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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Online gambling raid nets three arrests, seizes over 920,000 baht
The police conducted a series of raids on properties in both Bangkok and Loei on Saturday, apprehending three individuals under dubious circumstances, allegedly tied to the operation of online gambling websites. Deputy National Police Chief Roy Ingkapairote yesterday revealed that these arrests were the handiwork of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) who’d been inspired by suspicious activities linked to several…
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Koh Lan: Azure sea turns green from wastewater-induced phytoplankton bloom
In the popular tourist island of Koh Lan off the coast of Pattaya Beach, a startling twist of events made headlines when the placid blue seawater abruptly turned into an unattractive shade of green, as reported by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). Koh Lan, characterised by its renowned turquoise shoreline, is found 7 kilometres off the coast…
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Traditional Thai medicine popularity surges amidst Covid-19 crisis
The turbulent times of the Covid-19 pandemic have become a potent catalyst for the growing popularity of Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM), which finds its roots firmly intertwined with diverse aspects of Thai culture, ranging from religious practices to local cuisine. This newfound acceptance of TTM as a fundamental fabric of Thai identity has emerged in the wake of the pandemic.…
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Thai consulate warns against rushed Thai-Chinese marriages
In the face of rising numbers of failed Thai-Chinese marriages, the Royal Thai Consulate General in Kunming sounded a note of caution. The authority urged future brides to thoroughly appraise their prospective grooms’ backgrounds before affirming the marriage proposal. Additionally, they’ve been advised to procure the appropriate visa type and ensure their marriage registration with Thai officials. The advisory resulted…
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Fireworks investigation: Extra tonne discovered near Thai explosion site, increasing fears
In a shocking event, officials uncovered an additional 1 tonne of fireworks hidden in a building just 150 metres away from a previous explosion site that took the lives of 12 people. The find, which has left residents in fear of repeat incidents, marked a dramatic expansion of an ongoing fireworks investigation inquiry that had already resulted in yesterday’s arrest…
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Lottery draw: Surin Province locals swarm lucky shrine amidst Buddhist Lent festivities
As lottery fever gripped the four corners of Surin Province, locals flocked to the reputed “Kilohian” shrine to seek fortunes for the upcoming lottery draw scheduled today. The looming rains didn’t dampen their enthusiasm as they eagerly gathered for the seer’s numbers. Our sources reported that this lottery draw scene unfolded yesterday around 5.30pm at the 18th kilometre mark on…
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Phra Aram Luang Monastery sees surge in visitors seeking fortune from revered Luang Pho Pak Daeng
An increased number of visitors are travelling to Phra Aram Luang Monastery, also known as the Monastery of Luang Pho Pak Daeng in Nakhon Nayok province, to pay respects and seek good fortune from the revered image of Luang Pho Pak Daeng. The sacred image, positioned in the temple’s Ubosot, is a significant religious figure in the locale. The image of…
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Thailand expects holiday tourism boom earning 16.6 billion baht
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is forecasting a substantial influx of travel and expenditure within the nation from July 28 to August 2. Projections are currently pointing at nearly five million voyages, which could potentially rake in 16.6 billion baht across the country. TAT Governor Yuttasak Supasorn, indicates that the estimated surge in domestic travels during this unique long…
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Rayong MP Nakhonchai steps down after criminal past revealed
Amid the swirling storm of controversy, Move Forward Party MP for Rayong, Nakhonchai Khunnarong made a public statement on his Facebook account regarding his criminal conviction in a theft case over 20 years ago. In his post, he expressed his willingness to shoulder the blame and depart from his role. He confirmed that he would be stepping down in just one…
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Long holiday sees spike in road accidents, authorities urge caution
During the initial day of Thailand’s extended holiday period, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) reported nearly 2,000 people were injured in road accidents, with 22 fatalities recorded. The information was announced yesterday by Deputy National Police Chief and Commander of RTP’s Traffic Police Operation Centre, General Roy Ingkapairote. He indicated a sharp increase in traffic offences due to an influx…
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Pheu Thai party prepares for coalition meeting
In the latest political development, the Pheu Thai Party, one of the primary political entities in Thailand, plans a strategic meeting with its seven coalition partners next week. The primary focus of this meeting is to mull over the future direction of the eight-party coalition. Following this, they intend to update other parties outside of the bloc and opposition members.…
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The meteoric rise of women’s cricket in Thailand
The Bangkok City Cricket Club, the first official cricket club founded in Thailand, was formed in 1890 by locals who had been exposed to the sport during travels to England. At the time, the sport was considered only for the wealthy in society—mainly because only those who could afford to travel had experienced the thrill of playing it. However, the…
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Thailand’s SET warns of escalating cybercrime
The Research Department of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has provided a stark warning about the escalating threat from cybercriminals. The department estimates that cybercrime inflicts daily approximate damage of 772 billion baht worldwide, with Thailand alone likely to suffer losses of around 85 million baht each day this year. In 2023, as many as 61 million Thai citizens…
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Thai King encourages national prosperity on his 71st birthday
Yesterday marked the 71st birthday of the King of Thailand, who celebrated the occasion by encouraging all Thais to act in a manner that benefits not only themselves but also others. The speech took place in the grand audience, or Maha Samakhom, at the Amarindra Vinijaya Throne Hall in the Grand Palace. The king emphasised that, to achieve national prosperity,…
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Unprecedented six-day holiday leads to tourist boom in Pattaya
Yesterday marked the kick-off of an unprecedented six-day holiday. Pattaya‘s beaches and tourist hotspots were abuzz as visitors flocked, particularly to Koh Larn, a stunning island located roughly 7 kilometres from the coast. According to local accommodation providers, the entirety of the island’s estimated 3,000 rooms were booked out. The rush of tourists, both Thai and foreign, regularly set sail…
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Female teachers required to serve alcohol, dance at religious event
An ongoing Thai school controversy has unfolded, involving a large school planning to host a religious “Pa Pha” ceremony, which attracted criticism due to directives issued that required female teachers to perform traditional dance and serve alcohol to guests. The incident has provoked heated discussions online following the incident’s exposure on social media. The Thai school controversy came to light…
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Barbie: Woman ends relationship after boyfriend reacts badly to feminist film
Popularity of the film Barbie has taken the world by storm as it resonates with a youthful audience, propagating a strongly feminist message. The film’s content has captivated many viewers, leading to discussions about the themes explored in it. However, an unexpected consequence emerged when a woman revealed that her relationship ended dramatically after the couple viewed the film due…
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Traffic safety: Ten main traffic laws enforced over long public holiday
Royal Thai Police yesterday under the leadership of Roy Inkpairoj, Deputy Commander of the Police Force, rolled out a campaign to enforce ten key traffic safety rules during the long public holiday period from July 28 to August 2. The measures taken to protect citizens during their holiday travels aim to prevent and reduce road accidents. Inkpairoj issued a radio…
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Drug trafficking ring spanning across Thailand busted by police
A police crackdown resulted in the arrest of seven individuals in connection to a drug trafficking ring spanning the length of Thailand. Police stated the organised criminals caught yesterday had a long-standing pattern of sustained violence, striking fear into local communities. The drug trafficking ring’s operations extended from Chiang Rai through Nakhon Si Thammarat and on to Trang. The arrests were…
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Thai tourism boost: Long public holiday to generate over 16 billion baht
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that the long public holiday period, approved by the Thai cabinet to promote travelling in Thailand, will contribute to a substantial income of 16.6 billion baht. The consecutive holidays extend over six days, from July 28 until August 2. The extended public holidays include the King’s Birthday on July 28, Asalha Puja (Dharma…
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Mysterious death in Dubai of Thai worker prompts urgent investigation
A 49 year old woman from Nakhon Ratchasima province unknowingly embarked on a journey for casual labour to Dubai, only to mysteriously die three days after her arrival. Her shocked family has turned to the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for help, nine months after her unknown mysterious death, to aid them in bringing their relative’s body back to Thailand and help…
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Centara Udon officially reopens after upscale refurbishment and dining expansion
Centara Hotels & Resorts in association with Central Pattana Plc heralded the official reopening of Centara Udon, post a comprehensive round of refurbishing endeavours aimed at upscaling an array of facilities and introducing novel dining opportunities. Thirayuth Chirathivat, who is at the helm of Centara Hotels & Resorts, reported the successful conclusion of the renovation phase, subsequently marking the formal reopening…
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Household debt hits 15 year high amid uncertain economic outlook in Thailand
A recent survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) indicated an 11.5% increase in household debt from last year, marking this year as having the highest rate of debt in 15 years. The concern weighs heavily on economic recovery predictions suggesting a further increase if the economy does not bounce back in the upcoming year. UTCC…
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Phuket island relocation tackles rampant macaque issue in Phetchaburi communities
In what’s being hailed as a successful initiative, multiple crab-eating macaques have been relocated from communities within Phetchaburi to an island in Phuket, under a pilot project. The venture has cleared the road for the relocation of more from the rapidly increasing macaque population in the province, as well as the neighbouring Prachuap Khiri Khan, according to the Ministry of…
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Three more Thai provinces join ASEAN Smart Cities Network expanding digital reach
Further broadening its digital reach, Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES) recently declared that three additional Thai provinces – Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Rayong, now form a part of the seminal ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN). This exciting development was announced yesterday, by DES chief, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, during the sixth annual ASCN assembly held in Bali, Indonesia. In…
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Thailand’s environment ministry orders removal of illegal resorts in Phu Thap Boek
A mandate for the deconstruction of three illegal resorts in the favoured hillside tourist destination, Phu Thap Boek, has been decreed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The said resorts, located in the Phetchabun province, were brought to the notice of the authorities due to tourist complaints about obtrusive constructions blocking views. On Wednesday, the Minister of Environment,…
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Saudi-Phuket direct flights set to launch as Thai diplomacy thaws
Direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Phuket International Airport are slated to start in October, as announced by Monchai Tanode, the director of the airport. The Saudi-Phuket flights initiative is significant, marking the first-ever direct commercial flights between Saudi Arabia and Phuket since diplomatic relations were restored in the previous year. The foremost direct flight to Phuket will be facilitated…
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Family betrayal: Child reveals father’s years-long deceit and affair
In an unexpected turn of events, a woman accused by her husband of infidelity uncovers his own affair of several years, all thanks to their nine year old son. This revelation has embroiled the couple, previously perceived as perfect, in a shocking family betrayal and proves that appearances can be deceiving. The couple, married for ten years, had been living…
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Grisly find: Kratom vendor stumbles upon naked body of homeless man in Rayong
A kratom vendor discovered the dead body of a homeless man lying naked and covered in faeces on PMY Beach in the eastern province of Rayong. The murderers were suspected to be a group of men hanging out on the beach before the discovery. Sawang Pornkuson Rescue Team rushed to PMY Beach at 2.30am today after the call from the…
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Thai cinemas offer Chinese subtitles for the first time
One of Thailand’s largest cinema operators, SF Cinema, has introduced Chinese subtitles for its screenings. This marks the first time that Thai cinemas have offered Chinese subtitles, which will be welcomed by a significant number of Chinese nationals who visit and reside in Thailand. SF Cinema announced the Chinese subtitles news on its official Facebook page yesterday, July 26. The…
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