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 Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a great option for digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers who want to stay in Thailand for a long time. This multiple-entry visa is valid for five years, allowing stays of up to 180...
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Pattaya beach brawl erupts between Indian tourists and Thai locals (video)
In Pattaya, a group of Indian tourists and some Thai locals broke into a fight in the middle of the road at Pattaya beach on December 28. A viral video has been shared online shows the brawl involving sticks, belts, bottles, and even ladles, causing pandemonium and traffic mayhem. The one-minute footage, spreading like wildfire across social media, unveils a…
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Hat Yai: 760 million baht profit predicted from New Year festivities
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts a staggering 760 million baht windfall for Hat Yai during the upcoming New Year holiday period. Nongyao Jirundon, the TAT’s Hat Yai office director, predicts an unprecedented surge in arrivals from both foreign and domestic tourists between December 30 and January 1. The city is already buzzing with excitement, especially with the influx of…
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Court orders 300K baht compensation for protesters from Thai police
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) have been slapped with a hefty bill of 300,000 baht over a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy Ratsadon, or People’s Party, protesters. While the court’s decision may have came as a shock to many, the details of the ruling reveal a deeper, contentious battle between the authorities and the people. The Civil Court ruled on December…
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Frenchman’s financial woes and marijuana meltdown led to knife-wielding drama
A distressed Frenchman, grappling with financial turmoil and the aftermath of marijuana use, brandished a knife in a threatening manner on December 28. The drama reached a boiling point in the picturesque Bang Saray sub-district, Sattahip, as the Sattahip Police swooped in to defuse the intense situation. At 4.30pm, Sattahip Police, accompanied by emergency responders, responded swiftly to a distress…
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Thailand and China unveil game-changing cargo link
Thailand and China have launched a direct cargo rail link, whisking farm-fresh delights straight from Nong Khai to the bustling metropolis of Chongqing via Laos. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow, a key player in this historic venture, flagged off the inaugural Thai train loaded with the jewel of Thai agriculture – dried longan. This marks the commencement of the…
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Pattaya: British tourist injured in road accident involving motorbike
A 52 year old British tourist was struck by a motorcycle while crossing Thepprasit Road, Bang Lamung, Pattaya on the evening of December 28. The British man, known only as Mei, was struck by Thai motorcyclist, 35 year old Suphansa Taengthong, while crossing Thepprasit Road, creating a spectacle near a PTT gas station around 5.50pm. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation’s…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport braces for record-breaking new year influx
Dr Keerati Kitmanawat, the president of Airports of Thailand Co Ltd. (AOT) led a thorough inspection on December 28, of Suvarnabhumi Airport‘s preparedness for the impending new year celebrations. Sources reveal that Dr Keerati is gearing up for an aviation onslaught from December 29 to January 4, with a staggering 6,777 flights scheduled at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This sky-high number includes…
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Pita Limjaroenrat crowned ‘Politician of the Year’ in Isaan poll
Pita Limjaroenrat, the former helm of the Move Forward Party (MFP), has clinched the coveted title of Politician of the Year in a high-octane survey conducted by Isaan Poll. The political battleground witnessed Pita soaring ahead with a formidable 34% of support from the 2,156 respondents aged 18 years or more across the 20 provinces of the Northeast. Associcate Professor…
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Fatal Rayong motorcycle accident: Tragic collision claims rider’s life instantly
A fatal incident took place in Rayong, where a man riding a motorcycle lost control of his vehicle, crossed into the opposite lane, and violently collided with a concrete wall. The force of the impact resulted in a broken neck, causing instant death at the scene. The incident occurred at approximately 12.30am today, December 29. Local police and emergency medical…
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Bangkok grapples with severe air pollution despite New Year holiday lull
Despite the reduced traffic during the New Year holiday, Bangkok continues to battle severe air pollution issues. A total of 16 districts were marked as red zones due to significant health risks today, December 29. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) website revealed that at 8am, PM2.5 dust levels were recorded above 75 microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m3)…
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Southern Thailand: Pattani province in state of emergency due to escalating floods
A state of emergency is in effect in Pattani, a southern province in Thailand, as floodwaters continue to rise, severely affecting the local economy. The overflow of the Sai Buri and Pattani rivers has caused significant flooding in the Pattani town area. As of this morning, December 29, water levels in the Muang Pattani municipality were rapidly increasing. Several business…
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Teenage Grab driver fatally stabbed in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district
An 18 year old Grab driver was fatally stabbed in the early morning today, December 29, in a major alleyway in Bangkok‘s Chatuchak district. Atit (last name withheld), who was outfitted with a label from a technical institute on his belt, was found with three head wounds and four body stab wounds. The scene of the crime, Ratchadaphisek Soi 36, also…
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Thai Revenue Department mandates online platforms to submit trader income data from 2023
The Thai Revenue Department has mandated online platforms to submit income data of online traders into the system, starting from the accounting period of January 1 in the upcoming year. The conditions were announced on today. Kulaya Tantitemit, the Director-General of the Revenue Department, announced on December 27, about income tax concerning the regulation for electronic platforms to prepare special…
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Benz Apache warns about new scam after sister’s 200000 baht close shave
Prominent influencer, Benz Apache, has warned the public about a new type of scam where fraudsters impersonate sellers. The scammer usually contacts the victim immediately after a live broadcast ends. Without careful scrutiny, victims can easily lose money. Benz, a well-known influencer, issued a warning about a new type of scamming technique where culprits impersonate sellers and contact potential victims…
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Gold prices in Thailand take a slight dip today
Gold prices decreased today, according to the Gold Traders Association. The price of gold ornaments was adjusted to 34,100 baht (US$994) per baht-weight, a drop of 50 baht (US$1.46) compared to the final price on December 28. This adjustment was reflected in the latest data from the Association’s website at 9am today. The selling price for 96.5% gold bars in…
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Man under drug influence burns grandmother’s house in Phayao
A 48 year old man, under the influence of narcotics, has been arrested for setting fire to his grandmother’s house in Phayao Province, Thailand. The fire, which started in the man’s bedroom, quickly engulfed the entire property, leading to substantial property damage but no casualties. The local police have also charged the man with arson and drug use, following the…
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Siam Paragon shooting case update: prosecutors demand complete mental health assessment
The investigation into the infamous Siam Paragon shooting that transpired in the heart of Bangkok approximately three months ago, involving a 14 year old suspect, has taken an unanticipated turn. Prosecutors have handed back the police’s summarised investigation, citing an insufficiently comprehensive mental health assessment of the young suspect. This summary encapsulated the police’s examination of the evidence and the…
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Newborn found dead in Hat Yai City dump shocks community
A harrowing event unfolded on the evening yesterday (December 28), when the lifeless body of a newborn baby boy was discovered in a rubbish bin behind the waste separation plant of Hat Yai City Municipality in Songkhla. The baby, suspected to have been dead for at least two to three days, was found naked, with a green and bruised face,…
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Bazaar Hotel Bangkok fined 1.3m baht over controversial sculpture
Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek Co, operating the Bazaar Hotel Bangkok, has been slapped with a fine of 1.3 million baht. The penalty comes after the company allowed for the installation of a gargoyle-like sculpture, known as Khru Kai Kaew, on its rented premises. The half-god, half-demon figure sparked controversy due to its frightening appearance leading to numerous complaints from…
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Fatal car crash claims life of town clerk in Samut Songkhram
A tragic accident occurred when the town clerk was driving home and collided with a sedan, resulting in his death. The police sent the body for an autopsy and are urgently investigating the cause. This incident took place at 11:30 pm yesterday (December 28). The deputy investigation officer at the Bang Khonthi Police Station in Samut Songkhram province was informed…
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Thailand offers free motorway travel as New Year gift
A fresh announcement by Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, delivered a delightful surprise for the Thai populace on December 27. The Ministry of Transport of Thailand has decided to offer free travel on several motorways and expressways as a New Year‘s gift to the citizens. The complimentary services are set to be available on highways…
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Drug-induced hallucination leads to violent assault on two young boys in Bangkok
A man under the influence of marijuana and cough syrup mixed with kratom severely hallucinated, chased and injured two young boys aged six and nine with a blunted knife. Plc Yongyut Thongma, an investigative officer at the Chok Chai Police Station, was notified about the violent assault on the two boys. The incident took place in front of a porridge…
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Monk turns influencer: Thai monk faces backlash for enjoying Japan trip
Thai netizens criticised a well-known Thai monk from Rai Pru Temple in the southern province of Trang after he shared videos of himself and other monks travelling to Japan and enjoying soft ice cream and snow, which is considered inappropriate for monks. The Twitter account, Red Skull, shared a video of the deputy abbot of Rai Pru Temple, Phra Maha…
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South Korean YouTube channel explores national parks in Thailand
South Korean YouTubers behind the hugely popular Cullen Hateberry channel are teaming up with Thailand’s national parks for an exciting venture to boost tourism. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the director general of the National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department (DNP), revealed the intriguing collaboration that is set to unfold in the coming year. “We’ve reached out to the Cullen Hateberry channel,…
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End of an era: Hong Kong’s Civic Party dissolves, leaving behind only six lapel pins
In a poignant finale to a political chapter, veteran Hong Kong politician Alan Leong clings to the remnants of the Civic Party, preserving six lapel pins marked with the party’s founding date 19.03.06. The demise of the opposition group, once hailed as the barristers’ party, unfolded in the face of China’s national security law, silencing dissent and reshaping the political…
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Pregnant Thai woman with autism accuses father of raping her
A pregnant Thai woman with autism accused her biological father of raping her. The accused father denied the allegation, and other family members were not convinced. A Thai man named Lek urged a news Facebook page, ZOOM Rayong, to help his neighbour, his 22 year old neighbour with autism, saying she was raped by her 56 year old father. Lek…
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Thailand tourism: 10 provinces elevated to first tier attractions
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has handpicked 10 second-tier provinces to be promoted as first-tier tourist hotspots on December 26. This strategic initiative, concocted in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, is set to revolutionise the tourism landscape. The chosen provinces, brimming with untapped potential, include Phrae, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom,…
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Huge deficit in 2025 fiscal year
The government has laid bare its plans for the 2025 fiscal year, unveiling a colossal budget deficit of 713 billion baht. This unprecedented move comes hand in hand with a staggering increase in spending, soaring to 3.6 trillion baht, leaving citizens and experts alike scratching their heads. The ambitious forecast also includes a predicted gross domestic product (GDP) growth of…
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Udon Thani school coach and sponsor face further child abuse charges
An Udon Thani school football coach and a team sponsor are facing further legal action, as five more children aged between 10 and 13 have accused them of sexual abuse. The children, along with their families, sought support from Pavena Hongsakula, chairwoman of the Pavena Foundation for Women and Children, on Tuesday. The two accused individuals, a 43 year old…
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Chiang Mai: Thai scientists discover edible mushrooms
A team of scientists from the Center of Excellence for Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilisation at Chiang Mai University has unveiled two new species of mushrooms— Russula pseudomodesta and Russula sribuabanensis, in northern Thailand. Led by Dr Nakarin Suwannarat, Dr Jaturong Khamla, Professor Emeritus Dr Saisamorn Lamyong, and Dr Soumitra Paloi, the researchers, in collaboration with Prof Dr Samantha C.…
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