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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Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
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Uthai Thani resident scoops 60 million baht in BAAC Gold Bag lottery
A lucky resident of Ban Khok, Uthai Thani, became the latest millionaire after winning the first prize in the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) Gold Bag lottery. The winner walked away with a staggering 60 million baht in the first draw of the lottery. The BAAC Thailand Facebook page announced the news yesterday. The post congratulated the new red-label…
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Beefed-up border battles: Thailand tightens grip on smuggling surge
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke yesterday revealed an alarming rise in beef smuggling into Thailand, with yearly figures reaching over 100,000 tonnes. This has led to the government committing to tougher actions against the culprits. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered all relevant departments including the Customs Department and Department of Livestock Development, to intensify their efforts in curbing this illegal beef…
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Thai man arrested for setting fire to 2 cars to relieve stress
Police arrested a Thai man who set fire to two cars in Pluak Daeng district in the eastern province of Rayong. The suspect said he burned the cars to relieve stress. Firefighters rushed to control the blaze, which broke out at 3.30am on November 6, engulfing two cars parked outside a condominium on Road 3245 in Pluak Daeng district of…
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TikTok Thai training twist: App eyes Thailand for next big move
TikTok, the popular video-sharing social media app, is considering establishing a training centre in Thailand. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed this after meeting with the app’s executives during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco. The intent is to utilise the platform’s popularity to promote Thai food and local products, often referred to as soft power. The 61…
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Thailand’s Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway project on track for 2028
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is progressing well with the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway project, a 323.1-kilometre initiative set to be operational by 2028. Construction of the railway started on February 15 last year and is ahead of its schedule with 3% completion while 80% of the required land has been expropriated, as per Nirut Maneephan, the…
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Multi-vehicle collision disrupts traffic on Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai road
A catastrophic traffic accident involving three cars and a motorcycle resulted in one fatality and six injuries on the Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai Road at the intersection leading to the Mae Kwang Dam in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai. The multi-vehicle collision occurred at 7.20pm yesterday, leading to an immediate investigation by the police to ascertain the cause. The scene of the…
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Thai prime minister set to meet world leaders at APEC summit in San Francisco
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to meet US President Joe Biden among other world leaders at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco. Discussions on a broad spectrum of issues are projected to take place today during their meeting at the APEC Summit dinner. In addition to the US president, the 61 year old prime minister’s…
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Thai toddler rescued from debtors in central Thailand
Chalida Palamart, also known as Ton Aor, from the One Foundation, yesterday coordinated with police and local officials to rescue a one year old Thai toddler girl from a tense situation in a house in Chachoengsao province. The child’s mother, 38 year old Pern, had contacted the foundation from abroad for help, as the toddler was being held by a…
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Dried fish maw seized by Thai customs in smuggling operation
A staggering 40.38 kilogrammes of dried fish maw, a species nearing extinction, were seized in a smuggling operation from Mexico, worth an estimated 58 million baht. Panthong Loikunnan, a consultant for tax development and management, and spokesperson for the Customs Department revealed the Thailand Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Srettha Thavisin, has implemented stringent policies for the Customs Department…
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Thailand tourism council to allocate visitor fees
The Tourism Council of Thailand plans to allocate a tourism fund, garnered from fees collected from foreign visitors, predominantly for the improvement of the tourism sector by state agencies. The fund, according to Surawat Akaraworamat, the Vice-President of the Tourism Council, is being prepared for implementation as soon as the government greenlights the project. Three subcommittees have been working relentlessly…
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Thailand sees 5% tourism expenditure rise despite high living costs
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts a 5% surge in tourism expenditure during this year’s Loy Krathong festival, amounting to a total of 6.1 billion baht. The anticipated increase comes despite the country’s locals exercising caution due to escalating living costs. TAT forecasts that the festival will witness around 2.04 million domestic journeys, a 10% rise from the previous…
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Thailand weather: Bracing for thunderstorms and a 5 degree drop
Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for thunderstorms and strong gusts today, followed by a temperature drop of 2 to 5 degrees Celsius. The southern region is forecasted to experience heavy rainfall. The public is advised to avoid open spaces at 5am today, followed by the changes in Thailand weather. A high-pressure system or cold air mass is currently…
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Rayong resident scoops 6 million baht jackpot in Thai government lottery
A resident from Khao Chamao district in Rayong province hit the jackpot, winning the first prize in the Thai government lottery. The 50 year old Rayong resident, Chai Chet, claimed his fortune of 6 million baht after dreaming of his late grandfather. The Thai government lottery’s results were announced yesterday, with the winning number for the first prize being 557990.…
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Thai prime minister addresses small investors’ crisis of confidence in the stock market
Thailand’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin has spoken about the news of small investors planning to stop trading on November 20 due to a crisis of confidence. The situation, the Thailand prime minister says, is serious and warrants investigation. The government, he assures, is not taking negative measures against the Thailand Stock Exchange, but is trying to improve multiple…
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Fueling frustration: Thailand Energy Minister alarmed as petrol prices play a seesaw despite promised relief
Peeraphan Salirathaviphak, Thailand’s Minister of Energy, raised concerns about the constant fluctuations in petrol prices, which have seen a continuous rise over the past two days, despite a recent government announcement of a 2 baht per litre reduction. In a statement made at the Government House at 1pm this afternoon, Peeraphan argued that petrol prices should not fluctuate like stocks…
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Worming trouble: Japanese man finds tapeworm after eating Thai-style raw meat
A Thai doctor issued a warning to both locals and foreigners after a Japanese man contracted a tapeworm from eating Thai-style raw meat dishes. The doctor, Sukhumphan Kaocharoen, shared the story of his Japanese patient on the Facebook page Health Online by Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Doctor, yesterday, November 15. The doctor said the Japanese patient informed him that he…
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Northeast Thailand: Villagers flock to Ya Kok shrine for lottery luck
Residents of the village of Mab Krad, Khok Krachai, Khon Buri, and Nakhon Ratchasima, are gathering at the Ya Kok shrine to seek good fortune for the upcoming lottery draw. This follows the appearance of the second-prize lottery number. Residents offer worship items including savoury and sweet food like pork heads, boiled chicken, and beverages. They lay their purchased lottery…
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Iguana invasion: Wild population surge puts Thai officials on edge, sparks import halt pondering
The increased iguana population in the wild across numerous provinces in Thailand has provoked the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to consider halting the importation of the species. Attapon Charoenchansa, the department’s director-general, revealed yesterday that the decision comes on the heels of an uptick in iguana sightings in natural habitats and urban areas. “The burgeoning…
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Northeast Thailand: Giant python causes alarm in Surin chicken coop
A colossal python, exceeding 4 metres in length and as thick as a leg, caused a scare in a chicken coop in Surin‘s Khuha Sawan subdistrict. The incident occurred on November 2, leading to the rousing of a rescue team from the Ban Raeng Subdistrict Municipality to assist. The rescue workers, equipped with venomous animal-handling tools, responded swiftly to aid…
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Chon Buri: Loan-sharking couple arrested following deadly shooting
A couple, involved in a loan-sharking gang, were arrested following a shooting that resulted in the death of a 45 year old fruit vendor named Itthipol (surname withheld). The incident occurred near a convenience store on Sukhumvit Road, Soi 109, Plutaluang, Sattahip, Chon Buri. The suspects, 29 year old Somchai Homkaraket, and Ratchadaphon Sirirat, also 29 years old, were apprehended…
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Tragic three-vehicle collision in northern Thailand claims young man’s life
A shocking three-vehicle collision occurred at the Mae Tam intersection, resulting in the tragic death of a young man who was found in the wreckage of his pickup truck. At 2.30am today, local Phayao police and emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene following reports of the major incident. Investigations revealed that the deceased was a 34 year old Peerapat.…
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Vietnamese investor-led network raided in Thailand for false milk powder sales
A Vietnamese investor-led network, falsely advertising and selling a specialised milk powder with exaggerated health benefits, was raided by the Royal Thai Police (RTP). The authorities seized more than 42 million baht in assets and accused the network of misusing the name of a renowned former national football player, Piyapong Pue-on, in their marketing. The operation took place at 10am…
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Thai police probe mysterious murder of Taiwanese man at Bangkok hotel
Thai police are investigating the murder of a Taiwanese man found tied and bound in the Niran Grand Hotel in the Udomsuk neighbourhood of Bangkok today, November 16. The tragic discovery of the Taiwanese man was made at the hotel on Soi Udomsuk 17, also known as Soi Sukhumvit 103, in Bangkok’s Bang Na district. An employee found the body…
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Royal Thai Army to pay over 2 million baht compensation for Lahu tribe defender’s death
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has been ordered to pay over 2 million baht in compensation to the family of Chaiyaphum Pa-sae, a human rights defender from the Lahu tribe, as ruled by the Supreme Court today. This case stems from an incident in 2017 where Chaiyaphum was shot dead by military officials at a checkpoint in Chiang Mai. Despite…
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Thai man forces daughter to drink alcohol and watch porn before raping her (video)
A Thai father reportedly forced his 12 year old daughter to drink alcohol and watch porn before he raped her. The alleged rapist father was also accused of sexually assaulting his 15 year old daughter. The victim’s uncle, Noom, took the matter to the social media influencer, Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, and asked him to help process the legal charges against…
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National artist Chalermchai Kositpipat turns impromptu photographer at Rong Khun Temple
A delightful incident unfolded at Rong Khun Temple in Chiang Rai, where a foreign couple sought help for a souvenir photo from Thailand national artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The couple unknowingly asked Chalermchai, National Artist in Visual Arts (Painting), donned in full motorcycling gear, to capture their moment. The artist obliged, capturing their moment in front of the temple he had…
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Baby boom: Thailand minister aims to boost nation’s population with Give Birth Great World campaign.
Thailand’s Public Health Minister is set to increase the population in Thailand by encouraging Thais to have more children in a campaign called, Give Birth Great World. Cholnan Sikaew revealed in a meeting within the ministry yesterday, November 15, that the average fertility rate of women across the world would reduce to 1.7 children per woman by 2100 if the…
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Famed Thai fortune teller year-end zodiac forecasts reveal financial and career prospects
Famed fortune-teller, Uy Chanitta, has revealed her predictions for the zodiac signs as we approach the year’s end. With some signs set to pay off debts and experience good fortune, while others should beware of significant financial loss, her forecast spans a range of outcomes for the zodiac signs. According to Chanitta, those born under the Aries sign should be…
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Ghostly encounters add chilling twist to Chaowalit manhunt in Thailand forest
The manhunt for Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, took a chilling turn when a police team, tasked with tracking him down, reported being haunted by a ghost during their mission. The unnerving incident occurred in the dense forest of Ton Tok waterfall area in Trang province, which the team had been using as a base for the operation. Over…
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Chinese student’s health scare underlines importance of early diagnosis
A 20 year old Chinese student was shocked when she was diagnosed with a critical condition after noticing unusual red spots and bruises on her body. Initially, the Chinese student, from Changsha, China, thought they were mosquito bites or accidental bruises, but when the spots increased, she realised something was amiss with her health. After returning home from a trip…
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