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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Prominent company loses 9 million baht in security guard-led heist: Couple arrested in Nong Bua Lam Phu province
Police have apprehended a security guard and his girlfriend in a rented room in the Nong Bua Lam Phu province, following a burglary in which over 9 million baht was stolen from a prominent company. The 41 year old male suspect, and his girlfriend, a 27 year old Cambodian national, were arrested on charges of “joint theft of an employer’s…
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Thailand prepares to send workers back to Israel post-conflict
Thailand’s Labour Ministry has expressed readiness to send its workers back to Israel once the tensions between Israel and Hamas ease. The statement came from Pairote Chotikasathien, the permanent secretary of the ministry. This came after Kittana Srisuriya, a minister counsellor at the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, held discussions with Eyal Sisu, the director-general of the Population and Immigration…
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Former Bangkok school officials under investigation for alleged corruption and misuse of parents’ donations
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ordered an investigation into allegations of misconduct and corruption against two former senior staff of Wat Suthiwararam School. Today, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, the Secretary-General of the NACC, revealed that the Commission had identified wrongdoing linked to public service misconduct against Kongwut Paibulsilp, the former school director, and Laddawan Kowajareon Tham, the former deputy director. The accusations…
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Bangkok sees drop in PM2.5 levels but 41 areas still exceed standard, orange alert issued
Air Quality Data Centre in Bangkok reported a decrease in PM2.5 levels today, from 5am to 7am. The measurements ranged from 25.8 to 60.2 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), with an average of 40.1µg/m³ across Bangkok. Despite the decrease, 41 areas still exceed the standard level, impacting health with an orange level alert. As of 7am, PM2.5 measurements ranged between…
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Thai workers in debt eager to return to Israel after conflict cessation
The cessation of conflict in Israel is eagerly awaited by Thai workers who have returned home, as they are burdened by significant debts that require their return to work. Among them is 38 year old Thaworn Aksornsue, a recent returnee from Israel where he spent seven months labouring on a farm, earning approximately 55,000 baht (US$ 1,507) monthly. A substantial…
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Bombings and skirmishes in Narathiwat leave four officers injured and power outage
Four officers were injured in a fierce confrontation between police and criminals, who instigated several bombings and skirmishes in Narathiwat, Thailand. A gold shop was severely damaged, and approximately 10 electricity poles were knocked down. Early in the morning of today, around 1.30am, troublemakers clashed with officers and secretly planted bombs near the Tabah checkpoint in Jeh Heh, Tak Bai…
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Court rejects anti-corruption agency’s review bid in Prawit’s wristwatch probe
The Supreme Administrative Court yesterday upheld a prior court’s decision against the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) request for a case review involving luxury wristwatches linked to former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. The court found no basis for the review, which would require the NACC to disclose details of their investigation into the wristwatch controversy to political activist Veera Somkhwamkid.…
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Tourist minivan crash in Mae Hong Son injures seven: Steep route and driver inexperience blamed
A tourist minivan lost control on a curve in Mae Hong Son, crashing into guardrails and a tree, leaving multiple passengers injured. The crash took place yesterday, in the Ban Rak Thai area. The minivan, carrying seven tourists from Sing Buri province, was travelling back from Ban Rak Thai, a popular Yunnan Chinese tourist village. The vehicle, a Toyota with…
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Thai hostages safe in Gaza, release hinged on Israeli military ceasefire
Seyed Reza Nobakhti, the Iranian ambassador to Thailand, confirmed that the Thai hostages currently held in Palestinian territories remain safe. He mentioned that the hostages, along with others, will only be released once the Israeli military halts its attack on the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian militant group, Hamas, had captured about 200 hostages, including 19 Thai workers, during an unexpected…
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Thai man survives throat slitting in Hamas attack in Israel
A Thai man revealed how he survived having his throat slit by a member of the Hamas group in Israel. He arrived home in Thailand yesterday, October 19, and was immediately reunited with his family for the first time in four years after moving to Israel to work. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) evacuated 136 Thais from Israel, arriving at…
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Myanmar national sought by Thai cyber police in iPhone fraud scheme involving mule accounts
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau is gearing up to issue an arrest warrant for a Myanmar national involved in a fraudulent iPhone sale to a sixth-form student. The scheme involved easily controlled mule accounts, with a recent arrest of a 39 year old woman, Nattanicha Suksri, who was involved in withdrawing funds. The arrest took place yesterday in Chiang Rai…
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Universal healthcare with one ID card set to expand in Thailand
The One ID Card, Universal Healthcare initiative is set to be extended to four additional provinces in Thailand, according to Dr Chonnan Srikaew, minister of the Ministry of Public Health. Stating that the new policy will be officially announced on October 24, the minister clarified that the single ID card will enable citizens to access healthcare services in all networks, including…
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Flight flab: Thai airlines weigh in on passenger pounds
Several airlines have introduced weight checks for passengers and their luggage before boarding to calculate standard and average passenger weight. This passenger weigh-in measure, initiated today, allows airlines to distribute weight more effectively on international flights, thus reducing fuel usage. Foreign airlines have implemented the passenger weigh-in rule to investigate and calculate standard and average passenger weight. The collected data…
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Indie guitarist hits rock bottom: From strings to online gambling sins
A renowned ex-Indie band guitarist found himself on the wrong side of the law after falling into online gambling and resorting to theft. The 31 year old musician, Anutree, was apprehended for theft today by the police team led by Thiti Saengsaeng, Napasorn Poolsawat, Theeradech Thammasuthee, and Warapoj Rungkrajang. The arrest came after an incident on October 10, when an unidentified…
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Internet star Lina Jung highlights squalid state of 100 million baht Bangkok complex home
Popular Internet idol Lina Jung recently exposed the shocking condition of her city-centre shopping complex home, worth over 100 million baht, which she has resided in for over 30 years. The building has been left in a squalid condition, filled with drugs, sanitary bags, and rubbish, prompting Jung to draw the attention of the Royal Thai Police and the Governor of…
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Compensation for Thai families with members killed in Israel conflict
Eight deceased Thai workers, who were victims of the attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7, were brought back home this morning, aboard a commercial flight. Upon landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan province, their bodies were transported to their respective hometowns. The commercial flight, El Al Flight LY083, carried the eight verified Thai males from Israel,…
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Thai couple arrested for filming and selling explicit content of women lured via dating app
A Thai husband and wife were apprehended by the Royal Thai Police for allegedly deceiving women through a dating app, playing them with alcohol, filming explicit content, and subsequently selling it on social media platforms. The couple, 24 year old Kantakawee Boonchalom and 27 year old Rossukon Phanarboon, who identified themselves as sex creators, reportedly earned around 600,000 baht from their…
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Rapists return to prison for brutal rape of 15 year old girl in central Thailand
Police yesterday arrested two Thai men for the alleged brutal rape of a 15 year old girl in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The accused rapists had been imprisoned for the same crime and released only last year. A 49 year old woman named Noi contacted the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women and Panom Tuan Police Station after her…
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Unusual golden crab discovery stirs lottery luck hopes in Phayao province
Residents in Phayao province were “claw-struck” when they stumbled upon a rare golden yellow crab. The locals are “pinching” the hope that this quirky catch might be their lucky charm in the upcoming lottery draw. Authorities from Phu Sang National Park have playfully dubbed the crustacean “Cliff Crab” and are delving into whether it falls under the category of protected…
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Health superstitions: Thai neurosurgeon frustration over brain surgery delay (video)
A peculiar health superstitions case was shared by a renowned neurosurgeon at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital involving a 55 year old male patient who postponed a scheduled brain surgery due to astrological beliefs. The patient’s health condition involved a brain haemorrhage, caused by a fall two months ago. The neurosurgeon, Pracha Kanyaphrasith, revealed his patient’s brain was still swollen from the…
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Thai labour ministry provides financial aid to bereaved families of workers
Eight Thai workers’ bodies were received at Suvarnabhumi International Airport today, with a detailed explanation of financial aid provided to the bereaved families. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Phairoj Chotikasathien, visited the airport to explain the procedure and participate in the mourning ceremony. Phairoj revealed that religious rites and wreath-laying ceremonies would be conducted upon the arrival of…
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Safety concerns for tourists spur diplomatic talks: Thailand-China relations under spotlight
Amid concerns for the safety of foreign residents and tourists in Bangkok following a recent shooting incident at Siam Paragon mall, ensuring a positive international relationship between Thailand and China has become a key focus of discussions between Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and China President Xi Jinping. PM Srettha also offered his sympathy regarding the tragedy which saw one…
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British man with depression falls to death from condo in Pattaya
A British man became yet another statistic of the insensitively named “Pattaya Flying Club” after he fell to his death at a condominium in the popular seaside resort. His Thai caretaker said the deceased had been depressed after losing his Thai boyfriend. Officers at Mueang Pattaya Police Station were notified at 7am today, October 20, of the death of an…
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Thailand’s EV initiative: Driving towards a greener future
The Thai government has embarked on an ambitious plan to replace ageing government vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs), in line with their carbon neutrality goal set for 2050. The Thai EV initiative move was prompted by a notification issued by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, encouraging the use of EVs within the government sector. PM Srettha’s order, issued via the Secretariat…
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Ghost encounter leaves Thai Dhamma retreat-goer spooked in Chiang Mai
A Thai woman claimed that a ghost haunted her after completing a Dhamma retreat at a Rampoeng temple in the northern province of Chaing Mai. She also shared her selfie with the ghost in the background on TikTok. Sawitcha “Pear” Butsara, shared a spooky video of her ghost encounter on TikTok @pipimpeary, on Wednesday, October 18, with the caption… “What…
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Business collaboration: Thailand and Japan’s Wakayama join forces in furniture and agriculture sectors
Thailand is geared towards fostering new partnerships with Japan’s Wakayama prefecture, with a particular emphasis on the co-development of the furniture and agricultural processing sectors. The main objectives of this business collaboration include enhancing product development and expanding export possibilities. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, following a discussion with Wakayama’s governor, Kishimoto Shuhei, yesterday, stated that he urged the prefecture to…
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Scam targets Thai overseas workers’ financial data amid Israel-Palestine conflict
The Thai Department of Employment raised the alarm on a new scam targeting the financial data of overseas workers amidst the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict. The scam involves tricking victims into downloading a fraudulent money transfer app on their mobile devices. Sompong Kaewwandee, the head of the Chiang Rai Provincial Employment Office, issued a public warning on Thursday, cautioning people against…
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Prehistoric alligator’s undercover mission: 230,000 years submerged in Thailand
Alligators’ ability to remain submerged for several hours is common knowledge among herpetologists but it came as a surprise to some that one in Thailand had managed to remain buried for 230,000 years. The astonishing archaeological discovery was announced by Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, which reported the unearthing of fossilised remains belonging to an extinct alligator species,…
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Thailand’s future so bright, it’s gotta rock Ray-Bans
The future’s looking so bright for Thailand that it’s gotta wear shades, and not just any old shades, preferably Ray–Ban sunglasses. Fortunately, for residents in the Land of Smiles, EssilorLuxottica, the renowned creator of Ray-Ban sunglasses, has recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art factory in eastern Thailand, poised to serve as a prominent production centre for the Asia-Pacific region. Located in Rayong…
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High-speed collision claims the life of an ex-convict in southern Thailand
A man recently released from prison tragically lost his life in a high-speed collision with a parked vehicle. The incident occurred yesterday evening at around 8pm, on Khu Khwang-Pak Nakhon road, in front of Supalai village, Pak Nakhon district. A 30 year old man, Anuwat, was found dead at the scene. He was the driver of a white Isuzu pickup…
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