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 How to travel around Thailand for under US$30 a day
The Thaiger key takeaways Staying in budget hostels or guesthouses and eating street food keeps daily expenses low. Mixing buses, trains, and budget flights allows affordable travel between cities and islands. Free or cheap activities, such as temples, markets, parks,...
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BMA halts mega transit plans due to cash crunch
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) slammed the brakes on the construction of three ambitious mass transit projects, citing a crippling shortage of funds. Instead, the projects, the Silver, Grey, and Light Blue lines, will now be handed over to the Ministry of Transport for execution, leaving commuters in the Thai capital hanging in uncertainty. The decision, rubber-stamped at a meeting…
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PM Srettha urges citizens to dress yellow on Mondays in homage to Thai King
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ignited a national fervour, urging Thai citizens to pay homage to His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday. Addressing the nation post-Tuesday’s Cabinet summit, the 61 year old Thai PM, clad in golden hues, disclosed plans for a weekly ritual. “In jubilant celebration of His Majesty’s sixth-cycle milestone on July 28. I’ve directed civil servants to don…
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Thailand lottery fever: Punters chase luck and lore for Feb 16 draw
Lottery fever grips Thailand as hopefuls seek to divine the winning numbers for the February 16 draw, with numerous tales of lucky symbols and mystical predictions capturing the public’s imagination. As the draw nears, enthusiasts have collated an eclectic mix of numbers believed to bring fortune, ranging from revered monks’ predictions to serendipitous incidents. Prominent among these is the revered…
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Valentine’s veteran: Krabi man seals 14th marriage, aiming for happy ever after
A 69 year old Thai man in the southern province of Krabi signed a marriage certificate for the 14th time this Valentine’s Day and hoped his current wife would be the final chapter of his love saga after 13 unlucky attempts. Mueang Krabi District Office held a special Valentine’s Day event at the province’s popular tourist attraction Klonh Root, also…
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Sexbomb Tom Jones set to rock Bangkok with March concert
Following the likes of Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Bruno Mars, Sexbomb Tom Jones will be performing at UOB Live of Emsphere, Bangkok on March 14, starting at 8pm. Tom Jones: Ages & Stages Tour In Bangkok, presented by Live Nation Tero, guarantees an evening of musical magic with the British icon, who has captivated audiences worldwide with his sensational voice…
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British tourist’s body found in Cheow Lan Dam after intense search
A British tourist’s body surfaced at Cheow Lan Dam three days after the individual went missing, prompting expressions of gratitude from the British Embassy for the search efforts. The 24 year old, along with friends, had embarked on a kayaking trip from their accommodation at the Kraisorn Resort in Khao Sok National Park‘s protection Unit 7 (Kraisorn) area near the…
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Chinese woman arrested in Phuket for illegally housing lion cub
Phuket police apprehended a Chinese woman on the accusation of illegally housing a lion cub in her hotel room. She came under scrutiny following allegations of her showcasing the juvenile lion daily at her coffee shop. Authorities from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division (NRECD), along with local police and wildlife officials, inspected the coffee shop located in the…
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Bangkok police apprehend man for assaulting niece over years
A major arrest has shaken a community in Thailand as police captured a man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl for over four years. The 40 year old suspect was apprehended after a meticulous operation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau, following a mother’s report that her 11 year old daughter had been repeatedly abused by her uncle. Today, the…
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Devotees swarm Mahasarakham temple as abbot donates 2 million baht
Thousands of devotees flocked to pay homage to the revered teacher Suriyant yesterday as he generously distributed 2 million baht (US$55,447) in donations, also sparking excitement for lottery enthusiasts with lucky numbers for the upcoming draw on Friday, February 16. Mahasarakham’s Wat Phutthavanaram, also known as Wat Wang Nam Yen, was teeming with devotees who came to celebrate the 45th…
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Red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikua urges lawmakers to pass bills for 2010 crackdown victims
Nattawut Saikua, a key figure in the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), intensified his campaign for justice by urging Pheu Thai Party executives to throw their weight behind two pivotal bills. These bills, spearheaded by ruling party Deputy Leader Chousak Sirinil, are poised to revolutionise the quest for accountability. The proposed legislation encompasses an organic act targeting the…
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Thai Airways’ turbulence at Suvarnabhumi: Transport minister threatens contract termination
Transport Minister Suriya Jungroongreangkit issued a warning to Thai Airways International (THAI) following a series of complaints about subpar ground services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Speaking after a pivotal meeting with airport service operators, Suriya unveiled a roadmap for dramatic improvements or contractual consequences. “The ministry has been inundated with grievances regarding the dismal quality of ground services provided by…
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Shocking discovery: Electricity meter scandal rocks Pattaya project
An investigation conducted on Monday at the Government Housing Project in Pattaya revealed an electricity meter tampering scandal. Led by the project manager, in collaboration with Na Jomtien police investigators and representatives from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Jomtien branch, the inspection was prompted by irregularities in electricity consumption patterns within Building 12. Despite residents receiving inflated electricity bills, a…
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Thai woman seeks foreign couple who rescued her mother from Chao Phraya River
A Thai woman took to social media to look for a foreign couple who saved her mother from drowning in the Chao Phraya River in the central province of Ayutthaya. The woman, Kornwipha Thongnoom, is searching for a foreign man and woman who helped her mother on February 8 wishing to extend her gratitude to the couple. Kornwipha shared the…
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Thailand set to break records with 2 million bookings predicted, Klook reveals
Thailand’s tourism industry is gearing up for a surge, with online travel platform Klook forecasting a staggering two million bookings for holiday packages in the Southeast Asian country this year. Klook’s COO Eric Gnock Fah revealed that Thailand’s tourism sector is bouncing back ferociously, rivalling Japan’s impressive rebound on the platform, and outshining other Asian destinations. “Last year’s record-breaking achievement…
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Village leader fatally shot in Surat Thani, community mourns
Tragedy struck a local community in Surat Thani province when a 35 year old village leader was fatally shot in an appalling act of violence. The incident, which occurred shortly after 9pm yesterday, February 13, has left the village in shock and mourning. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Withoon Sukpradit, the investigative officer from Kanjanadit Police Station, the emergency call came…
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Thai shop owner’s lottery win ignites Ayutthaya blessing frenzy
A Thai mag wheel shop owner struck it lucky with a lottery win worth hundreds of thousands of baht after requesting blessings online and vowed to make a merit offering to a revered child spirit known as Kumarn Thong Jao Sua Heng. This event sparked a surge of lottery enthusiasts flocking to the Rasi Salai Hermitage in Ayutthaya Province, seeking…
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Bangkok grapples with hazardous PM2.5 pollution levels
Bangkok and 38 other provinces in Thailand are currently experiencing dangerous levels of PM2.5 pollution, prompting health warnings and recommendations for the public to wear masks at all times when outdoors. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), together with the National Research Council of Thailand, the Pollution Control Department, Kasetsart University, and Chiang Mai University, are closely monitoring…
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Fatal car accident in Chon Buri: BMW crashes, passenger killed
A fatal car accident in Chon Buri province claimed the life of a passenger and left the driver in critical condition after a BMW reportedly lost control and crashed into a bridge pillar. The incident occurred in the early hours of February 14, when the vehicle, driven by a 26 year old, veered off the road at high speed. The…
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Roses lead, condoms surge: Grab reveals 5 best-selling products on Valentine’s Day
Grab Thailand unveiled its top five best-selling products during the Valentine’s Day festival with roses remaining the champion while condoms, although not in the top five, saw a 30% surge in sales. One of Thailand’s most popular superapps, Grab, gathered statistics from GrabMart users starting from February 1 before releasing a list of Thailand’s best-selling products on its application. The five…
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Surat Thani police launch safety sweep for holidays
Surat Thani Provincial Police mobilised a security sweep to ensure public and tourist safety during the Valentine’s Day and Makha Bucha Day holidays in 2024. The operation, fronted by high-ranking officers, aims to prevent sexual harassment, inappropriate behaviour, and crime in vulnerable areas. In a proactive measure to ensure public safety, Surat Thani Provincial Police launched a comprehensive crime sweep…
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Thailand PM drives tourism growth, targets 35 million visitors
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently underscored the significance of tourism collaboration to elevate Thailand’s travel industry. The announcement comes on the heels of Maya Bay in Krabi province being named the third-best beach in the world by Lonely Planet, a testament to the country’s natural beauty. Prime Minister Office Spokesperson Chai Wacharongkakul revealed that the prime minister, who also serves…
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Surin’s Tha Tum district dazzles with traditional egg parade
A time-honoured tradition in Surin province’s Tha Tum district, the annual egg parade ceremony to honour the town’s guardian spirits, has once again captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike. The event, which took place yesterday, February 13, is renowned not only for its cultural significance but also for the much-anticipated divination ritual where participants seek lucky numbers from…
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2 foreign men caught stealing 1,500 baht cannabis in Pattaya
The owner of a cannabis shop in Pattaya yesterday filed a complaint against two foreign men who stole 1,500 baht worth of ganja from her shop. The Thai shop owner, 48 year old Sakun, told Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers yesterday, February 13, that her cannabis outlet is located in Soi Pattaya Klang 12, and she was in the shop…
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Thailand News Today | Cannabis bill paused for public discourse, Ex-PM Thaksin to be released from jail early
Thailand’s jailed former Prime Minister is set to be released from prison early Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a pivotal figure in the country’s political landscape, is set to be released from prison following parole approval, just six months after ending his 15-year self-imposed exile. His return and subsequent sentencing to eight years for charges including corruption, which was…
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Thai government announces five-day weekend for Songkran holiday
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared Friday, April 12 a special government holiday, amplifying the Songkran celebrations with a five-day weekend. The decision made a full two months ahead of the festival, aims to provide ample time for both individuals and businesses to prepare for the festivities. The 61 year old Thai PM-cum-finance minister expressed his desire for the Ministry of Tourism…
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Thailand zoo unveils new capybara print legwear
Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri province is introducing its newest sensation: capybara pants, scheduled to be available in stores next month. Announced via the zoo’s buzzing Kha Moo and the gang Facebook page, the revelation of these quirky trousers has sparked a viral storm, amassing over 1,500 shares in merely five hours. Director General of The Zoological Park…
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Myanmar businessman killed over black money deal in Bangkok
A violent altercation in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area led to the death of a 53 year old Myanmar businessman in the early hours of this morning. The incident occurred at 1.30am today, February 14, in a room in a Sukhumvit Soi 4 mansion, where the victim, Kayo Seya, was found with multiple injuries and significant blood loss. The businessman was reportedly…
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Bail granted to reporter and photographer accused of supporting political activist
The Criminal Court yesterday granted bail to a Thai news reporter from the Prachathai News Agency and a freelance photographer who were charged with covering the story of a political activist last year. Prachathai news agency reporter Nuttaphol Meksobhon and freelance photographer Nuttaphol Phanpongsanon were arrested on February 12. They were accused of supporting an action to damage the country’s…
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Khon Kaen Buddhism director scammed of 1.19 million baht
The director of the Office of Buddhism in Khon Kaen has fallen victim to a scam, resulting in a loss of over 1.19 million baht (US$32,973), leaving a mere 87 satang (US$0.024) in their bank account. The director, who had unknowingly sent their phone number—which was not linked to any bank—to what appeared to be a legitimate airline’s line account,…
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Activist Tantawan arrested for challenging royal motorcades
A 22 year old activist attracted attention when she found herself in the news for honking her car horn at a royal motorcade on February 4. Following this incident, Tantawan Tuatulanon conducted an opinion poll on February 10, questioning if royal motorcades were a cause of traffic issues. This action led to charges being filed against her for causing a…
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