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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Nurse dies in Chanthaburi road accident on maternity leave
A tragic road accident claimed the life of a young nurse who had only recently taken maternity leave. At 9am today, February 29, her car veered off course, hitting a man signaling for assistance before crashing into a roadside pole and falling into a drainage ditch. The nurse was pronounced dead at the scene inside her vehicle. The incident occurred…
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Serial rapist arrested after sexually assaulting Bangkok schoolgirls
Police arrested a serial rapist at his condominium in the Bang Sue district of Bangkok yesterday for sexually assaulting at least three schoolgirls in the Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces. The Thai rapist admitted to being a pedophile and claimed that all the victims consented. A 12 year old victim and her parents filed a complaint at Tung Mahamek Police Station…
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Chon Buri apartment owner battles raucous bars in neighbourhood
In a neighbourhood near Wat Boon Kanjanaram, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, a battle rages between the tranquillity of the residences and loud music from neighbouring bars. Seven nearby bars, each blasting tunes with the fervour of a rock concert, have transformed the once-tranquil area into a sleepless nightmare. International tourists, seeking refuge in apartment owner Kanjana Brousa’s building, now toss…
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Factory owner’s son stabs man at Phatthalung pig butchering event
A grisly incident unfolded at a furniture factory in Phatthalung province where the son of the factory owner, after slaughtering a pig, fatally stabbed a fellow participant, leading to an urgent manhunt. The perpetrator’s father warned against interference, insisting on handling the matter privately. At the scene of a chilling crime in Phatthalung’s Khuan Khanun district, police discovered blood traces…
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Transport minister slashes prices with 38 more domestic flights
Amid escalating complaints over skyrocketing airfare prices, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced an additional 38 domestic flights and an estimated 13,000 seats for the upcoming Songkran holiday season in April. Suriya asserted that this measure is just one of the short-term solutions being devised to combat the escalating airfare predicament. “We’re taking decisive action to address the concerns raised by…
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Bangkok gems and jewellery fair exceeds expectations
The 69th Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, concluded on a high note, exceeding its initial expectations. The event, organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), recorded an estimated value of orders surpassing 3.7 billion baht, a 12% increase over the target.…
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Thailand’s hotels produce the most greenhouse gas in Asia
According to KResearch’s latest findings, Thai hotels are the leading culprits in greenhouse gas emissions, emitting a whopping 0.064 tonnes of carbon per guest each night, significantly higher than the regional and global averages of 0.057 and 0.019 tonnes respectively. Urging the government to intervene, KResearch emphasised the crucial role of sustainable practices in curbing this environmental menace. “While hotels…
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Pilgrimage bus crash near Khao Kitchakut claims a life, injures 9
A pilgrimage bus met a tragic fate today as it descended from the Khao Kitchakut mountain in Chanthaburi province, Thailand, veering off course and overturning. The calamitous incident claimed the life of one individual and left nine others with injuries, including three foreigners. The accident occurred close to a toll station when the bus, filled with worshippers returning from a…
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Illegal Myanmar workers found in vegetable crates on Thai border
A covert operation to smuggle illegal workers across the Thai-Myanmar border was thwarted when vigilant paramilitary forces discovered eight Myanmar nationals hidden in vegetable crates. The shocking find occurred during a routine vehicle stop by soldiers from the 35th Ranger Forces Regiment at a checkpoint on the Mae Sot-Tha Song Yang road in Tak province. Paramilitary forces, led by Colonel…
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Phuket parasail operator shells out 400,000 baht to injured Chinese tourist
A Thai parasailing operator agreed to pay a Chinese tourist 400,000 baht in compensation after she broke her leg in a parasailing accident on Karon Beach in Phuket on Saturday, February 24. The operator blamed the accident on a change in wind direction and insisted they adhered to strict safety measures. The Chinese woman, Nadahan, took to social media to…
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Thai Department of Commerce collaborates to stabilise fruit market
The Department of Commerce, in collaboration with global fruit importers, is examining the futures market and preparing to roll out an additional 35 initiatives. These initiatives are aimed at promoting Thai agricultural products, to maintain price stability throughout the year. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday presided over a business-matching project’s launch. This project, centred on fresh and processed fruit and…
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Thailand’s tusker turnaround: TAT teams up with WWF for elephant-friendly travels
In a bid to promote responsible tourism and protect Thai elephants, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to pledge unwavering support to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Thailand and its Travel Ivory Free initiative. This collaborative effort aims to combat the illegal ivory market by encouraging travellers to refrain from purchasing ivory items during their visits. Recently,…
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War on online scams: Nearly 40,000 fraudulent accounts frozen
Since its establishment on November 1 last year, the Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC 1441) has waged a battle against cyber fraud, culminating in the freezing of 39,918 bank accounts, revealed Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong. Prasert disclosed that this drastic action was prompted by a deluge of 307,515 complaints received by AOC as of January’s conclusion. Explaining…
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Swedish man arrested for fake euro currency caper in Phuket
Police arrested a Swedish man in the Patong sub-district of Katu district, Phuket province, after discovering that he exchanged money using fake euro banknotes. Patong Police Station officers received a complaint from an employer at the Violet Money Exchange 2 on Saen Saai Road that a Swedish man was exchanging money using counterfeit euro notes at 1.50pm on February 26.…
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Planting seeds of change: Thai veggie market sprouts into billion-baht industry
In a culinary revolution, plant-based food companies are urged to overhaul taste, slash prices, and boost health benefits. Will this signal a paradigm shift in global dining habits? The Thai plant-based food market, once a niche, is now a burgeoning industry worth billions. By 2024, it’s expected to skyrocket to 45 billion baht, according to Statista, a German online platform…
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Chinese makeup artist turns 57 year old into youthful sensation
The transformation of a 57 year old comedian into a youthful idol by a Chinese makeup artist named Tuzi has sent shockwaves across the Internet and social media platforms, leaving even the comedian’s wife unable to recognize him. Tuzi’s talent for age-defying makeup has earned her the title of master of transformation and has become a viral sensation. Tuzi, famed for…
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Missing case takes turn: Thai woman reveals escape from abusive husband
A Thai woman broke her silence after being missing for 13 days, informing a news agency that she felt compelled to disappear with her daughter to escape from her abusive husband. The businessman from the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima, 42 year old Pongphumphat Chuedee, shared pictures of his wife and daughter on the Facebook account, PickNick Pimpisa. He reported…
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How conservation efforts saved the ecosystem at Maya Bay
In 2016, Maya Bay welcomed a staggering 1.73 million visitors, but its popularity devastated its delicate ecosystem. Fast forward to 2024, and the once-threatened bay stands as a testament to the power of environmental stewardship. Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a leading marine biologist explains that the target point for Maya Bay was to set up a system that would help us,…
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Thai minister vows to improve Rama 2 Road traffic ahead of Songkran
The quality of traffic on Rama 2 Road in Thailand is set to improve ahead of the Songkran Festival, as promised by the Thai Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, on February 27. The vow comes in the wake of a delay in the road’s construction, a setback attributed to the impact of Covid-19 on the contractors in charge of the…
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Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra among 150 selected for new NDC defence course
The National Defence College (NDC) announced a fresh intake of 150 students for its new defence curriculum. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party, is among the selected. Paetongtarn, along with other executives, is set to delve into this new curriculum which aims to broaden their perspectives and build strong networks. Over 500 individuals applied for the prestigious course,…
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Thai police foil luxury car fake plate scam in Bangkok
A sophisticated scheme involving the use of counterfeit license plates on luxury vehicles has been thwarted by Thai highway police in a recent crackdown. A 41 year old woman was arrested for affixing a forged red license plate to a brand-new Bentley. The incident, which took place along Bangkok’s outer ring road, has raised concerns about the ease with which…
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Thailand braces for turbulent weather as storms target 18 provinces
Thailand faces a significant meteorological event as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues a storm warning affecting 18 provinces. The TMD forecasts thunderstorms, with a 10% chance of heavy rainfall across these regions, signalling a turbulent start to March. As the country braces for summer storms from March 1 to March 3, areas particularly affected should prepare for strong gusts…
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Bangkok gears up for grandiose govt backed Songkran festival
Bangkok is set for an unprecedented Songkran, the annual water festival. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has plans to incorporate the festivities into the government’s soft power promotion policy, making this year’s festival more grandiose. The announcement came from Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, yesterday. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had a meeting discussing the city’s readiness for…
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Thailand’s household electricity tariffs remain unchanged
Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga affirmed that electricity tariffs for households in Thailand will remain unchanged from May to August, maintaining the current rate of 4.18 baht per unit. Pirapan, also serving as a deputy prime minister, explained that this decision has been made possible due to the continuation of gas production in the Gulf of Thailand by PTT Exploration and…
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Beach blues: Thai woman assaulted by Swiss man in Phuket
A female doctor in Thailand is seeking justice after being attacked by a Swiss man for sitting on the staircase of his beachfront villa in Phuket. The foreign man is reported to be the owner of an elephant sanctuary with alleged connections with the high-ranking Thai police. The father of the victim, Chaiyachot Uttamang, took to Facebook to share the…
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Global forests in crisis: Shocking decline revealed
In a staggering revelation, the world’s forests have undergone a drastic reduction of nearly 20 million square kilometres over the past 30 years, plunging from 42.03 million square kilometres in 1992 to 40.44 million square kilometres in 2021, as per the latest data from the World Bank. Attributing this alarming loss to the relentless encroachment of agriculture and industrialisation, the…
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Chinese city gives out lottery tickets to boost birth rates
Authorities in Xi’an, China, are rolling the dice on love with a jaw-dropping scheme aimed at tackling the nation’s plummeting birth rates. In a bold move to combat China’s declining birth rates, the city of Xi’an is set to splash a whopping 700,000 yuan (equivalent to 3.6 million baht) on lottery tickets, all in the name of encouraging newlyweds to…
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Dessert vendor saves woman on footbridge in Pattaya
In a heart-stopping moment near Pattaya City School 7, a dessert vendor witnessed a young woman teetering perilously close to the edge of a footbridge along Sukhumvit Road yesterday. Whilst en route to Sattahip, the vendor, 46 year old Pradit Yoosawad, halted his vehicle without hesitation and alerted authorities to the unfolding crisis. Pradit approached the distressed woman, urging her…
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Tragic last ride: Bangkok taxi driver found dead at gas station
A taxi driver was discovered dead in his vehicle at a gas station in Bangkok’s Jomthong district. The incident occurred early this morning, February 28, and the circumstances surrounding the driver’s death are currently under investigation. The gas station on Kalapapruek Road became an unexpected crime scene this morning when a 59 year old taxi driver, identified as Sathian (surname…
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Ride historic steam trains from Bangkok to Ayutthaya on March 26
In a nostalgic nod to the past, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is reviving history with a special train journey from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Commemorating SRT’s 127th anniversary on March 26, the trip honours the inauguration of the rail link between the current and former capital cities back in 1896 by King Rama V. Passengers will have the unique…
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