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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US Ambassador celebrates first shipment of Thai pomelos to America
US Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec had an opportunity to engage with Thai and foreign media today, where he expressed his delight at the first-ever shipment of Thai pomelos reaching the United States. This is a milestone that comes 190 years into the diplomatic ties between the two countries. The first export lot of the popular citrus fruits was dispatched…
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Cameraman caper: Former journalist nabbed for stealing from fellow hacks
Parliamentary Police officers arrested a former Thai journalist as he posed as a news cameraman for stealing valuables from other hacks. Police believe the suspect attempted to blackmail new Members of Parliament. Journalists from several news outlets gathered at Parliament House yesterday to interview new MPs who reported for work at Parliament. Amid the chaos, one reporter noticed the former light-fingered…
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Drug awareness in focus as Phuket initiates anti-drug events
In commemoration of World Drug Day, a series of events unfolded yesterday in Phuket, supervised by government authorities to fortify global standing against drug abuse. World Drug Day, also known as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, is a global observance brought to light by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, held every year on June…
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Biker’s road rage terrorising Bangkok family evokes societal concerns (video)
A road rage incident escalated on Pattanakan Road in Bangkok last week, when two young motorcyclists aggressively pursued and damaged a pickup truck, leaving the 39 year old driver shocked and distressed. He said that this type of behaviour presents a societal risk and has now been shared on social media. The disagreement started when the driver, Nattawat, was driving…
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Firefighters mourn student: A heartfelt tribute to a life cut short by extinguisher explosion
A poignant ceremony was held at 7.30am today at the Sunthornthammathan Temple or Kaenangleung Temple in Bangkok. Four firefighters paid their respects to a student in Year 12 who tragically died when a fire extinguisher exploded on school premises. The firefighters came to the temple to ignite the funeral pyre, dedicating their merits to him. The men visibly displaying their sadness…
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Body reportedly spotted off Krabi island, search hindered by waves
A body was reportedly spotted floating off an island in Thailand’s southern Krabi province. Despite efforts by officials, the deceased has not yet been recovered due to strong waves hindering the search. A fishing boat captain near Koh Lanta island alerted the Royal Thai Navy Third Command of the body yesterday morning, The Phuket Express reported. In an attempt to retrieve…
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Police nab 2 more members of notorious loan shark and abduction gang
Two more gangsters associated with notorious loan sharking and drugged abduction practices across three Thai provinces have been apprehended. The suspects, both denying the charges so far, were apprehended at a regional court and reputable hotel. One individual confessed at around 9am today. Police led by Lieutenant Colonel Montri Thedkhan ordered the apprehension of the individuals. With assistance from regional…
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Covid cases nosedive in Thailand: Unvaccinated elderly hit hardest
The Public Health Ministry of Thailand yesterday announced there has been a dramatic reduction in Covid-19 infections in the kingdom adding that deaths related to the virus are largely those unvaccinated and over 70 years old. Public Health Secretary Dr Opas Karnkawinpong yesterday revealed there has been a steady decline in worldwide Covid cases and related mortalities. Parallel to this…
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LGBTQ+ rights: US and UK envoys strengthen support in Thailand
In a reaffirmation of their commitment towards promoting LGBTQ+ rights across the globe, the United States and the United Kingdom have taken a significant initiative to support Thailand in its valorous efforts. This came as a collective resolve showcased at the US-UK Annual Pride Event that took place on June 23 with the theme, ‘United in Love 2023.’ The event…
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Highway horror claims young scholar’s life: Car crash sends tragic message to Chanthaburi
A university student tragically lost his life this morning when his car veered off the road, colliding with a barrier on a highway in Chanthaburi, East Thailand. The unfortunate incident also left the manager of the local Social Security Office injured and the victim’s family grieving. A routine trip turned disastrous for the 20 year old university student, when his…
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Lightning tragedy: Son’s search for mother ends in a tragic bolt from the blue
In a heartbreaking incident in Khon Kaen, a son seeking his absent mother discovered her lifeless body alongside a friend in a neighbouring hut near their cattle pen after they were struck by lightning. To add poignancy to the tale, a dog was found by the bodies faithfully guarding them. The shocking event occurred in the vicinity of a Banyan…
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Thai cyanide serial killer loses baby in prison, lawyer plans legal action
The Thai cyanide serial killer lost her baby last week during imprisonment in the Central Women’s Correction Institution. The killer, Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, reportedly displayed no signs of emotion or disappointment. Sararat’s lawyer is preparing to take legal action against the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, and his team for putting too much…
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BMW driver arrested for using fake registration plate to waive toll fees
Police swooped on a Thai woman who used a fake registration plate on her BMW sedan to illegally waive toll fees more than 260 times. The arrest was made at Thanyaburi and Thab Chang Tollgate yesterday, June 26. The Highway Police had installed an automatic license reading system at these toll gates specifically to identify vehicles suspected of dodging toll…
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Desperate son’s 700km search for missing father who disappeared during durian harvest
A distressed 26 year old Thai man and his wife embarked on a journey of over 700 kilometres in a search for his missing father. The disappearance occurred after the father accompanied a friend to collect durian fruits in Chumphon province, where he displayed strange behaviour. The father, who supposedly spoke of three women while standing alone talking to himself…
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Thai Police arrest woman for million-baht cyber scam
A 44 year old woman was arrested by the cybercrime division of the Thai Police today for her alleged involvement in a fraud operation that lost victims over 1 million baht. The operation comprised a gang operating call centres, which conned their victims into revealing sensitive banking information. The call centres duped victims by pretending to be bank employees or…
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Economic disparity in Thailand widens, agricultural sector hit hardest
The age-old struggle with economic disparity continues to cast a shadow on Thailand’s society as inequality widens, particularly in the agricultural sector, which sees roughly 6% to 8% of its populace remaining below the poverty line. According to a recent study by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), this disparity has been fuelled by multiple factors, including the move…
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Monsoon surge raises flood risk across Thailand: 47 provinces on high alert
Swelling rainfall across Thailand, spurred by the increasing strength of a monsoon coupled with an area of low atmospheric pressure, has compelled the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) to warn that 47 provinces could face potentially hazardous situations. Over the next 24 hours, it predicts 60% of their areas will face heavy rain, with the severity being the most significant in…
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Elderly Thai woman dies in van-lorry collision: Baby escapes unhurt
An unfortunate collision incident involving a van and a lorry full of rice cost an elderly Thai woman’s life and left three others hospitalised. Fortunately, the youngest passenger, a one year old girl, was spared any injuries, benefitting from her car seat. The collision incident which occurred on Highway No. 340, near kilometre marker 94 in Sri Prachan District of Suphan Buri…
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Fire drill tragedy sparks aid: Bangkok education ministry offers financial support to grieving family
Following the tragic death of an 18-year-old student at a school in Bangkok last Friday, the Education Ministry revealed it will provide financial assistance to the victim’s family. The boy died during a fire drill activity intended to ensure school safety when a fire extinguisher exploded. Atthapol Sangkhawasi, the permanent secretary for education, along with Niyom Phaisopha, director-general of Bangkok…
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Fitch ratings reveal Thailand’s economic recovery to boost corporate earnings in 2023
Recovery of the domestic economy and alleviation of inflationary pressures are set to bolster the performance of corporations in Thailand this year, suggest analysts from Fitch Ratings during the 2023 Thailand Corporate Credit Outlook & Asean ESG conference, held recently in Bangkok. Corporates at Fitch Ratings (Thailand)’s Lertchai Kochareonrattanakul, a senior director, indicated in his talk that a boost in…
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Bangkok traffic: New automatic system launched to ease city congestion
As a strategic initiative aimed at improving vehicle movement, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) recently initiated an automatic traffic-management system. This pilot project focuses on optimising traffic across four significant roads within the capital city. Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, divulged that the modern system is to be installed at 13 intersections on key city routes, counting Rama VI Road,…
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Hotel Act concerns addressed by Thai Hotels Association due to government’s registration rules
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has taken a positive step by welcoming the Ministry of Interior’s new regulations. These rules will now classify smaller accommodations that were operating before 2016 as hotels. This decision is expected to result in increased tax collection, providing additional income for the government. However, the proposal to exempt larger accommodation facilities from registration under the…
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Boggle Boggle: Korean noodle pop-up store debuts in Thailand with K-drama experience
In a move influenced by the continued fascination with K-pop culture among Thai enthusiasts, ‘Boggle Boggle,’ a Korean noodle pop-up store reminiscent of the famed late-night food spots or vintage red tents frequently portrayed in South Korean TV dramas, has made its recent debut in Thailand. Hosting its grand opening on June 24, Boggle Boggle occupies a space on the…
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Hydrogen program launched by Egco to cut CO2 emissions in the US
A significant advancement in the pursuit of cleaner energy took place recently, as Electricity Generating Plc (Egco), a subsidiary of the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, launched a hydrogen program. This new initiative is set in the Linden Cogen thermal cogeneration plant’s 172-megawatt Unit 6, located in the US. The hydrogen fuel blending programme is part of a wider…
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After 23 years, TikTok user finds her birth mother through Facebook
After a relentless, 23-year pursuit, a Thai TikTok user, known as @kualanut2543, finally found her birth mother. Today, the woman explained her long journey, carried by the hope of seeing her mother’s face for the first time despite her doubts about whether her mother would recognise her. Overcoming her fears, she made the move, opening her up to a whirlwind…
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Phuket Peranakan festival dazzles, promotes sustainable tourism and local culture
In a resounding celebration of heritage and culture, over 1,000 people gathered for the Phuket Peranakan Festival‘s ‘Extravaganza Carnival’ grand parade. The sparkling event unfolded in the vintage vicinity of Phuket Old Town on a joyous Saturday evening. The iconoclastic carnival, the crown jewel of the three-day extravaganza, resulted in the closure of roads, culminating in a tremendous spectacle. The…
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Decapitated body missing hands found floating off Thai islands
A man’s decapitated body, which was also missing its hands, was found floating off of Thailand‘s Koh Phi Phi islands. Krabi Marine Police were alerted to the grim discovery by the staff of Hat Nopparat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park on Saturday, according to Matichon. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, located approximately 500 metres west of…
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Pattaya hotel rooftop sauna engulfed in flames
In Thailand’s eastern city of Pattaya, a hotel’s rooftop sauna was suddenly engulfed in flames at 10pm on Saturday. According to hotel staff, the sauna room was under renovation and had a sign prohibiting entry. However, some guests secretly used the room, resulting in an unexpected fire. The incident took place at a hotel located on Soi Arunothai, within the…
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AIS urged to retract NBTC lawsuit amidst True-DTAC merger controversy
In an undisclosed revelation from employees within the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), it was indicated that Advanced Info Service (AIS) has been encouraged to retract its lawsuit against last year’s NBTC board resolution, which validated the amalgamation of True-DTAC. This lawsuit could potentially create complications for the commission when deliberating the ongoing acquisition of the fixed broadband service…
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Mysterious death in jungle hut prompts investigation in Lampang province
In the early hours of yesterday morning, a tragic discovery was made in the district of Wang Nuea, Lampang province. A 48 year old man’s body was found lifeless in a hut in a dense jungle near the village. His death was mysterious, sparking an urgent response from local rescue workers, police from Wang Nuea station, and on-call physicians from Wang…
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