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 Thailand vs. the West: What expats save on healthcare each year
Healthcare in Thailand is much cheaper than in Western countries, making it a great choice for expatriates looking for affordable medical care. Both public and private healthcare options offer high-quality services, with savings of up to 80% on procedures like...
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Bazaar Hotel Bangkok fined 1.3m baht over controversial sculpture
Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek Co, operating the Bazaar Hotel Bangkok, has been slapped with a fine of 1.3 million baht. The penalty comes after the company allowed for the installation of a gargoyle-like sculpture, known as Khru Kai Kaew, on its rented premises. The half-god, half-demon figure sparked controversy due to its frightening appearance leading to numerous complaints from…
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Fatal car crash claims life of town clerk in Samut Songkhram
A tragic accident occurred when the town clerk was driving home and collided with a sedan, resulting in his death. The police sent the body for an autopsy and are urgently investigating the cause. This incident took place at 11:30 pm yesterday (December 28). The deputy investigation officer at the Bang Khonthi Police Station in Samut Songkhram province was informed…
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Thai politics 2023 in review: Challenges and changes
The landscape of Thai politics in 2023 was filled with suspense, surprises, and setbacks. The Move Forward Party, despite winning the most seats in the May election, couldn’t form a government. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, a significant figure in the country’s political sphere, decided to retire. A potential reconciliation between the red and yellow shirts was on the horizon. Thaksin Shinawatra,…
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Thailand offers free motorway travel as New Year gift
A fresh announcement by Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, delivered a delightful surprise for the Thai populace on December 27. The Ministry of Transport of Thailand has decided to offer free travel on several motorways and expressways as a New Year‘s gift to the citizens. The complimentary services are set to be available on highways…
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Monk turns influencer: Thai monk faces backlash for enjoying Japan trip
Thai netizens criticised a well-known Thai monk from Rai Pru Temple in the southern province of Trang after he shared videos of himself and other monks travelling to Japan and enjoying soft ice cream and snow, which is considered inappropriate for monks. The Twitter account, Red Skull, shared a video of the deputy abbot of Rai Pru Temple, Phra Maha…
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South Korean YouTube channel explores national parks in Thailand
South Korean YouTubers behind the hugely popular Cullen Hateberry channel are teaming up with Thailand’s national parks for an exciting venture to boost tourism. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the director general of the National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department (DNP), revealed the intriguing collaboration that is set to unfold in the coming year. “We’ve reached out to the Cullen Hateberry channel,…
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Thailand’s Louis Tussaud wax museum to unveil lifelike King Charles III figure
Following the resounding success of the Joe Biden wax figure debut last year, the Royal Dynasty room at Louis Tussaud’s is unveiling a life-size wax figure of the British monarch King Charles III. Nestled within the Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya shopping center in Chon Buri province, this cultural hotspot promises an unparalleled display of regal wax royalty. King Charles III,…
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End of an era: Hong Kong’s Civic Party dissolves, leaving behind only six lapel pins
In a poignant finale to a political chapter, veteran Hong Kong politician Alan Leong clings to the remnants of the Civic Party, preserving six lapel pins marked with the party’s founding date 19.03.06. The demise of the opposition group, once hailed as the barristers’ party, unfolded in the face of China’s national security law, silencing dissent and reshaping the political…
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Thailand tourism: 10 provinces elevated to first tier attractions
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has handpicked 10 second-tier provinces to be promoted as first-tier tourist hotspots on December 26. This strategic initiative, concocted in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, is set to revolutionise the tourism landscape. The chosen provinces, brimming with untapped potential, include Phrae, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom,…
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Huge deficit in 2025 fiscal year
The government has laid bare its plans for the 2025 fiscal year, unveiling a colossal budget deficit of 713 billion baht. This unprecedented move comes hand in hand with a staggering increase in spending, soaring to 3.6 trillion baht, leaving citizens and experts alike scratching their heads. The ambitious forecast also includes a predicted gross domestic product (GDP) growth of…
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New year’s travel surge causes traffic on Nakhon Ratchasima bypass
As the New Year celebration kicks off, citizens embark on a journey back to their hometowns in the Northeast region of Thailand. This has resulted in heavy traffic congestion on the bypass road around Nakhon Ratchasima, extending over one kilometre. However, the M6 Motorway has effectively alleviated inner city traffic. Around 8am, the continuous stream of people travelling back to…
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Udon Thani school coach and sponsor face further child abuse charges
An Udon Thani school football coach and a team sponsor are facing further legal action, as five more children aged between 10 and 13 have accused them of sexual abuse. The children, along with their families, sought support from Pavena Hongsakula, chairwoman of the Pavena Foundation for Women and Children, on Tuesday. The two accused individuals, a 43 year old…
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2 Thai women die after their SUV crashes into parked truck
Two Thai women died when their SUV crashed into a parked truck on Rattanathibet Road in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok yesterday, December 27. Bang Bua Thong Police Station officers investigated the accident on the Rattanathibet Road at around 3pm yesterday. At the scene, officers discovered that a white Toyota SUV crashed into the back of a 10-wheel Hino truck parked…
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Myanmar rescue operation frees 525 Thais from call scam gangs
A recent rescue operation in Laukkaing town, northern Myanmar, freed 525 Thais from the clutches of call scam gangs. However, only one-third of them were identified as actual victims of human trafficking. The revelation was made during a teleconference between Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn, stationed in Bangkok, and senior police officials in Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of…
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Thai PM in talks at Mekong-Lancang video conference
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin catapulted Thailand into the heart of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) during the 4th Leaders’ Meeting on December 25, seizing the virtual stage with an unprecedented proposal for a shared future of peace and prosperity. Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke set the tone, declaring the event under the theme, Join Hands on the Building of a Community of Shared…
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Thai student’s unexplained dormitory death stirs parents’ suspicion
A first-year nursing student from a renowned university tragically fell to her death from a university dormitory building, leaving her parents in a state of shock and suspicion. The parents, Petch, 70 years old, and Kiew, 48 years old, sought help from Aekaphop Luangprasert, an advisor to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) and founder of the ‘Silk Must…
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Thai teacher physically assaults 2 schoolboys, leaving one with broken ribs
A Thai teacher at a private school in the central province of Lop Buri physically assaulted two 12 year old schoolboys. One of the victims suffered broken ribs as a result of the assault. Parents of the two victims filed a complaint against the male teacher, Atisit Ninlanark, at Mueang Lop Buri Police Station yesterday, December 27. The parents reported…
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Three lives claimed in tragic Lopburi road accidents
A tragic road accident in Lopburi province resulted in three fatalities. A 38 year old man driving a Ford car at high speed attempted an overtaking manoeuvre, crossed lanes, and collided head-on with a Honda car. The impact killed both drivers, the second being a 40 year old man. Later, a motorcycle crashed into a parked truck, killing the rider.…
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ONWR invests 390 billion in water supply management in 2025
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin revealed after chairing a meeting of the National Water Resources Committee that the meeting approved a water resource action plan for fiscal year 2025. More than 50,000 items from 24 agencies, eight ministries, 76 provinces, and more than 2,000 local government organisations from Bangkok and Pattaya, were discussed. An amount of 392,510 million baht is expected…
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Thai woman offers 2,000 baht reward for thief’s surrender after police inaction
A Thai woman is searching alone for a thief and offering a reward of 2,000 baht if the thief surrenders to her after officers at Bangpho Police Station ignored her case and delayed the investigation processes. The victim, Parichat, lost her wallet to a male thief on December 17 and reported the theft to Bangpho Police Station on the same…
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Thailand’s southern region on high alert due to severe flooding
Flooding in the southern reaches of Thailand has the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) on high alert. Surasee Kittimonthon, ONWR’s secretary-general, expressed concern yesterday, disclosing that the situation is expected to remain critical for several days as forecasts predict continued downpours. The Flood-Prone Area Water Management Centre in the Southern Region, chaired by Surasee, is particularly worried about…
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Job seekers look for quality jobs, not just income concerns
In the aftermath of the pandemic, Thai job seekers are demanding more than just a paycheque. Managing Director of Jobs DB (Thailand) Recruitment Company, Duangporn Phrom-on, has unveiled revelations from the expansive Global Talent Survey, a game-changer exploring Southeast Asia’s job market. This survey, casting its net over 97,324 participants across six Asian nations, unleashed significant insights. Thailand, a digital…
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Thai elderly woman abandoned by children struggles to survive
Abandoned and suffering from a medical condition requiring surgery, Orratai, 84 years old, was left to fend for herself, despite having four children. She had attempted to reach out to her daughter, living in a luxury house in the Ram 2 area, but was denied entry. Orratai was discovered by the Sai Mai Must Survive team, alongside officials from the…
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Thai real estate faces perfect storm next year
Thailand‘s pivotal real estate sector, a key economic force, anticipates a demanding 2024 due to substantial dependence on supply chains and various internal and external risks. Business entities foresee the need to adapt strategies, as the government prolongs the property transfer and mortgage registration fee reduction for an additional year to invigorate the market. Wongsakorn Prasitwipat, the managing director of…
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Thai rescuer faces death threat for exposing hospital’s refusal to treat foreigner
A Thai rescuer is facing death threats after he exposed to the local and international news agencies that a private hospital in Bangkok refused to treat a foreigner who later died because of the delay in treatment. The rescuer facing the threats, Kittipong Pimphun, of the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, revealed with Channel 7 that he rescued a Taiwanese man who…
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Influx of Chinese tourists set to boost hotel earnings in 2024
Chinese tourist arrivals are staging a phenomenal comeback, promising a lucrative windfall for local hotels just in time for the high season. Analysts predict this tourist surge to continue its upward trajectory, creating an economic boom for the hotel industry. Chinese tourist arrivals are making an astonishing recovery this month, igniting hopes for a booming hospitality sector that analysts believe…
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Case of 14 year old shooting suspect returned to police for further probe
Today, the Office of the Attorney General disclosed that the case file of a 14 year old boy, accused of a fatal shooting in Siam Paragon, has been returned to the police for further investigation. The prosecutors have requested additional psychiatric assessment results for the boy before the case can proceed. The case was initially submitted to the Special Prosecutor’s…
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Bangkok crowned world’s most visited city in 2023
World of Statistics has recently crowned Bangkok as the world’s most visited city in 2023, bringing in an impressive 22.78 million tourists. This achievement is doubly significant as Thailand sees not just one, but three of its cities listed in the top 20 most popular tourist destinations. Alongside Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya also made the cut, ranking 14th and 15th…
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Thai government unveils minimum wage hike for 2024
The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, unveiled a hike in the nation’s minimum wage after a cabinet meeting on December 26. The daily wage is set to rise between 2 and 16 baht (US$0.058-0.47), an increase that could impact many of Thailand’s workers. The adjustment, which signifies a 2.37% rise in wages within 2024, is part of a broader effort…
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Wanted Russian man arrested at airport for shooting in Phuket
Immigration police arrested a wanted Russian man at Phuket International Airport on December 25 for hiring a Kazakh man to shoot another Russian man in Phuket in June this year. A Russian victim, 44 year old Dmitry Aleynikov, was shot outside a coffee shop called Cafe Waya in the Thalang district of Phuket on June 7. Fortunately, the bullet did not…
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