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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Bangkok bus passengers and soldiers unite to save ailing boy
A spontaneous act of kindness unfolded this morning when a mother and her son, who suffers from an autoimmune disorder, were travelling by bus to Ratchawithi Hospital. The son experienced a seizure on air-conditioned bus number 168 along Rama IX Road at 9.30am. The driver, Anirut Wanwang, and the bus conductor, Nopparat Thanapetchpiboon, along with other passengers, sprang into action…
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AirAsia X expansion sparks unprecedented growth
AirAsia X soared to new heights, carrying a staggering 890,289 passengers in the fourth quarter of 2023, experiencing a 2.6-fold increase year-on-year. Passenger Load Factor (PLF) has risen to 82%, a remarkable three-percentage-point surge. The surge comes on the heels of an impressive 2.5-fold increase in seat capacity, making it a clear winner in the aviation race. During the quarter…
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Kamphaeng Phet prison sweep finds zero contraband, upholds security
Kamphaeng Phet’s Central Prison conducted a surprise operation following the Department of Corrections’ policy to prevent the smuggling of contraband into the inmates’ quarters. Chathip Rujonseree, the Governor of Kamphaeng Phet Province, today chaired the launch of this special inspection operation to safeguard against the illicit introduction of prohibited items into the prison cells. The operation was a coordinated effort…
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Thai police officer kills boyfriend of his friend’s daughter in Bangkok
A Sutthisan Police Station officer shot dead the boyfriend of his friend’s daughter outside the victim’s house in Huay Kwang district of Bangkok last night. The officer’s disapproval of the relationship was cited as the motive behind the tragic incident The death of the 25 year old Thai man, Thitiwat Auayklang, was reported to Huay Kwang Police Station at 7pm,…
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Ex-municipal tax chief caught after 15 years for embezzling funds
The Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) successfully apprehended a former municipal tax chief after a 15-year-long evasion. She was accused of embezzling government funds on over 100 occasions, resulting in a significant loss of 300,000 baht. Under the directive of Major General Prasong Chalermphan, officers led by Colonel Sanuwong Kongkain and Lieutenant Colonel Amnuay Wichitsophon, along with Krisakorn Sanitsakdee, Director of the…
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DSI officials prosecuted for alleged corruption
Former Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, alongside three confidants, launched a lawsuit against top officials of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). The former DSI director-general, the acting DSI director-general, and the director of the Human Trafficking Cases Division were accused of being involved in a corrupt scheme. Suchart, flanked by his associates, addressed the media with a bombshell revelation. According…
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My Thai Boyfriend, new LGBTQA+ dating sim game inspired by Pattaya
Game developer Alright Peaches Studio launched a dating simulator game inspired by the LGBTQA+ community in Pattaya called My Thai Boyfriend. My Thai Boyfriend has been available on Steam since January 1. The game is a dating simulator, also known as a dating sim or visual novel, which allows players to interact and build relationships with characters in the video…
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Transforming Thailand’s Koh Yao into a wellness tourism hotspot
The Thai Public Health Ministry is set to transform Koh Yao district in Phang Nga into a wellness hotspot by augmenting medical services and expanding long-stay options for tourists. The solitary hospital on Koh Yao Noi, Kohyaochaipat Hospital, currently caters to over 12,000 island residents and sporadic tourists requiring medical attention, according to Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew. The hospital…
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Thai ministries to patrol schools post operational hours following assault
The aftermath of a shocking assault on a school teacher in Chiang Rai last week has instigated the Education Ministry to collaborate with the Interior Ministry and Royal Thai Police (RTP). The objective is to ensure local law enforcement officers patrol schools after operational hours. A 38 year old man was responsible for the severe injuries inflicted on a female…
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Thailand aims to become Asian aviation hub, says Thai PM
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin outlined plans to transform Thailand into an Asian aviation hub. The announcement was made during his keynote speech at the Thailand 2024 The Great Challenges event. He highlighted the government’s focus on tourism and the introduction of several measures to boost the industry, including reciprocal visa exemption programmes. A reciprocal visa exemption deal will be signed…
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Eight year old wing-foiling prodigy aims for record-breaking 110-kilometre Gulf of Thailand journey
In a display of sheer talent and determination, an eight year old kid is set to embark on a groundbreaking journey across the Gulf of Thailand. Thailand’s wonder kid, Thanawat Promwaen, aka Shane from Pattaya, plans to cover an astonishing 110 kilometres, soaring from Pattaya to Pak Nam Pran near Hua Hin. If successful, Shane will etch his name in…
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36 Laotian babies to receive life-saving surgeries in Thai hospitals
In a heartwarming collaboration, 36 Laotian babies grappling with congenital heart defects are set to undergo free life-saving surgeries in Thai hospitals this year, thanks to a groundbreaking Thai-Lao medical cooperation scheme. The initiative is a beacon of hope for these young patients in Laos, where limited surgical equipment poses a significant challenge. The Thai Red Cross Society, Chulalongkorn Hospital,…
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Nachat under fire for offhand infidelity quip about singer’s wife
Social media erupted with criticism towards actor Nachat Chantaphan, following the resurfacing of a clip where he seemingly teases Pumpui Pantipa, wife of the famous singer Gavin Duval, about infidelity. The video in question, titled Inside Pumpui 30+ Million Home & Car – Exposing Nikki’s Past Flirtations, dates back to December 2023. It features a lighthearted tour of Pumpui’s residence,…
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Vietnamese village brings incense stick tradition to social media
In the quaint Incense Village of Quang Phu Cau, nestled in the northern part of Vietnam, a vibrant transformation is underway. Dang Thi Hoa, a seasoned artisan with three decades of incense stick craftsmanship, finds herself not just steeped in tradition but riding the wave of Instagram fervour. Lunar New Year, locally known as Tet, has taken on a whole…
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Community rallies to fund funeral for Thai grandmother
A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in the small community of Khao Kuba in Thailand, as 62 year old Pranom succumbed to the challenges of caring for her bedridden 12 year old grandchild, Nong Tong. Nong Tong, who has been disabled since birth, grapples with severe muscular weakness. The grieving family, already burdened by sorrow, encountered the additional challenge of lacking the…
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4 Thai TikTokers attack woman after illegal business exposed
Police arrested four famous Thai TikTokers after they brutally attacked a Thai woman at a condominium in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The attack was allegedly triggered by suspicions that the victim and her friend disclosed information about their illegal business on social media. The 18 year old victim, Autsamanee, also known as Gam, filed a complaint at Bang Sri Mueang…
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Thai Constitutional Court ruling spares Pita stating iTV not mass media
The Constitutional Court’s panel of judges has ruled ex-Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat not guilty in the iTV shareholding case regarding his membership in the House of Representatives. The court met at 9.30am today, January 24, to discuss and vote in the case where the Election Commission (EC) had requested to decide the case of Pita who is…
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Thailand’s minister calls for industrial sector transformation
Thailand Industry Minister Pimpatra Vichayakul likened the nation’s industrial sector to a sleeping tiger ready to awaken and roar, emphasising the need for a transformation towards S-Curve industries. This declaration came during the Thailand 2024: The Great Challenges seminar held yesterday, January 23, at the Pullman King Power Hotel in Bangkok. Pimpatra highlighted the government’s role in supporting local and…
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Sue Perkins dives into the exotic unknown in Thailand: Lost, laughter, and a dash of tears
Prepare for a laughter-infused adventure as Channel 5 unveils its latest gem, Sue Perkins: Lost in Thailand. The comedic maestro herself takes on Thailand in a three-part series produced by Oliver Wright’s indie sensation, Coming Up Roses. In an exclusive chat, Sue Perkins shares her thoughts on the Southeast Asian country. “Thrilled to embark on another travel escapade with Channel 5,…
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Sea blooms: Underwater magic in Trang Sea as marine Sakura wows tourists
The underwater world of Koh Waen in the Trang Sea has become an awe-inspiring spectacle, drawing tourists to its depths for a glimpse of the marine Sakura blossoms, a phenomenon so unique it’s likened to witnessing cherry blossoms beneath the waves. It’s here that adventurers and romantics alike converge, as the area hosted the world’s first underwater wedding ceremony, cementing its…
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Cyber cops collar loan shark for high-interest loans with sex repayment
Cyber police arrested a Thai man in the southern province of Trang yesterday for offering high-interest loans and allegedly forcing debtors to repay debts with sex. “loan-shark love: Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau officers came across videos posted by the 38 year old loan shark, Thaweesak, on social media where he publicly shamed debtors unable to repay his loans. Further investigation…
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Biometric system glitch at Suvarnabhumi Airport causes passenger delays
Suvarnabhumi International Airport faced significant disruptions early this morning when its biometric immigration system malfunctioned, causing delays and a rapid build-up of passengers. Immigration police swiftly implemented contingency measures to mitigate the impact on flight schedules. In the predawn hours of yesterday, Suvarnabhumi Airport’s immigration department was thrown into chaos as the biometric system encountered technical issues around 4.30am. Chaired…
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Teen duo assaulted by Thai gang seeks justice after slow probe
A violent encounter left two teenagers severely injured after being attacked by a motorcycle gang known as Klong 10 in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The incident, which took place two months ago, has seen little progress in the investigation, prompting the victims to seek assistance from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). On the night of November 30, last year, 18…
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Thai passport holders visa waiver with China boosts tourism
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the imminent signing of a visa waiver agreement between Thailand and China. The deal, to be sealed on Friday during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Thailand, promises to liberate citizens from both nations to explore each other’s territories freely, igniting a tourism revolution. Addressing the crowd at the Thailand 2024 – The…
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Experts warn of looming crisis for Thai economy
Dr Pipat Leungnamritchai, the chief economist at Kiatnakin Phatra Bank warned that the Thai economy is treading on thin ice, relying on unsustainable factors for growth. According to a recent exposé by Krungthep Thurakij on January 20, the nation’s financial stability is hanging by a thread. Dr Pipat highlighted the precarious reliance on low-interest rates, fiscal stimuli, and the booming tourism…
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Dispute over Thailand’s tallest Thao Wessuwan statue escalates
A contentious dispute has erupted over the world’s tallest statue of the deity Thao Wessuwan, as the landowner, who had initially agreed to a sale, has now backed out. This sudden change has caused confusion and concern among the devotees. In a press conference convened at the Sathan Saphan Bun Association in Rayong Province, 27-year-old Chakkrit, renowned for his charitable…
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Man arrested for attempted sexual assault on elderly relative
A 42 year old man was arrested after a failed attempt to sexually assault a 74 year old woman in her home. The incident, which occurred yesterday, January 23, was interrupted by villagers who came to the woman’s aid after hearing her screams. The suspect, Uthen (surname withheld), admitted to the crime, stating that he had been drinking since 3pm…
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Transwoman thief allegedly tricks victim into oral sex to steal assets
A Thai man caught a transwoman thief in the act of attempting to steal from a parked pickup on a road in the central province of Ayutthaya and turned her into the police. The transwoman reportedly tricked drunk victims by offering them oral sex before stealing from them. The witness, 26 year old Sittichai Watechadate, reported the attempted theft by…
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Thai naval forces intercept tax-evading oil vessel near Ta Lu Island
An oil-carrying vessel, illegally modified and suspected of tax evasion, was intercepted and detained by the Royal Thai Fleet near Ta Lu Island in Rayong province, in the Gulf of Thailand on Monday, January 22. The incident took place in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri, following a tip-off that led to the naval forces taking swift action. Originally registered…
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Ex Thai politician agrees to compensation, rape charge dropped
Chon Buri police dropped a rape charge against an accused former Thai politician saying the case did not qualify as rape while the politician’s brother agreed to pay the victim female party entertainer 36,000 baht in compensation. The 35 year old Thai party entertainer, named Bee, filed a complaint against the former Thai politician, identified as Gun, on January 20,…
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