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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Car crash with suspected alcohol influence in Tha Phra tunnel obstructs Bangkok traffic
A car accident involving a Honda Jazz car and a Mazda CX3 occurred inside the Tha Phra tunnel in Bangkok, leading to the Honda Jazz flipping over and obstructing the road. The Jazz was driven by 52 year old probation officer, Suwet (surname withheld), who was found in a dazed state and was suspected of being under the influence of…
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Culture minister says Thailand’s film industry is set for transformation with new self-regulation bill
Thailand‘s film industry is poised for a significant transformation following the finalisation of the draft for a new Movies and Games Bill by the Ministry of Culture. Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanit revealed that the proposed legislation intends to decentralise censorship power from the government, instead placing it in the hands of producers. This bill is set to replace the current…
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Rice and shine: Thai government dishes out financial aid to farmers through BAAC
The Thai government initiated a financial aid programme for rice farmers, channelling through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Rice farmers will receive 1,000 baht per rai, capped at 20 rai (32,000 squared metres) per household, or a maximum of 20,000 baht per household. This scheme, part of the Rice Farmer Management and Quality Improvement project for the…
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Miraculous escape from Gaza hellfire: Thai worker’s astonishing tale of survival
In the aftermath of the conflict in Gaza, Thai worker Wanchai Monsena defies death and lives to recount a harrowing tale of survival. The resulting conflict between Israel and Hamas has left 39 Thai compatriots dead, 19 wounded, and 30 abducted. But amidst the tragedy, Thai worker Wanchai’s resilience shines through as he battles back from the brink. Communication proves a…
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Thai official raises concern over Chinese film’s impact on tourism (video)
Puangpet Chunlaiad, Office Minister of the Prime Minister, raised concerns with Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang about the potential impact of the Chinese film No More Bets on tourism in Thailand. The meeting took place at the Government House yesterday, November 27. Puangpet expressed her concerns about the movie’s portrayal of fraudulent activities, human trafficking, organ trading, call scams, and high-profile…
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Floats farewell: Bangkok’s Loy Krathong cleanup sees 640,000 eco-friendly wonders whisked away
Following the Loy Krathong Festival Bangkok’s waterways were cleared of nearly 640,000 Krathongs, most of which were crafted from natural, biodegradable materials. In addition, over 3,000 digital Krathongs were seen floating in Klong Ong Ang, yesterday (November 27). Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) employees got to work at 8pm on the festival night and collected and sorted through the traditional floating…
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Illegal pork pursuit: Thai investigators crack down on Makro for shady swine supplies
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided Makro, a popular cash and carry store warehouse in Thailand after discovering the store ordered illegal pork products from a company previously indicted for illicit imports. DSI director, Suriya Singhakamon, said officers conducted a raid on Wealthy & Healthy Foods, which illegally imported pork into Thailand, and discovered that the company supplied some…
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Lost in translation: Thailand struggles to climb global English proficiency ladder
Thailand, famed for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, is grappling with a linguistic challenge, its national English proficiency, which has caught the attention of educators and language enthusiasts worldwide. Despite recent strides in enhancing English proficiency through virtual classrooms in Bangkok, Thailand finds itself in the shadows of its ASEAN neighbours, ranking a modest eighth in the region and…
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Unprecedented tourist influx on full moon day at Wan Nakee Island’s shrine
Tourists flocked to Wat Kham Chanot Wang Nakee coinciding with the revered day of the full moon and the traditional Loy Krathong Festival on November 27. The shrine, located in Ban Muang, Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province, is dedicated to Nakee Island’s spiritual guardians, Grandfather Sri Sutho and Grandmother Ya Sri Pathum. The shrine’s spiritual significance attracted a vast…
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Pattaya police raid love hotels to prevent underage sexual activities
Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers raided several love hotels in the city to stamp out underage guests indulging in illegal underage sexual activities and prevent sexual assaults on Loy Krathong Day. Prior to the Loy Krathong Festival, Siam Techno Poll of Siam Technology College conducted a survey on what Thai people planned to do on Loy Krathong Day and found…
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Democrat Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan embraces eco-friendly Loy Krathong tradition
Prawit Wongsuwan, leader of the Democrat Party (DP), along with key party executives, participated in an environmentally friendly version of the Thai tradition of Loy Krathong. Using biodegradable Krathongs (floating baskets), they wished for the good health and happiness of all Thai people and for illnesses to be swept away by the river current. Prawit, the DP leader, was joined…
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Fuelling frustration: Saraburi petrol station owner shuts shop after losing over 1 million baht to deceitful customers
The owner of a petrol station in the central province of Saraburi announced that she will soon close her business after losing over 1 million baht worth of fuel to dishonest customers. The station owner, 67 year old Sirikarn Rakwitham, shared a picture of a sign at her patrol station yesterday, November 27 broadcasting the news. “The station will be…
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Bangkok university student falls from building during Loy Krathong Festival
An 18 year old student fell from a well-known university building in central Bangkok on the night of the Loy Krathong Festival. The incident took place last night, November 27, as reported by Thanapat Suwannanak, Deputy Sheriff (Investigator) of the Thonglor Police Station. The university premises were examined by police, doctors and charity workers following the incident. The incident occurred on…
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Palm tree falls on top of Thai man and kills him in southern Thailand
A dead palm tree fell on top of a Thai man and killed him at a plantation in the southern province of Satun yesterday, November 27. A Thai man named Sorn reported the incident to officers at Manang Police Station and the Nikhom Pattana Sub-district Rescue Team. His 47 year old employer, Date, had been hit by a large palm…
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Thai NBTC to investigate 40,000 numbers linked to SMS and phone scams
The Thai National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is poised to probe 40,000 numbers, suspected to be instrumental in SMS and phone scams, to apprehend the main culprits. A meeting was recently held by an NBTC subcommittee to discuss the data collected on these alleged scam phone numbers. Key representatives from law enforcement agencies, the central bank and mobile phone…
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Thai thrill-seekers turn heads with illegal jet ski scooters on public road in Bangkok (video)
Four Thai men admitted to engaging in an illegal activity by fabricating jet ski scooters and riding them on a road in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. They made known that they would visit a police station to pay fines for their indiscretion today, November 28. A video shared on a Facebook account captured the scene of the four Thai…
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Thailand and Malaysia enhance bilateral relations to boost border trade and tourism
A significant agreement was recently reached between the leaders of Thailand and Malaysia to bolster their bilateral relations, with a specific focus on enhancing border trade and tourism. The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, agreed upon this during their working visit at the newly inaugurated Sadao customs checkpoint in Songkhla. Their meeting, which took…
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7km bridge over Songkhla Lake to boost southern Thailand transport
Plans are underway to construct a 7 kilometre bridge over Songkhla Lake starting next year, a project aimed at enhancing regional transport in southern Thailand. This proposal includes a commitment to protect the local environment and wildlife, particularly the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins living within the lake. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has formed a pact with four other state…
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Thai hostages freed: House Speaker’s gratitude shines in Hamas release
The release of three Thai hostages held by Hamas was greeted with relief and expressions of gratitude by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. This event, which happened Sunday night, brings the total number of liberated Thai hostages to 17, leaving 15-16 still in captivity. The House Speaker is optimistic about their liberation during the next ceasefire between Israel and…
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Phuket Crime Free scheme unveiled to ensure tourist safety during peak season
Phuket has launched the Phuket Crime Free scheme, an initiative aimed at safeguarding international tourists during the peak season. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Monday, bringing together both governmental and private sector entities. Among those involved are the provincial administration, provincial police, tourism police, immigration office, and provincial land department office. Private sector representatives include the Phuket Chamber…
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Low Chinese tourist influx despite Thailand’s visa exemption policy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled an update on the nation’s tourism landscape following the introduction of a visa exemption policy, at a media briefing held at noon on November 25. Despite the waiver of visa fees, the daily influx of Chinese tourists has been unexpectedly low, averaging around ten thousand visitors. This surprising figure sparked questions from Thai journalists regarding…
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Illegal contraband network worth 75 million baht exposed in Prachinburi
A nationwide web of illegal contraband, including foreign tobacco and wine liquor, valued at over 75 million baht (US$2,138,580) was exposed by excise officers in Prachinburi on November 25. The illicit products were discovered during a raid operation at a postal centre in Kabinburi, led by Prachinburi excise officer, Nitipat Songnetichawalit. The operation was initiated based on suspicions of the…
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Thai soldier shot dead in car after honking horn at murderer
A murderer shot dead a Thai soldier on a road in the central province of Prachin Buri last night after the deceased honked his horn at the killer because he drove his pickup across the victim’s car, cutting them up. The 25 year old girlfriend of the victim, Monticha, sought help for her severely injured soldier boyfriend, 22 year old…
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Commerce carnival: Ministry’s mega discount campaign aims to slash living costs for Thai citizens
In a grand gesture to ease the cost of living for Thai citizens, the Ministry of Commerce is joining forces with over 300 manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and convenience stores to roll out a colossal discount campaign. Scheduled to kick off on December 15 and last until January 15, 2024, this initiative is considered a new year present to the public…
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Unravelling the mystery of Mona Lisa and Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, a name synonymous with the fusion of art and science, sought to understand the world around him, incorporating his scientific discoveries into his art and his enigmatic masterpiece the Mona Lisa. His passion for exploration and understanding was evident from his childhood. As a young boy, he would sit at the doorway, observing birds and cloud formations,…
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Fuelling the fire: Thai-Italian man arrested for stealing petrol in Bangkok (video)
Police arrested a half-Thai, half-Italian man for stealing 2,600 baht worth of fuel from a petrol station in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok. The Thai-Italian suspect, 29 year old Tanrak Corsaro, stole fuel from a petrol station on Soi Lat Phrao 134 in Bangkok on October 5. Tanrak was seen on CCTV driving his white Mercedes-Benz C 350 into…
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Chang’an automobile invests over 120 million baht in Thai EV parts research
Chang’an Automobile, China’s leading automotive company, received encouragement from the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, to invest in the research and development of electric vehicle (EV) parts in Thailand. This came about after a meeting between Phumtham and Churu Huarong, Chang’an Automobile’s Chairman today. As a prominent player in the automotive industry, Chang’an Automobile has a…
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Runaway love: Thai woman’s 20-kilometre vow at shrine unlocks divorce after five-year marathon
A Thai woman honoured a vow at the Kampaeng Phet City Pillar Shrine in the northern province of Kampaeng Phet after she successfully divorced her ex-husband after five years of trying by running 20 kilometres. Suphaporn Ninlabordee’s story became the talk of Kampaeng Phet province when yesterday, November 26, she ran 20 kilometres from the Kampaeng Phet City Pillar Shrine…
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Cosmic con: Fortune teller tricks Thai woman into sex and 14 million baht loss
A Thai woman issued a warning to others after a fortune teller tricked her into paying more than 14 million baht for rituals and lured her into having sex with him. The 30 year old victim, named only as A, shared her story with the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to warn other women and process a lawsuit against the fortune teller.…
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Heavy rainfall warning in 13 Thai provinces, flash floods alert
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) warns of heavy rainfall in 13 provinces, alerting residents to potential floods and flash floods as a result of accumulated rainfall. In a statement issued today, the department cautioned residents of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. The risk is heightened by…
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