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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Sponsored What to do in a medical emergency as an expat in Thailand
Handling a medical emergency in Thailand as an expat can be difficult without the right information. This guide explains what to do in a medical emergency, including important contact numbers, the differences between public and private hospitals, how to deal...
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PM Paetongtarn to visit southern provinces amid recent bombings
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will visit the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat tomorrow despite recent bombings in the region, as confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham, who is also with the defence ministry, yesterday, January 14, addressed two bomb incidents: one in Ano Ru subdistrict, Mueang district, Pattani, which injured six paramilitary rangers on Monday morning,…
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Thailand video news | Bangkok’s air quality hits hazardous levels, Singapore turns to AI for eldercare amid challenges
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you the latest updates from across Thailand and Asia. From a shocking warning about tainted drinks on Bangkok’s Khao San Road to the capital’s ongoing battle with hazardous air pollution, they explore pressing local issues. Meanwhile, Thailand’s tourism faces challenges with group cancellations during Chinese New Year, and a dramatic baht…
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Sax and spin cycle: Musician’s melody finger cut short by washer woe
A saxophonist in Nakhon Ratchasima suffered a severe injury when his finger was caught and partially severed by a washing machine. Doctors confirmed the need to amputate the upper part of his finger and advised caution when using washing machines. A Facebook user shared this incident as a warning, explaining that after hearing a loud noise from the washing machine,…
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Cambodian wanted for contract killing of Cambodian-French MP
Thai police issued an arrest warrant for a Cambodian man in connection with the contract killing of a former Cambodian-French opposition Member of Parliament in Bangkok. Police arrested the Thai gunman, Ekkaluck “Em” Parenoi, in Cambodia’s Prey Veng province on January 8 and brought him back to Thailand for questioning. Ekkaluck admitted to being hired to kill the former MP,…
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Father and son Border Patrol Police killed in Narathiwat attack
A tragic incident occurred in Narathiwat yesterday when two Border Patrol Police officers, a father and son, were killed in an attack involving an explosive device and subsequent gunfire. This violent event took place on the Sri Sakhon-Lubo Yuering Road near Ban Ai Kue Tae in Si Banphot subdistrict. Police Colonel Phakawat Wansanuk, head of Sri Sakhon Police Station, and…
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Nepalese duo arrested in Pattaya for fake US dollar scam
Two Nepalese mean were apprehended in Pattaya yesterday for allegedly defrauding locals and tourists using counterfeit US dollars. Police Major General Natthakorn Prapaiyon, Commander of Immigration Bureau Division 3, shared that police were alerted by locals about a so-called “Black Money gang” deceiving individuals in Pattaya with fake currency. The gang reportedly targeted both locals and foreign tourists. After receiving…
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Barking bad: Bangkok dealer’s pitbulls mask meth smells with poop
In a barking mad drug bust, police uncovered a cunning scheme where a Bangkok dealer used his pitbulls to poop and pee to hide his methamphetamine operation. The dogs’ pee and poop were more than just a mess – they were meant to mask the whiff of a massive meth haul stashed right under their noses. Today, January 15, a…
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Thailand boosts durian export checks after China ban
Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is set to enhance its contamination screening processes for durians before export to China, following a temporary ban imposed by the country. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat announced yesterday, January 14, that each durian shipment will undergo testing for Basic Yellow 2, a cancer-causing dye, along with cadmium and durian borers, prior to…
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Jet ski crash in Phuket leaves Chinese man dead, another injured
A Chinese man lost his life in a jet ski crash in Phuket yesterday while another Chinese national sustained minor injuries. The accident occurred in the waters off Patong Beach, in the Kathu district of Phuket, at around 2pm yesterday, January 14. The two injured Chinese men were identified as 33 year old Liu Hong Chao and 28 year old…
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Thailand to welcome foreign couples for surrogacy under new law
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is amending surrogacy legislation to align with the equal marriage law and to welcome overseas couples for surrogate births in Thailand. Director General of the Department of Health Service Support, Dr Panuwat Panket, shared updates yesterday, January 14, regarding the amendments to the Protection for Children Born through Assisted Reproductive Technologies Act. These revisions are being…
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Cold weather and heavy rain hit Thailand as monsoon intensifies
The Thai Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) reported today that a strong high-pressure system continues to cover upper Thailand and the South China Sea, resulting in cold weather across the regions. Northern and northeastern areas are experiencing cold to very cold conditions, with temperatures dropping to 9°C, while Bangkok and surrounding provinces have temperatures ranging from 18°C to 20°C. Residents…
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Retail therapy: Tops looks for Lunar New Year discounts, tourists
Central Food Retail Co., (CFR), the powerhouse behind Tops grocery stores, is banking on a flurry of government stimulus and a tourism boom to set tills ringing as the Lunar New Year approaches. Chakkit Chatupanyachotikul, the marketing maestro at CFR, is upbeat about the impact of the government’s Easy E-receipt tax deduction scheme, a nifty initiative running from January 16…
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Forks of fury: Woman seeks justice after nightspot stabbing drama
A Thai woman is seeking justice after being accused by a group of nearly 10 women of pouring water over them before they attacked and stabbed her in the back with a fork at a nightclub in the southern province of Songkhla. The 24 year old victim, Tar, brought the matter to Channel 7 after the police failed to update…
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Driving Thailand’s economy into the high-tech fast lane
In a bid to supercharge Thailand’s sputtering economy, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan is rallying the manufacturing sector to shift gears and embrace high-tech innovation. With aspirations to increase GDP growth by 1% annually, Akanat is touting cutting-edge products as the next big play, given the triple threat of tech disruptions, geopolitical spats, and looming climate change. Since the pandemic, Thailand’s…
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Thai-ing up rates: BoT bosses feel heat over 2% cap warning
Bank of Thailand (BoT) bosses are under fire after warnings from the top brass at the National Economic and Social Development Council that their key policy rate should not breach the 2% mark. BoT chief advisor Supavud Saichuea insisted keeping the lid on interest rates is crucial, given the country’s inflation target and sluggish GDP growth. Speaking at a high-profile…
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Thailand slashes barriers for elite visas: LTR programme
Thailand is making bold moves to attract wealthy foreigners and digital nomads by easing visa restrictions to position the country as a global hub for long-term residency. The Cabinet approved sweeping changes to its Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa programme, streamlining the application process and eliminating outdated Smart visa categories, a Government House source revealed. The revised LTR visa rules target…
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Brrr-illiant care: Chiang Mai Zoo keeps animals cozy at 10°c
As temperatures in Chiang Mai drop to a chilly 10 degrees Celsius (°C), Chiang Mai Zoo is stepping up to ensure its animals stay warm and healthy. Located at the foot of a mountain, the zoo faces sharp nighttime and early-morning temperature dips, prompting a range of protective measures for its residents. Zoo director Wutthichai Muangman revealed that heat lamps…
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Thailand’s nuclear power plan delayed amid policy uncertainties
Thailand is preparing for the integration of nuclear power technology but the implementation of the new power development plan (PDP) for small modular reactors (SMRs) is experiencing delays. The PDP, effective from 2024 to 2037, has yet to be enforced, involving collaboration between the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Office of Atoms for Peace on nuclear power and electricity management. SMRs,…
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Bangkok chokes on toxic air as PM2.5 levels hit danger zone
Bangkok’s air quality plummeted to hazardous levels, with PM2.5 dust particles soaring to the orange health-threatening category across all 50 districts, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported today. The average PM2.5 concentration in the city reached 47.6 µg/m³ this morning, significantly exceeding the safe limit of 37.5 µg/m³. The five worst-affected districts are Nong Khaem (56.7 µg/m³), Khlong Sam Wa…
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Surat Thani aids residents hit by high seas and strong winds
The Marine Department in Surat Thani province is actively assisting residents in two districts affected by strong winds and high sea levels. Yesterday, January 13, the Second Naval Area Command, led by Captain Natthaphon Sinphunphon and Captain Sompop Srisuksai, visited Chon Kram subdistrict in Don Sak district and Phlai Wat subdistrict in Kanchanadit district. They distributed relief packages to those…
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Baht bus brawl: Phuket driver and foreign man row over fare
A physical altercation broke out between a Thai baht bus driver and a foreign man outside a hotel in Phuket after the foreigner refused to pay the agreed transport fare. The Phuket Times shared a video of the altercation today, January 14. However, the page did not specify when or where the incident occurred. The accompanying post read… “Fighting! The…
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Scrambled spat: Egg row ends with knife attack in Pattaya
Pattaya police and rescue workers rushed to a chaotic scene on Sunday where a domestic dispute over frying eggs took a violent turn, leaving a man with a knife lodged in his head. Officers arrived at a rental room in Soi Paniadchang 8, Central Pattaya, yesterday, January 12, to find 36 year old Krisada Matcha, bleeding profusely and stumbling down…
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Fatal collision scatters chicken parts on Thai road
A collision involving a six-wheeled truck and a trailer truck yesterday on the Pho Phra Ya-Tha Ruea road in Mueang district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, resulted in one fatality. The impact led to fresh chicken parts scattering across the road. Police Lieutenant Banchoed Jongphitakphong of the Tha Ruea Police Station received the accident report yesterday, January 13, at 12.30pm,…
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Rolling the dice: Thailand to legalise online gambling
In a landmark move, the Thai Cabinet approved amendments to ministerial regulations aimed at legalising online gambling, with changes expected to be completed within a month. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) Prasert Chantararuangthong revealed the decision today, following discussions at the Cabinet meeting yesterday, January 13. The amendments, spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital…
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Sinful: Ex-nun claims reveal monk-key business at Isaan temple
A former Thai nun exposed the inappropriate behaviour of an abbot at Dan Phra In Temple in the Isaan province of Mukdahan, claiming the monk engaged in sexual activities with her for over seven years and gave her large sums of money donated by Buddhists. The former nun, Phorn, urged the news Facebook page เจ๊มอย v+ (J Moi V+) to…
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Over 200,000 mule accounts targeted in scam gangs crackdown
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) launched an all-out crackdown on scam networks using over 200,000 mule bank accounts to siphon off approximately 100 billion baht from Thai citizens since 2022. The scale of the financial crimes has prompted an urgent collaboration between the RTP, the Bank of Thailand (BoT), and other agencies. At a high-level meeting yesterday, January 13, Police General…
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Bucket list gone wrong: Swansea gran’s naked Bangkok escapade
A 61 year old grandmother from Swansea found herself stark naked and wandering her hotel, allegedly after downing a tainted bucket of booze in bustling Bangkok. Janet West’s unnerving adventure adds a chilling chapter to the ongoing saga of suspected deadly drinks across Southeast Asia. West’s bizarre evening unfolded amid the wild festivities of the new year on Bangkok’s buzzing…
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Thai Airways takes off at new Singapore terminal
In a major shake-up for travellers, Thai Airways is relocating its Singapore operations to Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 starting February 18. The move promises better lounge access and enhanced facilities for passengers flying the popular Bangkok-Singapore route. The switch marks the end of an era at Terminal 1, where Thai Airways operated for decades. The airline, which runs 35 weekly…
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Police raid reveals sim box scam in Bangkok apartment
Police in Region 1 raided an apartment in the Lat Phrao area, uncovering eight sim box devices used for scam calls to defraud victims out of millions. The apartment was rented by a foreign national. Efforts are underway to expand the investigation and make arrests. Police Major General Worachat Saenkham, commander of the Region 1 Investigation Division, along with other…
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Thai tomboy assaulted by neighbour over loud noise in Pattaya
A Thai tomboy is seeking justice after a male neighbour allegedly threatened her with a knife and beat her with a baseball bat at an apartment in Pattaya last week, reportedly over loud noise. CCTV footage also captured the tomboy damaging her neighbour’s room. The altercation between the couple, Sirinapa and Kanokwan, and their neighbour, Tee, occurred at around 12.25am…
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