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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Thailand’s agriculture ministry seeks triple budget increase to boost farmer income
A request for a substantial budget increase to 411 billion baht for the upcoming fiscal year has been put forward by Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The proposed budget, which is over three times larger than the previous year’s allocation, aims to triple the income of farmers within the next four years. Chantanon Wannakejohn, serving as the Secretary-General to…
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Bangkok battles severe air quality dip prompting remote work
Bangkok’s air quality dipped severely yesterday, February 14, with an escalating level of fine particulate matter, PM2.5, recorded in most districts. This hazardous air quality led the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to urge both state agencies and private entities to facilitate remote working for their personnel today and tomorrow. According to an official statement issued by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt,…
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ONCB considers dropping methamphetamine pill limit to three
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is contemplating a reduction in the permissible limit of methamphetamine pills from five to three. This proposal is in response to the substantial criticism received for the five-pill cap, enforced by the Ministry of Public Health since February 9. The current rule exempts individuals from criminal charges if they are found with…
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Military and vets save giant python in Thailand after dog attack
A giant python named Boonrod was saved from a near-fatal dog bite by military personnel in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, and required urgent veterinary care, including sterilisation, before being returned to the wild. The incident occurred yesterday, February 14, when soldiers from the Special Warfare Training Camp in Sichon, along with their instructors, carried the nearly 5-meter-long, 10-kilogramme male python…
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Thai Airways confirms mega aircraft deal with Boeing
Thai Airways International made headlines by sealing a monumental deal with Boeing, announcing an order for at least 45 aircraft. The airline confirmed on Wednesday, February 13, that the order, which includes options for additional jets, will see the new aircraft joining its fleet between 2027 and 2033. This strategic investment comes at a crucial time for Boeing, offering a…
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Love triumphs on Valentine’s Day as LGBTQ+ couples flock to register unions
In a heartwarming Valentine’s Day spectacle, the Jewellery Trade Centre (JTC) on Silom Road became the epicentre of love as numerous LGBTQ+ couples flocked to register their unions today. Amidst the glittering aura of romance, approximately 800 couples, eager to formalise their relationships, gravitated towards the Bang Rak district, a symbolic haven dubbed the land of love. However, this year,…
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International Balloon Fiesta 2024 lights up Singha Park Chiang Rai for Valentine’s Day
In a collaborative effort spearheaded by Boonrawd Trading, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Singha Estate, and Kasikorn Bank, the International Balloon Fiesta 2024 takes flight today, transforming Singha Park Chiang Rai into a haven for couples seeking romance. Pongrat Luangthamrongcharoen, the managing director of Singha Park Chiang Rai, expressed enthusiasm for the event. “The International Balloon Fiesta 2024 is a…
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Finger-lickin’ love: KFC unveils fried chicken rings for Valentine’s Day
Love stories, laughter, and shared moments have been filling buckets of joy for dating and loving couples at KFC Thailand for 40 years. These sweet moments have become the secret ingredient in every crispy KFC meal, creating memories as finger-lickin’ good as the chicken itself. In an exclusive celebration of this heartwarming 40-year love affair, KFC and Colonel Sanders invite…
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Thai poultry exports soar, feathering their cap as world’s third-largest
With over 100,000 tonnes of chicken valued at a staggering 100 billion baht shipped abroad last year alone, Thailand has secured its spot as the world’s third-largest exporter, trailing only behind Brazil and the US. Thailand’s poultry industry has been on an upward trajectory, with Chaweewan Kampa, President of the Poultry Promotion Association of Thailand, hailing the nation’s climb to…
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Thai teacher accused of ignoring sick student, leading to his death
A Thai mother accused a teacher at a school in the central province of Pathum Thani of ignoring her six year old son who was having a seizure, leading to the boy’s death. The mother shared a video of her son shaking uncontrollably on Facebook with a caption complaining about the teacher who took a video of the sick boy.…
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Exclusive: The Standard Residences announces multi-billion baht project in Thailand’s beach hotspots
In a move set to redefine luxury living in Thailand, Standard International joined forces with leading real estate giants Sansiri and CG Capital to unveil The Standard Residences in prime beachfront locations, Hua Hin and Phuket Bang Tao. Last week, Standard International’s Executive Chairman Amar Lalvani made the groundbreaking announcement in Bangkok, marking the brand’s foray into the residential market…
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BMA halts mega transit plans due to cash crunch
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) slammed the brakes on the construction of three ambitious mass transit projects, citing a crippling shortage of funds. Instead, the projects, the Silver, Grey, and Light Blue lines, will now be handed over to the Ministry of Transport for execution, leaving commuters in the Thai capital hanging in uncertainty. The decision, rubber-stamped at a meeting…
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Thailand lottery fever: Punters chase luck and lore for Feb 16 draw
Lottery fever grips Thailand as hopefuls seek to divine the winning numbers for the February 16 draw, with numerous tales of lucky symbols and mystical predictions capturing the public’s imagination. As the draw nears, enthusiasts have collated an eclectic mix of numbers believed to bring fortune, ranging from revered monks’ predictions to serendipitous incidents. Prominent among these is the revered…
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Valentine’s veteran: Krabi man seals 14th marriage, aiming for happy ever after
A 69 year old Thai man in the southern province of Krabi signed a marriage certificate for the 14th time this Valentine’s Day and hoped his current wife would be the final chapter of his love saga after 13 unlucky attempts. Mueang Krabi District Office held a special Valentine’s Day event at the province’s popular tourist attraction Klonh Root, also…
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Thai police nab online lottery promoter in Roi Et Province raid
Thai police arrested a 44 year old woman for illegally promoting online lottery gambling on her Facebook fan page. During a raid today, February 14, police seized mobile phones and lottery tip sheets from her home in Roi Et Province. Arunee confessed to the crime, admitting she was paid a monthly fee to post gambling links by the website owner. A…
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Sexbomb Tom Jones set to rock Bangkok with March concert
Following the likes of Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Bruno Mars, Sexbomb Tom Jones will be performing at UOB Live of Emsphere, Bangkok on March 14, starting at 8pm. Tom Jones: Ages & Stages Tour In Bangkok, presented by Live Nation Tero, guarantees an evening of musical magic with the British icon, who has captivated audiences worldwide with his sensational voice…
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Chinese woman arrested in Phuket for illegally housing lion cub
Phuket police apprehended a Chinese woman on the accusation of illegally housing a lion cub in her hotel room. She came under scrutiny following allegations of her showcasing the juvenile lion daily at her coffee shop. Authorities from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division (NRECD), along with local police and wildlife officials, inspected the coffee shop located in the…
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Bangkok police apprehend man for assaulting niece over years
A major arrest has shaken a community in Thailand as police captured a man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl for over four years. The 40 year old suspect was apprehended after a meticulous operation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau, following a mother’s report that her 11 year old daughter had been repeatedly abused by her uncle. Today, the…
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Thai man injures wife after meeting two alleged lovers in Chon Buri
A Thai man threw a glass picture frame at his wife, causing a severe injury to her legs, after he found her sharing an intimate moment with two alleged lovers at their home in Chon Buri province. Officers from the Don Hua Lor Police Station were alerted to the physical assault yesterday, February 13, and rushed to the scene. The…
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Devotees swarm Mahasarakham temple as abbot donates 2 million baht
Thousands of devotees flocked to pay homage to the revered teacher Suriyant yesterday as he generously distributed 2 million baht (US$55,447) in donations, also sparking excitement for lottery enthusiasts with lucky numbers for the upcoming draw on Friday, February 16. Mahasarakham’s Wat Phutthavanaram, also known as Wat Wang Nam Yen, was teeming with devotees who came to celebrate the 45th…
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Thai Airways’ turbulence at Suvarnabhumi: Transport minister threatens contract termination
Transport Minister Suriya Jungroongreangkit issued a warning to Thai Airways International (THAI) following a series of complaints about subpar ground services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Speaking after a pivotal meeting with airport service operators, Suriya unveiled a roadmap for dramatic improvements or contractual consequences. “The ministry has been inundated with grievances regarding the dismal quality of ground services provided by…
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Shocking discovery: Electricity meter scandal rocks Pattaya project
An investigation conducted on Monday at the Government Housing Project in Pattaya revealed an electricity meter tampering scandal. Led by the project manager, in collaboration with Na Jomtien police investigators and representatives from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Jomtien branch, the inspection was prompted by irregularities in electricity consumption patterns within Building 12. Despite residents receiving inflated electricity bills, a…
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Drunken taxi driver causes fatal Valentine’s Day crash in Pathum Thani
Valentine’s Day turned tragic for a couple in Pathum Thani when a drunken taxi driver struck them with full force, leading to their deaths. The incident occurred at 7.30am today, February 14. Police Lieutenant Prachanan Korkhun, an investigative officer at the Khlong Luang police station, was alerted to a collision between a taxi and a motorcycle along a canal road…
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Thai woman seeks foreign couple who rescued her mother from Chao Phraya River
A Thai woman took to social media to look for a foreign couple who saved her mother from drowning in the Chao Phraya River in the central province of Ayutthaya. The woman, Kornwipha Thongnoom, is searching for a foreign man and woman who helped her mother on February 8 wishing to extend her gratitude to the couple. Kornwipha shared the…
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Village leader fatally shot in Surat Thani, community mourns
Tragedy struck a local community in Surat Thani province when a 35 year old village leader was fatally shot in an appalling act of violence. The incident, which occurred shortly after 9pm yesterday, February 13, has left the village in shock and mourning. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Withoon Sukpradit, the investigative officer from Kanjanadit Police Station, the emergency call came…
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Thai shop owner’s lottery win ignites Ayutthaya blessing frenzy
A Thai mag wheel shop owner struck it lucky with a lottery win worth hundreds of thousands of baht after requesting blessings online and vowed to make a merit offering to a revered child spirit known as Kumarn Thong Jao Sua Heng. This event sparked a surge of lottery enthusiasts flocking to the Rasi Salai Hermitage in Ayutthaya Province, seeking…
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Ceramic doll statues conceal 20 million baht heroin haul in Thailand
Mueang Nong Khai police uncover a stash of heroin bars worth over 20 million baht hidden within innocuous Chinese ceramic doll statues. At a press conference held on Monday, February 12, authorities revealed the seizure made at the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai. According to police reports, the alarming find unfolded when two Lao nationals arrived at the checkpoint…
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Bangkok grapples with hazardous PM2.5 pollution levels
Bangkok and 38 other provinces in Thailand are currently experiencing dangerous levels of PM2.5 pollution, prompting health warnings and recommendations for the public to wear masks at all times when outdoors. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), together with the National Research Council of Thailand, the Pollution Control Department, Kasetsart University, and Chiang Mai University, are closely monitoring…
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Roses lead, condoms surge: Grab reveals 5 best-selling products on Valentine’s Day
Grab Thailand unveiled its top five best-selling products during the Valentine’s Day festival with roses remaining the champion while condoms, although not in the top five, saw a 30% surge in sales. One of Thailand’s most popular superapps, Grab, gathered statistics from GrabMart users starting from February 1 before releasing a list of Thailand’s best-selling products on its application. The five…
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Surat Thani police launch safety sweep for holidays
Surat Thani Provincial Police mobilised a security sweep to ensure public and tourist safety during the Valentine’s Day and Makha Bucha Day holidays in 2024. The operation, fronted by high-ranking officers, aims to prevent sexual harassment, inappropriate behaviour, and crime in vulnerable areas. In a proactive measure to ensure public safety, Surat Thani Provincial Police launched a comprehensive crime sweep…
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