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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Unusual tree brings luck seekers, sparks lottery frenzy in Thai village
An unusual Sisal tree bearing an uncanny resemblance to a mythical Naga snake has drawn crowds of people to the residence of an 89 year old woman in Non Malai village in Thailand’s northeast Buriram province. Villagers believe the tree brings fortune. They flocked to pay respects and seek lucky lottery numbers from the peculiar tree in front of the…
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Bangkok commuters demand missing link between Green and Yellow lines
The operators of Bangkok’s Green and Yellow lines are facing increasing pressure to construct a 2.6-kilometre connection between the two electric train systems. This would enable Bangkok commuters to conveniently switch lines at Ratchayothin and Lat Phrao stations. The Yellow Line monorail, set to begin operations later this year, will serve as a mass-transit link for commuters in Bangkok’s north…
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Thailand sees tourist tax refund surge since reopening in June
Following Thailand‘s full reopening in June last year, the number of tourist tax refunds has surged, as reported by Revenue Department director-general Lavaron Sangsnit. The increase in foreign visitors is evident in the substantial rise in value-added tax (VAT) refund totals. In 2022, over 423,000 tourists received VAT refunds, totalling 1.2 billion baht. Between January and May 2022, there were…
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Thailand urged to prioritise accessible tourism for disabled and elderly
Tourism operators in Thailand are calling for the development of a long-term action plan to make the country more accessible for elderly and disabled travellers. Jittasak Putjorn, an assistant professor at Silpakorn University researching the development of Thailand as a “Tourism For All” destination, said that the government and private operators should work together to close the gap in development…
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Rat-astrophe at beachside feast! Thai woman’s warning after rodent bite
A Thai woman issued a warning to others after she was bitten by a large rat while she was dining near Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri province. TikTok user, Wave.ds, posted a video of his sister with a bite wound two days ago with a caption that said… “Poor sister. A rat bit her when eating food on Bang…
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Miracle cosmetics offering: Woman wins lottery after praying to legendary goddess
A significant number of tourists have been visiting Bosot Prawat Pho temple and the shrine of the goddess Monthatip in Thailand’s central Samut Songkhram province, to seek luck and prosperity in their lives and businesses. Among them, Wassana Baisamut, a 49 year old restaurant owner, attributes her fortunate lottery win and booming business to offerings made to Monthatip, drawing further…
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Heavy rain warning across Thailand, strong winds raise flood risk
Heavy rain and flash floods are forecast across Thailand today with a 70% chance of Bangkok being affected. Compelling precautions, the Thai Meteorological Department has warned residents in at-risk areas. The Meteorological Department reports that for the next 24 hours, beginning from 6pm yesterday until 6pm today, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected across the northern, central, and eastern regions…
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Woman fatally shot amid domestic argument, husband blames dog jump for her death
A woman was found dead in her home after an argument with her drunken husband in Chachoengsao, Thailand. Police and forensic officers are investigating the scene and questioning four individuals, including the husband, to identify the perpetrator. Yesterday, officers from Chachoengsao Police Station were notified of a shooting that resulted in a fatality in a two-storey house in the city.…
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Lorry crashes into house after swerving to avoid truck in Thailand
A six-wheel lorry veered off the road and crashed into a house in Thailand‘s eastern Chanthaburi province, causing significant damage to the property. The homeowner narrowly escaped injury, while the truck driver stated that a sudden lane change by a pickup truck forced him off the road. The incident occurred yesterday in the Chanthaburi district when the vehicle lost control…
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Urine Luck! Controversial video of drinking pee for the good of your health goes viral (video)
An old video featuring Sondhi Limthongkul delivering health advice on drinking your urine has resurfaced online. In the video, he promotes urine therapy as a method for maintaining one’s health and treating illnesses. Debates have ensued questioning the efficacy and safety of the practice. In the video, Sondhi Limthongkul, a prominent Thai personality, discussed maintaining one’s health with the controversial…
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Bullied Thai student fatally stabs 1 and injures 2 others at renowned school
A secondary school student fatally stabbed a fellow student after an argument at a reputable school in Sri Rattana district in Thailand‘s northeast Sisaket province. Two other 14 year olds sustained serious injuries, Khaosod reported this morning. The incident led the Sisaket Provincial Governor, Samruay Kasemsuk, to urgently visit and aid the deceased student’s family, providing financial assistance and moral…
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Cabinet approves extension for over 200,000 migrant workers amid government limbo
The Thai Cabinet approved an extension for over 200,000 migrant workers’ employment contracts, allowing them to retain their jobs until the new government assumes office, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. The decision impacts workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, and comes after an initial rejection of the Labour Ministry’s request for an extension. The change of heart was…
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Motorbike rider killed in tragic collision with 6-wheel truck in central Thailand
A tragic accident occurred at Nawanakorn Industrial Estate in Thailand‘s central Pathum Thani province when a 26 year old man on a motorbike collided with a six-wheeled truck, resulting in his death. The incident took place at 7.30pm yesterday, and authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. The deceased man, originally from Ban Haet district in the northeast Khon…
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Economist warns of panic as new Thai government risks fiscal sustainability
Concerns about fiscal sustainability have been raised by Kiatnakin Phatra Securities (KKP), as the new government‘s potential “addiction to budget deficits” may cause panic in the stock market. KKP’s chief economist, Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, expressed his apprehensions regarding the country’s fiscal outlook if excessive expenditure is allocated by politicians and the government without a clear financing plan. As Thailand prepares for…
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Woman shot dead by ex-owner refusing to vacate repossessed house
A tragic incident unfolded this afternoon in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani when a woman was fatally shot by the irate former owner of a house she had recently purchased from a bank. The man, 65 years old, had refused to vacate the property and was in a standoff with the police at the time of the shooting. Officers were alerted…
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Songkhla Lake bridge project raises concerns for Thailand’s last Irrawaddy dolphins
Concerns have been raised over the potential impact of a proposed bridge across Songkhla Lake in Thailand on the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin population. Environmentalist Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat highlighted the importance of conservation efforts to protect the last 14 remaining Thai dolphins. Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, an expert in marine science and environmental issues, took to social media to express concerns…
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150 year old durian trees draw crowds to Trang, selling out daily
Residents and tourists are dashing to a 150-year-old durian orchard in Trang Province for its delicious, 50-baht-per-kilogram fruits. Demand has outpaced supply, with customers flocking to buy the durian varieties from this unique orchard of indigenous species. Sathit Rammana, a 52 year old orchard owner from Trang Province, tends to a 1,000 year old tree orchard called Ta Chan. Sathit’s…
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E-cigarette use linked to lung disease, concerns over misdiagnosis in Thailand
Concerns are rising among medical professionals in Thailand as e-cigarette-related pneumonia and bronchitis cases increase, particularly among those who use cannabis oil. Difficulties in diagnosis and a lack of awareness among doctors have contributed to under-reporting cases. Thai medical professionals have expressed their concerns over the increasing number of pneumonia and bronchitis cases connected to e-cigarette usage. Specifically, those using…
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TikTok sensation: Daring orange tabby cat stuns with pool diving skills
A clip of an orange tabby cat named Fuji secretly diving into a swimming pool has gone viral online after being shared on TikTok. The feline’s antics left the owner baffled, initially thinking the pet had accidentally fallen into the water. The video was posted on TikTok by the @jaratpongouytrak4 account. It quickly garnered attention from cat lovers as it…
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Hit-and-run chaos in Pattaya: Thai man left stranded as white sedan driver escapes justice
A Thai man involved in a hit-and-run accident near a Big C department store in Central Pattaya with the driver of the white sedan responsible is still at large. Thanachot Aranyapragorn shared his story with local media, expressing frustration that the driver has not been apprehended despite filing a report with Pattaya Police nine days ago. The accident occurred on…
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Abusive teacher faces arrest for tormenting 280 kids
A Thai nursery teacher faces arrest for allegedly abusing over 280 children at a childcare centre. On May 30, 2023, Wichit Boonchinwuttikun, the Saraburi Province’s police chief, disclosed the progress in the case; the suspect admitted their guilt and remorse. The investigation into the childcare centre abuse began when nine children were interviewed by a multidisciplinary team of prosecutors, police,…
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Thai exports decline for seventh month as global demand slows
The Thai Ministry of Commerce has reported a decline in the nation’s export value for the seventh consecutive month. In April, the value dropped by 7.6% compared to the previous year, a significantly larger decrease than the 2% fall anticipated by economists. April’s exports were valued at US$21.72 billion, a notable decrease from March’s 12-month high of US$27.65 billion. Despite…
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Woman rescued after lying naked in roadside forest
A 36 year old woman sought police help after she discovered herself lying naked in a roadside forest along Sri Waree Noi Road in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. The police suspect she was violated by a couple of friends who she spent time with the previous night. At about 9am today, a member of the Bang Plee Rescue Team accompanied…
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A bug’s life: Century-old temple overrun by termites attracts lottery enthusiasts in search of lucky signs
A century-old temple in Phetchabun province, Thailand, has termites almost completely covering its ancient Buddha statues. News of this brought lottery enthusiasts dashing to the temple in search of lucky signs. Locals and temple committee members opened the ancient chapel at Noen MaKha Noi Temple in preparation for its renovation, yesterday, May 29. Upon entering, they witnessed large termites covering…
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Brawl erupts between foreigners and Thai driver on road in Phuket (video)
A Thai minibus driver filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station yesterday after some foreigners broke two side view mirrors of his vehicle during a dispute on the road in Phuket. The Thai minibus driver, Monnaphan Makaraphan, told police that he was involved in a dispute with the foreign drivers and passengers of a red Toyota Yaris hatchback. He admitted…
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Teacher slaps student for chatting in class, unable to solve problem
A Thai secondary school teacher has come under criticism after slapping a 7th grade student for talking to a classmate during a lesson and failing to solve a problem on the board. A video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting the school and teacher to apologise. The incident took place at a school in Ubon Ratchathani province,…
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Man arrested for shooting transwoman girlfriend at Bangkok condo
Police arrested a Thai man at a condominium in Bangkok after he shot his transwoman girlfriend in the neck. The victim survived the attack, although she remains in critical condition. Officers from Din Deang Police Station rushed to the condominium on Pracha Songkhro Road in the Din Daeng district of Bangkok after being notified about the shooting in the early…
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Three students flee school, report older pupil abuse, spark local police search
Three primary school students in Udon Thani province fled their school premises after being physically abused by older students. They were found on the outskirts of a nearby village and later returned to the school, accompanied by their guardians and teachers. Yesterday, Veeraphol Raksameuwong, admin of the page “Ban Dung Update,” reported that officers from the Fao Rai Patrol Police…
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Teenager dies in Pattaya motorbike accident amid rainy conditions
A teenage motorcyclist tragically lost his life in an accident while driving home during rainfall in the early hours of this morning. Pattaya Police were alerted to the incident at 2.20am today and promptly arrived at Sukhumvit Road in the Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung District, Chon Buri province, to attend to the victim. Upon reaching the scene, authorities discovered a damaged red…
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Jackpot winner strikes gold with 19 lottery tickets after visit to Tiger Shrine
A lucky Thai man scooped a 114 million baht jackpot after buying 19 digital lottery tickets, following a visit to the renowned Tiger Shrine on the shrine’s opening day. He later returned to perform a ritual with his family, seeking blessings and good fortune. The Thanakhan Phoem Bun Foundation, a major philanthropic organisation managing the Tiger Shrine, shared photographs and…
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