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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Bank of Thailand warns government against digital wallet plan
Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, dismissed concerns about a confidential Bank of Thailand (BoT) document warning the government against the proposed digital wallet handout initiative. Phumtham, a prominent figure in the Cabinet, stated he was unaware of the document’s contents and questioned its credibility, insisting that if it were a real warning, it would have been officially…
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Blaze rips through Loei’s motorcycle shops, igniting chaos
A fierce blaze tore through three connected motorcycle parts shops in Loei, a province in Thailand, sparking a series of explosions and marking the city’s worst fire in 11 years. The inferno, which erupted at 8.30pm yesterday, prompted an intense firefighting effort that lasted nearly two hours before the flames were finally subdued. The fire, reported at Saeng Thong Parts…
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Thailand proposes ASEAN Troika to mediate Myanmar crisis
Thailand has proposed a collaboration between three or more ASEAN member nations to engage with Myanmar’s military junta, to mitigate the crisis and restore peace in the conflict-stricken country. The nation maintained its commitment to extend humanitarian assistance and foster peace amid the turmoil. Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, announced yesterday that Thailand, through Laos, the current…
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Man on drug-fuelled spree injures several in Samut Prakan
A violent rampage involving a man wielding a knife and damaging vehicles ended in multiple injuries and a police arrest under a motorway in Samut Prakan province yesterday, April 24. The incident began with the man attacking his family and colleagues, subsequently stealing a pickup truck, and eventually being subdued by police after a confrontation that left officers and a…
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Thailand issues alert for 43C heatwave and severe summer storms
As Thailand grapples with a scorching heatwave, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued an alert for extreme temperatures reaching up to 43 degrees Celsius, accompanied by summer storms, strong winds, and hail in some areas. The warning covers 45 provinces and advises the public to brace for potentially hazardous weather conditions. The entire upper part of Thailand is experiencing…
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Thai government changes funding approach for digital wallet project
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s coalition government has made a crucial change to its flagship scheme, a digital wallet project aiming to distribute 10,000 baht (US$270) to 50 million Thais. The government has switched from borrowing funds, which faced severe criticism and raised concerns about possible violations of financial and fiscal discipline regulations, to using money from the annual expenditure budget.…
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Thai minister to push for Land Bridge megaproject in China visit
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the Thai Transport Minister, is set to lead a delegation to China to explore further developments concerning the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project and advocate for the 1 trillion baht (US$27 billion) Land Bridge megaproject. The visit, which is scheduled for next month, will involve participation in the 31st Thailand-China joint ministerial committee meeting. A key agenda item is…
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Prachinburi firefighters battle stubborn landfill blaze
A relentless blaze has been challenging firefighters in Prachinburi as they work tirelessly to extinguish a landfill fire that has been burning throughout the night. The sprawling fire, spanning over an area exceeding 17 rai with mounds of garbage more than 4 metres high, has caused significant distress to locals due to the smoke and foul odour affecting three subdistricts.…
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Meth-induced crime wave hits Hat Yai leading to police chase
A drug-fuelled crime spree has gripped the city of Hat Yai in Songkhla province, as a 35 year old man, identified by locals as Num Thip, went on a violent rampage following heavy consumption of methamphetamine and crystal meth. The series of events, which occurred today, April 25, resulted in the apprehension of Thitipong Kwamsup by a 50-officer police force,…
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Ang Thong’s spirit boat lures lottery hopefuls with sacred numbers
A boat believed to be inhabited by spirits has become the centre of attraction in Ang Thong province, attracting locals with the lure of winning lottery numbers. The boat, located at Wat Mai Khok Marum temple, is linked to the tragic tale of a woman named Praewa and her unborn child, Grung Gring. It is thought to have sailed from…
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Thailand households cut cooling costs with aircon and fan trick
In the grip of summer heat, Thailand households are finding that using air conditioning is a necessity rather than a luxury. However, the spike in electricity bills at the end of the month has many looking for cost-effective ways to stay cool. A recent experiment by the YouTube channel CLEAR ENERGY sparked significant interest, offering insight into which is more…
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Scorching heatwave sparks record-breaking electricity surge
Energy officials revealed that electricity demand skyrocketed to a staggering 35,830 megawatts (MW) at precisely 8.58pm on Monday, shattering previous records amid a blistering national heatwave. Temperatures across the country soared between 35 and 38 degrees Celcius, peaking at a scorching 42 degrees Celcius on the same day. “This demand surge surpassed the previous record of 34,656MW set on April…
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Thailand’s heatwaves claims 30 lives so far
The Ministry of Public Health issued a warning about the dangers of Thailand’s heatwaves after 30 deaths were attributed to heatstroke this year. Medical professionals are advising the public to avoid prolonged exposure to intense sunlight and to take precautions against a potential spike in Covid-19 cases, particularly among vulnerable groups. With the temperature soaring, Thailand is grappling with the…
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Health Ministry greenlights medical opium and magic mushrooms
The Public Health Ministry authorised the utilisation of opium and magic mushrooms for medical treatment and research purposes. This groundbreaking decision, disclosed in a directive published in the Royal Gazette yesterday, signifies a significant shift in drug policy. Signed by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, the directive came into effect today. It categorises opium and psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as…
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Thai netizens slam illegal workers in South Korea for arrest protest
Thai netizens slammed illegal Thai workers in South Korea for organising a protest, demanding local authorities stop arresting them. A Facebook account under the name Fonfon Snt shared pictures of herself and other illegal workers protesting outside the immigration office in Yangju City, Gyeonggi province, South Korea. “Stop arresting Phi Noi (an illegal Thai worker in South Korea). We are…
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Six month old Thai baby’s foot swollen due to tight pulse band
A six month old baby was hospitalised with severe bruising on his foot after a Thai hospital used an elastic band to measure his pulse, resulting in swelling and discolouration. The incident came to light today when the baby’s 37 year old mother shared images of the injuries on social media, sparking widespread concern and prompting calls for better child…
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Papaya seed cancer cure hoax debunked by health experts
Health authorities debunked the viral myth of papaya seeds as a cancer cure, revealing a tangled web of misinformation. Health authorities swiftly crushed the viral sensation surrounding papaya seeds as a miracle cure for cancer, following a surge of social media posts peddling the tropical fruit as a potent destroyer of cancer cells. A Thai scientist, falsely implicated in the…
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Facebook group blooms sharing poison plant pointers
A Facebook group dedicated to identifying poisonous plants and trees has become an online sensation, amassing more than 250,000 members. The group’s popularity surged when a young man posted a picture of a leaf with the caption, “What is this plant? Touched it and it’s very itchy.” The image captured a beautiful green leaf with sharp hairs on both sides,…
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Buddhism Office probes monks over ‘Mind Connection’ cult claims
A controversial spiritual practice in Thailand, dubbed the “Mind Connection” technique, has prompted an investigation by the National Office of Buddhism (NOB). The director of the NOB, Intaporn Jantaeiam, recently announced a legal pathway to take action and initiated a probe into two monks whose images appeared at an event related to this practice. The case came into the spotlight…
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Songkran festival boosts Thailand’s tourism with 140 billion baht
This year’s Songkran festival, spanning over three weeks, spurred a remarkable 140 billion baht influx into Thailand’s tourism sector, surpassing the anticipated 132 billion baht. Foreign tourist arrivals soared to a hefty 1.9 million amidst the celebrations, divulged the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The festival, running from April 1 to April 21, witnessed multiple sectors cashing in on the festive…
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Nakhon Pathom dairy raid reveals years of hygiene neglect
Royal Thai Police (RTP) raided an illicit dairy operation in Nakhon Pathom, uncovering a shocking lack of hygiene standards where workers bottled products with bare hands, a practice that has been ongoing for five years. The raid exposed several products, including the popular Mae Kim Lai’s floating candied palm seed drink, produced without the necessary Food and Drug Administration (FDA)…
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Volunteer firefighter attacked by Asian black bear in Lampang
An Asian black bear attacked a volunteer firefighter while putting out a forest fire at Chae Son National Park in the northern province of Lampang on April 21. The victim is currently in a stable condition. The volunteer firefighter, 56 year old Sarm Mungtrong, sustained injuries to his head and arm after being attacked by the Asian black bear during…
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Foetus found behind durian stall sparks police hunt in Chanthaburi
The gruesome discovery of a five month old male foetus buried in a makeshift grave behind an unnamed durian stall in the Tha Mai district of Chanthaburi province has sent shockwaves through the local community. The incident was reported to police at 7.30am today, April 24, by a villager who stumbled upon the scene while gathering vegetables. Upon arrival, Deputy…
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PM Srettha reveals ‘Phuket Model’ to boost tourism and safety
Srettha Thavisin unveiled the Phuket Model which aims to revolutionise tourism management and social security in the tourist hotspot. Addressing a gathering of consular mission heads and law enforcement officials from 12 countries, PM Srettha highlighted the urgent need to prevent Phuket from descending into a haven for safety tourism. “Phuket was the first province I visited after taking office…
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Phuket gets new Australian Consul-General
Following an announcement made by Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kirsten Fletcher was named the new Australian Consul-General for Phuket and its nearby provinces. Fletcher’s appointment was confirmed yesterday. Fletcher, known for her active involvement in sustainability and tourism, was recently seen at an event in Phuket last month, where locals shared ideas on reducing plastic waste. Angela…
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Thai airports soar in Skytrax rankings: Suvarnabhumi leaps to 58th
The global airport ranking agency, Skytrax, recently unveiled its 2024 report on the World’s Best Airports. A notable mention in this year’s list is Thailand’s very own Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which has impressively climbed up ten places from the previous year to secure the 58th spot. The rise in the ranking can be attributed to a number of various improvements…
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Thai woman spills beans on corrupt cop’s love-linked traffic fines
A Thai woman took to social media to expose a corrupt police officer from Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen after the officer instructed locals to transfer traffic fines to a girlfriend’s bank account. The woman recounted the corrupt behaviour of the police officer, known only as Police Senior Sergeant Major S., through the…
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Thai SEC crackdowns on unlicenced crypto operators
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (Thai SEC) has declared war on unauthorised digital asset services, aiming to safeguard investors from financial pitfalls. Pornanong Busaratrakul, Secretary-General of the Thai SEC stated that at the meeting on April 19, it was resolved to order the SEC to submit information on unauthorised digital asset service providers to the Ministry of Digital…
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Thaksin hospital release: Justice Minister denies misconduct
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong remained resolute, shrugging off the latest petition urging the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to delve into the ministry’s alleged misconduct surrounding Thaksin Shinawatra’s hospital release and parole. Police Colonel Tawee reiterated the ministry’s adherence to regulations governing prisoner treatment outside confinement and parole eligibility. However, he acknowledged citizens’ rights to petition the NACC if they perceive…
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Phuket model: Thai govt’s innovative approach to tourist safety
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the acting Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police, Police General Kittirat Panphet, convened with local consuls to discuss the Phuket Model – an innovative approach to law enforcement. The meeting took place yesterday at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Phuket. The Phuket Model, a comprehensive strategy aimed at safeguarding the interests of tourists, was unveiled…
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