Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
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Infinito helps hotels in Thailand with revenue management
Maximising revenue and profit–isn’t that the ultimate goal for every business in the hospitality industry? If you run a hotel, you might have heard that revenue management is an effective way to boost your top-line revenue. It involves using data...
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Pattaya tourists tread tightrope as bike rentals hog Beach Road
Complaints have arisen in Pattaya over motorcycle rental businesses allegedly monopolising public parking spaces along Beach Road, causing significant inconvenience for tourists. Residents yesterday voiced their concerns to the media, highlighting how these businesses park dozens of motorcycles on the roadside, making it challenging for tourists to find parking. Some motorcycles are even illegally parked, obstructing traffic and making it…
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Professor warns against reclassifying cannabis as illegal narcotic
Professor Panthep Puapongphan, Dean of the College of Oriental Medicine at Rangsit University, voiced concerns regarding efforts to reclassify cannabis as an illegal narcotic. He believes that such a move could worsen drug-related issues rather than improve them. Prof. Panthep stressed that cannabis has played a significant role in helping individuals quit more harmful substances like methamphetamine and heroin. He…
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Tragedy strikes annual rocket festival in Roi Et: Explosion injures 30
On June 16, 2024, a tragic incident marred the annual Rocket Festival at Ban Sang Bu Temple in Roi Et Province. The normally joyous event, which attracts numerous locals and visitors to Phon Sai Sawang Subdistrict, Phon Thong District, ended in disaster when a rocket explosion caused significant injuries among the attendees. The explosion occurred at precisely 5:00 p.m. during…
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Missing contraband diesel vessels found near Malaysian waters
Three vessels carrying 330,000 litres of contraband diesel that vanished from a police pier in Chon Buri have been located near Malaysian waters, police confirmed. Police Major General Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, announced that the three boats disappeared from the marine police pier in Sattahip district of Chon Buri last week. After travelling through Cambodian…
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Phuket boosts tourism safety with new lifeguard training initiative
Phuket’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS Phuket) is spearheading a workshop to bolster water tourism safety in the Andaman Tourism Development Zone. The Generation 1 project commenced on June 14 and continues through today at the Nai Yang Beach Resort & Spa and Sirinat National Park. Key attendees include Panlop Prajong, a policy and planning analyst at MoTS Phuket,…
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Russian man arrested in Phuket for stealing over 50 coral rocks
Police in Phuket detained a Russian man found guilty of stealing more than 50 pieces of coral rock from the sea. The arrest occurred yesterday following a collaborative effort between the local police and tourist police. Officers tracked down 46 year old Alexsandr Krasilov outside the Siberyak restaurant in Rawai. Krasilov was apprehended for illegally removing coral rocks from the…
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Thailand’s new Covid-19 strain, KP.2, spreads faster than JN.1
Thailand is set to see the KP.2 strain of Covid-19 become the dominant variant, with increased transmissibility and challenges for vaccine efficacy. However, the symptoms will not be more severe than those of previous strains, according to a prominent virologist. Yong Poovorawan from the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University announced on Facebook that the KP.2 strain…
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Andaman Hotelier 2024 showcases South Thailand hospitality
The Andaman Hotelier 2024 event kicked off at Robinson Lifestyle shopping mall in Chalong yesterday, showcasing the excellence of hotel and tourism service personnel in southern Thailand. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat inaugurated the event with a press conference, joined by Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), Thianprasit Chaiyaphattranan, President of the Thai Hotel Association, and Suksit…
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EC intensifies legal push to dissolve opposition MFP
The Election Commission (EC) intensified its legal pursuit to disband the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) by submitting additional documents to the Constitutional Court. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee confirmed that these documents pertain to legal issues surrounding the case and were delivered to the court yesterday. Sawaeng stated that presenting a list of witnesses was unnecessary because the court’s previous…
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Provincial Senate election tomorrow: Candidates must be punctual
The nationwide provincial-level Senate election will occur tomorrow, with the Election Commission (EC) urging candidates to arrive at polling stations punctually without introducing themselves during the vote. Election officials, led by EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee, inspected the Vayupak Convention Centre at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel on Chaeng Watthana Road in Lak Si district, a designated polling station for…
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Pride Month to boost Thai economy by 4.5 billion baht
June’s Pride Month is anticipated to stimulate over 4.5 billion baht in economic activity, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham announced yesterday that the government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is actively endorsing sexual diversity and collaborating with the private sector to organise additional Pride Month festivities. These events aim to attract LGBTQ+ tourists…
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Ancient skeletons found in Nakhon Ratchasima to resume excavation
Further archaeological excavation is set to continue at a site in downtown Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, where three ancient human skeletons were discovered last month. The Culture Ministry confirmed that the Fine Arts Department (FAD) will oversee the allocation of funds for the excavation, which is currently paused due to the rainy season. Workers unearthed the skeletons while landscaping near…
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Thailand nears historic approval of marriage equality bill
Thailand is on the verge of making history by passing the Marriage Equality Bill, which is set to undergo its final round of Senate voting this month. If approved, the bill could come into effect by the end of the year, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to endorse gender equality in marriage. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin assured…
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Survey reveals pollution as Thai citizens’ biggest worry
A survey by Marketbuzzz reveals that Thais have declared environmental issues such as pollution as their top public concern for 2024, with 30% of respondents prioritising it, closely followed by rising prices at 28%. This annual survey, running since 2019, highlights the growing unease about environmental issues among Thais, who also rank other concerns like corruption, healthcare, traffic congestion, crime,…
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Thailand tourism takes a tumble: WEF report
Thailand’s tourism industry has suffered a dramatic setback, plummeting 11 spots in the latest World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index, leaving experts calling for urgent investment and innovation. In a devastating blow to the Thai government, which reported a modest 1.5% growth in the first quarter of 2024, the WEF index revealed Thailand’s fall from 36th to…
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Macau casino company eyes Thailand for major investment
In a move that could revolutionise Thailand’s entertainment landscape, MGM China Holdings is exploring new investment opportunities, including a potential entertainment complex in Thailand. This was revealed after a high-level meeting between TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool and Pansy Ho, chairperson of MGM China Holdings, on Thursday. TAT governor Thapanee highlighted that MGM China is keen to promote Macau tourism to…
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Pattaya mayor’s big bet on Irish tourism
In a significant push to boost international tourism, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet welcomed H.E. Patrick Bourne, Ambassador of Ireland to the Kingdom of Thailand, and his delegation. The high-profile visit centred on strengthening tourism ties and introducing measures to support Irish tourists in Pattaya. During the meeting, Mayor Poramet expressed his delight and honour in hosting Irish ambassador Bourne. Poramet emphasised…
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NHRC urges Thai govt to stop deportation of Vietnamese activist
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the Thai government to halt plans to deport Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, expressing concerns for his safety. Authorities arrested 32 year old Y Quynh Bdap in Bangkok this week. He is a prominent figure within the Montagnard ethnic group from Vietnam’s Central Highlands and co-founded Montagnards Stand for Justice, an organisation…
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Pattaya police drug raid in Jomtien detains 24 suspects
Pattaya police conducted a significant crackdown on the local drug trade, targeting Jomtien Soi 1 to 3. Pattaya City Police, led by Police Colonel Navin Teerawit, along with Banglamung District officials, launched a comprehensive operation to dismantle the underground drug network in the area. The operation began at 3.06pm yesterday, June 14, when law enforcement, including Deputy Chiefs of Banglamung…
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Crisis in Thai industry: Are major collapses on the horizon?
Thailand’s industrial sector is teetering on the brink of a crisis as rapid technological advancements, fierce competition from China, and a planned hike in the daily minimum wage threaten to trigger a massive collapse. With two Japanese car giants, Subaru and Suzuki, set to shut down their manufacturing operations in Thailand, the situation is dire. KKP Research reports that 1,700…
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Sustainability needs more than ESG compliance, says expert
Achieving sustainability requires more than just adherence to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, according to Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre. Speaking at a conference in Bangkok this week, Peshawaria emphasised that a genuine desire for a better future is crucial. The ESG framework, which has been around since the 1990s, is proving effective in some areas but…
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Southeast Asia leads in anti-corruption initiatives with public support
Southeast Asia has emerged as a leading example of public initiatives tackling corruption, as highlighted by legal experts and academics at the Anti-Corruption Innovations in Southeast Asia conference recently held in Bangkok. The conference, which took place on June 7, aimed to share perspectives on innovative strategies to promote integrity and good governance across the region. Experts underscored the importance…
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Monsoon meltdown: Thailand braces for scattered rain
The monsoon in southwest Thailand has taken a backseat, leading to reduced rainfall across the country. However, some northern areas are still in for a soaking, prompting warnings for residents to stay vigilant against heavy and accumulated rain. Northern region: Thunderstorms are expected to cover 30% of the area, with particularly heavy rain forecasted for Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai,…
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MFP’s support for Pheu Thai sparks coalition speculation
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has recently shown a surprisingly empathetic stance towards the ruling Pheu Thai Party, sparking accusations that their previous antagonism may have been an act. Observers have noted two key developments suggesting a possible reconciliation between the two largest parties, following Pheu Thai’s earlier decision to abandon a post-election promise to form a government with MFP.…
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Beach vendor arrested in Pattaya for illegal alcohol sales
Police in Pattaya have arrested a beach vendor for illegally selling alcoholic beverages and resisting officials. The arrest took place in the early hours yesterday, June 14, at Pattaya Beach, following a prior incident where city officials tried to apprehend vendors violating regulations by selling alcohol and renting out beach equipment without proper licences. The incident began at 2.36am, when…
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eCommerce growth and digital payment trends in Thailand
As the second-largest digital economy in Southeast Asia, Thailand is seeing a significant shift in consumer purchasing habits due to these technological advancements, including the increasing adoption of digital payment methods. This article explores the current state of eCommerce, popular digital payment methods, and the opportunities they present for digital marketers. eCommerce Growth in Thailand Thailand’s eCommerce sector is thriving,…
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Knife attack on Myanmar nationals leads to crash in Phuket
Two Myanmar nationals were attacked and chased by an unknown assailant wielding a knife, leading to a crash with a food delivery driver in Srisoonthorn, Phuket, late yesterday. The incident occurred at the three-way intersection outside Phuket Provincial Prison in Moo 4 at approximately 9.15pm. Thalang Police and rescue workers from Srisoonthorn Municipality responded to the scene, finding two motorbikes…
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Kalasin villagers launch rockets in ceremony to predict rainfall
Residents of Kalasin recently held a traditional ceremony to honour sacred spirits at the ancient site of Non Ban Kao, in Ban Tum Village, Yang Talat District. The event featured the launching of rockets to predict rainfall, a practice deeply rooted in the region’s cultural heritage. A member of the Bua Ban Subdistrict Municipality, Yada Phunasi, along with two village…
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Cyber police arrest online loan shark charging 3% daily interest
Cyber police raided and arrested an online loan shark charging exorbitant interest rates of 3% per day, threatening, shaming, and destroying the property of those who failed to pay. They seized numerous items of evidence. The operation took place yesterday under the command of Cyber Police Chief, Worawat Watnakornbancha who instructed relevant authorities to execute a search warrant issued by…
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Thai woman seeks help after brutal assault by ex-boyfriend
A Thai woman in the eastern province of Rayong is seeking help after repeated harassment and a recent physical assault by her ex-boyfriend at her workplace, which left her with severe injuries. The 31 year old victim turned to social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet after officers from the Khao Chamao Police Station ignored her case. She was left living…
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