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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The Thaiger key takeaways Valid passport, visa documents, health certificate, and vaccination records are essential for immigration and medical care in Thailand. Health insurance that meets visa requirements, like Cigna, provides protection, direct billing, and access to a wide hospital...
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Thailand’s bike boom hits a brake with debt drag
Thailand’s motorcycle manufacturing output is expected to continue its decline in the second half of the year due to high household debt and a weak economy, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The FTI Vice-Chairman and spokesperson for the federation’s Automotive Industry Club, Surapong Paisitpatanapong, commented on the challenging economic conditions. He noted that while the motorcycle industry…
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Phatthalung named agricultural product development hub
Phatthalung has been designated as the southern hub for an agricultural product development initiative by the Thailand Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade of Thailand, and the Provincial Chamber of Commerce. This decision aims to bolster the agricultural sector by showcasing and distributing quality local products nationwide. At least eight agricultural products from Phatthalung have received the government’s Product…
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Krungthai Bank loan growth: No contraction in confidence
Krungthai Bank (KTB) remains confident in meeting its loan growth target for this year, despite a lending contraction during the initial six months. The bank focuses on achieving a 3% total loan growth throughout 2024, according to its President, Payong Srivanich. The Thai economy’s uneven recovery in the first half of the year and persistent uncertainties in the latter half…
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Thailand invests 1 billion baht to boost AI skills and startups
Thailand is poised to harness the momentum of the global artificial intelligence (AI) trend, aiming to transition from an AI user to an AI application creator, as stated by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC). The country’s strategy involves leveraging its robust ecosystem, which includes high-performance computing infrastructure, thriving data centres, and ongoing development of skilled employees, research…
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Chinese-owned factory fined 1.8 billion baht for waste water in reservoir
Chachoengsao Provincial Court fined a Chinese-owned factory 1.8 billion baht for releasing waste water into the Jone Reservoir in the central province of Chachoengsao. THH Moly Processing Company’s illegal action came to light in 2019 after 2 million cubic metres of water in the Jone Reservoir was contaminated with multiple toxic substances. Locals could not use the water for consumption…
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Thailand outbound travel takes a dive amid economic woes
Thailand’s outbound travel market is facing a sharp decline, with consumer spending power plummeting and overseas holiday plans on hold. Charoen Wangananont, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), revealed in an exclusive interview with Krungthep Turakij that economic uncertainties have led many Thais to postpone international trips to avoid extra costs during these tough times. “We had initially…
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Power play: Prawit Wongsuwan’s desperate bid for PM backfires
Palang Pracharath (PPRP)’s political manoeuvres seem to have backfired, with internal rifts threatening to tear the party apart. Samart Jenchaijitwanich’s attempts to bolster Prawit Wongsuwan’s chances of becoming prime minister by luring politicians from rival parties have caused an uproar. The latest recruit, Wan Yubamrung, was presented alongside Prawit on July 23, following his exit from the Pheu Thai Party.…
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Buffet restaurant Daidomon to close final branch in Thailand
Legendary buffet restaurant Daidomon will close its remaining branch on August 5, bringing an end to its 41-year history. This announcement has left buffet enthusiasts across Thailand disheartened. The Daidomon chain has faced persistent financial difficulties, which led to the closure of its Daidomon Korean Grill branch at Central Ubon Ratchathani on April 30. Until now, the only remaining branch…
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Japanese man arrested for attempted rape of drunk Thai woman
A Thai woman took legal action against a Japanese man for attempting to rape her while she was drunk at Royal City Avenue (RCA) in Bangkok in the early hours of Sunday. The victim and her boyfriend filed a complaint at Makkasan Police Station after the incident occurred at about 4.40am on Sunday, July 28. The couple also obtained footage…
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Temu’s takeover: Thai e-commerce expert warns of price war
The Thai e-commerce landscape is about to face a major upheaval, warns Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, CEO of Creden.co and PaySolutions. Speaking on Krungthep Turakij’s Deep Talk programme, Pawoot cautioned that the arrival of the Chinese online retail giant Temu on Monday could spell trouble for local retailers already battling fierce competition. Pawoot highlighted that while Thai consumers are already familiar with…
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Thai man regrets career choice as peers earn higher salaries
A Thai man expressed feelings of failure after comparing his life to the successes of his peers. He chose a government job with a salary of 18,000 baht, while his university friends, who opted for private sector jobs, earned nearly 100,000 baht. The 28 year old Thai man took to the social media platform Pantip to voice his frustration. Seeing…
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What is the current state of Thailand’s casino legislation, and how likely is it to change in the near future?
Thailand stands on the brink of a potentially transformative shift in its approach to gambling. For many years, casinos have been completely banned in the country, reflecting a conservative stance deeply rooted in cultural and legal traditions. However, recent developments suggest that Thailand might be on the path to legalising and regulating casino operations, marking a significant departure from its…
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Dutch teenager falls to death from cliff at viewpoint in Krabi
An 18 year old Dutch teenager yesterday fell to his death from the Ngon Nak Nature Trail viewpoint in the southern province of Krabi after he became separated from his family. A Dutch couple, Karin Monique Valkhoff and Rinus Gerard Bakker, yesterday, July 31, sought help from Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park rangers after their 18 year…
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Villagers seek fortune from mysterious ancient stone in Buriram
An elderly man and his family performed a ceremony to seek fortune from a mysterious stone resembling an ancient boundary marker, which they unearthed 10 years ago and have since remained safe. His son revealed experiencing unusual sensations upon first touching the stone. During a local ceremony yesterday, 86 year old Samran Kaewkhunthong, his family, and fellow villagers from the…
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Chiang Mai songthaew driver fined for aggressive road incident (video)
A driver of a red songthaew in Chiang Mai faces two serious charges after reacting aggressively to a car horn by brandishing a wooden stick. He admitted to overreacting and apologised for tarnishing the songthaew’s image. The incident, which gained attention on social media, involved the driver stopping in the middle of the road to drop off a passenger, prompting…
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Thai rice exports forecasted to drop below 8 million tonnes in 2025
Thai rice exports are projected to fall below 8 million tonnes next year, facing several challenges that threaten their competitiveness. Key issues include insufficient research and development (R&D) in rice varieties, a rising global supply of rice, and the potential lifting of India’s rice export restrictions by the end of the year. Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters…
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Monk called to police station after haunted jail claims third detainee
Sarapee Police Station officers in the northern province of Chiang Mai invited a monk to perform a sacred ritual within a supposedly haunted jail after three detainees committed suicide. The latest death was reported on Tuesday, July 30. The latest victim, 53 year old Thai man Inthorn, was found hanging in the Sarapee Police Station prison on the morning of…
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Thai electricity tariff to remain at 4.18 baht per unit
The Thai Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) decided to maintain the electricity tariff at 4.18 baht per unit for the billing period from September to December this year. For consumers using no more than 300 units per month, the tariff remains at 3.99 baht per unit. Poonpat Leesombatpaiboon, Secretary-General of the ERC, revealed on July 1 that the commission resolved to…
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Thai Oil denies 567 million baht payment for overdue wages
Thai Oil Public Company Ltd firmly denied agreeing to issue a payment of 567 million baht to settle outstanding wages owed to workers by subcontractors. The unpaid wages are linked to the Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV) consortium, a subcontractor hired by Thai Oil. The consortium consists of Petrofac South East Asia Pte Ltd, Saipem Singapore Pte Ltd, and Samsung E&A…
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Hapless Thai thieves arrested after showing off ill-gotten wealth
Two hapless Thai thieves were arrested after showing off their ill-gotten wealth to neighbours in the southern province of Songkhla. A 67 year old homeowner and victim, Itsaree, filed a complaint with Mueang Songkhla Police Station after a long list of valuables disappeared from her home on Saiburi Road in Songkhla. The theft took place at about 8pm on July…
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Two workers critically injured in Chanthaburi construction accident
Two construction workers were critically injured after one was electrocuted by a high-voltage wire, causing him to fall from a two-story building. The incident occurred yesterday, July 31 at a construction site near Wat Phlapphla in Chanthaburi province. Emergency services were alerted to the scene, where they found one worker unconscious and in critical condition, while the other was seriously…
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Residents seek blessings at Suphan Buri temple for lottery luck
Residents flocked to Wat Phai Khat in Suphan Buri province to seek blessings from Luang Pho Yai, igniting a buzz of activity as they searched for lucky numbers in preparation for the upcoming lottery draw. Wat Phai Khat in Sri Samran, Song Phi Nong district, Suphan Buri province, was teeming with residents from morning until evening yesterday, July 31. They…
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Engineer’s wife admits affair, citing husband couldn’t satisfy her
The wife of a Thai engineer admitted to cheating on him with a volunteer rescuer in Chon Buri adding that her husband’s busy work schedule, abuses and the fact he couldn’t satisfy her sexual needs forced her into the affair. The alleged scarlet woman’s side of the story also contradicted her husband’s words. A 42 year old engineer, Sam, reached…
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Teens flee after attacking young motorcyclist in northern Thailand
A young man was left confused and injured after being knocked off his motorcycle at a busy intersection by a group of teenagers he did not know. The police are now urgently searching for the assailants. Police in Nakhon Ratchasima received a report yesterday, July 31, about a brawl involving teenagers at the Thipmanee intersection in Phimai district. Officers, along…
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Cops crack down on illegal loan sharks in six provinces in Thailand
Police swooped on an illegal loan shark network across six provinces, arresting key members and uncovering over 50 million baht in circulation. The operation targeted the notorious Boy Lang Khao gang, infamous for their exorbitant interest rates and violent debt collection methods. The Police Economic Crime Suppression Division, led by Police Major General Phutthidej Boonkrapue, yesterday launched an extensive operation…
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Thai customer complains about buffet restaurant staff service
A heated social media argument erupted between a buffet restaurant and a dissatisfied customer, leading to a legal dispute. The incident began when a Facebook user posted a critical review of a conveyor belt hotpot buffet restaurant in the New Students MSU 68 group, citing poor service, especially in terms of the staff’s communication. The restaurant owner responded with a…
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Drunk, jealous Thai man stabs innocent neighbour to death
A Thai man yesterday stabbed his neighbour to death in a drunken, jealous rage before calmly waiting for police near the victim’s home in the Isaan province of Surin. The suspect allegedly showed no remorse over the murder. Officers from the Sawai Police Station investigated the death of the 54 year old Thai man, Tui Kaensuwan, at his home in…
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Two tourists drown in Phuket beach tragedies
Two tragic incidents unfolded on Phuket’s beaches yesterday resulting in the drowning deaths of a Hong Kong father at Patong Beach and a Kazakh tourist at Karon Beach. At Patong Beach, yesterday, July 31, Che Ka Fai aka Andy, a 52 year old Chinese national from Hong Kong, was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongpipat…
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Thailand Video News | Scottish Former Footballer Arrested for Child Abuse in Thailand, Drunk Driver in Ayutthaya Leads Police on High-Speed Chase
In this Thailand video news, hosted by Alex, a variety of compelling news stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia are covered. Highlights include the arrest of a Scottish former footballer for child crimes in Thailand, a high-speed police chase involving a drunk driver in Ayutthaya, and a DSI raid uncovering an illegal football broadcasting network at a car wash.…
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Lottery fever grips Chai Nat as car numbers spark frenzy
A wave of lottery enthusiasts has swept through Chai Nat, excited by what they believe to be the latest winning numbers tied to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s car. The bustling scene at Phasi Sung Market ahead of today’s lottery draw is filled with hopeful buyers. Wandee Khaosanit, a local lottery vendor, revealed that the current buzz surrounds the registration numbers…
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