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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Burmese man shot dead by Thai police in Prachuap Khiri Khan after knife attack
A tragic incident unfolded today in the Kui Buri district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province when a 30 year old Burmese man was shot dead by local police. The man, reportedly suffering from a mental breakdown, had threatened villagers with a knife, leading to a police intervention that resulted in his death. Upon receiving the report of Ao Ko’s erratic…
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Thailand NBTC advances regulatory structure for OTT platforms
Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is swiftly developing a regulatory structure for over-the-top (OTT) platforms, focusing primarily on video-on-demand and video-sharing services. This manoeuvre is a further step by the government to supervise domestic and international OTT operators, necessitating that business details be submitted to the regulator to aid in shaping the future of the OTT industry. OTT…
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Thai man fights for justice after losing job due to police error in central Thailand
A Thai man is seeking justice after officers at Bang Pa-in Police Station in the central province of Ayutthaya mistakenly made an error and registered him as a criminal. The mistake led to the man being fired from his job. The 48 year old Thai man, Panya Boonnarong, urged Channel 7 to spread his story and help him seek justice.…
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Locals petition to halt contentious 200-billion-baht water project in Thailand
The Chiang Mai Administrative Court received a petition yesterday from locals seeking the cancellation of a contentious 200-billion-baht water diversion venture. This project, designed to bolster the water supply to the Bhumibol dam in Tak, now teeters on the precipice of uncertainty due to the residents’ opposition. The ambitious project details the construction of a diversion barrage, an access road…
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Flash flood warnings issued for 33 Thai provinces due to heavy rain forecast
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for 33 provinces, predicting continuous heavy rain, particularly in southern Thailand, which is expected to experience heavy rain in 70% of its area. The accumulating rainfall could lead to sudden flash floods. The danger is particularly high in the southern region where people are urged to be cautious of heavy rainfall…
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Pattaya City takes legal action against businesses for Koh Lan forest encroachment
Legal action is being pursued by Pattaya City against businesses accused of encroaching on forest land on Koh Lan, confirms Deputy Mayor, Manote Nongyai. The city received information regarding the alleged encroachment near Sangwan Beach from a local non-profit organisation. After conducting a survey, city officials confirmed that the encroachment had taken place with approximately 10 rai of forest land…
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Python takes a ride in parked pickup truck in Chon Buri, causing local stir
In an unusual incident, a large python was discovered nestled within a parked pickup truck in Chon Buri, causing a stir among locals. The snake had taken up residence in the vehicle while its owner took a brief pause for a roadside toilet break. The snake was eventually captured and released back into the wild by the rescue unit of…
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Four die in Surat Thani as pickup truck crashes into ditch during heavy rainfall
A pickup truck crashed into a roadside ditch in Surat Thani province during a heavy downpour, resulting in four fatalities. The accident occurred on Route 401 linking Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. The investigation was led by Thawatchai Jaihao, the head of the local police force, and Jatupol Duangchuay, also an officer. The officers were alerted to the crash…
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Narcotics suspect drowns in canal escape bid during Pathum Thani police raid
A narcotics suspect in Pathum Thani drowned after attempting to escape law enforcement by jumping into a canal. The police had been extending the results of their drug sting operation when the individual reacted by discarding his drugs and attempting to flee by jumping into the water. The incident took place in the Rangsit Prayoonsak Canal, in front of the Siwalee…
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Thailand invites Russian President Putin for official visit amidst global isolation
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin extended an invitation for an official visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the next year, during his recent visit to Beijing. This invitation emerges amidst Putin’s global isolation due to Russia’s conflict with Ukraine which kicked off in February last year. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Putin over accusations…
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Thieving specter or cunning crook? Lopburi thefts stir mythical creature suspicions
A recent spate of thefts in the Lopburi province ignited fear amongst residents, who are attributing the incidents to the mythical creature Phi Kra Sue. However, local authorities have pacified public concerns, stating the culprit is merely a masked thief and not a supernatural mythical creature. The situation came to light when Yotsawin Bamrungwet, Lopburi’s provincial governor, and the province’s…
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Fraudulent gambling site operator arrested in Nonthaburi, victims lose 500,000 baht
A gambling site administrator was arrested yesterday after he deceived people into playing and then prevented them from withdrawing their winnings. He was in charge of managing the fraudulent website, posting enticing advertisements, and finding mule accounts to receive fraudulent transfers from the victims. His arrest, which took place in his residence in Nonthaburi province, was the result of a complaint…
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Bid-rigging network raided by DSI in connection with highway construction project
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) launched a raid on a network suspected of bid-rigging, connected to a company named Khamnun Nok. The action follows a tip-off about the residence of a woman known as “Ai Nong.” The raid took place today, in relation to highway construction project number 375 in Don Tum and Lam Luk Ka. The DSI is…
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Starry night showtime: Catch the Orionids meteor shower this weekend
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) invited the public to witness the Orionids meteor shower, a spectacle of dust from Halley’s Comet, from Saturday night, October 21, to early Sunday morning, October 22. The meteor shower, expected to reach its peak at around 10.30pm, is likely to display about 20 meteors per hour and can be observed across…
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Swift police action follows tragic suicide of student scammed by iPhone fraud gang in southern Thailand
The tragic suicide of a female grade 12 student from a school in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province has prompted a swift response from law enforcement agencies. The student chose to end her life in her bedroom on Sunday night, October 15. Police guess that she was under extreme stress after falling prey to a fraud gang that enticed her to…
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Sky-high surprise: 73 year old aerial snapshot of Bang Khen field sparks social media frenzy
An aerial photograph of Bang Khen field, taken 73 years ago, has caused a stir after it was shared on social media. The image, taken in 1950, depicts a wide-open landscape, dominated by the towering spire of Wat Phra Si Maha That Woramahawihan in Bangkok. Tiny buildings can be identified as the former district office of Bang Khen, established in…
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Phantom frenzy: Lopburi locals hunt for notorious ghost causing sleepless nights (video)
Residents of Lopburi are on a hunt for a notorious ghost, causing sleepless nights due to its eerie presence in central Thailand. A 70 year old pig farmer, Wichien, today revealed he encountered this ghost twice. The hunt has sparked excitement and fear among residents who have taken to TikTok to document their thrilling ghost hunts. Wichien’s first encounter with…
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PM Srettha urges swift evacuation decision as death toll of Thai workers in Israel hits 30
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin urgently called upon Thai citizens residing in Israel to make a swift decision regarding their evacuation amidst escalating global concerns. The Thai death toll in Israel has distressingly reached 30. Addressing the public from Beijing on Wednesday, the prime minister expressed his concern. “For those who are still undecided, it’s crucial to decide promptly as…
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Chiang Mai property stirs online debate, selling dream or reality for 80,000 baht?
A plot of land, measuring just one square wah (equivalent to 4 square metres) and priced at 80,000 baht, has caused a stir on social media. The land, located in a village in Chiang Mai, comes complete with a groundwater system, a water tank, and a steel cage. The online Chiang Mai property post advertising the sale also included a…
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PM2.5 dust particles return due to season change in Bangkok
Bangkok is currently grappling with the return of PM2.5 dust particles, predominantly due to the transition from the rainy season to the colder months. Rising atmospheric pressure and stagnant air contribute to the accumulation of these particles. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported today, that the PM2.5 situation in Bangkok and surrounding…
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Stringing along trouble: Cambodian guitarist strikes wrong chord in Bangkok church heists
A Cambodian guitarist was arrested today after being accused of stealing musical instruments from Christian churches across Bangkok. The church theft arrest took place at an unnamed rental room in Suk Sawat Road, Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan. The suspect, Hek Sophol, was sought after an arrest warrant was issued by the Criminal Court of Southern Bangkok on October…
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Sunny-side up: Thai exports set to crack 3.6% growth in 2023
Positive prospects are forecasted for Thai exports next year, with an anticipated growth rate of 3.6%. This rebound follows a projected 2% drop this year, according to a recent report by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). UTCC’s president, Thanavath Phonvichai, attributes this optimistic projection to several factors including lower interest rates and easing inflation globally, which…
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Thai worker survives shooting in Israel, returns home thanks to fellow expat
A Thai worker who survived a shooting incident in Israel has returned home to Khon Kaen province thanks to the heroic efforts of a Thai woman from Nong Bua Lamphu. The Thai worker’s mother, Boonhom Butmo, expressed her deepest gratitude to 40 year old Jam for ensuring the safe return of her son, Ono. When reporters visited Ono’s parents at…
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Thai government committee plans referendum on constitutional amendments
Two sub-panels have been established by the government committee studying the proposed constitutional amendments in Thailand. Their mandate is to measure public sentiment on the proposed changes and devise a blueprint for a potential referendum. Phumtham Wechayachai, chair of the committee, has stated that while there is no set deadline for these sub-panels, it is anticipated that their tasks will…
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NIA Reform: Thailand supports startups and SMEs market entry
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) reformed its financial assistance measures, shifting focus towards aiding startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in getting their products to market, rather than simply supporting the development of prototypes. This year, the state agency has allocated 300 million baht to support these businesses, to generate a 3 billion baht economic and social impact, which…
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National police chief probes Thaksin’s hospital treatment amid special privilege claims
National Police Chief General Torsak Sukvimol requested a report from the Police General Hospital (PGH) regarding the medical treatment provided to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is currently incarcerated. This request was prompted by a photograph circulating on social media that depicted Thaksin, donned in a patient’s gown and mask, presumably heading for CT and MRI scans. The image, which…
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Thailand to establish dedicated appeal court for narcotics cases
The Supreme Court of Thailand has set in motion plans to establish a dedicated appeal court for narcotics cases, aiming to expedite the legal process for confiscating assets of drug networks. This initiative follows a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin and the newly appointed Supreme Court president, Anocha Chevitsophon. The deputy prime minister requested guidance from Anocha Chevitsophon…
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Udon Thani sisters win 200,000 baht each in lottery, attributing success to father’s dream
Three sisters from Thung Fon District, Udon Thani Province scooped second prize in the government lottery. The lucky number, 431314, was revealed in a dream by their late father, bringing each sister a windfall of 200,000 baht. The news was announced on Facebook by Ratchadaporn Thongprasom, a resident of the same district, causing a buzz within the local community. The sisters,…
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Thai police to trial reflective vests for increased safety in tourist areas
The bustling tourist areas of Thailand will soon see police personnel donning new reflective vests, a move aimed at enhancing safety measures for both Thai citizens and international visitors. This decision was brought to life by Police General Torsak Sukvimol, the commissioner general of the Royal Thai Police, and was announced on October 16. Officers from the Crime Suppression Division…
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Revved up worries: Middle East turmoil puts Thai car exports in the hot seat
The Federation of Thai Industries’ Automotive Industry Club warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict could potentially disrupt car exports to the region. Particularly, the popular pickup exports could see a downturn if the dispute remains unresolved. Given the current stagnation in domestic sales, the Thai auto industry relies significantly on its exports. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, the vice-chairman of the Federation…
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