’s suspicion leads to discovery of passenger’s body
A Thai motorcycle taxi rider tragically discovered the lifeless body of a regular customer on a camp bed in his apartment room after the man had been missing in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The body of 53 year old Thaweechai was found on a camp bed in his apartment in Soi Suksawat 70, Phrapradaeng district, Samut Prakan province, on…
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Thailand slashes digital wallet budget amid corruption fears
The Thai government has decided to slash the budget for its digital wallet scheme from 500 billion baht to 450 billion, scrapping plans to borrow 170 billion baht from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced the decision yesterday, July 10, citing corruption concerns raised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Julapun revealed…
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Thailand’s new senators report as EC probes election irregularities
Thailand’s newly appointed 200 senators have been summoned to report to Parliament today, July 11, while the Election Commission (EC) continues to scrutinise numerous allegations of collusion and other election irregularities. The senators are expected to collect their certificates tomorrow and on Friday, according to the poll body’s announcement after finalising the results of the three-stage vote that concluded on…
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Thai investor confidence remains neutral for 5th month
The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations’ (FETCO) Investor Confidence Index (ICI) maintained its position in the neutral zone for the 5th consecutive month, registering 82.89 in June. The index, which forecasts market conditions over the next three months, highlights that stimulus measures and companies’ earnings reports could potentially boost investor sentiment in the latter half of the year. FETCO…
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27 young Thai girls sexually assaulted by school director in Lopburi
The Thai parents and guardians of 27 girls accompanied them to file a complaint against the director of Wat Phongam School in the central province of Lopburi for allegedly sexually assaulting them. The victims and their parents and guardians visited Chai Badan Police Station to take legal action against the school director, whose identity has not been revealed. The issue…
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Toddler dies after sexual abuse by drug-addict neighbour
A one year and nine month old infant died after being sexually abused and beaten by a 50 year old man in Ongkharak district, Nakhon Nayok. The horrifying event came to light when the girl’s aunt, Sukanya (surname withheld), was informed by a neighbour that the child had been unconscious since falling down some stairs on Saturday night, July 6.…
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King Vajiralongkorn champions equal education for Thai youth
King Maha Vajiralongkorn is steadfast in his mission to provide equal education opportunities for Thai youth, viewing education as pivotal for the country’s progress. In 2009, then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn initiated the Crown Prince Scholarship, which has since evolved into a foundation dedicated to offering scholarships to underprivileged youth. The King personally chairs this foundation. Privy Councillor General Dapong Ratanasuwan highlighted…
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Lorry crash in Surat Thani leaves two hospitalised
A lorry carrying palm oil waste experienced brake failure and crashed into a car, dragged it for 100 metres, and collided with a pickup truck, causing severe damage. Rescue teams extracted two individuals from the wreckage and transported them to the hospital. The incident occurred at 5.50pm yesterday, July 10 when police from Chaiya Police Station in Surat Thani were…
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Thai prisoner demands justice after fellow inmates raped him in jail
A Thai prisoner urged the Lawyers Council of Thailand Under the Royal Patronage to help him seek justice after two fellow inmates tricked him into taking a sleeping pill and raped him. The incident led the victim to repeatedly attempt suicide. The story gained public interest after a Thai lawyer, Nitithorn Kaewto, shared it on Facebook yesterday, July 10. According to…
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Japanese tourist rampage leaves trail of destruction in Pattaya
A Japanese tourist, in a fit of rage from an argument, drove his car into a popular Pattaya restaurant, crashing into numerous cars and motorcycles before finally colliding with a tour bus. This incident yesterday, July 10, left him injured and in police custody. Police Lieutenant Colonel Itthiporn Tangchuthaweesap of Pattaya City Police Station reported that they received a distress…
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