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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PM Srettha’s billion-baht plan to transform Suvarnabhumi Airport
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to boost the annual capacity of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan. “We’re gearing up to more than double our capacity to a staggering 150 million passengers annually.” Currently handling a substantial 60 million passengers, Suvarnabhumi Airport is set for a dramatic makeover, including the addition of a third runway. This makeover will catapult…
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Fare play: Thai taxi driver slams cops for toll indulgence
A female Thai taxi driver condemned police officers for indulging two foreign tourists who refused to pay toll fees by covering the costs themselves. The female taxi driver shared a video of when she engaged in an argument with police officers and two foreign women passengers on Facebook. In the video, she refused to accept money from the police and asked…
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Raging forest fires force closure of Thai-Cambodian Border park
Forest fires ablaze along the Thai-Cambodian border have ignited chaos, choking Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Sisaket province with clouds of thick smoke and dust particles, forcing a three-day shutdown. The infernos, wreaking havoc on the region’s flora and fauna, including monkeys, bats, and birds, have sparked concerns for both tourism and wildlife preservation. Sisaket Governor Anuphong Suksomnit, undertook…
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Surging Pattaya hotel occupancy shows post-pandemic recovery
Pattaya is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with hotels bursting at the seams, boasting over 90% room occupancy. Sanphet Supabawornsathien, Eastern Thai Hotel Association President, reveals that Pattaya’s hotel industry is booming, with room occupancy rates soaring above 90% as tourists from China, Russia, and India flood the city alongside a surge in domestic travel. This remarkable trend is fuelled by…
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Government lottery draw unveils six million baht prize in Songkhla
The latest draw of the Thai government lottery, held today, March 1 has been announced by the Government Lottery Office (GLO) with the results just released in Songkhla province. Participants can now check if their tickets have won prizes, including the coveted first prize, three-digit, and two-digit numbers, as well as numerous other rewards. The first prize, a staggering 6…
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Mukdahan hosts first Border Trade Fair to boost economy
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai inaugurates the first Border Trade Fair in Mukdahan, aiming to boost the border economy and facilitate fruit exports through the Mukdahan checkpoint. The event also included a visit to the One-Stop Service Center (OSS) in Mukdahan – Nakhon Phanom to support exporters. The inaugural Border Trade Fair in Mukdahan province, which takes place from February 29…
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2 Chinese men arrested at Bangkok airport for fake Canadian passports
Officers from the Immigration Bureau arrested two Chinese men at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok for attempting to travel to Taiwan on fake Canadian passports. EVA Air check-in staff reported to the immigration police that two Chinese nationals presented their Canadian passports at the counter for the flights to Taipei in Taiwan. According to the flight schedule, the two were…
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Surin police spirit house ritual sparks lottery fever
A buzz of excitement swept through the police housing complex in Surin Province yesterday as officers and the local community gathered for a ritual ceremony. The ceremonial relocation of a spirit house at the police flats, adjacent to the main road number 226 from Sikhoraphum to Surin, became the focal point for lottery enthusiasts seeking auspicious numbers to bet on…
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Thailand announces extra holiday to boost Songkran economy
Thailand’s financial sector is set to benefit from an additional public holiday, as declared by the Royal Thai Government Gazette. The special holiday is part of a government initiative to facilitate travel flexibility and stimulate the tourism, service sectors, and the overall economy during the Songkran festival. This move aligns with the Cabinet’s decision from February 13, and marks a…
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Beach blunder: Swiss man and wife regret assaulting Thai doctor in Phuket (video)
An underfire Swiss man and his Thai wife apologised to a Thai doctor for physically assaulting and insulting her after she innocently sat on the steps to their beachside villa. The foreign man claims the incident was an accident, stating that he mistakenly identified the victim and her friend as a previous Chinese trespasser. The Thai doctor, 26 year old…
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Pattaya’s water safety initiative makes a splash on Koh Larn
In a bid to stem the tide of tragic accidents, the Pattaya Tourist Police have joined forces with multiple agencies to spearhead a campaign aimed at curbing tourist fatalities during water activities in Koh Larn. The curtain rose on this vital initiative on the shores of Tawaen Beach, Koh Larn, with Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, Manot Nongyai taking the helm…
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Journalist found dead in car after aiding Thai accident rescue
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday when a 44 year old journalist, identified only by his first name, Pairin, was found dead in his vehicle, which was parked in the middle of a road in Pathum Thani Province. The cause of death remains undetermined, but no signs of violence were apparent on the body. The journalist had recently been involved in…
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Rolling the cyber dice: Thai police bust online gambling network
Police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau yesterday seized 329 million baht in assets and arrested four suspects in a crackdown on online gambling. Following the crusade to shut down illegal online gambling in Thailand, police investigated a website, Fullplays 39, and discovered it offered online gambling games and had over 200,000 users. The amount of money circulating on the…
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China-Laos high-speed rail to transform northeast Thailand
Krungthai COMPASS Research Centre unveiled a groundbreaking vision, identifying the China-Laos high-speed railway as the cornerstone for transforming the northeast of Thailand into an economic juggernaut within the Greater Mekong Subregion. The centre disclosed that the China-Laos high-speed railway, now operational for both passenger and freight services along the Kunming-Vientiane route, will directly turbocharge trade and investment in Thailand’s northeastern region,…
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Thai skies to sparkle: 30 aircraft to blitz pollution and sizzle summer heat
In a move to combat air pollution and beat back the scorching summer heat, Thailand is unleashing a squadron of 30 aircraft across the nation. These aerial warriors aren’t armed with missiles but with the power to summon rain itself, in a bid to douse the flames of pollution and ease the parched lands. Artificial rain, also known as cloud…
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Property tycoon in KCUC embezzlement case to be charged
Property magnate Anant Asavabhokhin is to be charged with money laundering linked to the notorious Khlongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) embezzlement case. This development comes from a source within the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG). The money laundering charge, recently approved by Attorney-General Amnat Jedcharoenruk, is predicted to be enacted by the OAG’s special litigation office on April 2. Anant, former…
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Newborn found mutilated near Mae Hong Son camp
A tragic discovery was made outside a worker’s camp in Mae Hong Son province, where the body of a newborn baby, suspected to have been abandoned post-birth, was found mutilated and partially burnt. Authorities are investigating this harrowing incident, which has shocked the local community and prompted a search for the person responsible. Police were alerted to the gruesome scene…
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Cabinet reshuffle dismissed by key ministers following budget bill
Talk of a possible Cabinet reshuffle has been dismissed by three key Cabinet ministers, following the passing of the budget expenditure bill in early April. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang, and Agriculture Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow are the ministers in question. Rumours have been circulating about a potential Cabinet reshuffle since the ministers…
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Thailand Video News | Recreational Cannabis to be banned by year end?, Tuk Tuks and Taxis overcharging foreigners fix
Stay up-to-date for the latest news in Thailand: Thai prosecutors plan to indict key figures aiding Red Bull heir’s evasion of justice. Recreational marijuana ban imminent in Thailand amidst industry growth. Chemical warehouse fire prompts evacuations. Bangkok tackles tourist overcharging issue. Human-elephant conflict persists in Thailand. Another arrest has been made in the case of the absconding Red Bull heir…
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Off-duty officer causes multiple collision in Samut Prakan
A police officer driving under the influence of alcohol caused a multi-vehicle collision in Samut Prakan province, claiming a gearbox issue led to the crash. The officer, who was driving a Toyota Vios, collided with a bus and then reversed into two parked pickup trucks. The incident, which occurred near Soi Nakhon Khuean Khan 8 in the Phra Pradaeng district,…
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TikTok shopping: The new trend in Thai e-commerce
TikTok has usurped traditional e-commerce giants to claim the throne as Thailand’s premier shopping platform for millennials, a survey by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) discloses. With 4,699 respondents nationwide, the survey unveiled TikTok’s meteoric rise as an online shopping hub, particularly among the youth demographic. Renowned for its fusion of joyous content and retail therapy, TikTok pioneers…
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Pakistani man arrested for posting nude pictures of Thai ex-wife
Immigration Bureau officers arrested a Pakistani man for posting nude pictures of his Thai ex-wife on social media platforms. The immigration police reported the successful crackdowns on illegal foreigners in Thailand at a press conference yesterday, February 29. One of the cases was the arrest of a Pakistani man, 32 year old Shabas (alias), at a rented room in the…
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Chem-mess: Essex man and Thai girlfriend nabbed for flat folly
An Essex man and his Thai girlfriend have been arrested for running a nefarious chemsex operation from her West London flat. The 29 year old toy boy, Kane Duncan, hailing from Bracken Close, Loughton, found himself behind bars alongside his partner-in-crime, 42 year old Jurairat Suttabut, following revelations of their sordid dealings unveiled at Southwark Crown Court last Friday, February 23.…
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Thai govt’s plan to transform southern provinces into tourist hub
The Thai government has committed to transforming the country’s three southernmost provinces into global tourist attractions and increasing investment in this region. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gave this assurance during a three-day visit to Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala which concluded yesterday. According to the 62 year old Thai prime minister, the southernmost provinces possess the potential to rise as the…
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Thailand PM unveils plan to become global cargo distribution hub
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin envisions the country as a regional aviation centre and one of the world’s top five cargo distribution hubs. During a live broadcast scheduled for Friday at 9.30am, the premier will elaborate on this ambitious plan on the government’s NBT television channel and various online and social media platforms. The news of this upcoming discourse was…
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Thai govt to use One Map system for land disputes resolution
Sutin Klungsang, the Defence Minister, stated that the Thai government will employ the One Map system, developed by the Royal Thai Survey Department, to resolve ongoing land ownership disputes nationwide, including a contentious issue in Khao Yai National Park. Sutin, who is also the chair of the One Map preparation committee, made it clear that any disagreements about the map’s…
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Phachi chemical warehouse fire triggers emergency evacuation
A chemical warehouse fire in Phachi, Ayutthaya, prompted a swift evacuation as toxic fumes spread. Yesterday, February 29, at around 10.30pm, a blaze broke out in a warehouse illegally storing chemicals, necessitating an urgent response from fire services due to ongoing explosions and noxious odours. The Phachi Municipality Facebook page advised residents within a 5-kilometre radius to evacuate immediately, wear…
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Ayutthaya meth bust nets 10 million pills worth 500 million baht
A major drug bust involving 10 million methamphetamine pills, valued at 500 million baht (US$13.9 million), was thwarted by authorities in Ayutthaya province. The capture was made possible after a meticulous tracking operation, leading to the arrest of two suspects who attempted to disguise the illicit cargo amidst vegetables on a six-wheeled truck. Late yesterday night, at around 11pm, law…
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Thai police arrest duo after violent mugging in Bangkok Noi
Bangkok police apprehended two young men following a violent assault and robbery in Bangkok Noi district. The suspects, identified as 23 year old Pongpattan from Kalasin, and 29 year old Somjai from Bangkok allegedly demanded money from a pedestrian and subsequently attacked and robbed the individual when the request was denied. The incident occurred yesterday when the victim was walking…
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Thailand escapes ‘not free’ label despite election chaos
Thailand’s surge from the shackles of “not free” to “partly free” status in the annual Freedom House survey has sent ripples across the globe. Despite a rocky electoral journey that left many questioning the integrity of the democratic process, the Land of Smiles defies the odds, prompting scrutiny and speculation. Freedom House, a Washington DC-based non-profit organisation championing democracy and…
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