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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Sponsored Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Thai star Kong Huayrai becomes ‘rich father’ to boy in need
In 2022, the Thai singer Kong Huayrai encountered a fourth-grade boy, Tle, selling garlands barefoot at an intersection in Khon Kaen province to support his sick grandmother and younger sister after their mother’s sudden departure. Recognising Kong as a celebrity, Tle was thrilled when the singer bought all his garlands and told him to go home and rest. Later, Kong…
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Ukrainian found dead on durian plantation in Koh Samui
A 32 year old Ukrainian man was found lifeless, hanging from a durian tree in Koh Samui. Police and forensic officials, led by Police Captain Rawi Na Boonno, arrived at the durian plantation in the remote village of Moo 3 in the Maret subdistrict. The steep terrain required a four-wheel drive pickup truck to transport the investigators to the crime scene.…
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Bear necessity: Swiss man sacrifices arm in bear attack
A Swiss man cut off his right arm as a bear locked his teeth onto his arm and stubbornly refused to release its grip while he was volunteering at a wildlife foundation in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The 32 year old Swiss man is in a private hospital in Chiang Mai province after being attacked by the Asian black…
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Tourism boom in Thailand: Hottest trends and bold predictions for 2024
The Thailand Tourism Forum 2024 (TTF 2024) recently revealed that the tourism industry will be revived despite the shadows of the pandemic, igniting hope among industry leaders. Jesper Palmqvist, Managing Director of STR Global, predicts a surge in Thailand’s hospitality sector with the addition of 10,000 new hotel rooms this year. These establishments, primarily upper-midscale and luxurious, signify a robust…
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2 suspects arrested for murder of millionaire give conflicting stories
Police arrested a Thai man and woman for the murder of a 77 year old millionaire in the central province of Chantaburi. Each suspect blamed the other. The lifeless body of the millionaire, Panithi Kosalanan, was discovered in a pond on her plantation in Chantaburi province on January 22. The autopsy and suspicious signs in her home suggested murder, prompting…
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Thailand braces for rainstorms, Bangkok faces minor impact
A significant weather warning has been issued today by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), cautioning of potent rainstorms expected to hit 12 provinces, including a minor impact on Bangkok. The upper parts of Thailand woke to a cool to cold morning with strong winds at 5am today, January 26, as a robust high-pressure system continues to dominate the country and…
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Thai man arrested for attempted murder in Pattaya
Pattaya police collared a 19 year old Thai man for an attempted murder incident that unfolded on January 24. The Thai man, Yanarot Suthi, was apprehended under an arrest warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court on January 17. The list of charges against him includes attempted murder, possession of explosives, illegal possession of firearms, and causing an explosion that…
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Monks reveal details on vicious elephant attack in West Thailand
Details have emerged regarding a fatal elephant attack that occurred on January 23 in the Sri Sawat district of Kanchanaburi. Reports flooded in when a village head received alarming news from locals that the lifeless body of 50 year old Phra Maha Bancha, a monk on a spiritual journey, had fallen victim to a brutal elephant attack. The gruesome scene unfolded…
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Thailand anticipates scorching summer with temperatures up to 44.5°C
Thailand is bracing for an intense summer this year, with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasting that temperatures could soar to a sweltering 44.5 degrees Celsius. The summer season, which is expected to start towards the end of February and last until the end of May, is predicted to be unusually severe, with temperatures rising 1-1.5 degrees above the average.…
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Germany backs Thailand’s pursuit of becoming regional EV hub
Germany pledged to increase its stake in the electric vehicle (EV) sector in Thailand, paving the way for the nation to emerge as a regional EV hub, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This announcement was made during a press briefing on Thursday, following a discussion with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany, who is on a three-day official visit to…
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Spice heist: Thai raid uncovers fake seasoning factory, Chinese investor behind RosDee racket
The Thai authorities swooped on a fake seasoning powder factory, arresting five suspects and revealing a Chinese investor behind the operation. The counterfeit goods, bearing the brand name RosDee, were seized across three provinces. A significant counterfeit seasoning operation has been dismantled by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Thailand, following coordinated raids across Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Ayutthaya provinces. The…
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Man steals running Thailand Post truck, caught by police
A 31 year old man was apprehended in Kanchanaburi after stealing a Thailand Post delivery truck that was left running by the driver. Yesterday, January 25, at approximately 12.30pm, the man, identified only by his first name, Wiroj, seized the opportunity to hijack the vehicle in Ratchaburi province. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred when the delivery driver stepped away…
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Thai Supreme Court dismisses 2.8 billion baht iTV lawsuit
The Supreme Administrative Court delivered a final blow, dismissing the Prime Minister’s Office secretariat‘s hefty 2.8 billion baht lawsuit against iTV Public Company. The lawsuit, stemming from a joint agreement with Shin Corp to operate a TV station using the UHF spectrum, has been a thorn in the side since 2007, persisting through numerous administrations. The Supreme Administrative Court’s resolute…
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Bangkok’s PM2.5 problem reflected in artist’s ‘Invisible Town’
In the heart of Bangkok, an artistic revelation is set to rock the city as Invisible Town emerges at SAC Gallery. From this Saturday, January 27 until March 23, a solo exhibition by the talented Thidarat Chantachua, aka Mariem, promises to unearth the buried stories of Bangkok, inviting viewers to peer beyond the glossy surface and explore the unseen depths…
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British man with asthma dies on holiday in Koh Chang
A British man with asthma from Newmarket, Suffolk, passed away in hospital in Koh Chang after being admitted for an unknown illness. The 44 year old British man, James Moore, embarked on his Thai adventure just a fortnight prior, with plans to return home on February 7. His sister, Rachel Tate, revealed the details surrounding the tragedy. “My parents, Boots…
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Cross-border connections revolution: Visa free travel for Chinese and Singaporeans
Starting from February 9, Chinese and Singaporean travellers can jet off visa-free in a new move to waive the requirement. In an exclusive bilateral agreement unveiled today, January 25, the world’s second-largest economy, China, and the vibrant city-state of Singapore have torn down the bureaucratic barriers, allowing their citizens a visa-free stay of up to 30 days on either side. This…
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Clean sweep: German president and Thai PM forge ties
In a diplomatic meeting, German President Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today, with promises for a cleaner, more empowered Thailand. Amidst discussions held at the Santi Maitree Building within the Government House compound, President Steinmeier pledged unwavering support for Thailand’s green ambitions. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke revealed that the German president committed to projects aimed at…
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Thai land bridge megaproject to include compensation fund
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the appointed contractor for the upcoming southern Land Bridge megaproject will have the responsibility of creating a fund dedicated to compensating those who will be affected by the construction. This move comes following a Cabinet visit to Ranong province, where concerns were raised by locals about potential losses and displacement due to the massive…
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Roaring surprise: Lions on the loose startle Chon Buri residents
Locals were shocked today after witnessing two lions roaming the streets of the Bang Lamueng district of Chon Buri in broad daylight. Residents of Soi Khao Makok 13 in Chon Buri reported the shocking discovery of two lions to the DailyNews today, January 25. The lions came out of the home in the area without a caretaker. They wandered around…
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Violent attack on Cambodian man in Chon Buri’s Jomtien Complex
In a harrowing incident that unfolded near the Jomtien Complex condominium, a 21 year old Cambodian man became the victim of a brutal assault outside a local bar. Pattaya police and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation volunteers rushed to the scene on the night of January 23. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the Cambodian national, Thep Song, with a swollen and bruised…
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Tiny feline duo rescued: Leopard kittens find new home in wildlife sanctuary
In a heartwarming rescue mission, two pint-sized leopard cats, abandoned in a sugarcane plot in Phichit‘s Sam Ngam district, have been saved by officials from Protected Areas Regional Office 12, Nakhon Sawan. The fluffy feline siblings, just a month old, were discovered by wildlife guardians, unharmed and thriving on their specially crafted milk diet. Playful and already bonding with their…
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International school teacher arrested for molesting students aged seven to eight
An international school teacher was arrested for deceiving four students and molesting them in their dorm room. A language teacher at an international school In Pathum Thani province tricked four schoolchildren aged between seven and eight into committing indecent acts including masturbating. The teacher told the children to go to the staff room during lunchtime on the pretence of teaching…
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Chinese man searches for missing friend, only to find her on trip to Koh Pha Ngan
A Chinese man filed a missing person’s report with the Thai police to find a missing friend, only for her to turn up in Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. The 32 year old Chinese man, Sui Mingyang, filed a missing person’s report with Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat…
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Breakthrough in Chanthaburi murder case as key suspect detained
The arrest of a key suspect known only as Ja Pui marked a significant breakthrough in the murder investigation of 77 year old Panithi Kosalanun, whose body was found in a fruit orchard pond about 100 metres from her home in the Markham district of Chanthaburi province. Following intense questioning, a 40 year old man, Krit, confessed to the crime…
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Pita Limjaroenrat’s triumphant return to Parliament after iTV shareholding court case
In a sensational comeback, former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat reclaimed his spot in the Parliament today, delivering a scathing critique of the government’s 500-billion-baht digital wallet scheme. The prime ministerial candidate, now leading the opposition, spared no words as he labelled the scheme a potential long-term burden for the country. “I miss the Parliament atmosphere.” Having successfully…
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Thai gold prices plummet, buyers encouraged to act
The Thai Gold Traders Association (GTA) disclosed a significant drop in gold prices, prompting those interested in purchasing to act quickly. The price of gold ornaments tumbled by 150 baht, comparing the closing price on January 24, which stood at 34,650 baht per baht-weight. Today the latest figures from the association’s website, reported at 9.06am, show a marked decrease in…
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From Thai cave hero to Aussie royalty: Dr Richard Harris set to become next Lieutenant Governor
The doctor who played a pivotal role in the Thai cave rescue in Chiang Rai is now destined to become South Australia‘s next Lieutenant Governor. Dr Harris, hailed as the linchpin of the rescue mission in 2018, undertook vital medical assessments and provided crucial advice on the safest extraction methods for 12 trapped children, aged between 11 and 16, and…
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Heroic Thai rescue worker saves baby elephant with CPR (video)
In a heart-stopping moment caught on camera, an experienced Thai rescue worker saved a baby elephant by administering CPR at a roadside accident in the eastern province of Chanthaburi. A baby elephant, part of a wild pachyderm group, was struck by a motorcycle. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, the rescue worker with 26 years of rescue experience, Mana Srivate,…
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Long-awaited arrest of Ufun pyramid scheme executive’s wife in Si Sa Ket
The long arm of the law finally reached Ratthakitbovorn, the wife of a Ufun online pyramid scheme executive, in Sisaket, nearly a decade after she disappeared. She was apprehended on Thursday, in front of a house in the Muang district of this northeastern province, by officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD). The Ufun scheme swindled around 14,700 people…
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Pathum Thani police close in on teen gang after knife attack
In a swift response to a brutal attack by a gang of youths in Pathum Thani, local police are intensifying their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects. The incident involved a group of eight to nine teenagers forcing a young man to stop his motorcycle and subsequently attacking him with a knife, causing severe injuries. The police have reassured the…
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