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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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Thai private sector braced for impact amid political unrest and government delays
Protests and potential political instability are causing growing unease within Thailand‘s private sector, chiefly due to the impact of delays in forming the country’s new government. The possible effects are multifaceted, potentially touching areas such as new investments and the tourism industry. The Thai Chamber of Commerce’s vice-chairman, Poj Aramwattananont, expressed concern yesterday in light of recent moves by the…
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Pakistani family defends accused in high-profile German businessman murder
The family of the Pakistani man, arrested yesterday for his involvement in the murder of the German businessman Hans Peter Mack, say he is innocent. The family of the arrested man, Sahruk Kareem Uddin, pointed the finger of blame towards another suspect, a German woman, Petra Christl Grundgreif. They accused Grundgrief of tricking him into the plot to murder the…
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Songkhla temple encourages solar cell donations, not traditional wax candles, for Lent
A temple in Songkhla province put up a clear sign requesting that instead of offering traditional wax candles for the upcoming Buddhist Lent, supporters should donate solar cells. The use of local language on the signage has added a touch of levity and sparked conversation amongst the community. Lieb Temple has grabbed attention with its unique request showcased on banners…
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Bangkok’s Luang Phaeng road collapse spurs urgent motion for improved oversight
A discussion unfolded in the House of Representatives yesterday, centred on an urgent motion following the catastrophic collapse of an under-construction elevated road on Luang Phaeng Road the evening before. The motion was brought forth by Theerarat Samrejvanich of the Pheu Thai Party, a representative for Bangkok. During the meeting, Theerarat asked for cooperation from agencies associated with the project…
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UNESCO nomination bid at risk as contractors flout Thai temple preservation orders
Deep in the heartland of Nakhon Si Thammarat, the tranquil expanses of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan are churning with concern as contractors persist with the dismantling of age-old cannons at the temple, regardless of instructions from the Fine Arts Department (FAD) to halt until an investigation is carried out. The fabled temple is on its path to being nominated as…
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Thai-China pact amplifies crackdown on Chinese fugitives in Thailand
A recent agreement between Thai and Chinese law enforcement signals an increased effort to crack down on Chinese criminals who have sought refuge in Thailand. Policymakers from both nations are keen on bolstering cooperation in dealing with significant instances of Chinese criminals fleeing from China to Thailand to evade apprehension. High-ranking officials of the Thai Immigration Bureau (IB), directed by…
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THAI scandal sees corruption charges dropped against ex-PM Thaksin
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has aborted all charges against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, and three others in the Thai Airways (THAI) corruption saga. The case involved allegations of corruption linked to the acquisition of 10 Airbus aircraft by Thai between 2003 and 2004. This was revealed by former deputy transport minister Pichet Sathirachawal, who was also accused…
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Plastics factory owner dies in fatal Bangkok car crash, 2 passengers injured
A tragic accident occurred early yesterday when a car crashed into an electricity pole, resulting in the death of a plastics factory owner and injuring two of his companions. Police and emergency services responded to the incident around 3.30am, near Ratchaburana Road in Bang Pho, Bangkok. The fatal mishap involved a Subaru Legacy car, registered number ฬฮ5030 Bangkok. The driver’s…
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Thai police intensify crackdown on international crime after German businessman’s murder
Police in the Thai province of Chon Buri are intensifying their efforts against international criminal organisations, an enforcement surge prompted by the grisly murder of a German businessman in Pattaya. Deputy national police chief, Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, spoke of these measures after an urgent meeting was convened with local police forces late on Tuesday. Following the gruesome…
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Thai tourism hit by weak Chinese market and waning local interest
The sluggish Chinese economy and hesitant local budget travellers have dealt a blow to Thai tourism operators along the eastern seaboard, casting a gloomy cloud over this year’s revenue prospects. The slow recovery marks it as a testing time for places like Pattaya, particularly with a quiet Chinese market yet to bounce back and local visitors not returning en masse,…
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Drug dealer’s daring escape attempt in Chumphon ends in fatal crash
A dramatic incident unfolded in Chumphon province, where a suspected drug dealer attempted to evade arrest, resulting in a car crash involving two police vehicles. The 22 year old suspect, who had a previous history of drug-related offences, didn’t survive. At around 10.30pm last night, Teerawut Nuchanong, the Deputy Secretary of Chumphon’s National Security, led an operation to apprehend Nares…
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Thai researchers boost export potential of local durian through innovative ripening inhibition technology
The National Research Office (NRO), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation in Thailand, announced it supports the transfer of durian production technology and ripening inhibition technology. This support is particularly for the local “Lap Lae Durian,” which aims to help export Thai durians to the international market. The move was initiated by Wiparat Dee-Ohng, Director of…
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Pakistani man arrested for gruesome murder of German businessman
Officers from Kanchanaburi Provincial Police Station managed to arrest a Pakistani man allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of German businessman Hans Peter Mack. Following the discovery of Mack’s chopped-up remains in the freezer of a rental house in Pattaya, police officers conducted a further investigation until the evidence led to three suspects, including 52 year old Olaf Thorsten Brinkmann,…
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Pakistani man arrested in Thailand for using fake license plates and evading highway tolls
Thai Highway Police arrested 43 year old Pakistani national for using fake vehicle registration plates and evading the M-Flow motorway fare system. He was pulled over while driving on the Kanchanaphisek Road, on the outbound lane heading towards Bang Pa-In in East Ring, on July 11 around 10pm. According to Lieutenant Colonel Prachya Kamlasatphitak, who commanded the operation, the arrest followed…
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Burger King Thailand launches ‘Real Cheeseburger’ with 20 layers of cheese
Burger King Thailand got innovative and launched a new burger without meat called the “Real Cheeseburger” offering cheese lovers burger buns with 20 slices of pure American cheese. The burger is now available for 109 baht, down from the original price of 380 baht. The new burger almost immediately went viral on Thai social media platforms due to the thick…
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Motorbike crash on Patong Hill leaves 2 wounded
A motorbike crash on Patong Hill left two people wounded. The incident on Monday occurred on a shortcut road located behind the Tiger Shrine on Patong Hill. Rescuers and police rushed to the scene to find the two victims down a slope off the road. The victims were a 36 year old man named Wuttisak Puttisarn, from Chalong, and a…
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12-day mystery unfolds as missing Thai woman’s body found near coconut plantation
Police are investigating circumstances surrounding the disfigured and naked body of a Thai woman discovered near a coconut plantation in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. The Thai woman, whose body had been mutilated by animals, had been missing from home for 12 days. The shocking discovery was made close to a creak near the plantation, on the road to a sand…
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Grandmother’s shocking find: Hidden stash of unwashed dishes in granddaughter’s rooms sparks online debate
In an unexpected revelation, a grandmother stumbled upon a pile of unwashed dinner dishes in her granddaughter’s room, after wondering about the unaccountable disappearance of her household tableware. The discovery was shared on Twitter by RedSkullxxx, eliciting shock among viewers. ถ้าไม่ป่วยนี่ บ้านไหนได้ไปเป็นสะใภ้ก็ขอให้โชคดี😅 #โหนกระแส pic.twitter.com/o3ptfckhY5 — Red Skull (@RedSkullxxx) July 12, 2023 The shared clip unveils an almost nauseating scenario. The…
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Biting back: Thailand’s dengue battle claims 33 lives, Public Health Office reveals
The Public Health Office (PHO) announced 33 lives have been lost to dengue in Thailand. According to the PHO report, 27,377 cases of dengue have been documented in the country and 33 people have died resulting from dengue infection. An expert from the Khlong Yai District PHO in the eastern province of Trat, Panaporn Harnhiam, told Thairath yesterday that 97…
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Phuket’s tidal triumph: Walk & Run for Tsunami Learning 2023 makes waves
Phuket is gearing up for the first edition of the Walk & Run for Tsunami Learning 2023, which is set to take place in Mai Khao on Sunday, with Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam leading the preparations. The meeting, held at the Phuket Provincial Hall, aimed to solidify the roles of all participating agencies in the upcoming event. In…
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Serpent’s supper: Patong officials triumphantly seise colossal 4-metre python after ravenous feast
In a thrilling escapade that unfolded within the heart of Patong, officials managed to nab a massive 4-metre long python after it reportedly devoured an unknown animal. The saga began when a concerned resident alerted the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Department at Patong Municipality yesterday. According to a DDPM staffer, the resident’s distress call alerted authorities to the presence…
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Myanmar air strike forces mass exodus of Karenni refugees in Thailand
In the early hours of this morning, a terrifying ordeal unfolded on the Thai-Myanmar border when an air strike by the Myanmar Air Force aimed at a Karenni refugee centre forced over 5,000 inhabitants to flee for their lives. The sudden turn of events led to the mass exodus of refugees into a new camp in Soi, Pang Moo, located in…
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Nonthaburi police officer found dead in car under bridge
The dead body of a police officer was discovered inside his idle car under a bridge in Bang Bua Thong district in Nonthaburi province. Initial reports suggest that the officer may have taken his own life due to high stress caused by issues with a friend’s loan guarantee that has now fallen to him to repay, leaving him in financial…
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Another escalator incident rocks customers at a Bangkok shopping mall
Another escalator incident occurred in Bangkok, this time at a shopping mall in the Bang Na district of Samut Prakarn province. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A Thai man, Nathakrit Khajorndechasak, who works at a mobile phone shop in the shopping mall, shared a video and a picture of the incident on Facebook. He said… “Must be awake and aware…
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Police nab German man in Bangkok nightclub for German businessman’s murder
Nong Prue Police Station officers arrested a German man at a nightclub in the On Nut neighbourhood of Bangkok last night for his involvement in the murder of a German businessman. The 62 year old German real estate tycoon, Hans Peter Mack, disappeared from his house in Chon Buri province on July 4, triggering an investigation. After extensive efforts, Thai…
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Angel-faced Thai merchant gains heavenly social media following
A young Thai woman with an angelic face, known for her merchant lifestyle at the Sri Mueang market in Ratchaburi province, has recently sparked a huge following on social media. The woman has amassed over 200,000 followers. Janejira Wangkukiat, affectionately known as Nong Bam, won over the online crowd with her simplicity, charm and unconventional job of selling galangal, a type…
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Uproar as customer makes ‘frozen egg ice cream’ in Thai halal restaurant (video)
A viral video of a person making ‘frozen egg ice cream’ at a hotpot/BBQ restaurant, with no objections from the staff, is creating a stir on social media. Following widespread criticism, the venue claims it had no knowledge of the incident and is a Halal Shabu restaurant, not a pork BBQ place. The viral video shows a customer creating “frozen…
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6 year old Thai boy stuns with self-taught Lord Ganesha rituals and prayers (video)
A six year old Thai prodigy, known as “Nong Flute,” can recite the mantras and conduct the puja ceremony to worship Lord Ganesha, all self-taught. His parents revealed that they never imparted these teachings to him. This extraordinary tale starts with a TikTok user @superjeeb who posted a video showing the six year old conducting a fire ceremony, offering tributes…
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Teen suspect holds up Thai convenience store in chilling late-night robbery
A lone thief pulled out a knife and held a Bangkok convenience store hostage, demanding an employee hand over the takings with a chilling warning… “Hand over the cash and you won’t get hurt.” The suspect fled the scene with a cash haul of 5,000 baht (US$144). Police are now scanning CCTV footage to catch the perpetrator who strode into the…
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Thunderstorms forecast: Heavy rainfall to sweep across 40% of Thailand, including Bangkok
The Meteorological Department warned that Thailand will continue to experience thunderstorms, predicting that 40% of the territory, including Bangkok, will be hit by heavy rainfall. A southwesterly monsoon that currently covers the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand is causing these downpours. Accordingly, in both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, waves are expected to reach…
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