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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Peace dialogue: Chatchai to head panel in far south, says PM Srettha
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appointed Chatchai Bangchuad, the deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), as the head of the government’s peace dialogue panel in the far South, replacing Gen Wanlop Rugsanaoh. The latter’s term concluded after the constitution of the new government. Despite two former Fourth Army chiefs being among the proposed candidates, the 61 year old prime…
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Vehicle swept into waterfall in Nakhon Si Thammarat rains
Amid incessant rainfall in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a vehicle was swept away by a powerful stream of water, causing a young interior decorator to plunge into a waterfall. The incident occurred around 10am today at a flooded water gate between Moo 6 and Moo 1, Thon Hong Subdistrict, Phrom Khiri District. This resulted from the continuous rain that began yesterday…
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Thai groom kills bride and other 3 victims before committing suicide
Jealousy led to a deadly shooting at a wedding ceremony in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. A Thai groom killed his bride, her family members, and a guest before taking his own life. Wang Nam Khiao Police Station officers rushed to a house in the Wang Nam Khiao district in Nakhon Ratchasima after receiving a report of the shooting.…
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Thai deputy PM raises concerns over MFP’s political amnesty bill
Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed reservations about the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) political amnesty bill. The MFP, led by Chaithawat Tulathon, proposed an amnesty for individuals involved in politically motivated incidents dating back to the protests of February 2006. This proposition was initially introduced last year and is now under consideration for parliamentary debate. Phumtham stated that while…
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Thai military officer fatally shot after high-speed pursuit
A 22 year old military officer from the Royal Thai Armed Forces, identified as Ekkarat Suea-am, was fatally shot after a high-speed pursuit involving an aggressive pickup truck driver in Prachin Buri province. The incident, which unfolded over a distance of 10 kilometres, occurred at around 9pm yesterday. Ekkarat, who was driving his girlfriend from Saraburi to Sa Kaeo, was…
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Thailand intensifies fight against online fraud
A heightened crackdown on online fraud and call centre scams is in motion, as directed by Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The 61 year old PM’s call for increased vigilance arose after he was personally targeted by scammers. His advice for the public is to adhere to the guidelines provided by the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry to avoid…
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Visa-free travel policies boost global tourism and economy
Countries worldwide are recognising the importance of travel freedom in bolstering their economies and accelerating the recovery post-pandemic. As tourism and trade flourish without border restrictions, governments are implementing strategies to enhance their tourism competitiveness, such as visa-free travel policies and the digitalisation of pre-travel processes. Prominent countries like China and India, with their vast populations, are primary targets for…
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Viral TikTok video: Woman ends relationship over safety concern
A viral TikTok video shared by a woman explaining her decision to end a relationship with a man she had been dating for a month has gone viral, amassing over 13.3 million views. The woman, a user of the social networking platform TikTok, known as @jadealyzaee, ended the relationship due to the man’s disregard for her safety. In the viral…
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Tham Luang cave set to welcome tourists to historic rescue site
The renowned Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province, Thailand, the site of the gripping Wild Boars football team rescue five years ago, is set to welcome tour groups to Chamber 3 on December 15. This initiative is led by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Athapol Charoenchansa, Department’s Director-General, revealed that from December 15, small groups…
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Thai village bans road rice drying after tragic motorcycle accident
A Thai village headman imposed a ban on drying rice on the roads, following a fatal accident involving a young motorcyclist who collided with a pile of rice. The decision comes from understanding the predicament of both parties involved and acknowledging the traditional practices of the villagers. The accident took place on November 23, involving 38 year old Thongthai, who…
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Four more Thai workers freed by Hamas, confirms UK Foreign Ministry
The Hamas group released another four Thai workers from their captivity yesterday, according to a statement made by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Kanchama Patarachoke today. The announcement was based on a report from the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv. The spokesperson, who also heads the Department of Information, indicated that upon their release, Israeli officials admitted the four Thai nationals to…
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Fugitive inmate Chaowalit raises controversy with allegations of legal injustice
The 37 year old fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, has stirred up controversy following his audacious escape from prison and the subsequent month-long evasion of law enforcement. His allegations of injustice within the legal system have been aired publicly through a series of anonymous videos posted online, causing ripples within the justice authorities. In response to the…
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Drunk driver plows into crowd killing eight in Si Sa Ket
An unfortunate accident occurred last night in which a Toyota pickup truck, driven by a drunk driver, crashed into a group of people who had gathered to watch a film outside Wat Samrong Phlun temple in Si Sa Ket’s Phrai Bueng district. The incident claimed eight lives and left six others injured, some seriously. The pickup truck, registered in Udon…
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Thai prime minister’s bold plan to bring back Thai talent: Land Bridge and BCG economy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveils a bigger agenda to lure back Thai professionals working abroad. The Thai PM’s personal touch, with a desire for his own sons’ return, amplifies the government’s vision for a thriving Thailand. PM Srettha’s plea for his sons working overseas to return serves as the heartstrings of a broader mission. This personal connection aims to resonate…
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Northeast Thailand: Former police commissioner linked to Saudi jewel theft dies
Chalor Kerdthes, the former police commissioner implicated in the infamous Saudi royal jewellery theft case, passed away at the age of 85. He succumbed to heart failure at Maharaj Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima on November 24. Chalor was born to Lieutenant Colonel Chaem and Thongkum Kedthes on August 28, 1938, in Bangkok. Chalor, an alumnus of the 15th class of the…
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Mentally unstable RTN officer causes chaos in Krabi province
A Royal Thai Navy (RTN) officer in camouflage attire, exhibiting signs of mental instability, wreaked havoc on the streets in Krabi province. The individual, whose erratic behaviour was caught on camera and widely shared on social media, was confirmed to be a genuine naval officer based at the Phang Nga Navy base. The individual had previously shown signs of mental illness…
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Paralympic athlete’s wedding rampage ends in tragedy in Nakhon Ratchasima
A national paralympic athlete turned groom unleashed terror at his wedding celebration, killing his bride, her mother, sister, and two other guests before turning the gun on himself. The horrific incident occurred yesterday at around 11pm in Nakhon Ratchasima. The crime scene, a tent set up for the wedding celebration, was located next to the Wang Nam Khiao district market.…
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National Broadcasting files for bankruptcy of CAT Telecom
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has successfully filed for the bankruptcy of CAT Telecom Public Company Limited. The announcement was made public in the Royal Gazette today (November 25). The order for the asset protection of CAT Telecom Holding Limited was issued on November 3, in line with the Bankruptcy Act, 1940. The court’s decision came after the…
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Southern Thailand: Repeated thefts at Trang oil palm farm cause costly loss for owner
A local oil palm farm in Trang province has been repeatedly invaded by thieves over the past two years, causing the owner to lose hundreds of thousands of baht. The situation has become so severe that the owner, 25 year old Chatchai Sirijarukul, has reported the incidents to the police three times, but to no avail. He claims to possess…
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Former Thai PM Prayut’s wealth grows by 2.8 million baht post-office
Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former prime minister of Thailand, along with his wife, saw their assets increase by 2.8 million baht, while former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan‘s wealth increased by 2 million baht after they left office. This information was released by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Thailand. Prayut and Prawit’s finances garnered significant attention when the NACC released…
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Northeast Thailand: Giant turtle with markings resembling Thai King found in Nakhon Ratchasima
A giant turtle, believed by locals to bring wealth and good fortune, caused a stir in the Nakhon Ratchasima community. The turtle, weighing approximately 12 kilogrammes, was found by 63 year old resident Jod Songnok who has been taking care of it for over two years. The unusual creature is attracting crowds due to its peculiar shell markings, which resemble…
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Thai Airways’ sky high ambitions: Plans for 90 new jets unveiled
Thai Airways International PCL is gearing up for a jaw-dropping fleet expansion with a plan to soar with 90 new aircraft. In a game-changing move, Thai Airways International PCL is contemplating a colossal boost to its fleet, eyeing a procurement of up to 90 aircraft from aviation giants Airbus SE and Boeing Co. Sources reveal that Thai Airways is mulling…
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Miracle in Gaza: Woman believes boyfriend died in Israel attack, finds him alive and well
Love prevails as a woman, who mourned the loss of her boyfriend in the 7 October attack on Israel, now celebrates his imminent reunion. Two days after the 7 October attack, Kittiya Thuengsaeng received the devastating news that her boyfriend, Wichai Kalapat, was believed to be among the casualties. The social media posts mourning the man she planned to marry…
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Malaysian woman seeks second wife for high-demand husband for 20,000 baht
A 28 year old Malaysian woman caused quite a stir when she anonymously announced her intentions to find a second wife for her husband. She cited her husband’s high sexual needs due to work stress as the reason for this unconventional arrangement. The woman’s engineer husband, who earns a salary of 18,000 Malaysian Ringgit (136,000 baht), is struggling with high…
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Don Mueang flight carrying Thai singer makes emergency landing after engine explosion
The engine of an aircraft from Don Mueang carrying famed singer Unnop Thongborisut, better known as Por, exploded mid-flight, causing widespread panic among passengers. The incident occurred as the aircraft was en route from Don Mueang Airport, with the safe landing achieved at the same airport. Por, one of the passengers, posted a clip on her Instagram story recounting the…
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Khon Kaen: Diarrhoea outbreak in village linked to contaminated water system
A diarrhoea outbreak has affected 27 residents, two of whom are critically ill, in a village in the Khon Kaen province of Thailand. Suspected to be caused by contamination in the local water system, medical professionals have collected samples for further investigation. Chanachai Sorosriwichai, the deputy governor of Khon Kaen, Krung Namsanga, the district chief of Waeng Yai, along with…
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Northeast Thailand: Couples in Buriram left high and dry as wedding planner breaches contract
Several couples reported a renowned wedding planning and bridal gown rental shop in Buriram for breach of contract. The couples, who had scheduled their weddings for today (November 25), were left hanging as the shop failed to set up wedding scenes or provide the agreed-upon bridal outfits. The local police station in Buriram received multiple complaints from disgruntled couples who…
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Revolutionising Thailand: Game-changing smart city plan unveiled
At the Thailand Smart City Expo 2023, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai laid bare the nation’s ambitious blueprint for smart cities. Packed with tax incentives and cutting-edge technology, this plan is set to reshape Thailand’s urban landscape. During his address at the Thailand Smart City Expo, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai catapulted Thailand into a new era of urban development. Unveiling the…
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Thai man stabbed for allegedly peeking at granddaughter in bathroom
A Thai man stabbed his father-in-law after accusing him of peeking at his 13 year old daughter while she was taking a shower. The injured father-in-law denied the accusation, saying he only fixed an electric wire outside the bathroom. Neighbours who witnessed the stabbing outside a house in the Chai Badan district in the central province of Lopburi reported it…
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Holiday horror: American tourist’s idyllic adventure turns tragic near Phuket’s Khai Nai Islands
A 75 year old American tourist met a tragic end during what was supposed to be a blissful day trip to the Khai Nai Islands near Phuket. Police Lieutenant Colonel Weerayuth Thansirisukvorakul of Phuket City Police received a call from Phuket Provincial Hospital at 11 am on November 22, revealing the demise of Danny G Liu. The picturesque Khai Islands,…
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