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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Explosion at Thai army bomb fuse factory
A huge explosion occurred at a Royal Thai Army (RTA) bomb fuse factory in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province causing a thick column of smoke in central Thailand at approximately noon today. The factory makes fuses for explosive devices and is part of the Incendiary Factory Division, a Royal Thai Ordnance Department facility where explosives are made for Thailand’s armed…
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Meteorological Department warns of extreme heat in some Thai provinces
Thailand’s summer season is coming and many are bracing for the heat. The summer season is expected to last from the end of February to mid-May, and Thailand’s Meteorological Department has warned that some provinces in the country may experience extreme heat. Temperatures in these provinces could rise as high as almost 45°Celsius, the department said. Although the highest temperature…
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Alleged gambling kingpin’s lawyer surrenders rare Lamborghini to Thai police
The ultrarare 40 million baht Lamborghini belonging to alleged macau888 gambling kingpin Benz Daemon has been handed over to Thai Cyber Police – complete with a new paint job – by the suspect’s lawyer. Benz Daemon, who fled to Hong Kong, has not yet returned to Thailand to face his charges but police say he is expected any day now.…
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Whistle-blower Chuwit toots against online gambling
Whistle-blower Chuwit Kamolvisit has been tooting on his flute again. The ex-MP, ex-emperor of sleaze and current arch-nemesis of organised crime throughout the kingdom, has been blowing off that PM Prayut failed to honour two promises made when he seized power eight years ago. It’s anyone’s guess how Chuwit choose a particular two from the wide variety available, but he did.…
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Airport arrival counters in Bangkok to be introduced after tourist increase
The Ministry of Transport intends to increase the number of immigration counters at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok following criticism after a sudden surge in the number of tourists arriving. The Ministry of Transport decided to take action and address the issues faced by travellers at Suvarnabhumi Airport after a number of complaints. More immigration counters will reduce crowding at the…
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The 4 Traveller Tribes of the next decade
Travel-tech outfit Amadeus has identified what it calls the four “Traveller Tribes” of the next decade – experientialists, influencers, memory makers and pioneers. According to the Nation, Singapore’s Amadeus examined emerging traits, behaviours, and preferences, to pinpoint what travellers will want a decade from now. Pioneers, more than 40% of all travellers globally and the largest tribe, live fast-paced lives…
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Suspected Jimi Sandhu hitman in Canadian jail wants to face trial in Thailand
A Canadian man accused of being a hitman in the murder of Indian gangster Jimi Sandhu in Phuket last year said he wants to face trial in Thailand despite having to potentially face the death penalty. Canadian Forces veteran Matthew Dupre is one suspect accused of murdering Sandu in February last year on behalf of a Canadian-based gang. Sandu did not…
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US YouTubers face backlash after ‘uneducated Thai & Filipina women’ slur
The American female guests of an episode from the controversial DailyRagUpCrew YouTube channel are facing a backlash for their condescending attitudes toward foreign women. The boorish women were scathing of women from the Philippines, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia, whom they dismiss as “uneducated” and lacking in proficiency in the English language. The DailyRagUpCrew is a podcast show with…
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BREAKING: 2 victims shot on a Phuket minibus, gunman refuses to surrender
A deranged gunman shot a male and female passenger on a Phuket-Phattalung minibus at 6.49am today. The assailant remains inside the minibus, currently surrounded by police officers attempting to negotiate a peaceful surrender. According to a report on Channel 3, the incident happened just after the Phuket-Phattalung minibus departed from the bus terminal. The bus travelled about 1 kilometre when…
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Thailand’s royal family sends earthquake condolence letter to Turkey, Syria presidents
Thailand’s royal family sent a condolence letter to the presidents of Turkey and Syria in light of the recent earthquake tragedy. The king and queen of Thailand say they are very saddened to learn about the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, which was an unbelievable phenomenon. The earthquake’s death toll has now exceeded an astonishing 15,000 people, with authorities…
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Starbucks ruins family’s dream holiday to Thailand by overcharging US$4.5k for 2 coffees
An American couple had to cancel their dream holiday to Thailand after a Tulsa Starbucks outlet charged them almost US$4,500 for two cups of coffee. The US multinational apologised for the mistake and sent them cheques to cover the cost. They bounced! The drama unfolded when the happy couple, Jesse and Deedee O’Dell, and their four kids went shopping at…
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Hospitality industry’s shift from instant: Transforming guests’ in-room coffee experience
Press Release In the hospitality industry, small details can greatly impact the experience of travelers visiting Thailand. One aspect that should not be overlooked is the coffee served to guests. Gone are the days of serving old-fashioned basic instant coffee packets in hotel rooms and villas. As a hotelier, you want your guests to feel pampered and spoiled during their…
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Things to know about Thai culture
Thailand’s culture is a mixture of traditions and religions that all come together to form a unique and vibrant society. Here are a few things to know about Thai culture that will help anyone landing in the Land of Smiles get around and mix with the locals. Family Thai people typically consider family to be the most important aspect of…
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Police officer accidentally shoots colleague at Bangkok police station
A police officer accidentally shot and injured his colleague during a training session at Huay Kwang Police Station in Bangkok yesterday. The deputy superintendent of the station, Kritthin Phacharathanaboon, spoke to the media today to calm public concerns that the shooting was not a result of a disagreement between the two officers. Krittin said the shooting was an accident that…
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Thai cops go above and beyond to help Chinese tourist return home
Good eggs from the Royal Thai Police force in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, helped a Chinese tourist get her passport back in the nick of time before her flight back to China last night. At 10pm, officers at Chang Phuak Police Station received a call from a distressed Chinese tourist. The tourist rented a car from a car rental…
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Thailand to expand major airports to deal with rising tourist numbers
Thailand is set to expand at least four of its major international airports in response to the predicted return of foreign tourists following the Covid-19 pandemic. Deputy Government Spokeswoman, Traisulee Taisaranakul, announced the plans today. She noted that the expansion is aimed at accommodating predictions made by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) of 200 million foreign arrivals by 2031.…
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Elderly Thai woman survives wild elephant attack
Netizens think it’s a miracle that an elderly Thai lady survived being trampled on by a wild elephant in Prachin Buri province in eastern Thailand yesterday. The victim, 71 year old Winit On-On, aka “Grandma Winit,” was watering her eucalyptus plants at her home in Phanom Sarakham district when she bent down to pick up her hose. When Grandma Winit…
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Chinese tourists flee Pattaya pool villa blaze
Chinese tourists fled from a terrible blaze at a Pattaya pool villa last night. The fire gutted a room on the second floor of the villa, on Soi Sukhumvit 4 in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district. Five to six Chinese tourists had been staying at the villa when the blaze wreaked havoc, The Pattaya News reported. Fortunately, the tourists were…
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Thai Airways rehabilitation ahead of schedule
Thai Airways expects to exit its rehabilitation plan ahead of schedule. The airline is already looking for new aircraft as the recovery in global tourism bolsters earnings. CEO Chai Eamsiri said Thursday that the carrier will be able to leave its court-supervised debt plan “much earlier” than the late-2024 target, according to Bloomberg. The company is also in talks with…
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Bank worker and spouse accused of embezzling 36 million baht, they say it’s a lie!
A bank worker and her spouse are accused of embezzling 36 million Thai baht from bank clients. The suspects deny the claims against them. Yesterday, Lata, the 33 year old bank employee, and Pharanyu, her 36 year old partner, were apprehended at a condominium located on Din Daeng Road in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district. Lata faces charges for violating Section 335…
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Land Transport Department will collect traffic fines
The days of blowing off traffic tickets and fines left on your car or motorbike may be coming to a close. At least if you drive legally and pay your taxes. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the Land Transport Department (LTD) have joined forces in a landmark agreement aimed at tackling the problem of unpaid traffic ticket fines. Under…
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Thailand to give nation’s SMEs a digital leg up
Thailand plans to give the nation’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a digital leg up to help improve their businesses and boost the kingdom’s economy at the same time. Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn announced the department will include another 25 provinces in its plan to improve SME businesses, reported Bangkok Post. The “New-normal Market Transformation” initiative,…
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Thai family grieves after daughter killed in Turkey earthquake
A Thai family is grieving after their daughter was killed in the recent massive earthquake in Turkey. The earthquake that struck Turkey on Monday, February 6 killed a young Thai woman, 29 year old Nong Dao. Nong Dao was found under the ruins of a building in Iskenderun, a city affected by the earthquake disaster. The Thai embassy in Turkey…
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Thai immigration chief asks reporter, ‘Do you have a husband?’ to dodge question
In an interview about the macau888 gambling case, Thailand’s Chief of Immigration dodged a female reporter’s question by responding, “Do you have a husband?” The interview followed the interrogation of police officer Kunakorn “Bright” Khajohnboonthaworn who was accused of being one of four brothers operating the illegal gambling website macau888. According to the police force, Captain Bright proved his innocence…
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UNICEF appeals to Thai public to help child victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
The recent earthquakes in the border region of Syria and Turkey have caused widespread devastation, leaving thousands of people dead and many more injured. Among those affected are countless children and their families, who are now in dire need of assistance. In response, UNICEF Thailand has launched an emergency appeal to the Thai public, calling for people to help provide…
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Plant-based Thai food tours NSW
“My message on plant-based Thai food is simple – if you can, try to incorporate more vegetables in your weekly routine, because it will change your life.” Thomas Thong and his wife run a food stall serving contemporary, plant-based Thai food. The stall travels throughout Australia’s New South Wales regularly. Thong’s parents lived in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge and…
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Thai actress alleges being abused by macau888 gambling king
The Thai actress who exposed the illegal gambling activities of her ex-boyfriend said she did so because she was brutally abused by him during their relationship. Arisara “Due” Thongborisut shared the story of her ex-boyfriend, Chaiwat “Benz” Khajohnboonthaworn, aka Benz Daemon, on Facebook on Sunday, January 5. The 32 year old revealed that her ex and his three brothers operated…
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Tarmacked forest in Thai conservation area sparks outrage
Netizens are scratching their heads at the Department of National Park‘s decision to tarmac a forest inside a conservation area at a wildlife sanctuary in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand. No space at all was left around the tree trunks to allow the trees to breathe and grow. An outraged Facebook user posted a picture of the newly tarmacked…
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Ministry of Culture to promote 16 Thai festivals internationally
Thailand’s Ministry of Culture is taking steps to promote the country’s cultural heritage and boost local economies by promoting 16 Thai festivals internationally. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Yupha Taweewattanakitborvon, announced the move as part of the government’s “5F” initiative, which seeks to promote Thai soft power through the food, film, fashion, fighting, and festival industries. The selected festivals represent…
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Drunk police officer crashes car into restaurant in Bangkok, 3 in ICU (video)
Three people are seriously injured in intensive care after a drunk police officer crashed his car into a restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday night. The owner of the “Mala” (Chinese spicy hotpot) restaurant in Bang Khen district said they are scared justice will not be served because the drunk driver is a police officer. At 10.55pm on Monday, officers…
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