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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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Tragedy strikes as cement truck fatally runs over 2 year old boy near Bangkok
A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok, where a two year old boy lost his life after being run over by a cement truck. The driver of the truck blamed a broken brake system. The devastating event took place at the TPI Concrete Company in Pathum Thani. Officers from Mueang Pathum Thani Police Station swiftly arrived at…
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Phuket nightclubs raided for late trading, serving alcohol to minors
Two Phuket nightclubs in the Kathu district have been raided by officials from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) and the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor). The clubs, the Ratree Club and Mahanakorn Phuket were accused of late trading, public disturbance, serving alcohol to minors, and operating without proper permits. The raids were carried out early this morning after a plain-clothes officer confirmed…
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Van carrying migrants crashes and catches fire, leaving 4 dead
A van carrying migrant workers fled from police before crashing and catching fire in Thailand’s central Ayutthaya province, resulting in four deaths. Authorities are currently investigating the accident and searching for any additional injuries or casualties. The accident occurred at around 1am this morning on Highway 3543 near Chiang Rak Noi School in Bang Pa-in district. A van transporting migrant…
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Asia’s factory demand eases amid China’s faltering recovery and global trade slump
Factories across Asia experienced a further decline in demand during May, as China‘s sluggish recovery impacted a region already grappling with a global trade downturn. Taiwan’s purchasing managers indexes (PMI) dropped to 44.3 from 47.1 in April, while Vietnam recorded its lowest reading since September 2021, according to S&P Global. South Korea’s factory gauge saw a slight increase in May,…
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Undercover payments: Lottery vendors reveal ‘protection fees’ to local police in Kamphaeng Phet
A sticker coined “lottery protection fees” has emerged in Kamphaeng Phet province, with lottery vendors revealing they pay a monthly fee of 500 baht per booth to local police. The fee allegedly allows them to sell lottery tickets above the set prices within their territory only, but it doesn’t guarantee they won’t be fined. According to a lottery vendor in…
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Thai armed forces plan to halve generals, save billions by 2027
Thailand‘s Defence Council has recently given the green light to a reform plan that aims to reduce the number of generals in the armed forces by 50% by 2027, as stated yesterday by Deputy Defence Ministry Spokesperson, Colonel Jittanat Punnotok. Currently, there are approximately 1,200 generals in the military, a military source told Bangkok Post. Between 2017 and 2021, the…
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Krungsri bank expects Thai government to boost Japanese investment
Krungsri, also known as the Bank of Ayudhya, believes that the new Thai government will continue to encourage Japanese investment in the country. Japan is currently Thailand’s largest foreign investor, contributing 28.6% of total investment, or 23.3 billion baht. As political parties form a coalition government, Japanese investors are closely monitoring the situation. Bunsei Okubo, the head of Japanese corporate and…
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2 Vietnamese con men swindles 65,000 baht from phone shop in Thailand
Two Vietnamese men allegedly swindled 65,000 baht from a phone shop in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima by selling two counterfeit iPhones. The owner of the phone shop, 46 year old Ratchaphat Thoenmongkhon, filed a complaint at Mueng Nakhon Ratchasima Police Station on May 19 after learning that the two mobile phones she bought from the Vietnamese men were…
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Man from Uthai Thani shot himself after dispute led to divorce
A 34 year old man from Uthai Thani province shot himself after an argument with his wife led to their divorce. The incident occurred just a day after his 34th birthday and followed a long line of heated disputes between the couple. Pattanapong Pomthong was found lifeless with an 11mm handgun by his side at his rental home in Nong…
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Thai textile factory ordered to pay 19 million baht in overdue wages to workers
Textile factory workers in Thailand’s central Samut Prakan province are set to receive 19.33 million baht in unpaid wages, plus 15% interest, after labour authorities intervened on their behalf. The factory operator has been ordered to expedite the payment process for approximately 109 workers who had not received their full wages between July 2020 and April this year. These workers…
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Daring cannabis vendor chases fleeing client, gets shot while leaping from speeding pickup (video)
A cannabis vendor in the central province of Nakhon Pathom jumped onto the back of a speeding pickup to demand payment from his fleeing client. The ganja thief then shot the vendor in the leg after he leapt from the moving vehicle. Officers from Pho Kaew Police Station rushed to investigate the shooting scene in front of Soi Tessaban in…
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Thailand’s DDC warns of monkeypox in LGBTQ community
News about monkeypox is circling in Thailand once more. Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued a warning regarding the potential rise in monkeypox cases, particularly within the LGBTQ community. The DDC has advised reducing close skin contact and limiting the number of sexual partners to prevent the disease from spreading, Bangkok Post reported. Jakkarat Pittayawong-anont, the director of…
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Lottery expert Uncle Pong deciphers cultural image on ticket for June 1 draw
Lottery enthusiasts eagerly follow “Uncle Pong” for his analysis of six-digit numbers derived from the Thai Government Lottery’s cover image for today’s June 1 draw, depicting Mahasarakham Province‘s cultural festival featuring rice-stuffed puppets. One popular trend for lottery aficionados is the interpretation of winning numbers based on the images found on the covers of Thai government lottery tickets. Recently, TikTok…
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10 Thai provinces at risk as strong monsoon rains bring threat of flash floods and landslides
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) released an advisory today warning about strong monsoon rains impacting 10 provinces, urging caution against potential flash floods and landslides. The advisory will remain in effect until June 6 and impacts the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. According to the announcement, the south-westerly monsoon rains are growing stronger, causing waves of 2-3…
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Thai monk seeks justice for reputation damage after accusations cleared
A revered Thai monk and his supporters are hitting back after accusations of inappropriate behaviour and misconduct have been cleared. The monk, 73 year old Luang Por Wang of Wat Ban Kluey in Nakhon Ratchasima province, along with his nephew, 38 year old Thanawat Saeveekul, filed a complaint with the police after an investigation showed no evidence of misconduct. The…
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Drunken Chinese man causes chaos at Pattaya hotel, threatens to jump from balcony
A chaotic scene unfolded at the First Pacific Hotel in Pattaya as a drunken Chinese man brought the establishment to a standstill. Perched precariously on the third-floor balcony, it seemed as though he might leap to his death. The 22 year old man was in a state of distress, alleging that a taxi driver had stolen his mobile phone. However,…
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Thailand’s MPI growth faces stagnation amid export slowdown and high costs
The Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) in Thailand is predicted to experience subdued growth of 0-1% this year, owing to a combination of domestic and international business challenges. The April MPI reading was the lowest in 34 months, with an 8.14% year-on-year drop to 83.5 points, marking the seventh consecutive decline since October last year, according to the Office of Industrial…
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Thai school conducts mass drug testing: Is it a violation of student rights?
A Thai school recently conducted a mass urine drug testing initiative for its entire student body, causing online debate as netizens clashed over whether this practice constituted a violation of the students’ rights. The school, local authorities, and health officials collaborated on the project to ensure a drug-free environment. The school is located in the town of Tha Rong in…
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Saha Group urges Thai govt to prioritise agriculture over wage hikes
The Saha Group, a prominent consumer product conglomerate in Thailand, advised the new Thai government to prioritise the promotion of the agricultural sector instead of significantly raising the daily minimum wage. The group’s chairman, Boonsithi Chokwatana, believes this approach would contribute to sustainable economic growth. Boonsithi also suggested that the government should concentrate on enhancing the economy through educational initiatives…
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Pattaya drug bust: Thai police nab South Korean dealer, seize 17 million baht worth of drugs
Thai police arrested a South Korean drug dealer in Pattaya following the rounding up of 70 drug suspects and the seizure of drugs worth about 17 million baht. The Thai Immigration Bureau (TIMB) held a press conference at the Brighton Grand Hotel in Pattaya today, where they shared the details of the arrest. Officers emphasised that the successful capture of…
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Pheu Thai leader denies backroom deals: High-ranking Parliamentary roles still up for grabs
The Pheu Thai leader denies allocating high-ranking Parliamentary roles for his party, asserting that discussions are still ongoing to fill key positions. Despite rumours of potential nominees, Pheu Thai chief Chonlanan Srikaew maintains that no final decision has been made. Chonlanan addressed the ongoing negotiations concerning the appointment of the President of the House of Representatives, stating that talks between his…
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Shining Surge: Gold prices soar in Thailand, hitting 32,650 baht per baht
The Gold Traders Association reported an increase in gold prices in Thailand today, with gold bullion trading at 32,650 baht per baht, up 50 baht compared to the closing price of yesterday. Gold bars are being bought at 32,050 baht and sold at 32,150 baht. Recording a rise in gold prices today, the Gold Traders Association stated that gold ornaments…
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Pregnant woman vomits 10-15cm roundworms, warns on undercooked food risks
A pregnant patient at DonSak Hospital in Surat Thani, Thailand, discovered two intestinal roundworms, each longer than 10-15 centimetres, in her vomit. Doctors believe the 27 year old ingested the parasites from contaminated fruits and vegetables. DonSak Hospital shared the story on its Facebook page, explaining that the eight months pregnant woman had been experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting…
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Money laundering mastermind nabbed: Chinese man busted in Pattaya for multibillion-baht scam operation
Thai authorities apprehended a Chinese man in Pattaya on charges of money laundering over 2.5 billion baht for the scam call centre gang based in Cambodia. The crackdown, led by the Thai Immigration Bureau (TIMB), was carried out in response to instances of criminal behaviour causing harm to citizens and tarnishing the country’s image. Details of the operation were released…
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Officials monitor religious offering prices amid Visakha Bucha preparations
Udom Srisomsong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that due to the upcoming significant Buddhist holiday, Visakha Bucha Day, people are keen to purchase merit-making sets and Thai Dharma sets to offer to monks. As a result, the department has sent officers to inspect the prices of these products at markets in Bangkok, such as Huay Kwang…
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Lottery market’s dirty secret exposed: Decades of bribery unveiled
Bribery in the lottery market in Thailand has been prevalent for about 20 years, according to the president of the Thai Lottery Traders Association, Sam-ang Sonklin. He claims the issue stems from high costs at the source, which forces sellers to increase their prices. The police also face pressure to address the problem, resulting in a vicious cycle that affects…
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Woman attacks Thai shop owner with beer bottle over alleged grudge
A 52 year old woman attacked a 64 year old female shop owner in Thailand‘s central Samut Sakhon province with a beer bottle, leaving the latter injured on her face and head. The attacker later apologised to the victim’s family, revealing longstanding resentment as the reason behind the incident. In the recent incident, a woman was seen on video attacking…
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Opportunity knocks: 7,813 assistant teacher positions up for grabs, beware of scam traps
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is set to conduct recruitment examinations for 7,813 assistant teacher positions in 63 subject areas, warning candidates to study hard and not to fall for scam groups. The application period runs from today, May 31, and June 6, with 204 regional zones and one Special Education Administration Office participating in the process.…
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Exploding battery injures soldier and startles media at Defence Ministry event
A battery explosion at Thailand’s Ministry of Defence injured a soldier and startled reporters, taking place just before a scheduled military assembly. The explosion occurred today after two power outages in the morning, during which officials tried to repair the equipment. The battery was later found to be in a deteriorated condition. The incident took place just prior to a…
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Cash and carry: Vietnamese bride’s counting prowess wows online
A Vietnamese bride‘s ingenious approach to dealing with the overwhelming number of cash-filled envelopes from her wedding grabbed the spotlight online. Using a money counting machine, the savvy bride easily managed the task, garnering attention on social media. Counting money after a wedding ceremony is considered a charming activity for many couples, as they smile at the names of relatives…
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