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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Thai businesses on track to navigate energy price cuts: TDRI concerns loom
Thai businesses are assessing the implications of the government’s recent energy price cuts, amidst concerns from the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) about the potential adverse long-term effects of the policy. The Srettha Thavisin-led government has decided to slash the power tariff from 4.45 baht per kilowatt-hour to 3.99 baht between September and December and cap the retail price of…
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Thai woman’s lottery luck hits the skids: Damaged tickets raise winning dilemma
A young woman’s joy of winning the lottery with five tickets was abruptly dampened when she discovered the tickets were severely damaged. This incident sparked online debate about whether she could still claim her winnings. The lottery tickets, purchased for the draw on September 1, were five in total. The first two tickets, numbered 295491, along with one ticket numbered…
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Tesla ghost hunt goes viral: Scientist on track to uncover cemetery mystery in Thailand
A viral TikTok video featuring a Tesla car detecting a ghost in a cemetery sparked scientific analysis today by Dr Chetsada Denduangboripant, a lecturer in the Department of Biology at Chulalongkorn University. He suggested that the anomaly could be due to a malfunction in the car’s sensor and software systems. The viral video was posted by @aunnyc, who drove her…
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Bangkok father arrested for incestuous rape of daughter leading to pregnancy
A shocking case of incestuous rape emerged leading to the arrest of a man who confessed to sexually abusing his 14 year old daughter, resulting in her pregnancy. Paveena Hongsakul, the Chair of the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women, today, October 17, at 11am, accompanied the victim’s mother, 34 year old Oi (pseudonym), to the Prawet Police Station…
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Money mishap:Thai woman’s 20 baht note goes ‘choo-choo’ in the frying pan
A Thai woman mistakenly fried a 20 baht banknote, resulting in a shrivelled and crispy note that sparked much mirth on social media asking whether a bank would accept it. A wave of humorous responses from netizens ensued after a Twitter user yesterday posted an image, from a life and family problems consultation group, where the woman sought advice, accompanied…
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High-end restaurants warned of new scam involving bogus wine shop and fake reservations
A new kind of scam targeting upscale restaurants has been exposed. Scammers posing as customers reserve tables, deceiving eateries into buying wine from bogus shops. The TikTok account, ambersmixedfamily, shared a video warning about this new type of con targeting high-priced restaurants. Ammy, the account owner, shared a chat conversation where a man approached the restaurant via Line, a messaging…
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Spooktacular TikTok tale: Thai mother’s ghost encounter brings lottery fortune and healing
A Thai TikTok user shared a hair-raising ghost encounter while her sick child was hospitalised which led her to win the lottery, and resulted in an astounding improvement in her child’s health. The TikTok user, aie_phanwisa, revealed the eerie ghost encounter episode that unfolded when she took her sick child for treatment at an unnamed hospital. She encountered a ghostly apparition…
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Thai court halts government’s wind power purchase scheme over selection irregularities
The Central Administrative Court‘s ruling to halt the government’s scheme to purchase 1,500 megawatts of wind power, on grounds of alleged irregularities in power plant selection, prompted the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to gear up for an appeal. The judgement came in response to Khon Kaen Wind 2 Co, a subsidiary of the SET-listed Energy Absolute (EA), who had voiced…
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Princess Maha’s urgent call for improved water management in Asia-Pacific
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for the Asia-Pacific, has stressed the urgency of combating water scarcity and improving water management systems throughout the region. The Princess voiced her concerns during the Asia-Pacific World Food Day Observances at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Asia-Pacific headquarters in Bangkok. Her Majesty pointed out that approximately 2.5 billion…
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Submarine snag: Thai prime minister dives into talks with China
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set for talks with the Chinese government regarding the delay in the delivery of a commissioned Chinese submarine to Thailand. The submarine in question, an S26T Yuan-class model, was initially planned to reach Thailand last month. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the delivery has been postponed until April of the coming year. China…
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Thai worker reveals his heroic hound Bright saved his life in Israel
A Thai worker in Israel posted a touching story about how his pet dog, Bright, saved his life from an ambush. The worker, identified as @now__january__1993 on TikTok, is preparing to return to Thailand and hopes to bring the dog back with him. In the posted clip, The Thai worker revealed that he raised Bright from a puppy and is…
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Thai tourism hit as gun violence prompts Chinese visitor cancellations
The Thai government has been urged to tighten gun control measures by Chiang Mai hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs in the aftermath of the Siam Paragon shopping mall shooting on October 3. The incident, which resulted in the death of three people, including a Chinese tourist, and injured four others, has shaken the confidence of Chinese travellers in Thailand. The fallout…
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Thailand’s wildlife trafficking battle: A US$20 billion trade swinging into action
The fight against wildlife trafficking in Thailand, a trade valued at approximately US$20 billion, is in full swing. Police Colonel Wanpichit Wattanasakmonta, an officer dedicated to the wildlife trafficking cause, stresses the importance of not only preserving wildlife but also protecting the environment and natural resources for a sustainable world. Thailand, a country that houses 10% of the world’s animal…
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Thai students return home amid escalating Israel-Hamas conflict
Thirty-three Thai students, who had been in Israel amidst the escalating conflict with Hamas, safely arrived back in Thailand yesterday. They were part of a larger contingent of 244 Thai nationals who flew back on a special charter flight from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The students, including 30 from the Princess of Naradhiwas University and the rest from…
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Thai ‘super app’ set to launch with 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme
The completion of a multi-purpose mobile application, or super app, is on track for early next year, coinciding with the launch of the 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The mobile app is designed as a comprehensive solution, with developers assuring its readiness for the digital wallet scheme’s rollout, expected between February and March…
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Thai PM seeks Saudi aid for stranded workers in Israel
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed plans to negotiate with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince for assistance in facilitating the return of Thai workers stranded in Israel. The proposal involves granting the Royal Thai Air Force (RTFA) permission to traverse Saudi airspace, a currently prohibited action. This was disclosed at Suvarnabhumi Airport before PM Srettha’s trip to China to attend the 3rd…
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Nonthaburi hospital under scrutiny after TikTok video sparks debate about medical ethics
A heated confrontation between a patient and a doctor has led to an investigation by a hospital in Nonthaburi. The incident, which took place yesterday, was brought to light through a video shared on the social media platform TikTok by a user named Lamduanbah. The video, captioned Ethics is hard to find these days, has sparked a debate about professional ethics…
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Online beverage shop rouses uproar for negative quote on customer’s cup, sparking debate on social media
A viral post on social media sparked debate after a woman, who ordered a drink through an online application, was taken aback by the negative quote written on her cup. The beverage shop, known for its creativity, typically writes profound quotes on its products. However, the woman felt insulted by the negative quote. Despite the mixed reactions of netizens, many…
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Bangkok craftsman stabs younger colleague over work dispute
A violent altercation between two craftsmen over a broken water pipe in a dormitory ended in tragedy, with a Bangkok craftsman, 64 year old Chomphu, fatally stabbing the younger one, 37 year old Suradej. The incident took place in a dormitory located in Soi Charansanitwong 37, Bang Khun Sri, Bang Khun Non, Bangkok. Suradej, originally from Chai Nat province, had…
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Phuket Vegetarian Festival begins with traditional Go Teng pole raising
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival kicked off yesterday with the traditional ceremony of raising the Go Teng poles at each participating shrine. The act is a symbolic invitation to the Jade Emperor and the Nine Emperor Gods to descend from the heavens and spend the subsequent nine days on Earth. The golden Go Teng pole was hoisted at the Guan Yu…
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Thai gold prices dip: Gold Traders Association confirms morning fall
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced a decline in gold prices on this morning, with standard gold selling for 33,400 baht per baht weight, reflecting a decrease of 100 baht compared to the closing price last Friday. The latest value of gold bars in Thailand today, October 16, is 32,800 baht per baht weight for buying and 32,900 baht for…
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Woman struck and killed by train in South Thailand under investigation
A tragic incident unfolded in the Hat Yai district, Songkhla, when a 40 year old woman, was struck and killed by a local train near the Tha Sae railway bridge, about 2 kilometres from the Hat Yai railway junction. The incident occurred at around 8.25am. The Hat Yai police, led by Lieutenant Colonel Nimman Nikuno, reported that the woman was…
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Petrol prices to drop by 2.50 baht as new year gift, says Thailand’s Energy Minister
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy announced plans to reduce petrol prices by 2.50 baht per litre as a new year’s gift to the Thai people. The minister, Peeraphan Saleerathaviphak, also revealed the establishment of an official committee to investigate fuel pricing. Peeraphan revealed that the Ministry of Energy is considering ways to reduce petrol prices to help the…
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COTTO life room viewer app: Tile selection made easier for Thai households
The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly shifted consumer lifestyles over the past three to four years, with increased emphasis on home-based living and working. This shift has not only led to continuous purchasing of new homes but also renovations of existing ones. This is particularly true when it comes to choosing materials for home decoration, especially floor or wall tiles. The…
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Reckless driving causes 1.2 million baht BMW motorcycle crash (video)
A reckless driving manoeuvre atop Phu Thap Boek, a popular tourist spot in Phetchabun, resulted in a BMW motorcycle, worth 1.2 million baht, being sideswiped by a bronze Toyota pickup truck, causing it to topple over. The motorcyclist and a female pillion rider suffered minor injuries in the incident that took place today. The TikTok user, who posted a video…
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Thailand tightens ban on undeclared pork imports amid African Swine Fever fears
Thailand’s continual enforcement of the ban on unregulated pork imports, including for personal use, has been underscored by the detection and confiscation of illegal pork imports at major international airports. The canine unit, known as Inspector Beagle, plays a vital role in these inspections, seeking out any meat products potentially carrying viral strains of African Swine Fever (ASF). Friday, October…
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Thai health officials warn of high sodium consumption risk among youth, offer food advice
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) raised concerns about the high sodium consumption among Thais, especially young people who are at an increased risk of kidney disease. Assistant Manager, Dr Pairoj Saonuam, recommends four healthful food choices to reduce the risk. It has been found that most vegetarian food is sweet, fatty, and high in salt. The World Health Organization…
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Get lucky with TikTok-shared Chinese calendar numbers for upcoming lottery draw (video)
Lottery enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the draw today, with many turning to the Chinese calendar for good luck numbers. A TikTok user, nid8857, recently shared five numbers from the Chinese calendar, encouraging lottery fans to consider them when buying tickets. However, the final decision rests with the individual’s discretion. The Chinese calendar numbers have been a source of interest in…
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Thai prime minister zaps to police meeting in eco-style – EV-entful ride
The Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin, attended a National Police Office meeting today in an electric vehicle (EV) to reduce pollution. The meeting with Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukvimol, the National Police Chief, was held in a white Tesla with Bangkok licence plates 2KHP5171. The 61 year old Thai prime minister personally stated that he chose a Tesla…
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Diarrhoea could be heart attack warning, doctors in Thailand discover
A sudden case of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, presented in a 50 year old businessman with persistent diarrhoea, shocked the medical community. The individual, who had been suffering from diarrhoea for three consecutive days without seeing any improvement after medication, was diagnosed with the condition after a hospital visit for emergency treatment. Dr Xie Tunren,…
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