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 What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?
The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...
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Thai official gets 52 years sentence for misuse of government vehicle
Rungrak Lookbua, the Director of the Department of Religious and Cultural Education under the Provincial Administration Organization of Yasothon, has been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission for misuse of a government vehicle for personal gain. The Director, along with his team, was accused of using a government vehicle for commuting and golfing. The charges were brought by the Office of…
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75 year old Thai woman loses over 18 million baht to romance scam
A 75 year old Thai woman lost over 18 million baht to a romance scam within just a few months of making contact with the scammer. The scammer tricked her into investing in a deceitful company called Gold Future. The victim’s son told Channel 7 that his mother invited him to invest in the Gold Future business in early July.…
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Thai worker death toll in Israel hits 21, PM Srettha exploring evacuation
The death toll of Thai workers in Israel has risen to 21 following another reported death, announced Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The news came out early on this morning, October 12, detailing the ongoing violence since Hamas initiated an offensive over the weekend. Sharing this development at 9.10am Malaysian time, PM Sretta did not elaborate on the factors leading to…
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Thailand and Malaysia plan to boost bilateral trade and border growth
Economic collaboration between Thailand and Malaysia is set to amplify, with plans to boost bilateral trade and foster growth along the Thai-Malaysian border. Chai Wacharonke, the government spokesman, revealed these plans following a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Malaysian counterpart, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, held at the Malaysian PM’s office in Putrajaya. During the meeting, a broad…
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Teen’s truckin’ troubles: Migrant worker smuggling ends in pickup predicament in central Thailand
A 19 year old man was apprehended for smuggling 13 illegal migrant workers in a pickup truck that he claimed to have borrowed from his father under the pretence of visiting his girlfriend. Phinwit Udomphon, an officer from the Ayutthaya Provincial Police, stated that efforts to curb the smuggling of illegal workers into Bangkok and its surrounding provinces continue unabated.…
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Toll-free treat: Thailand waives toll charges on major expressways for King Bhumibol Memorial Day
The upcoming holiday tomorrow, October 13, has led the Thailand Expressway Authority (TEA), under the Ministry of Transport, to waive toll charges on three major expressways, covering a total of 60 toll gates. The decision was made to facilitate travel on the anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, a public holiday as declared by…
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Thai worker held hostage by Hamas in Israel as local officials scramble to assist
A Thai worker in Nong Bua Lam Phu, identified as Paiboon Rattanin is among a group of five to seven Thai workers captured by the Hamas group in Israel. The last contact with the 42 year old Paiboon was on October 6, before his co-workers in Israel sent footage of the group being hauled into a trailer by a tractor…
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Bacon battle: Factory owner shoots director during illegal pork import raid, leaving one official injured
The owner of a pork storage factory shot and killed the director of the Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre in the central province of Phetchabun today when the deceased and other officers raided an illegal pork import operation. Another official was also injured in the melee. Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre officers raided a cold storage warehouse and a house in…
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Follicle flare-up: Thai breakdancer seeks hair transplant amid balding battle
A follically challenged Thai breakdancer has a hair-raising dilemma and only a hair transplant will resolve it after the sport’s rigorous demands made him go bald. Thai breakdancer Kantapon Rodsaart is looking for someone to sponsor a hair transplant after revealing the competition at the recent Asian Games made him lose his hair. Breakdancing made its debut at the Asian…
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Thai labourer’s death in Israel sparks fears, call for government aid
The Thai labourer tragically killed in Israel during a mortar attack on Tuesday sparked pleas from his family for government aid in repatriating his remains back to his native Si Sa Ket province in Thailand. Phongphat Suchat and another Thai worker lost their lives when a mortar round detonated close to their location, according to the 29 year old’s brother,…
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Russian woman’s allergy to ganja causes chaos in Pattaya
A Russian woman in Pattaya caused chaos in an ambulance as Thai rescuers tried to attend to her ganja allergy. A resident came across a Russian couple and their son on a footpath near a seaside condominium at 1am yesterday, October 12. The woman was sitting on the ground looking confused. Her husband also looked unwell but was able to…
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Luxury van and parked truck collision results in tragic fatal crash in central Thailand
A luxury van collided with a parked 18-wheeler truck late last night, resulting in the van driver’s death in central Thailand. The truck driver admitted that he had not activated any warning or hazard lights when parked. The fatal truck crash accident took place at 11.30pm yesterday, according to Police Lieutenant Damrong Sukchoosi, the investigative officer at Bang Kaew Police…
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Thailand to launch emergency alert system following Siam Paragon shooting incident
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand have initiated a collaborative project to implement an effective emergency alert system. The move comes in the wake of a shooting incident at the Siam Paragon Mall on October 3. DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong relayed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is keen…
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Mane change: Thai police let their hair down with 5cm rule revision
Thailand’s national police chief has instituted a revision in police regulations, permitting male officers to sport hair up to 5 centimetres long. This move is a marked difference from the 2018 uniform practice code which mandated that male officers maintain a closely cropped hairstyle with the back and sides of their heads completely shaven. In the new 2023 uniform practice…
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Policeman accused of assaulting wife and luring her into gang rape
A Thai woman reached out to a social media influencer to seek help after her police officer husband physically assaulted her and lured her into a gang rape scene. Thai social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet accompanied the victim, 30 year old A, to the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division to start legal processes against the woman’s husband. The woman…
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11 Thais in Israel miss first evacuation flight, death toll rises to 20
The Prime Minister of Thailand reported yesterday that the death toll of Thais in Israel had climbed to 20. In addition to this distressing news, 11 Thai citizens who were expected to return to Thailand today, October 12, had not yet reached the designated meeting point. According to the latest update from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 20 Thai nationals…
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Influenza cases rise fivefold in Thailand amid illegal antiviral drug concerns
A startling surge in influenza cases has been observed in Thailand this year, with a fivefold increase compared to last year’s monthly averages. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to the public about illegal antiviral medications labelled as oseltamivir being smuggled into the country. Doctor Thira Woratanarat from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University revealed, on…
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El Niño could trigger three-year rice shortage, warns Thailand’s Commerce Minister
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed worries over a potential three-year-long impact of the El Niño-induced drought. This prolonged effect could potentially harm rice production and create a shortage in domestic consumption. Phumtham commissioned the Internal Trade Department and Foreign Trade Department to jointly monitor and alleviate the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and the ensuing drought. He voiced…
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Thai government defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid economic criticism
Economic experts’ criticism of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was rebuffed yesterday by its supporters, who asserted that the cash handout would alleviate disparity and provide a crucial financial boost to the disadvantaged. Jutipong Phummul headed the faction, which handed a plea to the government, encouraging the implementation of the digital wallet initiative. Presented in Parliament as an economic strategy…
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Storm warnings issued for 35 Thai provinces with Bangkok facing major impact
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued storm warnings for 35 provinces across Thailand, with Bangkok expecting to bear the brunt with 80% of the area predicted to be hit hard. The public is urged to remain vigilant as the heavy rains may cause sudden flash floods. The 24-hour weather forecast starting today, October 12, indicates a high-pressure system or cool…
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Tour firm directors arrested for misleading Thai workers about overseas job opportunities
A Thai police force led by senior officer Eakasit Pansita arrested two tour company directors today, for allegedly deceiving over 80 individuals with promises of overseas job opportunities. Thirty year old Warintorn and 27 year old Pattanachai were taken into custody at separate locations. Warintorn was detained at a hotel in Mu Si, Nakhon Ratchasima, while Pattanachai was arrested inside a…
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Chon Buri man arrested after threatening and sexually assaulting minor leading to pregnancy
A 49 year old man has been arrested for sexually assaulting a 12 year old girl, resulting in her pregnancy. The suspect was apprehended at a friend’s house in the Phanat Nikhom District of Chon Buri Province after he had been in hiding since the incident occurred. Boonlue is believed to have committed the assault twice at the girl’s home…
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Qatari man nabbed for allegedly raping Thai man at Bangkok hospital (video)
Police arrested a Qatari man for allegedly raping an 18 year old Thai man in a bathroom of a private hospital in Bangkok. The suspect denied the charges. An officer from Lumpini Police Station conducted an investigation into the sexual assault case and managed to identify the suspect as a 23 year old Qatari man named Saoud Hussain Ma Alyafel.…
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Legal action demanded over former police chief’s alleged 200 million baht bid-rigging scandal
The president of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, demanded legal action against a former national police chief for alleged bid-rigging in the construction of ammunition factories. The former police chief is accused of transferring over 200 million baht intended for the purchase of stun guns. Atchariya lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Commission today, alleging that…
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Delivery dilemma: Thai logistics firm in hot water as labour exploitation claims posted
A prominent private logistics company has been forced to navigate emerging challenges, as allegations of labour exploitation surge. A post from the Riders Union page highlighted the plight of the company’s employees, who face drastic cuts in their commission rates and are expected to deliver up to 200 to 500 parcels a day without overtime pay. The post alleged… “Employees…
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Chinese tourists drop by 75,093 following shooting in Bangkok
The Economic Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that the number of Chinese tourists in Thailand last week fell by 75,093 compared to the previous week. The ministry said Thailand received 497,966 foreign tourists last week. This was 54,453 or 9.86% less than the previous week. The number of foreign tourists in the country decreased, especially Chinese…
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Famed Thai actress reports 2.4 million baht gold trading investment scam
A former Thai soap opera actress and her husband have reported an investment scam to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), involving a gold trading business operated by the son of a famous Bangkok singer. The couple was convinced to invest in the business, promising high returns of 10%, resulting in a loss of 2.4 million baht. The former actress, 63…
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Mun River’s unstoppable rise breaches barriers, submerging Thai communities, forcing mass evacuations
The Mun River broke through its sandbag barriers, causing a massive flood that submerged several communities up to 2 metres deep. The river’s relentless rise forced the evacuation of 195 families, while over 400 others continue to live in their flooded homes. The Mun River’s powerful flow eroded its sandbag barriers today, previously installed by the army, the Department of…
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Thai Labour Ministry addresses worker transfer issue in Israel amidst unrest
The issue of Thai workers being sold to other employers in Israel was addressed by Pairoj Chotiksathien, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour today. He clarified that the transfer of workers to new employers does not violate Israeli labour law, following an investigation by the Labour Attaché in Tel Aviv. Pairoj disclosed today that he ordered the Labour…
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Viral elevator nightmare: Thai woman’s lift ordeal shocks the Internet (video)
A young Thai woman’s terrifying experience of being trapped alone in a continuously ascending and descending lift has gone viral online. The ordeal, shared by a TikTok user known as @dreamiiqueen, saw the lift stop at an unselected, under-construction floor, leaving her in deep shock. The video, captioned “The first and last time with this incident #stucklift #trappedinlift #lift,” garnered…
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