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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Thai teacher accused of assaulting student, mother demands justice in Thailand
A shocking incident unfolded in the district of Phran Kratai, Kamphaeng Phet, as a secondary school teacher was accused of physically assaulting a 13 year old student. The incident, captured in a 20-second video clip, was brought to the attention of the media by the 44 year old victim’s mother, Sathip. The video reveals the teacher, identified only by his…
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Thailand’s tourism ministry to compensate shooting victims amid regulatory gap
The aftermath of the recent Siam Paragon shooting has unveiled an apparent regulatory gap in Thailand’s support mechanism for distressed tourists. A previous government disbanded the Foreign Tourists Assistance Fund – a safety net providing financial aid for tourists in times of adversity, and a replacement source of funding had not been set in place. The Tourism and Sports Ministry,…
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Siam Paragon shooting prompts new mental health unit
A new mental health consultation unit, established to assist individuals emotionally distressed by the recent fatal shooting in Siam Paragon, started operations yesterday. The tragic incident, involving a teenage boy who killed two women, left many feeling traumatised and in need of psychological support. Amporn Benjaponpitak, the leading authority of the Department of Mental Health, revealed that she, along with…
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Bottom’s up: 50 year old Thai woman takes legal action against cheeky neighbour in morning merit mishap
A 50 year old Thai woman filed a police complaint against her 66 year old neighbour for flashing her bottom while she was doing her morning merit. The accused neighbour defended herself by saying that the complainant was bothering residents in the community by banging a bucket. The 50 year old complainant, Watinee, filed a complaint against her 66 year…
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Thai defence minister proposes public distribution of military-owned land
Sutin Klungsang, the Defence Minister, put forth a proposition to distribute some military-owned land to the local populace, as part of the governmental strategy to modernise the armed forces. This was revealed by the Defence Ministry’s spokesperson, Thanitpong Sirisawetsak, post a Defence Council meeting. The 62 year old Sutin presented policies to the ministry’s department heads and the leaders of…
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Thai man murders wife’s ex-husband after seeing them have sex in Chiang Mai
An outraged Thai man allegedly murdered his wife’s ex-husband after he caught her having sex with him last night in the northern province of Chaing Mai. The killer’s 16 year old son reportedly took part in the gruesome murder. Jom Thong Police Station officers and the Intanon Rescue Team rushed to the rented room in the Jom Thong district of…
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Fuelled for trouble: Police pickup Thai thief’s cross-province chase ends in arrest
A young man sparked a cross-province chase after stealing a police pickup truck from a station in Phichit and fleeing to a petrol station where he fuelled up and left without paying. The incident, which took place today, ended in Sing Buri, where the police finally apprehended the suspect. The director of Bueng Na Rang Police Station in Phichit revealed…
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Monkey business cleaned up: Tourists cheer innovative solution at Samila Beach, Songkhla
Tourists visiting Samila Beach in Songkhla are delighted by an innovative solution to the issue of macaque monkeys scavenging through rubbish bins, causing odour and litter. Complaints had been previously made about the monkeys rummaging through the bins, spilling litter and creating a foul smell, disturbing the natural environment of the beach and causing fear among the visitors. The Songkhla…
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Critical look at emergency alert systems: Thai agencies lag behind global counterparts
The Cell Broadcast or the modern Emergency Alert System has become a crucial tool for many countries around the world in times of crises that affect public safety. This mobile phone-based warning system, compatible with 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G, is used by various governments globally to issue wide-ranging emergency alerts or disaster situations. Cell Broadcast is a method of sending…
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Foreign survivor criticises slow response of Thai police in Siam Paragon shooting (video)
A foreign man shared his experience of the shooting incident at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon shopping mall on October 3 with Thai media and accused the Thai police and authorities of being slow to act. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) faced substantial criticism from Thai citizens on social media in the aftermath of the mall shooting. People accused the officers of…
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Siam Paragon Mall shooting survivor recounts chilling encounter
Survivors of the tragic Siam Paragon Mall shooting incident where two women were killed and five others were injured shared their harrowing experiences. One survivor, Natthaphat (surname withheld), recounted the terrifying moments she witnessed people dying in front of her, including being unable to assist a Chinese woman. She confessed to having a sleepless night following the traumatic events of…
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Siam Paragon shooting sparks Thai probe: Teenage boy’s deadly spree stirs security measures
Following the fatal shooting incident at the Siam Paragon Mall yesterday, Thai authorities stepped up their investigation and security measures. The event saw a 14 year old boy open fire, causing the death of a tourist and injuring others. The shopping centre resumed normal operations today, despite the previous day’s tragedy. However, some stores, particularly leading clothes brands, that suffered…
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Video game violence: Bangkok teen’s mall shooting sparks #Don’tBlameTheGame trend
A trending hashtag, #Don’tBlameTheGame, emerged online following a violent incident involving a 14 year old boy in a Bangkok shopping mall. The teenage killer, who allegedly had a history of playing the Battle Royale-style game, sparked a debate about the link between video games and violence. However, many online users assert that blaming video games is not the solution and…
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Retired MP arrested for defrauding victims of money and sex
Police arrested a retired Member of Parliament for the central province of Sukhothai at his home in the Isaan province of Nong Bua Lamphu after he pretended to be a spiritual medium to defraud his cult followers, robbing their money and coercing some into having sex with him. “former mp’s cunning cult con: arrested for exploiting followers One victim filed…
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Thailand tourism threatened, Bangkok mall shooting deters Chinese tourists
The tragic shooting at Siam Paragon in the heart of Bangkok yesterday has potentially hampered Thailand tourism. Thousands of Chinese netizens criticised the incident on Weibo, some even stating they would never visit Thailand again. Several casualties, including Thai, Myanmar, and Chinese nationals, resulted from the incident. As soon as the unfortunate event occurred, the hashtag #Paragon started trending on Twitter. The…
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Whooping cough warning: Pertussis cases surge, one fatality in southern Thailand
The Disease Control Department (DCD) in Songkhla province reported an alarming increase in the number of cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, particularly among children. The department confirmed the diagnosis of two patients in the region, with one fatality in Pattani province. The disease, caused by the bacteria B. pertussis, is highly contagious and spreads through coughing, sneezing,…
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Thai motorcycle production makers ready to ‘gear’ up as sales pick up speed
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) anticipates a surge in Thai motorcycle manufacturing during this year’s final quarter, following a period of slow sales. This optimistic forecast was made earlier this year by the FTI’s Automotive Industry Club (AIC), based on an uptick in tourism and the easing of the semiconductor shortage. July saw a 12.7% year-on-year increase in local…
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Juvenile court procedures in dealing with 14 year old Siam Paragon gunman
Juvenile Court spokesperson Sorawit Limprangsi today revealed the legal procedures in dealing with a 14 year old offender who used a 9mm gun to shoot people at the Siam Paragon shopping mall, resulting in injuries and fatalities. Sorawit stated that upon arresting a juvenile, the Juvenile Court procedures will verify the lawfulness of the arrest. The investigative officer must bring…
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Fire breaks out at prison in Bangkok, inmates and officials unharmed
A fire broke out at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok‘s Chatuchak district at 10.40pm last night. Fortunately, no inmates or officials were injured in the incident. The fire was reported to Pracha Chuen Police Station, which later worked with Lat Yao Fire Station to bring the blaze under control. The fire originated in a single-story structure within the prison…
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Thai monk’s ‘soul-soothing’ fire dance ignites interest in ancient healing
A 71 year old monk from Wat Pa Theppitaks Daennabun, located in Nong Mod Daeng, Lahan Sai District, Buriram Province, uses the ancient method of fire stepping to treat various ailments and cleanse karma. This method was practised today, when a social media user posted a video showing the monk stepping on a heated iron plate or tractor blade, then…
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Bangkok’s brave trio: Police heroes steal hearts after Siam Paragon shooting
A commendable and heroic act by three dedicated police officers unfolded in the bustling heart of Bangkok, garnering widespread admiration and recognition from both the Deputy National Police Chief and an appreciative online community after the Siam Paragon shooting incident. The officers were hailed for their exceptional professionalism and valour as they apprehended the teenage perpetrator involved in a shooting…
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Thai stock market plunges amid public debt concerns and reduced GDP forecast
Following a decline of over 1.5% yesterday, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) dropped below the 1,450 points mark. This follows mounting apprehensions concerning escalating public debt and economic growth after the World Bank scaled down its forecast for the Thai GDP. Daol Securities (Thailand) noted selling pressure from the majority of investor groups due to persisting worries about the…
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Thailand banks break the ice: Freezing loan rates to thaw financial stress
Thailand’s state-run banks have taken a bold step to counteract high interest rates by freezing their loan rates. This move has been initiated to assist low-income earners and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as disclosed by Vitai Ratanakorn, who holds dual roles as president and chief executive of the Government Savings Bank (GSB). The GSB, which currently services six million loan…
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Chinese and Burmese killed, 5 injured, twins rescued in shooting rampage at Siam Paragon Bangkok
The shooting rampage at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon shopping mall yesterday tragically claimed the lives of a Chinese woman and a Burmese woman, and injured five others while a brave Thai woman rescued Chinese twins after their mother was killed. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) announced that the shooting occurred at the mall yesterday afternoon, October 3, resulting in the deaths…
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Thailand’s digital wallet project: Green light to make cash splash
The government of Thailand has given the green light for the formation of a committee for its ambitious digital money handout scheme, otherwise known as the digital wallet project. Slated for launch in February, the initiative aims to stimulate the economy by providing each Thai citizen above the age of 16 with 10,000 baht (US$269) in digital money. The project, requiring…
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Severe weather warning issued for Thailand: Heavy rain forecast across 44 provinces including 80% of Bangkok
Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall across 44 provinces, including an 80% area of Bangkok. The public is advised to remain alert for sudden flash floods and forest runoff, particularly in low-lying and mountainous regions close to waterways. This severe weather warning comes due to the Monsoon trough passing over the central, lower northeastern,…
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Eighth day of search for missing mushroom picker in Khao Kho forest as new clues emerge
A desperate search for a 61 year old mushroom picker lost in the Khao Kho Forest in northern Thailand has entered its eighth day, with over 100 people, including residents and officials from various departments, joining the hunt. Tragically, the man, known locally as Khamphan Sisonkarn or Lod, disappeared on September 27 while foraging in the community forest of Jawa…
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Bangkok hotel launches Fifty Shades of Grey theme room
G Boutique Hotel Surawong Bangkok extends an invitation to kinky couples who desire Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey fantasies to experience its newly launched Fifty Shades of Grey-themed room, equipped with BDSM gear for those seeking an unconventional adventure. G Boutique Hotel Surawong Bangkok is a 3-star hotel in the heart of the Thai capital, just a 3-minute walk from…
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Weakening baht boosts Thailand’s exports and tourism
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pointed out yesterday that the weakening baht, despite its potential negative impact on energy import costs, is actually proving to be a boon for the country’s exports and tourism. The baht had earlier plummeted to an 11-month low against the US dollar, trading at 37.095. According to the 61 year old prime minister, who also…
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ThaiBev expansion: 7 billion baht investment includes new Cambodia factory
ThaiBev, the Singapore-listed food and beverage company, announced an investment plan of 7 billion baht for the expansion of its operations both domestically and internationally. The company’s CEO, Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, revealed that 4 billion baht will be used to construct a new beverage factory in Cambodia, while 3 billion has been set aside for logistics facilities, a biogas factory, and…
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