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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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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Update: Luxury gambling den busted in Nonthaburi – 49 arrested, owner denied bail
In the heart of Ngamwongwan, Nonthaburi, a luxury gambling den concealed within a hotel was recently exposed, leading to the capture of 49 individuals, comprising gamblers and employees alike. This took place on November 30 and was a significant operation spearheaded by Rattanathibet police officers. Officers immediately began the process of questioning the suspects, subsequently pressing charges against them. Following…
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Survey reveals increasing homelessness in Thailand
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and associated agencies took the stage on November 30, to bring to light the findings of an extensive survey conducted on the state of homelessness in Thailand. The details were presented at the 2024 Protection of Homeless People Expo. The survey, spearheaded by Phoranee Phuprasert, director of ThaiHealth’s Office of Vulnerable Group Support, discovered…
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Significant earthquake in Mindanao Philippines triggers tsunami warning but spares Thailand
The Philippines experienced a significant earthquake near the island of Mindanao, triggering a tsunami warning. The quake, measuring 7.5 in magnitude, didn’t affect Thailand, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Japan also issued a tsunami warning in response to the seismic activity occurring on December 3. At 9.57pm yesterday, December 2, the TMD stated the earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines.…
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Thailand’s embassy in Beijing ramps up efforts to enhance national image
A concerted effort to rejuvenate Thailand‘s image among the Chinese population is being championed by Benjamin Sukanjanajtee, the Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing. Benjamin emphasised that the Thai government should also focus on enhancing the quality of Thai products to amplify the nation’s reputation in China. Sukanjanajtee expressed his conviction that despite recent incidents which have…
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Overwhelmed businesswoman registers for Thai government’s debt relief scheme
A businesswoman, burdened with an overwhelming debt, registered for an out-of-system debt relief scheme. She owes money to 14 lenders and faces the daily challenge of finding more than 7,000 baht for interest payments at a rate of 20%. This move comes after the government, under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has been focusing on resolving out-of-system debt issues for citizens…
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Thai loan shark arrested for scamming over 1 million baht
A crackdown led by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) resulted in the arrest of a 37 year old woman for operating more than 10 illegal loan shark gambling rings. The operation defrauded victims of over 1 million baht and involved intimidation to prevent reporting of the crime. The arrest of the loan shark was executed today, December 2, following an…
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Fire destroys textile warehouse, 100 million baht loss
A devastating fire blazed through three textile warehouse facilities in the Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri province, causing an estimated damage of over 100 million baht. The fire, which lasted for over eight hours, was reported in the early hours yesterday at the S. Chutima textile warehouse facility, located in Lat Takhian subdistrict. The textile warehouse compound, spanning an…
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Massive 14 million methamphetamine pill haul intercepted in Laos
A mammoth haul of over 14 million methamphetamine pills, destined for Thailand, was intercepted in Vientiane with five suspects taken into custody. The monumental seizure was achieved during an operation carried out from November 28 to 30, conducted by the drug suppression police in Laos. Among those apprehended in the methamphetamine crackdown operation were four individuals from Laos and a…
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Tourists injured in ride malfunction at International Silk Festival
Tourists were injured when a giant squid ride at the International Silk Festival malfunctioned, causing a piece to break off and hit the ground. The accident, which occurred during the last ride of the day yesterday, December 1, resulted in three people sustaining injuries. Following the incident, authorities swiftly stepped in, providing immediate medical assistance to the injured and transporting…
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Siblings surrender following fatal shooting in Sichon mall
Two siblings, 21 year old Jeerasak and 15 year old Jeerawat handed themselves over to the authorities at Sichon station last night, December 1, following a fatal shooting. The pair were implicated in the fatal shooting of 18 year old Khanisorn Chan-u-thai in a department store in the Sichon district. The incident was confirmed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Bundit Sukhavisit,…
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Fatal night-time collision on Uthai Thani road claims teenage life
A tragic collision on a dark road resulted in the death of a 17 year old high school student and injured two others yesterday, December 1. The incident occurred on the Khao Khong Chai-Ban Pa Ao route, in Uthai Thani’s Lan Sak district. The vehicles involved were an E-Tan pickup carrying a full load of rice, a Honda PCX scooter,…
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Thailand ambulance crew narrowly escapes attack by drug-crazed patient
An ambulance crew had a near-death experience when they were attacked by a patient yesterday, December 1. The patient’s relatives had obscured information, not disclosing that the patient was in a drug-induced frenzy. The patient turned violent, using an electric saw to attack the ambulance, with no one coming to the rescue. The driver’s quick thinking allowed the whole team…
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Popular snack vendor finds 100,000 baht stolen from Chiang Mai home
A popular snack vendor known for her revealing outfit, returned to her Chiang Mai home yesterday, November 30 to find nearly 100,000 baht had been stolen from her safe. The 27 year old vendor, Aranya Abhaiso, also known as Olive Tokyo No Bra, suspects the culprit to be someone close to her and is preparing to file a police report.…
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House committee formulates 2024 budget proposal
The House committee responsible for scrutinising planning and monitoring budget expenditure is formulating a budget proposal for next year. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by the House in early January. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, the committee’s chair and a list MP of the Move Forward Party, confirmed that the panel is currently processing budget requests from various state agencies. These…
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Thai drug addict leaves 9 year old boy fighting for life in shocking Isaan attack
Police arrested a Thai drug addict after he attacked three victims in the Isaan province of Nakhon Panom on November 29. Among the victims were a nine year old boy who is battling to save his life and another individual who sustained serious injuries. Phonsawan Police Station officers swiftly responded to the incident at Phon Sawang Temple in the Phonsawan…
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Firefighter criticised for unprofessional conduct in fire incident (video)
A rescue worker has come under criticism for demonstrating power and being unprofessional by stepping on and kicking a junior firefighter while responding to a fire. The incident was brought to light when a Twitter user named Red Skull posted a video of the event online. The behaviour, deemed inappropriate, especially in front of locals, sparked widespread online criticism. “So…
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Thai man punches neighbour to death after conflict over dog waste
A Thai man reportedly punched his neighbour to death on the side of the road in the northern province of Lampang after a dispute over dog waste. The killer claimed he acted in self-defence. Mueang Lampang Police Station officers and a rescue team rushed to the scene on Lampang-Ngao road at 7.45am today, December 1. The deceased, 68 year old…
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Hong Kong and Thailand join FPS with PromptPay, unlocking cross-border QR payment linkage
In a move set to redefine international payments, Hong Kong‘s Faster Payment System (FPS) joined hands with Thailand‘s PromptPay, unlocking a seamless cross-border QR payment linkage. Hong Kong and Thailand have unleashed a financial revolution, enabling residents to flex their digital wallets across borders. The cross-border QR payment linkage between Hong Kong’s FPS and Thailand’s PromptPay is set to transform…
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Shinawatra greenlights 5.1 billion baht for soft power industries and Songkran
The Soft Power National Development Committee, headed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has approved a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost 11 industries in Thailand, including the Songkran festival. The plan includes a grand Songkran celebration, dubbed the World Water Festival – The Songkran Phenomenon, to draw international tourists to Thailand. The announcement was made on December 1. The Soft Power…
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Young women ignore safety warnings at Phu Chi Fah, sparking concerns
Two young women risked their lives by crossing a safety line at Phu Chi Fah viewpoint to take photographs, triggering concerns from officials about a potential increase in copycat behaviour. Phu Chi Fah National Park in Thoeng, Chiang Rai, reported the incident occurred at 6.04am on October 26, and issued a public warning on their page. The tourist attraction has…
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Thai dancer reports ex-partner for physical abuse and animal cruelty
Doing Good Foundation founder Dr Panadda Wongphudee and Dr Darunee Sutthipithak, known as Pecky Sritanya, yesterday, accompanied a 32 year old dancer who suffered physical abuse, to Bang Khen Police Station. The dancer, Pattiporn (surname withheld), reported to Deputy Investigation Officer Rattichai Piyawet that her former boyfriend, 33 year old Prakasit from Nan province, had subjected her to physical abuse,…
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Thai government invites citizens to register debts for resolution
The Thai government is inviting citizens to register their debts, both within and outside the formal system, to alleviate the burden of unregulated debt. This move by Prime Minister Settha Thaweesin and the Ministry of Finance is seen as a national issue, aiming to restore dignity, hope, and stability to Thai citizens suffering from the detrimental effects of unregulated debt.…
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Chon Buri: Four Cambodian men posing as fake monks apprehended in Si Racha
Four Cambodian individuals posing as fake monks were apprehended by immigration police on a mountain near a community in the Si Racha district, Chon Buri. They were disguised as fake Buddhist monks in yellow robes, residing in makeshift shelters. The operation was carried out this morning, December 1, following residents’ grievances about several Cambodian nationals masquerading as monks and asking…
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Thai man jailed for up to 10 years for illegally selling tiger carcasses
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and related departments arrested a Thai man for running an online shop illegally selling tiger carcasses and other protected animals. This comes in the wake of the arrest of two individuals in January this year for selling tiger carcasses online. The case was connected to another suspect managing a Facebook…
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Political prognosis: Advisor probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s health and cell
The health status and incarceration conditions of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have come under the scrutiny of Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, an advisor to the Parliament Committee on Budgeting Study and Budget Administration Follow-up. Somchai is pressing the government to shed light on Thaksin’s situation, 100 days after his transfer to the Police General Hospital following chest pain, hypertension, and low…
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409 million baht assets of Thai senator seized for transitional crime involvement
The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) raided seven locations yesterday linked to Thai senator Upakit Pachirirangkun and seized assets worth 409 million baht on charges of involvement in a transitional crime organisation. Move Forward Party MP Rungsiman Rome revealed the alleged close relationship between Senator Upakit and Myanmar’s leading drug trafficker, Tun Min Latt, during a 2022 Parliament debate.…
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Thai Prime Minister to review proposed energy tariff increase
Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, is set to convene a meeting with the relevant bodies following the revelation that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) intends to surge the energy tariff from 3.99 baht per unit to 4.68 baht per unit from January to April next year. This proposed increase has stirred renewed demands for a revamp of the nation’s…
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Thai Ministry of Interior launches online registration for debt assistance
The Ministry of Interior has initiated a programme to assist citizens struggling with off-system debt, inviting them to enrol either online or in-person from today, December 1, until February 24 next year. This scheme is part of the government’s efforts to alleviate the impact of high-interest-rate debts on the populace. For online registration, individuals can visit the website https://debt.dopa.go.th. The…
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Thai woman mysteriously dies, her body found in abandoned garbage chute
Police suspect foul play after the body of a missing Thai woman was found in an abandoned garbage chute at a Royal Thai Army welfare accommodation in the Phayathai district of Bangkok. Bang Sue Police Station officers received a report of the death of a 36 year old Thai woman, identified as Ann, at 9.40pm yesterday, November 30. Ann’s lifeless…
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Thailand boosts traditional medicine to attract wellness tourism
Thailand‘s Public Health Ministry is elevating its endeavours to showcase traditional wellness and medicine as a tourist attraction, in a bid to boost the nation’s revenue. As voiced by Deputy Health Minister Santi Promphat yesterday, the country is renowned for its superior traditional medical knowledge and herbal plant utilisation. Santi was addressing the subject of traditional and alternative Thai medicine…
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