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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Infinito helps hotels in Thailand with revenue management
Maximising revenue and profit–isn’t that the ultimate goal for every business in the hospitality industry? If you run a hotel, you might have heard that revenue management is an effective way to boost your top-line revenue. It involves using data...
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First group of Special Tourist Visa travellers complete quarantine
The first group of foreign tourists to enter Thailand after a 7 month ban due to the pandemic have completed the mandatory 14 day quarantine and are ready to travel the country. Some of them will be visiting beaches, but Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yutthasak Supasorn says their exact whereabouts are confidential. Thai PBS reports 33 tourists, who arrived…
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Lottery winning monk leaves temple because so many people asked for money
The monk who recently won 18 million baht in the lottery and decided to give the winnings away apparently had to leave his temple because people kept coming by asking him for money. He’s now at a temple at another province, but he’s keeping the location a secret. A monk at Wat Thinnakorn Nimit in Nonthaburi, just outside Bangkok, says…
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Young Thais say political divide has caused conflict with their parents
The ongoing political protests have led to a new, raw divide in Thailand with a split between a younger generation demanding democracy and an older generation trying to protect Thailand’s Monarchy. Student-led protests continue to call for reform of the government and the country’s monarchy. They’ve spoken up about topics considered “unprecedented” in Thai society. Royalists, generally an older generation,…
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3 stores investigated for potential fraud in government co-payment scheme
Officials are investigating 3 businesses for possibly de-frauding the government under the “Let’s Go Halves” stimulus scheme introduced last month. The co-payment plan launched on October 16 in an effort to boost domestic spending. Under the scheme, 10 million citizens can avail of discounts on purchases at participating stores of up to 150 baht a day, capped at 3,000 baht…
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Anti-government activists reject idea of a “reconciliation committee”
Thailand’s pro-democracy activists have rejected the government’s suggestion of a reconciliation committee, saying it is merely aimed at keeping PM Prayut Chan-o-cha in power. The Khana Ratsadon 2563 (People’s Movement) group say the ongoing political conflict cannot be resolved as long as the current PM remains in power. They claim his position is illegitimate and has been from the start,…
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CIA cannot grant asylum to Thai activists, US Embassy says conspiracy theories are false
Some claim pro-democracy leaders have applied for political asylum in the United States and the CIA is helping them out, but the US Embassy in Bangkok says it’s not true and the claim isn’t even in line with the process for asylum in America. Bangkok Post spoke with a US Embassy representative on the phone who says the claims about…
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Second Thai airline hit by Covid fallout as Nok Air to prepare rehab plan
The Central Bankruptcy Court has approved Nok Air’s petition to begin a rehabilitation process, as the low-cost airline struggles with losses incurred due to the Covid-19 economic fallout. The Bangkok Post reports that Nok Air has debts of up to 26 billion baht, with 23 billion baht in assets. In the first half of 2020, it reported revenue of 3.4…
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Monk wins 18 million baht in lottery, donates money to temple
A monk won 18 million baht in the recent lottery and decided to donate the winnings. 67 year old Montri Samajjo, known as Monk Piak, says he didn’t buy the tickets with the hopes of winning. He bought them because a lottery ticket seller came by temple asking for help. The monk gave 1 million baht to each of his…
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6 sentenced to 20-50 years in prison for Eagle Gates investment scam
The Thai Criminal Court sentenced 6 people to prison for money laundering and investment fraud. The 6 defendants were involved with the Eagle Gates Group, a company which was found to be a front for transnational crime, according to the Department of Special Investigation. The first defendant was sentenced to 50 years in prison while the other 5 were each…
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Could there be another coup in Thailand? VIDEO
Our analysis about the likelihood of another coup in Thailand, along with a list of 12 previous coups and their consequences. Please watch the video and subscribe to our YouTube Thaiger channel. Last Thursday was another day of political cat and mouse, protesters staging three more rallies around Bangkok whilst officials again huffed and puffed, not really sure exactly how…
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Inequality likely after economic recovery – Bank of Thailand governor
It’s expected to take at least 2 years for Thailand’s economy to recover, but once it does, inequality is likely to become a top concern, according to the Bank of Thailand governor Sethaput Suthiwart-Narueput. “It is expected to take at least two years before the Thai economy returns to its pre-pandemic levels in terms of GDP… Even when the economy…
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Surin merchants report fake 100 baht bills
Fake 100 baht bank notes are reportedly being exchanged in the Isaan province Surin. 2 local merchants say they were each handed what appears to be a counterfeit bill from a customer. A noodle vendor at the Surin Municipal Market says she noticed a 100 baht bill she got from a customer felt strange, more like photocopy paper, she said.…
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Thais protest PornHub ban, digital minister says ban will promote “good values”
After the popular free porn website “PornHub” was blocked, a group of people protested the ban outside the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society office at the Government Complex in Bangkok’s Chaengwattana district. The ministry recently blocked access to PornHub and 190 URL addresses linked to porn. Porn is illegal in Thailand and digital minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta says the move…
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Maya Bay may re-open next year, under strict conditions
The government is considering re-opening Maya Bay in 2021, although things are not expected to return to how they once were, with the famous beach overrun by out-of-control tourist numbers each day. Nation Thailand reports that a panel of environmental experts will be consulted on a possible re-opening of the bay, made famous in 2000 with the release of the…
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Leading doctor says Thailand’s Covid success faces threat from rising cases in neighbouring countries
A leading academic at Mahidol University says rising cases of Covid-19 in neighbouring countries may prove a threat to Thailand’s apparent success in suppressing the virus. Prasit Watthana, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriroj Hospital, says that while countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Australia have demonstrated success in bringing the virus under control, rising numbers in Malaysia and…
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Tourism Minister optimistic high season will see 10 million domestic trips a month
The Tourism and Sports Minister is aiming to see domestic tourists undertake 10 million trips a month during the forthcoming high season. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is hopeful the stimulus measures approved by Cabinet will boost tourism numbers and help off-set some of the economic devastation caused by the closure of Thailand’s borders. Domestic tourism first began to pick up in May,…
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Committee forms to investigate fatal shooting by police officer
Following outrage from locals over the killing of drug suspect by police, an investigation panel has been set up to look into the fatal shooting. 10 police officers, acting on an arrest warrant, surrounded 31 year old Charoensak Rachpumad at a rubber plantation in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Ron Phibun district. Witnesses say Charoensak, who only had a small knife, was…
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Thailand News Today | Shootout in Pattaya, Exports down 7%, Hotels eschew ASQ | November 3
Thailand News Today, covering all the main stories from around Thailand. Please comment below or on the YouTube channel. Pattaya journalist injured as foreigner steals gun, fires at police, then kills himself An armed man has killed himself after a stand-off with police in Pattaya that lasted several hours, during which a journalist was shot. It’s understood the man, a…
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Temperatures to drop in Northern Thailand, heavy rain expected in the South
The wettest month of the Thai seasons has past. Now we head into cooler, and drier weather, at least in the central and northern regions. Cooler weather is expected in Northern Thailand while a monsoonal trough over Southern Thailand is expected to bring heavy rain, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. Meteorologists say cool weather with isolated rain is possible…
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Expat says he was almost deported over Facebook posts
With the ongoing pro-democracy protests, some have raised question: What could happen to foreigners who get involved or speak out against Thai politics? Or post their thoughts on social media? Well, they could possibly get deported. Expat Yan Marchal says he almost got kicked out of the country for posts he made on Facebook. Many of Yan’s recent Facebook posts…
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2 dead, 1 injured in suspected murder-suicide in Samut Prakan
A man allegedly shot and killed a woman before shooting himself to death after finding her in bed with another man. Police say the other man was shot and injured as he was fleeing the Samut Prakan apartment. Police were called to the second floor apartment above a boat noodle shop and found the owner of the shop, identified as…
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Hotels reluctant to apply for ASQ status due to government’s cap on tourist arrivals
With the number of foreign arrivals who can enter Thailand on the special tourist visa limited to just 1,200 a month, hotel owners say they’re reluctant to apply for alternative state quarantine status. Hoteliers say a lack of tourists in sufficient numbers, coupled with the number of quarantine facilities already in existence, means the investment required to gain ASQ approval…
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Sarasas teacher sentenced to 7 months in jail for child abuse
The Sarasas teacher who was caught on camera abusing kindergarten students has been sentenced to 7 months in jail. An investigation was launched and charges were pressed after classroom surveillance footage showing the child abuse was obtained by parents and shared on social media. More child abuse accusations at the Sarasas Witaed Ratchaphruek School followed and an investigation was launched…
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Thai Airways to launch one-off flight over sacred Buddhist sites
Thai Airways has announced a special flight on November 30 that will give passengers the opportunity to chant Buddhist mantras while flying over 99 sacred sites in the Kingdom. Wiwat Piyawiroj, executive vice-president at the struggling national carrier, says passengers will fly over Bangkok and 31 provinces, taking in 99 holy sites, over which they will be able to chant…
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100 locals surround police after drug suspect was fatally shot
Around 100 locals in the southern province Nakhon Si Thammarat surrounded a team of police after an officer allegedly shot and killed a drug trafficking suspect. Many witnesses say police “overrated.” 31 year old Charoensak Rachpumad, known as “Bang Mad,” was approached by a team of 10 Crime Suppression Division officers at a rubber plantation in the province’s Ron Phibun…
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Thailand News Today | HM comments, PM visits Phuket & Samui, Thai floods | November 2
Back for another week of daily news updates, the most widely watched Thai news program, in English. What’s on the program today? “We love them all the same” – His Majesty comments about the Thai protesters In a rare moment, and certainly the first time commenting about the current political unrest, His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn has described Thailand as “the…
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Some claim “invisible Western hands” back Thailand’s pro-democracy movement
As the pro-democracy movement spreads, some are speaking out and accusing Western countries – specifically the United States – of “interfering” with Thai politics and backing the student-led protests. A commentator for the Chinese Community Party tabloid Global Times even said the Thai youth are being used as “cannon fodder by the US and its proxies.” Pro-democracy activists say this isn’t…
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“Get the flu shot,” Thai FDA eases worries after post-injection deaths in South Korea
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration is trying to ease the public’s fears over influenza vaccines after 59 people in South Korea reportedly died sometime after getting the flu shot (although there’s no evidence so far that links the vaccine to the deaths.) FDA deputy secretary general Surachoke Tangwiwat says that vaccine has never been imported to Thailand, adding that people…
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Fuel tanker driver killed in crash, truck engulfed in flames
A fuel tanker truck driver died yesterday in the northern province Lamphun after crashing into a car. The truck carrying fuel overturned and caught fire. 59 year old Nikom Kamchan’s body was found near the wreck after firefighters extinguished the fire. It’s the second fuel tanker fire in the past week. 29 year old Patcharin Somsawan says he was driving…
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It’s beetle fighting season in Northern Thailand
It’s fight season … for Rhinoceros Beetles. The bugs battle on a wooden stage. Their horns lock as they push against each other until one backs down. People watch and place bets. Some wagers are as high as 100,000 baht. From the start of wet season until winter, locals in northern provinces Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Lampang gather for…
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