Thailand News
Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.
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Drunk foreigner shocks Phuket woman by entering her unlocked car
A Thai man took to social media to issue a warning to locals in Phuket after a drunk foreign man entered his girlfriend’s unlocked car last night leaving her in shock. The Thai man, Wuttipong “Bank” Phibun, shared the story in a Facebook group, ขับรถแบบนี้ต้องประจาน ภูเก็ต (meaning “bad drivers in Phuket must be exposed”), today, November 12. He revealed that…
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Phuket council election set for February 1 next year
The Phuket Election Commission (PEC) confirmed that the election for the new president and council members of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) is set for Saturday, February 1, 2025. The decision has stirred some concern, as Parit Wacharasindhu, a member of the People’s Party in the House of Representatives, pointed out the potential impact on voter turnout. Elections must…
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Thai Cabinet approves 3 new holidays for 2025 and 2026
The Thai Cabinet has approved an addition of three special public holidays for the years 2025 and 2026, resulting in a total of 21 official holidays next year. These additional days aim to extend existing holiday periods into longer breaks. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Phumtham Wechayachai, announced the decision following the Cabinet meeting at Government House earlier…
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Newsflash: Actor, activist exposed in alleged 20 million baht extortion
A famous Thai news programme host accused a Thai actor and a female activist of using his name to extort money from a senior member of the iCon Group. The renowned host, Kanchai “Noom” Kamnerdploy, came forward today, November 12, to expose the fraudulent actions of the actor and activist. He initially shared the story on his Facebook page and later…
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Thai land dispute: Minister defends decision against court ruling
Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri defended a contentious decision by a land committee not to revoke land title documents for plots in Buriram’s Khao Kradong area. This decision comes despite a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that determined the land in question belongs to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). A dispute has arisen over 5,083 rai of land in Mueang…
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Bangkok couple arrested for 39 million baht lottery embezzlement
A Bangkok couple, employed by lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd, has been taken into police custody amid allegations of embezzling 39 million baht from a Thai woman who had previously won a significant Euromillions lottery prize. This arrest marks a significant development in an ongoing investigation into the alleged financial misconduct surrounding the case. The couple, 34 year old Nuwat Yongyut and…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport to offer early check-in by February
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is set to introduce an early check-in service, allowing passengers to complete their check-in process up to 24 hours before departure. This initiative, announced on the Transport Ministry’s social media platform, is aimed at enhancing traveller convenience and reducing congestion at Thailand’s primary international gateway. Airports of Thailand (AoT) President Kerati Kijmanawat indicated that the service is…
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Thai baht hits lowest level amid central bank independence fears
Thailand’s baht suffered a significant drop, marking the largest decline among Asian currencies amid growing concerns over the diminishing independence of the nation’s central bank. The baht depreciated by over 1% to 34.739 against the US dollar, reaching its weakest level since August 19. This decline followed reports that Kittiratt Na-Ranong, a former finance minister known for his critical stance…
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Pilotless ‘air taxis’ takes first flights above Bangkok (video)
Chinese aviation tech company EHang made history by launching its EH216-S pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Thailand. The debut passenger flights, held at the Thailand Drone Exhibition & Symposium 2024, mark a major milestone as Thailand becomes the 18th country to host EHang’s futuristic eVTOL flights. With the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) leading the…
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Fire ravages Ranong market building, efforts save nearby school
A devastating fire engulfed a four-storey commercial building in the heart of Ranong’s market area, taking five hours to bring under control. The blaze consumed two shops selling religious goods while efforts to prevent further spread were successful. Today, November 12, the disaster prevention and mitigation team of Ranong Municipality received an urgent report about a fire breaking out in…
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Ex-Finance Minister Kittirat to head Bank of Thailand amid backlash
Former Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong has been selected as chairperson of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), sparking fierce debate over his potential influence on the nation’s economic policies. In a closed-door meeting that lasted five hours yesterday, November 11, the selection committee decided to appoint Kittirat to replace Poramethi Vimolsiri, whose term ended in September. The committee also appointed two…
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Pregnant Thai woman charged with attempted murder of ex-boyfriend
Police arrested a pregnant Thai woman in Chon Buri for attempted murder after she allegedly conspired with her boyfriend to kill her ex-boyfriend. She claimed that her ex shared an explicit video of her with her 11 year old son, leaving the boy devastated. The victim, a 32 year old man known as A, filed a complaint with Nong Prue Police…
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Coconut prices crack open a fortune for farmers in Trang
Coconut farmers in Trang province are celebrating as prices soar, with coconuts now fetching as much as 20 baht each, doubling previous prices. This lucrative market shift promises earnings exceeding 30,000 baht, drawing significant interest from traders eager to purchase entire plantations. At the integrated agricultural garden owned by 64 year old Suthep Wattanavatchara, located in the village of Khao…
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Thai man found dead 3 days after escaping arrest for theft
A Thai man, who escaped arrest by fleeing into roadside grassland after stealing from a convenience store in the central province of Ayutthaya, has been found dead three days after he disappeared. Bang Pa-in Police Station officers were called to the cattail grassland near Sin Thiwa Thani Village in Bang Pa-in district, Ayutthaya, at about 5pm yesterday, November 11, to…
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Devastating fire in Suphan Buri destroys two homes after explosions
A devastating fire in Suphan Buri destroyed two wooden homes after a series of three loud explosions. The incident prompted a swift response from local police and firefighters to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby community houses. Initial investigations suggest an electrical short circuit as the likely cause. Suphan Buri police officer Khwankhao Inawang received reports of a fire…
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Going bananas: Thailand’s creative crackdown on Hua Hin’s monkey mayhem
Innovative measures are underway in Thailand to address issues of monkey disturbances in the Hua Hin area, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), in collaboration with the Hua Hin Municipality, has launched a unique operation employing remote control traps to relocate monkeys from Khao Takiab and Khao Hin Lek Fai. The operation,…
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Hawk theft stumps owner as police stall over 10,000 baht fee
A young entrepreneur is grappling with a distressing theft involving a prized Harris’s hawk, valued at nearly 200,000 baht (US$5,765), allegedly stolen by an employee. Three months on, the case remains unresolved despite clear evidence and a reported demand for a 10,000 baht (US$290) fuel fee by police for assistance in the investigation. The incident unfolded when a 25 year…
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Passenger tries to open plane door on Bangkok-South Korea flight
Panic erupted onboard a Korean Air flight from Bangkok to Incheon, South Korea, when a passenger allegedly attempted to open the emergency exit mid-flight, sparking a frantic scramble by the cabin crew to restrain him. The terrifying incident occurred on Korean Air flight KE658 on Thursday, November 7. The unnamed man reportedly commandeered a crew seat without permission, ignoring warnings…
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Jealous Thai man stabs wife to death over alleged affair on TikTok
A jealous Thai man stabbed his wife to death at their shared home in the eastern province of Rayong yesterday after he reportedly suspected her of having an affair with a man she met online due to her obsession with the TikTok app. An assistant to the Samnakthong sub-district chief, along with residents, restrained the 49 year old murderer, Narate, and…
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Tropical storm Yinxing brings heavy rain, flood risks to South Thailand
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) released Announcement No. 17 (278/2567) regarding the ominous tropical storm Yinxing. As of 4am today, November 12, the storm was located in the South China Sea, around 110 kilometres east of Quang Ngai, Vietnam, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometres per hour. Moving southward at 15 kilometres per hour, the storm is expected…
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PETA claws back at Thai drama director over anaesthetised cat
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) took to its Asia Facebook page to call for a ban on a Thai drama series director from working with animals after controversy erupted over the use of anaesthesia on a cat on set. In one scene of the fifth episode of the historical drama series The Empress of Ayodhaya, the…
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SEC to charge violators to boost Thai stock market confidence
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to initiate legal proceedings against violators of the Securities and Exchange Act to bolster confidence in the Thai stock market. This decisive action highlights the SEC’s commitment to safeguarding investor interests and maintaining market integrity. According to Anek Yooyuen, SEC Deputy Secretary-General, the regulatory body will persist in addressing cases involving misconduct…
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Pattaya lights up: Giant 3D screen draws crowds
Walking Street in South Pattaya just turned up the heat on its nightlife scene, and tourists are lapping it up. On Saturday night, November 9, the city’s iconic strip of bars, clubs, and neon lights added a high-tech twist—a gigantic 3D LED screen that has quickly become the area’s newest magnet for visitors. Crowds of both local and international tourists…
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Bangkok urges ‘zero-foam’ floats for eco-friendly Loy Krathong festival
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is calling on residents to adopt a zero-foam approach for this year’s Loy Krathong festival, encouraging the use of biodegradable floats to safeguard the environment. The push comes after last year’s festival saw over 20,000 of the 639,828 floats collected made from foam, despite previous environmental appeals. Worranut Suaykhakhao, Deputy Director of the Environment Department at…
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Thailand video news | Thailand’s Prime Minister drives airport upgrades to boost tourism, Passenger’s disturbance on Korean Air flight ends in arrest
In today’s video news from Thailand, Alex was joined by DK to cover top stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. The stories included Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s initiative to upgrade Suvarnabhumi Airport, introducing biometric technology and expanding facilities to enhance the visitor experience. Safety concerns were raised in Phuket after a tourist was robbed of millions in cryptocurrency, while Bangkok…
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Thai man arrested for sister-in-law’s murder in Pathum Thani
Police arrested a Thai man for the murder of his sister-in-law, who served as a sub-district secretary in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. The victim allegedly attempted to obstruct his relationship with her younger sister. The body of 57 year old Worrakanok Thepphimon, deputy secretary of the Khlong Sam Sub-district Office, was discovered on Saturday, November 9, by her sister,…
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Thailand boosts local content in industries amid US-China trade tensions
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira is advocating for increased utilisation of domestic raw materials by businesses and the promotion of Thai ownership within supply chain companies. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the competitiveness of local industries by offering privileges through the Board of Investment (BoI). Pichai, serving as the chairman of the BoI, emphasised the importance…
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Taxi tensions in Phuket: Drivers demand ride-hailing rights
Tensions are boiling over in Phuket as local green plate taxi drivers, reliant on app-based bookings to stay afloat, face hefty 2,000-baht fines for doing just that. Drivers rallied at Saphan Hin’s central stage last Tuesday, November 5, calling on officials to overhaul outdated regulations that penalise them for using ride-hailing apps – a vital income stream since the pandemic…
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Thai woman’s daring car cling ends in roadside heartbreak (video)
A Thai woman desperately tried to stop her husband from fleeing with his mistress by clinging onto his car, only to be savagely attacked and left abandoned by him on a roadside in Phatthalung, a southern province. The 48 year old woman, Bee, called officers from Mueang Phatthalung Police Station to pick her up from the side of Aphai Borrirak…
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Thailand refurbishes coal units to ensure affordable power supply
Thailand is taking steps to ensure a stable and affordable electricity supply through the refurbishment of two coal-fired power generation units. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) plans to extend the service life of Units 8 and 9, located in Lampang, as part of its strategy to maintain low-cost electricity production. Refurbishing these units involves essential maintenance to boost…
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