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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Online immigration system launched for foreign tenant registration
Phuket Immigration called for property owners and managers across Thailand to register for the new online notification system for foreign tenants. This system, which became operational yesterday, replaces the previous one. This digital registration demands the submission of pertinent documents, but immigration officials have guaranteed that the approval process will be automatic. They further stipulated that property owners previously registered…
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Thailand’s airlines resist price war despite rising operational costs
Despite escalating operational costs, Thailand’s airlines are unlikely to trigger a new price war, while the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) intends to retain the existing ceiling for ticket prices. This information was shared by Suttipong Kongpool, the CAAT director, during a seminar co-hosted by the Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) and CAAT this week. Suttipong indicated that with…
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New Parliament building nears completion, Constitution Day unveil
The near completion of Sappaya-Sapasathan, Thailand’s new Parliament building, is set to be celebrated by House members and staff on Constitution Day, December 10, as stated by Deputy House Speaker, Padipat Santiphada. He disclosed that the structure is virtually finished, with a final audit committee meeting planned for Monday to examine the project’s status. Padipat indicated that if the Parliament…
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Thai education minister’s appointment in question over Red Bull heir scandal
The recent appointment of Education Minister, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, has been challenged by the Move Forward Party (MFP), following allegations of his involvement in aiding Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, the heir to the Red Bull fortune, to evade prosecution. MFP MP Teerajchai Phunthumas voiced these concerns during a press briefing yesterday, September 15. He drew attention to the National Anti-Corruption…
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Thai Education Minister plants ‘sufficiency seeds’ in teacher finance debate
Education Minister Pheeraphon Nitikorn sparked controversy by suggesting teachers and educational staff adopt a sufficiency economy philosophy to reduce their debt and financial planning burdens. This proposal was made during the presentation of educational policies and guidelines for the Good Study, Happy Policy. Another issue related to reducing the burden of teachers and educational staff is addressing their debt problems.…
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Critical condition: Thai activist’s battle against stomach tumour prompts urgent hospital transfer
Thai political activist Ekachai Hongkangwan remains in a critical condition due to a stomach tumour, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The lawyers requested the Department of Corrections to urgently transfer Ekachai to Thammasat University Hospital for treatment. The tumour, as revealed by tests, measures 11 centimetres in length and 8cm in width. The 48 year old Thai activist was…
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Shocking treatment: Thai-American couple demands justice after electric shock in Chon Buri hotel jacuzzi
A pregnant Thai woman and her American husband demanded compensation after the couple and their son were electrocuted while bathing in a luxury hotel jacuzzi in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province. The woman is also concerned about the effect of the electric shock on her unborn baby. The 30 year old woman, Monthakan Khansantier, sought the help of…
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Shocking TikTok video reveals tapeworms in wild bear: Wildlife photographer’s startling discovery
A viral video, viewed over 24 million times, features documentary wildlife photographer Mark Bouldoukian, known as @markian.b on TikTok, having a startling encounter with a brown bear with what appeared to be long white ropes attached to its rear but in reality, these were not ropes but rather tapeworms. The video’s creator indicated that tapeworms residing inside bears can grow…
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Police launches special probe into suspect ‘Nok’s’ bidding capers amidst murder inquiry
A special investigative team has been established by the Royal Thai Police to delve into the alleged bidding price manipulation by two businesses owned by Praween Chanklai, also known as Nok. Nok is an alleged suspect in the recent murder of a highway police officer. The investigative team is composed of officials from various departments including the Revenue Department, State…
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Charter changes referendum has MFP concerned about government’s procrastination
The potential referendum concerning changes to the charter sparked concerns as the Move Forward Party (MFP) suggests the government is procrastinating. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai tasked with forming a panel to study the referendum plans, stated that discussions about the referendum’s necessity are still ongoing. This announcement came after the Cabinet’s first meeting this week. The focus of the Cabinet’s…
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Thai PM’s digital wallet pick: Pao Tang app unlocks blockchain integration
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday that the government has chosen the Pao Tang app, operated by Krungthai Bank, for its digital wallet initiative. The integration of the app with blockchain technology was confirmed by Srettha during a policy meeting with executives from the Finance Ministry. The government is prepared with a sufficient budget to roll out a 10,000 baht…
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ASEAN air force leaders’ meet in Myanmar with Thai Air Force on board
A meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) air force leaders, chaired by Myanmar, is currently underway with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in attendance. The conference in Nay Pyi Taw sees the participation of ACM Alongkorn Wannarot, the RTAF commander, alongside air force leaders from Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Brunei, according to a report by activist…
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Chinese embassy applauds visa-free ‘tour-de-force’ to revive Thai tourism
The Chinese embassy expressed gratitude towards the Thai government’s visa-free policy, anticipating it would encourage an influx of tourists from China and rejuvenate Thailand’s tourism industry. The embassy, in a Facebook post, conveyed the Chinese government’s support for the initiative but simultaneously emphasised the necessity for the Thai government to safeguard Chinese tourists during their stay. The visa-free scheme, unveiled…
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Thai PM extinguishes ‘high’ hopes for recreational cannabis, prioritises medicinal path
Disagreeing with the notion of recreational cannabis use, the Prime Minister of Thailand indicated that his administration would instead continue to focus on the medicinal usage of the plant. Thai PM Srettha Thavisin, who additionally performs the role of the nation’s Finance Minister, shared his stance with the media today, Friday, September 15. Despite this, the cannabis industry in Thailand…
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Bangkok Special Prison seeks ‘checkup’ on ex-PM Thaksin at police hospital
Bangkok Special Prison is set to send an inquiry to the medical team at the Police Hospital about the condition of former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been receiving treatment there. Thaksin has been in the hospital for almost a month, and the prison officials, led by Nasathi Thongplod, insist on following doctors’ orders above all else. Even…
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Fatal folly: Rubbernecking motorcyclist’s abrupt stop leads to tragic crash in northern Thailand
A tragic fatality occurred as a result of an unforeseen incident when a motorist abruptly braked to observe an accident scene in Lamphun, northern Thailand. The incident transpired around 7.20pm yesterday when a motorcyclist lost his life due to a six-wheeled lorry failing to come to a halt in time, colliding with the back of the motorcycle. The initial accident…
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Pedophile nabbed for rape attempt, plan thwarted by his impotence in northeast Thailand
Police officers arrested a 51 year old pedophile for attempting to rape an eight year old girl in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. His plan to commit the sexual assault was reportedly thwarted by his impotence. The man attempted to evade arrest by hiding in his car but his plan failed. On Tuesday, September 5, the alleged suspect, Sakda…
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Phuket’s ‘Brother Helps Younger Brother’ initiative: Keeping lives afloat with recycled life jackets
In a bid to buoy up water safety standards in Phuket, the Phuket Regional Harbour Office has launched a heartwarming initiative with recycled life jackets aptly named Brother Helps Younger Brother. This campaign is steering towards recycling and repurposing marine equipment, particularly life jackets, to extend their serviceable life and save lives in potential accidents. The campaign takes a two-pronged…
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Ex-Thai Senator among five charged in Saraburi minor sexual exploitation scandal
A scandal erupted in Saraburi as a former senator and four other individuals faced charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. The ex-senator, 57 year old Boonsong Kerdlam, along with the former director of the Saraburi branch of the National Office of Buddhism, and three other men were issued arrest warrants. A prominent politician from a major coalition…
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Big Joke cracks the case: CCTV reveals Thai police officers caught in lie after officer’s tragic death
Following the tragic death of Police Major Siwakorn Saibua, the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, reviewed CCTV footage from the house of the community leader, Praween Chanklai, also known as Nok, and found that police officers at the scene lied about the circumstances of the incident. Pol. Maj. Siwakorn lost his life at a…
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ASEAN air chiefs unite with RTAF to ‘clear the air’ in Thailand pollution battle
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is gearing up to join forces with its ASEAN counterparts to combat air pollution, specifically honing in on the issue of fine particulate matter PM2.5. This announcement took flight during the annual ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, which concluded today, with a mission to ‘clean up’ the skies. The conference…
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Thai government to revoke redundant NCPO directives, streamlining functions
The Government of Thailand has initiated plans to consult the Council of State, its legal advisory body, on revoking certain directives and proclamations issued by the now-disbanded National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, announced this move, citing that some of the NCPO’s orders are currently redundant or seen as hindrances to the smooth operation of government…
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Thai tourism aims sky-high: 3 trillion baht revenue target unveiled
The Thai tourism and sports minister announced an ambitious new target for foreign tourism revenue: an unprecedented 3 trillion baht. The minister, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, revealed the goal, which marks a considerable increase from the 1.9 trillion baht recorded in 2019, is part of a broader strategy to position the nation as a leading hub for sports and entertainment. Sudawan acknowledged…
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Unexpected twist: Chinese accident investigation unveils chilling kidnap-ransom scheme in Bangkok
Royal Thai Police officers, investigating a car accident between Thai and Chinese drivers on Bangkok’s Sirat Expressway, stumbled upon a shocking twist—an unexpected link to a chilling kidnap-for-ransom scheme. ThaiRath yesterday afternoon reported that Expressway Police Station 2 was called to the scene of a car accident on the Sirat Expressway by a 33 year old Thai man, Somphong Sisod.…
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Thai education ministry ‘tablets’ a bright future: Bringing equality to classrooms
The Thai Education Ministry is set to revive a decade-old initiative, which was originally launched by a previous Pheu Thai government, to distribute a tablet computer to each student and teacher across the country. This initiative aims to promote equal educational opportunities. The announcement was made yesterday by Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob and his deputy Surasak Phancharoenworakul, both members of…
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Mysterious sedan’s early morning hit-and-run in Pattaya leaves three injured, one critically
A horrific hit-and-run accident unfolded in the early hours of this morning on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya involving a collision between a mysterious sedan and a motorcycle sidecar, which injured three passengers, one critically, before fleeing the scene. This hit-and-run happened around 1.30am on Sukhumvit-Pattaya 85 Road, heading towards Sattahip in the Nongprue sub-district of Banglamung district, Chon Buri. The aftermath…
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Thai government improves universal healthcare scheme with digital, patient-centric measures
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin mandated the country’s health minister, Cholnan Srikaew, to assemble a committee aimed at improving services provided under the universal healthcare scheme. According to government spokesman, Chai Wacharonke, the prime minister’s objective is to simplify access to healthcare services for the public. An example of the impending changes to the universal healthcare scheme includes eliminating the necessity…
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Chiang Mai University professor survives on just 118 baht per month amidst civil servant salary debate
A Chiang Mai University professor revealed he struggled for a year on a monthly wage of just 118 baht, a situation that led to a difficult life, reports Khaosod. He had to use an old motorcycle to commute to work, and there were times when he ran out of fuel midway. The issue of splitting civil servants’ salaries into two…
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Vanishing act: Teenager’s mysterious disappearance drives desperate family to fortune teller
A teenager has been missing from her home for five days, leading her distraught mother and grandfather to seek help from a fortune teller. The 16 year old disappeared from her home in the Huana Khum district in Udon Thani province, on the morning of Friday, September 8, and has yet to return. Nong Kaem’s mother, Saengchan Uansangkram, along with her…
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Southern gem: Thailand’s newest international airport set for maiden flight
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport, situated in southern Thailand, is poised to start a trial run of its state-of-the-art international passenger terminal, valued at 1.4 billion baht, on September 19. This development marks an eagerly anticipated step towards its recognition as Thailand’s latest international airport. Originally designed primarily for domestic flights, the airport has responded to the escalating demand for international…
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