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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Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Paws unite: Happy Doggo & Soi Dog tackle Asia’s strays
Happy Doggo and Soi Dog Foundation have joined forces to tackle Asia’s stray animal crisis head-on with a colossal campaign. Aimed at putting an end to the suffering of homeless animals across the continent, this ambitious initiative promises to revolutionize the fight against the stray population. Animals 24-7, jaded by seeing grandiose claims in appeals and media releases a zillion…
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Thai cyber police shut down online gambling rings, seize 18 million baht
Thai cyber police successfully dismantled two major online gambling networks, confiscating over 18 million baht (US$498,000) in cash and revealing a staggering 300 million baht (US$8,296,000) monthly circulation. The crackdown occurred on February 15, under the operation of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). The operation was a collaborative effort involving Prasert Jantararuangtong, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society;…
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Couples tie the knot atop elephants on Valentine’s Day
In a display of romance and tradition, couples in Thailand celebrated their love atop majestic elephants on Valentine’s Day. Clad in traditional attire, nine pairs exchanged vows in a mass wedding that captivated onlookers at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chon Buri. A bride, Narumon Komgpanoy, shared that the ceremony is sacred, which makes everyone want to have a…
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Thai bank officer nabbed for selling customer data in Nonthaburi
A Thai bank loan officer has been arrested for selling the personal data of over 5,000 customers, a lucrative side business that netted him tens of thousands of baht per month for over the past two years. The capture took place at 11am today, at the Technology Crime Suppression Division in Mueang Thong Thani. The digital economy and society minister,…
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Brave officer thwarts student brawl with gun and knife at Ranong
A police officer has been lauded for his bravery after intervening in a student brawl at a busy intersection. The incident, which could have turned deadly with the involvement of a firearm and a knife, was swiftly contained by the officer, who risked his safety to prevent potential injury or death among the youths involved. The altercation occurred on February…
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Thai boy assaulted by jealous teenagers for being ‘too handsome’
A 15 year old Thai boy suffered serious injuries after a group of teenagers beat him up for being “too handsome” in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. Residents in the Ban Nong Kanon Simma in the Ban Dung district of Udon Thani urged the police to take action on the group of teenagers, aged between 12 and 16, responsible…
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111 couples tie the knot on Rama IX Bridge, Bangkok
In a display of affection, 111 couples defied air pollution to tie the knot on the sleek new bridge adjacent to Bangkok’s iconic Rama IX Bridge. Amidst the backdrop of the bustling cityscape, Governor Surachet Laophulsuk of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) kickstarted the Luck Lock Love festival, inviting citizens to partake in pre-opening festivities on the bridge. The…
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Daruma Sushi owner cleared of scam charges amid business collapse
The Criminal Court acquitted a 41 year old owner of the Daruma Sushi restaurant chain, of charges related to a coupon and franchise sales scam that allegedly caused hundreds of millions in damage. The court ruled that the mismanagement leading to the restaurant’s failure was not intentional or fraudulent. The verdict was delivered at 9am, today, February 15, at the…
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Buriram yoga teacher exposes photographer’s sexual harassment
A yoga instructor exposed a prominent photographer from Buriram for sexual harassment and attempted coercion into risqué photography, with a subsequent payoff offer of 30,000 baht to silence the matter. The incident, which she believes was not an isolated case, took place on February 15. The victim shared her traumatic experience on social media to warn other women of the…
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Experts warn against Thailand’s cancer crisis revealed by National Cancer Institute stats
Cancer’s relentless grip tightens on Thailand, with the National Cancer Institute’s figures from 2022 revealing over 140,000 fresh diagnoses annually, claiming some 84,000 lives. While strides have been made, certain cancers persist as formidable adversaries, striking at the heart of the populace: liver, lung, breast, colon, and cervical cancers stand firm against medical progress. The culprits behind this epidemic’s ascent…
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Laughing gas balloons burst bubble: Police bar raid in Chiang Mai
In a late-night operation in the Mueang district of Chiang Mai, police and officials carried out a raid on beer bars located near a boxing stadium on Loi Kroh Road. The establishments were alleged to be selling balloons filled with laughing gas to patrons and tourists. The raid, which involved about 100 police officers and consumer protection officials, resulted in…
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Thailand News Today | Thai man gets married for 14th time, KFC’s romantic(?) fried chicken ring
Bangkok battles severe air quality dip prompting remote work Bangkok experienced severe air quality issues on February 14, with high levels of PM2.5 particulate matter recorded in most districts. This led the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to urge state agencies and private entities to facilitate remote working for their personnel for two days. Despite this, schools remained open, as safe…
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Disabled Thai woman busted in Valentine’s Day Yaba crackdown
Authorities in the Isaan province of Roi Et arrested a 78 year old Thai woman with a disability and seized 151 tablets of methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, as part of the Expressing Love to Yaba Dealers crackdown on Valentine’s Day. Roi Et provincial administrative authorities together with police and soldiers launched the anti-narcotics operation on Valentine’s Day after receiving…
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Thailand’s hotspots surge, sparking environmental concerns
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported a surge in hotspots across Thailand and neighbouring countries, exceeding 1,700 points in Thailand alone as of February 14. This data, collected from the Suomi NPP satellite alongside other satellites, raised concerns, particularly as the majority of these hotspots are located in conservation forests and national parks. With neighbouring countries also…
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Bangkok Grab driver earns 2,000 baht tip for returning lost phone
A Grab driver’s act of honesty in returning a mobile phone to a customer earned him a generous cash tip, sparking praise and discussion in a popular social media group. A Grab driver recently shared an experience on the Facebook group GrabCar Drivers Club Thailand, which boasts over 110,000 members, where he recounted being tipped handsomely by a customer. After…
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Hopea odorata tree draws crowds in Phayao for lottery luck
Locals flocked to an ancient Hopea odorata tree, believed to be over 100 years old and requiring a five-person embrace to encircle, to seek blessings and lucky numbers for the upcoming national lottery draw. Situated beside Thung Pa Kha School in the Mae Chai district of Phayao province, this revered tree recently became the centre of attention as the lottery…
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Homeless to hairstylist: American woman’s life-changing adventure in Thailand (video)
An American woman @ExperiencingKiaa with a mere US$7 (approximately 250 baht) in her bank account captivated TikTok followers with her tale of survival in Thailand. The American woman, Kiaa, chronicled her journey on social media, which began with a spontaneous decision to embark on a one-way flight to Japan. However, within a day of arriving, she realised Japan wasn’t her destination…
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UOB LIVE apologizes for Ed Sheeran concert disruption
Suphalak, the Chairperson of UOB LIVE, issued a heartfelt apology following a disturbance at the Ed Sheeran concert held on February 11. In a formal letter, Suphalak expressed deep regret for the disruption caused by excessive noise in the VIP lounge area, which affected the concertgoers’ experience at UOB LIVE. In a move to address the fallout from the incident,…
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Valentine’s tragedy: Drunk taxi driver kills Thai couple
A drunken Thai taxi driver crashed into a couple on a motorcycle on the Liab Khlong Sam Road in the central province of Pathum Thani yesterday, leading to the victims’ deaths. Khlong Luang Police Station officers were alerted to the fatal accident at 7.30am yesterday, February 14, and rushed to the scene with a rescue team. The two victims, a…
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Critically injured giant king cobra saved by surgery in Sichon
A critically injured king cobra, believed to be the largest ever found in the district of Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, received emergency veterinary treatment after being discovered with severe wounds. At nearly 5 metres long and weighing almost 10 kilogrammes, the male snake was in critical condition with grave injuries near its cloaca. The incident, which resulted in the first-known…
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Bangkok blanketed in toxic air: Emergency work-from-home orders issued
As the dense smog engulfs Bangkok with toxic air levels skyrocketing past safety thresholds, authorities urgently call for remote work, revealing shocking pollution statistics. In a directive by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) urged state entities and private firms to enact emergency measures, allowing their employees to work remotely today and tomorrow. “AirBKK, the city’s air…
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Thai cop allegedly rapes 19 year old woman he met on dating app
A Thai Marine Police Division officer allegedly raped a 19 year old woman he met on a dating application after he lured her to a welfare house in Chon Buri province. ThaiRath reported that a Thai TikToker shared a video about the sexual assault and warned women using dating apps to stay away from police officers. Reporters then spoke to…
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Nonthaburi woman saved from abuse after son’s accidental call to police
A two-day ordeal of domestic abuse in Nonthaburi ended with police intervention after a 13 year old boy mistakenly dialled the emergency number while seeking medical help for his mother. The woman, a landlady, was found locked in a room and severely beaten by her younger, drug-addicted partner who was suspected of infidelity. In the quiet soi of Samakkhi 49,…
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Illicit soda syndicate: Kratom-infused beverages seized in Thai factory raid
Thai officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), orchestrated a search operation yesterday, honing in on a factory in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, amidst suspicions of illicit soda production laced with kratom. Reports from the police unveiled the factory’s alleged involvement in the clandestine distribution of kratom-infused soda under a covert brand across Bangkok. Acting swiftly, the police launched a meticulous…
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Cameroonian men flee to Singapore after killing Burmese man
Two Cameroonian men fled from Thailand to Singapore in the early hours of yesterday morning after killing a Burmese businessman and stealing 5 million baht in cash from a mansion in the Sukhumvit neighbourhood of Bangkok. The killers were originally believed to be Scottish. A Burmese woman, 58 year old The The Win, filed a complaint with the Lumpini Police…
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Exploited Thai workers: Debt, deception, and the dark side of berry picking in Europe
In the past 18 years, over 110,000 Thai workers embarked on a gruelling journey to Europe, enticed by the promise of lucrative pay in berry fields, yet behind the allure lies a sinister reality of exploitation, debt bondage, and shattered dreams. From the rural heartlands of Thailand’s northeast, hopeful farmers borrowed staggering sums from banks and illegal lenders to finance…
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Thai man fights for justice after allegations made by ex-girlfriend
A Thai man is seeking justice following allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, who claims he assaulted her. He insists that she actually injured herself and falsely accused him of the assault. The 36 year old accused, Bank, urged Channel 3 to share his story in hopes of finding lawyers or assistance to restore justice. Bank revealed that he faces several…
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Brain cell communication research key to Alzheimer’s treatment
Research into brain cell communication is seen as crucial in finding a treatment for brain-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to Nobel Laureate in Medicine, Professor Edvard Ingjald Moser. This research, he says, is particularly relevant given the global ageing populations and the need to enhance their quality of life. Speaking at the Japan-ASEAN Bridges event series in Bangkok, Prof. Moser…
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Bangkok retail hotspots top land value at 3.75 million baht per sq wah
Bangkok’s prime retail locations, including Siam Square, Chidlom, and Ploenchit, retain their position as the city’s most expensive land areas, with prices reflecting the lucrative nature of the retail business compared to other commercial ventures. Sopon Pornchokchai, the president of the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA), revealed that a survey of land prices across Bangkok and its vicinity, ongoing…
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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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