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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Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Chicken factory extortion scandal rocks Thai police force
A scandal erupted in Nakhon Pathom as eight officers from Samkwaipuak Police Station face suspension over allegations of extortion totalling 200,000 baht. Eight police officers in Nakhon Pathom have been suspended from the force following accusations of attempting to extort 200,000 baht from the owner of a chicken processing factory. The scandalous affair unfolded when the factory owner, enraged by…
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Thailand offers visa-free travel to Russian visitors for 3 months
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today announced that Thailand is offering a visa-free scheme to Russian visitors for three months from May 1 to July 31. PM Srettha held a press conference at Government House at 11.50am, today, April 23, following a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day. In a part of his speech, the 62 year old Thai PM mentioned…
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Minister warns against fake Labubu doll scam
Reports of a sinister scam preying on Labubu doll enthusiasts have flooded in, warned Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad. Puangpet delivered a stern warning to the public, her handbag adorned with a green Labubu doll and a pink one grasped firmly in her hand. “Prices of these coveted dolls, often reaching thousands of baht, have soared since Thai K-pop…
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Prachin Buri villagers flock to submerged Takian tree for luck
Prachin Buri province has become the focal point of local excitement and speculation as villagers claim to have witnessed a sacred Takian tree yearning to emerge from the water. This mysterious occurrence was first noticed by a fisherman and has since attracted scores of lottery enthusiasts seeking blessings and lucky numbers. Today, April 23, reports emerged from Prachin Buri, where…
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Smooth ride: Thai highways unveil toll-free M81 weekend stretch
The Department of Highways in Thailand announced the inauguration of a 50-kilometre segment of the new M81 motorway, connecting Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi provinces, providing motorists with toll-free access over the weekends. This section will be accessible from 3pm on Fridays until 9pm on Sundays, with no specified end date for the offer. However, all the other gates along the…
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BoT may adjust policy due to economic changes and challenges
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) may revise its monetary policy if economic changes in the landscape and structural challenges significantly lower its long-term potential growth, disclosed BoT Deputy Governor Alisara Mahasandana. This follows governmental pressure on the central bank to decrease interest rates. Alisara, speaking from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, highlighted that…
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Thai man accuses RTP police chief of scapegoating in rape case
A Thai man demanded 5 million baht in compensation from the Royal Thai Police (RTP), accusing a well-known police chief of being unjustly scapegoated and imprisoned for a rape he did not commit. The 52 year old Thai man, Narin Chuekhomta, accompanied by his lawyer Ratchapon Sirisakorn, visited the Bangkok South Criminal Court on April 22 to file a complaint…
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Hong Kong man’s death-defying leap across train tracks goes viral (video)
In a heart-pounding video that took the internet by storm overnight, a man showcased a breathtaking leap across the tracks at Fo Tan Station on the MTR East Rail Line in Hong Kong. The six-second clip, a fusion of two recordings, unveils the man’s fearless sprint from one platform to the other, executed with seamless precision. What makes this spectacle…
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PM Srettha discusses interest rate cuts with bank chiefs
Prime Minister Srettha Thavasin convened a meeting with top executives from four major banks to discuss potential interest rate reductions aimed at aiding vulnerable groups within the country. The discussions took place at the Government House at 9am today just before the weekly Cabinet meeting. PM Srettha, who also serves as Finance Minister, sought cooperation from the leaders of both…
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Electric car sales to surge by 2024 despite economic challenges
The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a robust growth in the sales of electric cars in 2024, despite economic challenges in certain markets. Key driving factors for this surge include affordability and the development of charging infrastructure. The IEA estimates that electric car sales will reach 17 million this year, a boost from 14 million the previous year. This indicates…
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Soaring glamour: Thai Airways’ business class upgrade
Thai Airways (THAI) boasts an enviable array of long-range jets, but behind the glamour lies a tale of unexpected surprises for passengers. Take THAI’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, where outdated 2-2-2 layouts clash with the modern 1-2-1 setup, leaving travellers feeling short-changed. But salvation is on the horizon. THAI is gearing up for a monumental shift, with 45 cutting-edge Boeing…
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Royal Thai dish that beats the heat
In scorching Thailand, with temperatures soaring to a sizzling 40 degrees Celsius during the summer, one Thai dish has proved effective for our ancestors to keep cool in the absence of modern refrigeration. During the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868), culinary wizards at the royal court concocted a dish boasting an unparalleled cooling effect on the body. Khao Chae…
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Thai fans press couple to return diamond pendant to Jackson Wang
Thai fans of Hong Kong singer and rapper Jackson Wang put pressure on a Thai couple to return a lost segment of his diamond-encrusted Buzz Lightyear pendant after they discovered it in Phuket and tried to sell it. Wang visited Phuket to celebrate his birthday at a beach club in the province on March 27. During his birthday party, Wang…
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Debt woes: Woman found dead in pond in Nong Bua Lamphu
A 57 year old woman was found dead in a pond in Nong Bua Lamphu province, following a period of severe stress due to her tenants failing to pay three months’ worth of rent. Children playing nearby initially spotted the body floating in the water and alerted adults yesterday. The deceased, later identified as Sumalee, had expressed to her mother…
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Northern Thailand braces for 44 degrees celcius heatwave
A heatwave accompanied by strong winds and hail is forecasted to hit northern Thailand starting tomorrow, with temperatures expected to soar to a sweltering 44 degrees Celsius, breaking records previously held by Mae Hong Son province in 2016 and Tak province last year. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of extreme weather conditions due to a low-pressure area caused by an…
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Thailand government plans to raise minimum wage to 400 baht
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn unveiled yesterday that the Government of Thailand has assembled a series of fresh employment benefits set to be introduced on May 1, International Workers’ Day. The most notable of these is a proposal to elevate the minimum wage to 400 baht across the nation. The new minimum wage rate of 400 baht has already received the…
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Monk’s miraculous escape inspires lottery frenzy over license plate
A revered Thai monk known for his amulets miraculously survived a car accident unscathed, sparking interest among local lottery enthusiasts in the vehicle’s license plate number. The incident occurred yesterday when the monk’s car flipped but neither he nor his passengers sustained serious injuries. This event has captivated the public’s attention, with many attributing the fortunate escape to the protective powers of…
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Roar surprise: Endangered wild tiger spotted in Phetchaburi
Kaeng Krachan National Park, nestled in the district of Phetchaburi, reported the sighting of an endangered wild tiger, marking the sixth such discovery since 2019. The tiger, captured by a strategically placed camera trap, has been assigned the identifier KKT-006M. The images of the tiger were captured on March 24, March 31, and April 1. The camera trap showcased the…
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Fake time, real warning: Thai couple’s scam alert (video)
A Thai couple took to social media to issue a warning, alleging that a foreign man attempted to scam them by selling a fake luxury watch. The couple claim that the man allegedly bought the watch for 59,000 baht but offered it to them for just 6,000 baht. A Thai man, Supakorn Piriyesyangkoon, shared a video and pictures of the…
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PM Srettha aims to boost Asia-Pacific’s sustainable development
PM Srettha charged the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to assist in identifying innovative solutions to promote sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. This appeal was part of his address at the 80th ESCAP session, themed Leveraging Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, held in Bangkok yesterday, April 22.…
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Unidentified man found murdered and dismembered in Nonthaburi
Police are struggling to identify a dead man who was murdered and dismembered after human parts were discovered at an abandoned plot of land in the central province of Nonthaburi near Bangkok. A 10 year old Thai boy notified Bang Bua Thong Police Station officers of the discovery of a human wrist on some abandoned land in Soi Jadsan Swing…
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Thai tourism sector proposes 300-baht tax to counter over-tourism
Thai tourism operators are advocating for government regulations to address the rising issue of over-tourism in the country. They propose the implementation of a 300-baht tourism tax, which they believe could alleviate the problem. Their call for action comes in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s commitment to make 2025 a pivotal year for Thai tourism. The Federation of Thai…
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Thai stock market rebounds amid renewed investor confidence
The Thai stock market made a strong comeback yesterday, experiencing a rise of approximately 1.3%. This resurgence was mirrored in other regional markets which also bounced back from significant losses incurred on Friday. Investors are seemingly reassured by the belief that a full-scale war in the Middle East is unlikely. This sentiment was further bolstered by the decision of the…
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Krabi smoothie shop owner accused of investment fraud
Approximately 10 victims have reported a local smoothie shop owner in Krabi for investment fraud involving over 3 million baht. The suspect, using her acquaintance with a well-known lawyer as leverage, challenged the victims to take legal action against her. Police are now gathering evidence to pursue the suspect legally. A group of around 10 individuals filed complaints yesterday at…
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Teen motorcyclists die in horrific crash in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Tragedy struck yesterday when a 15 year old boy riding a motorcycle collided with another, sending both riders onto the path of an oncoming truck on Petchkasem Road, southbound lane, near Ban Nawalapriang in Sam Krathai district, Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The impact was so severe that both teenagers died at the scene around 1am. Police Lieutenant Nonnaphan…
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Authorities struggle to control fire at chemical warehouse in Rayong
A fire broke out at an industrial waste and chemical warehouse belonging to the Win Process Company in the eastern province of Rayong at 8.30am yesterday. The Thai authorities have been working for over 20 hours to extinguish the fire and are struggling to fully control it due to flammable chemical substances. Residents living near the warehouse in the Ban…
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Motorbike and minivan collision injures three in Pattaya
A collision between a motorbike and a minivan in Pattaya led to injuries for three people, including two young women and a blind individual. The incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday, April 22, at 2.36am, near Pattaya School 7 on the inbound lane heading towards Sattahip. The motorbike, a Honda Scoopy I model, was ridden by 18 year…
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Government launches utility cost subsidy for welfare cardholders
A new government initiative has been launched to alleviate the burden of utility costs for households in Thailand. The programme, aimed at state welfare cardholders, offers a single electricity and water subsidy per household, linked to one household registration code. Eligible participants must confirm their identity and register for the subsidy, which applies to either electricity or water services, not…
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Second phase of Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project approved
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has given the green light for the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. This phase, which spans from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, has an investment total of 341.35 billion baht. Details were shared by SRT governor, Nirut Maneepan, who disclosed that the project’s approval occurred during a recent board meeting. Chirute…
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Deputy police chief charges Thai prime minister with malfeasance
Thailand Deputy National Police Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn charged Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with malfeasance, claiming that the prime minister’s actions led to his suspension and thwarted his path to becoming the next national police chief. Big Joke took his complaint to the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and addressed it to its secretary-general, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol. He…
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