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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See the best of Northern Thailand this winter on a budget
The Thaiger key takeaways Peak season brings higher prices, but smart planning and local know-how can help you experience Northern Thailand affordably. Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai offer plenty of free or low-cost attractions, from temples and canyons to...
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Chiang Mai lottery fever spikes with lucky numbers for Chinese New Year
The bustling city of Chiang Mai is witnessing a surge in the popularity of lottery tickets as locals eagerly seek out auspicious numbers for the upcoming draw on February 1. The demand is particularly high for numbers associated with Chinese New Year, which aligns with the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese calendar. In the early hours of…
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Thai man and transwoman arrested on child porn charges
Police arrested a Thai man and a transwoman for making and selling child porn. Three female victims were rescued, the youngest was only 13 years old. Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) and Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) reported two successful crackdowns on the production and sale of child pornography to the media yesterday, January 29. The suspect in…
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Thai Airways flight diverted to Sydney, captain clarifies decision
A Thai Airways captain faced criticism over a decision to divert a Bangkok-Melbourne flight to Sydney due to poor visibility, sparking online debate. The incident occurred on January 28 when the flight was unable to land in Melbourne as planned. A passenger, claiming extensive flying experience, posted a complaint on Facebook accusing the captain of not carrying enough fuel and…
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Thai gold prices drop at market open, gold bars at 34,050 baht
Gold prices in Thailand saw a decline at the opening of the market, comparing the last price from January 29. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) reported the selling rate for gold ornaments at 34,550 baht per baht-weight (a traditional Thai unit of measurement for gold, equating to 15.16 grammes) for today, marking a decrease of 100 baht from the previous…
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Witchcraft whispers: Swiss man ensnared in black magic murder mystery
Social media users accused a Swiss man of employing black magic as part of a plot to murder his Thai wife, following the discovery of a Jack of Hearts card in the dead woman’s mouth. Identified only as Roland, the Swiss man eventually admitted to killing his wife, Orathai Phosingam, and disclosed that he had concealed her body in a…
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Bumrungrad Hospital battles online investment scam
Bumrungrad Hospital executives in Bangkok filed a complaint with the Cyber Police, targeting a fraudulent page that falsely claimed to represent the hospital in an online investment scam. Atirat Ratanakijpipat, CEO of Bumrungrad Hospital, yesterday, January 30, along with the management team, met with high-ranking Cyber Police officials to initiate legal action against the perpetrators who created the fake page.…
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Thailand welcomes cooler mornings as temperatures dip
A high-pressure system or moderate cold air mass continues to cover Thailand and the South China Sea, leading to cooler morning temperatures across several regions of the country. The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) forecast that the north, northeast, central, eastern, and upper southern parts will experience cold weather in the mornings. In the north, residents woke up to chilly conditions…
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Swiss man confesses to strangling wife during argument in Thailand
A 53 year old Swiss national confessed to Thai police that he inadvertently strangled his wife, Orathai Posee-ngarm, during a heated argument. The confession came during a five-hour interrogation at the Khon Buri Police Station, where the Swiss man, known only as Roland, had initially gone to retrieve his previously seized passport. Roland’s confession also revealed that he had transported…
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MFP confident on Constitutional Court ruling on lese majeste law amendment
The Constitutional Court’s impending verdict on the main opposition Move Forward Party‘s (MFP) bid to amend the lese majeste law is anticipated with confidence by the party. The MFP’s list MP and spokesperson, Parit Wacharasindhu, stated yesterday, January 29, that an internal discussion would take place before the court’s ruling. The Constitutional Court was petitioned by Theerayut Suwannakasorn to determine…
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IFEC begins rehabilitation with top advisors for Dara Thewi Hotel
The Central Bankruptcy Court ordered the rehabilitation of Inter Far East Energy Public Company Limited (IFEC), the original owner of Dara Thewi Hotel, and appointed Deloitte Planner as the financial advisor and Phoenix Advisory Services as the legal advisor. The announcement, made today, follows IFEC’s petition for rehabilitation under case number black ฟฟ.7/2566 according to the Bankruptcy Act B.E. 1940…
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Foreign man refuses to pay fare and bites Bolt driver in Pattaya
A Thai Bolt driver in Pattaya reached out to a news agency after a foreign man refused to pay his transport fare and bit him, leaving him with a cut lip. Channel 7 announced that the reporters visited the Thai Bolt driver, Weeraphon, in hospital yesterday, January 29. The man was being treated for bite marks and scratches on his…
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Udon Thani family terrorised nightly by local youth’s attacks
A family in Udon Thani is living in fear after their home has been persistently targeted by a local youth. The family’s residence in Nong Han district has been under siege, with objects ranging from rocks and beer bottles to dumbbells and even ping pong bombs being hurled into their property by a teenager. The situation has escalated to the…
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Thailand pledges support to Laos in handling ASEAN issues
Thailand is prepared to back Laos in addressing the Myanmar crisis and other significant issues within the ASEAN region, according to Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. During a press conference yesterday, January 29, he explained that this support would bolster Laos’s success as the ASEAN chair this year. Parnpree held discussions with his Lao equivalent, Saleumxay Kommasith, on Sunday to…
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Thai woman narrowly escapes after car gets stuck on broken footbridge
A Thai woman narrowly escaped with her life after she drove her car onto a broken, wobbly wooden footbridge in the northern province of Phrae. The Sung Men Rescue Team successfully retrieved her car after she came a cropper. The 38 year old Thai woman carefully got out of her white sedan, a Honda City, which was stuck on the…
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Nakhon Si Thammarat abbot charged with animal cruelty
The abbot of a temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat is facing animal cruelty charges after reportedly hitting a stray dog with a stick, causing severe eye injuries. The 37 year old abbot Danai of Wat Chan Por in Tha Sala district, along with a 15 year old temple novice, identified only as A, voluntarily appeared at the Tha Sala Police…
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Fertilizer factory fire in Kanchanaburi sets ablaze over 100 paint containers
A fire broke out at a renowned fertiliser factory in Kanchanaburi province, engulfing over a hundred 200-litre paint containers. The blaze, which started at 9.30pm yesterday, January 29, was reportedly caused by burning sugarcane debris from the wind onto the storage area, igniting the containers and setting off explosions. The inferno necessitated a response from over 30 fire trucks, with…
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Bangkok’s Chinatown gears up for Lunar New Year celebrations
This year’s Lunar New Year festivities in Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat Road, will officially kick off on February 10 under the auspices of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Tavida Kamolvej, confirmed her Royal Highness’s arrival at the Odeon Circle’s gate at 5pm to formally inaugurate the two-day celebrations. The announcement was made at a…
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Extortion racket tied to anti-corruption advocate Srisuwan Janya more structured than thought
The extortion racket, previously linked to the anti-corruption advocate Srisuwan Janya, is more extensive and well-structured than initially suspected, according to reports from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). The organised group, which is believed to have a mastermind, has targeted numerous individuals. CIB’s deputy commissioner, Charoonkiat Pankaeo, stated that the police investigation into the alleged 3 million baht extortion from…
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Thailand eyes foreign bonds to set private sector rates
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance is poised to issue foreign currency bonds for the first time in 20 years, a move that is not aimed at fundraising but at establishing a benchmark interest rate for the private sector. The announcement was made by Julapun Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance, who stated that the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) has been tasked…
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Thailand prime minister requests another giant panda from China
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently voiced his desire for China to send another giant panda to Thailand. This request follows the death of Lin Hui, a beloved panda who had been a significant attraction in the country. The prime minister’s request received support from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, highlighting the close diplomatic relations between the two nations that span…
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Thai rock icons Cocktail to disband in 2025 after two decades
Renowned Thai rock band Cocktail, acclaimed for hits such as Kneel, You Make Me Sad, You, Persevere, Not Second, and others, announced they will disband in 2025. After more than two decades of captivating audiences with their music, the band members have decided to part ways and pursue individual paths in life, marking the end of an era for their…
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Thai transwoman betrayed by friend and caught in Hong Kong cannabis bust
A Thai man allegedly betrayed a transwoman friend by hiding cannabis in her luggage, leading to her arrest in Hong Kong. More than 30 other victims of the Thai man came forward to expose his fraudulent behaviour. The Facebook account, Pat Catty, shared a story of her transwoman friend on January 25 and urged netizens to be aware of a…
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Toddler’s twist: 2 year old boy unlocks car as rescue team reels in Udon Thani
A dramatic rescue unfolded in Udon Thani province as a two year old boy, accidentally left locked inside a car by his father who went fishing, managed to unlock the vehicle just as rescue workers were about to pry the door open. The incident, which took place today, January 29, sparked a frantic response from emergency services and a heartfelt…
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Thai taxi driver seeks justice after brutal axe attack and car theft (video)
A local taxi driver sought justice after a Thai man posing as a passenger attacked him with an axe before stealing his car. The taxi driver said he was seriously injured but the police gave the attacker a lenient sentence. The taxi driver, 51 year old Chinnaphat Chokchana, urged non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to help him seek justice. Chinnaphat recounted…
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Prachinburi temples become lottery winners’ new mecca
Lottery enthusiasts are flocking to three revered temples in Prachinburi Province, following a streak of 12 first-prize lottery wins attributed to the sacred figures enshrined within. These temples have become a magnet for those seeking lucky numbers, with the faithful gathering in hopes that fortune will smile upon them in the upcoming draw. The first of the temples, Wat Pratum…
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Model reports sexual assault by brother-in-law in central Thailand
A model bravely stepped forward to report a harrowing series of sexual assaults and blackmail at the hands of her brother-in-law, a troubling case that has recently come to light in Samut Sakhon province. Today at 10am, the 29 year old woman, accompanied by lawyer Sittha Biabangkerd, also known as Lawyer Tum, filed a report at the Ban Phaeo Police…
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Surin teacher’s lottery predictions and healing draw crowds
Surin residents have found luck and healing in the unassuming figure of a local teacher named Sam from Koh Kaew, whose lottery predictions and treatments have captured widespread attention. The phenomenon occurred at house number 142 in the village of Koh Kaew, Samrong Thap district, and has led to an influx of visitors seeking fortune and cures for mental and…
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Monks’ misconduct: Temple faces complaint for dog abuse in southern Thailand
Tha Sala District Livestock Office filed a complaint against an abbot and monks at Jan Por Temple in the Tha Sala district in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat for physically abusing a dog. The dog was seriously injured and may lose its sight. Twitter user @whathappenMr shared a video of three monks and another man beating a black…
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Veteran actor Kraison Saenganan defrauded of 7 million baht in investment scam
Former actor Kraison Saenganan fell victim to an online scam that swindled him out of nearly 7 million baht (US$196,629), a significant sum that came to light when he filed a police report in Bangkok. The 66 year old veteran of the silver screen, also known by his screen name Leela Mekintharin, was duped by a fraudulent investment scheme that…
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Bangkok battles severe PM2.5 pollution, health warnings issued
Bangkok and several provinces across Thailand are currently grappling with dangerously high levels of PM2.5 particulate matter, exceeding standard pollution values and posing a significant health risk. Bangkok’s Phra Khanong district recorded the highest levels, urging the public to wear masks outdoors at all times for protection. The situation monitored hourly, is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Higher…
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