Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Heavy rain and flash floods expected across Bangkok and regions
Heavy rain is expected in Bangkok and several other regions warns the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Residents are advised to prepare for potential flash floods, especially in hilly and low-lying areas, due to intense rainfall and accumulated precipitation. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that an easterly wind wave will cover the lower northern region, lower northeastern…
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Recipients can use 10,000-baht handout to clear debts: Deputy PM
Recipients of the 10,000-baht handout are free to use the money as they see fit, including paying off debts, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham addressed reports that many eligible individuals in the first phase of the scheme, which began yesterday, September 26, plan to use the funds to clear their debts. “They can use the money [to…
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Flight fright: Polish woman grounded after bomb threat in Bangkok
Police arrested a Polish woman at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok yesterday after sparking chaos mid-flight by making a bomb threat aboard a Thai Vietjet flight from Vietnam. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Security Centre received a notification at 2.18pm, yesterday, September 26, from the Air Traffic Control Centre that the Polish woman, later identified as Myrcik Malgoezata Ewelina, claimed she was carrying…
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400-baht minimum wage confirmed for October 1 despite delay
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed that the 400-baht daily minimum wage will take effect on October 1 as planned, despite the national wage committee’s failure to endorse it yet. Opposition People’s Party MP Sia Champhathong questioned the minister in the House yesterday, asking if the adjournments of two recent committee meetings were a governmental tactic to avoid addressing the issue.…
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Thailand aims to eradicate poverty in two years
Thailand aims to eradicate poverty and build a prosperous economy within the remainder of its term, an adviser to PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra revealed. With just over two years left in office, the 38 year old prime minister is determined to ensure that Thais can rise above poverty, stated Surapong Suebwonglee, deputy chairman of the five-member advisory panel appointed by PM Paetongtarn.…
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Sky’s the limit: CIB nabs Starlink scammer in Bangkok condo bust
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a Chinese man at a condominium in Bangkok. They seized 10 Starlink satellite Internet devices, allegedly intended for a call centre scam gang operating from the condo. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are actively investigating and monitoring the import and export of equipment used by call centre scam gangs, such as Starlink…
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Ex-mayor of Kathu embroiled in corruption scandal
The former Mayor of Kathu Subdistrict Municipality has been indicted on corruption charges, with accusations of paying a road contractor before work was completed. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 8 dropped the bombshell at a press conference yesterday, September 25 in Krabi, revealing widespread corruption across southern Thailand. Suchart Kruaykittanon, Assistant Secretary-General of the NACC, confirmed the charges. “The…
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Laem Chabang: Thai customs seize 1.4 tonnes of cannabis
Laem Chabang customs officials have dealt a massive blow to an international drug smuggling operation, seizing over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis valued at a staggering 25 million baht before it could be illegally shipped to the UK. The bust comes as part of Thailand’s heightened crackdown on smuggling to safeguard its global trade reputation. Direk Kacharak, Director of Laem Chabang…
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Sticky situation: Glue-sniffing drifter wreaks havoc in Pattaya
A glue-sniffing drifter caused a chaotic scene for stunned residents of Soi Nern Plub Wan in Pattaya on Tuesday, September 24. The man, identified as 44 year old Prasit, was detained by locals after his erratic behaviour spiralled into what witnesses described as a full-blown hallucination. “He was talking nonsense, claiming ghosts were ordering him around,” said one resident. “He…
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Bangkok airport runway gears up for November opening
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport is gearing up for a major boost, with a brand-new runway set to open on November 1. The shiny new runway is expected to revolutionise the airport’s flight capacity, helping it soar to new heights. Kirati Kijmanawat, the Director of Airports of Thailand (AOT), confirmed the exciting news, stating that the third runway is now complete.…
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Thailand’s top hotels get the Michelin treatment
The Michelin Guide has just upped the ante in Thailand’s luxury hotel game, unveiling the first-ever “Key” ratings for 58 of the country’s most outstanding hotels. If you thought Michelin was all about fine dining, think again. Now, the world-renowned guide is here to tell you where to stay too. After four years of revamping its hotel selection process, Michelin…
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Chinese man calls Thai women prostitutes sparking online outrage
Two Thai women shared their experience of being insulted by a Chinese national who called them prostitutes on TikTok. A well-known American teacher and many netizens condemned the incident. One of the victims, Pinyada Nantakhamee, posted a video on her TikTok account, @made_moji, on Monday, September 23, in which she tearfully recounted the unpleasant experience during her trip to China. In the…
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Japan urged to boost Thai investments, focus on semiconductors
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan called on Japanese businesses to boost their investments in Thailand, particularly in the semiconductor and high-tech sectors. This appeal comes as the Thai government aims to recover from a significant drop in Japanese investments following the 2014 coup. Investment from Japan plummeted by up to 90% after the coup and has yet to return to previous…
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Drunken ex-official assaults child in Sing Buri restaurant brawl
A former local government official, visibly drunk, caused a scene at a Sing Buri restaurant in central Thailand by assaulting a four year old boy, leading to a brawl with the child’s father. The incident occurred around 10.20pm yesterday, September 25, at a restaurant in Sing Buri City. The restaurant had two occupied tables: one with a family of four,…
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Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS to dazzle the night sky next month
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth next month, visible to the naked eye, before its return in 80,660 years. Suphareuk Karuehanon, the manager of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), revealed that comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is currently a celestial body of significant interest. Discovered in early 2023 by astronomers from the Tsuchinshan…
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Thai man confesses prank to teacher after 30 years (video)
A Thai man recently confessed to a prank he played on his teacher 30 years ago, revealing that he still feels guilty about it. The confession took place when the man, who posted under the TikTok handle @tor_1855, visited his old science teacher’s shop. Yesterday, September 25, TikTok user @tor_1855 posted a video after encountering his former science teacher, who…
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Bangkok police catch man with handmade gun at bus terminal
Police swiftly apprehended a young man carrying a handmade gun and .38 calibre bullets at a Bangkok bus terminal. The suspect, who admitted purchasing the weapon from a friend, was immediately taken into custody. At around 4pm yesterday, September 25, Phuwadol Unphon, the Superintendent of Bang Sue Police Station, along with Deputy Superintendent Woraphat Sukthai and Inspector Wuttidet Phokha, led…
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Poncho peril: Boy’s rainy day ride ends in mishap on Friendship Highway
A young Thai boy’s loose rain poncho became caught in a motorcycle wheel, leading to an accident on the Friendship Highway in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima, which left him with a broken arm. Members of the Hook 31 Rescue Foundation rushed to the accident scene on the Friendship Highway at about 8am yesterday, September 25. Upon arrival, rescuers found…
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Thai gold prices poised to break past record amid global surge
Gold prices in Thailand are poised to break past the previous high of 42,150 baht per baht-weight (15.2 grams) as international gold prices hover near record levels, nearing US$2,700 per ounce, according to local traders. Yesterday, September 25, domestic gold prices rose by 200 baht, reaching 41,100 baht for gold bars, as the price of bullion increased by 0.3% to…
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PM Paetongtarn tops the polls whilst Thaksin falls to 7th
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has surged to the top of the charts in a LINE Today poll, placed first among Thailand’s political elite. The poll, conducted from September 10 to 20, revealed that the country’s 31st Prime Minister and second female leader outpaced her rivals by a wide margin. Leading the pack with an impressive 4,764 points, PM Paetongtarn…
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Drug-fuelled family clash in Phatthalung leads to police intervention
A drug-addicted son clashed with his mother over a broken motorcycle and locked his father in a chokehold, leading to police intervention in Phatthalung yesterday. He was not under the influence of drugs but was merely enraged. Thawatchai, a 24 year old man, residing in Village 11, Mae Khri subdistrict, Tamot district, Phatthalung province, had a heated argument with his mother…
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Phuket water supply halted for essential repairs
Phuket residents face a water supply disruption in central areas from 9am to 5pm today, September 26 due to essential repairs, the Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) announced. The disruption is necessary to address reduced water pressure caused by a malfunctioning water pump raft. Affected areas include Srisoonthorn, Cherng Talay, Pa Khlok, Kamala, and Ratsada. Residents in these regions may…
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Golden weak: Chinese tourists to Thailand dip as baht bites
Chinese tourist numbers during the upcoming Golden Week holiday are anticipated to be lower than expected, influenced by a strong baht and China’s sluggish economy, which are limiting tourist spending. This trend is also prompting other international visitors to negotiate lower service prices. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, the Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation President, highlighted concerns about the appreciating baht’s adverse…
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Khon Kaen man spends over 10 hours at buffet restaurant
A man from Khon Kaen has broken his eating record three times by dining at a buffet restaurant for over 10 hours, thanks to the restaurant’s unlimited time promotion. He even managed this feat without having slept. Social media in Khon Kaen buzzed with images from the Oshinei Khon Kaen Facebook page at 6pm yesterday, September 25. The post showed…
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Second body found in Lampang’s Wang River amid strong currents
Police in Lampang discovered a second body floating in the Wang River yesterday, September 25. Despite efforts to retrieve the body, strong currents carried it away. The deceased is believed to be a 60 year old woman who went missing on September 20. Police in Ko Kha were alerted to the discovery of a body in the Wang River near…
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Flying foreign: Thai aviation industry in a tailspin over pilot proposal
The Thai aviation industry has been stirred by the proposal to allow foreign pilots to operate domestic routes, a move considered unusual as such roles are traditionally reserved for Thai nationals. Thai Vietjet’s request, though temporary, aimed to address an aircraft shortage during peak travel seasons, has met with significant resistance from the Thai Pilots Association. A global shortage of…
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Weight loss campaign in Thailand fails to pay 100,000 baht reward (video)
A Thai woman, disappointed after participating in a weight loss campaign in Thailand by well-known online seller Tak Kornkanok, has revealed that she successfully lost the required weight but received no reward. The campaign, promising 100,000 baht for losing 10 kilogrammes in one month, failed to deliver on its promise. The Thai woman, 32 year old Krintorn Phakdeewittayakul, shared her…
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Thai exports up 7% in August, hitting US$26.2 billion
Thai exports saw a significant rise in August, expanding by 7% to reach US$26.2 billion (940 billion baht), fuelled by a surge in demand for agricultural and food products. This growth was attributed to the increased purchasing power of trading partners, alongside support from global climate fluctuations and the recovery of the service sector in key markets, said Poonpong Naiyanapakorn,…
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Lampang dams overflow, residents urged to evacuate valuables
Two major dams in Lampang, Thailand have burst their banks following relentless rainfall, leaving officials scrambling to warn residents in low-lying areas to move their belongings to higher ground immediately. The torrential downpour, which started yesterday, September 25, and continued fiercely through the night, has sent water levels skyrocketing, creating a dangerously precarious situation for those living nearby. Local government…
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Whisker from the past: Woman unlocks decade-old iPhone for feline memories
In an incredible twist of tech nostalgia, a Chinese woman unlocked her iPhone 4s after nearly 10 years, all to recover precious memories of her late pet cat. Douyin (the Chinese equivalent of TikTok) user @伊娜娜 (Yi Na Na) recently shared the dramatic moment she powered on her decade-old iPhone and found just 288 minutes (nearly five hours) left before…
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