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 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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Vinfast challenges Chinese targeting Southeast Asia’s EV market
Vinfast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) producer, is contending with Chinese automobile manufacturers to market its EVs within Southeast Asia, leveraging the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). The firm eyes Thailand as the initial export venue, based on the country’s fast-growing EV market which promises lucrative business opportunities, according to Vu Dang Yen Hang, chief executive of Vinfast Auto (Thailand).…
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Thai man found living in tent by reservoir in East Pattaya
At the edge of Mabprachan reservoir in East Pattaya, a man weakened by muscular dystrophy was found living in a makeshift tent shelter. TMN News Pattaya stumbled upon the man, identified as Chai, who revealed his harrowing tale of survival. Hailing from Kanchanaburi Province, Chai recounted his struggles, abandoned by his community after his mother’s passing and left to fend…
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Thai comedian’s monkhood plans pickled in debt controversy
Controversy has erupted around a Thai comedian as he prepares to enter monkhood amid a storm of online criticism and debt claims from a pickled crab seller. The comedian’s decision to ordain follows a public dispute over unpaid debts, which has led to widespread condemnation from netizens and creditors alike. The drama unfolded on the popular talk show Hone Krasae,…
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Dark history to exotic delights: Cambodia and Thailand tourist strategy
In the race for international tourist supremacy, Thailand and Cambodia are deploying contrasting tactics. While Thai PM Srettha Thavisin opts for traditional methods, Cambodia is embracing a darker approach, urging visitors to explore its tragic past. Cambodia’s tourist authority has revamped facilities at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, sites synonymous with the horrors of…
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Phuket’s Tourist Case court division resumes after four-year break
After a four-year hiatus, the special Tourist Case division of the Phuket Provincial Court has resumed operations. The announcement was made by Kriangsak Rodphanchu, who currently holds the position of Chief Judge at the Wiang Sa Provincial Court in Surat Thani, in addition to serving as the Acting Chief Judge of the Phuket Provincial Court. Initially opened on September 24,…
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Michelin Guide makes a tasty debut in Thailand culinary hotspot
Representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), government officials, media personalities, and distinguished guests converged at the Okura Prestige Bangkok hotel yesterday for a high-profile press conference for the revelation of Chon Buri as the New City Debut for the Michelin Guide Thailand 2025 edition. Chon Buri, nestled on the eastern coast of Thailand, emerges as the perfect canvas…
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Thai police suspect Russian and Thai firms in money laundering
Police in Phuket yesterday and today carried out a series of eight raids prompted by suspicions of a Russian man’s involvement in money laundering and the establishment of fraudulent companies by certain Thais. These sham firms were purportedly set up to aid foreigners in obtaining visas and work permits, as revealed by Police Major General Montree Theskhan, the commander of…
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Police nab knife-wielding teenagers in Nakhon Ratchasima
A gang of teenagers brandishing knives and causing late-night disturbances with firecrackers in Nakhon Ratchasima province has been apprehended by the police. The group, comprising of both boys and girls, reportedly terrorised the local community with their threatening behaviour. Law enforcement officers from Pak Chong Police Station, led by Police Colonel Veerapol Rabiapthoh, and his team, in collaboration with local…
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Counterfeit 1,000-baht notes found in central and east provinces
Counterfeit 1,000-baht notes have hit businesses hard in two provinces, with shop owners in Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi reeling from the circulation of fake currency. A warning has been issued to the community, along with guidance on how to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit banknotes. This follows a social media alert in Samut Songkhram Province about the spread of fake…
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Stranded melon-headed whale rescued on Phuket Beach (video)
Patong Beach in Phuket yesterday was the scene of a thrilling rescue operation as lifeguards hastened to save a melon-headed whale, a protected marine species in Thailand, that had been cast ashore. The event drew the attention of numerous tourists, who flocked around the site, cheering on the lifeguards during their daring rescue mission. The marine mammal, also known less…
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Analysts predict BoT to maintain policy rate despite weak baht
There’s a growing consensus among financial analysts that the Bank of Thailand (BoT) won’t lower its policy rate during its April 10 meeting, despite a weakening baht and economic outlook. This perspective is strongly held by Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research), according to Kanjana Chockpisansin, the head of research. Kanjana stated that they believe the BoT’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will…
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Thailand signs MOU for comprehensive electric charging station project
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO), and the Thai Department of Energy Business signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday concerning a comprehensive electric charging station project within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The ceremony took place at the EGAT Head Office in Nonthaburi. Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of…
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Bangkok woman arrested for 360 million baht medical glove fraud
Police arrested a 27 year old female sales representative for allegedly defrauding international companies through a fake medical glove business. The arrest took place yesterday at a residence in the Lat Phrao 71 Alley, Lat Phrao Road, Bangkok. The suspect, identified only by her first name, Supanida, is accused of accepting orders and payments for medical gloves from companies based…
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Thailand Video News | Disabled son of premier league star takes to Muay Thai ring, Deputy PM Anutin affirms support for regulated cannabis use
In this video, Alex and Jay cover the news stories across the country. The Move Forward Party faces legal hurdles over monarchy reform, while Deputy PM Anutin advocates for regulated cannabis amidst controversy. Laotian monks on pilgrimage encounter harassment in Thailand, and a Thai man runs naked for conscription exemption. In Muay Thai, a disabled man breaks boundaries with a unique…
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Thai Stop Gambling Campaign criticises government’s plans
The general secretary of the Stop Gambling Campaign Foundation responded to a recent statement by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday regarding the potential establishment of an entertainment complex to address the issue of illicit gambling activities. The Thai PM had outlined plans for the Provincial Administration and National Security Departments to oversee the situation, acknowledging the existence of covert…
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Chiang Mai: Thailand’s biggest pumpkin weighs 380 kilos
Thailand’s largest pumpkin, tipping the scales at 380 kilogrammes, has been successfully cultivated by a group of alumni at Maejo University in Chiang Mai. The university’s acting president, Associate Professor Weerapon Thongma, officially opened the annual giant pumpkin showcase at Panawat Garden in tambon Bo Luang, Hot district, yesterday. Financial support for career and agricultural development was also handed out…
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Southeast Asia sees 130% growth in YouTube Shorts daily views
A significant increase in daily views for YouTube Shorts has been observed in Southeast Asia, with a growth of over 130% in the year ending July 2023, according to Niharika Kapoor, the Asia-Pacific head for Shorts scaled partnerships. This format, which limits videos to a maximum of 60 seconds, has been instrumental in attracting new creators to the global YouTube…
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Thai ferry fire: Authorities blaze into action saving all aboard (video)
The Thai authorities successfully rescued 97 passengers and 11 crew members after a fire broke out on an overnight ferry travelling from the mainland in the southern province of Surat Thani to Koh Tao. ThaiRath reported that the fire started in the engine room of the Koh Charoen 2 ferry at around 6.30 am today, April 4, when the boat…
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Thai community in shock as teacher faces molestation allegations
Shock reverberated throughout a local community as allegations surfaced against a schoolteacher accused of attempting to molest a 10 year old student in her own home, not once but twice. The child’s grandmother caught the perpetrator in the act, leading to a confession and subsequent police report. However, the case shows no progress, raising concerns about justice being served. In…
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Big Joke still laughing: Royal Thai Police delay investigation
Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, the Deputy National Police Chief, remains in his position as the Royal Thai Police (RTP) has yet to form a committee to investigate the allegations against him, according to the acting National Police Chief, Police General Kitrat Panphet. “Strict procedures have to be followed.” Two issues require consideration. Firstly, an investigation into the allegations…
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Child swipes phone in swift snatch at Bangkok eatery (video)
Popular Bangkok restaurant Red Panda Yakiniku took to social media to share CCTV footage of a child sprinting into their establishment, stealing a mobile phone from the cashier’s counter, and fleeing. The post is an appeal to the child’s guardians to return the stolen item. The Facebook post featured a clip showing a child dashing into the Red Panda Yakiniku…
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Foreign diver faces fine for touching whale shark in Thailand (video)
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) fined a foreign tourist for touching a whale shark while diving at Mu Koh Surin National Park in the southern province of Phang Nga. Drama erupted among local travel agencies in the southern provinces of Thailand after a video and pictures of a diver touching the tip of a whale…
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Mango madness: Online frenzy over black streaks yields revelation
A social media user’s concern about strange black lines in a mango sparked a significant online dialogue, leading to a flurry of comments and a revelation that these lines are not harmful to humans. The incident occurred today, April 4, when an individual posted a photo of some mango with black streaks to a group called Knowledge Around Us, questioning…
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Fuelling fears: Thai diesel price hike won’t ignite retail inflation
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) stated that a potential increase in domestic diesel prices, which could surpass 30 baht a litre following the termination of the Oil Fuel Fund subsidy scheme on March 31, is unlikely to prompt manufacturers to raise the prices of their goods. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed on Tuesday, April 2,…
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Giant golden king cobra rescued from car wheel in Chon Buri
Residents of Ban Bueng, Chon Buri, were thrown into a state of alarm when an almost 4-metre-long golden king cobra entangled itself around a car wheel in the early hours of the morning. The incident triggered an urgent call for rescue services, as the presence of the venomous snake posed a significant danger to the local community. At around 5am…
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Police misconduct alleged at Thai festival after brawl
An incident at a beer garden during the Thao Suranari Victory Celebration in Nakhon Ratchasima Province turned violent, resulting in allegations of police misconduct. On the evening of April 2, a group of teenagers became embroiled in a brawl, which inadvertently implicated an innocent bystander. A 20 year old man, Na (surname withheld), reported that he was struck in the…
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Drunken monk in Bangkok detained for lewd acts (video)
Bangkok’s bustling streets witnessed a bizarre incident recently when a 62 year old man was detained by police for inappropriate behaviour. The incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, April 3, when Bangkaew police officers from Samut Prakan province were alerted to a man, clad in monk’s robes, exhibiting drunken behaviour and leering at women’s breasts and buttocks in Kingkhaew Market. Upon…
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Bangkok police seize 190,000 meth pills, 1.3 million baht
Bangkok police have successfully dismantled a major drug operation following the arrest of two individuals caught with an extensive haul of methamphetamine pills and a considerable sum of cash. The operation, which took place late at night in the capital, led to the seizure of 190,000 methamphetamine pills, approximately 400 grams of ketamine, and over 1.3 million baht (US$ 36,000)…
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DNP denies plans to transfer Lop Buri macaques to Khao Yai
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) dismissed allegations that it plans to transfer macaques from Lop Buri to Khao Yai National Park. Atthapol Charoenchansa, the Director-General of DNP, clarified this during a media briefing yesterday, April 3. The director general discussed an action plan intended to manage the monkeys causing disturbances to Lop Buri residents and…
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Phuket court to revive tourist section amid rising crime against visitors
The Phuket Provincial Court is set to revive its tourist section in response to an increasing number of court cases involving tourists. This initiative is led by the acting chief justice of the Phuket Provincial Court, Kriangsak Rodpunshoo. He disclosed that the influx of both local and international tourists in Phuket has led to a spike in both criminal and…
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