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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Cyanide murder mastermind loses defamation case
The Criminal Court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Sararat Rangsivuthaphan, known as Am, the alleged mastermind behind several murder cases involving cyanide, against Rapee Chumnanruen, who coordinated on behalf of the victims. The court’s decision came after evidence was presented proving Rapee’s statements made during a television interview about Am’s deception of authorities were true. Am’s lawyer, Thanicha…
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Hammer confusion: Mechanics flee customer brandishing hammer
A middle-aged customer strode into a mechanic garage and was stunned as everyone around him panicked and fled. Was it something he said? Did he inadvertently offend someone? Or perhaps it was the large hammer he was wielding as he entered the shop. The man was captured on video entering the workshop with a large hammer in hand, causing two…
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Jealous wife takes knife in the back for unfaithful husband in karaoke bar brawl
A jealous wife tried to drag her husband from a local karaoke bar in the northern province of Chaing Mai but ended up being stabbed in the back as a brawl broke out in the establishment. The woman’s 30 year old husband, Jakkrit, told Channel 7 that the stabbing incident occurred at about 1.40am in front of a karaoke bar…
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Thailand’s DES minister vows to combat online scams, roll out digital wallet
The new Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert stated that he is prioritising combating online fraud and call centre scams, as well as launching the much-discussed digital wallet plan. The ministry, aligned with Pheu Thai Party goals, plans a digital wallet scheme by 2024, starting next year, offering 10,000 baht to all Thai individuals aged 16 and above via…
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ThaiBMA warns investors about corporate bonds as firms struggle amidst pandemic
The Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA) is urging caution among investors considering corporate bonds due to ongoing challenges faced by several companies in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ariya Tiranaprakit, ThaiBMA’s executive vice president, highlighted that three companies failed to meet debenture payments totalling 12.1 billion baht this year. Additionally, some firms struggled to adhere to corporate bond payment…
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Blue Strike 2023 Thai-Chinese naval exercise underway, navy commits to sunken ship recovery
In the Gulf of Thailand, off the coast of Chon Buri in the Sattahip district, a naval training exercise named Blue Strike 2023 is in full swing. This bilateral exercise between the naval forces of Thailand and China is a seven-day event, which started on Sunday, September 3 and is scheduled to wrap up on Sunday, September 10. This exercise…
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Thai man arrested for production of pornography livestream on Chinese app
Police swooped to arrest a Thai interpreter working on a porn set in Thailand that was livestreamed via a Chinese application. The police received a tip-off that a Chinese woman had turned Bangkok condominium into a porn set for her production team. The team produced explicit pornographic content and livestreamed it through an application. Viewers had to purchase a membership…
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Thai weather update: Heavy rain and storms expected across multiple regions
The Thai Meteorological Department warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand and the potential for strong storms until September 6. The announcement further warns of flash floods and forest runoff, with high waves expected at sea on September 5. A strong monsoon trough is currently sweeping through the northern, northeastern, and upper central regions of Thailand, combined with a…
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Turkish investment scammer arrested for deceiving Thai woman
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested a Turkish man for operating an investment scam in Thailand after being tipped off by a Thai woman victim. Police discovered the foreigner has been operating the scam in Thailand for more than 10 years. A Thai woman yesterday filed a complaint against the Turkish man, 43 year old Onur Gungor, also known as…
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Thai hotel industry fears revenue and tax loss over reclassifying small properties
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) voiced concerns over recent ministerial regulations that exclude accommodations with fewer than eight rooms and 30 guests from being classified as hotels. The THA predicts this new rule will result in a 15-20% decrease in hotel tourism revenue, heightened safety risks, and loss of tax revenue. This regulation, announced in the Royal Gazette, has been…
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Heroic Thai husband’s defence of pregnant wife ends in fatal stabbing
A Thai man defending his pregnant wife from an attack from a man with mental health issues wielding a knife was fatally stabbed in the chest. Bang Sao Thong Police Station officers were called to the stabbing scene in the Keha Muaeng Mai Bang Phi Village in the Bang Sao Thong district of Samut Prakarn at 12.30am today. On arrival,…
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Line Man Wongnai and Line Thailand tap into booming Thai e-payment market
Tech giants Line Man Wongnai and Line Thailand recently revealed plans to expand their businesses by capitalising on the rising e-payment market within their business ecosystem. They officially announced last month their successful joint acquisition of shares in Rabbit Line Pay Co (RLP) from previous shareholders, RabbitPay System Co and Advanced mPAY Co. This crucial transaction has allowed Line Man…
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Foot Locker kicks off its Thai journey, stepping into youth-driven sneaker scene
Foot Locker, the renowned speciality athletic retailer based in New York, launched its first store in Thailand, targeting the youth demographic and aiming to invigorate the sports shoe/sneaker market. The announcement came from Deepak Tomar, country general manager and director of MAP Active Adiperkasa, the official licensee for Foot Locker in Thailand, who revealed the store’s opening in the Siam…
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Buzz around relic-embedded Buddha statue in Ban Khai District
A renowned temple in the Ban Khai District of Rayong recently created a buzz with the construction of a colourful rendition of the Buddha statue, featuring vibrant green, yellow, and red hues. This edition, known as the Wat Taek version of the Buddha, also comprises relics of famous eastern monks, making it a hot topic among Buddhist statue enthusiasts. The construction…
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Russian man arrested for money laundering linked to scam call centre
Police arrested a Russian man for his involvement in a money laundering scheme for a scam call centre gang at a hotel on Koh Samui island in the southern province of Surat Thani. The arrest, on Sunday, September 3, followed the death of three people at a house in the central province of Samut Prakarn which was reported on August…
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Thai man falls into hot spring in Chiang Mai due to broken bridge railing
A 16 year old Thai youth suffered severe burns after plunging into a scorching hot spring with temperatures exceeding 80 degrees Celsius at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park in the Fang district of the northern province of Chiang Mai. According to Channel 3, the victim was a tourist who had come to stay at a camping site within the…
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Thailand’s first expressway tunnel proposed through 36 billion baht investment
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has put forth a proposal for an underground expressway, aiming to replace a contentious section of the N1 Expressway development. The proposal came after an extensive 17-month initial feasibility study. EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk revealed this plan during the project’s second hearing, stating that multiple factors such as engineering, investment costs, and environmental impact,…
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Illegal Thai resort dismantled for violating National Forest Act
Phetchabun witnessed a significant operation yesterday as over a hundred officials systematically dismantled parts of a resort found to be unlawfully constructed on national forest grounds within the Khao Kho district. The collaborative force, comprising soldiers, local administrative officials, and police officers, effectively removed five bungalows that formed part of the Khaokho Freeday resort. The decision to dismantle came following…
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Drug suspect’s escape attempt causes crash, leaving five injured in Chon Buri
A drug suspect fleeing from police caused a traffic accident that resulted in five injuries, including two police officers and a resident. Found in possession of 100 methamphetamine pills and two bags of crystal meth, the suspect was eventually apprehended. The incident occurred yesterday on the Chon Buri-Ban Bueng road. At 9.30pm, the Chon Buri City Police received a report…
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Informant fears for life after exposing drug cartel and corrupt officers
A police informant, known by the alias Jang Talat Phlu, has taken to the Sai Mai Tong Rod (Sai Mai Must Survive) Facebook page, renowned for its help during Covid-19 lockdowns, fearing for his life. He alleges threats from both a police gang and a drug cartel he exposed. Jang claims that a deputy chief inspector and four junior inspectors,…
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Neighbourly nightmare: Squatter sparks property feud with no end in sight
A couple in need of police and media intervention recently found themselves embroiled in a property dispute when a neighbour decided to squat in their long-abandoned house. The neighbour initiated extensive renovations and showed no willingness to return the property to its rightful owners. Sun, a 27 year old man, unveiled his plans to marry his girlfriend, Eye, by the…
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Bangkok’s multinational ambitions drive forward: BMA seeks government support
The drive to establish Bangkok as a multinational hub has gained momentum, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) expressing intent to garner government backing for the initiative. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, yesterday, announced the intent to align the BMA’s policy with that of the government to stimulate the city’s economy and job creation. In a press briefing, Chadchart illustrated the…
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Catch me if you can: Rapist arrested after challenging police to apprehend him (video)
Police arrested a rapist yesterday who physically and sexually assaulted a 17 year old girl in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. The sex offender also taunted the police prior to the arrest, saying, “You will never catch me.” The family of the victim filed a complaint against the alleged rapist, 29 year old Suppakarn “Ohm” Khansantier, after the teenage victim…
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Thai leadership insights: Decade-long study proves remarkably accurate
A decade-long research study on Thai leadership, conducted by an executive and Professor Bruce McKenzie, demonstrated remarkable accuracy. This study, based on global data and insights from diverse Thai groups, offered a comprehensive perspective on leadership. Over the past dynamic decade, predictions by Thai contributors have proven highly accurate, leading to the emergence of six key leadership approaches. These encompass…
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Dancing duo wanted: Police on the hunt for kratom tea temptresses
Police are hunting for two women who danced provocatively and served free kratom tea at a public rest area on a motorway in the central province of Phetchabun. The Thai man who allegedly hired the two dancers shared a video showcasing their sexy dance performance at an empty parking area. The caption on the video read… “Kratom tea for free!”…
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Famed chef accused of unfair dismissal and misconduct
A renowned chef has been exposed by a former employee for unfair dismissal and deception, leading her into a group sex event. The chef’s deceptive behaviour towards multiple employees has been revealed, with some even facing threats. The disclosures were posted on the popular page Let’s Be Famous, I’ll Arrange It Return Part 6, featuring stories of the chef’s misconduct.…
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Government economy plan: Cost of living cuts, fuel and electricity price adjustments
The government plans to announce initiatives to reduce living costs and boost the economy in an upcoming Cabinet meeting. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed these measures would involve changes to diesel and electricity prices. A reduction in diesel excise tax is under consideration to lower retail prices at the pump and help the economy. A potential freeze on government…
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Antique hunters nabbed with over 1,000 artefacts and 10 million baht earnings
Officials from the Department of Fine Arts and the Crime Suppression Division apprehended a gang of antique hunters, who had been selling their finds through Facebook. Over 1,000 items were seized in the raid which took place today. The operation that nabbed the antique hunters was led by Major General Jiraphop Puridej, the head of the Crime Suppression Division, along…
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Justice whispers: Thaksin’s sentence may shrink yet
Undisclosed sources within the Justice Ministry leaked news that the sentences handed to Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra could be reduced further. Thaksin’s return to Thailand on Tuesday, August 22 this year marked the initiation of legal proceedings against him, encompassing three charges that had been levied against him before he departed from the country in 2008. The 74…
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