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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Travel vs international health insurance: Which coverage do you need overseas?
The Thaiger key takeaways Travel insurance is ideal for short-term trips, covering emergencies, cancellations, and lost luggage, but not routine care. International health insurance suits expats and long-term residents, offering full medical coverage, including checkups, maternity, and chronic care. Choosing...
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KBank restricts digital personal loans to refine business model
Kasikornbank (KBank), known for its leading mobile banking services, has strategically slowed down its digital personal loan operations. The move aims to refine its business model and enhance the quality of its loan products, according to its Chief Executive Kattiya Indaravijaya. Kattiya revealed that there is no specific timeline for the completion of the business model improvement. However, she assured that…
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Thailand’s steel industry threatened by surge in Chinese imports
The EAF Long Product Steel Producers Association raised concerns about the future of Thailand’s steel industry as local manufacturers face potential closure. This comes as a result of a surge in steel imports from China, which has resulted in a reduction of capacity utilisation to a mere 28% between January and February. The association’s president Chaichalerm Bunyanuwat urged for immediate…
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Thai woman vs British man in altercation in Isaan (video)
A Thai woman accused a British man of harassing and threatening her with a gun at her restaurant Madam Chickan in the Isaan province of Buriram. In response, the foreigner defended himself, alleging that the woman was involved in passport fraud. The 38 year old Thai woman, Komkhai, sought help from Channel 7 alleging that the 55 year old British…
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Predicted surge in global gold prices to US$2,500 per ounce
Global gold prices are set to touch US$2,500 per ounce in the latter half of this year, as per predictions by local gold traders, despite a recent slump below US$2,300. The market has scaled down its expectations for US interest rate cuts this year to a maximum of two times, a reduction from the previously anticipated three to four times.…
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British man lost in Thailand, family issues SOS appeal
The family of a British man issued an SOS after he went AWOL while on holiday in Thailand. Scottish man David Goldthorpe has vanished in Thailand after booking a holiday in the Land of Smiles to celebrate his retirement. The 65 year old Edinburgh-born retiree was supposed to fly home Sunday, May 5, but never boarded his flight, leaving his…
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Woman stabbed in Rangsit mall parking lot in robbery gone wrong
A brazen robbery attempt at a popular shopping mall in the Rangsit area of Pathum Thani province ended in a violent altercation when a woman in a Mercedes-Benz was ambushed and attacked with a knife. The incident occurred at 6pm yesterday in the mall’s parking lot, where the 36 year old car owner Chatrarat, sustained injuries to her left cheek…
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Thai woman abuses daughter to extort money from British husband
Police arrested a Thai woman in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok yesterday, May 6, after shocking video footage emerged of the woman physically abusing her seven year old daughter to extort money from her British husband. A 61 year old community leader, Somsri Ngamprasert, filed a complaint against a Thai woman named Sudarat on behalf of her British husband named…
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AoT fast-track Suvarnabhumi expansion amid soaring passenger traffic
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) is altering the Suvarnabhumi International Airport master plan to hasten the development of terminal expansion projects, in response to the rapidly increasing demand from passenger traffic. The revised master plan, which outlines the course of action for the next decade, aims to accelerate the progression of main terminal expansion and the construction of new ones…
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Summer storms set to rock Thailand with thunder, wind, and hail
Severe summer storms, characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds, and in some cases hail, have been forecasted to hit several provinces across Thailand. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued its 13th announcement on the matter, alerting residents in affected areas to take precautions against the unpredictable and dangerous weather conditions expected today, May 7. The announcement outlines that the upper…
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Nongprue police dismantle large-scale motorbike theft operation
Pattaya yesterday witnessed the successful dismantling of a large-scale motorbike theft operation, as Nongprue police apprehended four suspects. The arrest, which was a result of a comprehensive investigation conducted by the Nongprue Police Station, managed to pull the plug on an intricate network of motorbike thieves and illegal resellers. The investigation’s initial breakthrough occurred with the arrest of Phumrin Kesmala,…
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Phuket’s small road expansion might ease the traffic congestion
Phuket’s traffic congestion crisis might be getting some relief with the expansion of a small road that connects Wat Tha Reua, south of the Heroines Monument, to Baan Manik in Cherng Talay. The road has been broadened in hopes of reducing the heavy traffic load on Thepkrasattri Road. and Srisoonthorn Road. Previously, this small section of Route 3030, which merges…
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Custom Mercedes Maybach in 11.2 million baht crash goes viral
A recent collision involving a customised two-tone Mercedes-Benz S580e Maybach and a pickup truck caused a stir online, with netizens reacting in shock to the estimated 11.2 million baht worth of damages to the luxury car. The incident was highlighted on TikTok by user Banknitikorn, who shared images of the aftermath. Amidst an outpouring of comments, concerns were raised regarding…
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Chiang Mai ranks fourth in global air pollution as PM2.5 soars
Chiang Mai, along with several northern provinces of Thailand, today woke up to alarmingly high levels of PM2.5, ranking fourth in global air pollution. This report, provided by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), highlighted that 11 provinces were exposed to seriously harmful red-coded levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5). The measured pollution…
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Stars align for change: Astrologer predicts transformative year
This year heralds a period of significant transformation, according to renowned astrologer Acharn Lak Rachasi. She predicts a shift from adversity to prosperity for many, starting after April 30, with fortunes of the zodiac signs taking a turn for the better. She has made bold declarations about the coming year. According to her insights, 2024 is set to be a…
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Lecturer dies in Pathum Thani car crash, boyfriend injured
A fatal car crash in Pathum Thani province claimed the life of a 28 year old female lecturer and left her boyfriend injured when their vehicle collided with an electricity pole early in the morning. The accident occurred when something appeared to cut in front of their car, causing the driver to lose control. At around 1.30am today, Pathum Thani…
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Boardroom balance: Thailand trails in female representation stakes
Thailand falls slightly short of the Southeast Asian average for women in board positions, with 19% compared to 19.9%, as revealed in the 2023 Women in the Boardroom report by Deloitte Global. This figure also remains behind the global average of 23.3%. Nevertheless, Thailand ranks second in Southeast Asia for female chief executives, equalling Singapore’s 11.9% and sitting just behind…
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Government’s financial burden increases with digital wallet project
The government’s financial burden, expressed as the ratio of interest to estimated government revenue, is expected to rise from the current 8% to 11% in the coming year. This projected increase is due to the implementation of the government’s flagship digital wallet handout. An anonymous source from the Finance Ministry revealed that the present 8% ratio aligns with an A…
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Thailand ramps up border telecom crackdown to curb crimes
A crackdown on crimes facilitated by local telecom signals at Thailand’s borders has been ramped up by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). This move followed an emergency meeting between the regulator and private telecom operators to address potential criminal activities in these areas. NBTC Deputy Secretary-General Trairat Viriyasirikul revealed that in many border regions, there have been instances…
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Thai stock market set for a drop due to US inflation
Kasikorn Asset Management (K-Asset) anticipates a downward trend in the Thai stock market over the forthcoming quarter, prompted by a slow decrease in US inflation and interest rates. The asset management firm advises investors to mitigate risk through portfolio diversification, targeting the US and Indian stock markets. K-Asset CEO Wajana Wongsupasawat forecasts an additional drop in the Thai market in…
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Syntec construction prioritises data centre projects
Public traded contractor Syntec Construction formed a dedicated team to manage the growing demand for data centre construction projects, particularly from industry heavyweights. This initiative is part of Syntec’s business strategy for this year, which prioritises bids for data centre construction owing to their heightened demand across the industry, according to Chief Executive, Somchai Sirilertpanich. The company has expanded its…
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Illegal fireworks frenzy disrupts Jomtien Beach bliss
The tranquil serenity of Jomtien Beach in Pattaya was disrupted last night by the clamour of illicit fireworks. In response to a spate of complaints from residents about noise pollution, Banglamung officials swiftly intervened, leading to the arrest of three vendors illegally selling the pyrotechnics. The three individuals, whose identities have not been disclosed, were apprehended near The Now Hotel.…
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RTN officers sail in to save the day after baht bus-bike bust-up
Four Royal Thai Navy (RTN) officers from the Special Affairs Unit of the Sattahip Naval Base rushed to aid the victims of a collision between a motorcyclist and a baht bus in Chon Buri. The officers, who were on a routine patrol near a local fresh market, sprang into action to assist a 48 year old Thai man who was…
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Summer storm wreaks havoc in Hat Yai, southern Thailand
The city of Hat Yai in Songkhla was hit by a severe summer storm yesterday, resulting in significant damage to public infrastructure. Billboards and electricity poles were toppled by the powerful gale. The incident occurred at 3pm, yesterday, May 5, and was covered by local media. Remarkably, despite the storm’s intensity, no injuries or fatalities were reported. The destructive storm…
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Chinese businessmen extorted for 2.5 million baht in Bangkok
Bangkok was the scene of a daring extortion case involving five Chinese businessmen and a group of Thais, including law enforcement officers, yesterday, May 5. A press conference, held by Din Daeng police and other relevant agencies, revealed the shocking incident where the businessmen were forcibly detained and extorted for 2.5 million baht. The incident began unfolding on April 25…
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Thai government boosts welfare benefits for workers
Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke indicated that the Thai government is committed to improving welfare benefits to enhance the quality of life for all workers in the country. This commitment follows a recent roll-out of new regulations aimed at supporting the needs of the informal workforce, a significant demographic in Thailand. “The government is determined to push for regulations that will…
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Chinese tourists roll with the non-ed visa punches in Phuket
A group of Chinese tourists swept into Phuket this weekend, kickstarting Thailand’s tourism revival under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa, playfully dubbed the Non-Ed Visa. This special pass unlocks the punchline: tourists can now spar in Muay Thai classes, stretching their stay to a whopping 90 days, delivering a knockout blow to the former 60-day limit. The welcoming party at Phuket…
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Myanmar man ignores swimming warning, drowns at Phuket beach
Tragedy unfolded as a 20 year old Myanmar man drowned at Kalim Beach in Phuket. Despite the presence of a red no swimming flag, Nay Myo Zaw and his friends decided to swim in the area. The incident transpired around 12.23pm yesterday, May 5, with local authorities promptly informed. Nay Myo Zaw arrived at the beach with three of his…
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Thai farmers feeling the heat: Climate change threatens crop yields
Farmers in Thailand are facing a significant threat from climate change, with an alarming drop in crop yields predicted over the next seven decades. This growing crisis has prompted calls for the government to implement strategies to safeguard food security. Witsanu Attavanich, a lecturer in economics at Kasetsart University, is at the forefront of research into the impact of climate…
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Thailand schools advised to halt in-person teaching during extreme heat
The Basic Education Commission’s secretary-general issued guidance to all school administrations to halt in-person teachings during periods of extreme heat. Thanu Wongchinda’s announcement, made yesterday, aims to safeguard the health of both students and teachers, considering the potential risk of heat stroke. The first half of April is predicted to bring intense heat, particularly affecting regions such as the northeast,…
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Motorcyclist severely injured in Maha Sawat tunnel crash
A motorcycle accident in the Mahai Sawan tunnel en route to Dao Khanong left a man with severe injuries. The incident occurred early this morning, and emergency personnel were quickly dispatched to the scene to assist. Motorcycle accidents are an unfortunate but common occurrence on the roads, and the Mahai Sawan tunnel has been the site of another serious mishap.…
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