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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Pattaya tour bus driver accidentally backs into girlfriend, severely injuring her
In an unfortunate incident, a Pattaya tour bus driver accidentally backed his bus into his girlfriend, severely injuring her. The accident occurred as she was attempting to guide the vehicle while it was being parked. The accident was reported to the Sawang Boriboon rescuers at 6pm yesterday. A rescue team promptly responded to the scene located on Chaiyapruek Road near…
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Krabi official caught demanding 100,000 baht fee for hotel license renewal
The Provincial Governor of Krabi removed the Permanent Secretary of the Mueang Krabi district from her position after she was accused of demanding 100,000 baht from a hotel in the province in exchange for an operating license. The Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) reported to news agencies that the commission received a complaint from the owner of a…
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ASEAN membership: Roadmap endorsed for Timor-Leste’s inclusion and Thai trade
Yesterday, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign affairs announced that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has recently endorsed a roadmap that outlines the steps for Timor-Leste becoming its 11th member. This ASEAN membership move is expected to benefit Thailand economically by expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two nations. Timor-Leste initially submitted its request for…
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Timber regulations tightened, Thailand targets Siamese rosewood exports
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand recently announced two new regulations targeting the timber trade. Beginning on July 17, traders will be required to hold a certificate of import to import timber, processed wood, and wooden artefacts. Additionally, starting August 16, the export of Siamese rosewood (phayung) will be prohibited, Bangkok Post reports. The director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, Ronnarong…
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Tree falls on revered Thai monk’s house, minor damage sustained
In a remarkable incident, a large tree fell on the house of the revered Thai monk Luang Pu Mun, but the house remained mostly intact. The monk’s followers shared photos of the astonishing event that took place at the Wat Pa Phurithattatirawat Forest Monastery in Sakhon Nakhon, Thailand. This extraordinary occurrence happened when the area experienced heavy rainfall causing several…
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NACC investigation targets ex-House secretary over 15.4 million baht clock scandal
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) investigation is preparing to take legal action against Suwichak Nakwatcharachai, the former secretary-general of the House of Representatives, over allegations of his involvement in the irregular procurement of overpriced clocks worth 15.4 million baht for the parliament back in 2013. An inside source at the NACC revealed that a recent board meeting provided evidence supporting…
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Bed of betrayal: Thai man stabs wife’s lover in naked shocker, flees
A Thai man stabbed his wife’s lover after catching the pair lying naked in bed before fleeing the scene of the crime. Officers from Rayong Police Station rushed to rescue the victim, 25 year old Boonkorn Saetiao, who sustained stab wounds at a house in Rayong province in the eastern part of Thailand. Boonkorn was found hiding in the house…
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Thailand tourism thrives with 1,200% surge in Klook bookings
Online travel platforms continue to express optimism about Thailand’s tourism growth this year, propelled by a substantial increase in visitor arrivals. Wilfred Fan, Chief Commercial Officer at Klook, an online travel platform, stated that the company experienced a 1,200% increase in bookings for activities in Thailand year on year in the first five months of 2023. The top five markets…
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Kamaa drama: Indian-owned club sparks chaos as tourists become targets in Pattaya (Video)
Staff from the Indian-owned Kamaa Club on Pattaya Walking Street attacked two Indian tourists yesterday. The victims fled the scene and have not yet filed a complaint with the police regarding the attack. The altercation was captured on video by a witness and later circulated on Thai social media platforms. The footage clearly shows the confrontation between the Indian tourists and…
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Elderly Thai man tragically killed in Buriram accident
A 64 year old Thai man was tragically killed in a car and motorbike collision in Buriram. The victim had just visited a food stall where he joked with the vendor about wanting to marry her. Within a minute of leaving, the horrific accident occurred. At around 1pm yesterday, Pol. Lt. Col. Prachak Khamnark, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of Buriram’s Mueang…
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Take Me Out Thailand: American man gets blackout for his male chauvinistic attitude
Thirty Thai women in the popular dating game show Take Me Out Thailand gave a blackout to an arrogant 22 year old American man after he showed his male chauvinistic side. He insisted at the end of the show that he told the truth, thankfully the Thai contestants would not accept a man who appeared to have stepped out of…
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Thai community gathers to pay respects to turtle for good fortune
It was reported today that residents of Sai Kaew Community, Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, gathered at house number 127/1 to pay their respects and seek good fortune from a beautifully kept turtle, ‘Kai Toon.’ The turtle is owned by Sawang Saungsombat, a 62 year old local. Sawang explained that her son bought the turtle for her to care for…
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Heavy rain persists across Thailand: Bangkok flood risk increases, boats cautioned
Heavy rainfall is expected across Thailand today, with Bangkok facing a 70% chance of flooding. Authorities are warning people to avoid boating activities during this period. The Meteorological Department has predicted 24-hour weather conditions, stating that a moderate southwest monsoon system is covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, while a trough is passing through Myanmar and…
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From war heroes to war zeros: The unjust treatment of Julian Assange
We live in a world where war criminals are celebrated, worshipped, and praised while those who hold them to account are vilified, abused and thrown in prison, as in the case of Julian Assange. We live in a world where George Bush and Tony Blair can lead the United States, United Kingdom, and allies into an illegal war in Iraq…
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Myanmar conflict surge: Over 3,300 refugees seek shelter in Thailand
The conflict in Myanmar‘s Kayah State has led to a new surge of refugees seeking shelter in Thailand. Provincial Governor Chettha Mosikkharat confirmed that Thai authorities have rescued 3,342 refugees who fled the border war. The fighting in Kayah State involves the Karenni Army (KA), backed by the People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) and the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), and…
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Thai vocational students clash, leading to injuries
A clash between two groups of Thai vocational students yesterday resulted in injuries. The incident took place near a passenger terminal in Chachoengsao province, leading to police intervention and the questioning of one 16 year old student. Around 10 students from one vocational college had a standoff with a student from another technical institute, leading to a weapons-drawn clash before…
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Thailand embraces nuclear fusion tech with Tokamak I milestone
Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed satisfaction with the progress of the country’s Tokamak I (TT-1) nuclear fusion energy technology, stating its significance in achieving sustainable energy goals. The 69 year old prime minister’s comments came during a presentation on the development of nuclear fusion energy in Thailand, given by Anek Laothamatas, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI),…
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Power struggle unfolds as MFP leader fights to claim prime ministerial seat
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat today addressed allegations surrounding a contentious meeting of iTV shareholders and efforts to prevent him from becoming the next Prime Minister. While there is uncertainty about who is involved in these behind-the-scenes manoeuvres, the MFP’s legal team is gathering more evidence from those involved. Pita acknowledges that the upcoming legal battle could impede…
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Pattaya officials discuss opening Dongtan Beach Road to 24-hour vehicle access
In Pattaya, a recent meeting took place to discuss the possibility of opening Dongtan Beach Road to vehicle traffic 24 hours a day. This road, which connects Jomtien Beach to Pratumnak Soi 5, has been closed to traffic overnight for quite some time. However, due to significant growth in the area over the past year, particularly in the number of…
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Thai man trapped in a crooked web of deceit seeks media help after being swindled by cunning con artist
A Thai man sought help from a Thai media agency to highlight his plight after falling victim to a crooked Thai woman who spun a web of deceit and swindled over 300,000 baht from him. It was later discovered he wasn’t her only victim and that she had also deceived numerous men by manipulating romantic relationships. A 41 year old…
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Neighbour arrested for murder after 3 year old girl found dead in Narathiwat pond
A village man has been arrested for allegedly abducting, assaulting, and killing a three year old girl in Narathiwat. The case of a missing three year old girl in Narathiwat province tragically turned into a murder investigation when her body was discovered in a pond 500 metres from her home on May 16. The girl had disappeared from her house on…
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Eeling lucky: Sausage seller reels in twin albino eels, locals hooked on fortune
Two albino eels caught within two days by a sausage seller have captured the attention of residents, who believe the eels are bringing good fortune. The fortunate fisherman also found lottery success in the last draw. At 1pm yesterday, reporters were informed that 42 year old Boonmee Marman, a sausage seller living in the Mueang district of Loei province, discovered…
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Thai government weighs extending diesel excise tax cut beyond July
The Thai government is considering extending the excise tax cut on diesel, which is set to expire on July 20. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha directed the Finance Ministry and other relevant agencies to evaluate the feasibility of prolonging the tax reduction. Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow revealed that the Finance Ministry has been tasked with determining the appropriateness of an extension.…
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Pattaya parades: International PRIDE and Festival march to be hosted simultaneously
Pattaya is gearing up for a spectacular day on June 24, 2023, as the city prepares to host two major parades simultaneously. The International PRIDE Parade and Pattaya Festival Parade are set to attract thousands of participants and visitors, while also causing traffic disruptions in the area. The International PRIDE Parade will kick off the day’s celebrations, with a colourful…
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Neo Pattaya project revitalises Old Town Naklua with multimillion-baht budget
Pattaya’s deputy mayor, Manoch Nongyai, yesterday oversaw a restoration project at Chalerm Phrakiat Public Park in Old Town Naklua. The initiative is part of the larger Neo Pattaya project, which aims to transform Pattaya into a central hub for commerce and tourism within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) zone. This ambitious endeavour is supported by a multimillion-baht budget, and authorities…
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Pattaya bar workers and Indian tourists fight
In the early hours of this morning, a violent altercation took place between a group of bar workers and two Indian tourists at the entrance of Soi 16 and Walking Street in Pattaya. The incident occurred in front of Kamaa Club, located at the entrance of Walking Street from Soi 16 in South Pattaya, Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung district,…
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Driver asleep at wheel injures 5, including 3 foreigners, in Phatthalung crash
A passenger van en route to Krabi met with an accident in Phatthalung, resulting in injuries to three foreign nationals and two Thai individuals. The incident took place yesterday on Petchkasem Road, with Sri Nakarin Police being notified in the afternoon. Emergency services discovered the damaged minivan on the side of the road, having crashed into a power pole. A…
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Tragic love triangle ends in fatal shooting: Jealous Thai woman admits accidental killing of boyfriend in Bangkok
A jealous Thai woman fatally shot her boyfriend at a condominium in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. Initially denying the murder, the woman later confessed that the shooting was an unintended consequence of a heated argument. Officers from the Bang Kluay Police Station swiftly launched an investigation into the untimely death of Suppasin Sisook. The lifeless body of the 30 year…
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Thai Cabinet supports Ethanol Bioplastic for eco-friendly transition
The Thai Cabinet has given the green light for the promotion of ethanol in the production of bioplastics, aiming to develop more eco-friendly materials, according to government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri. This decision supports the ethanol bioplastic manufacturing industry with tax exemptions for bioethylene, a key precursor in bioplastic pellet production. Current legislation states that domestically produced ethanol can only be…
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Driver who severely injured Thai actor ordered to pay 4.17 million, still battles case
News has emerged of Thai actor Off Thanakrit, who became bedridden after a severe road accident involving a drunk woman crashed her car into the back of his motorcycle. The court recently sentenced the woman to one year imprisonment and ordered her to pay a total of 4,172,962.62 baht (US$120,577) in damages, while the defendant continues to battle the case…
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