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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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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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Thai interest rates raised to 2% by BoT amid core inflation worries
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) anticipates ongoing economic growth with some potential risks, as evidenced by their decision to increase the key Thai interest rates for the sixth consecutive meeting, according to the minutes released recently. On May 31, the committee unanimously agreed to increase the one-day repurchase rate by a quarter point to 2%,…
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El Niño threatens Thai agriculture with 5% rainfall drop and water shortages
The El Niño weather pattern’s impact on Thailand is becoming more apparent, with hot and dry conditions persisting despite the rainy season’s official commencement on May 22. The Meteorological Department has announced that this year’s total rainfall will be approximately 5% lower than the annual average, leading to potential water shortages and prolonged dry spells. The El Niño phenomenon, which…
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Thai folk legend Pumpuang Duangjan’s anniversary sparks lottery frenzy
Luck favours the bold! On the 31st anniversary of the singer Pumpuang Duangjan’s passing, her legion of devoted followers planned to enter the lottery in the hopes of winning her blessings. The passing of Pumpuang Duangjan, known as the Queen of Thai Folk Music, was commemorated yesterday by family, friends, and fans who continue to admire the exceptional quality of…
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Thai outbound travel surges as Asian flight capacities increase
The Thai outbound travel market is experiencing fierce competition among Asian countries, as flight capacities have increased compared to last year. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) anticipates that the Thai outbound market could recover to half of the 11.2 million departures in 2019, prior to the pandemic, due to stronger flight frequencies in Asia. TTAA vice-president Chotechuang Soorangura stated…
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Royal Thai Air Force defends 50 million South Korean guidance kit acquisition
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) yesterday defended its purchase of guidance-extended range kits from South Korea, worth 50 million baht, asserting that the acquisition adheres to regulations. RTAF spokesperson AVM Prapas Sornchaidee explained that the kits will be utilised with 500-pound air-dropped bombs to improve the air force’s long-range air strike capabilities, in line with the country’s defence preparation…
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Terrifying near-miss in Ratchaburi prompts calls for improved road safety measures
A terrifying incident occurred on a dark, poorly lit road when a white sedan suddenly emerged from a side road, narrowly missing a pickup truck, before crashing into a road sign and street isle. The drivers of both vehicles, as well as passengers, escaped unharmed from the ordeal in Ratchaburi province. A social media user shared a video of the…
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Teenage rider killed in brutal shooting near Bangkok, police pursue gunman
A teenage motorcycle rider was fatally shot in a brutal attack in Bangkok, at around 6.30pm yesterday. Deputy Superintendent Suwat Deeplang of Nong Chok Police Station and his team are investigating the incident while pursuing the ruthless gunman responsible for the murder of the 19 year old. At the scene of the crime, near Soi Liabwari 32 in Nong Chok…
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Miss Universe Thailand contestants promote cultural tourism in Udon Thani
Several Miss Universe Thailand beauty pageant contestants visited a number of sacred sites in Udon Thani where they were warmly received by locals. The group took part in several traditional rituals as a gesture of respect and homage. The beauty pageant contestants participating in Miss Universe Thailand 2023 yesterday morning visited Wat Si Dara in Na Chum Saeng, Thung Fon, and…
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Belgian man commits suicide at a Phuket shooting range
A Belgian man reportedly took his own life at a shooting range in Phuket yesterday. The motive of the suicide is under investigation. Officers from Chalong Police Station rushed to investigate Sai Yuan Shooting Range in the Rawai sub-district, Mueang district of Phuket after being notified about the death of the Belgian man, who was later identified as a 52…
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Thai coconut milk industry battles PETA’s monkey abuse claims
Thai coconut milk producers are calling on the government to swiftly hire a lobbyist to counteract allegations made by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) regarding the treatment of monkeys by local farmers. PETA recently reiterated its claims on Twitter, stating that monkeys are kidnapped as babies and later forced to pick coconuts in the Thai coconut industry.…
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Speeding motorbike hits parked car, rider severely injured in northeast Thailand
A parked car outside the owner’s home was hit by a speeding motorbike, leaving the bike’s rider severely injured in northeast Thailand. The incident occurred in the community of Sra Kaew, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Early morning today, police from the Phimai station were alerted to a road accident involving a motorbike straying out of its lane and colliding with a…
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CCTV footage of attempted rape case at massage shop in Bangkok deleted
Officers from Chana Songkham Police Station yesterday investigated the attempted rape of a Japanese woman at a massage shop on Ram Buttri Road near Khao San Road in Bangkok. CCTV footage of the incident was reported to have been deleted and the masseur in question has resigned from the shop. The 23 year old Japanese woman took to Twitter to…
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Indian man drowns in Pattaya pool as witnesses mistake struggle for play
A 44 year old Indian man yesterday tragically drowned in a Pattaya hotel swimming pool. The incident took place at 8.30pm in a well-known South Pattaya hotel, which remains unnamed by local police as they continue their investigation. The Indian tourist, identified as Vivek Kumar, was reportedly enjoying his time in the pool with an Indian woman, whose name has…
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Surat Thani storm leaves durian farmers with over 6 million baht loss
Durian farmers in Surat Thani province are suffering immense losses as the storm knocked down more than 50 tonnes of unripe fruit, resulting in a financial setback of over 6 million baht (US$173,310). Agricultural officials assessed the damage in two affected sub-districts of Ban Na San district, Lamphun and Phoem Phun Sap sub-districts, with assistance required for the devastated farmers.…
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Albino bullfrog with numeric marks found in Prachin Buri sparks local excitement
The discovery of an albino bullfrog with unique markings has sparked intrigue and excitement among locals ahead of the June 16 lottery. A woman from Prachin Buri province recently stumbled upon a peculiar bullfrog while foraging for mushrooms in the forest with her friend. The bullfrog, which they had never seen before, appeared to have an unusual pattern with numbers…
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Udon Thani man fatally stabs stepson over missing fighting cocks
A brutal crime unfolded in Udon Thani, Thailand after a 56 year old man allegedly stabbed his 33 year old stepson to death in a fit of rage over the disappearance of two fighting cocks in their family home. The victim, Nookraisak Saikhao, was found lying lifeless in a pool of blood on his bed by his ex-wife, who immediately…
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Newborn girl’s body found in Buriram rubbish heap
A 60 year old man discovered the body of a newborn girl, estimated to be about two days old, abandoned on a rubbish heap in a bag in Thailand’s Buriram province. The disoriented man, who has a speech disability, protected the body from flies until authorities arrived to investigate and recover the infant. Yesterday, Pol. Lt. Col. Chaleow Phayakkul, an…
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Monsoon causes 60% of Bangkok to face heavy rain risk, flash flood warnings issued
A heavy rain warning has been issued for Thailand, with 60% of Bangkok at risk of downpours. The public has been cautioned about flash flooding. The Department of Meteorology forecasts continued to warn of rainfall and stormy conditions, particularly in the northern, northeastern, and eastern regions. The department has issued a 24-hour weather forecast warning that the moderate southwestern monsoon…
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Stark faces 23 billion baht arbitration dispute with German firms Leoni AG
Stark Corporation, a SET-listed company, is facing an arbitration dispute with German firms Leoni AG and Leoni Bordnetz-Systeme GmbH. The German firms are claiming 608 million euros (23 billion baht) from Stark, alleging a breach of their sales and purchase agreement, Bangkok Post reported. According to a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday, the case refers to Stark’s exercise of…
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AIS 3BB acquisition may face strict measures due to market share
The potential acquisition of fixed broadband provider 3BB by Advanced Info Service (AIS) may face stringent consumer measures from the telecom regulator due to the combined market share of the two companies. True Corporation, a rival company, reported having 3.84 million household subscribers in the first quarter of this year, accounting for 31.5% of the fixed broadband market share, according…
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